It’s all about the neighborhood
Each November, we remind you to sign up or reapply for a Visitor Parking Pass (VPP) if you live on a block that requires a Residential Parking Permit to lawfully park on the street for more than two hours. If you have RPP, then you normally apply for a free Visitor Parking Pass (VPP) or guests who stay at your home. But not this year… wait until next year, says the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT).
Read MoreOy vey… this year has been weird. Let’s not let that stop us from celebrating a fun Hanukkah though! Here’s some festive holiday treats from a few of our Petworth favorites that you can order to make your holiday of lights a little bit brighter (cheesy puns included).
Read MoreDC Public Schools has turned their attention to opening CARES classrooms for elementary students this month for Term 2, and is planning for reopening for Terms 3 and 4. DCPS made the announcement that Term 2 would remain virtual after significant pushback from teachers and parents about the reopening plans. The soon-to-open CARES classrooms will allow the most at-risk children to get support for their virtual learning at school with teachers and other adults in safer school environments than before.
Read MoreNormally at this time of year the Smithsonian National Zoo is lit up with a myriad of lights all over the park for ZooLights. Mixed with hot chocolate, fun slides and a merry-go-round, and you have the makings of a really fun night as you walk around the park and look at the holiday lights. With the, you know, Covid pandemic, the zoological park is closed for patrons.
So they’re bringing the lights to you.
Read More826DC is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.” This mission manifests across various programs dedicated to working with DC public and charter school students, including after-school writing labs, field trips, and in-school writing workshops. Founded in 2010, 826DC is one of ten chapters of the 826National organization founded in San Francisco by educator Nínive Calegari and author Dave Eggers.
Read MoreAfter many years of planning meetings, back and forth arguments over play-surface materials and a $2 million budget, the Petworth Recreation Center at 8th and Taylor Streets NW is officially open again.
Read MoreThe businesses along lower Georgia Avenue and the 800 block of Upshur Street will be decked out with holiday lights from December 1st through December 31st. You’re invited to wander the corridor with neighbors and visitors to enjoy amazing holiday specials and activities throughout the month — and take part in voting for your favorite display and a virtual scavenger hunt.
Read More“Rainbow Families represents celebration.”
That’s according to Darren Paul-Vance, the executive director of the 30-year-old nonprofit Rainbow Families. Based in DC, Rainbow Families provides educational programs, professionally facilitated support groups, connections and empowerment for LGBTQ+ families and prospective parents. When the pandemic hit, the organization instantly pivoted to online events, working to keep the LGBTQ+ community connected and joyful during these isolating times. “It’s really important for our children to be around other families like theirs,” Paul-Vance says. “We have done the best we can do to provide those programs virtually.”
Read MoreDC Superior Courts just introduced a new jury summons notification called “eSummons.”
According to their press release, the court will send text and email messages to prospective jurors to remind them of upcoming jury service dates, confirm requests to reschedule/postpone jury duty, exchange information, and alert jurors when they do not need to report for jury duty the next day.
Read MoreIn colder temperatures, folks may increasingly have to choose between dining indoors, at higher risk to Covid, or give up restaurants altogether.
So Mayor Muriel Bowser and Shawn Townsend, the Director of the DC Office of Nightlife and Culture, came up with a plan: they opened a $4 million grant to provide funds to restaurants seeking to winterize their space. The Streatery Winter Ready Grant Program provides up to $6,000 per restaurant for sidewalk cafes, summer gardens, and streaterys, located in DC. The grants can be used for tents, heating, lighting, furniture, and marketing – all in hopes of sustaining outdoor dining during the chillier months.
Here’s what some local restaurants are doing.
Read MoreOn Friday, November 13th, Mayor Muriel Bowser held an opening ceremony for the new $1.5 million playground at Truesdell Elementary School at 800 Ingraham Street NW. The new playground replaced a nearly 40-year old playground that was too small and proved to be unsafe for multiple students, according to Fareha Ahmed with the Truesdell’s Family Teacher Organization.
Read MoreLeveling the Playing Field has been collecting new and gently-used sports and playground equipment to donate to underprivileged groups, community programs, and schools. They have been able to collect over $6.5 million in equipment to donate to youth organizations, after-school programs, schools, and sports leagues, and have impacted over 950 programs in the DMV helping to bridge the gap for the growing inequality between those that can afford to play sports and those that cannot. They are making sure no child is left on the sideline no matter what their family’s economic situation may be.
Read MoreDC Public Libraries released a new master plan on November 19th that proposes changes to the libraries in our area, including refreshing the existing Petworth library and replacing the existing Shepherd Park library with a new library in Brightwood Park. The plan, titled Next Libris, Latin for “from the books,” lays out its research over DC demographics, library usage trends, and its goals in the coming years.
Read MoreWhile COVID-19 has definitely thwarted schools’ ability to fundraise, local Petworth schools are still holding holiday fundraisers to benefit their students. Many local families have been hit hard by COVID-19 and are still in need of assistance. Donating to your neighborhood school if you are able is a great way to give back to your hyperlocal community. The schools thank you in advance!
Read MorePetworth News, a neighborhood blog on local news, information & events about the Petworth area in Washington DC.
Petworth News is a news site about Petworth area neighborhoods in Washington DC, written by Drew Schneider and other amazing contributing writers. It features facts and objective reporting, as well as an occasional subjective point of view and opinion.
Volunteer with the Friends of the Soldier's Home!
The Cottage is hosting a series of fun, informative and free events for the neighborhood and friends to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday and shine a light on civic mindfulness.