The building on the 2100 block of 11th Street, NW (south of W) looks nearly completed. Think it fits in with the block? Overall – thumbs up or down?

Apparently there have been a number of cars vandalized in Mt. Pleasant. What do you think the role of residents should be in helping to solve this problem?

In more positive Mt. Pleasant news, the retaining walls that have been getting fixed for months on Adams Mill Road have finally been fixed. They look great!

Photo by PoPville flickr user Wake Up The Giant

Thanks to a reader for sending this link:

“Ben Ali was a businessman with a plan. He gave all three of his sons the middle name Ben in case one of them ever took over Ben’s Chili Bowl, the restaurant he opened in the de facto segregated District of Columbia of 1958. It turned out that two of them, Kamal and Nizam, did just that, and by the time their father died, they had long ago proved equal to the task, turning a neighborhood haunt for chili dogs and chili cheeseburgers into an internationally known business, with annual sales exceeding $5 million.”

You can read the rest of the tribute here.

The above great shot by ashlyhiggins is titled, “Waving goodbye”.

And below’s sweet shot was taken by Bogotron

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This home is located at 128 Longfellow Street, NW:

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The flier says:

“This is a Freddie Mac Foreclosure! Stunning Renovation! Hardwood Floors, Top of the Line Stainless Steel Appliances. 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths & Main level Powder room. Granite Countertops. All New fixtures/crown molding. Skylight in Master Bath. New Berber Carpet in Fully Finished Walkout Level Basement. Fully Fenced Backyard with Off street Parking. New Deck off kitchen.”

You can find more info and photos here.

What do you think of the renovation itself? The reader who sent this one in (who lives nearby) was surprised in the price drop from $358,800 to $280,000. I wish the pictures showed all 5 bedrooms. Nevertheless, do you think $280,000 sounds reasonable for this 5 bed/3.5 bath?

Shanghai Garden is located at 4469 Connecticut Ave, NW. I love the look of these old school Chinese restaurants. It kind of reminds me (on a smaller scale) of the classic spot in Cleveland Park that is now becoming a Walgreens:

Folks on Yelp seem to like it. Any fans out there? Worth the trip to Van Ness or only if you’re already in the area?

Photographer Paul Sharratt shot this on film using a medium format Mamiya 7.  This photograph was included in the My Space on 7th exhibit at the Touchstone Gallery this past August/September 2009.   Paul also shot this black and white photograph at the Faeire Festival in 2009.

Two Trees Faerie Festival, © 2009 Paul Sharratt

Thanks to a couple of readers for sending word of this new spot coming to 1808 Adams Mill Road, NW (by Columbia and 18th). The STROGA Web site says:

“Washington, DC’s newest fitness concept, STROGA, is coming to Adams Morgan. Stroga will offer a revolutionary fusion of strength training and yoga, the oldest and newest methods of body conditioning…

Doug Jefferies, owner of Results Gym, was inspired by his own yoga practice and his experiences in personal training and strength conditioning. His desire to combine the two philosophies resulted in the creation of Stroga.

1808 Adams Mill Road (the L’Aiglon Building) is at the junction of Columbia Road, Adams Mill and 18th Street. Dating back to the early 1900′s the building has a rich history as both a private residence and commercial property. Owned by Douglas Development, a renovation of the building’s fine woodwork and moldings was completed in 2007. Stroga will preserve the integrity of the space, following an adaptive reuse tradition found in many of the Results Gym locations.”

You can find more info here.

Because of the short week, we have an early contest again. Winner (free PoP t-shirt) will be announced Thursday. Your captions in the comments.

I don’t walk this far north on Connecticut Ave (in Van Ness) that often anymore but this past weekend it reminded me of one of the nicest things a stranger ever did for me. Back in the day I bought an oddly out of place rattan chair at Pier 1. It was gigantic and couldn’t fit in my car. So my girlfriend (at the time) drove the car home and I was walking down Connecticut Ave toward the Zoo with a huge chair balanced on my head. A random stranger pulls over in an SUV (a woman in her 40s and asked me if I needed some help). We put the chair in the back and she drove me all the way home. It remains the most random act of kindness I’ve personally experienced.

Some times I start my walks with a route in my mind and sometimes I have no idea where I’m going. I’m always excited when I stumble on a street I’ve never heard of (like the one pictured above). This weekend’s walkabout shot me out on Piney Branch Road and though I saw some amazing houses, you really shouldn’t walk on Piney Branch Road through Rock Creek, it is not meant for pedestrians and is terrifying on foot…

It doesn’t get too much more random than this…

These were outside one of the embassy residences. I think Malaysia…but I am sure that they are phenomenal.

Which do you like better – these or the one from yesterday?

I’m not sure if I’ve posted this one before but if I did, it’s definitely worth a second look. It stopped me dead in my tracks.

I told you the Forest Hills Neighborhood was good to me! This is one of the more unusual styles I’ve seen in DC. Any fans?