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November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Celebrators:

Don’t even thing about it. Just let your worries disappear for the day, and enjoy.

Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com

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Metro and Metro Emergencies
Stephanie Clipper, Woodley Park, cyradaria@yahoo.com

I’m proposing that Saturday, November 19, represents the nadir of Metro’s train operations downtown. Saturday was a perfect storm: hot, crowded platforms and cars, delays and infrequent trains, competing messages by operators and the ever-mysterious “Central,” and blocked platforms from construction (e.g., Farragut North). I won’t talk about escalators. At Dupont Circle, around 5:30 p.m., ‘Metro Math’ was in full operation as three-minute waits and trains destined to move “shortly” (that word!) sat for ten, fifteen, twenty minutes. Trains were hot and stuffy; platforms crowded. There were requisite announcements about single tracking; operators tried to keep the communications pipeline open to ticked-off passengers who faced being late to their destination and learned to hate the word “shortly” even more than they did before.

At Gallery Place, there was a near riot as trains appeared to be servicing only one side of downtown stations and came packed. Platforms were crowded to dangerous levels; tensions were at a height; there was shouting; and a disabled person in a motorized wheelchair had no prayer of getting onto a train. Those with suitcases and strollers, who had waited a long time for a train, had to try to get onto packed trains before doors closed on them. There were no officials on the tracks to help manage this Metro-made fracas, nor were there any ads around saying, “Take Metro and Take it Easy.” Memo to Metro: when trains are crowded, you can’t hear messages. They would know this if they went through what the rest of us go through.

At L’Enfant Circle, the scene was no better. I got off my train trying to find a map to help me navigate the destinations and directions of the two Yellow Line trains. Not one map anywhere near me. From what I can see, many platform maps have been replaced by revenue-generating ads. Three lines, three trains, and one hour to go from Woodley Park to Capitol South in a scene ripe for emergencies: a violent crime, an accidental tumble onto the tracks. And what if there were an emergency? There are ads on trash cans featuring QR codes. They either mean nothing to some riders or they can’t be read by the mobile devices of others. There is a phone line, 962-2121, that I bet hasn’t been memorized by most riders and isn’t programmed into their mobile phones. Not that their mobile phones would work in a tunnel. We talk a lot about emergency coordination, but you don’t dial 911 in a Metro emergency.

There is good news. First, there’s a basketball shutout so the crowds on Saturday were better than they would’ve been. Second, the escalators on the south side of Dupont Circle are back up. But I’m taking the bus. Care to join me?

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DPR Grass Fields Close for Winter Season
John Stokes, dcdocs@dc.gov

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has announced the closure of all grass fields for the winter season. DPR grass fields will be off line until Saturday, March 17, 2012. Artificial turf fields will remain open and available for permits during the season except when severe weather makes the fields unplayable. For more information, call the DPR weather hotline, 671-0331; visit the DPR athletic fields information page; or follow us on Twitter @DCDPR.

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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS

Small Business Saturday in Shaw, November 26
Alexander M. Padro, padroanc2c@aol.com

On Saturday, November 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Shaw will celebrate Small Business Saturday, as part of a nationwide shop local promotion sponsored by American Express. This is the second year for the national promotion, but the first time DC Main Streets will participate. Bus posters featuring three Shaw businesses are part of the overall promotional package. Check out the activities taking place on Saturday and come out and join the fun. Get free reduced size color reproductions of the Metrobus ads autographed by the business owners, and free Shaw Main Streets recyclable shopping bags, while supplies last.

Here’s the schedule of events: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: open house at participating Shaw Businesses. Free Shaw Main Street open house passports available at each location will entitle you to enter a drawing for prizes from all participating businesses. Each business will provide free food samples, refreshments, or special offer coupons. Passports can be picked up at the three businesses featured in the bus ad campaign (see below), and other participating businesses. 1:30 p.m.: poster signing at Wagtime Pet Spa and Boutique, 1232 9th Street, NW. Free 11" x 14" posters will be available, while supplies last. 2:30 p.m.: poster signing at Cheryl A. Lofton and Associates and A Divine Shine, 719-723 T Street, NW. Free 11" x 14" posters will be available, while supplies last. 3:30 p.m.: poster signing at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U Street, NW. Free 11" x 14" posters will be available, while supplies last. 4:00 p.m.: drawing for prizes, Old City Green, 902 N Street, NW.

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DC Federation of Citizens Associations, November 29, December 8
Anne Renshaw, milrddc@aol.com

Tuesday, November 29, 6:45-9:00 p.m. A “populist” Washington Post: In Your Dreams or in the Works? Guest speaker, Patrick B. Pexton, Washington Post Ombudsman, will discuss his “populist notion” that the Post “must be hard-hitting, scrappy and questioning -- skeptical of all political figures . . . (and) passionate about the news.” Far out or on the mark? And although District news seems to be a low Post priority, what local topics/issues would citizens recommend that merit frequent media coverage?

Meeting location: All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, 2300 Cathedral Avenue, NW; entrance off the church parking lot on Woodley Place, NW.

Thursday, December 8, 12:00 p.m. Citizens Federation’s Annual Holiday Luncheon at the Dacor Bacon House. A traditional sherry reception opens the event at 12 noon, followed by the holiday luncheon at 12:30. The cost is $35 per person. Checks payable to the DC Federation of Citizens Associations should be sent to Dacor event treasurer, Armen Tashdinian, 2728 Cortland Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008. Reserve now as seating is limited. Luncheon location: Dacor Bacon House, 1801 F Street, NW.

Luncheon guests are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy or item of clothing for a DC foster child (ages infant to 21) to the Dacor luncheon. This is the Citizens Federation’s third year cosponsoring the Holiday Gifts for DC Kids campaign with Sport and Health and the Janney School. Last year, the drive netted over four hundred gifts that were turned over to the DC Child and Family Services for distribution to DC foster children. All gifts are greatly appreciated.

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National Building Museum Events, December 6
Stacy Adamson, sadamson@nbm.org

Tuesday, December 6, Readings at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., Book of the Month: Gingerbread Baby. Free with paid admission to the Building Zone. Recommended for ages three to five. Join us for an interactive reading of Gingerbread Baby. Celebrate the winter and make your own winter home while learning about shapes and patterns. At the National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Judiciary Square Metro station. Register for events at http://www.nbm.org.

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Housing for All Rally, December 10
Shaunte Wilcher, intern@cnhed.org

It’s time for DC to restore the commitment to affordable housing! Rallly from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, at Martin Luther King Library, 901 G Street, NW, Chinatown Metro. Hosted by the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development. English to Spanish interpretation provided. Children welcome.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Elizabeth Falcon at the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development at efalcon@cnhed.org or 745-0902 x205.

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