Dear PoPville

“has DC considered implementing a mandatory quarantine period for travelers?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PleasantMountain

“Dear PoPville,

I live near several hotels that are now open again and I’m seeing lots of out of state license plates (more so around the 4th of July but a steady stream since). I often see people coming out of the hotels or congregating outside the hotels not wearing masks, not wearing them properly, and not social distancing.

I saw an entire extended family with kids, parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents (about 12 total) pile into a white van with Florida plates. They didn’t have masks on and were congregating outside my building on the sidewalk.

With many states now requiring 14-day mandatory quarantines for anyone traveling from high-case states, has DC considered implementing a similar mandatory quarantine period for travelers? How would they even go about enforcing that?”

The Heat or Just Shaking Off Last Night’s Gin?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if anyone would know if it could be high temperatures that would be causing mostly all markings of recently paved streets in DC to look like they were done by a two year old? The picture above is from 12th St. and Constitution Ave., but E St. express way is the worst to the point that it could cause an accident. Could they be temporary?”

“Best Outdoor Seating Setup?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by angela n.

“Dear PoPville,

Today is my boyfriend’s 30th birthday and I want to take him out to eat in DC or the waterfront/ old town Alexandria. We are being extra cautious around COVID and don’t want to sit inside so I have been calling quite a few of his favorite restaurants to discover they don’t have any outdoor seating. I know I waited until the last minute to ask for recommendations and you may not even be able to put this up today, but thought it might be a conversation worth having. So far we’ve only been to Lauriol Plaza (after seeing the mayor ate there) and have loved their outdoor seating setup. Shade, covered, plants, fans, super nice. Where are the other best outdoor seating setups?”

If your Driver’s License Expired Fear Not, Take This Letter with you; and unrelated but also note the DMV’s “Rhode Island Service Center will be closed indefinitely beginning Monday, August 10”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to John for passing on: “I know there have been lots of questions about registration and such at the DMV. This DMV update also includes a letter to take with you when traveling outside DC and show you are still compliant. DC DMV Credential Extension Update

07182020_DMV_credential extension update (PDF)”

Also from the DMV:

“Today, the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) announced the Rhode Island Service Center located at 2350 Washington Place, NE will be closed indefinitely beginning Monday, August 10, 2020. The closure is in response to an increased staffing shortage at that location. (more…)

“Question about window ACs”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Erin

“Dear PoPville,

My window AC units were fine when I wasn’t home all the time. But now that I am – they’re not. It’s time for an upgrade and I don’t know where to start. Recommendations for my next set of window units? Can I get someone in to install them (masked, distant, etc.)? What do I need to know and do so I can stop sweating?”

“Any recommendations for restaurants that provide takeout in lower-waste containers?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

Any recommendations for restaurants that provide takeout in lower-waste containers? Compostable would be great, but just biodegradable or recyclable (clear plastic/aluminum) would be better than black plastic, which can’t be recycled. Beau Thai in Mt. Pleasant and most pizza places are pretty good. Anywhere else?”

“Crazy Driving Lately?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

While I know it isn’t rare to complain about local drivers and their lack of basic knowledge of the task at hand, I’ve seen a bunch of more brazen moves that I was wondering others had noticed.

Today, a pickup truck decided the guy in front of him was going too slow, and went across a double yellow line to zoom around him on Irving (and almost hit me in the process). (more…)

“Mystery Candle Maker”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I bought this candle at the Columbia Heights farmers market late last summer. It was a great candle and I’d like to get another but have no idea who the vendor is. Hoping your readers may know.”

“Outdoor haircuts?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

A friend living in Durham, NC shared that local hair salons were offering express cuts in parking lots to enhance social distancing measures. I’m wondering if anyone has heard about this type of service being implemented in DC? I would love to get a haircut and support industry workers, but still hesitant about being inside in close proximity.”

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