Borderstan

Fast Gourmet’s Olivera Brothers to Expand with M Street Location

michellel — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:00:08 +0000

From Michelle Lancaster. Follow her and tell her your news on Twitter @MichLancaster or email her at michellel@borderstan.com. The owners of the best damn place to get a sandwich in a gas station announced their plans to open a second location at 1990 M Street NW. Fast Gourmet quickly became a neighborhood favorite, with the gut-busting Chivito (so bad for you but oh so tasty) and other tasty sandwiches. (Their menu is actually extensive.) WUSA9 reports the new place will be called 'TakEatEasy' and may open as soon as March. Expect a 'more than sandwiches' menu, including homemade pastas and a dinner menu. The owner, Manuel Olivera is focused on a 'relaxed' atmosphere (word is used 3.5 times in his quotes). The location puts it on M Street near Vidalia, in between Rumors and Hudson. Be sure to read Tom Hays' A Visit With the Olivera Brothers at Fast Gourmet. Brothers Manuel and Juan Olivera, natives of Uruguay, are the owners. Full disclosure: Fast Gourmet is a big favorite of the editors here at Borderstan.

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DC Top City for Biking,Walking Investments (But Drivers Still Bad)

maggie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:00:31 +0000

From Maggie Barron. You can reach her at maggie@borderstan.com or on Twitter @maggiebarron. As far as transportation goes, DC often gets a bad rap. Sure, we have the country’s worst drivers, and we may be approaching “metrogeddon” with the 8-month closure of the Dupont Circle southern escalators. But there’s good news. We also rank among the top U.S. cities in terms of our bicycle and pedestrian programs, according to a study out this week from the Alliance for Biking & Walking. Of the 51 largest U.S. cities, the District boasts the highest per-capita funding for cycle and pedestrian facilities and education. The report, Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, says DC spends approximately $9.82 per resident to promote biking and walking. Nationwide, states spent on average just $2.17. Not surprisingly, the report identified a virtuous cycle of infrastructure investment, improved safety and increased bike and pedestrian commuting. Among those 51 cities, DC also had:

the second highest share of commuters who walk to work (after Boston).
the seventh highest share of commuters who bike to work.
the second lowest rate of car ownership (after New York).
The sixth lowest rate of bike/ped fatalities.

In a press release, Mayor Vincent Gray celebrated the news:

I have made it clear I want the District of Columbia to be the most sustainable, walkable city in the nation. It’s great to see where we stand among our peers and that we are making real progress toward that goal.

This report gave me quite a bit to think about. We often hear about drivers acting aggressively towards bikers, or of problems with pedestrians and cars. Getting around in DC is far from perfect, but think about how much worse it must be in other cities. If we are sixth in bike/ped safety (and I still can’t get a car to stop for me at the crosswalk at 14th Street and Wallach Place NW), then what’s it like in Fort Worth, Texas, which ranks 51, or Phoenix (#48) or even San Diego (#23)? Another thing I found particularly interesting in the data was that the share of commuters biking and walking seemed to have nothing to do with the weather. The number one state for biking and walking was Alaska! Number two was Vermont. Eight of the 10 top states have snow on the ground pretty much all the time, while states like Florida and Texas ranked dismally. So as I bundle up to walk to work tomorrow, at least I’ll have my pride to keep me warm.

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SYMHM: Street Cars, Washington’s Pot Culture, MoCo Rent Pain

michellel — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:21 +0000

By Michelle Lancaster. Got news, a hot tip or want to complain about what is or isn’t in this? Let her know on Twitter @michlancaster or via email at michellel@borderstan.com.

DC Streetcar Plans Deliver Some Promise

The DC Office of Planning released their Streetcar Land Use Study, and TBD has issued some early approvals for the plan. Imagine a world where 50% of DC's population lives near a streetcar stop! I am dreaming with wistful sighs, after enduring the commute from hell on the Red Line this morning. The author considers this as well, but seems to envision a world in which all transit systems could come out as winners. I can see that, I guess. Streetcars may provide public transportation to areas previously served by spotty bus service and make new areas of town more desirable. If that translates into a more vibrant urban area with affordable housing (hello, tax base), then everybody wins. It has the potential to do so, but the devil's in the details, and execution.

Washington's Pot Culture

The usually somewhat staid Washingtonian has devoted the February issue to marijuana. Specifically, the city's plans to legalize medical marijuana this year are up for discussion as writers "get blunt." Ahem. Ward 2 (that's us!) has the highest marijuana usage in the city, so congratulations are in order. But with the bust of Capitol Hemp still fresh in many people's minds, it remains to be seen how police will handle the new law and if Congress plans on leaving us the hell alone.

The Rent is Too Damn High, MoCo Style

Greater Greater Washington features a dilemma most Washington area residents face at some point in their first three months here. Where the heck can you rent a place that allows you to be in a safe neighborhood with some urban amentities that allows you to get to work in a reasonable commute...that you can actually afford? In Montgomery County, the problem is even worse. The build outs represent what young families want, namely detached housing, parks and some single-car garages. But the fastest growing population in MoCo are millenials, who are desperate for affordable units near Metro stops. The author has some ideas on how to address both challenges, and they aren't half bad.

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Saturday: Wig Night Out Raises Funds for LGBT Youth Scholarships

borderstan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:27:20 +0000

The Supreme Wig Council is hosting its annual Wig Night Out this Saturday, January 28. Location is Level One restaurant, 17th and R Streets NW, from 10 to 11:30 pm. All proceeds from the event benefit the Point Foundation, which provides financial support, mentoring, leadership training and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. All you have to do is put on a wig (this isn't a drag event!) and cough up a suggested donation of $10 (you can give more) and show up at Level One. Says the Supreme Wig Council, "This year’s Wig Night Out promises regular Joes in street clothes and outlandish wigs, all in an effort to raise money for scholarships for LGBT youth." There will also be a raffle and $4 drink specials, courtesy of Level One. Last year's event was at Dito's Bar (beneath Floriana restaurant), but the event drew so many people that the Council moved the location to the larger Level One space this year.

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Friday’s Photo: “Glorya H in the Shaw Neighborhood”

Luis — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

From Luis Gomez. You can follow Luis on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos and at One Photograph A Day. Photos of the Day are pulled from the Borderstan Reader Photos pool on Flickr.

Today’s photo, “Glorya H in the Shaw Neighborhood,” is from tedeytan and was taken on January 14.

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 and submit up to five photos per day in the pool. We are looking for photos from D.C.’s Dupont, Logan and U Street neighborhoods

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Celebs: Drew Barrymore’s Shake Shack Visit; Michelle Kwan a Loganite

Matty — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:49:53 +0000

By Michelle Lancaster. Got news, a hot tip or want to complain about what is or isn’t in this? Let her know on Twitter@michlancaster or via email at michellel@borderstan.com.

Drew Barrymore: No Komi, Shake Shack Instead

Not even celebrity Drew Barrymore can keep Johnny Monis's kitchen open past closing time, apparently. The esteemed Glittarazzi shared the news with the world on their blog. Note the dig in on how everything closes early around here. I guess if you can't have the best, you eat with the rest and head to Shake Shack. No word on what Barrymore ordered.

Celeb Spotting: Michelle Kwan is a Logan Resident

ESPN talked to Michelle Kwan about her induction to the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame (the honor will be complete today at a ceremony). Big whoop, right? But apparently that conversation took place at her "quiet, re-gentrified Logan Circle neighborhood." I knew she was working with the State Department, but had no idea she has a place in the 'hood. Any one spotted her around?

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Borderstan Candids: Job Hunting? It’s Cold Outside

Candida — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:58 +0000

From Candida Mannozzi. You can reach her at candida@borderstan.com. Last week I was vividly reminded of how tough it can be out there if you’re one of the millions of Americans looking for employment of the longer-term, less precarious kind. I accompanied an intern (currently in her last month at the non-profit where I work) to an informational meeting with a personal acquaintance of mine. The conversation was friendly enough, my contact shared input on her resume and her overall job hunt pitch and strategy, and even suggested a couple of other target areas and organizations for her outreach. All that advice and input aside, as we walked away from the meeting, having seen her resume edited, entire paragraphs crossed-out or moved, and many of her assumptions challenged, she was fighting back tears of frustration. I remembered my own past experiences on the job-seeking end of the spectrum, when I too was often seen as “promising, interesting,” but, in the view of some employers, lacked the “specific experience” in a particular field to actually land that job. I also imagined that I, or any one of us, could easily face those challenges again, as nothing in life is more certain than change. It seems all the more disheartening to witness someone facing these difficulties in DC, one of the few labor markets that the media tell us is not suffering a job recession as brutal as in other parts of the United States. Tell that to the many college and grad school grads vying for internships or even volunteer positions that now seem to demand the same qualifications and expertise of a full-time job. Tell that to the mid- to late-career professionals who have a hard time re-entering or staying in the job market, competing against “cheaper” younger hires. It really is cold outside. I also find myself frustrated at my apparent powerlessness in situations such as the one I just described. For anyone I know currently navigating this difficult labor market, I vow to share relevant connections or advice, and to be of support to them in any other way I can. Still, I fear I may be missing some opportunities or avenues to help. So, admitting that I’m not asking for responses to the specific (but purposely not very detailed) anecdote I began this post with, let me turn it over to you and ask for your thoughts, Borderstan:

What do you do for friends, colleagues or relatives in a difficult situation?
How do you handle, alleviate or fight frustration when it comes to you or to someone you know?
Do you egg yourself or someone you know on, exhort them not to give up? Is the occasional moment of despair and frustration also allowed: a healthy venting of pent-up emotions, and then back to the front line? Or is expressing frustration tantamount to defeatism and therefore unallowable?
Does just showing one cares help too, even if it may not always bring immediate, concrete results? Does is matter who that show of affection helps more?

Thanks for your insights, folks!

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Friday: Kreg D. Kelley Exhibition to Raise Funds for Local Groups

Luis — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Local artist Kreg D. Kelley will unveil more than 30 pieces in an exhibition, "New Works on Canvas 2012," this Friday, January 27. The exhibition will be from 6 to 9 pm at Century 21 Redwood Realty (17th and Q Streets NW). New Works on Canvas 2012 A portion of all sales will be donated to the Washington Animal Rescue League, Washington Humane Society, Easter Seals and The Trevor Project (check out the local group of The Trevor Project). In addition to abstraction and 3D works on canvas, Kelley utilizes damaged antique engravings and artifacts from the 18th and 19th Centuries into his pieces.

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A CSA Grows in Borderstan: Smucker Farms to Have Produce Pick Up

stephanie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:00:30 +0000

From Stephanie Willis. Email her at stephanie@borderstan.com, follow her on Twitter @shaw_girl. Even though the farmers market looks a little barren right now, it’s probably time to think about the upcoming growing season. Why? Because it’s CSA sign up time! Around this time every year, local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs start accepting memberships for shares in their upcoming harvest. By purchasing a share, members can pick up a box at a regularly scheduled interval (usually weekly) filled with fresh produce (and in some cases, dairy or meat too). The contents of the box usually change from week to week, so members will try a variety of produce over the course of their membership period. As luck would have it, a newer CSA program this year, Oasis at Bird-in-Hand, will have a pick up location here in Borderstan! Last Saturday, I went to Smucker Farms of Lancaster County to find out more about it. (See Smucker Farms of Lancaster Co. Opens Shop at 14th & W NW from Maggie Barron.) Oasis at Bird-in-Hand is a collective of small farms located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. All of the farms use chemical free, organic farming methods to produce their vegetables. They use animals in lieu of tractors, and also do their part to preserve the land they harvest. By forming this collective, these small farms are able to thrive, in contrast to the many small farms currently struggling with financial hardship. Several of the farmers were at Smucker Farms of Lancaster Co. on Saturday for a meet-and-greet with customers. They had samples of their meats and cheeses for customers to try and were answering questions about the upcoming CSA program. While gathering information about the CSA, I tried a sample of their raw milk cheddar cheese. The cheese had a sharp tang but melted into a silky smooth texture in my mouth. It was one of the best cheddar cheeses I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Sadly, I missed the samples of the brisket, but its intoxicating smell still permeated the store. The producers were glad to discuss their farming techniques and expressed excitement about the upcoming CSA. The CSA will run for 25 weeks starting in mid-May, with weekly pickups at Smucker Farms of Lancaster County (conveniently located at 2118 14th Street NW). Each week, members will receive a box of freshly picked produce straight from the farm. The box will contain five to 11 items, depending on the available crops. Prior to their scheduled pickup day, Oasis at Bird-in-Hand will send members a newsletter detailing the produce they can expect in their box that week. The newsletter will also include information about the farms and suggested recipes for the produce. The cost of a share is $590 for the 25-week period and it can easily be split with another person. There are a limited number of shares available, so hurry, before they sell-out by the mid February cut-off date! You can check out their website for more information about the CSA or to download the CSA application. Applications can also be dropped off at Smucker Farms of Lancaster, along with your payment. Then count the days ‘til May!

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What’s Behind DC’s Declining Homicide Rate?

Matty — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:32 +0000

From Cody Telep. Telep is working on his PhD in criminology at George Mason University and lives in the U Street area. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody@borderstan.com. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy Lanier has recently been touting D.C.’s 2011 homicide decline, pointing to a number of police initiatives that she believes are at least partially responsible. The number of homicides dropped from 132 in 2010 to 108 in 2011, the lowest number since 1963. Over the past 20 years the number of homicides has dropped more than 75% after peaking at 479 in 1991. This homicide decline is not unique to D.C., but the magnitude of the drop is impressive, even compared to national numbers. From 1991 to 2010, homicides nationally decreased about 40%. Lanier’s discussion of homicide clearance rates (i.e. the percentage of homicides solved by an arrest), while technically correct, is a bit misleading. An MPD press release refers to a 94% homicide clearance rate in 2011. As Homicide Watch points out, any homicide cleared by arrest last year is included in the clearance rate, even if the homicide occurred in 2010 or earlier. While acceptable under FBI Uniform Crime Report stipulations for crime data reporting, this creates a distorted picture of how quickly MPD has actually been solving homicides. When examining just 2011 murders, about 57% were closed by arrest last year, suggesting that MPD hasn’t yet solved a substantial proportion of 2011 homicides. What has MPD been doing that might be contributing to the decline in homicide (and violent crime more generally) across D.C. in 2011? Chief Lanier points to better collaboration with the community, enhanced information sharing, and greater use of technology. Close collaboration with the community is essential for a police department to be successful in addressing crime. Chief Lanier has stressed the importance of officers building positive relationships with residents. Recent research suggests that when the police act fairly in interactions with the public, citizens are much more likely to view the police positively. When citizens have a more positive view of the police, they are more likely to cooperate with them and follow the law. As Chief Lanier points out, information sharing in police departments isn’t always common. Cops on patrol, for example, may not have the opportunity to share all the information they know about their beat with investigative or gang units. Opening up channels for better information sharing can improve a department’s ability to solve cases more quickly and also prevent future crime. The police point to improved technology as also important for their efforts to address crime, but some research indicates they should be cautious in relying too heavily on technology. In a recent Washington Times article, for example, Chief Lanier pointed to MPD’s investment in license plate readers as one technological advance that is contributing to crime declines. These readers scan license plates to identify stolen vehicles. The limited evaluation research conducted so far, however, suggests the devices do little to reduce crime. Still, technology can be an important tool in efforts to reach out to the community and to improve information sharing within the department. Overall, the efforts of MPD and Chief Lanier to reduce violence and homicide in D.C. seem to be paying off. The police find themselves in a tough position because they take the bulk of the blame when crime increases, but they are often accused of taking too much credit when crime declines. In this instance, the police certainly deserve some of the credit for some of the reasons noted above. Could this be the year that D.C. will tally fewer than 100 homicides? It seems very possible. Through January 25, the city has recorded only seven homicides, down from nine in the same time period in 2011.

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