quality of life

Above from the Palisades:

“I don’t know who you are or where you live. But your GALL in parking in front of my house and abandoning your car for more than a week is RUDE, DISGUSTING, and DESPICABLE. You are thoughtless and have no class.

I with you nothing bu the worst. Karma will get you. You are a lousy piece of CRAP, stupid, and grossly inconsiderate.”

Whew.

And on the flip side:

“Dear PoPville,

When you leave a swath of public space you do NOT have any entitlement to it. You privatized it after somebody left it. No matter the weather circumstances. No matter what message or items you leave behind to claim it. If I could I would destroy each and every one of these self-absorbed parklets, and leave individualized messages about why they suck.

I have never seen DC residents sink so low. DC is NOT Boston or Philly.

Digging your car out entitles you to NOTHING. (more…)


What the Helen of Troy is This

This is, understandably, a new perennial question:

“Dear PoPville,

I made an interesting observation a few weeks ago while commuting home from work. I was stopped in traffic at the top of 395 where the tunnel ends and I noticed the large storage door open next to the northbound lanes. Just inside the door sits a very large statue of a lion. It seemed like a very surprising thing to be stored in there. I’d be interested to know if anyone has the backstory on why it’s in there and where it came from. Feel like a weird DC secret.”

We’ve previously learned that: (more…)


Sponsored

This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.

1317 Gallatin Street NW
1317 Gallatin Street NW

DC Open House List for This Weekend: June 26, 2026

Summer is in full swing across the District, and with 267 open houses on the calendar this weekend, there’s no better time to grab an iced coffee and tour a few homes before the heat peaks. From a $1.7M Capitol Hill rowhome to a breezy Logan Circle loft, RLAH @properties has DC covered in every neighborhood and price point this Saturday and Sunday. To see the full DC Open House list, click here.

  • 1317 Gallatin St NW — $1,395,000 — 16th Street Heights
    Open Sat. & Sun. 1-3PM — David Wagner
    “Nestled in the heart of sought-after 16th Street Heights, this stunningly renovated luxury rowhome seamlessly blends timeless character with sophisticated modern living. Boasting 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms across thoughtfully designed living spaces, this exceptional residence showcases soaring ceilings, abundant natural light and premium finishes throughout.”
  • 914 N St. NW — $975,000 — Shaw
    Open Sat. 11AM-1PM — Fernando Garcia
    “TWO-UNIT SHAWportunity! Genuine whimsy infuses this welcoming, 2-unit Shaw row home. Step onto warmly original hardwood floors, meeting the bespoke designer tile of the renovated kitchen. The fireplace will lift your spirits through any winter frost, while the rear courtyard garden promises summertime salvation.”
  • 50 Florida Ave NE #819 — $599,000 — NoMa
    Open Sun. 1-3PM — Mandy Hursen & Tim Hursen Jr.
    “Modern Luxury with Space, Style & Privacy in the Heart of NoMa! Welcome home to this spacious and light-filled 2BR/2BA residence at The Lexicon, a full service and amenity rich luxury high-rise. Far from cookie-cutter, this thoughtfully designed home offers a smart split-bedroom layout with bedrooms on opposite sides of the living space—perfect for privacy, guests, or working from home. Easy, secure underground garage parking included in the price.”
  • 3628 New Hampshire Ave NW — $1,099,000 — Columbia Heights
    Open Sat. 12-2PM — Silvana Dias
    “Lovingly restored and thoughtfully renovated & expanded by its current owners, this remarkable home retains the timeless charm and craftsmanship that define classic Wardman architecture while incorporating the extensive upgrades today’s homeowners seek. Nearly every aspect of the home has been updated, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, outdoor living and parking pad offering true peace of mind rarely found in homes of this era.”
  • 3930 Connecticut Ave NW #205-H — $350,000 — Cleveland Park
    Open Sun. 1-3PM — Joseph Himali & Sierra Kim
    “Nestled within the beautifully manicured grounds of Tilden Gardens, this sun-filled one-bedroom residence blends timeless architectural charm with the tranquility of a private garden setting in the heart of the Cleveland Park Historic District. Overlooking the cooperative’s signature landscaped courtyards, the home offers a peaceful retreat with abundant natural light, leafy views, and the rare sense of privacy that defines life at Tilden Gardens.”

(more…)


Zoo


The Zoo’s day-old female Asian elephant calf explores an enclosure inside the Elephant Barn Feb. 3, 2026. Photo by Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

From the National Zoo:

“For the first time in nearly 25 years, elephant care staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) are celebrating the birth of an Asian elephant—an endangered species. The female calf was born overnight Feb. 2 at 1:15 a.m. to 12-year-old mother Nhi Linh and 44-year-old father Spike. The pair bred in April 2024 following a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). Asian elephant pregnancies last 18 to 22 months on average; Nhi Linh’s pregnancy was 21 months. (more…)


Columbia Heights


Pablo in Columbia Heights

“Dear PoPville,

A random act of kindness happened yesterday! My husband finally decided it was the day to dig our car out (I know we are slow, but we had nowhere to go) . While he was at it, a stranger showed up and helped him with a much better tool. He had his dog with him and mentioned he was going around helping people. (more…)


Event

Logan Circle Main Street and U Street Main Street are celebrating World Cup season with a free, family-friendly Carnival celebrating soccer, community, and local business sponsored by Volo. All proceeds support LCMS and USMS programming.

Join us Saturday, July 11, 2026, 1–5 PM at Harrison Park for an afternoon packed with:


BikeDC


hero from the PoPville archives

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to attend public meetings for the 11th Street NW Multimodal Safety Project from L Street NW to Monroe Street NW. This project updates the existing bike lane and improves safety for all road users for one of DC’s most heavily used bicycle corridors. (more…)


Rant/Revel


photo by Rudi

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