By Wayan
Well look who just bought themselves a brand new flag! Isn’t that a beauty! And it’s larger-than-life self is waving over 15th Street NW at the end of Meridian Park.
Now the question I have to ask you is: just which country’s flag is this?
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Don
WaPo’s reporting that Maryland is expanding their hate crimes act to include attacks on homeless people. Currently the groups that provide for additional penalties are “race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or national origin,” with sexual orientation an addition to the list in last year’s session. Next year might see the addition of the disabled, a group that some effort was made to include in this round but the filing was too late.
I’m hopeful that in short order we’ll add the disabled, bald, hirsute, fat, anorexic, Jets fans, halitosis sufferers, and people with comb-overs. Eventually we’ll put in enough people so we can recognize that violence against people is loathsome and atrocious in all its forms and violators will be punished for all offenses equally.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Tom Bridge
While Spring Training records aren’t too valuable, and not always a good indicator of final season performance, starting out 1-5, and the only victory coming against a split-squad portion of the Braves organization, one could say that the Spring isn’t going too well for our boys in blue & red. Fortunately, most of the Nats fans have kept their good humor in play…
As written by Tom Bridge & Adam Terio, with sincere apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan…
I am the very model of a modern DC Baseball Fan
I sing the praises of the game as well as Thomas Boswell can
There’s Schneider, Johnson, Patterson, Cordero, Guzman, Zimmerman
And those are just the ones approved by Jimmy Bo and Brother Stan…
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs Continue reading
By Don
I’m lookin out my window and it’s blue, sunny, and beautiful. Of course, I’m not outside standing in what my weather report here says is currently 36 degrees. Even at that temp, however, it’s hard to believe Capital Weather’s 70%-confidence prediction of snowfall tomorrow of up to two inches. I suppose part of that might be I’m still suspicious and confused by the overall bright and blue we’ve had these last four weeks – after five years here in the area I’m conditioned to expect a long, grey, dim and depressing February.
The question I have for all of you is this – do you think, like me, that this much less gray month was an excellent trade for so much below-average temperature? Assuming that’s what’s responsible and it’s not just luck, of course.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Wayan
WMATA isn’t restricting its new lighting schemes just to Metrorail stations.
Check out the new light strip on the S2 to Federal Triangle. Does that oscillating yellow light remind you of anyone? How about the Knight Industries Two Thousand?
Yep, KITT is now Metrobus compliant. Just don’t hope to see David Hasselhoff behind the wheel or those little flashing lights protecting pedestrians.
Whichever WMATA idiot that thinks a little yellow flashing bar will alert others to the presence of a Metrobus more than a few tons of metal, bright headlights, and squeaking breaks already do, might want to read WMATA press releases better.
It is driver error, not pedestrian cluelessness that is killing people.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Tom Bridge
Every city has its own version of the Fall Guy. In Sports right now, it’s Barry Bonds’ trainer, now serving jailtime to protect Barry Bonds, for reasons no one can fathom. In Art, it might be the curator of the Getty, taking the fall for the art world’s bizarre problems of dealing with stolen paintings. Today in Politics, it’s Scooter Libby, who’s fallen on his own sword, and is now found guilty on four of the five counts, and likely faces 18 months to 3 years in federal pound me in the ass prison for something resembling a coverup of who leaked Valerie Plame’s identity to reporters. Some say he’s covering for Karl Rove. Some say he’s covering for Dick Cheney. Either way, he faces DC’s most unlikely outcome: jailtime for breaking the laws here, not making them.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By brownpau
So Metro’s gone and reddened up the blinking lights embedded in the granite edge of the Glenmont-side platform at Gallery Place/Chinatown Station. At first I thought they had just put a clear red plastic seal over the light domes, but according to this Lunchtalk chat with John Catoe, they actually switched out the old incandescent lights for LED bulbs, which last longer, use less power, and cast an ominous and unearthly red glow which will supposedly be better for warning Metro showoffs to please stand clear of the platform edge and not lean way out to prove how macho you are in the face of oncoming trains. They’ve also switched the lower level Yellow/Green platform edge lights to amber bulbs. Here’s hoping that, in the spirit of added usability, WMATA color-codes edge lights by line. Red lights for the Red Line, blue lights for the Blue, green for Green, and so on, with alternating colors at stations which share two or more Lines. (Then we can lobby for a Pink Line, and the lights on those will be fabulous.)
More from Free Ride, Bluey Blog, and Gallery Place Living.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Wayan
What does this look like to you? Two black men hunched over a bicycle lock with a hacksaw.
Before you think a bad thought, like these guys are not bicycle scavengers, they are bicycle buyers. They just bought the frame from a guy who lost his lock key and now they’re hacking off the lock.
Personally, I’m glad this service exists. Better to recycle bike frames to a new owner than have it taking up space on the crowded bike rack.
Too bad its gonna take a few blades to cut the lock. I hope they figured that into their purchase price.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Carl Weaver
According to the Arlington County website, Arlington Public Health is closely monitoring the Crystal City Hyatt for an outbreak of Norovirus, which the site dubs “winter vomiting illness.” Is this the more common term for this type of illness? Do parents send notes to school asking to excuse Johnny for missing three days of school on account he got the winter vomiting illness?
It’s bad enough that we have such an illness roaming around our creepily deserted Crystal City, but when the County decides to give the malady a nickname like that, I am not sure whether to giggle like Beavis or wonder how they came up with the moniker. Probably very smart officials on different levels had an off-site to discuss what to call this illness so that the rest of us could understand, since “norovirus” is obviously beyond our capability of understanding.
“I know,” one says, “let’s call it ‘the winter vomiting illness’ and that way people will be able to easily distinguish it from a regular stomach bug or the salmonella. Those can happen in winter as well, I suppose, but I think the ambiguous yet different name is adequate.”
“That’s why they pay you the big bucks,” Another replies. “Let’s call that problem solved and get on to what to call that condition of having blood flow from your nose after getting hit.”
For those of you less interested in making fun of a name and more concerned for how to prevent getting the winter vomiting illness, here is a tip from Arlington County: frequent and careful handwashing to prevent the spread of illness- at least 20 seconds in hot, soapy water (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice)
I can count to 20 seconds, thank you very much. You don’t have to dumb it down quite that much.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
We here at Metroblogging DC extend our warmest birthday wishes to our beloved Mayor-for-Life, Marion Shepilov Barry.
Mrs. Barry’s little boy is 71 today, and if you missed it the first time, we invite you to read MBDC’s previously published Marion Barry profile.
No word on what flavor his birthday cake will be.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Don
It’s your last week to get out and see Lipsynka: The Passion of the Crawford before it closes on March 11th. My tickets are for this Friday so I can’t yet give you any concrete details on this performance, but if it’s half as good as when I saw a Lipsynka show four years ago it’s well worth your money. John Epperson’s performance combines projected images, precise staged movement, and recorded sound that’s fun and impressive in a way that defies description.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Carl Weaver
The Arlington CERT is looking for new members. This is an exciting program and a wonderful way to be active in your community’s emergency response system.
From the Arlington CERT email I received this afternoon:
If you’re interested in learning how to be better prepared in your own home and workplace — and to assist others in an emergency — Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training may be for you. During the eight-session course you’ll learn how to plan for and become better prepared for disasters, how to treat those who are injured, how to put out small fires and turn off utilities, and how to conduct light search and rescue. The curriculum also includes team management, disaster psychology and terrorism modules.
The training is free to Arlington County residents who are 18 years or older (16 and older if accompanied by a parent) and able to participate in all aspects of the training. The class meets six weeknights (consecutive Tuesdays or Thursdays) and two Saturday mornings. Upon completion of the training, residents have the option of becoming active members of their neighborhood CERT. To-date, over 330 residents have completed CERT training, 150 of whom are members of neighborhood teams.
There are CERT classes beginning on Thursday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 27 and there are still seats available in each. If you’d like additional information — or would like to enroll — contact the program coordinator at ArlingtonCERT@aol.com. You can never be too prepared!
I can tell you from firsthand experience that CERT training is fun and educational and a great way to get more involved in your local community. Preparing for disaster is like having a tool you hope to never need but that you have on hand in case you do need it someday. Come join the fun and have a different type of educational experience.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Don
But do it responsibly! That crappy old monitor you’re getting rid of because you bought a nifty new LCD is full of crud you’d rather not have in your groundwater. So rather than tossing it in the trash, put it in the hands of a recycler. After you toss your old piece at you local recycling business, you should hire the help from the Belleville IT Support Companies to set up your perfect work or home station.
One such is PC Recycler, a local company that makes their money serving the needs of business. As a bit of community outreach, however, they have two open days a month for private citizens to drop off their unwanted gear, always on the second Friday and Saturday of the month. So this month it’s going to be the 9th (from 9am to 5pm) and 10th (from 10am to 2pm), this coming weekend.
They’ll take:
They assert that they recycle 100% of all e-Waste they receive and send nothing to the landfill. Way better than just tossing it in the trash.
PC Recycler, Inc
4005 Westfax Drive
Suite A
Chantilly, VA 20151
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Wayan
Do you find yourself in downtown Washington DC looking for a parking space? Would you want a cheat sheet for parking garages to end your pain?
Then check out Where to Park:
“a meshing of the functionality provided by the now ubiquitous Google Maps with our search engine and proprietary geocoding data. We’ve done the leg work of aggregating the information you need and want”
And they’re betting you want a parking spot and are willing to pay $8-12 a day for it too. Now if they only let you check garage availability and reserve spaces before hand..
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Max
I didn’t think so. A better question may be, “Did you even know we had a National Aquarium?”
I’ve lived here for a couple of years now and have always noticed the tiny sign across the street from the Ronald Reagan building which alludes to an aquarium with new artifical plants for turtles and tortoises. Before you even set foot in the door, you’re setup for disappointment. I mean most aquariums are huge and have some sort of giant shark coming out of the side of the building. Our national treasure is tucked away in the basement of some old office building.
OK, fine. I don’t want to be a total downer and talk bad about our city. I think it’s great that they have a place where little kids can go look at “pretty fishies” and bang on the glass tanks. A place where we can see a 5 foot alligator staring at you through thick Plexiglas walls. A place where algae grows thick in nearly every tank. And of course, a place with a tacky gift shop where you can buy a stuffed shark, a plastic frog, or a bag full of shark’s teeth. Who couldn’t use a bag full of teeth?
For a $5 admission fee, it’s worth going to check it out on your own sometime. If you leave feeling disappointed, just grab a $5 hot dog from one of the street vendors and thanks God that it’s not you in one of those tanks.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Carl Weaver
I am sitting in Murky Coffee and the woman sitting next to me (no, not my wife – the one on the other side) just made references to someone’s “brown” girlfriend, explaining that she is “mulatto” but that she’s really cute anyway. All this is on a cell phone call at normal volume. There are seven people in the room, all within easy earshot.
Does anyone still say mulatto? I thought that word went out of style with “colored” and “Negro.”
This same person is using all sorts of profanity as well, so I shouldn’t be surprised by the racial slurs. I guess public is the new private when it comes to embarrassing things you can say during a phone call.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Wayan
Well look who is dress up today. A suit and tie on a Sunday?
I have an appointment with President George W Bush.
Oh, not that again. Are you headed back down to the White House? You know you’re not changing minds with your megaphone – only annoying tourists.
“Only annoying tourists”? No, I am doing much more than that. I am exercising my Constitutional right to Freedom of Speech.
But do you have to do it on a Sunday? You know the ladies at church are wondering where you are.
Well let them wonder. This is a calling as great as God’s church. I am on a misson from Jesus himself. I must speak out!
Okay, do what you have to do, but no more practicing in the back yard. The neighbours are gonna call the police the next time you start yelling at 6am.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Carl Weaver
I just had brunch at O’Sullivan’s, an Irish bar on Washington Blvd. by the Clarendon Metro stop. The food was great and in fact my wife and I have been there twice now, both times in response to the long line at the Silver Diner across the street. Hopefully this place will make its way into our usual lineup of breakfast restaurants, even though the prices are a bit higher than I like to pay and the smokers make it a little less pleasant than it could be.
One of the big benefits to brunch at this bar is that you can enjoy a $2.50 pint of Guinness with your meal – something that at home classifies you as an alcoholic but at a bar makes you one of the locals. Unfortunately, my teaching schedule for the afternoon got in the way of me getting liquored up. Maybe next time.
The one downside I have noticed on both visits is that the service, while excellent during the meal, really falls apart when it is time to pay the bill. I give my card to the young lad and it takes forever to get it back. This is a mild annoyance but when it comes time to sign the receipt and write in a tip, you better believe the last ten minutes of waiting come into consideration.
Go check this place out. The food is really something and the menu even has such Irish favorites as bangers, rashers and black pudding, although I am not sure if this is a real black pudding or just something with the same name made for the American palate. Who thought it could ever be this good? Be prepared for some great food, great times and potentially slow service toward the end. Have another pint of Guinness and enjoy the wait.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By brownpau
Why all the police cars, I wondered to myself as I emerged from the Union Station Metro last night. Someone’s gone and done something stupid. Sure enough: Teen Injured, Two Arrested In Shooting at Union Station. This report from Officer Diane Groomes on the MPD-1D mailing list:
1d units called to Union Station by Amtrak pd tonite at approximately 1800 hours – report of juveniles fighting near bakery area – the argument became physical and spilled out on 1st St NE side — the group continued to fight and gunshots rang out – one teenager struck by gunfire and taken to Hospital – officers chased subjects -so far two apprehensions and gun recovery — victim at hospital in critical condition
By the time I arrived, I’d missed the action by about an hour. According to witnesses the boy had been shot multiple times in the head, but managed to drag himself to Corner Bakery to ask for help, while the shooter and his girlfriend had run down E Street, where they were apprehended and arrested for assault. They gave their address as the shelter at 2nd and D Streets NW, which would be CCNV.
Tip to would-be gun happy perps at Union Station: Don’t. Really. It’s so heavily policed they’ll be on you before you can say Mooninite, especially at that specific corner, which almost always has a patrol car on watch to moderate the hordes of after-school teens who used to conglomerate there and occasionally harass tourists and other passers-by.
An eloquent differing view from DC CL RNR.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
By Wayan
What would be a bad day for a DC Department of Transportation worker? How about pouring a new section of DC street, taking you time to make the concrete flat, then textured, and even corners, just to have it marred.
And not marred by a simple “Wayan ♥ Amy” graffiti but by a major idiot trying to drive his motorcycle across the wet cement.
That’s what happened to this section of Park Road NW, just before it crosses 16th Street NW. A bad day for the DC DOT road fixing crew:
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
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