From DDOT:
“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin the annual spraying of the female ginkgo street trees tonight, Tuesday, April 30. The spraying will occur overnight from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m., weather permitting.
The annual spraying serves to reduce the formation of mature ginkgo fruit, which emits an offensive smell when it falls on sidewalks and roadways. DDOT will use the same spray it has used for the past 20 years, Shield-3EC 24(C). (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
Yesterday I was walking by shaw metro around 5 pm, and it looked like a junkyard for electric scooters – see picture. How does this fit in with the vision for making DC beautiful?
About an hour later, on my way back at the same location, a young woman zoomed past me on one of these scooters. She almost ran into people on the sidewalk and barely swerved past them. Then I heard the guy behind me muttering something along the lines of – next time someone does that to him on a sidewalk, he is just going to stick his knife in them. Then he yelled across the street at someone else on a scooter, telling them to slow their ass down. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user quemac
Ed. Note: God it’s been lovely enjoying these last couple of weeks without them. When do you think they’ll start coming this year?
“Dear PoPville,
Just thinking it might be time for another mosquito control post. I’d love to hear what people think about:
A) whether spraying for mosquitos works (especially the ‘natural’ kind) and B) whether there is any point in spraying if your neighbors don’t (won’t mosquitos just come our property from theirs?). C) Any specific companies people recommend/dis-recommend?”
Thanks to all who forwarded the letter from Howard University’s President:
“April 19, 2019
Dear Howard University Family,
Our campus is a beautiful, sacred space that provides comfort and, in many ways, sanctuary in a place that feels more like a second home than merely an academic institution. The Upper Quadrangle, commonly referred to as the Yard, is a treasured site of many auspicious occasions. Our Commencement Ceremony is the ultimate long walk that symbolizes a sacred tradition, symbolic of every student’s matriculation. The Howard University community wants to see this area remain pristine and symbolic of all that Howard University represents.
We are aware of the concerns regarding dog walking across campus. Howard is a private institution nestled in the heart of an urban city and we’ve shared a long-standing positive relationship with our evolving community for more than 150 years, which we look forward to continuing in the future. (more…)
Thanks to Bill for passing on “I thought Kent’s message here was pretty thoughtful and addresses some of the key challenges and tensions in Columbia Heights right now.”
From Kent C. Boese | Chair, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A | Single Member District (SMD) 1A08 (posting with Kent’s permission):
“The ANC members continue to work with officers, get to know them, and advocate for officers to walk our neighborhoods. We attend the Police Service Area Meetings when they are scheduled and many of us have developed strong relationships with our officers. What has changed in the 8+ years since you were on ANC1A isn’t the commitment of Commissioners or our dedication. We work very hard on public safety issues, often without the support we need from above.
While some of the challenges we face in effective policing are logistical (i.e., changing officers due to promotions and retirements, changes in MPD police district and PSA boundaries), the real challenge we face is changes (good and bad) in what our officers are allowed to do, largely based on political decisions from the Council.
Frankly, when it comes to public safety in Ward 1, I do not believe we have an effective advocate in the Wilson building who can articulate a sound policy that balances the rights of residents with the responses from our police and social service agencies. Yes, we now have the NEAR Act which I voted for on the ANC and which I wholeheartedly support. But we are not going to see the benefits of the ACT immediately, and even when we see the full benefits of the NEAR Act in the coming years, there will still be an appropriate role and need for police. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I just saw this graffiti around 14th St and U Street. I participated in the Columbia Heights cleanup last week so I found this very interesting. I am hypothesizing it is an anti-gentrification message. What would your readers think?”
Thanks to Justin for passing on from the Washington Post:
“The go-go music outside an electronics store in the Shaw neighborhood in the District will return after days of protests and outrage from residents and elected officials, the CEO of T-Mobile said Wednesday.” (more…)
Don’t Mute DC’s Go-Go Music continues to gather steam. Samer sent us the photo above last night around 8pm. It immediately reminded me of a certain night in 2008, obviously different circumstances, but clearly the same positive energy and unity: (more…)
Ed. Note: To be honest, the whole thing just makes me sad. Obviously package theft is maddening and frustrating, and maybe I’m reading too much Humans of New York, but after reading the flyer I feel a bit bad for the guy. Obviously, he shouldn’t be stealing. Of course. Let me be crystal clear – stealing is wrong. But I’m wondering, why is he stealing? What got him to this point? Maybe he is a selfish jerk or maybe he’s had a really tough life and is in a bad spot.
Anyway, I’m just depressed about how divided our city has become and it feels like it’s getting worse. I’m left with this nagging sadness. I hope this guy stops stealing. I hope he can be healed. I hope our city can be healed. I’m not terribly optimistic at the moment. I’m going for a walk.
A reader reports reports from Trinidad:
“Cool it, Morpheus just gets me every time I read it. Transcript below…
Have you seen this man?
Seen on camera swiping packages at 4pm on 3/27
He puts them underneath his out of style leather jacket.
Seriously are you an extra in the Matrix? (more…)
Music is life. #DontMuteDChttps://t.co/kT8bzxQGX6 pic.twitter.com/VgykcRM0P1
— PoPville (@PoPville) April 8, 2019
Thanks to all who forwarded the petition from change.org by Ronald Moten and Dr. Natalie Hopkinson:
“The record store and cell phone carrier at the corner of Georgia and Florida Avenue NW (U Street) has been playing D.C’s indigenous Go-Go Music since the late 1990s. Neighbors in newly constructed condos across the street pressured the city and then T-mobile, to force the owners to stop playing the music. (more…)