by Marlene Berlin If you’ve seen leaves carefully raked to the curb, where they sit… and sit… and sit… you might be scratching your head as to the status of leaf collection in our area. But progress has been made. The Department of Public Works (DPW) breaks Ward 3 into four sections: 3A, B, C […]
Neighborhood in the News: Another ambassador moving in; Rent on the rise; The real birthplace of the U.S. atomic age
After living in hotels and other temporary homes in Washington for the past two years, Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog is getting a new and permanent official residence. And it’s in Forest Hills. The mansion at 3301 Fessenden Street NW was built in 2019 and originally listed for $15 million dollars. The list price when it […]
September in the Neighborhood: Ramble, wrangle, sing and play
September, for many of us, means a return to routine after summer adventures. But we don’t have to return to old ruts. Neighborhood groups and institutions have filled our calendar with many opportunities to try something new, make new friends, and in one case: Rejoin an activity beloved by many. We’re talking about the return […]
August in the Neighborhood: Play tourist, learn to do-si-do, and watch someone else do the dancing
We’ve noticed a change in around the neighborhood over the past couple of weeks: There’s hardly any traffic. We’ve seen fewer drivers and fewer pedestrians. Even during rush hours, there are plenty of seats on the bus. Local businesses have seen the change, too. At the July 18th ANC 3F meeting, Van Ness Main Street […]
Volunteer in the neighborhood: NW Community Food Pantry and Northwest Neighbors Village
We often write about short-term volunteer opportunities, such as native species restoration events in Rock Creek Park with Rock Creek Conservancy. Van Ness Main Street often seeks volunteers to assist with programs including flower planting along Connecticut Avenue, Art All Night, and the annual holiday pop-up market. Now, we’re shining the spotlight on two other […]
In appreciation of the neighbors who keep their hedges trimmed and sidewalks clear
During a recent walk of the neighborhood, we spent a lot of time ducking low-hanging branches and dodging shrubbery that nearly swallowed the adjoining sidewalk. It was a frustrating experience. Then… this balm appeared. The landscapers at 4600 Connecticut Avenue had precisely trimmed these bushes so they were aligned with the sidewalk’s edge. The crew […]
May in the Neighborhood: Take embassy tours, restore a natural “oasis,” plant and enjoy the May flowers
Take a world tour without leaving the neighborhood: If you’ve ever wanted to see what’s inside the many embassies in and near Van Ness and Embassy Row (Massachusetts Avenue), now’s your chance. On Saturday, May 6th, non-European Union embassies open their doors to visitors for an “Around the World Tour,” and on Saturday, May 13th, […]
Rock Creek Park after the rain: Trees down, water levels up, nature carries on
by Marlene Berlin Friday, April 28th was the wettest day of the year, with rainfall measuring 1.53 inches. It was badly needed as we are in a moderate drought, according to the US drought monitor. We also got strong gusts of wind, of up to 38 miles per hour. That, we did not need. On […]
April in the Neighborhood: Forest bathing, stargazing, and a community celebration
Some of the cultural and community happenings around the neighborhood in April. Commune with nature, and lend it a hand Have you heard of forest bathing? First promoted 40 years ago in Japan, the practice is said to reduce stress and help you recharge. Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens is hosting its first guided forest […]
How DC’s oldest Boy Scout troop built a new bridge in Linnean Park
by John Burwell One weekend in early January, William Wales, a junior at Jackson-Reed High School, led Boy Scout Troop 100 in building and installing a boardwalk bridge over a small waterway in Linnean Park. This fulfilled the requirements for his Eagle Scout service project. As regular park visitors know, the old log footbridge was […]