I think this Georgetown one is pretty interesting because it looks like it might be (relatively) new construction. Do you like the style?

Yogen Fruz currently has a location at 825 14th St, NW and will also be opening up a spot at Union Station. You can see their flavors here. I wonder if they’ll be competing with the frozen yogurt offered by next door neighbor, and also coming soon, Cafe Grande.

The reader writes:

“This might be the best pop-up ever. It used to be 2 stories and has been a rental for the ten years I’ve been on the block. The house was gutted and now has 4 units. The pop-up looks totally natural and blends nicely into the block, which is home to differing styles of houses. Next door, by the way, is a house deserving of a horses ass award. 1342 (the address reads 1324) has been under construction for at least 10 years. It’s ugly but I suppose it could be worse – at least it’s occupied.”

So this is a two parter – thumbs up or down for the pop up above first and second do you think the house to the right deserves a horses ass award nomination?

Ed. Note: The deadline has passed for entries, we got over 300! If you missed the deadline, save your shots for next year, sorry no exceptions. I will be posting initial entries for 2 more weeks or so before the semifinal rounds commence. Remember if you have a favorite please let me know. If you emailed a photo of your pet I promise all photos will be posted, patience please, there are tons (literally hundreds) of pets in PoPville!

Claude-Phillipe

“Claude-Phillipe, in an hermaphroditic frenzy, laid some eggs last week. If any PoPsters would like to experience the dynamism and charisma of the gastropod, we may have some offspring up for adoption in a few weeks.”

Gunny

“This is Gunny, our pit-bull/ black lab/ dachshund puppy. He loves his fetching toy so much that he takes it everywhere, including the RFK farmers market.”

Pete

“Pete should be a PoPville ambassador. After getting lost from his family, a nice PoPville resident picked him up and posted him on the PoP website last August. His owner, Lauren, is very lucky to have found him! He is a total sweetheart (even though he looks like a cartoon in this picture). Vote for Pete!”

More great entries after the jump. (more…)

This rental is located at 5th and Quincy Streets, NW:

View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“To acquire this apartment, complete an application, $25 credit check/reference check, $1000 security deposit. 12 month lease preferable. Please email with your availability for seeing the apartment. We are showing the apartment on an individual basis by appointment — so please email to set up a meeting. Thanks!

The apartment was recently renovated (you will be the third tenant) and comes with a beautiful floor plan, new brand name appliances, and a new bathroom. Kitchen features a stylish breakfast bar, refrigerator/freezer, gas stove, microwave oven, dishwasher, disposal and exhaust fan. The apartment also features a private rear entrance that will take you directly to your private parking space in the rear. Apartment features recessed lighting, beautiful ceramic tile flooring and an open floor plan. Light is plentiful from the three north-facing windows. Also gracing this great space is a great walk-in-closet and spacious pantry. Apartment has direct access to clothes washer and dryer.

No Smoking and no Pets Please.

You pay 1/4 of House Utilities (A/C, heat, water, electric) – generally $60 a month. High Speed Internet and Comcast Cable offered FREE. Washer and Dryer in the apartment. Located in a completely renovated, gorgeous townhouse. Private parking is available and street parking is plentiful. You will be the third tenant to ever live in this unit — the other two have loved it and will gladly provide references.”

Does $1100 sound reasonable for this basement studio?

“Dear PoP,

I don’t normally comment on blogs or contribute but our current situation has compelled me to see what other people think, good or bad about our somewhat “interesting” rental situation. We relocated in June because of work and had to find a place pretty quickly. We looked at upwards of 30 places in DC and MD. Upon my initial visit to the current property, the person showing the property lived in the basement unit. The owner lives in California. I asked how issues were handled and was given the response that we would let him(basement resident) know and then he would let owner know and get whatever needed to be done and paid for. The place was not “clean” when I went through but was assured verbally that it would be cleaned before we moved in. There was also an issue with the bathroom that he was upfront about and told me that it was in process of being taken care of and I believed him.

After we arrived ahead of our things which were being transported by a moving company, we noticed the place had not been cleaned AT ALL, and probably hadn’t been cleaned ever in years. We moved some furniture that had been left behind and found piles of rodent feces and their “attempts” at catching said rodents. I alerted basement guy and he acted shocked and said “he had no idea”. I won’t go into details but we spent 3 days cleaning, scrubbing, etc. to even get the place livable and spent an extra night in a hotel because we didn’t have time to unpack anything the first day. I demanded the owner’s phone number and called him immediately. We spoke and he assured me that all the issues which start with:

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Pixable

Submit your photos to the PoPville flickr pool here. Follow PoPville on twitter here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user mustachioed

Photo of Dangerously Delicious Pie by Ken

A reader just sent me an email last night (photo above) saying how he wished Dangerously Delicious Pies came to the Columbia Heights Farmers Market. CH Market folks – make it happen!

From an email:

“Wear your best golf shirt to the Capitol Riverfront BID’s summer outdoor movie this Thursday, July 29th — HAPPY GILMORE, the 9th movie in this year’s Ultimate Underdog series!

The movie will be held at Canal Park at 2nd and M Streets, SE. Stop by the Capitol Riverfront Farmers Market beforehand (3-7 pm at New Jersey Ave and M St, SE) to pick up picnic items or BBQ from Tender Ribs. Enjoy dessert from Dangerously Delicious Pies and Micha’s Sorbet at the park. Bring blankets and chairs, family and friends and enjoy the movies! Movie begins at 8:45/9 pm.”

This condo is located at 1200 Euclid St, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“HARD-TO-FIND! NEW in ’07- ALL SYSTEMS/AMENITIES. Full 3rd flr of rowhouse in Columbia Hts boutique bldg. LRG, penthouse-like END UNIT. Bamboo floors, many lrg windows & recessed lighting thru-out. Big balcony. Sep DR & desk areas. Gourmet kitchen w/ granite, ss appls, incl French dr refrig & gas stove!Low fees, 1 prkng spot w/ 2nd avail. Treetop views incl Capitol.”

You can find more info here and here and more photos here.

What do you think of the unit itself? Does $425,000 ($258 condo fee) sound reasonable for this 1 bed/1bath?

“

Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

“Dear PoP,

I recently started renting a townhouse with a yard that’s got to be barely over 100 square feet. I don’t have a pushmower, and I’m not sure where I’d put one if I did. I’m wondering if your readers know of any inexpensive mowing services? The job would take less than ten minutes, and I can’t be the only one in this boat.”

Any suggestions? I’m also curious how much you pay? If you have a phone number for your service, please also leave in comments.

Kellari is located at 1700 K St, NW. After Italian, Greek is one of my favorite types of food so I’m eager if anyone has checked out this spot yet? Any must order items? You can see their menus here.

Where are your other favorite Greek spots in town?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

I was sent a disturbing story from an ESPN Vendor Inspection Report:

“Nationals Park
Washington Nationals
Vendors with critical violations: 25%

Inspection report excerpt: One location received a critical violation for not having a D.C.-certified food manager’s card.

Verizon Center
Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals
Vendors with critical violations: 100%

Inspection report excerpt: Mice droppings, a critical violation in Washington, were found at at least 10 vendors.”

Photo from PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoP,

I was walking down Irving St. towards Mt. P the other day when I glanced to my right down Hiatt Pl., only to see a woman slapping and punching the head of a young boy (presumably a son/nephew/younger relative?) while yelling at him (in Spanish so I couldn’t figure out what she was saying). I froze. Then I spent an anguished minute staring, trying to figure out what to do. To my shame, I ended up doing nothing and going on my way. No other passers-by seemed to notice or if they did, they didn’t react.

I felt strongly that I should have intervened, but I also felt that if it was a mother/son relationship, maybe it’s none of my business… What would you have done? What should I have done?”

These are the types of questions that will generate very strong reactions but I call these the “battle” questions. You never know how you’re going to react in battle until you are actually in battle. So I seriously don’t judge you for your reaction. This is an extremely difficult situation made more difficult by the fact that there was a language barrier. What I’d like to think I would have done is walk over and say no, firmly (since I don’t speak Spanish either). You may sometimes see a parent smack a child on the behind and if you don’t agree with it, I don’t think that would warrant an intervention. But the situation you describe with the child being hit about the head is completely over the line and dangerous for the child. But honestly, if I went over and said no to the mother, I’m not sure if that would help much. This level of aggression seems like social services might need to get involved. But back to your question, what should a witness do? I have no idea.

Should the police be alerted? Remember we are talking about a young child being hit about the head. What steps could/should be taken in order to best aid the young child?

We’ve had great fun judging the exterior of the new Shaw library which opens Aug. 2nd. Recently, I had the good fortune of getting a tour from DC Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper and Branch Manager Eric Riley.

DC Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper points out some features at the new Shaw Library

There were still a few boxes that needed to get unpacked when I stopped by but I was still able to grab a few interior photos. I’m super happy to report that the inside is about as impressive as the outside of the building. Shaw is a very lucky neighborhood though a number of other neighborhood locations are getting upgraded as well including Georgetown (should reopen in Oct.), Tenlytown (should reopen in Dec.) Petworth (should reopen in Jan.) and a few others including Mt. Pleasant.

Sculpture to be placed in front of Shaw library with neighborhood artist Craig Kraft in front of his home on R St, NW

But back to Shaw. It is really a beautiful sight. Located at 7th and Rhode Island Ave, NW (right across from the Shaw metro) it is certainly convenient. It consists of 3 floors and will have 80,000 books and 40 public computers including 8 apple computers for the teen room. There are also study rooms, conference rooms and a meeting room (that can be reserved online). A couple more cool features include the fact that the building is a green building (including a green roof) and will feature a sculpture at the point of the triangle out front that many will recognize from the Shaw neighborhood.

You can find more info about the library here.

As with many of my previews – the photos do far more justice than my words. Check lots more out after the jump. (more…)

Photo by DCPS student William Webb

Investigating Where We Live 2010 Exhibition Opening Reception at the National Building Museum:

“Take a visual journey through three DC neighborhoods in an exhibition designed by teens. The 2010 IWWL exhibition showcases a fresh perspective of DC through the eyes of young people. Students investigated the neighborhoods of Petworth, Trinidad, and the Southwest Waterfront. Their original photographs, writings, and artwork are featured in this exhibition.

For more information, please contact Outreach Programs at outreach@nbm.org.

Date: Friday, July 30, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Address:
401 F Street NW”