Good morning, Washington. Now that you’ve settled into your desk and are sipping warm coffee in a sad little attempt to reverse the effects of that final, extra drink you shouldn’t have had at happy hour last night, allow us to make a suggestion. Close your eyes, and think back. Waaaaaay back, to December of aught-six. As you’ll recall, it was a simpler, balmier time back then. Children naively longed for winter’s cruel embrace in order to better greet Santa, and we all feared the end of the world 2007 tourist season was nigh because the cherry blossoms were getting all confused by the crazy backwards weather and would bloom too soon and OMG what were we gonna do!!?! But now we can take deep, relaxing breaths, and come back to the present day: The National Park Service has announced that the peak blooming dates of the cherry blossoms will be April 1 – April 7, 2007.
Capitol Visitor Center Officially a Boondoggle: The WaPo’s Michael E. Ruane and Joe Stephens had some fun writing their front page story about the perpetually delayed and massively over budget progress of the new Capitol Visitor Center. With the opening now set for summer 2008 (though the article hints it will be even later than that), the post 9-11 security alterations to the plans have caused progress on the center to slow to a snail’s pace and the budget to balloon to about $600 million. The article is chock full of apt comparisons, but we especially appreciate the one made to the District’s new baseball stadium. Fun for the whole family.
Regional Primary Considered: Maryland is thinking about moving up their primary to Feb. 12, the same day that Virginia holds their primary, and asking the District to do the same. The idea is that if the region holds its primaries simultaneously and earlier, we’ll get more attention from the candidates because the outcome of our election might actually matter to them. Of course, what it will also mean is that we’ll be getting bombarded with television ad buys from both parties. Hmm. Elections that matter vs. excruciating TV spots. It’s a tough call.
Briefly Noted: Retired District official pleads guilty to bribery … D.C. Council delays approval of funds for school modernization … Nextbus service to expand in April.
This Day in DCist: Last year we congratulated Marion Barry as he avoided a prison sentence (which he now may face again), and the year before that we investigated the possible existence of a Nixon Memorial.
Photo by methTICALman.
