Mayor Returns Smoking Ban Unsigned: An unsigned-by-Mayor-Williams smoking ban now heads to the U.S. Congress, which has 30 days to review the legislation. Read: he didn’t veto it, but he’s allowing it to be enacted sans his signature. Williams stated in a Post article that he fears the ban would go “too far in restricting the freedom for individuals to dine and work where they please.” Actually, we think it’s smoking that does that, not a smoking ban. Then again, we know who in the Williams house hits the sticks. Also noted in the Post, if Congress doesn’t try to halt the legislation during the next 30 days, the two-stage ban will take effect automatically — first most indoor workplaces and restaurant dining rooms would go smoke-free, followed by bars, taverns, nightclubs and the bar area of restaurants. We’ll keep tabs over the next 30 legislative days.
Site Chosen for National Museum of African-American History: After what the New York Times penned as “a century of political infighting and delay,” the Smithsonian Institution finally picked a place for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture. The Times says that the future museum will be right near the Washington Monument and across the street from the National Museum of American History. As noted in the Times, “Efforts to build a national museum of black history began in the early 1900’s but were repeatedly thwarted by political and social opposition well into the 1990’s. In 1994 Senator Jesse Helms, Republican of North Carolina, passionately blocked Senate passage of a bill authorizing the museum, saying Congress should not have to ‘pony up’ for such efforts.” Reaction has ranged from the jubilant who have praised the prime Mall location, to those who think it will make the Mall “too cluttered”. We say the Mall can always use some new museum action.
Cabinet-level Official to Represent the District’s Gay Community: The Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs has risen to cabinet-level status, according to WTOP. Though the office was created in 2004, it was yesterday that the mayor signed a bill making it a cabinet-level addition. Council-member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) is noted as saying that such will be a welcome addition to “resolve the issues of homophobia” that exist in the city.
It’s Been a Warm January: It’s official: this has been the ninth warmest January on record for the D.C. area and the warmest on record at Dulles. Though it seems that February could be a veritable grab-bag of weather-related surprises, some are predicting the warm weather to stretch on, while others say that a colder-than-normal February is on the way. Also noted in the article is a new system for measuring snowstorms that was unveiled yesterday by the National Weather Service. As noted in the Post, the system, called the Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale, will be determined by a number of variables such as the number of people affected and the amount of snowfall. It will have five categories that go from “notable” to “extreme,” with “significant,” “major” and “crippling” filling in the middle. This DCist, who originally hails from Florida, adores the unseasonably warm weather and shudders at the thought of a “crippling” snowstorm. What’s up with the verbage? Can we do without hearing of a ‘crippling’ snowstorm coming our way right before rush hour? I’ll take a “number four,” please.
Briefly Noted: Police still searching for suspects in Monday’s noon shooting in Northwest DC … Airman attacked in Adams Morgan dies … Former D.C. DMV official gets a year in jail for role in bribery scheme … Fairfax County aims to become more walking-friendly … Llama on the loose!
Picture snapped by Peter F. Martin.
