Photo by clio1789

Good morning, Washington. It’s around the time of year that heading down toward the Tidal Basin becomes a whole new beast of a trip — the Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off tomorrow. Already yesterday large groups crowded the area, as tour buses crawled down Ohio Drive and toward Hains Point to find a place to park. We’ll have plenty more to say as the festival progresses, but let us be the first ones to warn you that for no reason should you think to drive down there for another two weeks.

Maryland House GOP Leader Pushes Back on Marriage Equality: Maryland House Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell, a Republican, is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit state agencies from recognizing same-sex marriages performed outside the state until the General Assembly or a court could settle the matter, writes the Examiner. The legislation is aimed squarely at neutralizing a decision by state Attorney General Doug Gansler earlier this year that said that Maryland would start recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, including the District. O’Donnell framed his legislation in terms of protecting the state’s same-sex couples, saying, “It would be patently unfair, in my opinion, if people are given rights and then the legislature yanks the rug out from underneath them in a very, very cruel way.” O’Donnell called his legislation “one of the most important bills this session.”

IRS Files Lien Against Barry: The IRS filed a lien against Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) for $15,000 in unpaid taxes due from 2005 to 2008, reports the Post. We’re not going to recount all of Barry’s recent troubles, but the mayor-for-life remains on probation for a 2006 conviction for not paying taxes on $500,000 in salary, and the IRS has been garnishing $1,350 every two weeks from his salary as part of a repayment plan.

Arenas to be Sentenced Today: WTOP writes up the building suspense over the sentencing of the District’s once-favorite local athlete, Gilbert Arenas. We’ll bring the news as soon as we have it.

Report Finds that 14% of Gay Men are HIV-Positive: A report by the District’s HIV/AIDS Administration has found that more than 14 percent of the city’s gay men are HIV-positive, more than five times the rate for the overall population, writes the Post. The report also found that more than 40 percent of the men surveyed were unaware of their own diagnosis and did not know the status of their last partner, and that younger gay men were more likely to engage in safe sex.

Briefly Noted: Snow possible today — for real … Frank Gehry unveils Eisenhower Memorial … Cuccinelli’s bid against health care reform may be influenced by his future plans .. Metro looking to buy new rail cars that wouldn’t fit with existing stock.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2009, Mayor Fenty disappeared on another secret trip and the D.C. voting rights bill stalled in the House again. In 2008, Nationals Park announced it would allow outside food in and residents around the stadium received visitor parking passes.