When a Tree Falls in Shaw

Looking out my front door July 23, 2009 3:10 pm.



























The 20 foot + tall crepe myrtle in full bloom was no match for the afternoon storm.


























Was it lightning?

























Photos: Roy Omar Alexander

The Real World DC--Please Take My House!

Dear MTV "The Real World" Producers:

It seems like the worst kept secret in DC is finally official-- the 23rd season of "The Real World" will start shooting in DC in a Dupont Circle house around June 20th.

DC is hardly known to be the World Capital of Good Behavior but with all the screaming and protests from your neighbors, you would think MTV was planning to host "Tila Tequila's Shot of the Dallas Cowboys" on S St instead of another edition of the creaky coming-of-age egofest.

There are anti "Real World" blogs and community meetings to express concern over this drunken invasion and now rumors abound that the cast is afraid to come to DC. Isn't this a bit of an overreaction to a show that everyone claims to have stopped watching years ago?

Here's my solution: move into my dilapidated retro house.


First of all I don't live in Dupont Circle. DUPONT CIRCLE? Seriously? That would be a great location for "The Real World 1982" but this is 2009, the Reagans are no longer in the White House and MTV doesn't play music any more.

Shaw is where it is at. Shaw, baby. U Street. Center of the Obama celebrations. In other words, my neighborhood. Where you can still walk home at 9:00 am in your underwear and people barely give you a glance.

The Real World Shaw!

Would you rather film a house member hysterically breaking up via Twitter with that nice guy back home who doesn't under the stress she is under at Connecticut Avenue's Anne Taylor's Loft or at the gay sports bar Nellies? Johnny Rockets or Ben's Chili Bowl? Chipotle or Dukems? Red Line or Green Line? Are these really questions that have to be answered? What, are you drunk? Oh wait, of course you are!

That fake-ass job for the house members that was added a few seasons back? I have my "Recession Garden" the group can pretend to work between blackouts and fights. Toilet in a small. cramped enclosure with a door to hide behind when whispering amongst each other about who in the house might be a tranny? Got it!

Dirty, viral infected hot tub?

Check.

Underutilized exercise equipment?

Yep.

Aquarium? Well I have a leaky roof. If this rain continues...yeah.

So Producers, stop dealing with the Dupont Circle hysteria and slosh your way over to my place where general douchery, bad decor and questionable decorum has reigned for years. The neighbors are already used to my guests hurling into the bushes and god knows there has been enough alcohol purchased at the Whitelaw Market on the way to my house over the years to sink even Ruthie's liver.

Oh and one more thing, like "The Real World Brooklyn" this cast will have 8 members not the usual 7. I am staying to chaperon the feuds, hookups and the over-the-top examinations of lives not yet worth examining. I've learned the hard way what happens when you rent to people under the age of 26 who stop being polite and start getting real.

Regards,

Herb

Buffalo Thunder in Shaw 2009

Each year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, hundreds of members of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Clubs from around the country rally at the African American Civil War Memorial in Shaw to lay a wreath at the Memorial's Wall of Honor which lists the names of 200,000 + African American troops who served in the Civil War. The clubs are named in honor of the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, which were comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers, who first served in the U.S. Army during peacetime after the Civil War.

A couple of hours of inspiring speakers, pageantry, music, costumes and house-shaking noise from hundreds of motorbikes, so what was missing? Well mostly the neighborhood. Sadly I was one of a handful non-club members present. The rally was held at the plaza at top of one of the U Street Metro exits but still the reaction of people arriving to the surface was a blase "Oh, look hundreds of bikers. Now which way to Ben's?"

So I represented. And darn well!

This rally appropriately takes place in Shaw since the neighborhood is named for Robert Gould Shaw (October 10, 1837-July 1863) who was the commander of the all African American 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry which entered the Civil War in 1863. Col. Shaw and his troops were the subject of 1989 film "Glory." After the cermony the Buffalo soldiers queued up and rode to the Mall to join the better known "Rolling Thunder: Ride for Freedom."

One of the costumed ushers























The Buffalo Soldiers arrive!















Most are wearing the black and gold club colors







































Bikes lined up on Vermont during the ceremony




















The laying of the Wreath Ceremony













After the ceremony, the bikers head to the Mall.










Copy of the General Order 143 "Establishing the U.S. Colored Troops" that was handed out to the crowd: (click to enlarge)

Three Degrees of Separation--"Sex and the City The Movie" and Shaw!

1. DC Neighborhood Shaw is named for Robert Gould Shaw, who was the white commander of the all African American 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry which entered the Civil War in 1863. Col. Shaw and his troops were the subject of 1989 film "Glory."

2. Actor Matthew Broderick played Col. Shaw in "Glory" and is married to actress Sarah Jessica Parker.

3. Sarah Jessica Parker is a producer of and is reprising her Emmy winning role as Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City the Movie."

"Sex and the City the Movie" opens May 30.
















Shaw remains open 24 X 7.

Buffalo Thunder in Shaw!

The Mall may have Rolling Thunder on Memorial Day but our own DC neighborhood Shaw hosts a pre-rally event, "Buffalo Thunder" each year at the African American Civil War Memorial.

Prior to heading down to the Mall, hundreds of members of the Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Clubs from around the country lay a wreath at the Memorial's Wall of Honor which lists the names of 200,000 + African American troops who served in the Civil War. The clubs are named to honor and ensure the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, which was comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers, who first served in the U.S. Army during peacetime after the Civil War.

Once the Westward movement had begun after the War, prominent among those blazing treacherous trails of the Wild West were the Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Army. These African Americans were charged with and responsible for escorting settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews.

Throughout the era of the Indian Wars, approximately twenty percent of the U.S. Cavalry troopers were black, and they fought over 177 engagements. The combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness, and looks on the battlefield, inspired the Indians to call them "Buffalo Soldiers." Many Indians believe the name symbolized the Native American's respect for the Buffalo Soldiers' bravery and valor. Buffalo Soldiers, down through the years, have worn the name with pride.

This rally appropriately takes place in Shaw since the neighborhood is named for Robert Gould Shaw (October 10, 1837-July 1863) who was the commander of the all African American 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry which entered the Civil War in 1863. Col. Shaw and his troops were the subject of 1989 film "Glory."

The Clubs line up on Vermont Avenue waiting for the signal to begin the trek to the Mall.
















Black and gold are the official club colors of the day.

















Normally quiet T Street vibrates as hundreds of bikers thunder by!

A Little Chix Zen in DC!

Reasons You May Want to Go:

The environmentally responsible owners

The 100% natural, free range antibiotic-free, hormone-free chicken

The biodegradable packaging and utensils

The organic side dishes

Reasons You Will Go:

The cool chix-zen vibe

The tasty rotisserie chicken (3 kinds)

The hearty simmered black beans

The church supper comfort of the noodles and cheese

The wraps, bowls and salads

The friendly staff

"Eat responsibly" is their motto. Eating well is the result! Go now before the lines start stretching down 11th St for this quick casual restaurant!


chix
2019 11th St NW
Washington, DC
202-234-chix (2449)

Logan U St Shaw 14th St

Signs of Gentrification Shaw Style!

When you call Shaw home, you become one with the beautiful, mysterious, glamorous, fabulousness of life in the best neighborhood in the City.














Ecologically sensitive "Green" renovations

























Expansive windows stretching almost wall-to-wall in most units with translucent-weave roll shades and drapery pockets.





















Linger in the beautifully landscaped courtyard


























Pets allowed














Quiet serene neighborhoods




















Lobby entrance affords a view of court yard and a dramatic, sweeping curved wall

























Molteni modular closet systems throughout the units




















Trivia: Three Degrees of Separation to "Sex in the City" Actress?

























Credits:

Photos: JessiCub
Text: Washington Post Real Estate Section and websites
Dog: Brandi