jjj jennifer j johnson

Walkin' (and Ridin' and Slaloming) on more than sunshine...

Katrina and The Waves had it right.

Walking feels good.

So does riding a bike.

And, God willing, so does skate-, long- or some other kind of boarding hipper than my fragile little mind can comprehend.

Gordon, who lives in District 3's Canyon Rim, had his car "blow up" a year ago. (A quick, irrational flash to images of Myth Busters'Adam and Jamie being behind all this.) Car kaput, he now walks to work, uses TRAX, and occasionally borrows a friend's car on the weekends.

Warren, also on foot, listens to my campaign, really liking the part about economic development. He then says he works in economic development, too. "For Salt Lake City? For USTAR? For whom?" I ask. Grinning and eyes like Santa Claus, he says, "For that institution over there" (pointing to the LDS Church Office Building!).

Those are people I met at the intersection of State and North Temple/2nd Avenue. A few days prior, while working The Ave's, I chatted up Craig. Craig walks to his high-tech job everyday from 5th Avenue: An 80-minute, round-trip commitment that, on the backside, is quite often followed by more work--a seven-year home renovation still in progress. On the working front, he notes one of The Avenues' own "celebrity cycle-commuters"--Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, whom he says he just spotted within the week.

Angelika and Gernot are among the funniest, wittiest folks I have met on the campaign trail to winning the Salt Lake City District 3 City Council seat. Both are German. Both are very ped- and velo-friendly. Unlike what you may think, the two did not meet in Germany, but had to travel 5,000+ miles (8,000+ km for smart folks) to find each other in Utah. I ask if they engaged a Germans-only dating service, then, later wonder if they connected through a Non-Car-Driving Meetup, but, no--theirs is one of those uber-romantic, gazing-across-the-room scenarios.

Sigh...

Angelika is celebrating her 25th year here in SLC, with Gernot, the guy, appropriately, a few years behind. "We have arranged our lives to where we don't use cars," he notes. Gernot, who works at The U, rides his bike in summer and walks in winter.

Pan back to the corner of State and North Temple/2nd Avenue...

I am surprised to encounter my neighbor Matt, who hails from the Upper Avenues (just a few blocks, as the crow flies, from the former Karl Malone McMansion). Matt, unbeknownst to me, apparently rides his bike to work. (His long-term business, PetStop Veterinary Service, is located at 44 North 800 West.) Having ridden most of that upward climb by both tandem and solo, I now have added respect for the man's near-daily climb.

Craig? Immediate respect. Craig bikes into downtown from Bountiful. "It's only 11 miles!" he says, cheerily.

Only 11 miles... Craig, the slacker that he is, does admit that there are times when he uses FrontRunner. I feel less self-conscious instantly.

Cool interactions with eco-guys on bikes. Gavin spins my way from The Ave's. He works for Round River Conservation Strategies, a group that is dedicated to devising strategies to preserve wild spaces  http://www.roundriver.org/. He hangs a remarkably long time with me, talking issues and telling me about Round River.

Also generous with time and interest is cyclist David. We converse for a very long while, and only as he is leaving does the name of his employer drop: SUWA. I enjoy visiting the SUWA-site to see his smiling face, with the other, inspired, eco-passionate crew @ http://www.suwa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_staff. I want him on-board with Team JJJ.

I also want on-board a guy I have long-admired from afar: The businessman-unicyclist (I fancy him to be an attorney) whom I see "uni" down B Street with, as they say, the greatest of ease. I only know two people who uni: Miles, an Upper Aves-residing friend of my 16-YO son, Jamison, and Nick, an 18-YO guy from out-of-neighborhood. The businessman Uni-guy? He is probably 50-something. Quite a different demographic than the Generation-Whatevers. Riding a unicycle in a business suit? I want him on-board with Team JJJ.

On board...

Literally, now, on board.

As I am readying to pack it up for the morning, I see, from the top of State Street, a lone boarder ease his way down the hill. Cars remarkably elsewhere, the run is a beautiful slalom. I give him the thumbs-up at the bottom. Me, he gives a stare. His look is reminiscent of Mick Hucknall, lead of "80's band "Simply Red." He glides across the street, at the crosswalk, turning to look back and make some friendly eye contact--not too much outward show of appreciation; just enough.

"I used to think maybe you loved me--

Now baby I'm sure

And I just can't wait till the day

When you knock on my door."

Unlike Gernot and Angelika's "come hither" at a coffee shop, we are not going to have a bike luring us out, or a pair of Dr. Seuss's "Pale Green Pants with no one in 'em" encouraging us to go out for a walk, or a board wag its backside and beg for a trip out-of-doors.

But, just listening to that joyous Katrina... "Don't it feel good?"

Today... Thoughts on Understanding Smashing Pumpkins' sentiments in a framework Charlie Brown would understand

In the 1964 children’s book, The Pushcart War, author Jean Merrill and illustrator Ronni Solbert colorfully and fancifully depict  a war between pushcarts and delivery trucks in New York City.

1964 was about the time I was beginning to get my reading legs about me, and I remember this book.

While I enjoyed the book, I really didn’t “get” it, in many ways:

I had never been to New York City, or to any real big city, other than Dayton, Ohio; “city” seemed dirty and large and (back then!) utterly, happily foreign

• A ‘burbs baby, I was entirely unfamiliar with the concept of “pushcarts” or street vendors
• The premise of the demonization of trucks or even autos in general? Incomprehensible!

 Thoroughly enjoyed the book, nonetheless.

 I have not thought about that book in years. In years... Oops. Make that decades.

 After conducting numerous sessions of “campaigning lite” on street corners of our city and our neighborhoods, the flavor of the book has come back to me.

Like re-visiting as an adult anything one experiences early in life--from Shakespeare to The Flintstones—new layers of truth become clear: Humor, certainly, and varying degrees of profundity.

This week, I have experienced some of The City’s and District 3’s busy traffic exchanges from what, for me, is a less usual perspective: Not even a pedestrian, but a stand-estrian: Stand-estrian is where one moves, and, in fact, moves quite vigorously, but only using one’s arms and hands—to wave, sign-pump, etc. (Very good, btw, for that pesky lunch-lady arm syndrome … Zoinks. There I go, again, offending a key voter demographic.)

Standing on these corners, whether waving hands and signs to oncoming traffic, or just simply standing and observing, can give one a much different perspective—about both cars and driving habits. It is especially interesting to see drivers managing cell phones whilst coming to stops and making turns.

I am a  cell phone user.

There, I said it.

Well, no, not fully.

I, especially as a candidate for Salt Lake City District 3 City Council, am a rabid cell phone user.

Long considering myself, cell-phone superhero-like, I have eschewed the debate about the impact of cell phones and driving, even amid compelling and multi-faceted research from our neighborhood’s own David Strayer. Watching from the street-corner  vantage point? No didactic opinion, here. Just some self-commentary: To be mindful. To be much more mindful.

It’s been 45 years since the publishing of The Pushcart War.

 Today, I have visited and love New York City and many big cities all over the world, and consider our City, Salt Lake City, to be one of international caliber and potential caliber.

Today, I love street vendors! About 1x per week(sometimes 2x), I enjoy street tacos. Love them!

And, Today, the literal “Today”,  I have uncovered some of that deeper message from The Pushcart War.

It no longer sounds like a curiously enjoyable version of the teacher-speak omni-present in any Charlie Brown cartoon. It feels like a heightening of the senses, akin to suddenly acquiring dog-level hearing or bat sonar.

Or just getting a little bit hipper.

Today...

Never a Sweeter Four-Letter Word...

And, no, I don't mean "Love"...

This time, anyway.

My favorite four-letter word--to use as a verb, the last part of an infinitive, a noun, or hmmn... DK what else...

VOTE!

It is so delicious to have people tell you they voted, and, yes, that they voted for you.

Delicious, too, as votes come in many flavors. I am tempted to get Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield on the horn. But then I remember what my campaign strategist has told me, "Jen, no one is going to care about this election like you do."

Hmmn... Well, some ARE walking the walk:

THE CROSSWALK of 6th Avenue and "I" Street

My first time? Last Sunday, when Dianna told me she had thrown down for JJJ. A flight attendant for Delta, she had signed up for absentee balloting, and I reaped the reward.

THE CORNER of Virginia Street and South Temple

Last night, while "campaigning-lite" (doing the Little Caesars Pizza sidewalk promotion thing: Twirling my umbrella and pumping my J-sign), a young woman leaned out of a passing car to let me know she, too, had cast.

DOWNTOWN at the State Street/Memory Grove entrance to Capitol Hill and to The Aves

Scott, today, buzzing by on his bike at the Memory Grove/State Street exchange, called out, "I voted for you... because you're green... and like bikes!" Truth? I like green, like bikes, and like guys who ride bikes! Thanks, Scott!

867-5309

And then there's the personal call, met sadly with my voice mail: "I've got your sign in my yard, and just wanted to let you know I sent in my ballot to vote for you." On second thought, maybe not so sad: I'm a chick. We like to listen to messages more than once!

Today's Tribune, or more appropriately, writer Jeremiah Stettler, quite accurately paraphrases me:

"As for the prominent politicos on her opponents' donor lists? They don't worry her. Johnson says she is building her support from the ground up."

"Up"... a very sweet two-letter word.

Now how many letters in "Donate?"

 

 

Walking Not Alone on the Boulevard of Non-Broken Dreams

S-A-TUR-DAY...  DAY!

I have always loved the word boulevard. Perhaps that's the reason I chose french as my second-language to study in junior high. East Capitol Boulevard... Now there's a beautiful name, and, most likely not a blvd that Dr. Dre, Green Day, or even Jackson Browne would be angsting about.

As I start off, I elect to park my car next to a home bearing a competitor's sign for Salt Lake City District 3 City Council. Sets the tone for the day at hand: Trench time.

Walking up ECB, I am struck by the uniqueness of the yards: Several of them have whole clusters of trees in the front yards. The look and feel reminds me of the method I have heard that the LDS Church's chief landscape architect used to create the truly stunning rooftop garden downtown: Taking handfuls of seeds and throwing them over his shoulder with as much wild abandon as can be mustered, given the circumstance.

The look is not overly manicured, but natural, inviting. Calls to mind the TreeUtah-sponsored class in designing edible forests that I attended a few months ago. Although, for the most part, I did not observe too many fruit-bearing trees on ECB. [A few days ago, though, a bit lower on ECB, I visited a house where a child-scrawled sign requested (and I ad lib, here): "Please do not eat our peaches! These have been a lot of hard work!"]

The people I spoke with yesterday were very friendly. Aaron was a standout, spending several minutes with me on his front porch, talking about the efficacy of solar panels and wind farms and the tougher how-to's of enacting change. Sharing with me that he works for the University of Utah in the Math Department, Aaron's xeric yard was the tip of the iceberg of a very eco-passionate individual.

We concluded. I planted a sign in his inspired yard, then walked away, realizing that I had not spoken with him about his participating on our GREEN City task force; so I jotted a note to do so. Later, much later, back at home, I searched for his e-mail at the U and found that he not only works for the U Math Department, but is the chair of such... Affable and humble, both...

Same pleasing duality with Andrew on Sandrun Road. On board with "green" as a concept but concered about costs, Andrew had just concluded a bike ride up Millcreek Canyon. He hung out a bit and talked about his home under construction, and I promoted green-building techniques. (I general-contracted the rebuild of my home in 2005.) As I was leaving, Andrew made a point of saying he intended to "spread the word" about me as a candidate, then offered some water and even some Pepsi. I passed on the Pepsi, telling him I am still working on shaving down and then in to a lime green dress from 20 years ago at an appropriate stage of the campaign. Andrew, 100% fit, approved of this idea, shared the water, and sent me on my way, still lingering in his yard, playing with his two young children.

On Sandrun I also spoke with Chris, who owns multiple apartment buildings in addition to his East Capitol home. Chris mentions that even though he believes in Mayor Becker's concept with the updated Safety Complex that he will probably vote against it. Taxes are his nemesis.

Ended up taking a trip down memory lane at the corner of Sandrun and ECB, where I encountered long-lost contact Jerry. He and I were both in a community theater production of The Music Man probably 20-some years ago! In those days, I lived in the Kensington Apartments on Main Street, and he lived who knows where. It was nice to visit, and, yes, pump him for voting commitment, as well as admire his very lush yard.

It was lunch time, not by the clock, but by my gut. I decided to swoop in for the last few minutes of the Salt Lake Downtown Farmers Market.

Krista and Hyrum of The Salt Lake Bike Collective were just packing up, which made me pick up my wearied pace a bit. Hurry up and wait ensued, as I ran into Turtle, a woman who used to attend my Yoga classes at the JCC. We had not seen each other in years, and it was interesting to hear of her recent time spent in Australia, where she reported that bicycles outsell cars and non-eco consumers pay $3 per-bag for plastic at the grocery store.

$3 per bag... I guess that gets the point across, I thought, as I walked the market.

Bumped into a "seed seller" whom I, Jack-In-The-Beanstalk-like, had shoveled over a ton of money for sego lilly bulbs, which, to my extreme sorrow, had never bloomed. They were to be my front-and-center showpiece, but not to be...

I chatted with Jorge Fierro (a.k.a. "Rico," as in Rico's Market Rico). Jorge and Jennifer J. Johnson or "JJJ" were honored with "Giant Step" awards acknowledging business success in 2002 by the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. It was great fun to quickly cut to the chase and generate ideas on the fly with this entrepreneurial colleague. I talked zoning with him, and look forward to a near-term follow-up, as his insights are powerful  ones for our area in The Avenues, Capitol Hill, Federal Heights, Guadalupe, and Marmalade.

"It's only time on the boulevard..."

The Story of "O"

TGIF... NIGHT

Bob and Deb.

Weeks ago, they, while committed to activism of a nature other than political, insisted I mark my calendar with an "O."

No, not overstock.com.

No, not a date ruled by a basal thermometer.

THE O.

The "O" Street Summer Block Party!

SO, last night, calendar still O'd, went On Over.

To those of us living on "B," "E," "I" or any other sprawler in The Avenues, "O" Street is wonderfully compact: BOrdered to NOrth and SOuth by The City Cemetery and SOuth Temple, respectively. SO the concept of a blOck party for these fOlks? WOnderfully intimate. Old-school neighbOrhOOd.

Nice.

Tish and Dave, 20-year-plus residents of The Ave's are the grand marshalls of this annual event. Why? Tish attributes it to the fact that the concrete space in front of their home makes for the best "barbecue central" and adjacent open-air dining area. But anyone that knows them (Or, in the case of me, anyone who does not know them) immediately recognizes that they are incredibly neighborly folks.

Example:

I tentatively (does not SOUND like me, right?) enter the party environment, enjoying watching kids zig-zagging through the blocked-off street on scooters; couples old and young alike--seated together, bonding all the more as neighbors, in the joy of food; barbys and barbies alike... Summer!

I am greeted by a few folks, and tell them I am looking for Bob and Deb, who have invited me to the gig. Dropping what they were doing, they escort me to Tish. "Madame Organizer," is the smiling, twinkling tribute Tish receives from her neighbor Diana. Tish proceeds to tell me about the neighborhood--this party and the holiday progressive potluck held in wintertime. Her hubby, Dave, talks to the history of the neighborhood and respective ages of the homes and the sense of comfort they all enjoy.

They do not have a "Neighborhood Watch" program: They all are the Neighborhood Watch, operating, village-like, for the best interests of all. This night, though, they do not watch Bob and Deb, my friends, who are nowhere to be seen, let alone watched. Bob and Deb, who invited this interloper-neighbor who, through the grace of Dave and Tish and Dianna and others has been made to feel as if she lived right on the corner of 3rd and "O."

When I tell her how I like the feel of their neighborhood, Tish also mentions neighborhoods on "R" Street and on 18th Avenue as echoing the character of "O." A few other neighbors mention the gratitude of my stopping by their party. In fact, they expressed feeling almost honored by the "public appearance" from a candidate for Salt Lake City District 3 City Council! Nice... Nice, too, that one of the neighbors mentions having now actually met and discussed issues with four of the candidates. While there? Jennifer J. Johnson is even given a job--dispensing glow sticks to youth. I do a good, if not great job at it, until I become embroiled in conversation and need to be "assisted." Assisted... it takes a village... or an "O" Street.

At four blocks from North to South, "O"...

SCREETCH...

I am about to wax a bit too poetic.

I would love any contributions to conclude this ongoing story of "O." 

www.JJJslc.com

We are "The Party"... We are THE LIFE of The Party!

FRIDAY DAY

It was my biggest fear:

Throwing a party and having no one come.

And this time, the stakes were so very much higher. "I"--me, myself, I, JJJ the person and the candidate for Salt Lake City District 3 City Council.

I was "The Party."

Would anyone come?

(Besides my children!... and The Dog!)

Everyday, besides walking the neighborhoods that are this wonderful area, I watch some of the movie Milk. It is my inspiration, and my Bible. We watched it at my campaign initiation, and I bought it, to be able to watch some part of it, everyday. (I usually fall asleep to it, the show running on my laptop, my bedmate.)

Where was my Cleve Jones, I wondered? (Cleve Jones is the curly-haired, bespectacled kid heading off to Spain with a no-care attitude about political activism upon first-meet with bearded, political neophyte Harvey Milk.)

Given the brief burst of this election (I decided/entered July 14... Primary election Sept. 15... General Election Nov. 3), I didn't have time to wait for my Cleve Jones to "summer" in Europe, then get ditched by a boyfriend, only to finally come back, full-circle-humbled to a patient Harvey Milk.

I needed CleveJonesOnDemand!...

Months ago (four months, to be exact), I had offered up my Avenues home to the Green Drinks social group as a local for a "house party." To date, all of their gigs had been held in bars or other commercial venues, and I thought the group deserved a homier, more residential feel. Serendipity ruling, the two leaders of Green Drinks, Mary Rogers and Kirsten Gellella, approached me about my "taking" the August date. Wilting a bit (because of the pressures of the campaign AND the thought of my yard in its current status), it took me all of... five seconds to jump at the chance to host. And host I did... Or rather, host WE did. My friends at Forbidden Fruit Catering did the food, Uintadonated some brews, JJJ's home team pitched in with not just administrative support, but music (son Jamison's band with friend Arash--"Rabble Rouser” played), and pal Jimmy Knobs (a.k.a. Jim Mooers, who is playing The State Room in October) and Jeffery Summers (hipper-n-hell!) cranked.

Circulating at the party, I met Deb Henry, a 27-YO UDOT engineer, KRCLvolunteer, and political activist from New Jersey (apparently, the same birth-city as Mr. Bruce Springstein, who, at age 60 is gracing this month’s cover of AARP magazine!). With a degree in civil engineering and significant coursework in urban planning, Deb worked on Ralph Becker’s campaign, helping him migrate from fourth-pole position to, well, you know.

“I want to help you,” she smiled. (In journalism class, we learned to never personify those sorts of verbs. But, that was then.)

This is now.

So very now.

Today, I spent about 90 minutes with Deb. In the course of our discussion, she told me that my enthusiasm, earnestness, and honesty had engaged her. A party that she came to…

From there, I leapt into another invigorating meeting, with another 27-YO. Aurora Shlien, environmental activist, policy-maker, and co-founder of Sustain Utah. Like Deb, Aurora found space in her busy schedule to accommodate me. A party that she came to, and even invited. Ideas will turn to design-build the afternoon of Sept. 11. Anyone wanting to bring high-voltage input is invited to a GREEN City (GreenCity@JJJslc.com) strategic meeting chez moi.

Chez.

Che.

Change.

I have found that, perhaps like Santa Claus, “Cleve Jones” is not just a single person in all cases. JJJ and J?

We are The Party.

And we are The Life of The Party.

Party on. www.JJJslc.com

"The Boss" Had It Right... E Street ROCKS!

THURSDAY PM

We got off to a late start.

I could be talking about "the election" in general (my getting "the itch" @ 1:35am on Tuesday, July 14--just one day prior to entry deadline!), but... no.

THIS late start just meant the evening's campaigning.

And the "we?" Tonight, my two sons and the dog all hit the streets. In honor of... The Boss... What else but... E STREET!!!

Amazing receptivity! For one thing, we connected with several friends from Salt Lake Arts Academy.GREAT FUN.

Early in the journey? Dropping in on Dan--a friend met late-night a few weeks ago who invited JJJ and Mandy the dog in for a late-night evening of fun with friends Zac and Brian. Dan's three "JJJ" signs, even though zip-tied, had been swiped! Un-be-liev-a-ble! Had I not seen the zip-tie remnants? Might have written it off as a little bit of politicking to the politician. But no... Sheer truth. I handed Dan the two "J's" I had on me, with a promise to replenish the third.

Replenishing cannot really be done for one who has not yet experienced. I encountered Dennis, an IT director, who had never voted. Worked on a mayoral campaign, he and his wife had, but... never voted! He said he needed to somehow feel the passion to want to vote. I gave it a shot that Pat Bentar would endorse. We'll see... But I am optimistic: His corner yard now sports two "J" signs... THIS is why one gets involved with local government.

Then, a bit down the road, met with Karen (who had just purchased an enviable multi-wear cloth dress that was fabulous!) and with Alex (a Cottonwood Heights-Ite whom I kept swearing I knew, from somewhere...) When I approached the duo, Karen, unprompted, ID'd me BY NAME! What an absolute phenomenon! She is friends with a woman who attended the "Green Drinks" environmental issues-focused party I hosted Tuesday, and with whom I am meeting tomorrow a.m. to discuss SLC-general and District 3-specific policy... Amazing! Synergistic!... Dare I say it... "Cosmic?"...

Did SOMEONE say "Cosmic?"

Then there was Ru, who--when he met me,he on the couch of his front porch, and me, not seeing him at first, with eyes focused on his front door, versus the sofa occupied by he and his son's GF--IMMEDIATELY said, "You're going to win." When I asked him why? Without hesitation, "I'm psychic." I felt like I was in a Quentin Tarantino film, but I drank it in. Ru, owning a primo property on 6th Avenue, saw a future with not just "the win," but with the way to the win--three "J" signs adorning his hilly front lawn. Per-fec-tion. All I need? About 1,000 Ru's to show up and vote Sept. 15. I hope he sees that in his visionary outlook.

Perfection was, truly, the home on 6th and J. Such elegance and ease--in both the owners and the property. As I was walking along the raised sidewalk that is the North side of 6th Avenue (on the East side of "I" Street, I could hear twinkling laughter--the kind that not really makes you jealous, but strangely welcome.

Then I was welcomed, almost feeling as if a glass of virtual wine had been poured for me, as my hosts shared their unique issues--Strong complaints of worn-down infrastructure (curbs, sidewalks, streets, lights, etc.) They were absolutely right! The pole on the North East corner of J and 6th? In poor repair. The gentleman indicated that he would not have supported another bid from Eric Jergensen, noting that EJ did not fight strongly enough for investment in Avenues roads and other essential elements....

When I met with Salt Lake County Mayor AND Salt Lake City Avenues Resident Peter Corroon, last Friday, he indicated that HIS number-one issue for improvement in The Avenues was walkable sidewalks.

As one who walks these walks VERY horizontally and VERY vertically, I agree! (After the exit of my worthy colleague JOHN Johnson, I am the ONLY candidate hailing way in the upper Ave's--the area I dub the "Bewitched" part of the Avenues, due to the 1960's influence of the architecture.) We need a lot of work on what Salt Lake Tribune writer Derek Jensen dubs my "catchy" concept of "Walk-able, Bike-able, Dog-able" neighborhoods. How better to know this than by experiencing it? If you doubt it? Walk with me... Not even in my shoes... just with me, or with your DOG.

I also experienced some very jarring notions from Bernice, who is skeptical of President Obama's proposed healthcare plan. Having just committed to attending a multi-hour discussion regarding this health plan outlook tomorrow night, I mainly listened to Bernice, whose views were frighteningly profound and provocative, though skewed, to this mind. I am finding that listening makes for better thinking, better believing, better peopling. Watch out, Derek Jensen, some new ideas are on the make.

Nearing the end of the night, I hiked it back to the car, carrying not one, but TWO green umbrellas. (My 13-YO had exited the campaign-trail, in lieu of play-time with some new-found friends from 6th and J.)

Popped in to Smiths, but decided not to buy anything. On the way out? Bumped into the son of my most recently ex-beau. Nice to receive a double-take... Campaigning has been good for me, as I have shed not just my cocoon, but 40+ pounds! (Ask me how, sometime! I have written a "recipe" for such. Includes Kathy Griffin + Ex + dog walking - TV watching + small-size shopping... Stay tuned!)

Crowded in the car, my boys, my dog-on-loan, and I, we retraced our walking, admiring signs placed, hearts won, battles waged, victory... imagined... Bless you, Ru! Fortified, we faced Capitol Hill, delivering requested signs to a strong supporter, an old-school player willing to help out the JJJ.

Tonight, I experienced a lot. My focus area? 6th and J--a patio made heavenly with well-executed landscaping. And on that same patio, eyes directed toward some very real issues.

Thoughts on Image Abolitionism and Dog Day Non-Afternoon

THURSDAY A.M.

Part of running is walking.

since deciding to run for Salt Lake City Council District 3 on July 14, JJJ had been doing a lot of both.

While walking The Marmalade this morning, church bells seemed perfectly timed: Ringing ""The Battle Hymn of the Republic" just as I came to a meticulously-manicured yard and wonderfully snug home bearing a U.S.flag. Giving myself a wiki-refresh re: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," I was interested to find out that the abolitionist song is not only known as a "campfire song," but, also, a "walking song." Makes sense...

Today was definitely a DOG DAY in The Marmalade! I was accompanied by Mandy, the 1/2-Chow + 1/2 German Shepherd in my charge until end of October. One set of folks wanted to engage in conversation and put their dogs in their house while we talked, only to have the pooch pair outsmart and appear full-force 'round the back! Only moments earlier, another dog bolted to big sky when the female owner opened her front door to collect her newspaper (AND a JJJ mini-flyer!). Still pyjama'd, the woman, a well-known neighborhood contributor, and I met for first time! A wonderful encounter.

Feedback from Tom, a handy-guy with interesting opinions (he suggested his speaking with his Bishop, prior to agreeing to posting a JJJ sign!) makes me think I need to "up" my early a.m. walking attire. Staring at the mini-flyer sporting myself in green dress and heels, he squinted, then gave a quizzical look. Glancing up and looking at me with head cocked to one side, he gave a movie-worthy performance: "Well, Jennifer J. Johnson, you don't look like you do in the picture..."

I struck the sideways-angled pose with the "What, me?" arms and energetic smile, and he seemed appeased. But I did ask him--"Is it bad that I don't look the same?"

He shrugged.

I have been told the "flashcard" shot looks like a girl in a cell phone ad! And my a.m. presence? Hmmn... A visor, trademark green shirt, pants, tennis shoes with the new campaign T-shirt around the waist... Hmmn....

Makeover time?  :)

Well, even if I struggle with the chains of my image, at least I got--and always GET--the music right. "Glory, Glory..."

Tuesday's Gone... with the WINd

TUESDAY

 

Tuesday...

Now I know why at least one beau-ti-ful woman was named such.

Tuesday was a GREAT day.

With the Green Drinks party being hosted at my house

( http://www.greendrinks.org/index.php?country=USA&city=Salt%20Lake%20City ),

I elected (pun INTENDED) to take the day off, to ready myself and my house. My newfound friend from the lower Ave's, Barb, and I had a great non-party-related meeting on an initiative-in-the-works. (News release otw.) Then, we scurried back to the house to set up her vision for my front lawn: The whole front hillside was decorated with not just JJJ signs, but... UMBRELLAS! Stunningly wonderful. I can't wait to post the pictures our campaign camera guy, Steve Smith, captured. Barb.. Amazing.

ALSO amazing? Jim Mooers, a.k.a. "Jimmy Knobs." (I feel so mafiosa writing that name...)  Jim helped me get our yard party-ready, THEN the dude set up all of the sound for the night of music ahead, THEN the guy played music all night long (Lionel Richie humming optional).  It was, seriously, just about all night--until 11 p.m.... Jim is a thorough talent. CHECK HIM OUT this weekend at the Tin Angel (Saturday, reservations required)... and Oct. 24 at The State Room. I can't wait.

The party... It was A PARTY! All night long, folks streamed in. My darling son, Truman, "worked" the front check-in table, helping folks make their own nametags. Other son, Jamison, having worked in the kitchen, prepping food all afternoon, was a go-to for just about everything, including the tunes. Jamison, with his friend, Arash, performed for the first time as a group: Rabble-Rouser did six numbers tonight! JC? He went on to accompany two of the other musicians, both Jimmy Knobs and Jeff Summers. JC also even previewed an in-progress song he is writing for the campaign, with none other than ME at the mic! ;)  (btw, I was given compliments on my pipes!)

Fun things with the campaign, tonight:

• A 22-YO who worked tirelessly on Ralph Becker's campaign collected six signs to line  his South Temple-facing apartment.
• A group that had been assessing me/campaign, came through with support
• An all-star lineup of support for an upcoming project was established
• I received a call, mid-party, indicating strong support from a surprising, thoroughly unexpected and equally appreciated "establishment" source (stay tuned!)
• I had two top-notch policy pro's in da house... Coaching promised. So very enthused about this.
• My FAVORITE HOUSE in The Avenues--a college house, to the South and East of Smiths--was fully represented at this party! The whole house of guys--including one on CRUTCHES who made it up (and, presumably, down!) my driveway. These guys make me feel happy. Their support? Phenomenal.
• Neighbors of note: John and Carol Firmage, Ralph and Sarah Ewing
• GREEN City folks: Shelley Marshall, Roi Maufus
• JJJ Campaigners: Truman, Jamison, Lisa/Shawn (wonderfully inseparable!), Barb, Rona, Luke, Mendy
• Media in attendance: City Weekly contributors Carolyn Campbell and Brian Staker. (BRIAN was so impressed with the night that he, on the spot, invited me to be a guest on The Awkward Hour podcast, Thursday, Sept. 10!) 
• Chill Factor: In addition to getting the nod from the college set, I KNEW it was a party when Krista from The Bike Collective showed! (She and John Mendy are my cool-factor thermometer!)
• One of many climaxes of the night? When Rona arrived with the T-SHIRTS! Freaking phenomenal! I look forward to seeing them around town. If you have one? Please wear as often as possible!!!  :)

Met dozens of people, with the amazing backdrop of music, food and drink. Food... Forbidden Fruit Catering put on an amazing spread. And then there was Lisa Miller and beau Shawn... They kept the drinks and the management flowing. Inspired... When I told someone I wanted to host a campaign-related party like this, if I won, the rightful comment back--"You should host a party like this if you LOSE!" True True.

Party started @ 5:30. Ended after 11:00.

A perfect ending to, what was for some, the first day of school.

This was the 155-person Salt Lake Green Drinks' organization's first-ever house party. I think there are going to be more. Many more. And, for me and Jimmy Knobs, many Mooers.

 

Time for a little Chumba Wumba...

FRIDAY

Both surprising and depressing to learn that MIA signs (my campaign has had MORE THAN 50 taken!) seem to be part of an organized effort...

This morning, while walking the dog and campaigning all the while, I met up with dog-couple Chris and Linnea. They shared having seen a vehicle make repeat-stops, pulling up JJJ signs only in the lower Ave's, ignoring other signs. One of my sign-bearers also in the lower-Ave's--Lennox--reported seeing a white Neon lifting my signs right out of his yard and quickly fleeing...)

Upsetting enough to lose the investment--both monetary and service time--in the sign and to feel the disgust of the waste of the sign (In November, my signs are targeted for re-use through The Open Classroom in the lower Avenues), but...

To feel as if a target of such action?

And, worse, to feel the implications of these actions on the political process?

Wounded and obscene, respectively.

Talking with the JJJ campaign strategist, I turned to listening only:

"It's just part of politics... It happens to everybody. I was in the car with XXXX when XXXX was actually driving down the street running down XXXX's signs... It's not personal. It's only politics."

 

What else to do now but go a little Chumba Wumba--"I Get Knocked Down..."