Photo by PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

“Dear PoP,

We are hoping to install a reverse osmosis water spout on our kitchen counter asap. I understand that I can just buy one at Costco, but installing it is something I don’t want to do on my own – a big reason being the granite countertop. I’ve looked around at the usual plumbing people, but no one says they do this sort of work. Any advice? I’d need someone who can drill a hole in the granite and set up the water line.”

Wow, I’ve never heard of this. Anyone ever have a reverse osmosis water spout installed? Also another reader requests good plumber recs if you have one?

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

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

Photo by PoPville flickr user JRoseC

“Dear PoP,

This house has been mentioned before in the blog I think. A 92-year-old woman died. This is how it looked this morning from the sidewalk.”

Indeed I have always admired this home (and the big tree in front of it). But obviously I’m far more saddened by the loss of life. Sending thoughts and prayers to the woman’s family.

Ed. Note: Yesterday I was away from the computer at the time of the fire. In those cases I usually tweet the news sent to me from readers. You can follow me on twitter @PoPville here.

This home is located at 937 N St, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“REDUCED $100K-BEST DEAL!! Restored w/ antiques one of a kind 1860s home w/ huge addition. 4 bdrms/4 ba & fam rm. Gourmet kitchen with honed granite counter top that seats 4.Front & Back staircase. Swing backyard space w/ custom Mahogany doors and 2 CAR PARKING!. Brick/Stucco Wall. Historic Naylor Ct. Heart pine antique flooring. Luxury Baths. MTV Sq/Convention Ctr Metro.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

What do you think of the home itself. Think it’ll go for the new asking price of $1,099,999?

For those looking for a bit of a cheaper option – across the street at 940 N St, NW there is a 2 bed/2 bath going for $519,000.

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

From a press release:

Metro launched a new Web page, PlanItMetro.com, last week to share information and gather feedback from riders as it develops a long-term Regional Transit System Plan to address the ever-increasing transportation needs of the region.

With continued population and job growth predicted for the Washington Metropolitan area, the Regional Transit System Plan aims to provide a 30-year vision for future growth and options to improve and expand transit service.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Cuba Libre is located at 801 9th St. NW (9th and H St, NW). I’ve been hearing lots of good buzz about this place. Anyone check them out yet? You can see their menus here. Any must order items? I know the space is pretty big but is there a big wait for tables?

View Larger Map

From an MPD press release:

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an armored car robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department on 2027279099 or 888919CRIME
or text at 50411.

DATE & LOCATION OF OFFENSE:

Monday, November 22, 2010

2830 Sherman Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Garda Armor Car Robbery

SUSPECT:

S-1: B/M, 5’11 – 6’0, dark complexion, average build, mid to late 40’s, missing front tooth, dressed in all black hoodie, and pants, low hair cut, armed with a black automatic handgun

S-2: B/M, 5’11 – 6’0, dark complexion, average build, mid to late 40’s, dressed in all black hoodie, and white pants, low hair cut, armed with a black automatic handgun

S-3: B/M, 5’11 – 6’0, light complexion, skinny build, inch high Mohawk hair cut

Thomas, left, is pictured with his mother, Joi, center, and brother, Dawson, right, at the 24th Annual Adoption Day at the D.C. Superior Court.

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.

“I feel like the first 17 years of my life were hell. I grew up pretty much on my own until I was put in foster care at 11. Until then, I had no support and lived with anyone I could find who would help me. My father tried to raise me the best he could, but he wasn’t around that much. He was more like a social worker than a father and would find people to take care of me when he wasn’t around. So, my story has a lot of heartache because my childhood was filled with a lot of broken promises and tears.

“When I turned 11, I entered the foster care system due to a shooting. I was staying at the home of a woman who I called my grandmother. The house was full of drugs and people doing all kinds of bad stuff. It was July 22, three days before my birthday, and I was sleeping on the couch when someone fired a shotgun by accident and it hit me in the spinal chord. I guess someone brought in a shotgun and was playing around with it when it fired. I remember feeling this sting and then feeling like I was fading in-and-out of life. Then I heard the guy who shot me say, “Well, this is my third strike, so I got to get out of here.’

Continues after the jump. (more…)

They’re obviously been a lot of buzz surrounding IHOP’s grand opening and pancake sculpting but I didn’t want Columbia Heights’ other new opening to fall under the radar. And I gotta say, for those that were worried that the space wouldn’t look good, your worry was in vain. It turned out great! They are located between the Lane Bryant and Staples on the 14th St, NW side (between Irving and Park Rd).

Last Friday I had the opportunity to chat with American Ice Company’s general manager and partner Joe Reza (The Hilton Brothers most recently of Marvin and Gibson fame are also partners). Well, I’ve been known to get excited about some planned bars and/or restaurants. I’ll admit it, this place has made me giddy – it looks freaking awesome! Period. And it’s not even done yet. But before you get lost in all the photos I’m about to post, let me share a few details – firstly and most importantly – they plan opening up Dec. 15th.

Second, there will be all sorts of bbq options but as Joe explained, this is a bar that serves bbq not a restaurant that also serves drinks (there will be no host/hostess etc). There will be six beers on tap and 10 to 12 offered in cans (as well as a proper bar). Some of the beers to be offered include Stella, Bud, Czechvar, Belhaven, 21st amendment, Guinness, PBR, Dale’s, Old Speckled Hen and more.

Honestly, all you have to do is look at the pictures to see how sweet this place is gonna be. Obviously there was some construction still going on but you’ll be able to get a good idea of what it’ll look like. Mark this as a huge win for the U Street neighborhood.

American Ice Company is located at 917 V St, NW.

Tons of photos of the inside after the jump. (more…)

Photo courtesy of Jessica

Since this is a short week I’m gonna post the contest early and announce the winner on Wed. Jessica writes:

“If anyone came near he gave them the evil eye. Seemed to work better than the tactics of the lady last week who was sat on!”

Your caption in the comments and winner (PoP t-shirt) picked Wed. afternoon.

I loved this shot from the market at 9th and U St, NW. One day before I die, I will purchase both a bean pie and an item from the Bling King. Mark my words…

I found this one particularly moving. Notice the flowers in her hand.

This is a modest Columbia Heights row house but I really like the detail:

There is even some detail that I never noticed before:

From a press release:

Lincoln Congregational Temple UCC
1701 11th Street NW,

www.lincolntemple.org

Lincoln Congregational Temple UCC, a historic 141 year old church in the Shaw
neighborhood of Washington DC will hold a World AIDS Day service on Sunday,
November 28, 2010 starting at 10:30 AM. This special service will feature guest
preacher Rev. Dyan Abena McCray, pastor of Unity Fellowship Church in
Washington DC. We will commemorate the losses to our society from AIDS and lift
up the courageous men and women affected by and living with HIV/AIDS. The
service will include special musical performances and a candle lighting ceremony. A
collection of nonperishable food is being taken to support Damien Ministries.