Author Archives: Reed Sandridge

Day 154: Anthony Kaczynski

Posted on June 3, 2015 | 1 comment
This post card is from Joon Bar & Kitchen which is at the very end of Cape Cod, 119 miles away from Tavern at the End of the World.

This post card is from Joon Bar & Kitchen which is at the very end of Cape Cod, 119 miles away from Tavern at the End of the World.

Back on May 21st I left an anonymous note at a bar in Charlestown, MA. Along with my note, I included a five dollar bill for the finder to get themself a refreshing beverage. I’ve left similar anonymous notes in various places but have yet to ever hear from the people who have found them – until today.

Anthony Kaczynski, a musician who says he plays regularly at the Tavern at the End of the World where I left the letter, dropped me a note in the mail along with his band Fireking’s CD. Sweet!

Their music is loud, energetic rock n roll. I enjoyed it, but I have a feeling that seeing them live is the real treat. You can check out Fireking here. Enjoy.

Day 154

Anthony,

Thank you for your letter – I’m glad you found my note at the Tavern at the End of the World. The Year of Letters has been an awesome project and making random connections like this one is just one of the many cool things that have happened along the way. I enjoyed your CD, thank you for sending that. You guys rock! I’d love to see you guys live. If you ever venture down to our nation’s capital, let me know!

Keep on kicking ass!
Reed

 

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Day 153: Mari

Posted on June 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

I love when businesses help their community. Today’s recipient works for DC Brau, a brewery here in Washington, DC that was tapped in 2009. If I’m not mistaken, it was the first brewery inside the District since the 50s.

Photo: Reed Sandridge

Robert Samuels & DeNeen L. Brown of the Washington Post posing with Street Sense leadership and volunteers. Photo: Reed Sandridge

I stopped by DC Brau yesterday to pick up some refreshing locally brewed libations for the Street Sense Excellence in Journalism Awards that were held last night at Wilmer Hale’s beautiful offices on Pennsylvania Avenue. Mari greeted me at the brewery and was very kind to provide Street Sense with this generous donation.

The awards are a great way to recognize some of the most profound stories from the last year on the issue of homelessness. Some of them inspiring, others bone-chilling. It’s an issue that doesn’t receive a lot of support because people often believe that the problem is that those experiencing homelessness are lazy and just need to get a job. Of course there are folks like that, but the data shows that the problem is much more complex than that. Street Sense wouldn’t be able to provide the services that it does without generous help from our supporters and friends in the community. Thank you again DC Brau!

Day 153

Mari,

Day 153-3Thank you and everyone at DC Brau so much for the generous donation of delicious beer for the Street Sense Excellence in Journalism Awards on Tuesday. Your sponsorship helped make it a very successful evening. I made sure to test (strictly for quality assurance reasons) all three beers: the El Hefe, the Citizen and the Corruption. They were tasty and consistent with all my previous experiences with them.

Thanks again for supporting local nonprofits in our nation’s capital. You guys rock!

Reed Sandridge
Street Sense Board Member

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Day 152: Will Hayes & Chris Long of the St. Louis Rams

Posted on June 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

Yesterday I saw an ESPN video that featured Will Hayes and Chris Long, two players on the St. Louis Rams football team. They spent the night out on the streets of St. Louis to learn what it was like to be homeless for a night. Check out the video.

Photo: ESPN

Photo: ESPN

Homelessness is something that is close to my heart so I dropped them a note. Speaking of homelessness, those of you in DC should join me tomorrow night, June 2nd, for the Street Sense Awards night where journalists are recognized for the best stories covering homelessness from the past year.

Day 152

Will and Chris,

I saw the ESPN video where you spent a night on the streets of St. Louis. I’ve been on the board of directors of a local homeless organization here in our nation’s capital for the past three years. Street Sense gives men and women experiencing homelessness economic opportunities.

Day 152-3I see that you’ll be here in DC to play Washington on Sept. 20, 2015. It’d be a pleasure to meet you both or introduce you to some of the homeless here if you were able to stay an extra day. It would make an inspiring story – spreading your work and awareness to other cities you visit this year. Maybe we could get a few players from Washington to join.

It would be great to hear from you regardless. I applaud you both for your willingness to see the people you met for more than just their current status of their housing. Your story inspired me, and many others, and I thank you for sharing your experience.

All the best (except against the Steelers),
Reed Sandridge

Day 152-2

 

 

UPDATE June 1, 2015

St. Louis Rams Defensive End Chris Long got in touch with me yesterday via Twitter. Very cool!

Screen Shot 2015-06-02 at 8.23.38 AM

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Sunday Notes & Letters for Week 23

Posted on May 31, 2015 | Leave a comment

While I didn’t grow up listening so much to the likes of Minor Threat, Fugazi, Sonic Youth and Hüsker Dü, my brother Ryan did. So I am familiar with some of the music. When Ryan and his wife moved to their current home in Arlington, VA they quickly learned that they lived only a block away from the house where Minor Threat and Fugazi got their start. In fact, on more than one occasion, he has mistakenly received mail for frontman Ian Mackaye.

I saw this tweet last week:

Photo: @FooFighters

Photo: @FooFighters

Dave Grohl, living in Springfield, VA, was just 14 when he sent that letter to Mackaye. And it was probably sent to the house next door to Ryan and Mandy. Grohl didn’t post more than the last page where he asks the Mackaye to give him a call – between 3-10pm no less! I love it. I’ve read a few things that insinuate that they are friends today. Very cool.

Thirty-two years later, Grohl is now one of the most successful musicians on the planet. Enjoying early fame from his days as the drummer for the band Nirvana, today he’s been leading Foo Fighters for more than twenty years.

 

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Day 150: Rev. Charles

Posted on May 30, 2015 | Leave a comment
Rev. Randolph C. Charles at The Church of the Epiphany. Photo: epiphanydc.org

Rev. Randolph C. Charles at The Church of the Epiphany. Photo: epiphanydc.org

Street Sense, an organization that I’ve supported for many years, has been housed at The Church of the Epiphany on G Street in downtown Washington for as long as I can remember. The staff is extraordinarily welcoming and kind to the staff and the many men and women who sell the Street Sense newspaper.

I learned yesterday that Rev. Charles, who has skillfully led the church for many years, is retiring. I’ve only met him briefly, but his kindness and compassion toward the organization has touched the hearts of so many and I thought I would send him a note to thank him and wish him well.

Day 150

 

Dear Rev. Charles,

Yesterday I learned that you were retiring from your position as pastor at Church of the Epiphany. I’ve been on the Board of Directors of Street Sense for 3 years and appreciate very much everything that the church and you personally have done for the organization. Your warm, welcoming spirit has touched the hearts of many of the men and women experiencing homelessness that are involved with Street Sense. As a pastor, you recognize the importance of community, fellowship and establishing a home – the Church of the Epiphany has been a home to all of us who visit. Street Sense would not be able to do the work that it does and help so many people find their way home without the leadership and friendship you have provided to so many. Thank you! On behalf of Brian Carome, our staff, vendors, volunteers and fellow Board members, I thank you and wish you well in all of your future endeavors. May our paths continue to cross.

With great appreciation,
Reed Sandridge
Street Sense Board Member

 

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