by Marlene Berlin Most afternoons or evenings since the beginning of June, DC police officers have been spending time at Forest Hills Park. That’s at the direction of MPD Lt. Bobbette Williams Public Service, who oversees the policing of the Second District’s Public Service Area 203. “The Forest Hills Park was placed on my special […]
The long-running Soapstone sewer project is really, truly, actually complete
by Marlene Berlin DC Water threw a party in May to celebrate the completion — after four years — of its Soapston Valley sewer rehabilitation and stream restoration project that was initially expected to last one and a half years when it started in March 2022. But there was still a bit more to do. […]
Business in Brief: Apartment building sold, Shemalis rebrands, a new weekend breakfast spot
Avalon no longer: Avalon the Albemarle (4501 Connecticut Avenue) is now just The Albemarle after WC Smith completed its purchase of the property in March. The seller was AvalonBay, which still operates AVA Van Ness at 2950 Van Ness Street NW, and was initially approached about selling The Albemarle by an affordable housing nonprofit. WC […]
Photos: A rainy respite from the drought drying up our streams
by Marlene Berlin On Wednesday morning, I set off early on a hike through Rock Creek Park. I wanted to beat the heat and the sun, but ran into some rain instead. Soon after I started, around 6:45 a.m., I started to feel a light misty rain. It soon turned into drops. I could have […]
More things to do in June: Violins and pickleball in our parks
One of the joys of walking neighborhood streets and trails is the unexpected encounters along the way. Here’s just one example: A year ago, our editor-in-chief heard the faint strains of violins while on a hike in Rock Creek Park. Following the sound, she eventually stumbled upon a violin concert at Picnic Grove #13. You […]
June in the Neighborhood: A toy swap, children’s concert, yoga in the park, Create by the Creek, and more
Spend a fun day at Forest Hills Park. Thanks to Van Ness Main Street’s Good Clean Fun initiative, June 6 is a day of service, community and music, with an all-ages cleanup, a community toy swap, and a performance by Grammy-nominated children’s music artist Mamá Elena. Create a work of art at Peirce Mill. Artists have been inspired by […]
You’re invited: A party Saturday celebrates the end of the Soapstone sewer project
Starting in March 2022, the signs above greeted people at the Soapstone Valley trailhead on Albemarle Street. DC Water closed the park for a sewer rehabilitation and stream restoration project that it initially expected to last one and a half years. Four years later, the project is complete, and DC Water is throwing a party […]
Neighborhood in the News: UDC’s graduation, home seller profits, and a statue’s mistaken identity
Mayor Muriel Bowser was the keynote speaker Saturday the University of the District of Columbia’s 49th commencement ceremony. She also spoke at the Howard University commencement that day, and WUSA9’s report compared the two: At UDC — the city’s only public university — Bowser struck a markedly warmer and more reflective tone, emphasizing her long‑standing […]
A Forest Hills intersection’s new design is part of a larger stormwater control project
by Marlene Berlin DDOT has made some changes to a Forest Hills intersection where three streets meet, and stop signs were often treated as suggestions. A new curb extension on Davenport Street NW east of Linnean Avenue makes westbound drivers turn slightly to continue up Davenport. The built-in curve doesn’t stop drivers from blowing through […]
Families get to enjoy a tidier Forest Hills Park, thanks to volunteers
The first Forest Hills Park cleanup of 2026 took place last weekend. One volunteer reported picking up more than 50 cigarette butts (though smoking is illegal in DC parks). Another took care of an even more disgusting problem. More from the neighbors keeping up with the park’s upkeep: Van Ness Main Street’s Good Clean Fun […]