By Tom Bridge
‘Tomb of the Unknowns’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’
With advances in DNA analysis and identification, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was to have been a relic of the past, to be honored, surely, but never to be repeated. Salon has the story of a new Unknown tombstone at Arlington Cemetery, from within the last decade.
It makes me sad to think that those who would give their life for the country would be so shabbily treated by the Army in their final repose.
Courtesy US Customs and Border Patrol, via NBCWashington
So there you are, minding your own business, in line at customs, when a big ol’ German Shepherd shows an unnatural interest in your legs. Well, maybe that’s because you’ve got nearly a pound and a half of heroin strapped to them. You are soooo busted.
Apparently drug mule Anna Sprauve didn’t get the memo that smuggling drugs into the country isn’t that easy; if it were, people wouldn’t feel the need to carry drugs in, ahem, more intimate places.
Thanks to NBCWashington for providing me with the phrase “heroin legwarmers” to enjoy throughout the day.
By jasmine
‘The Lost Symbol’
courtesy of ‘Simbe90’
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few months, you know that Dan Brown’s new novel, The Lost Symbol, is set in DC. And what’s the point of being featured in a bestselling book (or movie) if you can’t capitalize on all the people coming to your city to see the places featured?
Dupont Hotel is offering a “Lost Symbol” package that includes a copy of the book, and The Telegraph reports that staff at the House of the Temple, headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, are expecting a tenfold increase in tourists this year, thanks to Mr. Brown. Then again, that article also calls DC “stuffy” and “the most boring capital in the world to visit,” so I’m taking everything they say with a grain of salt.
By Tom Bridge
The last few mornings in Chinatown have been interrupted just before noon with the sounds of a student protest walking by the coffee shop, with numerous students carrying signs and wearing their school’s colors. The loss of 400 staff members from DCPS is the issue, and the result of a $40M budget shortfall, as announced by Chancellor Michelle Rhee. The shortfall itself is the subject of controversy, with Councilmember Barry coming out to suggest that the Chancellor is lying about the shortfall.
Chancellor Rhee is trying to clear the record up, and appeared this morning in a 6 minute segment on NBC 4 displayed above. A few of the myths and legends associated with the situation are the subject of the interview. To be clear, one of the unaddressed questions appear to be: Did DCPS focus the reductions in force on teachers with some amount of seniority, or were these across the board cuts?
‘Dama Gazelle’
courtesy of ‘Smithsonian’s National Zoo’
You guys know what suckers we are for cute baby animals. This is a female dama gazelle calf, born at the National Zoo on Friday. Dama gazelles are considered critically endangered with only 500 left in the wild, so this little girl is pretty important to the future survival of her species. But all I can really think about is the potential for nuzzling.
By Tom Bridge
DCPS may have laid off 400 employees, but at least they have a new contractor-built website. Right, guys? Okay, too soon. But, it’s true, DCPS did rebuild their website from something horrible to something fairly well usable. It’s the result of three months’ work with OCTO and their outside consultants, built on a new Enterprise CMS that the rest of the dc.gov sites will eventually build upon. The site promises that you can find any piece of info “within three clicks,” so get on out and test around to see if that’s true.
By Tom Bridge
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
What was a critical injury earlier today has now proven fatal for the woman struck by a D-8 Metrobus in Trinidad last night. She has been identified as Stephanie Richardson, 61, of Northeast DC. She was hit after leaving her bus and crossing in front of the waiting bus, when a second bus hit her in the street.
This is Metro’s second major pedestrian collision in two months. The driver, as of yet unidentified, has been in Metro’s employ for just over a year.
By Tom Bridge
‘Cafe The Flying Pig’
courtesy of ‘derekcx’
Color me pleasantly surprised that the DC GOP has come out in support of the DC Marriage Equality Act, with DC GOP chairman Robert Kabel promising to lobby Republicans in the House to keep their hands off the District’s politics in this particular case. In addition, Patrick Mara, who ran for the council in the last cycle, has promised his support on the Hill as well.
Some days you just can’t believe your eyes that everyone might come together behind an issue of common sense. Today is one of those days.
By Donna C.
Courtesy of Washington Printmakers Gallery
River lovers, here’s some art you might like — soft, colorful images of the Potomac River, C & O Canal, and other local spots by Yolanda Frederikse. They say her secret is painting in plein air, sitting quietly and looking closely, to capture the delicacy of wildflowers or to spot birds and other wildlife along winding waterside footpaths.
Her monotypes — watercolor painted on lithographic plates on site, then printed through an etching press in her studio — plus screen prints and watercolors are now on display at the Washington Printmakers Gallery near Dupont Circle.
Tomorrow at 1 p.m., just in time for lunch, this DC artist will give a talk on her work. You can catch Water, Wings and Wildflowers until Oct. 25.
By Don
‘0925092106.jpg’
courtesy of ‘steevithak’
If your crutches were preventing you from exercising your statistics disability, worry not: the DC Lottery and Gaming Board is looking out for you. Or for their revues anyway. They’ve filed notice that they intend to amend the municipal code to guarantee that organizations selling lottery tickets have to meet ADA requirements for access and won’t shut out the differently-able from throwing their money down the toilet by buying lottery tickets.
No lottery sales agent shall discriminate against any individual on the basis of a disability in the full and equal enjoyment of lottery related goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any lottery licensed facility;
There’s a multitude of exemptions in there, though, for organizations that might find it financially prohibitive to make structural changes to their facilities. There’s no requirement if the cost exceeds 25% of the revenue they bring in selling this junk, but they’ll have to “make the lottery related goods and services available through alternative methods,” such as curb service or signage directing people to the nearest ADA-compliant lottery seller.
By Tom Bridge
‘Street Sense, Washington DC’
courtesy of ‘Photos by Chip Py’
Thursday night, Street Sense will be holding a silent auction to benefit their continuing operations in DC at the WVSA Arts Connection at 16th and L Street downtown. Tickets run between $30 and $100, with all proceeds of the tickets and auction going to Street Sense. They’ve got a heady list of auction items, and the money goes to a great cause, so what are you waiting for? Buy your tickets and support one of the best indie newspapers in the area!
By Don
‘cup of ice’
courtesy of ‘erin m’
DC’s Regulatory Authority wants to remind you that if your apartment building has building-controlled heat you’ve got a right to certain basic comfort. Minimum temperatures are 65° F overnight between 11p and 6am and 68° F the rest of the day. If your building management isn’t living up to their obligations in this area and don’t respond to your requests, DCRA welcomes you to call them at (202) 442-9557.
Doesn’t look like this is going to be a big issue over the next few weeks with temps continuing to be in the upper 70s most days, but if you’re living in a place with a history of being uncooperative you might want to file the number away for later.
By Karl Johnson
‘IMG_8619’
courtesy of ‘dbking’
Councilman Marion Barry was hospitalized at Howard University Hospital early this morning, according to WaPo. He was taken in for dehydration. It’s unfortunate that this comes roughly 12 hours after his controversial remarks about Chancellor Rhee, but we certainly do hope the Councilman and former DC mayor is OK.
By Karl Johnson
‘Marion Barry’
courtesy of ‘cliff1066â�¢’
Everyone is rightfully outraged over the recent mass firings of DCPS teachers due to a $44m budget shortfall; over 200 were let go on Friday. Students, teachers and their allies came together yesterday to protest the cuts and a lot of their attention focused on the Chancellor of DCPS, Michelle Rhee. They even received a few not-so-calming words from every body’s “favorite” Councilman Marion Barry, according to NBC Washington.
“Chancellor Rhee has lied to you. Lied to you,” Barry said. “And I don’t like liars.”
By brownpau
Picture of smoke in Red Line station uploaded by @arasmus
Update, 11am: “Normal” service restored.
Update, 10am: Red Line is now single-tracking between Farragut North and Judiciary Square. According to Dr. Gridlock, Metro spokeswoman Angela Gates says a collector shoe fell off a train car, sparking a fire under the train at Gallery Place-Chinatown. Smoke then traveled down the tunnel to Metro Center. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘speed hump sign’
courtesy of ‘stevendamron’
You know, I don’t I’ve ever met a politician who didn’t love speed bumps. Please allow me to introduce Councilwoman Mary Cheh of Ward 3, who thinks it’s way too easy to get speed bumps installed in neighborhoods throughout DC. Look, I’m all for safety, too, but the proliferation of speed bumps in DC has just been insane. In two years, there have been nearly 500 extra traffic calming devices installed on DC city streets, most of which were put in without examination of where the traffic would divert to, in order to avoid these devices.
Councilwoman Cheh, I salute you.
By Tom Bridge
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courtesy of ‘Dvorak319’
Due to a traffic accident, I-66 is blocked at the Arlington County line. This will have major repercussions on evening rush, so if you’re headed out of town on I-66 this evening, seek an alternate route or wait a little bit before leaving.
By Don
One of our loyal readers sent us a note about WMATA’s eAlerts system and the inability to sign up to get them via text messages rather than email. In fairness to WMATA, the main screen only says “you can receive alerts via email notifying you of Metro service disruptions.” However when you click on the subscribe button you get a popup that says “Receive alerts through email or text message” and the box to enter your contact info says “Enter Your email or SMS address.”
Unfortunately it’s a trap; the box refuses to accept any entry that isn’t a x@y.z format email address. You’ll have to stick with whatever email to SMS gateway your cell provider offers if you want to get the alerts sent to you via text. TechRecipies has the format for all the major carriers here if you don’t know yours.
As to why WMATA’s form is misleading? Unclear. Our tipster asked customer service why it wasn’t working and got a resounding “dunno.” Perhaps WMATA will be expanding to offer this functionality down the road and their text got ahead of their capabilities. Or maybe it’s already in and a coder simply forgot to update the validation check.
By Rebecca
‘Kids in the Air’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’
According to the Q Street Neighborhood Association, the Big Kids Block Party was a rip-roaring, rocking and uber-successful event.
Here are some stats:
-1,048 people in attendance
-26 tapped kegs
-200 Ben’s half-smokes eaten
-585 other hot dogs devoured
-500 oz Mr. Yogato fro-yo grobbled
-100 Julia’s Empanadas consumed
-100 Rice Krispie Treats inhaled
-Countless pounds of popcorn, cotton candy, regular candy, chips, etc. scoffed up
-50 butchered (carved) pumpkins
Most importantly the block party raised $20,151.32, **More than DOUBLED the original goal**, all of which will go to four deserving non-profits.
For those of you who couldn’t make it, they’ll be throwing the 2nd Annual Big Kids Block Party in 2010, after a much deserved recovery.
By shannon
‘Sustainability’
courtesy of ‘SWP Moblog’
Did you know that half the world’s population lives in cities? Or that within the next generation, more than two-thirds of the population will be urban? The United Nations designates the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day, a day to reflect on the state of our urban environments and reaffirm a commitment to providing decent, affordable housing worldwide. There are three great ways to celebrate World Habitat Day: advocate for housing to Congress, educate yourself on current urban housing issues, or donate time or money to an organization that focuses on housing issues.
There are a number of events here in DC to mark the occasion, including a forum on Livable Communities today at Howard University at 3 PM. The forum is entitled “Planning our Urban Future” and features the Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, the HUD Deputy Secretary, the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, and DC’s very own deputy mayor. There are also several events happening throughout the week that focus on housing and urban environments.
By