A Different Kind of Neighborhood Watch on E. 7th Street
A Kensington reader passed on a note left by a nosy neighbor/concerned citizen (which is it, do you think?). It reads: “As I pass through my neighborhood, I find it necessary to remind my neighbors of their responsibility to keep our home values high by not only taking care of the inside of their homes…

A Kensington reader passed on a note left by a nosy neighbor/concerned citizen (which is it, do you think?). It reads: “As I pass through my neighborhood, I find it necessary to remind my neighbors of their responsibility to keep our home values high by not only taking care of the inside of their homes but also of their front areas. I have taken the liberty of grading each home and front areas. This letter is just a reminder and not intended to injure or insult anyone. I am sure we all want to maintain our property at the highest of standards and therby [sic] insuring that our property values remain high. This is a preliminary rating another [sic] will follow at a later date.” Luckily, there are many A’s. Our flummoxed reader writes, “I’m all for working to make our block look as beautiful as it can be, but really this is creepy! Don’t you think? Have you heard from others who have received similar letters?” We haven’t. Have you?
Silver Heather, come on now.
You could do an ethnic thing too though with three of them…
Italian or mexican…red/white/green
Irish…orange/white/green
American…red/white/blue
German…black/orange/yellow
You can also paint the balusters of your stoop railing in these colors as well.
You get the picture
Don’t forget the corrugated metal awnings over the ground floor entrances, and the painted rocks lining the front yards.
A plug-in faux stone water feature can also lend that touch of class to any front yard.
And how can we forget strings of year round Christmas lights?
Dave, do you prefer the white paint on those or the silver? And can you recommend a local artisan? We have a porch that cries out for some sophistication.
Also, again, recycling!
Dave you’re right, those things just scream “sophistication”
Oooh, laundry lines. Good point. Must do my part to protect the environment!!
lechecal…i’ve always loved those planters made up of a tire rim as the base and the tire turned inside out with the nicely scalloped edges
Don’t forget the plastic flowers in hanging baskets. Red faux geraniums please. Artfully scatter old beer cans from the collection on the wall in the pine-panelled den.
I think this block should put on an over-the-top display of white trashiness until he either sells his house or pulls the listing. I’m talking pink flamingos, bathtub Marys, cars with no tires up on blocks and laundry drying in the front yard.
Were I a property owner who was rated thus, after receiving my rating, I would immediately paint my house an attractive shade of turquoise and orange and invest heavily in garden gnomes, flamingos and possibly blinking lights.
I’d also consider some nice cyclone fencing with razor wire at the top and a rottweiler. Seriously, geez.