Off Seventh - My Chronicles of Shaw

Fino

And poof. Just like that, he's gone

- Roger 'Verbal' Kint

Burned out

I am going to start this by saying I do not (repeat do not) want the "buck up" emails and I have closed the comments section for this post.

For the last few months I have been kicking around the possibility of shutting this thing down.  To tell you the truth I have not been so happy with this thing in quite awhile...I started this thing as a way of getting information out to the community and I feel like it has become an anchor around my neck.  At the end of the day this is nothing more than a narcissistic pulpit and I think it is time to say adios.

You have seen the posts get fewer and fewer over the last few months and truthfully I think this is it...the more and more I think about this thing the more I cringe...while I have tried to make this more about information it has made me angry and quick to judge things and before I f%ck up something big for Shaw I think I am going to get out from behind my computer and start doing things more productive for me and the community.  (and folks there is not some hidden reason here...I am just kind of over it).

As to the readers who have shared public comments and private emails...thank you!  When I first moved to Shaw I seriously was worried that me and the missus had made a horrible mistake...while we might not always agree on each and every thing in the 'hood I know you want the same thing,..a safer and better place to live.

Please keep going to the meetings and events...we need your input and hard work to make this happen and while you will not be seeing posts here you will see me at the meetings each month (when I am in town).

Best.

Brian

aka OffSeventh

Office of Campaign Finance Letter to Alex Padro

Well I knew it was only a matter of time before the calm and togetherness would disappear from Shaw.  This morning, I found the following in my gate (click on icon to see full size version of letter):

While I see the argument (or better question) that Leroy may have about this, I must point out that a "conflict of interest" would only be if Mr. Padro's interests were different than the people he represents and knowing many who live in his ANC, I can say that this is not the case with the O Street Market.

THe O Street Market project is one thing that pretty much everybody in this community supports without question or reservation.  While there may be concerns about Alex and the Shaw Main Streets group, I can say that he has been nothing but 100 percent transparent in his dealings as an ANC Commissioner and President of the group.  Each and every question that has ever been raised about SMS has been quickly and adequately answered by Alex.

While we disagree on some issues, I have always found that Alex is a stand-up guy who actually gives a $hit about this neighborhood and how we develop it (I am not saying that there are others who also care).  As I promised earlier this year my "gun" will be pointed in the sky when it comes to those who live here...but I must ask if this inquiry is the best thing for the neighborhood?

Alex, if you would like to post a response to this letter here on OffSeventh I will post it...we look forward to hearing about this issue and hope that you will resolve it fully with OCF.

UPDATED 3rd District enforces Sunday parking regulations?

There was a bit of a back and forth this week on one of the list serves about an announcement and Washington City Paper article that the Metropolitan Police Department's 3rd District will be enforcing parking regulations on Sundays.

About 3 or so years ago there was an impromptu "rally" in Logan Circle that brought many ministers and bus-loads of parishioners to protest the fact that then Mayor Anthony Williams was going to enforce Sunday parking regulations.  I remember one minister saying that it "was an attack on religious freedom" and another saying that "it was the darkest day in the history of this city"...for the most part they accused the Mayor of racism and intolerance (ironic because Mayor Williams is black and I am pretty sure a churchgoer).  The "worst day" statement really stuck with the missus...she still tells the story from time to time.

Living on a one way street...I do not have a huge dog in this fight.  BUT I have always been annoyed at the fact that if a friend comes to visit on a weekday they could get a ticket or if I went to a Nationals game I would get a ticket...even if the car was parked legally.  In fact the DC "meter maids" were out in force earlier this week on my street writing tickets...but on Sundays they were nowhere to be found.

From the UHOP to Shiloh we have our share of churches in Shaw...they were here "first" (as they remind us each time we bring issues to them) but I have always wondered why they did not run shuttles from the two Metro stops.  As I have always said there are little things that can be done by the churches to become "better neighbors" with the people who live in Shaw.

I snapped the following pictures two Sundays ago and I need to ask...is anything "really" going to happen?

One of my regular readers Drew left a comment that has sent my blood into "slow boil" mode.  The last time I checked, Drew lived in the neighborhood and was a law abiding citizen.  He pays his taxes and his car is registered with the proper zone sticker...

I'm not sure if there have been MORE meter maids on Sundays, but I can attest to an MPD officer writing me a ticket. I was unaware that not "back-in parking" from about 7am-2pm on Sundays was worthy of a ticket... learned the hard way.

That is ridiculous!  I am betting Drew parked his car LEGALLY on Saturday night and forgot to move it to "back in" mode before 7 am Sunday...I am sorry but this is slightly (completely) taken out of context.  If the car has a proper zone sticker and was parked properly pre-wacky restrictions?  Folks walk around this neighborhood on a Sunday...some of the wonderful drivers ignore fire hydrants, crosswalks, driveways and many other things...and a resident gets a ticket for parking legally on the street?

How about a "resident parking sticker" that allows us to follow the regular parking regulations and we can all work together to raise awareness that we should respect the churches on Sundays and ask that parkers move their cars on Saturday night to other spots in the area?  Folks this can be solved but it is going to take some compromise on both sides.  I personally would like to see more folks taking Metro...but I guess that is a personal choice issue.

Heartbreaking...

On my way home from Texas today...I had a stopover in Memphis.  As I walked from the A-terminal to the B-terminal two young men come TEARING by me with roll-a-boards in tow.  One of the kids was in mid conversation on his cell phone when I caught what the other kid yelled out...

Tell her not worry, I will take care of you in Iraq.  I am like Rambo and $hit.

They looked like little kids, more prepared for a jaunt to Daytona Beach than heading to fight for our country.  As I got on the plane tonight and hit my seat I started to think about the two young men I had just seen and another one came walking down the aisle and went into the row directly behind me.  He had sunglasses on (which was weird considering it was almost dark out) and then I saw it.  He had a scar across his face and  had trouble maneuvering his leg and arm...and an army bag with him.

I wish I had some observation or amazing thing to say...but all I feel is heartbreak for these kids and their loved ones.  I really really really pray that he truly is like Rambo.

Neighbor

This week has been an interesting one.  From Jack's "editorial" to tonight I have been beyond down on Shaw and where things are right now...my breaking point could have been last night (when Doris Brooks looked at Kevin like he had three heads when he asked if she was testifying at the ANC Oversight hearing) but I was in too good a mood from a very nice day @ work.

Last night's ANC meeting was interesting but nothing that needs to be recapped RIGHTNOW...but one thing sticks in my mind...I only recognized about one third of the folks in the room.  There were people from Penn Quarter!!!  Folks WE are making a difference...our emails, meetings and efforts are starting to get the community interested.

But this is not the point of this post.

Tonight was the zoning hearing for the O Street Market and I am still smiling!!!  The meeting went fine (well with the exception of Peter May from the National Park Service but that post will be tomorrow) and on March 24th we will probably be smiling even more...(knocks on wood) because it is looking like O Street has jumped the final hurdle and the finish line is just 2 weeks away.

But this is not the point of this post.

Tonight when the Chair of the DC Zoning Commission asked for a "show of hands in support of O Street" every single person in the room raised their hand.  Folks WE all agreed on something!  Tonight was surreal as I watched Leroy Thorpe and Cary Silverman sit at the same table and say that O Street was a necessity for the COMMUNITY...every comment positive every face had a smile.  Folks smile because tonight we showed something to the DC Government...that Shaw can (when pushed) be a very powerful voice in DC.

Smile folks...because tonight is a good night.  Now if we can just stop the violence.

Treebox Vodka 7th Street Clean-up - (Sorry Jason)

F-...Jason Beard I am so sorry.  Folks...Treebox Vodka is holding a clean-up this Saturday!  Jason I am going to do my best to be there...

                           

                              

The next TreeboxVodka monthly clean up project is Saturday, March 8th. We are looking to have 30 volunteers out there - help us make our goal. The more people means the more litter we can can clean up and we can clean out the dirty treeboxes. Our target area is 7th street. Starting at Rhode Island Ave/7th and working our way down and hitting the connecting streets as well.

Details
Date: Saturday, March 8th
Time: 10:30 AM
Where: 7th & Rhode Island Ave. NW
What: We'll be starting at 7th and RI and working our way down 7th street picking up Velicoff and Steel Reserve.
Bring: Gloves, friends, any additional tools you want to use for cleaning.
I'll Supply: Trash bags, I'll have a few extra gloves, and some trash picking tongs.

What else do you need?
Truly, I don't know. Hanging out on Saturday picking up beer cans and fast food wrappers seems like reward enough. But for those inclined to incentives, then we have you covered. Come out and join us three Saturday's and you'll receive a Shaw goodie. Past 3-time litter-pickers walked away with an I (heart) t-shirt. They were very happy.

                                                                                         

                        

                              

The next TreeboxVodka monthly clean up project is Saturday, March 8th. We are looking to have 30 volunteers out there - help us make our goal. The more people means the more litter we can can clean up and we can clean out the dirty treeboxes. Our target area is 7th street. Starting at Rhode Island Ave/7th and working our way down and hitting the connecting streets as well.

Details
Date: Saturday, March 8th
Time: 10:30 AM
Where: 7th & Rhode Island Ave. NW
What: We'll be starting at 7th and RI and working our way down 7th street picking up Velicoff and Steel Reserve.
Bring: Gloves, friends, any additional tools you want to use for cleaning.
I'll Supply: Trash bags, I'll have a few extra gloves, and some trash picking tongs.

What else do you need?
Truly, I don't know. Hanging out on Saturday picking up beer cans and fast food wrappers seems like reward enough. But for those inclined to incentives, then we have you covered. Come out and join us three Saturday's and you'll receive a Shaw goodie. Past 3-time litter-pickers walked away with an I (heart) t-shirt. They were very happy.

                                                                                         

HOLY $HIT - Jack has a blog!

Oh my god...oh my god...oh my god!

Okay I think we have seen the sign that the apocalypse is upon us.  A Leroy Thorpe website, talk of an ECCA "blog" and now our part-time Councilman has one too!!!  Wow.

I need to go throw up now...then start readin' and commentin'.

Jack Editorial...

So this morning I got an email from one of the other neighborhood shit disturbers and it pretty much ruined my day.  It was a link to an editorial in the Washington Post, in case you have not seen it:

It Takes More Than Police to Fight Crime in Shaw

Sunday, March 2, 2008; B08

Gunshots, drive-by shootings, bullets in alleyways. The neighborhood of Shaw, in the District's Ward 2, is experiencing blatant acts of violence, and it will take more than policing to stop it.

Over the past couple of years, the D.C. Council has designated millions of dollars for the Metropolitan Police Department's gang and prostitution units to quash the surge of violence. The police have had some success. Additionally, groups such as the Citizens Organized Patrol Efforts, Teaching America Sound Knowledge, the Alliance of Concerned Men, Peaceoholics and others have patrolled our neighborhoods and reached out to youths. Yet the violence continues.

I receive many phone calls, e-mails and letters from residents asking, "What is being done by the city to get this problem under control? What can this city do that it isn't already doing? Provide the necessary resources to law enforcement and allow them to do their job? Provide a quality and effective support network to our youth that allows them to capitalize on lawful, productive opportunities?" My question is: What can the community do as a "village" to be supportive and proud of its residents and to aid in helping its residents grow to be responsible neighbors and citizens?

I remember an old saying: "Community begins with family." I will not pull any punches. The Shaw community is split and broken. Pointing fingers, spreading he said-she said rumors, conscientiously looking for negatives and other unproductive distractions continue to drive the wedge further. In the meantime, violence rages.

A community that is united has a much better chance of solving its major problems. Again, the police cannot do it alone. My promise is to do everything I can to make sure that Shaw receives the support it needs from the city. But all of the city services in the world will not make a difference if the community does not come together and work to make Shaw all that we want it to be. This means putting away the petty differences and uniting for the betterment of the community.

Our young people need to be engaged, be it through employment, pre-employment training or education. To this end I commend the Washington Convention Center Authority, the Hotel Association of Washington DC, the University of the District of Columbia and the carpenters union for stepping up to the plate and offering training and apprenticeship programs. This is a great start, but more is needed. I am committed to getting more of these innovative programs in place.

Is this a means to an end? I don't think so, but we can get a handle on crime in Shaw. We can work together to make today's Shaw a reflection of its wonderful history. We can and we will succeed, but it will take each and every one of us. We have been down this road before and we have been successful. We can do it again. Are you game?

-- Jack Evans

Washington

The writer, a Democrat, represents Ward 2 on the D.C. Council.

Are you game?  Seriously?

Last night as I sat in my house wondering if I would hear gunshots or sirens later this evening, our Councilman was probably on his way to a fundraiser or community event outside of Shaw.  In spite of the emails, letters, calls and demands, Shaw is rarely on the mind of our "Councilman", in fact you can almost see the "eyeroll" in the words that he has written.

My challenge to Councilman Evans has been (and will continue to be) that it is time to get the dollars necessary to turn Shaw around.  From a commitment to increasing the amount of full time and permanent patrol officers in PSA 308 to getting our library re-built on the same time frame as the rebuild in Georgetown to supporting MIXED housing that does not foster another poverty pocket that has caused many of the problems we are dealing with now. 

My feeling has been that if they were ducking bullets at Wisconsin and P Streets, there would be National Guardsmen at every corner..why not Shaw?

Enough...you get my point.  But the op-ed seemed to really call out a few folks as making a difference in the community...funny one seems to be a pet project of one of those committed to getting you re-elected...but I understand the whole political thing, but it cracks me up because as you attend "community meetings" in Shaw...some of our very own neighbors are barred from these same meetings.

I think you get my point here too...

So Councilman, in an email a few days back you cited a fairly large number of dollars given to two community groups.

1) The Mayor and the Council appropriated funds to the
PEACEAHOLICS in FY '07 & FY '08 - $400,000 and $1.3 million
respectively; and

2) The Alliance of Concerned Men received $250,000 from the
Mayor.

Albert Einstein once said that insanity was"doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."...my question to Councilman Evans is simple.  Why do we keep talking to the same old people who do the same old thing?  Soon another cease-fire will be announced and you will forget about this issue until the next crisis (my bet is next January...just lik the last 3 January crime spikes)...but what can we do to make sure this does not happen again?

Councilman, we reach out and instead of listening to us you call on people who are among the worst in helping to unite Shaw.  In fact there are many readers of this blog who would say that there are even a few that will do everything they can to make sure that Shaw NEVER comes together.

I will bet that in the next few weeks we will see another "anti" crime march around Shaw...another photo-op for a Councilman (and a few suburban pastors) who is starting to feel a bit pinched by the "red haired step child" of his Ward.  Councilman I want to extend an olive branch to you on this blog...come to the next CCCA meeting and listen.  Listen to the ideas and efforts that MY neighbors have to help fix this mess...you might finally realize that you have been in the wrong camp...I promise to be nice...

LET'S GO RED SOX

What a freaking week...golf with the Red Sox, Wilco (and a backstage pass) AND this...

And...any and all rights reserved folks. Do not post without permission of moi...sorry.