the closed Hot Trout Grill place emptied out

A Florida Avenue NW sent this message today:

Today, crews have been moving equipment out of the former Hot Trout Grill between the liquor store and Christina Nails at the southwest corner of Florida Ave. and North Capitol Street NW. They are moving it all into a U-Haul parked in the alley between Florida Ave. and Bates St. NW.

I tried asking one of the workers what was happening as I passed, but he did not speak English well.

Do you or anyone else know what is going on there? Is something new moving in?
The Hot Trout Grill has been closed since I moved here in August.

seeking referrals for a structural engineer

See this request from a Rhode Island Avenue NW resident:

I'm looking for a structural engineer to survey a planned basement dig, reinforce 1st floor supports, and create plans to file with the city for my basement remodel.

I did try to contact an engineer from a previous posting but they're not answering.

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 01/31/2010

Open houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for Sunday.

Yoga District: Family Yoga & Community Playtime

See this message posted by Bloomingdale resident Angela Robinson:

BloomingdaleKids, partnered with Yoga District, are pleased to bring you...

BloomingdaleKids

Family Yoga & Community Playtime
@ Yoga District, 1830 1st St., NW DC

Yoga 1:30-2:15pm,
one class pass per tot

($10 or less).

Playtime 2:15-3:15pm, by donation.

Sundays starting Feb. 7th, except Feb. 28. Feel free to come to one or both events!

Family yoga is a supportive, playful, and active yoga class for parents/guardians and their tots (crawling to 24 months). Tots become more confident in their moving bodies with yoga! As a tot's mobility increases, classes offer poses that encourage and support their physical explorations.

During this yoga class, crawlers and walkers playfully practice yoga postures while they are standing, sitting up, walking, and jumping with the assistance of their parent(s) or guardian. Parents/guardians also get to do a little yoga, but no yoga experience or flexibility is required.

All guardians/parents present will be asked to participate, as observers can distract tots, and there's no reason to not join in! Space permitting, we ask that you purchase one class pass ($10 or less) per tot. Two guardians/parents can come with one tot. Only if we reach capacity will we limit one guardian/parent per tot so that we can make room for as many tots as we can handle!

Click here (https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/asp/home.asp) to make a reservation (Please first purchase a pass and then scroll to Sunday's classes to make the reservation. Please make the reservation and pass purchase under the parent/guardian name). Mat rentals are available for $1, and we offer free mat storage if you have your own mat.

This class will be lead by two courageous, joyful mothers: Jayanti, a long-time yoga teacher for both youth and adults, and Chere, a teacher-understudy and long-time Yoga District intern!

We recommend that all participants wear clothing that moves with them and provides comfortable coverage.

Everyone is welcome to join us after class for a by-donation Community Playtime, where families from the neighborhood can meet and play! Toys will be provided, but if your little one would like to bring his/her own, please avoid heavy toys and art supplies (planned art activities with appropriate preparations will be announced in the future). Each family will be responsible for their own clean up. Please note that no shoes are allowed in the studio beyond the entry benches, so wear your favorite socks! And donate what you like - a few dollars goes a long way for Yoga District's shoestring budget! No need to reserve a spot- just come! Playtime ends promptly at 3:15pm to prepare for the next class.

Please note that youth without a participating and responsible guardian/parent cannot participate in the class nor playtime, and no day care services are offered. Parents/guardians will remain responsible for the safety of their tot at all times.

If you have additional questions about community playtime, please contact Mikaela Seligman at: mikaela.seligman @ gmail.com.

http://www.yogadistrict.org/
202-265-YOGA (9642)

to-open-soon Beau Thai restaurant seeks zoning assistance

See this message from a Randolph Place NW resident:

I have it on good authority (namely, the future owner/operator of the restaurant) that an authentic Thai restaurant will come close to us in Bloomingdale, just slightly west on the corner of R St. and New Jersey Ave., N.W., a couple of blocks from Big Bear Cafe due west on R...

The restaurant is going to be called Beau Thai. [Moderator note: it was mentioned back in October at the DC BACA blog here: http://dcbaca.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/two-new-restaurants /].

She is aiming for an early March opening. She is a veteran in the Thai food business (and a relative of the operator of Thai X-Ing on Florida Avenue NW).

She will at first only have take-out service, as her zoning appears to be restricted to that for the time being (take-out was apparently grandfathered-in through prior use of the, very nice, building). She told me that what she really wants to do is a full-fledged sit-down Thai restaurant, however.

I believe she will need our and our ANC Commissioners' support, as well as that of the Shaw community of course. I don't see why anyone would not want to support more sit-down restaurants. If anyone can help provide advice in this regard (re-zoning for commercial/restaurant use), I'm sure she will be happy to hear it -- I will update the listserv with her information to contact directly, once things are finalized on her end.

Also, does anyone know whether NCMS would be a source of any grants or other support for this welcome business addition, even though it's a few blocks away from North Capitol Street? If not, any other leads for similar organizations that would cover this location along NJ Avenue N.W.?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is an update: Washington Business Journal reporter Missy Frederick spotted this blog enty and wrote about it here at her blog: "Beau Thai to Bloomingdale?"

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top_shelf/2010/01/beau_thai_in_bloomingdale.html?ana=e_du_pub

Rustik Neighborhood Tavern coming to 1832 1st Street NW

Prince of Petworth scooped me.

A new bar is coming to Bloomingdale.

No, this is not Baraki at 1st and T Street NW.

This would at 1832 1st Street NW -- the dark green space between Yoga District and the rear of Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits.

For more info, visit the blog posts at PoP here: www.princeofpetworth.com/2010/01/bloomingdale-to-get-a-neighborhood-bar-really.

I suspect that the new business owner will go through the voluntary agreement process for a tavern-class liquor license like Baraki did.

I look forward to meeting the new business owner.

man exposes himself on V Street NW last night

See this Sunday night, 1/24/2010, message from a 1st Street NW resident:

At about 9:10 pm tonight I, was walking the dogs down V St towards Flagler NW.

When I was about a third the way down the block, a thin young black man with long braids and a dark jacket crossed from the north to the south side of the street in front of me and walked up on to the steps of the house in front of the one where the two nice guys with the dog and the great xmas tree decorations live. I didn't recognize the guy and something felt off about him. I had my two big dogs with me so I didn't think much of it... It was just a slight twinge that something was off.

When I was about two houses down from him I said, "How you doin?'" as I say to everyone. He said it back.

When I stepped about fifteen feet closer I passed a large bush that had been blocking the fact that his pants were down and his c*ck was out.

I called him lame and a couple of other things, got home and called the cops.

By 9:40 pm, there were 3 cops in my livingroom taking a statement.

They said they'd seen someone who fit the description. They just left to go look for him.

Nothing like this has happened to me before when walking the dogs.

I suspect if he's done this to me, then he's done this to others.

This same neighbor sent along this additional comment this morning (1/25/2010):

I found this doc
http://www.uplink.com.au/lawlibrary/Documents/Docs/Doc81.html when trying to make sense of things and, though I'm no expert, this guy did not seem like a 2D (or one of the ones that is excessively violent).

He seemed more in the 1 B. He had an edge, he deliberately walked across the street to put himself in my path...he put down the cigarette he was smoking...it looked like a guy leaving his break to go back to work... but he seemed really self-contained. I never once thought he would approach me or follow me and I felt comfortable enough to tell him in a very disappointed, but not hysterical, angry or frightened tone...that "that is so lame". He didn't respond positively or negatively...But that might have just been the dogs. In fact, I was so cool through the event that the Dogs didn't even bark and when we are walking on a
rainy night they usually have hair triggers for strangers. I didn't even get scared till I got home.

The thing that worries me is that I saw the cops drive by my house and go down V towards Flagler and then they came to interview me five minutes later. They said they'd seen someone who fit the description which means, if it was the same dude...he just stayed on the street where he flashed me for another 20 minutes after it happened. If that is the case he was looking for another mark.

One final thing...
The guy was young, he looked college age or just older but he did not look like he was a student. He just had a different edge... He also was very well kept. He was clean, put together, orderly...he didn't look like he was drunk or on drugs and he very deliberately made eye contact...which would make sense considering the description above of what he was trying to get out of the exchange... the temporary high of frightening a girl walking alone on the street at night that would validate his low self esteem.

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 01/24/2010

Here are open houses around the area scheduled for Sunday.

welcome facade improvements at the Sylvan Theater building

Great to see the facade of the former Sylvan Theater building near 1st & Rhode Island Avenue NW get spruced up!

donating a used car

From a resident of the unit block of R Street NW:

Does anyone have recommendations on donating a used car so that the charity actually gets whatever value there is and not 90% to a middle-man organization?

unappealing Bloomingdale commercial space for sale

You may have seen this commercial property at 81 Seaton Place NW, whose side abuts the rear of 1821 1st Street NW.

According to neighborhood legend, this building used to serve as a transfer station of sorts for the Washington Star newspaper. I do not know when it stopped being used for newspaper distribution.

During the past decade, the second story was added. Rather ugly.

The property is presently an active listing. You can see Suzanne Des Marais' listing from Saturday, 1/16/2010, here: http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=252400X2J6R&p=DE-99315428-2

The list price is $239,000.

Ove the weekend, I met the current listing agent. In the photo on the right, you can see the listing agent checking on the property from the alley side. He was meeting a man who is shopping around for salon space.


Here is the entry for this C-2-A-zoned property from the DC real property sales database:

Address: 0081 SEATON PL
SSL: 3110 0136
Neighborhood: ECKINGTON
Use Code: 41 - Store-Small 1-Story Class 3 Exception: No
Tax Type: TX - Taxable Tax Class: 002 - Commercial
Homestead Status: ** Not receiving the Homestead Deduction
Owner Name: BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING LLC
Mailing Address: 4425 PONCE DE LEON BLVD; CORAL GABLES FL33146-1837
Sale Price: $82,960
Sale Date: 10/28/2009

interior demolition work at 1821 1st Street NW

There have been reports of interior demolition activity at the one-story commercially-zoned (C-2-A) former "antique store" (wink wink) at the northeast corner of 1st & Seaton Place NW in Bloomingdale.

Here are some pics of the building in its current state.

What are the plans for the building?

No one seems to know for sure.

The property was purchased in October 2009 by Yong C Choe.

Here is the abbreviated entry for this property sale from the DC real property sales database:

Address: 1821 1st St

SSL: 3110 0137

Neighborhood: ECKINGTON

Use Code: 41 - Store-Small 1-Story

Homestead Status: **Not receiving the Homestead Deduction

Owner Name: Yong C Choe

Mailing Address: 1821 1ST STREET NW; WASHINGTON DC 20001-1073

Sale Price: Not Available

Sale Date: 10/09/2009

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 01/17/2010

New listings are picking up quite a bit as the new year starts off.

stolen mail

From a resident on the unit block of U Street NW in Bloomingdale:

It looks like someone stole my mail and is signing up for credit cards in my name. They also probably stole my credit card statement out of the mail.

jonesing for referrals for chimney sweeps

A LeDroit Park resident on Elm Street NW has this request:

I would like to solicit referrals for chimney sweeps.

I already got one and fear there was a lot of upsell, total estimate was nearly $10,000 stating it required to basically be torn out and rebuilt.

jonesing for a few pest control service referrals

A 1st Street NW resident has this request:

I'm wondering if anyone might have any recommendations of good exterminators in the area.

I've been experiencing a problem with mice and would like to have it taken care of by a reputable professional!

Bloomingdale Kids Yahoogroup

This message is from Bloomingdale resident and mother Angela Robinson:

Parents, have you joined the Bloomingdale Kids Yahoo Group yet?

Bloomingdale Kids was started last May for Moms and Dads with kids of all ages (or on the way) in/near Bloomingdale. It's a means to connect and build friendship, support and a stronger community for our children in a secure environment. We’ve organized play dates, had a clothing swap, and share great information on parenting, area events, schooling, and more. We’re also organizing some parent-child yoga classes and beginning organized efforts to work with our neighborhood schools. We’re already 80 members strong. We hope all of our parents will want to be part of another great thing happening in Bloomingdale.

So sign up today and be in the loop!

TO SUBSCRIBE please email: BloomingdaleKids-subscribe@yahoogroups.com with your name, street address and parentage to confirm residency in/near Bloomingdale. (For privacy, only the Moderator can access member information.)

Moderated by Bloomingdale resident and mom, Angela Robinson.


You can visit our site at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BloomingdaleKids/. (Not to be confused with Bloomingdale Moms, a Google group for new/expectant mothers.)

? what to do with a lost dog in the cold weather?

See this late Saturday morning, 1/09/2010 message from a Bloomingdale resident on the unit block of Rhode Island Avenue NW:

I wanted to alert you that there is currently a dog sitting at the corner of First and Rhode Island, NW right in front of Windows Cafe. It is clearly someone's dog that is lost and it is just sitting there waiting for its owners to pick it up. The dog doesn’t have tags on it, but it has a leash, so it clearly not a stray. It's a mid to larger size that is darkish brown and kind of a mix between a retriever and bulldog. It's certainly not dangerous and was very playful so no need to worry. I was hoping you could send something over the listserve so that the owner could find their dog? I would hate for it to be hit by a car or for Animal Control to take it away.

A resident of the 100 block of T Street NW sent this reply:

To the person submitting a tip to you at 11:09PM on a freezing cold night about a stray dog -- horrible! I can't believe this person decided it was better to just leave the dog out there and send you an *email* rather than really do anything.

I know they probably had good intentions, or maybe they are just not "dog people," but they should have either taken the dog in for the night or called Animal Control. In these frigid temperatures, just leaving it there likely means the dog is now dead. Also given the location it may have later been hit by a car. I wish I'd seen the dog while I was out walking my dogs last night, because I would have certainly given him shelter for the night, but unfortunately that corner is not on my route.

I'd just like to let this neighbor know that instead of emailing you (meaning no one will see the notice until the next day), if they actually cared about the safety of the dog, it would have been in the better to have called Animal Control, to mitigate the risk of the dog getting hit by a car or freezing to death.

I sure hope that dog is OK. I would personally feel *terrible* leaving a friendly dog out in this weather to freeze or get hit by a car.

North Capitol Street cloverleaf feasibility study has been released

DDOT has just released its "North Capitol Street Cloverleaf Feasibility Study."

The study is posted at the website of the DC Office of Planning

If you want to just read the executive summary, go here: http://www.planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/north_capitol_street_study/1north_capitol_report_web.pdf

If you want to read the entire study, then go here: http://www.planning.dc.gov/planning/cwp/view,a,1354,q,645949.asp

Two blogs — WashCycle and GreaterGreaterWashington — have commented on the just-released DDOT study.

You are invited to click on the links below to the two blog posts to see what they have to say about the North Capitol Street study.

From the WashCycle:

North Capitol Street Cloverleaf Feasibility Study
http://www.thewashcycle.com/2010/01/north-capitol-street-cloverleaf-feasibility-study.html

From GreaterGreaterWashington:

North Capitol study recommends parkway and boulevard
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=4559

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 01/10/2010

As agents, buyers, and sellers settle back into post-holiday life, there's definitely more activity this week. Open Houses for Sunday can be seen here.

If you're not a subscriber to the Bloomingdale listserv, you're missing ten years worth of real estate data showing the ups and downs of the market, specific to the neighborhood.

North Capitol Main Street's call for auction items

See this message from Garry Clark, Executive Director, North Capitol Main Street, Inc.

North Capitol Main Street
CALL FOR AUCTION ITEMS
Winter Blues Party and Silent Auction
Saturday, February 27, 2010

A Call for Auction Items

North Capitol Main Street (NCMS) is proud to present our 2010 Winter Blues Party and Silent Auction on February 27, 2010, benefiting programs to revitalize and support commercial businesses located within the service area. NCMS needs your donations to help make the Winter Blues Silent Auction and Fundraiser a success! Donating auction items is a great way to support the programs and activities, like the Clean and Safe Sentinels, and encourage commercial revitalization for neighborhood serving businesses. For business-owners-this could be a great opportunity to promote your business! For everyone, it's tax deductible!*

PLUS, item donors will have their names entered into a special drawing for a FREE prize to be given away one week following the Winter Blues Fundraiser.

Hot items include travel and vacation packages, certificates to local restaurants, sporting and event tickets and other attractions and opportunities; original artwork, jewelry, and certificates for goods and services--fitness classes, spa treatments, etc. Themed gift baskets (stuff for guys, wine drinkers, gourmet food lovers or lovers of specific cuisine, or relaxation goodies) can be good sellers, too! RecognitionFor your donation, you will receive:

Acknowledgement on the auction bid sheets
Listing of your donation and name on the NCMS website
Listing in the Silent Auction Catalog, distributed to every attendee (if confirmed by print date)

To Make A Donation
Please complete the Silent Auction Donation Form and fax, mail, or email it to NCMS Executive Office at (202) 269-0014, 1703 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, gclark@ncmsinc.org.

Donation form link:
http://www.ncmsinc.org/winterblues/silentauctiondonation.pdf

North Capitol Main Street is a non-profit organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. *You might want to contact an advisor for details, but we'll be sure to give you a receipt to document your contribution.

Getting Your Item to the Auction
Please send/bring/arrange for pick up of your item(s) to the NCMS Executive offices as soon as possible or no later than February 15, 2010, along with a copy of the donation form. We will photograph your item and list your name in our Silent Auction Catalog.

Please contact Garry Clark at the North Capitol Main Street offices during business hours 9-5 pm at (202) 905-6039 or gclark@ncmsinc.org .

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 01/03/2010

I expect to see quite a few new listings surface over January. So far, though, not a whole lot of new stuff and just a couple of Open Houses scheduled for Sunday.