Columbia Heights

Columbia Heights Scuttlebutt: Z Burger Coming to the Tivoli at the Corner of 14th and Park Rd, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I just noticed that the corner space at the Tivoli (where the Japanese restaurant and coffee shop used to be) is completely gutted. Any idea what’s moving in?”

I’ve been getting tons of emails relaying a similar message. You may remember back in April we learned that Z Burger was negotiating a lease in Columbia Heights. We just didn’t know where. It seems that mystery may be solved. I’m hearing that Z Burger will be moving into the former space of Mayorga Coffee, and more recently home to Nori sushi. The space has been vacant since July ’09. You may recall that it had an unusual layout. You can see a complete gut renovation is taking place. If a Z Burger does indeed come to fill this space do you think it will be a good match?


Z Burger on Wisconsin Ave, NW in Glover Park

Anyone Find a Passport Near Wonderland Sat. Night?

By Prince Of Petworth


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“Dear PoP,

I was biking from my house in Park View down Kenyon. As I turned left down 11th street, I felt my wallet and passport fall from my pocket. I located the wallet but as it was dark and there were cars parked all along the block I couldn’t find the passport. I’m hoping someone coming from Wonderland might have run across it in the 3100 block of 11th street, NW.

In case I don’t find it, do your readers have any advice on what I should do? What do I do to “cancel” or invalidate a passport? How much harm could someone dishonest do with it?”

Sorry to hear this. There was some helpful advice given the when a reader lost a passport previously. It is definitely a good idea to notify the passport agency (part of the State Department I think) that it has been lost because it could bring you much grief the next time you needed to travel overseas or when it is time to renew.

If anyone lives near 3100 block of 11th St, NW please keep your eyes peeled for a passport. If you find one you can email me and I’ll connect you with the reader.

Target Grocery Store Opens Early, Still Working Out a Few Kinks

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was surprised to see the expanded grocery section at Target (located in Columbia Heights’ DC USA) has already opened – a few days ahead of schedule. The price of romaine lettuce is the same as Giant, the price of an avocado much higher than Giant. That was the extent of my comparison shopping!”

Anybody think they’ll use this new option – or are you more likely to do grocery shopping at Giant?

Another reader sends word of this Target grocery section promotion backfire:

“I don’t know if I would go to the fresh grocery section of the local Target after seeing this (photo below) as the free giveaway today at Union Station announcing the opening of the “fresh” produce section.”

Horse’s Ass Award Nominee 1483 Newton St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a nominee but as I passed this building I recognized the sheep art that someone had sent in months ago. And I realized this building has been boarded up for years. It looks like it has the structure to be a sweet building. I look forward to the day I can re-post this building under an ‘appreciating buildings’ category.

Dear PoP – Taste of Tivoli North on Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who sent word about the Taste of Tivoli North. Sound fun.

Taste of Tivoli North: Saturday, October 16th, 12-6pm

“Tivoli North Business Association, with help from our businesses, neighbors, CHSFSC’s Green Team, Neighbor’s Consejo, Councilmember Graham, and DC Government Agencies, hosts the “Taste of Tivoli North”, a community based event, on Saturday, October 16th, 2010 from 12 to 6pm on Spring Road between 14th and 13th Streets, NW.

Taste of Tivoli North aims to showcase talent of our surrounding community, attract neighbors to meet local business owners, and highlight cleanliness, safety, and beautification.”

For those who’d like to revisit the branding of Tivoli North you can read about the debate here, here, here and here.

Regardless of the name this sounds like a great event!

Trees Being Cut Down at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

About 8-10 of the trees in that great little grove/canopy as you come up the steps from 16th street on the upper half of the park are gone. I know they’re doing work on the retaining wall on 16th street, but sheesh. I’m totally bummed.”

But at least some good news is that the same reader says the new public restrooms are now open.

ANC rep Brianne K Nadeau sent word last week:

Another part of the restoration of Meridian Hill Park includes the reinforcement of the west wall of the upper level. This is a project funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. While the National Park Service originally thought the disruption would be minimal, upon further inspection, they are really going to need to get in there and tear some stuff apart to get the job done and keep the wall safe.

As a result of the work being done to make the wall structurally sound they are going to have to tear out some of the existing trees. They will of course replace them as soon as possible. The trees will be taken out Monday, and that part of the park will look pretty bare for a while until the work is done.

Wedding at Wonderland

By Prince Of Petworth

Walking past Wonderland Sunday afternoon I couldn’t help but notice the already awesome patio was kicked up a notch with some good looking flowers. It turns out, Wonderland (corner of 11th and Kenyon St, NW) was hosting its first wedding. Two employees, Nick and Roxanna, who met at Wonderland, were celebrating their nuptials on 10/10/10. Even cooler is that the bar was still open to the public for what I imagine was a super fun evening. Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for the actual wedding but let me just say – Congrats to Nick & Roxanna!

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

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 1417 Chapin Street, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Beautiful two-level condo with two balconies. Two bedrooms and one bath with hardwood floors on main living area, beautifully updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Fireplace in living room with balcony. Spiral staircase leading up tp upper level with two bedrooms, balcony off of second bedroom and updated bathroom. Washer and Dryer in Unit! Great location a block from Meridian Hill Park and very close to the metro.”

Does $2495 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath?

Totally Messed Up and Not a Joke: Illegal Cock Fighting in DC?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user julianne’s

I was sent the following email and I made sure that the writer notified MPD:

“I went out to the trash cans this morning to put in some recycling, and inside the paper recycling trash can were two dead chickens. Not cut up, plucked, processed chickens that you buy to eat. Whole chickens. Feathers, beaks, feet, everything. They were partially covered by other trash, and I wasn’t trying to get a really close look, but I’m pretty sure that one of them was a rooster. Which means probably exactly what you think it means.”

I know some people will say we have far more serious issues to deal with (shootings, violent crime etc.) but if this really was the result of illegal cock fighting, I’d say it’s pretty disturbing (despite loving that Seinfeld episode). I don’t really have too much more to say than this is pretty messed up. The note came from Columbia Heights.

Restaurants on 1400 Block of Park Road, NW Getting Renovated

By Prince Of Petworth

El Sausalito located at 1424 Park Rd NW and the space next door are getting serious renovations (on the inside not just the facade). I was surprised to find a very good review on yelp of El Sausolito. I’ll be curious to see if they stay in business, expand, or if two new restaurants will be going in. Stay tuned for more info when renovations are completed.

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