Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

Documentaries inherently capture the time period in which they occur – often invoking the past to make a point about the present. They are commentaries that walk a fine line between overly romanticizing the past and overly discounting the present. “Medora”, a film about a small Indiana town of the same name, delicately focuses on what the town was and what it is now. At the center of the film are the members of the high school varsity boys’ basketball team whose half-century long losing record defines more than just the team. Avoiding common documentary pitfalls (there was only one virtual info graph), “Medora” successfully strays from overly romanticizing the past and, luckily for us, stays present.

Inspired by a 2009 New York Times article, co-directors Davy Rothbart and Andrew Cohn started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the movie.  Exceeding its original goal of $18,000, the campaign closed with $65,606 pledged by 720 people. The co-directors dove into the small town community and honed in on the high school varsity boys’ basketball team – the Medora Hornets – whose 0-22 record from the previous year, and losing records all that way back to 1949, has seeped into the community psyche. Most of the kids growing up there have found that losing is normal, it’s standard, and there’s nothing really to live up to or work towards.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoPville,

There were be a meeting tomorrow about the new hotel expansion of the Morrison Clark. The project is currently underway with amended changes from the original plans last seen in 2008. The developers and architects will be discussing these changes and the construction schedule. All neighbors are invited to attend and ask questions. The project will combine three historic properties and has had a shaky beginning. The carriage house in the rear suffered an unexpected roof collapse.

Morrison Meeting

Tuesday 30 April 5:30 – Morrison Clark Hotel, 1015 L Street (enter on 11th St)

Presentation on the construction/renovation/expansion of the Morrison Clark.
This project is approved and has completed all reviews required by the City, HPRB and ANC.
As we have not seen the plans since they came through the neighborhood/ANC in 2008 the developers agreed to convene a meeting to present the final plans for all to understand. They will bring a model of the new building and will be able to walk all through what to expect during the coming months as construction continues. Please come with any and all questions about the new development and construction.

Present will be: RP Properties, Forrester Construction, the Architect, and Morrison Clark General Manager

Photo by PoPville flickr user J Sonder

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Nikoo’s Photos

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jen Morrissey

Thanks to all who took such great photos. Couldn’t have happened on a nicer day!

Photo by PoPville flickr user mixedeyes

Lots more after the jump. (more…)

I’m a bit late to the game on this one but I just noticed the for sale sign in the Yoga Chai space at Columbia and Ontario Road, NW. They opened up back in Oct. 2008.

Another one (near 16th and U Street) that had many more details than I initially realized:

Couple more closeups after the jump. (more…)

I love how random this one is. I’ve probably seen it 100 times and I always stop to admire it. From Columbia Heights.

Would love to see this during a strong rain. From Mt. Pleasant.

Photo of Nuns voting by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Dear PoPville,

Yesterday, after waiting in line nearly three hours at Van Ness Elementary in SE DC, the young woman in front of me was turned away for not having proper ID. Apparently she brought her passport and that was deemed insufficient.

Do you or your readers know if this is consistent with DC law? I felt sorry for her being turned away after waiting in line for nearly three hours.

DC Board of Elections and Ethics says:

Registered voters do not need to present proof of residence to vote, however some polling places require ID to enter the facility. It is therefore encouraged that you take some form of identification with you to vote.

If you will be registering during the early voting period or at the polls on Election Day, you will need to provide proof of residence in order to register and vote a special ballot. If you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not provide proof of residence when registering, you will need to show proof of residence in order to cast a regular ballot.

Acceptable forms of proof of residence include the following (must include the name and address of the voter):

Copy of current and valid photo identification
Copy of a current utility bill (does not include cell phone)
Bank statement
Government check
Paycheck
Or other government document that shows your name and address

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

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Photo by PoPville flickr user JRoseC

A bit random, but I like it! From Capitol Hill.

Great details on a great window:

I haven’t spotted too many fruit trees this year so I was psyched to see this apple tree in Bloomingdale. I always think of apples as a fall fruit – are they producing early this year?

I guess everything is now officially eco-friendly… It’s across the street from Frager’s on Capitol Hill.

Anyone know the proper name for these? I love ‘em.