I know these are a little bit beat up but what I can I say? I love carriage houses. I also think it’s interesting to compare the two. Note the two bay doors on the one on the left. I wonder if that’s how they originally looked?

From an email:

Halloween Fiesta at The Passenger
Saturday, October 30th – 7 P.M. to Close
1021 7th Street, NW. Washington DC, 20009.

Join us for an evening of tacos, Tiki and terror, as we explore the mythic origins of the El Zombie cocktail, an evil combination of Mezcal, overproof rum and infierno*. We will roast a whole pig and turn it into tacos all night. Our drink specials include El Zombie served in a secret room designed to recreate Dr. Duran’s laboratorio, along with El Bastardo Sufriente, Mezcalaritas and Flaming Escorpión Bowls at the front bar. We will also be joined by a Mariachi band and pay for the bar tab of one lucky costume contest winner. $10 entrance fee at the door.

*While the famous Tiki cocktail, the Zombie, was created by Tiki founder Donn the Beachcomber, El Zombie’s origins are a little more murky. Some say that Donn bought his recipe from Dr J. Duran, a master chemist working in a secret lab for the Mexican government. When his potent potion, designed to resurrect the dead did the exact opposite and turned the living into zombies, Duran was forced to leave the country and landed in California. Donn the Beachcomber secretly purchased the recipe from Dr. Duran but not before the doctor changed a few elements to keep hell from taking over. We now have the original, brought to us through an old manuscript discovered by our chef, Dr. Duran’s great grandnephew. For one night, we will serve it from a haunted recreation of Dr. Duran’s lab. Guests will have to undertake stress tests before administering the secret potion. God save the District!

It’s been a while since we heard the news that 1015 H St, NE would become the Atlas Room in the old Napa 1015 space. I just noticed the new awning had gone up and here’s a bit more info from their Web site:

“The Atlas Room offers a dining room that strives to provide a menu of local seasonal offerings in a unique and relaxed atmosphere. Its modern American cooking style draws inspiration from around the globe while focusing the menu on local and sustainable ingredients. The bar offers the opportunity to indulge in a selection of signature cocktails and wines while relishing the seasonal and ever evolving menu. Our style of dining reflects today’s eating sensibility, with the option of all menu choices available in a personal, appetizer or main plate portion size.

The Atlas Room will provide the community with a high quality eco-conscious restaurant and bar. A restaurant is capable of being more than just organic to the neighborhood by fitting into the surrounding landscape and demographic. It should also strive to fill a need at the basic social level for connecting with those around us and experiencing the conviviality of the table. The Atlas Room will have this ambitious goal at the heart of its fine seasonal food and wine offerings and consistently gracious approach to service.”

Hopefully, it’s not too much longer until they open.

It’s been a while since I’ve featured some city signs but I thought these were particularly noteworthy as they are likely to vanish soon. These are from H St, NE.

If you have any fun or interesting animal/pet photos or news please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say what neighborhood you’re from or upload to the PoPville flickr pool. I can’t guarantee I’ll get them all posted but I’ll do my best.  I’m aware not everyone loves pets.  But they bring me (and others) a lot of pleasure.  It’s cool, hold tight, a new post is coming in a half hour, you can make it!

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

Photo by PoPville flickr user henriksenv

“I just adopted an 11 year old cat named Max, and Pablo and Max are inseparable already.”

This rental is located at 1125 11th St, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Available December 1st. Luxury Condo, no more than 4 units/floor. Contemporary design & layout: European tile baths, wood floors, gas fireplace, energy star appliances, dual-flush toilets and balcony. Convenient to Logan Circle, Downtown, Chinatown, and U Street. It is only 2 blocks from the Mt. Vernon Metro (green/yellow), about six blocks from McPherson (orange/blue) and about six blocks from Metro Center (red). On bus line that runs up and down 11th St. and close to a bus line that runs up and down 14th. The house is in walking distance of Whole Foods, Safeway and Giant, as well as all the bars and restaurants of Logan Circle, 14th street, Chinatown and U Street. Dry cleaners, convenience store right next door. Day time concierge service. Telephone entry/security system. Off-street parking available.”

This 1 bed/1 bath is yours for $2055.

Photo by PoPville flickr user [F]oxymoron

“Dear PoP,

My husband and I just bought a new house and I’m wondering if we need to consider an alarm system. If so, do readers have any advice on which ones are best/cheapest? I’d rather not spend a ton of money, especially since I kind of doubt their effectiveness. If not alarms, any other tips?”

We recently discussed the pros and cons of alarms vs security bars. But to answer your question – I’d say yes, you should get an alarm system. I think when you get an alarm you can get a little discount on your insurance but the reason I say yes instantly is because it can be both a deterrent and give peace of mind. The cost is not insane (you can get a basic set up). Basically, I’ve heard a lot of stories about alarms being very effective. It is not foolproof but the police usually respond very quickly.

As for specific companies that is a much harder question. Who do you guys recommend?

Photo of ‘Boy in Line’ by PoPville flickr user Bogotron

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 henriksenv

“Dear PoP,

Are you aware of any Halloween costume parties on Friday night?”

Do you guys have any recommendations specifically for Friday night? I’ve got a good one coming up in today’s 5pm post for Sat. but I haven’t heard too much about Friday night parties. What’s the good word?

PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Or will everyone be prepping Friday night for the Stewart/Colbert Rallies on the Mall? You can see a schedule of the festivities here.

Photo by HW

This coop is located at 2707 Adams Mill Rd NW:

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The flier says:

“This wonderful one bedroom cooperative is located a stone’s throw from the heart of Adams Morgan on one of the quietest streets in the neighborhood. The well-run building sits in front of Pierce Park where you can use a fenced dog park, take a stroll, sit in the sun, or play sports. A quick walk through the park will also take you to Woodley Park metro. The home features a newly renovated kitchen and bathroom. The beautiful kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops for cooking and entertaining. The building itself offers an enormous roof deck with patio furniture, tons of plants and small trees, and a 360 degree view of the city perfect for enjoying evening meals or the company of friends. Extra storage comes with the unit and is located in the basement along with laundry facilities.”

You can find more info and photos here.

It’s not too often we look at coops so I’m interested to hear what folks of this owner request. Does $315,000 (monthly fee – $370 includes heat, water, and real estate taxes) sound reasonable for this 1 bedroom?

We first heard about the West End Cinema in August. Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up that they open tomorrow. They are located at 2301 M Street NW. Their Web site says:

We. Love. Movies. We love them. From summer blockbusters to offbeat indie dramas, we want to see them all. But here in Washington, we realize that all those art house, off-the-beaten-path kinds of films can be hard to find. The reason for this is simple: there just aren’t enough art house, off-the-beaten path kinds of theaters to show them. That’s where we come in. We rallied a team of dedicated film buffs around us, found a deserted theater just begging for a makeover, and brought West End Cinema to life. We show independent, foreign, and documentary films, especially ones that we feel offer new intellectual and cultural perspectives to our audience.

The films themselves are obviously the point, here, but as we all know, great amenities can really be the cherry on top of your Sunday night at the cinema… or better yet, the olive in your martini. West End Cinema offers a full bar and a wide range of concessions, from popcorn to baklava to gourmet sandwiches. And yes, yes, we also have candy.

The first film being shown is Howl with James Franco. If anyone checks them out be sure to send me an email and let me know what you thought. The place sounds very very promising.

In yesterday’s judging of Hunan Dynasty a commenter mentioned Pete’s Diner located around the corner at 212 2nd St. SE. Here’s a place that looks awesome that I’ve always wondered about but instantly forget about until the next time I walk past it. So what’s the overall word here? Any must order items?

Photo of ‘Lady Gaga’ by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

There was a huge turnout at this year’s Petworth Dog costume contest. Thanks to Wayan for organizing, Domku for hosting and for all who turned out.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ericandkatherine

Photo by PoPville flickr user ericandkatherine

A few more great shots after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user districtfallout

As a lover of both history and signs, I fully support this group. Back in Dec. ’07 I wondered if we were safe from the Reds…

From the group’s organizer Adam Irish:

Fallout Shelter Signs – Cold War History in Your Neighborhood

At the climax of the Cold War in the 1960s, D.C. readied over a thousand fallout shelters for use in a nuclear disaster. The shelters wouldn’t have protected Washingtonians if the city itself was attacked–only from the fallout (radioactive dust) from detonations elsewhere. Fallout shelters were marked by luminescent black and yellow signs and stocked with food, water and other supplies to sustain occupants for two weeks. They were located in public and private buildings including offices, apartments, churches, and schools. Although civil defense activities were phased out in the 1970s, some of the signs remain to this day. Keep your eyes peeled, and you’re sure to find a few in your neighborhood.

Fallout shelter signs in D.C. should be preserved as monuments to one of the most frightening periods in American history. Only 5-10% of the signs remain and nothing prevents their destruction. For fallout shelters in your neighborhood and more local Cold War history, visit http://districtfallout.wordpress.com. District Fallout is a project by the DCPL Landmarks Committee to preserve the remaining signs in place.

If you’re interested in locating old shelter signs in your area (or who knows, maybe even an intact shelter!) or would like to get involved in preservation efforts, email us at districtfallout@gmail.com.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up. Last exciting Union Station news we heard was that Chipotle had opened up. And of course we’re still waiting on the Bojangles. But we can add two more to the list of ‘coming soon’. Chop’t and a Potbelly’s are both coming to Union Station. You can see a list of all the dining options in Union Station here.