Borderstan Media

Louis Reaches the Top; Building on Schedule for Year-End Finish

borderstan — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:02 +0000

This past weekend JBG removed the tower crane from the Louis project at 14th and U NW — although the complex is far from done. Construction on the Louis started a year ago and reached the top floor about two weeks ago. As JBG Cos. begins work on the facade, installation of a covered walkway for pedestrians gets under way. The historic façade of what used to be El Paraiso Restaurant has now been supported and façade restoration work is underway. Brick and window installation for the buildings will be well underway by the end of the month. The Louis project is on schedule, according to JBG Cos., and they hope to finish the entire project by the end of 2013. The Louis will have nine floors (seven floors on the southern end of the 14th Street side) and 268 rental units, with a mix of floor plans that runs from studio apartments up to two-bedroom units — and several penthouse units on the top level. The three-level underground parking garage will have 40 spaces for retail customers and 110 spaces for residential renter. Topping off the entire building will be a pool. The Louis has already secured some tenants for its retail space: Trader Joe's, The Wydown Coffee Bar and Tico from Chef Michael Schlow. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Louis Reaches the Top; Building on Schedule for Year-End Finish appeared first on Borderstan.

Angelina Jolie’s Double Mastectomy: What you Should Know About It

Cara Scharf — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:08 +0000

From Cara Scharf. Email her at cara[AT]borderstan.com. Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am a breast cancer survivor and carrier of the same gene mutation that prompted Angelina Jolie to have a double mastectomy, which she talked about in last's Tuesday Op-Ed in The New York Times. At age 22, a blood test told me I had a mutated BRCA 1 gene. Everyone has BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, but when these genes are mutated, lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer shoots way up. I was given two options: remove the body parts that might get cancer (what Jolie did), or be closely monitored. I opted to monitor, but three years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I underwent a double mastectomy. In light of all of Jolie’s publicity, there are a couple things I think it’s important for everyone to know:

Please think before you judge – It always pains me to read the comments on articles like Jolie’s because of nasty people who chastise us for making such drastic decisions. No one thinks surgery should be taken lightly. As of 2013, however, it is the best option available to women with BRCA gene mutations, if they don’t want to end up with cancer. If your doctor told you that there was an 80% chance you’d get cancer in your pinky finger, would you consider having it removed?
Mastectomies are serious business – Most celebrities glaze over their health issues. No one wants to share negative news like hair loss or depression, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Mastectomies are grueling, many people have complications, and there will be lasting physical and emotional scars.
The media is often wrong – I heard a local news affiliate state that Jolie tested positive for the BRCA gene. As I mentioned above, everyone has the genes, but not everyone has a gene mutation. This is just one example of the media giving inaccurate information, which brings me to my next point:
Educate yourself – This cannot be stressed enough. There is so much information available about BRCA gene mutations that there is no excuse for ignorance. It is worth it for everyone to explore their family’s medical history and find out whether it might be worthwhile to test for genetic abnormalities, and be sure you have the right support system (doctors, genetic counselors, family members) to help you if you do find something out of the ordinary.

Cara keeps a blog about BRCA, breast cancer and her journey as a survivor. For more information about hereditary breast cancer, visit Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE). Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Angelina Jolie’s Double Mastectomy: What you Should Know About It appeared first on Borderstan.

Piola Opens Monday

Luis — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:35 +0000

From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos at One Photograph A Day. Follow him on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos. Piola has been in the works since May 2012. Finally this Monday it is happening: It will be open starting at 5 pm for dinner. Piola had its soft opening during the weekend. Nabil Ashi, the owner of the 14th Street location, was there to greet friends and family as they were treated to Piola's extensive menu of pizzas and Italian dishes. Ashi says the menu will be very similar to the one found in their other locations: authentic Italian cuisine, pastas and an extensive list of pizzas served in a casual space. Piola will also serve wine and beer.

Piola's space was design by Michiels Architecture & Partners. We had a chance to talk to Maeva Michiels, senior architect of the firm, who told us that the design is based on the translation of "piola" in the ancient Italian dialect to "gathering place." Our mission was to create an environment that becomes part of the local community in a dynamic way. The design of Piola is warm, friendly and inviting. With an emphasis on green architecture and recycled materials, the design of Piola is a mix of modern gestures such as openness, fluidity of spaces and abundant natural light combined with noble materials such as recycled wood and recycled brick. She was also in charge of the space at Table on 9th Street.

The international Italian food chain Piola, known for its pizza, is opening its second location in the area having one already in Arlington. At 2208 14th Street NW Piola is the latest opening in the corridor following Etto, Taqueria Nacional, BakeHouse, B too, Ghibellina and Black Whiskey. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Piola Opens Monday appeared first on Borderstan.

Monday’s Photo: Corn Eyes

Luis — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:37 +0000

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

Today’s photo, Corn Eyes is by ekelly80. The photo was taken April 21 on Vermont Avenue.

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.

The post Monday’s Photo: Corn Eyes appeared first on Borderstan.

May 18: Thanks to This Week’s Borderstan Advertisers

borderstan — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:00:37 +0000

Borderstan thanks this weeks advertisers for their support. Remember to Think Local First and support local businesses in DC and the Dupont-Logan-U Street neighborhood. Get information about advertising on Borderstan.com and contact us for more information on becoming joining the list of Borderstan advertisers. The Bike Rack: The Bike Rack is a full service independent bike shop. We're a community of people who care about cycling, and we strive to improve the cycling experience of every customer. We pride ourselves on building a strong cycling community with weekend rides, clinics, local partnerships, clubs, teams, and active involvement in local cycling advocacy." At 1412 Q Street NW. Mike Brown/McEnearney Associates: "Reality. Only better. Try our new Mobile App." Glen's Garden Market: "At Glen’s Garden Market, shoppers will select from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed’s finest produce, meats, poultry, dairy products and specialty foods in a space designed to celebrate seasonality and offer unprecedented access to environmentally sustainable, locally grown foods. The store will showcase foods grown or created by farmers and artisans in DC, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York." At 2001 S Street NW. goDCgo.com: "Your Number One resource for transportation information and options to make getting into and around the District easier than ever. The goDCgo program focuses on the reduction of single-occupant vehicle travel and promotes the use of more sustainable modes of transportation. goDCgo is an initiative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT)." Hemphill Fine Arts: " 'Julie Wolff: Rewilding' runs through May 18.' The exhibition schedule features contemporary art ranging in media from emerging to mid-career and established artists. In addition to these shows the gallery mounts exhibitions of historically significant artwork and socially relevant subjects." At 1515 14th Street NW, Suite 300, just north of P Street. Java House: "A neighborhood cafe where the coffee is roasted in the store. Happy Hour all day Monday through Friday with $4 beers." Located at 1645 Q Street NW with indoor and outdoor seating. Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe: "Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe is DC’s only full-service restaurant and complete bar combined with an independent bookstore." Just north of Dupont Circle at 1517 Connecticut Avenue NW. Pizza No. 17: "Dinner Special, Monday through Friday (Dine-in only)… any bottle of wine and two personal 8" Pizzas for $39.95.” At 1523 17th Street NW, south of Q Street NW. Rice/DC Noodles: "The Rice menu that both traditional and contemporary Thai cuisine in a very simple setting with minimal decor in the Logan Circle neighborhood. In addition, you can now order the DC Noodles menu at Rice during most of the week." At 1608 14th Street NW, north of Q Street. Jo Ricks/City Houses: "Serving downtown buyers and sellers since 1979. This Realtor Is Not Your Average Jo." The Rutstein Group: A Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. "In today's market it's important that your agent has the latest technology working for you! Drop us an email and tell us what you are looking for." Office at 1606 17th Street NW. Simon Vintage: "We offer Vintage Furnishings, Housewares, Toys and other Artifacts. Our cozy used furniture shop packs in a wide range from Art Deco Furniture to Mid Century Modern Furniture as well as lightly Used Contemporary Furniture." At 1911 9th Street NW, just south of U Street. Urban Igloo: "Over 65,000 renters use Urban Igloo each year to take the stress out of DC apartment hunting. We connect them with hundreds of condo owners and large building landlords... Rent out your DC area condo, house, townhome or basement apartment. Fast... Property manager? Apartment building owner? Let us help you find tenants." VIDA Fitness: "Start a new fitness plan or continue in your fitness journey with VIDA Fitness at any of our 5 downtown urban chic fitness clubs. Change the way you look, feel and think about fitness." In the Borderstan area, VIDA is at 1612 U Street NW and at the Metropole, 1517 15th Street NW. Chen Wen/Fairfax Realty: "Chen Wen has been a long time Dupont-Logan resident, having lived here since before Whole Foods was a reality. With more than 20 years of real estate experience, Wen takes pride in the fact that his clients keep coming back to him for their real estate needs." Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post May 18: Thanks to This Week’s Borderstan Advertisers appeared first on Borderstan.

Your List for Enjoying Spring in the Neighborhood

Mathew Harkins — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:09 +0000

From Mathew Harkins. Email him at mharkins[AT]borderstan.com. The spring equinox may have come and gone back on March 20 but the recent spate of days in the 80s and upper-70s has unofficially confirmed that spring has arrived. Hopefully it’s not raining while you’re reading this, as that can be and has been an unfortunate component of spring in the city. But that rain and these temperatures have allowed for the beauteous growth of the trees and flowers in our parks. So before any dark clouds come back, head outside and take a swing around the neighborhood.

Places to Enjoy Nature

Meridian Hill Park — one of our largest parks, this is a great place to just wander around on a sunny afternoon.
Logan Circle — a shady, quiet park to relax with friends, have a picnic or take a nap.
Dupont Circle — is it more about relaxing or about people watching? Who says you can’t do both? This may be the most popular/best known of all the parks/circles in DC.
Thomas Circle — there isn't much nature to take in here, but come by on any weekday and you’ll see the base of the statue covered with office workers taking in the sun.
Spanish Steps — a great gem tucked away where 22nd Street should be between Decatur Place and S Street. The Spanish Steps were built in 1911 and stand today as a testament to some of DC’s more beautiful city planning.

Places to Play

Shaw Dog Park — the larger Dog Park in the area. The location may not be as convenient as the S Street Dog Park, but if you’re looking for a big space where your dog can get in some good running, this is your place.
S Street Dog Park — the more centrally located Dog Park. It may not be as big as the above site, but the turf and the address make this a great spot for playing and socializing (for both humans and dogs).
Stead Park — a local favorite, this is a great place to bring the kids or for organized sports.
Cardozo Playground — located next to the Shaw Dog Park, Cardozo features both a skate park and a large field for team sports.
Rock Creek Park — there’s no way to avoid this behemoth in a list like this. Rock Creek Park is a great park for both taking in nature and engaging in any sort of play or exercise.

Let us know which is your favorite place to enjoy Spring around the neighborhood? Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Your List for Enjoying Spring in the Neighborhood appeared first on Borderstan.

Weekend Plans for the Weekend Warrior

katieandriulli — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:27 +0000

From Katie Andriulli. Email her at katie[AT]borderstan.com and follow her on Twitter @kandriulli. Yes, the Preakness is on Saturday, but luckily it's only like 3 minutes long, so you'll have plenty of time for other things this weekend...including craft beers, free museums, and (truly!) guilt-free milkshakes.

Friday, May 17

Perfectly named local band Lindsay Buckingham Palace plays an early show at Black Whiskey (1410 14th Street NW) at 6 pm. Tickets are $10.
Slightly more fun than watching 12-year-olds pee their pants with nervousness, the Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE) hosts its weekly Rock & Roll Spelling Buzz adult spelling bee tonight at 8 pm (admission is free).
Admit it, you're kinda curious to find out what the hell a "Comedy Prom Under the Sea" is. Swing by The Dunes (1402 Meridian Place NW) tonight at 8 pm to find out (admission is free).

Saturday, May 18

Come for brunch mimosas and stay for the beers at Scion (2100 P Street NW), which is featuring at least three craft beer drafts at 1/2-price all day, as well as other specials, in honor of American Craft Beer Week.
No more excuses not to be cultured! Several of DC's museums that usually charge admission (including the fantastic Phillips Collection) are waiving their entry fees today for Art Museum Day.

Sunday, May 19

The 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW) hosts its annual Sound Bites fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen today at 1 pm. For a $40 donation, you'll get food from over 25 local restaurants and food trucks, music from 7 local bands and cocktails.
Swing by Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral (2815 36th Street NW) which is throwing its annual Spring Festival today from 12 pm to 7 pm, with tons of delicious food, drinks, live music and more.
Have a milkshake for dinner (because, why not?) at Shake Shack (1216 18th Street NW), which is running its Great American Shake Sale during the month of May. Donate $2 to Share Our Strength during your visit, and you'll get a voucher for a free shake ($5 value) on your next visit. It's a win-win.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Weekend Plans for the Weekend Warrior appeared first on Borderstan.

Cyclist Struck at 11th and U NW Thursday

borderstan — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:45:27 +0000

Borderstan has not found any updates today on the condition on the 20-year-old male cyclist who was seriously injured Thursday after being hit by a car at 11th and U Streets NW. According to numerous sources, the accident occurred at 10 am. Dcist cites city sources who said the young man has life-threatening injuries; his identity has not been released. WJLA reported that the cyclist had died, but this was not picked up by other media outlets and has not been confirmed by officials. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Cyclist Struck at 11th and U NW Thursday appeared first on Borderstan.

Get Ready For Strawberries at the Farmers Markets

Alejandra — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:30:55 +0000

From Alejandra Owens. You can find her at her food blog, One Bite At A Time. Alejandra also writes for City Eats DC, a Food Network site, where you can book dinner reservations. Follow her on Twitter at @frijolita and email her at alejandra[AT]borderstan.com. Last year, the most awful thing happened to me. I was at the grocery store, just weeks after the local strawberry season had ended and I was lamenting the lack of those little red jewels in my life. I was sad. I missed them! So I bought a pint of the little buggers from The Teet. Wow, was that a mistake. They were watery, tasteless and mealy. I mean, I didn’t really even understand what mealy felt like in my mouth until that moment. What the heck!? I had been eating grocery store strawberries my whole life (with the rare exception of cartons bought on the side of the road from Mexicans, who crossed the boarder to set up mini market stands — I grew up about 40 minutes from the U.S.–Mexico border) and in that moment, I felt screwed. Had they always tasted like that? Had I elevated myself to the next level of strawberry consciousness with my farmers market shopping ways? I’m hoping I just landed a bad batch, ’cause as much as I try to shop local and seasonal, there are just moments, there are desserts, that call for strawberries when they’re not in season in like, you know,Pennsylvania!!! This week’s FreshFarm Markets‘ newsletter mentioned that they would have strawberries from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania this Saturday and I got tres excited. We can throw a strawberry party now, just so we’re ready. Here are some strawberry recipes to get you started:

Todd Thrasher’s Strawberry Smash sounds tart and refreshing for you boozehounds.
Not Derby Pie has an off-beat but delicious sounding Strawberry Avocado Salad (bonus: essential tip about using salad dressing included).
Breakfast is calling and Adventures in Shaw has Strawberry Scones for you to start the day.
Yours truly brings you Strawberry Rhubarb Meringue Bars for a luscious, cool dessert.
Pete Bakes likes to wrap his strawberries in…bacon. I think I’m speechless.
PopTarts, hand pies, whatever you wanna call them, Modern Domestic (aka Jenna of Whisked!) has ‘emfilled with strawberries for ya!

What’s on your market list for this weekend? Don’t forget, if you have questions about the market, just tweet me! Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Get Ready For Strawberries at the Farmers Markets appeared first on Borderstan.

Passport DC Continues

Mathew Harkins — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:51 +0000

From Mathew Harkins. Email him at mharkins[AT]borderstan.com. It’s now the mid-point of May and Passport DC is still going strong. This annual event here in DC began on May 4 with their kickoff event, the Around the World Embassy Tour, but the festivities and excitement continue along this weekend. Have your friends been talking about the great French food and wine they’ve been sampling at Café du Parc? Were you envious that you didn’t get a chance to bring Mom to the International Mother’s Day Bazaar at the Islamic Center? Don’t feel too bad (just don’t tell Mom about that Mother’s Day event) because there is still plenty to do happening nearby and all around the city. Start things off on Saturday morning with a trip to the Fiesta Asia Street Fair, stretching along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 6th Streets. From 10 am to 7 pm, you’ll find special activities for children, dance lessons, music performances, martial arts demonstrations and much more. Even better? This event is free! Whether you’re a seasoned yoga practitioner or a beginner, you can head over to the Textile Museum on Saturday morning at 11 am for Yoga in the Garden (and be mindful that they recommend reserving your spot). If the weather is still holding up on Sunday, why not take a walking tour of Latin American Heritage in DC? Starting at the Columbia Heights metro station, and going from 3 to 5:30 pm, this walking tour will weave through Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan, explaining along the way who painted the street murals, which were the earliest Latin American restaurants, and much more. There’s even an optional Latin American dinner at the end. Later that evening, head over to the Embassy of Haiti for A Taste of Haiti’s Cuisine. This event, running from 6 to 9 pm and requesting cocktail attire, will feature authentic dishes from Chef Stephen Durand, Pastry Chef Valery Abraham, and DC’s well-known Chef José Andrés. This event is free but you will need to register here. This is only a tiny sample of all the events happening this weekend. There are plenty more to choose from to suit your taste over not only the next couple days, but also the next few weeks. So get out there and see all that the world has to offer right here in DC. A full list of Passport DC events taking place this month can be found here. Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The post Passport DC Continues appeared first on Borderstan.

BodySmith at 1630 14th Street NW. [Flickr]

borderstan — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:17:33 PDT

borderstan posted a photo:

BodySmith at 1630 14th Street NW. [Flickr]

borderstan — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:17:32 PDT

borderstan posted a photo:

BodySmith at 1630 14th Street NW. [Flickr]

borderstan — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:17:32 PDT

borderstan posted a photo: