Petworth News

Rec Center meeting

[from Marni L.]

There will be a meeting of the Friends of the Petworth Rec Center this coming Tuesday, May 20th, at 6pm. Everyone is welcome, everyone is encouraged to attend and add their voice, enthusiasm, ideas, and support. The meeting will be held at the Recreation Center 801 Taylor Street NW. 

On the agenda: maintenance issues (graffiti and trash in the playground area, plus other center issues), the summer program, shade structure possibilities, spray park opening date and hours, and a possible clean up beautification project. 

Georgia-NH Ave improvements

[from Joseph Martin, ANC 4C Chair]

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin the traffic safety improvements at the intersection of Georgia Ave and New Hampshire Ave on or about May 19th, 2008. Construction is expected to be completed by September 9th, 2008. The contractor will work during the hours of 7:00am-7:00pm, Monday through Friday.

The work will involve the removal and replacement of the existing roadway surface as required. The work will also include the realignment of curb lines to reduce crosswalk distance, replace broken sidewalk, as well as install new curb and gutter where necessary.

DDOT will upgrade the street lighting in the entire work area, as well as facilitate the relocation of existing traffic signals. New trees will be planted, and some existing trees will be relocated. Existing fire hydrants will be relocated or converted.

New wheelchair/bicycle ramps will be installed in order to adhere to current standards. Permanent signs and lane markings will be placed. Medians will be installed on New Hampshire Avenue north and south of the intersection. During rush hour, all lanes will be maintained for traffic on Georgia Avenue, and on New Hampshire Avenue. However, the contractor may have lane closures during non-rush hours.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the upgrading of traffic safety measures in your community. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact William Lester at (202) 741-5358 or Alfred Strange at (202) 671-4597.

Dog park petition

[from Jean B.]

As part of its efforts to improve and revitalize Upshur Park (at Upshur and 14th), the Friends of the 16th Street Heights Parks is applying for a dog park through funding from the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. We are collecting signatures from residents in support of this effort. Along with initiatives that include beautifying and greening the park, creating excellent picnic and play spaces, and improving park safety, we believe a dog park will further enhance the park for all residents.

Please take a moment to sign this petition here.

Thank you for your support.

ABC Community Day

[from Angela C.]

Academia Billingue de la Communidad (ABC Charter School) invites you to their 3rd Annual Community Day

Activities will include Face Painting, Facility Tour, Moon Bounce, Enrollment on Site, Dunk Tank, Cotton Candy Machine, Clowns, Snow Cone Machine, Soccer Clinic, Salsa Workshop, BBQ

Saturday May 17th, 1pm-5pm
209 Upshur Street NW
202-822-6301

Post article 5/10

[from Arlus S.]

Carrying on a Message Of Mercy and Rescue
After 75 Years, Catholic Workers True to Dorothy Day
by Colman McCarthy

On the back patio of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House at 503 Rock Creek Church Rd. in the District's Petworth neighborhood, sacks of potatoes and onions lay next to crates of tomatoes, green beans, cabbage, lettuce and broccoli. Further down, tables brimmed with bread.

full text

DC North items

Write-ups of local interest in DC North's Neighborhood News:

- McMillan Site Development: Coming Up with a Plan
- Sidewalk Cafés and Liquor Licenses on 14th Street
- Central Union Mission to Move to 65 Mass. Ave.
- How to Use Those Vacant Schools?
- Soldier’s Home Development: Residents Seek Preservation
- Petworth has New Places to Live, Shop, Eat and Play

Mary Holder

[from Annys S.]

Has anyone else in Petworth received a letter from Mary Holder asking to buy your house? I did. I am curious to know who else has, if anyone has contacted her and if so, what she said. I am asking both as a resident and as a reporter for a local news outlet. Far as I can tell from some quick research such a person exists.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Spray park

[from Marni L.]

Last week I spoke with the manager for Ward 4 parks, Evelyn Lightfoot, and was told that the Petworth Rec Center's spray park would not be opening until the end of June! When I asked if there was any way that date could be moved up to Memorial Day weekend, she said perhaps. (She is really nice and helpful... I also asked about chemicals on the grass and she called me back with the answer, which is that no chemicals are used.)

I am thinking that the more people who call and email, the stronger the chances of getting the date moved. Her number is 541-6461, email is here.

So if you are interested in getting the spray park open before the end of June, please let Ms. Lightfoot know!

New Ethiopian place

[from Angela C.]

Abol "A Taste of Ethiopia" Restaurant and Market recently opened at 4422 Georgia Avenue. We had their Awaze Tibbs (very spicy) one night and it was so good, we had to go back for more a few nights later. Sit-down dining is available as well as carryout and Abol has great selection of coffees. It's a great addition to the neighborhood and yet another dining option.

Watering new trees

Casey Trees and the Urban Forestry Administration are working together to put “ooze tubes,” or watering bags, on as many as possible of the 4,400 street trees planted this past winter. If you have a new street tree and live in Ward 4, especially in 4D, you can email Carol Herwig or Jeff Furr to get one of these 20-gallon bags. These are brown, and sit low around the tree like a donut – you can see some examples at Rock Creek Church Road at Randolph Street. We ask that you make a commitment to fill the bags weekly throughout the summer, especially in the heat of June, July, August and September.

Any questions, you can go to the Casey Trees website or email me or Jeff. Also, homeowners can get a $50 rebate if they buy a shade tree and submit a copy of the receipt to Casey Trees along with the coupon on the website.