Petworth

The 5pm Post – Don’t Forget Vigil for Neil Michael Godleski 8:30pm Tonight – EL Haynes on CBS Evening News

By Prince Of Petworth

If you have an event, fundraiser or happy hour you’d like featured on the 5pm Post, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com

Don’t forget the vigil for Neil Michael Godleski is this evening, Wednesday Night August 25th at 8:30 PM at Kansas Avenue, NW and Sherman Circle, NW.

From an email:

“You can view the video of E.L. Haynes students and teachers and an interview with Jennie Niles (E.L. Haynes Founder and Head of School) about DC’s successful Race to the Top proposal.”

Congrats!

Vigil for Neil Michael Godleski, Wed. 8:30pm at Sherman Circle/CM Bowser Working on Getting Lights for the Circle

By Prince Of Petworth


Neil Michael Godleski

For those who inquired about a vigil for the student murdered at Sherman Circle this past Sat. night, following are the details:

Dear Petworth Neighbors:

Join us for a prayer vigil and moment of Silence for Neil Michael Godleski, a resident of the Petworth Neighborhood.

Day and Time: Wednesday Night August 25th at 8:30 PM
Place: Kansas Avenue, NW and Sherman Circle, NW.

Riding his bike home from a restaurant where he was working to pay his own way through college, Neil Michael Godleski, 31, was shot and killed shortly after 12:30am on Sunday morning near Sherman Circle NW. It appears he encountered someone that attempted to rob him.

Neil, was a student at Catholic University of America and worked at a restaurant in the Southwest waterfront. He loved languages and learned Portuguese and Polish and became a rafting guide in Maine and Massachusetts.

Join us at the scene as neighbors come together in unison to remember him and to pray for safer streets. Law abiding citizens should not have to fear for their own safety when in route to work, church or while coming from the grocery store.

We will join together in hopes of lifting our neighborhood to higher levels of peace and a better understanding of living and being compatible with one another.

Candles will be provided.

For additional information please contact:

Keith Jarrell [email protected] 202-288-1867 Cell
Or Damiana Astudillo [email protected]

Wednesday Night August 25th at 8:30 PM
Kansas Avenue, NW and Sherman Circle, NW.

On a side note: Council Member Bowser just released a note about getting lights in Sherman Circle:

““Residents of Petworth have long complained that NPS grounds within Sherman Circle are potentially dangerous after dark because of the lack of lighting,” said Bowser. “All around the Circle are street lights but within the park grounds there are none. Lighting needs to be installed with great urgency.”

Today at 3 P.M., Bowser will meet at Sherman Circle with Delegate Holmes Norton, the District Department of Transportation, and officials from the Metropolitan Police Department. She has also advised the electric company to be ready to energize the Circle as soon as the federal government decides what to do.”

Full press release after the jump. (more…)

Subway above Petworth Metro Hiring, Plans to Open First Week of Sept.

By Prince Of Petworth

Anyone interested in a job can apply in the following ways:

“They can email their resume to [email protected] , they may stop by the store to pick up an application or they may visit www.Subway.com and apply.”

The store is located right next to Sala Thai on Georgia Ave, NW above the metro. I’ll be sure to updated when a specific day is selected for their grand opening.

Stinky Safeway (Petworth) Could Be Getting a Serious Upgrade from Folks behind Sexy Safeway (CityVista Mt. Vernon Sq.)

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in May I wrote a post titled, Battle of the Safeways: Haves vs. Have Nots which generated a huge discussion. I’m happy to relay the news that Petworth’s Safeway may become a ‘Have’ from Jonathan O’Connell in today’s Post:

“The developer behind of one of the District’s more successful recent condominium projects [ City Vista in Mt. Vernon Sq.] is nearing a deal with Safeway to bring a 210-unit housing and grocery store development to Georgia Avenue, in the Petworth neighborhood.”

We’ve heard rumblings of Petworth’s Safeway getting redeveloped many times before but this is the first time the folks behind the City Vista project have been mentioned. Suffice it to say, I think this would be a tremendous development. I will now keep my fingers crossed and continue to knock wood until this deal is officially signed…

31 Year Old Catholic Univ. Student Shot and Killed by Sherman Circle Sat. Night. Shootings also in Shaw and Columbia Heights this Weekend

By Prince Of Petworth


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I’ve been getting tons of emails about this terrible news. Sorry for the delay in posting, I was out of town for the weekend.

UPDATE from TBD:

“Police say Neil Michael Godleski, 31, was riding his bike when he was shot at and chased by the suspect or suspects. Police are looking into robbery as a possible motive.

Godleski was a senior, majoring in biology, [at Catholic University] ABC 7 News has learned.”

Original report from MPD:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting which occurred in the Unit block of Sherman Circle, NW.

On Sunday, August 22, 2010 shortly after 12:30 am, units responded to the Unit Block of Sherman Circle, NW for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located a victim suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services arrived and transported the victim to a local area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 31 year-old Neil Michael Godleski of the 500 block of Ingraham Street, NW.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746). The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to D.C. CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

In other disturbing crime news. On Fri. night/Sat. morning there was a shooting in Shaw. From MPD:

“An adult male was shot at 8th and R St NW at approximately 3:00 am. He was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.”

Also on Fri. night/Sat. morning there was a shooting in Columbia Heights. From MPD:

“An adult male was shot in the 3000 block of 14 St NW and was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.”

Petworth Farmers Market Gets Pleasant Pops and Volunteers Needed for Median Clean up Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“Stop by today’s market for some EXCITING new vendors! The immensely popular local entrepreneurs from Pleasant Pops will be at the market offering their delicious line-up of custom-made Popsicles! You may also notice a new delicious aroma when you swing by with the addition an on-site barbecue smoker serving fresh ribs! You may have also noticed that the market recently began selling fresh eggs from Waterview Foods!”

The Petworth Market is located on 9th St, NW off Georgia Ave (between Taylor and Upshur) and runs every Friday from 3-7pm.

“Dear PoP,

A couple of neighbors in Petworth are organizing to maintain the median in New Hampshire Ave (remove weeds) this Saturday from 8:00am to 11:00pm. There was the one event for planting where at least 8 people participated. Now the problem has become weeds. We have been trying to tackle this but between 3 people alone it seems like a loosing battle. Do you think you could post some announcement to see if we can get any other neighbors to help/volunteer this Saturday. We will meet at 8:00am at the 3900 block of New Hampshire.”

Dear PoP – What is the Petworth/Georgia Ave Construction?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Do you know what the plans are for the building next to the Wendy’s and the other vacant lots on Georgia Avenue Northbound? One site has two construction signs up and the ground is already broken. Thanks for any information you can provide.”

Pictured above is the corner of Georgia and Quincy which will be the home to new condos.

Further up the street where you saw the economic development signs will be two projects. Billy Simpson’s (from the owners of Marvin) will open up at 3813/3815 Georgia Ave., NW. I have no idea when it will actually open. I’d guess by 2012. The section a few storefronts up that is a vacant lot is slated to become a restaurant but I’d guess we won’t see anything there before 2013. That’s just a guess, I do hope something comes sooner.

Next to Wendy’s at 3910 Georgia Ave will become mixed income apartments and a health center. It looks like it will be completed in the next couple of months.

Construction on the actually street relates to ongoing Great Streets Improvement Project that will occur over the next 18 months.

Huge Prostitution Arrests Made at 4100 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


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I’ve gotten a few emails from folks about the large number of prostitution arrests made this past weekend. MPD writes:

“On Saturday evening, the Fourth District Vice Unit, along with members from the Crime Suppression Team conducted an operation in the area of Georgia Ave and Taylor St NW. This area has been noted as an area for possible street prostitution in the past. First, we deployed several undercover officers (male).

Their job was to identify and possibly target any female prostitutes that might be operating in the area. In a very short time, we were able to identify and arrest several female suspects in the area and charge them with prostitution-related offenses. Then, we deployed several undercover officers (female), posing as potential prostitutes in order to target the “Johns”. Over the next several hours, we were able to arrest several subjects and charge them with prostitution-related offenses as well.

This two-fold approach was an attempt by the vice unit to address both sides of the problem and, as a result, was very effective. The undercover officers did an outstanding job and the rest of my team acted in a highly professional and efficient manner. The Fourth District Vice unit plans to conduct these operations targeting street prostitution on a regular basis within different areas of the Fourth District. If anyone observes any activities or areas that they feel we should focus on, please let me know so that we can help address those issues. Thank you for your ongoing support.”

A reader writes:

“On August 14, there are something like 12 prostitution arrests around the Yes Organic. Amazing. Was there a bus drop off? A convention?”

Back in March 2007, I was surprised to see a prostitute and her pimp around the Petworth metro.

Good Deal or Not? “stylish & superior finishes” edition (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 804 Taylor St, NW:


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The flier says:

“1 of 26 flats consisting of 2BR 2BA, 1BR w/ DEN & 1BR condos All light filled units w/ stylish & superior finishes:Granite Counters & SS Appliances; Hardwood & Bamboo flrs; Granite & tiled baths; CAC; W/ D & wonderful open living space. Walk to Metro, Yes!Organic Market & dining Muliple modes of financing available!”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Do you think the finishes are superior? And what are they superior to…? Does $274,900 ($250 condo fee) sound reasonable for a 1 bed/1 bath?

A Smile for a Rainy Fri. Morning

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

My husband and I were at Sala Thai (Petworth) this past Saturday for some tasty sushi. I think they usually have live music on Saturdays, and that night was no exception. The band was great, but when they stopped for a break, a uniformed police officer who was eating dinner asked the keyboardist whether he (the officer) could try out the keyboard for a bit. The band had no objection, and the officer proceeded to entertain the restaurant with a few songs (all of which I recognized, but none for which I know the name unfortunately). The officer was great, and the restaurant loved it. Just wanted to give a shout-out both to the band who let it happen and the officer who entertained us.”

I know I should’ve saved this for a caption contest but I needed a smile after the trauma of yesterday’s weather and fire…

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