“Dear PoP,

I walk by this building on Irving Street everyday — what is it? All it says on the front is 1436.”

This is a shelter for men run by the Coalition for the Homeless:

“The Coalition operates one low-barrier overnight shelter for homeless men at La Casa Multi-Cultural Center. The shelter operates from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily and provides food and overnight shelter to 90 men. Low-barrier shelter is typically the entry point for many homeless men in the District of Columbia’s homeless continuum of care.”

Back in July we learned that Barrio would no longer be coming to this spot. However, I spoke with some workers who said they think the space is still going to become a restaurant. Some folks I chatted with think it is going to become ‘Local 11′ from the owners of Local 16 (and also the folks behind the abandoned Barrio idea). I’ve sent some emails out but have not heard back yet. At the moment I’m not sure who is behind this project. Nevertheless, I think the important thing to note is that work has finally begun in earnest. There have been far too many teases with this spot. I’ll be sure to update when more info becomes available about the space.

“Dear PoP,

Just hoping the PoP crowd can keep an eye out for my kid’s wagon. Radio Flyer All-Terrain model, red, with wood top rails and big tires. It was swiped off my porch in Columbia Heights (near Holmead) on Saturday sometime between grocery shopping (6pm) and bedtime (9pm). I’m hoping some kids took it for a joyride and ditched it somewhere. Yes, I know, it’s probably already been sold for drug money. And yes, I know, I shouldn’t leave anything out that’s not nailed down. I was lulled into a false sense of security by the fact that my porch furniture, stroller, and garden implements have always stayed put. Thanks for the extra eyes.”

I once saw one of these locked up and found it curious. It’s a sad state of affairs that these have to be locked up like a bicycle. If anyone happens to spot this one please email me and I’ll put you in contact with the reader.

Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

North Columbia Heights Civic Association: Neighborhood Clean-up and “Meet n Greet” Brunch @ Meridian Pint

When: Saturday, September 4th, 1030am – 1130am
Where: Meet outside Columbia Heights Coffee (on 11th between Park and Monroe)

What: Volunteer an hour of your morning to help keep the neighborhood clean and share community ideas with your neighbors at a Meridian Pint brunch

Why: Help keep the neighborhood clean
How: Cleaning supplies will be provided. Just bring yourselves, your kids, and even your pets!

And Barry from Fusion at 4815 Georgia Ave, NW writes in about their happy hour specials:

“from wed-sun 4pm-7pm margarita $4.00,martini $4.00 wine $4.00, beer$2.00 appetizer $5.00 , also please let folks know that their groupon for fusion expires on sep28th”.

This rental is located at 1111 Columbia Road, NW:

View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“Located at 1111 Columbia Road, this one bedroom apartment is within immediate walking distance of the Columbia Heights metro station and everything that Columbia Heights has to offer. It has also been recently renovated. The rent includes water, and the tenant pays electric and gas. It is available immediately with a flexible lease term.”

Does $1150 sound reasonable for this 1 bedroom?

I’ve been getting a few emails from folks about the development in the alley behind 11th St, NW b/w Lamont and Park. This is the North Columbia Heights Green that we spoke about a while ago. It has really progressed nicely. The Washington Parks folks write:

“After extensive challenges with dumping, engineering, permits, and debris removal, the North Columbia Heights Green project is now at last completing Phase II, with new grading and fencing now all in place. Now comes the fun part– installing the gardens and site furnishings! We have an exciting Fall ahead toward the implementation of our sustainable Green for the community.”

Also some parking spots were added:

And the future green space has been defined:

This is an amazing improvement! More details and a rendering after the jump.

Given the summer we’ve been having this addition is a lifesaver!

“Dear PoP,

Do you have any information on the nice looking store front at the new View 14 apartment building loated at Florida/14? It appears to have multi levels and perhaps a perfect spot for a mid size grocery store or bookstore or something like that. What do your readers think?

Also, what is happening with the empty lot across from it?”

Well the lot across the street has just started sporting a coming soon sign. So that’s positive. Construction of the old Nehemiah Shopping Center has been slated to begin in Fall 2010. You can see a rendering here. Back in Nov. ’09 we learned that There will be 240,000 square feet of which 16,000 will be retail and the rest will be 225 apartments.

As for the View 14 retail space, back in the day it was slated to become a gym but that deal fell through. No word yet on a possible new tenant. I’ll be sure to update when any developments or rumors occur.

I feel like a broken record but again Columbia Heights Day (this year with the addition of the DC State Fair) was a huge success. And as I say every year the photos do far more justice than words. Sadly, I missed the cupcake eating contest this year so if anyone got some of those shots please upload a few of them to the PoPville flickr pool. Congrats and thanks to the organizers for putting together such a fun day.

Lots more photos after the jump.

DC State Fair photography contest winners and presenter Heather Goss

Pickling entries for the DC State Fair

Dog contest

My favorites – the petting zoo and the cupcake eating contest! But I’m super psyched to check out the DC State Fair as well this year.

From an email:

WHEN: Saturday, August 28
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

WHERE: Harriet Tubman Elementary Field – 11th & Kenyon streets NW
Just 3 blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro – Green and Yellow lines

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Two stages of live music and dance performances
- Petting Zoo & Kids Zone, featuring fun games and family entertainment
- “Taste of Columbia Heights” food booths and popular DC food trucks
- First-ever “DC State Fair” with prizes for best homemade pie or cupcake, homegrown tomato and more
- Columbia Heights Community Marketplace farmers’ market
- Cupcake eating contest, sponsored by Sticky Fingers Bakery
- NEW! King & Queen of Columbia Heights competition
- Morning yoga workshop from Quiet Mind Yoga, Dog Show and neighborhood bike tour
- Appearances by city officials and political candidates
- More than 80 local businesses and community groups
- All-day specials at neighborhood restaurants and bars
- Even more performances all day at BloomBars (3222 11th St. NW)
- After Hours Party post-festival at neighborhood bars, sponsored by OnTap

Full schedule after the jump.

SCHEDULE:

10:00 am Columbia Heights bike tour and scavenger hunt

10:00 am Morning yoga from Quiet Mind Yoga

10:30 am Dog Show @ Tubman Field

11:00 am Electric 11s (rock) @ Main Stage

11:45 am Queen of Columbia Heights @ Second Stage

12:15 pm Czars of Leisure (rock) @ Main Stage

12:30 pm Latin American Youth Center @ Youth Stage

1:00 pm King of Columbia Heights @ Second Stage

1:00 pm BloomBars @ Youth Stage

1:30 pm The Chariots (reggae) @ Main Stage

2:00 pm The Artistic Shelter @ Youth Stage

2:15 pm Batala (percussion) @ Second Stage

2:45 pm La Unica Irish Band @ Main Stage

3:00 pm In Da Streets @ Youth Stage

3:30 pm Sticky Fingers Cupcake Contest @ Second Stage

4:00 pm BloomBars @ Youth Stage

4:15 pm Armchairs (rock) @ Main Stage

5:15 pm Belladonna (dance) @ Second Stage

5:45 pm Flex Matthews (hip hop) @ Main Stage