Dan Silverman, Prince of Petworth, Citizen of the District of Columbia.
Today is the official 20th anniversary of PoPville/Prince of Petworth and it has officially been proclaimed PoPville Day by Mayor Bowser. I can hardly believe it, so let us:
Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Community, curiosity and plot.
I see no reason
Why our community
Should ever be forgot.
Prince of Petworth, Prince of Petworth, ’twas his intent
To inform about the city and its residents
Hawks*, Restaurants and so much more were sent
Lovely District of Columbia to embrace
With a passion that is true, sturdy shoes and a camera
By the people’s providence and their grace
Holler all, holler all, let the bells ring with mirth
Holler all, holler all
No Kings, Yes Prince of Petworth!
In all seriousness this is an incredible honor. I want to thank the Mayor and all in her office for making this happen. November 5th 2026 marks 20 years since I started this little blog that has become so much more. It has become a heartbeat to so many. But at heart it shall always remain this little community blog. On November 5th 2006 I wrote: “A test for the future! Stay tuned.” And what a future it has been. To me it feels like a fever dream. Did all this really happen? Was it all a dream?
Did we shut down 14th and U Street and dance and scream with joy when Obama was first elected? Did it snow like 3 feet in a month and a half? Did the cop really pull a gun on the guy that threw the snowball? Did that guy really throw the sandwich? Is a bike lane going there? Was that an ATV? So many scooters. Did you see that carbque? Oh METRO. Streetcar, I hardly knew ya. Circulator. Diet Coke Taxi colors. How many days since a driver flipped a car? Did the Beastie Boys really play the 9:30 Club? So many shows. So many fires. So many stolen wheels. How many flowers have bloomed? Did we really debate the $15 burger at Marvin? Marvin. Did we dance at Marvin? Palena. Did we debate kids dining in restaurants? Dogs on patios? Woof!
But seriously leash your pup. Clean up after you pup. Did you lose your dog? Did you lose that ring? Was that horse cantering through Adams Morgan? Is that a tortoise walking down the sidewalk? A rooster? Yo, your chicken got out again!! RUSTY THE RED PANDA and his great escape. My God. Hold up, was that a Black Bear in Brookland? Town 2.0 is never happening is it? Was Town really real? Angles? Yanni’s? 4Ps? RFD? Cantina Marina? Fado? Yo!! Where’d they all go?
What flew by? Time flew by. Caps were champs. Nats were champs. Mystics were champs. Spirit were champs. Was that Wayne Rooney?!?! But what WAS that? Was that a fighter jet? Was that a dozen fighter jets? Did you see the Washington monument lit up? So many projections. So many flyovers.
Did that helicopter really hover like 10 feet off the ground in Chinatown to disrupt protesters? Were those concussion grenades? Kettling? So many candles lit. Did a NFL player’s brother really terrorize Petworth with a hammer? Did all those crimes happen? Did all that support happen? Did you as a community raise thousands of dollars to support those in need? Did you really fall for two tens for a twenty guy? Did all those scams happen? What the Helen of Troy was That?!?
Friday Question of the Day? Do you take off your shoes when you enter the house? So many polls. Can I park there? What do those conflicting parking signs even mean? What a snowstorm. Did OPM announce? Are Feds going in tomorrow? Did you park in the parking spot AFTER it was clearly saved with a chair (and so many other things)? Did it snow again? At least there are specials. So many specials. Did Blake Griffin really go to that bar? Well that was a Helluva Way to Wake Up. Did you wear a mask while running? Did you still give a wide berth? Did you follow the one way lanes in the grocery store? My God, Trader Joe’s. All the Trader Joe’s. All the scuttlebutt. All the lines. All the love. All the sadness. All the support. Was it all a dream? No, it was our reality.
A reality that we all created together. Without all of us, this thing could not be what it is. And this thing is many different things for many different people. For some it tells the openings and closings. For some it gives advice. Does anyone know a good plumber? For some it provides a break and gives a glimpse at the beautiful life. What is the beautiful life? Rock Creek Park. Rainbows. Sunsets. Door of the Day. Those full moons. Autumn. Spring. Stained glass transoms. Cherry Blossoms. Sweet City Rides. All those Hawks* around Town. All those Last* Christmas Trees in Town. All those great garden hauls. All those heroes. All those quests for the best. Breakfast burritos. The people. The good people. For some it has become a place to rant and to revel and that is all. And that is ok.
On this 20th anniversary of PoPville, or as I shall forever call it, on this PoPville Day – allow me to simply say thanks. To me it is a dream come true. Stay tuned. Still so much more to come.
If you enjoy PoPville and want to ensure we are around for ten more years, if you are able, please support us.