Dear PoPville

“Free2Move Public Service Announcement”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I rented a free2move car over the weekend. I actually decided to do a nice deed and put gas in the car for the next person because I had time, something I always try to do. When I submitted my gas receipt for an account credit, I got an email stating I had 30 days to use the credit. I was super disappointed as there was never a 30-day use restriction on using the credit before and it was never announced nor was I personally notified of the change. I don’t need to rent a car every month so I just threw away $25. (more…)

“Question re: taxes in a car sale”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been shopping for a car (new or used), and recently had a Virginia car dealership provide a quote for a used car that included the DC excise tax and an additional 7% “DC sales tax,” which the dealer insisted was owed in addition to the excise tax – and which in this case added almost $2,000 to the total cost of the car. I haven’t seen a sales tax in other “out the door price” quotes I’ve been offered – just the excise tax – so I wonder if I’m being scammed. (The dealership, for what it’s worth, is near Dulles, and claims to make lots of sales to DC customers.) (more…)

“Weird experience at Chipotle — Union Station”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I know it’s a small thing, but I’m curious if others ran into the same issue. It’s never happened to me before.

I tried to get a burrito bowl with chips at the upstairs Union Station Chipotle last night. When I got to the register, they told me the shelf full of chips was for online order only and that they couldn’t sell them at the register. (more…)

“How to Help Without Stigmatizing?”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Ron Cohn

“Dear PoPville,

I was at Target on NY Ave and there was a man who was having a mental issue of some sort. He was yelling at “someone” about his house and that they shouldn’t “come around anymore.” At first i thought he was yelling at me, but as I walked by he didn’t change his focus and there wasn’t anyone else in the aisle. (more…)

Signs of Spring – draining of the reflecting pool AND Yoshino cherry trees have officially hit stage one on the way to peak bloom!!

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Chris for sending: “A true sign spring is near, the draining of the reflecting pool for spring cleaning is underway on mall.”


via National Mall NPS

From the National Park Service:

“It’s happening! Small green buds are on the Yoshino cherry trees, marking the first of six stages on the way to peak bloom. (more…)

“Advice on how to get a found wallet back to the person who lost it?”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by 401(K) 2012

“Dear PoPville,

Yesterday (Wednesday) when I got on the metro, I found pocketbook / wallet left on a seat. I asked those on the car if it was theirs or they saw whose it was, but no one did. Inside were a few pre-paid credit cards, a some cash, and a national identity card for a South American country. Since her name was there, I looked online to try to find her, and do think I found a Facebook page and LinkedIn page for her. I sent her messages on both platforms last night, but haven’t heard back. Today, I called and emailed the DC location of the embassy her identity card is from, thinking that with the card they might be able to reach her, but haven’t heard back from them, either. (more…)

Update: DC giving out free steering wheel locks if you own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai

By Prince Of Petworth

Update from the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that DC residents who own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai vehicle are eligible to receive a free steering wheel lock from an MPD District station starting this Friday, February 24. MPD is partnering with Kia and Hyundai corporations to combat motor vehicle theft after a social media challenge that encourages using a USB cable to steal these types of cars led to a substantial increase in Kia and Hyundai car thefts. (more…)

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