“Dear PoP,

I’ve been dreaming of doing a small addition to my bungalow in Brookland in order to expand the tiny kitchen and was wondering if you had any information about building restriction lines. How far from the property line does the house have to be in the back (if it helps, my house backs to an alley)? I don’t have any idea where to start finding this info and would like to know my options in order to begin the planning process.”

First step should def. be visiting DCRA’s Home Owner’s Center because permits will be required. But has anyone added an addition to the back of their house? Off hand do you happen to remember some of the rules?

This is actually also a dream of mine. Can anyone speculate as to the possible cost of a project like this?

Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ken_1001

From MPD:

“October is Crime Prevention Month, when citizens. law enforcement, young people across the United States mobilize to strengthen their communities to prevent crime. There are various events, poster contest for McGruff’s 30 year old birthday, entertainments, etc. that goes on during the month of October.

Once again the Metropolitan Police Department has partnered with The Columbia Heights Shaw Family Support Collaborative/Migo Productions, Boys and Girls club, and the community are partnering for an October 29th event. Safe Communities Halloween Fest. There will be costume contests, MCgruff birthday card contest, moon bounce, cotton candy machines etc. We will also be integrating a block party with local youth talent from the community and late night soccer.

This will be taking place at 801 Shepherd st. NW WDC from 3:30pm-8:00 pm.”

This home is located at 1483 Newton St, NW:

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The flier says:

“Vacant. AS Is, Rehab. Bring your investors. 3bed up with one bath. Main level entrance hall, to livingroom, dinning room and kitchen. Small room in front could be office or study. all hardwood floors throught. Small fenced in back yard. Front and back entrance to basement with half bath unfinished. Unfinished basement waiting for a nice English Basement potential. Between16 & 14th st, near Columbia metro.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

I’ve had some requests to show some fixer uppers and when I saw this one I thought it was perfect. What do you think of the potential? How much will it cost to fix up? Does $375,000 sound reasonable given the work that is needed?

Reader Submitted Photo of 1700 block of Lanier Place, NW

“Dear PoP,

I’d be interested to hear about the state of trick-or-treating in PoPville. There are very few other children on our block, and I’ve never seen more than a couple little kids out and about on Halloween. We mostly get unfriendly pre-teens who didn’t even bother to dress up. Does anyone have thoughts on the safety of trick-or-treating with a small child, or blocks that are especially kid-friendly on Halloween?”

We looked at some people’s experiences last year. I feel like it changes every year. Some years there are tons of kids and some years not so much. What advice do you guys have? How many bags of candy is generally enough? What are the times that the kids come? (Please say what neighborhood you’re talking about.)

Opening up a Thai restaurant right across the street from an established Thai restaurant (Thai Tanic, 1326 14th St, NW) can be a bold move. I’ve heard very mixed reviews about Teak Wood located at 1323 14th Street, NW. But I gotta be honest, when I went I had a delicious meal. Of course I can’t remember what dish I ordered (but it was something with shrimp). And I do remember enjoying my spring roll as well.

So for those who’ve been – what’s the verdict? Any must order dishes? Is it better than Thai Tanic?

Ed. Note: Don’t forget, as previously noted, Thai Tanic is fighting back by opening soon a sushi lounge upstairs called Tsunami:

Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

Don’t wait around too much longer. Thanks to a reader for sending a reminder to sign up now because “the $50 annual fee will go up to $75 after Oct 31st.”

“Dear PoP,

I noticed you had mentioned Capital Bikeshare once or twice, but I wanted to share a very positive experience using it and also to remind people that the $50 annual fee will go up to $75 after Oct 31st. This is a great time to sign up.

I used to walk a mile to the metro everyday, but now I take 20 minutes off my total commute time by taking Capital Bikeshare between 16th/Harvard and the Woodley Park metro. While there are times when bikes are not available, they seem to be very good about reshuffling bikes so my stations don’t go very long without bikes or spaces. This website is definitely the best resource for keeping up with bike distribution: http://oobrien.com/vis/bikes/?city=washingtondc Additionally the Spotcycle app for smartphones is very helpful.

In addition to commuting to the metro, I’ve taken the bikes around the city for errands and it is super easy and, dare-I-say, fun.

The first 30 minutes are free, and then the price goes up every 30 minutes. I’ve never gone over 30 minutes on any ride, but if you find yourself taking a trip across the city, you can stop at a bikeshare station and dock the bike and take it back out again to start a new 30 minutes.

The bikes are nothing fancy and don’t go very fast, but I find that to be best for cycling around the city. They do come equipped with three gears, a flashing light that comes on at night, and a bungee-corded holder on the front for jackets or small bags. I like how sturdy the bikes are because I don’t feel like I’m going to go flying if I accidentally bike over a pothole.

There is also a station near the back entrance of the zoo – on Rock Creek Trail – which makes for easy bike rides to Georgetown (where there is another bike station right off Rock Creek Trail).

Currently there are around 650 bikes in circulation, but I read that they’re planning to up the numbers to 1100 once they put in all the stations. I noticed on Saturday and Sunday that over 100 of the 650 bikes were being used during the day. That is pretty awesome for such a new program!

I own a bike, but it can be very inconvenient and unsafe to use it for short distance biking.

I’m interested to hear what other people think about the program – it has totally changed how I get around the city.”

I’m certainly no art critic but the new (to me) exhibit at 4th and H St, NE looks awesome. Do you like this one better than the previous exhibit from ‘I Am Art’ that was there in June? And of course still a great use of temporary vacant space. What’s your favorite piece?

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

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MPD reports:

“At approximately 1140 pm [Mon.] Officers were in the area of the 900 block of Westminster St, NW when they heard gun shots. Officers located a victim, who was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact MPD at 202 727-9099.”

Very few details have since been released. As of this morning MPD writes:

“At this point we are attempting piece together exactly what happened.”

More info when it becomes available.

Great news! I’ve always thought this part of Pennsylvania Ave, SE was a bit of a slow zone so it’ll be nice to see it get some new life (along with the soon to be Ba Bay Vietnamese Restaurant at 633 Pennsylvania Ave, SE).

Here’s the good word from the owners:

“Pound signed a lease on a fantastic historic space at 621 Penn Ave SE. The new Pound will be almost twice the size of the existing cafe and will allow us to significantly grow our “comfort food from around the world” offering. We will of course maintain our focus on premium organic fair trade coffees and lattes, continuing to be the exclusive provider of 2010 Top Micro-Roaster in the country, Kickapoo Coffee from Wisconsin, as well. The larger space will allow us to separate the dining traffic from the chill and relaxing coffee house area and vibe. We also have a beautiful large back enclosed patio covered by old growth Oak trees that will really make this a unique cafe destination on the Hill. Front sidewalk seating will also be available, as well as comfy seating right in the bay window frontage on Penn.

We also plan to do a Kickapoo coffee tasting at the space in November to give the neighborhood a chance to try out our coffee and possibly some food as well.”

I’ll be sure to update as construction progresses and an opening date is selected. Pound Coffee currently has a location in NoMa at 1300 2nd St NE.

Thanks to all who sent links. Washington Business Journal’s Michael Neibauer has the scoop:

…the bid features multi-family rental units atop street-level retail — a hardware store, perhaps, or a Yes! Organic Market — in addition to EYA-built townhouses on the western end of the 121,825-square-foot site.

Bruce Monroe was closed after the 2008 school year and subsequently razed. Graham secured $1.5 million in the fiscal 2011 budget to temporarily enhance the space with playgrounds, a tennis court, two basketball courts and parking.

…the city needs several weeks to vet the Neighborhood Development Company/EYA bid before deciding how to move ahead.

Sound like a good use of the space?

I gotta admit, every time I walk past the, now, park it makes me smile because people seem to be having such a good time. Though I haven’t forgotten that bad blood is still felt by many after the school was razed. Can YES! Organic Market save the day?

Maybe we should aim higher…?

These were taken at the Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina. Unbelievably cool. And they are newlyweds. Congrats and great photos!

This alley art is from Bloomingdale by Crispus Attucks Park.

I love the third level porch here. It is really very rare among row houses I’ve seen. This one is from Shaw.

What do you think – do you like the third floor balcony or would you rather have it as living space?

Oh yeah, I also dig the window that sticks out in the alley (see below):

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

From an email:

“It’s time again for Suited for Change’s monthly boutique sale! Help us get the word out to come and support this great local nonprofit. We are opening the doors on Tuesday October 26th from 3:00-6:00pm. Check us out for great deals on name brand gently used business attire, shoes and accessories! All funds that are raised from Suited for Change’s Boutique Sales support our mission to increase employment and job retention of low-income women in the District of Colombia area. This is a wonderful opportunity to snag work clothes for cheap (think Ann Taylor suits for $15)! New this month: Halloween ideas and Holiday attire—come find the perfect outfit!

The sale is held at our offices: 1010 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 900, Washington DC 20005″