Um, who the hell is walking down the street and stops and says I’m going to spray paint some grafitti here? Then he says, I wonder what I’ll write, maybe – gang letters, or a sports team I like, or a girl I dig, no I think I’ll write Pear.
Well who doesn’t like pears? I just would love to know the thought process that went into this graffiti. Anyway, I’m going to eat a pear now – so maybe we can see it like a public service announcement…
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…
I’m afraid I have some disappointing news to report from the Petworth front. I was walking home from the metro last week going north on New Hampshire Ave and I see this gentleman standing next to a wall in front of one of the rowhouses. Well, nothing wrong with that expect I notice he is taking a leak against the wall. Now I should mention it was like 6:30 at night and only a few houses down from the church. Ok that is pretty bad but then I see that he walks right into one of the rowhouses next to the church. Now what the hell is up with that? Are there no bathrooms in that house? I mean for real, this is one of the little things that is infuriating. Why piss right on the street, when you either live right there or are visiting someone right there? This guy was not homeless either. He was probably in his 50s fairly well dressed. I just can’t for the life of me understand it. Can anyone help me understand this?
A very large pitbull roaming without a leash just attacked a lovely dog on a leash and that dog and its owner are now seeking shelter at the Columbia Heights coffee house. This is another joy of living in the Columbia Heights/Petworth area, the damn dogs that roam without leashes. To be honest it is not a very large problem but those few times it does happen is quite startling to witness.