I am turning into an irascible old
lady. Today was the Bank Street School for Children's Fall Fair. When my daughter went to this school, its fall and spring fairs were held inside, in the
lobby, the auditorium, and I think also in the cafeteria space, maybe some
classrooms as well. For maybe the past 20 years, the fairs have expanded
outside, with one of those blow-up slide/trampoline things in the middle of the
street and various activities and food items for sale at tables on the
sidewalk. A few years ago, they set up a small stage, on the sidewalk in front
of the school, with a singer.
I should add that I live next door to the
school. Even as the fairs moved outside, it was still possible to walk up the
street unimpeded except by running small children. Today, however, things got
exponentially worse.
First, a stage with band was set up in
the middle of the street, with about 10 rows of folding chairs for the
audience. Okay, the music was loud, but I could live with that. But when I went
out, it became obvious that i couldn't walk up to Broadway on my side of the
street -- it was completely blocked by some kind of setup, which I didn't pay
attention to. I crossed the street.
At one point, near a tree that narrowed
the sidewalk considerably, were 3 or 4 adults, hanging out. As I approached, a
woman with a baby in a front sling joined these adults, effectively blocking
the sidewalk (I was pulling a wheelie so I needed a little bit more room) and
apparently not noticing that someone was trying to get by.
I may or may not have said "excuse me"
first, but I did say, "You're blocking the sidewalk." She said,
"It's the school fair." I said, "There are people who live on
this block." She said, "It's just for today." I didn't have time
to continue this back-and-forth of rudeness. If the school had put up signs
saying they were going to taking over the street and sidewalk, at least I'd have
been prepared. But this is just more private enterprises taking over public
spaces, and the public be damned.
(Blogger isn't letting me insert the Slice of Life image. Don't know why.)
I'm right there with you.... When I walk my dog, I always pull her over to make room on the sidewalk for others (and because not everyone loves her the way I do). Yes, there was a fair, but common courtesy would have seen someone move to make room for a moment so others can pass.
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