Brightwood

Remembering the Battle of Fort Stevens and the Battleground National Cemetery in Brightwood

By Prince Of Petworth


6625 Georgia Avenue, NW

I’ve driven past this sight probably 100 times. I finally walked past and was able to check out this incredible history.

From Wikipedia on the Battle of Fort Stevens:

The Battle of Fort Stevens was an American Civil War battle fought July 11–12, 1864, in Northwest Washington, D.C., as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 between forces under Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early and Union Maj. Gen. Alexander McD. McCook. Although Early caused consternation in the Union government, reinforcements under Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright and the strong defenses of Fort Stevens minimized the military threat and Early withdrew after two days of skirmishing without attempting any serious assaults. The battle is noted for the personal presence of President Abraham Lincoln observing the fighting.

From Wikipedia on the Battleground National Cemetery:

After the battle, Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs seized 1 acre (0.40 ha) of farm land to use for burying the dead. Under direction from President Abraham Lincoln and Meigs, forty were buried on the evening of July 12 on the battlefield site. That night, Lincoln came to the site to dedicate it as the Battleground National Cemetery.

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Adult Female Shot in Head and Killed at 5th and Nicholson St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


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Tweet from MPD:

“4D Shooting //5th & Nicholson Street NW //Adult female shot in the head unconscious not breathing //6559”

Email from MPD:

Around 3:30 am, MPD units received a call for a person down at the corner of 5th and Nicholson Sts NW. Units responded and located an unconscious complainant suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The complainant is deceased. This case is being investigated by the Homicide Branch. This area is temporarily closed to vehicular traffic while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099.

Update from MPD:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the homicide of Siohban Nicole Lee which occurred at 5th Street and Nicholson Street, NW.

On Friday, January 25, 2013, at approximately 3:24 am, units from the Fourth District responded to 5th Street and Nicholson Street, NW, for the report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival, they located an adult female lying on the ground, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life. The victim was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending an autopsy. She was pronounced dead by a member of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. The preliminary investigation has determined that the victim and suspect were known to each other.

The decedent is identified as 18-year-old Siohban Nicole Lee of Takoma Park, Maryland.

On Friday, January 25, 2013, members of the of the Homicide Branch arrested 21 year-old Alexander D. Buckley of Northwest, Washington, DC and charged him with First Degree Felony Murder in the shooting death of Siohban Nicole Lee.

Dear PoPville – New liquor and wine shop, Simple and Good (S&G), Opens on Georiga and Kennedy St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


5214 Georgia Avenue, NW

Dear PoPville,

There is a new liquor and wine shop, Simple and Good (S&G), at 5214 Georgia Avenue, NW (Kennedy street). I wanted to pass on to let some more people around this area of petworth/brightwood know. I know it’s just another liquor store on Georgia ave but its so much cleaner than the others I have visited near here and the owners are very friendly! They also carry good wines and craft beers.

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Brightwood

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 433 Longfellow Street, NW:


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The listing says:

“Fabulous top floor unit – on level all by itself. Only 3 units total. Appx. 1050 sq. ft. Lots of natural light and windows. Wood floors, facade fireplace, SS dishwasher and microwave, gas cooking, large kitchen w/pantry, formal LR and DR, sunroom – feels like a SF home. Pets considered on case-by-case basis. Laundry in basement. Rent includes heat/AC/water. Owner/agent.”

This 2 bed/1 bath is going for $1,400/Mo.

“Mayor Gray Announces Walter Reed Community Advisory Group and Launches Great Streets Grants for Four Retail Corridors”

By Prince Of Petworth


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From a press release:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray today announced the formation of the Walter Reed Community Advisory Group and launched four Great Streets grant programs to assist revitalization of commercial corridors – two in the area of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center and two in other parts of the District.

Building on the foundation created through years of planning by the citizen members of the Walter Reed Local Redevelopment Authority Committee, the Community Advisory Group will work with the District as it transitions into implementation of the Walter Reed Reuse Plan. After more than 100 years at its location, the Army moved Walter Reed’s operations to Bethesda last year.

“Launching the Walter Reed Community Advisory Group is an important milestone in the development of the site,” said Mayor Gray. “The group’s focus on Walter Reed and the new grant offerings are critical to my administration’s work to maintain the commercial vibrancy of the business and residential corridors near the Walter Reed campus as well as other parts of the District. The awards we are offering will provide small business owners with an opportunity to sustain their businesses and prepare for what is to come in the way of additional, competitive retail options for all residents to enjoy.”

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G Spot Lounge Closes at 5413 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


5413 Georgia Ave, NW

G Spot Lounge opened up in Sept. 2010 at 5413 Georgia Ave, NW. It’s now for rent/sale – $2,500/Mo for the space:

“Rental contingent upon purchase of Business incl. Liquor License, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment. Purchase Price $150,000. Landlord is prepared to sign long-term lease with buyer cotemporaneously with the purchase.”

“District Awarded $8M in Federal Grants for Key Transportation Improvement and Infrastructure Projects (Includes Funds for Revitalization of Kennedy Street, NW)”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of Taqueria Distrito Federal at 805 Kennedy St, NW by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

A few weeks ago a reader wondered “Why Aren’t Investors Showing Kennedy Street Any Love?”

From DDOT:

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the District of Columbia more than $8M in grants to fund four projects in the city, including the revitalization of Kennedy Street, NW. The funding will also allow the District to move forward with planning for improved bicycle and pedestrian access near rail stations; implement a program to better manage curbside parking in busy commercial areas; and make infrastructure improvements for construction of the America Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial near the U.S. Capitol.

The Kennedy Street Revitalization project will receive $1M from the Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP) to transform the public realm of the commercial corridor. The funds, matched by local monies, will upgrade streetscape facilities including streetlights, sidewalks, and street trees/landscaping; and implement low-cost, high impact safety improvements at key nodes. That includes the signalized intersection of Missouri Avenue/Kansas Avenue & Kennedy Street; and the non-signalized intersection of Mi ssouri Avenue/1st Street and Jefferson Street.

The District was also awarded more than $6M to complete infrastructure improvements for the Closing of C Street, SW from 2nd Street to Washington Avenue, to facilitate the construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. The approved location for the memorial is a triangular-shaped site bounded by 2nd Street, SW on the west, Washington Avenue on the east, and the I-395 tunnel portals on the south, necessitating the closure of C Street, SW between Washington Ave and 2nd Street. The infrastructure improvements include utility work, signage, lighting, pavement markings, reconfiguration of the roadway, and improving pedestrian facilities. The project will result in improved traffic flow, an increase in pedestrian and bicycle safety, and improved security at the nearby Rayburn Office Building.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will use a $1.09M grant to implement a Multimodal, dynamic parking pricing pilot program in the Chinatown/Penn Quarter area of downtown DC. The program will include a reservation system for commercial vehicle parking to manage metered curb-side spaces in congested areas. It will encourage freight travel at off-peak times and enable tour bus operators to find parking, as well as use parking revenues to support transit services.

Finally, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) was awarded $160,000 to identify opportunities for promoting housing and employment development close to rail by providing walk or bike access to and from the stations using a complete streets approach. The project will seek to moderate demand pressures on the transportation system and improve efficiency by encouraging rail ridership in the reverse-peak direction on trains that currently have plenty of seats, or by selling the same seat twice in the peak travel direction (where one group of commuters alights at a mixed-use suburban location providing space for new commuters traveling further in the peak direction). The final product of the project will be an inventory of up to 25 rail stations with high promise for housing and employment development, and an accompanying list of high-impact transportation capital projects to improve access to these stations that could be quickly implemented should funding become available from the public or private sectors.

Judging Restaurants – Chez Aunty Libe

By Prince Of Petworth


6115 Georgia Avenue, NW

Looks like Chez Billy isn’t the only Chez on Georgia Ave. Chez Aunty Libe is located a bit further north at 6115 Georgia Ave, NW. Their Web site says:

Explore the tastes of the African continent with a visit to Chez Aunty Libe of Washington, DC. Our West African restaurant specializes in spicy Senegalese food and dishes inspired by Cote d’Ivoire (The Ivory Coast). We have dishes made from beef, chicken, and seafood that burst with flavors and aromas that transport you by senses to another continent. Catering service is available when you want to serve your guests food that’s different from the typical special-event menu. Spice up your evening out with Senegalese food from our West African restaurant in Washington, DC.

Owner Liberte Ehemba has 20 years of experience catering for individuals and embassies. As she began to develop her menu, she decided to open Chez Aunty Libe to provide patrons in the greater Washington, DC, area with traditional West African food. Our restaurant is one of only a few similar ones in the area, and we serve a diverse menu that features a broad range of different ethnic foods from West Africa. Liberte even works with the Smithsonian Institution to showcase different kinds of food and explain where you can find them. Because we want our customers to understand the food and culture of this region, you receive an educational adventure when you come to our restaurant.

Sounds awesome. Anyone ever check them out?

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