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!

“Lola hearts Trader Joes.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

This rental is located at Fairmont St at Sherman Ave, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Private entrance. New paint, new carpeting throughout. Kitchen with all appliances. Bathroom with shower. All utilities (except phone) included –

Heat (thermostat controlled by owner)
Central Air (thermostat controlled by owner)
Electric
Wireless Internet (Secure network)
Satellite TV (includes NFL and NHL ticket)
Water / Refuse

Unfurnished. Great location, 1 block from Howard University. 10 minute walk to 2 Green line metros and U St Corridor. Plenty of street parking. Available Dec 18.”

Does $1050 sound reasonable for this 1 bedroom basement apartment?

Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoP,

We recently purchased a row house in Petworth that will be undergoing some pretty serious renovations. One thing we had not counted on, however, is replacement of the water service line. As it turns out, we have an old galvanized water line (1/2″ or 3/4″) connected to DC Water’s lead service line. I hear that this is just about the worst possible combination from a contaminant point of view. (see, e.g., http://www.dcwasa.com/lead/). From my conversation with DC Water, it sounds like most of Petworth is in the same boat. DC Water is slowly replacing many of the lead service lines in the district, but there are no plans for our block any time soon. However, I understand that if you replace the private side of your service line (the part on your property), then DC Water will replace the lead service line on the public side. (see http://www.dcwater.com/lead/replacement_program.cfm).

As part of our plumbing upgrades in the house, we are apparently required to upgrade to 1″ copper service. Has anyone else performed a similar upgrade/replacement? Who are some good plumbing contractors in the area that can handle this, and approximately how much should we expect to pay? Anything in particular we need to watch out for?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user theraspberryexpress

“Purple cauliflower, cheddar broccoli, romanesco, Krogstad Aquavit (Portland, Oregon) in ice with clippings of neighbor’s shrubbery.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Faucetini

“This is why I came home for Thanksgiving. My dad’s mashed potatoes are… *the best*”

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

A bonus shot from theraspberryexpress after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

One reader has already expressed dismay that “school lunches [are] under attack”. She notes a post by Better DC School Food:

“Fenty has targeted nearly $4.7 million in funds designated under the Healthy Schools Act to pay for healthier breakfasts and lunches and to encourage schools to use locally grown products in school meals.”

Obviously there are many many cuts that are needed to erase a $188 million shortfall. If this or other programs slated to be cut are important to you – there is a special council hearing tomorrow morning to address the issue.

From Ward 4 Council Member Bowser:

As many of you are aware, the Chief Financial Officer recently announced that the District was facing a budgetary shortfall. In order to balance the District’s books, just before the Thanksgiving holiday, the Executive released a spending plan that would see relatively minor reductions to many city agencies. The District continues to fare better than most jurisdictions and thankfully, our schools and police services are spared the brunt of the proposed cuts. But, services and projects important to Ward 4 may be affected. In fact, funding for capital projects—like schools and parks—might be delayed as a result of the plan. This is a chance to streamline government services and focus on what is most important to you and to Ward 4 and I plan to fight to make sure that Ward 4 continues to receive its fair share, and that our long-awaited projects continue on track. But to do that, I want to hear from you. Please send any concerns you have to me at mbowser@dccouncil.us. Please also note that the Committee of the Whole is hosting a hearing tomorrow. Below is information about how to sign-up to testify, as well as several hyperlinks, including one to the proposed spending plan, as well as other documents.

* Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray announces a public hearing by the Committee of the Whole on B18-1101, the “Fiscal Year 2011 Revised Budget Request Act of 2010”, and B18-1100, the “Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010” on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

* At this hearing, the public will have an opportunity to testify on the gap-closing plans. Immediately following public testimony, the Executive and the Chief Financial Officer will brief the public and the Council on their proposals to close the Fiscal Year 2011 budget gap. An abbreviated notice is given to comply with Council Rule 501(a)(2).

* To testify at the public hearing, please contact Maria Villars, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Budget Director, by telephone at (202) 724-8139 or by e-mail at mvillars@dccouncil.us, and furnish your name, address, telephone number and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business on Monday, November 29, 2010.

* Witnesses should bring 20 copies of their written testimony to the roundtable or submit one advance copy of their written testimony by close of business on November 29, 2010.

* Persons presenting oral testimony may be limited to 3 minutes in order to permit each witness an opportunity to be heard. Written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record in their entirety.

* All statements should be submitted to the Office of the Budget Director, Council of the District of Columbia, John A. Wilson Building, Suite 508, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.

* Spending plan

* Mayor Fenty’s press release

* Chairman Gray’s press release

This condo conversion is located at 1322 Kenyon St, NW:

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The flier says:

“One of four all new 1500+ square foot townhouse style 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath condos! 2 blocks to metro & all of the shops! Stunning finishes, gleaming hardwood floors, huge rooms, top shelf gourmet kitchen, crown moldings, wonderful built-ins, fireplace, huge private roofdeck, deck, custom tile limestone baths and 3.5% down avail. . The best priced 2 bedroom Penthouse in NW DC!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This property was actually a pre-renovation good deal or not? post back in Oct. ’09 (it was going for $875,000). This 2 bed/2.5 penthouse is going for $650,000 ($230.69 condo fee). Does that sound like a realistic price?

For the curious – Unit 1 is on the market for $499,900.

Here’s what the property looked like pre-reno and pre-pop up in Oct. ’09:

“Dear PoP,

I wanted your readers to be aware of local businesses, promising “health and wellness” are just covers for cults that will take your money. Dahn Yoga, located at 700 14th St NW, is currently under investigation for fraud, money laundering, etc.

Please please please do your research if something sounds too good to be true or if you’re being asked to fork over a lot of money or multiple installments of money.”

I wonder if the legal issues contributed to the closing of the store at 5010 Connecticut Ave, NW which is now slated to become a French restaurant (pictured above).

Photo by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

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? Any fun Thanksgiving stories?

“Dear PoP,

Walking home from work on Wed. afternoon, saw this at the 15th ST NW bike lane just north of Mass. and immediately remembered why I make fun of Va/Md drivers.”

I guess since these bike lanes are relatively new I can forgive the driver…if they are very old. Otherwise this is a pretty frustrating sight. Have others seen folks parking in the bike lanes?

“Dear PoP,

Do you have any info about the construction at Georgia Ave and Quincy St.?”

This is going to be a 49 unit condo project by Donatelli Development. Units will include 1 bedrooms, 1bed + den, and 2 bedrooms (with prices ranging from roughly $300s – $400s. It will be a six story building. There was a groundbreaking ceremony back in March ’10.

I’ll be updating with a “judging new buildings” post as construction progresses.

Funxion is located at 1309 F Street, NW. We judged them back in July. Their liquor license application says:

“CURRENT HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday through Thursday 10 am – 2 am and Friday & Saturday 10 am – 3 am

PROPOSED HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday through Saturday 24 Hours”

Do you think folks will be craving a bison burger or a ‘heart blend’ (freshly juiced beets, carrots, apples and pears are blended with a touch of avocado, protein powder, lemon and cleansing ginger) at 4am…?

On a side note, even though it’s getting cold, they have the sweetest outdoor tables and seats.

I’ve often wondered how Capitol Video Sales was able to stay in business, located at 514 8th Street, SE next to Belga Cafe. Looks like the video store will be closing soon and in its place hopes to come Pacifico. From a liquor license application that recently went up:

“New Restaurant, Latin tapas, open grill, salads and contemporary cooking with recorded music.
Seating Capacity is 120. Total occupancy load including Summer Garden is 185. Sidewalk Café with seating for 30.”

I say “they hope to open up in their space” because Nichole recently reminded me of a post about an ANC 6B (which covers Barracks Row) liquor license moratorium on The Hill is Home:

“The commission decided that a blanket protest of all new [liquor license] requests — instead of determining on a case-by-case basis — would be the best course of action until a solution is identified to fix the “over-saturation of restaurants” on 8th Street.”

Though the THIH also notes:

“A protest from the ANC does not necessarily mean that the business cannot get their liquor license, it just means that the ANC is advising the ABC board to deny it.”

The dreaded “Adams Morganization” of the area was also evoked…

Personally, I think a Latin Tapas restaurant would be a fantastic addition to Barracks Row. And remember it’s not impossible to get a liquor license when ANC opposition exists.

A good example of this is the recent liquor license that Big Bear Cafe obtained in Bloomingdale, despite an ANC objection.

Do you think too many restaurants are starting to open up on 8th St, SE? It’ll be interesting to see how the desire for more mixed retail options plays out on Barracks Row. And whether or not ANC opposition scuttles any new restaurants hoping to open up there.

And a related question: When will the final bell toll for nearby Blockbuster? Tick tock…

Blockbuster on Barracks Row located at 410 8th Street, SE

Thanks to Victoria for sending, “the day after – soup and laundry!”

I’m assuming this is some sorta remnant from Halloween but if you’re not expecting it, it is a bit disturbing. I still can’t tell what this is supposed to be. Of course I do scare rather easily…

I’m not sure if this door is super old but if it’s not it still has some great details.