Transit

Breaking News: Never a Dull Moment

By Prince Of Petworth

At approximately 11:00 p.m. Tuesday evening an apparent drunk driver came barreling down 4th St, NW the wrong way on a one way street and smashed into two cars. It appears no one was hurt although there was extensive damage done to one car and minor damage to another. Apparent drunk driver driving the wrong way on a one way street, it’s a miracle nobody was seriously hurt. The car ended up on the corner of 4th and Taylor NW after the driver apparently blew his engine trying to flee the scene. I’m telling you when the temperature reaches 80 degrees crazy things start happening. Again, thank God no one was hurt.

One fire truck, one amblance, one police cruiser and many responders were on the scene within minutes to their credit. And another thing that makes Petworth great: the neighbors resonded in full force. Almost no one on the block remained in their homes. Everyone came outside to make sure no one was hurt and to support those whose cars were damaged. Petworth is by far one of the most cohesive neighborhoods I have ever lived in especially in times of trouble. Everyone is always looking out for their neighbors.

If you are what you drive, I’m screwed

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

Yellow Line! Hath my eyes deceived me?

By Prince Of Petworth

I was on a walkabout today to see what trouble I could get into and trouble I found. But this is the good type. After walking the town a bit I decided to get on the metro at U Street to go to Pentagon City, when I notice that beautiful yellow stripe at the top of the metro sign. And sure enough the yellow line arrived in one minute! I couldn’t believe it. I have been dreaming of this. Well, I did my errands at the mall still flying high about the new yellow line stops when I head back into the metro assuming I can take the same yellow line back. But no, on the return trip the yellow line stopped at the usual Mt. Vernon Square. WTF? That is the biggest tease I have faced since Tania. But worse. I expect to ride the metro every day…wow, my mom reads this so I have to watch my analogies.

So what the hell? Is the yellow line going to stop at Petworth metro or not? I’m confused, somebody help me, please.

Is night time the right time?

By Prince Of Petworth

The age old question: Do I walk home from the metro or take a cab? Now, as I’ve mentioned previously I am a cityboy from New York and as such was raised in a way, well, actually to be paranoid. Now I come home from the metro especially when it has gotten dark and I wonder to myself – Am I going to get mugged today? I know this is crazy but I guess I read the metro section of the Post too frequently. Well, I see young ladies walking home alone and I wonder to myself are they crazy? Do they know something I don’t know? So the question is: What is the cut off time for walking home from the metro? 8 pm, 9 pm, 10 pm, later? What are your thoughts.

Also, for those runners out there: how comfortable do you feel jogging around the neighborhood? Do you always run with a partner?

Stay tuned for Ward 4 Candidate interviews which should begin posting next week.

And most importantly have a very Happy Thanksgiving!