DC Government

Quite the Bug on the DC DMV’s Online Registration System this Weekend, But All is Well Today

By Prince Of Petworth

Update: “They’ve addressed the issue as of this morning and responded to my message I sent to them over the weekend. If anything, it was a really prompt response from DC DMV.”

Thanks to all who sent word over the weekend:

“Dear PoPville,

I am on the DC DMV site to re-register our family car. To my surprise, the final tally, including re-upping our parking pass, was over $3500! What gives? Seems like this should be $350. Anyone else having this problem with the online portal or have the fees actually radically increased?” (more…)

Development

Check out the new Stacks Development!

By Prince Of Petworth


101 V Street, SW

Thanks to Jay for sharing these great photos of The Stacks:

“Really cool development. I love the “DC style” architecture. Developers should do more of this. It looks more authentic than other attempts to pay homage to a classic style. It doesn’t feel Disneyfied. It is like they took existing buildings and incorporated them into a new development.” (more…)

Sponsored

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a gorgeous flower arrangement from Volanni

By Sponsor
Image from Celebrate Mother’s Day With a Gorgeous Flower Arrangement From Volanni
Image from Celebrate Mother’s Day With a Gorgeous Flower Arrangement From Volanni
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Show Mother’s Day love with a creative, fresh, flower arrangement from D.C. florist Volanni!

Michael Lanni, the artist behind these arrangements, puts intuitive care into each of his designs. As he likes to say, “This is our art, and flowers are the medium.”

Pick out the perfect Mother’s Day arrangement and place your order online. Volanni makes deliveries throughout the DMV. The deliveries can go out Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 8th-10th).

Mother’s Day is approaching fast on May 10th and flower availability is limited, so get your order in!

ORDER MOTHER'S DAY
H Street NE

“Final service at Hiraya and Kayu on H Street will be on June 30.”

By Prince Of Petworth


1250 H Street, NE

Sad news over the weekend from Paolo Dungca:

“After much reflection, my partners and I have made the decision to lovingly close this chapter of our journey together at Hiraya and Kayu. As we each explore new directions, we find ourselves called toward different visions. What we built together is something I will always deeply cherish — a space rooted in storytelling, cultural pride, and soulful Filipino hospitality. (more…)

Announcement

Top 5 and Climbing: Local Child Needs Votes to Reach #1 in Jr. Ranger Contest Group Phase

By Tiffany Lavinder

Local rising kindergartener, Phin, has advanced to the Top 5 in his group in the national Jr. Ranger Contest, a competition that celebrates children who are passionate about nature, wildlife, and exploration. After making it through earlier rounds with strong family and friend support, Phin is now in 4th place and working toward the top spot needed to move on to the quarterfinals.

The contest encourages kids to engage with the outdoors and highlights their curiosity and love for learning about the natural world. For Phin and his family, this experience has been both exciting and meaningful, made even more special by the encouragement from friends, neighbors, and the broader community.

Go to Top 5 and Climbing: Local Child Needs Votes to Reach #1 in Jr. Ranger Contest Group Phase Read more
Restaurants

Halfsmoke’s “last day of service in Shaw will be Tuesday, May 27th.”

By Prince Of Petworth


651 Florida Ave NW at Georgia Ave/7th

Thanks to Thom for passing on Halfsmoke’s closing note:

“To our beloved HalfSmoke Family,

Our journey started on October 14, 2016, with the opening of our first restaurant in Shaw. Now our lease contract has come to an end. As such, our last day of service in Shaw will be Tuesday, May 27th.

Since opening in 2016, (more…)

Columbia Heights

Weekend Crime Reports including a homicide where “One bullet struck a window of the victim’s apartment. The victim was not targeted.”

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader reports:

“There were a lot of news reports of shootings on Memorial Day. They didn’t report any of the craziness we had in LeDroit. We had a shooting in LeDroit park on Sunday. No one was hit but there were over 40 shots fired. And we had two cars chase each other at high speed with guns on Saturday.”

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting in Northwest.

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, at approximately 6:11 p.m., Fourth District officers responded to the 1500 block of Ogden Street, Northwest, for the report of a shooting. Officers located an adult male inside of an apartment, unconscious and not breathing suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and after all lifesaving measures failed, the victim was pronounced dead.

The investigation determined the shooting occurred in an alley to the rear of the apartment complex. One bullet struck a window of the victim’s apartment. The victim was not targeted. (more…)

What the Helen of Troy is This

“Loud Explosion in DC Last Night”

By Prince Of Petworth


stock photo from our archives used for a previous unexplained explosion

“Dear PoPville,

It sounded like two explosions, one small and then big. It was very loud and sounded like it was around Dupont, but people as far away as Chevy Chase heard it around 9:30pm. There has been zero in the news media. I am still wondering what it was.”

Peter also reported just after 9:30pm last night:

“Five minutes ago, heard what sounded like a cannon going off near 14th and W NW”

As we approach fireworks season, I’m wondering if those super loud M80 type dynamite detonations have started early? We get reports of mysterious explosions every summer like clockwork.

museum

“National Air and Space Museum Announces Five New Galleries Will Open July 28”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the National Air and Space Museum:

“The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has announced the next phase of gallery openings at its flagship building in Washington, D.C. Five new exhibitions, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater and the museum’s redesigned entrance on Jefferson Drive along the National Mall will open Monday, July 28. The project to renovate the entire museum began in 2018 and will culminate next year when the remaining galleries open July 1, 2026, the 50th anniversary of the museum in Washington and in time for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Thousands of artifacts will go back on display in the reopened galleries. Favorites such as the Spirit of St. Louis, the North American X-15, John Glenn’s Mercury Friendship 7 capsule, Apollo Lunar Module 2 and the touchable moon rock will be back on view. Several artifacts new to the building in Washington will include the Sopwith F.1 Camel, Virgin Galactic’s RocketMotorTwo, a Blue Origin New Shepard crew capsule mockup and a Goddard 1935 A series rocket.

Free timed-entry passes will still be required to visit the museum. Passes for the July 28 opening and beyond will be available on the museum’s website starting June 13. (more…)

Rant/Revel

Random Reader Rant and/or Revel

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Diane Krauthamer

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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Announcement

Astro Jump Now Offers Trackless Train Rentals in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia & Maryland

By Astro Jump of Metro DC

Astro Jump of Metro DC now offers trackless train rentals for events across Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

The trackless train is available for school events, festivals, corporate events, and private parties, and can operate on parking lots, roads, and other paved surfaces. The train includes four passenger cars that comfortably fit both children and adults, making it a versatile attraction for a wide range of event types.

Go to Astro Jump Now Offers Trackless Train Rentals in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia & Maryland Read more
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