Jaybird's Jottings

King Memorial Opens to Public

“It’s a ray of hope.”

A middle-aged African-American gentleman from the District gave me that answer this morning, my question being, “What does the King Memorial mean to you?”  

We were standing near the entrance.   Hundreds waited in line for the 11 am opening, the first day for the public.    Eight minutes late, the National Park Service let the first hundred or so through.   By 1140, the monument area was full of people.

The King Memorial will have two entrances, the front one by the tidal basin, which was blocked today, and the back, where the crowds poured in from Constitution Avenue.    I think the one we took is the best.  The excitement builds as you pass by the two mammoths stones, Dr King’s front yet to be seen.   Then as you get closer to his 28-foot statue, you look the left to see the Washington Monument, and straight ahead, the Jefferson Memorial and the calm waters of the tidal basin.    Surrounding are the tall trees to give it a peaceful feeling.

There are some drawbacks to the memorial, mainly the location which requires considerable walking from Metro, no Metro buses stopping by, and when the planes from National take off to the north, the noise is distracting.   But the memorial is nicely done, stunning quite frankly, and especially so today with the gorgeous weather.  

I walked from the Arlington Cemetery Metro and would do it again that way.   Passing by the Lincoln Memorial, or even visiting it, prompts you to think about the matter at hand.

The day before he was assassinated, Dr King prophetically said, “I may not get there with you.”

He is with us now, however, on one of the world’s biggest stages, standing proud and tall, a mighty site for all to see, a ray of hope indeed. 

 

 

 

 

Cambodian Festival 2011

If you like Thai food, odds are you love Pad Thai, one of the country’s national dishes.   Stir-fried with rice noodles, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, fish sauce, options include shrimp, chicken, or tofu.   It is both healthy and delicious.

I count myself among lovers of this dish, but today I became an even bigger fan.  We went to the Cambodian Festival at Ben Brenman Park, hoping for some Cambodian dishes.  Perhaps we overlooked them, and perhaps the stall we went to was making a Cambodian variation. 

Anyway, despite the heat and humidity, we had a very nice time, taking in the dances, arts and crafts exhibits, and the traditional band.  The best part was watching the pad thai being stir-fried, and my wife captured this great moment. 

 

Mount Vernon Square/Mount Vernon Triangle Visit

“Yellow Line to Mount Vernon Square.”

For years, Metro riders boarding at Huntington and other stops along the Yellow Line heard the driver make that announcement.    This was before some of the trains began running to Fort Totten.  Few, if any, ever got that far.   Mount Vernon Square was like an outpost that very few Virginia suburbanites ever went to. 

The other day I hopped on board the Yellow Line and couldn’t wait to get to Mount Vernon Square, and Mount Vernon Triangle.   My trip to the West End re-energized my desire to see more of DC’s neighborhoods.    I had been reading about this neighborhood’s comeback, and wanted to see for myself.   “Not just parking lots anymore,” the Mount Vernon Triangle blogger proclaims.

I started my visit at, where else, Mount Vernon Square?   We’ve paid visits there for events at the Convention Center and toured the City Museum once, but never before had I explored the other parts of the neighborhood.   

Here are the highlights:

Mount Vernon Square

Washington holds many places where one can stop and marvel at the surrounding cityscape.   One might not think of MVS this way, but the borders of five neighborhoods, Logan Circle, Downtown, Chinatown, Mount Vernon Square Historic District and Mount Vernon Triangle, all touch the square.   K, Mass, New York. 7^th and 9^th radiate outward, suggesting anything is possible.   Much has been torn down in this part of the city, but the City Museum stands its ground and represents the city’s rich past.    Symbolizing the new is the Convention Center, still looking new at age eight.   NPR and Blackboard stand out as the premiere work places, and benefit from their proximity to the square.   

Henry’s Soul Café

Wanted to try their sweet potato pie, but had to get back before they opened up.   By the way, anyone want to take a stab at - What is the difference between soul food and southern food? 

Bus Boys and Poets

Fell in love instantly, my favorite spot, easily.   They’ve managed to create something modern yet authentic, a place where black pride co-exists easily with other progressive urban thinkers, or anyone for that matter stopping by for coffee or to eat.  

Chatted up the server who said the place was packed with long lines for President Obama’s inauguration.    Liked the hood but said the nightclub across the street was holding it back somewhat.

Fletcher Chapel (now known as First Tabernacle)

I'm sure some think this is an eye sore, but I'm glad to see where the City is protecting this from the wrecking ball.   According to Wiki, "the building was constructed in 1854,  making it one of the oldest surviving houses of worship in Washington, D.C."

City Vista

Walkscore gives MVT a 94, and this place contributes mightily.  In addition to BB&P, residents benefit from having a Safeway, and three restaurants, Kushi, Mandu and Taylor Gourmet.   

Historic District of Mount Vernon Square

When the sharp focus of the city gets to be too much, one can step into the quiet streets of this historic district.   Standing at 5^th and L, all it takes is a glance at the elegant Victorian-era row houses for the invitation.  Standing out are the ones along L Street, the work of Schneider, whose work we saw in West End.  The DC native produced many homes in the city.

Noticed the re-hab of a two-story building along 5^th between L and M.  The engraved sign says Washington News Company.   The looking up reveals it was a wholesale bookseller for the American news company, built in 1927.

Concluding Thoughts

I'm still not sure if Mount Vernon Square and Mount Vernon Triangle are separate neighborhoods, but it doesn't matter.   The former is protected and the latter is on the rise.   It's no longer an outpost, and quite the contrary, a desirable place to work, live and visit.

See you on the Yellow Line!

King Statue and Memorial

Washington has seen some remarkable unveilings and the one for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28 will rank right up there.   

Dr Gridlock of the Washington Post has a good article on the getting there.    The Arlington Cemetery Metro station option, although a bit longer of a walk than the Smithsonian, is a good one, especially if you are already in that part of the area.   It does make for a dramatic walk and passes by the Lincoln Memorial.  It should be less crowded than the Smithsonian stop.   One thing to remember about the Arlington station is that it closes at 10 p.m. from April 1 to Sept. 30.

Metro has a commemorative one-day pass.

Donna Owens writes a Ten King Legacy places to visit.

The weather looks decent next week, with sunny skies and highs in the mid-80s.  82 on Tuesday, which is open to the public.

The logistics of all this, especially since the tidal basin takes up a lot of standing room, will be a challenge (Maybe some thought will be given to this in the future).  

 Hope all goes well.  This will be an emotional day for many Americans and citizens of the world, and should be a day of reflection for all.    

 

The list of events include:

• A special preview of the memorial (Tues., Aug. 23. The statue will be "cloaked" on Aug. 26 in preparation for its formal unveiling at 11 a.m. Aug. 28. )

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue Street Dedication (Thurs., Aug. 25)

• "Welcome to D.C." Reception (for out-of-town elected officials and civil rights leaders) hosted by Mayor Gray (Fri., Aug. 26)

• D.C. Full Democracy Freedom Rally and March (Sat., Aug. 27)

• Film showings, exhibits and a speaker series at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (throughout August and September)

 

 

 

InfoShop

Everybody has heard of C-SPAN, but how about B-SPAN? 

B-SPAN is the World Bank’s webcasting site, launched in 2000 to provide information in the fight against global poverty.    I know this now, after a visit on Monday to their bookstore on Pennsylvania Avenue.   Quite frankly, I had never heard of it, surprising because I keep my eyes on book events and such.

Had a task to do in Foggy Bottom, and when my tummy growled, I thought to myself, Breadline!  I’d always wanted to go there, read the good reviews and knew it would be great people watching, but their hours and location always killed my hopes.   

But on Monday, voila, it all came together.   After walking past the World Bank, I stood at the corner of Pennsylvania and H and spotted Breadline, then a sign that said Infoshop Bookstore.

Brenda Mejia, Infoshop’s Supervisor overheard me heaping praise on their place to one of their booksellers, and kindly made herself available to me.  She took my business card and signed me up for their event notices.  

Stop by Infoshop if you get the chance.    Heaven knows it’s easy to be cynical towards a big international agency, and the World Bank has its share of critics, but buying a book there and becoming more aware of the issues they encounter is a good way of helping.    

 

 

The West End

Several years ago, I paid a visit to a handful of Washington neighborhoods.    My main motivation for these look sees was to check outs the improvements they have undergone.  I picked this folder back up this week with a visit to DC’s West End.   Initially, I based my decision to go there solely on wanting to see the new West End cinema, but two blocks in to my walk, it was apparent this neighborhood deserved the full monty.

I started at the Foggy Bottom Metro.   Stepping off the escalator, and seeing all the new buildings on the GWU campus, I recalled my first set of visits there when we arrived here in Washington in 1995.  16 years on, a remarkable makeover for this northern part of Foggy Bottom.

Instead of heading directly for the West End, I first paid a quick visit to The Avenue, a new mixed-use development at the corner of 22^nd and Eye.   In a few weeks, a lot of people will be walking there for the much-anticipated debut of Whole Foods.  

As I walked past Washington Circle and into the West End neighborhood, I felt the distinct feel of change from the hustle and bustle around the Foggy Bottom metro stop and that part of the GW campus.    Since I knew very little about this place in between Georgetown and DuPont Circle, discovery was abundant.  

Before my visit, I had read where some residents feared the on-going gentrification.   I talked with several residents who spoke positively of the changes, including one man walking his dogs who said folks like himself wanted to see more moderately priced restaurants and things to do at night.   

Here are the highlights of my visit, in no certain order.

 

Schneider Triangle

Designed by Thomas Franklin Schneider, these mansard-roofed row houses in the Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque style were already striking by themselves.   Partnered now with sleek modern buildings, it's a beautiful border for the neighborhood.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West End Cinema

Blink your eyes and you will miss this new indie theater on 23^rd between M and N, but great to see it.    Interesting they don’t show matinees, which has kept us from going.    

Duke Ellington Birthplace  (2129 Ward Place)

The great one was born here on April 29, 1899.    Sadly, ugly monstrosities now overwhelm this short curving side road.   The good news is that Ellington is remembered with a commemorative plaque (they took it down temporarily to make improvements to the wall and to replace the gold lettering).  On this spot geeks can see the precise location of the home at the West End Friends website.   They are also planning to erect a statue there.

District Hardware and Bike Shop

Lowe’s and Home Depot have put a squeeze on the mom and pops, but some like this survive.    Had a pleasant chat with the two men behind the counter.   They showed me the black and white photo of their original shop in DuPont Circle.  

World Wildlife Fund

A most pleasant surprise to find WWF’s glassy home office.   I remember contributing money to them in the 80s in their efforts to “Save the Whales.”  Their sky-lit atrium, rising to eight stories, is beautiful.   This important charitable trust is celebrating its 50^th year.   

Save the Whales!  Save the Dolphins!  Save Our Wildlife!

22 West

Luxury condominiums built in an angular glass building.  Who needs Georgetown or DuPont Circle?    

Library

The West End has been described as staid and I saw some of that.   But if developer East Banc has anything to say about it, their re-development of the Library will be anything but.    The residential project would include a new library, a 52 unit low income and possibly retail.

 

 

Ritz Carlton

Luxury hotels dot the tony neighborhood.    The Ritz-Carlton and the Park Hyatt vie for best in vogue…

Brewmaster's Castle

Although it’s located a block or two outside the traditional definition of the West End, and DuPont Circle gets the bragging rights, this magnificent historic building should be seen on a visit to the West End.   German immigrant and brewer Christian Heurich built this mansion in 1894.   Tours are available on certain days, and it’s a must see.

Commemorative Marker for the signing of the Rush-Bagot agreement in 1818 at the British Legation (site)

Pleasant surprise, upon seeing RUSH and Canada, mind wandered…

 

Concluding Thoughts

The West End has come a long since its early days of gangs, malaria, and an undesirable place to live.    I’ve read a few disparaging remarks about the neighborhood, slights that owe more to the past than the present and future.    Led by the West End Friends, good things are happening for the community such as the effort to establish a new dog park.

I rather like the West End.  I would like to see more commemorative markers, and hopefully we will return for that matinee...

 

Irish Festival in Alexandria

Waterfront Park in Old Town Alexandria, not to be confused with the larger Founders Park, is usually a quiet spot used only by the occasional Frisbee and football tossers, and dogs and their walkers.

On Saturday afternoon it came alive with the annual Irish Festival.  The Ballyshaners co-sponsor the event, as well as the Alexandria Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.   In a neighborhood that loves the Irish, the turn out was good.   Long time Old Town booster Pat Troy emceed the proceedings, which featured a small parade. 

 

 

Strasburg Shines in Woodbridge

On a list of Washington’s busiest Regional Activity Centers, Woodbridge, Virginia is listed at number 59.   Of course, that was before last night when Stephen Strasburg stepped on to the mound at Pfitzner Stadium for his second rehab start.   In a ballpark that normally sees less than 3,000 fans for each game, Strasburg drew a standing-room only crowd of 8,169.   

Nothing against Woodbridge, but the better half and I would not normally head down there to celebrate our anniversary.   But with Strasburg just 15 miles away, the decision was a no-brainer.

Bistro L’Hermitage, located about three Dave Kingman home runs from the river in lovely little Occoquan, started things off for us with a delicious meal and excellent service.  Dining there was also an act of pre-positioning.   Anytime you drive from Washington to Woodbridge, you hold your breath and hope the traffic won’t make you late.

Strasburg did not disappoint, hitting 97 on the radar gun, and giving up just two infield hits in three innings.  He struck out five and walked none.   Myrtle Beach did not hit the ball out of the infield and Strasburg threw 26 of 33 for strikes.   

Crowd gave him a standing ovation, then a small exodus.  I sheepishly admit we were a part of it.  But, still, this was a memorable evening for us.   Thank you Woodbridge and thank you number 37.

 

Crystal Drive Leads the Way in Crystal City

Not all neighborhoods are set up the same, and things can be different in an urban or a suburban locale, but as a rule of thumb, if you want to find a place to eat, sip coffee, or shop, find the main route.  

Here in Washington, a notable exception can be found in Crystal City.    Alternately known as Jefferson Davis Hiway, the main drag through this Northern Virginia office center is Route 1.    This busy street, however, is not the place to be when your tummy growls.    To find the majority of restaurants in this community of 6,000 residents which bulges to many more during weekdays, you will need to walk one block east to Crystal Drive.   

Once a street few knew about, this mile long avenue is now a showcase for the start of something new and improved in Crystal City.  Prompted by the loss of 17,000 jobs due to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), and desiring a Smart Growth future, Arlington County has begun a long-term makeover.   Last year they established a Crystal City Sector Plan, which will direct five phases of re-development.   

The first two phases of the project are scheduled to last until 2020.  Some of the notable changes are:

A new entrance to the Crystal City Metro Station.

A Crystal Drive streetcar line that will run to the Potomac Yard shopping center in Alexandria and hook up with the planned Columbia Pike streetcar line in Pentagon City.

Removal of a number of older buildings.

Realignment of Clark and Bell Streets and pedestrian improvements.

Creation of additional green space.

Improved streetscapes and public art.

 

It wasn’t that long ago that Washingtonians went to Crystal City for either their job at defense industry companies such as Lockheed Martin, to meet relatives staying at one of its hotels (“I’ll meet you at the Marriott” is like saying “I’ll meet you at the Starbucks”), or to eat at Legal Seafood.   It has always benefitted from proximity to National Airport and downtown DC, but it has also suffered from a visual blandness of its once modern buildings.    The conformity perfectly matches the military’s uniform ways, but it all adds up to a boring cityscape.

Now, as construction workers hammer away in the first stages of the Long Bridge Park in the northern end, Crystal Drive has blossomed with a slew of new restaurants, coffee shops and residential offerings.    The southern end touts Harris Teeter and the must-see Renaissance Arlington (by Marriott, who else?).   

I decided to get out of the car the other day and walk along Crystal Drive.   It’s certainly not as charming as Del Ray’s Mount Vernon Avenue and lacks King Street’s local merchants flavor, but options are plenty and many parts are looking spiffy.   

Crystal City has a ways to go in its effort to remake itself into a more attractive neighborhood.   But make no mistake, it’s coming on strong, and nowhere is that more apparent than on Crystal Drive.

 

Note:  The City Hub bike shop is actually on 20^th Street, a few revolutions from Crystal Drive.    Arlington is promoting biking, and there’s even a marker in front of the Renaissance, as well as the Capital Bikeshare locations and the connect trail to the Mount Vernon Trail.    

 

 

 

Happy 40th SABR

SABR celebrates its 40^th birthday today. 

About a dozen years ago, I was very fortunate to befriend the late Bob Davids.   Bob led the way for SABR in 1971 when he asked 15 other lovers of baseball history to join him in forming the group.   

Bob and his wife lived in the District.  For a handful of years, I would pick him up at his home, and off we went to the Chapter’s meeting.   Soft-spoken and friendly, he was part of a long-standing tradition of warming up the crowd with trivia.  On the way there, he would toss some of it my way and we would talk baseball, both old and new.  

Bob, we miss you something fierce, and we know you would be proud of where SABR stands on this noteworthy anniversary.    The stats and tools have changed (for the better!), but it’s still all about and the sharing of research and stories, the camaraderie among the members, and the love of the greatest game ever played.

Happy 40^th SABR!