Studio Theater Weekend

In case you didn't know, Studio Theater is celebrating their 30th anniversary this weekend. The events started yesterday (more on that in a moment), but continue on today with backstage tours, a live band, open rehearsals for an anniversary production of the first show ever staged by the Studio, and various other things going on.

This is all going on during the run of the magnificent production of My Children! My Africa!, by Athol Fugard. I was privileged to see yesterday's two o'clock matinée showing, and I am compelled to state emphatically that this is one of the best shows I've seen in a long time, Caroline, or Change notwithstanding. The script is powerful and eloquent, and is delivered masterfully by an excellent cast. I highly recommend you take some time to see it.

The production preceded an ceremony held by the Studio Theater, at which I was quite honored to accept an award of recognition on behalf of the Logan Circle Community Association, thanking us for our many years of public service, working to improve the neighborhood. I was privileged to stand alongside so many great people and organizations, including Luther Place Memorial Church, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, N Street Village, the Whitman-Walker Clinic, ANC 2F, the Mid-City Business Association, and Councilmember Jack Evans.

Additionally, a proclamation from the Mayor was read, declaring September 29th and 30th, 2007 as "Studio Theater Days" in the District of Columbia. Not to be outdone, the Council voted unanimously to declare the entire week "Studio Theater Week".

So many thanks to everyone yesterday, especially to the Janet Dewar, and the entire Studio Theater Board of Trustees; and to Melinda, for making sure I got there on time.

Fourteenth Street Meeting Follow-Up

The Fourteenth Street Transportation and Streetscape meeting last night, at National City Christian Church was quite a success! It was really less of a meeting, and more of an informal mingling, information bazaar, and feedback generator. It was pulled off quite well, and was exactly the kind of public participation that gives me confidence the project will end up a success.

Upon arrival, I received a sort-of "take-out menu", which was collected in a drop-box at the end of the evening. The menu was divided into sections, according to the type of proposed improvement or change, such as type of tree cover, material for sidewalks, or signage on the street; boxes provided a place to rank my preferences from most desirable to least. Did I prefer my sidewalks brick, London pavers, concrete, or cobblestones? Is the configuration with turning lanes better than that with bicycle lanes? What do I think about public art: permanent, functional, or transient?

You might think I was overwhelmed, but large poster boards surrounding the room offered detailed explanations and diagrams for each of the options; and experts were always hovering nearby, always eager to explain the pros, cons, and facts regarding a particular choice. I found myself asking questions and getting good answers from virtually everyone present.

Hopefully they'll post the menu on their site - and if they don't, I've sent a message to the project leader requesting it so that I can post it here. More input can only be a good thing, and it will help disseminate the plans and options for the future.

Fourteenth Street Meeting Tonight

Tonight is the second public meeting for the Fourteenth Street Transportation and Streetscape meeting. This ongoing study is intended to produce a plan for a long-term plan dramatically affecting the length 14th Street, from Thomas Circle up through Florida Avenue. If you are interested in helping guide the future of our neighborhood, this is an extremely rare chance to make a huge direct impact.

2nd Public Meeting
September 25th, 2007
7:00-9:00 PM
National City Christian Church
5 Thomas Circle NW
Washington, DC 20005

Come on out and have your say!

HGTV Looking to Help You Sell Your House

Did video kill the radio star? Who cares?

I got a note from producer Allison Tom at HGTV that they will be in and around the DC area over the next few weeks, filming a new show about the ever-tricky process of pricing your home for sale. And given what seems to be continually glum news from the DC Home and Condo Prices blog, I'm sure there are more than a few people out there who'd love to get some help - and some airtime to boot!

Now, they're only looking for owners of single-family homes; and while I personally think that's a bit short-sighted, I'm sure there are good television-format-reasons for the limitation. I've reproduced part of the email I received below. Please don't mistake the all-caps for E-D spam.

HGTV is producing A new and exciting real estate reality show that WILL HELP YOU EVALUATE the value of your house BEFORE YOU LIST IT. We are looking for homeowners who currently live in A single family home in the WASHINGTON DC, MD (Montgomery County & Prince George County) & VA (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun County & Northern VA) area. You must be ready to sell your house but haven't listed it FOR SALE YET.

Similar to HGTV's popular series House Hunters, YOU'LL go on house tours, but this time YOU'LL be looking at how other homes in YOUR AREA compare WITH YOURS. We'll size up closets, granite counter tops, backyards and find out HOW HOME FEATURES AND IMPROVEMENTS CAN IMPACT THE MARKET VALUE OF A HOME. YOU'LL GET TO See firsthand who your competition is and DETERMINE whether you've priced your house right. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO decide whether YOU need to adjust your price ­ and in the end we¹ll see HOW YOUR HOME FARES ON THE MARKET! Please be sure to include your name, phone number, email address, a recent photo of you and your immediate family along with a photo of the front of your house and a few of the main interior rooms to: atom@edelmanproductions.com

U Street Farmers Market

This summer brought a new farmer's market to the area. Instead of trekking over to Eastern Market, or hiking over to Dupont, you can now head up to the 14 & U Farmer's Market, on the sidewalk outside the Reeve's Center.

14 & U Farmer's Market
Saturdays, 9am - 1pm
Reeves Center Sidewalk

Hope to see you there!

Great Meeting Last Night

The Logan Circle Community Association had a great meeting at the Studio Theater last night. The agenda included a crime update, a House Tour update, an update on the 14th Street Transportation & Streetscape Study meetings, a backstage tour of the Studio Theater, and some wine, cheese, and snacky cakes.

It was great to see so many friends, new and old; and I was especially glad to see some of the brand-new-to-the-neighborhood faces.

Classic Lt. Smith

Logan Circle's favorite Lieutenant made some print in the City Paper this past week.

A few minutes later, the officers’ boss pulled up. Lt. Michael Smith ran down into the station and jumped through the closing doors of a car with the suspects inside. During the ensuing melee, Smith injured his right pinkie, and the main suspect punched out a Metro car window.

It's stories like these that remind us how valuable he is, not just to our PSA, but to the entire Metropolitan Police Department. He leads by example, and what an example it is! Consider this our official Get Well! for your pinkie finger, Lt. Smith.

Read the rest of the Candy Slapped story over at the City Desk blog.