In case you don’t want to watch Happy Gilmore at the Cap. Riverfront you have another outdoor movie watching option in Columbia Heights. From an email:

“THURSDAY: Movie Nights in the Heights presents “Hairspray”

8PM: Live Music, 8:30PM: Feature Film

Thursday, July 29: Hairspray & DJ Chris Burns
Thursday, August 12: Shrek & DJ Gavin Holland

Harriet Tubman Elementary Field
11th and Kenyon Streets NW

** NO ALCOHOL**
Remember to pick-up your trash
Flashlight recommended”

Also on Thursday evening is:

Ward 1 Councilmember Candidate Forum

Jim Graham (incumbent)
Marc Morgan
Jeff Smith
Bryan Weaver

Thursday, July 29, 2010

6:00-8:30p.m.

(Program will start promptly at 6:30p.m.)

True Reformer Building, Lankford Auditorium, 1200 U Street NW

The forum is free and open to the public. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions.”


This rental is located at 1715 15th St. NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Delightful duplex townhouse in desirable & historic “Bishop’s Gate” community. Available in August.

* 2 bedrooms (one large, one small); 1½ bathrooms
* Over 1000 sf; ample closets
* private patio
* wood-burning fireplace
* w/d, a/c, hardwood floors
* CATV included
* Great neighborhood — Walk to Metro, shops, theaters, Whole Foods, U Street, Dupont Circle
* Secure, friendly courtyard condo community of 69 units”

Like yesterday’s rental option this is also a property that I’ve walked past many times and have been super curious about the prices. Do you think $2900 sounds reasonable for this 2 bedroom?


This rental is located at Beekman Place by 16th and Florida Ave, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Chic two-level townhouse in gated community.

Just minutes from Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and U Street.

24 hour security and parking.

large one-bedroom apartment, two bathroom unit, on two levels, with private patio.”

You can see the Beekman Place Web site and photos here. It says, “Beekman Place is situated within the historic walls of the former Henderson Castle.” I’ve always been curious about these homes. What do you think? Does $2980 sound reasonable?


“Dear PoP,

My husband and I ran into a cat walking home from dinner tonight on Vermont Ave., between R and S streets. The cat was overly friendly, and skiddish when the cars drove by, and even jumped up on a guys car that was parked and walked over the hood to pop its head in the open window to get petted. It was starting to thunder and lightening, and the cat seemed scared but didn’t make a move to go anywhere. She just kept staying by us and rubbing our legs and flopping over to be petted between freezing when the thunder hit. It had a black collar on with a bronze little bell. But no name tag/contact. We think it was a little girl, she couldn’t have been more than 3 years. She was very sweet, and it was starting to thunderstorm and it was obvious she was lost. Eventually she sat in the divider in the street and hunkered down with its ears flat scared of the lightening. Now, a cat that is used to being outdoors would not have just stayed in the open during a thunderstorm, would not have been so friendly to everyone, and would have hightailed it home instead of sitting between traffic. So we took her over to the DC Animal Control on New York Avenue, and she is being held there under the name “Prudence.”

She was very sweet, and I really want to make sure her/his owner finds it as soon as possible. They were so full with cats at the animal control that cat carriers were stacked into the hallways.”


A fence has gone up at the old Church at the corner of 10th and V St, NW, a former reader requested Horses Ass Award Nominee. Rumor has it that the building will be razed. A few readers have written in:

“Dear PoP,

It’s such a part of the neighborhood, how buildings next to it were designed, and everyone always envisioned the day when it would be restored. Who knows what they’ll build now. could be anything, and not necessarily something desirable. sad, sad, sad.

I would love to hear what thoughts neighbors have on what, if anything could be done to preserve it, or if it’s too late. I’m just so sick about this, and worried that some cheap-a** piece of doo-doo will replace it. It’s such an anchor for the block, and as blighted as it has been, everyone admired it for what it would eventually become. I never considered that the city would be allowed to lose it from neglect and greed.”

This is a very sad situation. Of course we don’t know all the details. But I believe that the property is in seriously bad shape so perhaps it is too far gone to save? What do you guys think about this property? Should it be saved at all costs? Could it be prohibitively expensive to save it? What is the responsibility of the property owner? Of the city?

If there is no historic designation can anything be done? Can the owner be compelled to save it? Isn’t that sorta what happened to the house at the corner of 16 and T, Streets, NW?

Should it stay or should it go?


This condo is located at 1740 U St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Immaculate Sun filled condo features handsome hardwoods, open kitchen w. huge breakfast bar, 2 true sized bedrooms, fireplace, custom tile details, built-in bookshelves and reserved parking behind unit! This boutique building is Pet friendly with an amazingly low condo fee($90). WALK to shopping, U ST, Dupont Circle & Adams Morgan nightlife & 2 Metros! Motivated Sellers!”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Do you think $479,000 sounds reasonable? If not, what do you think is a more realistic price?

Also worth noting, there is another garden floor condo at 1751 U St, NW with virtual tour here going for $324,900.


“Dear PoP,

The old Brown Sugar at the corner of Vermont and U Street, NW had some activity going on when I walked by earlier last week. The door was open and it looked like people were working on the inside. Not sure if anything is moving in, but that is a great location.”

Another reader writes in:

“Just walking by Vermont and Florida and saw a restaurant under construction. Started talking with the guys and it looks like Sweet Mango is opening a second location on that corner, where Brown Sugar used to be.”

Sweet Mango has a current location across from the Georgia Ave/Petworth Metro. I’ll be sure to stop in tonight to see if they can confirm. For those that live nearby – would you be psyched about some Jamaican jerk chicken at this location?

Of course the Sweet Mango across from the Petworth metro has had its share of controversy


“Dear PoP,

Over the past few weeks I noticed demolition in the space behind the AM PM take out on 14th and V. It used to house AA and NA meetings on the ground floor and there was a community outreach group upstairs. There is a crowd that still hangs out under trees on the corner and I asked a guy what’s going on with the renovation. He said that the building owner did not renew the AA/ NA and Community organization’s lease and the space was going to be a restaurant but the restaurant owner did not have the correct permits. He also said that the AM PM was going to close in October when its lease expires. The crowd outside the building said Jim Graham had tried to keep the non-profits in place and succeeded for 6 months, but eventually they closed. I don’t have any further details but was interested if PoPville had information.”


“Dear PoP,

Do you know anything that is happening with the Brixton at 9th and U..it looks like that project has fallen through.”

I’ve been getting lots of emails like this so I just wanted to add a very very small update. If you’ll recall this is the place that will be open by the folks who own Marvin and Gibson on 14th St, NW just north of U. In a brief email exchange I’ve learned that the Brixton is still going forward and aiming to open in the Spring of 2011.


Gibson gray, Marvin white, Blackbyrd brick

On a side note the new space coming next to Marvin to be called Blackbyrd is looking to open in early Fall.


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