Author: Prince Of Petworth

Friday Question of the Day – Let’s Have a Diversion Edition

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Trent Strohm

Yesterday’s crime discussion got me kind of blue so I wanted to lighten up the FQoTD a bit. I was trying to remember my favorite vacation. It came down to Oktoberfest in Munich or Running with the Bulls in Pamplona. Both were definitely amazing but running with the bulls was pretty freaking scary. Even though the festival itself was amazing, the actually running with the bulls is terrifying. And anyone who tells you differently is either insane or lying. I’m slightly insane and had fortified myself with many vodka and a tang like orange flavored drinks but still when then cannon went off and the bulls caught up to you it was pretty rough. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I did it and the adreline rush was fun but it can’t match Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest on the other hand was pure joy every waking minute. At Oktoberfest I went with a great group of people who I nearly instantly got separated from. So I spent tons of time hanging out with random Spanish, Italians, Germans and folks from all over the world. For some reason I remember there was a lot of singing John Denver songs and inexplicably, to me, everyone knew the words as well as many, many toasts. Half the time we couldn’t even speak the same language but it was no less fun.

So for a fun FQoTD – what has been your favorite trip (abroad or in the states)?

DC Parking Meter Rate Increase

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the news from DDOT:

DC Parking Meter Rate Increase

Most Rates Rise 25 Cents Per Hour

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is reminding residents and visitors that parking meter rates in the District are increasing. Under legislation passed by the City Council, parking meters that previously charged a rate of $1.00 per hour will now charge $2.00 per hour. The rate at all other parking meters in the District will increase by 25 cents per hour. For example, if it previously cost 25 cents to park at a meter for one hour, the rate at that meter will now be 50 cents per hour.

DDOT is in the process of updated the 15,453 meters in the District to reflect the rate increases. All of the meters are expected to be updated by April 30, 2009.

For those who drive does this sound ridiculous or reasonable?

Good Deal or Not Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Property: 1406 Corcoran St NW #C

Original List Price: $765,000.

List Price at Contract: $649,000.

List Date: 04/24/2008

Days on Market: 239

Settled Sales Price: $635,000.

Settlement Date: 02/18/2009

Seller Subsidy: $0

Bank Owned?: No

Recent Purchase and Re-Sale: No. Last reported transaction was in 2000 for $301,500.

Original GDoN Post is here.

Recent listing can be found here.

To see pics, click the filmstrip icon at top left of that listing.

After a hefty 239 days on the market, this duplex condo unit finally went to contract, following a few rounds of price reductions. PoP readers commented a bit on not liking the ubiquitous tile throughout the unit, but the 17 foot ceilings, roof deck, garage, and location might even qualify this as good condo porn.

This property falls into a tricky price range for conventional financing of late. With second trusts a notion of the past, minimum down on something like this going conventional is 10%. Given that many folks might rely on equity from another property or cash out from a stock portfolio to make that happen, it considerably narrows down the pool of ready and able buyers. Still, the buyer of a property in this price range is within the “super conforming” interest rate range, which means the low cost of borrowing is very attractive for those who can do it right now.

Good deal? Considering that the last Penthouse unit (#D, albeit with hardwood instead of all that tile) sold in July of 2007 for $676,000., I’ll say “yes”.

 

PoP Photo Archive Caption Contest Winner

By Prince Of Petworth

I know I say this every week but this was really hard to pick a winner. All the entries can be found here. Winners email me directly for your t-shirts (I know I still have to deliever a few from past weeks winners but they’re coming, I promise!)

So this week’s winner is from IHeartShaw:

“Don’t be a slave to just your looks.”

Runner up from Binkelsworth:

“You can’t beat our service – that’s extra.”

Honorable mention from Pennywise:

“Sameer and Merkesh, new arrivals from Tunisia, never did quite understand why their business failed and why their clientele was so damn weird.”

Ridiculously Awesome Album Cover of the Week

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: Som Records is an advertiser on PoP. The selection of album cover of the week is in no way influenced by their advertising. I simply love their selection of album covers. As always reader submitted album covers are not only accepted they are encouraged.

Sah-Weet Stained Glass

By Prince Of Petworth

I bet this stained glass is a hundred years old. Is this a lost art or do people still practice this?

Uh Oh, I’ve Found a New Obsession

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been really digging porch lamps lately. There are some pretty fresh ones out there. I don’t think there’s enough for “a day” status but allow me to show a few from just one street.

House of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

16th Street Heights hooked me up big time this week. I promise next will have a little more neighborhood diversity but there are so many fresh houses up there…

“Running Gun Battle” To Round Out The Day

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader at 5:55pm:

“you should let your readers know there was just a running gunbattle after a wreck at 2nd and Ingraham just now.  looks like one car of thugs was chasing an SUV of thugs, the SUV struck several cars, hit a car crossing 2nd, flipped over, occupants of both cars bailed, and began a running gunbattle as they ran east on Ingraham and down the alley toward Hamilton.”

Dear PoP – Can Anyone Recommend a Good Barber?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Have you ever done a post about barbershops in the area? I want to find a reputable shop for my husband. He’s white(ish), which matters in the world of haircare.”

I feel like I may have but it must’ve been a long time ago because I can’t find it. I’ve been a super cuts devotee for a while but I really ought to try some of the local shops. So I’m also interested in what folks recommend. Any regulars of some local spots?  Does it really matter what race you are when it comes to barber shops?  I’d imagine that they are trained and can do good work regardless of your hair type.

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