About three years ago I had lived in Petworth for a year and was going through a very rough personal time. During this tough time I would sit on my porch blasting Bob Dylan almost every evening. And when I say evening I mean into the early morning sometimes until 3 or 4 am, sleep was very tough to come by. So I along with my friends decided to throw a gigantic bash to get my mind off things. This party started at noon and was epic. Three kegs, horseshoes, bbq, very good music, and lots of people. So a buddy of mine had never been to my house before and parks down the street. Now, thankfully things have gotten a bit better but at this time there were, er…let’s just call them street entrepreneurs. So my buddy is looking all over the place for my house and can’t find it because he is a block away. So he’s walking around looking very lost and the street entrepreneurs approach him. Very adamantly, they say to him: “You looking for the crazy white boy’s party? It’s right up the street on the left!” True story. I guess you never know who’s watching your back.
Author: Prince Of Petworth
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This is a storefront church located on Upshur near Domku. You won’t mistake it for the National Cathedral anytime soon. Anyone familiar with this one? Do they have such a small following or did they break from a bigger church?
Thanks to Golden Silence for the heads up about a new(ish) bakery in Petworth. The Washington CityPaper has a review of Flip It Bakery & Deli, 4532 Georgia Ave. NW. I haven’t been there yet but it looks delicious.
I’m starting a new feature called “photo of the week”. I will pick the best, you guessed it, photo of the week submitted by a PoP reader. This week features a blooming tree with snow captured in the budding flowers. It is was taken by one of my excellent new neighbors, Bobbie.
If you would like to submit a photo please email me at [email protected]
Since I am only one person and have had trouble interviewing all the candidates, I will certainly include statements from those I have been unable to interview in person.
“My name is Charles Gaither. I am a candidate for the Ward 4 City Council Election on May 1st.
I happen to be a native of Washington DC. I grew up in Shepherd Park and have lived in Petworth and now in Brightwood with my wife.
I graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and from UDC with a degree in Urban Studies. I have tutored, mentored and volunteered in many capacities in the school system.
I have also provided constituent services for Ward 4 residents as an outreach coordinator in the Mayor’s Office, I have served as an Education Specialist for the Board of Education, and I also been employed by the Chief of Police to do outreach for the District of Columbia.
Additionally, I have been elected to serve on The local Democratic Party for 4 consecutive terms (1992, 1996, 2000 & 2004) in Ward 4. I also served the Party as the Executive Director in 1993 and 1994.
I have been committed to public service since 1981 when I participated in a high school service project where I tutored weekly at Takoma Elementary School.
I have been reading this blog for the past few weeks and felt compelled to make you aware of my candidacy and my record.
Unlike some of the other well-funded campaigns, I do not have the means to produce and pay for expensive camapaign materials and a bevy of consultants. I am relying on a few friends and neighbors that recognize my past and believe as I do in a responsible and good government that provides support and services to all residents of the Ward.
Please visit my site at:
www.gaither2007.com
email or call me at: [email protected] and/or 202-306-9867 (cell)
I am committed to Ward 4 and would very much like to have your consideration for May 1st.
Also know that I am campaigning full time so I do have time to visit with you to hear your issues, concerns and figure out a way to implement solutions.
Thanks,
Charles”
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I come from a long line of sensible car owners. My parents drive a sensible car, my brother drives a sensible car and I too drive a sensible car. By sensible I mean used and Japanese with really good gas mileage. Now earlier I wrote about the penchant for washing cars in Petworth. Now I’d like to take it one step further.
As you can see in the picture above, it looks like a Hummer has given birth to a baby Hummer. Well, I see these cars all the time in Petworth. I also see Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac and all the finest automobiles on the road. My question is: why? We all know that Petworth is a working/middle class sanctuary in Northwest DC. Frankly, the cars just don’t fit. So, I get it – this is an image thing. But sometimes these cars are parked in front of houses that to put it mildly can use a lot of work. So does it really make sense to need a new roof and have a Bentley parked out front? I’m aware this is America and it is our choice to do as we please. And thank God for that. But it makes me wonder: are these cars being purchased or leased? Is this the wisest use of money for a middle class neighborhood. Does it spiral into a “keeping up with the Joneses”? To me it just doesn’t make any sense. Does it trickle down into children wanting the most expensive clothes just for image. I’m not saying drive a Pinto and wear rags but be sensible. What is the lesson for the children?
Sure if you are wealthy and doing fine and paying your bills and saving for retirement etc buy whatever the hell you want. I expect to see these cars in Georgetown but in Petworth it always makes me shake my head. I realize people are going to go crazy so I admit there are exceptions. Not every fancy car in Petworth fits this mold. But I would say an awful lot of them do. All I’m saying is that America has a terrible problem with buying things they can’t afford and going into terrible debt. For medical bills, unemployment, food I can understand and am saddened by it. But I’d hate to think that families in our beloved Petworth are going into debt just for image.
Am I crazy?
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These are some condos for sale just south of the Petworth metro. And they must really want to sell them. What the hell is 103% financing?
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Columbia Heights News is reporting that a new spa is coming to Kenyon Square.
“Radiance Medspa is a health spa franchise that provides medical skin treatments including Botox, facial peels, facials, microdermabrasion, meso-lipotherapy, and more.”
I’m really speechless on this one. Can’t we get one lousy bookstore for the love of God…
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While Petworth is known for its beautiful rowhouses, some may not realize it also has some beautiful rows of bungalows. Some of you may recognize that I am a bit biased on this point. Nevertheless, this a recent renovation that I have coveted for some time. It is bungalow located just north of Grant Circle. It has a beautiful cedar shingle that looks terrific. You can imagine a less scrupulous developer would’ve knocked off the second level and created a gargantuan wreck. But this particular house kept the historical details. I had the opportunity to check it out when it was on the market a couple of years ago. It is stunning and a welcome addition to our neighborhood.
The good work of the Ward 4 Special Election website continues. Jeff Steele has done a terrific job examining this upcoming election. Jeff has done a fantastic job focusing on the nuances of this election. Most recently he has taken a thought I had on the Ward 4 endorsemtents and turned them into a proper analysis. Check out his thoughts on Crop vs. Fenty Round Two here on his Ward 4 Special Election website. I don’t necessarily agree with his conclusion but I admire his efforts on this further reexamination.