police band columbia road 012, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Ed. Note: On Friday, I walked by this section of Columbia Road but did not return home in time to blog about it. I did give my card to a Police Officer and requested that she tell me about similar events in the future.

The reader writes:

“One of the best events over the weekend was also one of the saddest. A super street party with a great live band, a peaceful neighborhood dance party that unfortunately no one in the city, or most of the neighborhood even knew about! It was taking place on Columbia Rd. at 14th St. Fri. evening, not 100 yards from my back door, but I only discovered it when I had to take the dog out. (I heard music earlier, but I was working, and loud music on a summer night isn’t unusual from over there.)

This was a major event – part of the “safe streets” campaign, with a flatbed truck stage and a really fine 7-8 member band made entirely of talented cops! I hung out until they ended around 9 and there were never more than maybe 200 people, all pretty much from the adjacent 2 blocks. None of my neighbors on Irving St. had heard of it. There were no flyers posted, no notices taken door-to-door, no email from any of the various email lists, nothing from Jim Graham’s office (and you know he’s quick on the email draw when it comes to shootings!) no mention on any of the neighborhood blogs, nothing in the Post. I had driven down Columbia Rd. at 2 that afternoon and had no idea anything was about to happen.

Columbia Road is a major street, and you don’t put something like this together in a week! I spoke to an officer, (I believe she was actually the assistant police chief) who admitted that they had kind of dropped the ball in that department. I spoke to another couple of officers who had helped organize the event, and neither were really aware of neighborhood blogs or listserves and had never heard of Prince of Petworth, DCist, Columbia Heights News or any others.

Here was a brilliant opportunity for our diverse community to come together in a really fun event and it was sad to see it overlooked. I know there are a lot of people in PoP land who are always looking for ways to make our good life a little better, this might be a great opportunity for someone to volunteer with the police dept. to be a sort of blog & neighborhood list-group co-ordinator/liaison.

I’m also curious about why, in the hour that I was there, I saw almost no-one from “outside” – (well, no other way to put it – no white people) join the fun. The music had to have been heard all around the DC-USA area and it was a lovely night with people outside. Did anyone stroll down a block and check it out? If not, why not?”

DSCN1323, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

He, understandably, couldn’t figure out why I wanted this photo. I also couldn’t figure out why he didn’t want me to take the photo but I tried explaining it. After a few minutes of discussion it wasn’t going anywhere, so in the end I just said I was a huge fan of tomatoes…

DSCN1403, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

What do you think of them?

This is very cool. It is a group from the Latin American Youth Center. The lead teacher, Arturo Ho, told me that the theme of the mural is everyday people. There are 12 students in the class but you’re more than welcome to help if you see them working on the project. The mural should be completed the second week of August. More photos after the jump. (more…)

DSCN1259, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Wow, this one on Fairmont just east of 13th St, NW is phenomenal. The palm tree even has sand!

And the area to the right is also well done. Best “curb” garden I’ve seen this year.

DSCN1285, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I found this one in Adams Morgan to be very unusual. I like the third floor balcony. I don’t know what it is exactly, but it’s got a cool look.

IMG_3468, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

A reader writes:

“Hello, I wanted to alert you to an incident in Meridian Hill Park. I was just walking past and I saw police cars and an ambulance. I live across from the park, and when I went into the building, the building manager told me that there was a stabbing. Crazy, because a lot of people bring blankets and lay in the grass on a sunny Saturday afternoon.”

Photo provided by GO Urban Adventure Race

Have you ever been driving, biking, walking, whatever, around DC and noticed a ton of people in matching costumes running all around the city together and thought, “God I wish I was them!”?  Well I have and now I’m going to be, and so can you!  GO Urban’s Adventure Race is coming back to DC, Sat, August 1, 2009 and registration is still available.  You and your best friend or even your best frienemy can sign up, put on matching outfits and hit the streets for a chance to win the $400.00 grand prize!!!!!

So what is this GO Urban Adventure Race you ask?  Well let me tell you!  Personally, I didn’t care, I just knew I was going to do it, but for those of you who are less sheep-like than me, it is a citywide scavenger hunt.  The hunt is comprised of mental (i.e. riddles and such) and physical challenges (3-4 min workout) that each team must complete to finish the race.  According to the website  “each team will be supplied with a total of 12 clues that will each lead to a GOpoint (location), for a total of 12 GOpoints. At each GOpoint each team will have to participate in a mental or physical challenge. The race starts at 12pm (noon) and will last a maximum of 5 hours (till 5pm). Most teams should finish within 3 1/2 -5 hours.”  The clues, and your responses will be supplied to the races via SMS Text messaging, so make sure at least one of you have a good texting plan.  Participants can use web phones as well as carry laptops.  Running and public transportation are allowed but no biking, driving, or rollerblading!  This year, the race starts at Kogan Plaza, George Washington University (2132 H ST NW Washington, D.C.)  Continues after the jump. (more…)

Welcome new advertiser:

The Metropole

Continuing advertisers:

RubyJumpstart  “Computer Programming for Beginners”

The Allegro

Quiet Mind Yoga

Solea Condominiums

The Looking Glass Lounge

Kevin Wood, Realtor

Fresh Off The Roast, Coffee

Chix, Organic Chicken

Capitol Hill Home Inspection

Som Records

Upper Crust Maids

Design Milieu

Ed. Note: I just liked this photo, no connection to any weekend picks…

The People’s Rally: Medicare For All NOW!!!
Sunday, July 26th, 2009 / 1pm – 4pm
Malcolm X Park (16th & Euclid Streets, NW)
Washington, DC 20009  Continues after the jump (more…)

“Gizmo rocks the Mt. P/Adams Morgan/Columbia Heights/Rat Park neighborhood with his elderly waddle, the result of an adorably gimpy paw (a tragic holdover from his hard days on the streets of Denver where he was originally adopted at the Dumb Friends League). Giz has been calling DC home since November 2007.

Vote Gizmo 2009!”

“I would like to introduce you to Juneau. A rescue kitty originally from Texas, Juneau has made her home in DC since 2005. Juneau is quite a talker and frequently attempts to carry on conversations, particularly when a door has been closed to her, she enters a room where someone is sleeping, or she can see the bottom of her food bowl (this last circumstance fills her with horror every time it happens). She enjoys sleeping in the sun or on top of people. At some point someone removed the claws on all four of her paws, but this does not stop her from occasionally trying to investigate the world beyond her deck. And yes, the deck is hers. Juneau owns the house.”

“Meet Billie Jean.

This photo was not staged. I heard a commotion in the kitchen went in there and found her playing inside the wok.”

Ed. Note:  The cats are not competing against the dogs.  There will be 5 dog, cat and “other” finalists that will each compete in their own category.  We’ll have a poll in each category to select the winner.  Using the comments section for these posts will help me select the 5 finalists for each category.  I’ve gotten some amazing entries, and a lot of them!  So I’ll need your help selecting the finalists.  Maybe at the very end we’ll put the three winners in each category up for an overall winner.

The deadline for entries is August. 1st. Remember, please only send one photo per pet. You can see all the entries here. Due to the large number of entries I have to put more than 3 up a day. Please see after the jump for three more entries. (more…)

This great shot by Tyrannous is titled simply, “AM night”.

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

This home is located at 920 3rd Street, NE:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Wonderful 2BR + Den Victorian located between Union Station, H Street NE and NOMA. This home features 2 full baths, hardwood floors, skylight, fireplace, remodeled kitchen and patio.”

More infor found here.

The reader writes:

“It is 1 block to H St, 4 blocks to Union Station and 5 blocks to New York Ave Station and the tram tracks are FINALLY going in on H St after years of discussion. But, it could be a “sketchy” neighborhood (hahahahaha, love that word) as it is so descriptive and everyone understands exactly what it “means”. Another aspect of this is that once someone crosses H st the prices seem to fall off a bit compared to say F St or G St and does this price fit the North H St pricing?

Also, another question that may be interesting for your readers is how long do they think it will take for H St to become more like U St? H is “great” around 12th and 13th where there are restaurants and music venues, but there is not a ton of retail / restaurants in between that attract a lot of foot traffic. What will need to be done to improve it and will the Tram help H St prosper?”

This house is going for $425,000. I find it very unusual that there are no photos for a house at that price particularly if it has been renovated. But to address the reader’s questions – personally I think it is a bit of a gamble. It is a gamble that I would take. (I’m talking about the neighborhood not the specific house.) While H St, NE is more lively around 12th Street I do believe the development will ultimately expand toward 3rd St. For me I moved to Petworth before there were any destination spots aside for the Hitching Post. I loved my house and I loved the feel of the neighborhood. I hoped that development with new destination spots would arrive. Thankfully they have and are still coming. I believe the same will happen to the H Street, NE area. But look, if you or your wife don’t feel comfortable then it’s probably not a good idea. Because a gamble is a gamble and you should like the neighborhood as it is because you never know how long it will take for the development to occur. Of course, you should keep in mind that you’ll be very close (in my opinion) to lots of good stuff. As for H St, NE becoming like U Street, NW that will probably depend on the economy rebounding. But I’ve heard folks say it is generally 5-7 years behind. What do you guys think?

Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

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. Anything good happen this week?

Henry Louis Gates speaks, originally uploaded by The Cleveland Foundation.

So much for a lighthearted Friday… But I’ve been listening to so much talk about this and something struck me right away that nobody has mentioned. As most surely know by now Prof. Gates was arrested when someone called the police as he was pushing in a stuck door on his home. Some are being critical of the Cambridge police and some are being critical of Prof. Gates. For sure, I believe, race to a certain degree was likely an issue with how he got arrested. But I have a problem with the neighborhood. Because I was thinking how this would never have happened where I live. Presumably it was a neighbor who called the police. And as they say it’s good to have folks looking out but on my block everyone knows each other. If I saw my neighbor Joe, black and often casually dressed, pushing in his door. I’d say, hey Joe what’s going on, you ok? It seems insane to me that this neighbor does not know what her neighbor looks like. Perhaps she saw the driver but I’d say this incident says a lot about the neighborhood of Cambridge, MA.