Much respect for the simple flower boxes.

Some double stained glass action.

Here’s a couple of wild alley homes from Capitol Hill.

Closeups after the jump. (more…)

U Street (Logan Circle)’s loss is Capitol Hill’s gain. (Ed. Note: U St/Logan Circle is still getting a Creperie in Point Chaud relatively soon) Back to Crepes on the Corner – From an email:

“Crepes on the Corner (website coming soon)

Coming to Washington D.C. in early fall 2010, owners Chef Vincent Bradberry and Marc Ross of the Spectrum West Collection bring a simple and genuine creperie to Capitol Hill. Both are long time Washingtonians with a mindset to use local ingredients and produce.

Crepes on the Corner will function as a relaxing neighborhood cafe serving local residents an option for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect delicious crepes made to order, homemade soups, garden fresh salads, and a great cup of coffee.

The outside area will be primarily used for growing fresh produce and herbs. Guests and garden share the same space. Customers can even snip some their own ingredients for their crepes or relax at one of the bistro tables set with an exploration of urban farming.”

They are anticipating an early August opening. Stay tuned for updates as that date approaches.

“Dear PoP,

I saw this sign posted on the long-empty building on the northwest corner of 12th and S. I just realized you can’t read the small type on the sign, but basically the hearing will be about changing this from a grocery store to a deli/prepared food shop. Could be good news for south of U St.!”

Nice, this could be great news! I promise to update as more info becomes available.

Photo from PoPville flickr user julianne’s

From a WMATA press release:

Five Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) officers were recognized by the Metro Board of Directors and General Manager today (May 27) for their bravery and heroism. Officers Christopher Fulda, Anthony Reefer, Jaime Lopera, Cleaton Battle and Reginald Russell rescued people from a burning building near the Naylor Road Metrorail station on April 9.

MTPD Officer Fulda was on duty at the Naylor Road Metrorail Station when he heard a loud explosion around 9 p.m. A short time later he heard a second explosion and saw a set of balcony doors on the fourth floor of a nearby condominium blown out by flames.

After notifying MTPD communications of the incident, Officer Fulda heard a woman screaming for help and saw another woman yelling for help from the fifth floor of the condominium. Officer Fulda rushed to the building and kicked in the front door, which was blocked, enabling residents to exit. He climbed to the fifth floor and found an elderly woman on the floor of a smoke-filled apartment. He picked her up and carried her down the stairs and outdoors to safety.

As he re-entered the building, MTPD Officers Reefer, Lopera, Battle and Russell arrived on the scene. The five officers worked their way through the building, knocking on each door to alert the residents of the fire and assisting residents as they evacuated. On the fifth floor, Officers Lopera and Fulda rescued a resident in a wheelchair, carrying her down the stairs to safety. The officers remained on scene to assist even after the fire department arrived.

“Although these officers will tell you that they were just doing their jobs, we thank them for their heroism,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Michael A. Taborn.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Tonight…
You can head over to view vintage war posters at the Memorial Day Art Opening at The Corner Store near Eastern Market from 6-8pm. Mix it up a bit and support ROC DC at their Asian themed Mixology Party at their downtown office from 6-9pm, drinks and food included with $10 – $15 donation. Enjoy a Free Improv Show from the new troupe, 3rd Beat, at BloomBars tonight from 8:30-11pm. In the mood for art? The Phillips Collection is open til 8:30pm and donation based on Thursday nights if you want to just view the permanent collection and they stay open ’til 8:30pm.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

This rental is located at 1233 4th Street, NW:

View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“• Lovely renovated townhouse on a serene street yet close to everything.

• Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, washer& dryer, central AC.

• Large open floorplan with new kitchen and lots of space for seating and dining.

• Bonus 1st floor room for den or even extra bedroom

• Light filled 2nd floor with large open bedroom, bathroom, bed nook or den, and fully-fitted walk-in closet.

• Private shaded garden with stone terrace and mature landscaping.”

Well, this is def. a unique property… Do you think $2495 a month is reasonable?

Photo from PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

“Random people drinking in the alley behind my apartment? I live on the first floor of my building, at the back, and my windows are literally eye level with the alley. Generally, it’s very quiet, not a lot of activity. The only cars that come through are typically going to the condos behind me as they are the only folks who have parking spots (that I can tell).

For the last three nights in a row, I’ve come home around 7:00 to the sound of really loud music and several individuals (typically young men, yesterday there was a woman) drinking beer either in or outside of a car. It’s been the same car every time and it has MD tags. I know, I know … I can’t say that they don’t live in the area based only on tags but if they are local, why are they drinking, seemingly on the sly in the alley right behind my house?!?! They don’t live in my building, I’m pretty sure of that and I can only assume when they’re done with the 24 pack of Heineken bottles (the drink of choice) they drive off, obviously a very dangerous move.

I’ve contemplated calling the cops … I’m a single woman, living alone and don’t feel comfortable confronting them myself. Other obvious responses would be to close my windows, leave my place, etc. but I pay to live there and it’s hot outside, meaning open windows is a must in my apt!!! I’m pretty sure none of these people are paying to drink in the alley every night.

I’d appreciate any ideas other readers might have!”

I strongly recommend you call 911. You can be anonymous and when they operator asks your name just say, “I’d rather not give it”. If you call 911 everytime a record will be started and MPD can monitor the situation better.

What do you guys think?

Photo by PoPville flickr user julianne’s

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Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

Photo by PoPville Flickr user Blinkofanaye Ed. Note: I love the photo above and don’t mean to imply they were walking into traffic…

“Dear PoP,

Whats the deal with people walking into speeding traffic in dc? I have witnessed and nearly been in many an accident caused by people or groups of people leisurely sauntering across the street with no regard for the traffic. Its as if they just expect people to slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid them… I admit that I j-walk when the coast is clear, but walking into speeding traffic is just ridiculous. I often see the behavior with groups of young high school kids who just walk out into traffic and ignore the cars… if you honk they flick you off and curse at you… I feel like this has gotten more and more prevalent, over the past few months even, as no one is being punished or has been killed by the behavior. Its particularly bad down around u st. Anyone else experiencing this? What can we do about it?”

I have noticed this for years though I’m not sure anything can be done besides a pr campaign by the city. But for full disclosure, I know sometimes when I’m taking photos I sometimes find myself absentmindedly wandering into the middle of the road, I’ve had a few close calls and do need to pay better attention.

There actually is a campaign called Street Smart you know the one with the terrifying posters.

There was a press release back in March ’09.

Can anything else be done besides a PR campaign?

This home is located at 5001 13th Street, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

This stunning Arts and Crafts-style bungalow with gorgeous original details and luxurious modern updates has been renovated from top to bottom. Features: open floor plan, gourmet kitchen, spacious living room w/ gas fireplace, large private deck, fabulous master suite, a finished lower level with fourth bedroom, full bath, rec room, wet bar, and laundry room!

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

Oh man, the reader who thought I’d love this one was spot on. What do you guys think? Does $579,990 sound reasonable?

Volunteers Clean Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan

We last discussed the cemeteries at Walter Pierce Park here.

From an email:

The desecration of Washington’s largest post-Civil War African American cemetery continues today. National Park Service and Rock Creek Park officials are throwing large boulders and piles of dirt on to, and pounding wooden stakes into the west hillside of the Colored Union Benevolent Association cemetery site. They are doing this while one contract archaeologist with two days’ experience at the site–and apparently no knowledge of its history–monitors the work.

The fragility of this hillside cannot be overstated. It contains exposed and close-to-the-surface remains and grave artifacts.

Park officials have excluded the Walter Pierce Park Archaeology Team from the National Park Service-owned portion of the historic cemetery. They have refused to allow us to act as monitors or to conduct non-invasive ground-penetrating radar there. Our City Councilmember Jim Graham, Washington Parks & People, our neighborhood association (Kalorama Citizens Association), and our Adams Morgan advisory neighborhood commission (ANC-1-C) have all been rebuffed in their requests that the Walter Pierce Park Archaeology Team be part of an effort to protect the graves, while erosion on the hillside is contained.

Members of the Walter Pierce Archaeology Team have visited the site the past two mornings to announce their objection to what is taking place. The work continues as I write.

It is important that you–the DESCENDANTS, the SCHOLARS, the CONCERNED COMMUNITY–let National Park Service officials know immediately that you object to this dishonorable treatment of the Colored Union Benevolent Association Cemetery. The Director of the National Park Service is: Jon Jarvis, jon_jarvis@nps.gov; the Director of the National Capital Region is Peggy O’Dell, peggy_o’dell@nps.gov; the acting superintendent of Rock Creek Park is Cindy Cox, cindy_cox@nps.gov . Please note that the first and last names of each official is separated by an underscore line.

I will keep you informed,

Mary Belcher, community liaison to the Walter Pierce Park Archaeology Project

I noticed a bit of an Italian Restaurant Row on 31 Street in Georgetown. Ristorante Piccolo is located at 1068 31st St NW.

Paper Moon is located across the street at 1069 31st Street NW. You can see their menu here.

Il Canale (warning music plays on their Web site) is located down the block at 1063 31st Street, NW.

So out of the three – which is the best? Any must order dishes? Any idea why they all congregated on 31st Street?

John Reinhardt is an urban planner, writer, photographer, and urban gardener. An avid cook, John is interested in the intersection of urban design, sustainability, and food systems planning. He currently resides in Washington DC and works for the American Planning Association. He currently writes Grown in the City, a blog about urban gardening and food systems planning.

Guerrilla gardening is one of my favorite urban gardening topics, and something I am constantly learning all about.  According to some accounts, the term was coined by in the early 1970s by activist gardeners in New York City, but the practice of guerrilla gardening has been going on since recorded history – remember the story of Johnny Appleseed?  By its simplest definition, guerrilla gardening is gardening on land (public or private) that doesn’t belong to you.  Richard Reynolds, one of the most visible members of this movement, has a fantastic website about the topic at Guerrilla Gardening that I highly recommend.

Some people guerrilla garden for food, some to make a political statement, some to beautify an area, and others to make people smile.  There are many in Washington DC, if you keep your eyes open.  Some gardeners do their work anonymously, often at night, throwing seed bombs or planting flowers in tree wells.  Others actively care for their public gardens, encouraging others to tend to the garden and share the bounty.

The Dupont neighborhood has quite a few guerrilla gardens.  There is a sunflower garden in the planting strip on the northwest side of 16^th and P and in the past I’ve spotted one at 18^th and Church, in front of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church.  There’s also  a full-fledged vegetable, herb,  and flower garden cared for by two guys name Steve and Phil located right on the circle.

Once your eyes are open to guerrilla gardening, you can’t help but see places – everywhere – that could be transformed into edible or ornamental landscapes.