Photo by PoPville flickr user jimbographer

“Dear PoP,

I was biking down 18th today (what a bumpy ride!) and noticed the section of R between New Hampshire and 18th was closed to traffic and it appeared something was being filmed there. Does anyone know what it might be? Didn’t have a chance to stop and ask the police officer who was standing at the corner of 18th and R St, NW.”

Anyone happen to if a movie is being filmed? Any details?

“Dear PoP,

Our building has been experiencing a case of “disappearing packages” and I’m wondering if any others are too. I’m on the 1800 block of Calvert, NW.

I’ve talked to building management, flagged it for UPS etc… I just was curious if this is a neighborhood package thief, or just a mean resident in my building.”

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Unfortunately package thieves plague DC’s neighborhoods in what seems like a cyclical manner. We’ve seen/heard of package thieves in parts of Columbia Heights, Shaw, H St, NE, Petworth and I’m sure in other neighborhoods as well. To counter the problem many have their packages dropped off at work, with neighbors or at post offices.

For obvious reasons this behavior usually picks up around Christmas but, recently, has anyone else noted an uptick in package thefts?

Photo by PoPville resident Markusha

PoPville resident Markusha sums it up rather succinctly in an email titled, “A SUBWAY!!!”:

“For the corner space on 14 and U!!! What a waste!”

What do you guys think – is Subway a good fit for this location?

I wonder if this will affect plans for a proposed Waffle House.

Photo by PoPville resident Markusha

“Dear PoP,

I live right around the corner from the empty restaurant/bar Social on 14th and Meridian Pl., NW in Columbia Heights. It’s been months since it closed and I haven’t seen any changes or updates! (Aside from the smashed ceramic pots in the sidewalk patio.) There are even the same bags of trash right inside the door of the bar area that have been there since the day it closed. Have you heard anything as to whether or not it will reopen or a new business will move in it’s place? How can the owners afford to pay rent on the property and just let it sit there?”

Another reader writes:

“Social apparently owes a large number of unpaid taxes to the DC government. There’s now a lien on the liquor license, so anyone looking to open a restaurant there would have to pay the back taxes.”

When we first heard Social had abruptly closed back in Nov. ’10 I had hope that the close might only be temporary. Well clearly things are not looking good. I also have noticed that all the pots out front have been smashed in addition to garbage beginning to collect out front. I’m really saddened by the situation because I thought the owners were really nice folks who had taken a rundown building and made a pretty cool restaurant/bar out of it. I now fear that the building is going to sit vacant for a while if what the second reader writes is accurate. It’s really a shame because this corner had transformed from a rundown hole into a cool space seemingly overnight. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn back into a rundown hole before new owners can take over.

Photo by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM

Though this one might be a bit less traditional and therefore more difficult, I’m still have faith it can make for a good contest. Your captions in the comments and winner (free PoP t-shirt) picked Friday.

While this ranks in my top five least favorite pop ups in the city – well – there is a heart made of sticky notes.

So it’s got that going for it…

I think I’ve wondered before why there are walls without windows and I seem to recall there was a reasonable answer but I can’t for the life of me figure out why there’d only be one window like this. On the other hand I think it looks freaking awesome… It’s from Shaw.

This home from Shaw has got it all.

Lots more details after the jump. (more…)

“Come check out Galactic on Thursday night – Happy Hour Food & Drink Specials in the Backbar One Hour Before Doors!

From 6-7PM in Backbar you can get $6 Hurricanes – Happy Hour drink & food prices – Hang with the band – Raffles for prizes & tickets to future shows – First entry into the show!”

As always just let me know in the comments why you want to go and I’ll pick a winner tomorrow afternoon.

3068 Mt. Pleasant St. NW

Anyone check out the opening night festivities?

They’ll be open through March 13 and you can see a schedule of special events here.

I’ve been getting lots of emails that the skate park in Shaw is progressing nicely. Back in Nov. ’10 we saw that the old park was getting demoed at the corner of 11th and Q St, NW (near Rhode Island). Looks like the skaters are gonna have a great space pretty soon.

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.

“This is Melvin and Sylvester. Portuguese Water Dog brothers. We live in Ledroit Park. They are RASCALS!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user HeatherMG

Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

This rental is located at Adams Mill Rd. NW at Kenyon:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Large One Bedroom. Listen to the Lions roar. Walk to Adams Morgan. Quiet block. Large, very open and spacious basement apt facing Rock Creek Park directly above the bike path and across the street from National Zoo. Fireplace, A/C, and washer dryer. $1,400. Application fee of $25.00. Available March 1. Lease is for 15 months ending May 31st, 2012. Longer lease available. Deposit $1,400. I make appointments for Saturday between Noon and 2:00. Small pets OK. Pet deposit, add. Rent. Non-zoned street parking.”

$1,400 sound reasonable for this 1 bedroom?

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

“Dear PoP,

Do you know the laws on building a backyard fire pit in Petworth or where they can be found?”

Hmm, I’m not sure actually, I know folks who have fire pits in Brookland and on the Hill so I just assumed it was legal. Anyone know the laws on a backyard fire pit?

Photo by PoPville flickr user lmno.p

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

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99