Back in January, when WHFS morphed suddenly and without ado into El Zol, it seemed rock radio in the Washington area was all but dead. Such old media rock listeners as still existed were forced to take in the corporatized nu-metal of DC 101 or static-y bursts of college radio, while the rest of us bought XM receivers and loaded our iPods with downloaded tracks, ‘casts, and mashups. Conventional wisdom has become that, in a…

Today will start cloudy and become partly sunny in the afternoon, with highs around 60. The photo is of the brand-new Music Center at Strathmore. Bush Budget Mixed Bag for Region: Although Chesapeake Bay cleanup and library programs would be cut, President Bush’s budget would increase military spending in the region. See the Post article the budget’s local impact. Whitman Remembered: Walt Whitman spent 10 years living in Washington, D.C., and the attraction to…

Just under two hours ago, venerable alternative radio flagship station WHFS, 99.1 on your FM dial, was taken off the air and replaced by “El Sol” which will play “a mixture of Salsa, Merengue and Bachata, targeting adults 25-54.” Ack! The move took many area radio listeners by surprise. Billboard Radio Monitor called the format change “a shocking move.” “We have made clear our desire to expand into this burgeoning market and believe this move…