Park View

Dear PoP – Horses Ass Award? Church Suggestion

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

My phone picture doesn’t do this building justice, but the Fisherman’s Church near the intersection of Georgia and New Hampshire deserves an award. This historic building was one of the first movie theaters in DC and now it is a true blight to the neighborhood. What is hard to see here is the attempts at several different paint colors (purple, Orange, brown), but the new addition of a chunk of plastic siding is a real beauty.

Here is hoping that when the economy gets better, somebody will make them an offer they can’t refuse. This place is amazing on the inside and would make a great DC Cinema Draft house.”

I can’t nominate this as a Horses Ass Award because it is a functioning church. They also have put a bit of money in for internal renovations. A horse ass award is reserved for buildings that have fallen into disrepair and are vacant with no known improvements for months/years. This church actually has a really interesting historyas you noted. It used to be a theater in the 1920s.

I do happen to know that developers have tried to purchase this property a few times but were unable to. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a DC Cinema Draft house somewhere but at the moment this is an active church that is a positive member of the community so I wish them and their congregation well.

What do you guys think – do you feel this property is a blight?

Yoga House Moving from Georgia Ave (above Looking Glass Lounge)

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending in the news. In a newsletter Elizabeth from Yoga House writes:

“Our 5 year lease is ending at our current space [3634B Georgia Ave., NW] at the end of August, and we have decided to vacate these premises. We love our beautiful Yoga House – but we know that it is not the building we love, it is the sweetness of all the amrit velas, all the yoga and meditation that we have done there that have created the beauty of this space – and we are not attached to this one building no matter how much we have enjoyed it.

Yes we are planning to re-locate and re-open, but it won’t happen before 2011.”

I emailed Elizabeth to confirm and she says:

“If you do write about this will you tell everyone how teaching at Yoga House has been the best time of my life, that I have loved getting to know the Petworth and Columbia Heights community and I will be back soon!

If folks want to keep up with me they can sign up on the front page of my newsletter (www.yogahousestudio.com) or follow YogiElizabeth on Twitter or find Yoga House Washington on Facebook.”

I interviewed Yoga House’s owner, Elizabeth Greathouse, back in July 2007. I wish her and her team the best of luck and I’ll be sure to post their new location in 2011. In the meantime their current location will be open through August.

Judging Pop Ups – Sherman Ave

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been watching this pop up from the 3000 block of Sherman Ave, NW go up for many many months. Looks like it’s finally finished. So…thumbs up or down. Does seem that they got a roof deck too:

Petworth/Parkview CVS to Open Sunday (Probably…)

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been getting a number of inquiries about when the long anticipated (by many not all) CVS will be opening up at the corner of New Hampshire and Georgia Ave, NW. I’ve asked some folks who are indicating that the goal is this Sunday, July 25th. I’ll be sure to update when the official word comes down. On a side note, the landscaping they’ve put in is looking good.

Provocative Graffiti Goes up on Georgia Avenue

By Prince Of Petworth

The great new blog from the Georgia Ave Community Development Task Force first noticed this disturbing trend last week. They noted 3 examples of this graffiti on the 2900 block, 3000 block (pictured above) and 3200 block. I was curious to see this for myself. Fortunately the 2900 block had been painted over, the 3000 block still had it and I didn’t see any on the 3200 block.

Though it does bring up a few questions – first – do you think this is an honest political statement or do you just think that this was done by a provocateur who’s just trying to rile people up?

Second – is it strange that this message would be written in blocks that haven’t really seen any gentrification?

Third, even if it is an honest sentiment, do you think a more severe punishment should be given to those who are caught placing graffiti on our streets in order to deter others?

Finally, also if this is an honest sentiment – do you think there are venues where those who feel this way can properly express their feelings instead of through graffiti like this?

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – Park View

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 714 Park Rd. NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“This is a two Bedroom , one bath apartment, on the third floor. Recently painted, very clean. The apartment sets between the Irving and Petworth Metro stops. Plenty of resturants and easy access to shopping essentials. Easy access to Bus service. Rent is 1250 per month, tenant pays for lighting electric and heating/cooking gas. Parking is available for an extra 100 per month. GOOD CREDIT IS REQUIRED. Looking for a August 1,2010 move in date. Pets are welcome, but require a Pet fee of $300.00, non-refundable. Please email us or call at 703-216-2687,for any questions or to set up an appointment. Thank you. Ross Managment.”

Wow, $1250 for a 2 bed/1 bath – think that’s reasonable?

Weekend Shootings in Adams Morgan and Park View

By Prince Of Petworth


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On Saturday night around 3am MPD wrote:

“MPD is working a shooting in the 2400 block of 17th St NW. Anyone with information pls contact MPD on 202-727-9099 or you can provide information to the anonymous tip line on 1-888-919-CRIME or text to 50411. There are very little details that can be shared at this point. The victim was an adult male who is in critical condition.”


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And on Sunday afternoon around 5pm MPD wrote:

“MPD is investigating a shooting that occurred at Ga Ave and Park Road. One adult male shot noncritical.”

Dear PoP – DC Caribbean Carnival Parade This Saturday!

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

The DC Caribbean Carnival takes place this coming wk/end – Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27. The Parade is on Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. from Missouri and Georgia Aves. and ends at 5:00 p.m. at Banneker Field. As in years past there will be significant traffic delays due to closed roads and crowds. MPD will probably start closing the roads from 10:00 am. Folks may want to plan accordingly. Hopefully there will not be too much complaining about the tremendous inconvenience to their Saturday routine, just come out and enjoy the Parade and the sweet Caribbean vibe. The vibe continues on Sunday with a Caribbean bazaar/concert in Banneker Park. Admission to the park on both days is $10.00.”

This is one of my all time favorite parades. It gets hot, it gets dirty, it gets loud and it is just a ton of fun. We talked about last year’s parade here. You can see reader photos from last year’s parade here and photos from two years ago here.

The official Carnival Web site (careful very loud music plays) says:

“The annual Extravaganza Parade will be staged along the Georgia Avenue corridor on Saturday, June 26, 2010 , and will commence at Missouri Avenue at 11:00 a.m. and terminate at the international marketplace at “DE SAVANNAH” – Banneker Recreation Park. DC Caribbean Carnival will host the international marketplace at “DE SAVANNAH ” from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m featuring food, craft and entertainment.”

Any advice for folks who’ve never seen this parade before?

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