What the Helen of Troy is This

“My family and I saw something in rock creek park — it is indescribable.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

My family and I saw something in rock creek park (Western Ridge Trail) — it is indescribable. Someone who replied to my post suggested that I turn to you for a possible answer. So many have replied with answers such as: a drone, a huge spider web that trapped debris, sticky bug traps, or… a ufo. Someone even answered that they saw the same thing almost 1.5 years ago! So, i turn to you. I hope you’re able to provide some insight on this “thing.” Curious neighbors need answers!”

Could this be one of the Randomly Found Floating Chandeliers seen around town?

HOLD. THE. PHONE. We’ve Got Insane License Plate News – JAs are out?!?!?!

By Prince Of Petworth

OK, on March 25th 2019 the first GA series was spotted. Since that day I’ve been counting down the arrival of the HA series. Doth my eyes deceive me? I think not, I’ve spotted this JA car two mornings in a row now. Now so many questions: What the heck happened to H and I series? Did they get skipped entirely or was a JA issued by mistake? Has anyone else spotted a JA plate? Anyone spot an HA plate?

Update: Yup, the JAs are out since Hs are for taxis and Is look too much like ones apparently. Still confusing, as a few have noted, where did the GW-GZs go? Nevertheless, welcome J series!! Standby for the K series in a few years. God willing.

“Seriously– What in the Helen of Troy???”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

We just watched a military-style plane make 3 loops around Navy Yard and drop several large yellow and black streamers (at about 6pm Monday). The plane was also yellow and black. What is going on??

We thought it might be related to a baseball game, but the streamers fell roughly around the blocks of 2nd and I to 1st and K SE–a few blocks from the stadium. (more…)

It’s a Car Counter

By Prince Of Petworth

Sylvia sends this What the Helen of Troy is This? from Logan Circle. I spotted a similar set up on Wisconsin and they seem to count cars for transportation/road planning/safety purposes: (more…)

“Loud rhythmic banging in the mornings?” Happy Tuesday Morning – Cannon Practice is back!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Erin

“Dear PoPville,

What is the loud banging that happens some mornings around 7am that you can hear in NW? At first we thought it might be trash collection, but it is too rhythmic and way too loud. We live near 14th and U. Our current theory is something on one of the military bases/buildings?”

Phil wrote at 7:06am: “Just heard cannon fire in Arlington Cemetery all the way from Kingman Park?”

From a previous discussion revealed by old guard alum: (more…)

“Illuminati snake tiles in Cleveland Park?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Has anyone else noticed the weird snake tiles on the traffic barriers blocking the service lane in Cleveland Park where Connecticut meets Ordway? Is it some sort of intricate street art or are they supposed to be there?”

“A wayward cicada”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Emily for sending from Lamond Riggs: “I found a freshly-emerged periodical cicada in the yard last night. Imagine waiting almost two decades for the orgy, only to oversleep and show up a year late. Poor lonely little guy!”

The Post reported last week:

“Gene Kritsky calls them “stragglers.” (more…)

Archeological Finds Vol. 69 – What the Helen of Troy is This? I’d Err on the side of caution and Alert Police

By Prince Of Petworth

Update: OP has called 911.

“The police have come and gone. They said that it definitely was an old projectile. A specialist came and x-rayed it to see if there was anything inside the pipe, but it was empty and not live. So, thank goodness that all is well and safe! Thanks to you and everyone who commented!

Unfortunately, I don’t have any insight into how it got there, just seemingly discarded, not even buried, under the porch. I have lived here for 3 years and the prior owners would be in their 80s, but I don’t know anything about them. It could be a “souvenir” that a vet brought back (the police said they find a lot of grenades). But one cop who is about to retire after 28 years on the force said he’s never seen anything like this before!”

“Dear PoPville,

I found this thing that looks like either some kind of lawn ornament or a missile! I found it only slightly buried underneath my front porch in the Kingman Park neighborhood. I have no idea what it is! It’s fairly heavy and made of metal. One of the pics has my hand in it for scale.” (more…)

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