What the Helen of Troy is This - PoPville

At first I dismissed this email because it seems outrageous but then I remembered it is 2020

Published July 20, 2020 at 12:45PM

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I went to the Aquatic Gardens today [Sunday] around 3:10pm and upon entering, we saw a park staff member or officer in uniform running to the info booth with a flotation device under her arm in a panic. We stopped in our tracks and she said “Did he go to get the gator?” “Where is it?” The person manning the booth said yes and pointed her to the left around the body of water. She ran in that direction and yelled “Tell him I’m over here, okay?” I’m from Florida and we don’t play with that so obviously we left but an alligator?! In DC?! Hoping your readers can shed some light on this.”

Ed. Note: On July 27th 2018 “an illegal 5-foot caiman” was removed from a home in SE. The National Zoo says: “The American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas.”

What the Helen of Troy is This?

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 16, 2020 at 2:45PM

“Dear PoPville,

Outside of the sculpture garden on 7th and constitution. No plaque or anything. Anybody know what it’s from? Looks pretty old.”

Anyone Know What This is all About?

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 15, 2020 at 10:45AM

“Dear PoPville,

This signage, ‘God Bless America – Back Bill’, is all over Ward 4 (I live in Takoma) and after some quick Google searches and a neighborhood thread we’re still curious what it means and who’s behind it. Any insight?”

I was gonna post about the extremely loud booms heard but then I started getting emails about this

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 2, 2020 at 9:09AM

Thanks to all who sent from the Takoma Park and DMV Yard Sale pages:

“I bought this painting for $2,500 from a friend in Richmond, VA. It has since outgrown my taste and home decor. It’s supposed to be a portrait of some author who had a foot fetish but I don’t remember who the author was. (more…)

“it’s been completely paved over!”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published June 29, 2020 at 1:45PM

404 P Street, NW

Thanks to Kelly for sending: “I just passed the Bundy field this morning and it’s been completely paved over! Anyone know what they are doing with it? (O/P Street, NW between 5th and 4th)”

Hold up, according to google maps it used to look like this: (more…)

“Metro today announced service plans for July 4, 2020, including extended service at selected stations following the Salute to America fireworks display on the National Mall.” Wait, What? Seriously. WTF

By Prince Of Petworth

Published June 26, 2020 at 12:05PM

Photo via Secretary David Bernhardt

Secretary David Bernhardt tweets yesterday:

“It’s going to be another BIG firework show in DC this year! Thank you Fireworks by Grucci for making another generous donation to the @NatlParkService!”

From WMATA:

“Metro today announced service plans for July 4, 2020, including extended service at selected stations following the Salute to America fireworks display on the National Mall. While it is not known how many visitors will attend the event due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all indications are that crowds will be much lighter than in past years. However, because the event may result in a modest increase in Metro’s ridership versus current levels, Metro will run more frequent trains and extend service beyond 9 p.m. at designated stations closest to the National Mall. (more…)

Now that we learned why we can’t turn right on some corners at midnight, what’s going on here?

By Prince Of Petworth

Published June 25, 2020 at 9:15AM

Thanks to pithypants for sending from 21st and N Street, NW:

“Spotted on this morning’s walk. In front of a house, not a restaurant or hotel. I have questions.”

You can learn why you can’t turn right on some corners here.

“why can’t you take a right in the middle of the night?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published June 23, 2020 at 2:45PM

2nd and K Street, NE

This is a curious one. Thanks to JJ for sending: “why can’t you take a right in the middle of the night? (K&2nd NE and others along K NE)”

“Is this only creepy to me?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published June 23, 2020 at 12:45PM

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if the community could help me solve a mystery. Three weeks ago I noticed this eery flashing red light in the window on California Street, NW. I think it’s on 24/7 but is only truly visible dusk / night.

At first I didn’t pay it too much mind… But it’s been WEEKS now. (more…)

“Any ideas?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published June 22, 2020 at 1:45PM

Thanks to Chris for sending:

“So my girlfriend and I were walking across the front lawn at catholic university and found an interesting object laying in the grass. Any ideas? It almost looks like an alligator foot, but what would am alligator foot be doing on the CUA campus.”