Historic KFC closes
We're in danger of losing a bit of Eckington history as one of its businesses has shut it's doors and is possibly in danger of losing some classic late-20th century commercial architecture. The Bulletproof KFC, as one Bloomingdale/Eckington resident once called it, was a testament to a period in the neighborhood's life. It fed many a traveller and resident, overlooking the busy intersection of Florida and North Capitol.
Before this neighborhood landmark was, there was a church, Eckington Presbyterian, that sat there. According to a 1966 article in the Post [1] Eckington Presbyterian "rather than admit Negroes as members, the Church's White congregation disbanded 19 months ago. The 62 year old church building, at Florida Avenue and North Capitol street, has stood vacant ever since and will be torn down soon." Such a pity that a monument to racism was not preserved.
[1]"Clerics Find Prejudice Killed Church" The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973). Washington, D.C.: Oct 31, 1966. p. B4
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, neighborhood history
New Vendor at Bloomingdale Farmers Market
This is just too good to throw on the announcements page (from the BFM organizers):
I am VERY excited to tell you that we are adding a NEW vegetable
farmer to Bloomingdale Farmers Market starting THIS Sunday. I just came back from a farm visit where I saw all their fields including these tomatoes plants that are growing healthy and tall ( field -ripened tomatoes coming soon!)
Their Virginia fields are in a warm, sunny microclimate so their crops ripen early -- and they will add a LOT of variety to the market. (think sweet corn in late June)
This Sunday they will bring: quarts of mixed baby squash (zucchini, one ball, 8 ball, sunburst, pattypan, Kousa), mixed summer squash, squash blossoms, broccoli, baby new potatoes (red Pontiac and Yukon Gold), asparagus, vidalia-style sweet onions, spring onions, english peas (shelled and unshelled), sugar snaps, purple top turnips, Choggia beets, red beets, swiss Chard.....and the first raspberries
of the season (come early, they will go fast)
And Flowers,too. They will bring their field- grown flowers (lilies, yarrow, zinnia) and their beautiful hanging baskets on Sunday. (They will also have bedding plants and flowers.)
Please stop by and welcome Garner to the Bloomingdale Farmers Market.
They are very excited about becoming part of BFM!
Robin and Ted
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, farmers markets
This sunday
I ran into
Timor Sunday after getting a few things at the Bloomingdale Farmer's market because the line for the bacon was too long. Oh, and there weren't any eggs at the market. Too long, as in it was raining, and the line at the salad/ pork products tent was a little past the canopy. So it was just easier to walk over to Timor. While I was there I noticed Kim has some cleaning and other products from
Seventh Generation.
Anyway, the market was good to have back. I don't know what's going on with the seasons but the only fruit in abundance I saw were apples. I've noticed the same problem at the Penn Quarter market. The 7th Street Garden had one little pint of strawberries that got bought up while I was wandering around. I thought May was strawberry season. Well I'll wait for the cherries and berries that make the markets a joy.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, farmers markets
Bloomingdale Farmers Market Back This Sunday
Are you excited?
I'm excited.
This is the message from Ted from the other side of Florida Ave:
This Sunday May 18th the second season of the Bloomingdale Farmers Market will start at 10am on R street NW between First street NW and Florida Ave. (same location as last year)
The market will run from 10am till 2pm each Sunday rain or shine, May 18th through November 23rd.
We welcome Senior and WIC GET FRESH checks.
Our theme this year is act Green, lets try to have a plastic bag free market. Please bring reusable bags or recycled store bags to haul the bounty of the Good Earth home. Buying locally grown or raised foods will help to reduce your annual carbon footprint by 11%. Using your own bags will reduce that amount even further. Ask about the new line of compostable single use cups and plates that the Big Bear Cafe plans to use. We are going to start a demonstration composting project at Emery Elementary school using the post consumer waste from the Big Bear.
Reid will have herb plants for sale
Truck Patch will have free range Pork and great spring salad greens
Bread Line -Fresh baked breads
See you all there.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, farmers markets
Timor has more stuff now
Ran into the
Timor Bodega and noticed that the shelves are bigger and have more stuff on them. Kim Wee is carrying some basic spices, more cereals, ricemilk, soymilk, and a bunch more organic things. If you haven't ventured over there, give it a try. The weekday hours are short, 4PM to 9PM, but the weekend from 9:30AM to 8 (SAT) or 6 (SUN) is a better time.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, business
More on Timor Bodega
I've polished off my bottle of chocolate milk and I want more. However, I'm currently using the milk bottle as a vase. Once those flowers are dead, I'm getting more milk and popping the Lactaid. Until then, pretty picture of the milk case at the
Timor Bodega @ 200 Rhode Island Ave, NW.
I'm also enjoying the salad greens from the store. I got 1/2 a pound of mixed greens for $4. There are other fresh food items like yellow carrots, and blue potatoes. I also picked up a nice bottle of wine and the owner, Mr. Kim Wee, was nice enough to talk about the different white wines, the flavors, the dryness, and other wine descriptors.
I had asked Kim about the store and it's story and he said he's been open for about 2 months. The milk and cream pictured comes from Trickling Springs Creamery in Pennsylvania. The beef and chicken from the Emerald Farm Network, and the salad greens and pork from the Truck Patch Farm in Maryland.
Store hours are 4:30-8:30PM Monday thru Friday, 9:30AM-8:30PM Saturday, and 9:30AM-6PM Sunday. So early enough to grab a something on your commute to work if you pass by. The Timor Bodega takes credit cards.
Ask Kim about coffee. I don't drink the stuff, but he is quite interested in coffee.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, business
Stop. You had me at 'local dairy'
At this very moment I am enjoying something I thought I wouldn't have again since the dairy guy at the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market went out of business.... chocolate milk from a glass bottle.
I experienced a rush of complete joy when I wandered into
Timor at 200 Rhode Island Ave NW, in Bloomingdale after a booze run at Bloomingdale Liquors. There in the glass case was milk. Not just any milk, milk in glass bottles. Cream in glass bottles. If I didn't have milk already in the fridge I would have bought plain milk. Instead, I bought the chocolate milk.
There are some other like products in this little store that has recently opened. Meat supplied from a Dupont Circle Farmer's Market guy. Yellow carrots, vegetarian mushroom soup, "good" beer (I'll have to take the owner's word since I don't know beer), fresh fruit, smoked salmon, etc. I hope to have more info later.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, business
Seed swap sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY
Well the Bloomingdale Garden Club is having a seed swap, but sadly I'll be unavailable.
February 10th Garden Club Meeting
Novices take note: It’s not too soon to start thinking, planning, and doing something to make your spring gardening experience a cost-effective pleasure. Experienced gardeners hoping to keep the cost of gardening in check begin prepping now to grow their spring plants from seeds. So, to get the party started, the Greater Bloomingdale-Area Garden Club invites all gardeners to Windows Café & Market (1st & RI Ave NW) from 2:00-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 10th for a Spring Seed Exchange & Giveaway.
The Club will have loads of flower and vegetable seeds to give away. Members and others are invited to bring plant cuttings and any seeds they have to share. This is a golden opportunity to network with other gardening neighbors, give and get advice, and share your gardening war stories. I’ve got a few stories of my own to share, like the one where all of my house flowers died and… Shucks, gotta go. If you want to hear the end of that story I’ll see you at Windows on the 10th.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, gardening
Bloomingdale Farmers Market not a given for next year
RED ALERT! According to the Eckington Listserv there is some opposition from residents of the little section of the 100 block of R St to the market so, it is not a given for next year. I can't begin to describe the range of emotions I feel. This market is such a part of my week and a part of my life now. It's where I run into my neighbors, it's where I get my seasonal fruit and salad and eggs. The market make the Mari(e) happy, and my heart sinks at the idea of it not coming back in the Spring.
ANC commish Kris Hammond made the comment, "Naturally, residents adversely affected should be heeded; we should be open to alternatives that minimize the negatives." So people of Bloomingdale and Truxton I know we have the brain power to think of solutions to affected resident's parking woes. Please don't let the market be a one hit wonder.
Correction: Not 200 Blk but 100 blk.Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, farmers markets
Condo conversion suit
Read the following:
DCRA Announces Guilty Plea in Condominium Warranty Case
From DCRAs Communications Team
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Announces Guilty Plea in Condominium Warranty Case
(Washington, DC) Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Director Linda K. Argo announced that on Oct. 5, Mudasir Khan plead guilty to one count of False Statements in a Condominium Registration Application and one count of Failure to Post a Bond or Letter of Credit for 45 R Street NW.
Under District law, condominium developers or building owners are required to warrant (or guarantee) their construction work with the Condominium and Cooperative Conversion and Sales Branch. They secure this obligation by posting warranty security. Several forms of security may be posted under the statute, including a letter of credit, bond or another form approved by the Condominium Branch.
[SNIP info on warranties]
Under the plea agreement, Khan must:
Pay a criminal fine of $15,000 on both counts - totaling $30,000.
Post a warranty security for $5,000 for 45 R Street NW.
Pay a $250.00 Victims Compensation Fund fine on each count - totaling $500.
Khan was sentenced to 30 days in jail on each count, to be served consecutively. The sentence was suspended and Khan was placed on one year of supervised probation for each count to run concurrently. Khan must report to his probation officer on October 23.
[more SNIPing]
"DHCD understands the critical mission served by the Rental Conversion and Sale Division," said DHCD Director Leila Finucane Edmonds. "We will also hold developers responsible for complying with District law and take strong and decisive action against those who do not."
Not having spent too much time paying attention to the structures on "historic" R St (they had banners saying so), I'm guessing this was a townhouse conversion. Correct me if I'm wrong. Townhouses converted into condos have always been a big question mark for me. But then again, I didn't want to be bothered with condos in any shape or form so I never paid that much attention. There are many town homes around Bloomingdale and Shaw, large town homes, converted into 2 or three condos. Is that a good thing? I don't know.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, condos, housing
Buncha Bloomingdale Stuff
Ya know there are like 2 or 3 Bloomingdale blogs.Farmers market still the neatest thing since sliced multi-grain bread. Every time I go there I think, damn, this/my neighborhood is so cool. Yes, technically in Bloomingdale, but right on the TC/Shaw border. It’s the vibe. You run into neighbors and people with kids, people with dogs, people with people. Some of the
vendors at the market take WIC so there is an income mix and fresh food goes to the people. The market goes on until sometime in November, so if you haven’t experienced it, go.
Friday, North Capitol Main Streets had a beer and wine tasting at Bloomingdale Liquors. That was an interesting social experiment. ‘Cause you get a mix of people going in and out. There was a beer table and a wine table, and a big crowd. I only got one little cup of wine, and the merlot wasn’t that great, but I was told the other higher end but lower priced red was much better, Unfortunately, they were out of the better red by the time I made my way back to the table. The store seemed to be doing some fairly brisk business. Of course it was Friday night. Before I bought my tequila (for a great shrimp tequila cerviche dish) I was asked if I was going to bother reporting about the ‘secret meeting’ that occurred two days before. Not a secret meeting, because I posted it in the
announcements.
DC GOP hold meeting in back of the St. George's Episcopal church basement to meet with 3-4 Ward 5 Republicans and an Independent. The goal, as I’m remembering this off the top of my head, is to hear what the people want. Lower crime, lower taxes, and better support for small businesses, which this city seems so hostile to, seems to be desired.
And lastly, circling back to the market area, check out the
Big Bear if you haven't been there lately. There is a thing in the corner, which was supposed to be there till Oct 14th, was still there when I passed by Friday, so hopefully the Bear got the extention for this installation piece.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, events, farmers markets, politics
Wine tasting in Bloomingdale
I should have posted this earlier on the
announcements part of the blog. Anyway this Friday night there will be a wine tasting from 6-8 at the corner of 1st and RI NW. Gotta go there anyway, I'm running low on tequila.
Tonight: First-Ever Fall Wine Tasting at Bloomingdale Liquors from 6 pm to 8 pm
Wine tastings are popular because they override the limitations of sampling wine alone, at home. How many wines can you taste on your own (unless you don't mind throwing away nine-tenths of every bottle)? How many wines are you willing to buy on your own? And how much can you learn by tasting wine in isolation or with a friend whose expertise is no greater than yours?
At wine tastings, you can learn from your fellow tasters, as well as make new friends who share your interest in wine. Most importantly, you can taste wine in the company of some individuals who are more experienced than you, which is a real boon in training your palate.
NCMS invites you to come out to taste great wines and beers, mingle with neighbors and friends and get to know your neighborhood purveyor of Fine Wines and Spirits, Mr. Singh of Bloomingdale Liquors.
North Capitol Main Streets
First-Ever Fall Wine Tasting
Bloomingdale Liquors
1st and Rhode Island Avenue NW
Friday, October 19, 2007
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, events
The Washington Post finally gets it
Praise be to G-d, they lost the 'neighborhood change' template all the reporters keep reusing to describe places like Shaw and Bloomingdale. In today's Post there is an article by
DeNeen L. Brown "Change is Clear" in the Style section, page C1 about change in the Bloomingdale neighborhood centering around the image of Windows Cafe. The old template goes, setting black poor neighborhood, evil wealthy white people come in change things and displace the black people, tsk, tsk, tsk, and throw in the word 'gentrification' in a disparaging manner.
This article acknowledges that the changes have been made by both blacks and whites. Even better a black gay (okay I'm assuming gay) couple who restored a house are quoted. The whites in the story, have been in the hood for about 15 years, hard to call them newcomers. One of them, Scott Roberts, 52 year old SPF 10,000 guy, has some of the best quotes, which I may write about later. Really, those quotes are money, gems.
Good job all.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, gentrification, media
Restaurant Review: Windows Market & Deli
I'm going to try something, restaurant reviewing. I will attempt to go to places in eastern Shaw or on the border of Shaw in LeDriot, Bloomingdale, Eckington, or within a 4 block radius of my house. The general criteria is that there must be seating and cannot be a carry out. The list of places to go is very short.
Yesterday I wandered over to the corner of 1st and Rhode Island to the Windows Deli. It is a very new looking place. I was attracted to it by its big windows that looked out on to Rhode Island Avenue and it's bright interior. Inside the decor says Ethopian/ Swedish, mainly because I recognize the furniture being IKEA and the staff is pretty much Ethopian. In the corner there is a display case of tiny coffee cups and an African(?) vase. You have a choice of about 3 blonde wood tables to sit at or two other chairs sans table. The table near the window is good for people watching.
The menu is extremely limited. Basically you have coffee, tea, and cold sandwiches made to order. This is more coffee shop than restaurant. I had a tuna sandwich. The tuna was ok, a little heavy on the relishy ingredient and a bit more soupy than I am accustomed.
Looking around and thinking about it a bit more, the place seems very cabbie friendly. If your main thing is to sit, wait, get coffee, leave, then this is a suitable spot. Sunday, when I spotted this place, I noticed a decent mixed crowd sitting, reading the paper, drinking coffee.
Up the stairs (3 steps) is the market part of Windows, which is a quickie mart with drinkable wine and a few veggies. I saw tomatoes and onions. I didn't look too hard at the wine, but it wasn't Boones Farm or wino wine (that I can recognize easy). Not to be too out of place there were some ghetto drinks and single cans of beer for sale in the refrigerated cases.
I hope this business does well. It is good to have a big windowed people watching coffee shop so close. I wanna 'nother, closer to my house.
Next time I might try B&J or BJ's on 3rd and Rhode Island.
Labels: Bloomingdale/Eckington, business
