This home is located at 1243 New Jersey Ave, NW:

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The flier says:

“* * * U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E * * * Absolutely Stunning! This gorgeous private residence in in EXCELLENT condition! Lower Level unit has front/rear entrances and a private patio to make it an outstanding in-law suite or separate unit (Currently 2-Meters on property!) Beautiful hardwoods throughout, 3600 sf of home awaits you! GREAT LOCATION: Easy walk to METRO, City Center, China Town”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 10 bed/7 bath was listed for $750,000 and has gone under contract in 6 days. We actually looked at this property back in Nov. ’10 when it was listed for $888,000 and then dropped to $799,900. I guess $750,000 was the magic number.

Back in mid-Aug. we noticed that the former Almaz Ethiopian restaurant was undergoing major renovations at 1212 U St, NW. The new name has been revealed – CB1212 and a brief chat with the owner revealed that they’d be opening in the next few weeks.

Restaurant Nora is located at 2132 Florida Ave, NW. It’s Web site says:

“Originally constructed in the 19th century as a grocery store, the main dining room has been artistically transformed and decorated with a collection of museum quality antique Mennonite and Amish crib quilts. Here or in our Wine Library with its unique Wine Cellar, the Garden Room, Gallery or Parlor you can enjoy elegant dining in a relaxed intimate setting. The eclectic menu, which changes daily, serves organic new-American cuisine in Nora’s own creative style.

In April 1999, Restaurant Nora became America’s first certified organic restaurant. This means that 95% or more of everything that you eat at the restaurant has been produced by certified organic growers and farmers all who share in Nora’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. Nora always offers seasonal, fresh organic food, prepared in a healthy, balanced way and enjoys a “big following” of environmentalists and politicians, who can eat here with a clear conscience, knowing that what’s on their plate hasn’t polluted the environment, is healthy for them, and tastes good too.”

You can see their menus here. Any fans?

From Rock Creek Church Cemetery across from the Old Soldier’s Home.

I also think I may have found one of the oldest headstones in the cemetery:

It what may not be the most shocking news, Capital Pizza and Kabob. located at 2441 18th St, NW, appears to have closed. While they had one of the more, uh, visual marketing campaigns, it apparently wasn’t good enough. You can still one sign left that makes for an amazing juxtaposition with the religious figure located above the restaurant.

Thanks to everyone who wrote in that Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips has opened up at 400 Florida Ave, NW. I’m actually looking forward to giving them a try.

Photo by PoPville flickr user JMidwestern

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.

Happy New Year to my fellow members of the tribe.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to return emails until tonight/tomorrow morning. Sorry about that.

May your New Year (and for non members – may your October) be as sweet as a really good ripe pineapple.

Twitter lit up Wed. afternoon when Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham tweeted:

“I want to keep Lincoln Theater open. But no $ for them in fy12 budget. Looks bleak and it may close. Emergency bd mtg 2nite at Linc @ 6″

Though at 8:30pm he also tweeted:

“We had a good board mtg and are planning an annoucenment on the financial situation and future theatre ops tmrw, 1 pm at the Lincoln”

I think the Lincoln Theater located at 1215 U Street NW, is one of the most striking/classic buildings on U Street. I love it. However, besides one promo concert in Nov. ’07, I have never actually attended an event there. I’m wondering how many others have attended an event at the Lincoln Theater?

Either way, it’s clearly an amazing property with a great history – so what do you think the city should do with it?

Back in Apr. ’08 Washington Business Journal reported on plans to:

“seek developers interested in turning a 40-spot surface parking lot behind the Lincoln into either housing, offices or hotel space. Revenue from the project will go to maintaining and operating the Lincoln.”

These flu shot signs are starting to pop up all over the city at CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway and pretty much everywhere that has a pharmacy so I’m just curious – how many people are going to get a flu shot and for those that get one will you use your doctor or just go to a pharmacy?

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to notice the mural on the side of the Fringe building at 607 New York Ave, NW.

I love how two of the stars on the flag are structural reinforcement stars attached to the building:

This alley door from near H St, NE always makes me stop in my tracks. One day I’ll find out the story behind the musical instruments:

At first glance this row house from Embassy Row doesn’t seem too spectacular but check out the copper detail up top:

One reader writes:

“A shooting happened around 7:45 or so, just north of Sherman Circle. Possible homicide, based on the police activity. They had one suspect in the back of a police car.”

Another writes:

“There was a shooting tonight about 7:30pm. We heard about 7 shots. Cops showed up, have the crime scene tape out etc. At least one ambulance left at about 8:00pm.”

Thanks to everyone else for sending updates on twitter. For more info check back here and you can follow me @PoPville on twitter here.

Update from MPD:

“Around 8pm, units received a call for a shooting at 7th and Emerson Sts NW. It was determined 3 male victims received apparent non life threatening gunshot wounds and have been transported to area hospitals for treatment. There is no suspect lookout at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-919-CRIME.”

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From an email:

“Happy Hour to Furnish a Rural School in Nepal:  Thursday, September 29, 5:30-9:30 at the Saloon (1205 U Street NW).  Join us for drinks and a good cause.  Santi Schools, an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to improving the conditions of rural schools in Nepal, recently built a new school in a rural Nepali village, but now it needs furniture.  So, we are gathering on Thursday night at the Saloon for drinks, mo: mo: (Nepali dumplings), and an all around good time.  Make the minimum-suggested $25 donation and your first drink and first mo: mo: are free!

Learn more about the organization or donate here:  http://santischool.org/“

1800 block of 14th St, NW in 2008

“Dear PoPville,

The cashier at Pulp informed me last weekend that they were closing the store by Thanksgiving. He said that they had tried to find a buyer but they were not able to.

If this is true it would be yet another store closing on 14th St. I think that unless you have a liquor license (or sell overpriced furniture), you won’t be able to afford the rent.”

It appears to be true as Borderstan spoke to the store manager (last day November 23) and also notes how many businesses have recently closed/changed hands on the 14th St strip. Most recently we we spoke about 1409 Playbill Cafe closing at the end of the month.

Pulp is located on 14th St just north of S St at 1803 14th Street NW. Just reading ‘meet the staff’ will give a good indication of how unique this place was.

At the end of the day I also think it is important to take a step back and see that today, there is still a pretty unique mix of retail on the 14th St strip with newly added Current Boutique as well as other clothing stores like Universal Gear, Redeem, Rue 14 and others plus all the diverse retail on nearby U Street. Though I do admit this is only for today and clearly this is a decent indication of what the strip may look like tomorrow.