A goodly portion of my day is spent near the Lloyd Center. Sometimes, when I have the time, I’ll walk around the various streets to see whats what. One of the things I discovered is a fantastic Mom and Pop sandwich joint, which name sadly eludes me at the moment, but that’s not what I’m writing about.

No, I’m writing about the wonderful dollar tree. I was in need of some various sundries for my apartment, and thought I’d give the Dollar Tree a try, instead of dropping real coin at the supermarket nearest my apartment (the woeful Hawthorne Safeway). For the day to day stuff, the Dollar Tree was actually pretty awesome (but a word to the gents out there - avoid the “shaving gel” - it smells funny and burns like a mofo). I stocked up on garbage bags, sandwich bags, various utensils and condiments.
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I will be the first to admit bad journalism on my part for this, but I was just in the area picking up take-out from Thai Ginger (the best Pad-Thai dish we have found so far in town). I noticed across the street a handful of folks protesting a taco place called Boulevard Taco. They were organized with pro signs and getting lots of people to honk their horns. I couldn’t take a photo as I left my phone at home. What’s the story on this? I did find some mention on the interwebs about a place called El Burrito that was forced out of the same location by the property owners. Taco controversies are a new thing for me. Whats the whole story here? Readers, I call for you to make sense of this situation!

Do you read neighborhood blogs? Maybe your neighborhood association has one. Maybe the guy on the corner blogs about the gossip in the hood. I try and follow whats going on throughout the city by following different neighborhood blogs. One blog specifically surprised me last week with a post about security. Neighborhood Notes, a blog about the Pearl, has now posted a couple of items related to possible building intrusions. As you know, the Pearl is full of condo towers. Most of them have secured entrances, yet there seem to be people who know how to compromise those measures. What I like about Neighborhood Notes is A) they post that this is happening and B) they post the surveillance photos. Someone is in with the right people to get that access. I’m glad they are posting this though. Hopefully others who live in the Pearl become aware that it isn’t as safe as it seems and to always watch out for hitchhikers (people who slide in behind you when you open the door.)