10 Things to Love About Silver Spring
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.
6 Comments so far
One thing I would add to this list is Charles Koiner’s ‘farm’ at the NE corner of Easley and Grove Streets. Having Charles sell fresh fruits and veggies is fantastic. Charles and his daughter tend to whole place and in his mid-80s, Charles is doing something right. And I just noticed his spring onions are now ready to go. Also, his prices are much better than whole foods – and you cannot get too much more local than around the corner. But bring cash – Charles does not accept credit.
Excellent call. And I can’t wait for some additions to the “spring onions” currently on the roster. Anyone wonder why the Silver Spring Farmers Market takes so long to open? Couldn’t they fire things up in April?
hey Eric –
you rock
this looks great – and, just for clarification, Ruby is indeed 5 years old, and you can come by for coffee any time.
thanks for the work
Eric…
Awesome………how did you find the time??! Thank you for this amazing site!!!
Eric, this is great! I’m not exactly an “early adapter”… took me over two months to check out the website.
A few of the things I love about Silver Spring:
1. You can get to know owners/staff at many local establishments (John at Vicinos, Ken the bartender at Thai Silver Spring, Walter at Adegas, Marco at DeMaro.. to name a few) and feel it feels like I imagined Cheers would way back in the day.
2. Walking Max and running into many neighbors and friends for a chat.
3. Tai Chi in Bullis Park (Sundays at 10:AM, beginners always welcome! Give me a call!
4. And, most of all: All of our GREAT Neighbors!
Thanks for creating this great space for us!
Jan
I found your blog the way I find most of the ones I like – just meandering through links.
Many, many moons ago I also lived on Thayer Ave. It was the first of several hippie houses after leaving the family home on Fenton Street (now a storage building). I’ve always loved the small town feeling with big city amenities that Silver Spring has. I walked everywhere and used all of the connecting alleyways to come home from Lerner’s after work. I loved watching the parade of colorful characters – okay, we called them bums – from the window of Super Music City. The wonderful sound of the creaking floorboards in Murphy’s. Gawd, I’m getting downright nostalgic.
I’ll keep checking in on the neighborhood “from a distance”
Lisa OBX