Changes On The Drive #37

It’s September already, with beautifully cool weather to make the walk down the Drive a more than pleasant experience.  It wasn’t that busy, either; I guess a lot of folks are enjoying Labour Day at picnics and whatever (or perhaps they are rushing around looking for last-minute daycare for their non-school-bound kids).

Nit many changes on the Drive since last month, so just a short report today.

Down at the south end, the storefronts at the Marquee are getting filled in.  The newest tenant, at 2280 Commercial, is Jam, a Lebanese restaurant. Not sure when it is opening.

Also in the same building, there is a sign for a “vape lounge” and full service e-cig store (whatever the latter may be) called Splash.  Again, it doesn’t appear to open yet.

As I was passing, I decided to check out the new-ish revamped Persian Market at 1730.  It looks cleaner, brighter, more open, and more inviting than that site has for many years.  Bravo to the new owners!

The storefronts at 1438, 1268, 1108, 1102, and 903 are still vacant.

The most interesting thing to happen on the Drive this month, I think, is the opening of the crowd-funded parklet outside Prado’s.

It is a great idea.  It is perhaps a pity it is only just opened now that the rainy season is about to start, but it is a splendid addition to the street.  Maybe they could include a better bike rack in the future.

 

Previous Changes On The Drive posts.

Martha, The Last American Dove

One hundred years ago today, Martha, a 29-year-old passenger pigeon, died at the Cincinnati Zoo.

She was the last survivor of a breed which used to be the most populous in North America, perhaps accounting for a quarter of all birds on the Continent, and possibly in the world.  Social creatures, they travelled in enormous million-member flocks.

The extinction was caused by an enormous human appetite for pigeon meat.  By 1900, the dangers of extinction were recognised but the doves had already been reduced to numbers lower than that required for successful long-term breeding.

I believe we should all remember Martha and ponder the devastation caused by human cupidity.