douchebag

“Dear PoPville,

Maybe I’m overreacting (or maybe I don’t appreciate being called a douchebag so early) but I saw this note on my car this morning as I was parked in Zone 2 on the street and immediately became angry, grabbed it, and crumpled it up [ in the U Street Neighborhood right off of Florida just past Darnell’s]. I should have taken a picture of my parking but I was on my way to work and I also know what “double parking” is and knew I wasn’t a perpetrator. Is there some definition of the term that I am not aware of? In my experience if there is a space on the street I park there; who would be so bold (or so bored) to take the time to write a note, label me a douchebag, stop at my car, and place it on my windshield? Does the note writer know that people come and go from street spots all day and night? Has anyone else received an aggressive note with no merit?”

Ed. Note: Sometimes people are jerks, sometimes people are aggressive and sometimes the two intersect.


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Photo by PoPville flickr user Nikoo’s photos

“Dear PoPville,

We’re about to rent out a rowhouse in the H Street corridor. We’re trying to find a management company, but aren’t sure which companies come with the best consumer satisfaction from the perspective of landlords. Most of the reviews we see are from the perspective of tenants – which is good too, as we ultimately want our tenants happy – but ideally we’d be happy with them as well.

Do you have any thoughts on this?”


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Dear PoPville,

Does anyone know the full story on the construction around Connecticut Ave./Rhode Island Ave./M St. NW, a few blocks south of Dupont Circle? This has been going on for several months now, and while I’m sure it’s important work, it has really snarled the commute down Connecticut Ave. (see pic from this morning, facing south toward M), and has made many of the nearby sidewalks inaccessible.

Any idea about the purpose of the construction and when it will likely be finished?

This is part of the Connecticut Ave Streetscape:

“The new Connecticut Avenue N.W. project is the third phase of a DDOT-sponsored streetscape upgrade program. The project encompasses an approximate 1 mile 4-lane corridor between DuPont Circle and K Street. The street, streetscape, and associated infrastructure improvements are scheduled to be completed by February 2015.”

And you can see weekly updates here:

“SUMMARY: June 7- June 13, 2014
The contractor worked with four different crews this week: one crew for trenching and excavation on the southbound left lanes of Connecticut Avenue, one crew for sidewalk and paver installation on Connecticut Avenue going north in front of the Mayflower Hotel, one crew at N Street working on street light poles, and the last crew for sidewalk and pavers at 18th and M Street.”


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Photo by PoPville flickr user NCinDC

“Dear PoPville,

Not sure if you’ve done a post but I thought a crowdsource of best liquor store could be interesting. Maybe even have ranks based on cost, variety or rarity?”

We did one in 2009 but it’s probably time for a refresh – so in 2014 where’s your favorite liquor store based on cost, variety or rarity.

For cost I’m going with Costco!


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Photo by PoPville flickr user maria jpeg

“Dear PoPville,

Saw this go out on the Bloomingdale listserve and my first reaction was to laugh – but i have no idea if this is actually as unrealistic as I perceive it to be. Doesn’t off-street parking downtown go for $300-$400/month? Perhaps PoPville can weigh in?

Friend is seeking a studio apartment in downtown locations. Rent + utilities: $900 max. Must have off street parking. Studio should have air conditioning. Washer/dryer and dishwasher would be great. Close to public transportation.


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Photo by PoPville flickr user Glyn Lowe Photoworks.

“Dear PoPville,

Long time/second time. I’ve got a question that I could use PoPville’s help answering (plus it dovetails nicely with my last question from Aug 2010, on first date locations):

I’m planning on proposing to my girlfriend. I have some family diamonds but I would like to make my own setting for them. Does anyone have any recommendations for jewelers that can help?”

Ed. Note: Awesome. Congrats!


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Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

“Dear PoPville,

I saw the thread on the wildlife photographer and it reminded me that I’ve been meaning to email about a woman I’ve seen a few times in Mt. Pleasant taking pictures from her car.

Both times I’ve seen her (and once when my husband did) it was near the Park Rd./Adams Mill intersection (by Rosemont Center) in a white Honda Civic. She’s usually wearing dark sunglasses or a visor and takes pictures from her car while seemingly yelling/gesturing wildly. Once she got out of her car and came towards me and spat at my car. The other day I saw her she drove down Porter towards Connecticut with her hazards on and then stopped in the middle of the road.

I’m sure readers will say that she’s not technically doing anything illegal and/or that I should contact police instead of writing to PoPville… fair enough, will do that next time if there’s spitting/dangerous driving involved. For now, I’m just wondering if anyone else has seen her/experienced this in the area? Perhaps there’s an explanation like the wildlife photographer?”


dca_address
Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

“Dear PoPville,

I have been going round and round (now why I am not sure, it was only 18 bucks) with a company that charged me taxes for an online purchase, but they have no store in Washington DC (Very large brand name gadget store). They replied to tell me that they have a store at DCA and their address is Washington DC 20001. I see the airport on the VA side of the river and I see an Arlington VA address when I Google, but see a DC address listed on their location page. What gives? Is this airport in DC or VA? (and how can I get my 18 bucks back lol!)”


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Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

“Dear PoPville,

I recently attended a children’s birthday party and was surprised that the child didn’t open her gifts at the party/in front of her friends. One of the other mothers said that not opening gifts publicly is the new “yuppie” trend. Further, the child didn’t even open gifts from family in front of family back her house. I love giving gifts and I love to watch people open my carefully chosen/wrapped gifts. Is this the new normal? Is opening gifts in front of people déclassé?”


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