Ward 3 Council member Matt Frumin has had his eye on the expansive Intelsat campus for some time. The 660,000 square foot complex sits on 13 acres. Its most visible entrance is at 4200 Connecticut Avenue. And it has been largely vacant since Whittle School & Studios closed in 2022. In 2023, Frumin wrote in […]
Photos: Signs of spring begin to bloom
by Marlene Berlin Wednesday, with temperatures reaching up to 51, was a great day for a spring-seeking hike. I was keeping my eyes peeled for the green shoots and blossoms that typically appear in February, but sometimes appear as early as January. First, however, I could not resist taking a good look at the beauty […]
Are your water lines leaded or unleaded? As DC Water works on lead pipe replacement, it’s not always easy to find out
by Marlene Berlin The day before the snowcrete fell, DC Water came to my block to post “No Parking” signs. It was another sign that the utility’s lead service line replacement project would soon arrive on my street. On some streets west of Connecticut Avenue, DC Water is also digging up and replacing the water […]
Backyard Nature: The beauty of trees in winter
We’re ready to see some flowers. Or really, any signs that spring is on its way. But we’re also mindful of the need to appreciate the here and now. As the late, great Marjorie Rachlin wrote in January 2020: “Winter is a great time to take a good look at our trees. With no leaves […]
A salute to a snow-clearing hero: “It just felt easier to grab a shovel and do something”
The District has been sending out crews with big equipment to clear the heavy and hardened snowcrete from Connecticut Avenue intersections. But neighbor Stefanie Sprow was out there first, armed only with a shovel. Connecticut Avenue and Albemarle Street was the first intersection she dug out. It was January 29th, four days after the region’s […]
Business in Brief: Dog Haus opens Feb. 16; business anniversaries include the car that crashed into Giant’s dairy section
More neighborhood business news has landed on our plate since our February 9th update, so we’re offering you another serving. The Dog Haus Biergarten announces its Van Ness opening date: Presidents Day, and the February 18th grand opening celebration at 4340 Connecticut Avenue will be an all-day affair, with specials starting with its 8 a.m. […]
Business in Brief: Burger King razing and redevelopment; saving I’m Eddie Cano; Banana Leaf redux
by Marlene Berlin and Forest Hills Connection No coming back from this: When the Van Ness Burger King (4422 Connecticut) closed suddenly at the end of 2022, we had trouble believing it. But it was indeed the end, and now the building is nearly gone, too. The Burger King was remembered more fondly for its […]
Photos: Snowy Soapstone trail
by Marlene Berlin When sidewalks and trails are slick with ice and snow, ice cleats or mini crampons are a lifesaver. I put mine to good use last Sunday, walking into the Soapstone Valley. I started at Audubon Terrace and found it very well plowed, with chunks of “snowcrete” piled at the end. I entered […]
In appreciation: Erica Carlsson, formerly of DPR and DOEE, for her environmental stewardship and community-supporting work
We like to periodically express our appreciation for DC and federal government workers who have done so much to make our lives easier and better. They include the Ward 3 mayor’s office liaisons, a former MPD commmander, and the National Park Service crew who quickly clears fallen and unsafe trees from roads and trails. Now, […]
February in the Neighborhood: Enter the ‘Magical World’ of a local artist; Levine Music’s 50th and UDC’s 175th anniversaries
Enter “The Magical World” of a Forest Hills-based artist: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center is featuring Danziger’s work in two exhibits opening February 7th. “The Magical World of Joan Danziger” is a career retrospective and her largest exhibit to date, featuring more than 100 pieces spanning six decades. Its focus is […]