In which I come back to tell you things but I put them all in one post. Enjoy!
Happy Juneteenth! Last year, Jonathan of Spin Time Records made a special Juneteenth playlist and it’s REALLY good. Check it out here: Spin Time Records on YouTube. My favorite from that excellent playlist is still War on the Bullshit by Osiris.
Want to celebrate America’s Birthday in style? Then head to Stanton Park tomorrow, June 20, starting at 10 a.m. There will be a picnic, parade, an official statue re-dedication and more. Check out the schedule here from the National Park Service.
And in case you missed it, Smithsonian museums will be open late today and tomorrow on the occasion of the Summer Solstice. Check out more information here.
Feel like seeing how the other half lives? Check out Fête de la Musique all over Georgetown. They may choose to call it in French, but I know a porchfest when I see it.
By the way, neighbor Duilio Passariello wants to transform the light fixtures at LoveJoy Park so they bring more love and joy, but he needs support for receiving a grant from DC. “Flowers to Elijah” will bring the vibrance of modern acrylic shapes to the enduring lamppost infrastructure that lights the park. Learn more and sign Duilio’s petition here.
Finally, do you want to march in the Capitol Hill July 4 parade? Sign up here.
Here are some news you may have missed:
Janeese Lewis George won Tuesday’s primary (and we’re not gonna lie, we’re really excited about it). Politico has a summary of the race and so does Washington City Paper. Ward 6 councilmemer Charles Allen won his primary as well as Zachary Parker in Ward 5. Looks like Oye Owolewa also won for at-large and Elissa Silverman won the special at-large election. You can see all results at the DC Board of Elections website.
Looks like Congress is going after DC’s tax bill related foreclosures. Wish they’d also try to enforce houses that are only used for lobbying as doggedly. Axios
Guess what, reading nerds? You CAN get free things for doing what you love best this summer. NBC-4 on Instagram
Oh and remember the pricy Lincoln Memorial reno and “flag blue” paint job? It’s… falling apart. 5050 Movement on Instagram
A week ago, several businesses had fire damage after the former Ugly Mug/Valor Brewpub space caught fire. (WJLA on YouTube) Since then, most of the businesses have reopened and a GoFundMe was set up for a family that lost everything during the blaze. A firefighter was wounded during the blaze but was expected to recover fully.
Speaking of Barracks Row, neighbors have been virulently opposed to Wingstop coming to 8th Street SE, but it looks like it’ll open nevertheless (Hill Rag). I know it’s highly unpopular to point out that when you choose to live close to a business corridor, you’ll have to put up with businesses, so I will refrain. However, with Popeye’s back on the Row, it’s harder to justify allowing some businesses back and not others. I share a block with a restaurant, myself, and when it’s bad, it’s bad. I often chant, “At least it’s no longer vacant” to myself.
Via PoPville, it looks like there is new signage at the old Crazy Aunt Helen’s: Taki Taki is coming. Also, Slutty Vegan is back at the 500 block of H– hopefully will do more this time around than back in 2023.
Earlier in the year, you mean to tell me someone misappropriated funds from a H Street NE non-profit? Welp, it’s true because the Attorney General was able to prove he did and people like Kenneth Brewer is why we can’t have nice things. Washington Examiner
So what does it take to breathe new life onto H Street NE? Urban Turf takes a look at a report from the Office of Planning (which you can read here). The main ideas center around H Street’s identity as an arts and nightlife destination with a stronger retail component. If only there were a streetcar integration idea that worked….
So, what works in terms of preventing crime and having a lasting effect on reducing crime? Look, if you’re on the reactionary end of things, you’re not going to like the answer. Urban Institute
Made it this far? Here’s a PSA: There is a weird bug going around that doesn’t feel like a typical cold but will give you a bad sore throat and a fever and will make you feel like a zombie. Be careful out there, especially if you’re dealing with other conditions.