"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee." -- Marian Wright Edelman
Two years after arriving in Takoma Park from the family natural foods business in Texas to assume the general manager position of the TP/SS Co-op, Jason Bradford is heading back home to be closer to his family. It does make on think twice before complaining about one's own commute, doesn't it?In that short period of time, Jason made an indelible footprint on the Co-op and the Takoma Park community as a whole. Community involvement is the bedrock behind the co-op's philosophy of doing business and as such, Jason instituted and supported various programs including the Function at the Junction summer concert series and the Earth Day concert series at the co-op along with sponsoring many community activities including the Takoma Park Street Festival and Historic Takoma's annual House & Garden Tour. Jason felt that the "Old Takoma Business Association is an essential element that every business in Takoma Park should be a part of" and worked closely with the organization on many community-based initiatives. Jason is "such a genuinely nice, community-focused and professional guy. We will miss him," said Roz Grigsby, OTBA executive director.
Jason also made "many improvements in the store, including bringing in a new POS (point of sale) system and improving the bottom line of the co-op," noted board President Lorig Charkoudian. While a search is on for a new general manager, Abdi Guled will serve as the interim GM. For more information about the position and how to apply, visit www.tpss.org
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We also bid a fond farewell to several other people who have made our daily lives in Takoma Park just a little bit sweeter. Alex Wild, barista extraordinaire, is leaving Savory Cafe and Takoma Park to head to the wilds of Eugene, Oregon and graduate school. Not only did Alex spearhead Poetry Open Mic Nights every Monday at Savory, she brought to her customers an inviting smile and welcoming personality par excellence.
Video Americain, and us by extension, are losing two great advocates of film and community spirit in Jeremy Armstrong and Michael Bradley. Like Alex, Jeremy is heading to Oregon at the end of June (hmm, maybe they know something we don't?), though he and his wife will be settling in Portland. We hope to see Jeremy in the near future when his wife's young adult novel, Putting Makeup on Dead People is published. No doubt Takoma Park will throw them a fabulous book party. Michael, co-owner of Video Americain, leaves with a heavy heart and the realization that the brick and mortar video store has moved past the endangered species list to being on life support. With his guidance, he brought Takoma Park residents his unparalled expertise and taste in film that you simply will not find in other stores or online.
You have all made your mark in Takoma Park, we are indebted to your service and we will miss you all greatly! Thank You!
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Not to be a completely gloomy gus, we rejoice in the return of Eti Seltzer and Rerun Vintage which reopened its doors on Friday, May 29 in the former Takoma Thrift space (or as we old timers remember, the Women's Health Center) located at 7005 Carroll Avenue (301-891-1008). Do stop in and welcome Eti back with an open heart....and wallet.
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