Dear PoPville

“Dear PoPville,

I am wondering what people’s experiences are with the storage units in the area. I am currently using the CubeSmart on Upshur and was just notified of my second rate increase in 18 months. Excluding the initial promo, I came in under, this second increase will put my monthly cost for the unit right under $200. I completely expect to see rate increases from storage companies, but when I spoke with CubeSmart today I was informed they have a standard 10% annual rate increase. I personally don’t see anything in my service that would necessitate a 10% annual increase, but I am wondering if that rate is somewhat standard across the board for storage companies. If it isn’t I would love some recommendations for places with more reasonable rates or ideas as to how to proceed. I live in a small condo and don’t have the space to store some of my stuff, like camping gear, but a monthly expenditure of $200 (and climbing) is not sustainable for me.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Williams-13

“Dear PoPville,

It’s been nearly five long years and I have finally accepted the painful truth — it’s time to break up with my contractor. We had it good for a while. His crew was working daily on a gut renovation of our rowhouse, and he was responsive to any questions or concerns (especially when he wanted to get a payment.). But over the years, he eventually lost interest, sometimes not even a call or text/email for several months.

Since we signed a contract in 2013 — which specified that work was to be finished by 10/31/2013 but didn’t lay out any penalties for noncompletion — children have been born, jobs have changed and DCRA has changed its regulations multiple times. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Kunal Joshi

“Dear PoPville,

I’m a senior Hill staffer and am thinking about transitioning out sometime in the next year, but not into lobbying, so I’m looking for a career coach that can sit down with me and creatively guide me to other potential paths. I know people who have gone on to do all sorts of cool things post-Hill (but don’t know anyone who did so via a coach), and I’d like to work with a coach who understands the unique nature of Hill jobs, what someone with Hill experience brings to the table, and has experience guiding former staffers to some of those cool jobs out there that might be a good fit.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user District Shots

“Dear PoPville,

In the past month, I have had at least 5 different tween/teen age boys come to my front door asking for work. The most recent was at 8:45 p.m. tonight and the kid was about 11 years old. All of these kids, have asked to take our trash or if we have any chores they can do for cash. Is there some organization asking kids to do this? We have declined every time. Should I call some child welfare agency if it happens again? Just unusual the number of kids and the time of night!”

Ed. Note: No!! When I was a kid growing up as young as 10 me and my friend Mike McNally used to roam the streets ringing doorbells asking to shovel sidewalks (it used to snow regularly back in the 80s), rake lawns and do other chores. Sounds to me like these kids are just doing the same. If you’re not interested I would just politely so no thank you. Or is something off that so many kids are asking in the past month? Maybe it was suggested at school and good ideas spread? I guess because I used to do this myself at that age, I find the suggestion of calling a child welfare agency very unsettling. Am I being naive? I grew up on Strong Island, maybe this wasn’t common in some parts of the country? Or it’s a generational thing?

“Dear PoPville,

Just got a fine from the DC Dept. of Public Works stating that our “Solid waste containers out for collection at wrong time or place”. Is this something new? Just about everyone in our alley simply leaves their trash cans in the alley. The other issue, they weren’t our cans, they were our neighbors. The inspector took photos (see attached), our cans are clearly visible inside our back yard, painted with our address (403) as we’re the house on the right. The fine is $75 and we’re most definitely going to contest it. Wondering if any other readers know anything about this, if it’s new or someone complained leading to the inspection?”

Ed. Note: I’m very curious – how many folks noticed an increase to their take home pay? For those who did get an increase, if you don’t mind sharing, how much was the increase?

“Dear PoPville,

My family saw an increase in our take home pay due to the incredibly cruel Trump/GOP tax cuts. We don’t need this extra money because we already live within our means on our budget, so we’ve decided to donate the extra to area charities and services that provide care to our most vulnerable neighbors. While I know that all of your readers might not have seen a change in take home pay and, even if they did, might need to spend that money on their own needs, I wanted to put this out there to our community.

Some ideas of organizations that provide great direct services to our neighbors: (more…)

via Craigslist

“Dear PoPville,

I was perusing the Craigslist job section for a potential part-time gig when I stumbled upon this gem and wanted to share it with the world (or at least the readers of Popville). The best part is the self-asked and answered Q&A section where the poster talks about pheromones. ENJOY!

Needless to say, I’m still looking because I don’t want to be murdered and become a Lifetime movie. Let me know if anyone needs a weekend dog walker.”

Wingwoman – Make some money, have some FUN (Arlington, VA):

“Wingwoman

What: Be my wingwoman
When: Weekends and weekday evenings when we’re both available
Where: Arlington VA (and downtown DC if its convenient). PUBLIC places ONLY. NOT at my apartment. NOT anywhere else private.
Why: Because I’m shy and want to meet women who are not shy
Pay: $30 per hour

Objectives (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

Should DC residents get first chance at DC jobs? For the past few months, a crew of 12-15 people has been working on major water/sewer jobs in Columbia Heights. I don’t know that they aren’t DC residents, but all the vehicles they arrive in each day have Maryland plates, they all speak exclusively Spanish, and there are no African Americans at all.

I know DC used to have some rules about hiring some percentage of locals – but haven’t found anything recent about how contracts like this are awarded. A few of the jobs are certainly skilled/technical – (operating equipment etc.) – but most are simply labor – (digging, shoveling etc.) and one or two (holding signs for traffic) require no skills or training at all.

They are all super hard-working people, (worked steadily through our 2 weeks of Arctic cold!) and I don’t begrudge them these jobs. But shouldn’t public works projects, paid for with DC tax dollars, have at least some of the jobs going to DC residents?“