Morning Roundup: Last Morning of 2008, So Make It Count Edition

Good morning, Washington, and here's hoping you missed out on the dread wintry mix that just passed my window. It felt like Dick Cheney's parting comments to the city of Washington, a zephyrous chill whispered from the Naval Observatory.

Anyhow! In news much like the ray of sunshine that followed that momentary storm, the Obamas are moving to town this weekend, NBC4 reports. Though the Obamas are not so green here, the President-elect won in part on the strength of his reputation as being anything but a Washington insider. Now it's time for him to get to know the city. First order of business: They ought to visit the Raven. That's a great bar.

Until January 15, the Obamas will stay in a Washington hotel. Gossip columnists and neighborhood bloggers: Who knows where they will spend their first two weeks in Washington?

Policy Will Ban Smoking in Federal Buildings, Again: Though President Bill Clinton signed the executive order banning smoking in federal buildings in 1997, the rule designated smoking rooms and other special exceptions. So smoking inside Federal City continued, albeit less overtly, for more than 10 years. This time, though — you know, it's New Year's, the decade's almost over, the Federal Government isn't getting any younger — this time the Feds are quitting for real. The Washington Post reports that federal buildings have had a problem quitting due to employee unions, other government buildings always smoking whenever U.S. buildings are around, and it being so damn hard for buidlings to give up the cigarette-and-coffee morning routine.

Police To Practice Inauguration Security During New Year's: Tonight, police will use sobriety checkpoints as a dry run for inauguration security. Get it, eh? You feel me, NBC4.

Briefly Noted: Carbon monoxide leak forces senior community evacuation . . . Mother changes her story concerning daughter's death . . . Maryland rallies for humane victory against Nevada . . . UMBC win team chess championship . . . No bites on pricey inauguration rentals.

Photo by Samer Farha