Happy birthday, Ms Thomas

Happy birthday, Ms Thomas

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the 89th birthday party of my neighbor and an active Petworth resident, Joan Thomas. Ms Thomas is the epitome of a pillar of the community and has been awarded throughout the years by mayors, councilmembers, and her church...  Read more and see a photo gallery after the break:

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Party with Petworth on Monday, June 29

The Petworth News Shindig is this Monday, June 29th at Petworth Citizen from 6-8pm.

Come out to socialize with your neighbors, a couple of DC Councilmembers, MPD leadership and a few ANC commissioners for pizzaz. It's a great opportunity to hang out with people who are passionate about the neighborhood.

There will be some tasty appetizers and a wicked good punch awaiting you. And me, I'll be there too. Hope you are too!

RSVP on Facebook or just show up between 6-8pm at Petworth Citizen (829 Upshur St NW).

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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"Flying Home:" DC author at Upshur Street Books

David Nicholson, a former Takoma DC neighbor, will be reading from and signing copies of his newest book of short stories, Flying Home: Stories of the Secret City, at Upshur Street Books (827 Upshur St NW) on Sunday, June 28th at 4pm.

A former editor and book reviewer for The Washington Post Book World, David Nicholson was the founding editor of the magazine Black Film Review. He has worked as a journalist for the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News and the San Francisco and Milwaukee bureaus of the Associated Press. He lives in Vienna, Virginia, where he is at work on a biography of A.M.E. Bishop William David Chappelle and a family history/memoir.

Read Washington City Paper's review of "Flying Home."

Flying Home is available at your local DC library and on Amazon.

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Better Know a Commissioner: Kathleen Crowley

Better Know a Commissioner: Kathleen Crowley

It’s time for “Better Know a Commissioner!” 

This ongoing series is about the ANC 4C and 4D commissioners that serve our Petworth neighborhoods. Hopefully you know your ANC commissioner -- if not, now you can.

I’m pleased to introduce Kathleen Crowley, ANC 4C commissioner for single member district (SMD) 4C10. A newly elected commissioner for 2015, Kathleen took her community activism and made it formal when she won a contested race for the SMD. Learn more about Kathleen after the break:

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New Principal for Powell Elementary

Powell Elementary is getting a new principal. 

With current principal Janeece Docal leaving to move with her family to Spain, the DCPS Chancellor has selected Ms. O'Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas as the next principal of Powell Elementary.

Ms Lyons-Lucas has been a teacher since 2007, was the vice principal of Columbia Heights Education Campus and was recently the principal of Center City Public Charter Schools.

The message from Kaya Henderson, DCPS Chancellor:

"After balancing your input and recommendations with the needed experience and skills that research links to success, we concluded that your recommendation, O’Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas, is the strongest candidate to lead the Powell school community. We are happy to report that Ms. Lyons-Lucas has accepted the offer to be the Powell Elementary School principal. Her official appointment begins on June 29, 2015.

O’Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas has spent her entire career in education serving the students of Washington , DC. She began her career as a Teach for America corps teacher in 2007 at Columbia Heights Education Campus. She spent four years as a teacher before being promoted to an instructional coach position at the school. After serving as an instructional coach, Ms. Lyons-Lucas was promoted to an assistant principal position. Ms. Lyons-Lucas was an assistant principal for two years before leaving DC Public Schools to become the principal of Center City Public Charter School at the Capitol Hill campus. Ms. Lyons-Lucas holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree from American University."

There's an informal meet and greet with Ms Lyons-Lucas on Monday, June 29th, at 9:30am at Powell' summer off-site location of Sharpe Health School (4300 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20011).

Good luck to Ms Lyons-Lucas! And a fond farewell to Ms Docal, the DC Principal of the Year last year.

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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A partnership to help cats find their forever home

Annie'sEventDay2013.jpg

Did you need a kitty to brighten your home? The Washington Humane Society and Annie’s Hardware has you covered. The next event is scheduled for Sunday, June 28th, from 12pm - 3pm. 

Near the end of the summer in 2012, Yolanda Thomas was at Annie's Hardware when she met Anne Strom, owner of the store, and her dog. Yolanda had just left the Washington Humane Society (WHS) shelter and was wearing her WHS t-shirt.  After talking for a bit, Anne offered to host an adoption event and the rest is, as they say, a successful history.  

Enlarge to see details

Thanks to the support from Anne and her staff, the adoption event has been held almost every month since that first summer 3 years ago. Approximately twenty cats and kittens have found permanent loving homes, and they’ve been able to increase donations (both monetary and supplies) for WHS.

In fact, the first kitten adopted at the very first event was taken home by the roommate of one of Anne's employees.

And if you're interested, there are many ways to donate to support the Washington Humane Society.

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Dunkin Donuts opens on Georgia

Dunkin Donuts opens on Georgia

If you hadn't heard or seen by now, Dunkin Donuts has opened at the corner of Quincy and Georgia Avenue, at the bottom of the Park Place apartments.

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Petworth Jazz Project Saturday

Courtesy of Corey Wallace

Update: Tonight's Jazz Project is cancelled due to the rain. Next month!

I highly recommend you go to the Petworth Jazz Project at the Petworth Park (8th & Taylor St NW) on Saturday, June 27th from 6-9pm if you:

a) like jazz
b) have kids
c) like good pizza
d) wanna hang with neighbors
e) all the above

Courtesy of Baba Ras D

Courtesy of Baba Ras D

Baba Ras D will perform at 6pm for kids (if you don't know Baba, he's like the Bob Marley for 3 and 4 year olds, they love / are obsessed with him). He's also an incredibly nice guy. 

The Corey Wallace DUBtet will perform at 7pm for everyone, and should offer a great show. From listening to some of Corey's music, we're in for a treat.

And lastly, Timber Pizza Co will be onhand with their portable brick-oven and will be making outstanding pizzas.

Here's hoping the weather cooperates!

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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SW Petworth Social gathers crowd

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I dropped by the Southwest Petworth Lemonade Social this evening (Kansas & Quincy). It was nice to see some of the regulars and some new faces. I grabbed only a few photos this time -- and apparently even though I left at 8:15, more people arrived after I left, including Councilmember Brandon Todd. It's great to see people coming out to meet each other!

Please feel free to tag yourself in the photos on Facebook!

I dropped by the Southwest Petworth Lemonade Social this evening (Kansas & Quincy). It was nice to see some of the...

Posted by Petworth News on Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Sherman Circle Social is coming next week

Sherman Circle Social is coming next week

Get back Grant Circle, get on with yourself SW Petworth Lemonade Social, here comes the new Sherman Circle Social.

This is awesome. What started with an idea by local resident Rob Mandle back in the fall to get Grant Circle area neighbors together to meet and casually socialize has spread around Petworth.  Russ Breckenridge started the Lemonade Social at Quincy & Kansas (it's tomorrow, btw) and now Pam Brown has launched the Sherman Circle Social.  

Read more for details, plus a special giveaway courtesy of the Bellyitch blog.

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Youth Summit on rights & law enforcement

Youth Summit on rights & law enforcement

So this is pretty interesting, and frankly, is something that everyone should attend. The USAO's office (United States Attorney's Office) is holding its 5th Annual United States Attorney's Office Youth Summit. The summit focuses on educating youth about understanding their rights and responsibilities when interacting with law enforcement.  The goal is to teach kids how to deal with the police so that interactions don't escalate. Read more for details:

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SW Petworth Lemonade Social

Just a quick reminder that the next southwest Petworth Lemonade Social is tomorrow at 6:30pm at the triangle park at Kansas Ave and Quincy St NW. It's a great chance to meet nearby neighbors and talk with people you already know. Make sure you tell neighbors who may not be on Facebook or online about it (and then tell them to go online and read Petworth News, obviously). 

See you there!

 

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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What do you want on your pizza?

Timber Pizza Co. is organizing a community meeting with ANC 4C07 Commissioner John-Paul Hayworth to discuss their plans to open a restaurant at 809 Upshur Street NW. The meeting is Wednesday, June 30th from 7:30-8:30pm in the Petworth Library large meeting room (basement level). 

Come by and meet the owners, Andrew Dana and Chris Brady, and discuss the restaurant concept, help shape their ANC / community agreement, discuss any noise concerns (they're planning on outdoor seating), and so on.  I think this is a great idea, and kudos to Timber Pizza for being proactive!

No RSVP needed.  (h/t JP Hayworth)

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Thai/Balinese Restaurant coming to Upshur St

Image courtesy of Takeaway

Looks like Upshur Street between 8th & 9th Streets continues its growth as a restaurant row. Word is that a group is looking to open a Thai / Balinese restaurant at 845 Upshur St NW, where the closed China American Inn is now.

They hope to open in Fall 2015. I'll try to get more info.

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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