Capital Bikeshare Adds Third Mall Location

It was only about two weeks ago when the first mall-located Capital Bikeshare locations opened, but they're already the most popular.  Last Saturday, the MLK Memorial station logged 200 originating trips and the Washington Monument had 176, according to project manager Josh Moskowitz.

To meet the demand, Capital Bikeshare has opened a third location on the National Mall at 12th and Jefferson Southwest.  It became Capital Bikeshare's 152nd location across the metro area.

The newest location is flanked by sister stations just one
block west and south, but Capital Bikeshare still anticipates
the new location to be among the most popular.

Free Cone Day

It may be early, but we're already thinking about lunch.  Grab a bite to eat near the Old Post Office and then get yourself some free ice cream at Ben and Jerry's.

IMPORTANT: The Ben and Jerry's at Union Station is NOT participating in this promotion, but if you happen to be heading to Georgetown today, they are.

Karaoke League

Washington, the social town that it is, is home to all sorts of leagues: kickball, bocce, and now even karaoke.

District Karaoke has opened the registration for it's second season, which begins on April 30th.  Due to the first season's popularity, they'll run three divisions, one on Monday, one on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday.  The Monday division will be right here in Penn Quarter at Riot Act; Tuesday and Wednesday will be at Policy Restaurant & Lounge.  Entrance (including t-shirt) is $45.

For a ten week season, your team could compete for the title of karaoke champion.  To win, your team will compete in three rounds: the first two are solo performances and the third is a group rendition.

Even if you don't think you're ready for the spotlight, you could simply go as an audience member: everyone at Riot Act will be charged with rating performance on how well teams "Sing It," (musicality), "Bring It," (stage presence and performance), and "Schwing It," (overall appeal).

The first season sold out in six days - and the buzz is that this season will go even faster.  Only thirty people will be allowed to register for the Monday Riot Act league.  Get to it!

DC Primary

A friendly reminder from Downtown Neighborhood Association:

"DC's primary election will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012.  ...There have been changes to ward and precinct boundaries due to populations reflected in the U.S. Census.  Please check your temporary voter registration card mailed to you in February for your polling place.  You can also confirm your polling place at www.dcboee.org."

"Under District law, the April 3rd election is a closed primary.  This means that only voters who are registered with the Democratic, Republican and D.C. Statehood Green parties can participate in selecting their parties' nominees..."

"Of interest in Ward 2 is that our Councilmember, Jack Evans, is up for re-election on the Democratic ballot.  There are also several at-large Council candidates on the various party ballots up for election.  Please visit the board of election website ... for more details."

"We urge you to please exercise your right to vote!" 

For what we believe to be all residents of Penn Quarter, your voting place is: the Chinese Community Church at 500 I Street NW, but check at the above link just to be sure.

You can take a look at what your ballots will look like:  Democrats; Republicans; and DC Statehood Green Party.

Market Today

Don't forget, the Market is back in action on 8th Street as of last week.  We're loving the images FreshFarm Markets is tweeting.  Below, check out the pansies from Anchor Nursery, the condiment cart at soon-to-be-neighbor Red Apron Butchery's hot dog cart, and the asparagus available at the market until 7p today.

   

Plan for a Pedestrian Mall

DDOT is shopping a plan to close 10th Street between E and F to vehicular traffic and instead make it a pedestrian mall.

This plan would necessarily relocate the many tour buses that are often idling on that block, and replace them with little tables and chairs and perhaps booth vendors.  We love the idea of a pedestrian mall, providing that traffic is accommodated for (particularly those idling buses).  It could alleviate some of the sidewalk congestion, like this line of school children waiting to get into the Petersen House:

We're told that ANC2C will be addressing the issue at their next meeting, next Wednesday at 6:30p at the Shaw Library, but we don't yet see the item on the agenda.

Giada de Laurentiis at 6th and I

A preemptive celebrity sighting: on Saturday at 8pm, Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis will be at Sixth and I Synagogue in conjunction with the release of her new cookbook, Weeknights with Giada: Quick and Simple Recipes to Revamp Dinner.

Giada will be interviewed by Bonnie Benwick, Food Editor of the Washington Post.

Last time Giada was in town, she ate at Mike Isabella's Graffiato, declaring it one of the "best meals in a long time."  No word on where the Italian chef will be eating on Saturday, but keep your eyes peeled (and be sure to tip off your favorite PQ blogsters!).

Fuel Opening Today

Fuel Pizza will open its doors today!

A call to their sister location reveals that they believe the doors will open at 11a.  Online ordering has not yet been set up but we anticipate it in the next few days.

City in Bloom

Tonight through Sunday, F Street will be aglow in pink for the citywide City in Bloom initiative.  Locally, the Verizon Center, National Building Museum and Newseum will be awash - but so will Reagan and Dulles Airports, and the Reagan International Trade Center building, seen above.

March for Mustaches

You might see a lot of facial hair around the neighborhood on Sunday -- the American Mustache Institute will be leading the Million Mustache March from the Capitol the White House at 2pm as it seeks adoption of the Stimulus to Allow Critical Hair Expenses (the STACHE Act).

The act would provide a $250 annual tax deduction for expenditures on mustache grooming supplies.

While it may be appropriate that the march is occurring on April Fool's Day, the cause it supports is a real one: for each supporter either marching or showing their support at StacheAct.com, H&R Block will donate to Millions from One, which provides clean drinking water to people in need.

The march will conclude with a post-march celebration at Cap City Brewing Company (at 11th and H) with a performance by the appropriately mustachioed band, the Flavor Savers.

TJ Maxx Bumps Opening Back; Starts Hiring

Back in February we let you know that TJ Maxx was on the way to 13th and G, and was scheduling their opening for April 22nd.

Now, the folks at TJ Maxx have let us know that opening day will now be April 25th, and their hours will be 8a-9:30p Monday-Saturday and 11a-8p on Sunday.  We love that the store will be open early on weekdays, for when you need to grab something before heading to work.

Also: they're hiring assistant store managers.  For immediate consideration, email your resume to ty_adams@tjx.com or fax to (703) 847-2088.

Hill Country at Harris Teeter

Can't get enough of Hill Country's barbecue sauces?  Soon, you'll be able to snag their "If You Gotta Have It" (based on Texas-style-BBQ's tradition of sauceless barbecue, and is peach/vinegar/chipotle based) and the "If You Can Stand It" (habanero based) at Harris Teeter stores throughout the area.

The "If You Gotta Have It" is the only sauce you're able to buy online, and it will run you $8.  We expect a similar price point for supermarket sales.

Hill Country is just one of the local Penn Quarter hotspots that is expanding to grocery distribution: Rasika plans a frozen food line for later this year.

Mike Daisey at Woolly Mammoth

Mike Daisey, the man behind the one-man show The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs which played at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company last year, has since had his work retracted by This American Life after it was discovered Daisey may have fabricated much of the story.

The folks at Woolly Mammoth found themselves in a bit of a quandary, as they had plans to run the show again from July 17 - August 5, 2012.  You can read Woolly's honest and cogent appraisal of their situation on their blog, but now you'll have a chance to hear it for yourself -- direct from Woolly and Mike Daisey themselves.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7pm, Daisey will join a public forum at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company "to engage... patrons in a detailed discussion about Woolly's decision to go ahead with the scheduled remount of the production.  Mike Daisey will now join Artistic Director Howard Shalwitz and Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann to directly address D.C. audiences and answer their questions.  The event is free and open to the public.  Please reserve your tickets with the Box Office in person or on the phone (202-393-3939)."