PoP PSA – Clean Your Britta Pitchers!!!

02 September 2010 1:30 PM |Random | 2 Comments

Back in 2003 (I think it was 2003) I got one of those letters from WASA (now DC Water) about lead in the drinking water. I immediately got a britta and even the city mailed out free filters for the following 6 months or so. Anyway, it has come to my attention that even if you just use your britta pitcher for water it still has to be cleaned! It never occurred to me. Well the bottom of my pitcher was filled with black mold. Yeah, I’ve switched to the system that hooks straight onto the faucet…

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Good Deal or Not? “rich w/ period charm & elegance” edition

02 September 2010 1:00 PM |Good Deal or Not?, Real Estate - Dupont Circle | 4 Comments

This home is located at 1700 Q St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Stately Victorian Mansion rich w/ period charm & elegance. Manicured flower gardens, w/ statuary, fountains, iron fencing, & carved stonework. Grand Entry Hall w/ Marble FP & staircase boast original wood crown moldings. Huge Eat-in Kitchen, w/ granite island, FP, & private terrace. Basement app w/ FP, W & D. Needs TLC, but can be great again.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Dang, here’s another house over $1 million this week but I thought it was gonna be a condo and when I saw the pictures I had to see what you guys thought. I know there are many who dig the historical details. Well what do you think of this one? This 5 bed/5 bath is a short sale going for $1,500,000. What do you think it should/will actually go for?

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YES! Organic Market Opens in Ward 8

02 September 2010 12:30 PM |grocery stores | 4 Comments

Thanks to a reader for sending in the photo. Ed. Note: I fully reserve the right to make this photo of Mayor Fenty and CM Marion Barry the caption contest pick for next week… The reader writes:

“Heres a pic I snapped at the grand opening of the YES Organic Market on Pennsylvania Ave in SE (Ward 8). Here is a tender moment of Fenty & Marion Barry who Fenty introduced as “Mayor for life”. They went on to say it was a 26 million dollar project of mixed use retail with parking and affordable housing (above) to promote access to healthy food. Politics in an election year make for interesting moments.

Its exciting to have new development nearby, I’m in Ward 7 in Hillcrest. They said they plan to do more of these, but we just wonder how well it will work?”

From a press release:

The first organic grocery store to open East of the Anacostia River, Yes! Organic Market is committed to making fresh produce and healthy food affordable to the diverse demographic of families in the surrounding neighborhoods. The store is accepting supplemental nutrition assistance benefits (SNAP) and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program vouchers.

The Yes! Organic Market is nestled in a new building with 118 rental units of affordable housing that opened in June. The units are slated for residents who earn 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less. The building, also known as the Grays on Pennsylvania, is owned by Chapman Development, headed by Timothy Chapman. Mr. Chapman and Yes! Organic Market owner Gary Cha have entered into an agreement to pursue five additional projects to develop multi-use buildings with affordable multi-family housing and a Yes! Organic Market in underserved areas within the District.

The DMPED awarded Yes! Organic Market with a $900,000 Great Streets grant. The project also received support from the District’s Supermarket Tax Credit program. The store created a total of 30 jobs; 25 of which are filled by District residents. All but one of the residents reside in either ward 7 or 8; the remaining resident lives in ward 5.

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Judging Restaurants/Bars – The Brickskeller

02 September 2010 12:00 PM |Bars, Restaurants - Dupont Circle | 32 Comments

The Brickskeller is located at 1523 22nd St NW. I was talking to some folks about beer recently and the Brickskeller came up. I hadn’t been in years but always thought they had a pretty good reputation. The folks I was talking to couldn’t disagree more. So what do you guys think – good spot for beer? For food? How’s the service?

You can see their beer list here and their their menu here.

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North Columbia Heights Green Taking Shape

02 September 2010 11:30 AM |Development, Neighborhoods - Columbia Heights, parks | 8 Comments

I’ve been getting a few emails from folks about the development in the alley behind 11th St, NW b/w Lamont and Park. This is the North Columbia Heights Green that we spoke about a while ago. It has really progressed nicely. The Washington Parks folks write:

“After extensive challenges with dumping, engineering, permits, and debris removal, the North Columbia Heights Green project is now at last completing Phase II, with new grading and fencing now all in place. Now comes the fun part– installing the gardens and site furnishings! We have an exciting Fall ahead toward the implementation of our sustainable Green for the community.”

Also some parking spots were added:

And the future green space has been defined:

This is an amazing improvement! More details and a rendering after the jump. More… »

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2 More Big Groundbreakings – O St Market and Howard Theater

02 September 2010 11:00 AM |Development, Neighborhoods - Shaw | 5 Comments

A few readers note that there are two more huge groundbreakings that took place this week. A few weeks ago I posed a FQotD asking which projects will have the biggest impact on their surrounding communities (most voted O St. Market and McMillian Filtration Site).

Yesterday we finally saw the O St. Market break ground. We learned that, “The first phase of construction – to be completed in 2013 – will include the new Giant store, 395 apartments, a 190-room hotel and 500 parking spaces. The second phase of construction will bring 80 units of affordable housing for seniors and a 130-unit condominium building.”

Full press release:

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today joined officials from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Valerie Santos and the Shaw community to break ground on a long-awaited 1 million square foot development expected to bring vital economic opportunities to the neighborhood in the form of commercial, hotel and housing space.

“Shaw is one of the District’s revered historic communities,” said Mayor Fenty. “My administration is committed to investing in development that extends economic opportunities into our most cherished neighborhoods.”

Shaw residents have long called for the redevelopment of the O Street Market area. The Fenty administration committed $35 million in tax increment financing (TIF) and $2.5 million in predevelopment funds for the project.

Situated on two blocks between 7th and 9th Streets and O and P Streets, NW, the CityMarket at O project will include more than 87,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and more than 600 units of residential and affordable housing. First constructed in 1881, the historic O Street Market will be reconstructed and incorporated into a new 71,000 square foot Giant Food Store.

CityMarket at O will have major economic benefits for the surrounding community, producing up to 390 full time jobs and up to 500 construction jobs. The Roadside Development team has given over a quarter of a million dollars back to the neighborhood in the form of scholarships, donations and amenities to local resident programs. Additionally, both Roadside Development and Giant have committed to recruiting and hiring Shaw residents for CityMarket at O.

The first phase of construction – to be completed in 2013 – will include the new Giant store, 395 apartments, a 190-room hotel and 500 parking spaces. The second phase of construction will bring 80 units of affordable housing for seniors and a 130-unit condominium building.

“This project represents true collaboration between the community and the public and private sectors,” said Deputy Mayor Santos. “The creation of a great new grocery store as part of this exciting mixed-use development demonstrates the District’s commitment to increasing resident access to quality retail across all of our neighborhoods.”

And this morning at 10:30am there was a groundbreaking for the Howard Theater at 620 T Street, NW. Council Member Graham tells us:

” The Howard Theatre Restoration Foundation and the Howard Theatre Community Committee will announce the year-long, $28-million restoration tomorrow at 10:45 in front of the Howard Theatre.

Council Member Graham has fought for more than a decade to get the Howard Theatre restored. Over his entire term he has gotten passed millions in grant appropriations and tax incentives culminating in a partnership with Ellis Development. The new Howard Theatre will include a museum, banquet hall and the most technologically advanced acoustic and video recording equipment. The theatre is scheduled to be fully restored by November 2011.

The concrete base covering the original façade of the Howard Theatre is in the process of being removed exposing the original exterior for the first time in decades.”

A great week for Shaw!

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New Taylor Gourmet Deli Opens in Bethesda Today

02 September 2010 10:30 AM |Uncategorized | 9 Comments


Photo courtesy of Taylor Gourmet

Building on the success of their H St, NE and Mt. Vernon Square locations, Taylor Gourmet is looking to see if their success will travel to Bethesda. The shop opens today at 11am at 7280 Woodmont Avenue.

Given their success I’m sure this won’t be my last announcement of a new Taylor Gourmet, I’m crossing my fingers for a U St, NW location one day! I just hope, eventually, I fall within their delivery borders


Photo courtesy of Taylor Gourmet

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Horse’s Ass Award Nominee – 12th and S St, NW (Reader Request)

01 September 2010 9:06 PM |Neighborhoods - Shaw, horses ass award | 10 Comments

“Dear PoP,

Do you know anything about the property on the corner of 12th and s nw? it doesn’t seem like there’s been any progress for months and it’s starting to get vandalized (broken window, graffiti).”

Sadly, we’ve looked at this property on many occasions, last in March 2009. I dare say it looked better then (see photo below). I have to agree with the reader here – this definitely deserves a horse’s ass award in my opinion. Do any readers who live nearby happen to know what’s going on? Is it a case of the developer/builder simply running out of money?

It’s a great location so I’d imagine if it ever got fixed up all the way it’d be rented/sold in a heartbeat. Well, in the meantime we’ll have to add it to the list…

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Old Gage-Eckington School Park Breaks Ground in LeDroit Park Wed. Morning

01 September 2010 9:05 PM |Neighborhoods - Ledroit Park, parks | 11 Comments

Thanks to a reader for sending in some photos. From a press release:

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Valerie Santos and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Jesús Aguirre joined the LeDroit Park Civic Association and Ward 1 residents to break ground on a new public park at 2025 3rd Street, NW.

“The design and creation of this park is a true collaboration between the District and dedicated community members like those of the LeDroit Park Civic Association,” said Mayor Fenty. “This park is a fantastic example of how we can all work together to create open recreational spaces that truly serve the surrounding community.”

“This park will be a great addition to the already rich history of the LeDroit Park community,” said Deputy Mayor Santos. “The activity that will be generated in this dynamic green space will join the great work being done by the staff and volunteers of the Common Good City Farm at this space since the Fall of 2008.”

When completed in January 2011, the $1.5 million, 112, 000 square foot park will boast the following:

o Multi-use playing field
o Dog park
o Children’s garden
o Jogging and walking path
o Rain garden and botanical plazas
o Playground areas for ages 3-6, 7-12
o Garden plots

The site was once home to the Gage-Eckington Elementary School which was closed in 2008. The District worked with the community since that time to determine a positive re-use of the land. DMPED contributed $1.5 million towards the park and awarded an additional $100,000 grant to the LeDroit Park Civic Association and Common Good Farm for the creation and maintenance of the community garden on-site.

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Arts in Foggy Bottom

01 September 2010 9:03 PM |Neighborhoods - Foggy Bottom, art | 9 Comments

Looks like Bloomingdale isn’t the only neighborhood to have an outdoor sculpture exhibit. Foggy Bottom has one too. With a cell phone tour! Find more info here. My favorite was by Alan Binstock found at 801 25th St, NW:

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I Know this is Juvenile But…

01 September 2010 9:02 PM |Sculpture | 12 Comments

I found it humorous that one of Chile’s founders was named Bernardo O’Higgins. Blame my public school education…

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Garden of the Day

01 September 2010 9:01 PM |Garden of the Day, Theater | 0 Comments

I normally don’t think twice about these things (do they have a proper name?) but I thought this one looked really sweet. Incidentally it is located right near the Keegan Theater at Church Street, NW which is a super cool ‘hidden’ theater:

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House of the Day

01 September 2010 9:00 PM |House of the Day | 2 Comments

This row house near Adams Morgan looks rather common at first glance but up top it is exceptional:

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The 5pm Post – For the Serious Hypochondriac and Cool Local Music News

01 September 2010 5:00 PM |signs | 1 Comment

If you have an event, fundraiser or happy hour you’d like featured on the 5pm Post, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com and please include ’5pm post’ in the title.

And thanks to a reader for sending in word that:

“Jukebox the Ghost, a band made of GW class of 2007 alums, will be performing on Letterman tonight.”

Congrats to the band!

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Coming to Adams Morgan – Snap

01 September 2010 4:30 PM |Coming and Going, Restaurants - Adams Morgan | 6 Comments

Again Adams Morgan shows it’s resilience with closings and openings. Looks like the old CD Exchange between Caliyogurt and Saki is going to become a restaurant. From peeking in the window they seem real close to opening. I’ll be sure to update with more info and a menu when they open.

Update: Thanks to a commenter for the heads up that this is a crepe place by the same folks who have a spot in Georgetown at 1062 Thomas Jefferson St NW.

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