Columbia Heights

The 5pm Post – Columbia Heights Community Yard Sale & Spring Clean this Sat. and CH Marketplace looking for Artists/Artisans

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

The Columbia Heights Day Initiative (CHDI) — the grassroots nonprofit that presents the popular neighborhood festival every summer — is having its second annual Community Yard Sale & Spring Clean on Saturday, April 2.

Neighbors, apartment buildings and homeowners are having more 30 yard sales throughout the Columbia Heights. Shop for great deals and explore the neighborhood from 10 am to 4 pm this Saturday.

Yard sale locations and details are listed on a Google Map at http://bit.ly/SpringClean11map.

As part of the North Columbia Heights Civic Association’s “Great Day of Service” [http://www.northcolumbiaheights.org/community-service/], CHDI is also collecting donations of home goods and clothing at the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza from 10 am – 4 pm. The donations will benefit Community of Hope, a neighborhood group that works to improve the health and quality of life of low-income, homeless, and underserved families and individuals in DC. Click through to review suggested items to donate — http://www.communityofhopedc.org/kind-donations. Items will also be collected for Amvets — http://www.amvetspickup.org/.

WHAT: Columbia Heights Community Yard Sale & Spring Clean

WHEN: Saturday, April 2, 10 am to 4 pm

WHERE: throughout Columbia Heights

Google Map of yard sales — http://bit.ly/SpringClean11map
Activities and donation site — Columbia Heights Civic Plaza — 14th & Park & Kenyon NW

In other Columbia Heights News:

The Marketplace is looking for local artists and artisans who want to be part of this year’s CH Festivus of fine food, fun, art and entertainment. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on April 22. The application is available on our website — www.chfestivus.org — and Facebook page — www.facebook.com/pages/Columbia-Heights-Community-Marketplace/112318238787899

The Marketplace begins on Saturday, May 7th at 9 a.m. at the civic plaza at 14th Street and Park Road, NW.

It will feature 18 food producers, compared with nine last year, and lots more local artists and entertainment.

SAIS Student Mugged in Columbia Heights Monday Night

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

A reader forwards this alert from SAIS public affairs:

Dear SAIS Community,

We wanted to make you aware of an incident that took place in a nearby neighborhood on Monday at approximately 10 p.m. involving one of our students.

The student was leaving the Columbia Heights Metro station and was approached by two men who pointed a gun at the student and demanded his backpack. Fortunately, our student was not harmed in this case—he turned over his backpack filled with his laptop, wallet and other personal belongings. An incident report has been filed with the D.C. Police.

This is just a reminder that we do live in an urban setting and crime does happen. Please try to be aware of your surroundings at all times and travel with others when possible, especially in the evenings. Also, as our student did in this case, it is best not to get into an altercation with assailants—it is always safer to turn over your belongings.

Dear PoPville – “More Thefts at WSC Columbia Heights on Saturday March 26”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

“Dear PoP,

I know this is not as important as a shooting or mugging, but I did want to report yet another massive theft incident at the Washington Sports Club in Columbia Heights on Saturday night (March 26). I blame only myself, because after reading PoP I knew that I should NEVER take my wallet to that sketchy, crime-riddled gym, but I needed to shop for groceries afterwards and I knew I was going to have a very short work-out. I was one of FIVE males whose lockers were broken into between 6 and 7 pm, and whose wallets were stolen.

A policeman responded very promptly after being called, and management was sympathetic, but let’s face it, they really do not care to take any meaningful actions to stop these thefts (such as having staff regularly patrol the locker rooms, or training the ever present cleaning staff to watch for suspicious activity). I am one of many who wish we had a realistic health club alternative.

I continue to hate the over-sold, always crowded, crime scene that is WSC-Columbia Heights. I just want to warn patrons of WSC-Columbia Heights that the crime wave continues and NEVER NEVER NEVER take your valuables to that gym. You are a sitting duck! Thanks for letting me vent a little.”

Very frustrating. Unfortunately, it seems that these breakins happen at many gyms in the city.

We spoke about some reasonably priced gyms here back in Aug. ’10.

Beer History in the Making: DC Brau to be Served April 15th at Meridian Pint

By Prince Of Petworth

I am very happy to report that at long last you will soon be able to drink a Public Ale from DC Brau – DC’s first brewery in over 60 years. I spoke with Meridian Pint general manager Drew Swift who shared the great news. Friday April 15th will be a huge launch party for DC Brau’s Public Ale. The party will be called “Tax Relief Day” and from 5-8pm you’ll be able to sample the Public Ale for $4 a pint and from 8pm through the rest of the night for $5. There will be multiple kegs including, of course, on all the table taps. Commemorative t-shirts celebrating the historic event will be available as well. For the rest of the weekend DC Brau’s Public Ale will be available exclusively at Meridian Pint (11th and Park Rd, NW). And starting Monday keep your eyes peeled for Public Ale throughout the city.

Ed. Note: Meridian Pint is a PoP advertiser.

Coffy Cafe Coming to Columbia Heights This Summer

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m happy to share the news that a lease has been signed at 3310 14th St, NW in the Samuel Kelsey Apartments (across the street from the Tivoli) next to the Florist space. It has been leased by a DC Teacher and resident who is “putting together Coffy Cafe, a coffee shop and crepery with a Mod 60s/70 theme. It’s about 1500sqft and should hopefully be open by late summer.”

I’ll be updating with more info as we get closer to the opening date.

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 1610 Park Rd, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Exceptional Value – ONE BEDROOMS Move in April 12th – May 1fst . The Parkhill is located right in the middle of it all. In the vibrant, Columbia Heights/Adams Morgan/Mt.Pleasant/U Street area, all in walking distance. The 5 story property offers sunny windows and hard wood floors and brand new wall to wall carpet. Near downtown monuments and more. Between 18th & 14th Streets you will find a dining experience you could want. A wide variety of night life. Indoor parking is available. Bus stop at the front door and just 5 minute walk to groceries, restaurants, gym. The floor plans are all oversized. Utilities are all included in the rent. Minimal electric fee.”

$1365 sound right for a one bedroom here?

New Windows Go Into Tivoli – Future Home of Z Burger (Zebra Girl) in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I walked past the Tivoli last night [14th and Park Rd, NW] and thought the progress on the construction was of note. They have converted two of the old movie poster boxes into windows and the ticket box area is really coming along…”

That’s wild that they converted the poster boxes to windows:

This of course will be the home to a Z Burger (or Zebra Girl as I and others will always call it) and the ticket booth will be selling milkshakes.

I took a peek in the window and there’s still a bit of construction to be completed but very good progress:

Dear PoP – Why are these Restrooms Locked?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Took advantage of the lingering daylight and went for a walk in Malcolm X Park. Despite seeing human feces in a stairwell (I’ll spare you and the readers a picture) and having to leave a bench shortly after sitting because the area reeked of urine, the park’s restrooms are padlocked during open hours. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen them open (I could be wrong there). Is there a reason for this? They’re brand new–just constructed last year. It doesn’t seem to make sense that they’re locked up.”

Hmm, when I walked through the park last weekend the doors were open. Maybe they just close at dusk? Anyone know what time they close? The NPS Website says the park is open during daylight hours. I’m guessing the bathrooms must’ve just closed for the night when you stopped by.

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 1103 Harvard St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is the Principal Broker (DC) for Urban Pace, LLC. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Property: 1103 Harvard St NW
Legal Subdivision: Columbia Heights
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Columbia Heights
Original List Price: $499,900.
List Price at Contract: $399,900.
Settled Price per Square Foot: $224.00
List Date: 11/16/2010
Days on Market: 70
Settled Sales Price: $320,000.
Settlement Date: 03/01/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original Good Deal or Not post is: hereThe listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through.

We looked at a unit from this condo association about a year and a half ago. The Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R) can be seen here. This unit sold for $40,000. below that sale. The prices in this association appear to have come down in relation to several foreclosures in the past year. In any case, $224.00 per square foot for a renovated condo in this location, despite the siding, is a deal for someone who wants the amount of space. Typical price per square feet for updated condos in this area is more likely in the low $400’s/square foot.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – Peeping Tom/Sketchy Guy in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoP,

I’m not sure who else to report this to (other than the cops) so I thought I should tell you so that the wider neighborhood would know. I live on the 3600 block of 11th St NW and tonight we had a second incidence of someone peeping in our window. We are in the basement unit of a row house, and thus the windows are pretty small. I don’t know for a fact that it is the same person who has done this first two weeks ago and then again tonight. The first time they attempted to get in through our gate, and then creeped through our yard and peeped in the window. This time, I only saw their face in the window, though not well enough to give a description because it was dark and I called the police.

The cops have been helpful and responsive each time, but it’s unnerving to have someone looking into your bedroom window after midnight, and also unsure if they have other motives.

MPD said they thought it might be someone drunk not going into the right house… but I’m not so sure about that.

They said I could cover up my windows more completely, but that would mean no natural light. He said many people use cardboard, just at night. We already have bars on our windows, so I don’t think there’s much of a chance he could get in through them, but it’s still creepy.

I wanted to report it so that if it has happened to anyone else we can know it’s a trend and also to keep people aware/solicit advice about security for basement apartments.”

Earlier in the week we discussed some security options here. And remember when the weather warms up please don’t forget to lock your lower level windows especially when you leave the house.

Unfortunately there have been some more disturbing reports, another reader writes:

“I was just wondering if anyone else has emailed you about a legitimately crazy guy that roams around Fairmont Street in between 11th and 13th? He’s a short (about 5’6-5’8), black male who is in his early to mid 30s. I’ve talked to some neighbors about him and they say he’s relatively innocuous, but I have my doubts. I’ve encountered him a few times and he just gives me the creeps. He tried to follow me home once and yelled things from his bike that are sexual, but at the same time don’t make a whole lot of sense (hence, the crazy hypothesis). There was also a time when he tried to follow me again and I just ran into my house as he watched me from not that far away. I get that he’s probably just crazy because he hasn’t caused me any physical harm (yet). At the same time, he could be capable of more and as a young woman, it’s hard not to feel vulnerable. Just thought that this may be worth posting to the blog as a kind of head’s up, etc.”

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