Like other stops on the Green Line (and Yellow Line) Petworth has a sweet collage painting.
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Petworth
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I often drive by this house and am always blown away. This house is located at 8th and Varnum and is perhaps the coolest looking house I’ve seen in Petworth. This looks like a house that superheroes may live in, or at the least some very cool cats. Check out the wrap around porch with swinging chair. Also the colors are wicked sweet, not sure if it comes out in the picture or not. If you have seen other cool houses in town let me know at [email protected] so I can capture them too.
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After reading all the good buzz on Petworth News I had to check out the new restaurant El Limeno. (Ed. Note: I haven’t figured out how to put the cool accent over the N.) El Limeno is located at 2nd and Upshur, NW. I am happy to report that the dinner was perfect. The decor was very cool, lot’s of paintings, chandeliers, and other latin style decor. I was happy to see that they were also showing a soccer game on the tv. Also, there was a phenomenal jukebox playing sweet latin tunes. The waitress was fantastic, prompt, kind and good recommendations. They started us off with delicious free chips and salsa which I almost filled up on but thank God I didn’t. I took the waitress’ recommendation and had the crab enchilada. It was excellent, overflowing with crab. And for those who are itching for a post dinner drink – our very own Hitching Post is right across the street. My only concern is that it is very similiar to El Torogoraz, I hope there is enough demand for two El Salvadorian style restaurants. I know I’ll be back.
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So this is the house that sold for a ridiculous amount of money on the corner of Upshur and New Hampshire. I think the picture does it justice. It is a real shell, but I’ve seen tons of workers gutting it, even on the weekends. This is a positive development as it has been a shell for years now. One thing of possible concern is that I saw multiple electrical monitors being installed which leads me to believe it may be turned into condos. Not sure how many more condos this market can handle. But, hopefully it will look pretty sweet when completed. I’ll update when there are significant changes.
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photo by Jim Malone<
A typical street in Petworth found on Flickr. Gotta love those porches. Jane Jacobs would be smiling. I have been reading Jane Jacob’s Death and Life of American Cities and she would love Petworth’s porches.
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photo by Christiann
A picture of the phenomenal Domku that I often talk about. Thanks to Xiann from Flickr for the photo.
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A commentor left a post earlier today saying that Petworth was “raggedy” and was planning on leaving the neighborhood. And it got me thinking. I’ll complain from time to time, particularly if I think it is funny but this is my neighborhood, this is my home, and I love it. So I’d like to list the top ten reasons to have Petworth Pride:
10. Ample parking
As previously noted we have great parking, period. For those who have lived in more congested areas they realize just how much of a pain in the ass that can be. For those who don’t drive we have the metro now serviced my Green and (sometimes) Yellow lines.
9. Local Politicians
We have terrific ANC leaders (for the most part). For example my new ANC leader Kevin Hummons just distributed one badass newsletter. And based on all the interviews I’ve been doing, I’m pretty confident whoever wins is going to represent Petworth properly in the city council.
8. Trees
We have awesome residents who love trees and have planted Cherry blossom trees and others in the local parks. We also have that awesome tree in the middle of Grant circle.
7. Location
Petworth is like a suburb in the city, we can enjoy the insanity of the city and then retire to our calm homes and maybe sip a beer on our porches. We are spitting distance (sometimes literally) from Columbia Heights, Wonderland Ballroom and all the development there. We are a stone’s throw from the awesome U Street corridor. Or if you dig the Maryland thing we’re not far from Maryland. To the west we are an apple’s throw to Rock Creek Park and awesome hikes, and a little further west to the lovely Cleveland Park neighborhood. And if you dig the Hill we have North Capitol street to cruise on down to that neck of the woods.
6. Petworth News
Bill Crandall of Petworth News has done a terrific job keeping us up to date with all the goings on in Petworth. It looks like the Grant Circular is going to be a terrific addition in that vein as well.
5. Temperance Hall
One real sweet bar with whiskey and one hell of a vibe.
4. Positive Development
I for one am psyched about the development coming on Georgia Ave. And of course I can’t wait for the Mocha hut.
3. Old Soldiers and Sailors Home
Great golf and great people.
2. Domku
No list about Petworth would be complete without Domku. Domku and its owner Kera have been true trailblazers. They have brought us borscht and much more. They have brought us good eats, pool, darts, spectacular music and of course the passion to make a restaurant succeed on Upshur St. as well as having the perserverance and courage to continue to strive for its improvement.
1. The People
Petworth would be nothing without its people. Without sounding too sappy this means all its people. Its long term residents who could teach us a thing or two about Petworth, its new comers, and of course its children. Petworth may be “raggedy” but it is real. We don’t have to be Georgetown. Hell, we don’t want to be Georgetown. We are Petworth and those of us who live here knows exactly what that means.
So I’ll continue to pick up garbage and bitch from time to time but please know that this complaining comes from love of the neighborhood. When I get in a bad mood I’ll post the top ten worst reasons…
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“HIPSTERS WHO fled Mount Pleasant and Columbia Heights to
take refuge in the Georgia Avenue corridor in recent years are being
followed up Park Road by construction equipment…” according to yesterday’s Washington Express.
Mmm, yeah I think I saw a hipster at the Hitching Post drinking a Pabst beer just the other night.
Are there hipsters (present company excluded) in Petworth?
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I cannot express how weird it is to eat borsht in Petworth but like a Beck song it is a little twisted but mostly very, very cool.
Fed Chairman Ben Bernake says the economy is doing well but the housing market is slumping. My question to you is – how will this affect my eating borsht in Petworth? Is the housing market slump good or bad for Domku? Like many I think housing prices in Petworth have gotten a bit ridiculous. I was excited at first but then realized quickly that property taxes can get brutal. I digress, I just want to make sure we can all continue to eat Borsht in Petworth. Will Petworth residents continue to support Domku strongly enough for it to survive?
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Say what you will about the service but Domku has been an incredible addition to the flavor and feel of Petworth. The owner of Domku deserves huge credit in taking ownership and pride of the once beautiful, once sketchy, and now starting to become beautiful again Upshur street corridor. I just read the post in Petworth News about the possible addition of a Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings. I am near tears I am so happy. This kind of development is exactly what makes me so proud to be a Petworth resident. We’ll finally get farm fresh eggs! Wonderful news and my gratitude to all the folks behind this effort.
Tip of the day: Say hello to folks as you pass them on your walks, it brings a smile to their faces and helps foster the community feel that is so strong in Petworth.