I recognize that they may just be joking but I can’t even accept that anymore. Given what I know and have seen with my own eyes the whole stop snitchin campaign is fracking disgusting. For a dose of snitching reality check out the real deal after the jump.
I was overjoyed back in April when I wrote about Family Foods Market removing their security partition. I nearly cried when I walked in on Friday and saw the security partition had returned. I spoke with one of the cashiers and she couldn’t exactly explain why the partition returned. She said something about the customers telling her that it should return but I find that very hard to believe. She did mention that there are some kids that throw things and such when they get angry which is very unsettling. But I’m so sad that they didn’t feel safe enough to keep the partition removed. I’m sure if I had to walk a mile in their shoes I’d feel differently. I’m just saying that was like a super tease, removing it for a month and then putting it back up. Damn!
as I was admiring it an elderly gentleman came out on his stoop and was talking to me for a bit. But what was the greatest was upon departing I say goodbye and he replied – God bless. I love how you hear the old school say God bless. It is also like when I exchange pleasantries with some matronly types – they often say “hey baby” or “hey sweetie” in such a kind genuine way. These are the small things that make up the beautiful life.
Got the following press release from a listserv. Water to increase $4.24 a month? Is this a bad sign of the times? I’ve always thought water was extremely inexpensive anyway. Of course, I don’t bathe that often so what do I know…
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA) is
hosting community meetings to discuss a proposed adjustment to water
and sewer rates. The Board is considering a rate increase of 8.5
percent for water and sewer services. If approved, the new rate
becomes effective October 2008 and would raise the average monthly
bill by approximately $4.24 (based on an average monthly usage of
8.33 Ccf or 6,231 gallons of water).
DC WASA WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU! Meeting times and places after the jump. (more…)
photo by Justin Cormack
Thanks to a reader for sending me this Washington Post link about the DC Council’s initial passage of the Noise Control Act. I think it still has a few more hurdles to cover before it is official though. The reader was very pleased with the initial passage, saying the act: “which imposes reasonable noise levels in residential neighborhoods (like Petworth) while still allowing higher volume, amplified expressions in the downtown core. It appears to be a win for those of us who feel it is our right not to be bombarded with unwanted outside noise while preserving the right of freedom of expression.” It may be interesting to note that Ward 4 Councilmember, Muriel Bowser, was strongly opposed to the act. According to the Post article she believes the noise problem is a “H Street problem” and not a citywide problem. I haven’t followed the issue too closely but my initial impression is that I would support the act. But then again freedom of speech is kind of important too. This is a tough one.
So the Friday question of the day is – do you support the passage of a citywide noise control protection act?
My intention is not to spread fear or rumor but when I hear something from a reliable source I’m not going to sit on it.
Saturday night at about 2:00 am a car went out of control and landed on a neighbors front lawn.
This one from a reader on Irving Street:
Hello PoP:
This morning @ 8:00 a man (about 35 yrs old, 5-9, 160 lbs) knocked at my door, my brother in law answered. This fellow, in a friendly manner, told of his need for $18.00 to take a cab to the hospital to pick up his father. He explained that he lived “a couple doors down.” I asked him to point more clearly to the house – he said grey porch a few down. I asked him the house number – he said “21” (meaning 521 or 621 on this block.) I proceeded to walk to that house with him now saying he was ok and didn’t want to ask for the money now. Sure enough, the house was not 521 or 621 and he walked away. I would not have been adverse to loaning the money but since it was so easy to verify where he said he lived, I did so.
Also disturbing was that he approached our house at a time later than when I can easily be seen leaving for work, so I wonder if in addition to the money scam, was he also checking to se if the house was empty and easy to break into (we have no bars.) Saving grace is that brother in law works from the house.
Do you think this was handled appropriately, or should you just say, sorry and close the door?
I thought it was super cool that on this beautiful Saturday we had these folks were just chilling on their porch playing their guitars. They were actually quite good! I also saw some folks throwing the frisbee on one of those small triangle parks and it almost felt like I was in college. It was such a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Folks throwing the frisbee, everyone saying hello to everyone else, so when people ask “what is so special about our neighborhoods, it’s just a place to live?” I totally disagree. I’ve lived in neighborhoods were people don’t say hi to one another. Neighborhoods where people don’t know each other’s names, or introduce themselves. Neighborhoods without music. We live in a place that has its share of problems, sure, but we also live in a place with many joys and those joys shouldn’t be forgotten when the occasional unpleasantness occurs. We live in a place where people play guitars on their stoops, and that is a very cool thing.
I didn’t but as I was walking past Tubman Elementary school on 13th Street in Columbia Heights I saw tons of folks working on beautification projects. They were planting gardens, cleaning up and painting murals. It was a great sight to see, that’s for sure. Check out another mural in action after the jump. (more…)