Looking back, looking forward

As we head into 2006, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge some of the people/places/things that make Petworth a special and interesting community.

In no particular order, and sorry in advance for leaving anyone out -

Joe Martin, Joey Henson, and the rest of Petworth's new ANC 4C commissioners. Virtually all were pressed into running on short notice when the situation was dire, the job thankless, and the pay zero. Karen Archer's replacement Shanel Anthony, for first planting his political flag right where he grew up.

Sandy Hoffmann for demanding parkland in the Soldiers Home development plans, and to all who are fighting that fight. The irrepressible Minnie Green and the members of her longtime orange hat group, for literally and figuratively walking the walk. Kera Carpenter, for taking a chance and bringing Domku Bar & Cafe to Petworth, hard to believe it's been open less than a year. Elizabeth Greathouse for bringing us Yoga House Studio above soon-to-open Temperance Hall restaurant.

Julie McCall, for all that she does to help neighborhood young people. Dorothy and Kevin Blackwell, for being so engaged in the community in many ways and keeping the UNTS going as one of Petworth's bedrock civic groups. Carol Herwig, for bringing us the cherry trees in the little park below Grant Circle, this year they'll bloom for the first time! Andrew McGilvray for the farmer's market, hope it can find a new home when that lot is built on.

Councilmember Adrian Fenty. It's sort of a joke and testament at the same time: 'wherever you are, there's Fenty'. He's always shown up for what seems like every meeting, orange hat walk, vigil... he really deserves credit for staying sincerely involved at the grassroots even while trying to go citywide.

To Matt Morris and the fine crew of PSA 404 police officers who take the time to get to know residents. Don't think we don't notice what a great job you're doing, I hear lots of great comments. To Kevin Morton and Adam Wasch for the year's most entertaining, barbed comments on the blog. To Kilroy Cleaners on Upshur, welcome back. To everyone - old or new residents - who knows their neighbors, picks up trash, keeps their porch light on, and is keeping up or fixing up their small piece of the city.

In or around my own block - To Mr. Fraser, Mayor of Taylor Street, at your service Sir. To the three warm and beautiful and funny Franklin sisters, Arlene, Hester, and Nannie over on New Hampshire Avenue. To Arvella Farmer for the initiative with the recent Town Hall meeting flyers. To Sabrina Spurlode, Diane Adams, Linda Farmer, and others on 5th Street for holding things together despite one house of bad-apple neighbors that were making a whole block miserable (good riddance). Welcome to the world Seneca Anderson, congrats to proud parents Reyn and Alexey. To our kind and dignified former neighbors Harvey Gibson and John Jenkins, may you rest in peace. Special condolences to the family of young James Simms.

A friend who had to move out of Petworth recently was lamenting leaving 'the next great DC neighborhood'. Well it's pretty great already. Other than so many cool neighbors there's a lot to love: Grant Circle's timelessness, the 'ten minute' rule (being ten minutes in any direction to Silver Spring, Cleveland Park, Dupont Circle, Home Depot, etc), parking in front of your house, the jerk chicken at Sweet Mango Cafe, walking in St. Paul's cemetery. I even liked that after the Redskins beat Dallas a couple weeks ago, people came out of their houses, cars were honking their horns... it was like a throwback to my childhood in this area, you don't really get that anymore in many parts of DC. Not that the Redskins have deserved it in recent years.

People who are stuck on tired divisions of race, age, class, how long in Petworth, etc are really missing out. For the first time, Petworth is becoming successfully diverse. I don't think I've met anyone who wants Petworth to be some sterile yuppie enclave. There are proud middle-class roots here that will continue to shape the neighborhood's character, whether you're black, white, Asian, Hispanic, gay or straight, young or old...

What my wife and I have seen consistently since moving here in 2003 is neighbors coming together for the common good, trying to leave the rough years behind, shedding old divisions, latching onto positive change and a new day. Of course the whole picture is somewhat more problematic at times, an obvious example being those rising property taxes. But in Petworth, lingering DC-wide problems such as drugs and youth violence are becoming more of a nagging exception than the rule, and could soon be history if everyone would be involved in any small way they can.

With lots of Georgia Avenue development in the pipeline, hopefully we'll soon get more brick-and-mortar meeting places. In the meantime, thanks for making this blog sort of an online town square. I appreciate all the words of encouragement. But don't forget, it's not my blog, it's our blog. That's what makes it work.

Best wishes to all in 2006! Please send your own comments about people I may have overlooked, as well as your experiences of the last year and hopes for the new one.

Bill and Mariama Crandall.

Comments

[Sandy Hoffmann]

Huge, huge thanks to Bill for giving us this wonderful vehicle for communication. Most of all, I'm really grateful for all the folks who made Petworth a real community for many, many years. Bill you've mentioned a number of folks and there are so many more.

You can see the fruits of all this love and effort when you walk down the street and people meet your eye and sincerely ask how you're doin. It warms this small town girl's heart. Bless you all! My very best wishes for a great 2006.

[Jared Davis]

Here's to a great 2006 in Petworth!

And here's to Bill for keeping the blog alive in 'O5!

[Joseph Martin]

A heartfelt thanks to Bill for keeping us informed with the Petworth News. I know you have put countless hours into this labor of love, as well as being key to forming the coalition that united to create a new ANC (4C).

It is also noteworthy that when I have been approached by national and local reporters who are digging into Petworth issues, EVERY ONE OF THEM has mentioned reading the Petworth News -- from the New York Times, to Washington Post reporters and columnists, to National Public Radio as well as our smaller monthly and weekly newspapers and local television news outlets.

That the Petworth News has drawn their attention speaks volumes about the impact, relevance and importance of the Petworth News blog and the lively, informative input of our neighbors and friends.

[AJS]

I second Patty in adding Petworth News -- and by extension Bill and Mariama Crandall -- to the list of people and things that make Petworth such a great place to call home.

[Patty]

Thank you so much, Bill, for your great memories and positive comments about our wonderful neighborhood. Thanks also for the Petworth News!

[Gabe]

I can't agree enough with Ed's comments above. I see the area improving on almost a weekly basis, minus a few hiccups along the way.

Great comment Bill! Happy New year everyone.

[Ed]

Wonderful comment Bill! Having lived here in Petworth since early 2004 I've noticed recently that when people ask me where I live and I reply "Petworth", I don't get the "where is that?" response I used to.
I'd also like to say thanks to all the cab drivers willing to drive me home from downtown late at night. A couple years ago I had drivers turn me down all the time, now it's never a problem and they ask me how I like the neighborhood, commenting how much nicer it is around here than it used to be. Happy New Year!

[sean]

I found your site through the Urban Places and Spaces blog. Nice work. I have a far less developed blog for my neighborhood of Bloomingdale, and was checking out blogs about DC neighborhoods.