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Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. He launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. You can follow People’s District on Twitter @PeoplesDistrict, and can read his previous columns here.

“D.C. was great when I was growing up, but this ain’t no place to raise children any more. Now that I got two kids, there isn’t too much that I like about D.C. I really want to get out of here. Don’t much mind where I go, as long as it is not here. I am being for real.

“I was raised uptown in D.C. and then moved to Maryland. I liked it there for my kids because it was safe and quiet, but I be going crazy with nothing to do. I recently got an apartment in Southeast. I really didn’t want to move there, but an apartment came through the city where I would be able to live on my own with my two kids.

“I tell you, Southeast ain’t nothing but corruption. I don’t want to live or raise my children here. It’s like every time my son gets up out of the house, he gets into it with somebody. And my son is only four years old. My daughter is one and too young to deal with all of this. What is wrong with these parents where my son can’t just go outside and play? These parents ain’t raising their kids right.

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I love these roof decks from near the Adams Morgan/Dupont area.

Photo by PoPville flickr user henriksenv

“Dear PoP,

So, a friend of mine who lives on Monroe St btw 14th and 16th had his basement apartment broken into today and had his laptop stolen. Someone had unsuccessfully attempted to break in about 2 months ago, so his landlord (upstairs) put in a new steel frame door and an alarm system. Clearly this did not work. I also heard from my neighbor (on 14th btw Shepherd and Taylor) that there had been another basement break-in on our block about a month ago.

Is this occurring all over the MtP/Columbia Heights area? Have others seen a rash of break-ins, or even in particular basement break-ins?”

Unfortunately another reader writes:

“My home was burglarized last night in Mt Pleasant. Burglars entered while we were home from window 10+ feet from the ground.

Items stolen include:

Olive/Grey backpack with the logo “NICE” on the back

1. Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop
2. Dell 6100 laptop
3. Two Motorolla Cliq cell phones
4. One Nokia 6350 cell phone
5. Kenneth Cole wallet with cards and money

If you hear about anyone trying to fence the laptops or the cell phones please let me know.”

Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. He launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. You can follow People’s District on Twitter @PeoplesDistrict, and can read his previous columns here.

“I came to this country as a young man almost 50 years ago. When I came here, I knew nothing and had nothing. I arrived in Washington with 35 cents and didn’t speak any English. I had a job waiting for me at the Turkish Embassy, but didn’t have enough money to pay for the taxi ride from the bus station to the embassy. The doorman at the Turkish Embassy paid it for me. I remember it was 95 cents and I eventually paid him back.

“After some time at the job, I started to make some money and learned the language. In my early days here, I met this girl who invited me on a date to go and see The Beatles play at the Uline Arena. I knew about The Beatles from Turkey, but just thought they were weird and had long, shaggy hair. We went to the concert, and remember, I couldn’t speak English, so this girl took my hand and let me around like a child.

“When The Beatles got on stage, the place went berserk. I never saw so many crazy people in my life. You couldn’t hear anything because of all of the screaming. All of those girls must have lost their voices during the show. The whole time, I am thinking, all of this for some weird guys with long hair?

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A bit of a contrast from last week’s…

Photo by PoPville flickr user idit.

“Dear PoP,

I have heard a lot about people getting their iPhones stolen around the District, but I wanted to help spread the awareness a little more. Last night, coming off the Woodley Park metro around 8:00 p.m., I had my phone forcefully taken from me while I was talking on it by two young men who exited the metro station behind me. Luckily, I wasn’t hurt, and they only seemed to be interested in taking my phone. Police responded and informed me that this keeps happening all over the city. So people need to be careful while talking on smart phones, especially in the evening.

I haven’t decided on a replacement phone yet, but I’m wondering if it would be stupid to purchase another iPhone as they seem to make their owners walking targets. What do you think?”

Unfortunately, as you noted, iPhones have been getting stolen for months. I’d say if you really like the iPhone then you should replace it with one. Maybe you could keep the phone in your pocket and use headphones if you are feeling vulnerable?

What do you guys think – do you think iPhones present too tempting a target to some and aren’t worth the risk of carrying one around?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

We spoke about this homicide last week.

From MPD Chief Cathy Lanier:

Good work by homicide and intelligence

Arrest Made in the Homicide in the 700 Block of Quincy Street, NW

(Washington, DC) —Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest in the homicide of 22-year-old, Shonell Corriea of the 700 block of Quincy Street N.W.

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at approximately 9:40 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to the report of a shooting in the rear of a residence in the 700 block of Quincy Street N.W. Upon arrival on the scene, they found a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at approximately 6:15 pm, 22-year-old James Anthony Speaks of Northwest, Washington, DC, was arrested by members of the Intelligence Unit pursuant to an arrest warrant charging him with Murder Two while Armed.

Kristi Green is the author of the blog DC Wineaux. She further indulges her love of wine in her work at a wine bar on U St NW.

Tonight, during a fairly routine errand run my fiance informed me that we had to trek to Clarendon so he could go to The Container Store (my thoughts, “whatever gets you to organize, dear…”)–during this excursion I happened upon Best Cellars and thought I’d seen a ghost! I used to visit Best Cellars in Dupont (1643 Connecticut Ave NW) until they closed last year–I had no idea there’d been one thriving in Clarendon for nearly seven years!

The store–bright and stark but some how comfortable–sort of like the Apple store, is teeming with great finds that are generally well-priced. I came home with three bottles for less than $50 (likely $60-$75 elsewhere)! The staff are friendly without being pushy, they politely asked if I needed help though I nearly always respond that I’d like to explore for a moment–which (thankfully) these guys didn’t seem to mind.

They have a wide variety of wine–red, white, pink, bubbly, dessert–everything–and all with their own classification to help you find what you like. Each wine is labeled with one or several of eight symbols denoting characteristics of the wine itself in order to help the buyer select wine that they will love–without having to request the guidance of the sales staff. The wine may be classified as “fizzy” and “fresh” or “big” and “smooth”–in any case, these guiding labels are brightly colored, easy to read, and totally helpful.

While about three-quarters of the wine at Best Cellars are of New World origin, they do also have a nice selection of Old World wines. Of that Old World selection–I came home with an Organic Sparkling Pinot Noir from Austria and a Red Portugese Blend; of their New World offerings, I was unable to resist a Cabernet Sauvignon Rose from the Coastal Region, South Africa. I find it important to note as well that Best Cellars had a pretty fabulous beer selection–we picked up Sneaky Pete Imperial IPA (Ponderay, ID//10%ABV).

Recommendations after the jump. (more…)