Dear PoPville

“Main sewer line relining / replacement options?”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Diane Krauthamer

“Dear PoPville,

1912 rowhome and have had issues with main sewer line clogging, backing up, and a little flooding over the past 3 years. Root cleaner twice a year has worked until now, and I spent $1.5K on hydro jetting, which cleared the pipes for a few weeks. I know I have a front yard tree that may have roots getting in, but the hydro jetting said they didn’t see damage nor was the clog far enough where the tree is, so I’m really at a loss of what the issue is.

Are my options replacing the entire sewer line or would pipe relining be an option?

Do you have any recommendations for plumbers and amount spent? Many thanks!”

Ed. Note: If it’s on city property you need to contact DC Water!!

“Cat attacked my Dog”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: PoPville turns 19 years old this coming Wednesday and I am always stunned when I can still utter “well this is a first”, well, this is a first…

“Dear PoPville,

I don’t know what other recourse I have, so I’m hoping to warn fellow Dupont dog neighbors. I was walking my (very much leashed and well behaved) dog on Corcoran St, in between New Hampshire and 17th, when a white cat with grey/brown spots ran from its yard and starting attacking my dog. My dog didn’t fight back, she just started crying and trying to escape. I had to use my foot to remove the cat (I did not at all hurt the cat) but it continued to chase us about 30 feet down the block. The cat jumped on my dog at least 5 times. (more…)

“Why is Piney Branch Parkway Always Wet?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Has anyone heard why there has been standing water on Piney Branch Road between Beach Drive and 17th (in Rock Creek Park), since the spring or early summer? There are always puddles in some places and the whole stretch is wet. (more…)

“Keep your uncontrollable dogs on a leash. If you want your dog to run around, follow Washington, DC law and take it to the dog park.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Eric P.

TLDR: “It is unlawful to allow your dog to be off leash in public areas with the exception of designated dog parks.”

“Dear PoPville,

I was walking my dog tonight (Wednesday, October 29) in Glover Park around 6:00pm. We walked through the clearing in Whitehaven Parkway (between T and W Streets NW), where there are frequently many people letting their dogs play off leash. Tonight there were perhaps a dozen people with their dogs around this hour. We have walked through there before and generally not had any issues. However, today, just as we were getting close to exiting the clearing towards W St, a woman was entering with her dog whom she immediately let off leash. This dog immediately ran up to my dog and started aggressively barking at him and chasing him. My dog started squealing and yelping, clearly absolutely terrified, and running around me trying to get away from this dog. The owner was calling after the dog but unable to stop or catch her, and the dog kept running after my dog, aggressively barking and chasing him. (more…)

“Is this real, and so I have to capitulate?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Hoping there’s a census person out there who can clarify for me…

I recently received both a QR code digital format and booklet Census forms. I know it’s typically every 10 yrs, and in those cases, I’ve happily supported the gathering of information to help my community get needed funds. This year it feels creepy and invasive (we all know why). (more…)

“Help finding witness to car crash”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

In August, my friends and I came back to our car (we share it between the 3 of us) in Lanier Heights at the cross streets of Ontario Road and Ontario Place to find that it had been hit. A very kind stranger left a note explaining that a FedEx truck had hit the car and gave us the license plate information. (more…)

“Weird ICE encounters” – Boarding Plane at BWI and Medstar Georgetown ER

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Jordan Barab

“Dear PoPville,

I had a weird ICE encounter yesterday. Boarding for my flight out of BWI was delayed, the gate agent mentioned in passing that it was bc of immigration. When we finally start boarding, after agent checks ticket / passport, there were like 6-7 ICE agents on the tunnel. They checked every single person and their passport, they asked me why (more…)

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