It’s all about the neighborhood
DC Public Schools will be closed tomorrow due to the expected snow (5-8 inches). I'm sure Fed govt will be closed tomorrow, too.
Enjoy the day off! Stay warm and safe. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
The next ANC 4C meeting is Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30pm at the Petworth Library (4200 Kansas Avenue NW). Looks like a full agenda... no early outs for intrepid bloggers, it seems. Hope to see you there!
DRAFT AGENDA – March 11, 2015 Community Meeting 1. Call to Order (6:30pm) 2. Roll Call and Introduction of Commissioners (6:33pm) 3. Approval of Agenda (6:35pm) 4. Reading and Approval of the February 2015 Minutes (6:40pm) 5. Treasurer’s Report - Commissioner Crowley (6:45pm) 6. Metropolitan Police Decriminalization of Marijuana - Commissioner Uqdah (6:50pm) 7. DC Fire EMS (7:05pm) 8. Khalil Thompson, Mayor Bowser’s Office (7:10pm) 9. Community Comment (2 minutes per speaker) (7:15pm)
Zoning Matters: 1. Christian Family Montessori School BZA Special Exception 201 Allison Street NW Commissioner Martin (7:25pm) 2. 4326 Georgia Avenue NW BZA waiver – Commissioner Hayworth (7:40pm) 3. 1521 Varnum Street NW BZA waiver - Commissioner Standish (7:55pm) 4. 1117 Allison Street NW BZA waiver - Commissioner Standish (8:10pm)
ABRA Matters: 1. Slim's Diner ABRA application - Commissioner Hayworth (8:25pm) 2. Twisted Horn ABRA application - Commissioner Hayworth (8:35pm)
New Business: 1. Historic Landmark Application #15-04, 16 Grant Circle NW - Commissioner Martin (8:40pm) 2. Historic Landmark Application #15-08, 7 Grant Circle NW - Commissioner Martin (8:45pm) 3. Historic Landmark Application #15-07, 4 through 33 Grant Circle NW, 513 Varnum Street NW and 510 Webster St NW – Commissioner Martin (8:50pm) 4. Upshur Pool DPR John Stokes – Commissioner Teustch (8:55pm) from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Last night at the Petworth Citizen Reading Room was a night of good laughs with 13 different comics trying their best to get people to laugh at and with them. They’re pretty successful at it, as the little Reading Room got quite packed and people were turned away, I think. In fact, Petworth Citizen plans on making this a regular Sunday night event starting March 22nd. This was the 2nd Comedy Night for the Reading Room, MC’d by local comic Chris Brandt. Chris is the opening act and runs the comedy show, but this isn’t his full time gig (even if he’d like it to be). When he isn’t doing stand up, he works at American University’s School of International Service, as well as Qualia Coffee.
The Comedy Night features DC comics aspiring to make this their full-time job (well, at least most of them claimed that during their sets). Interestingly, many of the comics are writers and journalists (what is it about writing that makes people so weird?).
First act up was Chris Brandt’s, and he was funny, with some political jokes and NYC travel jokes. (BTW, Romney jokes are still funny, and Vanilla Ice, in jokes and real life, is also funny.)
After Chris was Natalie McGill, who said this was her first time in Petworth. Natalie seemed one of the most comfortable comics talking to the crowd and gives the air of experience (even as she admitted to working in journalism). Her humor was part self-deprecating, part cultural. Erin Gillman also also seemed pretty comfortable in front of the audience and had some good jokes about yoga and pot. Tim Middleton joked about being young-looking (he did look young… or I might be just getting old…). Wayne Manigo, who runs the local Washington Writer’s Group, had some funny jokes about antagonizing those people with clipboards on the street who try to get you to donate to their cause.
Ross Benoit joked about being back on the single’s scene (and about being an Applebee’s waiter, poor guy).
Kasha Patel (a science writer) had a great deadpan routine. Kasha’s parents immigrated from India and moved to West Virginia, so she joked about being 1 of 2 Indians in school in her town (until her brother graduated, that is). In trying to understand why her family moved to West Virginia, Kasha traveled to India to visit her father’s small village. She found the villagers just got a western-style toilet for the first time and weren’t allowed to marry each other because they’re all related. Then she realized that her father is from the West Virginia of India. It was a good bit, and her low-key style worked really well.
Talib Babb was a young guy who shows some real spark. He got off to a bit of a wonky start when his phone messed with the PA system, and I think it threw him off a bit. His first joke had the audience laughing pretty quickly.
Jared Rockwell had some great jokes about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles “Why the masks? They’re giant, talking turtles. Who are they hiding from?”
Pete Musto was the shortest and the loudest comic (I can relate), and as a teacher, most of his jokes revolved around kids.
Jelani Wills (who runs a weekly show at the Stetson on U St I believe) joked about gentrification and that “Asian food tastes better when it isn’t cooked behind bullet-proof glass.”
Chris Blackwell (who performs at Chief Ike’s in Adams Morgan) told very DC-centric jokes (“only in DC could jokes about GS-11s and GS-13s be funny”).
The last comic of the night was Dee Achmed, who’s cultural jokes referenced his Somali background and fitting in to popular culture.
All in all it was a fun night watching some aspiring comics practice on Petworthians.
Definitely try to make it out for the next show on the 22nd! from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
DCPS opening with a two hour delay! Fed government, too. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Is your trash being collected? Some neighbors are reporting that trash is being picked up today. If you don't have your trash picked up by Monday, send an email to Khalil Thompson at khalil.thompson@dc.gov.
Mr. Thompson is the Ward 4 liaison while we're still missing a Councilmember. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Aah, terrible news for me. Leonard Nimoy has passed away. He was a hero to me as a child and young teen, and still is to this day. I met Leonard Nimoy when I was a young teen back in Houston. I was a massive Star Trek fan, and Spock was a hero to me. Intelligent, logical, focused... Nimoy came to Houston to speak at the university, and my father got us invited to a meet and greet at a local restaurant.
I stood there in the restaurant in total awe, watching Nimoy eat, walk around talking to other people. There, right there, was Spock! Holy moly!
My father invited Nimoy over to meet me and my friend Ricardo Gomez. Nimoy came over with a smile, and my father introduced us. I stood there gazing up at Spock (at Spock! There is Spock right in front of me!) and my first thought was he looked just like my great uncle. He was tall and had this gravely voice and a big smile. I reached out my hand and I said:
"I like Spock."
Mr Nimoy shook my hand, smiled at me and thanked me. I didn't let go of his hand. I stared up at him and said, in wonder: "I like Spock."
Nimoy continued smiling and said "That's great, I really appreciate that." Then he slowly pulled his hand away. My friend Ricardo came up, shook Nimoy's hand and said how much he enjoyed the TV show and the Spock character. Mr Nimoy thanked him and said something back.
There I stood, just to the right of my Dad, behind Ricardo, and I spoke once more to my childhood hero, this imposing figure that I was in total awe:
"I like Spock!"
Mr Nimoy smiled at me again, shook my father's hand and said a few words and walked to talk with someone else. I just stood there realizing that in this opportunity to talk to my hero, all I could say were three little words. And then I thought
OHMYGOD, Spock thinks I'm retarded.
Even so, Leonard Nimoy was gracious, warm and kind. And he will always be a hero to me as an actor, a photographer and as Spock.
I will always like Spock. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
If you want to get informed on how to prevent / look out for crime in your area, there is a Neighborhood Watch Crime Prevention Training set for March 16, 2015 at 6001 Georgia Avenue NW (4D MPD Station) at 7:00 pm. This is a free training open to anyone interested in reducing crime.
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 changing simple behaviors can reduce your possibility of 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 contact Samantha Nolan by email at NolanTutor@yahoo.com. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Update on PSA 404 Crime Stats, courtesy of Lt Whiteside: Fiscal Year: -3% overall -18% violent crime 0% property – no change
Year to Date -28% overall (3rd in 4D, other 2 PSA are 1% lower…I’m gonna call that a 3 way tie ☺ ) -54% violent crime – currently leading the entire 4th District ( ! ) -24% property from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Goes to show that DC officials read the listservs (and a few neighborhood blogs perhaps). Looks like Mayor Bowser is doing an "All Hands on Deck" to pick up trash and recyclables. Here's the press release:
Note that street sweeping has been postposed March 9th.
Bowser Administration Announces “All Hands on Deck” to Collect Trash and Recycling after Snow Storms
City Officials; Union Leaders Available for Press Interviews on Friday Morning at Truck Deployment Site
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, the Bowser Administration, with the support of union leaders from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) announced an “All Hanks on Deck” effort to catch up on trash collection that has been delayed due to hazardous conditions on weather-impacted alleys.
Tomorrow, Friday, February 27, 2015 at 6:30 a.m. at the District’s solid waste collection headquarters at 1241 W Street NE, City Administrator Rashad Young, Department of Public Works Director William O. Howland Jr. and representatives from AFSCME will be available to discuss the new effort.
Additional trash collection crews will hit the roads tomorrow and throughout the weekend to collect trash that has not been collected. As part of the effort, the District has allocated the following resources: · additional crews from the leaf team will be activated for trash collection; · additional crews from private companies will be engaged to add capacity; and · an unprecedented effort to salt alleys to make them passable for trash collectors.
“We apologize for the delay in service. We are committed to providing the best service possible to the District’s residents. This winter has been particularly challenging, but the District’s government and our employees are rising to the challenge,” said City Administrator Young, Department of Public Works Director Howland and AFSCME Leaders Andre Lee and Barry Carey. “Our crews are going all hands on deck and will work through the weekend to ensure that all trash is picked up in the next 72 hours.”
Due to public health concerns, crews will co-mingle trash and recycling to ensure that all cans are emptied as quickly as possible. Some winter precipitation may occur early next week; therefore, the start of the weekly residential street sweeping program will be postponed to Monday, March 9, 2015 from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Missed you at tonight’s PSA 404/407 meeting! But since I went, here’s my notes: :) (I arrived a it early and asked the officers at the front desk where the PSA meeting was going to be held. They didn’t know, and oddly, they had never heard of Lt Van Crawford (PSA 407) and 4D Commander Manlapaz. Weird.)
This was the largest group of residents attending a PSA 404/407 meeting (in that there were about 15 or so); pretty unusual turnout when there isn’t a large spike in crime happening.
Besides the residents, ANC 4C Commissioners Zach Teutsch and Vann-Di Galloway attended, as did ANC 4A Commissioner Gale Black and ANC 4D Commissioner Krystal Branton. Khalil Thompson, the mayor’s Ward 4 liaison was also there (doesn’t this guy ever get to go home and enjoy an evening? I see him at every single community meeting.)
From MPD, Lieutenants Whiteside (404) and Van Crawford (407) were there, as was Captain Brian Bray (4D night commander) and the new substation Inspector Vendette Parker. (I have to say that the Lieutenants, Inspector and Captain are incredibly nice people, very interested in speaking with and working with residents.)
Lt. Whiteside opened the meeting and introduced two of his mountain bike officers (they’re in patrol cars right now, though). They left to go out on patrol, and I only got one officer’s name (Gill) unforunately.
If you haven’t seen an officer on a Segway in the area, turns out Officer Brent Khelawan has transferred to a new unit. As a former segway tour guide, I had a special appreciation for seeing Officer Khelawan zip by.
Lt Whiteside said he accidentally didn’t bring the crime stats with him (had it with him all day and left them at home right before he arrived). But basically, crime in both 404 and 407 are down this year (calendar year and fiscal year [since October]). 404 is definitely down this past month, though property crime is still a problem.
Zach Teutsch asked if the decrease in crime was a factor of the cold weather, and Lt Whiteside said with a laugh, “I’m going to say it’s because of amazing police work.”
Zach asked about updates on the sexual assault 2 months ago in an alley near Randolph and Quincy. Lt. Whiteside said there weren’t any updates that he was aware of, and he hasn’t been notified of any arrests. He did caveat that MPD doesn’t normally comment on ongoing investigations. (Probably doesn’t help to have a blogger sitting there taking active notes, too.)
Gail Black asked about crime in the Crestwood area, specifically 16th Street, near Varnum and Shepherd. There has been an ongoing problem with robberies, stolen cars and the like. It’s a known hot spot, but they’re not sure why (easy access out of the area, was Ms Black’s opinion). She also talked about illegal parking issues with the Mt Zion church, and Lt Whiteside said they had recently spoken to the pastor about the issue, and patrol cars would keep an eye out.
Ms Black asked an interesting question she received from a neighbor about who is responsible for cleaning up dead animals found on private property. MPD didn’t know, but another resident mentioned that it’s usually the homeowner.
Khalil Thompson said the Mayor Bowser met with the City Administrator to discuss trash collection issues. He said he’ll have more info to share, but that we should see some “action in the next 72 hours.”
Inspector Vendette Parker introduced herself and said she has 21 years on the job.
Then Vann-Di Galloway asked about the recent legalization of marijuana, and Inspector Parker talked about how smoking pot is still illegal in public spaces, but possessing and smoking at home is legal. You can smoke in your home, in your backyard, on your porch but not on your front yard. You can’t sell pot, but you can gift it to someone (up to an ounce). And she mentioned that while MPD won’t arrest you for sparking up on your porch (my words), federal officers could.
Galloway also talked problems with people who get cash back from shopping at Safeway, and then get robbed in the parking garage or out on Randolph Street. Lt Whiteside said he hadn’t seen any reports on robberies. Galloway said that neighbors don’t feel safe on Randolph now. Has anyone else heard stories like this?
Whiteside mentioned that problems on 5th and Crittenden have improved as MPD has made several arrests, relocated some people and banned others from the area.
Lt Van Crawford gave a quick update on the Riyad. He said that there was still an ongoing investigation (MPD and DCRA), since they confiscated over 500 packets of synthetic drugs from the store. He said he thought DCRA was looking into shutting the store down, but had no other information.
Meeting was over in an hour, pretty quick. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Mayor Bowser will appear on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC tonight at 9:00 PM to discuss the implementation of Initiative 71 and the decriminalization of pot in DC. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Hey 4D peeps, here are my notes from the February 24th ANC 4D Commission meeting. Sorry they're a day late -- last night after the meeting was PowerPoint night for upcoming work meetings. No rest for Petworth News, I tell ya! TL;DR: Lots of discussion about the problems with the Clubhouse on Georgia & Hamilton with Captain Brian Bray in attendance to explain the Jan 19th incident / huge fight. The ANC passed a resolution to ask ABRA to permanently suspend their liquor license. ABRA advisor talked about enforcement, Arcadia non-profit got a letter of support for a parking permit and there were some really tasty crepes from Aboil Cafe.
Longer notes:
It was a relatively straightforward meeting with some particularly interesting highlights. Commissioners Renee Bowser (4D02) and Bill Quirk (4D06) were not in attendance due to schedule conflicts (note that this meeting was rescheduled from a prior week due to snow). The ANC went over typical ANC items (agenda, meeting minutes, etc) and discussed the Treasury report ($9,696.95 available, and they haven’t yet received their quarterly allotment from DC gov).
Commissioner David Sheon (ANC 4D04) introduced MPD Captain Brian Bray, the 4D midnight shift commander, to speak about the January 19th fight at the Clubhouse (also known as the Trinidad & Tobago Association Club) at 5123 Georgia Avenue NW. Captain Bray went over the events of that night in good detail. An MPD call came in at 1:15am on the morning of Jan 19th for a “large fight with 300 people outside” the Clubhouse. “It was a huge fight,” Bray said. “ People bleeding… we had to close Georgia Avenue both ways, and had more than 30 officers on scene.” From MPD’s investigation, they found that the club had around 500-600 people inside, more than double their allowable occupancy. He said the club doesn’t have a security plan and not enough bouncers, and they were serving minors.
The fight began in the downstairs bar, with an argument over a girl (ain’t it always so?). Someone got hit with a bottle over the head (fracturing an eye socket, ouch). Seems the club’s security team started peppering spraying everyone downstairs and the crowd surged outside. 25 people ended up with injuries. The management did not cooperate with MPD. This club has had years of problems, with 7 incidents (assaults) in the last year alone. A private club (not a nightclub), they have about 2-3 events a month.
And oh boy, do the neighbors despise this place. Commissioner Nancy Roth (4D01) mentioned that in conversations with neighbors they talked about how unhappy they were with the place, “they’re quite concerned and upset, and feel it diminishes the quality of life.”
A neighbor at the meeting, Ms. Wallace, got up to talk about how the club “let’s out around 5am” as she’s getting up for church, and young people are outside “raisin’ hell and cursing” while they hang out front and in the back of the club. She’s concerned about people getting hurt and the significant amount of trash strewn around the area. “Yard looks like a trash heap!”
Another neighbor said that there’s “no place for young people to get together. Maybe we can work with the club?” To which Commissioner Sheon replied “You need a dance partner to do that,” saying that the owner has not responded to repeated requests to meet with residents and ANC commissioners.
Captain Bray discussed the noise statute (apparently it’s changed a few times). Currently, MPD can respond to noise complaints that occur after 11pm and can cite incidents that meet a standard of a “reasonable person” would consider too loud. MPD will issue a warning first, and if a second call is made, can then ticket the offenders.
Then Sarah Fashbaugh, the Community Resource Advisor for ABRA got up to speak, invited also by Commissioner Sheon. (By the way ABRA stands for Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration. ABRA issues liquor licenses, holds regulator inspections and manages renewals of licenses.) Ms Fashbaugh described her role at ABRA as the “first line of defense for residents” when dealing with problem establishments. “I know the right people to annoy to help you,” she said.
She asked residents to call the ABRA Complaint Hotline if restaurants, bars, etc, are littering, being loud, etc. (The number is 202-329-6347.) There is someone manning the phones during the hours bars are open (so up to 3am Sunday - Thursday, and up to 4am on Friday - Saturday).
Ms. Fashbaugh said it’s not enough for residents to take pictures or video, an ABRA inspector has to witness the offending action, litter, etc. For example, if you call about noise, 2 ABRA inspectors will come to your home, close the windows and doors and if the sound is still noticeable, can then fine the establishment $1,000. They don’t check decibel levels.
Interestingly, all liquor licenses across the city are coming up for renewal starting March 31. There will be a 45-day period where residents and ANCs can file protests against establishments having their license renewed (must be a group of 5+ residents or ANCs located within 600 feet of an establishment).
ANC Chair Lisa Colbert (4D03) asked what kind of impact or influence does the ANC have with ABRA. Ms Fashbaugh said ANCs carry “great weight with ABRA regarding moratoriums, protests, rules, etc.” ABRA encourages ANCs to write and submit resolutions regarding support or protests, but points out that the ABRA Board does not have to follow the desires of the ANC commission (she gave the example that ABRA can’t force a “licensee” to attend ANC or community meetings” as part of the liquor license).
Then Juju Harris, the SNAP Outreach Coordinator and Culinary Educator from Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture was introduced by Nancy Roth. Ms Harris was at the meeting to request a letter of support for a parking permit in the Kennedy Street area. Arcadia uses vans and trucks to provide fresh produce and other foods to “neighborhoods that don’t have access to fresh veggies and bread.” Arcadia accepts WIC and doubles the value of food assistance vouchers. They’re currently focused on serving seniors in the area with shelf-stable food and fresh produce. Their farmer’s market is open Friday mornings in the Kennedy area (open later on Wednesday nights in Ladroit Park). The ANC voted to provide a letter of support. (Side humorous note, while the ANC was taking a vote on the letter, a resident called out “Is this a conversation you all are having among yourselves?” This confused the commissioners until Sheon explained that they were voting on the letter.)
Khalil Thompson, the mayor’s Ward 4 liaison, spoke quickly before heading out to his third community meeting of the night.
Nancy Roth introduced the proprietor of Lucky Corner Store, a gentleman by the name of Yousef. Nancy said that Yousef missed the liquor license hearing because he was “unfamiliar with the licensing process” so they were helping him get things straightened out.
Nancy also introduced Mr Zhi from Aboil Cafe, a new breakfast and lunch restaurant on the 5503 Georgia Ave NW. The cafe recently opened after receiving a Great Street Capitol Improvement grant in 2014. The place has great reviews so far (see Yelp bit.ly/1MTvaBy), and Mr Zhi and his chef brought in some sample crepes for the ANC and residents. (Yeah, the nutella crepe was awesome people.)
David Sheon discussed the DDOT traffic study occurring on Illinois Ave between Jefferson and Sherman Circle. They’re trying to determine if there is a need for a better pedestrian crossing (and they’re looking into a lighted crosswalk by the Colony House at Farragut & Georgia Ave).
David Sheon also spoke about the Georgia Line store that people seem to be having problems with. (There’s allegations that they tried bribing someone not to testify against them at an upcoming ABRA hearing.)
I spoke about the Ward 4 Candidates Info website (you’ve been keeping up with the Resident / Candidate Q&As, right?) http://bit.ly/17jDEC2
The ANC voted to approve the resolution on the Clubhouse liquor license suspension. Then they adjourned! from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Questions about tomorrow's pot legalization? Here are some FAQs and an infographic prepared by the DC government. from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
The ANC 4D meeting was tonight (it was rescheduled from last week due to the snow). I have meeting notes and pictures and will share them tomorrow evening. Sorry it's not sooner. It's insanely busy week at work and at least I managed to get to the meeting!
Cheeers from Petworth News http://on.fb.me/1BVZwus
Petworth News, a neighborhood blog on local news, information & events about the Petworth area in Washington DC.
Petworth News is a news site about Petworth area neighborhoods in Washington DC, written by Drew Schneider and other amazing contributing writers. It features facts and objective reporting, as well as an occasional subjective point of view and opinion.
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