This rental is located at 1825 Vernon St. NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Come see this spacious Two bedroom, One bath apartment conveniently located between Adam’s Morgan and Dupont Circle. This Apartment has hardwood floors, lots of light and generously-sized bedrooms (both bedrooms are comparable size, not a master and den/closet sized BR). Building does not have washer/dryer facility however, there is a laundromat two blocks away. Rent includes most utilities, even heat!”

Looks like this could be a good roomate option – this 2 bedroom is going for $1945. Sound right?

“Dear PoP,

Took advantage of the lingering daylight and went for a walk in Malcolm X Park. Despite seeing human feces in a stairwell (I’ll spare you and the readers a picture) and having to leave a bench shortly after sitting because the area reeked of urine, the park’s restrooms are padlocked during open hours. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen them open (I could be wrong there). Is there a reason for this? They’re brand new–just constructed last year. It doesn’t seem to make sense that they’re locked up.”

Hmm, when I walked through the park last weekend the doors were open. Maybe they just close at dusk? Anyone know what time they close? The NPS Website says the park is open during daylight hours. I’m guessing the bathrooms must’ve just closed for the night when you stopped by.

Photo by PoPville flickr user nairdaecartal

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

Photo of Falafel by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Photo of Cinnamon Rolls by PoPville flickr user bajidc

I’m exhausted just reading this – good luck to all the runners! From DDOT:

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has provided the following information about the SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon, which are scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

In order to facilitate these events there will be no vehicular traffic allowed along the routes of the races. The races are scheduled to begin at approximately 7:00 am; however some street closures will begin as early as 6:00 am. All streets affected by these events are expected to be reopened at approximately 1:30 pm, depending on prevailing conditions. Motorists should expect delays during the races.

Citizens who have issues to be resolved or questions regarding traffic access during the races should call (202) 727-9099 or go to www.nationalmarathon.com.

The marathons will form in front of RFK Stadium. The route of the marathon is as follows:

· Start on 22nd Street NE at E. Capitol Street SE
· West on C Street NE
· West on North Carolina Avenue NE
· South on 13th Street SE at Lincoln Circle
· West on E. Capitol Street SE
· North on 11th Street SE
· West on E. Capitol Street NE
· North on 2nd Street NE
· West on Massachusetts Avenue NE
· West onto outer lane of Columbus Circle NE
· West on E Street NE
· South on 3rd Street NW
· West on Constitution Avenue NE
· West on Pennsylvania Avenue NW
· West on Constitution Avenue NW
· (turnaround) East on Constitution Avenue NW at 20th Street NW
· North on 18th Street NW
· North/Northwest on Connecticut Avenue NW
· North on Columbia Road NW
· East on Harvard Street NW
· South on 5th Street NW
· East on Bryant Street NW
· South on N. Capitol Street NW
· East on K Street NE
· South on 4th Street NE
· East on H Street NE
· South on 13th Street NE
· East on Constitution Avenue NE
· East on North Carolina Ave NE
· Merge onto C ST NE
· South onto 22nd ST NE
· West into RFK LOT 3 – Finish

HALF MARATHON CONCLUDES

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This home is located at 5 Grant Circle, NW:

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The flier says:

“Another total renovation by Urbiz! Federal porch-front overlooking green Grant Circle. Stunning open layout w/ all the bells & whistles. Gleaming HW floors, custom kitchen, shining new baths. Skylights & transoms brighten the upper level, private deck off master suite. LL offers an enormous family room/guest suite w/ full bath. Fenced yard, private parking.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Well I waited a little too long to post this one. It’s already under contract in 8 days. But I’m still curious what folks think of the renovation. This 3 bed/2.5 bath was going for $550,000. Did someone get a good deal?

Kristi Green is the author of the blog DC Wineaux. She further indulges her love of wine in her work at a wine bar on U St NW.

After the brouhaha over Weygandt Wines on the Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits piece, I had to go check out the shop for myself. Weygandt Wines (3519 Connecticut Ave NW) is home to only thee employees–Todd Ross, Matthew Stintz, and Tim O’Rourke (one wine industry vet and two former chefs, respectively). The store, based on the portfolio of Weygandt-Metzer Wines has a clear focus on high quality old world wines and little known producers.

Weygandt Wines is a large, open, bright space; the atmosphere is a bit stark, however. The store was nearly silent when I went in with the exception of the conversation coming from three men in the tasting area. The only “character” in the decor of the store is a jug of chocolate milk amongst the “previously tasted” bottles in the tasting area and a six-pack of Dale’s Pale Ale inconspicuously stashed in a mini-fridge behind the tasting counter–not that I’m a fan of “flare” exactly, but there’s something to be said for decor that aids in subtracting from the “wine snob” factor.

I was approached just a few moments after I entered the shop by Tim O’Rourke who asked if I needed help but looked eager to return to his tasting–not a criticism, just an observation–because, honesty, I’d prefer to be tasting too. Most of the wines are red and French–there is a nice selection of whites and sparkling wines in a refrigerator along the back wall. All of these wines seemed to be priced quite competitively and I plan on returning for a second look. The dessert wine selection, however, left something to be desired.

I squired myself about the store and selected three bottles–it was only after this process that I noticed the shelf of wines for $9.99-$19.99 near the entrance.This selection of sale wines was actually rather impressive. Due to the nature of the wines in this store, this sale selection is definitely the best place for a shopper just looking to pick up a “it’s friday night let’s get our party on” bottle.

The bulk of this shop is best for an educated wine drinker or one who is willing to allow a member of the staff to aid them in their choice. Most of the wines at Weygandt are intended to be purchased to be collected and aged or enjoyed on a special occasion. I do find it important to note that Weygandt stocks very little American wine and no other new world wines. I saw a Cabernet Sauvignon, an old vine Carignan, and I believe a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay–all of which, if I remember properly, were from the same Californian producer.

It is clear that the primary concern of Weygandt Wines is to sell high quality, limited production wines, that they love to sell. This shop isn’t for everyone but the educated consumers will enjoy exploring this gem of Cleveland Park–and, while I do sort of feel like I need to dress a little more “business casual” when I return, I do plan on going back.

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

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?

I’ll take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for PoP as best local blog in the City Paper’s ‘Best of’ competition. We took 2nd place this year. And thanks to all who sent congratulatory emails – I really appreciate it!

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 the Principal Broker (DC) for Urban Pace, LLC. 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: 1103 Harvard St NW
Legal Subdivision: Columbia Heights
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Columbia Heights
Original List Price: $499,900.
List Price at Contract: $399,900.
Settled Price per Square Foot: $224.00
List Date: 11/16/2010
Days on Market: 70
Settled Sales Price: $320,000.
Settlement Date: 03/01/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original Good Deal or Not post is: hereThe listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through.

We looked at a unit from this condo association about a year and a half ago. The Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R) can be seen here. This unit sold for $40,000. below that sale. The prices in this association appear to have come down in relation to several foreclosures in the past year. In any case, $224.00 per square foot for a renovated condo in this location, despite the siding, is a deal for someone who wants the amount of space. Typical price per square feet for updated condos in this area is more likely in the low $400’s/square foot.

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Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoP,

I’m not sure who else to report this to (other than the cops) so I thought I should tell you so that the wider neighborhood would know. I live on the 3600 block of 11th St NW and tonight we had a second incidence of someone peeping in our window. We are in the basement unit of a row house, and thus the windows are pretty small. I don’t know for a fact that it is the same person who has done this first two weeks ago and then again tonight. The first time they attempted to get in through our gate, and then creeped through our yard and peeped in the window. This time, I only saw their face in the window, though not well enough to give a description because it was dark and I called the police.

The cops have been helpful and responsive each time, but it’s unnerving to have someone looking into your bedroom window after midnight, and also unsure if they have other motives.

MPD said they thought it might be someone drunk not going into the right house… but I’m not so sure about that.

They said I could cover up my windows more completely, but that would mean no natural light. He said many people use cardboard, just at night. We already have bars on our windows, so I don’t think there’s much of a chance he could get in through them, but it’s still creepy.

I wanted to report it so that if it has happened to anyone else we can know it’s a trend and also to keep people aware/solicit advice about security for basement apartments.”

Earlier in the week we discussed some security options here. And remember when the weather warms up please don’t forget to lock your lower level windows especially when you leave the house.

Unfortunately there have been some more disturbing reports, another reader writes:

“I was just wondering if anyone else has emailed you about a legitimately crazy guy that roams around Fairmont Street in between 11th and 13th? He’s a short (about 5’6-5’8), black male who is in his early to mid 30s. I’ve talked to some neighbors about him and they say he’s relatively innocuous, but I have my doubts. I’ve encountered him a few times and he just gives me the creeps. He tried to follow me home once and yelled things from his bike that are sexual, but at the same time don’t make a whole lot of sense (hence, the crazy hypothesis). There was also a time when he tried to follow me again and I just ran into my house as he watched me from not that far away. I get that he’s probably just crazy because he hasn’t caused me any physical harm (yet). At the same time, he could be capable of more and as a young woman, it’s hard not to feel vulnerable. Just thought that this may be worth posting to the blog as a kind of head’s up, etc.”

Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. He launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. You can follow People’s District on Twitter @PeoplesDistrict, and can read his previous columns here.

“Like many people, I came here because of the federal government. I am from San Diego, and moved here ten years ago to work as an auditor for the Department of Labor. The city really is everything I thought it would be. It’s eclectic, full of history, and there is lots to do. I wasn’t sure how long I would stay when I first got here, but this place is definitely home now.

“I think that a big part of why it feels like home is because I bought a house a couple of months back and I also got Maggie, my baby girl. I never had a dog before, but always wanted a miniature dachshund. Maggie is even better than I could have ever imagined! I come home from work and it is so nice to have a warm body waiting for me who is always happy. And, she’s even come to take on my personality. She is very laid back….and she doesn’t bark!

“I see how much different things are for me now that I have a dog. Day-to-day, we, as citizens, don’t really speak to each other much. Having Maggie changes that for me. A dog invites people to engage and say, ‘hi’. People always stop me to ask my dog’s name and if they can pet her. Before Maggie, I fell into the category of keeping my head down and handing my business. I didn’t really talk to strangers if I had no reason. Now, that I have a dog, I find that I am more open to conversation. I notice dogs and people more, and am always inquiring about different tips and treats, and a plethora of other topics.

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From MPD:

“At approximately 8:40 P.M., two female victims were approached by two male suspects. The suspects demanded their property, the victims refused, at which time a physical struggle ensued. During the struggle one of the victims was stabbed three times. The victim was transported to the hospital, with non-life threatening injuries. The suspects were last scene running east on Maryland Avenue. The case is being investigated by the First District Detective’s Office.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

Thursday afternoon WBJ’s Michael Neibauer wrote a story titled, Tax break eyed for Capital City Diner:

Citing its economic and social impact on the surrounding community, [Ward 5 Council Member] Thomas has introduced legislation that would exempt Capital City Diner from property taxes through Jan. 1, 2016. The diner is assessed by the city at $320,340. The exemption amounts to a $5,000-plus annual tax break.

The article also quotes Ed Lazere of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, who says:

“While the Capital City Diner is located in a neighborhood without many sit-down restaurant options, it is unclear why a restaurant that currently is operating needs a further incentive to continue its business,” Lazere said. “There are a number of restaurants that have opened in recent years on nearby H Street NE, none of which has received this kind of assistance to our knowledge.”

So the FQotD is a simple one – what businesses do you think should receive tax breaks? And how long should tax breaks given – 1 year, 5, years, 10 years? I know that developers also commonly receive tax breaks – who else does? Who else should? Do you know of any other restaurants that receive tax breaks?

Photo by PoPville twitter follower @meikled_john

Congrats to Tres with:

“What all Congressmen dream of: the ability to spew manure with impunity while bestraddled by a woman who is not their wife.”

Runner up to 1stinbloomingdale with:

“Tada! The newest fleet of City Council luxury vehicles.”

Honorable mention to DCMom with:

“The crowd was angry. They had come to see the circus, but a bunch of elephants were in the way.”

So good – and they’re local!

Here’s a couple non house number transoms.

Ah hell, here’s one more with numbers: