Pumpkins, ghosts, werewolves, ghost werewolves … why, yes. It’s almost time for Halloween.
Speaking of which, do you have plans for tomorrow? If not, check out our Halloween guide for some last-minute ideas.
For those of you heading outdoors tomorrow, the temperature is expected to hit 60, under partly sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature likely will fall to the upper 40s during the evening, so trick-or-treaters or late-night revelers should dress for chilly weather.
Here’s your guide for the weekend:
Events:
- The annual Halloween pet dress-up competition in the Dupont Circle dog park kicks off tomorrow at 10 a.m.
- Sauf Haus (1216 18th St. NW) becomes a “haunted haus” tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.
- Punk rock karaoke takes the stage at Black Cat tonight.
- 14th and U Farmers Market will host a carved pumpkin and pet costume contest on Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon. The market will also sell pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies and orange and black pasta.
Stuff you should know:
- Street cleaning is done for the season.
- Stetson’s closes forever this weekend.
- Red Line trains will run every 18 minutes with single-tracking between Dupont Circle and Van Ness.
- Yellow Line trains will run every 24 minutes.
- Green Line trains will run every 16 minutes tomorrow only, with regular weekend intervals on Sunday.
Locals are set to have two opportunities to spruce up parts of the Borderstan coverage area this weekend.
Shaw and Park View residents are hosting cleanups to held tidy up their neighborhoods for the fall, according to flyers from organizers.
Tomorrow, locals are slated to clean up the French Street Park at 10th and French streets NW, beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, but will get coffee and doughnuts for helping.
Residents also can bring to the park electronics they’re looking to recycle from 9 to 11 a.m.
On Sunday, locals will have a neighborhood cleanup that starts at Georgia Avenue and Lamont Street NW. The event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Organizers will provide trash bags.
(Updated at 2:25 p.m.) Police are planning to keep a close eye on drunk driving in Adams Morgan as Halloween festivities heat up.
The Metropolitan Police Department is slated to set up “sobriety checkpoints” in the neighborhood tonight and tomorrow night, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program tweeted today. The nonprofit organization works to prevent drunk driving.
The checkpoints will run for 2 to 3 hours each night, MPD spokesman Lt. Sean Conboy said in an email. MPD has set up checkpoints in Adams Morgan in the past, he added.
To discourage drunk driving on Halloween, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program will offer adults who are at least 21 years old free cab rides home from 10 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday. By calling a taxi through 800-200-8294, people can get their fares covered up to $30.
Columbia Heights beer bar Meridian Pint has swapped an old form of entertainment for a slightly less old form of entertainment.
The bar removed its shuffleboard tables and installed a row of video games and pinball machines earlier this week, said general manager Heather Kendrick.
Where patrons once could slide little pucks across a board, they can now test their skills at Elvis- and Elvira-themed pinball machines, perform fatalities in Mortal Kombat 3 and take potshots at deer in “Big Buck Hunter.”
“Looks great down here,” Kendrick told us via e-mail yesterday afternoon. “Had a crowd for the debates last night and it all went over really well.”
The Washington Post’s Fritz Hahn wrote about the swap yesterday afternoon and noted that Meridian Pint’s bartenders sling discounted craft beers between 5 and 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Photo courtesy of Meridian Pint
The Pret A Manger concentration in and near Dupont Circle is set to grow this year.
Signs went up today for a Pret A Manger at 18th and M streets NW, which is a quick walk from the British sandwich and coffee chain’s location at 19th and L streets NW. The new location in the former Caribou Coffee space is scheduled to open in winter 2015, according to the signage.
Pret A Manger currently has eight shops in D.C., including downtown and Capitol Hill. Most of them are within a few blocks of another Pret A Manger.
Last week, PoPville published a rumor that the shop would open early next year at 1800 M St. NW.
Five local artists will debut new murals during a ceremony in Blagden Alley this afternoon.
Attendees can witness the ceremony and view art from muralists Bill Warrell, Lisa Marie Thalhammer, Rozeal Brown, Aniekan Udofia and Cita Chelove between M and N and 9th and 10th streets NW today at 4 p.m.
The event is meant to mark the opening of the “D.C. Alley Museum,” an outdoor collection of murals “that features D.C. artists open 24/7 without restrictions.”
“As the lead artist I have committed my entire career to this city’s artistic wellbeing, first as a curator and now joining my fellow artists,” said Warrell in a statement. “A coalition of painters from the region have been coming together in my studio and we have created the DC Alley Museum here in Blagden Alley.”
The outdoor exhibition was assembled with “generous support” from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ public art program.
Photos via Shaw Main Streets
Nadeau Praises Borderstan — Borderstan earned kudos from Councilmember Brianne Nadeau this week during a public safety meeting, where she said the website is locals’ “best bet” for crime coverage in Ward 1. From all of us at Borderstan, thanks for reading, councilmember! [PoPville, Washington City Paper]
West End Construction — A developer has received support from the District to go ahead with a plan to build a West End complex that includes a public library, homes and retail. EastBanc W.D.C. Partner first proposed the $150 million project on L Street NW between 23rd and 24th streets NW in 2007. [Curbed DC]
14th Street’s ‘Most Eligible Bachelor Chef’ — George Pagonis, executive chef at Kapnos on 14th Street NW, has made Marie Claire magazine’s list of the Country’s 11 Most Eligible Bachelor Chefs. He’s among the few “*real-life* handsome guys out there steaming up the kitchen,” according to the magazine. [Marie Claire, Washingtonian]
Shaw Store Opening Flurry — Urban lifestyle purveyor Chrome Industries and eyewear retailer Warby Parker are scheduled to open today in The Shay at Florida Avenue NW between 7th and 9th streets NW. Custom men’s clothing company Read Wall and another menswear store, Frank & Oak, are slated to open late next week. [Borderstan]
(Updated at 11:14 a.m. on Friday) An assailant slashed a man with a knife after an argument broke out in Logan Circle Thursday afternoon, police said.
The attack happened at Vermont Avenue and N Street NW at about 3:30 p.m yesterday. The victim was conscious after the assault.
Authorities haven’t released a description of a suspect.
Carl Shawen, a Pepco worker who witnessed the attack, said he saw two men arguing near the intersection.
According to the police report, the argument began when the suspect asked the victim for a cigarette. When the victim said he didn’t have any cigarettes, the suspect then pulled out a knife and slashed the victim on his left wrist.
Shawen said that after the attack, he saw the victim walk toward The Mondrian apartment building at 1200 N St. NW, where he was taken away in an ambulance. The other man wandered off toward the Luther Place Memorial Church at 1226 Vermont Ave. NW, added Shawen.
Police have not yet made any arrests related to the crime.
MPD is working a stabbing at Vermont Ave and N st NW, No look out pic.twitter.com/vlYEOKuDds
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) October 29, 2015
Independent podcasters from across the District will set up their microphones and laptops during the city’s first-ever “DC Podfest” conference at the Wonderbread Factory (641 S Street NW) in Shaw next weekend.
Co-organizer Jennifer Crawford said her aim is to bring passionate podcasters together to share insights, swap tips, talk shop and of course, record a few shows.
“A year ago, I started looking for something like this locally,” Crawford said. “I was looking for people that could geek out with me a little about podcasting, and I was surprised to find there really wasn’t anything like that in the area.”
So Crawford decided to blaze a trail. Together with podcaster Alex Vidales, she constructed an “ambitious” local conference piece-by-piece.
The end product was a way for local podcasters to “learn how to make their shows better … and really drive home that message that it is a powerful platform,” Crawford added.
During the show, podcasters will be able to buy equipment, meet potential guests or advertisers and mingle with their peers. But the show isn’t just for pod people, Crawford said.
“If you’re not a podcaster, you can benefit by being a guest on a podcast,” she said. “For potential guests and businesses who might want to advertise on a podcast, we’re going to let them talk with one another, speed-dating style.”
Additionally, attendees can buy tickets to watch as local podcasts such as Women of Uncertain Age and the Carolyn and Joe Show are recorded live.
And if you’re interested in starting your own podcast, Crawford said, vendors will be on site selling the tools you’ll need to start casting.
“We will have affordable podcasting setups for sale,” said Crawford. “They’ll walk out able to get their podcast off the ground.”
Tickets for individual podcast recording sessions cost $11.34, and an all-access conference pass costs $93.11.
Photo via Facebook.com/dcpodfest
The District is almost done with residential street sweeping — and the accompanying parking restrictions — for the year.
D.C. Department of Public Works crews end their street cleaning tomorrow and don’t intend to do it again until March 1. Drivers can park along neighborhood sweeping routes without having to worry about moving their cars during that period.
DPW workers then will focus their attention on leaf collection, which begins Monday and ends Jan. 9. Crews are expected to remove leaves in each D.C. neighborhood at least twice. More details on the agency’s collection schedule are online.
As part of leaf collection season, DPW employees also will pick up Christmas trees from Dec. 26 to Jan. 8.
A Balkan restaurant is moving ahead with the paperwork it needs to open in Shaw.
Ambar, which has locations on Capitol Hill and in Serbia, has applied for a liquor license for 1547-1549 7th St. NW, according to a notice published this week by the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.
It wasn’t immediately clear when the eatery is scheduled to open on the southeast corner of 7th and Q streets NW. The building at the location is undergoing significant demolition work and lacks a roof.
But construction is expected to end next year, according to a website for The Warrenton Group, which is developing the property.
An Ambar representative wasn’t immediately available to comment.
Ambar is looking to have seating for 250 diners inside and 34 people outside, the ABRA notice says.
In 2013, a Borderstan contributor visited Ambar on Capitol Hill, saying the restaurant “largely succeeds in making the best of Balkan cuisine accessible to the uninitiated.”
Rendering via The Warrenton Group, photo of food via Facebook/Ambar
Volunteers from a D.C. nonprofit will visit homes throughout the District to collect candy this Halloween.
Workers with HIPS, an organization that advocates for sex workers and intravenous drug users, will travel to donors’ homes as requested to pick up the leftover treats as part of its yearly Halloween candy drive.
HIPS volunteer Emily Hammell said the nonprofit’s army of candy collectors are usually able to nab dozens of pounds of donated candy.
“The volunteer community of HIPS is really active,” Hammell said. “I’ll probably spend Saturday and Sunday with my old lady grocery cart and a backpack collecting candy.”
The organization, located at 906 H Street NE, hordes the candy to distribute to its clients throughout the year. Though Hammell said the organization will take almost any kind of candy, lollipops and Jolly Ranchers are usually clients’ favorites.
“The candy is used for when staff or volunteers are out in the van doing outreach,” Hammell said. “Also, people are sometimes hesitant to approach the van for the first time.
“If you can come away with a piece of candy, then perhaps your friends or your peers don’t have to know that you went and got condoms or had questions about HIV testing or needed help filing your employment or health paperwork,” Hammell added. “And most people love candy.”
To donate leftover candy, D.C. residents can e-mail HIPS or swing by the nonprofit’s headquarters on H Street. The organization will also welcome candy donations during its happy hour at Asia Nine (915 E Street NW) at 6 p.m. tonight.
Photo courtesy of HIPS
A new retail and residential complex in northern Shaw is set to get busier in the coming days.
At least four stores are slated to open by the end of next week in The Shay at Florida Avenue NW between 7th and 9th streets NW.
Urban lifestyle purveyor Chrome Industries and eyewear retailer Warby Parker are scheduled to open tomorrow, representatives of the businesses said yesterday. Custom men’s clothing company Read Wall and another menswear store, Frank & Oak, are slated to open late next week, officials with the shops said.
At The Shay’s Chrome, the California-based company’s first D.C. location, customers will have the opportunity to design their own custom messenger bags to purchase and can buy clothing and accessories geared toward people who live and bike in cities.
Warby Parker, which began online and has a location in Georgetown, has eyeglasses starting at $95, including a pair with blue-mirrored lenses that is only available in the District. The Shaw location also will have an optometrist on staff.
The Canada-based Frank & Oak, which has made The Shay its first D.C. location, sells casual and dress clothes for men. It’s scheduled to open on Saturday, Nov. 7, with $50 gift cards for its first 50 customers.
Formerly of Georgetown, Read Wall is expected to open at some point in the coming days with tailoring services and menswear made in the United States.
“We’re pumped about the neighborhood,” Read Wall founder and CEO Read Wall said.
More businesses are expected to join the four stores at The Shay. They include Glen’s Garden Market, Lettie Gooch, Compass Coffee and a restaurant from Northern Virginia restaurateur Tim Ma.
Slipstream Owners Talk Shop — The husband-and-wife owners of the popular Logan Circle coffee shop and bar share their thoughts on possible expansion plans, issues with hiring, and of course, toast. [Eater]
BREAKING: Water Wet, D.C. Expensive — 76.7% of one-bedroom apartments in the Logan Circle/Shaw neighborhoods cost more than $2000 a month to rent. Other pricey neighborhoods include Cardozo, West End and Dupont Circle. Who would have thought! [Urbanturf]
Where to Find Cheap(er) Rare Whiskey — Bourbon in Adams Morgan launched its “half price reserve whiskey” night last night. See what’s on the menu and how much it costs. [Washington Post]
Chaos Night — Which D.C. neighborhoods have the highest crime spike on Halloween? According to D.C. crime statistics, it’s Howard University, Shaw and LeDroit Park. Those areas combined saw a nearly 40% increase in crime on Halloween evening. Spooky! [chart-it]
R.I.P. Paperhaus — The Paperhaus DIY music venue in Petworth has been shut down for good. [Washington City Paper]
14th Street in a Nutshell — Logan Circle’s former “men’s parties” sex club will become a J. Crew men’s store. Poetic. [Borderstan]
(Updated at 10:03 a.m. on Thursday) Men may once again gather at an infamous address in Logan Circle … only this time, they’ll be shopping for clothes.
Clothing retailer J. Crew has plans to open a new men’s only clothing store at 1618 14th Street NW next year, said J. Crew PR Coordinator Annabelle Javellana yesterday afternoon. The company had set a tentative date to open the new retail location in May, Javellana added.
Despite yesterday’s news of a confirmed opening, a company representative told us this morning that there had been “confusion,” and that “the fact that [J. Crew] is opening there is not confirmed.” The representative did not deny the store may open or say whether that means the company is also eyeing other potential locations.
The building, once known for housing the infamous “wrestling club” and “men’s parties” events, was partially demolished two weeks ago, and has been the talk of the neighborhood for years. A man died there in 2009, prompting the city to file suit to shut the sex club inside down.
After the building’s owners decided to raze it in 2013, ANC 2F debated preserving the building before ultimately granting a conditional demolition endorsement one year later.
In February, the Washington Business Journal reported that the building’s owner was issued a permit to rebuild and repair the bottom third of the building’s façade.
