Morning, Washington. We hope you were out enjoying the fantastic weather, especially since the environment has been front and center in the news this weekend. As you must have heard, our former Vice President turned Global Warming Guru had to shove over the Oscar on his mantle to make space for half of a Nobel Peace Prize. Maybe after the news you were inspired to go check out the 20 amazing houses built on the Mall for the 2007 Solar Decathlon — if not, tours and workshops go on all week. The eco-friendliness continued as Alexandria held the grand opening of the T.C. Williams school, outfitted with all kinds of energy-efficient technology, that cost only 12 percent more than the average school and will pay for the extra bit in 10 years. But while we’re outside enjoying the sun and how we can use its power, the lack of rain is starting to put the squeeze on farmers, whose herds and crops are suffering, including our beloved holiday pumpkins and evergreens. Oh, and a new NoVa company wants to reincarnate you as a tree.
Southeast Federal Land May Get Facelift: Secretary Chertoff and Co. may be moving to Anacostia soon, the Post reports. A current proposal would build a $3 billion compound for the Department of Homeland Security on the western campus of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Proponents, such as Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, say the facility would reinvigorate a depressed area of the city, but critics worry that it will be a secured, fenced-off area that won’t contribute much to the surrounding neighborhood. Preservationists have also chimed in, concerned that the project, which would be very close to the Anacostia River, would destroy the D.C. skyline. The U.S. Commission on Fine Arts kicks off the process with a public meeting to review the proposals this Thursday.
Start Counting Your Paystubs, DCPS: We noted back in August when D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee first asked for the power to fire DCPS employees, and at the time, support was luke-warm at best. Tides have slowly changed, however, and the Examiner reports that as of Friday, 8 Council members officially support the legislation put forth by Mayor Adrian Fenty. Only one more vote is needed to pass the emergency bill.
Briefly Noted: Washington Post reporter killed in Iraq … Debate continues on Tomb of the Unknown Soldier fracture … Arlington firefighters angrily testify about poor benefits handling.
This Day In DCist: In 2004 we were starting to worry about mutating fish in the Potomac, but Robert Redford was in town to sooth our nerves.
Photo by yonas1.
