Summertime, and the livin' is easy. Very nice 80 degrees downtown on Saturday. It was a loverly day for taking a walk around the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, the nice weather seems to have increased the homeless population. A large, about 15, group of young people are now amongst those who call E St. their bedroom. There are also a few pets, and some children. I may have mentioned this before, now there are tents being used in front of the library, the post office, along 9th & 8th, between E & Broadway.
There have been several instances of fighting over sleeping space, new people are infringing on those who have lived there a long time. I know, I have seen some of the same people for the past 3 years. I suppose they are claiming they have seniority.
My walk took me north on 9th, west on Broadway, south on 8th, east on E St., south on 10th, west on F St. Nearly every bit of the area has a bad smell, especially if people (homeless) are hanging out. Unkempt, unclean humans have a bad odor. That is just a fact. The streets, vacant lots, doorways, all suffice to serve as toilets.
HOMELESSNESS IS A FACT OF LIFE DOWNTOWN. Our City leaders cannot continue to ignore this issue. East Village has its share and if you happen to wander anywhere along the boardwalk, Embarcadero, it is the same as along E. I have talked to many people visiting via a cruise ship. They all love our city, but wonder why nothing is done about the people sleeping, wandering along the waterfront. One lady, from Saskatchewan (Canada) was quite candid. She told me they should hand out nose plugs when people debark from the cruise ships. "It would not be quite so offensive."
On to a nicer subject. I took a friend out to dinner on Thursday night. We went to Roy's at the Marriott (waterfront). Once we found the restaurant (there is much meandering to get there from the hotel entrance on Harbor Drive), we were impressed. It is Hawaiian theme with decor and menu to match. We got a great table at the window facing the marina. Unfortunately it was dark and we couldn't see much. I would guess that it is a wonderful view in the daytime. I had told the staff, when I made the reservation that it was Deb's birthday. Every person, from reseervation desk, to hostess, to waitress, to busperson wished her a Happy Birthday. It was a nice gesture. The service was excellent as was the food. I had short ribs which were cooked to perfection in a sweet, tangy barbecue type sauce. Deb had the salmon, which was perfectly prepared, flaking apart, but not overdone. Even though dessert was ordered by both of us, the restaurant brought out a macadamia nut tart, with a candle. The best part was the "inscription" written on the plate in chocolate script. What a nice treat.
So long
Summertime, and the livin' is easy. Very nice 80 degrees downtown on Saturday. It was a loverly day for taking a walk around the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, the nice weather seems to have increased the homeless population. A large, about 15, group of young people are now amongst those who call E St. their bedroom. There are also a few pets, and some children. I may have mentioned this before, now there are tents being used in front of the library, the post office, along 9th & 8th, between E & Broadway.
There have been several instances of fighting over sleeping space, new people are infringing on those who have lived there a long time. I know, I have seen some of the same people for the past 3 years. I suppose they are claiming they have seniority.
My walk took me north on 9th, west on Broadway, south on 8th, east on E St., south on 10th, west on F St. Nearly every bit of the area has a bad smell, especially if people (homeless) are hanging out. Unkempt, unclean humans have a bad odor. That is just a fact. The streets, vacant lots, doorways, all suffice to serve as toilets.
HOMELESSNESS IS A FACT OF LIFE DOWNTOWN. Our City leaders cannot continue to ignore this issue. East Village has its share and if you happen to wander anywhere along the boardwalk, Embarcadero, it is the same as along E. I have talked to many people visiting via a cruise ship. They all love our city, but wonder why nothing is done about the people sleeping, wandering along the waterfront. One lady, from Saskatchewan (Canada) was quite candid. She told me they should hand out nose plugs when people debark from the cruise ships. "It would not be quite so offensive."
On to a nicer subject. I took a friend out to dinner on Thursday night. We went to Roy's at the Marriott (waterfront). Once we found the restaurant (there is much meandering to get there from the hotel entrance on Harbor Drive), we were impressed. It is Hawaiian theme with decor and menu to match. We got a great table at the window facing the marina. Unfortunately it was dark and we couldn't see much. I would guess that it is a wonderful view in the daytime. I had told the staff, when I made the reservation that it was Deb's birthday. Every person, from reseervation desk, to hostess, to waitress, to busperson wished her a Happy Birthday. It was a nice gesture. The service was excellent as was the food. I had short ribs which were cooked to perfection in a sweet, tangy barbecue type sauce. Deb had the salmon, which was perfectly prepared, flaking apart, but not overdone. Even though dessert was ordered by both of us, the restaurant brought out a macadamia nut tart, with a candle. The best part was the "inscription" written on the plate in chocolate script. What a nice treat.
So long