Good morning D.C. As you all very well know, it’s cherry blossom season. And just to prove it to those who may be allergic to either the cherry blossoms, or the visitors, here is a photo contributed by Alphanumeric on DCist’s Flickr photo page.
Tourists Hurting Cherry Trees: Lots of feet equal harmful pressure on tree root zones, says the Post. And for the cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin, the root zone for many trees are exposed on the surface which many people walk on.
Soil compaction is slowly killing many of the trees on parade this month, though the effects are not apparent. “You might compare it to smoking or drinking or not eating right,” said Robert DeFeo, the National Park Service horticulturist whose job it is to care for the trees. “Eventually it gets you.”
So for the sake of the trees, stay on the sidewalk. If you don’t, we might as well find that meddlesome beaver …
Nats Win! The Nationals, after falling in their first season game, beat Philadelphia last night. The W.Times’ Thom Laverro notes that the win is even more historic than it may appear: it’s “a Washington baseball win, the first since the Senators defeated the New York Yankees 4-2 on Sept. 28, 1971 at RFK Stadium.” And the price estimate of the new stadium is attracting more scornful eyes from the D.C. Council, according to the Post, but more on that later.
Tougher Penalties Considered: The AP, via the W.Times, outlines legislation the mayor is considering that would up the penalties for crimes against children and the elderly. Additionally, it would make prostitution illegal, with police able to declare prostitution free zones. If you didn’t know, prostitution is not illegal in the District, but soliciting such services is strictly verboten. But the bill has attracted some criticism from members of the D.C. Council. The Post writes that some are “arguing that more criminal charges and longer sentences will do little to protect D.C. residents.”
Briefly Noted: Transit security funds to be divided … Man has heart attack at White House … Kennedy Center’s lack of certain fire-safety systems drawing ire on Capitol Hill …
