Adams Morgan

MPD’s Operation Adams Morgan to Restart June 1st

By Prince Of Petworth

operation_adams_morgan
Photo by PoPville flickr user Faucetini

You can read about the first Operation Adams Morgan here.

From MPD:

We are pleased to announce that we will be conducting the next phase of “Operation Adams Morgan”. In conjunction with MPD’s Summer Crime initiative, the Third District will begin its annual summer initiative on the weekend of June 1st and it will carry through September 1st.

We are currently finalizing all the particulars and have reunited with a few old partners to be able to bring Adams Morgan once again, one of the most efficient enforcement efforts in the region. Citizens and stakeholders can expect to see an increase in police presence and interaction with the public around the Adams Morgan area every day of the week. While our efforts will be to build on the progress made over the last few years, we want to also be able to sustain the rich and growing atmosphere the area provides all its residents and consumers. We look forward to seeing everyone out there during this safe and wonderful summer.

Dysfunction Junction Vol. 7 – 18th and Florida/U St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_0061

Dysfunction Junction chronicles the most forlorn, baffling, and wonderful crossroads of our fair city. The column is written by Ben Ball, a transportation nerd in his spare time. He lives in LeDroit Park. Ben previously wrote about Wisconsin and M Street, NW.

18th and Florida/U St, NW

This intersection has been problematic for a while.  As early as 2003, DDOT was thinking about possible solutions.  Enter the Adams Morgan Streetscape Project, which altered the traffic pattern, gave us pedestrian-friendly “bump out” sidewalks, removed the underlying streetcar tracks, and added bike infrastructure along 18th St, all for the low, low cost of $6.8 million.  The whole thing took fifteen months to complete, but it seemed like an eternity.

This is not an easy intersection to fix.  The U Street/Florida Avenue route is by default the main cross-town arterial in this area, given the lack of east-west options in Adams Morgan and the preponderance of one way roads in northern Dupont.  Complications quickly mount when you add all the strange angles and rights-of-way involved.  Oh, and it’s the gateway to Adams Morgan, so naturally there are a ton of pedestrians trying to cross every which way, regardless of what the lights say.

So did we get a Good Deal or Not™?  Given the level of difficulty here, I’m willing to cut DDOT some slack.  They probably did the best they could, given the circumstances.  But that doesn’t mean that everything’s coming up roses here.  The stoplights in particular are still a problem.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoPville – Mugging in Adams Morgan Thursday Night

By Prince Of Petworth


View Larger Map

Dear PoPville,

I was mugged Thursday, May 23 around 11:30pm about a block south of the corner of 19th and Wyoming. Two African American males (guessing in their 20s) pushed me down and took my belongings and ran off. I (not so wisely) ran after them and saw them get into a car at 18th and Wyoming heading north (a dark SUV I believe). If anyone witnessed the event and has more details I could provide to the police, that would be wonderful. Or if they happened to find any of my belongings that were dumped (coral colored purse – Target brand, blue old navy bag with gym clothes inside). The case number is 069461

Heads Up – Snakes Falling Out of Trees in Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

Walter-Pierce-Park-adams-morgan-dc-fence
Walter Pierce Park

From MPD:

Walter Pierce Park [2630 Adams Mill Rd, NW]

On Thursday, May 23, 2013 around 11:40am a call came in about a couple of snakes that fell out of the trees. When the snakes fell they scared the children, and everyone fled. This was in the playground area. I responded but found no snakes. I caught one small enough to fit inside an empty water bottle I had. It was probably a black rat snake. They are indigenous to trees and the warm weather is drawing them out.

But fear not the National Zoo says:

Common rat snakes tend to be shy and, if possible, will avoid being confronted. If these snakes are seen and confronted by danger, they tend to freeze and remain motionless. Some adults attempt to protect themselves. They coil their body and vibrate their tails in dead leaves to simulate a rattle. If the snakes continue to be provoked, they will strike.

Though the National Wildlife Federation cautions:

“Although black rat snakes do not usually attack when threatened, there have been extreme cases of black rat snakes charging at predators. Black rat snakes also produce a strong foul odor when scared to deter predators and people.”

Taste of Adams Morgan Benefiting Mary’s Center Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

Today, Tuesday, May 21st, twelve Adams Morgan restaurants will serve savory and sweet tastes during a culinary neighborhood tour called Taste of Adams Morgan. All proceeds of the event will be donated to Mary’s Center, a community health center founded and headquartered in Adams Morgan.

Taste destinations include: Meskerem, Mellow Mushroom, Rumba Café, La Fourchette, Madam’s Organ, Bardia’s New Orleans Café, Bossa Bistro, Chief Ike’s, Madam’s Organ, El Tamarindo, Millie & Al’s, Town Tavern, Pi Pizzeria.

“We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to support Mary’s Center in its twenty-fifth year of operation,” said Sefika Kurt, proprietor of A Little Shop of Flowers. “Mary’s Center precedes nearly all of the restaurants participating in this event. It is an anchor in this community, and we’re grateful for the high-caliber services it offers.”

To participate in Taste of Adams Morgan, purchase four ($20) or seven ($30) taste tickets today at A Little Shop of Flowers (2421 18th Street), Toro Mata (2410 18th Street), or Wise Owl Club (2010 18th Street). Those who already bought tickets online can pick them up at A Little Shop of Flowers between 4:00 and 7:00 pm. Each ticket may be redeemed for one pre-fix savory or sweet “taste” at participating restaurants.

The event will take place from 4:30-8:00pm.

Dear PoPville – Valet Problems Part Two

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_1452
1800 block of 18th Street, NW

Dear PoPville,

Not sure if you were aware, but Lauriol Plaza has recently taken over a good chunk of 18th Street to use for their valet parking. There are temporary “no parking” signs up dated until 2014 in front of the restaurant, probably covering about 6-8 spots.

I think that is ridiculous.

Parking is tough enough in the neighborhood, this is only making it worse.

Ed. Note: On Friday a reader wrote about valet parking abuses in Chinatown.

IMG_20130517_123523

That’s quite a loose interpretation of temporary…

IMG_20130517_123530

View More Stories