“Dear PoP,

My Mom Owns El Rinconcito Deportivo on 11th. St. NW. This Letter is in appreciation to you and the Columbia Heights Community. For Showing much support to the Restaurant. As you may Know we are a family runned Restaurant, that was first Established in 1997. Thanks to the support of our Patrons and Community, we have been able to maintain our Restaurant. We have recently begun new remodeling and changes in our Menu. We have maintained our old Menu, but enhanced it with New Savory Entrees. that would sure be pleasing to our growing clientele. My mother has partnered up with an old friend of the family, who has an extended background in the Culinary and Hospitality Industry. He Recently ended his contract with Clyde’s restaurant to partner with us. His main focus for their company was to Innovate Specials, Production, and held the title of Exec. Sous Chef. What more of a great opportunity to produce and maintain a better standard quality of food and service for the community.”

Great news. Back in Jan. ’09 we judged El Rinconcito Deportivo, located at 3226 11th St, NW (between Kenyon and Lamont near Wonderland, Bloombars, Room 11) to great fanfare.

I also noticed the new menu and stopped by to take a few photos.

Always great to hear of new brunch options!They also spruced up the inside and painted the space yellow. More photos including the new menu after the jump. (more…)

Saw this on the side of Irving Wine and Spirits in Mt. Pleasant. I think I’ve seen one in Adams Morgan as well. I dare you to stare at the photo for three full seconds without laughing.

Can you think of any worse health/gov’t marketing campaigns?

You could easily walk by this wall on Corcoran St, NW without realizing that it’s got a wild sculpture up top:

I always forget how cool this one is and every time I pass it I’m just as amazed as the first I saw it.

I found a lot of good this week.

It’s interesting how all the window (except the small porthole) is on the right hand side of the house. Anyone ever see a set up like this before?

“Dear PoP,

My name is Allison Manuel and I (with my husband Coite and friend Greg) started hosting DC house shows (826 7th St. NE) about a year ago. These shows are generally acoustic, alt-country, or indy in nature…or maybe just thoughtful?

check out our fan page here.

We usually have about 50 people attend our shows and it’s simply for the sake of creating good music in a home. I generally attract artists already on tour and are up for a different sort of venue. We have recently hosted: Chris Staples, Jill Andrews of the everybodyfields, Damien Jurado, Denison Witmer and others. Each time, we draw in about 50 people and the artists charge 10 dollars for entry with the artist taking the full cut. We generally offer to cook the band dinner or take them out and just make sure hospitality as well as getting a good solid audience gathered happens.

We have an upcoming show for a folk/bluegrass band called “the honey drewdrops” next friday (feb. 4). We have our fingers crossed for some other artists this spring… It’d be great to let the dc world know about these shows.

RSVP here.”

Sounds fun.

The Mighty Pint opened up in June ’10 in the old Madhatter space at 1831 M St, NW. A recent liquor license amendment says they’re looking to stay open until 5am:

“PROPOSED HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday through Sunday 11:30am-5am”

So I was trying to think of other spaces that are open past 3am. Can you think of any?

Back in Sept. ’10 a reader nominated this property for a horse’s ass award. Unfortunately there has been very little progress since that time but passing the building this weekend, I noticed a flier posted by DCRA.  It could be a long process, but hopefully this gets some action started:

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.

Caterina

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

“This is Kitty Sparkles. She is exhausted after a long day of cheering for the Packers.”

This rental is located at 1126 11th Street NW:

View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“Fantastic opportunity! If you are looking for a place to live, close to everything, this furnished bachelor’s unit is right for you! Space has no kitchen and is furnished.
All utilities included;
Walking distance from Mt. Vermont Sq 7th St – Convention Center (Green and Yellow lines), McPherson Square Station (Blue and Orange lines) and near cross-town/downtown buses;
Walking distance to Logan Circle, Downtown and Chinatown.
*Utilities included.
*Laundry facilities.
*Secured entrance.”

When I saw the location and asking price of $850 I thought it might be a scam. But then I saw one crucial detail – “Space has no kitchen”. But given the location – does $850 sound about right?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

I live off of Warder in Parkview and am experiencing a water backup in my backyard drain and basement apartment. Anyone else out there having the same issue, perhaps related to melting snow?”

Anyone have any tips on how to keep your backyard drain clear?

Photo by PoPville flickr user [F]oxymoron

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

Photo by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM

Photo by PoPville flickr user maria jpeg

“Dear PoP,

My fiancee and I are getting married in May and we finally checked off one of the small but important wedding planning items, the first dance song! In my humble opinion there is nothing wonderful about watching a couple sway back and forth for three and a half minutes middle school dance style. In an effort to avoid the sixth grade sway the fiancee and I would like to take dance lessons. The problem I’m running into is I can’t find a studio that is metro accessible and neither of us have cars. Do you or anyone out in PoP-ville have any recommendations?”

Congrats! I’ve always been intrigued by the Vic Daumit Dance Studios sign at 3333 Connecticut Ave NW in Cleveland Park. Anyone have a recommendation for a good dance studio in DC?

This condo is located at 1617 12th St, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY-TWO LEVEL CONDO LOCATED CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN AND IN WALKING DISTANCE TO METRO. PROPERTY FEATURES STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, UPDATED BATHROOM AND HIGH END APPLIANCES.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Think this 2 bed/1.5 bath will go for $360,000 ($160 condo fee)?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Collin David Anderson

Photo by PoPville flickr user Collin David Anderson

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

Photo by PoPville flickr user Collin David Anderson