From a press release:

Metro Mutts announced it is opening a new location at 407 8th Street, SE. The store will open the week of October 1st, and will be the company’s second location, after its flagship store at 508 H Street, NE.

Metro Mutts will be moving into the space of an existing pet store, Pawticulars. “When we were first approached by Pawticulars about moving into their space, we saw it as a great opportunity to grow our business and take advantage of the commercial activity on Barracks Row,” said co‐owner Lee Hartshorn. He continued, “Our two stores have had a very cooperative relationship since Metro Mutts first opened in 2009, so this seemed like a very natural progression for us both.” Pawticulars owner Jennifer Zatkowski echoed Hartshorn’s sentiments: “After opening the store eight years ago, I found it difficult to devote my time to both the store and my family. I am pleased and excited that Metro Mutts is moving into the space and am confident they will provide local customers the same attention and care they’ve come to expect.”

Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up. (Go2) Tops will be located in the former Union Wine and Liquor. Looks like the promise of a French Sandwich shop was wish just wishful hoping.

Anyone ever hear of (Go2) Tops before?

Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

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.

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“Dear PoPville,

Do you have any info about a car crash at 14th and Spring, NW? I was running by there about 45 minutes ago [Sunday] and saw a crowd gathered around an accident scene. A man was slumped over in the driver’s seat of a car that had crashed into a parked car. A young girl (12 maybe?) was on the ground with a bleeding head injury, and an older woman who did not appear to be injured, was wailing inconsolably nearby. A number of bystanders had gathered and someone was holding the girl while they waited for the ambulance which showed up a few minutes later. It was a really disturbing scene to stumble onto.

It wasn’t clear if all three persons had been in the car that crashed, or if perhaps the man (driving drunk?) had run the light and hit the girl while she was crossing the street with her mother. I fear it might have been the latter. I live a block from that intersection and every single day have sidestep men who are so drunk they piss their pants and pass out on the sidewalk. That kind of drinking seems to be an issue in the community I live in and I wonder about how it affects the families that live around here. Having done volunteer work with Latin American and Mexican communities in the past, I am aware that drinking is a pretty big issue (with men mostly) and often accompanies spousal and child abuse. The problems tend go unreported, perhaps for cultural reasons (it is not as common for women to speak out in some cultures) or perhaps because concerns about immigration status make people reluctant to get police involved .

Anyway, I have nothing against drinking (I definitely do my fair share). I have no idea if the guy involved in this accident was drunk or at even at fault. I wouldn’t normally jump to conclusions about an accident like that. I think I did so in this case because of what I see happening around me day to day. I feel like there is something destructive happening in my neighborhood. Depending on what exactly did happen with this car accident, it might provide an opportunity to start a conversation about what people can do to change things. People should be able to walk to work or to their school bus stop without stepping over passed out drunks. Women shouldn’t have to brace themselves for several blocks of verbal sexual harassment by the guys loitering around the liquor stores and bodegas every time they walk to the metro. Those who suffer abuse behind closed doors because of alcoholic husbands or relatives need to know they can call for help.

I know this is a bit of a rant and pretty random. I felt sort of frantic and helpless stumbling on the scene of that accident and not knowing what to do to help while waiting for the ambulance to come. I guess it got me thinking about some of the other things I see happening in this neighborhood, and made me want to do something proactive, to try to start a conversation at least rather than allow things to continue to decay without doing anything.”

Yesterday the People’s District Danny Harris tweeted to me: “Girl gets hit by a car while on the sidewalk outside of church near 14th and Spring Rd.” Anyone else see what happened?

“Dear PoP,

Sad news – check out the Shaw’s Tavern Facebook page. Looks like they’re not making enough money to stay open while they don’t have a liquor license. Hopefully there will be a positive outcome from the hearing and they’ll be able to reopen. Bummed because I’ve been gone on business travel all month and was looking forward to trying to food when I get back next week!”

Shaw’s Tavern Facebook page says:

“Shaw’s Tavern is closing its doors from Saturday 27th of August.
We could not survive without a liquor license. We will re -open when we are allowed to serve alcohol.”

Shaw’s Tavern is located at 520 Florida Ave, NW. They opened without a liquor license on July 29th 2011.

CityPaper’s Young and Hungry wrote last week:

“At a hearing on Aug. 10, a city inspector testified about documents allegedly doctored by a tavern manager, which were used to illegally obtain alcohol from wholesalers for pre-opening festivities.

The board, in recess until Sept. 14, is expected to rule on Shaw’s lingering liquor issues within 90 days.”

I just noticed this sculpture on the side of the school next to Martha’s Table at 14th St, NW just north of U St.

Bloombars is located at 3211 11th St NW.

From Columbia Heights.

Home to one of my favorite (relatively new) transoms:

1400 block of Taylor St, NW

One reader writes:

“Looks like some significant damage to the bay and roof of one house and the porch of another. Hope all residents are okay.”

A reader writes:

“Today (Sunday), I picked up a stray dog wandering around the area at 13th and Varnum NW. He kept crossing 13th street and was clearly not where he should be. He’s medium sized, with long white hair. He’s wearing a collar with no identification. He’s a very sweet dog, in good shape, looks he may have just gotten out of someone’s yard, but I thought it was dangerous to leave him where he could easily get hit by a car. I called the Washington Humane Society and they will pick him up and keep him there. Please call them for more info.”

District of Columbia Animal Care and Control Facility
(Operated for the District of Columbia Dept of Health by the Washington Humane Society)
1201 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-576-6664

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Spiegel

All good?

Anyone’s power out? (Ed. Note: Not exactly sure how you’ll be able to answer that question if your power is out…)

Let us know if you see any trees down blocking streets and/or any significant flooding.

DDOTDC reports:

“We have 38 confirmed locations with trees/branches down. Continuing to assess.”

If there is no power you can call Pepco at 877-737-2662. If there are overflowing sewers you can call Mydcwater at 202-612-3400. If you see fallen trees and/or tree limbs you can call 311.

DCRA reports:

“Pepco: 90 downed wires reported in DC; please keep reporting any downed wires: 877-737-2662. 30,000 DC residents w/o power.”

WMATA reports:

“Metro expects to operate bus, rail and MetroAccess service on a regular schedule on Sunday, August 28. Metrobus service began on select routes as scheduled at 5 a.m.; the Metrorail system will open at 7 a.m. There is no scheduled track work.

Metrobus and MetroAccess customers should expect possible detours around downed wires and trees and allow additional travel time.

Metrorail ridership was down about 67 percent yesterday as compared to last Saturday. Yesterday, 128,390 customers entered the system, as compared to 345,425 on Saturday, August 20.”

And for those who see can see light at the end of the tunnel – DCDPR reports:

“DC outdoor pools are on a delayed opening to clean and assess for damage. Outdoor pools are currently set to open at 2PM today.”

Capital Bikeshare reports: “Capital Bikeshare is back open.”

And to continue on a lighter note – Go to any fun parties, bars last night?

If you have any good photos of the storm please send a few in an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail or upload directly to the PoPville flickr pool and let me know what street/neighborhood where the photo was taken. Thanks and stay safe.

Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

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From MPD:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 1300 block of Emerald Street, NE.

On Friday, August 26, 2011, at approximately 10:43 p.m., units from the First District were dispatched to the 1300 block of Emerald Street, NE, to investigate the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male who was unconscious, unresponsive and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:24 p.m. His remains have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending an autopsy.

The decedent has been identified as 43-year-old Leonard Bigelow of Northeast, DC.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or

1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

Update 5:10pm Suspect Arrested

From MPD:

“Earlier today we posted for the community the MPD release regarding the homicide shooting that occurred last night in 1300 block of Emerald St NE. This afternoon Homicide Detectives arrested the suspect in this murder pursuant to an arrest warrant charging him with Second Degree Murder.”

From an email:

This Friday Night at Ras Cafe. 8/26 8pm-2:30am
A weekly showcase for organizations and performing artists.

There will be information on how you, and/or your non-profit or
business can get involved in Food Day, which will take place on
October 24, 2011. Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all
walks of life—parents, teachers, and students; health professionals,
community organizers, and local officials; chefs, school lunch
providers, and eaters of all stripes—to push for healthy, affordable
food produced in a sustainable, humane way. Food Day will work with
people around the country to create thousands of events in homes,
schools,churches, farmers markets, city halls, and state capitals.

This Friday, live performance from seminal DC artist Asheru.
Proceeds benefit Common Good City Farm (community garden at 3rd and
Vst NW)http://commongoodcityfarm.org/
Also a verity of musical selections by DJ RBI

Asheru is a hip hop artist, peabody award winner, educator, and youth
activist. He is widely known for performing the opening and closing
themes for the popular TV series, The Boondocks, as well as his
pioneering and innovative efforts to forward the Hip Hop Education
movement..

Mission of Common Good City Farm is to grow food, educate, and help
low-income DC community members meet their food needs. Our Vision is
to serve as a replicable model of a community-based urban food system.
$5 suggested donation
Ras Café
4809 Georgia Ave NW

Not as exciting as a new bar or restaurant but still good to know – Central Safe and Lock has opened two new locations at 1756 Columbia Rd. NW and 1107 7th St. NW (pictured above.)

“Dear PoP,

I’d like to nominate 3228 Hiatt for a Horse’s Ass award. It has been under construction for years with no sign of actual work.”

Yes, I agree, this is a def. a strong candidate for a Horse’s Ass Award.

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