IMG_4375, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

As I’ve written before Columbia Heights Coffee located on 11th Street between Park and Monroe is one of my favorites. So I was wondering what are people’s favorite places to work or study with free wifi? For those who say CH Coffee is too small, there is good news on the way. They have purchased the space next door and eventually will be expanding. When speaking with the proprietors they couldn’t tell me exactly when the expansion will take place but my guess would be in a year or so. So what’s your favorite?

IMG_4370, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Do you think it is harder to sell a house if it is painted in an unusual color like aqua blue even if the house is fresh on the inside? Would that affect your decision in purchasing a house?

IMG_4371, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I spotted this sign on the apartment building just north of the Petworth Metro on New Hampshire Ave. I can understand Video surveillance but what exactly is the purpose of audio surveillance? Is that an added deterrent?

IMG_4373, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

For the expats who are curious about the condos being built above the metro, this is for you. You can see some serious steel(?) beams have been set otherwise despite a ton of work it still looks like a gigantic hole in the ground. But I believe they aren’t supposed to finish until 2009…

IMG_4358, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Right now, street parking doesn’t seem to be a big problem. But I’ve often wondered if it would be worth it to put in a parking spot in my back yard. Lots of the rowhouses have spots that are accessible via the alleys. Do you think it is criminal to rip up some of your yard to pave it? Are we doomed to lose our plentiful on street parking as the Old Soldiers Home is developed and the many condos being built are completed?

Dead tree, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This newly planted tree is just about as dead as dead gets. As I’ve written before one of the great things about our neighborhood are the many trees. But whose responsibility is it to water them? Is it the homeowner? What about the trees in parks? I’ve seen folks on Petworth News ask people to help out with the watering. Is there no system set up by the city or the parks department to water these newly planted trees? I can’t believe the onus is on the residents?

IMG_4363, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This used to be one of the best bars in the city located on U Street way before U Street was popping. I always loved the mural of Lenin that you can hardly make out today. It seems kind of sad. Why is this prime location left in such a state of disrepair?

Thanks to Zach for alerting me to this fascinating group. I can’t wait to read the next report.

Zach writes: “Lastly, a group called Social Compact just started doing door-to-door surveys in Petworth as part of a “drilldown” analysis, basically looking at positives in the neighborhood rather than negatives. They have an interesting report on their website that was done in 2002 for Columbia Heights and Petworth that gives a different perspective on the neighborhood than what you would get from census figures.”

During rush hour, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Why is it every now and then there is a 9 minute wait for the train smack in the middle of rush hour? And why is always when you are running late to work? Murphy’s law, karma?

IMG_4360, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

but I spotted this one on S Street between 14th and 13th. It is made of wood and there is another larger sign, maybe a kind of memorial next to it. But this one obviously spoke to me. It reminds me of the Remaking Le Slum Historique mural on I think 9th Street in Shaw.

IMG_4353, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

So I have often walked by Jeans N Things located on 11th Street between Wonderland and 11th St. Deli. I think 97% of the time it has been closed when I’ve walked by but I actually saw it open the other day. It seems to be mostly women’s clothes and such. Has anyone checked it out? Good stuff?

IMG_4343, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I thought I had seen it all when I spotted the Car Testicles but I was wrong. I spotted these decal bullet holes on a truck on Georgia Ave. What happened to the good old mud flaps of naked women or Yosemite Sam saying back off. This is what we have come to as a society? Bullet holes? For real?

GforGood had an interesting question: “PoP or others, do you have any other rumors or facts about retail coming to the apartment/condo buildings (besides the Yes! Organic Market and the Mocha Hut)?” I assume he is talking about the condos being built above the metro and up Georgia Ave. The only other rumor I heard was that, I think, Lakritz developers were buying the Murrel realty space on Georgia Ave. right near Domku and that they were thinking about putting in a dining/cafe venue on the first floor. Anyone else know of any rumors or facts about coming development?

Thanks for the reminder Pauper. I have the t shirts in my living room and I’m looking forward to giving them out to the ten and selling them to anyone else who wants one for $10 at the launch party. So a quick question first. Would people prefer Thursday, October 4th or Thursday October 11th? Venue: Temperance Hall. Right now I’m leaning towards the 4th.

Spider-Squirrel Cropped, originally uploaded by PixEmonkey.

I don’t know if anyone else has noticed but there is a new gang in town. From what I can tell, they are not affiliated with any of the traditional culprits. I am sorry to report that they are becoming more brazen. A neighbor of mine reported one coming right up on his porch, taking a dump, while my neighbor is sitting right there mind you, and then laughing at him. Unfortunately that is not a lone encounter, this gray menace runs in packs. They make a racket and chase each other all over peoples yards and in the streets. I’ve tried calling 311 but they are lightning quick and can vanish in seconds. My advice to you: Don’t look them in the eyes and try to ignore them. Do not confront them under any circumstances. I’ll update you as I find out more…