November 22, 2015

Funny cabbie, here's your pic!

November 22, 2015/ Drew

When I was at 7th and Decatur taking pictures around Sherman Circle yesterday, a city taxi drove up to the corner and started calling out to me. I realized he was saying "Take my pic!"

I went to oblige him when I noticed, sitting right above him on the roof, was his snack: a container of red grapes. "You might want this first," I said, grinning and handing it to him. He was totally confused at first, then he laughed.

"You're the Petworth News guy, right?" he said, "Yeah, I know you. I live right up there, a few streets back!"

We both had a good laugh, and I took his picture as he offered me a grape to share. Unfortunately, another car came along and I didn't get the chance to ask him his name, but he wanted to see his picture. So, here's your picture funny cab man!

November 22, 2015

New bookstore coming to Park View in December

November 22, 2015/ Drew

I heard from Brightwood resident Pablo Sierra today that he's opening a new, family-focused bookstore in Park View called Walls of Books. As an avid reader (and admitted Kindle addict), I'm thrilled at the idea of another hardcopy bookstore opening up in the area.

Learn more about the bookstore, after the break:

November 21, 2015

A terrible assault and a group of neighbors working for change

November 21, 2015/ Drew

I heard from two readers that there was an assault and attempted robbery in the early evening of November 19th just above Sherman Circle at 7th and Decatur, so I spent time trying to figure out what happened since it didn't appear in MPD's email crime stats. Here’s what I’ve pieced together from multiple sources about the assault.

Read about what happened, and what happened next, after the break:

November 20, 2015

What happens when you call 911 or 311: An evening with the Office of Unified Communications

November 20, 2015/ Drew

I was invited to attend a tour of the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) along with MPD’s 2nd Cohort of the Community Engagement Academy. The OUC handles all 911 and 311 calls in DC, so when you call to report a crime or a broken street light, the call goes to a modern-looking building at 2720 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE.

We met the new OUC Chief Operating Officer and acting Director, Jeff Wobbleton. In the position for 11 weeks, he said his focus is on customer service and fixing the broken or ineffective processes and policies.

Read more about the OUC, after the break:

November 20, 2015

MPD outlines steps for dealing with burglaries in PSA 407

November 20, 2015/ Drew

Lieutenant Anthony Washington took over Police Service Area 407 a few months ago and has been getting up to speed on area issues. Beyond dealing with the spike in gun shots in the Delafield area, he's also looking at addressing burglaries. He pulled recent and historical trend data to determine how best to allocate his resources, and sent me some info on his next steps on dealing with on burglaries in PSA 407.

Read more about Lt. Washington's next steps for dealing with burglaries after the break:

November 19, 2015

Notes from ANC 4D November meeting

November 19, 2015/ Drew

The November meeting of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D was a good evening, with all commissioners in attendance. ANC 4D has $12,572.80 in the bank — a big deal for 4D that shows their frugality with extraneous expenses has paid off. They've drastically reduced the amount of rent they pay and have decreased other office expenses. Now it’s time to give out some grants!

Read more from the ANC 4D meeting after the break:

November 18, 2015

Grant Circle Social is tonight 11/18

November 18, 2015/ Drew

Join your Petworth neighbors and hang out at the Grant Circle Social at 6pm, Wednesday. Bring your kids, your dogs but not your stress -- it's time to kibbitz with your friends instead. Hope to see you there!

About Grant Circle Social:
Enjoy some neighborly conversation at the tenth monthly Grant Circle Social. A casual, no agenda gathering of neighbors in Petworth's signature green space, Grant Circle Socials are held from 6pm to 7pm the Third Wednesday of the month. Stop by on your way home from work, on your way to the grocery store, before grabbing a bite to eat, or while walking your dog. Stop by with friends, neighbors, and/or kids for 5 minutes or the full hour!

November 17, 2015

Get your dance on and help support the Petworth Dance Project

November 17, 2015/ Drew

Sara Herrera-Kopetchny, who started the Petworth Dance Project this past summer, is looking for ways to bring the dance and non-dancing communities together, while supporting the Project. Her solution is a dance class series for all levels to enjoy. And while you dance and enjoy, you also get to help fund the 2016 season. Pretty cool. And it starts this Friday, Nov 20th at 7:30pm.

Learn more about the dance classes for everyone -- and how you can support this great Project >

November 16, 2015

MPD update on gunshots at Emerson & 7th (Updated 11/18)

November 16, 2015/ Drew

PSA 407 manager Lieutenant Anthony Washington reached out to me today regarding the recent gun violence around 7th Street and Emerson to say that he's well-aware of the area and resident concerns, and is taking steps to address the issue.

Read more from the lieutenant, after the break:

November 16, 2015

Not OK Corral: Gunshots continue at Emerson & 7th Street

November 16, 2015/ Drew

After last week's shooting and subsequent arrest of two suspects, one would think things would quiet down near Emerson St and 7th. Turns out, not so much

Read more, after the break:

November 14, 2015

A calmer evening: Notes from November ANC 4C meeting

November 14, 2015/ Drew

The November meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C was, at least from the commissioners point of view, a calmer meeting than last time. Perhaps having the executive director of the Office of ANCs, Gottlieb Simon, watching with a video camera recording the proceedings helped. From what I hear though, the behind-the-scenes communications between the commissioners continues to be fraught with anger and accusations. Upon his own request, the ANC decided not to accept Taalib-Din Uqdah's resignation as Secretary and he remains in that position.

Read the full notes and see lots of pictures, after the break...

November 13, 2015

What's up with those lights? Getting a headcount of the nocturnal among us...

November 13, 2015/ Drew

Don't panic at the bright lights! Starting tonight and continuing tomorrow evening, the Fisheries and Wildlife Division (FWD) of the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) will be conducting a nighttime survey of wildlife population in the area. They'll be driving around the area with spotlights looking in trees and around properties looking for deer, raccoons, foxes and other nocturnal animals...

Read more about the lights >