Last weekend I rode the Capital Crescent trail and laughed when I saw the sign above at the Georgetown entrance. Then I saw this report from USA Today:

“This spring, Fort Lee, N.J., police began issuing $85 fines for careless walking, and the Utah Transit Authority made distracted walking around trains punishable by a $50 fine.”

Seems like “careless” or “distracted” walking would be very difficult to enforce but do you think it’s a good idea?

“The bicycle messenger has been a fixture of the Washington DC landscape for decades. This mini-documentary explores a handful of the present day road warriors as they battle traffic and technology in pursuit of a fair wage and a freewheeling style of life. This is a preliminary cut, currently in post-production wrap up. Produced as part of the Corcoran School of Art + Design New Media Photojournalism Masters Program by Fixed Focus Productions. Fixed Focus is Maria Helena Carey, Dakota Fine, Reyna Levine, and Colby Waller.”

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Dear PoPville,

I wanted to make you aware of a recent attack in Logan Circle, particularly after the mugging incident near 15th & Q a couple of weeks ago. A group of about 10 teenagers (approx. 13-14 years old) attacked a man on the north side of Q St near Kingman Pl around 5:30 p.m. last Saturday, May 12.

I noticed a group of teenagers standing near the corner of Kingman & Q on the south side of the street. I did not think much of it, as they seemed to be in good spirits and joking with each other. A few minutes later, I heard some unintelligible yelling from the north side of the street. I could not see what was happening because trees and cars on the north side of Q blocked my view, so I walked across the street. I found a group of neighbors helping a man who had apparently been attacked by the group. We could see some of the teenagers in the distance running east, near the skate park at Rhode Island Ave. They appeared jovial, as if the attack was for fun.

A resident of a nearby home offered the man a seat on her front steps, gave him some water, and helped him treat his scraped wrist. The man called the police, who arrived shortly, and an ambulance came a few minutes later. The man said he was headed toward 14th St when the group crossed Q St to the north side of the street where they quickly approached him. One group member punched him in the face, sending him to the ground where about half of the others in the group continued to hit him while the rest watched. It was NOT a robbery – they did not take anything from him. Neither did they say anything to him prior to the attack.

This attack is especially disturbing given that it occurred in broad daylight on a typically very safe block that has consistent foot traffic, especially on a Saturday afternoon. Furthermore, it was perpetrated (apparently) for fun. However, it was encouraging to see the quick response from neighbors on the block. I hope that spreading word of this incident will help keep people in Logan Circle on the lookout to take action to possibly help prevent future attacks. An area resident said he remembered attacks by smaller groups about 10 years ago and increased police presence put a stop to the problem. If the current trend continues, maybe a similar response is warranted.

Photo by PoPville flickr user JoshBassettPhotography

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. I’ll open this thread every morning at 10am

Photo by @PuckBuddys

Thanks to everyone who’s been tweeting about the massive security presence at the Taylor’s on 14th and T St, NW. Anyone know who’s inside? The President?

1734 N St, NW

Back in Oct. 2010 we were saddened to learn that Iron Gate restaurant was closing at 1734 N St, NW. The Washington Post shares the great news:

Tony Chittum, of the three-star Vermilion in Alexandria, plans to leave the contemporary American restaurant and reopen the romantic Iron Gate Inn in Dupont Circle.

The menu of the new Iron Gate Inn will highlight Italian and Greek flavors.

Stay tuned for an opening in about six months. Anyone ever eat at Vermilion?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

Your captions in the comments and winners (free PoP t-shirts) picked Friday.

Cancun and Yucatan, Mexico!

From the coolest house in DC.

Takoma DC represent!

From a press release:

Mark your calendars for the weekend of May 19 and 20 when twenty-one artists who are part of the “Mid City Artists” collaborative, will open their studio doors as part of The Mid City Artists Spring Open Studios Tour. This bi-annual event in DC’s “Mid-City” – in and around the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle neighborhoods – offers a special opportunity for art-lovers to take a peek into the artists’ creative process, connect personally with artists and learn more about how and where they make art, and purchase art as well. The participating artists represent a great diversity of work, including drawings, sculptures, paintings, prints, photographs and mixed media.

WHERE: Across the Mid City corridor (with many studios located on or near popular 14th St. NW)… from Dupont Circle to Scott Circle and Logan Circle and North to Florida Ave. NW

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, May 19 & 20, 12-5 PM

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Fia’s Fabulous Finds “Nearly New Designer Clothing Boutique” is coming to 806 Upshur St, NW next to Philip’s Shoe Repair.

A reader writes in wondering what will happen to the property at 1327 Girard St, NW which was decimated by fire on May 4th. Does anyone know what happens now? Any idea how long the process will take before a new property is built?

If you have any fun or interesting animal/pet photos please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and what neighborhood you’re from or upload to the PoPville flickr pool (though I prefer email if possible) with your pets name and neighborhood. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“As I was walking to my car this morning, I came across this little duck family on V and 16th Street NW. They crossed the street safely, but I hope they made it to their final destination safely! My guess is they were headed to Meridian Hill Park.

Wondering if anyone else saw them/escorted them this morning to ease my mind. Wish I would have followed them.”

“This is Oscar, my green-eyed cat, making himself at home on my sofa in Adams Morgan.”

“RIP lil’ Stanley, you had the raddest mohawk in Petworth.”

“Layla, Woodridge”

“This is Monkey from Columbia Heights.”

This rental is located at 413 Richardson Place, NW:

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The listing says:

“Lovely two bedroom, 1.5 bath townhouse blocks away from Shaw metro station. Home has a fenced back yard, street parking on a wide street with little to no traffic. Should really be called a cul de sac. Home has a large living room, washer and dryer, dishwasher and central air. Utilities not included and pets on a case by case basis. Close to U st corridor and Noma. This one will move quickly”

This 2 bed/1.5 bath is going for $1,999/Mo.