Neighborhood in the News: The return of the Pat Collins Snow Stick; The Owl’s Nest on the market

TV newsman Pat Collins retired in 2022. But his snow stick still works at Washington’s NBC4. And yesterday, with actual measurable snow on the ground and continuing to fall, the stick returned to its birthplace: the BP service station at 5001 Connecticut.

The snow stick hitched a ride with current NBC4 reporter Tommy McFly.

NBC4 reporter Tommy McFly has set up a “SNOWdio” in Northwest DC, at the site where local news legend Pat Collins famously used a yardstick to demonstrate to TV viewers how much snow had fallen.https://t.co/fuAYYJF7Do

— Washingtonian 🌸 (@washingtonian) January 6, 2025

But first, McFly had to prove he was worthy of Excalibur the snow stick.

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A post shared by Tommy McFly (@mrtommymcfly)

McFly told Washingtonian the station had Collins’ blessing to take the snow stick out to the Connecticut Avenue BP, where he engaged with passersby. One of them was the mayor.

The Owl’s Nest is for sale. If you don’t know the name, you might know the place: the home across Gates Road NW from the Capital Memorial Church. Margery Elfin wrote for us in 2012 about the 127-year-old home’s history, its years of deterioration, and its mid-2000s purchase and restoration by Chris Donatelli, a developer who made the Owl’s Nest his home.

The Owl’s Nest in 2017, and the owl. This stained glass window in the foyer was part of the original home and preserved in the restoration.

Now, the home is on the market. The TTR Sotheby’s International Realty listing reveals it has eight bedrooms, eight full or half baths, and a $10.5 million asking price. Listing agent Daniel Heider told Mansion Global that it’s the perfect home for a diplomat, an ambassador, or global CEO; one that has included former President Barack Obama as a dinner party guest.

More links:

$3.2 million: the average selling price for a detached home in the 20008 Zip code last year. (Urban Turf)

Driving dangerously in mid-December (Popville)

A veteran gets a free smile makeover from DC Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry. The recipient, retired Sergeant First Class Tito Collins, said it was a “good step for me towards being back who I used to be.” (WUSA9)

About the public art pasted on the facade at Forest Hills of DC Senior Living. (WUSA9)