News from Barracks Row Main Street

Change of Command at Marine Barracks Washington

Barracks Row Main Street — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:02:57 +0000

On Friday October 22, 2010 under crisp fall sunshine at Marine Barracks Washington, Senators, Members of Congress, many former Commandants of the United States Marine Corps and hundreds of friends and neighbors witnessed a stirring ceremony as the command was passed from the 34th to the 35th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
At approximately 12 noon Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates officiated as a memo from President Obama was read directing the 34th Commandant, General James Conway to relinquish command; then a few seconds later, a second memo from President Obama was read, directing the Assistant Commandant, General James Amos to relinquish command as Assistant Commandant and to report immediately to the Pentagon as the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
The morning opened with a concert by “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps. The parade field was ablaze with the red coats of the band and dazzling dress uniforms of the Marine Corps as the ceremony continued with the Formation of the Battalion, the Presentation of the Colors, Honors, the Advancement of the Colors, and the National Anthem. Both the Commandant and Mrs. Conway received awards from Secretary Gates.
The remarks by Secretary Gates, General Conway and General Amos were amazing – all were witty, brief and inspirational. The Transfer of Battle Colors of the Marine Corps from the 34th to the 35th Commandant said it all. General and Mrs. Conway walked away from the mid field ceremony, paused once to wave good bye and vanished into Marine Corps History. Well, almost. A few minutes later both General and Mrs. Conway and General and Mrs. Amos greeted visitors in a receiving line as the celebration of the Change of Command continued at a reception in the garden of the Home of the Commandants.

Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill Schedule!

Barracks Row Main Street — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:46:26 +0000

On the Main Stage 8th & G Streets, SE
11:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony featuring the Marine Corps Brass Quintet
4:00 p.m. Redskinettes: Redskins Cheerleaders performance
4:45 p.m. General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, announces the winner of the Military Chefs Culinary Competition
Also confirmed:
Live Music
The St. Marks Players

Military Chef Culinary Competition in the Military Hospitality Association Tents on 8th Street, SE between G and I Streets, SE
Watch teams from all branches of the military and the White House compete in the Military Hospitality Association’s Third Annual mobile kitchen showdown.
7:15 a.m. First Flight of the Competition
9 a.m.-11 a.m. New Orleans Chef Paul Prudhomme will sign cookbooks and answer your questions about creating great cuisine.
2:30 p.m. Final Flight: The Championship Round will match the four best teams in one final display of their culinary skills.

Antique Car Corral 8th Street, SE between G and I Streets, SE
Owners and volunteers will be there to answer your questions about classic cars.

Tours of Home of the Commandants G Street, SE, between 8th and 9th Streets, SE
This is the last chance to view the interior of the Home of the Commandants before they close their doors for a year-long renovation. Completed in 1806, the historic structure is the oldest continually-occupied residence in the District. Five docent-led tours will be held at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

Tours of the Historic Barracks I Street, SE between 8th and 9th Streets, SE
The historic barracks lining the east side of 8th Street, SE are now home to Marine Corps officers and their families. Take a peek inside with docent-led tours departing at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

At the Shakespeare Theatre
The Trapeze School of New York will present “Silks”

The Ugly Mug’s Oktoberfest Tent at 723 8th Street, SE
Join The Ugly Mug for $4 Linenkugal Oktoberfest and Coors Light & Delicious Brats!

Fusion Grill at 515 8th Street, SE
Fusion Grill will be celebrating fall with Firecracker Shrimp and Sam Adams Oktoberfest on their newly-renovated patio.

Zest Bistro at 735 8th Street, SE
Sample favorites from Zest Bistro, including Lamb Sandwiches ($5), homemade fudge brownies ($2), specials on Blue Point Toasted Lager and Miller Light ($4) and Ginger Limeade.

Along the Row 8th Street, SE between E and I Streets, SE
Chesty XIII Meet the Marine Corps mascot bulldog and her trainer on their walks throughout the day and learn how she got her name.
Historic Uniforms of the Marine Corps Be on the lookout for great boots, epaulets, plumes and capes! Ten Marines will walk the Row in uniforms dating back to 1775.

Light Up the Future with Homebody and Global Fairness Initiative

Barracks Row Main Street — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:41:48 +0000

September 16, 2010
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Homebody, 715 8th St SE

Please come enjoy a very special evening at Homebody. Check out our Fall lighting collection and help us send 15,000 solar-powered lanterns to salt farmers in India.
…
Come and shop our exciting new lighting collection, enjoy refreshments generously provided by local restaurants, and support a great cause. Homebody will contribute a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the saltLantern Campaign.

About the saltLantern Campaign:
The saltLantern Campaign, a joint project of the Global Fairness Initiative (GFI) and India’s Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), wants to put safer, green technology into the hands of poor working families. In the arid desert known as Little Rann of Kutch (LRK)in Gujarat, India, salt farms are in their majority handled by women. Joined by their daughters, together they toil in some of the most severe conditions known, working barefoot on saltpans in extreme temperatures reaching 110 degrees. These families currently rely on toxic kerosene lanterns and are at the mercy of fuel middlemen, paying 8% or more of their annual income (of around $550!) on fuel alone. With the switch to brighter solar-powered LED lights, women and children can walk safely at night, children can study without breathing toxic fumes, and families can save more for their futures.

For more information on GFI’s saltLantern Campaign, please visit GFI’s website at www.saltlantern.org. If you would like to contribute directly, for just $40 you can send a lantern to Gujarat and significantly raise the standard of living of a salt-farming family.

We hope you will join in supporting a cause that means a lot to us!

Erin, Henriette, and Nora (the Homebody team)
www.homebodydc.com

Sept. 25 – The Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill!

Barracks Row Main Street — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:22:49 +0000

Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 11a.m. to 5p.m. on 8^th Street, SE between E Street and I Street SE, one block south of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza. During the festival the Military Chefs Culinary Competition will be held in tents along the 700 block of 8^th Street SE, pitting chef teams from the White House and each branch of the armed forces against each other in a timed cooking competition. Don’t miss the final championship round, starting at 2 p.m.

The “Ragin’ Cajun’” Chef Paul Prudomme will be attending to sign cookbooks, the Redskins Cheerleaders will perform and Chesty, the Marine Corps mascot bulldog, will take walks down the midway.

The Home of the Commandants will be open for tours as well as Marine Barracks 8th and I St., SE. New this year, the Historic Uniforms of the Marine Corps will be on display: ten authentic uniforms representing 1775 through 2010 will be worn by Marines ready to answer questions about swords, epaulets, capes and historic headgear.

Clowns, magicians, face painting and contests for kids will line the midway, as well as booths selling wares from around the world. Still in planning stages: a skydiver will make a precision landing at 8th and G St. sometime during the afternoon. Bands will play all day and dancing is encouraged!

Check after September 15 for final schedules of cheerleaders, skydivers, bands and tours.

Bring your family and friends and have a relaxing Saturday at one of our patio restaurants, watching Capitol Hill’s amazing, once-a-year, spectacular street fair!

We need volunteers! Click here to sign up.

Sponsored by: Capitol Hill Business Improvement District, The National Capital Bank, The Capital Grille, Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District, Military Hospitality Alliance, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, David Sheldon, Esq and DC Department of Local Business Development

Dog Days Sale Heating up the Row this Saturday

Barracks Row Main Street — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:22:08 +0000

The year’s hottest deals at participating retailers and restaurants on the Row!
Sidewalk sales from 8th Street retailers and happy hour specials 1-4 p.m. at restaurants.

Participating Retailers
Capitol Hill Bikes
Capitol Hill Sporting Goods
Chateau Animaux
Groovy DC
Homebody
Sweet Magnolia

Restaurant Specials
Banana Cafe: $3 house margaritas, domestic beers & rail drinks
Cafe 8: Pizzas, pides & beers half-price
Fusion Grill: $3 SOL, Heineken, Amstel Light, New Castle and $5 Wines By The Glass, mojitos & margaritas
Starfish Cafe: $2.95 domestic beers, $4.95 Watermelon Coolers & martinis
The Ugly Mug: $4 Yuengling, $5 Pretzels, $6 Jack Daniels drinks and $7 nachos

Maps at the Eastern Market Metro

Barracks Row Main Street Receives 2010 National Trust Main Street Accreditation

Barracks Row Main Street — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:30:05 +0000

Barracks Row Main Street has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street® programs that have built strong revitalization organizations and demonstrate their ability in using the Main Street Four-Point Approach® methodology for strengthening their local economy and protecting their historic buildings.

“We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards,” says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. “Accredited Main Street programs are meeting the challenges of the recession head on and are successfully using a focused, comprehensive revitalization strategy to keep their communities vibrant and sustainable.”

The organization’s performance is annually evaluated by DC Main Streets, which works in partnership with the National Trust Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet 10 performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program’s application of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the national program accreditation program, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org) is a nonprofit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., eight regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.

Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center® helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Working in more than 2,200 downtowns and urban neighborhoods over the last 30 years, the Main Street program has leveraged more than $48.9 billion in new public and private investment. Participating communities have created 417,919 net new jobs and 94,176 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 214,263 buildings, leveraging an average of $27 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts.

Ladies Night at Nationals Stadium – August 26

Barracks Row Main Street — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:53:30 +0000

Hey Ladies…Take advantage of this fabulous opportunity to enjoy America’s favorite pasttime with your girls!

Thursday, August 26
4:30 p.m. – Pre-game party on The Rooftop Party Deck, top of Garage B at Nationals Park
7:05 p.m. – First Pitch – Nationals vs. Cardinals

All-inclusive Packages: Game and Happy Hour start at just $30. Tickets include special group seating and access to the pre-game party featuring:

Nationals player photo opportunity
Themed drink specials, games and prizes
Samples and tastings from our sponsors
Complimentary snacks
Music and entertainment
An evening of fun with your girlfriends!

Space at Happy Hour is limited, get your tickets now!

To learn more, please contact:
Bree Parker at 202-640-7646 or bree.parker@nationals.com
Katherine Mitchell at 202-640-7649 or katherine.mitchell@nationals.com

The Rooftop Party Deck is a covered space. The event will go on as planned rain or shine. For weather updates in regard to the game, please call 202-640-7575

Bring Your Message to Thousands of Visitors Through the CHAMPS Map

Barracks Row Main Street — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:06:59 +0000

Meet Our New Board Member: Jim Rowland

Barracks Row Main Street — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:09:37 +0000

Jim Rowland, Senior Vice President of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, recently accepted an invitation to join the board of directors of Barracks Row Main Street. Jim is a native of Milwaukee but no newcomer to Barracks Row. “I remember when the trees were small,” he reflected when we called to welcome him to the board.

Jim arrived in Washington, DC in 1991, not long after completing law school. Realizing he did not want to practice law, he joined the office of his home state senator from Wisconsin and found serving Wisconsin in the nation’s capitol very much to his liking. Over the years the purchase of several historic Capitol Hill properties deepened his appreciation of the area. His house was on the Capitol Hill Restoration Society House and Garden tour this spring. A great supporter of the buy local philosophy, Rowland shops regularly at Eastern Market and has watched with admiration as the vendors rallied and prospered after the fire.

Seven years ago Jim Rowland was recruited to join the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers (WSWA) of America. “I come from a family of wine lovers,” he observed philosophically. By accepting the WSWA offer he transitioned overnight from national politics to meeting the challenges of small business. “All of the companies that comprise the membership of WSWA are family owned,” he noted. “I have a deep appreciation for what the sole proprietor is facing today, especially the restaurants and bars.”

A passionate baseball fan, Rowland also helped create a political action committee to bring major league ball back to Washington, DC, and, today, as owner of six season tickets behind the home dugout, attends Nationals games as often as possible. After spending a childhood in New England, Rowland is a lifelong member of Red Sox nation, while maintaining loyalty to hometown Nationals.

The two blocks below the freeway are of special interest to Rowland as the pivotal connector between the new development near Nat’s ballpark, the waterfront trails and the commerce along Barracks Row. With the two local rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia “tantalizingly close” to Barracks Row, Jim Rowland dreams of water views on or near 8th Street to add a further unique attraction for those working and living on the lower two blocks of our historic corridor.

His hobbies include skiing, with visits to Aspen, Vail, Sun Valley, and Jackson Hole every year. In the summer Rowland spends as much time as possible at his vacation home on Cape Cod. With two black Labrador Retrievers, Winston and Wally, as part of the family, it’s easy to spot Jim Rowland around Eastern Market and Barracks Row whenever he is in town.

Meet Our New Board Member, Jonathan Shartar

Barracks Row Main Street — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:54:11 +0000

Jonathan Shartar was recently elected to the board of Barracks Row Main Street. He is a member of the management team at real estate developer, Madison Marquette. In 2008 Madison Marquette purchased the ‘Blue Castle’ at 8th and L Street, SE, the old red brick car barn, painted blue in the 1970’s.

Shartar will be involved in shaping the future of the car barn. He noted that this is the first development project for Madison Marquette in Washington, DC since their successful Tenleytown project. Between 1999 and 2005 the company redeveloped a Sears building on Wisconsin Avenue, built in 1941, converting it to smart shopping area flanked by an unusual curving condo building which quickly sold out.

Shartar confirmed that the ‘Blue Castle’ will remain blue just a little longer. The leases of the present tenants, PSI Services and Eagle Academy Charter School, don’t expire until 2012. He was clear to point out his respect for the DC Charter Schools which mirrors the philosophy of Madison Marquette to be a good neighbor, treating the property and its tenants responsibly as the company defines a new role for the century old building.

It turns out that Jonathan Shartar’s appreciation for urban schools is also grounded in his own story. After graduating from Amherst College, he served in Teach for America – the prestigious organization which puts the brightest college graduates to work for two year stints teaching in challenged city schools. A job in residential development at Winter Properties (known for their imaginative Atlanta renovations) soon followed. While completing his MBA at Emory University, he helped launch the real estate program there. In 2007, he moved with his wife, Kim to Washington, DC to join Madison Marquette.

Shartar’s goal as a board member of Barracks Row Main Street is to further the development of 8th Street as a retail center for Capitol Hill and Washington, DC. He has been actively involved with the recent “Visioning Process for Eighth Street” sponsored by the Capitol Riverfront BID and Barracks Row Main Street. He also participates in the ongoing CIMP process, sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. to involve the community in repositioning four dated barracks buildings. Prior to joining the Barracks Row Main Street Board of Directors, Shartar was a member of the BRMS Fundraising Committee.

His hobbies include photography and running. As the car barn redevelopment picks up momentum Shartar is looking forward to spending more time on 8th Street where he plans to pick up tips for his most recent extracurricular interest: cooking!