[photo by Daquella manera]

So, I've obviously quit posting on the blog for sometime now.

However, behind the scenes the past week or so I've been brainstorming about 2008 and the Shaw Monthly Clean Up. Operationally I've put together my plan and the schedule: the second Saturday of every month we'll meet up and do our thing. Litter pickup, planting, etc... I've also crafted a press release to get out to the media to see if I can generate a bit of buzz.

Anyway, I still see the Monthly Clean Up as a great way to get out there and do something positive for the community. However, I did spent the last hour doing my weekly reading of the OffSeventh blog and got the recap on all the heated gang crap in Shaw and this has definitely set my attitude back. This is from OffSeventh:

* 31 shots behind Shiloh Baptist - Monday evening
* 2 shot behind 7th and N St property - Wednesday evening
* Report of a "drive by shooting" at 1st and N Sts, NW
* Report of 5-6 shots in the vicinity of 7th and P Streets at 1:30pm this afternoon

I'm planning on kicking off the next clean up at 5th & Rhode Island Ave. But right now, I'm asking myself "Why?" I do like to believe that the Broken Windows Theory has some validity, but that can only go so far. When some people in the area think of life as disposable, why am I taking time out of my life to pick up trash. ... Anyway, just ranting ... as of now the clean up continues - 5th & Rhode Island on February 9th.