Buck up, D.C. Of course we’re all still reeling from the Justin Timberlake-Cameron Diaz split confirmation, but there’s plenty to be cheerful about this Friday before a holiday weekend (especially one that’s shaping up to at least be mild temperature wise, if rainy). Why, even a few of this morning’s headlines seem downright cheery.
New Taxi Zone Map in the Works: Even while the new District government is considering making the switch from zones to meters, City Manager Dan Tangherlini announced that the existing zone maps would be redesigned in an effort to make them easier to understand. Within 30 days, new taxi zone maps that show more individual street names and show north at the top instead of on the left should be ready to place in D.C. taxis.
Support for HPV Vaccine Law Growing: Despite a few reactionary views being tossed around about the possibility of making the HPV vaccine, which prevents several forms of the virus that causes cervical cancer, mandatory for girls in the District, the idea is growing in popularity around the country, reports the Post. Half a dozen states have also introduced legislation that would mandate the vaccine for students by the time they reach middle school, and Mayor Adrian Fenty has expressed his support for the plan.
Gray Picked for Another Leadership Position: D.C. Council Chair Vincent Gray yesterday was elected to the top post at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, an association of 21 jurisdictions in the Washington area. He’ll be joined by Montgomery County Council Member Michael Knapp and Fairfax County and Supervisor Penelope A. Gross to head its board of directors in 2007.
Briefly Noted: Northbound lanes of Route 29 closed in Silver Spring after fatal accident … NTSB probe of Metro expanded … United airlines opens Dulles to Beijing route … Police arrest 80 Guantanamo Bay protestors.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we introduced our popular Overheard in D.C. feature, and in 2005 we took a closer look at the state of our drinking water.
Photo by mindgutter.
