ThayerAvenue.com

The early days of the blog will no doubt have many “firsts,” but this one is uniquely timely. With the birth of our daughter drawing near, I thought I would post what has proved to be the best card we’ve gotten from anyone over the past nine months.

This one is from Ruby, age 5, and distincly shows me with my late-winter fro and my lovely wife great with child. How cool is that?

And with that, I may not be able to post for a few days, but know that I’ll come back with great news soon after. Thanks to all for your well wishes.

In my travels around downtown, I’ve noticed more and more young soldiers (and their families) coming to Silver Spring to shop, dine, and relax. Many of the hotels are offering discounted rates to the families of patients at Walter Reed. That, in conjunction with the proximity and the variety of choices available, certainly make it an attractive destination.

On one occasion, I sat next to a young man at Austin Grill who was spending breaks in Silver Spring between offering tax advice and assistance to some of the patients at Walter Reed. I stood in line behind an entire family at Giant pushing an (obvious young war veteran) amputee around in a wheelchair. And just last night played pool next to a wounded vet and his girlfriend at Galaxy Billiards.

I’m curious, especially in the midst of the recent issues at Walter Reed, why I haven’t heard much press about these people becoming part of our community - albeit perhaps a temporary state of affairs. I could very well have glossed over a story in The Gazette or one of the other blogs, but I think it’s fantastic that our little suburb can provide a place where these young men and women - and their loved ones - can find a place to help bring a sense of normalcy back to their lives.

As the weather continues to improve and downtown traffic picks up, I hope to get out and speak to some of these people and find out their stories and what kind of effect Silver Spring has had on their recovery and rehabilitation. If you have any insight or know someone who has found a second home in Silver Spring after the war, drop me a line. I look forward to reporting back in the near future with what I find.

I decided that some of the signs at the Beltway Chevron on Georgia Avenue had to be recorded for public consumption. Back in the 2004 Presidential Campaign, it looked like some sort of neoconservative carnival. Now it’s just passing amusement as I honk at people that insist on turning illegally across traffic during rush hour. I plan on capturing as many as possible to share with everyone. Enjoy!

1. Hook & Ladder Brewpub (pending)
I used to work across the street from Summit Station in Gaithersburg. (It’s now called “Growlers” and I implore you to not waste time at that horrible establishment.) I maintain a small growler collection from that stint, and from frequent trips to Frederick to go to Brewer’s Alley. The prospect of walking up the street to fill up a jug of locally-handcrafted beer is awfully appealing. Not to mention the simple fact that there’s another beer outlet nearby.

2. The jukebox at the Quarry House
One of the best in the DC area. And no matter what you say, you can’t prove that it was me that put in that one, annoying song 15 times before I left the other night.

3. Pedestrian sense of [pedestrian] entitlement
If I have a green light and someone is in the crosswalk in front of me (usually at a slow “you can’t do nothin’ to me” pace), can I hit them and not spend time in jail?

4. Mayor-free and loving it
I like the Lewis Black quote Silver Spring Singular has on its site header, and I’ve often thought about the implications of that. It’s almost like small-scale anarchy, which, frankly, seems more along the lines of something you’d find in Takoma Park. Instead, we get people like Gary Stith. Which leads us to our next point…

5. “Green” Space
Mainly, I’m referring to some people’s (Mr. Stith, primarily) unwavering devotion to a lack of green space in front of the new civic building planned for the current “turf” area. I’m not sure if he changed his mind yet, but I sure hope we don’t get a concrete slab.

6. Black & white malts at Potbelly’s
I know it’s a chain restaurant, but just try one and tell me you won’t go back for more. Surreptitiously, if need be.

7. Mikey behind the bar at Austin Grill
I don’t even have to ask for a Shiner Bock when I belly up to the bar.

8. My next door neighbor’s coffee
He orders beans ever two weeks and roasts them himself. I have a small stash, but I will undoubtedly angle for more in the coming weeks. And this is not to dis Mayorga - I’ve had my fair share of coffee there, and it’s awfully good. Plus, whenever my wife and I go, the parking attendant knows her by name. Either she spends way too much money there, or there’s something else I should know about.

9. The Gazette, Page 6
Yup. It’s the crime blotter. If you say you don’t know about it or don’t look at it, you might be illiterate. Or lying. Just a guess.

10. Sense of community
I lived on Dennis Avenue for three years. Sure, it’s Silver Spring, but not like this. The people here make it easy to feel like we’re all part of something larger than ourselves. Many thanks to the SS Blogoshpere for the inspiration to create this blog and share something with the community.