quality of life

Dispatches from the Mean Streets of Some of the District’s Sketchiest Neighborhoods Vol. 4

By Prince Of Petworth

9232148171_ded398d545_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user jbarab

“I live on Shepherd Street street in Petworth. Every morning I walk down Kansas on my way over to 14th street by way of Spring Rd. Almost without fail, there is a gentlemen exercising in place on one of the corners of Kansas between Shepherd and Quincy. He is awesome. Other than just exercise he is on a mission to wave and say “good morning, have a good one!” to every single person who walks by. He’s more than happy to yell “good morning” two blocks away. If I’m lucky, my route will take me right next to him where I’ll get a “Looks like you’re ready for another one.” It sounds stupid, but it’s a complete treat. He’s the waving man, and he’s getting it done.”

Ed. Note: We hear a lot about crime in certain neighborhoods. This is the other side of the coin. 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.

Dispatches from the Mean Streets of Some of the District’s Sketchiest Neighborhoods Vol. 3

By Prince Of Petworth

11429272785_14ba1bd4f3_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

“Vol. 3 right here – I bought a place off Benning Road NE recently. I was advised after moving in that people would take anything not nailed down. Being the enfant terrible that I am, I decided to hang some Christmas lights on the house and a wreath on the door. While hanging the lights, an older woman stopped, came into the yard, and told me about how my house, way back in the day, would have the nicest holiday decorations in the neighborhood. She thanked me for helping her to remember a happy time and told me she wants to see lights on my house every Christmas from now on.”

Ed. Note: We hear a lot about crime in certain neighborhoods. This is the other side of the coin. 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.

Reports of a Rooster in Columbia Heights is it Legal?

By Prince Of Petworth

2665444635_f07f225754_z
The famous 11th street fowl last caught on film in 2008

“Dear PoPville,

I live between 13th and 14th on Newton st and for the past couple weeks have been woken up every morning by a rooster cock-a-doodle-doo-ing. Is it legal to have roosters in the city limits?”

Actually a topic that comes up every year or so in Columbia Heights. I believe CM Tommy Wells introduced or was considering introducing legislation to legalize some degree of fowl in the District but I don’t think it got anywhere. So at the moment this is not legal. Anyone else hearing the cock-a-doodle-doo-ing?

Dispatches from the Mean Streets of Some of the District’s Sketchiest Neighborhoods Vol. 2

By Prince Of Petworth

ledroit_park_mural

Thanks to a reader for sharing their experience:

Having just moved to the northern end of LeDroit Park a few weeks ago, I’ve been told by many to be sure I, “keep my wits about.” The other day while walking my basset mix, a man came up to me completely cutting off my route. “Excuse me,” he said, “But your dog is well-loved. He obviously has someone who loves him and gives him a great life. He’s a great-looking dog, but looks better because he’s happy. I know I’m a stranger to you, but it’s obvious even to someone who’s never met you or your dog. Have a lovely day.”

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.

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

By Prince Of Petworth

photo

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.

Some Safety Tips While I’m Developing the Yokel App

By Prince Of Petworth

popville_safety_tips
Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Ed. Note: Crime is a very serious issue and you can see that in our daily posts. Having streets smarts will not guarantee your safety though they are important.

Tarnishing entire neighborhoods in the so called pursuit and guise of safety is not at all helpful or fair.

Thanks to the dozens of people who alerted me to this incident.

Apparently a WUSA news van was broken into while investigating a so called Sketchy neighborhood – in this case Petworth:

Ironically, the burglary occurred while the crew was working on a story about an app that alerts people of “sketchy” neighborhoods.

The crew had locked their news van on a street in Petworth in Northwest, D.C. while they were out in the neighborhood conducting interviews. When they returned they found the lock had been popped out of the door of their news van, and that the most of the crew’s gear had been stolen.

First let me say – I’m very sorry this happened. It sucks. Second let me say that I’m not intending to blame the victim here. What happened truly does suck. What I’m upset about is the seeming implication that this incident validates Petworth being a “sketchy” neighborhood. That and that alone is the issue I have. To combat this misconception I’d like to take this opportunity to announce that the Ben and Sylvia Gardner foundation have agreed to fund the development of a yokel app. Until that happens let me say a few more things and offer some advice:

First car break ins happen all over the District. Just ask our friends in the beautiful Cleveland Park neighborhood that deal with incidents like this on what seems like a weekly if not daily basis (if you follow their listserv.) Seriously, car break ins happen all over and the one thing we are repeatedly told by MPD and others is to never leave bags with or with out valuables in your car. It’s just not a smart thing to do – ever. Anywhere. Sadly, even in the middle of the day. Even in a beautiful, tree lined neighborhood like Petworth.

So here is some other advice that will be captured in the coming yokel app that we’ve gathered over the years:

2. Don’t leave your bike unlocked whilst you stop in to Starbucks for a coffee. Best to lock up your bike everywhere. Yes that includes places like Petworth.
3. When leaving an ATM don’t stop at the corner and take out your money to count it.
4. Similarly don’t walk home with $100 bills hanging out of your pockets.
5. Speaking of walking home, don’t walk home piss drunk from the bars signing Meatloaf’s I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) this behavior almost always attracts that unsavory element stalking our city.
6. Speaking of singing, don’t have your earbuds/headphones on and text on your smart phone late at night (really even not so late at night.)
7. When pregnant you should not smoke.
8. When taking ambien you should not operate heavy machinery.
9. And most importantly if you have more than 15 items don’t use the express lanes at the grocery store. Please I’m begging you!!!

Props to the Good People at Metro

By Prince Of Petworth

IMAG1095

“Dear PoPville,

I caught this this morning at the Archives metro. With all the hating on metro and their employees, this was a welcomed sight.”

Ed. Note: To the people who may be tempted to chastise the injured – asking why didn’t they take they elevator? I’m gonna preemptively and respectfully request that you don’t. Let’s just enjoy the kind moment. Thanks in advance.

DC “officially” the nation’s “coolest and fittest city”

By Prince Of Petworth

14848700165_893c8d6376_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

Ed. Note: I also think it’s no stretch to say we are the most beautiful, the best lovers, the kindest, the most well read, the best at crossword puzzles and other word games, the most sensible and/or daring depending on the situation and the most compassionate people on the planet!

From the Mayor’s office:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray hailed news that two different organizations had recently published indices ranking the District the nation’s coolest and fittest city.

Forbes magazine today released its 2014 “America’s Coolest Cities” list with the District beating out contenders such as Seattle, Austin and San Francisco for the top honors. The American College of Sports Medicine also recently released its 7th annual American Fitness Index® (AFI) report, which named the District the nation’s fittest city ahead of such recreation-rich cities as Denver; San Francisco; and Portland, Ore.

“Once again, the District of Columbia has been independently ranked the best city in the country in two new major quality-of-life categories, and I continue to be incredibly proud of our amazing city,” said Mayor Gray. “We will add these honors to the ever-growing list of accolades the District has won in recent years in categories ranging from cultural amenities to environmental sustainability to economic growth. The nation’s capital is truly the best place in America to live – and we now have ample independent assessments in a variety of areas to prove it.”

The Forbes rankings took into account such factors as arts and cultural amenities, recreational and sports resources, ethnic and cultural diversity, dining options, population growth, and the portion of the population between the ages of 20 and 34. The AFI rankings took into account indicators of personal health as well as indicators of environmental and community health and sustainability.”

‘Tips for Newcomers’ 7 Years Later – What Would You Add/Remove?

By Prince Of Petworth

grant_circle_tree_2007
Grant Circle, 2007

“Dear PoPville,

We have been in the neighborhood for about a year and we dragged this up when we were moving. I thought it would be fun to hear if your readers agreed with all of this 7 years later and what they would change about the list. Trip down memory lane…”

Ed. Note: That was a trip to re-read. Couple things I’d change – take advantage of the green line and your proximity to the whole District not just Columbia Heights and U Street. ANC reps are some of the best and worst people I’ve met – hopefully you have a good one. When I first moved to Petworth in early 2003 it was unfortunately not uncommon to hear gunshots late at night. Thankfully that has massively changed. Drug dealing too is far less visible/less of a problem. Today I have no problem walking home from metro later than 10pm (though it is important to have street smarts.) Overall it’s exciting to see how much (for the most part positively) has changed over the last seven years.

Tips for newcomers – June 13, 2007

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 princeofpetworth(at)gmail.com.

View More Stories