a poem about just up the pike

I was an English major in addition to an architecture major in college, and have been known to write poetry or prose at one time or another (though it is always difficult to say that without sounding ridiculously pretentious). But I was very, very flattered to receive these verses from reader Cary H., who lives in zip code 20904 (represent!) You know what's difficult? Resisting the urge to make a pun out of "Reed" and "read." For that, Cary deserves a double thanks.

"An Ode to Dan Reed, Summer 2009"

Redoubtable Dan,
For locals you're the man!—
On East Mo County,
Your blog has the bounty . . .
If on my home turf I want the screed
I'll first check in with Dan'l Reed!

Mister Reed's blog is a MysterY to me—
He's got a full-time job and yet finds hours to see
The local news the others miss
And write it up for you and me!

Your daytime hard work's not enough,
You write so well, and it's not fluff!
And contentwise, your blog's so full
And thoughtful, you don't shoot the bull!

Thank you thank you Dan the Man
From a news-hungry neighbor fan!

-Cary H.

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daily snapshot: auto park ansel adams

Pretty much every blog is going to have some photo of a flag for the Fourth of July, so I decided to commemorate the people who take photos of flags. The American flag is not an easy thing to photograph: if it's windy, you'll never get a shot of the whole thing as opposed to a mash of stars and stripes that looks more like America just finished wiping the crumbs off her face. Location is also important. You don't want the flag to look lonely and forlorn, but rather strong and majestic. It's also good to throw some Americana in there for good measure: Moms and apple pies are nice, but nothing really says America like a car dealership.

That's why the fellow in my photo, presumably a dealer or just someone waiting for their car to get fixed, is himself taking a photo of the American flag planted in the middle of the Montgomery Auto Park at Briggs Chaney Road and Route 29.

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what's up the pike: happy 233rd, america

Happy Independence Day weekend! Every Fourth of July since 2007, I've been disappointed that I don't have any protest marches to go to, but I guess fireworks are almost as good. Where are you going to watch the fireworks? (Our neighbors a street over used to set them off from their deck, but I think they moved. I have no idea who they were.) Anyway:

- Planning for the new Silver Spring Library at Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street continues with a charrette, or public workshop, next Thursday, July 9 from 7-9pm. The location is easy to remember - it's at the current Silver Spring Library, located at 8901 Colesville Road just north of Downtown.

- On July 16, the Department of Parks is holding a public hearing for what to do with the Sligo Creek Golf Course, which will close October 1st due to an agreement that prevents it from competing with other county golf courses. Possible uses for the 65-acre site, located at Sligo Creek Parkway and the Capital Beltway, include a preserve and nature center, a recreational park, or a sports complex. Interested parties can sign up to testify here.

- A recently-built house on Randolph Road is being advertised as "eco-friendly," despite the fact that the 11,000-square-foot manse is five times the size of the average American home - which actually shrunk last year, according to the U.S. Census. The nine-bedroom home's features include master suites on all four levels, a sixty-gallon water tank and, for good measure, an array of solar panels on the roof.

This house joins the "Eco-Estate" on Briggs Chaney Road as examples of "green" construction in East County. While it's commendable that local builders are being environmentally conscious, a large house with solar panels still uses more energy and materials than an "eco-unfriendly," smaller house. Not to mention that the slow real estate market's made luxury homes difficult to sell even in sought-after areas like Bethesda - there's no telling how a house on a major road surrounded by much, much more humble abodes will fare.

- Not that I watch TLC or anything, but if one of their most controversial reality-show stars is going to be seen dining out in this area, you think they could at least put her in Silver Spring, nearer their headquarters?

- I've still got a couple more columns left to write for the Diamondback, U-Md.'s independent student newspaper. Check out my latest here.

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daily snapshot: ice cream truck

Go out to Maple Lawn in Howard County and you'll see people out on the streets, particularly around Looney's Pub, a new restaurant and bar in the planned community's so-called "Business District." But during the long, hot summer days, you'll only see the ice cream truck, weaving its way down half-finished streets every day around 2 p.m. or so. It doesn't stop for children as the sign suggests. (It may, but I have seen no children in Maple Lawn in my many visits there.) It pulls into the many dusty construction sites, so workers who fight the recession to put up pricey new homes can enjoy a snow cone or a fudge pop.

Presumably there are also sandwiches or pupusas like the other trucks sell, because it's not like these guys can swing hammers on sugar and food coloring alone.

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