November 11, 2016

A fire destroyed possessions, but a community can help support the family

November 11, 2016/ Drew

On October 31st, Serita Payton was at home with her family at 5002 Illinois Avenue when they smelled smoke. She rushed her kids and her mother outside, and watched helpless as a fire destroyed the home she rented, and killed their two cats which they were unable to rescue. Now her family is living in a hotel as they look to rebuild their possessions, and feel blessed they have each other and that no one was hurt. They need help getting back on their feet and into a home.

November 11, 2016

MPD hopes recent arrests curtail sounds of gunshots, violence

November 11, 2016/ Drew

MPD sent out an email yesterday about an arrest made of two individuals who had guns and drugs on them. The hope is that the arrest leads to a decrease in some of the local violence around and between Crittenden and Kennedy Streets.

November 09, 2016

A community gathering for "peaceful reflection" at Lincoln's Cottage tonight

November 09, 2016/ Drew

Lincoln's Cottage reached out this morning to say they're hosting a "peaceful reflection" for the community as a way of coming together.

November 05, 2016

A look at Little Coco’s, one of the newest bright spots on 14th Street

November 05, 2016/ Drew

Well before it opened, there was a lot of anticipation for Little Coco’s, the new Italian restaurant by Gordon Banks and Jackie Greenbaum on 14th Street. Opened in September, the restaurant quickly took its place as one of the best go-to restaurants in the area. I met with Gordon to talk about the restaurant, and how he and Jackie see themselves in the community.

November 03, 2016

Help clean up Grant Circle this Sunday

November 03, 2016/ Drew

Friends of Grant Circle is hosting a volunteer day on Sunday November 6th at 10am. We'll pick up some trash, trim a few bushes, and put some fresh paint on the benches if the weather allows.

November 03, 2016

Bun Bun gets a TV interview

November 03, 2016/ Drew

The story of Bun Bun became a TV news story this week, after WUSA 9 reporter Evan Koslof met with the Videnieks family and little Lindsey to talk about how she lost and then found her stuffed rabbit, Bun Bun.

November 01, 2016

Photos from the Sherman Circle Halloween parade & party

November 01, 2016/ Drew

There were so many Halloween block parties and events this weekend that I decided to pick only one to shoot photos. My family and I went to the Sherman Circle Halloween parade and it was crowded! Hundreds of people attended, including about 10 different Supermen and women. Here's a photo set:

October 30, 2016

Tell the DDOT Director how dangerous you think Grant & Sherman Circles are

October 30, 2016/ Drew

We've written pretty extensively about pedestrian safety issues at Grant and Sherman Circles, the near-misses of parents' with strollers, a woman hit at 5th and Grant Circle, cars driving into the middle of the Circle.

Saturday morning I was crossing Grant Circle when I was almost run over by a man in a black SUV. I was crossing at New Hampshire Ave south into the Circle, was about a quarter of the way into the crosswalk when the SUV sped around the Circle from the inside lane, shifted over to the outside lane and bee-lined straight for the New Hampshire exit... and me.

October 27, 2016

Featured property: 218 Upshur St NW

October 27, 2016/ Drew

This week’s Featured Property, offered by Alexander Dixon and US Realty, is 218 Upshur St NW, a large five bedroom, four-and-a-half bath rowhome in Petworth.

This extra large property features more than 3,000 sq ft of living space plus off-street parking for two cars. The back yard is landscaped with a fire pit, and a 1-bedroom, 1 bath pied-à-terre apartment in the basement offers a separate entrance.

October 26, 2016

Mom, Alzheimer’s and the sustenance of a loving family

October 26, 2016/ Lois Cooper

I don’t remember the exact time or date in 2008 that mom’s diagnosis of Dementia /Alzheimer’s became a reality for me. As a family, we spent a lot of time trying to justify the signs and symptoms since mom was almost 90. It wasn’t so much her forgetfulness but the decline in her ability to cook and prepare meals, which was the real signal.

The love my children see being bestowed upon their grandmother helps to foster conversation about the love, tenderness, and compassion that they will one day share with me as I age gracefully in time.

October 26, 2016

The story of Bun Bun getting lost and found

October 26, 2016/ Drew

Tuesday night I had to pick up some medicine for my daughter so went to the local Georgia Avenue Safeway. Walking into the store from the underground parking lot, I see a stuffed rabbit doll sitting on the top of a trash can, looking rather forlorn. It looked sad sitting there, head down. It also looked really loved.

October 25, 2016

Learn about candidates for ANC 4D

October 25, 2016/ Drew

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D serves north Petworth, Brightwood and Brightwood Park. A quietly effective ANC, 4D is made up of some professional people this term who have put in place extremely helpful community events like 4D Day, a health fair, participated in the Kennedy Street Festival and held legal-assistance events for returning citizens and youth. And zero name calling or cursing during public meetings.

October 25, 2016

Learn about the candidates for ANC 4C

October 25, 2016/ Drew

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C has had its fair share of dysfunction over the past years. Part of this is due to poor behavior on the part of some commissioners, some of it is new commissioners learning the ropes as there has been a large turnover on the commission. Come this November, a good portion of the ANC is running for reelection (most unopposed), with some new faces looking to join.

In alphabetical order, here are the candidates in 4C who took the time to respond to my request for information. All content below are their own, unedited words.