Thanks to a reader for the heads up about this Ledroit Park classic. We last took a look at it back in January. At the time some there was some disagreement as to whether the reno was looking good or not. What do you think now that the scaffolding has come down – thumbs up or down?

You can see the detail is extraordinary.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Clearly the chimney is to the right but what is the small circular thing that spins on the left hand side of the photo?

You’ll have to refer to this picture in a couple of months for contrast. This home at the corner of 13th and Euclid Streets, NW in addition to being an amazing house, has the most incredible vegetable garden I’ve ever seen. This was the first spring that I noticed these huge piles of mulch. I wonder if this is their secret? I’ll be back to update in a couple months…

Thanks to a reader for the heads up. The City Vista Busboys is filled with subtle sculptures and some less subtle sculptures.

What do you think of the newest addition?

New Hampshire Ave, from Grant Circle to Spring Street, NW got hooked up with some new turf. It looks fantastic.

I’ve previously noted this row of houses on 13th St, NW (near Cardozo HS). The corner one was speaking to me on Saturday and I was especially digging the Mediterranean vibe.

Qualia Coffee is located at 3917 Georgia Ave., NW. (Ed. Note: Qualia owns Fresh Off the Roast Coffee, a PoP advertiser) From an email:

“Qualia will be staying open until 9pm this coming Friday and Saturday and will be maintaining these later hours the last weekend of each month, moving forward. This is an experiment to see whether there is a need for extended hours. We will also be featuring some special treats from Paisley Fig to complement the later hours.”

Here’s the word via email:

“Earlier this week we signed a lease 7820 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, MD. We have our plans completed and are about to be submitted for approval. Our tentative date for opening is somewhere in mid July. At the new location we plan on keeping the same look as our other two locations with a few new twists to our industrial/rustic look.”

They currently have 2 locations at 1116 H Street NE and 485 K Street NW. I wish them much success so they can open up another spot in Shaw/U Street/Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights and/or Petworth…

From ESPN:

“Gilbert Arenas won’t have to serve jail time, a judge ruled Friday.

The Washington Wizards three-time All-Star point guard was sentenced Friday in D.C. Superior Court by Judge Robert E. Morin on one felony count of violating the District of Columbia’s strict gun laws.

Arenas must serve 30 days in a halfway house and register as a gun offender.

He was sentenced to two years probation and must donate $5,000 to victims of violent crimes fund and do 400 hours community service.”

Has justice been served?

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia (not cherry blossoms but still beautiful!)

You can find all the info you’ll need here:

“Opening day marks the beginning of the two-week long celebration of the cherry blossoms and the commencement of spring in Washington, DC.

For the fifth year in a row, free Family Day festivities will be presented jointly by the Festival and the National Building Museum in anticipation of thousands of families from around the region and nation that will attend.”

and

“The Opening Ceremony is a National Cherry Blossom Festival tradition that embraces the true meaning of the Festival – the celebration of spring, cross-cultural exchange and community. His Excellency Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan, leads the tableau of Washington dignitaries to welcome the crowd that fills the majestic balconies throughout the Great Hall of the National Building Museum. The program begins at 4:00 PM.

With a resounding opening, The Shigeyama family, famous Kyogen players with a history dating 400 years, performs “Sambaso,” the most sacred and celebratory of all plays in the Noh and Kyogen repertoire. The troupe is comprised of five actors and three musicians. “Sambaso” dances celebrate fertility and good harvests.”

More info on opening ceremony here.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate so it won’t look like this:

Super cool photo from PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

Photo by PoPville Flickr user Jess J

From a DDOT press release:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin roadway repairs as part of the final stage of Phase II of the Columbia Heights Public Realm Project. Crews are scheduled to begin a three week pavement excavation and asphalt paving project starting in the center lanes on northbound 14th Street from Park Road to Monroe Street, NW, weather permitting.

Construction crews will begin placing concrete traffic barriers after 9 a.m. on March 26 to cordon off the work area.

A single lane of traffic will be maintained at all times, in both directions. Motorists should be aware of transitions and lane changes due to the construction.

Businesses along this busy commercial corridor will remain open during construction with unrestricted access.

The Metrobus stop at Park Road and 14th St. will be relocated temporarily to north of Monroe St.

DDOT Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) will be positioned at the intersections during am and pm rush-hours to help facilitate traffic. Flagmen and Variable Message Signs will be utilized to assist in directing the flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Image from Eisenhower Memorial Commission

Thanks to all for sending in the word. You can read the full press release here:

The selected design will be located on a four-acre site at the base of Capitol Hill (between 4th and 6th Streets SW, south of Independence Avenue). This design not only creates a gathering place for memorial visitors, it also represents Eisenhower’s ability to bring people together to achieve goals on behalf of the citizens he served. From a central location featuring a grove of oak trees, visitors will move to different parts of the memorial, where themes from Eisenhower’s life will be presented. The selected design concept includes columns along the north and south edges of the site, paying homage to the memorial traditions of the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, while respecting the historic vista along Maryland Avenue. Large memorial tapestries of woven stainless steel mesh supported on the colonnade of limestone depict images of Eisenhower’s life, amplifying the setting and creating an ideal background for the memorial experience.

Image from Eisenhower Memorial Commission

This apartment is located at 301 9th Street SE:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“301 9th St. SE, #1, — Super sunny first floor two bedroom apartment located in a corner building just two blocks from Eastern Market/Barracks Row shopping, restaurants, & METRO. Laundry, a/c, kitchen with dishwasher, oak floors, living room fireplace, and good-sized brick private patio. Available immediately. $1,950 + utilities (HEAT and hot water included in the rent). NO PETS or SMOKING, please.”

Does $1950 sound reasonable for this 2 bedroom?

Photo by PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

Couple of ‘Dear PoP’ questions I’ve been meaning to post:

“I have a request for a recommendation for a home improvement project – next time you are in the mood, can you post this to the crowd?

I am thinking of stainless steel countertops for my kitchen, and I wonder if any of the PoP readers have any tried-and-true sheet metal shops to recommend?”

and in one of the more random questions ever asked:

“Do you know if we have an electric shaver repair shop anywhere close by?”