May 24, 2015

A ride-along with 4D MPD, part 1

May 24, 2015/ Drew

Last month I had the opportunity to spend a day doing a ride-along with MPD Lieutenant Van Crawford, the PSA 407 manager in Petworth. My main goal was to get an understanding of some of the issues MPD is facing regarding local criminal activity and community engagement, and share with MPD some of the thoughts and concerns of the community. It was a great ride-along and I'd like to share the experience with you. This is a long read story, broken up into two separate posts, so grab a coffee, soda, beer or your favorite snack and dig in.

Read more after the break:

May 24, 2015

A ride along with 4D MPD, part 2

May 24, 2015/ Drew

Here’s part two of my ride-along article with MPD Lt. Van Crawford that I conducted on April 7, 2015. (The first article is here.) Remember, treat all quotes as my recollection of the conversation.

After we left the fellow asking about the neighborhood, we went through several areas talking about specific problem houses. I won’t mention addresses or streets, but do want to give you an idea of some of the issues we discussed, and a high-level overview of MPDs plans.

More after the break:

May 23, 2015

Petworth Market offers new treats

May 23, 2015/ Drew

Another tasty, busy day at the Petworth Community Market! Thanks to all the vendors and neighbors who humor me with posing for pictures!

A special shout out to Elsa from The Little Peeps Emporium! Elsa Speezio and I met randomly on the National Mall at the beginning of May during the Arsenal of Democracy WW2 plan flyover. And now I meet her selling handmade jewelry at our very own Market. Elsa has been selling at the Petworth Market for a few seasons now, having first... More after the break:

May 23, 2015

Backward SUV, a helicopter and not acquiescing

May 23, 2015/ Drew

So I see police lights outside, and being the intrepid blogger that I am at 1am, went out to see what was happening. I found a DC Metro Transit Police SUV parked backwards at the bus stop around the 4200 block of New Hampshire Ave. An MPD PSA 407 patrol car rolled up, so I waited for them to talk with MTPD before I approached. Just me with a camera slung across my back, looking casual. At 1am.

A MTPD officer came up onto the sidewalk from the street, so I approached her and asked politely what was going on.

"What's it to you?" she said.

Full story after the break:

May 22, 2015

It's about being a good neighbor

May 22, 2015/ Drew

This.

I've mentioned before on the blog (ok, complained) about litter in front of people's homes... saying unless you're infirm, how about grabbing a bag and spending a few minutes picking up litter once in a while?

Today, walking home from the Metro, that's exactly what I saw David Bylsma doing on 7th Street NW. I walked by and said "Thanks for picking up the garbage!" and he gave me a smile and a thumbs up.

Then I remembered my earlier post, and realized that I wanted to shine a light on this neighbor who was doing something positive for his street. So I walked back, introduced myself and started chatting with him.

"It looked so bad today," David said. "So I thought I'd get a bag and pick some up. Then I decided I'm just gonna do the whole block."

With a pair of gloves and a garbage bag, he picked up all the litter strewn along his part of 7th Street. "It hasn't taken me that long to do the whole block. My back isn't that sore," he said with a smile.

This is something we should all take the time to do once in a while.

Thanks David!

5/25 Update: To put an interesting perspective on this article, it has been one of my most popular articles on Facebook. It's been read 3,306 times, Liked 118 times. And the comments are great. Give them a read.

May 22, 2015

Family yard-sale at Quincy & 5th Saturday

May 22, 2015/ Drew

Cute kid for sale, or maybe it's just cute kid clothes...

There's a large yard-sale happening this weekend at Quincy St, at 5th St. and Rock Creek Church St. NW

Eight families are taking part in the sale, offering clothes for boys and girls, baby and toddler stuff and more.

Saturday, 23 May
9am - 2pm

Though from the Craigslist post, it sounds like they're selling the whole shebang and getting out of dodge: selling the kid, baby AND the house...

Source: Craigslist

May 22, 2015

How well do you know DC streets?

May 22, 2015/ Drew

The Washington Post has a light-hearted quiz to test how well you know DC streets (quadrants, flowers, syllables, oh my!).

Take a quick (and kinda easy) quiz on at the streets of our fair District.

May 22, 2015

CM Brandon Todd's first communication (mainly who & whats)

May 22, 2015/ Drew

Newly elected Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd has sent out his first official communication. He shared a quick status update, but mainly a list of contact names and numbers for his office, including his new Director of Constituent Services, Jackson Carnes.

Councilmember Todd's full email and info is after the break:

May 21, 2015

Summer may be hot, but winter should be cool

May 21, 2015/ Drew

Even though we're headed into what will probably be a hot hot summer, there's good news for winter time fun.

The US House of Representatives has passed a measure that would allow sledding at the Capitol grounds again (it basically instructs the Capitol Police to ignore a provision of the law).

From the DCist.com article:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who lead the charge to allow sledding on Capitol Grounds, is stoked about the provision.

“Today the commonsense non-enforcement of the sledding ban on Capitol Hill, the way it has been for many years, is assured,” Norton said in a statement. “District of Columbia families can also pat themselves on the back for organizing strong community support for non-enforcement of the sledding ban. Now I will be working in the Senate to have them follow suit and ensure that our kids have a ball on America’s front lawn next snowfall.”

Source: DCist

May 21, 2015

Petworth Dance Project asking for your support

May 21, 2015/ Drew

The Petworth Dance Project entertained neighbors at its first production at Petworth Park earlier this month, and they're gearing up to do more shows throughout the summer.

They could use our support (and you get a few cool perks)!

Check out their Indiegogo campaign and if able, throw them a little support. You can pick from Petworth Citizen, Lighthouse Yoga, or even a hearty Thank You from the organizers (you'll get that I'm sure no matter what you donate).

Check out their Facebook page to learn more.

Donate to the Indiegogo campaign today!

May 20, 2015

Another successful Grant Circle Social

May 20, 2015/ Drew

Another successful and fun Grant Circle Social tonight. Not sure of the count, maybe 40 or more neighbors showed up. A lot of new faces as well, which was great.

Feel free to tag yourself in the photos on Facebook! (As a "Page" I can't tag individuals... odd, yah?)

May 20, 2015

Speaking of properties in the area...

May 20, 2015/ Drew

I noticed that 3912 8th Street NW, which has had an "Under Contract" sign hanging from the Fairfax Realty sign for quite a while, now has a Vacant Property sticker on the window. Of course, that sticker really goes with the smashed glass of the security door and the pile of newspapers on the porch.

Also interesting, newly renovated and very expensive 703 Upshur St NW also got a nice bright yellow Vacant Property sticker on its window. Wasn't there on Sunday, I don't believe, when they had an open house. Oops.

More info on how and why the city considers properties vacant is available on the DCRA website.

May 20, 2015

ANC 4D meeting notes from May 19th

May 20, 2015/ Drew

Tonight was the ANC 4D meeting for May. The most interesting thing about it was learning about the Green Infrastructure plans from DC Water. The ANC also discussed a few restaurants, the Kennedy Street Festival (June 20th) and tried to pass a resolution against pop-ups (no vote happened). Read More for details and pictures.