Fire on Iowa Ave destroys empty home, forces neighbors out of their damaged home

Fire on Iowa Ave destroys empty home, forces neighbors out of their damaged home

There was a two alarm fire around 5am this morning on the 4300 block of Iowa Avenue NW that completely destroyed the home, and caught the adjacent home ablaze as well. Photos and video.

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Ten Tigers Parlour invite-only soft opening on Friday, Dec 9th

Ten Tigers Parlour invite-only soft opening on Friday, Dec 9th

The historic Chez Billy location is about to reopen at Ten Tigers Parlour. Described as a "Victorian Era / Asian-styled neighborhood bar that serves dim sum, dumplings and small salads," the new restaurant's menu will be crafted by Chef Tim Ma. There will be coffee and pastries during the day. 

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Eat at Chipotle on 12/6 & help DC SCORES get half the proceeds - Use your hunger for a good cause

Eat at Chipotle on 12/6 & help DC SCORES get half the proceeds - Use your hunger for a good cause

You can help your hunger and DC SCORES tomorrow, 12/6 by eating at any Chipotle in the DMV area between 10:45am and 10pm and mention at the register that you support DC SCORES (or show them the below in the article on your phone) and 50% of the proceeds will go to this incredibly worthy non-profit.

Do it for the kids. Do it for your tummy.

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"First Friday" event this week, enjoy great sales, holiday windows and artwork along Upshur Street

"First Friday" event this week, enjoy great sales, holiday windows and artwork along Upshur Street

The Petworth Arts Collaborative will kick off their first "First Fridays" event on Friday December 2, 2016 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. "First Fridays" will showcase different styles of art, performance and visual, in unconventional and unique places along the 800 block of Upshur Street. Businesses in the area will be offering discounts and sales, while featuring different artists in their stores.

Plus, for the second year in a row, some of the businesses along the 800 block of Upshur will showcase special window displays decorated for the holidays.

Definitely worth checking out.

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Update on Rock Creek Church development

Update on Rock Creek Church development

Matt Scorzafava, a partner with ERB Properties, the company developing the Rock Creek Church location, sent me an email with some updated information on the upcoming development.  

 

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    Display your sense of civility and democracy and buy a yard sign

    Display your sense of civility and democracy and buy a yard sign

    Update: Sales have closed. We'll try to have them ready for pickup on Saturday, 12/10 during the Art & Craft Fair on Upshur Street around 4pm.

    I saw a great sign in a neighbor's yard this week, and posted a photo to Instagram. I received a lot of questions from readers on how they can buy the same sign. Turns out, local resident Conrad Gross produced the signs based off the design originally created by the Immanuel Mennonite church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. And you can get one if you want one. 

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    Church at 8th & Upshur to be demolished, new condos to be built

    Church at 8th & Upshur to be demolished, new condos to be built

    The Rock Creek Baptist Church at 8th and Upshur, originally built in the 1950s, had been up for sale for quite some time, as the church prepared to move to Maryland. Now the sale is final and the congregation has moved out, leaving questions in the neighborhood for what comes next. The answer is a developer, ERB Properties, purchased the property and the lot next door, and plans to build four new multi-unit rowhouses.

    Neighbor Chris Broderick was kind enough to pass along his notes from a meeting with the developer held Monday, November 28th at Ruta del Vino. I've added additional information as needed. 

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    Twisted Horn gets a new name to go along with new menu, prices

    Twisted Horn gets a new name to go along with new menu, prices

    "We are a neighborhood restaurant," Shane Mayson, marketing director for the Hank's restaurants, "And we found the Twisted Horn concept didn't match as closely with that idea. We want to use this opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to the neighborhood."

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    Happy Thanksgiving!

    I'm very thankful for everyone who reads and supports Petworth News!

    I really appreciate the work of the blog's contributing writers: Zina, Darrell, Adrienne, Lois, Elissa, Anne and Rachel. (And I appreciate my wife and daughter's patience with me as I continue to write this blog.)

    I hope you have a wonderful holiday, remembering what makes you lucky in this life, and what we all can do for those who may be not be as lucky. 

    Drew

    Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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    Urban churches on the perimeter of change

    Urban churches on the perimeter of change

    With the rapid development and gentrification of urban cities, along with the skyrocketing cost of housing in walkable communities, many of the people who once lived in the neighborhood have moved out. Most members commute to worship in the churches that they helped to build by raising money to construct and improve the structures. The churches in local communities are a reminder of the culture and history that was once essential and vital to life in the neighborhood. 

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    Are you happy with your cable and cell phone companies? Take a survey! [Update: survey closed]

    Are you happy with your cable and cell phone companies? Take a survey! [Update: survey closed]

    Every few months, someone sends an email to the area listservs asking for advice on what cable TV or cellphone company people like. I figured it was a good idea to get everyone's opinion and publish this for neighbors to get an idea of what others like, dislike and how much they're paying.

    The information you submit will be published anonymously (no name or email will be published or shared with anyone). This isn't a sponsored post, and no company will see the results... unless they read the blog, naturally.

    So share your thoughts!

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    Did you see that big balloon over Petworth?

    Did you see that big balloon over Petworth?

    Being the curious sort who's also not shy, I walked over to ask ... what the hell is that? Ok, I said it much nicer. The truck was staffed by two gentlemen, who seemed amused at the questions we were asking.

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    A look at Meals on Wheels: where local matters most

    A look at Meals on Wheels: where local matters most

    Thanksgiving is right around the corner and many senior citizens don’t have the necessary resources to enjoy food on the holiday. Unfortunately, this is the outcome for many senior citizens who do not have the proper support system, such as family commitment. That's where Meals on Wheels in Takoma Park continues to be a reliable source for the elderly. 

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    You need this now more than ever: Small Business Saturday sale at Lighthouse Yoga

    You need this now more than ever: Small Business Saturday sale at Lighthouse Yoga

    There’s no question that these are stressful times. And one of the first things that goes by the wayside when we’re stressed is self-care. Lighthouse Yoga is offering some great sales for Small Business Saturday to help you find your inner peace and feel good. 

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