weird "Verizon" surveyors‏

See this Monday, 05-04-2015, message:
                   
We're living on the corner of Flagler and V NW and had some somewhat odd young white guys knock on our door tonight around 730 and begin asking us about our cable package and the person paying the bill, as well as how many TV's were on the house.. Supposedly because of line work between the rowhouses on Flagler and the Gage school condos. I was pretty flustered to get a strange Verizon knock but these guys weren't wearing polos with a Verizon logo, didn't have a contact for the house, had notes on a blank piece of paper  and stuck me as off. 

Bloomingdale-based Design 36ixty: "Stage it to get it SOLD"

Looking to sell your home and need help staging it?  Consider Bloomingdale-based Design 36ixty.

See this post from a while ago regarding 73 U St NW.
                                

Design 36ixty Interiors Stage to Get It Sold 2015 03 by Scott Roberts

what Bloomingdale pop-ups/pop-backs would be impacted by the Zoning Case 14-11 proposed R-4 regulation ?

Okay, Bloomingdale:

The DC Zoning Commission has initially voted in favor of the proposed Zoning Case 14-11 "Pop-Up Regulations.".

The comment period is open until May 31.   Here is the link if you wish to comment.

     
The proposed zoning regulations include the key changes listed below for R-4-zoned DC neighborhoods, which includes the residential areas of Bloomingdale:

- maximum height of pop-ups would be from 40 feet to 35 feet.  A zoning special exception would be needed for a height above 35 feet.

- maximum distance past the back of adjoining buildings would be 10 feet.  

- the maximum number of dwelling units permitted that would not require a zoning special exception would be four; a zoning special exception would be required for five or more units on really large R-4 lots.  (The largest lots in Bloomingdale can only accommodate three dwelling units, so this provision does not impact Bloomingdale.  Note that some neighbors do not like having greater than two dwelling units per lot in Bloomingdale.) 

- a pop-up/pop-back would not be able to interfere with the operation of neighbors' solar panels. (Some Bloomingdale rowhouses have roof-top solar panels and would ostensibly be protected against pop-ups/pop-backs that interfere with them.)

- the proposed regulations indicate that a rooftop architectural element original to the structure, such as a turret, tower or dormers shall not be removed or significantly altered, including its height, elevation or size. (The proposed R-4 regulation addresses the issue of removing an element and then putting it back on top of a third floor via a restriction that the elevation or height cannot be increased. If someone wanted to do it, they would have to get a zoning special exception. This would definitely would impact some pop-ups developed in Bloomingdale.)

- the proposed regulations count mezzanines as a floor.  (Are there any mezzanines in Bloomingdale?  Not that I know of.)   

- the proposed regulations have an Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) component which applies to four or greater units.  (Since Bloomingdale does not have lot sizes large enough to accommodate four or greater dwelling units, this IZ component does not apply to Bloomingdale.) 

- the proposed 14-11 regulations do not address rooftop penthouses at all.   A rooftop penthouse may be described as not intended for human occupation, such as penthouses over mechanical equipment, a stairway, or an elevator shaft. Rooftop penthouses do not count as a floor. Separate proposed zoning regulations address rooftop penthouses. 

What existing or under-construction pop-ups would have been governed by these new regulations?

The first example might be 42 W Street NW's pop-back.

The proposed zoning regulation change would limit the depth of the pop-back to 10 feet of the houses on either side. Some neighbors have estimated that the pop-back at 42 W St NW is greater than 25 feet.

Note the proposed pop-up zoning regulations are not a done deal; a second vote is needed. The second vote by the Zoning Commission might occur in June or July. 

There is no date for implementation.  Some developers have asked for a year delay in the implementation of whatever gets passed. Expect a battle over the date of implementation.

Note that the pop-up at 1833 1st Street NW, down from Costa Brava in our business corridor, would not be impacted by 14-11.  It is zoned C-2-A and is currently allowed under zoning regulations.  
                              
C-2-A pop-ups & oop-backs are not part of this discussion.

Ghosts of DC: Bloomingdale real estate ad from 1911

Thanks to Ghosts of DC!

Ghosts of DC @GhostsofDC · 20h20 hours ago

Best Buy in Bloomingdale (1911) @BloomingdaleDC #rerun http://buff.ly/1GPzUV5 
4:43 PM - 2 May 2015

Zagat includes El Camino on its list of hottest Mexican restaurants in the US

See this tweet from El Camino:

El Camino DC @ElCaminoDC · May 2

Honored to be a part of @Zagat's list of hottest Mexican restaurants in the US! #BloomingdaleDC https://www.zagat.com/b/the-hottest-mexican-restaurants-across-the-u.s?

The Hottest Mexican Restaurants Across the U.S.

By Zagat Staff | April 29, 2015

El Camino in Washington, DC

Why it’s hot: This newish hot spot in hipster-heavy Bloomingdale delivers its popular tacos, brunch dishes and fish-of-the-day specials on mismatched vintage china or in skillets with a backdrop of a retro-cool Chicano-Mexican space.

Must-order: Scallop ceviche; chorizo tacos; the cucumber margarita

stabbing reported on the 300 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW at 8:25 pm

See this alert tweet from earlier this evening: 

dcalerts ‏@dcalerts  3h3 hours ago

Stabbing_2025 hrs_300 b/o Rhode Island Avenue, NW_ No Lookout CALL 911 W/ EVENT # I20150233655

9:01 PM - 2 May 2015

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 05/03/2015

Pictured above is 39 S St NW priced at $850,000. and will be open from 1-4pm

The featured property shown above, located at 39 S St NW and will be open Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.  The listing is represented by Brian Logan with Brian Logan Real Estate.  You can find more information in the link below.

The list of open houses scheduled for Sunday in and around Bloomingdale can be seen here.  The same info can be seen in a map format here.

*Agents, to have your open houses included in this weekly post, please have them tagged in MRIS by 10am on Friday.  If you don't see your open house in the links, feel free to add in the comments.  Also, if you would like your open to be featured with a picture for this post, please e-mail suzanne at 10 square team dot com by 10am on Friday before the open.

two weeks from today: Bloomingdale Community Day in Crispus Attucks Park on Saturday, 05-16-2015

Bloomingdale Community Day in Crispus Attucks Park is May 16! View this email in your browser

The Bloomingdale Community Day in Crispus Attucks Park, featuring the Taste of Bloomingdale and the 12th Annual Yard Sale, is May 16 from 9am to 3pm!  This fun event is Bloomingdale's largest annual gathering, the largest fundraiser for the park, and a great time for all involved. We need your help to make the Community Day a success! Volunteer! Crispus Attucks Park always needs volunteers, both in advance of the Community Day and on the day of.  Sign up here, or attend the next volunteer meet this coming Wednesday, April 15, 7pm at 2015 First St NW.  All are welcome! Sell your stuff at the yard sale!  Sign up now to reserve a plot at the yard sale. Plots are $25 now; $35 after May 2. Donate your things to CADC for us to sell at the yard sale!  Contact us about your donation here.  You may drop off your items with us in advance. Sponsor the Community Day!  If you're a local business, we would love your financial support!  All sponsors are thanked on our website and in flyers about the event.  Cook for the Taste of Bloomingdale! If you're a local restaurant, let us know if you would like to participate. If you're an simply an eater like the rest of us, save your appetite! Share information about your nonprofit! We make sure local nonprofit organizations are able to share information with the neighborhood.  Contact us to join. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16, 9am to 3pm, in Crispus Attucks Park! In the meanwhile, hope to see you in Crispus Attucks Park! Will Gomaa President, Crispus Attucks Development Corporation P.S. Please remember to keep your dog on-leash at all times in Crispus Attucks Park!  It'sone of our park rules!

Copyright © 2015 Crispus Attucks Development Corporation, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in Crispus Attucks Park. Our mailing address is: Crispus Attucks Development Corporation 23 U St NW Washington, DC 20001

champagne celebration Bloomingdale resident & author Tom Noll at Brookland's Wohlfarth Gallieries -- Sunday, 05-03-2015

Dear Family & Friends; 

Judith Terra, Lavinia Wohlfarth & Lisa Farrell Invite you and bring kids if you can!

****Please Only RSVP If Attending: wohlfarthgalleries@gmail.com  or (202)526-8022
                                          

The Gallery is by the National Catholic Basilica and University- Off Michigan Ave NE and Monroe Street..

https://www.google.com/maps/place/wohlfarth+galleries/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xf3012d01c877b3ad?dg=dbrw&newdg=1 

see the tweets from yesterday's opening day at Pub & the People, North Capitol St NW & R St NW

I captured the tweets for the Twitter account @PubandtheePeople from opening day -- Friday, 05-01-2015 -- and created a story at Storify..

You can read the Storify story here .

                        

                      

42 W Street NW rowhouse condo conversion: "This is what it's like to live next to profit focused condo conversion‏"

See this message from neighbors who live next door to the under-construction three-unit pop-up and 20 ft-plus pop-back at 42 W Street NW:

This is what it's like to live next to a condo conversion where DCRA doesn't care and investors will work their staff beyond construction hours six days a week.   That's a 72 hour week for employees. First photo. 7:10pm " it's after 7:00". "Yes, we're leaving."  Next photo 7:45.  Still haven't gone and I have to use my inadequate Spanish to ask why a guy is drilling in the back and suggest I'm going to call the police. #stopthepop. That's my rain soaked door mat hanging in front because they had to remove their porch roof to enable a 20+ foot extension past our rear wall. Now we get a wet porch when it rains. It should be community first, not profit first. 

Robin Shuster: Bloomingdale Farmers Market to re-open on Sunday, 05-10-2015

Subject: BFM reopens next Sunday
From: Robin Shuster
Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 17:17:06 -0400
        
Hi Scott,
    
Just want to let everyone know that the market reopens next Sunday the 10th! (We had originally planned this week but it will be next Sunday instead.
  
Best, 
Robin
              
Robin Shuster
Director
14&U Farmers' Market
Bloomingdale Farmers Market
www.marketsandmore.info

Bloomingdale resident and author Tom Noll at Brookland's Wohlfarth Galleries Sunday

See this tweet and pic:

East City Art ‏@eastcityart  1h1 hour ago

Meet author-artist Tom Noll at Wohlfarth Galleries​ in #Brookland Sunday: http://www.eastcityart.com/openings-and-events/meet-dc-based-author-and-artist-tom-noll-at-wohlfarth-galleries/ … cc:@BrooklandBridge

Pub and the People gearing up for this afternoon's opening at 5 pm

From the Pub and the People's Twitter account and Facebook page:

Pub and the People @PubandthePeople · 17h17 hours ago

It's been a whirlwind day of press and pictures. So awesome! 1 last night of training and we'll be ready to rock tomorrow.

5:23 PM - 30 Apr 2015

The Pub and the People

16 hrs · 

It's been a whirlwind day of press and pictures. So awesome! 1 last night of training and we'll be ready to rock tomorrow.

The Pub and the People

18 hrs · 

Thanks Urban Daddy! Great article! All of our cheeks are blushing.

http://www.urbandaddy.com/…/The_Pub_the_People_Whiskey_and_…

hot dogs & ice cream at Harmony Public Charter School Community BBQ Social -- Saturday, 05-02-2015

Here is a community event at Harmony Public Charter School in Eckington at 62 T Street NE.

Harmony Public Charter School Community BBQ Social 2015 05 02 by Scott Roberts

Wake & Bacon comedy + brunch show at the Washington Firehouse Restaurant -- Saturday afternoons

Michael Ford ‏@MFord81  1h1 hour ago

@NorthCapitolDC NYC's Lance Weiss, Luke Thayer in Bloomingdale for brunch + laughs Saturday!

9:16 PM - 29 Apr 2015 

http://www.dchappynesshourshows.com/shows/wake-bacon-comedy-brunch-dc/ 

Wake & Bacon comedy + brunch show

Warm up for your weekend and brunch in style!

Every Saturday, brunchers from Bloomingdale and beyond gather for a unique opportunity to unwind with booze, bacon, and belly laughs at Wake & Bacon, the District's premier brunch + comedy show. Performers from the District's rich and vibrant comedy scene join with national headliners to lavish levity on you and your friends. Wash down our punchlines with some bottomless mimosas as you gear up for your Saturday night!

Brunch service (including those mimosas) begins at 2pm on the beautiful second floor of the Washington Firehouse Restaurant (1626 North Capitol St., NW). At 3pm, host Michael Manning Ford kicks off the show, introducing the stars of today and tomorrow who are here to help you laugh off those Friday night pints.

Local comedy group LYGO (Laugh Your Grits Off) started Wake & Bacon in 2012, and it remains the area's only daytime comedy + brunch show. Wake & Bacon does not have a cover charge and is supported entirely by audience donations. You can make a free RSVP for an upcoming Wake & Bacon show here: http://www.dchappynesshourshows.com/shows/wake-bacon-comedy-brunch-dc/

over in Brookland: Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild Open House -- Saturday, 05-02-2015

See this event announcement:

Have you visited the Franciscan Monastery recently?

Tomorrow might be a good time to visit the Open House.

Cafe Los Suenos pop-up back at Showtime Lounge this weekend

Visit their Facebook page:
                      
Looking for a weekend treat? Come visit us at our pop up shop in Bloomingdale on Saturday and Sunday.

Pub and the People opens today, Friday, 05-01-2015

See this tweet and pic:
         

Tim Ebner ‏@ebnert  36m36 minutes ago

Today @PubandthePeople opens in #BloomingdaleDC and here's the menu. "The Tabby" gets my vote.

8:28 AM - 1 May 2015 ·