quality of life

“My dilemma is I’m not sure what to do, or if anything can be done.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

I have a dilemma that I’m hoping to get the community’s feedback on: there is a huge rat problem on the 800 block of Upshur St. NW (front and back) largely due to the activities of one of the residents, an elderly woman who leaves cat food on her front porch and pigeon feed in her back yard. I’ve seen rats scurry up to the porch at all times of the day for the cat food, and in the evening–once the pigeons have left for the day–they eat the remaining bird feed. It’s become so bad that they’ve actually burrowed in both the front and back–I’ve seen entire families come-up from under the sidewalk. (more…)

“And they wonder why people get so frustrated?!”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Thought the community might enjoy this gem from the IRS. Got a letter yesterday about my Federal return which listed this number to call, and their hours. I started calling at 8:35am… And they wonder why people get so frustrated?!

For what it’s worth, I finally got through on my 13th call, at 9:15am, and the woman was actually pleasant and helpful.”

“Then the fight broke out.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’m sickened by the events that took place in my neighborhood Saturday night. The police were called several times by multiple sources and this party was allowed to continue on for hours before ending in a nasty street fight in the intersection of Rhode Island and 6th NW. (more…)

Brace Yourselves – “The Flower Thief is Back”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Victoria Pickering

From the Cleveland Park Listserv:

“And sitting next to me on the bus, with his arms loaded with Rhodos. I wish we could chip in and get this guy a patch at the local community garden, anyone? It’s sad. He obviously likes plants and needs a better way of making a living.”

In 2013 the thief made it into the New York Times. In 2016 the thief may or may not have been arrested. In 2019 the saga continues.

“I want to give a shout out to the owner and the amazing artist Patrick Owens – they made this little boy’s monster dreams come true.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

As you know, Zeppelin restaurant on 9th and Q has been in the process of painting an awesome monster mural on its wall over the last few months. My son, Konrad, attends Seaton and we walk by the mural everyday to and from school  – I should add that he is also a huge fan of all things monster (we have a godzilla poster in our kitchen, so it might be genetic). As the mural was going up Konrad had daily conversations with the artist, and he was really happy to see King Kong and a gigantic octopus join Godzilla in the mural. But, there was a problem: Mothra had been left out.
(more…)

Nothing is Sacred. Nothing.

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to everyone who passed on this note in front of the Q Street Barbies. The Barbie Pond themselves responded best on their Instagram:

“Think of the Children!”

Our earliest recording of the Barbies was back in April 2014. Suffice it to say they have grown in popularity since then and literally become a neighborhood landmark. Long live the barbies and their cheeky (pun intended), good-natured take on holidays and events of the day. They put a smile on my face every time I see them!

“Anyone that uses the green space, basketball courts, skate park, dog park should attend”

By Prince Of Petworth


1673 11th Street, NW via Shaw Dog Park

Thanks to a reader for passing on from the Shaw Dog Park:

“Shaw Dog Park needs YOU this Thursday, February 28, at 6 p.m. The Shaw Dog Park, Shaw Skate Park, Recreational field and Basketball courts are at risk. DC Public Schools and the Department of Parks and Rec are deciding the fate of these important shared spaces as the Shaw Junior High School transitions into Banneker High School. Is the Shaw Dog Park important to you and the community? Join us at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA (901 Rhode Island Ave. NW, 6:00-7:30 p.m.) on Feb. 28 at a community meeting. A strong turnout from the Shaw Dog Park community is critical in helping to convey why this space is important and must be preserved! (more…)

“He told me to f*&k off and that if my dog had a problem with him scooting on the sidewalk, it should be put down”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

This week, I was turning the corner onto our street/ house after a lovely evening (7 pm) walk with the dog. As with many dogs, though she is very friendly and well-trained, she’s terrified of skateboards and dockless scooters when they’re in motion and making noise. Knowing this, as I saw a young man on a scooter approaching us quickly, headphones in (corded for context), I held my dog by the collar and moved her as far to the edge of the sidewalk as I could.

With the other hand, I waved frantically to him. I finally got his attention and politely asked him to wait for us to round the corner to our house rather than zooming past us, because my dog (pointing to the cute, but growingly anxious, 60-lbs rescue shepherd mix I was physically restraining) doesn’t do well around scooters. If he could wait 20 seconds for us to get out of his pathway that would be great.

He told me to f*&k off and that if my dog had a problem with him scooting on the sidewalk, it should be put down, it’s not his problem and proceeded to zoom right by us. (more…)

“I think we can all agree that leaving dog poo on the ground is just plain wrong, but after that there might be some disagreement.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

The (photo above) got me thinking about dog poo etiquette. However one feels about dogs, I think we can all agree that leaving dog poo on the ground is just plain wrong, but after that there might be some disagreement. My questions for the community are:

1) Is it ever acceptable to put bagged poo in someone else’s trash can?
2) What about city trash cans? (more…)

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