Rant/Revel


photo by Victoria Pickering

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. But please no personal attacks and no need to correct people’s grammar. This is a place to vent and/or celebrate things about daily life in D.C.

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What the Helen of Troy is This

“Dear PoPville,

These piles of sand appeared a few weeks ago on the sidewalk on my street (New Hampshire Avenue) in Columbia Heights. I think they have appeared in previous years as well. Any idea where they come from??”

Anyone else seeing random piles of sand around town. Anyone know why?!?! (Wrong answers only.) No. I will also accept right answers, I’ve just always wanted to try out a wrong answers only post. But I guess that’s basically a caption contest!! Anyway, what the hell?


What the Helen of Troy is This


1141 Connecticut Ave, NW previously home to Mari Vanna

“Darvish Kitchen DC
Driven by a deep love for sharing the warmth and flavors of Persian culture”

There is an incredibly lifelike mannequin in front of Darvish Kitchen and if it would’ve started talking to me I might have dropped dead right then and there. Some close ups: (more…)


Event

Featuring both voice and instrumental performance on vielle, lute, gittern, harp, recorder, douçaine, and bagpipe, the program will include works by, among others, Johannes Ciconia, Trebor, Johannes Senleches, Solage, Guillaume de Machaut, Guillaume Dufay, and Gilles Binchois, rousing dance music from medieval Florence and finely wrought instrumental arrangements from the Faenza codex and the Buxheim Organ book.


Logan Circle


1401 R Street, NW via Papadopoulos Properties

BIG NEWS via email response to my query:

“Red Light is not closing. We are relocating!

After nearly two decades at the corner of 14th & R, Red Light has become a staple of the community.

Unfortunately, the realities of remaining in our current space no longer made sense for a small family owned restaurant/bar. Despite our commitment to the neighborhood and our efforts to find a sustainable path forward, it became clear that our future would be better served elsewhere.

The good news is that we’ve already found our new home on the corner of 14th & Florida. (more…)


driving dangerously

Check out the latest stats from DC City Administrator Kevin Donahue:

“🚨 Update on scofflaw vehicle enforcement:
🪝FY26 YTD: @DCDPW
has impounded 5,209 cars with total of $27M in unpaid citations
📌 Of those, 2,301 were “high value scofflaws” (more than $3k in unpaid fines) that owed $23.4M in unpaid tickets”

Stay tuned.


Capitol Hill


713 8th Street, SE previously home to Finn McCool’s/Molly Malone’s and, of course, Crazy Aunt Helen’s

“A World of Flavors,
One Plate at a Time!
Coming This Fall”

Thanks to G. for sending.

“Taki Taki transcends mere dining; it is the embodiment of legendary Indian hospitality fused with unparalleled culinary artistry. Here, we craft an exhilarating journey for the senses, showcasing the vibrant, freshest flavors of India’s diverse cuisine. Inspired by the profound cultural heritage of the subcontinent, (more…)


Silver Spring


courtesy Emma’s Torch

From a press release:

“Emma’s Torch, the nonprofit social enterprise that provides culinary training for refugees, asylees and survivors of human trafficking, empowering them to build culinary careers and achieve financial independence, will open its new 4,500-square-foot café and training center on June 12 in Silver Spring (1200 East-West Hwy.). The new café location – which will host a ribbon-cutting with officials and community members on June 11 at 10 am – allows Emma’s Torch to expand upon the training space and dining that drew fans to its Brookland location, which closed late last year to prepare for the move.

A new regional flagship, (more…)