Check the calendar to the right.  We are keeping a community calendar now.  Any events that are relevent to the greater Clay Street area will be posted to keep YOU informed as to the goings on back here.  Speaking of goings on, lately I have felt like there are really less than 24 hours in a day.  Have you ever looked at your clock and said “wow where did the time go? I honestly thought I could get all of this done before I went to sleep.”  That’s right where I am at this point.  GRINDING like the Clipse (rap group from Southern VA produced by Pharell). 

In other news:

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine recently who spends much of his time fighting for prisoners rights.  At first glance I saw his efforts as almost a slap in the face of those who have been wronged.  However, he makes some strong points that I have allowed to dwell inside of my head longer than normal.  With that being said, many of us are aware of the unfortunate shooting incident that occured in the Annapolis Mall last year.  Well, the entire episode has culminted with the young man and I mean young man, 19 years old, being found guilty of 13 0f 15 counts.  He is facing over 100 years in prison. 

Now 2 of those counts are attempted murder in the second degree.  This means he did not think about killing these people before he went to the mall but, upon the melee he acted in attempt to kill the two people who ultimately were on the receiving end of the trajectories from his pistol.  That’s a tough one.   I wasn’t there but, I have heard and read quite a bit about the incident and I am not convinced he was straight up trying to murder people.  Don’t get me wrong he’s wrong, 100% wrong, he should not have brought that gun into the mall. 

Why though did he feel it necessary to carry a gun into the mall?  Why did he feel so uncomfortable with the well lit, crowded, security controlled mall that he carried the gun into the mall?  Apparently there was some sort of crosstown beef among two of the neighborhoods in town that was where the incident was rooted.  So, he may have been concerned that there would be rivals at the mall and that possibly they would be packing and in turn he needed to be doing the same in case it went down.  Of course it did and the result is this high school graduate will now advance to life behind bars. 

Where did we go wrong as a society?  How is this happening?  What was it that told this kid to get a gun?  Why are their so many guns in our poorer neighborhoods? 

Switching gears slightly….have you ever fired a gun?  The sound is menacing.  It can be very disconcerting, you can really feel the evil power that comes from shooting a gun.  When you actually shoot a gun you can see how easily they can destroy, they can kill, they can change the course of humanity.  Guns are very ugly.  I have a gun and I hate my gun but, don’t tell me that the getting rid of guns starts with me. 

We have a long way to go don’t we?

Popularity: 5% [?]

WHEN: November 3rd 830am till noon
WHERE: Adams Academy at Adams Park Middle School
WHAT: A report on the recently completed 2007 College Creek Watershed Asseessment to determine the environmental health and needed restoration and protection efforts for the watershed.

All community residents, watershed groups, and interested citizens are invited to participate. Learn about what’s going on, make suggestions, and share concerns.

Popularity: 6% [?]

WHERE: STANTON CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 2nd Floor
WHEN: Monday 7-9pm
WHAT: Discussions around all things Town Pine Court
WHO: Homeowners in Town Pine Court

Popularity: 5% [?]

WHERE:  STANTON CENTER
WHAT: Neighborhood meeting

Popularity: 5% [?]

Whats good world?  Its your boy Timmy “Grins” Kostenko coming to you live from the place to be, CLAY STREET! 

Tonight I attended “The New Old Fourth Ward Community Association” meeting, say that 5 times fast, and I was very excited by the progress.  I must tell you though, attendance was a little on the light side, about 10 of us.  However, I am not one to talk I missed last months meeting.   People do have bills to pay and sometimes “the Man” can get in the way of saving the world. 

Now back to progress, we discussed:
-Parking situation when basketball season kicks off again and by the way the word is the basketball league is undergoing some real expansion, teams from Broadneck and St. Mary’s are stepping in and going to be playing games at the Stanton Center this year as well.  It all goes down Tuesday and Wednesday nights starting in December. 

-The living history through photography of Clay Street concept swung into high gear, we discussed ways to get things rolling on that project.   I expect within the next two weeks we are up and running.  I will be reaching out to several people in hopes of tying in some of the kids within the Stanton Center

-Ideas for public safety were discussed as well, as you may imagine this is a topic that never goes undiscussed.  One of the greater goals for the association is the fact that we won’t be discussion public safety as much in the meetings.  This of course will be because we have made the neighborhood a safer place to chill. 

-Last but, not least I made mention that I am looking for MORE BLOGGERS!!!  After all I am not the ONLY person that lives on CLAY STREET!!!  I’m looking for more perspectives.  So, if you want to write a blog entry or even more aggressive, if you want to be a regular contributor please let me know and we can get this on and popping. 

Now these meetings occur the 4th Thursday of every month at the Stanton Center.  Next month will actually be held on the 5th Thursday because the 4th is Thanksgiving. 

Peace from Clay Street the coolest neighborhood in Maryland. 

Popularity: 5% [?]