November 30, 2016

"First Friday" event this week, enjoy great sales, holiday windows and artwork along Upshur Street

November 30, 2016/ Drew

The Petworth Arts Collaborative will kick off their first "First Fridays" event on Friday December 2, 2016 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. "First Fridays" will showcase different styles of art, performance and visual, in unconventional and unique places along the 800 block of Upshur Street. Businesses in the area will be offering discounts and sales, while featuring different artists in their stores.

Plus, for the second year in a row, some of the businesses along the 800 block of Upshur will showcase special window displays decorated for the holidays.

Definitely worth checking out.

November 30, 2016

Update on Rock Creek Church development

November 30, 2016/ Drew

Matt Scorzafava, a partner with ERB Properties, the company developing the Rock Creek Church location, sent me an email with some updated information on the upcoming development.

November 30, 2016

Display your sense of civility and democracy and buy a yard sign

November 30, 2016/ Drew

Update: Sales have closed. We'll try to have them ready for pickup on Saturday, 12/10 during the Art & Craft Fair on Upshur Street around 4pm.

I saw a great sign in a neighbor's yard this week, and posted a photo to Instagram. I received a lot of questions from readers on how they can buy the same sign. Turns out, local resident Conrad Gross produced the signs based off the design originally created by the Immanuel Mennonite church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. And you can get one if you want one.

November 29, 2016

Church at 8th & Upshur to be demolished, new condos to be built

November 29, 2016/ Drew

The Rock Creek Baptist Church at 8th and Upshur, originally built in the 1950s, had been up for sale for quite some time, as the church prepared to move to Maryland. Now the sale is final and the congregation has moved out, leaving questions in the neighborhood for what comes next. The answer is a developer, ERB Properties, purchased the property and the lot next door, and plans to build four new multi-unit rowhouses.

Neighbor Chris Broderick was kind enough to pass along his notes from a meeting with the developer held Monday, November 28th at Ruta del Vino. I've added additional information as needed.

November 28, 2016

Twisted Horn gets a new name to go along with new menu, prices

November 28, 2016/ Drew

"We are a neighborhood restaurant," Shane Mayson, marketing director for the Hank's restaurants, "And we found the Twisted Horn concept didn't match as closely with that idea. We want to use this opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to the neighborhood."

November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2016/ Drew

I'm very thankful for everyone who reads and supports Petworth News!

I really appreciate the work of the blog's contributing writers: Zina, Darrell, Adrienne, Lois, Elissa, Anne and Rachel. (And I appreciate my wife and daughter's patience with me as I continue to write this blog.)

I hope you have a wonderful holiday, remembering what makes you lucky in this life, and what we all can do for those who may be not be as lucky.

November 23, 2016

Urban churches on the perimeter of change

November 23, 2016/ Lois Cooper

With the rapid development and gentrification of urban cities, along with the skyrocketing cost of housing in walkable communities, many of the people who once lived in the neighborhood have moved out. Most members commute to worship in the churches that they helped to build by raising money to construct and improve the structures. The churches in local communities are a reminder of the culture and history that was once essential and vital to life in the neighborhood.

November 22, 2016

Are you happy with your cable and cell phone companies? Take a survey! [Update: survey closed]

November 22, 2016/ Drew

Every few months, someone sends an email to the area listservs asking for advice on what cable TV or cellphone company people like. I figured it was a good idea to get everyone's opinion and publish this for neighbors to get an idea of what others like, dislike and how much they're paying.

The information you submit will be published anonymously (no name or email will be published or shared with anyone). This isn't a sponsored post, and no company will see the results... unless they read the blog, naturally.

So share your thoughts!

November 18, 2016

Did you see that big balloon over Petworth?

November 18, 2016/ Drew

Being the curious sort who's also not shy, I walked over to ask ... what the hell is that? Ok, I said it much nicer. The truck was staffed by two gentlemen, who seemed amused at the questions we were asking.

November 14, 2016

ANC 4D draft agenda for November meeting

November 14, 2016/ Drew

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D meets on Tuesday, November 15th at Truesdell Education Campus 800 Ingraham St NW, from 7pm - 9pm.

November 14, 2016

Converting your basement into a rentable apartment? Here's what's involved

November 14, 2016/ Guest Contributor

There's a community meeting next Wednesday, November 16th on zoning and what's involved with converting a basement space into a legal rental. With the recent changes to DC's zoning regulations, many homes in Petworth changed from Zone R-4 to Zone RF-1, which allows for Flats or a two dwelling unit use of a property as a matter of right .

November 12, 2016

Featured property: 620 Farragut St NW

November 12, 2016/ Drew

This week's featured property is 620 Farragut St NW, offered by Michele Weinstein from Real Living|At Home. This four bedroom, three-and-a-half bath rowhouse has been renovated and updated for a modern feel. Check out the photo gallery and video!

November 12, 2016

Ruta del Vino, Petworth's newest restaurant, aims to please with a Latin-inspired cuisine

November 12, 2016/ Drew

Ruta del Vino, the new Latin Wine bar at 800 Upshur St NW, opens its doors to the public on Saturday, November 12th at 5pm.

The new restaurant had two preview nights this week to help the staff practice and get ready for the opening. My wife Heather and I attended the second night on Friday, and had a great experience. The restaurant is beautiful, especially after a year long tear down and renovation.