Thursday, June 14, 2007

An Outcome Neither You or I Would Receive

Washingtongon Post article- D.C. Council member (and Mayor for Life) Marion Barry was acquitted yesterday of driving under the influence and three other traffic-related charges after he testified that he had a glass of wine and took at least five different medications on the night of his arrest.

What do you think would happen if you or I were pulled over near the White House, slurring, going in reverse on a one way street with booze on our breath? There is however something hilarious about MB rolling in a 1995 Camaro.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Review of Colonel Brooks

BROOKLAND- Area man dines at "dangerous restaurant" and survives.

The author of this blog visited COL Brooks Tavern last night after dark (gasp) to review its fare and spirits. All of the tables were full, so my friend and I pulled up a chair at the bar. We were greeted by a young hipster type, who was happy to pour us a draught beer from their selection of about 15.

Any good tavern worth a damn has to have a good burger, especially a place like the COLs. The old wood paneling and benches lend themselves to pitchers of beer and burger. I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger, which was cooked to temperature, and tasted wonderful. The bun was good too. The fries were well seasoned but limp. All in all, the burger was just what I needed, and give it a solid thumbs up. It is unlikely that I will order the seared tuna here, but that may have more to do with me, than them.

The Gridskipper article mentioned a lot about the clientèle in their piece. Mentioning specifically a grizzly murder several years back. The piece makes it seem that this pub is much more dangerous than elsewhere in the city. However, many of you may remember that the city is the city, and crime can strike anywhere including the bastion of white rich folk, Georgetown. The article also mentions thieves and drug dealers. My experience was slightly different. there was a posse in the bar. A posse of retirees who had all of the menace of a bowl of oatmeal. I didn't get too close, as to avoid any offers of drugs. These folks were less likely to be shilling crack or meth, but viagra or vioxx. Either way, I kept my distance.

As for the entertainment, the Jazz band that plays every Tuesday has been doing so for 26 years. They are really good, and the volume is not too loud, so you can enjoy chatting with the theology professor or one of the "repressed CUA co-eds" at the bar.

I highly recommend this place. Swing by and give it a chance. 9th and Monroe NE

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Review of a Ward 5 Pub.




The following review was in national Gawker Media site Gridskipper

"There are some good things about Colonel Brooks' Tavern, right off the CUA/Brookland Red Line stop in DC. Those good things include fantastic burgers, cheap beers, and repressed Catholic University coeds."

The rest of the article however, mentions a murder a few years back, drug dealers and thieves who also frequent the joint. I plan on visiting this place this week, to provide another segment of NE DC business reviews.

For better info on Brookland, please visit the newly famous Brookland blogger at Stop Blog and Roll.

Update on the "New" Lincoln Apartments

The Apartment Building at 1903 and 1905 Lincoln Rd has been under demolition for the last several weeks. This dilapidated collection of apartments was sold for $4 million late last year.

their crew must have been busy yesterday, as between the time I left for work in the morning, and the time I returned home in the evening, the first building (Facing Lincoln and T) had been primed or given a first coat of paint.




Only a block away, the new Century Court condos are open after a remarkable rehabilitation.

With more development, and more people, and the upcoming construction of the St. Martin's project, this will be a very different Eckington in the years to come. So much so that Eckington has landed on the "Most Endangered List" for 2007

Friday, June 08, 2007

Friday Odds and Ends

-Neighborhood Yard Sale (Eckington - DC)

Come help us find our old items new homes!

Various items for sale: furniture, clothes, household items, etc.

Saturday, June 9th, 2007
300 Block of V St. NE (Between 3rd and 4th St. off of Rhode Island Ave. NE)
At the Greater Victory Baptist Church Yard
10:00am - 3:00pm

If you are a Eckington resident and would like to participate in the yard sale, please email Sandra Rivera at srivera009@yahoo. com.

-Big Bear Cafe is OPEN!!! Please show your support and get a latte or 3. If you are in the market for a job, they are hiring too.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

News

"The verdict is in on strip bars and gay clubs in Ward 5.The D.C. Council weighed two issues that affect nighttime entertainment and the quality of life in the District yesterday but made a decision on only one. It voted to allow the continued operation of a handful of nude entertainment clubs, putting off a measure that would tighten controls on drinking establishments that attract minors.

The decision to allow the relocation of clubs that involve nudity, explicit dancing and private booths involved a compromise that blocks creating a strip-bar zone in a run-down warehouse section of Ward 5. Under the compromise, only two of six displaced clubs can move to any one ward."

In a great political move, the Elder Statesman Gray, brokered a deal between Thomas and Graham on the agreement. Notice that once the councilmen determined there were enough votes for the motion to carry, Thomas voted no. This allowed him to save face with his district, and building the foundation of political power.


-In other news, Kudos to MPD. Yes, you heard it right, Kudos. Last night there was a domestic disturbance that turned into a potential knifing. I called 911, and a cruiser showed up in less than A MINUTE.... yes indeed. Not certain of the outcome, but the response of 2 cruisers in so short a period of time is encouraging.