Stuff to do: September 2007 Archives

The usual suspects will say Sunday's story on liquor stores is about deflecting responsibility, but it's an attempt to understand how a particular dynamic plays out, with some attempt at nuance.

We're a society that loves to drink, and in some contexts, alcohol can have a positive, lubricating role in civilization. The European Peace Pipe.

But poor areas are saturated in liquor stores, for whichever of a variety of reasons, and in Northwest Pasadena and Altadena, they serve as nexii for criminal activity. Maybe anyplace would that people congregate, but 40 ounces of Cobra doesn't bring out the best in a restive community.

Anyhoo, I pulled my scripting skills out of retirement for this interactive map showing the locations of liquor stores. The final product would also serve as a handy tool for local alcoholics.