With Inauguration Day fast approaching, temperatures in D.C. have taken a dive. According to the Weather Underground, temperatures today will have highs in the low 20s, and snow is likely Wednesday. There is currently a wind chill advisory in effect.

Hotel Strike Averted: The union representing nearly 5,000 hotel workers in the Washington, D.C., area that had threatened a strike during inauguration week has announced they have reached an agreement with the hotel owners. According to the AFL-CIO’s D.C. newsletter, the agreement reached by UNITE HERE Local 25

ensures that there will be no work interruptions and the hotels will be able to proceed with all guest services for inauguration week as planned. The contract language includes new protections from workload increases, harassment at the workplace and other problems workers sought to improve. The economic package improves wages, pension contributions and maintains a strong health care package.

Inauguration Preparations in Full Swing: With George W. Bush’s second inaugural just days away, people from across the country are converging on D.C. for the event. When DCist stopped by the protestors’ makeshift headquarters yesterday, the New York Avenue office was abuzz with people who had traveled from Idaho, Oklahoma, California, Washington, and even Brazil to participate in protest activities. In addition to a website designed as an information clearinghouse, activists have also launched sites with an inauguration map, and to coordinate legal and media operations. Meanwhile, 2,000 police from around the county have begun to arrive in town, the military is checking out the parade route, and experts think the traffic Thursday will be like the “regular weekday rush hour and a major snowstorm wrapped together.”

King Remembered A variety of events marked the commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King yesterday. Although cold weather motivated D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry to cancel the annual parade held to commemorate the civil rights leader in Anacostia, other events in the city included an event for the homeless.

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