February 04, 2017

“We’re all immigrants”: A personalized exhibit about President Lincoln’s efforts to encourage immigration

February 04, 2017/ Drew

“We’re all immigrants,” Erin Mast said to me, describing “American by Belief,” an exhibit on immigration and refugees at President Lincoln’s Cottage on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Petworth. Ms. Mast is the Executive Director of the Cottage and spoke to me about the exhibit while they were doing the initial install.

“Some of us immigrated by choice, others by force,” she said. “This exhibit is the story of President Lincoln’s effort to encourage immigration in the US and tell the story of how people choose to come here.”

(Ed Note: This article was previously published on October 21, 2015 when the Lincoln's Cottage exhibit first opened. The article, and the immigration exhibit, are arguably even more relevant today. I recommend you check it and and add your own immigration story to the wall.)

February 03, 2017

Ripley and his human are raising money for the Humane Rescue Alliance

February 03, 2017/ Drew

Ripley, a Petworth area dog who lives on 7th Street, had his owner Jeff Stone email me to let me he's raising funds to support the Humane Rescue Alliance. They're hoping readers will be interested in helping them by donating to their fund. Here's the details:

February 03, 2017

First Friday events, tonight on Upshur Street!

February 03, 2017/ Drew

Join the Petworth Arts Collaborative, Upshur Street/Georgia Avenue small businesses and local artists this Friday, February 3rd from 6pm-8pm.

February 01, 2017

Awesome: Owners of Hank's Cocktail Bar to donate to four different human rights non-profits

February 01, 2017/ Drew

The owners of Hank's Cocktail Bar (819 Upshur Street NW) sent out a press release today that's pretty awesome.

January 31, 2017

DC teacher hopes a missed connection reads Petworth News and contacts her

January 31, 2017/ Drew

Jenny reached out to me on Monday night asking for a favor: would I help try to find a "missed connection"? Apparently, her special fellow lives in or near Petworth.

January 30, 2017

Gunshots at 5th & Farragut, MPD investigating possible multiple weapons

January 30, 2017/ Drew

At approximately 6:23pm, MPD received a call for the sounds of gunshots in the 5000 block of 5th Street NW.

January 29, 2017

Notes from the January 2017 ANC meeting

January 29, 2017/ Drew

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C kicked off the first meeting of the year and its new term with the newly elected and returning commissioners on January 11th. New officers were elected, Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd attended, zoning issues were discussed, Slim’s Diner asked for permission for outside seating and more.

January 22, 2017

Cheers & kudos to Petworth-area MPD officers serving at the inauguration protests

January 22, 2017/ Drew

MPD officers from Petworth police service areas 404 and 407 participated in the protection and crowd control efforts at the protests during Friday's inauguration. In my opinion, MPD did an outstanding job protecting residents and visitors, using restraint to ensure those acting lawfully were able to exercise their Constitutional rights... and those who were causing damage were dealt with appropriately.

January 21, 2017

Hundreds join the Petworth Family March to demonstrate solidarity (photo gallery)

January 21, 2017/ Drew

Several neighbors decided that instead of taking their young kids and families down to the craziness of the National Mall for the Women's March, they thought they would try to gather a few local families together to create their own Petworth Family March. Well, it wasn't a few people who showed up, it was hundreds of people.

January 18, 2017

"A moral dilemma": WAMU looks at how Momma the pit bull may help change DC animal welfare laws

January 18, 2017/ Drew

WAMU's Ally Schweitzer took a look at the story for NPR's All Things Considered, and spoke to both Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd and Lisa LaFontaine, the president of the Humane Rescue Alliance, as well as the two neighbors who have lobbied HRA to help Momma (they used the pseudonyms "Jane" and "Mary" to protect themselves). The radio piece is well done, with the longer web article providing more opportunity for longer quotes and details.

January 18, 2017

Family March from Sherman Circle to Petworth Library on Saturday, 1/21

January 18, 2017/ Drew

Inauguration is happening on Friday, and the Women's March is set for Saturday, but it's not all happening down on the Mall. Petworth is having its own Family March on January 21st from 9:45am-11:00am for neighborhood children and families to show their support and solidarity with the Women's March on the National Mall.

With the crowds and potential craziness that such a large, national march might entail but still wanting to participate, some Petworth parents are creating a local march that will be calmer and share with children the importance of community.

"By marching together, we believe we are helping our children learn to use their voices and stand for what they believe in.”

January 17, 2017

Featured Rental: A great two-bedroom apartment off of Upshur St

January 17, 2017/ Drew

A friend is renting out their 2-bedroom basement apartment, and it looks pretty sweet with a great location. Here's their description:

January 12, 2017

Observe Martin Luther King, Jr day with a special "Civil Rights Speeches" event at the Petworth Library

January 12, 2017/ Rachel Maisler

The Petworth Library is marking Martin Luther King, Jr Day with an event on Saturday, January 14th at 1:30pm with an afternoon of Civil Rights speeches. Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd will share his personal perspective on civil rights and MikeIann Scerbo will give an educational speech about the Civil Rights Movement.

January 12, 2017

Will new animal welfare legislation get passed to help animals like Momma?

January 12, 2017/ Drew

It’s been a few days since the pit bull Momma was finally brought inside from freezing temperatures, and the outpouring of public attention has helped to start some important changes. However, city authorities and neighbors still don’t know what’s become of Momma, the dog’s owner or the home’s resident. Currently, the law doesn’t give the Humane Rescue Alliance much in the way of options. Here's an update on the story.