All the details here.

Back in May ’11 we learned that a new taqueria was coming to the old Philadelphia Water Ice Factory at 2620 Georgia Ave, NW. I’m happy to spread the word that they quietly opened up last week. The place looks great:

Downstairs

Upstairs

And take a look at the December menu after the jump. (more…)

Earlier in the week a reader mentioned the Pierce School lofts at 14th and Maryland Ave, NE. Rent.com says:

True New York Style Loft Apartment Now For Rent…Live In An Old School…1,115 Square Feet of Live/Work Space…. By their very definition, lofts are former commercial spaces that have been adapted for residential use and living/work environments. Pierce School Lofts are TRUE NY Style lofts just like you have seen in many popular movies. These lofts vary in size ranging from 1,115 sq. ft. to just over 2,200 total sq ft of living/work space. The 14′ ceilings and enormous windows that are each 8′ tall and 4′ wide really let the light in to create a vast, open and airy feel unlike any other traditional apartment. Many of the remnants from the school’s history still exist within each of the units including the original 110 year old hardwood floors, chalkboards, school clock, even the American flag. Evolve has added state-of-the-art kitchens within each of the units that include stainless steel appliances with a dishwasher, built-in microwave, side-by-side refrigerator, electric self-cleaning range and a front loading washer / dryer. The countertops are made of 3/4″ thick white carera marble that is reminiscent of the 1893 period in which the school was built.

The old cloakrooms of the school have now been converted into a master bathroom for each of the loft apartments. This new bathroom comes with a built-in ceramic tiled shower, claw foot soaking tub, built-in urinal and dual vanity with vessel sinks to give each bathroom an industrial / utilitarian look and feel that often makes guests stop and wonder if these bathrooms were original to the old school.

In addition to a unique living experience, Pierce School Lofts offers rich amenities that consumers in the highly competitive DC Rental market are looking for including a 38,000 gallon in-ground swimming pool, spa, and a professional gym. Pierce School Lofts have been upgraded with the latest in wireless Internet technology provided by DC Access so that residents can surf the net in their apartments or while sipping a drink by the pool.

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 the name of your pet and 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.

“These are our English Bulldog puppies….Albert and Bullet.
Merry Wrinklemas!”

“Skittle and Jellybean join the caroling candlesticks in sending warm holiday greetings to all from their perch on Webster Street.”

“Pablo the Westie, aka “Westiny’s Child”, lives in Bloomingdale and won’t let me sit on my own couch.”

This rental is located at 3220 Connecticut Ave, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Nestled in a village-like setting amidst Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., Parkway Apartments offers the peace and serenity that one deserves, while only steps to the conveniences of urban, downtown living. Take a stroll to the metro for some sightseeing, go on a shopping spree in many of the upscale boutiques or enjoy the experience of fine dining and live entertainment at some of the most popular nightspots in the Washington, D.C. area. Enjoy the finest of what Downtown Washington, D.C. has to offer here at your fingertips. All utilities are included.

Parkway Apartments (3220 Connecticut Ave) (All Utilities Included)
Studio – $1067 — available January 15, 2012.(Does not have a full kitchen, only a refrigerator and counter top)
Studio – $1067 — available February 1, 2012.(Does not have a full kitchen, only a refrigerator and counter top)”

$1067 sound right for a studio without a full kitchen?

Ed. Note: I lived in one of these in 1998, at that time rent was $500. Man, I’m getting old…

Photo by PoPville flickr user elliotmitchell

Dear PoPville,

I own a studio apartment. How much is standard for tipping the staff for the holidays? There are two full time and one part time staff. I was thinking $60 for the full and $40 for part time.

We haven’t had too much luck talking tipping in the forum section so I wanted to ask it here. I’m curious as well. Not only for building staff – but who else do you tip? Do you tip the garbage men? The mailman? House cleaners? Lawn care? Others?

For those that tip on the holidays – who do you tip and how much do you give?

Photo by PoPville flickr user ashleykalena

Joing the PoPville flickr pool here and follow PoPville on twitter here on facebook here and google+ here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Photo by PoPville flickr user AlGrabow

Earlier today a reader shared his great gingerbread house and asked – Wonder if any of your readers have something more exquisite than this?

This one is a pretty good contender:

“This unbelievable elaborate gingerbread house was designed for residents of Sunrise Senior Living’s The Jefferson in Arlington. Each year, the Jefferson creates these amazing DC themed gingerbread feasts.”

This home is located at 2237 12th St, NW:

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The flier says:

“Gorgeous renovation. Large, open kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances, new cabinets and new tile floor. Beautiful wood floors throughout. Large master bedroom. Both bathrooms are brand new and really shine. Wonderful patio with brick accents and parking for 2 cars. Very quiet street in a great neighborhood.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

$599,900 sound right for this 3 bed/1.5 bath?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a press release:

On Saturday, January 21, Rustico, located at 4075 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, will officially become home to The Beer Academy a.ka. Brew U. Guided by Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s Beer Director Greg Engert, The Beer Academy will offer a comprehensive curriculum for beer enthusiasts with two-hour tutorials, once a month for the entire year. Each class will be held from 1 PM to 3 PM on Saturdays at Rustico in Arlington, and is priced at $24 per person. With a Food & Wine “Sommelier of the Year” as their guide, students will receive a first-class education, as well as tastes of at least six beers, hand selected by Greg to exemplify the featured theme of each class.

Those who attend the inaugural class on Saturday, January 21 will get schooled on Tasting Craft Beer: Examining the Flavor Spectrum across the History of Beer. During this course, students will be led on a journey through Greg’s flavor profiles (Crisp, Hop, Malt, Roast, Smoke, Fruit & Spice, Tart & Funky), while sipping and studying six different beers. Future classes will focus on topics such as casks ales, sour ales, farmhouse ales of the world, and brewing locally vs. locally sourced brewing. To heighten the experience, Rustico will offer their full brunch menu a la carte with standouts such as buttermilk biscuit sliders, sweet potato skins and crispy deviled eggs to the attendees.

The Beer Academy will commence on January 21 and run every four weeks, with subsequent classes scheduled for February 18, March 17, April 14, May 12 and June 9. Dedicated students, who wish to enroll in the full year will receive a discount of $6 off each class (additional discounts for packages of three, six and nine classes are also offered). To reserve a spot for The Beer Academy please call Rustico at (571) 384-1820.

Meatballs from Chef Michel Richard is located at 624 E St, NW in Penn Quarter. Anyone try them out yet?

Photo by PoPville flickr user amarino17

Thanks to all who sent emails. From the census press release yesterday:

“Among states and equivalents, the District of Columbia experienced the fastest growth between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, as its population climbed 2.7 percent. This marks the first time it led states and equivalents in growth since the early 1940s. D.C. ranked 35th in percent growth between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.”

The Post notes:

“The increase of 16,000 people, if accurate, represents more than half the total gain during the entire decade that preceded it, which was the first decade in half a century that the city did not shrink in size.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

From MPD:

As many of you are aware we have experienced a rash of street robberies recently in the Capital Hill area of the First District. We experience increases of crime in various areas at times; however, our concern is heightened due to the exaggeration of this anomaly. I wanted to share some information concerning these offenses for your personal awareness.

Most frequent days of occurrence have been Fridays and Saturdays, with Friday accounting for 43% of the offenses
The peak time of the offenses is from 8:00 p.m. to midnight ( 70% )
Almost 90% of the robberies involve 2-3 suspects
Half of the robberies involved the theft of cell phones/I-phones

Lt. Eddie Fowler, PSA 106, has implemented an operational plan to address the issue. Although we can not share specifics of his plan, I understand the community’s concerns and desire for information and want to advise that the below strategies have been implemented.

PSA personnel has been redeployed to the target areas
1D district-wide units have been deployed to the target areas
Several city-wide units have agreed to schedule some of their deployment in the area
CSOSA (DC’s version of Probation & Parole) has partnered with us to schedule “accountability visits” to persons under their supervision who reside in the area.
The First District Detective Unit has consolidated the assignment of these robberies to assist with identifying related offenses
A 1D tactical unit has been assigned to work within the area and coordinate information with investigators

I would like to assure you that the First District is doing everything we can to address these issues; we have dedicated officers and managers who are focused on the situation. While we work to address the crime pattern we ask for the community assistance by adhering to the robbery prevention tips that were posted in the listserv and by calling 911 whenever you see suspicious activity and/or suspicious persons.

Back in Feb. ’11 I shared some scuttlebutt saying that a high end Indian Restaurant has signed a lease in the old Naby’s space at 1128 H Street, NE. @mgholwill now shares a few more details:

“New restaurant at 1128 H (old Naby’s space) to be called Casbah. Hope to open in March. #HStDC hopes so too.”

and

“New South Asian/Indian Restaurant at 1128 H, live dinner music, CR (rest. license) sidewalk cafe. #HStDC”

Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

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. But please no personal attacks. I’ll open this thread every morning at 10am.

Are your offices starting to empty out?