Author: Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoP – Any Neighborhood Networking Opportunities for Folks that Work From Home?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Are you aware of any neighborhood (CH & Petworth) networking groups for people who work at home in the area? I am an international lobbyist with an office in Seattle but when I am in DC, I work from home. I have been thinking that it would be great to have an opportunity to network and socialize periodically with others like me – since we don’t have the benefits of working at an office downtown. What do you think?”

I know Wayan Vota had a group meet at Domku (800 block of Upshur) a few weeks ago but I’m not sure if there were any follow up meetings. Are other folks interested in something like this? If you’d like to chose a location and date/time, I’d be happy to do a follow up post announcing it to others.

Billboard Saga at 4th and P Streets, NW Continues

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in early October we learned that these billboards were supposed to be removed by Oct. 6th. Clearly that didn’t happen. A reader explains why:

“Email to the community, October 19, 2009, from DCRA Director, Linda Argo.

“Last week, the District Government tried to negotiate with Clear Channel for voluntary removal of the billboards. When the parties failed to reach an agreement by Friday, the District Government informed Clear Channel that removal of the billboards by the government was imminent. In response, Clear Channel filed a lawsuit against the District this morning in D.C. Superior Court, seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to stop the District from removing the billboards. The billboards will remain in place at least until the hearing on the motion for a TRO, which has been set for Wednesday afternoon.”

According to the D.C. Superior Court website, the case number is “2009 CA 007776 B CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR, INC Vs. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA” and is scheduled to be heard at 3:30 PM, Wednesday, October 21st, 2009”

http://dcbaca.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/billboard-update-clear-channel-files-lawsuit-seeks-temporary-restraining-order-to-appear-in-court/

If the DC Code states, “DC Code that stipulates that billboards must not be located within 200 feet of another billboard and within 200 feet of a residential neighborhood.” then what could Clear Channel be arguing?

Dear PoP – News Trucks at 13th and Clifton and Response Vehicles at

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

just wondering if you had heard anything about why there were a bunch of news trucks at the corner of 13th and clifton this morning….?”

I wonder if was related to:

“There seemed to be an extroardinary amount of police, firetrucks and ambulances in our area last night (on 11th between Park and Spring) and my roomate (on her way home) saw a man pull a gun on 14th and Monroe. Was it something in the air last night?”

I didn’t see anything in the police reports regarding those two locations. Any readers know what’s up at either of those spots?

Good Deal or Not? Huge Backyard Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1426 S Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Delightful 1880’s TH. Gorgeous garden, patio + 2 car parking in huge 20’X72′ fenced back yard. Many period details intact – high ceilings, old wood floors, curved walls. Updated w/ hi-eff. heating, hi-eff. HWH, heavy-up electric capacity, some replcmnt windows. Basic update in kit. & baths.”

More info and photos found here.

I really like this section of S Street. What do you think of the house itself? How important is a big back yard to you? Does $821,500 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/2 bath?

Judging Restaurants – Paragon Thai

By Prince Of Petworth

When a reader inquired about Thai X-ing last week folks were mentioning other good Thai places that they liked. I noticed Paragon Thai was located at 3507 Connecticut Ave, NW in the strip with the new Weygandt Wines. I know this spot used to be a restaurant previously but I forget the name. Anyone know if Paragon Thai is a new spot? Is it any good?

Dear PoP – Wasted Water?

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by wineaux

“Dear PoP,

I leave for work at a pretty ungodly hour every day, so I’m not sure if many people see the things that I do. I see property management companies hosing down sidewalks the size of entire city blocks everyday. Considering the threat of low fresh water supplies nationally and globally, I was wondering what people think about legislation to prevent wasting water like this? Two specific examples are the Highland Park Apartments and the Small Business Administration in SW.”

A reader asked a similar question last April though somehow the discussion got diverted to the issue of spitting.

As you can see in the photo above, from Paris, folks clean sidewalks with water all over the world. Why is it such a common practice? If they use recycled water then is it ok? Does anyone know if recycled water is used for this purpose in DC?  Would you support legislation to block the practice in DC?

Weygandt Wines to Have Grand Opening Wed. in Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth

We learned of this spot located at 3519 Connecticut Ave., NW back in March. I was lucky enough to chat with the owners and wine consultants on Saturday. Weygandt Wines is owned by Peter Weygandt and Todd Ross:


Todd Ross to the left and Peter Weygandt to the right

Peter Weygandt has been an importer of wines for 20 years with Weygandt Metzler Importing based out of Pennsylvania. Peter and Todd chose DC for their first brick and mortar store because “DC is filled with educated, sophisticated people who like to drink wine”. I couldn’t agree more. The store will be unique in that it will have a tasting bar much like you may see at a vineyard. They will be offering wines from 120-130 different producers (nine of whom are photographed on the walls). If you have a tough time deciding which wines to purchase you can be guided by their two wine consultants, Tim O’Rourke and Matthew Stintz. Tim and Matthew are a bit unique in that they were both formerly chefs. Tim at Citronelle (among others) and Matthew at Terra (in St. Helena, California).


Tim O’Rourke left, Matthew Stintz right.

The store was still being stocked but this’ll give you an idea of the size of the space (formerly Blockbuster video store):

You can see where the tasting spot will be in the back right corner of the photo. Speaking of tasting – their Web site says they’ll be having “Our first tasting: The wines of F.X. Pichler
Saturday, October 24th, 2:00 – 5:00 pm”. Though, they mentioned that tastings will not only be reserved for special events.

So if you wanted to check out a store devoted exclusively to wine – check out their grand opening Wed. starting at 10am!

Secret Pleasures Sex Shop Opens on U Street above Junction Vintage

By Prince Of Petworth

A few weeks ago a reader wrote in that she heard a sex shop was opening in the old Habitat space at 1510 U Street, NW. I posted a FQoTD asking folks if they thought it would fit in well to U Street. Most folks thought it would. Well, the spot, Secret Pleasures had its grand opening this past Saturday. It’s Web site says:

“Secret Pleasures is committed to providing a comfortable environment that will allow exploration and enhancement of intimacy. We offer in-home parties for women and couples, that soon will be replaced with workshops and party hosting at our soon to open location in the Washington, D.C. Metro area.

Our goal is to enhance intimate relationships by offering enhancment techniques and educational resources as well. Secret Pleasures offers a wide variety of intimate products, books, DVDs, lotions and other romance enhancement products. We carry the highest quality of adult novelties and intimate products from the leading manufacturers.”


1510 U Street, NW

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