Petworthies

Notes on the new Sherman

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:47:00 -0400

The new Sherman Avenue is a far better bike path than I ever would have expected. Once the last segment of a commuter artery shuttling traffic from downtown DC to I-95 by way of New Hampshire Ave., Sherman Ave has been reimagined as a city street, with one northbound and one southbound lane, cutouts for left turns and bus stops, a median strip planted with blooms and grasses, broad sidewalks, and the dreaded “sharrow” lanes that remind motorists not to murder cyclists who happen to be using the road.

It seems like a better bet than 11th Street NW that charts the same longitudinal path, and boasts a dedicated bike lane, but is choked at several points with narrow segments (from Florida Avenue to U Street and again from U Street to S Street) where the road isn’t wide enough for a car and a bicycle to travel side-by-side.

These choke points present drivers with an unpalatable set of options: 1) trail behind a cyclist and not go at optimal speeds or; 2) Blow past them and possibly wing the cyclist or risk colliding with oncoming traffic.

The Sherman Avenue removes this conundrum by being wide enough to handle a full size SUV and a bike. Sherman flows into Ninth Street to connect downtown, and this way too seems better than 11th Street. Ninth Street doesn’t have a bike lane, but it’s more accommodating than 11th Street, which has bike lanes from about S Street to Massachusetts Ave., but can get dicey further downtown. —Adam Mazmanian

The best thing about BusTrack DC (aka the new NextBus app) is...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:11:28 -0500

The best thing about BusTrack DC (aka the new NextBus app) is how it renders bus routes as undulating green caterpillars inching up and down the District. (Pictured: The Awesome 63)

True Turtle, a developer specializing in sustainable dwellings,...

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 01:11:55 -0500

True Turtle, a developer specializing in sustainable dwellings, is rehabbing a rowhouse on the 4300 block of 4th St. NW. The demolition crew is removing door trim, window trim, and other original materials from the house and giving them away to anyone who cares to pick them up. This photograph taken Tuesday morning includes a medicine cabinet, and many long sections of base trim and door trim. In an email to the Petworth listserv, True Turtle owner Tanya Topolewski cautioned, “PLEASE BE AWARE THE TRIM WILL HAVE NAILS.” True that. Scavenge at your own risk.

Just another lazy Sunday at the Taylor Street playground.

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 14:47:09 -0500

Just another lazy Sunday at the Taylor Street playground.

The Twitter Concession: Graceful But Brief

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:37:00 -0500

The Twitter Concession: Graceful But Brief

Petworth continues to labor under Sandy’s mighty yoke.

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:25:02 -0400

Petworth continues to labor under Sandy’s mighty yoke.

The tropics of Petworth, where where flowers bloom on wild vines...

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:11:30 -0400

The tropics of Petworth, where where flowers bloom on wild vines that grow unchecked over our cracked and crumbling infrastructure.

Petworth (Sort Of) Represents in London

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:30:47 -0400

The Official Website of the British Monarchy posted a photograph of
Prince Harry at the beach volleyball bronze medal match (Brazil verses China) at Greenwich Park on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympics. Seated two rows in front of the photo is Jair Lynch, Shepherd Park-raised, local developer (3Tree Flats at 3910 Georgia) and 1996 Olympics silver medal winner in gymnastics. -Joseph Martin

Out of the Rodent Frying Pan, Into the Rodent Fire

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:37:14 -0400

From the Petworth Yahoo List: “We had a big possum living in our next door neighbors garage (she doesn’t use it) for the last year or two. Kinda creepy, but this summer it has moved on to greener pastures and now we have a big rat problem. I want my possum back!”

Stay CLASSy, Sherman Circle

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:25:00 -0400

Relatively new ANC commish Zachary Hartman makes a bold statement of vigilante blight justice on Sherman Circle:

“Citizens Living and Acting for Spotless Streets y’all (CLASSy) will be holding a CLASSy Action, aka community clean-up, this Saturday, August 11th at 9am at Sherman Circle. From Sherman, we can radiate out into the neighboring community, much like the clean-up that was recently held at Grant Circle NW. CLASSy volunteers are welcome to clean as long as they like, but I plan to go until 11am.

CLASSy is a community driven initiative to lead by example, encourage environmental stewardship, nurture a sense of individual responsibility in the community, provide an opportunity for neighbors to meet and interact, and - of course - make our neighborhood and even better place to live (Part of the CLASSy mission is to teach individual responsibility, so CLASSy does not solicit or accept financial or material support from the DC City government).”

Kindred spirits can join in the fun via email.

Love, LMQ

For reasons we don’t pretend to understand, free carrots...

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:25:23 -0400

For reasons we don’t pretend to understand, free carrots on Georgia Ave. in front of the Women’s Professional Building between Randolph and Shepard.

The Annual Sweet Mango Fire

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:09:00 -0400

Poor Sweet Mango Cafe. Every time it looks like they’re ahead in the game, they catch on fire. Again.

In December 2010, the restaurant’s exhaust fan went up. A 2003 fire closed them down for two years.

Perhaps the unlucky cafe has been cursed by an ifrit.

Gore Vidal To Pass Eternity in Petworth

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:58:02 -0400

Gore Vidal, famed American novelist, essayist, political commentator, passed away in Los Angeles. Mr. Vidal will be buried in Petworth’s Rock Creek Cemetery in the spot where his life partner, Howard Auster, rests in peace.

This Huffington Post photo essay details Vidal’s chosen resting place.

Petworth trivia: Vidal and Auster chose their future gravesite the day after the funeral for Vidal’s half-sister, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Mr. Vidal noted that he wanted his final resting place to be near the graves of his first lover from boarding school days, Jimmy Trimble, who died at Iwo Jima, and and the graves of historian, Henry Adams, and his wife, Clover Adams. The Clover Adams memorial with the bronze sculpture by Augustus Saint-Gaudens is one of the most visited sites in Rock Creek Cemetery. When she lived in the White House, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited the Clover Adams memorial regularly. —Joseph Martin

Trading Places

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:48:00 -0400

In a momentary lapse of judgement, the Blue Banana Sports & Rock Bar let me guest bartend last Friday night. I got to trade places with my favorite type of person, and I actually quite enjoyed myself. While booze-behind-the-bar policies vary by establishment, I didn’t indulge while on the job. I’m glad I didn’t, otherwise I would have messed up a lot more Gin Gremlins - er, grimlets. Gimlets. I never did hear it right - but I did learn that a Gimlet is any rail liquor and lime juice! “But usually gin”, says Adam, my ‘tending booze yogi.

Pouring simple rail drinks is easy if you know how to count to four. Hearing drink orders is difficult when a hundred would-be Olympians clothed in foreign flags cheer for teams with the best outfits. Reading lips is difficult when you can’t see above the taps.

This is what eye-level looks like behind the bar in Middle Earth.
Photo: LMQ

It was a good time for a good cause. Jamie, the owner at Blue Banana, is a tremendous philanthropist and regularly hosts charitable events at his place. He’s helped me raise a ton of cash for my cu rrent endeavor. If you’re interested in that, shoot me an email - I need supporters to point and laugh/volunteer on Saturday mornings.

According to Booze Yogi, pouring drinks is only about a third of the job, but I expect the other two thirds are washing dishes and a little lift, inspired by the Olympic torch relay:

© Copyright Philip Halling and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

What Petworth Wants To Eat

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:47:16 -0400

As readers will see below, a lot of our neighbors posted publicly and/or e-mailed me privately with suggestions to the question I asked on the Petworth Yahoo Group this past week, What are we missing for restaurants in Petworth?

The results of my unscientific but helpful polling are below. I had not expected the number of people who asked privately for children-friendly restaurant that also has a full bar. The stresses of parenthood! Several people mentioned they like having high quality coffee including espresso-based beverages with their meals. Several asked for low cholesterol, low fat, heart-friendly options.

Please share this with any restauranteurs you know in the region. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed me privately and posted publicly.

Petworth Restaurants Polling Results

American

American Diner Steakhouse / Seafood / Burgers 8

Children’s Menu American 6

New York Deli 3

Vegetarian / Vegan 4, sole restaurant or these options

North Carolina BBQ 3

Texas BBQ 3

BBQ (general) 3

Cajun Mashup 1

Caribbean / Latin American

Southwestern Caribbean Fusion Mashup 1

Brazilian 1

Asian / South Asian

Pho 5

Noodle Bar 2

Indian 2

Szechuan 2

Pan Asian 1

Japanese 1

Chinese (generic) 1

European / European-American

Italian 4

Greek 3

Portuguese 1

Middle East – Northern African

Moroccan 1

Turkish 1

Israeli 1

— Joseph Martin

Making Petworthies Pay

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 07:52:13 -0400

If you want to afflict a hyperlocal blogger with a stupefied expression — hangdog eyes, slackjaw, drool — ask whether he or she intends to make money from the endeavor.

Of course, we’d all like to be minting fresh Quales with each new post, but that’s dependent on generating traffic sufficient to support advertising. Alternatively, we could lower our production costs, but it’s not every blogger who can boast an army of ~~morlock slaves~~ volunteer contributors who post free images for use on the site.

We think we found our answer, as we find most things of enduring value, behind a chain link fence on Taylor St. With a fresh coat of paint and a Petworthies logo, this jacked up sedan could race us to wealth and fame on the Nascar circuit. All we need is a few bucks to get this jalopy out of hock, and we’ll be on the road to glory. —Col. Lucius Petworth (Ret.)

Thrift, Petworth, Thrift

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 09:57:59 -0400

We’re not sure how long it’s been since Starr’s 2nd Story Consignment Boutique opened above the Petworth Cleaners on Georgia Ave. near the corner of Randolph St. They caught our eye on Friday afternoon with a strategically placed street-level sandwich board. This is a welcome development, bringing much needed commercial density to a stretch of Georgia Avenue that could use it. The next time our social correspondent Little Miss Quincy is in the market for a gently used party gown or a pair of blog-me pumps, we’ll be sure to give her the Petworthies corporate card and send her over. —Col. Lucius Petworth (Ret.)

The Los Verracos stand is making killer porchetta sandwiches:...

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:14:46 -0400

The Los Verracos stand is making killer porchetta sandwiches: roasted pork, pickled carrot and cucumber, and crispy cracklings on a rustic bun. You may never spend a smarter $6 in your life. While supplies last at the Soldiers Home on July 4.

This carved trout guards the entrance to the Coast Guard Pond at...

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:50:33 -0400

This carved trout guards the entrance to the Coast Guard Pond at the Soldiers Home. The grounds are open to the public until 9:30 p.m. on July 4.

Welcome @WCP

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:23:54 -0400

If the Washington City Paper is looking for new digs, it could do no worse than the Murrell Building (shown here after being struck by an SUV, in a photo taken by ace correspondent LMQ).

Situated at the corner of Georgia Ave. and Upshur St. NW, the crossroads of the world as far as Petworth is concerned, the Murrell Building offers easy access to local haunts like El Torogoz and Domku.

Transportation wise, it’s about a 7-minute walk from the Petworth Metro, and right on the the 60, 63 and 70 buses. It’s also fairly close to Petworthies HQ, in case an enterprising reporter for the alt weekly wants to do a “where-are-they-now?” piece as a 1-year follow-up to their article introducing us to an indifferent and blog saturated public. (Seriously guys, November is right around the corner.)

While there appears to be a ground floor tenant, it could very possibly be the case that there is office space for rent on the upper floors. Do we know for sure? We do not. We’re not reporters, we’re bloggers. But someone should seriously look into this, if only for the sake of Mike Madden’s commute. —Col. Lucius Petworth (Ret.)