Photo by flickr user GodzillaRockit

Dear PoPville,

My boyfriend and I are trying to buy a house sometime this spring/summer, but as my lease is up in two months, we will be combining our households into his one bedroom condo for 2-5 months. Much of my day to day belongings and valuables can come with me, but my furniture (couch, large chair, bookcases, double bed and frame, desk, dresser) and some larger storage boxes need to find a temporary home. What storage facilities do you or your readers recommend? I’ve heard delivery trucks (like UHaul) sometimes come discounted/free with a unit rental.

I am also interested in those portable PODS or PackRat units that get dropped off at your place, you fill them, and then they store them. Their websites show a variety of charges, and I can’t figure out how much it actually costs regarding initial delivery fees, same day pick up fees, redelivery fees. How does it work for those regarding residential street parking…can I just get an emergency no parking sign? Or a permit?

Any suggestions for facilities, one of the pod units, or even just dos/don’ts of using such units are welcome!

Photo by PoPville flickr user JRoseC

Auto-enthusiast is looking for a garage.

Where can you buy Tab soda?

Looking for CPA/tax prep recommendations.

Looking for a music/piano teacher.

Listing an apartment to share in Shaw.

You can find all the forum topics here and items for sale in the classifieds here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

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

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rbrammer

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

Photo by PoPville flickr user Columbia Heights Climber

Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

Dear PoPville,

I’ve seen the poster in several places around the city, usually in black and white and without the Obama 2012 references, and have always wondered what the significance is. Do you know who/what organization posts this and who is the person featured in the poster?

Does anyone remember the Washington Post article that interviewed the artist? I remember there was a big debate as to whether this was graffiti or art. Anyone remember the name of the artist and/or subject? Do the ones with the Obama 2012 references change your opinion of whether it is graffiti or art?

Photo by PoPville twitter follower @MikeRucki

Mike writes:

“Media and police onsite for Occupy K Street evictions. No significant activity yet…”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

This condo is located at 1824 North Capitol St, NW:

View Larger Map

The listing says:

“In the heart of Bloomingdale. Unique condo w/ spacious rooms, bamboo floors, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Washer/dryer. Entertain on your large landscaped private patio. Sip wine from your wine chest. Living space bathed in natural light. Double sinks, jet tub in Master bath. Enough storage for all your stuff. Close to 2 metro stops. Also available for rent, $1850.”

This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $350,000.

Photo by PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

From the Washington Post:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) said Friday he wants to set red and white as the uniform color of all city taxi cabs so they meld with the color of the DC Circulator and Metro buses.”

Even though more people voted for yellow – do you like the idea of red and white so it will “meld” with the color of DC Circulator and metro buses?

Back in early Jan. I mentioned that Cafe Carvy was coming into the old Spice Indian Bistro space at 1020 19th St, NW. They’ve opened. Anyone try out the sandwiches?

View Larger Map

From MPD:

Detectives assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Division are investigating a double fatal traffic crash that occurred in the 400 block of Taylor Street, NE at approximately 3:30 am today.

On Sunday, January 29, 2012, at approximately 2:56 am, units from the Fourth District received several calls for the sounds of gunshots in the 700 block of Otis Place, NW. While responding, a MPD cruiser was flagged down at the corner of Georgia Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue, NW, by an unidentified black male who stated that unknown suspects had just shot at him from a burgundy colored Plymouth minivan with Virginia tags.

A lookout was broadcast and another MPD unit observed a burgundy minivan speeding in the 300 block of Upshur Street, NW, passing through stop signs without stopping. A pursuit was then initiated and ended in the 400 block of Taylor Street, NE, when the suspect vehicle lost control, struck a tree, and then struck another MPD vehicle that was responding to the scene for support.

Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded at the scene of the crash. The two officers in the vehicle that was struck sustained non-life threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital. All three occupants of the suspect vehicle were ejected. Two of suspects, an adult male and a juvenile male died of their injuries. The third male suspect was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The identities of the decedents are being withheld at this time, pending next of kin notification.

Evidence recovered indicates that the vehicle was involved in a shooting. MPD units returned to the scene where the male flagged them down, but have been unable to locate him.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

I’m super psyched to be able to share some old photos from Tony T. Most folks know Tony T as owner of The Pug located at 1234 H St, NE. Turns out Tony’s dad took lots of photos around DC back in the day. Tony was kind enough to share some of them with me, so I’m gonna post the best ones this week. These are two of my favorites. President John F. Kennedy from (Tony thinks) 1962. I believe the bottom one is after JFK threw out the first pitch at a Senators baseball game. Awesome.

I always get tons of emails asking about the retail space at 2013 14th St, NW (just north of U St.) This used to be the Red Lounge Bar and Grill but the first floor space has been closed for ages. I just noticed that the paper has finally come off the windows:

Anyone stop by or know if they’ve officially reopened?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Obvy09

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.

Back in Aug. ’11 I heard some scuttlebutt that a Cava Mezze Grill was looking at a location by U St, NW. Turned out it was not that location but Cava did confirm that they were looking for more locations around DC. I have it from a very good source that they have found a location in Columbia Heights. They will be moving into the radiance medspa space at 3105 14th St, NW (I believe radiance will be opening in a new location.)  I’m not exactly sure of the timing of when this will all go down but I give this scuttlebutt a 92% accuracy rating.

Cava Grill is run by the same folks who own Cava Wine Bar located on Barracks Row at 527 8th St SE.

Think Cava will be a good addition to Columbia Heights? You can see their menu here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

The fine folks at Sprinkles in Georgetown, 3015 M Street, NW, are getting your week off to a good start. They have been kind enough to call Monday – Prince of Petworth appreciation day. As such, customers who say Prince of Petworth at Sprinkles on Monday will receive one free Red Velvet cupcake. Enjoy!

Photo from PoPville resident TA

Thanks to PoPville twitter follower @jmerzie for sending the word Friday night:

“Joe Biden is @petes_newhaven in my hood right now!!!”

Very cool! Did anyone happen to be at Pete’s Apizza (1400 Irving St NW) when he stopped by?