“Dear PoP,

What is the building on the east side of Sherman Ave NW at Park? It has a cutout of a red rooster on a weathervane over the door. Normally I don’t have a problem identifying the local cock in my neighborhood, but this one eludes me a bit.

On an unrelated note, does anyone know if there is anything to be done about random car alarms going off? I live at Iowa and Arkansas NW and for the past two nights, from 1:30am or so until 8am a car alarm goes off for about 20 seconds every 30 or 45 minutes. Is anyone else hearing this? Aside from a sledgehammer is there anything one can do?”

For car alarms we had a lengthy discussion here.

The building at Sherman and Park comes up in a Dear PoP every year or so.

I learned they have a great Web site that says:

“NationHouse was founded in July 1974 in Washington, D. C. NationHouse grew out of the student activism of Howard University community in the late 1960s.

We are one of the oldest independent Afrikan centered schools in the United States and in the DC metropolitan area serving the specific needs of children of Afrikan heritage from pre-school to twelfth grade. Today, NationHouse continues to serve families in the development and enculturation of responsible youth who are committed to their families, their community and their Afrikan culture/heritage.

Currently, NationHouse maintains three fully functioning programs. Watoto School, serving pre-kindergarten through fourth grade students and Sankofa Institute, for fifth through twelfth grade students, are the major programs. The Afrikan Youth Organization (AYO) provides after school activities for students.

Our graduates from Sankofa Institute, eighth grade and twelfth grade have gone on to be successful students at their matriculating high schools and colleges respectively. Amongst our alumni, we have, successful mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, doctors, future lawyers, teachers, musicians who have graduated at the top of their class…. Our graduates have attended B. Banneker H.S., Howard University, U.D.C., Hampton University, Spelman, Morgan State University, Coppin State, Cheney State University, etc…

True to its dedication to the preservation and transfer of Afrikan heritage, NationHouse has counted within its community families from all over Afrika and the diaspora; from Ethiopia, Azania, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Liberia and Gambia; the Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Jamaica; from Los Angeles to Miami, New Haven to Chicago and back again; from Anacostia and the Gold Coast, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia; and from all economic strata – professionals, students, and the unemployed. The common thread has been conscious will to protect, preserve and transmit our unique cultural heritage to our children and the broader world community.”


This is a pretty odd looking front yard from Truxton Circle. I guess you plant things in the middle of the circles? But doesn’t it look to shallow to plant anything? Would you mulch around the concrete or leave it bare?


Anyone ever hear of D.D.T.P. wear? The matches I found in acronym finder didn’t seem to make much sense:

Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program
Debian Description Translation Project
Drug Dependency Treatment Program

Any guesses for the proper description?


Free t-shirt to the first person who tells me what this spire is from? You can see it when crossing the bridge on Connecticut Ave. from Woodley Park towards Dupont.


This is pretty wild, I saw it at Qualia Coffee and was put in touch with the organizer. He explains Potomacs in an email:

“Briefly, it is a local (complementary/alternative) currency to encourage more business activity while ensuring that profits remain here. It gives small business, individual entrepreneurs an edge over big box and corporate retailers by indicating they belong to and support the community by participating. It also engages residents to get out more in their communities, builds relationships and it makes people think more carefully how and where they spend their money.

Any local business, individual trader or professional in the Greater Washington Area can accept the Potomac simply by accepting it in full or partial payment. Registration is optional but those who register:
* receive an information and signage kit
* are included in our promotions and directory
* access training support

Folks can purchase Potomacs at the rate P1 = $0.95
In person: at Ecolocity meetings, events, Saturdays 2-5 pm at Qualia
By mail: P O Box 3183, Washington DC 20010-0183 enclosing Money Order
By Paypal: [email protected]
Minimum order online and by mail: P10 plus $2 handling

Residents can also ask for Potomacs as change when they shop at businesses that accept Potomacs:
Ellen’s Nutrition Counseling
www.ellenkittredge.com

Gnosophia Publishers
202 545 0869, www.gnosophia.com

Qualia Coffee
202-248-6423, 3917 Georgia Ave NW
www.freshofftheroast.com/qualia.html

The Potter’s House
202 232 5483, 1658 Columbia Rd NW
www.pottershousedc.org”

This is wild. Do you guys think it’s a good idea?


I thought this was a pretty clever spot to keep one’s recycling box. It’s hidden under the stairs up beneath the front of a row house. I wonder if it originally had a different purpose or was always used for storage?


I’ve noticed a lot of these blue roses pop up around town. Anyone know what “close the school of Americas” is about? On a side note I think the glue that dripped down the side actually looks kinda cool.


I think it looks super cool. I can’t remember if I’ve asked this before but I think it is to trellis vines, right? That’s also some pretty good looking security bars.


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