Anyone know what’s going on with the Fillmore? And whats the deal with that rumored Civic Center? That land is an eyesore, and would they do something about that green space where all those juvenile delinquents attack people with skateboards! My friend visiting from out of town thought something was wrong when we left Fuddruckers, he was scared for his life!

Editor’s note: Thanks for your comments, Isayaah. News on the Fillmore and the civic center/Turf drop this week. — JD (Jun 23, 2008)

Businesses, there are people in Silver Spring that like high end. Heck, give me even mid-range clothing options.

S&B doesn’t cut it. Even the existing stores are disappointing.

I went into Ann Taylor over the weekend to buy a quick gift for a birthday present and had to drive to Bethesda/Rockville. The clothing material is uncomfortable, majority synthetic. And who buys a faux sweater/button down shirt combo?

Steve and Barry’s is opening a store in the Wheaton Mall this summer, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Editor’s note: Thanks for your comments, Nehru. I was in that store just the other day, and while they could learn a thing or two about presentation (keep those tee shirts folded, people!), they had some fun stuff there. You know where I’m shopping for March Madness! — JD (Feb 27, 2008)

I’m not sure where IHY *ever* got the idea that “They want a 100 percent makeover of Silver Spring from a progressive, middle-class, racially diverse community into a more politically conservative (Republican), predominately white, cookie-cutter version of Bethesda.” Who in the heck are “THEY”? I certainly don’t know “them”.

A) I moved to SS in part because of its almost total lack of Republicans. The only Republicans I’ve *ever* met in SS were my old neighbors who had lived in the Carroll Knolls neighborhood for fifty years.

B) Nearly all of my neighbors who own houses work for the Federal Government or socially progressive nonprofits, so it’s not as though we’re developing a community of lobbyists and high-powered lawyers. While expensive, houses in SS are, for the moment, still much more “affordable” than Bethesda or Chevy Chase– or even some other parts of MoCo.

C) Almost everyone I have met in SS in the last five years has conveyed similar reasons to mine for moving to the area: to raise their families in a walkable, socially and ethnically diverse neighborhood that combines the best of urban and suburban life. (Although some might argue that the lack of Republicans means that the area isn’t *truly* diverse, I’m willing to make that sacrifice!) Our friends come from a wide range of ethnic and national backgrounds, and have varying levels of income, and we love it that way. We love that we can walk to restaurants serving food from all over the world, and hear dozens of languages spoken along the way. That’s what makes this neighborhood special, and we’ll fight tooth and nail to keep it that way.

D) Perhaps IHY is reacting to one or two people he/she has met, and hasn’t really taken the time to speak with some of the “yuppies” he’s constantly maligning on this blog. I’m not quite sure of his (her?) definition of the term “yuppie”, but I can honestly say I’ve never met *anyone* in SS who fits his description of “THEY”– even my old Republican neighbors didn’t want to live in another version of Bethesda. I just can’t begin to fathom who “these people” IHY is always ranting about could be.

E) Just because I’d like to enjoy a movie in peace once in a while doesn’t mean I’m a “yuppie” who hates poor people and wants them to move out of my neighborhood. I think it’s fabulous that kids are able to hang out in the Ellsworth area– most of them are just hanging with their friends, as teenagers have always done and will always do, and if they’re in public they’re usually staying out of trouble (there are much, much worse things a teenager could be doing these days!). But simple manners are not an unreasonable expectation for any economic or ethnic group. There are plenty of rude, obnoxious rich kids, and I’d like them to shut up and let me watch the movie, too.

But we really shouldn’t make this the huge, divisive issue it’s become, because teenagers have always seemed rude to adults– they’re just self-absorbed. It’s an age-old problem, and we’re not going to solve it by adding racial or economic overtones to the problem. Heck, back the in ’50s, people were complaining about rude teenagers hanging out downtown and being obnoxious at the drive-in.

F) Can’t wait to check out S&B, after everything I’ve read. Hard to believe that’s where all this started!