My Spring Vacation


Blue Sky & Palms
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

Yes, posting was a bit light this week as I was off in Sunny Florida seeing the family and helping out the Florida economy. But now I’m back, and won’t be able to break out the shorts and sandals again for a few months. Sigh…
I took a few pictures, like of these palm trees. And of State Road 192, the main drag going through Kissimmee (Kis-SIM-Me), which is next door to the great evil called Disney World, where the surfs of the Magic Kingdom toil with smiles on their faces. Anyway, there are pictures of the sidewalk or walking trail where tourists like myself, wander aimlessly from one mile marker to another.
Also whilst in Florida, there were a few governmental things I heard of and noticed that I’ll probably blog about later.

Big Blue/Grey Off the Market


100_0767.JPG
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

If going by Redfin and ZipRealty, 1721 4th St, the big house with the 1/2 of a postage stamp back yard is off the market. Hopefully it is under contract, but we won’t know if it actually sold for a while. Also on 4th St and are both off the market are 1608 & 1624 4th St NW. They are owned by the same guy and the places have renters, so I wonder if he’s taken them off the market to sell later or get the renters out and fix up the places for sale. I heard he failed to present the renters with the right of first refusal. At the prices he’s asking he’s going to have to go in an make an effort (cleaning/ new paint/ maybe staging), or lower the price. I say lower the price, but we’ll see what happens.
Over on 1st St NW, 1223 isn’t popping up either, so I gather that’s off the market as well. But the house next door at 1225 is still for sale for around $550K.

Capital Market: The Series

After the tour of the market area given by Richard and Elise a couple of weeks ago, I suggested creating a resource for would be shoppers. Something that pre-tour could be printed up or for others not interested in the tour, a directory of some of the places one may want to explore. There is a template, and that is just to keep it so that you as a reader and shopper aren’t bogged down with too much sundry information, just the basics. If anyone else wants to participate, I can provide you with the template and some ideas.
First up is Obengs. Unfortunately, I don’t know too much about the place as it is not one of my regular stops. I’ve been in a few times, once to buy the Afrophile roommie some goat meat. I’ll probably update it when I go through there again just to remember what other products are there.

Capital Market: Obeng Market


Obeng Market
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

Obeng International
300 Morse St., NE
202 544 8255
Takes: Cash, Debit & Credit

Description: Serving the African immigrant population the store sells items like fu-fu flour, goat meat, and salted fish. They also sell items familiar to Americans like fresh chicken at their butcher’s counter, large bags of rice, and kitchen spices.

Extra: When ordering from the butcher’s counter your chicken will be cut into quarters and your goat into large cubes. If you don’t want your meat cut say something.

LINKS:
The Capital City Market Blog
Capitol City Market: The Series
InShaw’s Flickr Pix of Obengs
Frozen Tropic’s March 2008 post on Obengs

Another BACA meeting missed

I’m so bad.
I was planing to just pop by the function at Vegetate for Roadside DevelopmentsO Street Market. I figured I’d pop a few munchies and show up to the BACA meeting fashionably late. I wound up running into some neighbors from the street and well, time flew. I’m so sorry. Sorry that I can be so easily distracted by free wine and polenta bites.
Anyway they need community support Thursday before the Zoning people.
I swear I will make the next, BACA meeting…. well, unless a certain idiot finally asks me out that night.

Suicide Bridge & HP


CFALetter.jpg
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

In today’s Washington Post there is an article about the Golden Gate Bridge and the number of suicides. There is a brief mention of the Ellington Bridge. In 1986 barriers were erected on the bridge. This reminded me of a letter I had regarding Historic Preservation, the bridge and suicides. I have no idea who wanted the barriers and who didn’t. I’m missing that info, and had no interest in doing any research. But I saw the article, remembered the letter, and thought I’d share.