Details from the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the brand-new Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant, a $3.875 million fund to support the District’s restaurants and retailers and continue growing DC’s economy. The grant is funded by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and administered by Capital Impact Partners (CIP), a local, nonprofit community development financial institution. Through the Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant, the Bowser Administration is stepping up for small businesses, providing critical financial relief to brick-and-mortar establishments that took a hit in 2025—keeping neighborhood shops and restaurants open, resilient, and ready for the future. (more…)


“Dear PoPville,

I’m feeling nosey about a strange, large police presence I saw while walking in Kalorama around 6p (Monday.) Huge police checkpoint set up in front of the Chinese Embassy residence (end of the Taft Bridge on Connecticut Ave, NW). Probably 6-8 cop cars, a dozen police, and a handful of cars stopped in the checkpoint. Haven’t seen anything on social media or news about it at all so no idea what happened!”

Another reader adds: “6 cruisers and multiple officers stopping cars at the south end of the Taft bridge in front of the Chinese embassy. Pulling cars over.”

MPD shared the police report with me:

“Officers were conducting a Traffic Safety Checkpoint in the 2300 block of Connecticut Ave NW and observed the driver of a Honda SUV not wearing a seat belt. A traffic stop was conducted at the location and WALES/NCIC confirmed S1 does not possess a valid drivers license to operate a motor vehicle on public space. S1 was placed under arrest and transported to the Second District Station for processing.”

And regarding the Wilson Pool and even odder reader report: (more…)



photo by John Sonderman

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incredible photo from PorchFest by Madam’s Organ 2461 18th Street, NW

This is a big one for Madam’s fans, again, they are ok but:

“The Last Two Step: A Farewell to Human Country Jukebox

Time to hang up the spurs and head for greener pastures after thousands of shows, tens of thousands of beers and whiskeys, and dozens of band members. Join us for our farewell concerts: three consecutive nights at Madam’s Organ, our home base for nearly 17 years. (more…)


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