Tag Archives: DC

Day 360: Kendra and Travis

A handmade card and envelope .

A handmade card and envelope .

Kendra and Travis are a wonderful couple who live just a few blocks away from me. As you’ll read in my letter, I met them back in 2011 when I was doing my Year of Volunteering. I signed up to volunteer at the Our City Film Festival – now called simply Our City Festival. The backstory about the joke in the letter about the volunteer named Roy is that he turned out to be Kendra’s father. She was giving him a hard time and I thought, poor guy just came out to volunteer! It turns out he is a world-renowned eye surgeon and successfully performed my LASIK surgery two years later.

Day 360

Kendra and Travis,

Another year goes by and I sit down and reflect on it. I often think about those who I wish I had spent more time with – you two certainly fit that category.

I still remember first meeting you back in 2011 at the Our City Film Festival – and how you (this is directed at Kendra) were so hard on that one volunteer – Roy! He was way overqualified. So much so that I trusted him to do my eye surgery!

I always enjoy spending time with you, sharing food, enjoying beers and talking about how to solve the city’s, or even the world’s, problems. Somebody once told our friend Kim Perry that they liked the “way she moved in this world.” I think I’ll adopt that phrase and it use it for the two of you.

If you’re free on Jan. 5th I hope you’ll join me at McClellan’s Retreat in Dupont to celebrate my Year of Letters – speaking of which, you are Day 360!

Happy New Year!
Reed

Day 338: Anonymous letter left in Starbucks

So I kind of messed up on today’s letter. I was supposed to leave it yesterday, but my schedule got screwed up and I ended up not having time. So today I wandered over to the Starbucks at Connecticut Avenue and R. I found a nice spot on a counter in front of colorful blue and red bags of coffee that are for sale.

I didn’t a bit more put the letter down and two young ladies walked in and picked it up. Wow, that was fast. They opened it up and then moved to a table where it looked like they were Googling the Year of Letters.

The line wasn’t moving and I was late for meeting up with some relatives so I headed out without my coffee, but at least I hopefully brightened someone else’s day.

Anonymous letter left at Dupont Starbucks

Anonymous letter left at Dupont Starbucks

I thought I would help you start your weekend off right. Your coffee is on me today. Enjoy!

Day 258: Anonymous letter left at Glen’s Garden Market

I live near a great market/cafe called Glen’s Garden Market. They celebrated their two-year anniversary earlier this year. They’ve got lots of local produce and delicious sandwiches and salads, but they’ve also got great little bar that features all local beers that are all $4 all day long every day. Mmmm beer!

Anyway, I was over there today having lunch and talking to the owner Danielle who is making a really cool donation to a nonprofit that I help out with, and I decided to leave an anonymous letter some place in the market. I love their humus so I decided to put it in the cooler in front of the humus. I wish I’d captured a photo of the letter in the cooler but I thought people would see me putting the letter there, so I just left it there.

I decided to throw in a ten spot to brighten someone's day.

I decided to throw in a ten spot to brighten someone’s day.

Two things that everyone loves: free money and a handwritten letter. Get yourself some delicious local produce here at Glen’s, cook up something delicious and write someone who you’ve been meaning to reach out to – trust me, you’ll feel amazing!

Enjoy!

Day 246: Amorde

Amorde is my constituent services liaison for the city. Apparently city officials get all kinds of tickets to sporting events, etc. A buddy of mine who lives in Ward 5 gets tickets to Nationals, Redskins, Capitals and Wizards games all the time. So I thought I would see if my councilmember Jack Evans from Ward 2 would offer up their tickets. I emailed Amorde about this several months ago and never heard back, so I thought a handwritten letter might have better luck.

Day246-2

Ms. Brabham,

I am writing to see if Ward 2 has any tickets available for remaining Nationals or upcoming Redskins games. A friend of mine regularly receives tickets from his Ward 5 constituent services liaison.

Thank you for taking time to consider my request.

Warm regards,
Reed Sandridge

Day 205: Kim and Luis

Anthony, Kim, Reed at Anthony's 2nd Annual Celebration. We missed getting a photo with Luis - he was too busy working!

Anthony, Kim and Reed at Anthony’s 2nd Annual Celebration. We missed getting a photo with Luis – he was too busy working!

We held the second annual Anthony celebration last Monday night at one of Anthony’s favorite places: Rumors. It’s right across the street from where he cheerfully greets his customers every morning. The staff there always treats us like gold and Monday night was no exception. I love these guys.

Day 205-2

 

Kim & Luis,

People go out to bars and restaurants for many reasons – the food, the atmosphere, the service. Walking in to Rumors is like walking in to Cheers. You remember your customers, treat people right and you care. You made Anthony’s two-year celebration a very special evening for him and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate it.

Thank you,
Reed