courtesy The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District

From an email:

“How long can 1,800 pounds of ice survive a DC summer? The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting the Ice Box Challenge, a fun public science experiment taking place in Farragut Square for two weeks. Two small houses, each built using different designs and materials, are filled with 1,800 pounds of ice and left in the scorching summer sun to compare the impact of energy efficient practices. (more…)


Loulou writes about the photo above:

“I mean…… come on. Will cars even see this traffic light that you’re installing in the middle of the sidewalk? 12th/alabama SE.”

Update (though I’m still curious why it was placed there in the first place):

And Annette asks about the photo above:

“What are these things that have popped up around 21 & L NW? Building security guy has no idea. Not bike racks, you can see those are installed nearby. Scooter racks? Very uncomfortable leaning benches? A spot to hitch your Capital Horseshare?”


“Dear PoPville,

I live in a new apartment building in Brookland/Edgewood. Recently a building nearby installed some crazy bright flood lights on their roof. It’s ridiculous how bright they are. They turn on and off, and shine into our apartment. It’s very annoying.

I found the building on Google Maps, and called the management company, who brushed me off and said it wasn’t them and it was the building next door. I thought maybe I got it wrong, and confirmed the address again, and verified that I had the correct one. When I tried to call back, they stopped picking up their phone. (more…)


“Dear PoPville,

Question for the PoPville hive mind: On a few houses in DC I’ve seen these red lights. I’ve never seen them lit up. They’re usually the height of a second-floor window near the front door. I polled friends and one suggested it’s an old fire alarm, another that it’s an old security system. Google is letting me down, though maybe it’s a completely obvious thing I’m missing.

I’ve never seen them in another city.”

Ed. Note: I always assumed they were part of an old fire alarm alert system, right?



4th and Rhode Island Ave, NE last week via Nextdoor

Hahaha wut?!? Thanks to A. for sending from Nextdoor:

“Spotted in Edgewood: horseman selling “ice cold Texas water”

We’ve had many horse sightings over the years but this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a guy selling water from one. Awesome. So very, very awesome. Anyone else spot this guy?


“Dear PoPville,

Two colorful, square flags were left behind by at Be Here Now Yoga a few months ago. Since no one has returned to claim it, I was hoping to crowd-source the answer to 1) who owns this? and 2) what is it!?

If anyone knows what this mysterious flag is and what for, I’m dying to know. And if this is your flag, please feel free to stop by and retrieve!”



Courtesy Ice Cream Jubilee

From a press release:

“Ice Cream Jubilee is excited to offer a sneak peek of our adventurous new flavors for summer. Ice Cream Jubilee serves super-premium ice cream made from all natural, 18% butterfat cream from grass-fed cows at South Mountain Creamery. Each flavor is made by hand in small batches in northeast Washington, DC, inspired by international flavors, boozy cocktails, and childhood treats.

The following flavors will be available to the public in a sneak peek tasting flight at both locations on June 16-June 19. Tickets are available here for $16, which includes a flight of seven new flavors and a pint or regular scoop to take home.

Everything Bagel – You’ll be surprised how much you like this unique flavor! Our original coriander ice cream is sprinkled with sesame and poppy seeds to create a one-of-a kind herbaceous flavor.

Blueberry Pie (more…)



Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

“Dear PoPville,

For years I have seen multiple cars pulled over on the side of the road on 395 south- always in between the bridge after the East Potomac exit and the Pentagon exits. If I see one, I see at least 10. It has always driven me nutso that I don’t know why, because the drivers clearly all have a reason. This week I saw at least 20 one night. I noticed it was about five minutes to six pm, which made me wonder if it has something to do with when the HOV lane opens and if they are waiting for that?

Any ideas? Anyone else notice this over the years? Inquiring minds are going loco!

Thank you!”


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