From the CH listserv and DC Food For All:

“The excitement begins on Saturday, June 5, 2010, the first day of the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace – to be located at the Civic Plaza at the intersection of 14th and Kenyon streets and Park Road, NW. It will run every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., from June 5 through October 30, 2010.”

Are you glad that Sat. was selected?

This apartment is located at 2511 Q Street, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Ideally located between Dupont Circle and Georgetown, Rock Creek Gardens entices you
With beautifully landscaped grounds and newly renovated lobby. The spacious apartment
Homes offer hardwood floors, renovated kitchens, and oversized closets.”

Do you think $1440 sounds reasonable for this location?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

“Dear PoP,

I’m guessing some Pop T-shirts have traveled the youth hostel-backpacker-Eurail circuit around Europe much more recently than I have so I’d love to tap the readers for advice. My favorite niece is finishing her masters in education this June and I’m cashing in my flyer miles and advancing her 10 years of birthday presents to send her on the “Grand Tour” for 4-6 weeks.

Times have changed a lot since my own trip (1985, mostly hitchhiking, and ultimately 2 years long.) Do people still prefer backpacks or is a wheeled suitcase/duffel better? (She’s more a city girl and not likely to climb any alps and will have a one-month Eurail pass.) What’s the best credit or ATM card for exchange rates? Does anyone still even use traveler’s cheques? How about phones? On my own recent trips to Europe I found public phones few and far between. (Even with my friends’ mobiles, we sometimes had trouble between the French, Italian and British) Any particular recommendations?

Has anyone had good experiences with “couchsurfing” or “Air bed and breakfast” or other home-stay arrangements?

She also loves to teach and do volunteer work – any info on short-term volunteer opportunities that might give her a better way to get to know people than just the youth hostel experience?

With such a short time, she’ll be doing mostly all the main cities and attractions, but any particular lesser known “don’t miss” places or experiences or festivals she should seek out?”

Not exactly a traditional PoPville series but I did think these shots were pretty wild. It is called “Orange Globe” by UrsulaAntares.

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

This home is located at 4951 Rockwood Parkway, NW:

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The flier says:

“Premier Miller-built property on the market for the first time. A unique residence, ideal for a private individual or embassy, featuring 6BRs, 7BAs, 5 fireplaces, elevator, 2 gated entries, 108′ flagstone terrace, 5-zone HVAC, grand room, music room & receiving room, four floors of living area and incredible entertainment flow, all in the most desirable location in Spring Valley.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

This a reader request, they write:

“I was just going through some real estate listings and stumbled upon a $7 million dollar listing in Spring Valley – you have got to look at the pictures of the interior of this place. Granted, its a wonderful house, but the level of gaudiness and gold leafing and crystal chandeliers is absolutely ridiculous. I was honestly cringing looking at each of the pictures. Out of this world and over the top. Just thought the readers would get a kick out of this place and its ridiculousness. Don’t know how anyone could ever see past the decor and buy it for 7 mil.”

Yup, it’s yours for $7 million. And I have to agree with the reader, these are some of the most insane photos I’ve ever seen.

What’s your favorite room?

Le Chat Noir is located at 4907 Wisconsin Ave, NW. This one is for the French food lovers. You can see their menus here. What’s the atmosphere like? Any must order dishes?

Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. In September, he launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. Every day, People’s District presents a different Washingtonian sharing his or her insights on everything from Go Go music to homelessness to fashion to politics. You can read his previous columns here.

“I’m 33. I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the U.S. in December 1983. My family first came to New York and then we settled in Hyattsville, Maryland. I have been doing construction since I left high school in 1995. I did general labor, demolition, asbestos removal, whatever. Being out there in the field, I was exposed to a lot of the injustices that people in the work force deal with, things like poor or no pay and mistreatment. I am fortunate because I am bilingual, so I could speak up for co-workers who didn’t speak the language. There were a few times when I would be let go for speaking up, but the way I look at it, I am not going to let anyone disrespect me or my co-workers.

“My whole time in construction, I was never in a union. I don’t have a pension or insurance, none of that. With my health, I always just crossed my fingers. I got hurt a few times and always had to pay out of pocket. Back then, I didn’t know about the unions. It’s not like contractors were telling us about our rights. Their bottom line was making money. The last thing many of them wanted was for us to have the knowledge that if we joined with our co-workers, we could have what they had — a contract. No job gets done in this city without a contract, yet we never had one. Part of that may be that union density in D.C. is not like New York. Here, there isn’t that mentality where your Dad and Granddad were in the union.

“When I was given the opportunity be an organizer, I said, ‘Heck, yeah.’ Now I’m able to give back. I spend a lot of my time in the field talking with people. I have been in their shoes, so I know how to relate to them. I think that it’s important to even the playing field. If you want your community to thrive, you need to give your community the resources and options. Without options, people unfortunately turn to other means. Continues after the jump. (more…)

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Thanks to a reader for the heads up:

“It appears a new pho place will be opening at 608 H St NW, according to DC Register. It looks like they’ll be applying for a liquor license and will be open til 3 am!”

The liquor application says:

“NATURE OF OPERATION
Asian and Vietnamese cuisine. 65 seats and total capacity load of 65 on first floor and
storage on the second floor.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday through Thursday 9 am – 2 am and Friday & Saturday 9 am – 3 am”

And speaking of Pho a reader has some veggie Pho news from Pho Viet (3513 14th Street, NW):

“I’m a regular at Pho Viet. Nina and Mike are really great people and have put a lot of work into their restaurant and I’m dying for them to succeed. They spent a year renovating that basement and they’re some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that they added veggie pho to their menu and they have a chicken pho too (with beef broth). When you originally posted about them, there were a few commenters who wanted veggie pho.”

This one made me laugh just by anticipating your captions. Winner(s) picked Friday. You’re captions in the comments and winner gets a PoP t-shirt.

Ojo Latino is a series by Néstor Sánchez Cordero. Nestor writes, “I’m working on a new project with my friend María Alejandra and her beautiful creations. She weaves outstanding and unique necklaces, gloves and scarves…”

More photos after the jump. (more…)

You guys haven’t been stumped yet this week. Ever actually. So this is located on a huge piece of land not terribly far from Tenleytown. Here’s the corner where I took the photo:

Was this a former military testing ground or something like that?

These are all from the same house (2900 block of Albemarle). Actually the house of Sheba:

Many more sculptures after the jump. (more…)

When the treehouses look like this.

A bit imposing but I liked the stonework.

Ok here are the last two overlooking the woods in Forest Hills. Some more cool ones later this week but in different sections of Forest Hills. This one has a ton of balconies and windows:

One more house after the jump. (more…)