We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.
A regular summary of irregular news and notes from neighborhood blogs and email lists around the District.
Possibly Past “Up-and-Coming”?: “Has Columbia Heights made it?” ponders New Columbia Heights. A protest for Troy Davis in Park Triangle last week caused the blog to reflect on how the neighborhood is considered, as it was “the first big protest or rally I can remember that I’ve seen in the neighborhood, and it wasn’t about something specific to the neighborhood.” The blog continues, “I think that says a lot: the neighborhood has grown so much that big public events are now staged here. That’s wild. It’s almost like we’re a downtown now, a major draw for people. There isn’t much in the way of 9-5 jobs, like offices, but there are enough stores and restaurants and people that people are just here.”
Definitely Still Up-and-Coming: A member of the Shepherd Park email list recently reminded fellow readers that Ward 4 businesses will need some love and attention following the closure of Walter Reed: “…Business at many of the retail and restaurant establishments on Geogia Avenue going north to the Maryland-D.C. line has dropped 20 percent, and more in some cases. I have been told of layoffs, curtailed hours, and lack of customer traffic in the past week and a half — and this is down from the reduced level of business activity as Walter Reed started winding down earlier this year. This, I believe, is the time for us as citizens, residents and neighbors to make a conscious effort to redirect our dollars toward our businesses along Georgia Avenue.” The Brightwoodian assembles all sorts of pro-local business sentiment of late into a nice manifesto for nearby residents looking for a way to support their neighborhood (and has a handy “Cool Businesses in Ward 4” page, too).
Foxy: The Georgetown Metropolitan reports a somewhat rare fox sighting: “GM was looking out his window the other day and saw the this little guy hanging out in the parking lot of Oak Hill Cemetery. It’s a red fox. According to the National Park Service, this guy is part of a small population in Rock Creek. Apparently, there are about 6-8 fox dens in the park.” Of the fox, which apparently looked “comfortable,” one commenter writes, “I saw one on campus once, after a late night at the ‘library.’ Scared the living bejesus out of me.”
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: In a thread titled “mouse expert needed,” a member of the Crestwood email list writes, “Can anyone recommend a good mouse or rodent expert. We have a mouse (or more) in one of our walls.” Several hours later, the same list member sends another request: “Can anyone recommend someone who tests air quality in homes. I have become extremely allergic in one of the rooms of our home.” Perhaps it’s the mouse’s fault.
This isn't a paywall.
We don't have one. Readers like you keep our work free for everyone to read. If you think that it's important to have high quality local reporting we hope you'll support our work with a monthly contribution.