Matteo Catalani

“Dear PoPville,

We are organizing a special event to honor the memory of our beloved friend, Matteo Catalani.

On August 13, 2023, we will be holding an informal memorial service at Retrobottega (2435 18th Street, NW), starting at 9:00pm. This occasion marks the first anniversary of Matteo’s passing, and it serves as an opportunity for all those who knew and loved him to come together, reminisce, and celebrate his life. (more…)


“Dear PoPville,

I’m writing about the recent naming competition for Dave Thomas circle. The description for Mamie Johnson notes that she went to Long Branch High School, which as far as I can tell isn’t and has never been a high school in the DC area. It appears Mamie went to Long Branch in New Jersey. So while it’s technically correct, it feels misleading and leaves out a considerable portion of Mamie’s DC legacy; her 30 year nursing career at Sibley. Description below. (more…)



inside 1411 W Street, SE Frederick Douglass National Historic Site via NPS

From the National Park Service:

“Join us at the reopening of Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (1411 W Street, SE) on July 4! The celebration will start at 11 a.m. with a special ceremony featuring a ribbon-cutting, music, and a dramatic portrayal of Douglass’s famous speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Following the ceremony, visitors will be able to walk through the first floor of the historic home from 12:30 – 3 p.m. Ranger-lead tours of the entire house will be available from 3 – 5 p.m., with timed tickets available at the event.

Initially closed in March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the historic home remained closed so a new HVAC system could be installed. (more…)


A reader wrote after our Truxton Inn closing post:

“There was a Circle there at North Cap. and Fl. Ave., called Truxton Circle! Not sure of the date when they took it out, but for years later my mother and aunt would always call that area Truxton Circle!”

And of course, the neighborhood is still called Truxton Circle today – but for those who were not familiar with the history: “Reader Finds Remnants of Truxton Circle Fountain


Thanks to J. for sending: “Saw this ~30 year old sign on my walk in Petworth the other day. Sharon Pratt Kelly hasn’t been mayor since 1995!”

If you have a photo of a neat find from your house, place of work or neighborhood please send an email to [email protected] thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks.


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