Inauguration Day in the TC part 6
I'm turning off the computer I swear, but, just a few minutes ago a long parade of sirens and blue lights just traveled down New Jersey Avenue.
Extra-
*7:30PM the National Guard was still on the corner. Friendly enough fellows but I don't like men hanging on my corner. As of 8:30 I didn't see them.
*The Neighborhood Ball on TV reminds me of an awards ceremony. Anyone from the neighborhood of Mt. Vernon Sq or Shaw in attendance?
*And to whomever is flying over the neighborhood and has been flying over the neighborhood for the past few days... Stop it. You're screwing up my HD reception. Everytime the ghetto bird flies overhead my reception goes all crappy. Other aircraft, well if close enough, results in the same problem.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Day in the TC part 5
Some one was sending off firecrackers in the direction of Bloomingdale or Eckington. I totally understand your excitement, however, I'm going to bet those fireworks are illegal. I could see them from my 2nd floor window, so more than likely illegal. Now, setting off illegal fireworks while nearby parts are under lockdown, with something in the air flying around and troops on the ground, not smart. Celebrate sans explosives.
Labels: inauguration
Okay now interview the unhappy people
Just got a call (that later fell, silly weak cellular service) from the Aunt. She is cold, tired and disgusted. She called from the orange line to tell me she caught the tail end of the benediction. Every street she and her party went to was closed, closed, closed. Closed. The Aunt is of retirement age and doesn't care to walk beyond a treadmill. Also there were reports of confusion for people trying to find the appropriate entrance. Well at least they could say they were down and around there for the inauguration. But then again, I can also say I was in Washington DC for the inauguration. But then again, I never left Shaw.
Face it, if you weren't down there super early, then you probably didn't get on the mall. I look forward to hearing the estimated numbers that filled the Mall and Penn Quarter.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Day in the TC part 4
We just... Just had a fender bender on the corner.
I called 911. Busy signal.
So. We have all these National Guardsmen all over the place, and they did make themselves useful. Upon not reaching 911, I run out of the house and ask them to make the call. When I headed back to the house, about 4-5 of them took control of the situation.
An hour or so before our block had a visit from the EMS. Seems a young visitor from one of the neighbors' house needed to be taken to the hospital. So I guess they were able to get through earlier.
Just too much going on.
Labels: city services, inauguration
Inauguration Day in the TC part 3
It's about 1:30PM
There are still National Guard personnel on the corners. I don't know how well they are or if they still are blocking New Jersey Avenue because I still see private vehicles going north and south. Not many mind you, sort of light Saturday dawn traffic. The foot traffic on New Jersey is heavier.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Day in the TC part 2
After President Obama's speech the loudspeakers of the mosque erupted with the call to prayer. I stuck my head out the door because I thought I also heard firecrackers or something with a big boom. As the call to prayer was still wailing on, a big cluster of National Guardsmen walked down the sidewalk. Love it, hate it, the call to prayer is one of those things that makes the TC and parts of central Shaw unique.
I wonder what went though the minds of these visitors in uniform as they walked by the mosque.
Labels: churches, inauguration
Inauguration WTF?- Rules were made to be ignored
OK this is in another part of Shaw. But anyway....
Over on O Street NW between 6th and 7th Street NW there are signs saying No Parking for the inaugural period. The signs are for the whole block. Notice the cars parked down the street, same signs apply. I ran into
Daddy 5-O and his partner on my way back from the Giant*. He was concerned about the parking restrictions earlier, concerned about where they'd park the car.
One of the reasons why I'm documenting this is for the next inauguration. Seriously, the powers that be need to understand how their decisions touch and impact those of us in residential areas. And for residents, we need to know what to demand of our government and tell them how far they should and can go.
*I was wrong in my prediction. The milk was on the shelf, it didn't look like a snow day. Go shopping, it's ok.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Day in the TC part 1
It's early today, so this is the view of the inauguration from the POV of the TC.I find it totally hilarious that there are National Guardsmen hanging out exactly where we had drug dealers only a few years ago. There are guardsmen at the mouth of my alley. There are guardsmen hanging out at the fence where the dealers would lean and the difference appears that the guardsmen have a bigger trash bag. I'm guessing the New Jersey Avenue Dunkin Donuts is the most secure place in the TC.
The crowds are walking down New Jersey Avenue and they are sticking to the sidewalks. They are friendly groups waving or saying hello to the guardsmen, and seriously there are a lot, A LOT, of guardsmen.
There is parking on the 1600 and 1700 block of New Jersey Avenue. It appears the No Parking signs were removed. Good. These are residences and it's stupid that the zone came this far north. The 1500 and lower numbered blocks on New Jersey Avenue are free of parked cars, as far as I can see. I did see a few cars (very few) travel north on NJ Ave. Despite the No Buses signs and the National Guard on R Street, I did see a few cars traveling west on R.
I have some of the most boring inauguration parking related photographs on the web in a Flickr set
here. Also in the set are some photographs of the Dunbar High School band practicing on the street.
Labels: inauguration
Dunbar Band and Guard
This is from yesterday. I captured a National Guardsmen on the sidewalk taking a look at the Dunbar High School band getting a practice in before the big day.
Labels: inauguration
Inaugural WTF?- Military Presence
Maybe you have or have not noticed small bands of National Guardsmen wandering around the street of Truxton Circle and the rest of Shaw. If the vague signage surprise wasn't enough, the National Guard gets deployed. Some have been hanging out on street corners or the Dunkin Donuts, or the 7-11.
So the only time we're actually going to have regular foot patrols in the neighborhood is when the Federal government invades?
I hate to be such a downer, because I know a lot of you are just psyched about the whole inaugural weekend with the entertainment, the swearing in, the parades and the balls. However, this other stuff going on, with what looks to be an access restriction on the 200-400 blocks of R Street and the erroneous parking restrictions (now corrected) of the 100-200 blocks of Bates Street NW, seriously concerns me. This is a bad precedent. For one, residential blocks of New Jersey Avenue appear deemed to have charter buses parked outside of peoples homes. Yeah, the city said they wouldn't do that. As of Monday 1/19 those No Parking signs were still up. Secondly, there has been no warning or information about the restrictions (as far as I can guess) on the 200-400 and 600 blocks of R Street NW. As far as I can tell nothing has been relayed to residents who live in the vicinity, except the placement of the big red and white signs. Now I'd pretty much expect that these signs would be ignored, but with the random groups of National Guardsmen walking or jogging around as far north as LeDroit Park, I guess they would be the enforcers.
The far reaching nature of the security concerns me and I think sets a bad precedent for future inaugurations. It is reaching into residential areas, taking away parking and possibly (we'll see tomorrow) access. I feel for residents of Capitol Hill who have to deal with this mess more often than we do.
* Note anonymous comments with no ID will get zapped in this post.
Labels: inauguration
Inaugural WTF?-Truxton Circle Lockdown
Please, someone say this sign was erroneously placed. This sign is at 3rd and R Streets NW.
I did find a
new map (PDF) at the DC government's inaugural site that gives the impression that there is charter bus parking up here, which may or may not explain the sign. But if it were for charter bus parking then there aren't any no parking signs, which makes me think this may restricted to buses (ie excluding cars).
Labels: inauguration, transportation
Inauguration Musings- Taking away the mailbox
According to the Post Office they are
removing the mailbox at 1633 1st Street NW for the inauguration. Color me confused. Why? And there's a mailbox at 1633 1st Street?
This ever encroaching inaugural crap into the residental parts is getting stupid.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Musings- Inaugural Stuff in Shaw
A- I'm not going anywhere. I've told the Aunt and the 1/2 sister that I will be home to receive them and their people should they need a warm safe house between the Mall and Hyattsville. Besides that, I hate cold and crowds.
As I mentioned before with the Aunt, there are several things
Shiloh Baptist is doing for Inauguration weekend, and there is a
website up regarding that.
For the artistically minded there is the
Art of Change at the Warehouse, here's the press release:
From the press release:
Artomatic, Inc. and Playa del Fuego, Inc. – institutions of the mid-Atlantic arts community – have joined together to create this year's most distinctive inaugural celebration, The Art of Change (www.artists-ball.org), on Jan. 20, 2009 at 8 pm. With the generous support of Corporate Sponsor Scion (www.scion.com) and location sponsors The Warehouse Arts Complex (www.warehousetheater.com) and Douglas Development (www.douglasdevelopment.com), this event brings Washington, D.C., a unique opportunity to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as President. Tickets are available immediately for $50 at www.artists-ball.org
Occupying three separate venues on the 1000 block of 7th Street, NW in downtown Washington D.C., The Art of Change will feature visual and performing arts, multiple dance floors, fire dancing and live music. DJs from across the mid-Atlantic region will be spinning an eclectic mix of musical styles on two dance floors, and in The Art of Change Galleries, displaying artworks created for this celebration. The Variety Stage will showcase performances all night long, including live music, comedy, belly dancing and spoken word poetry. And outside, attendees will enjoy fire-dance performances while dancing to up-and-coming DJs in the heated White Tent.
...
In the spirit of community organizing and collaboration that President-elect Obama has come to represent, The Art of Change is being planned in collaboration with a number of supporting organizations. These include DC Burners, Dance Afire, Bethesda Theatre, Cultural Attaché, Washington Project for the Arts, 4&9 Productions LLC, Brightest Young Things, The Pink Line Project, Pecha Kucha , Creative DC, Hungry for Music, Capitol Riverfront BID, and NoMa BID.
This collaborative ethic also facilitates social engagement by making us all responsible for the creation and maintenance of our shared culture. We encourage all attendees to contribute by performing, displaying art, volunteering, or donating to make this event a success. For more information visit www.artists-ball.org.
And there are some dining specials in Shaw celebrating the inauguration.
Acadiana Restaurant on 9th and New York Ave is having a 4-course menu for $44. A bottle wine for $44 to honor the 44th President. Two Inaugural Cocktails: The Dream and The Spirit ($9), and the regular menu also available.
Corduroy plans to be open, and I don't think they are doing anything special. Same for
Vegetate, open with the regular menu. Since these are close to the Secret Service Lockdown, I'm going to suggest if you reserve through
OpenTable, bring a printout confirming your reservation, should you get stopped by some out of town constable, to prove (you shouldn't have to but be on the safe side) you indeed have business in the area.
Labels: Art, events, food/dining, inauguration
Inauguration Musings- Intra/Inter-city mobility
I was chatting with an older woman who lives in SW and she was planning on visiting an elderly bedridden friend in upper NW to watch the inauguration on TV. Question is, how easy, or hard will it be to get there?
--
Spoke with the Aunt. She will be having guests over for the inaugural weekend and Shiloh Baptist is having a slew of activities, some of which they'll be attending. I asked how was she going to get there. Drive. Well it will be the weekend, and not the day of, so maybe that will work. Asking about the actual day, she'd rather be home, but, she's got guests. I suggested dropping them off at the PG Plaza station, handing them a map and wishing them the best. No, not an option. She plans to drive in on New York Avenue, and either travel along P or Rhode Island to get to the parking garage at her work not far from Dupont. Yeah, I don't know how that's going to work out. I did tell her that the City and everyone else is discouraging car travel and suggesting the metro. Nope, not an option. Argh!
Labels: inauguration, transportation
Inauguration Musings- Blocked Streets in Shaw?
I'm looking at the press release put out by the
inaugural people (PDF) and on page 8 it says that 13th St NW from K to Logan Circle and 6th Street from K to P Streets NW will be pedestrian-only for the parade. But I don't see any time stamp for parade only stuff. So.... how long will cross streets, and I'm going to guess that the 600 to 1200 blocks of O, N, M and L Streets are going to be blocked? Because if those North-South routes are going to be pedestrian only per the press release, what of the East-West Streets that intersect them? Also those pedestrian only routes don't show up on any of the maps I've been looking at.
-UPDATE-
From the
DC.GOV inauguaration site I noticed:
The following roadways will be closed to traffic from Tuesday, January 20th, 12:01am through Wednesday, January 21st, 12:01am, to implement and remove the Charter Bus Parking zones. The Road Closure areas will be limited to charter buses, metro buses, taxis, postal vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, emergency vehicles and residents with government issued identification or vehicle registration showing residency inside the restricted area.
I've picked out the ones of interest to Shaw residents:
I-395/3rd Street Tunnel from SE/SW Freeway to New York Avenue
13th Street, NW from K Street, NW to Logan Circle, NW
6th Street, NW from K Street, NW to P Street, NW
13th Street, NW from Logan Circle to K Street, NW
14th Street, NW from
R Street to K Street, NW
15th Street, NW from K Street, NW to Rhode Island Avenue, NW
New Jersey Avenue, NW from K Street, NW
to Florida Avenue, NW I've bolded the streets of great interest to me. It looks like a bit of the Logan Circle area is going to get caught up in this. Why aren't these northern parts being shown on maps?
Labels: inauguration, transportation
Inauguration Musings- Getting to work
If I was still working at the
Holocaust Museum and scheduled to work Tuesday, I'd be so screwed.
Yes, January 20th is a Federal holiday, however, holiday or no, some people have to get to work. Think about all the places that will be open or have to be open Tuesday. Closer to the action are the museums, and the Holocaust Museum is only closed on two days, Yom Kippur & Christmas. I take it that the Smithsonian Institutions' museums are the same, minus Yom Kippur. So there are the security, janitorial and exhibit area personnel who have to show up. Then you've got restaurants, coffee shops, hotels with waiters, managers, and other staff who need to get in. And silly question, will the Gallery Place Bed, Bath and Beyond be open? The movie theater?
Getting to work in the core inauguration area is an obvious bear. What of the other parts of DC that depend on workers who commute from Virginia? Hopefully getting from MoCo, or Ward 9 (aka PG Co) won't be that bad.... with VA traffic diverted to Maryland.... Metro overloaded. It will be interesting to hear, with the bridge closures and the predictions of heavily trafficked roads, what the impact of the day will be for parts of the city far from the downtown area.
But right now, I'm so thankful that I'm no longer a Visitor Services Representative at the Holocaust Museum. I remember trying to get home after the Million Man March. The entry to the Smithsonian station (Ag Building side) was so blocked with people, a blockage that wasn't moving, I turned around and walked across the 14th Street Bridge. I wouldn't have that option, the 14th Street Bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists from 2am to 7pm on the 20th, according to the Washington Post.
Labels: employment, inauguration
Inaugural Musings- HORDE THE TOILET PAPER!!!!
There was a little bit of chit chat before the BACA meeting got rolling. For my crappy notes
on the meeting click here (after one year hiatus- and the username is thismeeting password- neverhappened).
Anyway, as you know streets are getting closed? One of the attendees mentioned how the
Secret Service closed off some streets today without giving the District government much notice. 48 hours notice would have been nice. If the SS wants to close any other streets they'll probably do the same with as much notice as they've given already (none). This has made the business community concerned. Specifically, the grocers, the restaurants, and the hotels. 'Cause if the SS is going to be closing off streets downtown off willy-nilly during the week, not the day, the week or weeks before inauguration, how can you be sure you're going to get deliveries?
Off handily he (the attendee with ties to DC businesses of concern) mentioned the idea some businesses have of bringing in extra freezers so they can stockpile supplies.
People you know the P Street Giant is going to run out of stuff and you know how close it is to the Convention Center,
where one big aszed inaugural ball will be held. You all in Mt. Vernon Square, I pity you.
The suggestion was to treat inaugural weekend like a 4 day snow day. Stock up the weekend before and shelter in place. I've been slowly stocking up food and supplies (not because of the inauguration, but for other reasons), so I have enough TP to last me until the Second Coming. However, I'm running low on certain kinds of booze, also known as dangerous flammable liquids, so I may need to beef up those supplies.
Or I can just wander out to Maryland for stuff.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Musings- More Obama Stuff Than U Can Shake A Stick At
Over the weekend I wandered over to the Capitol City Market area near Florida Avenue and discovered where your local street vendor gets his Obama stuff. Obama t-shirts, Obama calenders, Obama umbrellas, Obama hats, Obama watches, Obama posters, Obama buttons, and I'm sure if there is something else the president-elect's face and his family's faces can be plastered on..... it is there.
There were also little 8x11 notices of protest around. It seems that the city's deadline for a vendor permit to do the Inauguration is too soon and the process is unfair, according to the notice writer.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Musings- No bikes on Metro
I couldn't believe my eyes when I read in the Post that bikes won't be allowed on metro trains during the inaugural weekend. I totally understand no bikes on the 20th, but for four whole days? So I went to WMATA's website and
there it was "Bicycles also will be prohibited on the rail system from Saturday, Jan. 17 through Tuesday, Jan. 20."
At least there is still the bus to put your bike on.
Labels: inauguration, transportation
Inauguration Musings- The Day After
The train was crowded this morning. It seems there was a problem on the green line and there were all these people. At least they were regulars and knew how the system worked.
Yesterday I was overhearing some co-workers talking and wondering about getting to work the day after the inauguration. The people who do come to DC (and haven't been scared away by the crowds) for January 20th may still be around January 21st. They may be hopping on the metro to get to Union Station, National, Dulles, or BWI. They might be hanging out with friends they're crashing with or just getting over the hangover from the inaugural party. The thought of having several thousand people on the metro, who don't know our sacred law of stand on the right, doesn't thrill me. Then there will be those in cars trying to get out... the beltway is going to be a mess.
I might put in for leave for the 21st. Or mentally prepare myself to walk to work. The 70 and 79 bus is crowded normally. I could hop on the Circulator and get to work.
Labels: inauguration
Inauguration Musings- Neighborhoods get f'd
I'm reading the Post article about
transportation and the inauguration, and it looks like some close in neighborhoods are going to get screwed for three days. When I read "Neighborhood parking rules and meter enforcement in the District will be suspended Saturday through Inauguration Day," I see a nightmare for everyone who parks on the street living within 1-2 miles of the Capitol. Tell your friends who will be crashing at your place, to carpool.
So far no one knows what streets will be closed off, and when, and how much driver chaos will seep onto neighborhood streets. Hopefully, the closures will be short lived, for a few hours. Who am I kidding? Several hours. Stock up on stuff before the crowds arrive because it will be like a marathon, Sunday church parking, and rush hour rolled into one.
Labels: inauguration, parking, transportation
