In a NIMBY move that makes it look like the residents around RFK could be related to Chris Zimmerman and the other whiners in Arlington, residents around RFK have successfully derailed Fireworks after the Friday games at RFK. What’s more galling is that they will not even allow fireworks for Opening Day or for the Fourth of July.

All of this leads me to the question…

…Who doesn’t like Fireworks? I mean, c’mon. They’re FIREWORKS. They’re a staple of American Society, right up there with Baseball, Apple Pie, Mom, and Little Yellow Fuzzy Ducks!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Post had an extensive article recently about the ever-lengthening commutes in the DC area and the general head-scratching among our elected officials over what to do about it.

Indulge me, if you will, in one of the most infuriating quotes:

Government officials said they have all but given up on attempts to do anything extraordinary to solve area transportation problems. Instead, they are trying to broaden commuting options for people by experimenting with such proposals as allowing drivers without passengers to pay to use carpool lanes. But they said there was little they can do if people continue to live farther and farther from their jobs.

“There’s nothing we can do to fix it,” said Dan Tangherlini, the District’s transportation director. “There are things we can do to try to influence it. But it is a little frustrating when most people sit around and agree that people are making all the wrong choices and yet more and more people are doing it.”

Yeah, let’s talk for a minute about why people are making “all the wrong choices.” Have these people examined what might be driving commuters to make “all the wrong choices?” You might be able to find affordable housing in a “rapidly gentrifying” neighborhood, which is fine if you’re a 20-something with no kids. But for people with families, “affordable housing” means a townhouse in Reston or a single family home in Centreville. And guess what? Metro doesn’t go out that far- and have you tried getting a bus reliably in this area? Hah….

And this commuter has noticed something that has long irritated me:

“Sometimes it’s just plain scary,” said Danitza Valdivia, 31, a project assistant who lives in Northwest Washington and works near MCI Center — a four-mile commute as the crow flies that takes her a half-hour to negotiate. “I get to work and have to take a coffee break before I start my workday. All of the cars, everybody cutting you off, all those people intent on getting there before you. . . . It’s almost a surprise to get to work or get home safely.”

Attention local drivers who think your hurry is more important than mine: This is Washington DC. If you were really that important, you’d have a motorcade or a helicopter.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Spring Season is underway down in Viera. So far we’re in the 2nd inning at Space Coast Stadium, we’re at 0-0. Castilla made a great play on a pop foul in the first, and Armas is looking impressive with 3 Ks. Can I just say how good it is to hear baseball again? The voices of the announcer, the sound of the crowd in the Florida sun, the occasional sound of a vendor in the aisles, the organ over the loudspeaker.

Heaven sounds like Baseball.

Update

The Nats have beaten the Mets 5-3! Jose Guillen and Keith Osik both homered in the victory. Box score as soon as I can track it down!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Nats will be playing the Mets at 1pm today, starting their Grapefruit League Spring Training play before they open up the season on April 14th against the Phillies at RFK. Put your caps on, get out your scoresheets, and head over to mlb.com to watch todays game from your computer. Those of us who are stuck in the concrete jungles with no cable have to watch on the internet, everyone else can watch live on ESPN.

Go Nats!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Look out everybody, it’s pothole season. These fun harbingers of winter’s epic demise lie in wait to trap your car, bend your rims, flatten your tires, scrape your undercarriage or otherwise ruin your day. The potholes in this region are epic simply because of all the attention they receive. As each passing end-of-winter day goes by (20 days til Spring!) we’ll see their watery visages pop up like bug bites on your arm in late summer.

Maryland’s Highway Administration spent over $2 million last year to patch some 45,000 odd square yard of highway after winter’s harsh touch left the roads looking like a chicken pox victim. So when you see the patching crews, curse not the traffic delays they cause, but thank them for sparing your car from yet another pothole.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Today Tomorrow marks the Very First Washington Nationals game, they’ll play the Mets at Space Coast Field in Viera, Florida starting at 1pm. ESPN will be picking up the broadcast, so grab your buddies, clear out the conference room and start the projection screen TV to watch our own Nats take on those Mets. No word if there will be radio coverage yet, or if there will be a web broadcast. As I find these things out, you will too.

Barry Svrluga has posted the Nats lineup for the curious at heart. Still no word on radio coverage, web coverage, or how you say Svrluga.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs