DC Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood

I’d like to comment on The Washington Post Magazine’s article regarding what they consider the top 25 events that changed our city over the past 25 years.
I believe that Washington DC is a beautiful city that plays a very special role not only in the history of our nation but also in the history of the world, and I’m personally proud and honored to live here. When I started reading this article, I expected to see a list of meaningful and truly pivotal events that changed this city, this country, and the world, on the level of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech that he delivered on the steps of Lincoln Memorial in 1963. I expected to see a list that would do justice to this magnificent city that always had a proud history and over the past few years became a real world class capital that daily attracts huge numbers of tourists from all over, as well as has a lot to offer to its residents. And yes, of course we have issues, and our public schools are no good, and homelessness, and overall we still have much room for improvement. But what city in this country or anywhere in the world is free from problems? Even though a few significant events of national and world importance were included on this list – 9/11, elections of 2008, WWII Memorial, and a few others, it is very disappointing to me that The Washington Post Magazine chose so many items that either focus on the local events that by no means represent tremendous growth and progress of DC over the past 25 years, or limit the role of the nation’s capital to drug and sex scandals and sports events. If that was all this city has achieved over the past 25 years, it would be a very depressing place to live in and visit. Fortunately, it’s not the case.

Two comments:

First, on the maturation of our neighborhood. Hats off to Joanne and Nanette and others who have tirelessly advocated for PQ as a residential and retail, vibrant urban neighborhood. I have been here for 8 years and generally it just gets better. Second, about Sietsema’s review of Meatballs: even it is too kind. Meatballs is the kind of business we DON’T want in our neighborhood. Lousy food, lies about who is behind it, and total disregard for covenants and the neighborhood evidenced by the hideous sign. I have talked to the manager about the sign, which interferes with condo dwellers in Terrell and the Clara, and he claims the “higher ups” (who remain nameless) won’t let him turn it off. Unlike every other business that has opened since I’ve been in the ‘hood, Meatballs basically says “screw you” to the residents of the neighborhood. We should band together to boycott, and ask our non-PQ dwelling friends to do same. These people, whoever they are, are not welcome.