So last week an eagle eyed reader had noticed that the “coming soon” sign for Sake to be located on Irving Street, just west of 14th Street, had vanished. So I spoke with some folks and indeed Sake is no longer coming. What I learned is that the two spots pictured above are going to be combined into one restaurant/bar (much like Commonwealth is set up.)

So here’s the scuttlebutt, it seems that there is some talk of a bar opening up in this space that could fill a gap for this section of Columbia Heights. One of the ideas is to open up a spot that, in addition to having a nice outdoor area, would have pool tables, maybe a ping pong table, maybe some table shuffleboard etc. I imagine it would be a chill spot along the lines of a Stetsons (16th and U). I do believe you would be able to get bar food like burgers and nachos etc. But nothing is in stone here.

So (and I know for a fact that your comments will be read by those considering opening up here) do you think this would be a good addition to the bar scene in Columbia Heights? If not, what type of restaurant/bar would you like to see in this combined space?


This is probably the coolest thing I could have ever imagined.

“Dear PoP,

I am writing to invite you and your readers to a unique theatrical event partially inspired by your blog. I work for Young Playwrights’ Theater and meet with young people often to write about the things that inspire and trouble them. This semester our after-school group, the Young Playwrights’ Workshop has been writing about the intersection of technology and theater. How will technology change in the future? How is it changing the present?

On March 2nd, 2009 I read your post New Apartments At Georgia Ave. and New Hampshire Gets Tagged And I Get Intimidated By Street Thugs and the resulting comments with great interest. It occurred to me that it could be a good topic for our group. All good drama needs conflict and there was plenty to be had in this discussion. Also, while the habits and character of young people in our community were discussed at length, there were not many youth voices in the discussion. Our young writers decided to respond. They created a piece called “Who Owns the Streets?” in which they deconstruct your article, the commenters and the meaning of community online.

“Who Owns the Streets?” will be presented this Monday, April 20th at 7:00 PM as part of New Writers Now: Theater of the Next Generation. Professional actors will present a staged reading of the piece and follow up with a community talkback. We invite you, your readers and the entire DC community to attend. You could even join us at 6:00 PM for a light reception before the show in the lobby of the GALA Theatre. The event is FREE and open to the public.

We hope that you and many of your readers might take us up on this invitation.

More information can be found at www.yptdc.org

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Andrews
Community Engagement Manager
Young Playwrights’ Theater


I also saw some cops handing out these fliers (both in English and Spanish). The cops were super nice. I’d feel much better with cops like these “walking the beat” regularly meeting with neighbors and the community at large.


I love this guy. He always plays Bob Dylan for me. Sadly, he doesn’t have a regular slot at Columbia Heights Coffee (11th Street b/w Monroe and Park.) The owners said he is welcome to play whenever he’d like. I chatted with him for a few moments. His name is John Carter or JC and he lives in the neighborhood (Columbia Heights). He told me he likes to play at Columbia Heights Coffee from time to time to relax and give a little something back to his neighborhood. Super nice guy.

I also spotted one super cool dog outside. (This dog will be tough competition for this Summer’s coolest pet in PoPville contest…)


These pop ups are located on Monroe Street, NW just west of 14th Street. I think we may have looked at the one on the left before but it looks like the one on the right is nearly completed. Thumbs up or down? Do you prefer one over the other?


So much for ending the week on a positive note (unless someone finds the dog.) From a reader:

“This is a tragic story and we need your help. Apparently on Tuesday night, two teenage boys stole this 92-year old man’s dog Sparky right from his front yard near 11th and Park. We all need to keep an eye out for Sparky so he can be reunited with his owner.”

From Officer Eagan:

“Sparky was stolen from his Owner in the 3200 Block of 11th Street on 04-08-09, he is wearing a Redskins collar with a purple leash. Sparky’s owner information is on a tag attached to the collar. Sparking is a poodle mix charcoal gray in color and is 5 years old. Please contact 911 or the Third District Sub Station 0n 202-576-8222 with any information. There is an undisclosed reward for his safe return. Sparky’s owner is a 92 year old man who misses him very much. Thank you for any help you may be able to provide

Respectfully,
Officer Travis C. Eagan”

UPDATE: From MPD 3D Listserv:

I am happy to report that SPARKY is back home and in good health. A good citizen saw some children that do not own a dog playing with it. SPARKY was taken and returned. I want to thank the community for the overwhelming support for SPARKY and it’s owner.”


In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. 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: 1458 Fairmont St NW #2

Original List Price: $419,900.

List Price at Contract: $375,000.

List Date: 06/27/2008

Days on Market: 188

Settled Sales Price: $375,000.

Settlement Date: 03/16/2009

Seller Subsidy: 10,000.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Recent Purchase and Re-Sale?: Last purchased in early 2003 for $245,000.

Original GDoN Post is: Here.

Listing with pics: is here. Make sure to check out pics by clicking on the camera icon at top left. Continues after the jump. (more…)


From a reader:

“Thursday nights at the Nori restaurant (14th and Park) down in Columbia Heights. I plan on hosting DJs, producers, and artists to do what they do best — mix tunes, paint, project graphics on the wall, play along with their iPhones, shake maracas, whatever. Oh yeah, and eat mad sushi.

I’m calling the night Komori-uta, and I plan on starting April 9th. I’ll post more information about it on my music site, along with free song links and tutorials about how to find your next favorite beats for free.”



Well seems like some false information is being circulated.

From another email:

“Hi –

I am the chairman of ANC1A and the information you are giving out about a “Tivoli North” name change is in-accurate and being circulated to cause trouble in the neighborhood instead of having constructive dialogue. Please review the email I sent to form ANC Chair Dottie Wade on this issue. She has also sent me an email back stating that after reading my response to her she supports the banners. I’ve also attached the banner so you can see what the banner actually looks like. I don’t mind if a lot of opposition to this banner shows up tonight, I just don’t want them under the false impression that there is a neighborhood name change or anything like that.

Thanks,
Cliff Valenti”


You all surely remember the debate we had on this issue. In February we learned that Tivoli North banners had been approved by the ANC.

Sorry for the late notice but I just received an email that the issue is again being revisited:

“I saw a flier today that alerted residents of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions meeting tonight, wherein voting will take place about the new proposed name of “Tivoli Square.” If any of your readers are adamant about the historic and communal value of keeping our neighborhood unified under the same name, they should stop by to show their support:

TONIGHT! (Wed.)
Harriet Tubman Elementary School
7:00 PM”

Tivoli Square is new to me, has anyone else heard about this name?


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