May 30, 2015

Petworth Jazz Project was groovy

May 30, 2015/ Drew

The kickoff of the 5th season of the Petworth Jazz Project was a good time -- crowded with people picnicking, kids playing and some really great music, and capped off a long day of Petworth activities. Big kudos to Tom Pipkin, the passionate organizer behind the Project.

I was able to chat with the percussionist Joe Kennedy, Jr (aka "Rainbow Joe") and he had a good time playing for the kids (he does drum workshops and lessons, if you're interested) and the kids had a great time playing instruments and dancing around the park.

While I was waiting for the Donvonte McCoy Quintet to come on, I met Sara Herrera Kopetchney, who runs the Petworth Dance Project... Read more & see pics and video after the break:

May 30, 2015

Petworth Library gets a Presidential visit

May 30, 2015/ Drew

Petworth Library had its Summer Reading Kickoff celebration today, and got a visit by the 16th President of the United States! Ok, a tall fabric version, but close enough! The Lincoln mascot from the Washington Nationals came by to help celebrate summer reading and entertain kids of all ages (I think the parents were more excited than the kids, lol).

There are some great books available, from young kids to teens to adult fiction and non-fiction. Best part, they're all free. If you haven't checked out the recently renovated Petworth Library, y you're definitely missing out on a wonderful resource. You can even check out DVDs and CDs (no download required). ;)

See all the great pics after the break:

May 30, 2015

Powell Carnival full of fun, sun and kids

May 30, 2015/ Drew

The Powell Carnival is going on at Upshur Street Park (at the basketball courts until 4pm).

There's a bouncy house, games, food and lots of neighbors and Powell parents with their kids. Councilmember Todd and his Director of Constituent Services Jackson Carnes were there (Todd even bought a Powell Elementary shirt). Carla Ferris, co-president of the Powell parents group, was doing great running the hoola hoop contest, while her husband Horacio Artiga made some outstanding hot dogs.

Andy Rowe, co-president of the Powell parents group, said "Turnout today has been great. We have folks from the school and from the neighborhood. It's been a great time!"

See pictures after the break:

May 30, 2015

Start off your Saturday at the Petworth Market

May 30, 2015/ Drew

The Petworth Market is doing brisk business this morning. Get set for a busy day in Petworth by picking up your morning coffee at Harrars, a sandwich from Meat Crafters and a dessert with Teeny's and Emma's Bake Shop.

Then treat yourself to handmade Petworth and DC art from Torie Partridge at Cherry Blossom Creative (Torie's art is the cover photo for Petworth News, and a signed copy is hanging in our foyer.) The prices Torie is asking for her artwork is insanely low-priced, so grab a piece of DC art!

Read more to see all the pictures!

May 29, 2015

Powell construction update meeting

May 29, 2015/ Drew

ANC 4C05 Commissioner Zach Teutsch sent out an email today about the construction at Powell Elementary. The DC Department of General Services will present on their progress with the Powell renovation project and the Twin Oaks construction at a meeting on June 11th at 6:15pm at Powell Elementary (1350 Upshur St NW).

Zach is hopeful that they will solicit community input about the design of the parking lot, as there has been vocal support for green screening and permeable paving for the parking lot.

Zach will followup with DGS to request they seek community input. If you have questions or concerns, contact Commissioner Teutsch.

May 29, 2015

Free same day delivery for Amazon Prime members

May 29, 2015/ Drew

If you're an Amazon Prime member, the company is now offering same day delivery for orders above $35 (if under that, it's $5.99) if you live in DC. That's pretty cool.

Learn more at Amazon.com

May 29, 2015

Celebrate Petworth newsletter full of good stuff

May 29, 2015/ Drew

The next bi-weekly newsletter for Celebrate Petworth came out, and it's chock full of information on the upcoming events in Petworth. And there's a ton going on.

Read it at your leisure (and be sure to subscribe if you don't already!).

May 28, 2015

PSA 404/407 meeting notes

May 28, 2015/ Drew

Tonight was the PSA 404 & 407 meeting at 801 Shepherd Street. A larger turnout of residents this time, about 18 or so, each with concerns or questions. The biggest concerns were the shootings, drug dealing, public drinking and loitering by people residents considered “suspicious.” (For example, suspicious is driving up in an alley in a Maryland car, parking for 20 mins while people come to the car window, then driving off.)

The new lieutenant for PSA 404, Lieutenant Raul Figueras, arrived early and came with a chart showing crime stats for the past 30 days and calendar year.

Read more after the break:

May 28, 2015

Petworth Jazz Festival kicks off 5th season

May 28, 2015/ Drew

This Saturday, May 30th is the kickoff of the 5th season of the Petworth Jazz Project at Petworth Park (8th & Taylor). There's always a kids' show first, followed by a very talented jazz musician or group.

As always Petworth Jazz Project brings the best in local jazz to the heart of Petworth, for free, outdoors, on the lawn. Is there any better way to spend your evening? Tell a neighbor and bring a friend!

Read more after the break:

May 28, 2015

It's a Petworth News Shindig!

May 28, 2015/ Drew

Come celebrate Petworth News reaching a milestone of 1,000 Facebook Likes, a new website (this one!), and neighbors connecting with neighbors.

If I've ever committed to buying you a beer for reading to the bottom of a long post, here's your chance to try to collect.

I look forward to meeting you at the event and putting faces to the names!

Be sure to RSVP on Facebook!

May 28, 2015

Powell Elementary Carnival is Saturday!

May 28, 2015/ Drew

Powell Elementary is having a Carnival on Saturday, May 30th. Sponsored by the parents group (POPPS), the Carnival is a fundraiser to help with paying for technology upgrades for the students. (Here's a PDF of the flyer.)

Come to the Carnival from 11am - 4pm at the Upshur Park basketball courts. There will be cake walks, a bouncy house, bean bag toss, face painting, art stations, food, and much more.

I know some of the teachers and parents working on this event, and they are putting a lot effort in to make this a fun day for the community.

The fundraising part is a raffle to win 75,000 air miles with United Airlines. That’s like a pair of tickets to your favorite dream getaway — only $5 for a ticket. And you get to help fund the needs of the students. Win win. You can even buy your raffle tickets online.

And to make Carnival day quicker, you can pre-purchase activity tickets online (valid for games and food) as well. They ask that you keep your receipt and bring it over on Carnival Day.

Or if you’re just feeling generous, you can donate to their good cause.

Powell Bilingual Elementary School has been recognized nationally as a model for dual language education, and a shining example of what can go right in public education. Your generous donation will help to support the school with the purchase of classroom supplies and technology upgrades, as well as funding educational field trips and enrichment programming for students.

Hope to see you there!

May 28, 2015

Because the rats are hungry?

May 28, 2015/ Drew

A reader shared this photo of food scrapings left piled up on the grass in front of the Hebrew Home on Spring Rd NW. He's looking for suggestions on how to deal with it. Todd says:

This is a regular occurrence in my corner of Petworth. This specific location is directly in front of the Hebrew Home (1125 Spring Rd NW), though I've seen it other places.

Someone comes and deposits their leftovers, presumably to feed birds or squirrels. I think we all know that rats are the primary consumers of this buffet. (Really, do birds eat spaghetti?).

It's both baffling and disgusting. Someone clearly goes out of their way to bring this - it doesn't seem to just be the same as casually tossed aside chicken bones. This is probably better suited for the Rant category, as I'm guessing whoever does it is likely either mentally ill, and not just ill informed. Short of grabbing a garbage bag and rubber gloves or putting up "No Food Dumping" signs, I don't know how to fix this.

What are your suggestions on how to respond / stop this? Comment below or on Facebook.

May 27, 2015

Petworth Spray Park muriatic acid follow-up

May 27, 2015/ Drew

I was pretty aghast at the incident with the open bottle of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid found on Sunday at the Petworth Spray Park. Anyone can make a mistake, sure... but for a Parks employee to leave an open, apparently full bottle of acid sitting inside a children's spray park on opening weekend is a huge mistake.

Imagine if instead of a parent finding the bottle, it was a curious 3 year old who picked it up, and thinking it was a bottle of water, pours it over his head. That's a typical scenario, and that's why this was such a big deal.

Read more after the break: