I noticed some movement on the 700 block of T St, NW:

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Speaking with some neighbors it turns out that a new pizza place is coming to 717 T St, NW (pictured above). It’s not clear yet if it’ll be a proper sit down or a takeout space but I’m always happy to hear about new pizza options either way.

And on the same block, Divine Shine, has recently opened up at 723 T St, NW. I occasionally get questions about shoe repair – so this looks like a good option. They also do handbag restoration. They are open Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm and Sat. 9am-5pm.

Yesterday we learned that CommonWealth in Columbia Heights (1400 Irving St, NW) would be closing at the end of the month. At the time I said the space would be closed for 60 days for some renovations. And commenter Michael (from Pete’s next door) wrote:

“The gastropub is going to close for 60 days, and the operator of the Lou’s is going to take over the pub, put down hardwood floors, remove the “private dining room” that bisected the old CommonWealth, expand the bar, mainstream the menu (still pub food though).

As for Jamie Leeds, she’s done well at CommonWealth but is taking the resources from the sale of the business and investing into the building next door to Hank’s.”

On Wed. afternoon I spoke with Terry Cullen who in addition to running the nearby new sports bar Lou’s City Bar, will also be running the new venture that goes into the CommonWealth space. If all goes according to plan the space will reopen with a new name in early May. Cullen did confirm that Jaime Leeds will be concentrating on the Hank’s expansion in Dupont but will also consult a bit with Terry on the new space. As Michael noted yesterday the changes will not be drastic. Cullen said the pub will be a bit more Irish than English and will have an expanded bar area.

So in the end the space will be a warmer more open environment but won’t be terribly different from the CommonWealth gastropub feel.

Wed. afternoon I had the opportunity to chat with Lou’s general manager, Terry Cullen, to talk about Columbia Height’s long anticipated sports bar. Lou’s City Bar will be located across from the Best Buy sign on the south side of the 1400 block of Irving St, NW. So let me start with some facts – the space is 4,000 square feet and looks even bigger than that because of the very cool architectural details done by GTM architects (photos after the jump, you can easily see wires where all the tvs will go.) What strikes you right away when you walk in is the high curved ceiling. Occupancy load will be 150 inside and in the warmer months there will be a patio section out front.

The beer mix will consist of seasonal local breweries and a few standards like Guinness. There will also be 24 beers available in bottles. Make no mistake this’ll be a sports bar with a bit of Irish flavor.

Though the menu can best be described as Americana – Angus burgers, steaks, prime rib, wings, specialty sandwiches including an unbelievably sounding BLT. Prices will range from less than $8 for appetizers, $9-$11 for sandwiches, $8 and up for burgers and $14-$18 for entrees. There will also be a three course option of salad, entree, and dessert for $25.

If all goes according to plan the soft opening will take place in early March. Stay tuned for more updates as opening date approaches. And stay tuned for an update on what will become of the CommonWealth space later Thurs. morning.

Update: Lou’s Web site is now live as well. It says:

“Welcome to DC’s newest neighborhood sports bar, opening THIS March at 1400 Irving Street NW, a half block west of 14th Street and the Columbia Heights Metro. Lou’s City Bar features a 45-foot bar with 24 taps, 14 high def TV’s and a heated outdoor patio (coming soon) on Irving Street.”

A few more photos of the inside after the jump. (more…)

I just noticed this section of cool old fence behind the National Cathedral. It’s pretty wild because it is just one small section that has no function (there is a plain chainlink all the way around behind it).

Incidentally I had no idea it was only completed in 1990. I though it was much older than that.

I’ve always thought this wall of stained glass windows on a Capitol Hill row house was pretty unusual. I kinda dig it:

I don’t care how many times I’ve stopped to look at these, I never stop being amazed. On the back it said the population of Mt. Pleasant was 12,000. For some reason I always thought it was bigger than that.

But back to the sculpture: Anyone happen to know how much it cost to fund this project?

I like the how front stairs are shared on these two rowhouses from Capitol Hill.

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

“Dear PoP,

Join Polaris Projectstaff, an anti-human trafficking nonprofit, and a new class of fellows for our first happy hour event of the year! With a small donation you can help us meet the basic needs to survivors of human trafficking here in the D.C. Metro area:

- $10 provides one meal
- $15 allows us to purchase multiple hygiene products
- $30 allows us to purchase items for emergency response kits that have sweatpants, a sweat shirt, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a hairbrush, and shampoo

Where: THE FRONT PAGE at 1333 New Hampshire Ave NW – Dupont Circle metro (south exit)
When: Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Who: You, your friends, co-workers and other anti-trafficking activists
Specials: Your $10 donation at the door will get you an extended happy hour including $2.50 drafts, wine, and house liquor”

Back in Dec. ’10 the Washington Post reported that Rogue States hoped to re-open their Dupont location at 1300 Connecticut Ave NW in February. Peeking in the window last weekend it doesn’t look very promising. I’m also keeping my eyes on the proposed second location at 1931 14th St. NW [by 14th and U St, NW] but not a lot of movement there either.

These pictures really don’t do it justice but I was blown away by Stoddert Elementary School located at 4001 Calvert Street, NW. I can’t believe it is an elementary schools this is way nicer than my high school. Hell this is way nicer than my college…

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.

“For the Animal Fix, it’s one of my cat Gilbert, a life long Columbia Heights resident who was homeless and my girlfriend and I took him in.”

“Our little Obi-Wan Kenobi Dog from Petworth!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

This rental is located at 18th and Kilbourne Pl, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Spacious one bedroom basement apartment at 18th and Kilbourne in Mt. Pleasant. I don’t know the square footage, but it is quite spacious. Large living room, bedroom big enough for queen size bed and dressers, good sized kitchen, and storage space.

10 minute walk to Columbia Heights Metro, 5 minute walk to Rock Creek and the Zoo, 2 blocks away from Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market.

Rent is $1300/mo, $1100 deposit.

Utilities split with 3 people in upstairs part of the house.

Move in Sunday Feb. 20.

No couples please, sorry. And no pets.”

$1300 sound reasonable for this location?

Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

“Dear PoP,

Grandma is planning a move to DC to be closer to us and the grandkids. She is a hip, young, 60 and works as a CNA in home health care/assisted living.

We are exploring different neighborhoods in DC for her to live in and need some advice. If your mom was moving here where would you suggest she live?

Her requirements – she does not want to be more than one only – only woman, only single person, only person her age, etc. She lived in Riggs Park 10 years ago and while she had great neighbors she was a few too many onlys at the time. To be just one or two of those things is fine but too many onlys make for a tough settling in. A place which is walkable for services, relatively near to metro or a good bus line, where parking is not too ridiculous. We live in Columbia Heights and don’t want her too far away.

We are checking out near Walter Reed, Waterfront, H Street, Brookland. Is this going to be too rough for her? A studio or basement apartment in the 1200 range would be ideal. Gotta stretch those retirement dollars!”

Super curious to hear what everyone thinks. I’m gonna vote for Mt. Pleasant! In fact Mt. Pleasant sound perfect.

Photo by PoPville flickr user antisocialtory

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

Photo by PoPville flickr user a digital cure

“Just spotted it this morning around 10am at the Marriott parking lot on the corner of NY Ave and Bladensburg, right behind the Exxon there on the corner.”

The photography tips series is written by Pablo Raw.

When I first wanted to learn about portrait photography (I am still learning!), I asked a friend if I could take her picture. I set my camera on a tripod, had a cable release attached to it and I even had some living room lamps set in a way that would light her face in a nice way. Since I really liked the results of that photo session, I decided to show the results to a friend who is a much more experienced photographer, and asked him to give me his sincere opinion. And he did: “Well, this photo would look really good on a driver’s license…”(ouch!)

Still motivated, I decided to get some lessons from the old masters of portraiture at the National Gallery of Art. Walking around and observing their work, I realized that two of the most important things for a good portrait are the subject’s pose and the illumination.

By now you should realize that I’m not talking about photographs but paintings. Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and others. None of them had fancy flashguns or other artificial sources of light; most of their portraits were done under natural light. And for sure no one can call their portraits a driver’s license picture!

Continues after the jump. (more…)