An occasional new feature when I see articles or blog posts of interest:
I knew I saw a prostitute near the metro! Washington Post.
Another Wine Bar to open up on U Street. DCist.
Sad story about a cat passing in Columbia Heights. Intangible Arts.
Concrete Front Yards in Brooklyn. Brownstoner.
After getting scolded for not visiting North Petworth, I decided to take a walk up to the Java & Cream coffee house located around 5500 Georgia Avenue. I am happy to report that it is a fantastic independently owned coffee house. I had the opportunity to briefly chat with the owner who told me he has plans to open 4 more in the area over the coming years. The coffee was delicious and cheaper than Starbucks. I paid $2.75 for a large latte. The owner also told me that in the future there will be some live music, which I’ll post when it happens. There is a great seating area here as well, so if you live in North Petworth enjoy this fantastic coffee shop. For those who live further south, there are plans to open another store near the Petworth Metro in about two years time.
I saw this house on my walk up Georgia Avenue. It looks very similar to the shape of the house on Upshur and NH. And I have to say, I am so upset at the current state of disrepair on Upshur, I think I would actually be delighted if it ends up looking like this house. In the future, maybe we can get some kind of historical status. How do we get historical status anyway?
I’ve actually always wondered about the usefulness of bricks to support my ac. I’m pretty sure that I just stuck some bricks under and they are actually not even touching and therefore supporting the unit. But there is a real psychological calming effect of putting bricks under the ac. Do AC’s even need any extra support? I was happy to spot someone else who uses the non touching brick method…
This question relates to something that got a lot of press this week. The issue is DC’s quest for voting rights in the US Congress. Frankly at the moment, I could not care less about this issue. Every Thursday I read the Post’s coverage of local crime by quadrant. When I look at NW Washington, I am horrified by the street names. Webster, Varnum, Georgia, Allison, etc. and I get filled with rage, despair and sadness. Every single week I see the streets of Petworth in the crime report. Unacceptable. How on earth are DC Voting rights going to change that? How are DC Voting rights going to address the graffiti issue? How are DC Voting rights going to address the issue of drug dealing in our neighborhoods? How are DC Voting rights going to address the problem of vacant homes and prostitution? Ok forget all that, I’ll be even bolder, I would way rather have a nice independent book store in Columbia Heights/Petworth than have one voting Congressional Representative. I would trade two DC senators if every Thursday I could open up the Post and not read about crimes being committed on Varnum St., Georgia Ave., and Allison St.? So my question is: What do you think are the most pressing issues for the residents of DC? Voting rights or quality of life issues?
I visited a really beautiful condo on 13th Street. It has an incredible view of the city, a very nice layout, big windows, an upstairs study and roof deck. Sounds pretty sweet, yeah? So what’s the catch? It was on the fourth floor and the building has no elevator. So if you don’t have kids no big deal yeah? There are many of these building in NYC that don’t have elevators. But I ask you: For over $400k in DC shouldn’t an elevator be included?
The tiered approach is really catching on. Which one do you like better?
I see Wayan at DC Metblogs has already gotten some play on this but a reader has sent me some more photos and details on the situation. The reader writes:
“This was the 2900 Block of Sherman Ave, b/t Harvard and Columbia. The blue house was evicted and the city emptied the entire house on the street, which turned into one large free-for-all. About 9:30 p.m., all the bags had been turned over and the trash was across three lanes of traffic. This prompted the police to get involved, and public works was called in. They sent 4 street sweepers, two dump trucks, a bull dozer, a dumpster loader and a crew of about 25. From 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., the city was cleaning up the street.”
and
“It’s a real shame what happened. The woman who used to live there died two (maybe it’s three now) years ago, and left the house to her grandson. He and his cousin lived there with some other transient tenants, and I only know one guy who lived there the whole time in the basement….You should know all that trash was actually the dead grandmother’s possessions. Family albums, pictures, antique furniture, collectables, etc. — all that was her is now gone and lost forever. “
Very sad situation, indeed.
From a reader: “Come on out, meet your neighbors, and build community. We have rakes,
shovels, and big yellow bags from DPW. We’ll start the clean up at around 8:00. If enough people show, we will do both blocks and the alley. Meet on lamont street at 8:00.”