Good morning, Washington. The pernicious effects of this year’s drought could continue to haunt the region during next year’s holiday season, according to WTOP. Turns out that young Christmas trees and seedlings being grown in Maryland and Virginia were especially affected by the lack of rainfall, meaning that thousands of area children could suffer the indignity of having to make due with a sub-par decorative plant with which to entice entice Santa to leave them many gifts. Thankfully the tears won’t have to start flowing this year, as full-grown trees are just fine. But we’re already cringing at the thought of little Johnny or Susie waking up to a stunted, brown tree on Christmas morning, 2008 — and of course, the subsequent FOX News report suggesting that wingnut climate change alarmists are responsible for the demise of the Christmas spirit.
D.C. Council ANGRY! GRR!: We mentioned it briefly at the end of the day yesterday, but the Post goes into further detail on the front page of today’s Metro section about exactly how perturbed the D.C. Council is with Mayor Adrian Fenty, Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso for not keeping them in the loop about their aggressive schools closure proposal. Council Chair Vincent Gray told the paper that the problem is that, “council members are getting phone calls from constituents. They are being asked about decisions that they had no involvement in or knowledge of.” Rhee said that she will introduce a final version of the proposal for closures in January, after a series of community meetings allow residents to give their feedback.
Financier of Pro-tunnel Group Severs Ties: One of the original leaders of the pro-Tysons Tunnel effort, developer Gerald Halpin, has broken ties with the group that filed suit against the federal government this week, telling the Examiner he was “very surprised” by the move and mocking those behind it. Think a federal judge will feel the same way?
Briefly Noted: Moten School administrator pleads guilty to theft of $30,000 from chess club … Man shot to death in District Heights … More traffic changes on Foxhall Rd. … Arlington woman charged with sending threatening letters.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we recommended a few of our favorite places to buy Christmas trees in the city, and in 2005 we were taking bets about who would fall in that year’s no-bid contract schedule.
Photo by christaki
