Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

“Dear PoP,

I am absolutely livid that we, as DC taxpayers, are paying nearly $100,000 per year to lease four luxury vehicles for Mayor Vincent Gray and Council Chairman Kwame Brown. Why do our elected officials need the most expensive luxury cars available, especially when Washington is facing a $400 million shortfall. (As a point of reference, top-of-the-line Mercedes S-Class sedans only cost $1,300/month to lease, whereas the brain trust’s Lincoln Navigators almost cost $2,000/month….) I was wondering if your other readers are similarly outraged?”

The Washington Post reported:

“Several weeks after Kwame R. Brown was elected D.C. Council chairman in November, city officials were asked to order for him a “fully loaded” Lincoln Navigator L with a DVD entertainment system, power moonroof and polished aluminum wheels.”

I imagine (and certainly hope) most readers are similarly outraged. This is outrageous. And quite frankly embarrassing for our city. What do you think Chairman Brown needs to do to make this right? Zip car or metro for a year?

This condo is located at 777 7th St, NW:

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The flier says:

“Rarely available 2BR+Den/2BA penthouse. One of the largest units in Gallery Place. Ultimate urban living w/ restaurants, shopping & metro right at your doorstep yet peaceful overlooking a tree-filled courtyard. Features include: huge bedrooms & den, walk-in closet, hardwoods, granite counters, balcony. Amenity rich building with fitness room, residence lounge, 24hr desk attendant. Rental Prkg.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

It’s not often we look at big building in Chinatown so I’m curious what you guys think of this one. Does $599,000 ($1,345 condo fee) sound right for this 2BR+Den/2BA penthouse?

Side note: why do you think the condo fee is so high?

Photo by flickr user DG Jones

I figured most had seen these articles about these two features from the New York Times but since I keep getting emails (thanks to all who sent them) here they are in case you missed them. It’s cool to see others recognizing the great gains in our neighborhoods. I thought it was especially good timing on the Columbia Heights one…

In Washington, D.C., Columbia Heights’ Hip Strip

and Barracks Row represents as well:

In Washington, a Historic Retail Strip Is Revived

Photo by PoPville flickr user OrderedChaos

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?

This past weekend, I was introduced to a few more changes at the Red Derby, located at 3718 14th St, NW (at Quincy). In the backroom the pool table has been removed and Big Buck Hunter and Golden Tee video games have been added along with more lounge like seating. Do you prefer the video games and more seating or the pool table? The dart board remains!

A couple more shots after the jump including an artistic series titled “life cycle of a mimosa” (more…)

Sculpture Terrace at the Kreeger Museum. Photo by Beth Shook.

“The Dynamics of the DC Art Scene” at the Kreeger Museum: While the Kreeger’s location on Foxhall Road is definitely a hike for anyone without a car, the eclectic-yet-modern building, designed by Philip Johnson in 1963, is a hidden gem that is worth at least one visit. In conjunction with the ongoing exhibition In Unison: 20 Washington, DC Artists, this panel discussion will focus on the inner workings of the city’s art scene today. Panelists will include local collectors, Director of the Smithsonian Museum of African Art Johnnetta Cole, Kreeger Museum Director Judy A. Greenberg and Jack Rasmussen, Director and Curator at the Katzen Arts Center. Call 202-338-3552 for reservations. Tickets are $20 and include a wine and cheese reception. Feb. 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Metrobus: D6 (or take a scenic walk through Glover Park).

Blinky Palermo: Retrospective 1964-1977 at the Hirshhorn Museum: This retrospective marks the first survey of German abstract painter Blinky Palermo in the United States. Known primarily for geometric compositions of solid, bold colors, Palermo also experimented with a variety of mediums, most notably strips of colored fabric that reflect an interest in 1960s design. These early “Cloth Pictures” will be among the approximately 60 works on view from every phase of Palermo’s brief career (the artist died at 33 as a result of drug and alcohol abuse). Works are on tour from the Dia Art Foundation in New York. Curator Lynne Cooke will lead a tour this Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. On view Feb. 24 to May 15. Metro: L’Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

This retail space has been vacant for years. It seems like this prime space (it wasn’t always a prime space this corner has improved a lot) has been vacant for ages. I was glad to see a construction permit finally has gone up. Anyone hear any rumors of who may be coming to this space? (The permit only says other.)

And here’s a blast from the past for those who remember this corner from back in the day:

The following is my favorite, which can be read a few different ways…

I thought this was a pretty humorous last message (I assume) left by the owners of Adams Mill Bar & Grill which closed last week at 1813 Adams Mill Rd NW, to (I assume) the owner of the building. In the picture above you can see small red sign on the last window on the right hand side.  Here’s a close up:

“Dear PoP,

The pop up at 9th and I NE that you featured a week or two ago got messed up by the winds. Last night the block was cordoned off as fire and others tried to figure out what to do. Then later contractors were there putting up bracing, but it looks like the structure is in big trouble.”

That was serious wind. Do you think they have to start over from scratch or can this be salvaged?

We’ve looked at these wild sculptures from Columbia Heights before but now they’ve got skirts and are officially the most bizarre lawn decoration/sculptures I’ve ever seen around town.

Great old details on this one from Logan Circle.

This super cool one is from Capitol Hill. Looking at it straight on you have no idea how far back it really goes.

But what really caught my eye were the really unusual windows:

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“Dear PoP,

This happened last night less than one block from my house. My friend was knocking on my door when we heard three gunshots. Cops responded quickly (about 10-15 units in 2-5 minutes). A short while later we left my home, and saw the crime scene. There was one body on the ground near the intersection of Sherman and Columbia, and two large groups of bystanders.

Terrible scene. My heart goes out to the family of the young woman who was killed.”

Council Member Jim Graham writes:

MPD tells me that about 7 PM someone walked up to a house on the 3000 block of Sherman and shot three people, two adult males and a juvenile female. MPD states that the juvenile died from the shooting. The two males—conscious and breathing–are in the hospital, wounded.

Gang/crew connections under investigation.

Our thoughts and prayers go to all those who are impacted by this tragedy.

Hopefully the two adult males will come clean on what they know about the shooter. Hopefully.

From MPD:

On Saturday, February 19, 2011, at approximately 7 p.m., units from the Third District were dispatched to Sherman Avenue and Columbia Road NW, to investigate the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, three gunshot victims were located. A female victim was located in front of a residence in the 3000 block of Sherman Avenue, NW. Two adult male victims were located in the 700 block of Harvard Street, NW. Personnel from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported all three victims to local hospitals.

The female victim succumbed to her injuries and was later pronounced dead. Her remains have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending an autopsy. The decedent has been identified as 18-year-old Lucki Nancy Pannell of the 3000 block of Sherman Avenue, NW.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that all three victims were shot in the 3000 block of Sherman Avenue, NW. The two male surviving victims ran from the scene to the 700 block of Harvard Street, NW.

“Aid El Salvador is a non profit organization that provides scholarships to underprivileged youth in El Salvador.

Thurs. Feb. 24th 5:30pm – Midnight

Haydees Restaurant

3102 Mt. Pleasant St, NW”

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“Dear PoP,

Happy to tell you that an organic-food cafe, Healthy Bites Food has just opened between Ingraham and Jefferson St NW on Georgia Ave. Their primary business is to deliver prepared healthy meals–either vegetarian or with meat–to the homes of their customers. If you go to their website you’ll notice that they offer a wide range of plans. They also have a catering business.

For us in the neighborhood, though, they have a large menu of takeout meals at reasonable prices. They offer breakfast all day. And–decent coffee! Not available anywhere else for blocks and blocks. Had my first delicious meal from them this week, I plan to take all my friends there. No styrofoam.

I asked Bonnie (proprietor) what had brought her to the neighborhood and she said the site had the combination of characteristics they needed. They have a nice loading deck out back, generous preparation space, a basement and a storefront.

Their grand opening is tomorrow, 9-6. They are also involved in a lot of community food programs.”