Penn Branch CCA

2023 Penn Branch Community Service Awards

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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!”

Penn Branch Celebrates at 10th Annual Community Day and Block Party

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Penn Branch neighbors came together on Saturday August 19th for our 10th Annual Penn Branch Community Day and Block Party. Our day started with a morning coffee chat featuring presentation of the Small Area Plan by Deborah Crain Kemp, Lead Planner at DC Office of Planning.

Later, Chef Moe Garay, and his wonderful team from Highlands Cafe & Grill, located at the Shops at Penn Branch, served up a tasty meal at our Block Party, that afternoon. The weather was perfect. There was music, great food, free books donated by Francis Gregory Library, and awesome street art and games facilitated by the members of Positive Chalk.

Thanks to all of our neighbors and neighborhood business owners who supported this year’s event.

Our tentative date for next year’s event is Saturday, August 17th (rain date will be August 24th). Please save the date.

See you next year!

Get Ready for Art All Night 2023

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Mayor Muriel Bowser in partnership with the Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street(PAEMS) will host the 3rd annual ART ALL NIGHT 2023 along Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023!!! Be sure to join us for live music, fashion, beauty, vendors, food trucks, musical performances and much more at three locations including:

FT. DAVIS PARK (3800 Pennsylvania + Alabama Avenue SE)

DC Dream Center / Southeast Whitehouse (2826 Q Street SE)

DINE ALL NIGHT @ HIGHLAND’S CAFE + GRILL (The Shops at Penn Branch )

Be sure to visit us at: paemsartallnight.org for all the updated artist listings, performance times.

SAVE THE DATE! Penn Branch Fall Meet-up: Happy Hour at Highlands Cafe and Grill, Thursday, October 5th

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Come hang out with neighbors on Thursday, October 5th from 5:30-7:30PM at the Highland’s Cafe and Grill, located in the rear of Penn Branch Shopping Center. Also, be sure to thank our good friend, owner Chef Moe Garay and this amazing team for their donation to our recent community day and block party.

Don’t forget to wear your Penn Branch T-shirt!!

Let’s Stay Informed! Join Penn Branch Neighbors on #GroupMe

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PBCA established a Penn Branch Community on GROUPME so neighbors can share and receive text messages with other neighbors about crime, emergencies, community notices, and pass along other critical information about what is going on in our neighborhood.

The GroupME app will send a text message to your cellphone. Please DO NOT use this platform for: Self-Promotion, Political / Policy Debates, and/or Advertising merchandise sales or paid community events.

Only critical notices only. Also, remember to never share information related to suspected crime in the neighborhood. ALWAYS report suspicious activities to the police first, dialing either 911, at 31, or 50411, to place an anonymous first.

Stay safe. Stay informed. And when you see something, say something.

JOIN THE PENN BRANCH GROUPME

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