Photo by PoPville flickr user johnmcochran2012
Time for another fun Friday question of the day – a friend of mine recently recommended the show Prisoners of War, an Israeli series that Homeland is based on. I’m freaking loving it (though parts can be extremely difficult to watch.)
So for today’s FQotD I’m wondering if folks have other favorite foreign, old, or lesser known TV series that they recommend? Bonus points if it’s free on Hulu.
Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80
A reader writes:
I see that you do polls from time to time. I have always wondered how I compare realistically to my peers in financial security. I know what they say in a “perfect” world you should have X amount in your 401K by a certain age and a minimum of a 6 month emergency fund in savings, but living in the real world being a single person in a very expensive town those numbers seem to be far out of reach.
I would love to see two polls set up, one for Single People and one for Married/Partnered that show…..
Age
Retirement Savings (401K, Bonds, Stocks, anything you save but can’t get your hands on tomorrow to spend)
Emergency Fund (savings accounts, mattress stuffing, anything you put away in case you need it and can reach it quickly)
Unfortunately to put all the data you suggested would require a survey rather than a poll and the survey software I have won’t show the results to you. So maybe folks will specify their specific situation in the comments.
And also be curious to know at what age people they’ll realistically be able to retire?
But in the meantime here is a general poll question asking how much folks have saved for retirement:
City Center Rising Downtown at 9th-11th Street, NW
The huge CityCenter DC development on the site of the former Convention Center has been the subject of much speculation about who may or may not be going into the many available retail spaces. One of the biggest teases we’ve heard was the possibility of an Eataly (market place and restaurants.)
CityCenter DC’s Website says:
“Retail emphasis will focus on a broad range of distinctive restaurants and cafes, grocery/market foods, entertainment and performance venues, fashion and specialty retail, and neighborhood services. Thirty percent of retail space will be devoted to merchants with six or fewer stores in the United States.”
But last week a commenter felt strongly that:
“As for Apple, they probably won’t go to Union Station; however, they are going to City Center… They plan to open a flagship store at the corner of 11th and NY… Watch for this and more official announcements soon (think Top Shop, Uniqlo, etc.)”
So what would you rather see come to CityCenter – more restaurants including something on the scale of an Eataly or more fashion and specialty retail like an Apple store, Uniqlo etc.? In reality do you think this development can/will have a mix of both restaurants and specialty retail?
Photo of a Jameson hot toddy by PoPville flickr user Laura_Grageda
Well it’s been a bit of a rough week so I’m staying away from politics and sticking with something more fun – autumn drinks! Side question – what is the difference between autumn drinks and winter drinks? We spoke about our favorite pumpkin beers back in September. For today I’m curious about both hot and cold options including cocktails. And if you happen to have the recipe please leave that as well. Tonight looks like it’ll be the perfect night for one!
Photo by PoPville flickr user ユミYUMI
Dear PoPville,
Reading the post about Red Apron butchery applying for a liquor license got me thinking about a question I wanted to pose to the community. I was in NYC this weekend and, as always, am astonished at the hordes of (seemingly) independent, unique restaurants and retailers on every block of Manhattan. It is something that we in DC don’t seem to have nearly as many of outside of small concentrated.
Now, this isn’t meant to be a DC vs. NYC debate – what we have here is completely different and I love this place and am rooting down for the long haul. Rather, I want to know from an intellectually curious perspective what the urban planning/economics/societal reason why one walkable, urban city can sustain a bagel shop and Chinese restaurant on every block but another can’t? Is it density? Lower commercial rents? Government incentives/barriers?
And then there is the followup observation I have regarding prices – I found that I could get breakfast or take a taxi in NYC for FAR less than it costs here in DC. It was amazing the price differences that I saw. So the question again is why the price disparity from what is supposed to be an equally exorbitant and expensive city to operate in? Increased competition? More customers?
If I had to venture a guess it would be a density game that we are starting to see play out in DC on strips like 14th street and H street that are going crazy. That coupled with the fact that DC’s recent development wave is happening about ten years behind NYCs. But I would love to hear more informed opinions on it.
And, really, I just want to be able to get a bagel and coffee combo delivered to my front door by a nice man on a bike like I saw happen Saturday. That would enable my weekend laziness as I settle into winter hibernation mode.
Photo by PoPville flickr user thisisbossi
The DC Board of Elections lists the following candidates for the At Large seats (two to be elected):
David Grosso IND
Mary Brooks Beatty REP
Leon J. Swain Jr IND
Michael A. Brown IND
Vincent Orange DEM
Ann C. Wilcox STG
A.J. Cooper IND
The reader asks succinctly – “who is the best candidate?”
Do you guys know who you’re voting for or have you not decided yet? For those who’ve decided, if you feel comfortable sharing, who are you voting for and why?
If folks want to learn more there is a debate this Saturday October 20th, 3:00-4:30pm at Catholic University. Doors open at 2:30pm. The debate will take place in the Great Room on the 2nd floor of the Pryzbyla Center at The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave NE.
Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80
With word that Kraze Burgers is likely coming to Barracks Row it got me thinking about all the new burger options in town. I think it’s time to crown a new “best burger”. I was pleasantly surprised by an incredibly delicious burger I had last weekend. So I’m voting for The Big Board located at 421 H St, NE. I had the Ciao Bella – Sliced prosciutto, aged mozzarella, roasted San Marzano tomato & roasted red pepper aioli. Freaking delicious.
So for the Friday Question of the Day – where is your favorite burger in town?
Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80
It’s awesome seeing the revival of the local DC beer scene. But for today’s question let’s also include one from Alexandria, VA, one from Baltimore, MD and one from Frederick, MD. So what’s your favorite local brewery? What’s your favorite beer from that brewery?
Did I leave anyone out?
3 Stars, Chocolate City, DC Brau, Flying Dog, Heavy Seas and Port City.
Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80
A reader wonders in the forum where his friend should invest buying a home in DC. Yesterday, a different reader wondered the same thing at a lower price point. But for today’s discussion – let’s take the first reader and say if you had between $600,000 and $800,000 to invest in buying a home – which neighborhood would you suggest if the person is most interested in their return on investment?
I’ve been curious about this week’s question for a while. It has me stumped. While I know that not everyone likes the name NoMa, I think it’s fair to say that it has been adopted by most folks. I know some still pine for Swampoodle but I think NoMa is staying for good. In contrast not one person I know calls Navy Yard – the Capitol Riverfront. Some people I know now call it the ball park but most have stuck with Navy Yard. Both neighborhoods have BIDs and banners. Both neighborhoods have had and continue to have major developments. So why do you think NoMa has stuck while Capitol Riverfront hasn’t?