Inauguration construction zone
Originally uploaded by devonhaupt

I posted yesterday about the totally idiotic Alert DC email about the inauguration that acted like the entire city lives under a rock. Arlington’s Alert came into my mail today, and I quote:

“Arlington is proud to be an important part of the Presidential Inauguration and celebrations. Arlington is expecting record crowds during the entire inaugural weekend January 17-20. Crowds and events during this weekend will affect all residents. To prepare for this event, pretend a hurricane is coming during that weekend and expect large crowds, congestion, traffic and many delays. Getting around will be difficult at best so a common sense approach will be important. Be informed, make a plan, be prepared.”

What Arlington Alert really means to say: It’ll Barack you like a hurricane.

real estate bust
Image courtesy of TheTruthAbout…

Monica from Fleishman-Hillard sent us a really neat piece courtesy of the National Apartment Association that lists ten smart things you can do to protect yourself if you are or are considering renting space to a visitor. It’s good information whether you’re subletting an apartment or if it’s your own house.

The best tip in my not-so-humble opinion is this one: “If you currently rent your home and are thinking of sub-letting it for the week – check with your landlord to make sure you are legally allowed to do so before you post your advertisement. ” It doesn’t elaborate on the important part of this: if you’re in violation of your lease your insurance may not cover you if there’s an emergency.

The full list after the jump. Continue reading →

DC Fireboat and Memorial Bridge
Originally uploaded by Mr. T in DC

I’ve been driving across the Roosevelt Bridge most days to head into the city, taking the exit for Independence Avenue on my way to the Hill for some coffee and wireless internet. Every day I cross over that bridge, I see the level of the Potomac and I wonder why it’s so low. I recognize that the Potomac is on a tide schedule, but I don’t ever managed to see the river at high when the water line is anywhere near where the historic marks on the masonry sit.

Does this mean the Potomac’s a bit low? I know it looks like it’s down about 4-6 feet, judging by my optical guesswork, or am I just imaging all of this in the midst of a consistent debate on global warming?

Hello, sugar
Originally uploaded by erin m

Washingtonian did a blog post on the loved and loathed food trends of 2008. Washingtonian is right – DC does tend to glom onto a trend and then ride it for all it’s worth.

I’ve eaten more than few cupcakes this year, and my fair share of Ray’s Hell Burgers. I do love some FroYo, and I’d rather visit a wine bar than the Adam’s Morgan bar strip any day. These trends aren’t the worst, they’re just overdone. Which got me thinking – if I were queen what would my 2009 food trends be? Continue reading →

inaugural address
Originally uploaded by philliefan99

This just in from Alert DC:

“The District of Columbia will host one of the largest Presidential Inauguration celebrations in history, January 17 – 21. Even if you don’t plan to attend any of the inaugural events, you should be prepared for crowds, closures, restrictions and delays. For comprehensive information about inaugural events, closures, schedule changes for city services and more, visit www.inauguration.dc.gov.”

O RLY? We are? Inauguration? What’s that?

Road Closed
Originally uploaded by MobilFunk7

Just heard on WTOP that the Virginia State Police will be closing I-395 and I-66 (the inner Beltway portion) from 2 a.m. Jan 20th through midnight. Thus, the ONLY WAY to get into the District from Virginia will be via the American Legion and Woodrow Wilson Bridges…on the Beltway.

Yeah, good luck with THAT. I’d be upset that DC was cutting VA off but honestly, I really don’t give a crap. For all you diehard Inauguralites, have fun playing in traffic…

Meter Fail
Originally uploaded by tbridge

I hope ya’ll like carrying rolls of quarters around DC, because those of you who park at meters (like me) will need twice as many thanks to the doubling of meter rates in the District that was voted on by the council. While this is certainly one way to help increase revenues in this difficult financial time, I just wonder if we’ll either see a rash of “jammed meters” or vandalization similar to this one.

I do know that right now, instead of paying $21 for a garage near one of my clients in Penn Quarter, I’ll sometimes risk a parking ticket because it’s only slightly more expensive. That’s probably an awful admission, but I think raising the parking fines might’ve been a better solution.

We’d know that, if the council had done any research on what other trends are showing, but they didn’t, and just raised the prices.

Eat
Originally uploaded by Greg McElhatton

OpenTable, your friendly online reservation system, emailed out a list of great Inauguration Week deals. It’s a great lookin’ list with tons and tons of places offering prix-fixe menus or tasting menus. Most places who are doing a restaurant week-style prix-fixe are offering it for $44, since Obama is our 44th president. Clever.

Some stars are on the list offering specials. You’ve got some great opportunities from yummy places such as 1789, 2941, PS 7’s, and TenPehn. Other places, such as Passion Fish, Oakville Grille and Wine Bar, and the District Chophouse are offering special Obama and Biden themed beer and cocktails. Proof is even offering a late night Inaugural Party with Cristal & Caviar from 11pm-3am for $250.

Cheers to change.

dc jail
Originally uploaded by xxo23o

The DC Jail will be testing a new cellphone jammer they want to install inside the facility to prohibit unauthorized wireless calls from prisoners. The FCC has permitted a short test tomorrow, but demonstrate some skepticism (PDF) that the jammer will really only work inside the facility and not on nearby cellphones.

The 30-minute test will take place some time between 11:30 and 1pm tomorrow. If your cell cuts out, blame the jail. Or sunspots. Or neutron radiation. Or AT&T. It’s probably their fault anyhow.

14th Street Bridge
Originally uploaded by tbridge

Seriously, if you live in Virginia, forget about coming into the District on Inauguration Day. The Key, Memorial, Fourteenth and Roosevelt Bridges are all going to be closed on the 20th. In addition, the Chain Bridge is likely going to be closed, as well, as I’m betting money it can’t handle the overflow traffic.

If you’re playing along at home, that’s every major or minor crossing between Virginia and the District. Your only bet at that point is Metro. Which, I have already pointed out, will be over capacity that day.

Awesome.

Photo by Wayan

What happens when you close I Street NW so the president’s daughters can start at Sidwell? An evening rush hour Obama traffic jam.

Add in a fire on 14th street and you would be better off spending the next two hours in the gym burning off Christmas pie. These fools will not be getting home before you.

DC Guns
Originally uploaded by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

Breaking News in the blogosphere says:

City Desk writer Erik Wemple is currently live blogging the introduction of a DC voting rights bill. It’s on the Senate floor.

I do enjoy his commentary.

Epiphany Procession Magi
Originally uploaded by Mr. T in DC

One of the many things I enjoy about DC is the ability to participate in any ethnicity-specific celebration of almost any event. I knew it was the Feast of the Epiphany this weekend, but the little Polish-and-Italian town I grew up in did NOT rock any kind of stylish, costumed procession for it. Which is a pity, because who doesn’t want to see gold, frankincense, and myrrh coming down a street near them?

Do not enter
Originally uploaded by DimitryB

Despite being the duly appointed senator from the State of Illinois, Roland Burris was turned away by the Senate today, being told his credentials were not in order. As Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution reads, “Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members,” the Senate is empowered to say that Burris’ credentials, which do not bear the seal of the State of Illinois, nor the signature of the Secretary of State of Illinois, are not yet valid.

I did some looking around, but I can’t find the last time the Senate refused to honor someone’s credentials. Do you know?

Closed library, open wifi
Originally uploaded by Don Whiteside

Just because the library is closed is no reason not to get your internet on, right? I saw this fellow sitting outside the Crystal City library one night – long after closing – when I came by to put a book in the night drop.

National Monument on Winter Night by Roger Photos

The WAPO GOG has a post today titled “Flying Into 2009” which rounds up the best events of the first three months. The article lists events such as Aretha Franklin at the KC, Natural History Museum’s Orchids through Darwin’s Eyes, and Shamrock Fest. The oddity in my opinion? DC Fashion Week. While blogs like Capitol Hill Style, Guide for the Working Girl and my monthly DC Scout makes a pretty good case for why DC is more fashionable than people think, I’m still unconvinced we’re worthy of a fashion week. The one thing I’ll be sure to get to? The Smithsonian Kite Festival. So what about you? What is your must-do spring event this year?