I’m sure those of us who regularly ride the Metro have seen them: playful teenagers who engage in rough and vocal horseplay on the train after school, to the general amusement and/or dismay of passengers in the immediate vicinity. Why, just a few nights ago on the Green Line I had the privilege of watching a local whippersnapper in the full bloom of youthful vibrance, playing hip-hop ringtones on her mobile device at a formidably high and distorted level of volume, while chanting along and flailing her limbs wildly to the blare of rhythmic lyrics, all to the earnest yells and eager whoops of a trio of compatriots who had loudly sequestered a full section of the train car to stage their impromptu cultural performance, for the listening and viewing pleasure of classmates and fellow riders alike.

But worry not, ye huddled, intimidated, annoyed masses! Metro, in their infinite wisdom, have come up with a solution: Notecards! Yes, surely the “Respect, Give It, Get It” notecard campaign will inspire a disposition of silent, noble dignity among the urban youth who ride with us daily. Perhaps these written reminders will do what our own stern glares and head-shakes and occasional futile endeavors at vocal reprimand have failed to do — chastise these rough-housers into contemplative stillness.

Then Metro will be a joy to ride. Every day. All the time.

Respect.

Give it.

Get it.

Amen.

Update: Here’s a copy of the card itself, courtesy Metro:

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Check out Mayor Fenty’s State of the District speech going on live now.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

In a move that surprised exactly no one, Tim Kaine & the Virginia Legislature have extended the HOV exemption for Hybrids on I-66 and the DTR until the middle of next year. The Hybrid Exemption is a bit oddly composed in Virginia: if you’ve owned your hybrid since before June 1st of 2006, you can use your hybrid without meeting the HOV criteria on 395 and 95, as well as I-66 and the DTR. But, if you bought your hybrid after June 1st of 2006, you can only use the HOV lanes on 66 and the DTR, not on 395 or 95.

The question becomes, are we extending the privilege to get more people interested in Hybrid cars? Are we rewarding existing Hybrid owners too greatly for their purchase? Is this actually a commute-faster-if-you’re-wealthy thing?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Gregory Schoenborn, husband of a woman fatally struck by a Metrobus, is suing the transit agency for $100 Million in damages. With the driver up on charges of negligent homicide, and witnesses at the scene saying that the driver was too busy staring at the cabs instead of looking at the road, it looks like he’s got a pretty decent case. The embattled transit authority is reeling from the number of accidents already on the books in 2007. With six fatalities in the system in just three months, Metro’s looking a bit beleaguered these days.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Welcome to DC, my new school friends from Oregon! Welcome to an education in government and group-effect traveling.

Obey your “Core Knowledge School” headmaster and the haggard parents chaperoning you. Be focused on the sights before you.

The White House, which you are on your way to see today, the Capitol tomorrow, the Smithsonian all week long – these are national treasures, even if their occupants might be fools.

Be solemn at memorials, respect Arlington’s tombstones, and don’t try to jump the Eternal Flame.

And if you do happen to use Metrorail, where us city-dwellers are rushing on with our lives, don’t be a turon – stand to the right on the escalators.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Circus is in Town! No, no, not that circus, I mean the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, who marched their elephants down E Street today, from Union Station to Verizon Center, for the Greatest Show on Earth. (No, no, not those elephants, I mean these elephants.) I managed to grab some fuzzy video as the parade tromped by my apartment:

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

More effective than “please don’t tailgate” I suppose…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When it comes to photography, there is a natural tendency for your eye to line up your subject in such a way that it’s framed perfectly in the center, or perhaps off to the side a bit using the rule of thirds. You try to capture as much of your subject as possible, or at least the interesting parts. I suppose this is because this is how our eyes work in the real world. When you’re talking to someone, do you look at their left shoulder or straight into their eyes?

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But sometimes it makes for an interesting shot to go completely against your instincts like local photographer Josua Yospyn has done here. I love how the bike rider’s head is cropped right out of the scene because it would only serve as a distraction. It forces your eye to go from his shadow to the interesting geometry of the white tennis court lines. I don’t know about you, but it makes me reminisce about being a kid, riding my bike around the neighborhood, and not having a care in the world. Ah, those were the days. Slurpee anyone?

So next time you’re out shooting, try to break free from “the rules”, view your subject in a different way, and let your viewer imagine the things that they can’t see.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

A full third of DC is listed as functionally illiterate according to a recent survey conducted by the State Education Agency. Functionally illiterate means unable to read maps, bus schedules or fill out job applications, according to the WJZ article. The Post’s article is far more complete and includes the figure of $107M in lost revenue due to a lack of qualified applicants in the District. The most sobering part? This breakdown of where the problems are:

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So, what are we going to do as a city to fix it? It looks like money needs to be redistributed to literacy programs in the affected Wards, but who’s going to take the lead?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

On the streets of DC we have a new protector of the US mail: R2D2.

No longer need you worry about Tusken Raiders intercepting your Christmas Cards or accessing the Cloud City mainframes while under Storm Trooper fire. R2 will protect & deliver for you. He is the USPS Jedi Master.

He does have limitations though. As much as I tried, I didn’t get a Princess Leia Organa projection, and mail delivery to Alderaan has been suspended.

Even droids have their limits.

(More R2-D2 Photos here)

Update: I went back & took more photos of the R2D2 Mailbox and check out the security bolts they are using to lock these droids down. You know they’re thinking these will be theft magnets for pesky jawas.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

patriotic-elephant

Originally uploaded by brunahildm.

Today at 12:30, a parade of elephants will mark the return of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus to DC. Beginning at 2nd & D St. NW and finishing at the Verizon Center, the parade will likely tie up traffic in Chinatown in the early afternoon. I fully expect PETA to be out in force and fairly upset about the whole thing, and I expect a bunch of people to be surprised by the general spectacle.

The Circus is at the Verizon Center Thursday through Sunday and tickets are available online via Ticketbastard.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Post has an article today on the expenses that are being covered by the government for Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small, including $48,000 that he spent on two chairs, a conference table, and some upholstery. While I generally may cut the Smithsonian some slack for being a fine outfit that does lots of good for the DC area, $31k on Berkeley Stripe upholstery is a getting a bit insane. Not to mention that was just part of $160k that he spent on redecoration of his offices. It just strikes me as odd how executive compensation works in this case.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I’m the type of guy who scours the Craigslist “Free” section for all sorts of things I can put to good use. Let’s face it – sometimes the best treasures are not the ones you spend a fortune on but the ones you stumble upon by accident.

While browsing the ads for free stuff, I often see people trying to get rid of bamboo, which grows so well in this climate. Folks sometimes open their yards to anyone with an axe or machete to come take the godforsaken tall grass away. Sure it looked pretty at first and the idea of a meditation garden in the back yard sounded great at the time, but the reality of wild grass you can’t mow or kill loses its magic pretty darned fast when it encroaches on the rest of the yard.

It occurred to me recently that we have a partial solution to this problem of bamboo right here in the Capital District. If those giant pandas at the National Zoo are simply living off our tax money, draining the public coffers of much-needed funds for wars, secret prisons, congressional pay increases and other such necessities, doesn’t it make sense that they start earning their keep?

We could easily rent these cute guys out for yard-clearing purposes. They are currently being fed over 50 pounds of bamboo per day, according to the Zoo’s web site. Most of that bamboo is purchased from a farm in Maryland. Just imagine if that food came from our neighbors’ backyards.

All that money saved plus the revenue from the work done could help keep the pandas in the bling and comfort they have come to expect. How much could we charge to parade our pandas to a yard and have them feast until they are filled? Market forces will determine this price, but anyone who has tried to clear a bamboo field will tell you that it is not easy or quick work. The added bonus and social capital from hiring pandas could sweeten the pot for those with enough money.

If this catches on, I can see a wonderful business going to offset the costs these animals incur. The one problem I foresee is whether or not the District will start a guest worker program that will enable the older one to be employed.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It’s always a sobering experience to witness a fire in the city. It reminds you just how quickly something like a small kitchen fire can escalate – how rapidly flames can spread through rows of townhouses, old timber crackling like paper. Today marked the third fire I’ve witnessed on my neighborhood in the six years I’ve lived in my house. The first was our own house – our back porch went up in smoke in what ranks as one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. The second fire, which started around the corner in a house that backs into our alley, affected some five or seven houses as an early morning fire went undetected until it was too late to save at least two of the houses from ruin.

Today, screaming sirens and that unmistakable acrid smell sent my heart racing. I ran outside to see that the house on the corner was burning, just two doors down from us. Scores of firetrucks came to the rescue, with firemen on the roof bashing through the second floor windows as shattered glass and clouds of black smoke escaped.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs Continue reading →

No plans for Sunday? Drop by the grand opening festivities at the new Shirlington public library. The new library is at 2800 Stafford Street in Arlington and will have a whole host of events tomorrow, including:

• Origami storytelling and hands-on demonstration
• Traditional Japanese music and dance
• Talks by the buildings architect and the mosaic artist who created the plaza fountain

The festivities kick off at noon with a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the building and the library opens to the public at 1:00. Come celebrate reading and education at this new 15,000 square-foot facility.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

St Patrick’s Day festivites have ended early for this youthful party boy.

Note that he has a DC MPD escort and he is not headed to the ambulance.

As the duo passed, the arrested one meekly asked: Sir, is anyone else being charged?

The arresting officer’s answer: Worry about bail, not your buddies.

Perfect St. Patrick’s Day perp walk advice.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Did you, like I, take off Wednesday to enjoy the beautiful day?

I bet not.

So that means that right about now you are cursing the weatherman, and God, for the sleet and snow covering the city and its cars.

Winter has not yet released its grip on our fair Washington DC, no matter what groundhogs might say.

This would be yet one more weekend to spend snuggled up with a supermodel or three.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

While Wayan may “doubt that any of the claimants will get even in sight of the military’s shrine to bureaucracy,” there will be street closings to allow for it. Here’s the Arlington county announcement.

The Arlington County Police Department will close part of Washington Boulevard on Saturday, March 17, for a protest march to the Pentagon. The march will begin in Washington, D.C. at approximately 12:30 p.m. Participants will cross Memorial Bridge into Arlington and walk to the Pentagon North parking lot for a rally.

Washington Boulevard (Route 27) will be shut down in both directions between Memorial Circle and I-395, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. During that time, there will be no access to Washington Boulevard from I-395, the George Washington Parkway, Route 110 or Columbia Pike.

From 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 17, Arlington National Cemetery may only be accessed by way of northbound Route 110.

Plan accordingly. I’m handling the issue by being in Ocean City.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Protest Un-preparedness

See these three sad-looking kids from Chicago. They are the next generation of carpet-bagging protesters, coming to DC to speak their youthful minds. They are all geared up for the March on the Pentagon this weekend that proposes to have a protest at the Pentagon.

While I doubt that any of the claimants will get even in sight of the military’s shrine to bureaucracy, no matter ther claims illuminated in the WashPost today, I do know that these three are feeling quite sad and wet after last night’s rain. They didn’t read the protest transportation plan and instead hitched rides with “friends” to DC.

It’s only too bad that said “friends” then disappeared and these solid middle class kids are now begging on DC streets. Begging because they are too scared to call Mom and Dad to say “Hi Mom, yes, I know you said I couldn’t go, but I went anyway. Now that we’re here and broke, with only $10 between the three of us, can you send money and tickets home?”

If you feel pity for the threesome and can take their other two friends who are also a-begging, please let me know in comments. I’ll connect you with the homeless crew.

Oh and Jess’s Mom, Jess is okay and she’s definitely learned her lessons for the day: don’t trust “friends” for a thousand mile ride home and never leave town without cash or credit.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

One of the things that DC loves to snark about is our lack of representation in the hallowed halls of Congress. While some sarcastically claim that every rep is their rep, that may be coming to an end. A Bill to give DC a voting seat in the House of Representatives (along with another seat for Utah) made it past the House Judiciary Committee this afternoon. Though, it still has a long way to go, including a vote of the whole House of Reps, the Senate, the likely veto by President Bush and the votes again to overturn the Veto, not to mention numerous legal challenges related to the Constitutionality of the Law, but it’s at least a small step to making Eleanor Holmes Norton into more than just a delegate. DCist’s Martin Austermuhle has been following the hearings and has a great summary of today’s action.

I think I’d like to see the District get a seat in the House, a full vote on matters legislatural, but the thought of “Senator Marion Barry” is enough to keep me from getting behind the effort full steam.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs