It’s here! As of 8:07 last night, spring has officially sprung. Today’s going to be a little chilly, but by the end of the week we’ll have almost cracked 70 degrees. Woohoo!
Pedestrian Safety Initiative Kicks Off: The Post reports on the pedestrian safety program that regional governments launched yesterday morning from a press event at Thomas Circle. What will this mean for you? Perhaps some new traffic lights, and definitely some additional enforcement of jaywalking and pedestrian right-of-way laws. Given the tragic number of pedestrian deaths that 2007 has already seen, we’re all for it. But couldn’t they have chosen a better tagline for the program than “Steel vs. Flesh — It’s no contest”? It seems needlessly antagonistic to us.
Maryland Smoking Ban Advances: The Examiner brings word from the AP that a statewide smoking ban is making progress in Maryland. Last week a ban bill made it out of committee in the state Senate; now a similar but slightly more restrictive bill has cleared a committee in the House. The bills are expected to pass — the primary remaining question is whether the Senate bill’s exemption for private clubs like the American Legion will survive.
Metro Set To Lose Carpet, Again: WJLA says that John Catoe, Metro’s new general manager, wants to get rid of our subway system’s carpeting. Makes sense to us — the stuff is filthy and expensive to maintain. But will it happen? The article reports that “Catoe said he was surprised nobody had thought to remove the carpet before.” We’re surprised to hear him say that he’s surprised. The idea’s been floated before, and was even supposed to be tested last summer.
Briefly Noted: Fenty’s proposed budget includes 8% growth, few surprises… There’s another crazy cat lady surprisingly-competent cat enthusiast in Frederick… Superintendent Clifford Janey narrowly evades contempt ruling… Concealed handgun owners upset over publication of their names… Va. hybrid owners’ access to HOV lanes extended…
This Day In DCist: One year ago we were laying the groundwork for this week’s deja vu with protestors and elephants. Two years ago we remembered Comet Liquors’ Sid Drazin and learned about D.C.’s Joan of Arc monument.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user SweetJen34
