What do 26 of 30 excerpts I chose from Jason Cherkis’ “Gentrification and its Discontents” (2/4) have in common? Answer: They range in date from 1999 to 2003. Only four examples used in his story are a year old or newer. Boy, talk about topical! How about actually doing some reporting about the neighborhood, rather than sitting in front of the computer researching the largely whiny Columbia Heights e-mail group. I happily live in Columbia Heights, where, I am glad to report, I experience the same frustrations and joys as anyone else who lives in the District of Columbia.

Columbia Heights