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The reader writes:

“If you’re driving by the National Arboretum on New York Avenue in NE, there are these odd castle like structures. (Very MacMillanReservoir-ish/esque)”

Anyone know what the story is here?

IMG_3468, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I received a media inquiry about folks who may be trying to shut down the house mentioned in the post about Sat. night’s shooting in Mt. P. If anyone has worked toward shutting it down please email me directly at princeofpetworth (at) gmail (dot) com.

After the jump see news about an candlelight vigil for a killing that occurred in December at 11th and Q Streets, NW. (more…)

DSCN9158, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

“Hey PoP,

Just a little info that really got me excited…you know the row homes next to the Floridian and 9:30 club, at that crazy intersection of 9th, Florida, and Vermont? Well, if you’ve never noticed them, they have been an eyesore for many years apparently. They are owned by Howard University and were all boarded up and abandoned. This was truly a sad thing since the neighbors all around have really been trying to beautify the area by doing things like planting flowers and trees all along the median on Vermont. Well, a few days ago, I noticed they have FINALLY begun to renovate them! They’ve installed new windows and have changed the old faded red paint to a crisp cream color….with a contrasting trim no less! Looks great. I don’t know what they are doing with the houses yet – maybe admin buildings or even homes – but at least they’ve finally done something to spruce up our neighborhood.”

Very cool!

P5150013, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This is truly an insane one. In a good way. The reader writes:

“I found it in Dupont on, I believe, Connecticut right in front of the Johnny Rocket burger place.”

DSCN9279, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Looks just like a regular vegetable garden, yeah. It’s actually right in front of a body shop:

Wild.

DSCN9249, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Check out the etchings on the door.

DSCN9264, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Gotta love the third floor balcony.

The progress on this market is really coming along nicely. Hard to believe it looked like this last August.

This super cool sign is from Barrack’s Row near the Eastern Market Metro stop. Sadly, it’s been half covered up. I think there was a big coca cola sign covered up but I was most intrigued by the Oysters advertisement.

I thought this one was really cool. It is the Mexican Embassy on Pennsylvania Ave., NW. I like how the built it around the two existing row houses. What do you think – thumbs up or down?

This shot from Mt Vernon Triangle was taken by sciascia. I really like these candid shots. Anyone recognize what block this is?

Submit your photos via email or to the PoPville flickr pool here.

This condo is located at 3321 Holmead Place, NW:

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The flier says:

“Beautiful, pristine, two bedroom, two luxurious bath condo. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, exceptional closets, a beautiful slate landscaped terrace and nearby rental parking available for $ 125 per month”

More info and a virtual tour found here.

Here’s another house that I’ve always wondered about. I hadn’t realized it was split into condos. It is located very close to the Giant which has to be a perk. I like the condo and the location but it is located on the lower level, right? I’ve often wondered how they price underground/basement apartments. How much do you think this would go for on a higher level? The asking price for this unit is $425,000. Sound reasonable?

Photo from PoPville flickr pool user scottahb

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every Monday and Friday. So anything good happen to you this weekend?

On the Phone, originally uploaded by THEfunkyman.

Given the FQoTD about eating on the metro this seemed like an interesting follow up question. A reader sent an article from the Washington Business Journal:

“Cell phones with AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint service plans will start to work in 20 stations in D.C., Maryland and Virginia (in October).

Stations were picked based on the highest volume of passengers and include the Metro Center, Bethesda, Union Station and Crystal City stations.

By 2010, cell phone service will penetrate all 47 stations but riders passing through the underground tunnels will have to wait until 2012 to make and receive calls.”

So, will you be happy to have this option on the metro or do you think it will be terribly annoying?

Given the crime we’ve heard about Friday and Saturday nights, I was relieved to capture this story. Actually, I was relieved to receive a tip from a reader to check it out. Thanks! The reader writes:

“Check out the garden behind the Girls and Boy’s Club at 14th and Chapin. The garden runs along the alley separating the club and the Hillside condo building. This area was completely overgrown with weeds, and a Hillside resident, Don (a retired Marine) got permission to cut it down and plant a community garden. He’s volunteered all of his own resources and time to make it happen because he believes every block should have a community garden. For people living on that block, they can probably secure a corner of it if they help him maintain the lot.”

Don (on the left of the photo above) was a super nice guy. He started the garden about 3 weeks ago. He thought it was a shame that the lot “was all weedy when we can make something beautiful”. Ah, music to my ears. A neighbor helped him clean the lot and some other neighbors have already done some planting. Roland (on the right hand side of the photo above), also a former Marine, will help maintain the plot along with some other neighbors. Folks have already planted an herb garden, blueberries, grapes, apple trees, a sunflower bed and a vegetable garden including celery, beans, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, sweet corn and more.

I’m so glad to hear about this type of development. I think it is equally as important as the new dining and drinking options. Thank God folks like Don are willing and able to see a garden where others see a weedy lot.

More photos after the jump. (more…)