4D Inspector Parker to become 7D Commander

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Inspector Vendette Parker poses for a selfie with Drew, June 3, 2015

4D substation commander Inspector Vendette Parker is headed off to be the 7th District's newest Commander. Her promotion is effective Sunday. She's going to have a busy workload. 

Inspector Parker has been a great resource for me and has worked hard for the Petworth and Ward 4 community. 

I wish her the best of luck!

Inspector Parker's email is below:

It is bittersweet that I must send this email. Effective Sunday I will take command of the Seventh District. I have really enjoyed my time at the Fourth District. The relationships and partnerships are irreplaceable. I hope that in my short time here, I have had as much of a positive impact on you as you all have had on me. This is not goodbye but instead, until I see you again. 

Inspector Vendette T. Parker, CPM
Fourth District

Neighborhood Watch crime prevention training

If you're interested in learning how to reduce crime -- and not be a victim yourself -- consider attending the next Neighborhood Watch crime prevention training.

The next session will be September 16, 2015 at the Second District police station (3320 Idaho Avenue, NW, 20016) at 7:00 pm. This is a free training open to anyone interested in reducing crime.  Please contact the Citywide Neighborhood Watch Trainer Samantha Nolan if you plan to attend (desserts and materials are prepared based on the number of participants).
 
From Ms. Nolan's email: "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 to avoid 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 email Ms Nolan or call 202-244-2620.

Park Place apartments retail rumor

By the way... I heard a rumor that 7-Eleven has either backed out or is no longer being offered a lease at the Park Place apartments (on Georgia Ave over the metro stop). I believe the Wells Fargo bank is still slated to open, but no word on the other empty retail space.

I understand that the sale of the building last year by Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund (for $64 million) to TA Realty (paywall link) was predicated upon having long-term leases (hence national chains like 7-Eleven, Dunkin Donuts and Wells Fargo who can afford a long-term lease), so I wonder if another national chain is going to take that spot. Be nice to see local-owned businesses come into those long-empty spots. Kids' clothing store maybe?

We'll see what happens.

Sherman Circle Social Wednesday, 9/2

The next Sherman Circle Social is next Wednesday, September 2nd at 5:30 pm at Sherman Circle. Come out and meet your neighbors as we bid farewell to summer and greet the new (school) year. Come one, come all. Pets, kids, and anyone else welcome. There will be lemonade to share and maybe even some ice pops！

As always, please spread the word to neighbors who may not be on the listservs or email.

Special ANC 4D meeting, Trinidad & Tobago gets license restored

Courtesy Google Maps

ANC 4D has decided to hold a special meeting on Thursday, September 3rd at Truesdell Education Campus at 7pm. According to the ANC, the meeting is necessary for the ANC to vote on budget items that they were unable to vote on at the last meeting (and to “keep the DC auditor happy”). 

They will be inviting representatives from Horton Funeral Home at 600 Kennedy St NW, which has partnered with Manna, Inc., to build a 42-unit affordable-rent apartment building for seniors at his underutilized lot at 608 Kennedy St., which currently serves as a parking lot and carwash. The building is to be called Horton Village, and it is the first major new development on Kennedy St..

The ANC also plans on inviting representatives from ABRA to shed light on why the Alcohol Board negotiated an agreement with the Trinidad and Tobego Association, owners of Club House (5123 Georgia Avenue NW) to reinstate its liquor license.

ANC 4C and 4D have both passed resolutions asking that the Club’s liquor license remain revoked after numerous fights, underage drinking, trash complaints, noise complaints and even a request by Chief Lanier to revoke the license. The private club was the scene of a massive brawl that spilled out onto Georgia Avenue and closed down the street back in January. 

The ABRA board moved forward with the reinstatement without inviting either ANC nor the community to provide input, nor informing the ANCs.

The ANC 4D Commissioners encourage residents to attend the special meeting.

Volunteer some time and grab a drink with a veteran

Pic courtesy Friends of the Soldier's Home

The Friends of the Soldier's Home has one of its regular "Saloon Nights" coming up next week, and they're looking for volunteers to join the awesome veterans at the Armed Forced Retirement Home for some drinks, some songs and always a fun time.

I volunteer with the Friends and have attended a Saloon night, and it's a great time drinking, eating, singing and talking with the men and women who live at the AFRH. They're all really interesting to chat with, and it's a guaranteed good time. Plus it's nice to hang out with neighbors. (And hey, if you're a parent of a Creative Minds Charter School child, consider giving back to the AFRH by volunteering with the Friends of the Soldier's Home.)

If you're interested in spending a couple of hours shooting the breeze with retired veterans, considering volunteering with the Friends on September 1st from 6-8pm. Note that you need to be 21 and over to volunteer for this particular event (it is "saloon night" after all...).

To volunteer, send an email to the volunteer coordinator, Lori Lincoln (but only if you're sure you're going to attend). She'll get back to you with details of where to go, etc.

Mark your calendars for upcoming FOSH events!
 - AFRH Resident/Staff Baseball Game on Wednesday, September 9th
 - JINGO for all ages on Thursday, September 17th
 - Happy Hour on Tuesday, September 29th
 - Fall Family Festival on Sunday, October 4th