Adams Morgan Blog

Canvas bag in window at Meeps I saw this bag (above) in the window of Meeps on 18th.  It had potential as a man bag or murse, which is what the Urban Dictionary defines as “a man-purse -- very fashion-forward right now, seen on many hipster guys” and something that can be also be used to carry a laptop computer.  Design that takes ordinary item, a military green canvass bag, and then adds art has appeal. The art on the Meeps bag preserves its original rugged, utilitarian and practical look even as the art turns the bag into a canvas. I also have a military style canvas bag (photo to the right), and attached a button with an iconic image of Marilyn Monroe, a fast design shortcut but not nearly as effective or interesting as the bag in the Meeps window.  

Click on image for large view. See end note on source.  The columns and long steps leading up the old Church of Christ Scientist in Adams Morgan give it the feeling of a federal building.  The plan to convert it into a hotel , part of a new line of boutique hotels,   Edition , designed by Ian Schrager, will preserve the columns, steps and general outline of the church. The 179 rooms will be in a new 10-story structure. In the rendering above, the former church space will serve as the hotel’s main lobby. It shows plans for two bars and a restaurant. It’s a large space, and it’s not hard to imagine areas of dramatic light and height. Schrager’s Edition hotels are being built with a design philosophy that calls for “rare individuality” in each property along with an “unique ethos” that “will reflect the best of the cultural and social milieu of its location and of the time. “ But how will Schrager interpret the “unique ethos” of Adams Morgan? Will the former churc...

Just discovered that iPad doesn't support blogger, so we are trying this blogpress app. It seems to provide some capability but not the ability to resize photos. any recommendations for an iPad app that makes custom photo sizing easy? Location: Dc

The reason Vincent Gray won this election was economics of the most basic kind. School reform turned job security on its head.  District employees were wary of another  Adrian  Fenty term and the risk that it might prompt him to expand his more radical approaches and layoffs.   Employees, in any company, dread upheaval even if it promises new opportunities.  In the election 126,000 people voted, or 34% of eligible voters. The District employs approximately 32,000 employees.  No doubt a large number of these employees live in the District and since most District jobs are middle income, the highest concentration of these workers likely live in Wards that went heavily to Gray.  District employees, plus friends and family, make up a sizeable voting bloc and enough to swing an election.   District civil servants have a powerful incentive to vote in any mayoral race. And in this race, they had no incentive to vote for Fenty.  ...

Wok n' Roll, at 604 H Street NW, in Chinatown, is evidently planning to open up a restaurant at 18th and Belmont Street. The space had formerly been the home of the Prince Cafe, a houka bar. The menu . It's the second restaurant new restaurant to (pending) open in heart of Adams Morgan. Snap, which has a store in Georgetown, recently opened a second location on 18th near Columbia.

There's a new store opening near Columbia and 18th that will focus on urban gardening supplies. It's called Urban Sustainable , and it plans to stock organic seeds, hydroponic supplies, grow lights, tools, as well as offer vegetative roofing consultation and installation. It says this about itself: "Based in the heart of Adams Morgan, Urban Sustainable will help you set up your own garden." It is occupying the old locksmith store at 1787 Columbia Rd. This sounds like an excellent addition to the neighborhood. There been some rising angst lately over the number of vacancies in Adams Morgan; most notably the recent closing of Design Within Reach at 1838 Columbia St., and Blockbuster. But new places are opening as well. Snap, a longtime Georgetown fixture, just opened a restaurant on 18 th near Columbia. It serves crepes, bubble tea and smoothies. (I just had a banana smoothie there and it was very good.) Snap also has plenty of seating.   I don't know w...

The scene: 7 a.m Monday morning, Columbia and 18th.