Today from 1pm-2pm, see a photograph from E. Brady Robinson at the One Hour Photo Project, Katzen Art Center, American University.   Read Jessica Dawson’s review of the One Hour Photo in the WaPo.  Below is a photo from Robinson’s series Scenes From Jesusland, from 2008.

© 2008 E. Brady Robinson

“Dear PoP,

I just returned home from an appointment this morning and noticed a road crew on my block that had just broken up and removed the three speed humps that were installed less than a week and a half ago. I asked them about it and they said someone on the block didn’t want them there. I can only assume that person has some sort of power that I do not. This is a residential street that is home to children, dogs, seniors and some folks that use wheelchairs, and is also next to Cardozo High School. Why would someone not want speed humps on our block? My husband and I had already noticed how much quieter the block has been and how much slower people drive. This just doesn’t make sense. What a waste of tax money not to mention the time and energy of the large work crew. Any clue what’s going on?”

Anyone care to speculate? This one stings a bit more given all the budget woes and compromises we’ve been witnessing.

Much respect for the proper sign! For those who have been inquiring about an opening date – it is looking like early June but the target of opening in time for the World Cup is still looking good. Here were the last sneak peek photos we looked at last week.

We last spoke about the old Bruce Monroe site here and we last spoke about providing funds to small business hurt by streetscape projects here.

From a CM Jim Graham Press Release:

“I worked with Chairman Gray to put $1.5 million in to transform the old Bruce-Monroe site into the community use we need. The Mayor’s office said there was only $500,000 in the budget. That was not enough for the basketball courts, night-time lights, fencing, tennis court, programming and other beautification items. The stakeholders challenged me to find more. We did.

There will also be $7 million for D.C. small businesses hurt by the streetscape projects. This money will be placed in a fund for the sole purpose of providing tax relief for our small businesses. Earlier this year, several Col. Heights businesses showed me photos of the obstacles – diggers, brick piles, sand and all manner of debris – stopping their customers at the door. They also shared some of their financial books, all of which spurred me to act. We will be developing the process itself in the next few weeks. But we had to get the budget funding in place.”

Not to be outdone by Rock and Roll Hotel on H St, NE – DC9 has applied for begun building a roof deck at 1940 9th Street NW. Thanks to a twitter user for the heads up that construction has begun!

My two guesses are unusual wind chime or spiritual bird bath…

Here’s another great stairs edition (from Capitol Hill). And here’s a bonus ‘from the files of living the good life’ edition:

Classic subtle beauty.

Awesome carriage house from Georgetown today.

Photo by PoPville flickr user and Petworth resident Wayan Vota

From Wayan:

“Seems an oil slick down southbound New Hampshire Ave NW made a slip-slide for cars approaching Grant Circle. Three accidents later, DCPD has closed off the Circle to clean off the oil.

Expect a traffic jam on surrounding side streets as drivers look for alternate routes this evening.”

From MPD:

“All traffic approaching Grant Circle NW, will be shut until further notice; this will include northbound and southbound traffic towards the Circle; from Illinois Ave, 5th Street and Varnum Street, NW. This is an oil spill from a tanker truck. DCFD and DDOT are attempting to clean-up. We will advise the community when traffic re-opens”

Update 9:05pm: Grant Circle reopened to traffic.

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The folks from Comcast share the good news:

“Just in time to get summer planning started, today HBO and Comcast announced that DC’s favorite outdoor movie festival, “Screen on the Green,” will be back for another season. Last year when it looked like without co-sponsors the show might not go on, there was an outpouring of support for the event on Facebook and Twitter. Comcast was proud to help save “Screen on the Green” last year and to co-sponsor it again this year.

And what a way to open the festival on the National Mall with Sean Connery in Goldfinger on July 12th, one of my favorite Bond movies. Another iconic film, Bonnie and Clyde will be this year’s last movie on August 2nd.”

The other two movies will be Neil Simon’s “The Goodbye Girl” on July 19, and “12 Angry Men” on July 26.

More from a press release including description of movies after the jump. (more…)

“Dear PoP,

413 7th St NW – know anything about it? Looks like it just opened, maybe even today.”

Yes, Pitango Gelato just opened up last weekend in Penn Quarter (they also have a location in Logan Circle at 1451 P St, NW). I stopped in for a taste and couldn’t believe all the flavors:

It is def. delicious. And just when I converted to Frozen Yogurt…

This is a pretty wild one. I think it’s on 31st Street, NW just south of M. I think this one looks great. Do you think the modern style fits in with old school Georgetown?

Photo from PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

The Washington Post’s Nikita Stewart is reporting:

“D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray said he has worked with the office of the Chief Financial Officer to come up with money that would allow the city to restore funding for streetcars.

Gray spokeswoman Doxie McCoy said $10 million would be made available immediately to purchase street cars in fiscal 2011. Another $37 million would be place in reserve pending an operations and funding proposal from Mayor Adrian Fenty. The council would then have to approve the proposal.”

This film will be shown where Screen on the Green films are shown on the Mall at 4th Street NW. Ed. Note: It looks like Screen on the Green has been saved as well, I’ll share that in a separate post. In the meantime, this film sounds pretty sweet.

“Kick-off summer by joining us on the National Mall the evening of Wednesday, June 9 for Washington, DC premiere of the new documentary film “Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham & the American City.” I know the event will be of interest to you and the readers of PoP. The setting alone could not be more appropriate, given that Burnham played a key role in making the National Mall what it is today.

What: Washington, DC premiere of the new documentary film “Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham & the American City”

When: Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 8:30 p.m. | Rain or Shine

Where: Outdoor screening on the National Mall at 4th Street, Washington, DC (Same location as Screen on the Green)

Sponsors: The Archimedia Workshop in Association with: Embassy of the Philippines, National Capital Planning Commission, National Endowment for the Humanities, Trust for the National Mall, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and the William Blair & Company

Details: Few individuals have had a greater impact on the American city than architect and city planner Daniel Burnham. Come and discover the timely and intriguing story of the man who helped design the National Mall as we know it today. The film screening is free and open to the public. www.ncpc.gov”