Park Place apartments retail rumor

By the way... I heard a rumor that 7-Eleven has either backed out or is no longer being offered a lease at the Park Place apartments (on Georgia Ave over the metro stop). I believe the Wells Fargo bank is still slated to open, but no word on the other empty retail space.

I understand that the sale of the building last year by Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund (for $64 million) to TA Realty (paywall link) was predicated upon having long-term leases (hence national chains like 7-Eleven, Dunkin Donuts and Wells Fargo who can afford a long-term lease), so I wonder if another national chain is going to take that spot. Be nice to see local-owned businesses come into those long-empty spots. Kids' clothing store maybe?

We'll see what happens.

Volunteer some time and grab a drink with a veteran

Pic courtesy Friends of the Soldier's Home

The Friends of the Soldier's Home has one of its regular "Saloon Nights" coming up next week, and they're looking for volunteers to join the awesome veterans at the Armed Forced Retirement Home for some drinks, some songs and always a fun time.

I volunteer with the Friends and have attended a Saloon night, and it's a great time drinking, eating, singing and talking with the men and women who live at the AFRH. They're all really interesting to chat with, and it's a guaranteed good time. Plus it's nice to hang out with neighbors. (And hey, if you're a parent of a Creative Minds Charter School child, consider giving back to the AFRH by volunteering with the Friends of the Soldier's Home.)

If you're interested in spending a couple of hours shooting the breeze with retired veterans, considering volunteering with the Friends on September 1st from 6-8pm. Note that you need to be 21 and over to volunteer for this particular event (it is "saloon night" after all...).

To volunteer, send an email to the volunteer coordinator, Lori Lincoln (but only if you're sure you're going to attend). She'll get back to you with details of where to go, etc.

Mark your calendars for upcoming FOSH events!
 - AFRH Resident/Staff Baseball Game on Wednesday, September 9th
 - JINGO for all ages on Thursday, September 17th
 - Happy Hour on Tuesday, September 29th
 - Fall Family Festival on Sunday, October 4th

Discussion with fantasy author Tom Doyle at Petworth Library

(Cover of The Left-Hand Way, courtesy Tom Doyle.)

Author Tom Doyle will be at the Petworth Library to discuss his contemporary fantasy series Wednesday, August 26th at 7pm.

The first book, American Craftsmen, is about two modern magician soldiers who fight their way through the legacies of Poe and Hawthorne as they attempt to destroy an undying evil - and not kill each other first.

In the sequel, The Left-Hand Way, the craftsmen are hunters and hunted in a global race to save humanity from a new occult threat out of America’s past. 

Come by to talk with the author and support your local Library!

Elevator rehab at Georgia Ave-Petworth Metro

If you're a fan of the elevator at the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metro station, it's going to be "rehabilitated." (I'm assuming that means a replacement or at least an update to include air fresheners...)

According to an email from Ann Chisholm at WMATA, the elevator will be out of service on August 25th until December 2015. 

Shuttle service can be arranged by calling 202-962-1825. 

Here's hoping they get all the escalators fixed before August 25th. 

(h/t Commissioner Zach Teutsch)

Image courtesy of Raymond Bryson.