Jason Morgan and his partner Brendan Harrington told Metro Weekly that they'd just put their food on the conveyor belt when they heard their check-out person say something awful: "Oh God, they're faggots."

Understandably, Harrington was taken aback. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said," he replied. The couple says the homophobic employee only got bolder: "You guys are fucking faggots."

Morgan and Harrington left their groceries where they were, went to the store's management, and later filed a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights, Metro Weekly says.

Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells heard about the story and confronted Safeway, eliciting an apology:

We extend our sincerest apologies to Mr. Morgan and Mr. Harrington for the completely unacceptable comments by our employee. Safeway employs and serves people from all backgrounds, and absolutely does not condone discrimination or intolerance of any kind by any staff member.  The company is reviewing the matter and will take appropriate corrective action.

There's a video that purportedly shows the clerk herself apologizing. A slight smile plays on her lips, though that could just be embarrassment. In any event, the mea culpa is a half-assed one, "I'm deeply sorry for if it offended him in any type of way."

Safeway spokesperson Craig Muckle says Safeway has tried to contact Morgan and Harrington to issue a "direct apology" to them, but haven't been able to reach them. As for the employee, she's being investigated, says Muckle. If the couple decides to return to Safeway, they don't have to worry about running into her, Muckle explains. "She's not in the store," he says. The cashier no longer has "contact with customers."

Muckle says he can't clarify whether she's been suspended or fired for legal reasons.

Update: Safeway has informed Wells that the cashier was fired.

Photo by Daquella manera via Flickr/Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0

Hine Times: The Eastern Market Metro Community Association has deigned several elements critical to the redevelopment of Hine Elementary School, as Stanton-EastBanc seeks the approval of the Historic Preservation Review Board. The five priorities of the neighborhood are: "1) Keep 8th Street free of retail, 2) limit residential buildings to R4 zoning and 40 foot heights, 3) limit the north building to residential use only, 4) protect resident’s National Environment Policy Act compliance rights regarding noise studies and other environmental impacts, and 5) provide an opportunity for wider community engagement, including construction of a three-dimensional model (in community context) that can be put on public view for comment and questions." The third point is the stickiest; one commenter declares, "This is NIMBYISM. This is on a six lane thoroughfare across from the metro. There is no reason to keep this small or to micromanage the hell out of this project. If you want retail on Barracks Row and in this area you need more people – you need density."

Don't Fill It Up: A member of the MPD-1D email list, which serves downtown, Southwest, and parts of Capitol Hill, asks, "This morning, I found the gas cap cover on my car open and the lock mechanism broken. I'm wondering if you had any thoughts on whether this was just a random act of vandalism? or have gas prices brought gas siphoning back into fashion, i.e. has gas become a "valuable" that it's no longer safe to leave in one's parked car?" An MPD official responded, "While I cannot say for certain that this was a random act of vandalism, I can say that there have been no reported cases of gas siphoning," while another list member thinks that "gas siphoning go on the uprise everytime gas prices go above $3.50 a gallon."

The Angry Neighbors: The Georgetown Metropolitan goes long on the changes made to the Georgetown University campus plan. But the biggest change of all might be that GU is totally over pandering to the neighborhood and has decided to appeal to a higher power: "GM doesn’t believe these changes have anything to do with trying to appease the neighbors. That’s not going to happen. GM believes, however, that these changes are about appeasing the Office of Planning. From what GM hears, if OP comes down on the side of the neighbors, GU will be facing a steep uphill climb to get a plan anything like what they proposed." There's a lot stacked against GU, and it seems as if the town-gown battle will only get uglier.

Jazz Hands: HR-57, the venerable jazz institution formerly located in the U Street NW corridor, is making its debut on H Street NE this weekend. The club's soft opening is tonight at 9 p.m., reports Frozen Tropics. Capitol Bop has more details. The best news of all? It's still BYOB.

Parking Fairies: From the Bloomingdale blog comes an announcement by a local resident who has convened a "parking focus group" because, "...CM Thomas and Dr. Johnson expressed that they wanted to empower members of the community to take charge and address some of the concerns and issues within their own communities. Parking was noted as one of the prevalent issues." Though the post contains no word on what kind of problems and solutions will be addressed at the upcoming April 7 community meeting with a DDOT official, a commenter is already concerned: "Why do you have to hate on the positive growth the community is showing? These businesses are building a stronger community – shouldn't you be proud to live in a community that has such fine neighborhood businesses?" Or, maybe this'll just be Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.'s chance to promote his fondness for Sunday morning angle parking.

Harbor Ferries: American River Taxi began its operation quietly last year, but Southwest...The Little Quadrant That Could reports that the company could be making more of a splash during its 2011 season. Per its website, "Water Taxi stops include Georgetown / Washington Harbor Landing, The Wharf : Main Landing at Gangplank Marina, and The Yards / Nationals Stadium Landing (Diamond Teague Terminal). The travel time between stops ranges from 20 to 35 minutes, following the current government speed regulations on the river." Reportedly, more stops ("Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, Poplar Point, and Reagan National Airport") will be added, too. If you're not excited, at least former DDOT director Gabe Klein is.

JBG, Sowing: The Washington Business Journal reports that developer JBG is boosting its investment portfolio in the U Street corridor by "assembling and bidding" for several historic buildings in the area. In response to the posting of the article on the U Street News email list, a resident says, "This will be interesting. Development on the Metro Parcels were stalemated up for about 4 years has CM Graham battled to pay-to-play the Metro sites to his team LaKritz-Alder and the Fenty administration to Banneker Development. Now we have JBG who has the muscle but little [track] record in non-downtown neighborhoods." This news complements last week's Housing Complex column, wherein "developer farms" were discussed as a good thing for neighborhoods.

Scurlockian: Left for LeDroit continues to explore the archives of photographer Addison Scurlock with jaunts into the neighborhood's past. Featured recently: 7th and T streets NW in 1939 and after the 1968 riots, and Ethical Pharmacy—which occupied the building that will host the forthcoming Shaw's Tavern.

Gradually Sucking Less: Capitol Hill-based D.C. Crank Tank gives a nod to the CVS on 12th and E streets SE for its attempts to look less like a sterile chain and more like, you know, a welcoming community shop: The location has put up a nice-looking mural, possibly affiliated with the elementary school across the street. Also noted: "D.C. CVS stores are also notable for opening up to the street, and if not that, then at least supplying interesting historical photos of the neighborhoods they reside in.They still kind of suck to shop in. But at least they are easier on the eyes." (Speaking of CVS, we said the best reason to go, when you really need to restock on toothpaste, was the advent of self-checkouts.)

American Water: Southwest...The Little Quadrant That Could has all the details on this Saturday's Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, a big event for the community that, this year, is being run in collaboration with the Hoffman-Madison Waterfront team, who will be redeveloping the neighborhood. There's a whole slew of events on Saturday, from Potomac River cruises to face-painting; this year's festival will be the largest yet, and is a dry run for next year's, which will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the District's receiving its famous cherry trees from Japan.

People on the Streets: The Brightwoodian has everything nice to say about Art Under Pressure, a recently-opened business on Georgia Avenue: "Youth- and education-focused; one of the proprietors is Cory Stowers, the artistic director of Words Beats & Life. ("I need to see that 3.0," Stowers was saying to a group of eager young graffiti writers when I was visiting.) Stowers aims to nurture young graffiti writers and help them to develop marketable skills through their artwork." There's more plans for the space, including a print shop, which will hold printmaking classes, and a tattoo studio. Art Under Pressure's grand opening will be April 22.

Where Art Thou, Pennsylvania Avenue? The members of the East of the River listserv have been playing with David Alpert's redistricting game (still fun, a few days later!) and discussing their decisions. Whether Ward 8 should cross the Anacostia River, or Pennsylvania Avenue, or both has dominated the conversation. Something's got to give—Wards 7 and 8 both need to grow in the coming redistricting process. Writes one member, "I will say this, up front, Ward 8 should NOT cross Pennsylvania Avenue. That is a border that makes sense. If Ward 8 needs to expand, move UP, NOT ACROSS Pennsylvania Ave." Another agrees, and adds, "I do agree with councilmember Barry that [Ward 8] should cross the Anacostia River."

1500 Maine Avenue, SW.   © 2011 Matt Dunn

The Southwest Safeway is part of a test program for quality assurance.

Stop by the Safeway on 4th Street SW, and prepare to show some paper. Employees are now inspecting customers' receipts on the way out of the store—part of a "quality assurance" initiative from Safeway's upper management that's been soundly greeted with distaste.

The blog Southwest...the Little Quadrant That Could reports that at a Monday meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D, commissioners questioned Safeway representatives and called the move degrading—arguing that it is less about customer service than keeping watch for shoplifting. A nearly unanimous commission then voted to send a letter to Safeway management "expressing their dismay with the new policy," according to the blog; the letter also requests that Safeway institute the initiative at a "non-urban store."

Reached by City Desk, Craig Muckle, a Safeway manager for public affairs and government relations, explains that the Waterfront Station store was chosen for the program—which Muckle stresses is a pilot program—because of its strong management team. Also, the branch has the highest volume of customers in the District. "If it can be done there, it can be done anywhere," Muckle says. Well, not quite anywhere: Muckle says that if the program is successful, Safeway hopes to expand it to other municipalities that have a bag tax. (Which for now, is just D.C. and, if the state passes such a law, Maryland.)

As for the complaints? "We've heard several complains and it's been minimal. I know because we have ways of checking our records," Muckle asserts.

He may be right: It seems not everyone feels disrespected by the receipt checks. One commenter on Southwest...the Little Quadrant That Could writes:

I was one of the original posters who voiced my strong opposition to the receipt check – before I even stepped foot in the store. After a few visits I really don't mind. The receipt checkers are extremely friendly and approachable. Lastly, it's nice to hear "have a blessed day" upon leaving.

Photo by Flickr user Mr T. in D.C., Attribution-No Derivative 2.0 Generic license.

"An overcast Sunday morning brought surprises to the Southwest Fish Market which was flooded by high water on the Washington Channel today. The roadway on East Potomac Park/Hains Point was also partially flooded. Workers at the market did their best to install temporary wooded paths to the market stalls, which were still open and filled with seafood. By early afternoon, the water had retreated, and it was business as usual at the market."

The AP reports "soggy" conditions elsewhere in the northeast.

After the jump: hoops news, etc.

Big local hoops news. The Hoyas earned the 3rd seed in the midwest region and will face Ohio in the first round. The team got a raw deal having to play in the midwest as they face the most stacked region in the tournament with Kansas, the number one overall seed, in that region along with the Terps (the fourth seed), Michigan State, Tennessee and Ohio State. The Hoyas should have gotten a two seed in the east region!!!

Someone please explain to me how Duke ended up a No. 1 seed in the tournament.

In other hoops news, DeMatha beat Ballou in the "Abe Pollin City Title Game."

And finally, Howard Kurtz made an ass of himself on CNN.

Dee Does The District doesn't appreciate a sad bit of race baiting reported from the marathon hearing on the DCPS teacher layoffs.

Harry Potter and the Urban School Nightmare despairs over their students' poor attendance. They write:

"Our school's enrollment is down, and attendance is lower than I've ever seen it. When I first started at my school, I routinely had between 25 and 30 students in my class each day. Now, I'm lucky if I get 12. Today, less than half of my students were in class, and last week the average was 55%. Now, the kids who are there every day are learning like FIENDS, but at this rate 45% of my kids are going to fail. So what gives?"

DC Teacher Chic reports from her classroom a new trend—the working lunch. They write:

"This past week, I welcomed my students into my classroom / office space to eat their lunches. At first, it started because a few students were finishing assessments while eating their lunches (so as not to miss further instruction). To say the students loved the idea is an understatement. In the days following, my working lunches have blossomed from four students to seven, with several more students showing interest in attending next week."

Borderstan reports property crimes and violent crimes were up in September according to the latest crime stats: "Total crime (both violent and property crimes) for the  month of September 2009 in the Borderstan crime area¹ is 27% higher than in September 2008 and 61% higher than September 2007." The blog has maps and stats.

The 42 does not miss the Real World folks. But if you do miss the cameras or the realty competition shows, the blog knows what film crews are coming next.

And Now, Anacostia admires some new display windows on MLK.

Southwest...The Little Quadrant That Could has an update on Arena Stage's redevelopment.

*photo by Darrow Montgomery

In addition to the new Safeway coming to Georgetown, the go-to D.C. grocery chain is planning similar overhauls at the Southwest Waterfront and Petworth.

At the Waterfront, preliminary work is under way for the new store, which will go up behind the current building near the Metro. When completed in 2011, the old store will be demolished. And, much to the delight of the lunch-starved masses, it will have an enhanced deli with sandwiches made to order.

Petworth's store on Georgia Avenue NW will follow a model similar to what's going on in Georgetown—a new, expanded store will go up where the existing store stands. That means the old store will close at some point. Also, parking will be moved below ground. The space occupied by the current parking lot will be added to the footprint of the new store, taking it from about 20,000 square feet to about 55,000 square feet. Safeway spokesman Craig Muckle says Petworth's plans are not as far along as the Waterfront's and hesitated to give a projected completion date. "I don't have a good sense right now, but I'd say ballpark will be sometime in 2011. It won't be next year, I can tell you that," he says.

Meanwhile, demo is slightly behind schedule at the Social Safeway, which closed last Sunday and will remain closed for nine or 10 months. Knock-down will happen "in the next couple of weeks," says Muckle, who had previously stated it was going to happen right after the store closed. "I'm not going to call anybody out," he says, on why it's taking longer than planned, but added Safeway is going forward with an "aggressive" plan to open the new store by March 2010.

Renovations are also coming to Columbia Road. Adams Morgan's Safeway will stay open during its facelift. Despite the empty storefronts adjacent to the cramped store, there are no plans to expand. "We weren't able to work anything out," says Muckle.

Yesterday, the Washington Post printed some very obvious news to anyone who's been on South Cap. Street in the past year: Nationals Park hasn't sparked much revitalizing in Southwest. The city spent $1 billion in infrastructure upgrades and developers have made huge holes in the ground and left a lot of buildings still vacant.

As the article states, District residents weren't just sold a new stadium paid for with public dollars. No. As an old story noted, they were sold the "Stadium District"–a full-service community of new retail and new museums and new parks. The city hasn't come close to a Stadium District. Last week, Fisher wrote about the missing neighborhood as well.

What spilled forth in Sunday's A1 article was a lot of excuse making on the part of city officials and developers.

My favorite:

"It just so happens that implementation is occurring during the worst economic downturn in recent history. So things are going to struggle a little bit," said Neil O. Albert, the District's deputy mayor for economic development.

Really? This effort had been planned for years–long before the recession and banking collapse. The reasons Nationals Park hasn't revitalized the neighborhood are too numerous. But let me try.

*The city took too long fighting and underestimating the old tenants they had to boot to make way for the stadium. There is still a lot of concern over stadium funding and revenue from the games. Councilmember David Catania has said that the city's financial wiz Natwar Gandhi has been basically wrong on everything concerning stadium-related money. As LL reported (in the above link):

"Catania says he has no faith in the latest ballpark numbers—an attitude, he says, informed by history. 'Tell me one thing [Gandhi]’s been right on,' he says. 'He’s been wrong on attendance, wrong on revenue, wrong on environmental remediation, wrong on land.'"

*The city and the Nationals spent most of last season fussing with vendors. So while there were plenty of vacant spaces, vendors fought the city and the team over where they can set up shop and how many could set up shop. This fight dragged on and on and only ended up hurting the one group of people who seemed ready and willing to set up shop near the ballpark. The vendor fight went all the way to D.C. Superior Court.

*The stadium's construction hurt a lot of older tenants when it came to higher property taxes, etc. While new buildings went up without tenants, the old ones got squeezed. One new apartment building wasted a lot of goodwill over a battle with its tenants. The fight was over parking spaces in its garage.

*In March 2007, the Lerners completed construction on a building at 20 M Street SE. After two years, they only have one tenant. Long before the economy collapsed, they couldn't fill their own building.

*The Lerners are trying to make Peter Angelos look good. The Nats owners wasted their first season in the new ballpark refusing to pay rent on the ugly thing. Meanwhile, they fielded a crummy team. At a time when people were just starting to talk about this season, the Nats GM Jim Bowden resigned over allegations of skimming from contract bonus of Latin American players.

*Even the Post's critic hated the stadium's look.

*Nationals Park made history as one of the worst attended new stadiums ever.

*The Lerners and private companies built way too many parking lots.

*The city depended on private developers to pay for other projects. When the private development started failing, projects got stalled.

*Last year, I wrote a silly little blog item wondering about how housing prices could be so high just because the homes were located near Nationals Park. I noted that the surrounding area hadn't quite developed:

"The neighborhood surrounding the ballpark hasn’t changed all that much. It’s still mechanic shops and liquor stores. Aside from the ballpark, the new amenities include a Subway sandwich shop, a Starbucks, and a Five Guys. Those things are all great. Who doesn’t want to eat fresh? Who doesn’t like a super strong cup of coffee? Who can’t resist a juicy burger? But still–$579,000 for a town house?"

I was hammered by Matthew Yglesias for being short-sighted. Looks like I turned out to be right. A Five Guys and a Starbucks still doesn't mean economic development. And a future of skyline of yuppie Lofts is not happening in the near future. What scares me is supposed liberals like Yglesias and neighborhood boosters like JDland are really pining for those Lofts.

JDLand has a personal stake in the revitalization of the neighborhood. It drives traffic to her blog. It makes her feel better. Whatever. JDLand's blog is practically an ad for these new Loft and premo apartment towers. I wonder if she's ever noted the displacement of all those low-income tenants from Arthur Capper? I wonder if she cares what happens to the residents of James Creek who live directly across from the stadium?

So far the discussion concerning the ballpark is all about: when are those lofts coming, when will they be filled with tenants? I hope the discussion turns into a broader one that includes not just the new tenants but the displaced tenants as well. And all the ones that feel left behind to deal with all those empty lots.

*photo by Darrow Montgomery.

Frozen Tropics reports on some Catholic University architecture students who are studying H Street transportation. Next study topic: Benning Road. Please. Study it.

Southwest...The Little Quadrant That Could eyes some projects that may benefit from Obama's stimulus package. And there's some news about a new design for the South Cap bridge.

River East Idealist gets R.E.E.L.

Borderstan polls folks on whether 15th Street NW should have two-way traffic. We took on this issue a while ago.

D.C. Foodies takes a trip to the Falls Church farmers market. You decide if its worth the ride out there.

Good morning, City Desk readers. The holiday season is officially over, and that means we here at City Paper are again ready to spend all our time serving the needs of DC's Urban Explorers. And now for some news:

• Geopolitical scientist Samuel P. Huntington died last week. Jonah Goldberg wrote an interesting sendoff for the Los Angeles Times.
• Southwest...The Little Quadrant that Could posts the top SW stories of 2008.
• The Prince of Petworth asks a pretty decent Friday question: What's your favorite foreign film?
• In Shaw (AHGB)'s Mari posts a year-end essay about the good, the bad, and the gentrified.
• The DCeiver got hold of the Annotated Inaugural Advisory, and warns, "You will not in any way be through the security checkpoint by the time the program begins, because the security checkpoint will be a storied clusterfuck."
• Theater News: Studio Theatre's Grey Gardens has been extended (again) to January 11. Woolly Mammoth's How Theater Failed America opens January 7.

Get on with yourselves.

Photo by Flickr user ajagendorf25