No Pains No Gaines » 2006 » October
I Support Barack Obama for President!


October 31, 2006
Waterside Mall Just May Be On A Comeback
  Category: Real Estate/Development   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 8:21 pm  

Waterside Mall in Southwest DC
Looks like SW DC is about to get a little busy in the next several years. There’s a ton of stuff going on because of the new stadium. There’s the $800 million development project proposed for the waterfront. And then there’s the badly-needed renovation of Waterside Mall.

I live directly across the street from the mall, and it’s a huge complex with nothing in it. There’s a CVS and a dry cleaners, a Safeway, a Metro stop and a lot of emptiness. There has been different ideas and concerns of what to expect once the renovation is done. I’m only hoping, assuming I’m still living in the area when they’re done, that the Safeway doesn’t get moved down the street. For whatever that’s worth.

   Speak Your Mind
This Is Not The Time To Say No
  Category: METRO   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 12:36 am  

The Purple Line Proposal

After witnessing the impact of the protests at Gallaudet University, Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan took the easy way out. Instead of admitting that the studies for the proposed Purple Line would be delayed two years, he nipped it in the bud and blamed it on the computer and said everything will be on time.

(more…)

October 29, 2006
Gallaudet Gives Jane Fernandes the Finger
  Category: Rallies/Demonstrations   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 8:42 pm  

Now that’s how you protest!

Gallaudet UniversityAfter a month or so of protests from the students and others expressing their disapproval of the incoming president at Gallaudet University, the board of trustees voted to terminate the appointment of Jane Fernandes.

What was the protesting about? Some say the students’ fear of change. Some say Fernandes wasn’t qualified to lead the school. Some say they didn’t hear any reason at all.

Regardless, there is going to be some healing needed in the next few weeks, maybe months, but at least Gallaudet University looks like it’s going to get back to business.

Air Force Memorial Dedication
  Category: Entertainment/Events   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 3:04 pm  

George Bush speaking at the Air Force Memorial DedicationA couple of weeks ago, I spent the day on the grounds of the Pentagon for the dedication of the new Air Force Memorial. There were some aircraft on display including an F-15 Fighter jet, a Predator, Global Hawk, a few other aircraft like the MH-53 and CV-22 and a mock up F-35.

There were several speakers including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and President George Bush, neither of whom I was expecting. Another part of the dedication was an air parade in which aircraft from the past and present flew overheard, including B1 (or was it a B2?) Stealth Bomber and its distinctive triangular shape and the Thunderbirds.

October 28, 2006
DC Libraries Getting Some Much Needed Attention
  Category: DC Libraries   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 1:42 pm  

Ginnie CooperThree months and some weeks into her new job, Ginnie Cooper is bringing some much needed attention to Washington DC’s library system. The new executive director of the DC library system took a $13,000 pay cut from her Brooklyn, NY, library director position to lead DC’s shameful library system. And it’s going to take some work.

(more…)

October 27, 2006
How Close Are You To The Action?
  Category: Crime/Public Safety, Bookmark This Link   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 12:30 am  

The MPD unveiled a new website that has completely impressed me. Ever since moving here, I’ve been amazed at the amount of crime that happens. The Washington Post had an article a few Sundays ago about the amount of robberies that occur right in the heart of the city. In the entertainment and trendy parts of town.

I was just about to move to an area in Columbia Heights that had just witnessed a murder around 14th and Girard Street NW before settling for Waterfront, right around the corner from where a couple of murders happened not too long ago where they’re building the new baseball stadium.

The new feature on MPD’s site is a map that will list crimes that happened right around the corner from any address you enter. It’s pretty interesting and extremely easy to navigate and understand. If you see a little body lying in the street, that means a homicide happened right there.

Check out the new site and the article in the Washington Post about it.

October 22, 2006
If You Gotta Go at Metro…
  Category: METRO   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 9:41 am  

While riding the Metro last night, an announcement was made that I haven’t heard before. One I hope was just a courtesy announcement and not in response to anything. We were at Metro Center Station sometime just before midnight when over the P.A. system…

“Attention Metro riders. There are restrooms located on the upper level. There are public restrooms located on the upper level of the Metro station. Please do not use the platform.”

October 19, 2006
Getting Reacquainted with Metro Rail
  Category: METRO   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 10:35 pm  

Corner of Metro Center Station
Photo by TotallyAverage

One of the priceless features of the new digs is being directly across the street from a Metro station. Though the trains are literally elbow to elbow (and at times butt to butt) by time the green line arrives at the Waterfront station, it sure beats getting on a bus just as crowded, especially while waiting for it in the rain.

Sometimes I have to wait a train or two before I can get in where I fit in. Though I understand why people do it, it still annoys me that people will stand right at the doors instead of moving to the middle. When the trains pull off and I’m not on it, those standing in the middle of the car have plenty of elbow room to read the paper, turning the page and not hump someone else.

(more…)

October 15, 2006
New Digs, Finally!
  Category: DC in General, Crime/Public Safety   |     Posted By: David Gaines @ 5:43 pm  

It took a minute, but I finally got out of Carver-Langston, moved to the Waterfront area in SW DC, and finally got my Internet back up and running. The six months I spent in the NE neighborhood has been one wild ride. When people told me DC can be a violent city, I didn’t mean to move right down the street from it!

(more…)