Here are recent crimes of note in Police Service Areas (PSAs) 208, 307 and 305 for the October 28 to November 18 period in Borderstan… portions of the Dupont Circle, U Street and Logan Circle areas.
Crimes of note are property crimes such as stolen autos and burglaries, and violent crimes such as robberies and assaults. (more…)
The setting of “The Real World: DC” was 2000 S St. NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Yes, they’re coming back to Borderstan: on your TV. “The Real World DC” premiers Wednesday, Dec. 30, 10 p.m.
You can watch MTV’s video trailer for the newest of the Real World saga series. The trailer is 2 minutes and 10 seconds… some recognizable street scenes here and there in Dupont–Logan. I’m sure we we all see many local venues once the series begins. Production started June 20 and wrapped us this fall.
From MTV’s Web site: Eight strangers arrive in Washington to pursue their dreams and make ‘Real’ changes. ‘The Real World DC’ premieres Wednesday December 30th at 10 PM ET/PT.
The robbery on Saturday at 1 p.m. was in front of Results Gym at 1612 U Street NW, a very busy location, particularly on a Saturday afternoon. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Right in the heart of Borderstan on U Street… around 1 p.m. on Saturday two men robbed a woman at 16th and U NW. In fact, the address on the crime report is 1612 U Street NW, which is the address for Results Gym and Bang Salon. The police caught two suspects shortly afterward. (Full details follow.) According to MPD, one of the two suspects is being held and a pre-trial hearing is tomorrow; no word yet from MPD or the prosecutor’s office on the second suspect.
But here is the kicker. The two suspects were driving a car that they supposedly carjacked earlier in the day in Prince George’s County. Still, the story gets better. One of the two suspects arrested for the 16th and U robbery was arrested earlier this month by the MPD in the 7th District for carjacking. The court had released him–yes, he was free–pending his trial for carjacking. (I have not yet been able to determine whether this particular suspect is being held or if he was released again; I will update as I get more information.)
It is bad enough that the two suspects felt free to commit a robbery at one of the busiest intersections in the area in broad daylight–across the street from MPD 3rd District headquarters at 1620 V Street NW. (The crime occurred in the 2nd District, however.)
But one of the suspects was free on bail after being arrested for carjacking. Call me naive, but I thought carjacking probably got you thrown in jail without bail.
(more…)
Saturday, 1600 block of 15th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
We watched a couple lovingly park their Smart Car Saturday afternoon on 15th Street. Considering the distance they left between them and the car in front, I could only ask, “Why?”
Is the car brand new? Are they recent arrivals from exurbia where parking spaces are the size of my condo? Did they know they were violating the unwritten code-of-honorable-downtown parking by not getting as close as possible to other vehicles? Did they realize they were taking an extra space? Finally, why did they even bother to buy a Smart Car?
When you live here in Borderstan… anywhere in the Dupont-Logan-U Streeet area, you know how precious parking spots can be.
The 15th Street NW bike lane has been operational for a couple of weeks. What’s your opinion of it and its effect on this stretch of 15th Street? The bike lane is a pilot program, and the city says it will review the street’s new configuration after one year to see how it is working out.
Note: Read WashCycle’s take on the lane and other future options.
BELOW: VOTE!
DDoT’s proposed plan for improvements to 17th Street NW as of October 2008. DDoT map courtesy of Greater Greater Washington.
The DC Department of Transportation (DDoT) is hosting a community meeting this evening on the 17th Streetscape project. Time is 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1772 Church Street NW.
Following is a quick Q&A with Commissioner Jack Jacobson, ANC 2B04; he is co-chair of the 17th Street working group, along with Paul Williams, executive director of Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets.
At the bottom of this posting are earlier stories related to plans for 17th Street. Also, Greater Greater Washington did a great write up on the project in October 2008.
Be like Lupe: Keep your eye on the ball! (Luis Gomez Photos)
Around Borderstan…
- Hurry up to 14th and U Streets NW before 1 p.m. today–today is the final day of the 2009 season for the 14th and U Farmers Market.
- Read the transcript of an anonymous 911 call on the morning of October 4 when a man died at “Men’s Parties” at 1618-A 14th Street, courtesy of columnist Amanda Hess, “The Sexist”,at the Washington City Paper.
- If you are ready to adopt a companion, check out dcist’s “Pet Worth,” which launched in October; dcist is collaborating with the Washington Humane Society. It is a listing, with photos, of “Highly Adoptable Animals.”
- On Monday, November 23, attend the next 17th Streetscape Community Meeting at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1772 Church Street NW. Time is 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jack Jacobson, ANC 2B-04, has more information; you can send him an email.
- Read WashCycle’s take on the 15th Street bike lane–and other possible future options for the street. One is Alternative 3, which would make 15th a two-way street for traffic, and my choice all along.
Now there is video from NBC-4. Photos of Mayor Adrian Fenty and Councilmember Jack Evans and DDoT Director Gabe Klein taking a ceremonial bike ride in Borderstan’s 15th Street NW bike lane were the subject of numerous bl0g postings and tweets yesterday around town.
Being seen on or near a bike or bike lane seems to be the photo op these days for DC politicians in the Dupont Circle–Logan Circle area. Will it replace kissing babies?
Big news for the Logan Circle area… “Wow” is about all I can say–a 32-unit condo building with 3,000 square feet of retail space is going up at the southwest corner of 14th and R NW at 1638 14th Street. Go to the WBJ article for a rendering of the building.
It’s a tiny patch of land next to an AYT auto service center, across the street from the Verizon building (north), the Union Baptist Mission (east across 14th) and Whitman Walker Clinic (on the northeast corner). This intersection is in desperate need of retail and foot traffic.
From the Washington Business Journal:
New Condos To Rise on 14th Street: A corner lot on 14th and R Streets sold for $3.8 million and a boutique condo will grow out of it. The property had been under contract to the buyer, a D.C.-based developer, since April 2008 and finally closed this month.
This morning at 15th & Caroline NW: Mayor Adrian Fenty and Councilmember Jack Evans go for a quick ceremonial ride.
This thing has practically become a tourist attraction for the Dupont Circle-Logan Circle area.
Here is one more story about the 15th Street bike lane. This one started with a flurry of activity outside our house this morning: numerous trucks, mini street sweepers and DDoT workers were cleaning 15th Street. (The sweeping is nice since the city has already stopped with regular sweeping for the winter.)
Then, around 11:15 came the event. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and DDoT Director Gabe Klein arrived for a [Fenty] press conference about 15th Street, bicycles and the new bike lane.
Wednesday: The crosswalk at 15th & Church Streets NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Luis happened to see this message yesterday, “Who Murdered Robert Wone?” in the crosswalk at 15th and Church Streets NW. It remains the most infamous crime in recent years in the Dupont Circle-Logan Circle neighborhood.
Earlier Postings on Robert Wone
- Third Anniversary or Robert Wone’s Murder
- New WaPo Story on Robert Wone Murder (with link to recording of the 911 call on night of murder)
- Web Site Devoted to Robert Wone Murder; $25K Reward
- Robert Wone Murder: Judge Puts Civil Case on Hold
- 2006 Swann St. Murder: 3 People Indicted
- WaPo: Update on 2006 Swann Street Murder (w/ Affidavit)
- Arrest Made in Connection with 2006 Swann Street Murder
Here are recent crimes of note in Police Service Areas (PSAs) 208, 307 and 305 for the October 28 to November 18 period in the Dupont Circle, U Street and Logan Circle areas. Crimes of note are property crimes such as stolen autos and burglaries, and violent crimes such as robberies and assaults.
There are several gun crimes… a carjacking… two stolen autos and several burglaries in this report.
(more…)
Through March 31, 2010: The Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit is at the National Geographic Museum, 17th & M Sts. NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Luis was at the National Geographic Museum last evening for the pre-opening event for the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit. You need to purchase tickets to see the exhibit, which opens today. Wikipedia has a nice entry on the Terra Cotta Army; it was first discovered in China in 1974. Remember that National Geographic is a nice walk if you live in the Dupont Circle or Logan Circle area.
A morning robbery in the 1200-block of U Street NW. This is not the
first time this has happened on this stretch of U Street in the
morning.
Police Alert-ROBBERY FEAR
ROBBERY FEAR 1048 AM 1200 BLK OF U ST NW LOOK FOR 3 B/M WEARING BLACK
CLOTHING DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090639251
Remember that you can sign up for DC Alerts online.
by Mary Burgan
Other Reviews by Mary
– Borderstan Movie Fan: Children’s Movies for Grandparents (Part 1)
– High School Musicals
– Movies for Foodies
– Health Care Options at the Movies
– My Favorite Sexy Movies
– “Borderstan Movie Fan” Tells You What to Rent
This week Mary the Borderstan Movie Fan reviews and recommends movies for older children. Her column runs every two weeks.
Children’s Movies for Grandparents, Part 2/Older Kids
I’ve already offered some suggestions for movies that grownups could watch with their toddler friends and relatives over the holidays. I’ll now talk about movies for older kids, who can be harder to please. (more…)
