Photo by @adrian_parsons

Thanks to a reader for forwarding this odd sight from twitter user @adrian_parsons. Parsons tweets:

“This is in Eckington and should not be constructed further.”

Anyone know where in Eckington this is being built? Anyone know what the heck it’ll be?

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.

Photo by PoPville flickr user pathass

“minivans suck and i thought i could bring one down. -1″

Photo by PoPville flickr user Hoodsweatsh

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

This rental is located at 1845 Summit Pl NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Large and Sunny Studio!Studio Available March 1st or a little later – willing to negotiate!

$1350/month with ALL utillities included, unfurnished!

- 5 Minute walk to Adams Morgan!
- 7-10 Minute walk to WoodleyPark Metro
- 15 Minute walk to Columbia Heights
- 5 Minutes to Safeway/CVS

- New Kitchen with stainless steel!
- Dishwasher, Disposal, Full fridge
- Full bath with nice tiles
-Large walk-in closet space
- Picture windows
- Hardwood floors
- Linen closet

- Includes Gas, Water, and Electricity

- Faces South of the building – so lots of sunlight!

Building also has: Laundry room and gym in the basement
Controlled Access
Steps from Adams Morgan, the Rock Creek Park and National Zoo
Picnic Area
Clothes Care Center”

$1350 sound reasonable?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

It is bonus season at work & while my bonus typically goes directly to the student loans, this year, I was thinking I would love to tackle some nagging house projects.

The 1st project is revamping our front porch — the wood is rotting & our concrete stairs are cracking & the stairs have brick sides that need to be tuck-pointed. I’ve seen lots of stairs in the neighborhood who have “re-faced” their stairs with slate/brick. Do people have any recommendation for this project – pros, cons? Is this something that experienced DIYer could do or should we hire-out? If so, any contractor recommendations.

The other project is painting our 2-story foyer, including repairing plaster walls & painting the ceiling & skylight. Any painter recommendations?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

I am so hungry…

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

Photo of Pulled Pork from PORC mobile by PoPville flickr user yostinator

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

“Dear PoP,

I just want to preface this by saying that I fully understand that this is a first-world problem. It’s not a major thing, so I hope the readers don’t jump down my throat, but I can’t think of anyone else to really ask for advice on the situation. So here goes!

Basically, my partner and two children and I live in northern Petworth on a side street not far from GA Ave. Overall, it’s very quiet and mellow. However, there are cars (at least one, if not more) that drive by our house every single morning that LOVE to lean on their horns over and over and over. Most of the time, it’s a 6:30 am blast two or three times — something that will wake you up, but usually limited enough so that you can go back to sleep. Lately, though, a car (or two?) has been driving up and down the street repeatedly — at 3:30 am — honking on and off, over and over. Last night it happened about 4 times (i.e. 4 trips up and down the street).

Our bedroom faces the street and it’s incredibly frustrating to be woken up over and over. Even earplugs often aren’t enough to block out the sound. Calling 911 seems absurd, but other than going out and chasing the car at 4 a.m. (which also seems a little crazy) we don’t know if there’s anything that can be done ….”

First of all this a completely reasonable concern – period. What I would do is go outside and talk to the driver (very nicely) at 6:30am. Simply ask politely if they would stop. As for the 3:30am honking – I actually would call 911 especially if it is recurring.

What do you guys think?

This home is located at 1219 I St, NE:

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The flier says:

“Fully reno, meticulously maintained 2bdr, 2.5ba. Open floor; tons of lvr/drm space. Hrdwds throughout, exposed brick, huge kit w/ SS & granite, fireplace, patio, large MBR w/ double spa, sep shwr, 12ft ceiling. 2nd bdr easily fits queen bed set. Heart of Atlas District & H St trolley, very close to best Cap Hill parks, easy downtown access.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

It was originally on the market for $480,000 but is now going for $458,000. What do you think of the reno? What do you think this 2 bed/2.5 bath will go for?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Madame Meow

I’m thinking this is gonna be worthy of a journey outside DC…

From an email:

WHAT: Domaso, a Kimpton Restaurant, is hosting its first annual “Top Dog Half-Smoke Challenge” in which ten renowned area chefs will showcase their interpretation of DC’s iconic local dish, and compete for the title of Top Dog. Admission is $20 per person and includes samples of all 10 half-smokes, a signature Skyy Vodka cocktail, tax and gratuity. Additional food and beverage will be available at cost.

Domaso will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the event to benefit Brainfood, a non-profit youth development organization based in Washington, DC that helps build life skills and promotes healthy living in a fun and safe environment.

WHEN: Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 3 PM

WHERE: The terrace at Domaso
Hotel Palomar*
1121 North 19th Street
Arlington, VA

*Hotel Palomar is located two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro, accessible via the blue and orange lines. Street and valet parking are also available.

WHY: The half beef, half pork, smoked sausage has long been considered the District’s signature dish. This challenge is a unique way for the city’s top chefs to honor the half-smoke, and engage in some friendly competition for a great cause. The list of participating chefs is included below.

Victor Albisu, BLT Steak
Nathan Anda, Red Apron Butchery
Danny Bortnick, Firefly
John Critchley, Urbana
Scott Drewno, The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Paul Healey, Domaso
Liam LaCivita, Liberty Tavern/Lyon Hall
Dennis Marron, Jackson 20/The Grille at Morrison House
Peter Smith, PS 7′s
Chris Watson, BRABO by Robert Weidmaier
Ed Witt, 701 Restaurant

Tickets for the half-smoke challenge are available online at www.domasotrattoria.com.

Photo by PoPville flickr user christopher.poole

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 week?

Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

Kristi Green grew up in Frederick, Maryland and loves above all else art, writing, and wine (and her dog, Ginger). She works at a Wine bar on U St and is the author of the blog DC Wineaux.

WASHINGTON DC–THE MOST WINEAUX-FRIENDLY CITY? I THINK SO.

Much to the delight of DC’s wine drinking crowd, every week it seems there is a new wine shop or wine bar popping up around our neighborhoods. The good news is that there’s lots to choose from, the bad news is that it can be a bit difficult to navigate.

In hopes of saving some wine drinkers a bit of Yelp and Open Table scouring, I’ve scouted out some of our city’s extra-fabulous weekly wine experiences.

MONDAY: The Heights (Columbia Heights/3115 14th St NW)

This neighborhood gem hosts a happy hour from four to seven in the evening (and again from eleven to midnight!) with specials for winos and foodies alike! For a truly delicious pairing try the steamed mussels in homemade creamy garlic sauce with NO Wines/North Coast, California/Sauvignon Blanc.

TUESDAY: Veritas Wine Bar (Dupont Circle/2031 Florida Ave NW)

Happy hour begins at five and ends at eight in this traditionally styled wine bar–all wines by the glass are discounted twenty percent. To experience a bit of Spain in DC try lomo (Spanish cured pork) with ibores cheese (made from goat’s milk in Spain, rubbed in olive oil and paprika) with a glass of Bodegas Los 800/Priorat, Spain/Garnacha/Carignena/Cab Sauv/Syrah–Want to sound like a pro? Ask for a glass of, “The Priorato.”

WEDNESDAY: Cork Wine Bar (Logan Circle/1720 14th St NW)

Each week, Tuesday and Wednesday night, Cork wine bar host’s “off the list.” During this weekly event, they pour wines from their private cellar that are not typically on their wine list at special by-the-glass prices. Take this opportunity to taste some high quality unique wines.

THURSDAY: Dino (Cleveland Park/3435 Connecticut Avenue NW)

Here, each thursday, thirty-nine dollars gets each patron a three course tasting menu–the gem of this deal? An expertly coordinated dessert wine pairing with your last course! I recommend the Vin Santo 99, a wildly delicious Tuscan dessert wine.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is an Associate Broker with Urban Pace. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Property: 409 1st St SE

Original List Price: $689,900.
List Price at Contract: $689,900.
List Date: 10/14/2010
Days on Market: 55

Settled Sales Price: $672,000.

Settlement Date: 01/07/2011
Seller Subsidy: $500.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through.

On the petite side and with a functional-not-fancy kitchen, this home was on the market for fifty five days, which seems like a long time on this part of The Hill. Actually, recent data from within a quarter mile radius of this property shows an average of 69 days on the market. Even so, this property managed to sell at 97.33% of original asking price. The average list to sale price ratio in this location is 94.08%. The average net sale price for 2 and 3 bedroom properties in this specific area is $751,500.

The most recent transfer of this property was back in 2003 for $475,000. Prior to that, it sold in 1998 for $225,000. less a $2500. subsidy.

Ed. Note: Despite our conversation going on down below – I also love H St, NE and much of its positive development. I don’t think it is necessary to malign one neighborhood just because you may like another better. The beauty of DC (which admittedly took me a few years to realize) is the uniqueness and contrast of all its neighborhoods. The DC that is the sum of its neighborhoods is far greater than one neighborhood alone. Christ, I sound like a politician and that is not my intention. I’m just saying it is quite possible – in fact quite natural – for one to love both Columbia Heights and H St, NE. I may blow some people’s minds but I truly and genuinely love Cleveland Park as well. Screw it – I’ll say it loud – I love Georgetown too.

On to the good stuff – Boundary Road Restaurant (pictured above), according to a recent liquor license application, is coming to 414 H Street, NE. It will be a:

“Neighborhood style American fare menu, full service restaurant and bar with a seating capacity for 65 patrons. Total occupancy load of 80. Entertainment will consist of occasional live music or DJ.”

And in less pleasant news I was saddened to see its next door neighbor’s building was for sale lease. As previously noted, perhaps the greatest name for a lawyer ever – Phyllis J. Outlaw:

Room 11 wine bar, 11th and Lamont St, NW

Lately some Twitter users and especially Washington City Paper contributor @jasoncherkis have been kicking around Columbia Heights. Cherkis tweets:

“Columbia Heights has got to be the ugliest gentrified neighborhood in D.C.”

“What’s the difference between Columbia Heights and Silver Spring? Silver Spring has two movie theaters. CH just has the chain stores.”

“w/ Panera, IHOP, and Panda Express, Columbia Heights is turning into a food court or an airport.”

While I don’t even live in Columbia Heights I will not deny the fact that I love it – warts and all. I found the above tweets emblematic of how some people misjudge Columbia Heights.

At the risk of being oversensitive and since it’s Friday, please indulge me and allow me to address a few of the above claims.

Number 1: Columbia Heights is not DC USA. It is commonly accepted that Columbia Heights’ boundaries are 16th Street to the west; Spring Road to the north; Georgia Avenue to the east; and Florida Avenue to the south. DC USA is the mall that is located on 14th St, NW between Irving and Park Rd. And the fact that a mall has chain stores – I know is shocking and appalling to some – but it is a freaking mall. Stunning, stunning revelation.

Number 2: Mr. Cherkis – if you actually walk around Columbia Heights you will find some beautiful architecture, sculptures, parks and even independent shops, bars and restaurants (particularly on 11th St, NW). Looks are of course in the eye of the beholder but to call the neighborhood ugly, well as Bob Marley sang – “in the abundance of water the fool is thirsty.”

Number 3: Columbia Heights is not filled with only chain stores and the chain stores it does have are not evil. Oh all you super cool guys and girls who scoff at IHOP and Chipotle… You who purport to be advocates of the disenfranchised, well, the fact that you can’t see how a Chipotle and IHOP serve the residents of Columbia Heights is obnoxious and condescending to say the least. I dare you to walk by either space and not see the most diverse of clienteles representing the entire neighborhood.

IHOP on 1400 block of Irving St, NW in photo from left to right – white, hispanic and black patrons

Number 4: In the last 10-15 years Columbia Heights (like many of DC’s neighborhoods) has become a more beautiful and perhaps more importantly a much safer place to live and visit.

Number 5: I like Silver Spring.

Number 6: DC USA and its shops have made Columbia Heights a more convenient and livable neighborhood.

Number 7: Of course many who live in and visit Columbia Heights would like an independent bookstore and movie theater. But since those stores are failing all over the city, unless a philanthropic angel who doesn’t care about profit – comes to Columbia Heights it ain’t gonna happen.

Number 8: Columbia Heights is still defining itself and getting better and better. Like all neighborhoods it will continue to evolve over the coming years. I already alluded to the many great businesses of 11th St, NW. Well many many more are en route. For just one example – the new endeavor from the folks behind Tryst and the Diner chose Columbia Heights for a reason – because they were looking for a real community. And it didn’t take them long to realize that had found just that in Columbia Heights.

So my friends – for the Friday Question of the Day – Do you think Columbia Heights is defined entirely by DC USA and 14th St, NW between Irving and Park Rd – or is there more to the neighborhood?

Greater First Baptist Church, 2701 13th Street, NW

I knew it was gonna be tough to beat last year’s winners for this classic sign in Shaw.

Congrats to anonymous with:

“S&M where the other half goes.”

But my two favorites remain:

From Binkelsworth:

“You can’t beat our service – that’s extra.”

and from Pennywise:

“Sameer and Merkesh, new arrivals from Tunisia, never did quite understand why their business failed and why their clientele was so damn weird.”