Because I am excited to live on Clay Street I have to tell you that the community is really starting to come together, you can really start to feel a sense of pride starting to develop.  Everyone involved is gearing up for what is promising to be a very impacting 2008 for the greater Clay Street area.   I am sure you are saying to yourself well, we have heard that all before right?   If you are saying that then you have obviously not met me as of yet. 

Moving right along.  We had to postpone the general Old Fourth Ward Community Association Meeting because there was quite a bit of business that had to be taken care of in terms of formalizing a lot of what we are doing and that could not be done in an open forum instead it had to be something where everyone who has been grinding got together and said here is what we are going to do.  The table was set, food was served, sleeves were rolled and several hours later we have emerged with a strong team that is dedicated to one thing:  making the greater Clay Street area a better place to be. 

There is a Christmas Party coming too!  The United Methodist Church, who don’t even have a physical presence in our neighborhood but, are spearheading this party, AHEM take notice MASONS.  Let me digress just a second and call some people out a bit here, you know how I do.  There is a Masons Lodge that is located smack dab in the middle of Clay Street and every so often they hold a function, slide into the neighborhood, party, and then bounce.  Now, if thats what you do okay, you are sliding a bit no question by owning space in the community and not doing anything.   Here is where it gets to the point that they got to be called out.   A few months ago at one of the Community Association meeting two members showed up talking a GREAT game, about how they can’t wait to get involved and how much they are going to do, how they were really trying to impress upon the neighborhood that they want to be a part of the evolution, I mean talking a GREAT game.  What happened the next day.  Here’s a hint, close your eyes and what do you see?  Nada, nada, nada, not a damn thing.   Now what’s Duke Ellington without that swing? 

MOVING RIGHT ALONG though, because as I said this is a positive night and I can’t be slowed by those that are not ready yet to come along.   In my heart I do believe that those Masons do want to help and I do believe they will come along at some point and when they do they will be greeted with open arms because we do need help but, that doesn’t mean that they can’t get called out you know?  Call em to task and maybe that curve gets a little less steep.   But, again I digress (I hate that expression by the way, make a note that is the last time I will use it),  its party time! 

Christmas Party on Clay Street spearheaded by the very good people of United Methodist Church.  Friday night, mark your calendar, December 14 from 6pm till???  We are going to have food, drinks, music, carrolling, a nativity scene, and a gathering of people celebrating joy, happiness, and merriment.  It is on!  

We are also going to be collecting gloves, hats, scarves, jackets, clothes, blankets, that you dont wear anymore or maybe you just never wore, you know the type the one that looked really good on the rack but, never quite made it out of the closet.  WE ALL GOT ONE.  Come on, grab it bring it down Friday the 14th and join in the celebration! 

Peace and Progress from Clay Street baby. 

Timmy Grins

Popularity: 3% [?]

Get out and VOTE!!!  Speak up or be spoken for!!! Ward 2 (CLAY STREET and affiliates) is having an election for the Alderman position.  There are 3 canidates, take 5 minutes and make a difference this will be a very tight race your VOTE will DEFINITELY be counted!!!

Popularity: 3% [?]

United Methodist Church and the Old Fourth Ward Community Association present:

CHRISTMAS ON CLAY

Featuring:  A Nativity scene, Carrolling, Steppers, Laughter, Merriment, food, beverages, and peace. 
When:  Friday, December 14, 2007 from 6pm till???
Where: The corner of Clay and West Washington and inside the Stanton Center
Who: ANYBODY COME ON DOWN WE ARE HAVING A PARTY!!!

We will be doing a collection of any hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, clothing, that you don’t wear anymore or have never worn for that matter.  Farmers Almanac is calling for a tough winter and not everybody is going to be as well prepared for it so bring some gear you don’t need! 

Merry Christmas.  Yes it is that time of year again! 

Popularity: 3% [?]

The mid east peace talks are very important and I am very honored that they have chosen Annapolis as the place to have them, places us on the world stage as a community for something that the outcome could affect many, many lives across the globe. 

But, I digress…Clay Street baby.  How about some peace talks back here?  How about spending a few dollars on cleaning up the disgraceful state of many a public education systems in this country?  No child left behind, except for you, and you, and you, and you two over there, and well that crew over there they are going to have to wait, and you, and you, and you no way you are definitely getting left behind.  I am not standing on a soapbox purely for Clay Street’s sake but, more using the international stage just a second, to be competitive in the fast globalizing economy.  We are wasting resources.  We are not effectively training a portion of our youth and that is a problem.  We are becoming a debtor nation, we are like Australians back in the day.  Instead of enhancing our systems of education and trying to maximize the potentials of so many of these kids we are ignoring.  

This past weekend I attended one of these Midnight Madness sales, sucker for a deal am I, and I was awestruck by the massive amount of foreign languages being spoke at the outlet mall in New York State (about 4 hours from the Canadian border).  They were all flocking in to take advantage not only of the deals but, also of our weak currency.  Yes the declining dollar made for some very happy foreign exchange shoppers.  Don’t get me wrong I was doing the same thing 2 years ago in Eastern Europe. 

Back to Clay, so what does this have to do with our neighborhood but, everything I tell you.  We have budding enterprenuers slanging product when it rains!  They use umbrellas!  For real heads are out there slanging with umbrellas, you cannot hate on their hustle, you can certainly hate on the game.  That game being this neverending cycle of despair that has gripped this community and has bled it dry for the last 30 years in the shape of Urban Renewal, drugs and the violence that resulted.  I highly doubt George Bush and his cavalry are going to take a turn down West Washington.  Can you imagine what the Sheiks would say to him?  Well, not that those guys are about spreading their wealth among their people any better then we are as Americans.   No, GW won’t be sliding through but, it would make for some great comedy. 
Nevertheless, its been a beautiful quiet night on Clay Street, I got the windows open, letting in the fresh air, can smell the water from my spot.  Chillin.  Life, ladies and gentlemen is what you make it.  If you sleep through, well I hope that was your dream to dream. 

Tomorrow morning they are going to be paving Town Pine Court’s parking lot, oh I didn’t tell you did I?  We have downtown parking here.  Whoops must have slipped my mind.  Yes we have downtown parking on Clay Street but, think about it, our homeowners assocation is not about those without their permits.   Your liable to do some sight seeing, come back and find your car has been towed.  

Peace and progress. 

Popularity: 3% [?]

Yes yes ya’ll it is the time of year to be spent with those that mean something to you be that family, friends, or whatever. Further it is a time to take a look around and be thankful for what you have. Here is something else to add to that: as your taking that personal inventory among laughs and plenty of good food and drink recognize your excesses. Take a moment to fill a bag of clothes you know you will never wear again. Gather up some food and slide over to the nearest Stanton Center-esque community center and drop them off and don’t do it for the tax break do it because someone else other than yourself has value too. Remember what goes around does certainly come back around again.

Peace and respect,
Timmy

Popularity: 3% [?]