METRO thinking about that CREAM

With my brother in town visiting for the next couple of weeks because our mom just received a long-awaited (12 years!) kidney transplant, we've been all over the place. Between visiting our mom at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and showing him around, we've made many trips all over Washington, DC, many just on the fly. And whenever you're traveling as such, sometimes you forget to grab a few dollars for the unexpected.

When I first moved here that meant knowing which METRO stations were near ATM machines. But now, though the service fee is still one of the most greediest ideas ever thought up, having the ATMs in the METRO rail stations has been a huge convenience.

Apparently I'm not the only one who has been using the new service. METRO has been generating a few extra dollars themselves off the ATMs and are now looking at testing out more retail at some of the stations.

I'm completely for the concept, but I will hold onto my endorsement until after I see what ideas they have with the test pilot program. Metro Station and Gallery Place/Chinatown are two stations I (and thousands of others) frequent regularly that may get some test retail. I'm hoping we're not talking about mini flea market setups. Since it's going in the free areas, I'm envisioning a bunch of tables set up like vendors at a trade show, hawking goods at me rushing to the hospital.

I can hear the Cingular and SprintNextel salespeople harassing riders the way they do at the mall. Or someone offering to give me a free quick facial, or a table full of imposter sunglasses and knockoff sports caps.

At least one thing they got right already: no foods and drinks.

The comforts of METRO worth it?

I remember when I visited New York last fall. I rode their subway system just about everywhere I went and was amazed at the extent of the system. It goes everywhere, all the time, with regular and express routes and it's affordable. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere.

But one thing was missing. I really didn't know what it was until I read this article in the Post the other day. There's just something comfortable about riding Washington, DC's METRO. It's the millions of dollars spent just on the comfort.

Whenever I get in a conversation about METRO, I tend to hear people make suggestions about spending money here and there and where to save it. More cars. More often. More stations.

When I asked about the money spent on the comfort, some of my friends said they could do without the carpets and cushions if that money was spent somewhere else that would improve the system.

I have to disagree. I feel whether the money went somewhere else or not, there will always be something everyone wishes more money was spent on. The only difference is how less comfy the ride would become as people complained about METRO. The article mentioned how the carpet absorbs the sounds of shoes and heels on the floor. I'm for that. And the cushions sure came in handy when I used to ride from Eastern Market station to Shady Grove every day.

I'm for the carpet and cushions. I just wish they'd change the color. In the article, someone mentioned the affects of those colors on people. I agree. I feel the colors need to be anything but those drabby colors. As a matter of fact, retile the stations from that orangish/brown tile.

Find cheaper gas in Washington, DC

Visit GasBuddy.com and enter your ZIP code to find the best priced gas in your area. I'm a METRO rider, so this link does me no good. Hopefully it helps you save a few pennies.

Marion Barry's minor fender bender

Can you imagine a 70-year-old in traffic school? A former four-term mayor who seems to stay in the news, but not necessarily for all the right reasons? Well, it's possible, but hopefully D.C. Council member Marion Barry only has to deal with the $50 ticket for a minor late-night accident.

Anacostia will soon have its throne again

It's crazy how in life little, well, in this case, big things, doesn't seem to mean anything until they're no longer around. In Marietta, GA, whenever you give someone directions, chances are The Big Chicken was used as a landmark, a guiding post, like the North Star.

Who would have though in Washington, DC, there also is something big and weird. Of course there's the Washington Monument which has been described as a bunch of big things. There's the dome of the U.S. Capitol and the Cathedral. They're big, but they're supposed to be big.

What about The Big Chair? There is a 19 1/2 -foot-tall chair being rebuilt from Mahogany to aluminum on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. That's big.

According to roadsideamerica.com, at one point in time it was even the largest chair in the world. Other sites to visit for more about the Big Chair:

• The Big Chair Vanishes


• 2003 World Fantasy Convention


• Cultural Tourism DC

Peregrine falcons making DC their new home

There's an interesting article on the Washington Post website about falcons choosing to live in urban areas, such as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge as opposed to the countryside. Apparently the bridge has quite an active ecosystem just below the rumble of the thousands of vehicles traveling the bridge everyday.

The photo above is from Paula Sullivan's website where she has a bunch of good photos of the falcons. A couple of weeks ago the falcons laid three eggs. If the raccoons don't get to them first, we may be looking forward to seeing more falcons in the area.

DC real estate is on fire, everywhere!

When I lived in Atlanta, the majority of my friends lived in a city that was not Atlanta. Marietta, Norcross, Douglasville, East Point, Roswell, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Austell, Jonesboro, Lithonia, Lithia Springs and so forth. When I moved to Washington, DC, I assumed everyone who lived in the District simply lived in the District. Rarely in Atlanta did I ask someone where they lived and they responded with the name of their neighborhood. In DC people take pride in their neighborhoods as if the neighborhood is a little city in itself. Capitol Hill, Brookland, Columbia Heights, Georgetown, Cleveland Park, Anacostia, Mount Pleasant, Adams Morgan and on and on.

Each neighborhood has its own history, its own personality, even its own celebratory festival day. Capitol Hill celebrates Barracks Row Fest on September 16 this year. I used to live in Capitol Hill, but now I live in Trinidad just off Benning Road.

About a month ago, the Washington Post had an article about the rising cost of living in these neighborhoods. Though Trinidad isn't quite a dream location in DC, it witnessed the second highest spike in buying a home. The 20002 ZIP code area prices increased 46% from last year. ZIP code 20010 saw a 63% increase, consisting of the Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods. Cleveland Park and Woodley Park areas only saw a 15% increase, but the median for buying a home there was $1.15 million, more than Glover Park and Georgetown's median of $900,000. Anacostia and Deanwood's medians rose to $200,000 and $180,000 respectively, but those reflect increases of 31% and 44% respectively.

In the next month or two I'll be taking the real estate exam to get a real estate license. Now that I don't plan on leaving Washington, DC, ever, I'm going to pay more attention to these patterns and dive into the world of ever-rising DC real estate.

Being that I'm still renting, I'm hoping these increases slow down just a bit so I can afford to live in DC, but I'm not counting on it. There are a handful of projects going on that will only continue to inflate these prices. H Street, the Waterfront and the ensuing stadium, the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative, Columbia Heights' DC USA project, Massachusetts Avenue and a bunch of other projects I probably don't even know about are going to keep those increases, well, increasing. Let's just hope I get in while it's good before it slows down and I still can't afford to live in DC.

Fran O'Brien's vs. The Hilton

Now you knew I wasn't gonna let this go by and not mention anything. Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steak House on 16th Street has been the place to be for wounded service members returning from the war(s). The restaurant bends over backwards to bring in the wounded Americans, by volunteers van, carrying them down the stairs, helping them in their wheelchairs. The restaurant owners, Marty O'Brien and Hal Koster, know the returning men and women by name and call them even when they're not at the bar. The restaurant has become a quiet legend among the returning wounded.

But the Hilton, the hotel whose basement the restaurant is in, decided not to renew the lease. There isn't much time left, the lease set to expire on May 1, but there are a bunch of people fighting like hell to stop it.

I can understand the Hilton and its position of, "This is business." Actually, it is just business. They're not in the business of hospitality; they're in the business of making money. They'll say this isn't about money either, but that's why they're in business. Regardless, I do understand, but every now and then, in a world in which we all die and it's over one day, you have to do something right.

I wouldn't be surprised if The Hilton had a hotel, or plans for one, in Baghdad, Iraq. They probably just can't wait until the Americans (and their allies) secure the area so a hotel could be built to generate millions of dollars off the backs of wounded and killed service members. And the one thing the Hilton can do right now to show their support of those who serve in their business without planning on it is allow them the atmosphere of Fran O'Brien's. Hey, the war will be over in a few more years, give or take a decade. If you don't like it, you know what to do.

Darrell Green is a Republican?

How can anyone live in Washington, DC, and not love the Washington Redskins? More than that, who can live here and not love Darrell Green? One of the most beloved of all Redskins, Darrell Green burst onto the scene when as a rookie, he hauled Tony Dorsett of the Cowboys down on Monday Night Football.

Looks like he's about to join another team, but not one that I can say ranks high in my book. Darrell Green is being wooed by the Republicans to run for the state Senate from Loundon County. The vote won't be until 2007, plenty of time for Redskins die-hards to decide if they want to vote for one of our favorite Redskins of all-time, or vote against yet another Republican who's main interest isn't in line with what's best for America.

Regardless, I wish him the best, as long as it doesn't compromise the American standard of freedom being breached by Republicans all over the country.

Got Solutions?

Ok, we all know Washington, DC, isn't perfect. As much as we love the city, we all have a few ideas of how to make it better. Well, now is the time to share those ideas, and you just may receive $5,000 for it.

DC Appleseed has a project called "Solving DC Problems" which is giving rewards for whomever comes up with DC's biggest problems and a solution. The project is sponsored by the June and Jon Hechinger Family Trusts and donors to the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region.

The problems and solutions will be voted on by online readers (so get all your friends to vote for your idea) and the winners get to present their ideas to the mayoral candidates in a forum in June. Send as many as you want, but you only have until May 5.

The story of American History put on pause

Living in Washington, DC, can sometime be expensive, well, a lot of times, but visiting the museums for the past 160 years has been free. The Smithsonian Museum has many buildings with many interesting exhibits and stories to tell. My favorite is the National Museum of Natural History, that is, until they're done building the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

One of the buildings, though, will be closing down for about two years as it renovates. The Smithsonion Museum announced that the National Museum of American History will close on Labor Day until summer 2008.

Be sure to visit the museum sometime over the summer. This is what we can look forward to in a couple of years:

By removing the marble panels that currently block the view to the museum's third floor, the architects will create a central core atrium with a new skylight that will dramatically open the building and a grand staircase will connect the museum's first and second floors. The central core area is defined as the three-story space encompassing the museum's two main entrances on the first and second floors and the third floor space immediately above the entrance areas.

Extensive 10-foot-high "artifact walls" on both the first and second floors will showcase the breadth of the museum's 3 million objects and a Welcome Center on the second floor will improve visitor orientation. There also will be new entrance vestibules at Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive which will help alleviate crowding. On the first floor, there will be an exhibition gallery for the museum's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, a new lobby for the 275-seat Carmichael Auditorium and new retail operations.

The renovation work will include replacing and relocating public and staff elevators, resulting in improved access to the lower level and the three exhibition floors; creation of several new restrooms, including four family restrooms; replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at the central core; upgrading fire and alarm systems; improving electrical systems; and improving security.

Anacostia's expecting TWO stadiums in 2008?

Just as the dust begins to settle from the Washington Nationals' stadium battle royal, looks like another stadium is headed to DC in the Anacostia area. Only this one probably won't have the hoopla involved.

Kevin Payne, owner of D.C. United soccer team is expecting to move out of RFK Memorial Stadium and into their new digs in the Anacostia area, south of the new Nationals stadium, by 2008 or 2009. The Washington Business Journal recently interviewed Kevin Payne about DC United, his road to bringing a team to the District and his future plans.

METRO's green line is headed for some good times

Recently I purchased a ticket to go to Arizona for a couple of weeks. While comparing one site to the next for the most affordable tickets, I limited myself to flights departing from Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport, primarily because of the ease of hopping on METRO rail with my luggage.

All this talk about METRO being extended to Dulles Airport is like music to my ears. The $20-$100 I can save on airfare is worth the extra time I'll spend on the train, compared to catching a cab, riding on a bus or calling a friend. But now it looks like I'll have three option for airport to leave from.

Maryland, not wanting to be left out in the cold, is increasing talks about the idea of METRO being extended out to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. With competition comes cheaper prices, theoretically. How is Reagan gonna keep their higher prices when people start migrating to the other two airports when it becomes just as easy to reach?

Another benefit if the talks become a reality is the extension of the green line. In the process, perhaps, the green line will run more frequently. The Lady, Torrie, and I went to watch the fireworks last weekend at the Waterfront. As soon as it was over, there was a mob making its way to Waterfront METRO station. Since the station isn't designed for that kind of traffic, there were people not allowed into the station until the station cleared up a bit. We simply walked to Navy Yards METRO station, got on there and got in front of the crowd. The one thing we talked about is how the green line runs trains every 20 minutes that late at night. And sine green line is the only option there, those people had to have been waiting for quite some time.




If the green line is extended to benefit the airport, DC residents who ride the green line will benefit from the added service. Since development is starting to gain momentum in Southeast, this is only another plus for the city. There's already talk about running trolleys from Minnesota Ave METRO Station to Anacostia METRO station. That's a clear those with money are starting their invasion of the deprived part of town.

I welcome any extensions to METRO lines. But more than that, I welcome the financial benefits we'll all receive in having three convenient airports to choose from. Maybe I'll start buying property in Southeast while it's still affordable.

Barracks Row April 29 – Gotta Be There

When I first moved to Washington, DC, home was Capitol Hill. Just two blocks from Barracks Row, I became a regular to all the businesses and restaurants there, especially Ellington's on Eighth, Banana Café and Marty's. And there was no other place to grab a bottle of spirits than Chat's Liquor.

But there are so many restaurants I didn't get the chance to check out before I moved. Luckily, Barracks Row Main Street is having an event 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29, when you can sample foods from any of participating restaurants for just $40. The Barracks Row Dine Around has restaurants serve a signature appetizer, small entrée, dessert & drink. Participating locations are Banana Café, Belga Café, Chat's, Chicken Tortilla, Ellington's on Eighth, Finn MacCool's, Las Placitas, Levi's, Marty's, Old Siam, Starbucks, Starfish Café, Szechuan House, Trattoria Alberto, Ugly Mug, and World Café – all located on Barracks Row.

You do not want to miss this event, especially if you've never taken the time to hang out on Barracks Row.

The melting pot of nationalities and sanities

When I first moved to Washington, DC, I had no idea how diverse the city was. I've met people from corners of the world I thought I'd never meet people from. While working at Verizon Wireless, I worked with someone born or from Trinidad, the country of Georgia, Liberia, Thailand and Brazil. I've meet people from Uruguay, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Peru and a Somali born Saudi Arabia. The number of Ethiopians here are impressive. Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria, Swaziland, Eritrea, Senegal, The Gambia – Africa is well represented. All the European countries, including Turkey, Albania and Poland.

But the ideology diversity has been most impressive. And not just what people think, but the actions of such people. I met this girl named Ginny who was telling me about her couple of months doing volunteer work in Afghanistan. I'll never forget her line (paraphrased), "Volunteering in Afghanistan may seem romantic, but it's a very lonely and isolated feeling when you're out there." I even hung out with some of the loyalists of the LaRouche PAC. Those cats are a bit extreme in their actions, like singing songs in German on the METRO.

Some people, though, are a bit too extreme for me. I've never met the latest cat who felt like he had to do something for whatever was on his mind, but climbing the fence to the White House is something I wouldn't recommend the average person.

The world has gotten a little crazy lately with all the global conflicts, especially the ones in which the U.S. has volunteered to participate in. Emotions run high as American teens are killed overseas at the hands of extremists opposed to our occupation in Iraq and other countries. Cindy Sheehan chose to voice her opinion and take it to George's pad in Texas. At least she stayed around the corner where legally no one could touch her. It's these folk jumping the fence to the White House or tossing stuff over it (or setting themselves on fire like a year or two ago) that confuse me. Do they really think someone is gonna listen to them after that?

I can only wonder what's going through their minds, what secrets do they know or what experiences have they gone through to compel them to do such things. As I walk the streets of Washington, DC, I can only hope unarmed fence jumpers is as crazy as it gets and one day, the world gets a bit more peaceful so no one feels compelled to do such a thing.

I knew Tiahrt had dumb ideas

See, I didn't want to do it, but I was just a bit peeved at Rep. Todd Tiahrt's suggestion of DC returning to Maryland if DC wants voting rights. That's like saying if Texas doesn't want illegal immigrants running across its border, give it back to Mexico!

So, I looked up other blogs which may have mentioned this used-to-be-unknown House of Representative member to me. And look what I found: http://tiahrtfolly.blogspot.com. Apparently his subscription to The Topeka Capital-Journal ran out because he didn't read about Tom DeLay's bout with the law. Todd Tiahrt says, "Tom DeLay did nothing wrong." Huh? Because DeLay has been indicted yet not convicted (yet) means DeLay did nothing wrong? I guess Tiahrt truly believes O.J. didn't do it. Or maybe it has something to do with the $10,071 DeLay put into Tiahrt's coffers.

The Developers vs. The NIMBYers – NW DC

There is a fight brewing in NW Washington, DC, over the amount of development that's coming. Some local residents are voicing their concerns over overdevelopment and the affects of the atmosphere of the area if high-rise condos and other buildings are allowed to be built. But developers' mouths are watering because of the atmosphere area, the METRO rail stations accessibility and the amount of money that resides out there as well as will come out there to be spent.


This is one of those "you-should-have-known-it-was-coming" moments when it only makes sense why developers would want to build high density projects in NW. Everyone knows Washington, DC, is split into four areas; the NW area is the largest of the four, easily. The only parts of NW I've ever seen, though, are the parts immediately near a METRO stop.

The Friendship Heights retail area was on of my favorite places to go when I first moved here. It's also where I figured out the difference between cost of living in Atlanta and in the District. My homeboy went to Howard University School of Law so Van Ness area was also an area I frequented, thanks to METRO. I have a friend across from Woodley Park station; Dupont Circle still is a destination I visit, mainly because of Kramer's Books & Cafe; I go to Cleveland Park if I'm going to the zoo (easier walking downhill than uphill from Woodley Park station).

But there's so much more as far as area to NW than those places. But who is going to venture out to Spring Valley, Wesley Heights, W Street NW area and a bunch of other places I had to look up on a map to know they exist? It's not that people don't want to go out there, or that anything of interest is or is not even out there. It's just that developers know with a METRO station near by, it only makes economical sense to not stray too far away from it.

On the other hand, who in their right mind is going to invest seven figures in a NW DC home just to be circled by thousands of renters in high-rises that take away the aesthetic value of the area? Who of the local residents wants to see magnets for hundreds more cars in the area in addition to the increase in people on the streets, in the stores and in the way thanks to METRO's ability to dump them there? Why would any of them just stand by and watch their neighborhood get sucked into the developers' money-comes-first-concept known as BIATWC: Build-It-And-They-Will-Come.

I'm still forming my opinion on this as well as what suggestions I may be able to come up with that may or not help. For the time being, I'll keep an eye out on the perpetual struggle between The Developers vs. The NIMBYers.

Quick Saturday Night Notes

• Over 3,000 volunteers helped extract a lot of trash from the Potomac River Watershed. About 131 TONS worth from around the District, Maryland and Virginia.


• While we wait for the Redskins' season to begin, there's always some playoff NBA basketball. Grab your Washington Wizards now while they're still retail price. Scalpers aren't gonna be that generous if we get a game seven.


• Should DC Police continue to reward witnesses for criminal cases? Some say yes; some say the program hasn't been as rewarding as its potential so stop it already.


• Looks like it rained on their parade, but I'm sure people still enjoyed the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. What else is there to do on a rainy day?


• Like to ride bikes? Ever been through Columbia Heights? The CityPaper has a good article about the risks of simply strolling by on your bike.


• The Capital Classic is back in the capital for its 33rd year. Get all the info you need about the allstars, the game schedules and how to get tickets for the event this Wednesday. The first 1,000 fans receive a FREE event t-shirt.

Party to Your Royal Badness' Latest Album, 3121

The Musical Genius known as your Purple Badness has release yet another album called 3121. If you also are a Prince fan, there's only one place to be this weekend, and that's Chief Ike's for LoveSexyDC.org's monthly Prince party. It's from 6 p.m. to Monday this Sunday with no cover and Prince drink specials.

There will be a Swap Meet where people can sell, trade and buy Prince stuff. If you have something to sell or trade, it's $5 to rent a sale/swap table. The drink special is $3 Pabst beer; also ask the bartender for the "Prince Drink."

For $1 you can get a raffle ticket for Prince collectibles. The drawing will be at 11:30 p.m., and you have to be present to win. It's 21 to enter, ID required, at Chief Ike's Mambo Road on 1725 Columbia Road NW.

If you haven't purchased Prince's latest album, you better cop it soon. The theme for LoveSexyDC.org's Palm Sunday party is "Incenses and Candles," one of Prince's hot new tracks on 3121.

Wanna know where you should've applied?

Okay, so the event isn't priced for someone who would just like to know where the best jobs to work in Washington, DC are. But the $65 ($850 for a table sponsorship that includes a round of 10, mention in the morning's program and 8" x 10" group photo) is worth going to the Tysons Corner Ritz-Carlton in itself.

Hang out with Washington Business Journal and their sponsors, Monster, Reznick Group and Quantum Market Research, on Friday, May 12th as they recognize the Best Places to Work in Greater Washington. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration and networking, breakfast being served at 8 a.m. The event lasts until 9:30 a.m.

Yep – $65 for some scramble eggs and fruit, meet some bigwigs and journalists, learn where you should've applied and show up for work a little late and little less enthused to be there. Or you could just grab a copy of the special supplement in the May 12th edition of Washington Business Journal.

Other Upcoming Events

• Maybe you love your j-o-b. Here's another event you may be interested in about the Best Real Estate Deals 2005. It's 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. April 27, 2006, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW. You wanna hurry and grab your ticket, for $250 ticket.


• Or maybe you're like me and FREE is the magic word. Kinda like the Smithsonian Museums. Well then you can register for Washington Business Journal's Terry Nicholetti and his Fill Your Sales Funnel seminar 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. this Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at The Washington Business Journal, 1555 Wilson Blvd, Suite 400, Arlington, Virginia.


• Want a free seminar about Venture Capital: What You Need To Know? Coming right up at where else other than the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner! Join Nixon Peabody LLP and Washington Business Journal and hear from venture capital industry insiders and experienced entrepreneurs on what you really need to know about venture capital today. This seminar is 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. this Tuesday at the Tysons Corner Ritz-Carlton.

McKinney apologizes for Sprint commercial act

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) apologized yesterday for using her phone as a crime deterrent when a police officer attempted to do his j-o-b, part of it which is to protect her. How sweet. I guess to be fair, I'm also gonna apologize for all the things I was saying about her 'do.

Seriously, though, I'm feeling the officer in saying he was doing his j-o-b and completely think he's in the right. But I also understand where Cynthia McKinney is coming from. Perhaps this particular incident she was definitely in the wrong, but it cannot be denied that people are still being discriminated against because of their skin color. It may not be deliberate, but it definitely happens everyday. Show up Monday at the National Mall, and you'll find a couple hundred thousand people who would agree with me.

Need $94 million? Well, Alaska has $315 million to spare

I promise I'm trying to be more positive, but I just had to respond to Adrienne Washington's article in The Washington Times. Apparently Adrienne has no problem with the $1 admission fee into the Smithsonian Museum suggested by James Moran (who hasn't replied to my recent post). She uses the examples of paying money for Six Flags or Kings Dominion, which I'm sure does not receive money from taxpayer money. Or when she converted her dollars to euros to go to museums oversees, in countries I'm sure are not American. She went as far as saying we're cutting funds for basic human services or struggling to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims, so how can we afford the $94 million a year to take care of the backlog of repairs needed.

Well, first of all, Adrienne, it's not the dollar I have a problem with. I pay $2.50 for soda at the Museums like everyone else and don't have a problem with it. The issue at hand is simply tradition. It's about an American way. It's about one of the small moments that means so little then that means so much at the end. No one would miss the dollar; it's the experience that will be lost forever.

Should we charge money just because for profit businesses do? Businesses that don't get government help? Should we charge money just because the Europeans do? Or New Yorkers? Or even someone living on Uranus? Should we charge money to donate to Hurricane Katrina victims? What about developing a fund for Wal-Mart employees who are still getting pimped out of health care?

Or – maybe we can add it to the money we're still gonna give to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) even after the "Bridge to Nowhere" caused a funk. Yeah, all $315 MILLION for a bridge that led to NOWHERE! There's your money.

Want more? How about $1.4 BILLION? More? How about $23,345,344,262? The problem is not lack of money to fix stuff. The problem is the money is being spent on everything else. The war, Katrina, health care for Wal-Mart employees and their families, I can live with. But let's not pretend that's where all the tax money goes.

Obviously this is a case of agreeing to disagree. I'm not mad atcha. If they ask me to give up a buck to witness American history, I will, though I feel I already did. But right now they're not asking for a buck, so when you go to visit the Smithsonian Museum, are you gonna pay that buck to help with repairs you seem to feel we have no money to fix?

U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt and his dumb idea

Not another outsider telling us how to live!

Mayor Anthony Williams announced a grant for three organizations of $1 million to teach the people about congressional representation. And then some cat from Kansas said, in so many words, "Join Maryland." U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt was hating on the idea of DC having voting rights, the red light cameras and probably even Cynthia McKinney's most recent hairdo. I didn't send him an email about the red light cameras, since I don't drive, and I'm definitely gonna leave Cynthia's hair alone, but I felt compelled to send an email to him asking why he feels DC should be return to Maryland if the people want to vote and be represented in Congress. Let's hope he replies.

Until then, let's think about this for a second. Tiahrt is pretty much saying that Americans can only have congressional representation if their house is not within an imaginery border. I also understand that the Democrats would benefit, and he's a Republican. But to put your own selfish agenda in the way of Americans is contrary to your j-o-b. That's like doctors giving these kids anti-depressants (I already got in trouble once for saying Zoloft kills!) to feel better. So much better that some are more likely to kill themselves? NOTE: I'm not implying that's what Tiahrt is doing. I'm confident he's not killing kids.

But, seriously, let's think about this. DC residents are probably more understanding of what's going on in the government than anyone anywhere else. Political news is local news here. The president lives, I mean, has a pad here. The law is determined here, for the country and virtually for the world. We have a better understanding of what's going on. Now that I say that, it makes sense why a Republican would say no the concept of DC residents having the power of the vote, a constitutional right while U.S. Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick of Michigan, a Democrat, encouraged Mayor Williams to pursue the voting rights.

This year is gonna witness a bloodbath come election time. If I lived in Kansas, I will say that Tiahrt wouldn't have my vote. But since Kansas isn't home for me, I have no say in the matter. And since DC isn't Tiahrt's home, I would appreciate it if he would shut the hell up.

About five more months 'til kickoff

It's time to pull out the FranklinCovey and mark your calendar for the upcoming Washington Redskins season.

The National Football League released the 2006 NFL schedule, and it looks like it's gonna be another rollercoaster of a year. After major acquisitions this offseason as such players as Antoine Randle El, Brandon Lloyd, Andre Carter and Adam Archuleta, we're poised to take it to the Super Bowl this year! That's right, I said "we" and I said Super Bowl.

Week 1
The season begins on Monday Night Football, but if you wait until 8:30 p.m., you're gonna miss half the game. In a never-done-before double header, we welcome Fred Smoot back to FedEx Field, hosting the Vikings at 7:00 p.m.

Week 2
Just as we ruined the induction of Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith into the Cowboys' Ring of Honor, we ruin Terrell Owens' introduction to the Cowboys fans in their home opener. And just to be sure the whole country will get to witness it, the game is at 8:15 p.m. I sure wouldn't mind a 15-yard penalty if Clinton Portis resurrected SE Jerome and desecrated the star after a TD score.

Week 3
While in Texas we head down to Houston to help welcome Reggie Bush into the league. If he thought Philly and Indy was bad, wait until Greeg Williams shows him why we didn't need LaVar Arrington.

Week 4
We continue to add onto our undefeated record by hosting the Jaguars at home. It's a 4:15 p.m. game so the networks will get another close look at us as they begin to wonder who's going to stop us.

Week 5
How about that – two Mannings in three weeks. We travel to the Big Apple to crush the Little Brother, in the process reminding Antonio Pierce why he should've stayed with the Burgundy and Gold.

Week 6
Tennessee comes to town, but there's no telling as of now who their QB will be. Do we feasted on Steve McNair? How about Billy Volek? Or does the Vince Young (or maybe Matt Lienart) dynasty begin, and end, on this day?

Week 7
Hmmm, the second Manning and on the road again. Well, without Edge, even the RCA turf isn't gonna be much help as Carlos Rogers, Sean Taylor, Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin and Andre Carter start hearing Pro Bowl chatter after this 4:15 p.m. game.

Week 8
Whew! 7-0 and time to take a break.

Week 9
After two weeks rest, Dallas visits with a disgruntled wide receiver, a backup quarterback starting, a burnt out coach and demoralized defense. And we help keep it that way.

Week 10
A short trip up the highway to help expose Donovan McNabb and his anemic offense. Did they really give Westbrook a $25 million contract? Is their best receiver really Darnerian McCants?

Week 11
How's the weather down in Tampa by week 11? Just a little rest and relaxation before three home games, beating up on Chris Sims for that fluke victory last year. The playoff win wasn't enough to make me feel better.

Week 12
After living in Panther country and listening to all these Steve Smith worshippers for nearly a year, I can't wait to see Santana Moss show 'em who the real playmaker at WR is.

Week 13
Who's taking bets that Mike Vick isn't the starter when the Falcons come to town? And Andre Carter gets to beat up on Matt Schaub showing John Abraham why we didn't need him after all.

Week 14
McNabb wants some more? That's cool. We host Philly who by now are missing T.O.

Week 15
He may not be wearing the star, but Sean Payton is still a Cowboy to me. A visit to the city that needs something to lift their spirits aren't gonna get a home team victory this weekend.

Week 16
Christmas Eve and we're playing indoors. I'm cool with that. We'll be taking it lightly anywhere after securing the division title and homefield advantage.

Week 17
What a way to end the regular season. At home. At night. Against division foe. Against a Manning. What a season!

Now I'm not sure who we'll be playing in the playoffs, but I do have an idea who you can expect to see across the field from us in the Super Bowl. If I was a gambling man, I'd lay my chips on Cincinnati. Well, for now. I'll be starting the Skinsaphrenic Blog sometime during the offseason and deliver my complete predictions. And they'll be realistic.

Dreaming about the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial

Recently State Farm Insurance contributed $1 million to help fund the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial planned for the Tidal Basin. Even more recently, though, the plan for the MLK National Memorial just got weaker. Don't wait for the cascading water, a high footbridge and an elevated walkway that were in the original design. The National Capital Planning Commission approved what they call a "simplier" design. Are we talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. or Martin Lawrence? The memorial ought to be growing, not shrinking!



Well, let's just get the final approval done and get to building. The Memorial will be located near the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial on a four-acre plot of land sitting between the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. The location was approved in 1999!

Thus far $58 million has been raised of the $100 million needed. So, it looks like at this rate we should be expecting the groundbreaking ceremony around, ummm, 2012? If you're dreaming about visiting the memorial sometime before that, you can make a contribution online, receiving a "Build the Dream" wristband and lapel pin for donations of at least $5. Donate $30 and you receive a "Dream Now" t-shirt.

Visit the MLK Memorial website to learn more about the project, its design and more.

Now this is what you call a block party

Perhaps it won't be the millions of people who streamed through Paris protesting work laws in France, but Washington, DC, is about to have its own little capital city get together this Monday from Americans in favor of allowing illegal aliens to settle permanently in the U.S. Protest organizers are expecting 200,000 people to converge on the National Mall from 7th to 14th Streets, only a few hundred feet away from Capitol Hill.

A friend of mine and I were talking the other about the affects illegal aliens have on our country. It can't be denied that they do perform the j-o-b-s that black and white America don't want to do such as landscaping, painting, construction and a sleuth of day laborer worthy tasks. We both attempted to imagine driving through a neighborhood and seeing seven white guys working on someone's yard...

BUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

For real, though, what's so scary about the 11 million people who are here illegally for years now staying here? I could understand if it was 11 million people with names like bin Laden, Hussein and Bush. But who sees a Salvadorean on the streets and worry about suicide bombing?

Perhaps it's the amount of money being spent for health care provided them when they can't get insurance. Anyone who still shops at Wal-Mart can't possibly say they have a problem with that. Wal-Mart's presence in an area immediately increases the amount of government money going to people who can't afford health insurance.

I used to think Driving While Black was rough. I'd say Living While Latino is just as scary. Of course, I understand it is, well, illegal, but c'mon, we witnessed five law enforcement officers beat the sh!t out of someone in Los Angeles years ago, and they walked. O.J.'s still free. Bush is still president. It's the American way!

Mayor Williams checking out of the NCMC?

Looks like Mayor Anthony Williams is getting sick of the fuss being raised over his plan to put a state-of-the-art hospital complex near RFK Stadium. Apparently he's been listening to those who have been saying building the National Capital Medical Community hospital on what's known as Reservation 13 would have a negative impact in Southeast DC. The only real option currently is Greater Southeast which just cut 200 jobs last year and just emerged from bankruptcy. Critics say building the NCMC would only lead Greater Southeast to its deathbed.

The Mayor has been proposing a 250-bed, full-service hospital in conjunction with Howard University, splitting the cost of the $400 million complex. Though he is taking a step back from his plan, he appears to still be determined to bring some sort of medical help to the area.

They toss it on the ground; I say make them go get it

After spending the week out and about for the Cherry Blossom Festivities, I couldn't help but to wonder why people would throw their trash just about anywhere they pleased. You see the beauty of the cherry blossoms, the majesty of the monuments, the trees, the kids, the everything; and people wanna litter? Well, I will admit that just about every single trash can I saw was way past capacity! Maybe the city should've put out more trash cans.

Then again, looks like they have a better idea. The DC Council is thinking about giving the police authority to write tickets to those who litter. Council member Kwame Brown introduced the idea of letting police have the ability to actually enforce the law. There's already a $75 fine and/or eight hours of community service if you litter. But seems like up to now, no one has been enforcing it. I say pass it.

Did you know that each month, that's every 30 some days, officials estimate that 70 TONS of trash is removed from the Anacostia River? I say raise the litter fine to $150 and add a mandatory 16 hours of cleaning up the Anacostia River.

Local businesses say Cluck-U to ANC

When I first moved to Washington, DC, a couple of years ago, everyone was telling me about how much of a risk I was taking. All I heard about was Washington, DC, being a huge ghetto, infested with sexual assaults and homicides, broad daylight robberies, prostitution, psychopaths, homelessness and everything else that would keep a sane person out.

And then when I finally arrived, I saw Dupont Circle. Then Georgetown. Then Adams Morgan. Then I moved into a place in Capitol Hill off Barracks Row. Then I saw Gallery Place/Chinatown, Friendship Heights, plans for a new stadium on the Anacostia River, plans for Columbia Heights, and a lotta reasons to make DC home.

I now live just off H Street, another corridor receiving a lot of attention for revitalization. Only the ANC isn't taking the easy road to make it happen. Instead of developing harmony with the locals, the ANC is using the law to impose their will. Sure they may be technically right, but morally, they're no different than ticketing a man for jaywalking after he gets hit by a car.

The Washington Post printed an article detailing the two sides, the debate and a look into the future of H Street. I'm simply hoping this debate doesn't delay those trolleys from rolling up and down H Street; METRO bus route X2 is extremely in need of some relief!

Passing the buck to us, huh?

Dear Mr. Rep. James P. Moran, Jr. (D-Va),
After reading about your suggestion to charge $1 admission into the Smithsonian Museum, I immediately took you for a Republican. No offense to you or Republicans, but Americans have been paying to get into the Smithsonian Museum for 160 years through the extremely excessive amount of taxes we're forced to pay throughout our lives. All 298 million of us Americans; those of us who abide by the law, anyway.

Yeah, I saw the big D next to your name, but I'm not gonna share what I though that stood for. So, I decided to visit your web site to see if I could get a little better idea of who in the world, make that, who in the universe would suggest charging Americans, especially those who come to the nation's capital to learn more about damn near everything, to visit the museums and galleries and the zoo and everything else that they already paid to visit? It's bad enough the taxes at restaurants in DC are like being robbed; don't even think about looking at your receipt if you're staying at a local hotel.

So I visit http://www.moran.house.gov and find out that you're not that bad after all. Actually, I like your style of politics. We agree on most things. And that's when I realized what David Liebermann wrote in one of his books was true: "People filter everything they think about someone or something through the first impression that they receive."

Allow me to give you an example. The other day the lady, Torrie Camp, and I went to Ruby Tuesdays in Gallery Place/Chinatown. Both of us having worked waitstaff, we both knew that after standing there for nearly five minutes without being greeted, there wasn't much discipline at that location. And don't think it was a typical busy day. We counted, literally, seven employees mulling around, one on his cell phone by the day, another sitting in a booth next to patrons talking, several at the bar watching the women's NCAA tournament game and finally one who accidentally looked at me and saw the same look I had when I read you (Mr. Rep. James P. Moran, Jr.) suggesting charging Americans to visit the Smithsonian Museum.

There virtually wasn't anyone there eating. We had plenty of tables from which to choose. After several more minutes before the waitress showed up, we (Torrie and I) had already started seeing all the things wrong with the place. All of the sudden I could see spots on my silverware; oh wait a minute – we didn't have any silverware, or menus for that matter! So we sat there with nothing to do until the waitress showed up and unfortunately for her, she started off wrong. She comes to the table and says, "Ya'll know what ya'll want to drink?"

To make a long afternoon a short one for you, let's say things only got worse. The cherry on top was when I piled the plates on top of each other, put on my hat and coat and sat as if I was ready to go. She walked past several times before she finally approached the table and asked if we were done. I had to simply chuckle. When she was getting the stuff off the table, she spilled the bowl of ranch on the table. No apologies. She left with the plates and stuff, placed the check on the table, and proceeded to move on as if we weren't working around a huge pile of ranch on the table.

And she walked by again and still pretended to forget there was a pile of ranch dressing on the table. And she walked by again. We paid the bill and rolled out. What was the point of the story? First impressions usually are more like warnings than just first impressions. Think about it: you meet a stranger on the METRO and ask, "How are you doing?" If he/she replies, "I'm having a wonderful day," you can pretty much assume that person is a positive people. Maybe not all the time, but first impressions are clues. If that person replies, "This train is always packed!" then you can almost assume they're a negative person. Now if that person replies, "I'm doing great. I just had this idea of charging people to visit the Smithsonian Museum" then you can automatically assume this person doe not think much about the idea of Americans being able to visit the nation's capital and enjoy the many buildings and structures of the Smithsonian Museum without the hassle of paying to get into what they already are paying for!

Let's think about this, Jim.
Imagine a family of five. They decide they wanna check out the Cherry Blossom festivities for the week. They fly in from St. Paul, Minnesota, which costs them some enormous amount of money for five tickets. They do Dulles thinking it's $20 cheaper, but then have to pay the Super Shuttle $30 to get to their hotel. They had to find a cheap one, so they do, where else? Minnesota Avenue. No parts of Minnesota Avenue looks like Minnesota the state.

Anyway, they get hit upside the head by the Super Shuttler wanting a tip. The hotel surcharges and taxes are beating them upside the head. When they go out to eat, the restaurants are beating them upside the head. If they go to Ruby Tuesdays in Gallery Place/Chinatown, at least they don't have to tip because no works for a tip there.

They don't understand the METRO fare cards and someone at the Minnesota Avenue station gracefully explains to them about the $6 all day passes. They get five today (Friday); they'll get fie again Saturday and Sunday; They'll get five on Monday and when it doesn't work during peak hours, they're gonna know they're in DC and not St. Paul.

If this went over your head: for seven days, they would pay $210 in day passes that only work Monday through Friday after peak hours. They should get the short trip passes, good for seven days, for $22 and some change for each person. That would save them nearly a hundred bucks.

And then they step up to one of my favorites, The National Museum of Natural History. And it's five bucks for all of them to get in? Did you know it's $2.50 for a fountain drink in the museum!? And you can't get one last refill and leave the café area with it.

That would be a disgrace.

Wrapping this up, I want to say I thank you for your politics on Social Security, the Dog and Cat Fur Trade Loophole, the Mirant hoodwinking we're receiving, the President's budget plan which benefits the wealthy, even your support of the Nationals. But the suggestion of charging Americans to visit the Smithsonian Museum even $1 is such a ridiculous notion, that I think back to how revered Jimmy the Greek was until he made his one stupid comment and was out of his j-o-b.

Hey, if you want to charge Americans to visit any of the sites of the Smithsonian, do your thing. I agree that the museums are in need of some attention. My one suggestion would be to at least allow someone not in your district/zone/area have the ability to visit your official web site and send you an email. Because my ZIP code shows that I live in DC, the city you feel privileged to have say-so over, your site wouldn't let me send my letter to you so I decided to post it on my site so you can read it. The fact that DC residents can't voice their opinions directly to you without moving to wherever your zone is also sets a bad impression. Maybe all House Representative official sites are like that. Then I suggest man up, get your own site and give me the opportunity to voice my opinion to you directly.

By the way, whatever you do, don't go to Ruby Tuesdays in Gallery Place/Chinatown.

New Digs

After renting out some space on The Realm, The District Blog has finally moved out and has a pad of its own. I need to repaint the new pad, considering it looks just like The Realm, but I'll get to that later. For the time being, let's skip the house-warming and get back into writing about the city I fell in love with when I moved here a few years ago.