Friday Question of the Day

Friday Question of the Day – How Much Do You Make? vs How Much Debt Do You Have?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

On Wed. the rant/revel veered onto a long discussion about one reader who makes $250k but did not feel rich due to the debt he and his wife are carrying. So a reader asked if others would share anonymously how much debt they carry vs how much they make? I know it’s awkward to talk about money and debt but it was very interesting to learn how much everyone pays for rent. So if folks are willing, here goes – how much do you make a year vs how much debt are you carrying? If you are carrying debt is it school debt, credit card debt, house debt (should house debt be included?) or other debt?



Friday Question of the Day – What’s Your Favorite Cool Down Beverage?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

Some people love the heat, some people hate the heat but for me enjoying a cold beverage makes it tolerable. I loved the recipe given by “Milk was a bad choice” the other day:

“1 glass filled to brim with ice
1.5 oz gin
0.5 Rose’s lime
complete with ginger beer
add a sprig or two of rosemary”

Back in 2009 we also looked at some of your favorite summer drink recipes.

For me I have three favorites – first, for a cocktail, I love a simple gin and tonic with a splash of Campari. For a cold beer on a super hot day I find it hard to beat a Tecate or a regular Budweiser. Though I do also love the Dogfish head seasonal – Festina Peche. And a few folks have asked me how I survive walking around in the heat – it’s easy a raspberry slushie (the blue one) from the gas station at 15th and U St, NW!

So what are your favorite beverages on a hot day?

Friday Question of the Day – Which Food Truck Would You Most Like to See Get A Brick and Mortar Space?

By Prince Of Petworth


Potential District Taco space on Capitol Hill

A reader sent in some sweet scuttlebutt saying that the food truck District Taco was looking to open in a brick and mortar space on Capitol Hill (potentially into the soon to be former, after they move to Barracks Row, YES! Organic Market at 658 Pennsylvania Ave, SE.) The owner of District Taco confirmed that they are looking for a space on Capitol Hill but haven’t signed a lease a yet. They hope to find a space and open up on the Hill by the end of 2012. They’ve also recently opened a super successful brick and mortar spot in Penn Quarter.

So, given District Taco’s success, for today’s Friday Question of the Day – Which food truck would you most like to see open in a brick and mortar restaurant?

Friday Question of the Day – Do You Agree With Old City Green?

By Prince Of Petworth

Old City Green is located on the southwest corner of 9th and N St, NW.

Dear PoPville,

We here at OLD CITY green wanted to let you know about some recent developments in our journey as a small business and community gathering space. As you may have heard, we were recently informed that we are losing our lease on this space at the end of August. We had been verbally told in the winter that we had two years on the lot, but a month later that was changed to just a five month lease.

Although our landlord (Douglas Development) has been very kind over the years and has gone out of their way to help us stay afloat, this short notice has a negative impact on our survival as a business and community green space. Douglas Development and CAS Riegler are joining forces to start developing a 5 story condo/mixed use building on our spot beginning fall of this year.

We have been essentially left out of the conversation, unable to compete with the multi-million dollar project slated to take place. Moving plants and beehives in the middle of summer takes its toll. Ideally, a green business would relocate in the off season to minimize loss. Having to move before Christmas, means 30% of our yearly revenue is at stake. We very much want to stay in the neighborhood as we feel that we have become a community space that is more than just a retail store. However, we are struggling to find an affordable place to buy or rent.

OLD CITY green has been called the green beating heart of the community, and as of yet our green heart has no place to go. OLD CITY green has not only provided product, but has become an educational and neighborhood gathering space as well.

Here are a few examples of how we have been a part of the community over the years:

-“Best New Shaw Business” 2009 Shaw Main Streets
-Washington City Paper’s “Best Garden Store” of 2011
-“Shaw Community Partner Award” 2011 Shaw Main Streets
-Approx. 4,000 flower bulbs over a period of 4 years planted in Shaw tree boxes during our annual “Tulip Planting” event
-4 Easter egg hunts, 8 movie nights, and a Halloween haunted garden event for neighborhood kids
-Employing teens from the neighborhood
-Teaching nutritional health and local food education in DC high school
-Teaching 12 gardening and nutrition workshops for clients at Bread for the City
-Hiring local musicians to play on site for our neighbors and customers
-Educational field trips for DC schools
-Free workshops (Seed bomb making, herbal tea, fall vegetable planting, native landscaping)
-Hosting neighborhood garden tours
– A certified Butterfly Way Station
-Offered approx. $30,000 in discounts and free product to neighborhood gardeners, local businesses and DC non-profits
-Hosted a Community Supported Agriculture program for about 100 Shaw households for three years running
-Member of “Live Green” and “Think Local First”
-Worked with non profit organizations such as Bread for the City, DC Greenworks, Casey Trees, City Blossoms, and the Neighborhood Farm Initiative
-Hosted fundraisers for So Others Might Eat, N St. Village, Shaw Main Streets, DC Children First,Metro Teen Aids, and Wangari Gardens
-Supporting and working with other local small businesses such as Chatman’s Bakery, Seasonal Pantry, Longview Gallery, Wagtime, Azi’s Cafe, etc.
-Hosting volunteer teams for beautification of the neighborhood
-Donations of labor, time and product to local churches such as Shiloh Baptist Church with Seaton Green, Salem Baptist Church, and The Immaculate Conception

We don’t write this to victimize ourselves, but we feel that we are an example of a bigger issue going on here. Large condos are popping up all over the place, perpetuating the “building up, not building community” problem of gentrification. If developers are going to build more condos and apartments and bring in more people, there needs to be a place for people to go to for their “green” and other specialty item needs. As local, independent businesses are pushed out of the inner city, the systemic response is to go to the big box stores (Home Depot, Costco, Target, WalMart), which take money and good paying jobs away from the local economy.

There will be a public hearing about our lot on June 26th at 9:30 in 220-S, 1 Judiciary Square, 441 4th St., NW.

It’s not easy being green,
The OLD CITY green team

Friday Question of the Day – Which Development are You Most Excited About?

By Prince Of Petworth

On Wed. the Washingtonian got more details about the refurbished Union Market coming to 1309 5th Street, NE:

Edens president Jodie McLean says that the project is partly inspired by San Francisco’s Ferry Building: a multi-purpose community space that joins permanent restaurants and vendors with a rotating lineup of artisans, entertainers, and farmers. Union Market will eventually expand to about 40 vendors, a third of which will be permanent, plus outdoor farmers markets on certain days.

You can see a list of all the vendors who’ve already signed on here.


1309 5th Street, NE

Also earlier this week we learned that CityCenter DC coming to the old convention center site downtown will be getting a specialty food market possibly Eataly. And we’ve already heard about some plans for CityMarket at O at 7th and O St, NW. And finally we’ve also learned about the Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront development, particularly the Boilermaker Shops.

So, knowing more details about these projects, for the Friday Question of the Day – I’m curious which big development project you are most excited about:

Union Market at 1309 5th Street, NE?

CityCenter DC at New York Avenue NW, 9th Street NW, H Street NW, and 11th Street NW?

CityMarket at O located at 7th and O St, NW?

Navy Yard development especially the Boilermaker shops at 200 Tingey St, SE?

Friday Question of the Day – Do You Find the Fojol Bros. Costumes Offensive, Funny or Harmless?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

Lots of readers have been writing in about the Fojol Bros. petition on change.org:

Justin Vitarello doesn’t want to listen when we say his business’s gimmick is hurtful and offensive. He denies that white people wearing turbans and fake mustaches and playing Punjabi music while serving Indian food is stereotype and mockery, and justifies it by saying “no more than five” people have complained that it’s racist. Fojol employees also sport rastacaps and go by stage names like “Dingo” and “Ababa Du”, hailing from “the magical lands” of “Merlindia” and “Benethiopia”.

Sign this petition to let Vitarello and the rest of the Fojol Bros. business know that a lot more than five of us are not ok with their Orientalist and racist appropriation of South Asian and East African cultures.

As of Thursday afternoon there were 832 signatures.

The Fojol Bros. Web site says:

On January 20th, 2009, the fojol bros. emerged from their home in the village of Adams Morgan and hit the streets of DC to share their family traditions with the world. They served food from their family truck and listened to and interacted with folks from all over the world. They watched with amazement as armies of people flooded DC on the day the world changed.

While the fojol bros. may represent something different to each of us, they hope to bring together local communities through a dynamic food experience on DC’s streets. So, when you see or hear the traveling culinary carnival in your neighborhood, please do not hesitate to stop and join the festivities.


Friday Question of the Day – How Much is Your Rent?

By Prince Of Petworth

When we discuss rentals of the day folks are often astonished about how much it costs to rent in DC. I think for a little perspective we should share how much we are currently paying for rent. Of course there are many caveats – If you started renting your current digs in 1999 please say so. Actually, that’ll be interesting too – what year did you start renting your current room/apartment/house? Please say what neighborhood you are renting in. Do you live in an apartment building or row house? If you live in a basement unit please specify. If you have roommates or live in a group house please say so.

If you now own a home how much was your rent when you last rented? When I first moved to DC in 1997 I was paying $970 for a 2 bedroom basement rental in Woodley Park near the metro. I last rented in 2002 and was paying $1220 for a 1 bedroom in Woodley Park near the zoo.

So for the FQotD – how much is your rent?


Friday Question of the Day – What’s Your Favorite “Old School” Restaurant in DC?

By Prince Of Petworth

It was fun talking about El Tamarindo’s 30th anniversary yesterday. Lots of folks said they had the best pupusas in town. Since we talk about new restaurants all the time, it got me thinking about what other old school restaurants I’ve forgotten about. Do people still line up for Pasta Mia?

Let’s just say an “old school” restaurant is one that has been around at least 10 years. I feel like restaurant years are like dog years. Dang it, now I miss my beloved Yanni’s… Ok, for today’s FQotD – what is your favorite old school restaurant and are there any must order items on the menu?

Friday Question of the Day – Should Liquor Stores Be Allowed to Sell on Sundays? (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

If you ever have a topic you’d like to see discussed on Friday please send your suggestions in an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail with Friday Question of the Day in the subject line.

A reader sends in this news from the Washington Post:

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) said today he is likely to recommend allowing Sunday sales for holders of Class A (liquor store) licenses as part of the city budget. The additional $710,000 in sales tax revenue that would be generated by dropping the restriction would go some way toward the $3.2 million Graham needs to find to kill Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s proposal to extend bar hours as late as 4 a.m.

In late March we discussed whether or not bars should be allowed to stay open an hour later. How about Sunday liquor sales?

Do you think liquor stores should be allowed to sell liquor on Sundays? If so, should there be any restrictions? Do you think this is a good way for the District to raise revenue?


View More Stories