Holiday Sale

Holiday Sale

$2 off Ornaments, Greeting Cards, and Wall Calendars

Coupon Code: Holiday2

Sale Date: November 1 - November 14

We have a holiday goodies, peace gifts and more.

Good Job DCFD!

We love it when residents have praise for DC government agencies. Contrary to the implications of other media, the entire District bureaucracy is not dysfunctional. Here's what Stacey of the Adams Morgan Yahoo Group had to say about DC Fire Department.

This morning we had an emergency situation in our building involving smoke in our buildings' electrical room. Luckily, we caught the smoking circuits before any serious damage occurred. No residents suffered any injuries. I just wanted to thank the DC Fire Department for their prompt and professional response to the situation. They arrived in less than 5 minutes from the time we placed a call on 911. DCFD also contacted PEPCO for us and waited for PEPCO to show up to inspect the circuits. Thank you DCFD!

Check out our smokin' hot designs today.

Welcome Washington Post online readers

We didn't know our link to an article in yesterday's Post would get us linked from their site to ours. But we welcome you new readers all the same and invite you to visit often. This blog is ranges from random musings on DC to what's happening in our gift shop.

Thanks for stopping by.

Madness has taken over DC's real estate market

An article Wednesday's Post describes the extreme methods that twenty-somethings are taking to buy homes in DC. We're talking about interest-only and/or balloon mortgages, borrowing against retirement accounts, and misleading lenders. These buyers are betting on the price of their homes increasing and being able to sell before the mortgage becomes unmanageable. However, what they're doing is buying at the top of the market. It's the opposite of 'buy low, sell high'. Incredible.

If you're not over-mortgaged, check out our shop.

Sale! Fall Sale Ends Today October 25

Fall Sale! Last Day!
Coupon Code: Fall2

$2 off on Long Sleeve T, Jr Hoodie, Women’s Raglan, Baseball Jerseys, Hooded Sweatshirts, Sweatshirts

Dates: Oct 11 – 25

Best of Washington DC T-shirts and Gifts

Brookland Festival

A big thanks to all of you who stopped by our booth at the Brookland Festival. It was nice meeting some of you in person. Hopefully, the weather will be better next year and we'll meet even more of you.

If you didn't make it to the festival today, visit us online.

Brookland Festival Today

The Brookland Festival is on for today. Come by our table on 12th Street NE between Otis and Newton.

See you there.

If you can't make it, visit us at www.bestdcgifts.com.

Q: Summer's over. What's there to buy at Best of Washington DC T-shirts and Gifts now?

A: Hoodies, sweatshirts, baseball jerseys, long sleeve t-shirts and more. Click here for more.

Safety Tips from One of DC's Finest - Final Edition

Here's our final edition of our safety series by Officer K. A. Sodimu of PSA 401 and the Takoma DC Yahoo Group. And for Washington Cube, see tip "b" for the officer's opinion of "packing heat".

Preventing Assaults
Assaults are basically fights carried out with or without a weapon at home or in a public space, between strangers, (frequently) among friends, acquaintances, or loved ones. The most serious assaults are known as "aggravated assaults," "assaults with a deadly weapon," or "assaults with intent to kill." Less serious offenses are called "simple assaults." In many cases, simple assaults turn into more serious assaults or even homicides, if the initial argument or fight is not scaled back or resolved quickly. While some assaults are unavoidable, use the following tips to make sure simple arguments do not turn violent or deadly: a.. If you are involved in a heated argument that appears to be turning violent, walk away. If you stay and fight "to prove something," you will only demonstrate poor judgment in almost every instance.
b.. Never carry a firearm, knife, or other illegal weapon. A weapon will definitely escalate the situation, and it could ultimately be used to harm innocent people or yourself.
c.. Avoid excessive drinking, or if you have been drinking, recognize its impact on your judgment. Alcohol is a contributing factor in many assaults.
d.. If you see an assault in progress, dial 9-1-1 immediately to alert the police. Do not jump into the fray, unless it is a last resort to prevent more serious injury.

Thanks again to Officer Sodimu for these tips. Be safe everyone and check out our shop.

Next post: It's all about the gear.

More ATM Safety Tips

Here are more ATM safety tips posted by MPD's Yvonne Smith to the Brookland Yahoo Group.

Automatic teller machines (ATMs) have revolutionized the personal banking industry, providing unprecedented ease and convenience. But they have also created new opportunities for thieves and robbers. Here are some tips to keepyou and your money secure while banking at ATMs.

• Make sure you have memorized your personal identification number (PIN).Never write it down on your ATM card or keep it with the card. Never tell anyone your code or let them enter your code for you.
• Do not give out information about your PIN over the telephone-banks will never request such information.
• Try to use machines you are familiar with, and use terminals located inbanks rather than independent terminals.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Look around before conducting a transaction. If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and go to another ATM.
• If you must use an ATM after hours, make sure it's well lighted.
• Use your body as a shield when making a transaction at the ATM.
• Never walk away from an ATM with cash still in hand. If you are going to count your money, do so at the ATM. Then take the time to put your money awaybefore leaving.
• When making an ATM transaction from your car, be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep car doors locked.
• Report any lost or stolen cards as soon as you discover they're missing.
• Check your receipts against your monthly statements to guard against ATM fraud.
• Tear up your ATM receipts when you no longer need them.
• According to DC Law, panhandling within 10 feet of any ATM is illegal. If you witness this, please call the MPDC's non-emergency number, 311.

You know the deal, but here's the disclaimer Best of Washington DC T-shirts and Gifts is not affiliated with MPD.

Next time: a response to Washington Cube's suggestion to "pack heat".

Safety Tips from One of DC's Finest - Part 5

Officer K A Sodimu posted these tips to the Takoma DC Yahoo Group.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Safety Tips
a.. Try to use machines you are familiar with, and try to use terminals located in banks rather than independent terminals. b.. Be aware of your surroundings. Look around before conducting a transaction. If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and go to another ATM.
c.. If you must use an ATM after hours, make sure it's well-lit. d.. Never walk away from an ATM with cash still in hand. If you are going to count your money, do so at the ATM.
e.. When making an ATM transaction from your car, be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep car doors locked.

The Metropolitan Police Department isn't affiliated with Best of Washington DC T-shirts and Gifts.

Safety Tips from One of DC's Finest - Part 4

Here's more from Officer Sodimu's post to the Takoma DC Yahoo Group.
Safety in Your Vehicle
The crime of "carjacking" - which is stealing a car by force - captures headlines across the country. Statistically speaking, however, your chances of being a victim of carjacking are very slim, and taking preventive measures can reduce that risk even more.
a.. If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car. Don't argue. Your life is definitely worth more than a car.
b.. Get away from the area as quickly as possible. c.. Try to remember what the carjacker looked like-sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes.
d.. Report the crime immediately to the police.

MPD can't endorse our site, you can. Check out our shop.

Safety Tips from One of DC's Finest - Part 3

Here's more valuable information from Officer Sodimu as posted to the Takoma DC Yahoo Group.

If Someone Tries to Rob You
a.. Don't resist. Give up your property-don't give up your life. b.. Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.
Self defense measures are most effective when applied as preventive steps-avoiding the crime in the first place.
These measures include running away, hiding, screaming, and raising an alarm-remember, more people will respond to someone yelling "Fire" than they will to "Help!"

Disclaimer: The Metropolitan Police Department is not affiliated with Best of Washington DC T-shirts and Gifts.

Safety Tips from One of DC's Finest - Part 2

More safety tips from OFFICER K A SODIMU's message to the Takoma DC Yahoo Group.

Basic Street Smarts
a.. Wherever you are-on the street, in an office building or shopping mall, driving, waiting for a bus or subway-stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.
b.. Send the message that you're calm, confident, and know where you're going.
c.. Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.
d.. Know the neighborhoods where you live and work. e.. Check out the locations of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.

MPD can't support this site, but you can. Visit our shop.

Safety Tips from One of DC's Finest - Part 1

These tips were posted to the Takoma DC Yahoo Group by Officer Sodimu of PSA 401

Personal Safety Tips on the Street
a.. If possible, don't walk alone during late-night hours. Walk in groups whenever you can-there is always safety in numbers.
b.. Let a family member or friend know your destination and your estimated time of arrival or return. That way, the police can be notified as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
c.. Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas. They are usually not well-lit or heavily traveled.
d.. Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. Walk close to the curb, avoiding doorways, bushes, and other potential hiding places. e.. If you have to walk in the street, walk facing traffic. A person walking with traffic can be followed, forced into a car, and abducted more easily than a person walking against traffic.
f.. Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace. Don't stop to talk to strangers.
g.. Wear clothing and shoes that give you freedom of movement. And don't burden yourself with too many packages or items. h.. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are wearing headphones, don't turn up the volume so high that you cannot hear outside noises.
i.. Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. j.. Report any suspicious activity or person immediately to the Metropolitan Police Department at 3-1-1. Or, if it is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
k.. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, or displaying expensive jewelry in public.

MPD is not affiliated with Best of Washington DC T-shirts and Gifts and as such does not endorse this web site.