Friday Question of the Day

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo taken by a flickr user in Brooklyn.

This is a question I’ve been wondering about for a while. On PoP and other DC blogs/sites people often use the term hipster in a derogatory/derisive manner.

Wikipedia defines hipster as:

“In the 1990s, the term became a blanket description for the trend in the alternative, “anti-fashion” fashion of middle class and upper class urban, young people moving into gentrified neighborhoods in city centers. Often hipsters came to these poorer neighborhoods from well-to-do suburbs of major cities. In youth culture, the term hipster usually refers to young people who may have an appreciation for independent rock, a campy or ironic fashion sense, or an otherwise “bohemian” style. They are typically associated most closely with alternative culture, particularly alternative music, independent rock and independent film.”

Seems pretty harmless to me but today it seems like the term has a very negative connotation. Why is that? Some of the most hate filled comments I’ve seen usually throw the term in. Where does all the vitriol come from? It seems like even “hipsters” hate to be called hipsters. Why does this word/group evoke such strong emotions?

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

I know we don’t talk a lot of politics here at PoP but believe it or not the City Council primaries are coming up September 9th.  Right around the corner.  So I’m wondering if folks are following the races.  So for the Friday Question of the Day I’d like to know if you are going to vote in the primaries and if you are happy with the incumbents?  Personally, I have to say I’m pretty impressed with the way Muriel Bowser responded to the concerns of many regarding the YES! Organic Market liquor license fiasco.  What are the issues for you that will influence how you select your candidate for City Council?  I’m going to vote on Public Safety and Development issues.  You?

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

Today’s Friday question of the day comes from the forum section. I selected it as FQOTD because I’ve been quite curious about this as well. We once spoke about community policing a long time ago but it has sort of fallen of the radar. So Park Road Guy asks:

“Have you seen your friendly neighborhood police officer on foot? Or are they still cruising up and down the street, flashing their cherries to get through red lights? Have you ever spoken to a police officer on duty about your concerns? Do you even know your foot patrol officer’s name? Does your block even have a foot patrol officer?”

I used to see some on Upshur Street and Georgia Ave. from time to time but I haven’t seen any in quite a long time.  I don’t expect to see foot patrols on every small block we live on but it would be nice to see some on the main streets.  Are there any regulars on 14th St.?  U St.?  11th St.? Etc.

Reader Submitted Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

“For Olympics dorks such as myself, who also enjoy a good drink now and again, what neighborhood bars/restaurants will be showing Olympics on t.v., and most importantly, what bars have good t.v.s!?”

I’d think Solly’s would be a good place. Maybe Momo’s Cafe Nema? Where do you think would be a good place to catch the Olympics at a bar?

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Edgar Klüsener

I got all depressed over the street harassment and the schools post so I thought it was time for a lighter question of the day. The post about the death of the cassette tape got me thinking. What was the first cassette I ever owned? Then I thought what was the first cd I’ve ever owned? And finally I thought about the first concert I ever went to. And I’m dying to know your answers.

So first cassette I owned – Michael Jackson’s Thriller
First cd I owned was U2 Joshua Tree
First concert I ever went to was Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet Tour – 1986. Oh yeah!

So what was the first cassette, cd and concert you owned/went to?

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

There’s been a lot of talk lately about how bad local news coverage in DC (proper) is. So I’m wondering how folks get their local news – from mainstream media or blogs and listservs? If you get your local news from multiple sources explain a bit how it works in the comments section. If you get your news from the mainstream media – who is the best and who are your favorite columnists/broadcasters?

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

Now that I’ve got this fancy poll thing down I thought I’d ask this question once and for all. I’ve been getting a number of emails from folks who are concerned that crime is increasing in the summer months. Here is the last post written on the subject. Obviously your answer is based on your own comfort level and may vary a bit depending on what neighborhood you live in but it should capture the basic sentiment on the topic. So the Friday question of the day is how late will you walk home (for the purpose of this poll let’s say alone)?

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Kyle Walton

hanks to a reader for sending the following update about the New Hampshire Ave beautification project.

“As a result of a unanimous vote last night, ANC 4C will be sending a letter to DDOT asking that the block of NH Avenue NW between Randolph and Shepherd be maintained without a traffic island, allowing First Baptist congregants to continue parking in the middle of the street during Sunday and special services. As part of traffic-calming measures, DDOT has already started the installation of traffic islands that will contain trees and other plantings on New Hampshire Avenue NW between Sherman Avenue NW and Grant Circle.”

There was also a bit of discussion on this topic over at Petworth News.

So the Friday question of the Day is: If a Church has been here for many years and has come to count on parking in the middle of the street on Sunday, then is it fair to create a beautification project that removes this parking? Personally, I’m very conflicted on this issue so I’ll be interested to hear what you guys think.

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

Did anyone see the Post article on all the restaurants coming to H Street, NE? We once discussed this a long time ago but I think it may be a bit more apropos now. Is development on H Street, NE a zero sum game vis a vis development of Georgia Avenue? I ask this because it seems the primary force behind H Street’s development is Joe Englert. Mr. Englert was/is also a minority owner in Temperance Hall. Now it seems like Mr. Englert has abandoned Georgia Ave. development to focus on H Street. I’m not saying there aren’t other investors or visionaries out there but it seems tougher to realize without him. I always joke with my attorney who lives near H Street that Georgia Ave will have more restaurants than H Street. But I’m beginning to doubt myself. So what do you guys think – does development on H Street take away money and investors from Georgia Ave.?

Ed. Note: Do you the readers have any interest in my covering H Street, NE development?

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