Did He Really Say That?

From the Washingtonian, “Yes, I think the city is ready for a very competent mayor, and that would be me, who just happens to be white.” – DC Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans

Dupont Circle Fountain

Today, the Dupont Circle Citizens Association and the Dupont Circle ANC (2B) sponsored the 2nd annual Dupont Festival.  They are starting small and hope that in 10 to 15 years, it will be a grand celebration.  Today’s event featured live entertainment from the Friends of Keegan Theatre (FOKT) and the turning on of the iconic fountain.

Let There Be Water!

Tomorrow, in what is becoming an annual event, The Dupont Festival, sponsored by the Dupont ANC (ANC2B) and Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, along with Councilmember Jack Evans, will flip the switch to turn on the fountain at Dupont Circle.  Festivities begin at noon, with the ceremonical “flipping” being done by retiring ANC commissioner Bob Meehman.

Morning Shot: April 12, 2012

• Birthday Shots
  Birthday shots today go out to Robert Zinger, a buddy I haven’t seen in awhile, Sterling Richardson, who seems to be everywhere, and the lovely Shalla Ross, an ole’ friend from my Capitol Hill days.

• No More Love on the Run
  According to the DCist, Looks like there won’t be a Caribbean Queen this year, as the organizers of the Caribbean Carnival Festival and Parade work furiously to find a new location for the annual event now that it appears they won’t be getting any help from Mayor Vince Gray.

• Shaw Tavern Lives
  Also from the DCist, the Florida Avenue restaurant finally got itself a liquor license, a dramatic change of fortunes for a locale that seemed destined not to survive last year when it was originally denied the opportunity to serve booze along with its meals. When the restaurant threw open its doors late last summer, it quickly ran into trouble with the city’s liquor regulators because it had served drinks during a soft opening that took place before a liquor license had been granted. It eventually closed its doors, but reopened under new ownership a few months later.

• Dupont ANC See Another Retirement
  Most of us already knew that ANC2B04 Commissioner Jack Jacobson has threw his hat in the ring for Ward 2 School Board member, so that seat will become vacant. Now, as was announced at last night’s ANC 2B monthly meeting, long-serving 2B03 Commissioner Bob Meehan is set to retire at the end of his term. Meehan will also be the guest of honor this weekend as he will flip the switch to turn on the fountain at Dupont Circle on Saturday.

Taylor Gourmet Continues to Expand

On Friday, the Prince of Petworth blog reported, and dc.eater.com confirmed, that Taylor Gourmet was coming to Dupont.  While I wouldn’t necessarily call M Street Dupont, it is NEAR the Circle.  The two blogs also report that the new location will (1) serve breakfast, and (2) be open at the beginning of July.

Ribbon Cutting at Taylor Gourmet on 14th Street

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MOVA is on the Move

Back in July, I told you that MOVA was going out of business, then I amended that to say that they were moving.

The Washington Blade reported yesterday that MOVA “closed its doors Sunday night following a weekend-long “moving party” that owner Babak Movahedi said highlighted his plans for reopening the bar in the spring of 2011 at an as-yet-undisclosed location in D.C.”

Well, a little birdie tells me that said “undisclosed location” is actually at Florida Ave. and 6th St,, NW — a few blocks from Town and Nellie’s.  We shall see how accurate little birdie is.

More on Hank’s Oyster Bar

Earlier this month, I wrote about Push Back Against Hank’s Oyster Bar.  Last week, I was alerted to an op-ed by my friend, ANC Commissioner Jack Jacobson, regarding the expansion of Hank’s Oyster Bar.  This piece ran in the Dupont Currant and can be found on his website.  I would like to point out that Jack is the commissioner for ANC 2B04, whose jurisdiction includes Hank’s.

It is a must read!  Double Standards for 17th Street Liquor Licenses

Push Back Against Hank’s Oyster Bar

Yesterday, Tom Hay over at Borderstan.com posted a great piece on push back against Hank’s Oyster Bar wanting to expand to their immediate right, into an empty building.  At first, this sounds eerily familiar to when JRs wanted to expand over at 17th & Church.  But at closer look, it’s a little different.

When Leeds the Way, LLC, the company that owns Hank’s, appeared before the Dupont ANC back in June, to petition terminate their Voluntary Agreement, the ANC took no action.  No action was taken again at the July ANC meeting.

Now, a group of 23 Dupont residents have filed a protest with the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration opposing the expansion, citing, among other things, the 17th Street moratorium that took effect years ago, and renewed back in 2006.

It will be interested to see which sides prevail.  I say go HANKS!

One last thing — there’s no agenda item on Hank’s so far set for the Dupont ANC’s next meeting, which is next Wednesday.