Park View follow-up on parking issue at 3701 New Hampshire

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Park View follow-up on parking issue at 3701 New Hampshire

ANC 1A Chair and Park View blogger Kent Boese wrote a follow-up article about the parking issues around 3701 New Hampshire Avenue. I think it's a good explanation of the current parking situation. Kent walked around the area looking at where people are parking and what options were available.

The article is a good in-depth look at the issue. Ultimately, residents along 7th, Quincy, Rock Creek Church and other nearby streets will feel the stress from any new development, be it a restaurant or an apartment building. 

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Thoughts on ANC 4C issues; facts & opinions

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Thoughts on ANC 4C issues; facts & opinions

I've heard from many readers about the events from the October 14th ANC 4C meeting, detailed in the article "This is what dysfunction looks like: Notes from ANC 4C October meeting." The article has been read by more than 2,000 people so far, and there are over 20 comments on the Petworth News Facebook page, and a few here on the blog article. (I always get more comments on FB than on the blog.) 

The level of concern among residents is pretty high. People are concerned about belligerence, about arrogance, and about a lack of attention to the issues residents care about. There's confusion as to why there was so much anger at the meeting, and what it means for the effectiveness of the commission. 

I thought I'd take some time to go over what happened and why (as best as I can tell), and give the commissioners a chance to weigh in, officially and off the record.

Read more about the events >

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Quick update on plans for Ruta del Vino

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Quick update on plans for Ruta del Vino

The Riyad is set to close in a month, and coming up is a wine bar to replace it. I sat down with Justin Logan for coffee the other day to chat about Ruta del Vino, the wine bar coming to 800 Upshur St NW.

Read more about the new restaurant >

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This is what dysfunction looks like: Notes from ANC 4C October meeting

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This is what dysfunction looks like: Notes from ANC 4C October meeting

When I attend an ANC meeting and write up my notes, I try to be objective and capture what I can from the night. As this is my blog, I might throw some opinion in here or there, add a useful link or two and offer photos of those who spoke so readers can get a clearer idea of the meeting. After all, if you live in the ANC, you should care about what happens. 

I’ve been watching ANC 4C slowly deteriorate over the past 10 months under the chairmanship of Vann-Di Galloway. Wednesday night was just a culmination of all the problems hitting at once.

Read the notes. They're long but there's a lot to say...

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Holiday crime prevention advice from MPD

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Holiday crime prevention advice from MPD

I told MPD that I would help get the word out about crime tips where possible either here on the blog or on the Petworth News Facebook page (you do follow the Facebook page, right?) So without further ado, crime prevention tips for the holiday season from the Metropolitan Police Department (h/t Lt. DK Augustine, PSA 409).

As the holidays are coming up MPD anticipates more valuables being left in cars, more packages being delivered and sitting on porches and people traveling. Read MPD's tips...

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Uniting with DC SCORES on childhood development and being awesome

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Uniting with DC SCORES on childhood development and being awesome

One of the benefits of writing a blog that reaches thousands of readers is getting invited to work with organizations on some truly worthwhile causes. I'm really excited to say that Petworth News is partnering with DC SCORES, a non-profit that runs after-school programs at public schools around the city (and here in Petworth). It's going to be a great partnership -- and it benefits you, too!

Read more about DC SCORES >

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Guest post: "Clean to the curb" can keep Petworth beautiful

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Guest post: "Clean to the curb" can keep Petworth beautiful

Local Petworth neighbor Carrie Johnson-Clark contacted me recently about “Clean to the Curb,” an initiative that encourages people to keep the area around their houses clean. Carrie asked if I’d publish something to get the word out. I offered one better — I offered to publish an article that she wrote. And here it is. I’m happy to offer an article from a Petworth neighbor who cares about how we can all do our part, even a little bit, to help keep the community looking beautiful. 

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DC Treasure preview party & gumbo contest

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DC Treasure preview party & gumbo contest

DC Treasure store owner Noah David is having an early "preview" party for the store on Monday, Oct 12th. The new antique store at 205 Upshur St NW is next to the Slash Run restaurant and was previously the Louisiana Gumbo Express restaurant

Read more about the preview party >

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Fighting to clean up vacant properties, one house at a time

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Fighting to clean up vacant properties, one house at a time

Walk around Petworth and you'll see houses being renovated on block after block, dumpsters parked on the street with duct-taped "no parking" signs on the trees. Inside you'll hear tools and men's voices as walls go up, floors are redone, new landscaping put in. 

Walk around Petworth, and you'll see many examples of houses that are sitting untouched and empty, slowly falling apart with trash strewn yards and a construction permit on the window -- with no signs of construction.  

Neighbors are fed up with developers buying properties and leaving them to rot while waiting for housing prices to rise. The city loses out on taxes, and everyone loses out when those properties attract rats and illegal activity. 

But KSDA and ANC 4D Commissioner David Sheon are working to fix it.

Read more about the plan to fix the problem of vacant and blighted properties >

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Pepco Exelon merger one step closer to reality

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Pepco Exelon merger one step closer to reality

It looks like Exelon is one step closer in its bid to merge with Pepco and take over the DC energy market. This has been a topic that has been frustrating many local residents who are opposed to the merger. Multiple ANCs have offered their opposition to the plans, yet it looks like the Office of the People's Counsel (OPC) have come to an agreement regarding the merger.

Read more about the settlement agreement >

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Draft agenda for ANC 4C October meeting

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Draft agenda for ANC 4C October meeting

The agenda for the October meeting of ANC 4C is below. It looks like a rather short meeting, compared to previous. Of interesting note, the ANC is hoping to establish a committee of residents and commissioners to address zoning variance issues in 4C.

See full agenda after the break:

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Sherman Circle Social tomorrow, October 7

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The next Sherman Circle Social is this Wednesday, October 7th, from 5:30 to 6:30 at Sherman Circle. From organizer Pam Brown:

"Join your neighbors in celebrating the fall with some apple cider and friendly cheer. For those who have come to past socials, please spread the word and bring at least one new person with you to the social this month.  This may be a spouse, a neighbor, your kid, your pet, anyone. Please spread the word amongst those who may not be on email or listserv, and we hope to see you on Wednesday!"

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Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Slim's Diner getting closer to opening

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Slim's Diner getting closer to opening

You'd think there wasn't a plethora of restaurants on the west end of Upshur Street (there is a plethora), nevertheless, I'm stoked about the upcoming opening of Slim's Diner in the Murrell Building.

Read more to see pics of the new booths...

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Petworth residents find success with sardonic JadedAid card game

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Petworth residents find success with sardonic JadedAid card game

Petworth resident Wayan Vota, a fan of Cards Against Humanity, teamed up with friends Jessica Heinzelman and Teddy Ruge to create a new card game specific to their careers in international aid and development. They brainstormed on ideas and partnered with another Petworth resident, Maria Mandle, who runs CreativeCouch Designs, to create the card deck and branding. They then reached out to aid workers around the world for ideas. The result is JadedAid, a card game to save humanitarians… from themselves. Read more about JadedAid and see the HuffPost interview, after the break:

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