I saw dozens of flowers piled around this memorial over the weekend, located on the outside of Sheridan Circle (between Mass Ave and 23rd St.) near the Irish Embassy. I’ve walked by the spot many times before but somehow never noticed the monument. It is dedicated to Orlando Letelier, a Chilean politician who was a leader of the resistance against Augusto Pinochet (Letelier moved to D.C. after being tortured by Pinochet), and his American assistant, Ronni Moffitt. On September 21, 1976, Letelier and Moffitt were driving together when a bomb exploded under the car, killing them both. The explosion happened on the spot of the memorial. Among other people, a member of the Chilean secret police was convicted in the attack.
My google search about the incident revealed multiple conspiracy theories, but, surprisingly, it also uncovered the original 1976 Washington Post article. The most recent article I found is here, from the Washington Examiner. The Wikipedia entries on Letelier and Moffitt are also illuminating. September 21 would have been the 33rd anniversary of the attack, which I assume is the occasion for the flowers.
This may be my favorite; what the heck is it? It looks wild. Outside of Firehook on 19th and Q:
These flowers looked a lot better a few weeks ago; I’m sorry I missed them in their prime. They look like some sort of mini sunflowers. Outside the Argentinean Embassy on Q St. and New Hampshire: 
I have really been enjoying the wall art. The murals are well done and it’s fun walking around and noticing new art popping up in unexpected places. The murals express a certain playfulness. Or, as la Madeleine puts it, a certain:
Good news! The Dupont Circle Plant Thief seems to have ceased his/her thievery. For now, at least. Since the resident of this basement apartment 
A tipster pointed out this message on top of a metal fence post on New Hampshire Ave., between Corcoran and R St. I have a few questions. 1. Is this actually a love letter, or is it more of a breakup letter? 2. Was Emil present at the writing of the message? 3. If not, did the author expect Emil to come upon the message? We’ll probably never know, but I hope the outcome is a happy one for Emil and everyone else involved. Oh, and it’s unsigned! Would Emil even know who the author is? Intrigue!
This morning, 22 white ghost bikes were placed at the intersection of Connecticut and R St. for 22-year-old cyclist Alice Swanson, who was killed in the intersection last July. After the accident, the Washington Area Bicycle Association placed a single ghost bike in the spot to memorialize Swanson. Two weeks ago, the city removed the bike without notice to Swanson’s family and friends. Now the bike is back, with 21 more. See more information 
I spotted this heart art on the side of Plum Blossom today, on 18th St. between T and Florida. Like a little valentine to the District! Awww.
The scaffolding in front of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s embassy (on S St. and New Hampshire) has been removed, and the building looks nice. It is a welcome change from the sad state of the old building, which was a dilapidated eyesore on a prominent corner. According to the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission, the old building was also attracting vermin and vagrants, and was generally bringing down the “well being” of people in the neighborhood. Now it looks great! And, bonus, it’s right across the street from the new dog park! 
Back in July of 2007 the Dupont ANC passed a 
As I was walking around this weekend I passed by the new dog park the city is constructing at the triangle where New Hampshire, S St., and 17th St meet. But it didn’t look under construction, it looked completely finished. So today I called Jack Evans’s office to get the scoop. As it turns out, it is finished, and there will be a ribbon cutting and “leash cutting” this Thursday at 4:00 PM. The park looks great! For reasons beyond my control I do not have a dog, but I may hang out here a little bit anyway to live vicariously through all the happy dog owners. 
The city removed the