September 23, 2015

Will new lane markings in Grant Circle increase pedestrian safety? (updated)

September 23, 2015/ Drew

A DC DDOT contractor crew was out today painting the new lane markings around Grant Circle. Pedestrian safety at the Circle has been a concern for the people who live around and need to cross the traffic circle. DDOT has finally responded to resident concerns by painting new lane markings as well as using the paint to denote turn lanes and parking lanes. But will these new lines actually make people safer?

Read more and see photos after the break >

September 21, 2015

Come celebrate Petworth Citizen's 2nd anniversary tomorrow

September 21, 2015/ Drew

Petworth Citizen turns two years old on Tuesday, September 22nd, and they're celebrating with an all-night happy hour from 5pm until closing.

Paul Ruppert opened up Petworth Citizen at 829 Upshur St NW in 2013, replacing the problematic "Island Cafe" that had been there previously and closed after numerous violations, fights, stabbings, etc. It's now a much better place to meet friends, have dinner and grab a few drinks.

They turned the back room (which once featured mirrored walls and couches) into a small library, and made it the Reading Room (now home to many social gatherings and a Comedy Hour on Sundays). Read a recent interview I did with Paul Ruppert.

I'll be at the Citizen tomorrow night after 9pm or so, stop by to enjoy a drink and say hi!

Colin / Russ: It's time to collect those beers I owe you for finding typos! ;)

September 21, 2015

Don't miss: last Petworth Jazz & Dance Projects this Saturday

September 21, 2015/ Drew

You know Summer is coming to an end when the Petworth Jazz Project has its season finale show. But don't frown, this show sounds like it'll be awesome.

It's also a combo show with the Petworth Dance Project, which was rained out a couple of weeks back. Between Baba Ras D for the kids (and c'mon, you like him too), Dance, Jazz and some tasty Timber Pizza, Petworth Park is going to be THE place to be on Saturday night, September 26th.

Read more >

September 21, 2015

KSDA keeps up the pressure on vacant properties (updated)

September 21, 2015/ Drew

Here's some good investigative work by neighbors in the Kennedy Street Development Association on vacant and blighted property in the area. It's bad enough that good homes are sitting vacant and are unsafe (or being used by squatters or for other uses), but the city is losing millions in taxable revenue that could be used for good purposes, like homelessness and affordable housing, perhaps? Good job to the KSDA folks for their tenacity on this issue... Read more >

September 20, 2015

Renovation Tips: Eat, bathe and relax in style

September 20, 2015/ Guest Contributor

Are you considering updates and renovations at your house? This is the second in a short series written with my friend and local real estate agent Ryan DaSilva about renovation ideas that are “worth it.” Obviously, “worthiness” is always up to the homeowner. Whether you’re planning on moving in a year or living in your house for the next 50 years, there’s always something to update and improve the house to make it more enjoyable for you.

September 18, 2015

Join Friends of Grant Circle, NPS and your neighbors to keep the Circle beautiful

September 18, 2015/ Drew

The National Park Service is turning 100 next August, and they’re kicking off their centennial celebrations on September 26th with a city-wide celebration — cleaning parks.

They’re looking to work with community members to help maintain and improve the parks in our area, including Grant Circle. Petworth neighbors Carol Herwig and George Morgan are partnering with NPS to launch a new Friends of Grant Circle group that will team up with NPS to help maintain the park in the Circle. The Friends will take care of things that don’t fall under “normal” maintenance and be the “eyes and ears” of the Circle for NPS.

Read more about the Friends of Grant Circle and the upcoming celebration on September 26th, after the break:

September 15, 2015

Brainstorming on grant ideas for Petworth ANCs 4C & 4D

September 15, 2015/ Drew

In my notes from the September ANC 4C meeting, I grumbled at how much money the ANC had and how few grants have been given out this year. It got me and a neighbor, Loren Schulman, thinking about why there weren't more grants and some ways the ANC could spend some of that money on behalf of the community. So we figured we'd ask our neighbors for ideas...

Read more about the idea and get the link to the brainstorming survey, after the break:

September 13, 2015

The opposite of a Slim chance: an interview with Paul Ruppert

September 13, 2015/ Drew

You can’t talk about the recent resurgence along Upshur Street in Petworth without mentioning Paul Ruppert. The Ruppert family has lived and owned businesses in DC since the 1890s when his great-grandfather opened up a hardware store. An entrepreneur at heart, Paul has run several successful restaurants in DC since he opened his first one on 7th Street with his mother in 1992. Paul has made a career of opening businesses in areas of DC that are on the cusp of change, and then lending support to those communities. It’s no different with Petworth. Read more about Slim's Diner and Paul Ruppert, after the break...

September 12, 2015

Petworth Dance Project has been canceled for tonight

September 12, 2015/ Drew

Alas, the rain is chasing the dance away. This evening's Petworth Dance Project has been canceled. They're looking to combine it with the Petworth Jazz Project on Saturday, September 26th. Should make for an outstanding show at Petworth Park at the end of the month!

I'll post more about the final Jazz Project show of the season as we get closer to it.

September 09, 2015

Don’t miss Petworth Dance Project’s last performance on Saturday

September 09, 2015/ Drew

The Petworth Dance Project is one of the best gems in the Petworth cultural crown, and the last performance for this summer is this Saturday, September 12th. (Read my first article about the Dance Project and what it means to live in a neighborhood.)

This wonderful event has drawn a small but dedicated crowd that grows each performance. It would be great to give them a big send-off for the last show of the season. So bring a picnic meal and some drinks and enjoy a great experience.

Read more about the free dance program after the break:

September 03, 2015

A new store for Upshur: DC Treasure antiques & collectibles

September 03, 2015/ Drew

Upshur Street is getting another new business, this time on the 200 block next door to Slash Run. Noah David is opening DC Treasure, an antiques and collectibles store in the old Louisiana Gumbo Express at 205 Upshur St NW. Read more about the new store coming to Upshur:

September 02, 2015

CM Brandon Todd visits Petworth Park, meets parents & staff

September 02, 2015/ Drew

Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd and his staff made a visit to the Petworth Park (801 Taylor St NW) and Petworth Recreation Center this afternoon, along with John Stokes, the chief of staff for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

CM Todd was there to meet with local area parents to hear about concerns and requests for improvements at the park, as well as meeting with Recreation Center staff Clarence Anderson and Karla Kelley. Read more about the visit after the break:

September 01, 2015

Neighborhood Watch crime prevention training

September 01, 2015/ Drew

If you're interested in learning how to reduce crime -- and not be a victim yourself -- consider attending the next Neighborhood Watch crime prevention training.

The next session will be September 16, 2015 at the Second District police station (3320 Idaho Avenue, NW, 20016) at 7:00 pm. This is a free training open to anyone interested in reducing crime. Please contact the Citywide Neighborhood Watch Trainer Samantha Nolan if you plan to attend (desserts and materials are prepared based on the number of participants).

From Ms. Nolan's email: "If you want to learn ways to prevent crime and reduce your likelihood of becoming a crime victim, please attend the training. You will see pictures of actual crime scenes and learn how to avoid becoming a victim of the crimes. More than 80% of crime in DC is preventable (Crime of Opportunity). By reducing these crimes, the police can concentrate on preventing and solving more violent crimes."

If you would like to attend the training, please email Ms Nolan or call 202-244-2620.