ThayerAvenue.com

Forgive me for neglecting our eastern neighbors on Thayer Avenue, but I rarely, if ever, get down that direction. The school is about as far down as I ever go. But imagine my surprise this morning when I drove by the new contruction at Thayer Avenue and Thayer Place.

Wow. This is some kinda setup. I didn’t see a “For Sale” sign, so I assume it’s a custom build job. How did I miss this? It sure doesn’t go with the neighborhood, but it’s not necessarily bad. Just big. You could fit a third world country in this thing. And you probably had to mine all the stone out of said country to build it.

As always, this begs some questions:

1. Who is doing this?
2. Is there an owner already?
3. What’s the square footage?
4. Is it too far away to make my property value skyrocket?
5. Could you actually fit the population of a developing nation inside?
6. Did Jerry McCoy fight against the destruction of something in order for this to be built?
7. What would my neighbors say if I built this on my property?
8. Doesn’t having the largest house in the neighborhood take your relative property down from where it could be?

Maybe The Silver Bee has some details…

In an attempt to find out more information about William Thayer, our eponymous Washington, DC, merchant/benefactor, I came upon a fantastic find:

This is a screenshot from the 1984 laserdisc adventure game Thayer’s Quest. Thayer was an apprentice magician searching for five magical relics that form the “Hand of Quoid” before Sorsabal, the eeeevil wizard, can get his grimy paws on them and solidify his reign over the five kingdoms.

The game is similar to the very popular Dragon’s Lair of the day, which very nearly put me into 4th-grade bankruptcy, thanks to the Carousel Roller Rink’s after-school skate every Thursday. Unlike Dragon’s Lair, though, the player had more complete control over the character’s movements and, sadly, the game was incomplete. Thayer could only visit three of the five kingdoms, and the game was scrapped before the sequel with the two additional adventures was released.

In 1996/97, a CD-based version was released for both PC and Mac under the name Kingdom: The Far Reaches. Unfortunately, Thayer’s name was changed to Lathan Candor (and the eeeevil wizard Sorsabal became Torlok). Somehow, 2005 saw the re-release of Thayer’s Quest as a DVD video game, and I have been given a new goal in life.

So to sum up:

• “Lathan Candor” will become my new alter ego.
• Sorsabal will be the new nickname of that “bonifant more sinister than thayer” joker.
• William Thayer doesn’t have enough online-accessible material written about him. (Jerry? Where are you? How about some updated information at sshistory.org?)
• It’s time to redo my basement and start my video game collection. (The image you see here appears to be from a conversion/build kit. It is my destiny to own it.)

If anyone wants to donate to the cause, feel free. We’ll have tournaments every other weekend.

Thank You.
First of all, thank you to the families (you know who you are) that so graciously put on the Thayer Avenue Picnic. Once again, a great turnout, great food, and great company. Something we always look forward to every year. Also got to meet the kiddies our Maggie will be growing up with for years to come. Looks like a great crop of overachieving youngsters.

Just Like an Episode of Cops
I was getting RCN cable, phone & internet installed on Friday (more on that in a moment), so I was home for the duration of the day. At one point about 2:30pm, I looked out my back window and saw two cops in the backyard next door with their guns drawn. Pretty cool, right? Well, my wife came home shortly thereafter saying that there were MoCo Police crawling all over the street. She had the chutzpah to stop and ask what was going on, and evidently there was a burgular that had been chased by the police in between the rows of houses between Thayer and Easley. They recommended she get in the house and stay there. Last update I heard was that he was chased out of the neighborhood, but not apprehended. Updates to the situation are welcome.

The Coming of RCN
A guy named Mike knocked on our door a little over a week ago with an offer from RCN Cable: Get loads of channels, telephone service, and the InterWeb with 20Mbps download speed for $109.99/month. I had seen some traffic on the listserv with generally positive comments about RCN and figured, with a “switch you back for free” guarantee, I’d give it a try. Here’s what I’ve deduced:

• The internet is blazing fast. I noticed it when I first opened up Firefox after the connection took hold. I’ll look forward to that with all the porn video and audio I upload/download/view on the Web.
• Got an HDTV box, and both that one and the standard digital version look as good as Comcast’s. The only issue is learning a new channel lineup and making sure TiVo is updated.
• SMTP outgoing mail server settings for RCN sort of piss me off.
• Make sure the phone works before they leave.

We rarely use our home phone. My in-laws call that number regularly, and we get lots of telemarketing crap that we usually ignore thanks to call waiting. (If the DNC is reading this, QUIT CALLING ME. I won’t give you any more money until you PICK somebody to run.) So the fact that the phone didn’t work after the technician left wasn’t that big of a deal – except for TiVo. For those of you that have a DVR, you know what I mean. It updates via the land phone line, and I felt like my left arm had been cut off. No updated channel lineup, no buffering – pure torture. We ended up going to Strosniders to get a 100-foot phone cord so TiVo could update from the one active jack in the house. Well worth the $10.98 it cost. And they’ll be here tomorrow to fix the phone permanently, thank the gods.

If you’d like to give it a whirl, call Mike Dato at 301-512-5775 and tell him that Eric sent you. I could use some referral bonuses.

Why Do I Need Referral Bonuses?
Excellent question. We went stroller shopping this morning (and that, in and of itself, makes me cringe as much as what you’re about to read), and we found out why Bugaboo strollers are so damn expensive: Because they ROCK. For a mere $900, you can get a stroller that defies any previous stroller technology and will last you through an entire Irish family’s upbringing. I’m always looking for the latest and greatest of anything I buy, and in the world of strollers (in which, it appears, I am firmly entrenched), these are the shit.

The reason I mention this is something a little more comedic. One of the stroller brands we looked at was “Quinny,” which is not cheap, either. Seems innocuous enough, but my wife’s comment was, “Isn’t that renaissance slang for vagina?” Turns out, she’s right. Sure, it’s the Urban Dictionary, but it was evidently referenced in the movie Elizabeth, as well. I’ll leave you to your own jokes about babies being rolled around in $500 vaginas.

814 Thayer Avenue
More details have emerged about the development at 814 Thayer Avenue, current/defunct home to the National Association of the Deaf. According to the Silver Spring Penguin, there will be a total of 52 units, and seven of then will be “moderately priced.” The garage will, as talked about earlier, create a thoroughfare on the alley running between Thayer and Silver Spring Avenue that connects Fenton and Grove. And that will handle in-and-out traffic for the 36 onsite parking spaces.

If there are only 36 spaces, are they assuming many won’t have cars? Where will the overflow of cars (assuming there is some) be parked? I know on my section of the street, there’s no parking allowed on the north side of Thayer because of the bus traffic. Here’s to hoping thay start ticketing more to make sure people don’t violate that.

Thanks, as always, to the Silver Spring Penguin. Speaking of which, their site now carries advertisements that I encourage you to click on and buy stuff from. For so long, they’ve toiled away bringing the latest updates to readers in the area, and now their traffic and business model supports revenue generation. Help a Penguin out.

Screw you, parking increase!
As reported in the Washington Post, among other places, Montgomery County repealed the fee and time increase for parking meters. The subhead for the story declares “Broad Criticism Stuns Montgomery.” What the hell did they think was going to happen? I’d be more than willing to fork over some extra parking cash if MoCo was willing to relinquish their death grip on alcohol sales so I could buy beer and wine at a grocery store other than Snyder’s.

Can we get some Skynard?
Silver Spring Singular has a nice post about this, but I equate people’s bitching and moaning about bringing particular musical acts [to what once was to be the Birchmere] to Veruca Salt saying “But Daddy, I want an Oompa Loompa!” If that’s gonna be the attitude, I’ll lobby for whatever will piss them off. Two hours’ worth of “Free Bird” should do the trick.

Peterson, Schmeterson
The County gave Peterson Companies the big finger, according to the Washington Post:

Developers cannot prohibit people from taking photographs on public-private space in downtown Silver Spring, the Montgomery county attorney declared yesterday in a letter to County Executive Isiah Leggett. In an eight-page letter, County Attorney Leon Rodriguez said that the street in question, Ellsworth Drive, “constitutes a public forum” and that the First Amendment’s protection of free speech applies there.

So I guess PetersonCo’s policy of being able to rescind the “we’ll let you take pictures for now” policy is out the window.

I haven’t spoken that much about development recently, mainly because the direct impact to Thayer Avenue has been minimal – in conjunction with the fact that I’m not as well versed as people like Silver Spring Scene, who does a much better job at this sort of coverage. But all that’s about to change.

According to recent listserv information, the ESSCA met with the development team that is turning the site currently housing the National Association for the Deaf at 814 Thayer Ave (see map above) into condominiums to review the plans that will be presented to the county on July 26 (still waiting on specifics for this meeting). At a meeting last winter, it was requested that the developer put the entrance on Thayer Ave and not on the alley that runs between Thayer and Silver Spring Ave.

Last week, we learned that the developer has no intention of changing the alley entrance as the sole artery in and out of the planned 9-story building with 100+ units (and parking to accommodate). This will exacerbate the cut through traffic onto Grove Street, as most people will probably find it easier to use the alley to get in and out of the building. Luckily, it’s not too late to stop this.

The community response to the parking meter fiasco helped put that on hold for further review, and we can try to do the same with this, but we need your help. Please contact Valerie Ervie (councilmember.ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-7960) and tell her the alley entrance is not the way to go.

There seems to be an ongoing turf war over the alleys. The code, supported by DWPT, evidently says that the alleys cannot be appropriated by a developer for [a property's] sole entrance, and the DWPT and the Planning Board must both agree if there is to be an exception for a developer. Your job is to tell Councilmember Erivn that an exception should not be made here.

On a different note, there also seems to be an uproar over the proposed development between Thayer and Silver Spring in what is now Parking Lot #3. Developer Robert Hillerson wants to put 3-4 nine story condos on the site with 700-800 parking spaces. Why they would need that many is beyond me, but that’s what I’ve read. ESSCA is trying to have the zoning overlay changed (which was put in place by a previous council) back to the original, limiting residential developments to six stories. 25 businesses along Fenton and neaby side streets sent a letter to ESSCA asking for the change, but the Chamber of Commerce is fighting it and Valerie Ervin, I’m told, has not responded to requests for help since January. If you want this change to take effect, please contact Valerie Ervin (with CCs to Marilyn Praisner and the at-large council members) requesting a change in the overlay zone.

I bring this to you as a mouthpiece for the community while not knowing all the details myself. Any clarification and additional details are welcome, and thanks to the many people on the ESSCA listserv for this information.

Peterson Companies still blow
As seen in most of the local blogs, as well as the Washington Post, the Peterson Companies have graciously decided to let us take pictures in the downtown area. Wonder what this means for the photography protest planned for July 4. And the fact that they make the specific point that they can rescind this privilege at any time sounds an awful lot like some of our beloved president’s signing statements.

Wacko Jacko to move to Maryland?
From DelmarvaNow.com: “Officially, no one would say Thursday that Michael Jackson, the erstwhile “King of Pop,” was in the area. Neither, however, would anyone deny the talk. Privately, inside sources reported that Jackson was not only staying at the Inn at Perry Cabin, he might be looking to buy land in Talbot or Queen Anne’s counties.”

I wonder if he found out that Maryland is “The Free State” and got a little confused. And there’s a joke about crabs in there somewhere, but I really think it might border on inappropriate.

Is George my neighbor?
I knew that George Pelecanos lived in Silver Spring, but recently someone told me he actually lives on Thayer Avenue. Is this true? If anyone has any intel, I’d love more info. I could think of no better place for a guest blogger of this magnitude than this very site.

Thai of Silver what?
After a series of recent visits to Thai Derm, I have decided not to return to Thai of Silver Spring. Tasty food, rubber duckies frolicking in the fountain, and I get to support a local family? ‘Nuff said.

Car Break-Ins
It seems as if the rash of car breaks continues in the neighborhood. Added to the list of items taken: parking permits. Don’t forget to lock your cars, people. And hide the loose change in a closed console compartment. You’re going to need it for the parking meters. Which leads us to…

Sign the Petition to stop the parking meter initiative
According to Silver Spring Scene, petitions are being circulated at Jackie’s Restaurant, Crisfield’s, and Alchemy, among other places. The initiative would appear to make the meters valid from 7:00am until 10pm Monday through Saturday. I know it’s a source of revenue and all, but aren’t our local leaders being disingenuous when they say they want to support local businesses and then try to pull a stunt like this? And since the change wouldn’t apply to the garages around downtown proper, I’m going to guess that the initiative would also exacerbate the traffic difficulties in and out of the garages during the heavy traffic times.

ADDENDUM: I received an email from George Pelecanos himself today confirming that he does, in fact, live on Silver Spring Avenue. He says: “Matter of fact, I grew up in Silver Spring (Northwood Indians, 1975). I have been reading your blog, like it, and noticed you were looking for me.”

Can’t tell you how much that made my day. And he was most gracious with my misspelling of his name (Pelecanos, not Pelicanos). Have edited the post to reflect that as well. Sorry about that. Hope to have him around the blog some time in the future. Thank you, Mr. Pelecanos!

Hello, all. Sorry for the most recent posting delay, but I think I’m back in the groove. We finally have a break from the slew of family that came in after Baby Girl was born, so there’s a lot to catch up on. First, to some lingering news from last year…

I’ve come into possession of some photos of what appears to be a budding poultry farm here on Thayer Avenue. Granted, they haven’t been around in a while, but I’d love to know any back story as to why these tasty-looking guys were poking around. If they come back anytime soon, we’ll make them the guests of honor at a backyard BBQ. And that’s not just because they’re tasty. If they make any noise before 6:00 am, I’ll bust out some small projectiles.

According to the Montgomery County Police weekly crime summary dated May 1 to May 9, seven cars were broken into on the 500 block of Thayer Avenue during the overnight hours of May 6.

Thieves are evidently targeting cars for a variety of reasons, including GPS systems, loose change, and stale cheeseburgers left on the passenger seat. For those of you familiar with the pimp sled, you know what I’m talking about.

Cmdr Betsy Davis recommended drivers remember to lock their doors and fortify their cars with steering wheel locks, alarms, and guard dogs.

Thanks to the ever-vigilant Silver Spring Pengiun for the alert on this.

Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood. And the way to know that your city has really “made it” is to get a dedicated, ‘luxury’ bus route open from your immediate locale to somewhere more exciting – in this case, New York City.

Beginning May 25, Washington Deluxe will be ferrying people from the corner of Wayne & Dixon to Penn Station in NYC, marking a new chapter in the ongoing “get-the-hell-out-of-town” legacy that is, occasionally, Silver Spring. Word on the street is that they’re safe and reliable, and the riders represent a good cross-section of DC Metro residents. Fare is posted as $20 each way.

You may be asking yourselves: “Why? Why do you want to go to New York when anything one could ever want is right here in this quaint, unincorporated town?” Here are some thoughts.

1. Cuisine. Those who know me know how much I love food, and in NYC, they have restaurants that feature cuisine from all over the world. From Burma to Ethiopia to simple bangers & mash from our former opressors across the pond.

2. A diverse population. Walk through the city streets and hear languages that you can’t even place, much less understand. And that includes whatever the homeless guy with the sign is mumbling.

3. Combative driving. You can hop in a cab almost anywhere and scream through the streets amid aggressive drivers all jam packed in crowded roadways in dire need of getting somewhere. And lots of honking. Or drive yourself and break whatever rules you want.

4. Subway/Public Transport. Now with the great smell of urine! And no bother with the annoyance of broken escalators (translation: stairs): New York manages those inflated expectations by providing good ol’ stationary concrete steps.

5. Highfalutin Shopping. It’s fancy, expensive, and all in one place. And it’s NOT Chevy Chase.

Yes, a bit of irony on this stormy Wednesday. Our little town has much of that, and that’s why we love it so. But I do love going to New York (though it was much better before Giuliani stripped Times Square of its character). It’s always new and the same and different. And the cabs are cheap. (Repeat after me: “I hate Barwood.”)

See you at Wayne & Dixon.

EDIT: Props to Silver Spring Singular, who notes that the Washington Deluxe Web site says the route leaves from the “Silver Springs” metro. Classic.

“Eric Stratton. ThayerAvenue.com. Damn glad to meet you.”

Mark your calendar, folks, for the biggest party this side of the Delta Tau Chi house. The South Silver Spring Block Party is happening on Sunday, May 20, from 1pm to 5pm. So much to see and do for the entire family, including arts & crafts, music, prizes, and much more.

But I’ll tell you why I *love* to go to these things: meat on a stick. And you’re sure to find some good, quality varmint at this shin dig. Even Flounder would be proud.

For all the specific details, you can download the PDF from the South Silver Spring site. But you really don’t need to do that. Just show up. Like you got anything better to do around the neighborhood.