Hahaha, I had to look up Jonah Jones on Wikipedia and he’s legit:

“Jonah Jones (born Robert Elliott Jones; December 31, 1909 – April 29, 2000) was a jazz trumpeter who is perhaps best known for creating concise versions of jazz and swing standards that appealed to a mass audience. In jazz he might be best appreciated for his work with Stuff Smith. He was sometimes referred to as “King Louis II.” Started playing alto sax at the age of 12 in the Booker T Washington Community Center band in Louisville before quickly transitioning to trumpet where he excelled immediately.”

This is so wild. That’s some good watering. When I took a photo of this balcony garden on 16th St, NW overlooking Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park back in June it looked like this:

We’ve checked out some great bungalows in Petworth, 16th Street Heights, and Brightwood but there’s also a good group like the one above in Cleveland Park.

If you have an event, fundraiser or happy hour you’d like featured on the 5pm Post, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com and please include ’5pm post’ in the title.

“Dear PoP,

I’m a producer for the DC Chapter of a national art project called MORTIFIED. We’re gearing up for our next show (November 10) and are currently looking for submissions. I was hoping you could help us get the word out. Details below:

Mortified is a comic excavation of adolescent writing, art and media.
Hailed a “cultural phenomenon” by Newsweek, Mortified is a comic
excavation of the strange and extraordinary things we created as kids.
Witness adults sharing their own adolescent journals, letters, poems,
lyrics, home movies, stories and more!

The Washington, D.C. chapter is looking for new material … that’s right … you know you wrote
some lame ass stuff in school. So did the people behind Mortified.
And they want you to join them. Dust off that diary! Whip out that
Trapper Keeper! Mortified DC is actively looking for new participants to
join the fun. If you or someone you know would like to read aloud
utterly embarrassing childhood relics in front of total strangers …
we’d LOVE to hear from you. Open to anyone from actors to
accountants. Must be 21+.

WHAT: MORTIFIED – WASHINGTON DC AREA
SUBMIT: http://www.getmortified.com/casting”

After the jump – tonight’s fundraiser happy hour. (more…)

Thanks to a reader for sending this news in from right next door to where the Go Burger is coming in at 1317 Connecticut Ave, NW.  Anyone ever heard of Yola frozen yogurt?

Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

This sounds fun. Tickets cost $15 and the tour runs from 3-5pm. From Washington Walks:

AUGUST 29
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
The 14th Street corridor between Irving Street and Park Road was one of Washington’s most important shopping and entertainment destinations outside downtown. That is until April 4, 1968, when riots following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sparked extensive looting and burning of commercial property. For decades afterwards, boarded-up businesses and empty lots marred the formerly vibrant Columbia Heights. Nearly 40 years later, change has swept the area once more: the opening of the Columbia Heights Metrorail station in 1999 spurred construction of apartment buildings, row houses, and the massive shopping complex D.C. USA.

Led by Brian Kraft, lead researcher, “Cultural Convergence: Columbia Heights Neighborhood Heritage Trail”

Meets outside COLUMBIA HEIGHTS METRO STATION’s north exit by the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail sign

Thanks to a reader for forwarding this message. The bird was found near Holmead Place in Columbia Heights:

“Hello Neighbors – I was outside today doing a little bit of lawnwork and a cute parakeet flew into our yard. It is clearly domesticated and must belong to someone. Does anybody know of bird owners in our neighborhood?

If so, let us know! We want to make sure this bird finds it home again.”

If this is your bird please email me and I’ll connect you with the reader.

This rental is located at 1621 R St, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Description
Efficiency-Carriage Apartment
2nd Floor
Large Walk-in Closet
Skylights
Recessed Lighting
Ceiling Fan
Washer/Dryer in Apt”

Wow, two carriage house rentals in one week! Think $1300 sounds reasonable for this one?

Photo by PoPville flickr user jkrehely2002

“Dear PoP,

This fall, I will be taking courses at Johns Hopkins’ DC campus while interning on the Hill.

Currently I am looking for a room to rent, and was wondering if you might know of someone searching for a well-mannered roommate. I am trying to stay within a budget and don’t require much at all, but having a comfortable and safe living situation is important. I am unsure as to what I should be paying and where I should be living. Any leads or advice you may have would be most appreciated.”

What do you guys think the going rate is if you get a roomate? $700 – $1000? If this reader is going to be studying in Dupont but working on the Hill where should he focus his search – on the Hill or by Dupont?

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

This series by pablo.raw is phenomenal.

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

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a WMATA press release:

Metro has begun to install new cameras on its fleet of 1,500 buses to assist with improving Metrobus safety by documenting incidents and assisting operators to develop safer, more efficient driving habits.

As part of a five-year contract, DriveCam will install cameras on all operational Metrobuses; review and analyze video footage; and provide feedback on operator driving habits.

Metro currently has security cameras on many of its buses that are primarily used to document customer-related incidents. DriveCam’s main focus is to help the Metrobus staff reduce incidents, and improve safe driving habits.

The DriveCam system will capture video and audio inside and outside of Metrobuses, detect when an operator makes a defensive move to avoid an accident, brakes or accelerates suddenly, turns sharply, or is involved in an incident.

DriveCam will analyze the data from such events and that analysis will be provided to management, supervisors, trainers and operators. The information will be used to encourage good driving habits, correct poor habits, and help in investigations.

“We believe DriveCam’s expertise will help us provide our customers with even safer bus service,” said Jack Requa, Metro Assistant General Manager of Bus Services. “But many others will benefit from this partnership with DriveCam, including operators, pedestrians and other drivers on the roads.”

Installation of the system began in mid-August and is expected to be completed and fully operational by January 2011. Metrobus officials are integrating the system into the bus fleet in phases, which includes equipment installation, operator and supervisor training, and policy education throughout all nine Metrobus divisions.

Metro Chief Safety Officer James Dougherty said DriveCam will help Metrobus operations by “identifying risky behavior” before the behavior results in an incident. “This is another tool that we will have to train our personnel to focus on safety,” he said.

Deployment of the system on Metrobuses, which cost $3 million to install and monitor during the next two years, resulted from an extensive analysis of the DriveCam services by Metro officials. The system is already in use on MetroAccess vehicles.

Think this’ll work?

Peak of the peak fare increase after the jump. (more…)

This home is located at 1318 G St, NE:

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The flier says:

“FIVE STAR PROPERTY! Warmth & Quality Abound on Capitol Hill! Refreshingly Open Floor Plan * 3 FIN Levels * Formal LR & DR * Gleaming HDWD’s * True Chef’s KIT * Top-Of-The-Line Appliances * Updated Bath * Finished LL FR * Great Storage * Workshop * CAC * Fully Restored Moldings, Windows, & Staircase * Private Rear Garden *”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Does $624,500 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/2 bath?

Photo from American Jewish Historical Society

“Dear PoP,

Why is there such a dearth of table tennis/ping pong (is there a difference between those two terms?) options in DC?
I only know of Comet Ping Pong…do you happen to know of any other ping pong tables in the district?”

A question dear to my heart. I can only think it’s a pain to chase the balls around and takes up too much space for most bars. According to wikipedia table tennis and ping pong are synonymous. And an Olympic sport…

Many were hopeful that Ping Pong Dim Sum in Chinatown would offer an alternative but aside from good food, no sports are offered.

Back in January we learned that the Rock and Roll Hotel on H St, NE offered ping pong Monday nights. Anyone know if that is still going on? Where do you guys play ping pong?

Mie N Yu is located at 3125 M Street, NW. Their Web site says:

“Executive Chef Tim Miller has a passion for being true to ethnic cuisines from cultures along the ancient Silk Road. After all chef Miller is not only trained in Culinary Arts, but is an Anthropology major as well. Just like the American story, the Silk Road was, and is, a fusion of cultures. For a chef and anthropologist, exploring the cuisines and cultures of the Silk Road represent endless possibilities.

Mie N Yu partners with local farmers to bring the best that the region has to offer in meats, seafood, dairy, and produce.”

You can see their menus here. Any fans?

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“Dear PoP,

I’m trying to find out if anyone knows what’s been done with the building that was formerly The Space at 903 N Street. It closed a while back and now that EFN Lounge is also closing on 9th Street I’m sad to see these local businesses go. I was hoping perhaps these spaces might be available for lease or sale. Anyone know anything?”

Anyone know of any plans for these spaces? I couldn’t help but note that the old Vegetate space at 1414 9th St, NW also sits vacant. Do you think this section is regressing? Ed. Note: By regressing I mean a return to vacant storefronts. No more no less.