Critical Exposure’s current youth photography exhibit, “5 Years, 5000 Images,” celebrates our first half-decade of work, and features more than 100 photographs from our students.  The exhibit reception is on Thursday, April 22nd from 6-8:30pm at the Edison Place Gallery (702 8th St. NW), and will be on display through the 30th.  More information about the event can be found here.

Previous student photos featured on PoP can be found here and here and here.

HOT DOG
Students at Kid Power, Washington, DC

Kid Power-DC and LINK middle school students chose to focus their Critical Exposure photography project and advocacy efforts on school nutrition. Kid Power students took photographs of school lunches and researched facts about nutrition. They then scheduled a meeting with the Executive Director of Food and Nutrition Services for DC Public Schools to discuss their concerns and potential solutions.

“This picture shows gross and unhealthy lunches that get kids sick and unable to participate in class,” writes William, an eighth grader. “This is important to me because I want to be energized and be able to do my work without my stomach growling.”

SHADOWS OF THE ESCALATOR
Monae (6th Grade), Washington, DC

*Monae took this photograph on the way to a field trip to see “The Places We Live” exhibit at the National Building Museum. This image, along with 14 other photos from our MLK ES students, was on display during FotoWeek DC 2009.

In 2009, Critical Exposure partnered with FotoWeek DC’s Kids with Cameras program and art teacher Bryan Hill to teach photography and advocacy to fifth and sixth grade students at Martin Luther King Elementary School in SE DC. Equipped with digital cameras, MLK students documented their communities, families and lives at school. For their final projects, they photographed the changes they wished to see in their communities and composed letters to policymakers including Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chancellor Michelle Rhee.

“Dear PoP,

Was wondering if you knew anything about what’s going on with the Mocha Lounge at 944 Florida Avenue? I thought it was re-opening as the Mocha Lounge, but apparently, it is becoming the Manchester Bar and Grill. The owners are trying to put some outdoor seating on the sidewalks, and they have repainted (which looks nice). It’s kind of confusing that it did actually re-open as the Mocha Lounge very recently.”

This past Sunday I stopped in and was able to sit in on a chat with owner Darnell Perkins and a couple of very nice Howard University journalists. Darnell cleared up the Manchester Bar and Grill name confusion right away – that was the name that liquor license was listed under but the space will continue to be known as Darnell’s Mocha Lounge or Darnell’s Lounge. And it really does have a lounge atmosphere:

Darnell explained that the space is developing over stages. Currently it is a bar and lounge with live Jazz/R&B on Thursday nights. The second stage will feature coffee options and a small outdoor patio (see photos after jump). Today the space opens at 5pm everyday but starting the first Sunday in May they will open earlier to serve coffee (with wifi available) and a continental breakfast. The third stage will feature proper brunch options. Currently there are some dining options available including wings, salads and mini crab cakes. The space will continue to develop based on recommendations from the neighborhood.

Darnell explained that he sees the space as an extension of his living room. In fact much of the furniture actually comes from his living room. While the space is very comfortable it is sorta broken up into two rooms. In the front room there is a lounge type feel with a big bar (that will serve coffee). In the back room there is another bar that serves alcohol and also has comfortable seating (see photo above). The total occupancy is about 75.

What I liked most about Darnell’s comments were his desire to be welcoming to all. He envisions his spot as a place that brings the whole neighborhood together whether you are black, white, latino, or gay or straight. Given the de facto segregation often seen in some neighborhoods it’s nice to hear about a spot that specifically wishes to cater to all. I certainly look forward to the continued evolution of this great space.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

I suppose I could be opening myself up to claims that I’m culturally insensitive but I don’t care. This sign is awesome. A friend of mine just took it in Olongapo, Philippines.

We saw a rendering of plans to improve the park from DPR a week ago. A few days ago I had the opportunity to listen to some ideas about how to improve the park from Hector of the Tivoli North Business Association. He had some great ideas but one that I thought was particularly interesting was to replicate the triangle park in Adams Morgan on Columbia Road:

We visited the Adams Morgan Market back in Sept. ’08.

In addition to a market there could also be space for musicians and/or artists.

Do you think that type of market could do well at the 14th and Oak Streets, NW Park?

Props to PoPville flickr user dullshick who may have found the most valuable parking spot in town.

The one to the left is my favorite. The plant makes it look like it’s got a fresh hairdo.

and the building ain’t bad either.

This is from Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich, Germany.

“Dear PoP,

Recently I’ve been alley walking – inspired by some of the “judging back of building” posts. And I’d like to propose a new category – garage door (etc) of the day.”

This one is spectacular. I’m a huge fan. Hopefully I’ll pass it one of these days and will take a bigger photo.

It’s a little bit obscured by the branches but this row house has some phenomenal windows.

I wasn’t able to embed the video but you can see the great clip here.

While I haven’t been a huge fan of the pizza, it’s nice to see the space looking 100% better. I’ll have to give them another shot! They’re located at 1334 U St, NW next to some cool murals.

Update: Based on some comments below, I have to change the title to a new Angelico’s location opens on U St. It’s funny because when I went in the store to speak with one of the workers they said it has always been there but just got fixed up. I thought I was losing my mind. I’m glad I wasn’t. And as I said originally it’s nice to see the space looking so much better. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks to @DG_Rad for sending word about this nice renovation going on in the alley of the 700 block of Quebec Place, NW. It def. looks like it’s gonna be sweet. Here’s a close up:

And what it looks like from the front:

After the jump one more small condo bldg whose great name I’d admired but never realized the back so cool. (more…)

Photo from PoPville flickr user Jess J

From MPD 2D Listserv:

“Watch out for the diabetic

About 2:15 pm today [Tuesday], having just returned from some errands, I looked out the back and found a guy opening my car door (I apparently had not locked it). When I asked him what the hell he was doing, his reply was, I’m a diabetic and I need a place to pee. I told him my car was not that place and he headed east in the alley. Since he was clearly casing the area, I called the police as our PSA Officer Zeb said we should. They arrived after about 15 minutes but he was not around. Description: Black man, about 5’8” to 5’10’, shaved head and clean shaven, a few extra pounds, dark slacks, black jacket white shirt.”

Apparently there were a number of incidents around 15th and Caroline and 18th & U NW.

This rental is located at 211 Morgan St, NW:

View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“2br/1ba +HUGE EAT IN KITCHEN &private backyard
BEAUTIFUL STREET!
Newly renovated with everything new or upgraded. Amenities include washer dryer, central air, huge backyard, new floors, storage in basement and new kitchen cabinets.
1.5 blocks from Big Bear cafe. 7 blocks to chinatown, 10 blocks to capital hill. 8 blocks to Georgetown Law School. Short walk to new Safeway and beautiful park”

The reader writes:

“I was wondering if you could do a Good Deal or Not for this rental in Mount Vernon Square? I’m hoping to move into that area with a couple of friends and am wondering what your readers think of both the neighborhood and the $2000 price for a two bedroom, one bath. Do people living in the neighborhood feel like the proximity to Chinatown, CityVista, etc is worth the slightly sketchy feel?”

I’m not sure if the photos are enough to determine whether it’s worth the $2000 per month but I think this neighborhood is a great one and is going to continue to get better. If the area feels slightly sketch, be sure to walk around at various times of the day to see if this is a place where you and your roomates will feel comfortable living.

What do you guys think – does $2000 per month sound reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath?

Photo from PoPville flickr user julianne’s

“Dear PoP,

Do you have any suggestions on places that will take clothes donations? I have a few bags of used but decent clothing that I’d rather donate than toss but every thrift store I’ve tried has turned me away. Any suggestions?”

What about those yellow boxes that are all over town? (On 18th St, NW south of tennis courts, on U St, NW near Vermont, just north of Upshur and west of Georgia Ave in Petworth.)

Who do you guys use?