Ward 2 Candidates Forum

Wed., Aug. 12 (12noon-2pm): The Fair Budget Coalition is planning will be holding a Ward 2 city council CANDIDATES FORUM in the Washington Room at the Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld law firm offices (1333 New Hamp. Ave.). This is a brown bag lunch event, with beverages and dessert provided. Also, on Wed., Aug. 20 (6-8pm) they will be holding an At-Large candidates forum in the march Conference Room of the True reformer Building (12th & U Sts.). For more info, call Matina Gillis at (202) 328-5513.

Dupont Circle ANC Meeting Agenda

Wed., Aug 13 (7pm): The Dupont Circle ANC will be holding its regular MONTHLY MEETING at the DC Jewish Community Center (16th & Q Sts.). Among the presentations, information, and action items on the agenda will be the following:

(1) Discussion with a representative from the transportation department (DDOT) about the reported one-year delay until 2010 for starting work on the long-anticipated 17th Street streetscape project. When The InTowner sought comment from Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, whose office has been closely involved in coordinating its implementation with the community, about this apparent sudden development, he stated that just as soon as he had heard about this he immediately contacted the director of DDOT and the Mayor and was assured that the project would be reinstated back onto the original 2009 schedule.

(2) Discussion with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulatory Administration’s (ABRA) General Counsel, Fred Moosally, regarding occupancy and seating limitations for licensed establishments which, as a result of a recent court decision are now in doubt. (See, “Alcoholic Control Board’s Enforcement of Number of “Seats” Requirements Overturned; Fallout Affects “Pub Crawl” Prohibitions,” InTowner, July 2008, page 1.)

(3) Discussions concerning what is being characterized as “visual pollution” due to apparent violations of the regulations pertaining to the display of political posters and signs in public space and also regarding participation in the Ward 2 singles sales restriction for beer and liquor.

(4) Libraries will also be on the agenda for discussion, including the question of establishing a citizen task force on the future of the Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) main library building and whether the ANC should join with the Foggy Bottom ANC and the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) to contribute to the cost for an appraisal of the West End Library property in advance of any agreement by the city to either sell or trade the property.

(5) Presentation by WASA on its forthcoming project to replace a major water main that runs under Dupont Circle, scheduled to start on August 18th, with information on expected disruptions and timing of the various phases of work.

Blessing of the Dogs at Thomas Circle

Sun., Aug. 17 (10-10:20am): All dogs and their companions are invited to attend the second annual BLESSING OF THE DOGS which will take place across from Thomas Circle at the foot of the stairs leading up to the portico of the National City Christian Church. This unique event will celebrate the love for our canine friends. Reverend Stephen Gentle, National City’s Senior Pastor, will lead the blessing. During the 20-minute service, staff from Dogs by Day, the doggie daycare and boarding facility located a few blocks from the church on 14th Street, will be on hand to ensure all dogs and their companions are well-behaved, comfortable, and content. Green Pets, the pet store also nearby on 14th Street, will provide water and treats for the four-legged attendees. Bottled water, coffee, and muffins will be available for all companions. In addition, a photographer from the church will be in attendance to capture the event. For more info, send an email to Colleen Walsh at cwalsh@nationalcitycc.org or call 232.0323.

Free Outdoor Movie Showing at Stead Park

Thu., Aug. 28 (8:30pm): Summer Movie Mania, the brainchild of 17th Street-based real estate agent Lindsay Reishman, concludes with its FREE MOVIES outside on the Stead Park soccer field (enter from P Street between 16th & 17th Streets). This month it’s the ‘80s classic, Goonies (rain date: Sep. 4th.). At the screening last month over 300 people came out and had lots of fun. Come early with blankets or lawn chairs and a picnic basket (but no alcoholic beverages), participate in the raffle for restaurant meals and gift certificates and make it a complete evening diversion.

For more info, contact Lindsey Olsen at lolsen@lindsayreishman.com or call 491.1275.

Concert at National City Christian Church

Sat., Sep. 6 (7:30pm): The Washington Sinfonietta will present its season series kickoff CONCERT at the National City Christian Church on Thomas Circle with an all-Beethoven, program featuring the King Stephen Overture; the Piano Concerto No. 4, with piano soloist Lina Morita; and the Symphony No. 4. Already, after only performing seasons during the past two years at National City, the ensemble as earned a reputation for excellence. Last month, the DC arts commission cited the orchestra’s “valuable contribution to the Washington, D.C. arts community.” Tickets, $15 ($10, students and seniors; age 18 and under admitted free), and may be purchased at the door or on-line by visiting http://www.washingtonsinfonietta.com. For more info, call, (202) 580.6535.

SELECTED STREET CRIMES

Reported for July 1 - 29, 2008

Belmont, 1:15am: person beaten & robbed of iPod by 2 others [1:15am, Sat., 7/12]

Bryant, 600 blk.: woman walking with friend grabbed around her neck by 1 of 2 men who came from behind & robbed [12pm, Mon., 7/21]

Calvert, 1900 blk.: person punched, beaten & robbed of wallet containing credit cards by 3 others [1:45am, Sat., 7/12]

Center, 3500 blk.: man walking home accosted by 4 others who knocked him to the ground, punched him about his face & body & then robbed him [11:15pm, Fri., 7/25]

Chapin, 1400 blk.: man choked & robbed by another [11:45am, Sun., 7/27]

Church, 1700 blk.: woman accosted by 2 men, one of whom demanded, “Give me your wallet or I’ll smoke you” & when he repeated his demand she simply started to walk away, whereupon the men caught up with her & once again stated their demand & then robbed her [7:45pm, Tu., 7/22]

Columbia, 1300 blk.: person robbed of cell phone & $75 cash at gunpoint by 3 others [3am, Sun., 7/13]

Columbia, 1700 blk. (alley): person accosted from behind by 2 others, punched or struck with object & robbed of cell phone, credit cards & $80 cash [1:30am, Sat., 7/12]

Corcoran, 1700 blk.: man & woman in argument on sidewalk when he punched her in the head causing her to fall to the ground, whereupon he kicked her about her head & body before fleeing the scene [1:15pm, Thu., 7/24]

Euclid, 1700 blk.: man robbed at gunpoint by 3 others [1:15am, Sun., 7/6]

Hertford, 3500 blk.: man accosted from behind by unknown number of others who struck him in the face, knocked him to the ground & robbed him [12mid, Sun., 7/20]

Irving, 1400 blk.: man accosted by another who attempted to rob him but who got away as they scuffled [9:45am, Sat., 7/12]

Johnson, 1700 blk.: man accosted by 2 others, one of whom had a brick in his hand & who demanded, “Where do you think you’re going,” and when responded that he was on his way to work he was robbed [9am, Tue., 7/1]

Kalorama, 1700 blk.: woman sitting in her car approached by man who placed his hand under his shirt as if he had a gun, demanded money, then robbed her after he sprayed mace at her [4:30am, Thu., 7/17]

Kalorama, 1800 blk.: man accosted by another who first punched him in the face & then robbed him [2:15am, Sun., 7/20]

Kenyon, 1200 blk.: man robbed by unknown number of assailants who came from behind & struck him in the face [2am, Sun., 7/20]

Mt. Pleasant, 3200 blk.: 2 persons walking to their car robbed by 3 others acting as if they had weapons [3am, Sun., 7/27]

Mt. Pleasant, 3300 blk.: man robbed by another who was brandishing a box cutter [10:30pm, Wed., 7/23]

New Hamp., 1900 blk.: 2 persons robbed at gunpoint by another who got out of a car that drove up alongside them [12:15am, Thu., 7/17]

Newton, 1500 blk.: man surrounded & robbed by 5 others riding bikes [3:45am, Sun., 7/27]

Ontario, 2100 blk.: person robbed of cell phone, credit cards & $7 cash at gunpoint by 3 others [5:15pm, Fri., 7/11]Ontario, 2200 blk.: man robbed at gunpoint by another [2:45am, Sun., 7/6]

Otis, 800 blk.: person robbed by 2 others at gunpoint of $140 cash [3:45am, Fri., 7/4]

P, 1700 blk.: man accosted by 4 others who first uttered homophobic comments, then beat & robbed him of iPod [2:45am, Sat., 7/12]

Park, 700 blk. (alley): man accosted by 3 others, struck on the back of his neck, causing him to fall to the ground & robbed [7:45pm, Sat., 7/26]

Park, 1000 blk.: person accosted from behind by 4 others, was beaten about the head & body & then robbed [10:30pm, Sat., 7/19]

Parkwood, 1300 blk.: man listening to music on his iPod while walking home approached from behind by another riding a bike & as he was passing put his hand into man’s pocket in an attempt to remove his wallet [6:15pm, Sun., 7/27]

R, 1400 blk.: 2 persons robbed at gunpoint by 6 others [3:30am, Sun., 7/6]

S, 1700 blk.: man accosted by 3 others, one of whom brandished a gun, ordered to the ground & robbed of wallet & cell phone [2:15am, Mon., 7/21]

Sherman, 2900 blk.: man walking home from the Metro accosted from behind by 4 others who beat him about his head & body & then robbed him [10:30pm, Sat., 7/19]

Spring, 1100 blk.: man accosted by 2 others demanding his money while standing outside his apartment building, and when refused was robbed at knifepoint [10:30pm, Sat., 7/19]

T, 1300 blk.: man robbed at gunpoint by 2 others of backpack, bottle opener & CDs [4:45am, Sat., 7/12]

U, unit blk.: man delivering pizza accosted by 3 others who assaulted him causing injury & then robbed him [12:30am, Sat., 7/5]

Wyoming, 2100 blk.: man walking along sidewalk accosted by another who jumped on his back & demanded his bag but was able to free himself & fled from his attacker [11:30pm, Mon., 7/7]

5th & Harvard: man surrounded by 3 others who, without saying anything, began punching him until he fell down unconscious & robbed him [7pm, Thu., 7/24]

6th & P: woman attacked & robbed by 5 persons who came from behind, punched her with their fists & knocked her to the ground [2pm, Tue., 7/8]

7th & N: person accosted by 2 others, one of whom asked, “Where are you going & do you have any money,” to which the answer was, “I don’t have any money and I’m going to the bus stop,” whereupon person was struck & robbed [2pm, Wed., 7/9]

9th & S: person accosted, punched & robbed of $40 cash & wallet by another [3:30am, Sat., 7/5]

11th & Harvard: man accosted by 3 others who kicked, beat & robbed him of cell phone & wallet containing credit cards and $400 cash & additional $350 in Mexican currency [1:15am, Sat., 7/12]

11th & Otis: pizza deliveryman punched & robbed by several men of the 6 pizzas he attempting to deliver [9:45pm, Fri., 7/4]

11th & Rhode Is.: 2 persons who had been skateboarding inside park robbed by 3 others of iPod & cell phone, re4spectively, as they were trying to leave the park [9pm, Mon., 7/28]

11th, 2200 blk.: woman who had just gotten off bus & was starting to cross the street had purse snatched from her hand by man ran up from behind [12:30pm, Mon., 7/7]

11th, 2600 blk.: man grabbed & robbed of wallet containing $1,340 cash by 2 others who then fled in waiting car [6:15am, Sat., 7/19]

11th, 2600 blk.: woman observed man walking toward her whom she thought looked suspicious, causing her to walk into the street to be under street lights, whereupon he confronted her & robbed her at gunpoint [12:45am, Wed., 7/23]

11th, 3500 blk.: person walking up the outside steps of the home accosted from behind by person who snatched property from the person causing the person to fall down the stairs & sustain injuries [7:45am, Wed., 7/9]

13th & Euclid: man accosted by 4 others who rode up behind him on mountain bikes, one of whom pressed an unknown object to the back of his head & robbed him [10:45pm, Tue., 7/8]

13th, 1300 blk.: man walking to his car accosted by 2 others, pushed to the ground & robbed [1:30am, Tue., 7/29]

13th, 3100 blk.: woman accosted by man who demanded her purse & when she refused he punched her in the face & grabbed the purse from out of her hand [8am, Wed., 7/9]

14th & Clifton: woman’s purse snatched by person who approached [2:45am, Wed., 7/16]

14th & P: woman’s purse snatched by man who came from behind [4:45pm, Thu., 7/3]

14th, 2200 blk.: person robbed of money order & $860 cash at gunpoint by 2 others [8:45am, Fri., 7/4]

14th, 3400 blk.: man who had just opened his car door preparatory to getting in shoved from behind by 2 men who came from behind, causing him to fall into his car, whereupon he was robbed [4:45pm, Tue., 7/22]

15th & W: man robbed of wallet at knifepoint by 2 others who then fled into Meridian Hill Park [4pm, Sun., 7/6]

16th & Columbia: man accosted from behind by 3 others demanding money & when he refused they began punching in his face & about his body before robbing him [11pm, Wed., 7/2]

17th, 1600 blk.: man standing at corner approached by another who said, “Hey, what’s up,” whereupon he put his hand into the man’s rear pants pocket & took his wallet [1:30am, Wed., 7/2]

17th, 2100 blk.: man accosted by another who crossed the street, grabbed him around his neck & snatched his necklace [2am, Sat., 7/26]

18th & Columbia: man standing at the corner surrounded by 5 others, one of whom stated, “Hey, you got money in your wallet?” whereupon 3 others approached from behind, garbed & robbed him [3:45am, Sun., 7/20]

19th, 1900 blk.: man accosted by another from behind who placed his hands over his eyes, stated he had a knife & demanded his wallet, which the man turned over before being pushed to the ground [4am, Sat., 7/5]

PSA 307 (actual location not available from MPD prior to press time): person robbed by 2 others of 2 building acces cards, wallet & $1 cash [1am, Sun., 7/13]

PSA 307 (actual location not available from MPD prior to press time): woman approached by person who snatched $30 cash from her hand [2:15am, Mon., 7/14]

PSA 501 (actual location not available from MPD prior to press time): man accosted by 3 others who demanded his bag & when he refused was punched in the face & robbed at knifepoint [5pm, Thu., 7/17]