quality of life

“Zero Street Harassment Public Art Project, a new public art and placemaking campaign designed to discourage and abate street harassment”

By Prince Of Petworth

street harrass
Photo by PoPville flickr user Paul Sirajuddin

From a press release:

“In partnership with the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Vision Zero Initiative, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) and Age-Friendly DC are pleased to announce the Zero Street Harassment Public Art Project, a new public art and placemaking campaign designed to discourage and abate street harassment of residents, workers and visitors in the District of Columbia.

ACCORDING TO THE STOP STREET HARASSMENT (SSH) NONPROFIT:

In 2014, SSH commissioned a 2,000-person national survey in the USA with surveying firm GfK. The survey found that 65% of all women had experienced street harassment. Among all women, 23% had been sexually touched, 20% had been followed, and 9% had been forced to do something sexual. Among men, 25% had been street harassed (a higher percentage of LGBT-identified men than heterosexual men reported this) and their most common form of harassment was homophobic or transphobic slurs (9%).

The project partners have identified two (2) locations within the District of Columbia for consideration.  We are asking for proposals that demonstrate how artistic and design interventions would help to deter street harassment, as part of an anti-street harassment campaign in high visibility areas throughout Washington, DC.  Activation sites include: 14th & U Streets, NW and 1st & Columbus Circle, NE

For full details on the application process, please click here.
Application Deadline is Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 5:00 PM EST“

“If you’re reading this, generous stranger(s), we just want you to know how moved we were”

By Prince Of Petworth

tabard inn
Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe in DC

“Dear PoPville,

I proposed to my girlfriend Friday evening at the Tabard Inn restaurant. It’s our favorite spot for special occasions and didn’t disappoint Friday, out on the patio with perfect weather, candlelight, ambiance, and delicious food and drink. We were having a wonderful time even before the proposal, which prompted even more smiling, laughing, hugging, etc. Just when things couldn’t get any more awesome, we learned that one of our fellow patrons had asked to pay our bill for us. My girlfriend’s – (whoops! fianceé’s) – parents have not been supportive of us (I’m a woman) and my own parents passed away before we met, so we’ve been kind of missing that whole feeling of someone ‘breaking out the bubbly’ to say congratulations. The table asked to remain anonymous and in our stunned state, we’re not sure we really conveyed to the staff how thankful and appreciative we were for the thoughtful and amazing gesture.

If you’re reading this, generous stranger(s), we just want you to know how moved we were by you wanting to share in the happiness of our decision to spend the rest of our lives together. Thank you for making us feel special. Your gesture meant so much more to us than you probably knew. Thank you!”

“Anti-loitering spikes going in on Reeves Center”

By Prince Of Petworth

anti loitering

“Dear PoPville,

I walked by and the city installed metal spikes around all the sit-able spots on the outside of the Reeves Center (specifically 14 and V corner). Helluva message to literally tack on to Barry’s building that roustabouts and folks experiencing homelessness aren’t welcome in this part of town anymore. Makes me furious at the city.”

reeves
14th and V Street, NW

“I don’t know how DC can call itself a walkable city when obstacles just show up in the middle of a busy sidewalk”

By Prince Of Petworth

Colunbia Road Sidewalk Closing 2

Paul passes on a note he sent to the Council:

“I don’t know how DC can call itself a walkable city when obstacles like the one in the two attached photos just show up in the middle of a busy sidewalk.

Now, I am able-bodied enough just to be able to walk along the curb as these other folks did, but what about the fellow who rolls up on his wheelchair and suddenly learns he needs to go back to the previous street-corner.

My solution for him was to rip down the tapes so his wheelchair could go on through. He was grateful. But why can’t the council insist that contractors provide walkways when their construction work blocks the sidewalk?

Same problem has been the construction on the Hilton along Florida Avenue. The sidewalk on the north side of the street is completely blocked off. Pedestrians are just expected to walk along the other side of the street.

It doesn’t have to be that way….

Paul Alan Levy”

Ed. Note: Paul explains “This was the scene on my way to work both today AND yesterday – actually the wheelchair guy was yesterday, it was only this morning that I had the wit to take the photos.”

Colunbia Road Sidewalk Closing 1

“It is literally impossible to walk a straight line down the block without running into a sign or pole, or falling into a cellar”

By Prince Of Petworth

sidewalk of shame

“Dear PoPville,

Was hoping some readers might know what to do about the obstacle course of a sidewalk on 9th Street NW, across from the Convention Center (particularly between L and P). It is literally impossible to walk a straight line down the block without running into a sign or pole, or falling into a cellar. It’s baffled me for a while, but it was only last night, when seeing a man in a wheelchair seriously struggle to wheel himself around the myriad obstacles (one example pictured below) that I realized it wasn’t just absurd, but actually immoral. There are six lanes of traffic on ninth, which the sidewalk could certainly extend out to. Does anyone know if this sidewalk runs afoul of any city zoning or accessibility ordinances? Whom would one contact to do something about this?”

Your Water May Smell Like a Swimming Pool Soon – Fear Not!

By Prince Of Petworth

chlorine_drinking_water_dc
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

This year it is March 7th – May 2nd. Last year DC Water explained:

“The annual switch in water disinfection is part of a routine program to clean and maintain drinking water systems in the District of Columbia, Arlington County and the northeastern portion of Fairfax County. During the temporary switch to chlorine, local water authorities will also conduct system-wide flushing to enhance water quality. This program is a common practice for many U.S. water systems that use chloramine during the majority of the year.

The Washington Aqueduct is the organization responsible for treating and disinfecting drinking water for its wholesale customers: DC Water, Arlington County, and Fairfax Water. Local water authorities are responsible for monitoring drinking water to ensure chlorine levels continue to meet safe target levels.

Individuals and business owners who take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, medical facilities and aquatic pet owners, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch to chlorine. Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine. Individuals with special health concerns should consult a health care provider on the use of tap water.

During this time, individuals may notice a slight change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. Local water authorities recommend running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating tap water to reduce the chlorine taste and odor. Water filters are also effective for reducing chlorine taste and odor.”

CceWkCnWoAAkPAm
via DC Water

View More Stories