Petworth

No More Wifi at Qualia. Patron Pissed. Qualia: “we had reached a tipping point in the volume and nature of customers we were serving”

By Prince Of Petworth

qualia_coffee_wifi_popville
3917 Georgia Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I work from home several days a week and many times I find myself at Qualia or other coffee shops to start my day. Going to Qualia is always a crapshoot given the limited seating options, but I do enjoy their freshly roasted beans. This morning, there happened to be seats, but when I asked for the wifi password, I was told “they were not doing wifi anymore.” I had already paid for my coffee and there was no signage indicating this new policy. I’m not opposed to no wifi to encourage person to person discussion, but given the extremely limited space and general setup of Qualia, the cafe itself doesn’t really encourage this type of interaction. I’m never able to bring groups of friends (or even my spouse) to Qualia because the seating is minimal. Rarely are there two seats together. The counter/bar along the wall seems specifically designed for computers. Maybe “no wifi” fits their business model? Maybe they are trying to prove a point? Regardless of their reasoning, it will definitely impact their business from me. I no longer plan to go there.”

Qualia responds:

“Our current WiFi Policy is clearly stated on our web site here.

We are not trying to discourage people from using Qualia to work, play or meet. We have come to the conclusion that it is no longer necessary or beneficial to offer Internet access. Now that open and mobile hot spots are now readily available, no longer offering free WiFi was not intended to create a significant barrier for people who wanted to work on their computers. However, we had reached a tipping point in the volume and nature of customers we were serving. Those visiting us only for free Internet access had begun to crowd out the people who were visiting us for the unique coffee experience we offer. Given how limited out space is, it only takes a handful of folks camping out for hours at a time to diminish our ability to serve a broader spectrum of customers.

That said, we are open to everyone’s comments and concerns. Our WiFi policies have changed over time and are bound to continue doing so.”

Ed. Note: Qualia was recently voted 5th best coffee in DC.

Holy Sink Hole

By Prince Of Petworth

sinkhole
1100 block of Allison St, NW

GV reported 5:30pm last night:

“Bus is gone. Guy who came out of the house in front of it said he called it in 3 weeks ago.”

WJLA reported:

“A school bus with children on board got stuck in a sinkhole Tuesday afternoon.”

NBC Washington reported:

“Students on board were escorted outside through an emergency exit. They were taken to a nearby building to stay warm on the cold night. No injuries were reported.

Sanders said he had reported the sinkhole multiple times over the past two weeks.”

Shooting Near Petworth Metro around 1245pm

By Prince Of Petworth

shooting
via google maps

A reader reports:

“FYI, there was a shooting on Quebec and 10th and the entire block is taped by police.”

Alan Henney tweeted it occurred around 1pm.

Update from MPD:

“At 1239 hours, MPD was called to the 5900 block of Eastern Ave, NE, for the report of a shooting. Arriving units located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

At 1242 hours, MPD was called to the 1000 block of Quebec Pl, NW for the report of a shooting. Arriving units located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Detectives are investigating both cases.

Anyone with information regarding theses offenses should call MPD at (202)727-9099.”

Check Out the Full Menus for Mezcalero Opening Friday at 14th and Quincy

By Prince Of Petworth

mezcalero-popville
3714 14th Street, NW at Quincy

Last week we learned that Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana, “the highly anticipated second restaurant concept from Chef Alfredo Solis and his sister Jessica, will open Friday, January 13.

Mezcalero will feature some dishes from El Sol, but will also showcase more flavors Chef Solis came to love growing up in Mexico City. Included on its menu are 17 different street tacos, a selection of Guisados, or Mexican stews and Tacos de Canasta, or “basket of tacos,” the popular soft, steamed tacos sold on the streets of Mexico D.F. Additionally, as the restaurant’s name implies, Mezcalero will have an extensive mezcal menu with craft cocktails created by head bartender Arturo Zaloga.”

Here are the full menus: Mezcalero Menu (PDF)

mezcalero_cocktails (PDF)

And here is “Gallo, a colorful, six-foot tall rooster perched at the restaurant’s entrance”:

mezcalero_gallo
courtesy Mezcalero

“One of the First Houses in Petworth set to be Razed…anything the neighbors could do to save this historic house from coming down?”

By Prince Of Petworth

raze-popville
8th and Upshur Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

A developer has applied for a permit to raze one of the first houses in Petworth. We discussed this project here before. It’s the house that has the steps on the side of the porch, which you can see on the photo from 1893.

Below is the notification from DCRA about a raze permit. Does anyone know if there is anything the neighbors could do to save this historic house from coming down? The developers could easily turn the house into condos without razing it.

The following raze applications were filed at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) between December 1, 2016 and January 5, 2017:

ANC Address

4C 4207 8th Street NW (two story brick single family dwelling, semi-detached)”

popville-8th-and-upshur-1893-large

Absolutely Cruel and Criminal – Momma Must Be Rescued by the Authorities Immediately! Please Contact District Leaders

By Prince Of Petworth

svb
Photos courtesy SVYE

Update from The Humane Rescue Alliance:

UDPATE: According to our humane law enforcement officer, the dog is no longer outside and the owner has agreed to bring her inside when necessary.
______________________________________________________

“The Humane Rescue Alliance and our humane law enforcement team has been actively monitoring the dog on Randolph Street and until today we were in regular contact with the dog’s owner. It is our understanding that the owner of the home where the dog was being sheltered was arrested this afternoon (apparently unrelated to the animal). The owner of the dog has subsequently removed her from her outdoor shelter and we are trying to determine the whereabouts of the dog and her owner.

As difficult as the video was to watch, people should understand that this situation with the dog’s shelter does not violate District law; the dog had shelter, in a wooden structure that is raised with straw bedding; the dog was being fed and given water.

Because this did not violate the law, we were limited as to what actions we could take. People should rest assured that when laws are violated, we seize animals. In fact, during this past weekend, we have seized two dogs from two different locations who were being kept outside without proper shelter. We constantly advise pet owners to bring their animals inside during extreme temperatures, and urged this dog’s owner to do just that repeatedly. We are continuing to closely monitor this developing situation.

If you see something, say something. To report suspected abuse or neglect, please call 202-723-5730.”

Update:

“Dear PoPville,

Many of you are aware of the neglected dog that is kept outside 24/7 year round in a small pen in the backyard of the 1300 block of Randolph Street, NW. It is 23 degrees outside and snowing, and she is still there- shivering and shaking in the cold. A few of us have reported this situation repeatedly, and have been given conflicting information from Humane Law Enforcement regarding the level of care the owner is legally required to provide.

DC Code § 22–1001 (a) (1) states that, “Whoever knowingly…or unnecessarily fails to provide…proper food, drink, air, light, space, veterinary care, shelter, or protection from the weather, shall for every such offense be punished by imprisonment in jail not exceeding 180 days, or by fine not exceeding $250, or by both.”

I don’t how the wooden box, even with straw bedding, but lacking any heat source or even windflap to keep cold/precipitation out, suffices as “shelter, or protection from the weather”. There is no way that the temperatures in that “shelter” are above freezing.

Please help us end this animal’s suffering by calling to report this cruel and neglected situation. The phone number for the Humane Rescue Alliance/Humane Law Enforcement is 202-576-6664. You can leave an anonymous report if you do not wish to leave your name.

Update: We continue to be informed that HRA/HLE’s hands are tied, and the best way to help out is to pressure the Mayor, Council Members, and maybe HRA’s Board of Directors and even Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton to fix this situation today.” (more…)

Mark It! Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana opens Friday, January 13 (for real, for real)

By Prince Of Petworth

mezcalero
3714 14th Street, NW at Quincy

From a press release:

“¡Hola, Mezcalero!

Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana, the highly anticipated second restaurant concept from Chef Alfredo Solis and his sister Jessica, will open Friday, January 13. Mezcalero opens on the heels of its sister restaurant, El Sol, being named the top favorite cheap eat of 2016 by Washington Post food critic and “$20 Diner,” Tim Carman.

gordita-trio
courtesy Mezcalero

Mezcalero will feature some dishes from El Sol, but will also showcase more flavors Chef Solis came to love growing up in Mexico City. Included on its menu are 17 different street tacos, a selection of Guisados, or Mexican stews and Tacos de Canasta, or “basket of tacos,” the popular soft, steamed tacos sold on the streets of Mexico D.F. Additionally, as the restaurant’s name implies, Mezcalero will have an extensive mezcal menu with craft cocktails created by head bartender Arturo Zaloga. (more…)

Red Derby looking for a Cook

By Prince Of Petworth

red-derby
14th and Quincy Street, NW

“We’re seeking a cook to join our team. we have a one-person kitchen that operates under the direction of our chef/kitchen manager. one of our three cooks is leaving, and we’re hoping to replace his commitment, energy, and attention to detail. the position is roughly full-time, at approximately 75 hours every two weeks. we’d be interested in meeting you if you have culinary experience — but if you don’t, and you have the desire to learn, we’d be more than happy to train you. please email [email protected] …. with your resume and contact information. thank you — we look forward to hearing from you!”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here. If you are having trouble uploading your question please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail Please Note this is NOT an events calendar.

“this guy continues to ring our bell at night to ask if we want to buy movies.”

By Prince Of Petworth

batman

Thanks to a reader for passing on:

“We had a similar run in with this guy and also saw him on our neighbor’s porches! Just spreading the word about this guy.”

From a Petworth parents listserv:

“Several times during the holiday, this guy continues to ring our bell at night to ask if we want to buy movies.

This is freaking me out and will be reporting him to local authorities….but wanted to share his picture with the community so you can be aware. Not sure if he’s scoping out our home to see if I’m home alone or not. Luckily my husband has been home each time.”

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