sports

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jennifer

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if anyone else was as surprised as I was when the DC Department of Parks and Recreation sent the email yesterday morning announcing the results of their permit lottery for use of the Ohio Drive and West Potomac Park softball diamonds.

A quick review of the 125 or so awards shows a ton of duplicates, and while some might be understandable because of local affiliations (a certain dog mascot or iterations thereof appears in no fewer than six team names), others appear to be the product of a broken system. I’ve asked the Athletic Permits Office for some additional information about the lottery – how many applications were received, what randomization technique was used, what criteria may have been weighed outside of the lottery process – but I was wondering if the PoPville community might have any insight into this. Any information would be appreciated. (more…)

“Dear PoPville,

With the super cold temps, people are skating on area ponds. I’m hoping the PoP community can come up with a better list of available options than is covered here.

(Yes to all caveats about skating being dangerous, at your own risk, and only where permitted…yadda yadda)”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jennifer

“Dear PoPville,

In Washington, D.C. and the inner suburbs, opportunities for USBC-sanctioned bowling leagues *without* disco lighting and *with* properly oiled lanes are few and far between.

But we suspect that the city has more than a few bowlers, like us, who used to be pretty serious about it but, since moving to the area, have sadly watched their bowling balls gather dust. Or folks who used to be on a company team back in the days when company bowling teams were as common as company softball teams. Or people who have tried the “social league” thing and even bought a ball and are now interested in joining a proper league.

“We” is a small group of friends who bowled together more than a decade ago in the wintry bowling splendor that is Western New York and are now gauging interest for a 2018-2019 United State Bowling Congress-sanctioned league here in the DC area. Location, day of the week, fees, rules, etc. are TBD based on a preliminary survey of those who are seriously interested, negotiations with bowling alleys in the area, and ultimately by league members or board.

Send a quick email to [email protected] to get looped in as this takes shape.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, after the Federation of Gay Games announced Hong Kong as the site of the 2022 Gay Games, Mayor Bowser released the following statement:

“Over the last several days, Gay Games DC showed the very best DC has to offer. Our bid proved that Washington, DC is strong not simply because we are diverse, but because we celebrate our diversity and inclusion. As the world questions how the United States will position itself on the global stage, it is incumbent upon all of us to continue showing the world who we really are. This bid represented our DC values, which represent the very best American ideals: all are created equal. We congratulate Hong Kong, and it is our hope that the 2022 Gay Games spark reforms to bring about equality for our LGBTQ friends there too.”

To lessen the blow a bit, check out this fantastic video of the 2017 17th Street High Heel Race from Voice of America: