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 (long) weekend? Traveled or stayed in DC?

OjO Latino is a series by Néstor Sánchez Cordero. This week features “The return of water at Malcolm X / Meridian Hill Park … and some broken noses as well”. Néstor says, “Images are around, the secret is to catch them at the right moment and with the right light…”

Broken noses after the jump. (more…)

U Street Cafe, formerly Mocha Hut, located on U Street between 13th and 14th will have its grand opening Tuesday, May 26th. I had a chance to talk with some of the folks behind the new cafe and I think you’ll be pretty happy. One of the the VP for Operations, Elise, told me that waffles will continue to be offered! The menu will also be expanded. In addition to the waffles there will also be 4-5 fresh soups, quiches, salads, pulled pork sandwiches and more. If you really like the food there will be a grab and go option of freshly made sandwiches. Their bread will be provided by Firehook bakery and the bagels will be provided by Bethesda Bagel.

There will be plenty of coffee options as well as a bigger selection of loose teas. Their coffee roaster is Orinoca located in Columbia, MD. In addition to tea and coffee there will also be a limited selection of beer and wine.

Occupancy inside will be 50 while there will also be four tables located on the patio.

They will still be offering free wifi and the space will be children/family friendly.

Grand opening is Tuesday May 26th at 6:30 am. Regular hours will be 6:30am – 8pm Mon. – Thurs, 6:30 – 11pm Fri., 7am – 11pm Sat., and 8am – 9pm on Sun.

As many folks know these are the same folks opening up a spot in Columbia Heights on Irving Street. That space is slated to open in late July/early August.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

DSCN9500, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Last week we discussed the benefits of straw for growing grass on your lawn. I’m not sure what this material is but it seemed to have worked spectacularly. This grass is very thick and it came up rather quickly. Anyone know what the material is?

DSCN9502, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Metrocurean has the scoop:

“The first floor will hold about 60 percent wine, with the remaining space devoted to a small selection of beer, food and specialty items, including cheese, charcuterie, jams, oils, vinegars, pasta, bread and baked goods. An open kitchen in the back will turn out sandwiches and salads to carry out, as well as some favorites off Cork’s menu — chicken liver pâté, oil-cured roma tomatoes, olives, nuts. “I like to say everything you’d need for a picnic,” says Gross.”

More info at Metrocurean.

I think this is a really interesting development as last we heard back in March this space, at 1805 14th Street NW, was slated to become Blu Lounge & Grill.  Does a wine store and market sound good to you?

DSCN9331, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Thanks to the many readers for writing about this development. I think it looks great. Flip It is located at 4532 Georgia Ave, NW.

DSCN9516, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Well, I thought this was one fine looking birdhouse. Even better if it’s edible, right? Incidentally, has anyone noticed that there are dozens of birdhouses scattered throughout the George Washington University campus?

DSCN9519, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I think the sidewalk/garden improvement at Calvert and Adams Mill Road came out really well (in Adams Morgan).

DSCN9513, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I totally dig those wooden doors on the carriage house. Super fresh.

DSCN9464, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This is a wild one I found up in Crestwood. Got a bit of a Middle Eastern flavor. Do you think it works?

Some details after the jump. (more…)

This home is located at 3436 17th Street, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Brilliant 1898 Victorian next to Rock Ck Park! Sunlight galore & woodland views thru huge new windows & 3 skylights, orig high ceils, gorg Heart-of-pine flrs, front porch, romantic FPL in MBR. Big renov country kitch opens to wonderful fenced rear yd in the trees, exquisite new baths, open renov top flr loft. Special house in rare natural setting!”

More info and a virtual tour found here.

For those stuck at work today, I thought this would be a happy diversion. I think this has is in an incredible location and is super peaceful. Though there is a decent amount of traffic on 17th St. So what do you think of the house itself? $865,000 sound reasonable?

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“Was in the Mt Vernon Safeway this afternoon, and amongst all the crap vying for attention as you walk in the door, just before the rack of red white & blue carnation arrangements (hopefully offered as an ironic jest in protest to the commercialization of Memorial Day), behold the Hamburger Cake. Yup, it’s a cake. Regular cake size and all. Complete with what look to be real sesame seeds. It can be yours for the low low price of $16.”

Wow, a Latino Festival on 14th Street sounds like it would be awesome:

“Tivoli North Business Association

Fiesta DC organizers are also available and welcome opportunities to share all information and present at other community organizations in Columbia Heights.   www.fiestadc.org“

Yikes! This is rather disturbing, yeah?

Wayan Vota writes:

“Construction hasn’t even finished on the new medians in New Hampshire Avenue, and already there is a new church parking scene – a line of cars taking up the inner lanes on each side of the median. I’m not sure your opinion, but I like this solution. While not as traffic-flowing as parking on a flat median, by taking up one lane in each direction, I hope it slows down the speed demons who fly along New Hampshire. Next, can we have warning cones along these cars as well, to slow traffic even more? I don’t want a parishioner hit trying to get to their car.”