Penn Branch CCA

My Community

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By Azola Burton

The Purpose

I have lived in Penn Branch since 2017 when I was 6 years old.

For my 8th grade community project I want to create a blog to provide a youth perspective on Penn Branch Community events. As a 13-year-old, I think community events are a great way to bring people together and have fun. I like seeing how different activities can help people connect and talk, whether it’s a local community event or sports event.
I want to increase the number of children and families that attend Penn Branch Community Associations events. To do that I have taken pictures and videos to put on the Penn Branch Community Association website.
My goals with this project :

  1. To send out information about my project to the neighborhood listserv
  2. To share pictures and my reflections of events I have attended
  3. To create an article for the monthly newsletter to highlight events that I have attended
  4. To design a presentation board to show how kids and families can be more involved with a QR code
    for people to join the Penn Branch Community Association

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT | JUNE 18, 2024

One of the new events that my family hosted was a family movie night. This event was specifically to get families out into the community. I set up tables, snacks, and helped my mom with shopping to contribute to the event. I also picked a kid friendly movie.

COMMUNITY DAY, AUGUST 24, 2024

Penn Branch Community Day Will take place on Saturday, August 24 from 1-6pm

Penn Branch Walking Tour

The Penn Branch walking tour was sponsored by Events DC and The Penn Branch Community Association. The tour was led by Jim Byers who hosts the Latin Flavor jazz show on WPFW 89.3 FM. On the tour our tour guide shared facts about certain neighborhood houses, apartments,and landmarks. One of the most interesting things he shared was how African Americans contributed to the design of the houses.

I helped by taking pictures and videos of the tour for our neighborhood website.

Block Party

Every August the neighborhood hosts community day. The planning committee gets donations, finds community organizations to have tables, gets food, reserves the location, and finds volunteers. During this time the neighborhood gets time to talk and connect with each other.

This year of 2025 I have helped with setting up tables and yard games

GROW THE BLOCK: NEIGHBORHOOD GARDENING GROUP

Our family has been gardening since I was 2 years old. Since 2017, we have been gardening here in DC. We have 6 raised garden beds and we grow things like blackberries, strawberries, spinach, lettuce, raspberries, okra, eggplants, tomatoes, bok choy, flowers, and herbs.

In 2024 my mom started a local garden group and at some of the meetings held at our home they talked about how they grow certain vegetables and fruits.

I helped others by cutting and prepping food for everybody, setting tables, and cleaning up at the end.

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    A Fresh Vision for 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park

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    9/11 Gateway Memorial Park in Penn Branch under rennovations

    PBCA has been working hard to renovate and improve our 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park. The ultimate goal is to greatly improve usability, access, and sustainable plan for water and erosion. We also want to make this pocket park a destination that tells the story of our great Penn Branch neighborhood and memorializes those D.C. residents who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on the September 11, 2001.

    PBCA design plan for 9/11 Memorial Park

    PHASE I: Infrastructure, Design Improvements

    Installation of electrical power, energy efficient LED lighting for the main sign, and community-approved plans for the redesign of the main area to expand the common areas and restore all pathways (80% Hardscaping). 

    Also; to update and restore primary park signs and memorial plaques bearing the names of DC residents who lost their lives on 9/11.

    PHASE II: Improved Gardening and Installation of Hardscaping (Memorial Pavers)

    Leveling main area; Small Retaining Wall; Widen and restore all wood framing around steps and pathways

    Our second phase efforts centered around making the pocket park a functioning town square or gathering space for the neighborhood. This includes wider walking paths and improving the grading of the severely sloped landscaping . 

    The expanding redesign/ landscaping will create a defined memorial garden area and the addition of a (3.5ft high) retaining wall that runs horizontally through the park, parallel with the 3100 Block of O Street ST SE) to level the primary surface area.  All wood framing around walking paths and steps were replaced at the front entrance/ sign area (facing Penn Ave SE), and as well as other areas in the 9/11 Memorial Park in an effort to preserve the integrity of the landscape from erosion.

    Resurfacing /Restoration of Pathways

    Restoration of pathways and expanding the primary surface areas (80% Hardscaping/20%  Memorial Garden), increasing the capacity for public gatherings and improving overall accessibility to the park from Carpenter Street and O Street SE entrances.

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    Penn Branch Recognizes Jimmie Williams, Terrence Clements with 2024 Community Service Awards

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    Penn Branch Neighbors Dined at Highland's Cafe and Grill on Tuesday, December 10th

    Penn Branch Neighbors gathered at Highlands Cafe for Holiday Cheer during our Our Final Community Meeting of 2024

    PBCA brought neighbors together at Highland’s Cafe for our Annual Holiday Gathering. Our final meeting of the year 2024 gave everyone a reason to smile over great food, great neighbors, and the chance to look at all that our neighbors have done throughout the year to increase our connection with each other and the larger community, bring value to your PBCA membership, and improve our public spaces.

    Annual Awards Shine A Spotlight on Caregiving for Penn Branch Seniors

    Dr. Marla and Stephen Dean co-presented our annual Community Service Award to Terrence Clements for his longstanding service as caregiver to a elderly neighbor on O Street SE.

    Jimmie Williams, a Former PBCA President and current Ward 7 Democratic Committee Person received the ‘Penn Brancher of the Year’ award in recognition of his long standing service to Ward 7, his very public fight to ensure fair play for all candidates during the Ward 7 primary for D.C. Council, and most importantly his personal assistance to our beloved neighbor, Carolyn P. Ray, who passed away earlier this spring.

    (From Right) Terrence Clements, 2024 PBCA Community Service Awardee and Dr. Marla and Stephen Dean.
    (From Right) Terrence Clements, 2024 PBCA Community Service Awardee and Dr. Marla and Stephen Dean.
    Current PBCA President Paul Grant presents the '2024 Penn Brancher of the Year Award' to Jimmie Williams, Former PBCA President, and current Ward 7 Democratic Committee representative.
    Current PBCA President Paul Grant presents the ‘2024 Penn Brancher of the Year Award’ to Jimmie Williams, Former PBCA President, and current Ward 7 Democratic Committee representative.

    Family Movie Night, Tuesday, June 18th

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    “The Super Mario Bros Movie”
    TUESDAY, JUNE 18th |  7:00PM – 9:30PM
    3709 S Street SE (Burton Residence)

    RSVP to attend our family movie night . The event is graciously hosted by the Burton Family. There will be popcorn and beverages.  $10 suggested donation per family

    Please click movie poster below to RSVP and let us know how many family members you are bringing! 

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    2023 Penn Branch Community Service Awards

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    PBCA 2023 Community Service Awards

    Last month, Penn Branch Community Association acknowledged the outstanding community service of three neighbors during our Annual Holiday Gathering at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church.

    Distinguished Service Awards

    President Paul Grant awarded neighbor Thomas Dawes and Chef Moe Garay, Owner of Highland’s Cafe with our 2023 Distinguished Service Awards.

    Thomas Dawes recieved our ‘2023 Award for Distinguished Service’ for his outstanding efforts to maintain the edges of Ft. Davis Park along 38th & Carpenter Street

    Mr. Dawes has worked tirelessly to remove the litter and maintain the grass at the edge of the Hiker-Biker Trail that borders our neighborhood along 38th Street SE and Carpenter Street SE. Every Friday, he cleans trash from our streets after city trash collection and moves all empty trash cans back into neighbor’s driveways on Texas Ave, Carpenter Street SE.

    At our annual holiday gathering, Dawes shared with neighbors that he was honored to received the award and would love to do more to main the park area if the National Park Service is unable to maintain the areas that border our community.

    Chef Moe Garay, generously supported our Penn Branch Community Day in August. He and his amazing team from Highland’s Cafe & Grill, came out to kick our lunchtime Block Party, serving over 150 hamburgers, over 40lbs of delicious grilled wings, and a large pot of gumbo.

    “I don’t think I have ever received an award before” said Chef Moe Garay.“I am stunned. The people in the neighborhood–Penn Branch, Hillcrest, and Fort Dupont have welcomed us with open arms”.

    2023 PENN BRANCHER OF THE YEAR

    ‘2023 Penn Branchers of the Year’ (From left) DJibril & April Frazier Camara were received recognition for their coordinating and hosting a Juneteenth Celebration & Block Party for our neighborhood

    Finally, the highest award for ‘Penn Brancher of the Year ‘ was given to neighbors, April & DJibril Camara for their outstanding efforts in coordinating and hosting a Juneteenth block party along 1500 block on 38th Street SE. The event featured food and fun for all ages and nearly 40 neighbors came out the support the free event. The Camara’s also arranged for and donated the permits for our Penn Branch Community Day.

    “We are blessed to live in a community that pours into our children and into us,” wrote April Frazier Camara, who was unable to attend the holiday gathering. “It is an honor to give back to it!”

    PBCA President Paul Grant and Chef Moe Garay, Owner of Highlands Cafe & Grill Received ‘Distinguished Services Award’ for his contribution to 2023 Penn Branch Community Day & Block Party

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