December 08, 2015

Petworth restaurants team up to give back to the Capital Area Food Bank

December 08, 2015/ Drew

There's a pretty cool charity event taking place in Petworth and Columbia Heights tomorrow and Thursday. Spotluck, a restaurant-discovery mobile app created by a Bethesda company, is teaming up Petworth and Columbia Heights restaurants to make a collective donation to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) as a thank you for all of their hard work, and to recognize that they have spent their holiday season away from family and friends in order to help others.

December 08, 2015

New development at 3701 New Hampshire gets approved

December 08, 2015/ Drew

The Zoning Board had its final hearing today about the redevelopment of 3701 New Hampshire Avenue. This is the former location of Sweet Mango Cafe, which went into foreclosure in March 2015. It was purchased by Rooney Properties, who have plans to raze the existing structure and build a 21-unit apartment building.

December 07, 2015

MPD steps up to the plate on Upshur Street

December 07, 2015/ Drew

School has been out since Thursday, December 3rd, with students returning to school today. Thursday was also the day a Powell Elementary 2nd grader was struck by a car as he darted across Upshur Street (reportedly with only minor injuries as a result).

With the return of students to Powell came the return of double-parked parents, people who apparently refuse to care about the dangers this action poses, not respecting others. This "me first" attitude is causing havoc on Upshur and Taylor, resulting in damaged vehicles and the potential for a more serious tragedy.

Waiting behind one of the double-parked cars this morning was an MPD SUV. But the officers weren't enforcing the law, they were waiting for the parent to off-load children before driving on, having taken no action.

So I contacted MPD leadership and received a quick response.

December 06, 2015

Petworth's own local holiday market: 10th Annual Upshur Street Art & Craft Fair (updated)

December 06, 2015/ Drew

This Saturday, December 12th on Upshur Street is the 10th Annual Upshur Street Art & Craft Fair, from 11:00am until 4:00pm along the 800 block of Upshur Street NW. Petworth News is one of the sponsors.

See a list of events and vendors, after the break:

December 05, 2015

Holiday book sale at the Petworth Library

December 05, 2015/ Drew

The Friends of Petworth Library is having a book sale at the library next Saturday, December 12th.

Stop by and find some really amazing deals on books, CDs and movies. Your money goes to support the non-profit Friends group. Win win.

December 04, 2015

Pics of the Upshur Holiday Window displays

December 04, 2015/ Drew

Tonight was the Holiday Windows event down on Upshur Street. I arrived late, but when I got there Willow Fashion was packed with people enjoying holiday snacks and what looked like some pretty good cheer.

Pics and more after the break:

December 04, 2015

Traffic, bad driving and two children struck by cars - what will DC do to break its impasse near Powell?

December 04, 2015/ Drew

Upshur and Taylor Streets between 13th and 14th Streets surrounding Powell Elementary are a mess in the mornings and afternoons when children are being dropped off and picked up by parents. The problems on both streets come from cars driving too fast and parents double-parking. This ends up with side-swipped cars, broken side mirrors and the very real potential for a tragedy. According to residents, it's been an ongoing issue for years.

December 04, 2015

Enjoy a Holiday Windows celebration tonight on Upshur Street

December 04, 2015/ Drew

It's getting to be Tis' the Season, and the Upshur Street businesses are celebrating with a Holiday Windows celebration. Come down to Upshur this evening at 6pm to stroll along the street and see the window displays, designed by local and well-known artists.

December 02, 2015

ANC 4C draft agenda for December meeting

December 02, 2015/ Drew

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission for 4C meets next week, Wednesday, December 9th at 6:30pm at the Petworth Library (4200 Kansas Avenue NW).

December 01, 2015

Leonardo Dorcett: helping to make a better neighborhood

December 01, 2015/ Drew

I'd like to introduce you to Leonardo Dorcett, a gentleman whom I've come to respect and appreciate, and someone who I believe deserves recognition for his work in the community. Work that most people don't know about.

This is the first Petworth News Video, a partnership between myself and another Petworth resident, Justin Dent. Our goal with this new video series is to shine a spotlight on the people, places and events that help make Petworth a great neighborhood, and who often go overlooked. We hope you get to know Leonardo and the other people we'll feature, and have a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes to make Petworth a better neighborhood for us all.

If you know someone you believe is a change maker in the community who might be interested in being interviewed, please submit a nomination.

December 01, 2015

Give to DC SCORES and help young students feel empowered

December 01, 2015/ Drew

It's #GivingTuesday, and DC SCORES is asking for your support. This worthy non-profit teaches middle-school DC students physical and emotional strength through soccer and poetry. May sound like an odd combo, but soccer teaches teamwork and leadership, while poetry helps students understand who they are, and learn to express themselves.

This year, you can help the only middle-school soccer league in DC by donating to DC SCORES.

December 01, 2015

Donate a new or gently used baby carrier for refugees

December 01, 2015/ Drew

The need for helping Syrian refugees is pretty critical, and it’s hitting home with some Petworth residents. They’re participating in an effort to collect gently used baby carriers for refugees arriving in Europe through a non-profit called Carry the Future.

And they’re hoping other Petworth residents can help.

November 30, 2015

Being thankful for things you don't always notice

November 30, 2015/ Drew

I was complaining to my father over the holiday weekend about all the leaves in the streets. "They should keep street cleaning going a few weeks more," I said. "Look at all the leaves!" Everywhere you look, leaves in the gutter, along the curbs, under cars. I watched some people bag their leaves, others pushed the leaves into the street. Now what?

I was thinking about coming out with my own rake and doing my street. The hard part is finding the daylight time (and frankly, the motivation to rake the whole street).

And then this morning, I saw the city's solution.