Monthly Archives: June 2012
Friday Five: Summer Getaways from Cleveland Park
Need to get out of the city this summer? Planning a DC staycation? Here’s five of our favorite summer getaways – all within 3 hours of Cleveland Park.
1. Charlottesville, VA – We told you about our daytrip to the Charlottesville area here. Enjoy some history mixed with a few of the region’s best wines. (2.5 hours away)
2. Annapolis, MD – Go boating, eat some crabs, enjoy some quirky shopping. (1 hour away)
3. Richmond, VA – Spend a day strolling down Cary Street. Don’t miss the Maymont Estate or Museum of Fine Arts. (2 hrs, 10 mins away or take Amtrak)
4. Bethany Beach, DE - Just down the coast from busy Rehoboth Beach, check out Bethany Beach, where you’ll find the ocean and the boardwalk without as many crowds (3 hours away)
5. Berkeley Springs, WV – Avoid the masses heading to the beach, and go to the mountains. Enjoy the natural spring spas, hiking, and breathtaking views. (2 hours away)
Where’s everyone headed this summer?
This Week in Cleveland Park Listserv
One of the best parts of our neighborhood is the small town atmosphere that the Cleveland Park Listserv helps to create. Each Friday we will pull out some (possibly out of context) gems from the Listserv to share with our neighbors and friends. We hope these outtakes of the neighborhood news will get you ready for another great weekend in Cleveland Park!
In search of market equilibrium…
Can anyone recommend an average per hour rate for a 16 year old babysitter? I usually pay $12-$15/hour for college students but haven’t had a high school student sitter for a while.
Poop politics…
Can a condo building ban animals from the sidewalk or the land between the sidewalk and the road? I’m curious to gain a legal opinion regarding the true property line and span of control.
And who said DC was unfriendly environment for businesses…
Chipotle needed a special exception to occupy this space. The ANC agreed to support the application for a special exception if Chipotle would agree to install a gate at the alley entrance. Not only did Chipotle agree, but they designed the gate in an art deco style as a nod to the Uptown Theater and our Historic District.
Cleveland Park Currency Exchange…
I am interested in purchasing Euros if you have some to sell.
Disturbing…
I bought two large African wooden sculptures at the Dance Africa festival, only to find them being eaten from the inside out with some kind of bug. Does anyone have any suggestions before I’m left with a pile of sawdust?
Ouch…
He was able to contrast the DMV with several other places he is
familiar with around the world, including London, Sydney, and a couple of “developing countries,” and all of them easily surpassed the performance of the DC DMV today in customer service. American exceptionalism indeed!
By best do you mean least bad?
We are new to the area and will be signing up for cable service. We are only interested in cable and wifi hook up in the house, but no land line phone. Does anyone have any suggestions for which cable provider is best and (naturally) offers the most competitive pricing?
Cleveland Park Farmers Market: Business Killer or Neighborhood Enhancer?
Could a fear of competition keep these smiling faces from Cleveland Park?
As we’ve posted, the proposed Cleveland Park Farmers Market will go before the ANC Board at its next meeting. Based on a posting from Richard Steacy (ANC3C-04), it seems as if debate will center on the market competing with existing local businesses.
As he posted, “Question: Would you support a Farmers Market if it was in direct competition with a local merchant?”
Some of the immediate responses on Twitter and Facebook included:
“I don’t think it would be. A farmers’ market brings more foot traffic to the neighborhood–something that CP could definitely use.”
“I don’t see a biz in CP that would get hurt. They are mostly restaurants or non-food shops who would/could benefit.”
“a stand competing with a local vendor for 5 hours on a Saturday morning doesn’t have me particularly worried that we’ll lose local businesses”
“if anything I will be more likely to stop at Brookville or Yes! since the market probably won’t have everything”
“Existing businesses? That Giant they wouldn’t allow to be renovated? So you’re left with Brookeville and YES! Market?”
And our favorite…
“@CleveParker #AnnoyingYuppieProblems”
The farmers market as planned would look something like this:
* Every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
* Located on the west Connecticut Avenue sidewalk between the Four Fields and USPS year round
* Starting later this month if permitted
* 10 vendors and 2 tables to showcase local organizations and/or existing local shops
Cleveland Park Mentions
What’s the world saying about Cleveland Park this week? Find out every Thursday in Cleveland Park Mentions…
From Washington Post’s Going out Guide…
Best places to beat the heat
Cleveland Park’s blink-and-you’d-miss-it sweet shack Sugar Magnolia dispenses gourmet ice-cream sandwiches. The formidable slab of creamy goodness is wedged between thin cookies, and there’s even a gluten-free version.
From the InTowner…
Prolific Architect Arthur B. Heaton (1875-1951)
Heaton’s commercial designs include … what is considered the first planned neighborhood shopping center in the country, the 1930 design for the Park and Shop complex in the Cleveland Park neighborhood at Connecticut Avenue and Porter Street, NW
From Washington Business Journal…
WAMU to get new Connecticut Avenue home
American University has closed on its acquisition of 4401 Connecticut Ave. NW, which will become the new home for its public radio station WAMU.
From Zagat‘s blog…
Pulpo Arms its Way into Cleveland Park
Pulpo, a mid-priced, Spanish-accented tapas place recently opened in the former Tackle Box Cleveland Park location. Business was a bit slow before the liquor license arrived last weekend. Now the neighborhood seems pleased to find another popular cuisine represented on its restaurant row.
Cleveland Park Farmers Market Has “Breakthrough”
We’ve recently heard that a “breakthrough” has been made with regard to the permitting problems plaguing the much anticipated Cleveland Park farmers market.
We talked to Susie Taylor of the CPBA who emphasized that the CPBA and the CPCA have joined forces–along with market manager Gloria Garrett–to bring the market to Cleveland Park. Taylor tells us that the trio is diligently working on permitting issues, and recently discovered that a glitch in DDoT’s online permitting system was causing the delays. They have been working with the city to correct the problem. Taylor expects to resubmit the permit for approval by the end of this week and hopes that the market will be back on track after resubmission. She advises us that they are working to ensure that the market “enhances, rather than competes with” Cleveland Park’s existing stores, and the mix of market vendors has been “carefully created” to respond to CPBA concerns. Taylor, Garrett, and Jane Treacy from the CPCA plan to appear at Monday’s ANC meeting to seek the ANC’s endorsement of the market.
We still have not heard an anticipated opening weekend for the market or a list of participating vendors and look forward to the release of this information.
Cleveland Park Condos (June 13, 2012)
A newly listed 1-bedroom inside 3900 Connecticut Ave NW
What’s it take to own property in Cleveland Park? For many young professionals this means taking a look at the condo market along Connecticut Ave. Regularly, we will be looking at the price level of condos available in Cleveland Park. Our survey area will be all condos for sale with a Connecticut Avenue address from Macomb to Tilden.
We add a 1-bedroom this week.
Total properties: 13
Median days on the market: 77
Total 1BR/studio: 10
1BR/studio price range: $240,000-$450,000
Median 1BR price: $330,000
Total 2BR: 3
2BR price range: $519,000-$649,000
New property spotlight:
3900 Connecticut Ave NW
Newly renovated kitchen
Oak floors
Envy My Food – Edition #18
Welcome to out weekly feature Envy My Food. Each week we hope to share a wide array of restaurant food from Washington, DC.
Want to contribute to the fun? You can join our Flickr group, @CleveParker on Twitter, or send us an email with your picture. Bon Appetit!
Assorted Sushi from Kotobuki
Photo credit: Cleveland Parker (via Flickr)
Braised Rhode Island Monkfish from Le Zinc
Photo credit: Jonas Salone (via Flickr)
Grand Opening Celebration Begins at 876 Cafe
Van Ness may not be known as a vibrant neighborhood with a booming foodie culture, but 876 Cafe is hoping to change that. Although it opened in April, it is now ready for its official ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration. They’ve put together quite an eclectic mix of events to celebrate this week.
876 Cafe Grand Opening Event Schedule:
Monday, June 11 – Welcome Neighbors – Seniors and area residents appreciation day (3:00pm to 6:30pm), offering 10% discount to seniors during this time on meal.
Tuesday, June 12 – Callaloo & Rum Special (6-10pm) with a talk on “Callaloo in the Caribbean” (during 6:30-7:30pm). Fixed price menu features a tasting of 3 callaloo dishes, bread pudding with rum sauce or rum raisin ice cream and rum
punch ($25, tax and tip not included).
Wednesday, June 13 – Business Networking & Mixer (6:00pm to 9:00pm), allowing the area businesses to get to know each other and mingle.
Thursday, June 14 – Ribbon Cutting (12:30pm to 1:30pm), and reading of official Proclamation of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in DC.
Friday, June 15 – Irie (“feeling all right”) Red Stripe & Jerk Hour (3:00pm to 7:30pm – Specials on Caribbean- inspired drinks), Café Wings (Jerked & “Tings”) and Caribbean-inspired condiments tasting (in recognition of upcoming Summer
Fancy Food Show at DC Convention Center June 17-19).
Saturday, June 16 – Art Gallery Opening – Caribbean Art & Wine Tasting focusing on wines that marry well with spicy
foods (3pm to 6pm).
Tweets from this Weekend – Cleveland Park Style
Our weekly installment that takes a look at tweets from in and around the Cleveland Park area over this past weekend.
Cleveland Park, home of DC’s hottest thespians…
From @dcwomenstheatre
Auditions for The Space Between will be held 6/16 @ the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library from 10 am to 12:30 pm.#DC #DMV #getready
Sad but true…
From @katenattrass
Girl Scouts continue to overwhelm DC today. Now they’ve infiltrated Cleveland Park. And they didn’t even bring their delicious cookies.
I always associated it with France, we always had it in French class, what the…
From @TonyFratto
@floridagirlindc Vace Cleveland Park doesn’t carry Italian Nutella
More buzz for Vace this weekend than we’ve seen in a while…
From @brian_hecht
Errands (pet grooming) in Cleveland Park = Vace 4 lunch.
Exciting activity news…
From @ClevePkHistory
Great news for fall: Tony Fleming returns to Cleveland Park Oct. 13 to reprise his popular geology tour
Oh we got it all…
From @RebeccaShabad
Since when is there a running store in Cleveland Park???
Yummmm…
From @CPUptownGirl
Drool-worthy weekend in #ClevelandPark: http://t.co/UJDVqpR4 w @DinoDC burgers & @sugarmagnoliadc ice cream sammies!
Sensing some Transcendence-Perfection-Bliss of the Beyond for her…
From @FreudSchmeud
What should I get my sister for her birthday? Need to buy it in #Clevelandpark because I’m lazy and procrastinated.
Friday Five: Our Picks for the Cleveland Park Farmers Market
We can’t wait for the permit issues to be resolved so that we can spend a Saturday morning strolling through the Cleveland Park farmers market. Here’s the top five vendors we’d love to see:
1. The fish truck. (Frequently found in Vann Ness.)
2. Keswick Creamery Farmstead Cheese. (We love their stuff at the Dupont farmers market.)
3. A good morning snack. (Maybe a crepe stand a la Eastern Market?)
4. Pastries and bread from Quail Creek Farm. (Frequently found at the Penn Quarter farmers market.)
5. Veggies, veggies, and more local veggies! The more the merrier.
What would you like to see at the farmers market?
This Week in Cleveland Park Listserv
One of the best parts of our neighborhood is the small town atmosphere that the Cleveland Park Listserv helps to create. Each Friday we will pull out some (possibly out of context) gems from the Listserv to share with our neighbors and friends. We hope these outtakes of the neighborhood news will get you ready for another great weekend in Cleveland Park!
Unwanted alarm clocks…
This is a plea to the owner of Toyota Camry AE 6342, parked on the 3000 block of Rodman Street: Please disable your alarm. Your alarm goes off repeatedly (without cause) … The police have been here, but are unable to do anything about it. There are numerous notes on your car.
Call me incredulous…
We are huge fans of Chipotle and turn to them often for carryout when we’re in a hurry or just too busy to cook! Lots of choices, easy to stay on a low fat, low cal eating program, and they don’t use much salt.
Ok,record straight…
I like Chipotle, but I don’t think I’ve ever before seen someone describe its food as low-calorie and certainly not as low-salt. That doesn’t correspond to the nutrition info I’ve seen about it.
Classical ionic Pepco meters…
I’m upset that DC has said no to solar panels on the roof of a Cleveland Park house. The no vote is backward thinking. There is a lot of technology visible from the street that’s not historic: Pepco’s smart meters, window air conditioners, central air conditioning units, cable TV wiring, satellite dish receivers, for example. From what I read in the Current, these solar panels are about as unobtrusive as things get. Historic doesn’t mean no change.
Sound economic advice…
It’s understandable that we, as incumbent car owners in these neighborhoods, would worry about new residents competing with us for the parking spaces on our blocks. But a fair solution to the problem of residential parking scarcity would be to price RPPs at their true market value, instead of giving them away for $25/year.
Don’t even know where to go with this one…
Make sure you remain supportive of him, because it’s probably much harder for him to pretend he’s in a relationship with you (or has sexual feelings towards women more generally) than it is for you to deal with the fleeting discomfort you feel whenever the subject comes up… One suggestion you might provide is the one-two punch of having him tell his parents you broke up (aaah! the tragedy of young love gone awry…) and blocking his mother from viewing his photos on Facebook.
Cleveland Park Farmers Market Opening Delayed
We’ve heard that many of you are excited about the new Cleveland Park farmers market (we are too!) and have had several requests for updates. While it originally looked like the market would open in early June, we’ve now heard that a few permitting issues may further delay the opening weekend.
We talked to Gloria Garrett, the farmers market manager for the Cleveland Park and Palisades locations, who told us that they are working to get ANC approval for the new location of the market, on the west side of Connecticut Ave. As we reported in May, the market was originally scheduled to take place off Macomb Street, but will now likely take place on Conn Ave., facing the businesses. Garrett tells us that there are several compliance issues that are being hammered out before the market can open, including providing for protection of the flower beds that run along the street. We appreciate that measures are being taken to keep our neighborhood beautiful, but can’t wait for a large selection of local produce right at our doorstep.
Space appears to be the main issue for farmers markets in our area–as we reported on Friday, the Van Ness farmers market is also looking for a new location. We will keep you updated on any further developments with both farmers markets, and when they open, make sure to stay off the flower beds!
