Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

All morning I’ve been looking forward to sharing the PoPville photos from this year’s Fiesta in Mt. Pleasant. For those that went – good time?

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user BloomBars

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every Monday and Friday. So anything good happen to you this weekend?

According to a press release they’ll be open from 7am – 8pm at 906 F St, NW. For those that live or work nearby be sure to let us know what you think. You can see their menu here. I was definitely excited to see this sign on Sunday:

“Dear PoP,

It was very very festive – felt like a big house party with pizza. Everyone was excited and accommodating to the first night mistakes too. We are just so happy to have it open.”

Sadly I wasn’t able to make Rustik’s soft opening (1st and T St, NW) Friday night. Well to be honest I was scared of the crowds but it looks like it was an awesome time. So for those that went – the most important question for me – how was the pizza!?!?!

Update questions from a reader just in:

“Secondly, I sadly missed the opening weekend for Rustik. I was hoping you could put it out there for discussion, what are the pros/cons, early reactions? Is it packed? If I want to go tonight, what can I expect in terms of waiting, standing, etc. What were the police doing out there in force on Saturday night?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

A reader forwards the issue as posed by an ANC commisioner from the Columbia Heights Listserv:

“Over the last several weeks ANC1A commissioners have been getting calls and emails from persons interested in opening Medical Marijuana Clinics in the area. One spot of interest was near Georgia Ave. and Kenyon. In general commissioners are very leary of having the first clinics open in our area, primarily because of fear they could have a negative impact on the current drug trade. The current drug trade involves both illegal drugs and prescription drugs, the clinics may spawn spinoff trade. Comparisons have been made to the methadone clinics which have impacted the area. There are also concerns about the clinics being overseen by ABRA instead of DOH, locations next to schools and etc..

There has not been much community dialogue on this issue.

William Jordan, ANC1A05″

ANC commissioner, 1A08, Cliff Valenti was able to send me the recommendation ANC1A passed at its last meeting.

“Regarding the location of dispensaries, ANC1A recommends that they be located in medical facilities such as
Washington Hospital Center. Section (g) of the law states that a dispensary or cultivation center shall not be located
within any residential district or within 300 feet of a preschool, primary or secondary school, or recreation center.
ANC1A believes that the radius in the law should be changed to 500 feet. Additionally, the rules need to state that
dispensaries:
• Are not located within 500 feet of a substance abuse treatment center.
• Are not located within 500 feet of a halfway house
• Are not located within 500 feet of a day care center”

You can read the full recommendation below:

ANC1A MM Recommendation

Cliff writes:

“I knew when this law passed that Georgia Avenue would be a contender for this “experiment”, and sure enough its the first location they have chosen for consideration. I think a more stable area, like Wisconsin Avenue, would help insure success of the program and the law. There is too much addiction, criminal behavior, and mental illness on Georgia Avenue for something new and controversial. The law is written without much consideration to the Pandora’s box it opens for law enforcement.”

What do you guys think – would lower Georgia Avenue be a good spot for a medical Marijuana dispensary? If not Georgia Ave, where do you think would be a more appropriate location?

Lower Georgia Ave at Euclid looking north

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This is awesome. Thanks to an eagle eyed reader for sending the heads up. If you look closely you can see that on the roof of 1430 Taylor St, NW was written ‘Marry Me Lynn’. Very cool.

We’ve noted this memorial before but just wanted to mention all the flowers that are placed here on the anniversary of their death every year. You can see a bit of background on the monument and incident here. The memorial is on Sheridan Circle near Embassy Row and Massachusetts Ave, NW.

Saw these downtown on F St, NW in Penn Quarter.

Classic Georgetown rowhouse. Notice the non traditionally sized windows.

“Dear PoP,

On the beautiful side of DC living, here’s a sign from a yard sale in Mt P ~

They had a good amount of interesting books, household items, things from afar, etc.

(Somehow I think it would have diminished the positive effect if they had cheap crap.).

Hasta la Mt P fest!”

Thanks to a reader for forwarding on. From a press release:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announced today the arrests of three suspects in three unrelated homicides. Each of the suspects was arrested on Friday, September 24, 2010.

On Monday, August 30, 2010, at approximately 11:30 pm, units from the Sixth District responded to the 4400 block of F Street, SE for the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they located a victim suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived and transported the victim to a local area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The decedent was identified as 22-year-old Antonio Valdez Vela of Waldorf, MD.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. today, members of Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 24-year-old DeAngelo Jose Garner of District Heights, Md., pursuant to an arrest warrant. He was charged with Murder One While Armed in the death of Mr. Vela.

On Monday, September 13, 2010 shortly after 4 am, officers from the Sixth District responded to the 3500 block of Croffut Place, SE for the report of a man down. Upon arriving, they discovered an unidentified male lying on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded and determined that the victim did not show any signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 37-year-old Min Soo Kang of Dunn Loring, Va.

Today at approximately 1 p.m., 31-year-old Marlon Williams of Southeast, DC was arrested and charged with First Degree Felony Murder while Armed pursuant to an arrest warrant charging him in the shooting death of Min Soo Kang. Members of MPD’s Fugitive Task Force transported Mr. Williams from DC Jail to the Homicide Branch for processing.

On Saturday, September 18, 2010 at approximately 3:30 am, officers from the Seventh District responded to the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE for the report of a woman shot. Upon arriving, they discovered an adult female in a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital, where she later died. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Ashley McCrae of the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW, Washington, DC.

Just before 1 p.m. today, 22-year-old Damon Antonio Sams of Southeast, DC was arrested and charged with Murder Two While Armed in the shooting death of Ashley McRae. Mr. Sams was transported to the Homicide Branch for processing.

“I commend the detectives for their tireless efforts, and we are hopeful that these arrests will bring some comfort to the families of the victims,” said Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier.

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This has gotten beyond out of control. From MPD:

“Around 2am, [Fri/Sat] units received a call for sounds of gunshots and shooting victim at Georgia Avenue and Allison St NW. Officers discovered a male shooting victim who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced.
The lookout is for 3 black males fleeing from the scene.
Currently, the 4400-4500 blks of Georgia Ave NW are temporarily closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The Homicide Branch is on the scene investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-919-CRIME.”

From Council Member Bowser:

“Neighbors- Commander Missouri briefed me during the night about more violence in 4D last night. Chief Lanier has made additional police resources available in 4D to address this spate of violence. I will be in continued discussion with them today to discuss strategies in 4D. Police will be canvassing for evidence and talking to anyone who might have information.”

Photo of last year’s fiesta by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

“ Fiesta DC

Date: Sunday September 26, 2010
Time: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Mt Pleasant St. NW
Notes: The Latino Festival of Washington 2010, will be celebrating 39 years of tradition. The Festival will take place on Sunday, September 26, 2010, coinciding with the festivities of Hispanic Heritage Month, on Mt. Pleasant St, from noon to 7pm.

The Latino Festival will feature five stages that will incorporate music, folklore, theater, and other performing arts. The Parade of Nations will include hundreds of dancers from 30 folkloric groups from Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. In addition, the event includes a Children’s Festival, a Science Fair, a Community-Based Organization Information Fair, a Diplomatic Pavilion for embassies and consulates, and sections for Arts & Crafts, Public Information and International Cuisine. The event is free to the public and family-oriented, with no sale of alcohol or tobacco allowed.”

“Dear PoP,

Union Row (2125 14th St, NW) seems to have its retail completely leased up now; the Sales Office has transferred to a new store that sells sliding doors. Oooo! And there’s a serious build-out going on in the last retail bay on V Street (next to Eatonville); the permits say build-out of an office, so not sure what to expect. But they’re adding a second floor (like the 2nd floor bar at Eatonville) so it’ll be interesting to see what goes in.”

Anyone know who is going in next to Eatonville?