A couple of weeks ago I gave an update on the new bar/restaurant coming to replace Commonwealth at 1400 Irving St, NW. At the time I was able to share that it will offer bbq and have a southern/bluegrass/country music component. I’ve been getting lots of emails for an update – particularly asking about the new name. It’s called Acre 121.

Acre 121 comes from the history of Columbia Heights. Apparently 14th and Irving St, NW fell under a parcel called Acre 121 consisting of 121 acres of land. It was acquired in 1881 by Sen John Sherman who then named the 121 acres Columbia Heights. Later on there was also a horse track that ran through this area so when all the decorating is completed, you’ll be seeing lots of historical photos inside.

As I’ve mentioned before the food is going to bbq style so expect to see lots of pulled pork, chicken, cornbread etc.

But to be honest – my favorite part is the music element. The band they had last night even played some Mumford and Sons! There will be live music 5 nights a week.

And the space has been opened up nicely (though some furniture will be updated):

So mark your calendars for June 29th opening.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

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 morning at 10am.

Around 2:30am last night/this morning bricks were thrown through the windows at Room 11 (3234 11th St, NW) and Meridian Pint (3400 11th St, NW) in Columbia Heights.

A white man wearing black jeans, black sweatshirt, and black ski mask threw 2 bricks at Meridian Pint breaking one small window then headed south on 11th and broke one large window (see photo above) at Room 11. While employees were in both establishments at the time, fortunately nobody was hurt.

The police responded quickly.

I’ll update when the vandal is arrested.

Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

I’ve had a couple of requests to get some recipes from PoPville so I thought it would make for a fun Friday Question of the Day. Personally my number one favorite summer time meal is lobster and corn on the cob. So, quick side question – where’s the best place (that’s not a fancy restaurant) to get lobster and corn on the cob in DC? Or should I just switch to crabs and old bay?

But for the Friday Question of the Day – it’s a simple one – what’s your favorite Summer meal (and for the cooks if you are able to share a basic recipe – all the better!)

Back in ’09 we spoke about our favorite summertime drinks here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Congrats to Steve with:

“I use more shampoo in one day than many families do for an entire year. It’s a problem. Help me Live Green girl. Help me.”

If I had a record player I think I woulda bought this…

Great wild one from Petworth.

At first glance it might seem ordinary but a reader writes in:

“I was having dinner at my friend’s house in Brookland over the weekend, and I noticed a lot of wonderful touches she’s added over the past few months that I wanted to share with you. Most important is the beautiful transom that SHE MADE HERSELF! Very cheery touch. It’s somewhat hard to see in the picture from the outside since I only had my iPhone, but the inside view is great.

Also, she has this great window grate and a line of happy sunflowers to greet her guests.”

Very cool. If anyone else has some houses or gardens that they’d like to nominate – send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com

Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

“Dear PoP,

Do you know anything about the arts and strawberry festival at St. Paul’s on Saturday? Saw the banner the other day, but wasn’t sure what it was all about. Their website doesn’t have any info besides the day and time.”

From St. Paul’s Rock Creek Parish:

Saturday, June 25 from 4pm to 7pm St. Paul’s Rock Creek Parish will be hosting
our annual Strawberry Festival. For years, we have hosted this event in hopes
of bringing together the community around our wonderful historic eighty-acre
campus. We will have strawberries for sale, games for children and adults, ice
cream, hayrides, a cemetery scavenger hunt, and much much more.

Join us as we celebrate a beautiful spring day with our wonderful community!

St. Paul’s is located off of Rock Creek Church Road, NW and Allison Street, directly across
from the Soldiers Home.

View Larger Map

The liquor application says:

“New Restaurant. Italian continental food. Occupancy load is 100. Sidewalk Café has 20 seats.”

Lillie’s is located at 2915 Connecticut Ave, NW. We took a look inside back in early June. Anyone check them out yet?

Photo by Flickr User Keith Allison

After winning 11 of 12 games and bringing the Nats to above .500, Manager Jim Riggleman abruptly resigns after a 24 ultimatum to take his option year passes. Just insane.

From MASN News:

General manager Mike Rizzo said that Riggleman was unhappy with the pace of his contract extension negotiations and told him that unless a deal was reached, he would resign after today’s game. The Nats beat the Mariners 1-0 to sweep their series, but Riggleman held fast to his ultimatum and Rizzo accepted his resignation postgame.

Community Three Development is:

Community Three’s mission is to create value within communities through the successful development of underutilized real estate. Community Three seeks investments that, with the addition of relevant expertise, knowledge and skill, improve the fabric of the community while rewarding investors for their measured risk. Our company is committed to the timely evaluation of investment opportunities and mindful of its commitments to all stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of successfully implementing practical and innovative development solutions.

You can see some of their previous projects here.

According to the variance they are looking to make this into a 12 unit apartment.

I’ll be sure to follow up as construction starts/progresses.

If you have any fun or interesting animal/pet photos 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 with your pets name and neighborhood. I can’t guarantee I’ll get them all posted but I’ll do my best.

“Tripod the Cat, big pimpin’ in Park View, all grown up since his first Afternoon Animal Fix appearance on Dec. 9, 2010.”

“Judge Houndsome in a cab, going back to Mt. Pleasant.”

“Shaina Lee loves watching all the activity in Columbia Heights.”

This rental is located at 1318 8th Street NW at N Street NW:

View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“Two level house/ no basement.

Renovated 2 years ago. Just half a block from the convention center and Metro, this quaint loft style HOUSE can be used as 2br or 1br + den, the measurements on the second small room being 9′x9′. This house, with open floor plan, huge living space, lots of natural light and backyard that can be used for off-street parking, is central to everything. Dishwasher Washer/ Dryer/ 1 car off street parking and ample street parking/ small private fenced in yard (front and back). House is perfect for an “urbanite” given its proximity to Metro and supermarket (1/2 block), U Street Corridor (clubs, bars, shopping, night life), Verizon Center and Chinatown and many other nearby amenities.

Occupant responsible for water, electricity and gas.”

$2025 sound right for this 2 bed?

Photo by PoPville flickr user D©Bloom

“Dear PoPville,

I bought a house with a “garage” built over the car port. I put that in quotes because the thing looks like a chicken coop and I have no idea how it was ever used as a garage. I was going to wait until I could save up to get a new one built before I tore this one down so that I wouldn’t have to go through getting a garage permit (I heard that was possible). The problem I am having is that I have discovered chairs and blankets in there and a friend has seen people smoking in there (they ran away before we could call the police). So my questions are:

1- Do I need a permit to tear down a non-functioning garage over a car port?
2- Does anyone have any recommendations for anyone who can tear down
and haul away the garage?”