Columbia Heights

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On Re-branding Midcity

At a well-attended meeting last night at Busboys and Poets, local business leaders and citizens gathered to discuss branding the area around 14th and U as “Midcity”, to create a more cohesive, arts-centric identity for neighborhoods bordered by 7th and 15th Streets and Florida and Rhode Island Avenues, NW. During a question and answer period, concerns were raised about the lack of inclusion of the area of Columbia Heights above Florida Avenue (too poor?), and the focus on theaters and galleries vs. restaurant and retail establishments. The City Paper was there, and they captured some of the skepticism:

“I have nothing in common with a business down at the Convention Center,” Fales said, noting that she wouldn’t necessarily even recommend someone walk that way at night. “I don’t want to be part of an arts district, because I’m already part of something–the Midcity Business Association.” Applause came from the back of the room.

For those wondering if Midcity is as contrived as “NoMa”, see this post by DCist about the term’s history; it contains a picture of a map from 1937 utilizing the designation.

Tasty Morning Bytes- Anti-Teen Machines, Lead Contaminates CoHei and Helpful Cadavers

Good Morning, Washington, D.C. Let’s wish Wednesday (and September!) a warm welcome by toasting it with some links!

Washington Post suspends columnist for Twitter hoax “Wise wrote on Twitter after the incident that he’s “an idiot” and offered “apologies to all involved.” But the columnist still didn’t appear to grasp just why Twitter users (including other journalists) assume respected journalists are publishing accurate information on the medium. “I was right about nobody checking facts or sourcing,” he added along with Monday’s apology.” (Yahoo News)

Gallery Place Installs Anti-Loitering Device (it’s called the “Mosquito”) “…the Mosquito will dissuade loiterers but will not hamper shoppers, diners and those seeking entertainment. Gallery Place called for new legislation prohibiting loitering — a rule that the District of Columbia, unlike every other major U.S. city, has failed to put on its books.” (NBC Washington)

Lead Contamination Closes Columbia Heights Playground “According to DC’s Department of the Environment, the contamination came from a nearby construction site. The park is located at the corner of 11th and Monroe Streets in Columbia Heights.” (WUSA Washington, DC)

On my shopping list – Isabel Wilkerson’s Sweeping book, ‘Warmth of Other Suns’ “In a book that, quite amazingly, is her first, Ms. Wilkerson…has pulled off an all but impossible feat. She has documented the sweeping 55-year-long migration of black Americans across their own country…this work of living history boils down to the tenderly told stories of three rural Southerners who immigrated to big cities from their hometowns.” (The New York Times)

Oval Office makeover has comfy, more modern feel “”The room seems very American…And it looks like such a mix of classic and contemporary, with a laid-back elegance. Those sofas are plush, but not fancy, not fussy. It looks like a lot of work gets done in there. It’s elegant, and it’s also appropriate. It feels humanized.”" (WTOP News)

How Cadavers Made Your Car Safer “It’s not just cars that benefit. Researchers have drawn on Wayne State’s cadaver work to design helmets that might prevent concussions in NFL players. NASA has used cadavers to test vehicle crashworthiness, and the Defense Department backs studies using cadavers to better understand traumatic brain injuries. And as good as computer models are, they still can’t capture the exact essence of how human tissue reacts…” (ired.com)

SportsZone is Coming to Columbia Heights

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Sheeds/Air Force 1s. SportsZone is known for sneakers.

DC USA, the crowning retail establishment of gentrification-central (Columbia Heights), is about to get another new business (finally). Prince of Petworth has the scoop:

I’ve just learned that the newest tenant coming to DC USA will be a SportsZone. They are a sports and apparel company with locations in MD, VA and DC. They’ll be located between the Lane Bryant and Staples on the 14th St, NW side. They are looking to open by the end of Nov.

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