Dear PoPville

“We keep having our trash and recycling bins stolen from our back alley.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Phil

“Dear PoPville,

We keep having our trash and recycling bins stolen from our back alley. Every time we have to replace them, we have to pay $95 to the city. We’ve called the Department of Public Works to explain the situation, but they don’t really care that our trash/recycling bins keep getting stolen. It’s basically our problem and we just have to keep buying them. In addition to the continuous cost, it takes several weeks to get a new trash bin from DPW, so every time this happens we have no way of throwing out our trash/recycling for several weeks except to be super awkward and put our trash in underfilled neighbor’s bins. Help!

Would appreciate any advice!”

“Door craftsman/master carpenter to install one?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

We bought a 30’s style home in Woodridge, DC with a lovely rounded front door. Unfortunately, it needs love or replacing. We see so many gorgeous non-rectangular doors in DC and thought it would be a breeze to find someone who could help – we just expected it to be expensive but are willing to pay because we understand the craftsmanship. No luck so far!! I found someone in PA who’s willing to do one pre-hung, and I was going to reach out to the Amish craftsman, but I’d love to support a local artist.

We are open to all/any ideas. I’ve reached out to Builder Chicks but didn’t hear back… so I’ve been casting around. We also talked to Windows on (over??) Washington, Home Doctor, and a few other businesses, again. I hope locally.

Thanks for any info.”

“Washington Sports Club Still Charging?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: On Monday a few folks tweeted me at @PoPville to say they had been charged for September too.

“Dear PoPville,

I received an email today from WSC saying that I have a balance on my account, even though WSC announced in April that they’d be freezing accounts due to COVID and even though a judge granted DC’s request for a temporary restraining order against Town Sports, and directed Washington Sports Club not to charge consumers on September 1 if they canceled their accounts during the time the gyms were closed in March – June. (more…)

“Is this some kind of scam or just a harmless hustle?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by angela n.

“Dear PoPville,

Is this some kind of scam or just a harmless hustle? I’m wondering if other readers have experienced this:

I was walking passed the Whole Foods at 14th and P when a tall person in a long blond wig appeared on a scooter in front of me, covered in glitter. They pulled out a container of glitter and told me to hold out my arms. I decided to play along and, long story short, I ended up with sparkly forearms and “purchasing” a couple little prints for $10 using a square credit card swiping device. This was all very predictable – they lightly attempted to negotiate the $10 but were otherwise not threatening or aggressive or anything.

I would have just put it in the category of creative street hustling but immediately after after they scooted away someone came out of a nearby apartment building to warn me that the glitter thing was some kind of identity theft scam. He had taken a video of the whole thing and suggested I let MPD know, since they were looking for the “scammer.”

I guess the square device could have a credit card skimmer in it but otherwise, I’m not sure what the scam angle is here. I was totally fine with the $10. Obviously I’m watching my account closely now but what else am I missing?”

Ed. Note: Sounds like it could be the same person folks started reporting about in April.

“recommendations for how to make a good homemade pizza?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by ny273

“Dear PoPville,

I’d love to have recommendations for how to make a good homemade pizza. I fail every time. I’m not looking for anything fancy, just your standard pepperoni pizza. This past weekend I bought TJ’s dough, sauce and Toscana cheese and the cheese didn’t melt all the way despite leaving it in for like 15 mins more than recommended and the dough tasted rubbery! I’d love to know where people are buying their dough/cheese and any tips or tricks for making a good crust.”

“So those spinning studios”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Pablo Raw

“Dear PoPville,

Do we have any update on the spinning studios in town? I know Elevate, OrangeTheory, Soldicore and CrossFit is open. Rumble Boxing sent out a theory getting feels. And all the major gyms are open. Are spinning studios just going to be closed till this whole thing is over? Anyone have any insight? Peloton time?”

“help me track down who makes them/ is posting them around town”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I have been noticing these stickers popping up around NW (the first is from a bike rack in Adams Morgan, the second is from the back of a street sign Mount Pleasant) and wonder if you can help me track down who makes them/ is posting them around town? I’m particularly interested because I recognize the comics they are from and they’re super obscure! (more…)

“was wondering if others around the city, and particularly in Ward 6, are experiencing major issues with trash pickup?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by James Crane

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if others around the city, and particularly in Ward 6, are experiencing major issues with trash pickup? Trash collection is supposed to take place twice a week but the trash collectors always drive down the block without actually picking up the trash on multiple occasions, and everyone’s garbage is starting to collect on the sidewalks. We’ve called our council member for the Ward, the Deputy Mayor’s Office, and the head of Waste Management to no avail. Anyone else experiencing these problems and if so, have they gotten anywhere with anyone at the City?”

Ed. Note: I have found DPW (and 311) to be very responsive on twitter.

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