The Forest Hills neighborhood was very kind to me this weekend. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on here – I think it’s a bird eating a turtle. But clearly it’s awesome…

I know most of the snow has melted this weekend but I had to include this one a reader sent in from the 1300 block of Newton Street, NW. This is my new favorite!

Here’s a great modern one from the Forest Hills neighborhood (near Van Ness). Anyone dig this style?

Thanks to all who sent word especially this reader who also sent the photos. He writes:

“I just happened to walk by as the first fire trucks were arriving at around 1245 pm today at this fire at the Alliance of Concerned Men building at 2905 11th. There was white smoke pouring out of the building, but the firefighters had it under control within about 20 minutes. Here are pictures. As you can see around 7-10 fire trucks and probably 40 plus firefighters responded.”

More photos after the jump. (more…)

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Thanks to all the readers who sent in their accounts of this incident. From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a police involved shooting involving an armed suspect that began in the 400 block of Kenyon Street, NW.

At approximately 1:09 p.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2009, uniformed officers from the Third District responding to a 911 call were confronted by a male suspect armed with a knife. The suspect, who was being investigated in connection with an earlier offense, twice confronted and reportedly lunged at officers in the 400 and subsequently the 600 blocks of Kenyon Streets. NW, in the attempt to inflict bodily harm. During the course of those confrontations, officers in imminent fear of their lives fired their service weapons and the suspect was struck.

The suspect who has been identified as 32-year-old Tremaine Flythe of Northwest Washington was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:33 p.m.

A knife was recovered at the scene of this incident and a dog that was apparently in possession of the owner was turned over to Animal Control for safekeeping.

The male officers involved, 5 and 6 year members assigned to the Third District, suffered no apparent physical injuries as a result of this incident. They have both been placed on administrative leave with pay in accordance with departmental protocol.

The circumstances surrounding this police involved shooting remain under investigation by members assigned to the department’s Force Investigation Team which falls under the Internal Affairs Bureau.”

Wild! Thanks to a reader for sending. A commenter writes:

“You asked not too long ago if a Columbia Heights Xmas tree would be a good idea. I personally thought it was a great idea and could lure shoppers to the neighborhood. Well the idea had its critics. Chief amoung the problems seemed to be that an Xmas tree was a religious symbol and therefore couldnt be placed in the plaza. So why then I ask. Was I walking by the plaza only to see a FULL ON NATIVITY SCENE? I for one think the tree would be a lot prettier and a much better draw.”

I think a camel in Columbia Heights is awesome!

edward_DC also uploaded this photo to the PoPville flickr pool:

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

Given the holiday most folks are getting out of work early. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and safe travels for those on the road. I’ll be eating Chinese food on Friday and will be back to regular posting on Monday!

Emmanuel Ndenguebi-Essimi is a talented young photographer.  He shot this with a Mamiya C330, a medium format twin lens reflex from the 1970′s, using expired color film.  Emmanuel also processed the film himself. 

Photo from PoPville flickr user bruboo

Last night a friend of mine told me that she received a 14 pound ham via special delivery for Christmas. I thought that was absolutely awesome, if a bit random. So it got me thinking – what is the best or strangest gift you’ve ever received for the holidays?

Kalia writes:

“So my company Alion Science and Technology donated wreaths this year to 4 of the major national cemeteries this year. They sent some to Arlington, Alexandria, Annapolis, and DC. It was all volunteer and unlike Arlington, this was the first year for the DC cemetery to lay wreaths for the winter season. This year they donated 100 wreaths to the DC cemetery because they weren’t sure what the turnout would be. 8 of us laid 100 wreaths on the markers on either side of the flagpole on Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 2pm. Hopefully next year we will be able to get more volunteers and more wreaths!”

I’ll definitely participate and help publicize next year!

Congrats to Matt T with:

A special tonight on CBS for today’s times:
“Frosty the Snowman after his divorce!”

And runner up to CoHianite with:

Frosty the Snowman
was drunken malformed fright
with a melted face and a Guinness beer
and two cans of Natty Light

I thought tigers would be a bit out of vogue given, well, you know…

Sweet! And it is impossible for me not to also show the Grant Circle tree:

Here’s my last batch of snowmen. Back to doors next week!

This great one was taken by PoPville flickr user mediaslave. Merry Christmas!