quality of life

Dear PoPville – Meeting tomorrow night re: U Street Liquor License Moratorium

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

Dear PoPville,

As a homeowner in, and resident of, the U Street corridor, I received a flier the other day from the organizers of the new civic association, the “Shaw-Dupont Citizen’s Alliance,” which is intent on imposing a five-year liquor licence moratorium on the Corridor. The new association defines its boundaries as being from 12th to 16th Streets and from S to U Streets, N.W. Their first meeting is TOMORROW night, at 7:00, at the Thurgood Marshall Center, which is located at 1842 12th Street. Here is a link to their website with the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting.

I already have communicated to them my own personal opinion on their proposed moratorium (I am strongly opposed), and I would urge that others let their views be known as well. Maybe I am wrong, but I do not believe that the majority of my neighbors want to see this happen.

Fines for “Careless Walking” – A Good Idea for DC?

By Prince Of Petworth

Last weekend I rode the Capital Crescent trail and laughed when I saw the sign above at the Georgetown entrance. Then I saw this report from USA Today:

“This spring, Fort Lee, N.J., police began issuing $85 fines for careless walking, and the Utah Transit Authority made distracted walking around trains punishable by a $50 fine.”

Seems like “careless” or “distracted” walking would be very difficult to enforce but do you think it’s a good idea?

Field Renovation Completed at Walter Pierce Park – Is the Fence a Necessary Evil?

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Aug. 2011 we saw how awesome the field at Walter Pierce Park (Adams Mill Road and Ontario Place, NW) in Adams Morgan was looking. Looks like the restoration is completed. One big change you’ll note are the pretty big fences. Do you think they are a necessary evil?

On the Adams Morgan listserv Mindy updates folks:

As I’m sure many of you have already seen, the field at Walter Pierce Park is now back online and ready for use (albeit with a permanent fence around it). According to DPR, the field will be open for free usage most of the time (unless otherwise permitted) and the gates will only be locked for maintenance purposes.

If you have an organized league, class, program, event that wants to use the field, you must apply for a permit from DPR (http://dpr.dc.gov/DC/DPR/Facilities+and+Permits/Permits+and+Reservations).

If you just want to play some Frisbee, toss a ball, or lay on it, and it is not permitted at the time you wish to use it, you’re free to do so.

Signage has been posted at the gates explaining the need for a permit and we’re working with DPR to make sure those signs are bilingual.

While there are a whole host of rules, regulations and requirements affiliated with athletic fields in the DPR system (available on their website), there are a few important ones that everyone should be aware of whether you have a permit to use the field or not.

1) Boisterous conduct, vulgar and profane language is prohibited.
2) Fields should not be used within 24 hours of significant rainfall.
3) No dogs are permitted, with the exception of registered service dogs.
4) Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park.

The field is currently permitted for the following dates/times:

Mondays through June 14 3:30pm-5:30pm
Tuesdays through June 14 3:30pm-5:30pm
Wednesdays through June 28 6pm -9pm
Thursdays through June 14 3:30pm-5:30pm
Thursdays through May 31 6pm-9pm
Saturdays through June 26 10:30am-1pm
Sundays through June 26 10:30am -1pm

Some folks have already complained about the excessive drinking occurring on the field on Thursday evenings. DPR and MPD are both aware of the situation.

If you have any issues with people using the field when they shouldn’t be, or issues with the conduct of those using the field, please don’t hesitate to contact the DPR Park Rangers: 202-441-2605.

Arcadia’s Mobile Farmers Market Launched

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Arcadia’s Mobile Market is a bright green, retrofitted school bus that operates as a farmers’ market on wheels.

The Mobile Market brings local, sustainably-produced vegetables, fruit, eggs, milk and meat to Washington, D.C. neighborhoods.

Wednesdays 4:00-7:00pm
Ledroit Park/Common Good City Farm, Corner of Elm St and 3rd St, NW”

See complete schedule here.

Mobile Market Flyer

DC Caribbean Festival to Take Place in Baltimore

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rjs1322

You can read previous coverage about the festival here.

From a press release:

D.C. CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL, INC. (DCCC) has modified its program for the 20th Annual DC CARNIVAL™ in
2012.

On the weekend of June 23-24, 2012, DCCC will showcase the Annual Pan Jam, featuring local Steelbands and the Annual Dimanche Gras featuring the judging of costumes and live entertainment at the Crossroads Entertainment Complex, 4103 Baltimore Avenue Bladensburg, Maryland from 3:00 p.m. Admittance is $15.00/adult, children 12 years and under $5.00.

On the weekend of July 13 -15, 2012, DCCC has accepted an invitation to join the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Baltimore (CACAB) in their Annual Caribbean Carnival/Festival, at Lake Clifton Park, Baltimore, MD 21218 for a “Baltimore/Washington One Caribbean Carnival ” celebration!

On Saturday July 14, 2012, the Parade starts at 12:00 Noon at 900 E 33rd Street, travels along Alameda Street to St. Lo Drive. The Festival continues at Lake Clifton Park until 10:00 pm; $10 entrance fee. On Sunday July 15, 2012 the Festival continues from 12:00 Noon to 9:00 pm featuring Intl. Entertainment, sponsors and food and crafts vendors; $15.00 entrance fee.

For additional information contact CACAB @ 410-362-2957 or DCCC @ 202-670-4835 or visit www.DCCARNIVAL.ORG

Friday Question of the Day – Should Liquor Stores Be Allowed to Sell on Sundays? (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

If you ever have a topic you’d like to see discussed on Friday please send your suggestions in an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail with Friday Question of the Day in the subject line.

A reader sends in this news from the Washington Post:

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) said today he is likely to recommend allowing Sunday sales for holders of Class A (liquor store) licenses as part of the city budget. The additional $710,000 in sales tax revenue that would be generated by dropping the restriction would go some way toward the $3.2 million Graham needs to find to kill Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s proposal to extend bar hours as late as 4 a.m.

In late March we discussed whether or not bars should be allowed to stay open an hour later. How about Sunday liquor sales?

Do you think liquor stores should be allowed to sell liquor on Sundays? If so, should there be any restrictions? Do you think this is a good way for the District to raise revenue?


Fiddler on the Roof in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I saw this guy “Fiddling on the Roof” across from the Harris Teeter in Adams Morgan last night around 7:30. I chatted with his roommate who was down on the street, and he said he will be playing on his roof right before sunset every Sunday from now on, weather permitting. Pretty cool!”

Awesome.

Sadly, City Living Ain’t All Roses

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader sends this, it would be funny if it weren’t accurate, city sign:

“This sign just showed up in an alley in Mt. Vernon Square. Needless to say there were repeated incidents of human waste.”

Dear PoPville – Partially Blacking Out Street Lamps?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

Dear PoPville,

My apartment is on the third floor facing an alley. With all the beautiful weather we’ve had lately, I love sleeping with the windows open. But there is a streetlight directly on the same level as my window, and when I have the shades up it shines right in and makes my bedroom as bright as day. I know it’s important for safety, but I’ve seen other streetlights around the city that have the sides blacked out so they only shine down towards the ground. I’m wondering if any of your readers have had any luck requesting that the city do that to pesky lights near them, and if so, how?

You Know What Easter and Passover Means? It’s Time for the Annual Ginkgo Tree Spraying

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

To prevent the notoriously unpleasant odor of the popular ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) from overtaking city streets, the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration (DDOT Trees) will begin spraying the unsavory smelling female ginkgo fruits tonight. DDOT Trees will use the same spray that has been used for the past several years, Shield-EC (also known as sprout nip).

The spraying will begin in Wards 1, 2 and 6, where female ginkgo trees are most prevalent, and continue through Wards 4, 5, 3, 7 and 8. Spraying will occur overnight for the next few nights and there is no need to move vehicles parked on streets.

A map of the female ginkgo trees to be treated is available online here.

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