For those who haven’t yet experienced the fourth you can check some video I took last year here. By the by, you can expect to see tons of fireworks beginning this week, peaking on Friday, but continuing throughout next week.
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quality of life
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It’s official – 11th Street is the coolest street in the city. Forget about Columbia Heights Coffee, Wonderland, Red Rocks and the soon to be Meridian Pint – First Bloom of Bloom – the new “spontaneous, underground, music, art and inspiration in the heart of Columbia Heights” is ridiculously awesome! I was sitting with a friend at Red Rocks drinking a couple of beers and relaxing after the Parade and a guy named Jon Chambers comes over to us to talk about his new spot. (And when I came home I had quite a few emails from folks also telling me about this new space.) Well, it is exactly like it sounds – art and music and lots of good vibes. I should say that this awesome spot is located at 3222 11th St, NW right between Wonderland and El Rinconcito. It is in one of those buildings that we’ve been wondering what will become of it. And I don’t think it would be possible for anything cooler than this to arrive.
I was given a tour during the day and got to see much of the cool art located on two levels. I then returned around 11:30 that evening to listen to some phenomenal music. The event was free although you could give a $5 donation but it wasn’t mandatory. I was a little hesitant when I heard a lot of talk about love and peace. The New Yorker in me came out and I thought I may have entered some sort of cult headquarters. But I couldn’t have been further off base. These folks are simply socially conscious people who are trying to bring the community together. The hope seems to be that all sorts of folks, white, black, latino, young, old, etc, will use this space as a community center. Pictured above is Jason Jasper who had an incredible voice and sang acapella. You can also see to the right of the photo that there was an artist painting a piece throughout the evening inspired by the music being played. Sat. night was the last night of a three night stand but I’ll be sure to post info for upcoming shows/events as they become available. I realized it was a super cool evening when famed WJLA anchor, Maureen Bunyan, arrived (see photo below). It seems like this space is really going to evolve into something great. Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
City Desk is reporting that the Supreme Court has overturned DC’s Handgun Ban. City Desk quotes Antonin Scalia’s blog: “We start therefore with a strong presumption that the Second Amendment right is exercised individually and belongs to all Americans.”
Is everyone going to get a gun now? Or do you think just like Eleanor Holmes Norton told me last week – the City will just pass very strict laws on ownership? Make your prediction now.
Hey PoP,
I bought my house in Petworth almost 6 years ago and love it here. However, my neighbors have apparently abandoned their house, which is next to mine in my row, and now their backyard is overrun with rats and covered in waist high weeds. I have complained to the city, both about the rats, and about having an empty house with broken windows filled to the ceiling with trash and boxes. So far, nothing has been done and no one from the Fenty administration or any city agency has gotten back to me. Do you or anyone have any advice about how to proceed?
Fed Up
Dear Fed Up,
Man, just reading the word rat is disturbing. I’d be terribly pissed if an abandoned neighbor’s backyard was teeming with them. There was some good advice given on a previous Dear PoP about an abandoned house that you should check out. In the short term, and I know there is no justice in this recommendation, I’d mow the lawn myself or pay someone to mow the lawn. I think I’ve heard rats like the high growth so even though it is not your responsibility it may be in your best interest to do so. I would relentlessly call your ANC representative as well as Council Member Muriel Bowser’s office to see if they can help. It may be worthwhile to talk to some of your other neighbors and have them call as well. If nobody from those numbers can help email me again directly and we’ll see what other steps can be taken. Maybe we can shame the city with photographic evidence. Anyone else have any recommendations?
Good luck to you,
PoP
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Well we can now add Mt. Pleasant to the infamous list of collaborators. My war on squirrels has been well documented. You could imagine my surprise and disgust when I spotted this sign in the heart of Mt. Pleasant. At first I thought it was a random sign displayed at one house but then I noticed them all over Mt. Pleasant. I hate to quote President Bush but you’re either with us or against us on this one. Aux Armes!
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Well I saw a number of them this weekend that still had these signs and are apparently broken. Are we going to have to wait for the next fire before we become outraged or is the city going to fix these anytime soon? Let our memories not be too short…
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I’ve often wondered how people choose their condos. It seems like there are two clear options. One are in the big new buildings and the other option is to purchase one in a converted rowhouse. So for those who have purchased condos how did you make the decision? What are the pros and cons?
Speaking of cons a reader wrote in to suggest I put the topic of condo boards/associations out there. I am intrigued by these condo boards. Specifically the reader would like to know how do people handle unruly members? How are differences solved without any bad blood with people who you have to live with and probably see frequently? What are some complicated matters that have been resolved through compromise? It seems like a very interesting world of politics and alliances and unfortunately sometimes brutal frustrations. Are condo boards easier to work with in the big buildings?
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Smash, originally uploaded by squidpants.
Thanks to Andrew from the New Columbia Heights blog for sending me an email about this insane pile up on the 13th Street. Andrew wrote: “I hope nobody here parked on the southbound side of 13th between Fairmont and Clifton – you may be in for a crummy morning. Somebody (drunk, I assume?) crashed their car tonight on almost every car on the southbound side of 13th Street.” Does anyone know if this accident, Monday evening,was the result of a drunk driver? Was he driving an 18 wheeler?
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I know Meridian Hill Park is still under major construction but there is a good portion of it that is as incredible as ever. I think this fountain is by far the greatest in all DC and probably Maryland as well. If you’re ever bored on a Sunday I recommend you grab the paper or a book and head straight to this fountain. Another angle and different fountain after the jump. (more…)
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It is amazes me that something as simple as garbage proves to be such a challenge. I mean we all get garbage cans yeah? So why the hell would people be throwing massive bags of household trash in a public can anyway? I just don’t get this but obviously it is a serious problem. I can’t believe it’s gotten to the point where the city is considering removing the public trash can. That’s one thing that we probably need more of. So who has a theory on why folks throw household garbage in public trash cans?