by John Burwell Scout Troop 100 has once again contributed an amenity for the enjoyment of visitors in Linnean Park, thanks to a recent Eagle Scout service project. On May 3, Life Scout and Sidwell Friends junior Ian Condon led almost 20 scouts from his troop in assembling and installing a heavy-duty metal park bench, […]
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 […]
On the Soapstone trail, solving two problems with one stone
by Marlene Berlin On a recent hike along the Soapstone Valley trail, I was greeted by a surprise at the first stream crossing: no more wobbly or submerged rocks. This is thanks to Doug Rosenthal, a runner in the park, and two volunteer trail maintainers from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club at work on another […]
Volunteer in the neighborhood: Park cleanups, Van Ness Main Street events, NW Community Food, Peirce Mill
Want to give back to the community? Opportunities abound for service-minded people, including students in need of community service hours. Pitch in for spring cleaning at local parks. Van Ness Main Street’s Good Clean Fun initiative is hosting an April 25 cleanup at Forest Hills Park. All ages can pitch in. Just make sure you let a […]
April in the Neighborhood: Primary election candidate forums; ‘Yoga on Connecticut’; 3 flavors of jazz
Watch a DC politics miniseries. Over three nights in April, candidates for DC mayor, DC delegate and at-large Council member will appear on stage at St. Johns College High School’s Frana Auditorium (2607 Military Road NW). The candidate forums will also be streamed on Zoom (links below). Each forum will start at 7 p.m.: April […]
September in the Neighborhood: A big day out on our Main Street; Levine’s Community Sing; Picnic at Peirce Mill
Community spirit and solidarity: In the District, we have them in spades. And to maintain our energy for good works and good trouble, we need art. We need music. We need opportunities to relax, connect with friends and loved ones, and enjoy ourselves. Some suggestions for filling our cups in September: September 6: Children’s Day […]
Forest Hills Park updates: A dance party, a May 10 cleanup, and getting into the weeds
One recent Sunday, Van Ness Main Street’s Good Clean Fun initiative hosted a dance party at Forest Hills Park. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Van Ness Main Street (@vannessmainst) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Van Ness Main Street (@vannessmainst) And this coming Saturday, May 10th from 9:30am […]
May in the Neighborhood: Celebrating Small Business Month, embassy tours, movies in pajamas, and more
It’s Small Business Month. Our suggestions for celebrating include: Trying out a new restaurant or dining out at a longtime fave. Shopping the microbusinesses selling wares at Van Ness Main Street’s Pop-Up Artisan Market on May 10th. Looking for plush bees at 15 businesses on the VNMS corridor and span their QR codes. The more […]
January in the Neighborhood: Free the trees, and sing to them too
Some of the January happenings around the neighborhood: The art of the sea: The last day to see Hillwood Museum’s special exhibit, Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean, is January 5th. After that, the museum itself will close for its annual deep cleaning. Hillwood will reopen in February. Happy New Year! We look forward to a new […]
UDC’s Master Naturalist training begins in a few weeks. Will you be applying?
Before you answer the above question, here are a few more: Are you fascinated by the natural world within our urban environment? Do you want to learn more about the wild plants and animals and habitats throughout the District, and take part in efforts to conserve and protect them? The Master Naturalist program administered by […]