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.

“This is my pug, Wally. He’s getting ready for Christmas in Columbia Heights!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

“Winnie from U Street. She can sneeze on command!”

This rental is located at 4th and Q St, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

”
Amazing newly-renovated historic rowhouse on quiet street lined with trees and gardens in U St./Shaw neighborhood near Logan Circle with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathroom, large living room, Italian style patio and garden (current tenants have grown vegetables –thyme, basil, aloe-vera, etc), hardwood floors, washer/dryer, central air, Stainless steel appliances.

Fantastic neighborhood with restaurants and 2 blocks to the metro, short walk to Chinatown, 1 block to tennis courts and recreation center, 2 blocks to new library and metro, grocery stores, hardware, and drug store all within 4 to 7 blocks. In 2012, there will be a brand new Giant grocery 1.5 blocks away. Available December 1st or earlier. Great for couple or 2 people.

–Front and Rear Enclosed Gardens
–Fenced-In Yard with Motorized Garage Door
–Off-Street Parking
–Gorgeous Hardwood Floors
–High Ceilings
–Terra-Cotta Kitchen Tile
–Stainless Steel Appliances
–Washer/Dryer
–Cable and Internet Ready”

$2500 sound right for this 2 bed?

Dear PoPville,

I’m looking to do a major renovation of the unfinished basement of my townhouse in Adams Morgan. This will need to include excavation, repointing the exposed brick interior and complete installation of electric, water, gas and HVAC.

Would it be possible to open a discussion thread to get general advice on the process in general, recommended contractors or lessons learned?

Back in Jan. ’10 we were lucky enough to have a reader share his experiences digging out a basement. But if others have lessons learned, contractor recs or other advice – please leave it here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

Still looking for tips (no pun intended, ok intended a little) on how much to tip a building manager.

Also looking for advice on how much to tip other condo/coop staff.

Recommendations for Furnace and HVAC work in an old house.

And a request for funny links to cheer someone up during a hospital stay.

Also more items for sale in the Classifieds.

Photo of Arlington Cemetery by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM

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

Photo of Arlington Cemetery by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From a press release:

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy L. Lanier and members from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today the arrests of 70 suspects for the possession and distribution of firearms and narcotics with a street value of more than $7.1 million.

The joint operation between MPD, ATF, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) was initiated to disrupt and dismantle illegal firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, and fencing operations within the District of Columbia.

On November 2, 2010, “Operation Manic Enterprises” was initiated. An undercover location was set up as a recording studio for a rap artist and was utilized to make the majority of undercover purchases. The operation continued through November 2011.

MPD’s Major Narcotics Unit and federal authorities seized approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine, 9.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.25 gallons of PCP, 23.5 pounds of marijuana, heroin and MDMA/ecstasy. The drugs were purchased and seized by the detectives in the investigation. Additionally 161 firearms, including 29 assault weapons were purchased or seized during the undercover operation.

“If these drugs and guns had made it to our streets, the impact would have been devastating to community, said Chief Lanier. This was an extremely dangerous operation. These suspects had bragged about other violent crimes they had committed and had no qualms about killing police officers, guards and other innocent people. All the law enforcement members involved in this operation are to be commended for their bravery.”

Numerous violent crimes were closed with arrests.

This condo is located at 1454 Newton St, NW:

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The flier says:

“Fabulous 2BR, 2BA condo with high ceilings and hardwood floors in super convenient location. Fully renovated in 2007. Kitchen w/ 2 skylights, stainless appliances, and recessed lighting. Large master suite w/ double closet. Second BR or den w/ large closet and access to sunny back porch w/ treetop views. Washer/dryer. Walk to Metro, Target, CVS, Giant, restaurants, dog park & more!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $325,000 ($193 monthly condo fee.)

Noodles and Company is located in the old Sake Club space at 2635 Connecticut Ave, NW. Yesterday was their first day open. You can see their menu here.

Still no word on what will become of the old Cafe International space next door.

Mellow Mushroom is one of the most eagerly anticipated new restaurants I’ve ever posted about. So now that they’ve been open a couple of months – what do you think of the pizza? For those who’ve been to other locations – how does this one compare? For folks that have never been before did it meet your expectations?

Check out the progress at Taylor Gourmet coming to the old Ruff N Ready (now located at 4722 14th St, NW) space at 1908 14th St, NW. Looks like they’ll be open by the New Year or pretty close to it.

Oct. 5th’s Friday Question of the Day asked, Should the Lincoln Theater become a Movie Theater Like the Avalon? Lot of people said yes.

From a Mayor’s media advisory:

Beginning January 1, 2012, oversight of the Lincoln Theatre [1215 U St, NW] will transfer from the U Street Theatre Foundation (USTF) to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Oversight will include hiring a new executive director and developing a long-term sustainable business model for the historic U Street theatre.

A four-week partnership with Landmark Theatres is one of the first ventures the District will bring to the Lincoln Theatre with the release of the major motion picture, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Columbia Pictures on Wednesday, December 21.

Back in early October, Bistro 18 became a Jamaican Jerk Chicken spot (with the dubious slogan, “Wanna Get Jerked”) called Jamaican Joe’s at 2420 18th Street NW. Last weekend the signage was removed revealing the old Bistro 18 signs. I’m not sure if Bistro 18 will actually reopen or someone else will move in but I’ll keep my eyes on the space.

It seems 18th Street is having a bit of an identity crisis with next door neighbor Slaviya recently becoming ‘A Taste of New Orleans’ before returning to Slaviya again. Not to mention the space that is now McNasty’s…for now.

Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

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.

Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up that Habitat is closing at 1512 U St, NW. I stopped in on Sunday and the owner said that he won’t be opening up a new location because he’s moving to Argentina.

For fans, you’ve still got a little time – they’ll be closing Jan. 30th.

What do you think of the new Park Road banners in Columbia Heights?

Is it now finally time to take down the banner announcing the facade improvement project?