A regular summary of irregular news and notes from neighborhood blogs and email lists around the District.

A Tree No Longer Grows in Adams Morgan: A member of the Mintwood Place email list wrote to DDOT to complain that a developer on the street had “killed the tree that was there because they failed to protect it during construction work on their project? A second tree in front of their two-building project appears to have been mortally wounded (although it still has a few leaves), because they failed to protect it. If a permit was in fact?granted, I would like to know when it was granted and why it was granted.? Just when Mintwood Place neighbors thought this project was about done, we’ve apparently lost another green space in today’s sidewalk re-paving.” Someone else writes in—from their BlackBerry—with news that carnage has doubled: “I am standing @ the site now. Actually two tree boxes have been paved over. A week ago for the grand opening asphalt was laid, replacing the side walk. This also included asphalt covering the remaining tree box making a tight collar around the tree trunk. I now see that the tree and tree box have vanished covered over with new concrete.”

Big Box Barracks Row? With the Barracks Row Blockbuster video store shutting its doors, the Hill Is Home has polled its readers on what should go in its place. The blog says, “I am partial to the idea of a solid retail store, especially one that can be a more of a draw than our boutique retailers can be on their own.  That block gets the most foot traffic of any on 8th Street, and that store front is one of the largest to open up in some time, so this does seem to create more possibilities than we’ve had in the past.  I would personally love an Ann Taylor, a Gap, a City Sports, or something along those lines,” and the poll is led by “women’s apparel” and “sporting goods store.” Commenters are speculative: One writes, “I think they may have already signed a tenant, but they are not saying who. It has been described as ‘national’ whatever that means.” Another says, “We all know it’s gonna become a restaurant. If they really have a single ‘national’ tenant for such a large space, say hello to Cheesecake Factory/Macaroni Grill/Fuddruckers/etc.”

Department of Practical Planter Advice: Perhaps given the proliferation of flower thievery across the city—from Cleveland Park to Brookland—an MPD official sent a note containing the following warnings to the MPD 4D email list: “The theft of garden ornaments, furniture, yard tools, and planters is another Spring/Summer trend. Consider the security of your yard and remember that valuable planters and ornaments are safer in the back garden where passersby are less likely to see them. Secure garden furniture by using an anchoring device and other devices to make it harder to move. Use brackets to protect your hanging baskets and plants. Consider marking and photographing your valuables. If they are difficult to mark, take a photograph anyway to help with identification if the worst happens and they are stolen. The tools and equipment in sheds and garages are more attractive to thieves who find them easier to sell as the weather improves. Please NEVER leave your sheds or garages unlocked. Mark your property with your post-code and house number.”

Equal Opportunity Density: The Brightwoodian rightfully takes umbrage with a Greater Greater Washington comment suggesting that Brightwood might not have enough density to support a future Metro station, should the transit system expand in that direction in coming decades. The blog writes, “I’ve heard this sentiment expressed before by city planners when they talk about Ward 4. But it bothers me. I understand we’re not the densest part of the city, but in my (biased) opinion that shouldn’t justify denying the Ward easy Metro access. After all, other residential neighborhoods that have similar density are served by Metro (Deanwood, anyone? West Hyattsville, maybe? Congress Heights, hello?). And considering some of the plans for Georgia Avenue’s future, specifically the development of the Curtis Chevrolet site and the redevelopment of Walter Reed, it’s hard to argue that Metro wouldn’t be valuable as a way of transporting customers to these destinations, in addition to spurring residential growth.”