Well that was fast but we’ve already got an update on the development bid at the old Bruce Monroe School at 3000 Georgia Ave, NW. This just got very very serious. I’d be very curious to know exactly how serious Elevation Burger and/or the folks from Churchkey are in potentially coming to the space. If true this could be huge!

WBJ’s Michael Neibauer writes:

Option A — we assume it’s the firms’ preferred option — would feature an NDC-developed mixed-use building on the eastern third of the site, comprising 88-175 apartments up to 1,000 square feet, 17,000-26,000 square feet of retail space and a community learning center. Yes! Organic Market, Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Chuchkey, Birch and Barley, Rustico, Vermilion), Elevation Burger and a hardware store are listed as potential tenants.

The western two-thirds would comprise 52 EYA-developed townhomes ranging from 1,500-2,000 square feet, each with one or two garage parking spaces.

Now if you’ll forgive me, I’m going to lay down for a few minutes before I pass out with joy…

Hunan Dynasty is located at 215 Pennsylvania Ave SE. Now I’m really curious about this place because on two separate occasions I’ve seen tour buses of Chinese tourists (yes I’m just assuming they were Chinese) go in and it’s making me think this could be really authentic. Alternatively, it could be a tourist trap… You can see their menus here. Any fans? Tourist trap or the real deal?

The Bicycle Thief, Film Poster, 1948

The Bicycle Thief is a classic Italian film so I was intrigued by an MPD email that simply had in the title – The Bicycle Thief. Not as poetic as the film but still an important message:

This was no run of the mill burglary for the sake of stealing bicycles. Yesterday morning at about 8:45 a.m., a suspect was observed on camera breaking into a rear garage in the 4700 blk of Connecticut Ave. N.W. Once inside, he walked two bicycles out the door and moments later was observed cutting away the locks on two more which he promptly rolled out the door and then made good his escape.

As much as it pains me to tell all of you that your unattended bicycles should not be considered safe if locked to railings or fences inside private garages, the fact of the matter is they are not. Our officers canvass alleys and streets for suspicious activity but the reality is, we won’t be able to see it all as it goes down. We rely heavily on your help to bring us to the bad guys. We also need your help with removing the low hanging fruit that allows the benefits to outweigh the costs.

I cannot express with greater emphasis the importance of not doing the things that, once upon a time, sufficed to prevent crime. We live in a very different time and all of us need to ramp up our effort. If you need any pointers on what you can do to make your property more safe, I am happy to give you my undivided attention. Please call me to schedule a visit or to just get some advice over the phone.

Thank You, Lt. Victor S. Braschnewitz

Ed. Note: We discussed some of our favorite foreign films here.

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MPD writes:

“Officers responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots in the rear of 900 blk 10th St NE. Once on the scene, they located 3 shell casings. Crime Scene Search responded and processed the scene. A canvass for subjects was also conducted with negative results.”

MPD Alert of muggings on Capitol Hill after the jump. (more…)

D, left, is pictured with Alaysies.

Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. He launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. You can follow People’s District on Twitter @PeoplesDistrict, and can read his previous columns here.

D – “I grew up in the metropolitan area, but this is my first drag race. I dragged my best friend, Alaysies, down here, because I was like, we have to go see this. I have always heard about how fabulous this event was and wanted to go and support the gay and lesbian community in this city.

“For me, I love what the gays stand for. They are all about acceptance and at times like this, flaunting how proud they are of who they are. I mean, out here, it is like watching a block full of celebrities. Doesn’t matter if you are gay or straight, the crowd treats all of the queens like goddesses. Being here shows me how much we are progressing as a city. I have always felt like D.C. is one of the top places in the world. The drag race lets me know how true that really is.”

Alaysies – “When D told me about the event, I was all excited, but didn’t really know what to expect. I grew up in the DMV, and know that there are certain areas in the city that are open to gays and some places that discriminate. I try and stay in the parts that are okay, but every so often, I need to venture into the parts that discriminate. It is very uncomfortable to me that there are places here where I can’t really be myself. In those areas, I will butch it up a little bit and you will hear me trying to sound tough. I’ll walk around with a swagger and say things like, don’t mess with me! But when I am around the queens, like right now, it’s all, like, Heeey girrrrl! I can act and dress as I want and just be myself. I love that.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Thanks to an eagle eyed reader for sending the news. Rogue States was recently forced to close in Dupont because of the burger fumes war at 1300 Connecticut Ave, NW.

The Moneyblog is now reporting that they will be moving to 14th and U St, NW in what looks like the vacant space to the right of the DTLR shop. They write:

“The owner of Rogue States Burgers has already signed a lease for a new location. As he admitted under oath, the business of Rogue States Burgers will be moving to 1931 14th St. NW.”

Wow, huge news. Don’t know how I missed this but Dupont’s loss will be U Street’s gain!

“Dear PoP,

I live at the corner of 14th and Fairmont in Columbia Heights. I have been having a problem with the stadium lights at Howard (I think these lights are from Howard) University being left on every single night, all night, regardless of whether there is a football game or not. The stadium lights are searing straight into my apartment. (Not to mention are a huge energy waste.) Do you know if any other readers have complained about light pollution from Howard? Has anyone else that lives on Fairmont, Euclid, or Girard Streets been able to read in their living room at midnight with no lamps on? What does one do about light pollution? Should I call the university politely? Please help!”

This is a very interesting question as I’ve been hearing folks mention light pollution lately (I wasn’t too familiar with it). But I passed the stadium recently when there was no game and indeed the lights were on at like 11:30pm (so I doubt a practice was going on). I know some folks will be disturbed with this question arguing “we have bigger fish to fry” but I really do think this is an interesting question.

Number one – why do you think the lights are left on all the time? Safety? Do you think it would be helpful to contact the university? And aside from this specific example – have you noticed other cases of egregious light pollution in other parts of the city?

I thought this was a pretty funny sight, and naturally would make for a good caption contest. Your captions in the comments and winner (free PoP t-shirt) picked Friday.

We’ve seen lots of Fire Box art but this is the first memorial I’ve seen. It’s from Georgia Ave near Howard University. I thought it was cool how it still had the phone in it so you can see what one of these used to look like:

I’m a huge fan of hanging stained glass like this. Is this another example of art deco?

This house in Shaw on 9th St, NW was really fixed up nicely. And it’s another good example of how good flower boxes can look:

Photo from Exhibit by Matt Dunn

From an email:

“Members of local underground photography group, The Cult of Frank Van Riper, kick off Halloween weekend with the opening of their photography show, Cult, at the Gallery @ Social (14th and Meridian Pl, NW). Hosted by creative collaborative, The Dunes, Cult is a full-fledged art event offering art, music, and food. For $10, attendees can let
their creative spirits out on the dance floor with music from DJ Adrian Loving (and a special guest), enjoy restaurant quality appetizers and finger foods, walk away with an original masterpiece on their face painted by Seema Khanna, or support their local arts scene with the purchase an original photograph from The Cult. Mark your calendars- it all begins at 6:30p October 29, 2010 at Social (14th and Meridian Pl, NW in Columbia Heights).”

The new clinic is located at 3422 Georgia Ave, NW in the new building next to the gas station.

I forget the exact street, I think it’s Florida Ave pretty close to 1st St, NW.

Can anyone explain why they’d put a staircase in front of the window? (There is a house in Shaw that also has a staircase in front of a great bay window).

Overall thumbs up or down on this one? Note that there appears to be solar panels on the back.

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 DCityDude

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

“This is Lucky, on the day we brought him home from the shelter. He was worn out from all the excitement. He lives in Petworth.”

Bonus Pablo Raw after the jump. (more…)

This rental is located at 130 M Street NE:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“GRAND OPENING!!! Now touring, Flats 130 is located in NoMa, a rapidly developing new neighborhood in Washington, D.C., just north of Capitol Hill and Union Station. Named for its location, North of Massachusetts Avenue, the area is quickly becoming the heart of all things exciting and new within the District. As part of Constitution Square, a LEED-ND Gold certified development, Flats 130 boasts an ultra luxurious, walkable lifestyle, giving residents instant access to the Red Line metro at New York Avenue station, a 50,000 square-foot Harris Teeter grocery store, a Hilton Garden Inn hotel, and a menu of fine dining, shopping and nightlife. Whether it’s a coffee shop, a dry cleaner or a bank, you’ll find it all at your fingertips. Once you arrive, you’ll see that life begins at 130.”

Well, since I’ve been featuring the new retail going in at NoMa recently I’ve wondered how much some of these new buildings cost. Dang, it ain’t cheap. Is this the premium for living above the Harris Teeter or the potential of the neighborhood or simply the cost of living in a new building?

The 1 bedroom advertised here is going for $2315.

For those who are looking at new buildings, I’m curious – what are the pros and cons of Mt. Vernon Square vs. NoMa?