Borderstan Media

Galleries: New Exhibits Fill Local Spaces

Luis — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:27 +0000

From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos at One Photograph A Day. Follow him on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos. Enjoy the season openings with the new exhibits at galleries in the neighborhood. Adamson Gallery at 1515 14th Street NW

Gordon Parks, “An American Lens,” runs through May 31.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday, noon to 5 pm.

Contemporary Wing at 1412 14th Street NW

Teo Gonzalez: Solo Exhibit opens May 31 and runs through June 29.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm.

Curator’s Office at 1515 14th Street NW

Nicholas & Sheila Pye: “Unspoiled” runs through June 22.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.

doris-mae at 1716 14th Street NW, 2nd Floor

Work by Kristy Simmons and Justin Fair on June 14-15 and June 21-22.
Gallery Hours: Call for an appointment; gallery staff is in the building Monday through Friday during business hours.

Gallery plan b at 1530 14th Street NW

Works by Freya Grand runs through June 16.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 7 pm; Sunday, 1 to 5 pm.

Hamiltonian Gallery at 1353 U Street NW

“The Salon of Little Deaths” runs through June 15. “Matthew Mann and Milana Braslavsky revitalize the enduring genres of landscape and still life with a contemporary approach .” (Hamiltonian Gallery)
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.

Hemphill at 1515 14th Street NW

“Artist-Citizen” opens June 5 and runs through July 27.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, or by appointment.

Hillyer Art Space at 9 Hillyer Court NW

Lara Bandilla: “Of Time and Light”
Melanie Kehoss: “Intergrowth”
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday noon to 6 pm; Saturday and Monday, noon to 5 pm; and by appointment.

Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at 1632 U Street NW

“Alchemical Vessels” runs through June 7.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm; and by appointment.

Long View Gallery at 1234 9th Street NW

“Gian Garofalo – Ain’t That America…” runs through June 2.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm; Sunday, noon to 5 pm.

Project 4 Gallery at 1353 U Street NW

“My Kind of Magic” runs through June 29.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm.

Transformer Gallery at 1404 P Street NW

“Terminators,” runs through June 20.
Gallery Hours: Check the website for upcoming events.

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Are You Moving this Spring?

Mathew Harkins — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:47 +0000

From Mathew Harkins. Email him at mharkins[AT]borderstan.com. There’s never a shortage of people moving into, out of, and around DC. That constantly moving lifestyle is the nature and part of the charm of this city. What isn’t charming is the act of moving itself. Can you justify paying the expensive rates for some company to pack up and move your stuff for you? Can you stomach another trip to the grocery or liquor store to snag some of their used and hopefully not too gross cardboard boxes? That’s where Elf Boxes comes in and takes your breath away as the middle ground you never even know existed. Operating with four different price tiers, Elf Boxes will deliver to your apartment (and pick up from your new place) a set number of hard and clean plastic moving boxes, dolly’s, labels and zipties, and give you two weeks to use those boxes. Elf Boxes keeps their prices affordable by having you do the moving while they eliminate the hassle of finding dirty boxes to move with, the cost of buying packing materials that you’ll use once and then lose, and the time cost of building and/or breaking down boxes.

From Florida to DC

This family-owned business got it’s start recently in Florida and has now stretched up to our area with Pete Sanchez, one of the owners in this family run business. Sanchez has been working a regular policy job in DC since 2000 but thought of Elf Boxes as a great way to both work with his family and make a personal impact for the environment by cutting down on the deforestation that comes along with cardboard boxes. Along with helping the environment, he’s trying to keep your apartment clean as well. “If you get your hands on used cardboard boxes for your move,” Sanchez said, “there’s a good chance that you’re going to end up with bugs hiding out in there. Elf Boxes are solid plastic and they’re cleaned after every use; they’re 100% safe and sterile.” And beyond that bit of cleanliness and hygiene, there’s an extra environmental factor. Sanchez explains that no Elf Box materials end up in landfills. The boxes are reused constantly until the end of their lifecycle, at which point they are recycled and remade into new boxes. As a final testament to customer happiness, Sanchez noted, “After using our boxes, nobody ever says they’ll go back to cardboard.” Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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The Burning Man Experience Comes to DC

Willis Shawver — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:06 +0000

From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com. Apparently, in order to accurately describe Burning Man, you have to experience the festival first hand. Well, Borderstan, you might just get your chance this weekend. Held in the desert of northern Nevada, this annual event features art installations, parades, a temple, and culminates in the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy. Along with the body paint, wind, and sand, another large portion of the Burning Man experience is the music. Lucky for us, a taste of that music is coming to the District this weekend. The non-profit electronic music collective DISTRIKT is bringing the sounds of Burning Man to U Street Music Hall this Sunday night, May 26. The show will feature a selection of the latest techno, house, breaks, and electro music. Techno/house producer Carlo Lio will headline the event along with special appearances by DJs Ben Seagren and DJ Kramer. Local DC artist Fort Knox Five will also take the stage along with Austin, Texas performer DJ Manny of Los Bandidos Cosmicos. So if you’re not quite ready for a week out in the desert, perhaps a night out on U Street will bring you that much closer to the Burning Man experience. Tickets for the show (18 and up) are $10 and can be purchased online. All proceeds of the event will benefit the DISTRIKT and FUNKY TOWN Burning Man camps. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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17th Street: Morte Torium

ditosevilla — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:41 +0000

From Dito Sevilla. Email him at dito[AT]borderstan.com, follow him on Twitter @DitoDC. Last century, back in 1990 — before many of us were even born — the then residents of Dupont Circle were just beside themselves. They were deep in the throes of fighting a war. Their neighborhood was under attack. Something simply had to be done to stem the rapid and unrestricted investments made in their community by evil, cash-hungry, noise-making, trash-piling restaurant and bar owners. These greedy, profit-piling, pillagers came in — most of them foreigners — and started leasing and buying up empty, sometimes abandoned storefronts. They began, through years of hard work, clever financing, mutually beneficial partnerships, and other arrangements commonly employed by the “business community,” to transform them into money-making ventures. Some succeeded, others failed. Some are still open for business. Most served a popular intoxicant, a liquid found throughout the world, an ancient substance with unknown properties: alcohol. What was worse, the owners of the storefronts, building, basements and the like also found themselves motivated by the much touted American dream of feeding their families, and making an honest buck. So in one selfish act after another, they threw the deep love they were supposed to feel for their neighbors by the wayside, and they sold out, they rented space, or sold their land to these horrible people — to these bar owners. It just makes me sick. That war begun 23 years ago has raged on, leaving a trail of casualties in its midst. Many of those residents are now dead. Those who survived are now 23 years closer to death, these veterans and heroes. Though what one can imagine required the all-day efforts of countless retirees, the residents decided to take real action. Why fight each and every evil business person head on, why write so many letters, and voice so many complaints? That would have taken much more diligence than these sound-haters could muster. Even if they had time for it, which they did, why admit it? Wasn’t it better to pretend they had to get up for work the next day? Well, of course it was. Rather than address the uncooperative, cash-rich, booze-sellers, why not abuse an element of DC government put in place after Home Rule was instituted in 1974? Why not manipulate the system granting Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, or ANCs ( they even sounds flaccid ) “great weight” in the granting of liquor licenses? What better way was there for small group to influence entire neighborhoods? In their lame fury the residents succeeded in beating down the wrong adversary. You see, rather than face the current threat, rather than engage in a conversation hoping to negotiate a peace with the existing “business community,” the restaurateurs and bar-owning scum of the era — those who caused them annoyance beyond convenience — they decided, rather than fight what was, they would wage a battle into the future, they would prevent more businesses from daring to open new alcohol selling businesses on their streets. Not in their back yards, no ma’am. No, never again. As they could not win against what was already there, the residents would prevent new businesses from opening. Brilliant! The new investors would be punished for the sins of their ancestors. Sounds fair. Thus was born the East Dupont Circle Liquor License Moratorium, although it's commonly called the 17th Street moratorium. It has come up for renewal every five years since 1990 — it is up for renewal in 2013 because the decision was made three years ago to review it again this year instead of waiting five years. I walk past their success everyday. Empty, unpainted, uninhabited storefront after storefront bedazzled with fading “For Lease” signs. What a beautiful sight it is, their success. The little group of residents got exactly what they wanted. Their victory against progress took the shape of a moratorium, a theoretically temporary cessation in the granting of more liquor licenses, the success of which is obvious. Twenty-three years later there are fewer restaurants and bars on 17 Street — while moratorium-free, business friendly 14th Street has been transformed into a thriving community. This moratorium, set to expire on September 23, after four extensions (each supported by ANC 2B) of it’s original sell-by date has severely handicapped competition. It has made the idea of opening a new business on 17th Street near to impossible — and the impact of that is real. A quick stroll down from R street to P street will leave one wondering in just how much laundry, and pill popping our community engages in. Pharmacies, and dry cleaners outnumber restaurants. The lateral expansion of two highly rated, critically acclaimed restaurants was a highly contested, and costly affair. Both Hank’s Oyster Bar, and Komi were finally allowed to expand to buildings adjacent to their existing locations, but not before hearings, and meetings, and “listening sessions,” all designed to address the same complaints of the past, from the same five people — complaints that were never directed at either restaurant to begin with. Whether or not this moratorium is allowed to expire is anyone’s guess. Eventually it will, but when? In five more years, when another five storefronts are empty? Residents and businesses must realize that the future of the neighborhood in which they live and operate in is at stake. Our street’s bars and restaurants have each been open for years — their owners and operators have proved themselves to be valuable contributors to the community. Any suggestion otherwise is insulting. On our street the reality is, longevity is the rule. Annie’s, the Paramount Steakhouse has been serving burgers here since 1948. The Trio restaurant predates even that. Jr’s Bar has opened their doors — and their checkbook — for our community since 1985! Floriana Nestore bought the failing Mercury Grill in 2001, re-branding it Floriana, and it continues to thrive in the hands of her son. Generation after generation has proven themselves to these people, but it never seems to be enough. Maybe as I age I will need enough medication and artwork to see the benefit of another pharmacy, and a third frame-shop on my street. But until then, I find myself hungry for something better. I guess I’ll walk over to 14th Street to find it. The next ANC “listening session” will take place June 24 at 7 pm at the Chastleton Ballroom, 16th and R NW. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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Get Your Cheesesteak on at Taylor Gourmet Next Week

rnania — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:29 +0000

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com. If you haven't made it out to H Street for Steak & Ice -- or can't make it as often as you would like -- but love the guys from Taylor Gourmet, you're in luck. Next week, Taylor Gourmet is bringing Steak & Ice to four of its DC locations, for one day at each location, including the Dupont Circle location (1200 19th Street NW) and the 14th Street location (1908 14th Street NW). Taylor Gourmet co-owner Casey Patten will be at each Taylor Gourmet location on its specific day, making each cheesesteak.

The Schedule

May 28: Penn Quarter (624 E Street NW)
May 29: DuPont Circle (1200 19th Street NW)
May 30: 14th Street (1908 14th Street NW)
May 31: City Vista (485 K Street NW)

The Details

Starting at 11 am, select Taylor Gourmet locations will serve up Steak & Ice's Philly cheesesteak goodness.
There will only be 50 cheesesteaks per location, first come, first serve.
Menu options include the Original Ribeye Cheesesteak (or chicken breast)
- Wit or Wit Out (with onions or without onions).
- Choice of original whiz, house made white whiz, provolone or American cheese.
A small Italian water ice is free for each cheesesteak purchase.

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ABC Board Hearing on 14th and U Moratorium: Hints of a “No”?

David McAuley — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

From David McAuley. Email him at david[AT]borderstan.com. How much significance can you put into questions and remarks by government officials at a public hearing? That's the big question as DC's Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board held its public hearing about the proposed 14th and U Liquor License Moratorium yesterday afternoon, May 22, at the stifling and sweaty Reeves Center (14th and U Streets NW). The familiar forces repeated their arguments for and against the proposal, with moratorium petitioner Shaw Dupont Citizens Alliance joined by its friends and supporters on one side, and representatives of the four Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) that had voted against the moratorium, and their supporters, on the other. Members of the ABC Board posed questions and made statements to local residents testifying about the proposed moratorium. Like reporters observing Supreme Court Justices questioning lawyers about Obamacare, observers were left to wonder how much the Board members' questions foreshadowed its future decision. ABC Board chair Ruthanne Miller and Board member Mike Silverstein are representatives of Wards 3 and 2, respectively, on the seven-member board. Questions and statements made by these members indicated they were not immediately ready to approve a new moratorium. However, the two other attending members of the board — Donald Brooks (Ward 1) and Nick Alberti (Ward 6) — did not participate as actively in the discussions, giving no clue to their inclinations.

Skeptical on Non-liquor Business Crowd-Out

For example, several supporters of the moratorium said the proliferation of bars and restaurants in the U Street area was driving out other types of business. In reply, Miller said she knew the neighborhood had furniture stores, pharmacies, and many other types of businesses. “Lots of your neighbors would love to have what you have,” Miller said. Addressing the same point, Silverstein said, “There are going to be economic dislocations no matter what you do.”

ABC Board Improvements

During testimony, a moratorium advocate remarked ANC 2B/Dupont's anti-moratorium resolution had criticized the ABC Board's administrative branch, the Alcoholic Beverage Regulatory Agency, and called for greater transparency. This seemed an attempt to place moratorium advocates and the ABC Board on the same sides of the argument, arrayed against ANC 2B and moratorium opponents. Miller had the resolution found and the relevant portions read. At the end, she said, “Is that all? I'd like to see ways in which the ABC can be improved.”

Silverstein: Popular on Twitter

At another time, according to Twitter, Silverstein said the U Street neighborhood had said the moratorium “seems to come out of the factory of bad ideas”. Another Twitter post noted that Silverstein had called U Street “a place the US President can take the President of France” for a chili dog. In the same breath, however, Silverstein also characterized U Street as a place where someone can throw up on your shoes, according to another Twitter post.

Last Chance for Public Comment

There is still time to submit written comments according to an ABC Board announcement: “If you are unable to testify and wish to comment, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements must be submitted to the Office of the General Counsel, Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 400 South, Washington, D.C. 20009, no later than 4 pm on Friday, May 24, 2013.” Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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Thursday’s Photo: The Diner, redux

Luis — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:17 +0000

Photos of the Day are pulled from the Borderstan Reader Photos pool on Flickr.

Today’s photo, The diner, redux is by anokarina. The photo was taken May 10 on U Street NW.

If you don’t already have a Flickr account, you will need to sign up for one, and then join the Borderstan Reader Photos group. Already a Flickr member? Join the group! You can submit up to five photos per day in the Borderstan reader pool. We are looking for photos from DC’s Dupont, Logan and U Street neighborhoods. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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Sustainable U Meets May 23; Clean Currents Challenge Runs Through June

Luis — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:53 +0000

Sustainable U has partnered with renewable energy provider Clean Currents to offer U Street residences and businesses added incentives for going green. Starting last April and continuing through June 21, Clean Currents is donating $250 for each U Street business and $30 for each U Street home that signs up to purchase wind power as its source of electricity generation. Sustainable U will use this money to purchase new tree boxes for the 14th and U Street area. Pepco customers have the option of choosing an alternative power supplier for their electricity. Clean Currents, which delivers renewable energy through wind power generated electricity, is one of the options through Pepco.

Next Sustainable U Meeting

The next meeting of Sustainable U is at 7 pm on Thursday, May 23, at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Apartments, 2001 15th Street, NW. The meeting will evaluate how the businesses and community we're doing on their Clean Currents challenge and how we plan to make the most of the final month. Sustainable U is a community-led initiative that strives to increase the availability of and participation in green living and working options in the 14th and U corridor. To participate in the Sustainable U Clean Currents challenge, consumers should have their Pepco account number available and talk to Clean Currents representatives, and indicate they are a part of Sustainable U. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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Your Guide to Nationals Game Day

KBarnes — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:50 +0000

From Kent Barnes. Follow him on Twitter @KentBarnes, email him at kent[AT]borderstan.com. Although the baseball season started back in April, we’ve finally reached what I consider the perfect time of year to attend a game. The weather is warm but not too hot, the players have shaken off the off season rust, and summer is finally here. So you’ve got a free Saturday and you’re ready to go to a Nationals game. Here are some helpful hints to maximize your experience.

1. Getting to the Stadium

Most people either take the Metro or drive. If you take the Metro you’ll need to hop on the Green line to the Navy Yard station. If you’ve ridden the Metro on game day before you know that the trains turn into sardine cans around Gallery Place and L’Enfant Plaza. If you don’t want to spend the entire ride smashed up against the guy who doesn’t shower on weekends, try catching the Green line at the U Street station before they come on board. If you’re lucky enough to be attending a game with a designated driver, don’t waste your beer money on a garage right beside the stadium! Lot W is only a 10-minute walk from the stadium, and costs $10.

2. Pre-Game

So you’ve arrived at the stadium and you have some time to kill. Head to The Bullpen to get yourself in the right…state of mind. There you’ll find live music, interactive games, and of course, beer. Best of all, you’re right across the street from the main entrance to the stadium. Hang out for a while, and then head into the park for some baseball.

3. Game Time

Now it’s time to find your seats and get yourself mentally prepared for the all important next step: game day food. Nationals Stadium has some of the best food options in all of sports. Don’t want a plain old hot dog? Head to Section 109 or 140 for a famous half smoke and some chili cheese fries at Ben’s Chili Bowl. Ready for a vacation? Try some ribs and jerk chicken at Jammin’ Island Outpost in Section 143. And that’s just the beginning. Nationals Park is also home to Shake Shack, Steak of the Union, El Verano Taqueria, and a host of other delicious options. Once you’ve satisfied your hunger, head back to your seat and take in the view. Depending on your seat you may have a view of the Capitol dome (or more likely, a parking deck or construction crane). Nationals stadium is a beautiful park, and is famous for having a great view of the action regardless of where you sit. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a the train whistle each time a Nat hits a home run. It’s time for the 7th inning stretch, which means preparing yourself for the new tradition of singing A-ha’s Take On Me. It started as first baseman Michael Morse’s walkout song, and has since become our Sweet Caroline. Don’t be afraid to show off your falsetto when it’s time for “two.” At this point the game is almost over, but you still have time to grab a treat before the Nats close out the win. Embrace your inner child and head to the Frozen Rope, Turkey Hill Ice Cream, or Sweet Spot for a sundae in a Nationals mini helmet. Hopefully these tips help you maximize your Nationals experience. And if you’re looking for a great way to end the day, head to the park on Saturday June 8^th for a free Blues Traveler concert following the game. Go Nats! Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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Beer: Understanding Wee Heavy via Homebrewing

robfink — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:23 +0000

From Rob Fink. Follow him on Twitter @RobDFink or email him at rob[AT]borderstan.com. In order to fully comprehend (or at least attempt to) a given style of beer, it’s sometimes beneficial to conceive of it from the inside out. In other words, it’s sometimes best to brew it yourself in order to come to terms with style parameters. In years past, I've brewed a fair number of “imperialized” styles, styles which are meant to amplify, accentuate and otherwise strengthen beers of relatively modest strength. When my good friend Brian Stanton approached me to collaborate on a beer in honor of his son’s first birthday, the idea for a Wee Heavy was born. However, the birth of the style itself has a more complicated history. What eventually become known as wee heavy (or alternate phrasings such as scotch ale or strong scotch ale) in the United States engendered quite the convoluted history before traversing the Atlantic. Beginning in the 19th Century, the strength of Scottish ales where referred to by the shilling system. Numerical differences anywhere from 60 to 160 shillings indicated alcoholic strength while anything over 100 shillings could be characterized as wee heavy, with potential alcohol by volumes reaching the double digits. However, “heavy” could also refer to a beer of much more modest strength akin to an English bitter, which would typically not surpass beyond 4%. As it’s conceived of in the American craft landscape, wee heavy is a strong, malt behemoth, and what Brian and I fervently sought to replicate. We wanted to encapsulate the lush caramel, rich toffee, burnt sugar and hint of chocolate the wee heavy provides in spades. After a two-hour boil wherein two gallons of first runnings were condensed then added it back to the main boil, the beer was chilled, yeast was pitched, and the rest was history, at least for a short while. It ended up with an original gravity of 1.125 (this is a huge beer regardless of historical period), and nearly a month later, is currently hovering around 13%. Interestingly, my inspiration in terms of recipe formulation is a beer of more modest strength but incalculable grace. Dressed in deep mahogany with a rocky off-white head, Traquir House Ale is undoubtedly my favorite wee heavy and actually Scottish to boot. Densely sweet toffee and caramelized sugar catapults out of the glass while the body remains relatively dry, making the beer not only drinkable but very food appropriate. Even at 7.2%, this beer was practically born for venison stew or a rack of lamb. Regardless of what you serve it with, it is a delicious malt bomb in the best sense of the phrase. Thankfully, this beer is also readily available in the Borderstan area — stores such as Whole Foods on P St and De Vinos on 18th Street NW typically carry it while it never leaves the 500-plus bottle list at Churchkey on 14th Street NW. Given the rapidly approaching five-month DC heat wave, Traquir House Ale is the perfect match for mint accented crème brûlée or a vivacious fruit tart. I only hope that my wee heavy has mellowed out by then in order to enjoy sweater weather this fall (full report forthcoming!). Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

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