quality of life

Washington D.C.’s Fireworks Rules

By Prince Of Petworth

I suggest you take these rules with a grain of salt. But here they are in full courtesy of the Washington Post. It makes you wonder what crack team of detectives are monitoring the fireworks for sale on every other corner that are completely out in the open.

“Sparklers measuring 20 inches or less, torches, box fire, fountains, cones, dip sticks, non-poisonous snakes, paper novelty items, colored lights and paper caps are allowed. Any fireworks that move, explode, emit a flame greater than 12 inches, have a side-mounted fuse or fuse inserted along the product’s surface, or contain highly oxidizing agents such as mercury or arsenic that the fire marshal considers to be dangerous to the safety of any person or property are not permitted.”

Neat Neighborhood Finds: Volume Three

By Prince Of Petworth

As I was walking home this evening in the brutal heat nothing could have made me happier than encountering an old school Shaved Ice offering on Georgia Ave just south of Upshur. These drinks are of the old school where the ice is shaved and the flavoring is delicious. Think little Italy in the 50s. So the next time it is 105 degrees instead of weeping, like I normally do, head to Georgia Ave and get an ice flavored drink for 2 bucks. And if you thought it couldn’t get any better than that, they have sliced mangoes! Check out all the flavors in the photo below.

Interesting discussion going on down below

By Prince Of Petworth

But it is a little off topic of tips for newcomers so I thought I’d start a new thread. So if you have reactions let’s comment here. Thanks.

Here is a segment from an anon. poster:
“I think you’ll find universally that people who are “working class”, regardless of where there from and what shade they are, when they manage to afford a nice home, sometimes after working for many years to do so, they don’t want crime on their backdoor and don’t see these things as “live and let live” issues. While I understand the motives of those engaging in the business of drug dealing in open markets to promote “no snitchin'” and the occasional hostile take-over (in a hail of gunfire), when self-righteous fools tell me I have to suffer this crime to be “class sensitive” you’ll get a good hearty laugh from this piece of white trash. I will agree with you all day long that legalization, just as with liquor, is a better answer. If you want to start a organization to get drugs legalized I’ll gladly give you a portion of the money I send to other non-profit organizations. But I live in reality, and while criminals are engaged in a potentially dangerous trade near my family and my neighbor’s family they are going to be dodging the MPD every time I see them, and if that means you get busted buying your dime bag behind my lot, sorry Charlie.”

Tips for newcomers

By Prince Of Petworth

I have recently been contacted by a number of new folks who are moving into the neighborhood. They have requested some tips from me as well as from you guys based on our experiences. So I’ll take first crack then you the readers should post your advice that you wish you had received before moving to the neighborhood.

Back in the day I posted my top 10 reasons I love Petworth. That all still applies. First of all congratulations to you all. You have made a truly smart decision. So my advice to new Petworth residents is as follows:

1. Go to Domku and Temperance Hall. They are fantastic restaurant/bars that are wonderful additions to the neighborhood. Domku located on the 800 block of Upshur is a wonderful place to get brunch, dinner or just a cup of coffee. Domku also offers free Wifi for your internet needs. Also, it now has outdoor seating which is quite pleasant. Temperance Hall is the perfect place to get a bite to eat and a beer after work. The atmosphere is terrific and there are tons of locals who are regulars and the bartenders are the best. Temperance also has a fantastic back deck. It is located on Georgia Ave, just south of the metro, the cross street is Princeton.

2. Introduce yourself to your neighbors on the whole block. People in Petworth are among the nicest I have ever met in my ten years here in DC. It is essential that you integrate into the block. But you have to take the initiative. Don’t simply hide in your homes. Make the effort to say hello to all the new faces you encounter. 9 times out of 10 you will be greeted with kindness and ultimately friendship. The people are by far one of the biggest benefits of the neighborhood. Here in Petworth neighbors gladly and always watch each other’s backs.

3. Take advantage of our proximity to Columbia Heights and U Street. Petworth is a wonderful neighborhood but it is still developing. You are not going to find every store that you desire. Columbia Heights has the terrific Giant supermarket on Park Road. I highly recommend it. There is also a terrific coffee shop in Columbia Heights on 11th and Park aptly called Columbia Heights Coffee. Columbia Heights is also home to Wonderland Ballroom on 11th and Kenyon which is one of the greatest bars in the city with an outdoor beer garden. Of course everyone knows the Target and other development is coming to CH. So take advantage of it.

4. Realize that you are not moving to Cleveland Park or Georgetown. And for the most part that is a good thing. But there are also some negative aspects. One, which I often complain about, is the garbage. You are going to encounter garbage on the streets. This will not change. But you can do something about it. Always keep the area in front of your house clean. If it means picking up garbage every morning, then pick up garbage every morning. If many people do this we will make a dent.

5. Get to know your local ANC representative. 9 times out of 10 they are fantastic. Talk to them about your neighborhood questions and concerns. They are very responsive.

6. Crime exists but it is not as bad as the press makes it seem. Everyone has there own comfort level. You will learn yours based on your own experiences and your own walks around the neighborhood. Certain crime issues affect people differently depending upon what block they live on. There is drug dealing in Petworth. But for the most part, this will not affect you. If you see it happening call 311 and register a complaint with the police. Occasional there is violence between gangs especially in the Summer. But this usually occurs late at night. So my advice to folks is don’t walk around the neighborhood after midnight. Obviously, you all will have your own comfort level. Personally, I don’t walk home from the metro after 10 pm during the week. I know folks who don’t walk home after 8 pm but I also know folks who walk home at all hours of the night without incident. So you’ll have determine your own comfort level. But again, if you encounter issues don’t hesitate to call 311 or 911 in an emergency. By in large I think crime is a far bigger problem in Adams Morgan than it is in Petworth.

7. Plant flowers in front of your house. It adds to the overall beauty of the neighborhood and as you are working outside you’ll have more opportunities to meet your neighbors.

8. Try all the new local businesses as they open. Lots of development is coming to Petworth. We have had to new Latino restaurants open: El Limeno and El Torgoroz. Check em out, they are delicious. El Limeno is on Upshur across from another local bar called the Hitching Post across from the Old Soldiers home. El Torgoroz is around the corner from Domku. I’ll be updating you with new ones as they open.

9. Some days are better than others. Realize that some days you will encounter lots of garbage, lots of kids yelling, and maybe read about some crime. Other days, you will see beautiful flowers, talk to interesting neighbors, and have a great drink at one of the local haunts. Not every day is the same. Remember the positive and don’t stew on the negative ones.

10. Send me your tips and questions. I am constantly updating PoP and your experiences are helpful to others. So share them with me. Please. Don’t hesitate to contact me with specific questions at [email protected].

So now it is your turn. What advice do you have about living in Petworth? What have I left out? Flip it bakery? Colorado Kitchen?

Son of a…

By Prince Of Petworth

This is the alley taken a week after our big clean up. It is absolutely filthy. I dare say it is dirtier now than before we cleaned it. WTF? I hope there is a special place in hell for…alright It’s not that bad but it sure pisses me off. For real, you got to be kidding me. Is there no decency left? So what do you think: Is it even worth cleaning the alley if it is just going to get super filthy within the week of cleaning it?

I’m going to reveal a dirty secret

By Prince Of Petworth

I was reading in Washington Post’s Sleuth’s column about a massive surge in the rat population on Capitol Hill as a result of Eastern Market burning down thus causing a rat exodus of massive proportions. Well, it got me thinking about my own little problem in Petworth. Thank God it is not a rat problem but the rat’s slightly less ugly cousin the mouse. I’ve heard, as a result of our close proximity to the Old Soldier’s Home, many houses are afflicted with this plague. I had been in denial for quite a while.

A quick side note. When I lived in an apartment in Cleveland Park, right next to the zoo, I was once visited by a four legged creature. I woke up one night hearing a terrible rustling. It was so loud that it woke me from a dead sleep. When my eyes could finally focus I realized it was a “baby squirrel”. Or at least that is what I told my girlfriend at the time. In fact it was a rat. So I did what any insane person would do. I got dressed in my finest track suit, put on winter gloves and grabbed a huge pot from the kitchen and pursued the vermin. As you can surely guess I had gained a new roomate for the rest of my time in that apartment.

So you can imagine how upset I was at discovering a mouse. I didn’t shriek, fortunately, I simply jumped up on my couch with a golf club ready to attack the intruder. Again, I was unsuccessful. So I laid out a bunch of traps and probably caught about three or four. But damn, these mice get smart. I had continued to see droppings but I couldn’t catch anymore. So what did I do? Fortunately I did not attempt a track suit and cooking pot redux. I called a trapper who charged me about 300 bucks to tell me that they were coming from outside. Gee, thanks.

Now I should mention here that I am a dog person. But, I was pushed to my limit and I adopted a cat from the rescue league. Long story, less long, I haven’t seen any more mice. That it is I haven’t seen anymore mice dead or alive. But I did gain a nice pet. It is almost worth getting made fun of mercilessly by my friends.

So am I the only one who has/had mice? Maybe we can form a support group.

Coming soon to a street near you

By Prince Of Petworth

As many in the neighborhood know, as soon as it warms up these damn mini bikes come out and terrorize the neighborhood. They zip up and down the block often going the wrong way on one way streets. I’m not looking forward to it.

But damn, this is the sweetest mini bike I’ve ever seen. Makes me want to take it for a ride…

I wish I used curse words on this blog

By Prince Of Petworth

The poor people at habitat for humanity have to put up with so much. They were one of the few businesses to move to Upshur St. and they are continually rewarded with grafitti. Insert a very long string of explicatives here. Let’s hope they catch this thug soon.

Incidentally, not using curse words is pretty funny because I curse all the time in real life. Yet I seem to have taken on a more polite blog personality. How bizarre.

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