DCentric

Good morning, DCentric readers! Ready for some links?

D.C. Council wants city to hire ex-convicts “The bill’s backers believe that not asking about criminal history on government job applications will make it easier for ex-convicts to get city jobs. They say hiring ex-offenders will keep them from returning to prison. Critics say the legislation will worsen problems the city has with weeding out dangerous job applicants…The District is home to about 60,000 ex-felons, nearly 10 percent of the population, the ACLU estimates.” (Washington Examiner )

MeFites who know DC: Please talk to me about Bloomingdale. “I am considering a move to the Bloomingdale neighborhood in DC. You know, the little one east of LeDroit Park, west of Eckington, and just north of Shaw…? I’m a 29 year old woman. I love the apartments I’ve seen, and they fit my budget… I have some concerns about safety in that area, moreso than other places I’ve lived (Cole Valley in San Francisco, Mt. Pleasant and North Dupont in DC, if that helps for comparison). I consider myself pretty city-savvy, and I know there are generally no guarantees of safety anywhere, but I’m not sure what to expect.” (ask.metafilter.com)

Concrete Bungle: How Immigration Divided a D.C. Union: A campaign to organize D.C. concrete workers hit a wall To talk to people who worked on the UCW organizing effort is to learn that its near-collapse is not the usual sad labor story of valiant unionists against perfidious management. Rather, it’s the story of union advocates turning on one another—in large part over the polarizing politics of immigration. For generations, the labor movement has periodically warred with itself over how to view newcomers, from the Italian-speakers a century ago to Spanish-speakers like Lemos. Are they a wage-depressing threat to be kept out of the job market? Or should they be embraced, on the logic that a unified labor force is the only way to secure better working conditions? (Washington City Paper)

Zombies in Washington “Before he was fending off zombies as sheriff’s-deputy-turned-survivalist Shane Walsh on AMC’s new hit zombie series, The Walking Dead, Washington native Jon Bernthal hung out on U Street and starred on the baseball and football teams at Sidwell Friends high school. Two episodes into its first season, The Walking Dead is winning impressive ratings—pulling in about 5 million viewers per episode—and the series was just renewed for a second season.” (Washingtonian.com)

The Latest on the Closing of Social in Columbia Heights “The security guard was not happy. He wanted to know who the restaurateur was talking to. “It’s none of your business,” the restaurateur said. The security man asked again. “I have a First Amendment right to talk to whoever I want,” the restaurateur responded. “I’ve got a First Amendment right to punch you in the f—— face,” the security man retorted. The restaurateur laughed and walked away.” (Washington City Paper)