stop denegrating PG county! (Waldorf, Mayo: loans, real estate, travel)

[RoadTripGurl]

I lived there until last year, I'm not moving back. It's just a matter of different strokes for different folks. I lived in District/Capitol heights, Landover, 3 areas of Hyattsville, Bladensburg, Forestville, Suitland, Ft. Washington, Chillum, all over PG growing up and it's not all bad. I just want better for my money. There are 49 other states to live in and I'm not settling on PG just because some magazine said it is the riches AA county. I am happy they are finally putting money in the community, but having young children, I want them to have a better quality of life right now, not 3-5 years from now... If I was single I wouldn't care. And I don't want them experiencing the crazy crap that went on in the public school system, and the lack of trained teachers I dealt with already with my child.

[gnrpenguin]

CITIES OF 500,000 OR MORE POPULATION: (32 cities)


Most Dangerous 10:


1
Detroit, MI
2
Baltimore, MD
3
Memphis, TN
4
Washington, DC
5
Philadelphia, PA
6
Dallas, TX
7
Nashville, TN
8
Charlotte, NC
9
Columbus, OH
10
Houston, TX


haha how is that girl gonna talk like people that live in between dc n bmore dont kno what the ghetto is cuz theyre not from philly, how can u tell if its ghetto from driving thru it anyway. jus cause pg doesnt look as filthy as philly does doesnt mean anything.

[howsitgoingdude3]

Originally Posted by RoadTripGurl

I lived there until last year, I'm not moving back. It's just a matter of different strokes for different folks. I lived in District/Capitol heights, Landover, 3 areas of Hyattsville, Bladensburg, Forestville, Suitland, Ft. Washington, Chillum, all over PG growing up and it's not all bad. I just want better for my money. There are 49 other states to live in and I'm not settling on PG just because some magazine said it is the riches AA county. I am happy they are finally putting money in the community, but having young children, I want them to have a better quality of life right now, not 3-5 years from now... If I was single I wouldn't care. And I don't want them experiencing the crazy crap that went on in the public school system, and the lack of trained teachers I dealt with already with my child.

We'll roadtripgirl, I’d highly recommend you read "Freakenomics" it is a great book and actually discusses or attempts to explain, that your child life is pretty much figured out before they're born. How do they come to such a wondrous conclusion you ask? Well, it is simple. You, yes, you roadtripgurl have already decided the life of your child. What? How did you decide the life of your child academically before they even set foot in a classroom? Again it is simple. The book merely states those children whose parents have completed college and or have advance degrees typically do better than those children whose parents do not. Makes sense right? In other words if you did what you were supposed to in school and made all the right choices and you were academically strong judging by probability your child should have no problem in school in terms of getting good grades? However, if this is not the case then your child will quote "pay for the sins of the father." In other words he/she will already be starting behind, so when you deal with schooling on an individual basis the parents have as much to do with their child failing if not more than any school system or teacher. Now, obviously I do not know you nor am I attempting to get personally. I'm merely stating a great books observation on the education of children, which I agree with. Now, the book also makes a good point in terms of the "anomaly." Obviously there are exceptions to each rule and nothing is ever set in stone. In closing if you're the latter of the two examples it does not mean that all is lost for your child, but it simply means they must work 10x harder than the next child in order to make up for the "parents" lost time. In terms of the PG county school system yes, it sucks, and yes, it is awful, but kids who come from the former parents rather than the latter have no problems completing college and going on to higher degrees (in most cases) and those PG county children who come from the latter probably do not go on to complete degrees in higher education and probably have a tougher time graduating something as simple as high school. I guess my question to you is how big of a difference do you really think the school system is going to make in your child's life?

[RoadTripGurl]

The school system makes a BIG difference. My mother or father did not go to college but I did and have 1 degree, getting another, and have a beeter living and quality of life than me or my parents EVER did. I changed my son from PG school systems where he was labeled "at risk" for being in a bad neighborhood and put in classes with slow kids even though he tested higher... Since moving, he has been re-tested and placed in a magnet school where he is exceling, have a more positive view about school, and is even TAG. So it does really matter, just like living environments matter.

[howsitgoingdude3]

Originally Posted by RoadTripGurl

The school system makes a BIG difference. My mother or father did not go to college but I did and have 1 degree, getting another, and have a beeter living and quality of life than me or my parents EVER did. I changed my son from PG school systems where he was labeled "at risk" for being in a bad neighborhood and put in classes with slow kids even though he tested higher... Since moving, he has been re-tested and placed in a magnet school where he is exceling, have a more positive view about school, and is even TAG. So it does really matter, just like living environments matter.

I was merely asking the question not suggesting anything. I agree with you i think all of those factors that we discussed go into creating a smart child. I think the parents play the most important role was all i was stressing. However, it is not so much the school system as it is the school children your son would have to interact with. I mean PG county school children are as much the problem as the lack of parental involvement in the school system. You can create the best education quality of life in the home environment for a child, but if he heads to school in one of the extremely ghetto area's of PG and goes to school with those foul mouthed n*g*er yelling all the time PG kids he could easily miss out on a lot of academic activities, that would be extremely beneficial to him. As opposed to picking up foul language and bad habits from ill mannerd welfare payments ( i know that's a bit harsh). In general i'm not attempting to be a "snob" i'm just speaking very freely and bluntly based on my life experiences. I wish both you and your son the best of luck!! Thanks for discussing!

[lscalder]

For people to go at the mouth talking apg county school kids like all kids in pg are poor. In my community I am surrounded by million dollar homes. We all blacks are starting to realize we donot need to live in a white community to live a safe and excellent life. My husband and I make over 150k a year my son is well taken care of and so is everyone else children who live in Upper Marlboro, Bowie,Fort Washington,Clinto,Brandywine and other areas so how dare you talk about pg county. And for those who say pg county have no upscale shopping is 100% wrong yes I said it. Pg county have the National Harbor which is 100% upscale. Nothing like the national Harbor is on the East coast. Here is alittle bit about the Nationa Harbor which is in Fort Washington Pg county.
National Harbor Signs Six More Restaurants04-18-2007


National Harbor Signs Six More Restaurants

Combination of National and Local Restaurants to Open on Potomac Waterfront

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., March 23, 2007 — Some of the nation’s most fashionable restaurants – including two of Hollywood’s trendiest hotspots, two of Manhattan’s most stylish, upscale dining destinations and two legendary Washington-area culinary landmarks – are among six waterside restaurants that have made early reservations at National Harbor.

The Peterson Companies, the master developer of the 300-acre mixed-use development, announced agreements today with the following restaurants: Ketchup, Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante, Rosa Mexicano and Grace’s Fortune. Letters of intent also have been signed with the Ark Restaurants Corp., which is planning to open two additional restaurants, including a second Sequoia and their high-end New York-style steakhouse, Gallagher’s at National Harbor.

“This grouping of restaurants chosen for National Harbor will make this spectacular waterfront destination unlike anything this region – if not the entire East Coast – has ever seen,” said Marc Menick, vice president, retail at National Harbor. “National Harbor will become one of the nation’s premier dining and shopping attractions, offering patrons the best in food and shopping as well as fresh, sophisticated and unique-to-the-market concepts.”

Four of the restaurants have signed tenant agreements with National Harbor. They are:

Ketchup, one of the signature restaurants of Los Angeles-based The Dolce Group, whose celebrity ownership includes Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama and Tara Reid, will offer an exciting menu of American comfort food, presented in a unique, upscale manner. Taking a cue from classic American grills, the National Harbor location of Ketchup will be designed brightly, with plush white leather booths and glowing red ball lights overhead. True to America’s favorite condiment and the restaurant’s name sake, Ketchup will offer a variety of homemade ketchups and sauces, modern twists on classic American dishes, and an exciting cocktail list.


Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante, another popular concept of The Dolce Group, will offer classic Italian food presented in an exciting and elaborate way. With a contemporary Italian menu featuring a modern mix of Northern & Southern Italian cuisine, Dolce Enoteca is The Dolce Group’s signature Italian restaurant and lounge. The National Harbor location of this famed eatery will feature a comfortable, sleek lounge and modernly designed restaurant space, perfect for private events, large dinner parties or intimate dinners.

Rosa Mexicano brings its signature style of authentic Mexican cuisine in a stylishly, festive atmosphere to National Harbor in a 300-seat, 10,000 square foot property. Setting a new standard for Mexican cuisine in New York when it first opened its doors in 1984, Rosa Mexicano’s award-winning signature dishes and crowd pleasing classics include Guacamole en Molcajete, made in a traditional lava-rock mortar; Tablones (Grilled Boneless Short Ribs Served with a Tomatillo-Chipotle Sauce, Rajas and Charro Beans), Zarape de Pato (Roasted Duck Layered Between Soft Tortillas and Topped with Yellow Pepper-Habanero Sauce), and a host of specialty cocktails like Rosa Mexicano’s wildly popular Pomegranate Margarita. With culinary director Roberto Santibañez at the helm, Rosa Mexicano has remained faithful to its traditional roots while incorporating diverse regional accents and inspired innovations.

Grace’s Fortune, a Prince George’s County tradition since 1990, this Bowie-based Chinese restaurant balances the principles of “fan” (rice, noodles, grains) and “choy” (vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood) within an authentic Chinese atmosphere. The Grace’s Fortune planned for National Harbor will be its third location and offer the same posh decors and succulent meals that have made it one of the most sought-after restaurants in the region.

Sequoia at National Harbor will be The Ark Restaurant Corporation’s second location in the Capitol Region. The company owns a 1000-seat restaurant located at Washington Harbor in Georgetown. Ark operates distinctively designed restaurants in New York City, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.

Gallagher’s with its dark wood décor, is the sister restaurant of one of New York’s great landmark steakhouses. The menu features traditional dry-aged steaks and seafood favorites prepared over its famous open flame mesquite grill. A third Gallagher’s restaurant is located in Las Vegas.



The restaurants will open as early as spring 2008. They join McCormick & Schmick’s, which was previously announced, as well as an array of hotels, including the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, W Aloft, Westin, Hilton’s Hampton Inn and Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott.

Construction already has begun on the first residences at National Harbor. Sales at One National Harbor, which will include more than 250 upscale condominiums and 40,000 square feet of first-class retail space, are expected to begin as early as this summer.

***
About National Harbor
Rising from the banks of the Potomac just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince George’s County, Md., National Harbor is a 300-acre, mixed-used development that will include five hotels (including the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest such facility on the East Coast), thousands of residential units, tree-lined promenades with scores of shops and offices, a marina and much more. Created by Washington, D.C.-area developer, The Peterson Companies., the project will command a mile and a quarter of the Potomac.

About The Peterson Cos.
The Peterson Companies and its affiliates have had a major impact on real estate development in the Washington, DC, area for more than 30 years. The firm is one of the largest privately owned development companies in the region.

[RoadTripGurl]

"how dare you talk about pg county"?? Girl get a grip! It's not that serious. I am glad you're proud of your county. But everyone on this forum is not you and does not have a combined or single 150K income to afford the quality you have in PG County. If I could, maybe I'd move back. I don't want to have to struggle to afford things that only the privileged can enjoy. It shouldn't be a priviliege if we all pay taxes to have a safer neighborhood, whether its in Clinton, or any other city in PG County. And I am not low income, I am a degreed professional and homeowner, so I think I am entitled to a better quality of life without paying an arm/leg/firstborn to get it. It's not just the surroundings, but everything that people have a problem with right now. who knows, maybe it will change. I've been there too long to wait for it to change for me.

[lscalder]

Yes it is serious because I live here and you just talking bad about the entire county. well i do understand that you donot have the money to afford the communities that plenty of blacks can afford and I mean plenty of blacks. you have to pay a leg and a arm to live in a safe community. You talk about pg county is expensive Howard and Montgomery in some areas cost more then pg county but you know what come t think of it the same home prices and style of living in Howard and Montgomery is in Pg county. If you want to live in a bethesday,silverspring,Rockville which are all in montgomery maryland you have to be making 150k a yr. If you want to live in Georgetown dc you have to make 150 or more a yr so whats the problem if blacks make 150 a yr and live in pg county. Would you have felt better if i said i make 150 a yr and live in Montgomery or Howard County. I am not complaing about paying taxes which i should but i know why my home taxes are high $600.00 a month but I am paying to live the life. If you want to live in a safe community you and your family are always welcome in my community. With the prices of homes now in pg I always wonder what is going to happen to the poor people in pg county because the lowest a single family is selling for in upper marlboro the entire city of upper marlboro is in the $400,000 range but their are always going to be those that can affod it and those who cannot afford it thats just how the world is.

[RoadTripGurl]

Or those who will look elsewhere because there are 49 other states... I mean be serious. PG is not the only place to live in the world. Again. glad you like the county, and where you live. But being that salaries are not offsetting the cost of living in this area I won't risk it. i visit many people in Upper Marlboro all the time, and like I said, I never said there were NO good places in PG. I just said it's too expensive and me not wanting to pay the price even if I did have the money is my preferance. And so what, I "bashed" it that's what I think about the county. But I never went back and called you names as you did I.

[pwright1]

Iscalder why do you have to announce to the world how much money you make? Who cares.