Columbia Heights

“there is a chicken on the loose”

By Prince Of Petworth


The famed “Columbia Heights Chicken” spotted strutting down 11th Street back in 2012.

Repeat. There is a chicken on the loose!! Thanks to Loren for letting us know:

“I deeply apologize for having no photos but there is a chicken on the loose around 13th and Quincy for those who need a little joy in their AM.”

It had been 8 months since our last Chicken on the loose spotting. May their freedom, no matter how long, be sweet.

If you spot a hawk or any other bird of prey or any interesting wildlife around town, lunching or otherwise, and get a good photo please send in an email where you spotted it to [email protected] and I’ll add it to the queue. Hawks around Town is made possible by a generous grant from the Ben and Sylvia Gardner foundation.

Brunch and Happy Hour Launches at Roubaix in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


1400 Irving Street, NW (formerly Acre 121 and Commonwealth Gastro Pub)

From an email:

“Our new brunch menu at Roubaix includes classics such as Eggs Benedict, Florentine, Gravlax (with house smoked salmon) as well as our own spin on frittata and Belgian Waffle. Brunch starts on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 am.


courtesy Roubaix

Also, we’ve kicked off our weekday happy hour from 5 pm – 7pm.

$4 National Bohemian tall boys
$5 Wine and Well cocktails
$6 Fat Tire / Palm / Peroni / Blanche de Chambly”

Check out the full brunch menu after the jump. (more…)

Streets of Washington Presents: The Old French Embassy on 16th Street, a Gilded Age Gem

By Prince Of Petworth

Streets of Washington, written by John DeFerrari, covers some of DC’s most interesting buildings and history. John is the author of Historic Restaurants of Washington, D.C.: Capital Eats, published by the History Press, Inc. and also the author of Lost Washington DC.


(photo by the author)

The powerful and influential Mary Foote Henderson, whom we’ve previously profiled, commissioned an impressive collection of palatial houses on Meridian Hill in the early years of the 20th century. One of the most prominent of these is the imposing Beaux-Arts mansion at the corner of 16th Street and Kalorama Road NW, which originally served as the French Embassy when it was completed in 1907. This well-preserved building, now home to the Council for Professional Recognition, is a striking expression of Henderson’s vision of Washington as an elegant equal to Paris, with Sixteenth Street its Champs-Élysées. (more…)

DPR schedules first ever Puppy Bowl for February 3rd in Columbia Heights!!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jennifer

Thanks to Brooke for passing on from DPR:

“We’ve got an exciting event coming up… DPR’s first ever Puppy Bowl! This fun event is our spin on an indoor dog park for puppies and adult dogs to enjoy!

On Saturday, February 3rd, there will be two indoor mini dog parks setup at Columbia Heights Recreation Center. [1480 Girard Street, NW]

“Field 1” will be dedicated to puppies, 20 weeks and under, to participate in a 5 on 5 free play “game” facilitated by our Puppy Bowl referees! Each participating puppy will receive a commemorative Puppy Bowl bandana and a picture with our official photographer.

“Field 2” will be larger and set aside for a limited amount of adult dogs to enjoy. (more…)

“I am frustrated and sickened by the amount of litter people throw out of parked cars”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I live on the 1400 block of Chapin St NW and am frustrated and sickened by the amount of litter people throw out of parked cars on the street that’s strewn around the curbs and sidewalks. Any suggestions from others about how to get people to stop throwing their trash on the streets? There’s a trash can on the corner of 14th so people wouldn’t have to go far to a trash can. Calling upon neighbors who want a clean street to clean up the trash would help – but only for a couple of days. In 2 days, we’d be right back to the same state of trash everywhere. Is it ridiculous to think signs would work?

Thanks, From a frustrated neighbor.”

“Parked Cars Getting Smashed on Girard Street”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

For the past three to four weeks, I’ve been noticing parked cars that have been smashed on Girard Street NW between 13th St. and 14th St. There have been different cars parked in the same couple of spots on the street. Typically one or two cars are crushed and are likely totaled while another two or three cars look badly scraped or dented. This has been consistently happening lately with many different cars getting damaged. Across the street is a driveway and parking lot for a day care center. I can’t tell if this series of incidents is from some type of truck, a drunk driver, or something completely different.

By my count, this is the third incident over three weeks, but I was out of town for 6 days).

I just called the V Street Police Department, who couldn’t have been less helpful. I just wanted to see if this has been reported, and if anyone had anymore information!”

Feeling Like Dodge City Again in Certain Parts of Town But It’s Cool Since We Have Short, Selective Memories

By Prince Of Petworth

Shooting 12.26.17

“Dear PoPville,

Since i didn’t see this reported on the MPD alerts yesterday (or popville), thought i’d send it in.

I witnessed this shooting December 26th (yes, called it in); the footage is from our porch camera on New Hampshire near Spring Rd NW. Spoke at length with the officers, all 3 individuals were picked up a short time later (shooter and 2 fleeing). No one was wounded, and somehow no cars were hit either. This may have been part of a feuding gang battle last night in Park View / Columbia Heights / Petworth (specifically the shooting on Warder).”


via google maps

Ed. Note: The Mayor just had a press conference where: “Mayor Bowser and Chief Newsham announced the arrest of a suspect connected to three murders and at least one robbery in Ward 5.

James Mayfield, 18, of NE DC arrested and charged with 3 homicides: • Jamahri Sydnor, 17, on Aug 10 at 1400 block of Saratoga Ave NE • Jermaine Bowens, 38, on Dec 26 at 2200 block of Douglas St NE • Elijah Henry, 21, on Dec 27 at 1800 block of Bryant St NE

Also charged with an attempted robbery on Dec 26, and is a person of interest in at least 3 other recent robberies.”

Today’s Rental is a “Modern, clean and smartly finished 800 sq. ft. 1 bedroom”

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 16th and Newton Street, NW. The Craigslist ad says:

“$1700 / 1br – 800ft2 – More apt for your money, bright & sunny 1 bdr, utilities included!

Modern, clean and smartly finished 800 sq. ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment conveniently located near restaurants, supermarkets, parks, coffee shops, all of the Columbia Heights retail and Metro (convenient to subway & bus lines).

This apartment features an entry hall with room for bicycle storage, large bedroom with home office or yoga space, large bath with walk-in shower, and a combined kitchen/living space with lots of storage & serving areas, great for foodies and folks who like to host. While this apartment has it all, it rents unfurnished and is ready for your personal touches. (more…)

Choose Your Condo Names Wisely

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader reports:

“Graffiti’ed shot is from Sunday night but by Monday night they had cleaned it up — rather nicely I’d say. Defacer is 100% correct — this is one block East of Meridian Hill Park. Guess this naming gaff would’ve been funnier was if the seller was Compass.”

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