I could really use some music to relax to at the moment… How does Som Records always get inside my brain?

Another center of the door, door knob edition.

Last two examples from Crestwood. Which one do you like better?

Photo by PoPville flickr user JRoseC

“Saturday, September 25- The legendary 50 States and 13 Colonies Ride is back in 2010. Are you ready to try one of the hardest rides in DC? We provide the Start/Finish area and 3 pit stops fully stocked with water, food, and a bike mechanic.

The most unique and challenging bike ride in DC! This 60+ mile ride is for cyclists experienced and comfortable with riding through the city streets with traffic. The 50 States ride covers all 50 state streets in all 8 Wards in search of the District of Columbia’s statehood. Often been referred to as “brutal,” “insane,” and “engrossing.” You have not seen the city of Washington by bike until you have done the 50 States Ride.

*Cue sheets will be available the day of the ride. Because some of the cues may change last minute due to construction projects and road closures, WABA will not provide cue sheets in advance.

13 Colonies

Not quite as challenging as the 50 States Ride, but equally as enjoyable. Ride on all the streets named for every one of the 13 original colonies. This ride is a little under 15 miles and is also for cyclists who are comfortable with riding on city streets with traffic.

*Cue sheets will be available the day of the ride

Register Now>>

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Well this is certainly, uh, an interesting choice of names… The liquor application license says:

“New cocktail bar lounge with billiard table. Salad and sandwiches will be served, no entertainment. Seating capacity is 8. Total occupancy load is 40.”

Seating capacity is 8 but no entertainment (except for a billiard table)? Sounds like a legit tavern. Could be interesting.

Looks like the Porter Street Residences are 99% completed (from the outside at least). It is located on located on Porter St, NW east of Connecticut toward Rock Creek Park and Mt. Pleasant. We last checked in on them back in July. I know some folks will disagree with me, but overall I think they came out looking pretty good.

We call this one “smackdown.”

Photo of Macho Caliente by PoPville flickr user sara.goldband

This rental is located at Vermont Avenue NW at T St, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“1 Bedroom English Basement Apartment in a corner rowhouse with great light, lots of windows in every room. 1 block from the U Street Metro and near all the U Street and 14th Street shops, restaurants and clubs.

It has access to a patio, a full kitchen and a washer/dryer. All utilities included. Sorry, no pets.”

Normally I’m not a fan of basement apartments but this one actually does look like it gets good light. Does $1500 for this location sound reasonable?

Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

“Dear PoP,

I’m wondering if any of your readers have recommendations on a chimney sweep. We’ve never used ours, and I don’t know whether it’s been kept up or not (renting, and the landlord didn’t have it checked when she bought the house a few years ago). So I need someone to tell us if it’s in okay shape, but we’d rather not spend a ton of money — we’re not going to pay to have it fixed if that’s what needs to happen.”

Crap, I used somebody good a couple of years ago but have no idea who it was. Dang. By the by, how often should one have their chimney swept? Any good recs?

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

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

Photo by PoPville flickr user laurarotondo

I forgot to post this big update from CM Jim Graham from last week:

Dear Friends, I am pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached between the Fenty administration and the developers of the Heights on Georgia Avenue that will allow the project to begin construction in the next 60 – 90 days.

The Council of the District of Columbia was also instrumental in advancing the project by passing crucial legislation I authored to provide a tax relief for the affordable housing portion of the project and to realign the public alley to the rear of the property.

The building, to built at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Lamont Street (the current site of a vacant lot and a pawn shop) will consist of a mix of 50% market rate and 50% affordable one, two and three bedroom rental units constructed on top of 10,000 square feet of neighborhood serving retail. The building will comply with The Green Community Initiatives (roughly equivalent to LEED Certified standard) and the District’s Green Building Code. It will feature an accessible green roof with fourteen different types of vegetation, photovoltaic panels, passive solar heating and cooling, a central water system and water conserving / Energy Star appliances and fixtures among many other environmentally friendly attributes.

The project is being developed by a partnership between MiCasa, Inc., a local non profit, and the Neighborhood Development Company, another locally based company. The companies have developed numerous award-winning projects in Ward 1 and the Georgia Avenue corridor.

Another solid step forward for lower Georgia Avenue…joining the senior wellness Center (opens tomorrow!), CVS, Park Place Apartments, Bruce Monroe interim Park, New Community on the way for Park Morton…

This house is located at 8 Snows Ct, NW:

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The flier says:

“FABULOUS and CHARMING home tucked away on quiet cul de sac in Foggy Bottom. Stylishly updated w/ newer appliances & utilities, home is perfect for individual seeking convenience of location & an immediately available turn-key home. Furniture conveys w/ right offer. Confidently selling ‘as-is’ w/ Home Warranty. MUST SEE – this is a rare gem of a find.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This is a pretty wild 1 bed/1 bath house. I always thought 2 bedroom were the smallest houses out there. Think it’ll go for $419,000?

Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

I know lots of folks here, including me, enjoy cold beer so I thought I’d share the following festival from a reader:

“Dear PoP,

I wanted to send you information on the 5th Annual Maryland Microbrewery Festival: http://www.marylandmicrobreweryfestival.com/default.asp?iId=HILHG.  It’s a great opportunity to eat some good stuff, drink some good beer, and get to see a really beautiful part of the state.  It’s $18 for the tasting, which is hard to beat.

It’s happening out in lovely Carroll County this Saturday, September 25.  The leaves aren’t quite there yet, but this is a beautiful place nonetheless.  For those PoP readers who don’t know MD too well, Westminster is just 50 miles straight up north on Georgia Avenue.  There’s a bunch of ways to drive out there, but Rte 29 (aka Georgia) is the simplest and second prettiest (to Rte 27 after you get off I-270 and north of Damascus).

Anyway you get there, there’s lots of good food and beer:

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Saki is located at 2477 18th St, NW. I noticed the sign (above) announcing the expanded menu and realized that we’ve never discussed them before. I guess I always thought they were more of a lounge than a restaurant. But some yelp reviews say the sushi is really good. Any fans of Saki as a restaurant spot?

Last we heard the park was closed in late August due to lead contamination. Following is an update from Donny Gonzalez, Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization:

Regarding the 11th and Monroe construction schedule, looks like we are tentatively scheduled to begin visible work “moving dirt” in late January, weather permitting. The proposed schedule is as follows:

- Procure design services by end of October.
- Receive construction design by end of November
- Obtain necessary permits between December – End of January
- Procure Builder / Construction (approx 60 days to complete) between Late Jan / Early Feb through end of April or early May.

Right now, the park is currently closed due to low levels of lead contamination that came from building construction near by. The DC Department of the Environment (DDOE) placed a stop work order on that project and is currently negotiating a settlement with the developer to abate the contamination. We are looking at several options to mitigate the contaminated area keeping the construction timeline in mind.

As I understand it, DDOE expects the area to be abated within 30 days or so. Please note that the schedule I have provided is not meant to be exact, it is to give you an idea of the proposed schedule, but it is subject to change. This is the latest plan of action from OPEFM to develop your neighborhood park. We will make every attempt to stick to this schedule and to deliver it in a timely manner.