quality of life

Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish

“Dear PoPville,

On Wednesday I was rushing from a work event to my weekly volunteer gig at an ESL program for immigrants. My Ethiopian cab driver and I were chatting about my destination and the program, when we got stuck in traffic. I was visibly distressed that I would be late, but he got me there in time while we commiserated on the stupidity of the government shutdown. When we arrived and I went to pay the $15 fare, he refused, and would only accept $8, because as he said “I volunteer too, and someone should do something nice for you! Thank you for what you do!” I was completely shocked. It was such a genuinely kind, appreciative gesture. Since we always seem to talk about how most DC cab drivers are rough around the edges, I just wanted to remind your readers, that there are, indeed, a lot of good eggs out there.”

“Dear PoPville,

Ok, so this is sort of a weird question… I live in a building in Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase, and I like it for the most part, but a couple I live on the same floor as fights. Loudly. I am sure others have heard them, and I don’t know what to do. It’s their business, but they clearly things aren’t working for them. Do readers have any suggestions on what, if anything, I can do to let them know that everyone hears their fights, without garnering their wrath?”

“Dear PoPville,

The building across the street from my apartment has a malfunctioning A/C unit that can be heard through our closed windows. I had a noise inspection performed, and it barely passed (due to the automatic decibel deductions that are built into the law). However, it would probably fail a nighttime inspection (the AC runs 24/7 and the nighttime decibel limit is lower). However the inspector, who was apologetic, informed me that it is now DC policy that any nighttime inspections have to be paid for by the resident requesting it (i.e. me). Is this really DC policy? I guess I was mistaken when I thought my taxes plus a budget surplus would actually allow the city to enforce the laws on its own. What’s next – having to whip out the credit card if I call the cops after 9PM?”

Photo by Royalbroil via wikipedia

“Dear PoPville,

I was walking around the McMillan reservior in NW on Sunday evening when a large group of guys on 4-wheelers and dirtbikes drove by. There were about 20 vehicles in total. They were driving fast and disobeyed traffic laws – even driving into oncoming traffic lanes on Michigan Ave (next to the Washington Hospital Center) and forcing cars to stop. It was hard to tell if it was just a group of guys out goofing around or if it was something more menacing. Are 4-wheelers even street legal in DC?”

The Post has an interesting article about some of the riders Dirt bike dreams face reality of D.C. police enforcement:

A growing number of thrill-seeking young people are taking to the streets in off-road bikes and ATVs, usually out of the sight of federal Washington. They perform risky stunts that typically are reserved for open fields or trails in outlying counties. The stunts, often inspired by video and pictures on social media sites, are playing out in urban neighborhoods across the nation.

D.C. police say the high speeds, tricks and jumps are a dangerous, even deadly, neighborhood nuisance, especially when packs of 20 or more roar through communities.

Photo by PoPville flickr user grit and whatever

“Dear PoPville,

A nearby neighbor in Pleasant Plains has been using a generator all night every night (and often throughout the day) for the past few months. In the beginning, we thought that maybe they had a generator as a back-up because perhaps they forgot to pay the bill and were waiting for re-installation from the electric company or something. However, as the weeks, then months pass, the noise from the generator that goes on every night without fail has us wondering … is this legal?

Do any of the Pleasant Plains neighbors hear this, too, and wonder what is going on? The house is on Sherman Ave and not under construction, and the few times I have been home during weekdays or have noticed over weekends, the generator generally stops running by noon and doesn’t kick back up until close to night-fall. We live with open windows and no air conditioning, so despite it being several houses away, the hum of the generator comes right to our ears every night. I don’t even want to think about gas that the thing may be throwing off. However, I do wonder if there are any DC laws governing the use of generators after hours and for any length of time.

Thanks,
A Pleasant Plains resident missing out on some sleep”