Photo by PoPville flickr user laurarotondo

From a press release:

In celebration of the yearly “Liveaboard Boater Day,” Southwest DC’s colorful liveaboard community will open its doors to visitors on Saturday, October 20 from 10 AM to 4 PM. The self‐guided tour at Gangplank Marina takes visitors inside at least 20 of the most fun and unique homes (and offices) in Washington DC. Owners and docents will also be available to answer questions about the boat‐homes and the liveaboard and workaboard lifestyles. This is only the second time that the homes of Gangplank Marina have been open to the public, and the chance to tour this unique community is not to be missed.

The tour is located on Washington DC’s active Southwest waterfront, along the Washington Channel. Historically, the waterfront was the portal for newcomers and visitors to the Nation’s capital, as well as a busy center for maritime trade and fishing. Gangplank Marina is a 309‐slip marina just steps from the National Mall and its many monuments and museums, and is the largest liveaboard community on the East Coast. For over 30 years, it has been home to a diverse group including professionals, families, artists, retirees, scientists, congresspeople, members of the military, and many more. Many restaurants, businesses, historical buildings and other attractions are located in the Southwest waterfront, which is currently poised to undergo a multi‐million dollar redevelopment.

Advance tickets are recommended ($20 per person) as the tour is expected to sell out. Purchase tickets online via our web site www.dchouseboat.org. Tickets will not be available on the day of the tour. We’re also offering a discounted ticket price of $15 to our Southwest neighbors in the 20024 zip code. A portion of the proceeds from the tour ticket sales will benefit local charities in Southwest DC.

Several of Gangplank Marina’s other neighbors will also be participating. Waterfront bar & grill Cantina Marina will offer a 10% discount to tourgoers, and local organizations such as DC Sail and the Southwest DC Arts Festival will also be present.

This rental is located at 560 N Street, SW:

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The listing says:

“Welcome home to this spacious one-bedroom home with new paint and carpet and lovely balcony views just a few steps away from the water and Metro! The location is the best in DC: easy shopping, dining, commuting, cycling, and more. This well-managed coop includes utilities, pool, fitness, and attractive grounds. Make it home! Thank you!”

This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,800/Mo.

This rental is located at 1344 Half Street, SW:

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The listing says:

“MUST SEE this lovely Townhouse Condo only 7 years young featuring newly installed custom hardwood floors on the main level, 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, fenced yard with patio area for your spring picnic, off street parking to the rear of the property. Just a few blocks away from Waterfront and Navy Yard Metro stops, and one block from the Washington National Stadium.”

This 3 bed/2.5 bath is going for $2,100/Mo.

Click to enlarge. Rendering via National Capital Planning Commission

From an email:

The draft SW Ecodistrict Plan is ready for your review. On July 19, NCPC will walk you through plans for transforming this predominantly federal precinct into a lively mixed-use community and environmental showcase. Learn details of the plan and share your thoughts in person.

WHEN
Thursday, July 19, 2012
6:30 – 8:30 pm

WHERE
District Office of Planning

2nd Floor Conference Room
1100 4th Street, SW Washington, DC
Metro: Waterfront

DETAILS
Event details | View draft plan online beginning July 12

RSVP
Attendance is free and open to the public. www.ncpc.gov/rsvp

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a press release:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today celebrated House passage of her Southwest Waterfront redevelopment bill (H.R. 2297), which is now headed to the White House for President Obama to sign into law. The bill clarifies the legal status of property at the Southwest Waterfront in order to allow the District to move forward with a major redevelopment project that will include 2.5 million square feet of hotel, office, retail, and residential space, as well as clear the way for increased maritime activity there. Norton expects the issuance of a permit by the fall, and the groundbreaking in January.

“This is a major economic development bill for the District of Columbia,” Norton said. “The bill allows the District to move forward with a 21st-century vision for the Southwest Waterfront, the most valuable underused asset in the District. Restrictions on the District’s own land have long prevented the city from putting the Southwest Waterfront to its best use, driven down property values, and deprived residents and visitors alike of a vibrant waterfront. In the end, the city will have a world-class Southwest Waterfront to match the Southeast Waterfront, now called The Yards, being redeveloped from our prior bill. D.C. residents will have access to jobs and small business opportunities to build a new waterfront as well as to thousands of permanent jobs that will come with the new mixed-use Southwest Waterfront. Our city will get millions of dollars in new tax revenue annually.”

635 New York Ave, NW

From District Crossfit:

“As many of you have probably heard by now, thanks to the Washingtonian, we are very happy to announce that District CrossFit will be opening a new location in the Southwest Waterfront. The new gym will be located on 1525 Half Street SW in eyeshot of the National’s Ballpark.

The new space will be 10,000 square feet. To put that in perspective, our New York Ave. location is just shy of 3,500 square feet.

Barring any major setbacks, we plan on opening the doors on September 1st of this year.”

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“Unfortunately we also have some sad news:

Potentially as soon as November 1st, 2012; we will be forced to close our doors at 635 New York Ave. While planning a new space (even back while we were at 624 NY Ave) we have always had every intention of keeping two locations up and running; Andrew even moved to the City Vista apartments 3 weeks ago in anticipation of DCF being in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood for a long time. However, a few days ago we received notice from our landlord that they intend to re-develop this block with a large office building. We are hoping to negotiate our way into a few more months at 635 but unfortunately our time here is more limited than we want. Seeing as DCF was born on NY Ave this news is absolutely heartbreaking to us. We’ve tried (and continue to try) to fight for every extra day we can.”

Photo by flickr user Adam Kuban

Back in March 2012 we learned Chick Fil A would be launching a food truck in DC. Folks have been emailing ever since to find out when. NBC’s @darcyspencer shares the big news:

“Get your chicken on today! Chick Fil A mobile food truck will open 11:30am today near the SW waterfront metro.”

This rental is located at 201 I Street SW:

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The listing says:

“Studio 1 bath / 480 sq ft

Capitol Park Plaza offers residents in-city living at its best. Its grounds are designed around towering shade trees, a swimming pool and a courtyard. Capitol Park Plaza offers extraordinary convenience because it is located within the most vibrant area of the Nation’s Capital… Washington’s Southwest waterfront area.”

This studio is going for $1,129/Mo.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

This could be cool:

WHAT: LivingSocial is hosting its First Craft Beer & Food Truck Fest. This event will bring together 25+ craft breweries along with 10 of DC’s best food trucks. The event will feature local musical groups and artists for a weekend of celebration that is unique to Washington, DC. Interactive art installations, musical entertainment and fun activities throughout the day will transform this event into a beer festival with a day-time party vibe.

Customers will have their ID checked and be given a bracelet, as well as a sampling glass, which will give them access to the event and tastings from each of the breweries. Food trucks will be selling their delectables to customers throughout the duration of the event. The festival will feature various stage and dance areas, communal “Oktoberfest-style” tables and benches, access to bleachers, VIP tents, boardwalks along the water, as well as free walking space where the food/drink vendors will be set up.

WHERE: Kastles Stadium/SW Waterfront
800 Water Street Southwest

WHEN: Saturday, April 21 & Sunday, April 22
12 pm – 5 pm

PRICE:
· $35/person
· $70/person after March 24th

BREWERIES:

Great Lakes
Jack’s Cider
Redstone
Evolution
DC Brau
Weyerbacher
Ommegang
Saranac
Sam Adam
New Belgium
Sierra Nevada
Dogfish Head
Magic Hat
Harpoon
Palm
Flying Dog
Leinenkugel/Blue Moon
Pilsner Urquell/Peroni
Woodchuck
Yeungling
Crown Imports (Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial)
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Port City
Lagunitas

FOOD TRUCKS:
Lobster Truck DC
DC Empanadas
DC Slices
Takorean
Curbside Cupcakes
Rolls on Rolls
Cajunators
Hula Girl
Basil Thyme
Rolling Ficelle

Beer tastings are unlimited and they say US Royalty will be performing.

Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

Shortly before 8:30 this morning a women was confronted by a gunman as she exited her vehicle in the 100 block of G St SW. The assailant demanded the victim’s car keys, she complied and the suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle. Thankfully the victim was not injured. The first MPD unit arrived on the scene quickly and broadcasted a lookout for the vehicle. The vehicle was almost immediately spotted and a pursuit was initiated. There was a lengthy pursuit of the vehicle through DC and PG County that involved units from US Capital PD, PG County PD, MPD and the US Park Police helicopter. This chase culminated in the apprehension of a suspect in the Sixth District.

The apprehension of this dangerous felon was possible due to the cooperative efforts of multiple agencies and outstanding police work by multiple officers. The teamwork of these officers resulted in the recovery of the victim’s vehicle and arrest of a suspect, all accomplished without injury to anyone. I particularly want to recognize the work of the Sixth District officers who assisted in this apprehension.

Z Burger opened their SW Watefront location (next to Station 4) at 1101 4th St, SW. Their Facebook page announces free drinks to celebrate. You can see their menu here.

Stay tuned for the Columbia Heights location opening.

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From MPD:

“During the past 10 days there have been four armed robberies in the SW area of the First District. These robberies all involve a group of 3-5 suspects, a lone victim and occur between 6-10 P.M. The most recent offense occurred last night at 4th and M Streets SW. The first officer arriving in the area saw the assailants flee the scene and gave chase. After a foot chase, one of the suspects was apprehended and the victim’s property recovered. This suspect is a juvenile male and has been charged with Robbery. The First District Detectives Office is continuing to investigate all four robberies and attempting to identify all who are involved.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).”

“Dear PoPville,

You may have already covered this with the SW Safeway, but the receipt checking has been rolled out at the L Street location too (Sexy Safeway, if one goes by the nicknames to identify the location). Ed. Note: CityVista Safeway

I’m through this location frequently, since I walk past it going home most nights and usually run in at least twice a week to pick up something random that I need for dinner that night or an item that I forgot. So usually 1-4 items picked up, and I’m usually quick to get in and get out so I can get home as early as possible. They just began their receipt checking in maybe the last week or so. The first time I smiled and said no thank you when she asked to see my receipt. She said–nicely–after me, “ok, next time then.” The second time, I did the same. Smiled and politely said no thank you, to which the checker snapped that it was store policy. I told her I wasn’t required to show her anything and kept walking. Seems they’re trying to get more aggressive at this point, but they still allow me to proceed no problem with just a quick, no thank you.

Last night I show up and it looks like a border crossing. They have at least 4 employees posted in the area between the starbucks and the elevators. There is a whole line of products that divide the area in two and people are being funneled into the narrower passage along the elevator wall so that it’s nearly impossible to exit without being physically blocked by the receipt checkers. I notice a distracted receipt checker on the side closest to the starbucks, the area they seemed to have designated as the entrance to the store, and walk right past. I glance out of the corner of my eye as I walk out the door to see the guy trying to wave me back and saying something although I’m out of ear shot at that point. I can see that they’re going to make it extremely difficult for anyone to pass without getting into an altercation, and they have no right to do so. They may ask me for my receipt, but I have every right to decline.

I’ve emailed the general customer service email and they’ve told me they’ve forwarded my complaint to the store manager and the district manager. I’ve also sent their twitter account a quick note since that method seems to get faster responses for other companies. I explained that it’s my personal property after I’ve paid, that I don’t need to stand in line for someone to glance at my receipt, and that I don’t appreciate being treated like a criminal whenever I shop at safeway.

If they’re concerned about shoplifting, then they need to redirect their resources in a way that will actually prevent shoplifting, not in a way that harasses every single customer who walks through their doors. I can see the situation escalating to the point where they block me (or anyone else who refuses this ‘policy’) or lay a hand on me to prevent me from leaving. It’s interesting that the instituted this policy here only after the Giant closed down. It’s gotten crowded enough in this location that I really don’t need to wait on yet another line for someone to search my bags before leaving the store. They’ll lose a customer fast (and I’m sure many others) if they continue this policy.”

Do you guys think the receipt checking is unreasonable? I think they do it at the Rhode Island Ave Home Depot as well. Would you stop shopping at a store that required you to show a receipt before leaving?

This rental is located at 510 N Street, SW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Bedrooms: Studio
Bathrooms: One
Neighborhood: SW Waterfront on the water
Sq Ft: 450
Parking: Available
Pets: NO
Laundry: W/D in Building
Kitchen: Dishwasher, Cooktop and Oven, Disposal, Refrigerator and Freezer.
Lease Terms: 12 Month Lease
Application Fee: $40/Applicant
Deposit: Equal to One Month’s Rent
Move-In Fee: $250
Fireplace: None
Floors: Hardwoods in the Living room and W2W Carpets in the Bedroom
A/C & Heat: A/C and Heat included in rent
Furnishings: NONE
Amenities: Indoor Pool, Outdoor Pool, Located right on the SW Waterfront and Walkway, Available Parking, Courtyard, Gym and Spa, 24/7 Onsite MGMT”

$1,250/month sound right?

This rental is located at 63 Q ST SW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Cute 1 bedroom 1 bathroom 2nd floor apt with all hardwood floors. Central AC. Large bedroom. Great location just steps to the Nationals Stadium. About a 10 min walk to Waterfront Metro, 10 min walk to Navy Yard Metro. 20 min walk to Federal Center Metro.”

This 1 bedroom is going for $750.