Petworth News

High Tea and Pots

Resident Carol Herwig invited neighbors for a casual 'High Tea and Pots' on Saturday afternoon, showing off an assortment of beautiful pottery she made.

Anyone interested in purchasing pieces can contact Carol at 202-722-4385 or [email protected]

[Click on photo to enlarge]

Petworth arts

I'd like to start compiling a list of talented artists/musicians/poets/authors/etc who live in Petworth (I've already come across a few). Maybe one Sunday afternoon we could have an art walk/arts open house tour kind of thing. If you or someone you know is a creative type, please send contact and info to:

[email protected]

Thanks, Bill

Hit and run

This morning (11/22) Melanie, a neighbor who lives on New Hampshire just above Taylor, had her parked car hit for the third time in three years.

Her neighbor's new pickup truck was also badly damaged, taking the initial impact which pushed it into Melanie's car. According to a neighbor who witnessed the incident, the driver got out of his vehicle, looked at the damage, and walked away toward Grant Circle. Another neighbor briefly gave chase but the driver ran away.

It seems the city should take a serious look at some kind of traffic control measure at Taylor and New Hampshire. In addition to the repeated accidents, it can be very difficult and unsafe for pedestrians and cars to cross the wide intersection.

Taylor Street cleanup

I'd like to report a very successful group cleanup Saturday morning (11/20) in the 500 block of Taylor Street. We had a diverse group of 10 or so neighbors out there for a couple hours raking, bagging leaves, and picking up any trash.

I have to say, the city was really helpful, providing plenty of rakes, brooms, shovels, and bags. Terry Briscoe and Merrit Drucker stopped by to see how things were going and whether we needed anything. Right when we were done, a city truck came by and picked up all the bags of leaves. Officer Matt Morris stopped by.

Ms. Briscoe mentioned (for next time) that places like Starbucks will often offer free coffee etc to support community efforts like this.

A combination of email and door-to-door flyers helped spread the word and bring neighbors out. Obviously some people are busy (or not interested for whatever reason) but I like to think seeing us out there made an impression.

In case you didn't know, city leaf collection east of Georgia Avenue has started. Anyone interested in organizing a cleanup for their block should contact Ward 4 services coordinator Merrit Drucker at [email protected] or 202-576-8103.

Bill Crandall.

WiFi in Wonderland

For laptop nomads: Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights (11th and Kenyon) now has free wireless internet access. Up 11th Street between Park and Monroe, Columbia Heights Coffee also offers free WiFi.

ANC 4C results

In big news, the Board of Elections and Ethics (finally) reports that Karen Archer has won re-election to her 4C07 seat, 148 votes to 48 for Joan Thomas. It was a contest that encapsulated much of the local drama surrounding the soon-to-open Domku Cafe on Upshur Street.

Karen has supported Domku from the start, putting her at odds with the vocal group of neighbors trying to block Domku's liquor license. Some are convinced that Joan Thomas - a former ANC commissioner many years ago - only stepped into the race as a last-minute write-in to thwart Karen on behalf of Domku's opposition.

Karen's continued presence on the commission will help ensure crisp, progressive leadership for Upshur Street and Petworth.

Also, the BOEE reports that write-in candidate Kenneth Alexander won the 4C02 seat with 25 votes.

Cherry trees

This spring the National Cherry Blossom Festival will be granting a trio of cherry trees to a community group in each of the District’s eight wards.

D.C. Greenworks will work with each group to ensure the trees are properly planted and the community members are trained to best care for these beautiful ornamental trees.

If you would like an application, please contact Bethie Miller at 202-518-6195 or [email protected]

Grant Circle update

[from Adam Wasch]

I spoke to the National Park Service about Grant Circle. They said they replanted trees today, expect a significant clean-up within the week, and are in the process of getting the lights back on in the park at night (a car accident took out a wiring node several months ago). Anyway, the Captain (Commander?) responsible for the park is Don Kirk. He can be reached at 202-895-6060. He said any reports of vandalism or criminal activity should be reported to the NPS at 202-426-7716. The park is known as area 312. In the meantime, he said calls from the community to Pepco might get them to speed the rewiring process.

Adam.

Saturday art show

[From NCHCA email group]

Announcing an art show featuring works by local artists James Puckett and John Reid, Saturday, November 13th from 11:00am-2:00pm at Columbia Heights Coffee.

James Puckett was born in the Metro area and currently lives in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. He recently retired from the IT industry to pursue art full-time. Puckett's works are abstract paintings rooted in story and emotion.

John Reid was born in West Virginia, has lived in DC for 18 years, and currently resides in Columbia Heights. Reid's works are abstract paintings with a geometric flare.

Columbia Heights Coffee is located at 3416 11th Street NW near the corner of 11th and Monroe. Call (202) 986-0079 for info.

Sins of the past

[From Joe Martin, ANC 4C09 commissioner-elect]

I have noticed that opponents of Domku have claimed that the police have not been responsive when called to trouble spots on Upshur Street, that the health department has not been responsive to health code-related trash problems, that the DC government has not been responsive about street-light repair.

My own experience in my immediate neighborhood (4th and Varnum) has been to the contrary on every count. I have found the mayor's call center line (727-1000) especially responsive, for example, with street lights getting repaired in EVERY case within three business days. In the past year, the MPD has IMMEDIATELY responded when I've called (car accident in one case, suspicious activity in my alley in another). At one point, I had a problem having my recyclables picked up regularly. That problem was solved quickly thanks to the mayor's call line and councilmember Adrian Fenty. As an ANC commissioner-elect, I would like to know the specifics of any cases where people think the city or police have been unresponsive.

It is unfortunate that these claims are being made in an effort to stop a prospective business owner from setting up shop here. The sins of the past have nothing to do with Kera Carpenter or Domku. The assertions, if true, point to a failure in the delivery of city services. That is where the protestors' focus should be.

Joe Martin
[email protected]

Rally in the alley

Last night (11/9) around 10:30pm, several neighbors heard a volley of shots fired in the alley behind the 500 block of Taylor Street. Police responded very quickly, but circumstances were murky and at this point nobody knows exactly what happened.

Fortunately no one was injured - but one bullet went through a neighbor's living room window.

Tonight, rather than shutting their blinds, keeping their heads down, and hoping for the best, neighbors in the immediate block (and beyond) also responded - by turning out. Twenty or so residents, young and old, black and white, on only a few hours' notice, gathered at the spot where the shots originated to make a statement right there in the alley: flying bullets are simply unacceptable. Officer Matt Morris was present to report what the police knew about the incident. People were able to chat about it directly, in some cases meeting each other for the first time and lingering despite the cold. Someone even brought out cookies and hot tea.

An incident that could have bred only fear or cynicism was, in the end, trumped by people's willingness to come together. It should be an example to us all.

Domku update 11/10

There was a status hearing at the ABC board today about Domku Bar & Cafe's alcohol license. When it became apparent to the commissioners that the two sides had not made progress toward resolving their differences, the matter was sent on to mediation.

Mediation will happen next Friday 11/19. Hopefully a voluntary agreement will come of it. So far the board has made it pretty clear that they have no intention of blocking a legit new business from opening and having a liquor license. But the opposition group seems determined to dig in their heels (on no discernibly valid basis, it should be added). In fact, one commissioner pointed out that there was nothing to protest since the place wasn't even open yet...

Word is that Domku may open as soon as December, even if the alcohol license is still pending.

All related comments sent to Petworth News have been printed out and provided to the ABC board as extra evidence of community support.

Grant Circle vandalism

[A recent email from resident Adam W., edited for space]

I just returned from my routine walk around Grant Circle, which I like very much, to find yet another two sapling trees vandalized and thrown into the sidewalk, with trash strewn around. There's been a spike [in these incidents] lately that threatens to ruin a majority of the new trees planted there by the National Park Service.

I know the trash is a result of teens who gather in the park after school and it seems plausible the trees could be ruined by the same crowd, although I've never seen who is responsible. Either way, the Park Service does a pretty good job of maintaining the park, but they can't be expected to react to daily assaults.

I think getting just a few folks together after work to rake and pick up garbage, when the school kids are there, might make an impression. Just showing the park being appreciated by local folks might help dissuade further vandalism. It would be very helpful if a diverse bunch would show up, since I have found myself being harassed for being white trying to talk to a mostly black group of kids.

Adam

[Editor's note - I agree a high-visibility group cleanup could help. Stay tuned...]

Editor's note

I encourage people who attended last night's (Wed 11/3) meeting about the cafe, or those just interested in the outcome of all this, to use the comments link for the earlier 'Cafe meeting' post (a bit further down the page). This will keep the comments together and act as a kind of forum.

Already several people have written in, including Joe Martin who provided contact info for residents who want to write letters of support to the alcohol board (at this point that would be perhaps the best way to show support for the business owner).

Also, let me take this opportunity to stop referring to 'the cafe on Upshur'. With the owner's permission, it's time to unveil the name: Domku Bar and Cafe. Domku (pronounced Dohm-koo) means 'little house' in Polish.

Thanks, Bill Crandall

From Joseph Martin, ANC 4C09

I am writing to thank everyone who wrote my name in for the ANC 4C09 open seat. I am very, very grateful and honored. Feel free to email me or call me (email me and I'll send you my phone number) about any neighborhood issues which you think should be on my plate. I am looking forward to serving 4C09 and the neighborhood as a whole. I hope to have a constructive, positive role in the neighborhood.

I especially want to thank Minnie Green, Bill Crandall and Karen Archer for their energetic support. And thanks to everyone who voted for anyone on the Unity Coalition. Special thanks to Bill for his boundless energy and important work. I am saddened that he won't be serving on the commission but look forward to his valuable counsel and participation.

Joe Martin
[email protected]
4230 4th Street NW
WDC 20011

ANC 4C elections

From the DC Board of Elections website, here are the ANC 4C winners/results for single member districts (SMDs) in the lower Petworth area:

4C06 - Peron Williams (write-in, unopposed)
4C07 - [Not clear at this time]
4C08 - Timothy Jones 67%, Bill Crandall 30%
4C09 - Joseph Martin (write-in, unopposed)
4C10 - Joseph Henson (write-in, unopposed)

[Click on the map to enlarge]

Only two races had more than one candidate. In 4C08, incumbent and current chair Timothy Jones keeps his seat after a challenge from Bill Crandall. In 4C07, the race was between two write-ins, Karen Archer and Joan Thomas, but the final tally so far only lists one candidate (and not by name) so the winner needs to be clarified.

Homes for sale

A selection of homes currently for sale in Petworth, courtesy of Lesley Aranha:

Address / Sale Price / BR / BA
310 Allison St $489k 4 3
327 Allison St $385k 3 2
815 Allison St $399k 3 3
506 Buchanan St $369k 3 2
918 Buchanan St $429k 6 3
4105 3rd St $329k 4 2
525 Decatur St $425k 4 2.5
910 Decatur St $299k 3 1.5
425 Delafield Pl $295k 4 1.5
914 Delafield Pl $312k 3 1
4116 4th St $359k 3 1.5
4604 4th St $389k 4 2.5
4625 4th St $312k 3 1.5+
4101 5th St $400k 3 3
4711 8th St $340k 4 2.5
4716 8th St $325k 6 3
4201 9th St $349k 4 3
4007 Illinois Ave $410k 3 1.5
713 Quincy St $479k 3 2.5
319 Rock Creek Ch $410k 3 2.5
205 Taylor St $340k 3 1.5
218 Upshur St $279k 3 1
228 Upshur St $329k 3 1.5
403 Upshur St $329k 3 2
712 Upshur St $319k 4 2
716 Upshur St $549k 4 3.5