Washington D.C. Metblogs » dc_jenn

Something to ponder

dc_jenn — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 18:32:51 +0000

Here’s a discussion question to occupy your mind today: if D.C. were to experience what has happened in New Orleans, would you leave?

It seems like for every person who voluntarily left New Orleans, there was another who refused to go. They knew that they could lose their homes and even their lives, but they didn’t want to leave the city. Faced with the decision, would you go? Would you refuse to be run out of your city by Mother Nature? Would you come back when the rebuilding began? Personally, I’d be on the first plane out. (Not because I don’t like D.C., but because I’m not going to try to stand up to a hurricane.) What about everyone else?

Good news, finally

dc_jenn — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 04:34:48 +0000

You know how the news media always goes for heartbreaking over heartwarming? The Post has found a story that falls into the latter category. 76-year-old Craig Peel lived in New Orleans for 43 years but left his home in a senior citizens’ complex after Katrina hit. His neighbor, Ginger Lucci, was staying behind and offered to take in Peel’s dog, Sassy. Wheelchair-bound, Peel was taken to the Convention Center, then brought to the D.C. Armory. He positioned himself by the door a few days after arriving and held up a sign that said, “America’s Most Wanted: Sassy Peel.” When asked about family members back in New Orleans, Peel only named Sassy.

A volunteer named Anne Holbrook posted Peel’s story online along with photos of Sassy, an 11-year-old Lhasa apso. Someone e-mailed her to tell her about a woman named Ginger who had stayed in New Orleans and was interviewed by a San Diego newspaper. Holbrook got in touch with another person interviewed for the article and he promised to tell Lucci that Peel was looking for Sassy. Word got to the executive director of the Washington Animal Rescue League, Scotlund Haisley, who headed to Lucci’s house. Sassy took a 1,500 mile trip to Washington and earlier today she was reunited with Peel. She’s currently in a temporary shelter while Peel stays at the armory, but at least Peel knows she’s safe and sound.

Isn’t it nice to hear some good news for a change?

In other protest news…

dc_jenn — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 19:46:04 +0000

A bunch of protesters were arrested on Pennsylvania Avenue earlier today. Among them was Cindy Sheehan. The protestors sat on the sidewalk after marching on the pedestrian walkway on Penn. Ave. and were warned by the police that they were breaking the law by not moving. Sheehan was the first arrested, and while she was cuffed and led away, the other protestors chanted, “The whole world is watching.” Except, actually, the whole world was at work, because it’s Monday and we have things to do.

I never thought I’d be blogging about Paris Hilton

dc_jenn — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 13:51:49 +0000

I don’t know how accurate this story is, since it’s from the Internet Movie Database, but I might as well report it anyway. Paris Hilton has been accused of offering alcohol and drugs to teenagers in Baltimore. Baltimore police are investigating claims coming from an episode of The Simple Life: Interns in which Paris offered some teenagers bourbon and pot to help them relax before taping. One of the teens told the police, “She loaded myself and two other underage kids on shots of Jack Daniels to loosen us up for the show.” If the police decide that this wasn’t a joke, Paris could be forced to pay a fine (pocket change) and spend time in jail (yeah, right). If nothing, this will increase our site traffic, thanks to people searching for Paris Hilton.

Yeah, no kidding

dc_jenn — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 20:54:40 +0000

The National Real Estate Index reports that D.C. is the 13th most expensive U.S. city to rent in. Baltimore is number 17. D.C. rentals cost about $17.54 per square foot; Baltimore’s cost about $13.91. This is compared to New York, which is number 1, with rentals that cost about $26.04 per square foot. Apparently we’re supposed to blame the 2001 recession, which in turn means we can blame terrorists, right?

Panda-rrific

dc_jenn — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 18:56:04 +0000

Just when you thought you were sick of hearing about pandas…

The public might be able to see the new little cubbie before Thanksgiving. The National Zoo plans to give out timed-entry tickets in order to control the crowds. The cub will be named on October 17th.

In other panda news, John Kelly has a great column of fake panda blog entries.

There’s a genius in Arlington

dc_jenn — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 18:58:28 +0000

Arlington resident Michael Walsh has been named one of this year’s 25 MacArthur Foundation “geniuses.” Walsh, who’s 62, is a technical consultant and vehicle emissions specialist who works to reduct the effect of internal combustion engines in order to improve the environment. A Google search shows that he also previously won the Dr. Arie Haagen Smit Clean Air Award from the California Air Resources Board. Walsh gets $500,000 over the next five years. Good for him!

I see the nicest things on E. Columbia St.

dc_jenn — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 23:25:45 +0000

On the same street where I kept seeing lemonade kids, I saw a man getting out of his car holding a nice little bouquet of flowers. I hope his wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/mother/whoever is happily surprised. I wonder if he bought the flowers on a Metro platform.

OMB is A-OK

dc_jenn — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:12:46 +0000

The Office of Management and Budget has been rated the #1 best place to work in the federal government. A nonprofit, nonpartisan group called Partnership for Public Service, which aims to get people to work for the government, released this in a recent survey. Among the reasons for the high praise are that the environment is fast-paced and people get to work with high-ranking officials. Teamwork is emphasized, and younger employees are treated as part of a group rather than plebes.

This is only the second year that rankings have been done; they were first compiled in 2003 and will be done every other year. Close to 150,000 federal employees were polled about their levels of satisfaction with their jobs. NASA was #1 in 2003, despite the fact that that was the year that Columbia crashed. NASA is only sixth on the list this year. Second place goes to the National Science Foundation, and third goes to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Fourth and fifth are the Government Accountability Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of the higher-ranked agencies were small, while larger ones, such as the Departments of Defense and Labor, were in the middle of the pack.

Interestingly, the Small Business Association was ranked last, and the Department of Homeland Security came in 29th out of 30.

Rock for Relief Concert

dc_jenn — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 01:48:31 +0000

Yes, once again I am reporting radio station-related news. Z104 and entertainmentdc.com are sponsoring the Capital Scene Rock for Relief Concert next Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. at the State Theatre in Falls Church. There’s a $10 cover charge, but all of the money will go to the Red Cross. It looks like all of the bands are local and include Barakus and Lloyd Dobler Effect.

And speaking of the State Theatre, a couple of acts with names that are actually recognizable will be playing there soon. Edwin McCain performs on September 22nd and Blue Oyster Cult performs on September 23rd. To that I say, more cowbell!