3 Knocks

I’m heading out this afternoon again to walk the streets of Brookland 5B03 and continue to knock on a few doors with the hope that someone will actually open it. If not, you’ll likely come home to my flyer in your door.

Admittedly, I’m reluctant to open my own door and have felt a little like Clint Eastwood when he says: “Get off my lawn” (or porch in this case). I mostly think that when someone is putting an unwanted flyer in my door or soliciting to ask me to change my power provider – ignoring the NO SOLICITATION sign. But now karma has shown up, and I have to breach each castle moat, and Knock. On. That. Door. 3 Knocks is my limit.

Luckily, I’ll have cute bubbly Maggie with me for a while today. She just turned 17 and was looking for some volunteer hours for her High School. Truth be told? Maggie also works at Pearl Fine Teas at the Brookland Farmers Market so some of you may recognize her. I found this vibrant girl because her mother posted in the Brookland Facebook Group earlier this year because her daughter was looking for a summer job. I reached out. Then hired her. Best decision. Maggie is a force. And did I mention she just turned 17?

Maggie isn’t the first Brooklander that I’ve hired. There have been many. You all may know Lucas who works at Zeke’s on Rhode Island Avenue. He wafted through the tea tent for a while. And his sister Amaya will help out at Holiday Market this year as well. (Both are Eileen Findlays kids from over on Monroe Street. We’ve all seen Eileen on her cute bike riding around Brookland and shopping at the farmers market!)

What I love about this scenario is that I got to hire a Brooklander to work at my Brookland micro-business that sells at the Arts Walk. It’s sort of like biodynamic gardening in a weird way, where everything is in one place helping things grow.

One of my personal passions is supporting young people, often giving them their first job. I’m also wildly pro- small/micro businesses and if elected as ANC 5B03, I plan to actively find ways to highlight and support those who contribute to the business landscape in our area. Maybe even the ones who have jobs putting flyers at our doors.

–Elise for ANC5b03