ThayerAvenue.com

Well, it finally happened to me, too. At approximately 1:52AM this morning, my doorbell started ringing incessantly. And I don’t mean a couple of little presses. I’m talking a full-fingered, 30-rings-per-second diatribe that sent my heart racing. I was a bit disoriented and took my time walking downstairs to peek out the window. Without a thought, I assumed it was the woman I mentioned last week. By the time I tried to surreptitiously look out the blinds, she was gone.

I called the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number (301-279-8000 – put it in your cell phone *now* if you haven’t already), and I wasn’t the first person that had called. Someone else was kind enough to submit a description:

• Black
• Female
• 5′0″-5′2″
• Chubby/Obese 140-170lbs
• Smoker (could tell by smell)
• Pleasant voice, no ghetto accent
• Late 20s to early 30s
• And she spoke like she’s anxious or in a hurry when talking to you

There was also a black SUV parked on the corner of Thayer and Houston that may or may not have contained an accomplice. And here’s the kicker: she told someone she had locked her keys in her car, yet she was carrying a set of keys.

I hope she was picked up by the cops, because if she tries to pull that shit again, there will be an entirely different outcome.

First of all, I know things have been quiet here. But beyond restaurant openings and such, there’s just not that much I care to write about. Plus, when ESSCA is out of session there’s less fodder for ridicule. I do love the listserv, though.

For example: A 24-hour laundromat is going in at the old TOTAS location on Fenton, and someone on the list was concerned about it being open 24 hours – presumably because, you know, crime might happen. Like the crime-ridden (not) 24-hour 7-11 or the Greyhound bus station right nearby. Oh – and for those of you who don’t have enough to complain about, El Cafe Caracol on Sligo Ave plays loud music at night. And there may or may not be a constant drone from the air handlers on top of Silver Spring Towers that keeps some people up at night. Welcome to the ESSCA listserv.

In other news…

Thayer Avenue WSSC Work

Basically, they’re about to come in and rip shit up like they did on Georgia Avenue. But they were much nicer about it. If you didn’t get the notice…

We’re happy to advise you that we will be rehabilitating the water main infrastructure in your neighborhood. This letter provides you with important information about the upcoming construction.

Work began on or before June 7 and completion estimate is August 11, 2011. Ouch.

For the record…
I, for one, will not boycott the 9:30 Club. I just went to see OK Go there last month, and as long as Seth puts on great shows, I’ll go. His problem? Once the Fillmore is built, I will certainly go to 9:30 less often. Something he’s just going to have to deal with. This is a minor blip, as far as I’m concerned.

And one more thing (UPDATE)
Some woman going by the name of Cynthia is panhandling on Thayer Avenue. She went knocking on people’s doors after midnight on Monday saying her boyfriend hit her and she needed cab fare to Germantown. And evidently she also made some other offers for moneymaking that weren’t so timid. Police were looking for her but no word yet on whether or not she was picked up.

I just got confirmation from the powers that be that Fire Station 1 will officially be open for business tonight for dinner. They had to wait for their final permits to come through, and that’s all now been taken care of. I’ll be there to check it out – photos to come!

UPDATE: As Promised, More Photos
Just went by Fire Station 1 to confirm, and the kitchen is humming, trucks are being unloaded, and the place looks great.