It’s official: DC under “Stay-at-Home”order, essential travel only

It’s official: DC under “Stay-at-Home”order, essential travel only

Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered all DC residents to “stay-at-home” and refrain from any activities that are not essential. Going out to the supermarket and pharmacy are allowed, as are some recreational activities (e.g., walk around the block). Here’s the release…

Read More


submit to reddit

Get some great flavor while you're stuck at home (spices, teas and more)

Get some great flavor while you're stuck at home (spices, teas and more)

The Spice & Tea Exchange is an awesome little shop that I found in Georgetown a decade ago. The walls are covered in shelves holding jar after jar of spices, spice blends, loose leaf teas, and infused sugars and salts.

The store moved to Frederick last year, so while I don’t have the opportunity to swing by as often, they do offer online ordering. I figured I’d share the goodness of the store with you — and with his store being closed, get him a little support as well.

Read More


submit to reddit

A new GoFundMe and volunteer effort helps with rent, food and more for Ward 4

A new GoFundMe and volunteer effort helps with rent, food and more for Ward 4

One of the latest iterations of people helping people is a new GoFundMe set up by Petworth resident Katie Hamm, to help residents financially impacted by the economic fallout of the closures due to the novel coronavirus.

According to Katie, the GoFundMe is only part of a wider mutual aid network that’s been set up across DC.

Read More


submit to reddit

FYI: MPD releases new non-emergency reporting procedures during Covid

FYI: MPD releases new non-emergency reporting procedures during Covid

To help the police deal with calls for service, the Metropolitan Police Department is requesting residents use a new online form to submit non-emergency police reports. You should continue to use 911 for all emergency needs, and call 311 for non-emergency and city service requests.

Read More


submit to reddit

Audible makes kids’ books free during school closings

Audible makes kids’ books free during school closings

As we find ways to entertain, educate and survive our sweet, adorable kids being home from school during the Covid threat, Audible is making a large selection of children’s books free to stream, no strings attached, no fees or charge.

Read More


submit to reddit

List of local restaurants offering pick-up and delivery options during Covid

List of local restaurants offering pick-up and delivery options during Covid

It’s a hard time to work for or run a business. Any business. With social distancing now the de facto law of the land, local area business are scrambling to figure out ways to make money so they can pay employees. Most are closing, offering gift certificates to help them stay afloat. Here’s a list of some local businesses and restaurants and how you can help.

Read More

Facebook readers get upset, I apologize, and life goes on

Facebook readers get upset, I apologize, and life goes on

The story of where I publish a quick post on Facebook after spending time on phone calls discussing the tribulations of local small businesses in the time of covid, and catch on fire from the heat of reader comments.

Read More


submit to reddit

The US Census starts this month -- tips on how to get counted!

The US Census starts this month -- tips on how to get counted!

The census of all people inside the United States, mandated by the US Constitution to be collected every 10 years, starts this month. Invites to participate go out March 12th.

The 2020 Census is easy, safe, and confidential. You are being asked to answer a simple questionnaire about yourself and everyone who lives with you.

Read More


submit to reddit

What do you want to ask the 2020 Ward 4 Council candidates?

What do you want to ask the 2020 Ward 4 Council candidates?

Petworth News will be interviewing each candidate for Ward 4 Council, and you get the opportunity to submit questions for the interview. This year there are currently three candidates vying for the Ward 4 seat: incumbent Brandon Todd, Janeese Lewis George, and Marlena Edwards.

Read More


submit to reddit

Two days after Quebec Place homicide, Park View residents quit being polite

Two days after Quebec Place homicide, Park View residents quit being polite

At least 50 people poured into the Park View Recreation Center for what was supposed to have been a regularly scheduled United Neighborhood Coalition public safety meeting, but had been hastily refocused to address Monday’s murder and the circumstances that led to it. Representatives from MPD, the US Attorney’s Office and the DC Attorney General’s Office addressed the crowd and offered suggestions for how to counter neighborhood gun violence.

Read More

Op-Ed: Parents succeed in getting DC to install a safer surface for Petworth playground

Op-Ed: Parents succeed in getting DC to install a safer surface for Petworth playground

Thanks to the advocacy of parents in our community, the renovation of the Petworth Playground will include a wood fiber surface instead of a poured-in-place rubber surface. We couldn’t be more excited for the expected reopening this summer. I know my family is going to appreciate the two adjacent playgrounds for different ages, the shade structures and birthday pavilion. The new surface will fit the nature theme nicely. And yes, for the first time, we will have swings!

Read More

A bloody February: Repeated gun violence leaves Petworth shaken and frustrated

A bloody February: Repeated gun violence leaves Petworth shaken and frustrated

Petworth has been rocked by nine shootings over the last month, most of them in broad daylight. Residents are upset, wanting to know why these acts of violence keep happening. Are they gang related? Targeted violence and “street beefs”? What’s going on, and what can they do?

Read More

Two weeks of violence: Shootings, safety and what comes next for Petworth

Two weeks of violence: Shootings, safety and what comes next for Petworth

On the afternoon of Saturday, February 1st, a car drove past the Petworth playground at 8th and Taylor Streets NW, shots rang out from the car, children and parents dove for cover under slides, and a young man was shot in the foot. He’s not talking about what happened.

In the early evening of Thursday, February 13th, MPD was involved in a shootout with a suspect in an alley off of 8th and Upshur. At least six shots rang out, residents walking home dove for cover, an officer was injured, and after a pursuit with police, a young man was gravely shot.

Bookends of violence.

Read More

DC Stoddert soccer launches "Stay & Play" program [sponsored]

DC Stoddert soccer launches "Stay & Play" program [sponsored]

As part of a new DC Stoddert soccer initiative, in collaboration with Up2Us Sports, the Stay & Play Program was created with the primary goal of developing a sustainable after-school program for schools in under-represented communities in DC. Although soccer is a critical component of the program’s curriculum, DC Stoddert Stay & Play Program aims to impact students beyond the field.

Read More