November 13, 2015

What's up with those lights? Getting a headcount of the nocturnal among us...

November 13, 2015/ Drew

Don't panic at the bright lights! Starting tonight and continuing tomorrow evening, the Fisheries and Wildlife Division (FWD) of the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) will be conducting a nighttime survey of wildlife population in the area. They'll be driving around the area with spotlights looking in trees and around properties looking for deer, raccoons, foxes and other nocturnal animals...

Read more about the lights >

November 12, 2015

Resident calls about gunshots on Delafield lead to quick arrests

November 12, 2015/ Drew

I heard from several readers last night via Twitter about the sound of 7-9 gunshots near Delafield and Emerson Streets just past 11pm. No one was injured but several vehicles on the 4900 block of 7th St NW were struck by bullets.

Because of great police work and concerned citizens contacting 911, MPD was able to apprehend two individuals for gun and drug possession. Below is an edited version of what happened:

At approximately 11:18pm / 11:30pm, MPD received a call for "Sounds of Gunshots" in the 400 block of Delafield Place NW. Officers quickly responded and observed a dark colored SUV making a U-turn in the block. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled. The vehicle was observed coming through the rear alley of the 800 block of Crittenden St NW.

Officers observed a black male park the vehicle and flee through the rear alley of the 800 block of Crittenden/Decatur. A perimeter was established and a K9 unit was called.

A concerned neighbor stated that there was a man hiding in the backyard of Crittenden St NW. Canine units responded and located two suspects hiding in the yard. A gun dog was able to locate a Taurus Semi Automatic hand gun in the rear of a house on the 800 block of Crittenden St. under a trashcan.

An examination of the vehicle produced two eight-balls of crack cocaine.

Again, great work by MPD! And thanks to Marta, Brian, Zak and José for letting me know and for MPD leadership getting back to me so quickly.

November 08, 2015

Getting a taste of Alfie's Thai cuisine - a pop-up dinner with Alex McCoy

November 08, 2015/ Drew

I had the pleasure of going to a pop-up dinner hosted by Alex McCoy, the former Food Network Star competitor opening up the new Alfie's restaurant at 845 Upshur St NW. It gave me the opportunity to taste some of the dishes we should expect to see when Alfie's opens.

Read more about the dinner, the expected date of opening, see pics and more, after the break:

November 03, 2015

Draft ANC 4C agenda for November

November 03, 2015/ Drew

The following agenda is for the TUESDAY, November 10, 2015 public meeting of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C. The agenda, which is set during an executive committee meeting, is referred to as the “draft” agenda until adopted by the majority of Commissioners at its official meeting

Read the full agenda, after the break:

November 03, 2015

Make a holiday card & make a vet happy!

November 03, 2015/ Drew

It's that time of year again! We are collecting handmade holiday cards for the residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home here in Petworth. This is a great activity to do with your kids or students -- or with your friends

Read more about AFRH holiday cards...

October 30, 2015

Notes from PSA 404/407 meeting

October 30, 2015/ Drew

The Police Service Area meeting for MPD PSAs 404 and 407 was crowded with more than 20 residents. That’s good and bad — it’s bad since it’s usually crowded when there’s strong concern about ongoing crime in the neighborhood. On the other hand, it was great to see so many neighbors out discussing their concerns and giving MPD praise for their hard work.

The new PSA 407 manager, Lieutenant Anthony Washington, introduced himself to residents at the meeting. Lt Raul Figueras, the PSA 404 manager was in attendance, as was Sergeant Schaut from 407.

Read the full notes, after the break:

October 29, 2015

Riyad closed, neighborhood looks forward to new restaurant

October 29, 2015/ Drew

The Riyad market closed due to the efforts by concerned residents in the neighborhood, good work by MPD on busting the Riyad for selling synthetic drugs and the outstanding work of Assistant Attorney General Michael Aniton on partnering with the community and the building owners to turn this from a neighborhood problem into a neighborhood opportunity

Read the full article, after the break:

October 28, 2015

Boo! Halloween events (& pirate house) in Petworth

October 28, 2015/ Drew

I have a feeling that this Halloween, falling as it does on a Saturday, is going to feature a lot of little people in costumes knocking on doors looking for candy. Don't be the person who gives out nickels and dimes, get the good stuff! See the events (and an awesomely decorated house) after the break...

October 28, 2015

KSDA gets a win, Kennedy Street hopefully gets new development

October 28, 2015/ Drew

Kudos to the Kennedy Street Development Association for their hard work on getting properties owners of vacant and blighted homes to step up and respect the neighborhood.

929-931 Kennedy Street NW is now up for sale after the city was pushed to place a new tax lien on the properties.

Read more, after the break:

October 25, 2015

Notes from ANC 4D's October meeting

October 25, 2015/ Drew

ANC 4D’s October meeting was interesting for a number of reasons, least of which, but still important, was how calm it was in comparison to 4C. The two most interesting things that happened that night? 1) The commission delayed a vote on a variance to allow the audience time to review a developer’s plans and then asked for public feedback prior to the vote. And 2) the developer clearly heard the public concerns about parking, and came back with a way to increase available parking.

Read the full notes, after the break...

October 19, 2015

Heights Community Soup looking to fund neighborhood projects

October 19, 2015/ Drew

There's a new program that is slowly getting more attention up in north Petworth called Heights Community Soup. It's a community potluck dinner where neighbors gather, share dinner and ideas to help the neighborhood, and then vote to fund one of four proposals presented that night. Past Soups have raised in the $600-700 range for the chosen community project.

The organizers, the Community Alliance For Upper Fourteenth Street (CAUFS), based their program on the "Detroit Soup" model, through which residents have gathered and voted to micro-fund many creative projects across the city.

CAUFS is looking for people to come out and join their fellow neighbors with a dinner and idea session. If you have an idea for a community activity, mural or something else to fill a gap or lift up the community, please share your idea. Please email any questions and suggestions for ideas by Friday, October 23rd to info.heightscommunitysoup@gmail.com.

They're looking for proposals that benefit communities surrounding the upper 14th St area bounded by Georgia Avenue (East), Rock Creek Park (West), Spring Road (South) and Missouri Avenue (North).

The next Soup is Tuesday, October 27th from 6:30-8:30pm at 4411 14th St.

Doors open at 6pm, presentations start at 6:30 and dinner around 7:30pm. They'll announce the winner of the funding by 8:30.

> View the Heights Community Soup PDF for more info.

October 19, 2015

Park View follow-up on parking issue at 3701 New Hampshire

October 19, 2015/ Drew

ANC 1A Chair and Park View blogger Kent Boese wrote a follow-up article about the parking issues around 3701 New Hampshire Avenue. I think it's a good explanation of the current parking situation. Kent walked around the area looking at where people are parking and what options were available.

The article is a good in-depth look at the issue. Ultimately, residents along 7th, Quincy, Rock Creek Church and other nearby streets will feel the stress from any new development, be it a restaurant or an apartment building.

Read more >

October 18, 2015

Thoughts on ANC 4C issues; facts & opinions

October 18, 2015/ Drew

I've heard from many readers about the events from the October 14th ANC 4C meeting, detailed in the article "This is what dysfunction looks like: Notes from ANC 4C October meeting." The article has been read by more than 2,000 people so far, and there are over 20 comments on the Petworth News Facebook page, and a few here on the blog article. (I always get more comments on FB than on the blog.)

The level of concern among residents is pretty high. People are concerned about belligerence, about arrogance, and about a lack of attention to the issues residents care about. There's confusion as to why there was so much anger at the meeting, and what it means for the effectiveness of the commission.

I thought I'd take some time to go over what happened and why (as best as I can tell), and give the commissioners a chance to weigh in, officially and off the record.

Read more about the events >

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