RSS FeedThe PQ Is My Venice Beach (In Disguise)
I used to live the quintessential California lifestyle on the southern edge of Venice Beach, but weekends in the PQ remind me I don’t have to travel 2689 miles to get a familiar urban flavor. During my Cali days, being a consultant meant I could be a beach bum a few days a week leaving plenty of time to walk, jog or rollerblade along the Pacific coast through the funky, artsy community of Venice Beach. Those weekend jaunts up Ocean Front Walk opened a door on the diversity of Los Angeles’ urban life – artists, vendors, bums, musicians, nightlife, diners lingering at outdoor cafes and people representing every race coming together in one festive mixing bowl. When I go on foot for Saturday outings around the PQ, I see an ode to that Cali sensibility everywhere. It’s not obvious at first but let me run the tally for you… Continue Reading >>
Incident Last Night Around The Verizon Center (6th St NW)
There is a small discussion going on in the Chinatown Heartache post regarding a police response to some crime in the vicinity of the Verizon Center last night. I personally saw a police presence on 6th St NW at about 9pm, so I emailed Commander Groomes to ask what went on. here is her info:
There was a subject placed under arrest originally for robbery for a female reported a male subject snatched her phone but it was revealed that this suspect who knew the complainant asked permission to use the phone and was granted but then refused to return it – thus placed under arrest for theft – Officer Spears of ALU handled arrest –it went without incident
Now you know!
Personal Space
When I think of private social clubs, I think of wingback chairs and gentlemen smoking cigars and sipping Johnny Walker Black. But The Space, Washington’s newest members-only club, looks more like a hip SoHo loft than a stuffy old library.
Space, at N and 9th Streets across from the Convention Center just north of the PQ, is an establishment that embraces exclusivity but defies convention. Tastefully decorated with white brick walls, unfinished floors and a modern charm, Space looks effortlessly chic. Sipping my $10 Grey Goose and Tonic, I drink in the aura of cool that seems to permeate the air. I feel smarter, prettier and more refined. I suppose private clubs have that effect on people.
Space is currently open to the public, but this glimpse into the world of the posh and private won’t last for long. The club will be going members-only at an undisclosed future date, and is now accepting applications for membership, though the entire process is shrouded in mystery. The operators ask prospective members to submit an application, photo and credit card number. But neither my tour guide, nor the patron beside me, would disclose how much it might be charged. It seems that at The Space, intrigue is part of the package.
Chinatown Heartache
On the front page of today’s WaPo Metro section, an article reports on the heartache between two citizens’ groups within the Chinese community, the Chinatown Steering Committee (with close ties to the Chinatown Cultural Center in Gallery Place) and the Chinatown Revitalization Council. Cited in the article is the Mass Ave project courtesy of Kingdon Gould [WaPo graphic] that Penn Quarter Living reported on earlier this summer. After visiting this article, two questions come to mind to this blogger: who speaks for the Chinese community and what does Chinatown represent for the Chinese community?