Petworth

Join Olympic champion Joan Benoit Samuelson at the first annual Freedom 5K XC at President Lincoln’s Cottage Sept. 27th

By Prince Of Petworth

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Upshur and Rock Creek Church Rd, NW

From a press release:

“On September 27th, runners will become a part of history when they join Olympic champion Joan Benoit Samuelson at the first annual Freedom 5K XC at President Lincoln’s Cottage! After winning the Boston Marathon twice, Ms. Benoit Samuelson went on to become the first woman to ever win the gold medal in the Olympic marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Freedom 5K XC, a unique cross country event open to the general public, provides a rare opportunity for runners and walkers alike to race on the 250 acre Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) campus, where President Lincoln and his family resided during his presidency. All proceeds and donations support preservation, award-winning programs, and innovative initiatives such as the Students Opposing Slavery program at President Lincoln’s Cottage, the only privately funded National Monument in the nation.

The Freedom 5K XC traverses the picturesque AFRH grounds, on roads and paths that wind past ponds, woods, and fields. As a cross country-style course, the running surface will include paved and unpaved pathways. The run culminates at President Lincoln’s Cottage, “the Cradle of the Emancipation Proclamation,” where Lincoln developed his seminal document in our country’s ongoing struggle for freedom.

The Freedom 5K XC will take place on Saturday September 27th at 8:00 am. Early bird registration is $30 and ends on August 27. Registration after August 27th is $40 per person. Registration for the Freedom 5K XC is managed by Potomac River Running Club; to register online and get more information visit here.”

Dispatches from the Mean Streets of Some of the District’s Sketchiest Neighborhoods Vol. 1

By Prince Of Petworth

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Yesterday my daughter was taking her afternoon constitutional and as we were walking on Illinois Avenue she spotted a little boy playing with a toy car. So we sprinted over as fast as we possibly could and the two played together for a little while. As we were walking away the boy says wait, wait and he runs into his house. And I have to say at this point it did not look like he had tons of toys. So anyway he comes back and says with difficulty (English is not his first language) “I asked my mother and she says you can have this, I have another.” After many many protestations on our part he absolutely insists that “the little girl” take his race car. I’ve never been happier to live on such mean streets.  Thank you Manuelito.

Ed. Note: If you have a story/experience from your own mean streets please send a brief description in an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dog)com and include what neighborhood you live in.

31 Unit Building Coming to vacant lot across from new Safeway, Signage also up for Fahrenheit Condos in Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth

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3800 block of Georgia Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Any idea what’s happening here, across the street from the Safeway? Looks like they knocked down a building attached to an empty lot.”

I’m told plans are for a 31 unit rental building without retail. I’ll be updated in the coming months as more details/renderings are released.

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Also of note signage has gone up for the Fahrenheit Condos condos coming to the former Goins restaurant corner at Georgia and Shepherd:

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Georgia and Shepherd St, NW

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Tap Takeover at Petworth Citizen Tonight – five speciality Belgian beers: 4 Sours and 1 Lambic

By Prince Of Petworth

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829 Upshur Street, NW

From an email:

“Beginning at 5pm, we’ll be featuring five speciality Belgian beers: 4 Sours and 1 Lambic–these will all be available for $6/serving for the duration of the evening; they will be offered for $4/serving during happy hour from 5-7pm!

Petrus Oak Aged Pale Ale
Petrus Oak Aged Red Ale
Monk’s Cafe Flemmish Sour Ale
Brasserie De Silly Sour Flemmish Farmhouse Ale
St. Luis Framboise Lambic

We have limited quantities of all of these brews and only four draft lines–we’ll be “live tweeting” as we change the drafts throughout the evening. We’ll also be featuring beer flights–this is a unique opportunity to taste these rare craft international brews!

Rolf Ysla, a representative of Washburn Wine Company, will be at the event with several members of the Global Imports team.”

Pickles for Petworth (sorta) Gordy’s Pickle Jar Coming to former House of Falafel space on Upshur

By Prince Of Petworth

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221 Upshur Street, NW

The former House of Falafel space has been leased by the folks from Gordy’s Pickle Jar. According to the Petworth listserv it will only be used for the commercial kitchen and won’t be for retail purposes. As a pickle fantatic – I for one think we should lobby for some kinda retail component!

Update: The folks from Gordy’s say the Petworth listserv is not accurate. We will update with more details as soon as we learn the complete plans.

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“DGS has decided to proceed with the destruction of the north side of the garden”

By Prince Of Petworth

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North Twin Oaks Plot at 14th and Taylor St, NW

From an email:

“As many of you know, the north side of Twin Oaks Community Garden—which is located on either side of Taylor St NW at 14th St–has been slated for demolition to make way for a parking lot as part of the renovation of the neighboring Powell Elementary School.

We are writing to inform you that, after receiving suggestions on alternative parking options from Twin Oaks as well as comments from the community, the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS) has decided to proceed with the destruction of the north side of the garden. There will be a community meeting this Tuesday to announce the decision as well as plans to build a new garden in Upshur park, and we invite all community members to attend to weigh in.

Where: Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave NW
When: Tuesday, August 5th, 6:30pm

Thank you for your support,
Twin Oaks Community Garden”

EatsPlace Announces first Chefs in Residence for Sept. “elevated soul food” and the Mason Dixie Biscuit Company

By Prince Of Petworth

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3607 Georgia Avenue, NW courtesy Katy Chang

Last week we we got a brief update on EatsPlace coming to Georgia Ave across from Looking Glass Lounge. Now lots more details including their first chefs in residence.

From a press release:

“A new range of flavors is coming to the District as EatsPlace announces its first round of resident chefs: Charles Lyons and Jason Gehring. EatsPlace’s chef-in- residence program begins a rotation designed to broaden the palette of District dining.

“EatsPlace is thrilled to open its doors in September with such talented chefs on the debut roster,” said Katy Chang, managing member of EatsPlace. “It really is a coup to have Chef Lyons and Chef Gehring – two District-based chefs— at EatsPlace, and I’m excited to see what each of them will bring to the dining scene.”

Charles Lyons, executive chef of DC Born and Raised, brings his individual take on traditional Southern favorites to EatsPlace. His “elevated soul food” concept features local ingredients and encompasses everything from sweet to savory. Lyons is a former chef at District favorites such as Georgia Brown’s, Hill Country and Mari Vanna.

Jason Gehring, executive chef of Mason Dixie Biscuit Company, focuses on creative dishes based on biscuits. His career as a pastry chef has landed him at some of the District’s most popular restaurants, including Table, Astro Doughnuts and Chicken and Fiola. (more…)

Level Up Gym/Personal Training Studio Opens in Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth

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4424 Georgia Ave. NW

Level Up has opened in the former florist space at Georgia and Allison St, NW. Their facebook page says:

“Results Driven Personal Training and group fitness

Level up LLC is providing top level fitness programs that guarantee results we are flexible, accessible, and convenient because we can come to you! We serve the D.C., Virginia and Maryland metro areas!

Many people have access to equipment in their homes, offices, and apartments but are too busy to go to the gym if not we can provide equiptment. With in-home personal training there are no more excuses. When working at home, you will not have to compete with anyone else and can concentrate solely on reaching your personal goals. Having an in-home personal trainer will ensure you learn proper techniques to safely and effectively use the equipment you have on your own.”

Okapi Restaurant coming to former Moroni and Brothers space on Georgia Ave

By Prince Of Petworth

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4811 Georgia Ave, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“The former Moroni Bros has a sign up now. Something called Okapi?”

[The okapi, also known as the forest giraffe or zebra giraffe, is a giraffid artiodactyl mammal native to the Ituri Rainforest, located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Although the okapi bears striped markings reminiscent of zebras, it is most closely related to the giraffe. The okapi and the giraffe are the only living members of the family Giraffidae.

The animal was brought to prominent European attention by speculation on its existence found in popular press reports covering Henry Morton Stanley’s journeys in 1887. A 2013 study determined there are 10,000 okapis remaining in the wild, down from 40,000 a decade ago.]

Updates as more info is known and Okapi gets closer to opening.

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formerly Moroni and Brothers

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