From The Files Of – What The Heck Is This?

DSCN6132, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I couldn’t for the life of me figure this out. Of course, that shouldn’t be a big surprise… So help me. I saw this on a retaining wall. But it doesn’t look like the type of pipe to drain water. Any ideas what this is for?

Category: Random

By: | 27 January 2009 11:10 PM | No Comments

Sweet Mural

DSCN6200, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Sadly, it was a bit blocked by a tree but I think you can tell how phenomenal this one is.

Category: murals

By: | 27 January 2009 11:05 PM | No Comments

Door of the Day

DSCN6210, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I really like the look of this wood. What is it? Pine?

Category: Architecture, Door of the Day

By: | 27 January 2009 11:03 PM | No Comments

House of the Day

DSCN6143, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I once showed this potential beauty from Mt. Pleasant back, back, back in the day. If memory serves I think it was for sale. I was a bit sad to see it was still in a state of disrepair. Anyone know the scoop on this house located at the corner of 18th and Monroe?

Category: Architecture, House of the Day, Mt. Pleasant

By: | 27 January 2009 11:01 PM | No Comments

Judging New Construction

DSCN6147

This home is located in Mt. Pleasant very close to Columbia Heights. I forget the exact street (maybe Brown? A little help?). I don’t understand what they’re doing with the vinyl combined with that brown material. Wouldn’t it be better to have all one or the other? Anyone like this combination? Is it possible that the brown material will eventually cover up all of the vinyl?

DSCN6148

Category: Architecture, Buildings, Mt. Pleasant

By: | 27 January 2009 5:00 PM | No Comments

In Lieu of a Sweet City Sign

DSCN6180

Please accept this wild Obama Poster I found in someone’s window.

Category: art

By: | 27 January 2009 4:00 PM | No Comments

The Carter G. Woodson Historic Site Deserves Better

DSCN6176

I mean it’s a nation historic site and landmark.

DSCN6179

Wikipedia says: “Carter Godwin Woodson (December 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950) was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of Motivozo music and Bobe Records, which became MotiBobe Studios.”

The home is located at 1538 Ninth Street, NW. On this Web site it says:

“On February 27, 2006, the building was officially dedicated as the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, the 389th unit of the National Park System. The National Park Service will be restoring the building and developing a visitor center for the historic site.”

Any guesses on how long it will take to restore the site?

Category: Shaw

By: | 27 January 2009 3:00 PM | 12 Comments

More Inauguration Photo Contest Entries

DSC_7888print

Above is a great crowd shot from clintonbphotography.

Below is an insane souvenir from Jess J.

what on earth are we selling?

Join the PoPville flickr pool here. You can add any cool photos you got of the snow to the PoPville flicr pool.  More inauguration pics after the jump. (more…)

Category: contest, Festival

By: | 27 January 2009 2:00 PM | No Comments

Good Deal or Not? Classic Rowhome Edition

DSCN6094

This home is located at 1212 Quincy Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“GREAT PRICE! THIS IS IT! SHORT WALK FROM METRO TO THIS LARGE HOME ON QUIET STREET. SOLD AS-IS BUT IN LIVABLE CONDITION. CALL TO MAKE APPOINTMENT.”

More info but sadly no photos found here.

I thought I’d show this house based on yesterday’s GDON discussion. I also like this house because the owl on the walkway once scared the crap outta me. Anyway, since there are no interior photos the property will probably need some work. I think it’s worth noting that because yesterday’s condo was likely in move in condition. For example right now, I think I have to replace some pipes in my house and it is really quite frustrating. I mean lose sleep frustrating. It would be a relief to not have to worry about stuff like that. Not that I’m hating on my house… K, sorry. This home has been on the market for over a hundred days and the asking price of $435,000 hasn’t budged. I think it’s a pretty killer location because you’re close to the Petworth metro and Red Derby. What do you think is a realistic price for a classic rowhome in this location that likely needs a little work?

Category: Petworth, Real Estate

By: | 27 January 2009 1:00 PM | No Comments

Judging Restaurants – 1905

DSCN6173

1905 Restaurant is located, naturally, at 1905 9th Street, NW. It’s funny I’ve probably walked down this block dozens of times before realizing this was a restaurant. Here’s a look at the menu. Their Web site also says they have live jazz Thursday nights at 10pm and half priced bottles of wine Sun-Wed 5:30-7pm. This place sounds pretty cool. Anyone check it out yet? As always, in addition to the food what’s the atmosphere like?

Category: Restaurants, Shaw

By: | 27 January 2009 12:00 PM | No Comments

Dear PoP – Painted Rowhome Edition

DSCN2159

The above painted rowhome is a former house of the day from August.

A reader writes:

“I would like to propose the following question for the consideration of you and your readers. I will soon be repainting the exterior of my brick rowhouse in Petworth. It’s a pretty classic Petworth style — three levels plus basement with a front porch. Looks a lot like the photo of the house you post with the real estate sales updates every once in a while, except it’s already painted so keeping it natural brick isn’t an option. The block is a mix of renovated and unrenovated houses, which means there are some really beautifully painted houses, some that are painted and faded, and some that are the original brick. I want the house to look warm and inviting and not too bold or out of place. I also think a new paint color is a chance to add some style to the block and maybe even encourage other owners to do the same. On the other hand, I don’t want it to be too obnoxious or out of place.”

I happen to be a huge fan of painted brick and genuinely believe you can’t go wrong as long as you don’t chose too bright a color. But as my house is vinyl I’m going to defer on paint choices to those that actually live in brick rowhomes. Remember this home is already painted so “keeping it natural brick isn’t an option”. Knowing that – what color(s) would you recommend?

Category: Dear PoPville, Renovation

By: | 27 January 2009 11:00 AM | No Comments

One Year Ago…

I photographed the outstanding grafitti on the building at 14 and T which is sadly no longer there.

I spotted a bad ass porch feature.

I wondered if two porch lamps was excessive.

Category: Uncategorized

By: | 27 January 2009 10:00 AM | No Comments

It’s Official – Columbia Heights Gets an Unofficial Dog Park at 11th and Park

DSCN6156, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Last Friday I wrote about the coming dog park at 17th and S Street, NW. In the comments section a reader wrote:

“For a variety of reasons, the Park Road space will not be an “official” dog park anytime in the immediate future (if ever). However, dog owners may note the improved layout of the space (there should be gates going in to fill those two spaces in the fence at some point) which happens to be conducive to use by dogs, and should feel free to congregate, informally, accordingly. Hopefully, regular users will take an interest in keeping the space clean, tidy, and green.”

I spoke with some folks today that confirmed the above comment. The space is owned by Metro and the gate will be intentionally unlocked so that folks can bring their dogs there. MPD won’t bother you because it is Metro land but I agree with the original commenter that it will be up to the community to keep the space clean. I think Councilman Graham probably deserves a fair share of credit as he did quite a bit to make this an official park but it seems to me an unofficial park should be just as good. From what I understand it’s good to go right now. So for folks with dogs be sure to write me and let me know how it goes.

Category: Columbia Heights, parks

By: | 26 January 2009 10:51 PM | No Comments

Isn’t Crab Seafood?

DSCN6115, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I’ve come to appreciate Seafood & Things but Seafood & Crab just seems a bit redundant… This is from 14th Street south of U near my beloved Taco Bell.

Category: signs

By: | 26 January 2009 10:43 PM | No Comments

Shooting at 7th Street, NE Only Gets Sadder

Most folks heard about the shooting yesterday at 7th Street, NE near H Street. The City Paper’s Jason Cherkis reports on more very depressing details.

“While there was some back and forth over whether the home was a group home, it is a rooming house that does include people who are mentally ill.

It is freezing inside 830 7th Street. Osborne says sometimes the heat comes on. Sometimes it’s just cold. Upstairs there is a blood stain in the hall.

There is no one there to supervise the men. There is no one there to make sure the heat works, to clean up all the blood on the floor. Mobile Crisis makes a call to the proprietor–Mark Spence of an organization called “Hope Finders.” Mobile Crisis has to leave a message.The men say they haven’t seen him in a while.”

You can read the full story here. What an incredibly sad situation.

Category: Crime, H St. NE

By: | 26 January 2009 10:37 PM | No Comments

The GF and I have done classes at Culinaerie and both L'Academie locations. The...

Dear PoPville – Cooking Classes in DC?
1300 BLK
2:04pm

'ol Behzad getting cagey and weird on ya, is he? Color me surprised.

SnitchEye Wine Bar Looking for New Locations
anony
2:04pm

It wasn't competing with Denny's. They just couldn't make it work.

Update: Capital City Diner Closing
Gallery of Peanuts
2:00pm

It's still not a nice corner today. I wouldn't live in that place (which is next door to...

Good Deal or Not? “charming shared courtyard w/BBQ” edition
2:00pm

that was never a cafe. was once a dry cleaners, and the last time it was fixed up it was...

SnitchEye Wine Bar Looking for New Locations