What the Helen of Troy is This

“I am so, so curious about this, and the fact that it keeps happening with no witnesses.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Loud explosions in Brightwood Park?

I am bewildered by the large bangs that I’ve been hearing over the last few (many? 2020 is a blur) months, here in Brightwood Park. At first, I assumed this was part of DC’s fireworks “season” but now I am not so sure. The explosions are so loud they rattle the entire house and they happen at all hours of the day. At the times when they happen at in the middle of the night – 2:00 or 3:00 am – I have rushed to the window to see absolutely nothing – no signs of humans or traffic or sounds or anything. (more…)

“An intriguing mystery in need of answers”

By Prince Of Petworth

UPDATE: “The artist is instagram user @perfectionisht and the project is his quarantine coping strategy.”

“Dear PoPville,

About 2 months ago I was walking in Cleveland Park and I found a miniature polymer clay version of “The Scream” tucked into an empty apartment promotional box. I found it delightful. Cut to ~3wks ago when I was telling this patient about my funny little find and asked “oh, you mean the one in Rock Creek?” And my brain exploded. So far I’ve physically found two but I have confirmation of 2 more around Tregaron and Klingle Valley. (more…)

“Recommendations/Advice About Sinkhole on Property?”

By Prince Of Petworth


“It’s about 3 inches in diameter.”

“Dear PoPville,

We discovered what we think is a small sinkhole on our front lawn. Anyone have any experience in dealing with this on their property? My googling says that you should call your insurance company first, and that some policies might cover the cost of an assessment of the issue. Does anyone have any recommendations on companies/engineers that assess sinkholes?”

What in the holy hell is this?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Sebastian Roa

Thanks, I think, to Sebastian for sending:

“In other DC news, giant hornet or cicada killer spotted in Capitol Hill?”

Update: Cicada Killer.

The Heat or Just Shaking Off Last Night’s Gin?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if anyone would know if it could be high temperatures that would be causing mostly all markings of recently paved streets in DC to look like they were done by a two year old? The picture above is from 12th St. and Constitution Ave., but E St. express way is the worst to the point that it could cause an accident. Could they be temporary?”

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

By Prince Of Petworth

“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.”

Anyone Know What This is all About?

By Prince Of Petworth

“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?”

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