The Allegro

Nellie’s Sports Bar

Ventor Sports Cafe

Past Tense Yoga Studio

Capture a DC Moment – Park Place Apartments

What’s the deal DC? 75% off on DC restaurants, spas, bars, theater and more!

Duffy’s Irish Restaurant & Pub

The Metropole

Jumpstart Lab

Quiet Mind Yoga

The Looking Glass Lounge

Kevin Wood, Realtor

Fresh Off The Roast, Coffee

Chix, Organic Chicken

Capitol Hill Home Inspection

Som Records

Upper Crust Maids

Local author Eric Nuzum (and PoP contributor) will join us on Fri, Oct. 23rd at 7:45p.m., after the weekly “Happy Hour” yoga class, for an entertaining reading from both The Dead Travel Fast, his pop culture look at vampires, and his forthcoming book Bring Me To Heaven, where he visits to some of the most haunted locations in the country to find ghosts and understand his own previous encounters with the dead.  Continues after the jump. (more…)

Alexander ‘The Great” Johnson is pictured at the Sugar Ray Leonard Gym in Palmer Park, Maryland a week before his September 26th fight.

Dallas Lillich is a freelance photographer based in Washington, DC.

It’s September 26th, the night of Alexander “The Great” Johnson’s seventh fight as a professional boxer (see part one and part two), and he couldn’t be any more relaxed. With his record at 6-0, including 3 knock outs, he’s in peak physical condition, which probably goes a long way in explaining his composure: he’s supine on a sofa, his fingers laced behind his head, nodding gently to the tunes in his headphones.

Al’s trainer Zeke tapes up his hands in the locker room before his fight at the George Mason Patriot Center.

It occurs to me that he may be more comfortable in the ring than anywhere else. This is, after all, the guy whose favorite tattoo reads “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” But he’s not in the ring yet.

The locker room at the Patriot Center at George Mason University has a cautious, almost sacrosanct air to it. Few words are exchanged. As the fight draws near, it becomes charged with an energy stirred by the silence. Al’s trainer Zeke tapes up his hands and runs him through some exercises as his manager, Diana, makes sure everything runs smoothly. The third fight in the line-up ends early with a first round knock out; Al’s fight is up next.

Al’s team walks out to the ring at the Patriot Center to the tune of ‘Run This Town’ off the new Jay-Z album.

Zeke rounds up the team and walks with Al through the backstage maze and out of the tunnel. ‘Run This Town’ from the new Jay-Z album thumps as Al enters the ring. It’s show time. He does a few stretches, listens to Zeke’s advice, and knocks gloves with his opponent. Then it’s on.

Al stretches in the ring moments before his seventh fight. His trainer Zeke is pictured top left.

It soon becomes clear that Al is spending more of his time on offense than his opponent, the tenacious Francois Ambang. Notorious for fighting hard until the bitter end, Ambang is nevertheless against the ropes with Al more often than he’d like to be. The fight begins to resemble a game of cat-and-mouse with Al playing the role of predator. Still, Ambang persists, and the outcome has its moments of ambiguity.

Al gets his opponent Francois “The African Warrior” Ambang against the ropes.

At last, after four rounds, Johnson and Ambang retire to their corners. The judgment is swift: Alexander “The Great” Johnson wins by unanimous decision. His record is 7-0, and he’s finally talking again.

Alexander ‘The Great’ Johnson beats Francois Ambang by unanimous decision after four rounds.

I ask him how it feels to be undefeated. “You’ve got to have something to prove in this game,” he responds. “My trainer is outstanding. So is my manager. I’ve come far.”

Indeed, this native son of northeast DC has come a long way from his ambivalent youth to his position as a father and title fighter-in-waiting.

Al gives a shout out to his fans at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

Asked about next steps, he says, “I’ve got to get my name out there now.” He pauses as a grin envelops his face. “I’ve got to put some butts in those seats!”

Alexander “The Great” Johnson’s next fight is tomorrow Saturday, October 24th at the Washington Convention Center; 801 Mount Vernon Pl NW, DC; 202-249-3000; TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR www.dcconvention.com It’s being promoted by Babie Girl Productions as Fright Night; www.babiegirlproduction.net/ Contact Johnson through his manager, Diana Hall at diana.hall@pgparks.com

“Dear PoP,

Any idea what all the cops were doing yesterday afternoon on 7th b/w P and O in front of the Community Center and then all around the neighboring blocks? I saw them while walking my pup and then later driving to whole foods the car in front of me and as a result my car as well was converged upon by cops who began looking through the car in front of me—trunk, wheel wells, etc. While waving me to pass by.”

Anyone know what happened? I wonder if it was in response to the recent shooting at 7th and N possibly?

These two shots are from one of my favorite churches (on 11th Street, NW?) taken by LGography.

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

This coop is located at 1869 Mintwood Place, NW:

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The flier says:

“2BR/1BA COOP HAS BEEN UPDATED W/ ORIG. DETAILS RETAINED. FEATURES CHEF’S KIT. W/ CUSTOM WOOD CABINETRY, FROSTED GLASS DOORS, H/W/ FLRS, OPEN LVG/DNG ROOM & BALCONY. IDEAL KALORAMA TRIANGLE LOC. STEPS TO REDLINE METRO & BUS. PETS WELCOME. EX STORAGE & BIKE RM. UNDERLYING MORTGAGE AS OF 5/31/2009 $30,211.28 IS DEDUCTED FROM SALES PRICE. PYMT IS $255/MO.”

More info found here and a virtual tour found here.

I’m really digging the floors and look of this place. It is 2 bed/1 bath thought it seems to have a pretty cool layout. It’s interesting to look at an apartment with old school details. What do you think of the apartment itself? Does $449,500 sound reasonable?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

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?

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List Price at Contract: $308,900.

List Date: 7/24/2009

Days on Market: 5

Settled Sales Price: $380,000.

Settlement Date: 09/22/2009

Seller Subsidy: $0.

Bank Owned?: Yes

Type Of Financing: Conventional with $38,000. (10%) down payment.

Original GDoN Post is: Here.

Recent Listing is: Here.

This was an interesting Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post as there was a reader who went ahead and put an offer in. Although it needed some work, this foreclosed Victorian rowhome was listed at $308,900. and garnered multiple offers. It ultimately sold over $70,000. above the list price.

Although located literally just a block east across North Capitol, homes on the northeast side of Eckington can still usually be had at lower price points than their very similar Victorian counterparts on the Bloomingdale side. Check out the neighborhood blog which includes some great history. Eckington landmarks include the refurbished McKinley Technical High School, which is a focal point that sits high up on a hill. I often meet NE Eckington residents during my frequent visits to the largest unofficial dog park in DC (also affectionately referred to as Fedex Field, since it is next door to the main Fedex building). In addition to Fedex, XM/Sirius Radio is an Eckington-based business. North Capitol Main Streets, Inc. is a notable tenant, as well. Bloomingdale and Eckington residents (myself included) can be found at the public pool on Lincoln Road during the summer months.

PoP noted that the closest dining option seemed to be the Big Bear Café, located at 1^st and R St NW. It’s worth mentioning that Eckington is just north of NOMA and the New York Avenue Metro. There is a new Marriott Courtyard at the Metro, as well as a Five Guys and other food options. Given the push from NOMA Bid, as well as North Capitol Main Streets, I expect great things to continue in this area.

152: Silly Sick in Bed, originally uploaded by enovember.

Well, this is a bit of a selfish one as I currently feel like my legs have been whacked repeatedly by 2x4s and my head and chest are just congested. So, I’ve heard drink lots of water, rest, drink oj, don’t drink oj, whiskey, hot whiskey, tea, Mucinex, tylenol, hot lemon water and of course chicken soup. I have been very happy with Nyquil and Ricola so far but what will actually heal me?

What are your family secrets for healing flu/cold like symptoms?  I hope they are as good as the hangover cure recommendations from a previous FQoTD…

But serious props to MPD for investigating the following incidents. From the MPD Listserv:

“Officers respond to the 600 blk of Jefferson for the sounds of gunshots. Officer canvassed for evidence of gunfire but did not find any. Several neighbors were interviewed and related that it was fireworks.

The officers also responded to the 4900 blk of Georgia Ave for the sound of gunshots. Officers canvassed and located several witnessed that indicated a Chopper style motorcycle was backfiring on Georgia Ave. The officers conducted a canvass for evidence of gunfire but found none.

Commander Linda Brown
Fourth District”

Zombie Slayer, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Thanks to a reader for sending in the photo. Though I must say if you haven’t read World War Z, I thought it was absolutely terrific. I haven’t seen Zombieland yet but I hear it’s pretty good as well.

Congrats to Tallulah:

“Dear Adjudication services,
I understand you feel that it was a clearly marked no parking zone and therefore towed my car, however if you could please return my front steps so that I might come downtown and retrieve my car I would really appreciate it.”

Runners up to Mb:

“Mind the gap.”

and 14stbulletz:

“Lawsuit…right about…now”

IMG_0177, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Hahaha. This one really cracked me up. Som Records is the man!

IMG_0071, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Remember what an eyesore this house was? It looks killer now. I’m guessing it must be an embassy, yeah?

IMG_0169, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Another great roof deck with glass sides. But what’s the deal with the slated roof? Does that provide sun protection? Or is it to eventually trellis vines?