Welcome

Over the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity to familiarize myself with many of the residents and organizations in the North Cleveland Park, Forest Hills and Tenleytown neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. I've spoken with local business owners, educators, elected officials, and environmentalists, among others.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the openness and enthusiasm with which these individuals have spoken about their community and their work in it.  Some of the individuals differed in opinion on how the needs of the community should be prioritized, but they all shared a commitment and desire to make their neighborhood a better place to live.

This blog seeks to tell the stories of those individuals and organizations that are contributing to this community and will cover the issues and events that matter to the people who live in these neighborhoods.

Many Washingtonians often refer to the area as "Van Ness" -- the name of the metro station that serves these neighborhoods -- so it seems a fitting name for this blog, which I hope becomes a useful source of information about and for the community.