We had a small earthquake

1.8 magnitude earthquake rattles D.C. area - WTOP
There was a tremor around 1:30 p.m. (USGS), but I didn't feel it in Tysons.

The earthquake measured 1.8 on the Richter scale and the epicenter was 1 mile west southwest of Annandale (38.828°N, 77.234°W), the U.S. Geological Survey says.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck at 1:30 p.m.

In an advisory to federal agencies, FEMA's Operations says that the National Earthquake Information Center is reporting the D.C. area experienced rumblings equivalent to a magnitude 2 to 3 earthquake.

The rumblings rattled parts of Northern Virginia - including Vienna, Falls Church, Annandale and Baileys Crossroads - around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

There were also reports that this may have been due to blasting at Ft. Belvoir (Metroblogging DC), but it seems that is not the case.

I remember feeling the December 9, 2003 (USGS) magnitude 4.5 quake.

earthquake, Virginia, Annandale, 1.8

Labels: BeltwayLand, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 3:09 PM | |

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The Silver Line's long road ahead

Dulles Rail Still Has Miles to Go, Hurdles to Clear - The Post
A lot still needs to happen for the Silver Line to get built and there are a few ways and a number of people who will try to stop it.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 6:12 AM | |

Lazarus Metro line roundup

EDITORIAL - Dulles Rail's Revival - The Post

Its resurrection is a triumph of common sense over dogma and suggests that, contrary to the general impression of the state of governance in Washington, rational outcomes remain possible when grown-ups put their heads together. More specifically, it is a testament to the wisdom and perseverance of officials at Metro, which would operate the 23-mile extension; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which would manage its construction; Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), who spearheaded the lobbying with Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to reverse what had seemed like the feds' unequivocal rejection; and Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).

Let us hope this cooperation continues on what may be a bumpy ride on the way to making this Metro line happen.

Metro Extension Plan Revived, But Officials Include Conditions - The Post
Dulles rail project gets federal reprieve - The Wash. Times
Rail decision thrusts Tysons development back to forefront - The Wash. Examiner
The details on how this came together and some information about what still needs to happen for it to keep going. The biggest sticking point will be addressing the current Metro system woes and find the funding to fix them. It is not over yet, not by a long shot and may in fact just be getting started.

After Months of Lobbying, Business Leaders Can Celebrate - The Post
The revival of the Silver Line is a cause for celebration in business circles.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:47 PM | |

More details on Dulles Corridor Metro

Dulles Rail Gets Federal Approval - The Post
As expected (since this morning at least), USDOT announced today that it is now supporting the proposal to build the Silver Line along the Dulles Corridor.

In a letter to Kaine and in a 10 a.m. conference call with the governor and Virginia congressional leaders, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the $5 billion project had finally met the Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership. The project will now move into the final design phase, a major step toward receiving $900 million in federal funding.

"As a result of the collaboration between federal and state officials, the project sponsor and other project stakeholders, the financial stability and oversight of the project has improved," Peters wrote to Kaine in a letter obtained by The Washington Post. "Cost reductions have been verified and mechanisms have been established to enhance inter-organizational cooperation, technical capacity and project management."

Good news, but this isn't fait accompli just yet:

Still, Peters went on, "much work remains" to make the project right. Today's approval comes with conditions that must be met if the project is to receive federal funding. Without that money, state and local officials have said that the project would die, ending the possibility of a long-sought rail connection between the nation's capital and its major international airport. Supporters say the line would ease congestion through Virginia's biggest jobs corridor and keep the economy humming with the transformation of suburban Tysons Corner into a thriving downtown.

Among the conditions, Peters said in her letter, is a sweeping demand that Virginia and the Metro system guarantee the capital investment necessary to maintain and operate Metro. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recently identified $489 million in "urgent unfunded capital needs," Peters said.

Virginia better not drop the ball on this one.

There is a chat about the decision going on right now on washingtonpost.com.

EARLIER: Silver line back on track?!

UPDATE 6:30 a.m. Thursday: I will be posting more about this topic after 12 p.m. today, so check back later.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:41 PM | |

Silver line back on track?!

Dulles Rail Set to Get Federal Approval - The Post
Apparently, Virginia and the U.S. Department of Transportation has found a way to make the Dulles Corridor Metro project, tentatively called the Silver Line, meet the "Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership." It appears U.S. DOT secretary Mary Peters overruled FTA. Good job, Peters that was the correct decision.

This is excellent news, I am glad that we can finally get started on a project that is long overdue.

Now, we get to see the tunnel vs. elevated argument start up again. I would love to see it underground, but I don't see that happening at this point.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:16 AM | |

Home

Taken October 20, 2007

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The last year has blown by -- yesterday was the first anniversary of closing on our condo. It wasn't easy leaving Pentagon City to move to our condo, but when I see this greeting me on the walk up to our condo, I know that I am home.

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posted by WFY @ 12:04 PM | |

It's been a year already!? Congrats!

# posted by  DCSportsChick : Friday, April 25, 2008 1:52:00 PM  

April is the cruelest month

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Coming back from a invigorating bicycle ride in 84° weather, the pool at my condo complex should be a pleasant sight. However, since it is only April and thus closed it merely taunts me.

Okay, time to head back out to the patio for some grilling.

-

Labels: BeltwayLand, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 7:15 PM | |

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No more phone booths

UPDATE: Last Call for Phone Booth - The Post
The last phone booth in BeltwayLand has been removed. Only about five people a day were using it, even after it was "revealed" last fall as the only one left.

PREVIOUSLY: Greater D.C.'s last phone booth

Clarendon, Arlington, Virginia, VA, phone booth

Labels: BeltwayLand, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:55 PM | |

Newseum opens today

The Newseum is now open. Admission is free today, but starting tomorrow, $20. The price seems steep, especially with the Smithsonian's free admission, but it is worth it

I thought I would round up some articles about the museum, some pro, some con. I reviewed it last week after attending a preview.

Cityguide : Newseum - The Post
News under glass - The Wash. Times
Get Me Rewrite: A New Monument to Press Freedom - The Times
Massive Newseum opens window on journalism - USA Today
News museum to open in Washington - BBC
To Do: Skip Newseum Opening - Slate
Newseum's an attic packed with storied stuff - The Boston Globe

Newseum, museum, dc, Washington, media

Labels: Arts and Culture, BeltwayLand, History, Media, The District

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posted by WFY @ 12:49 PM | |

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Post Pulitzers

The Post just about swept The Pulitzer Prizes this year, winning six awards, a record for the paper.

The Pulitzer Prizes: 2008 Washington Post Winners

There are few stories in particular that I'll comment on when they published:

Local Reporting, Breaking News
Virginia Tech Shootings -- washingtonpost.com was behind everybody on the story for the better part of the morning, something I documented. I suppose the lesson is being first to break the news is not as important as covering it very thoroughly.

Feature Writing
Pearls before Breakfast -- Gene Weingarten finds fascinating characters and stories and makes them come to life with his writing. While this wasn't my favorite Weingarten article, I commented at the time that he had "done it again." Of course, he jokes he had "nothing to do with it" but that he "would gladly accept the award." ALSO: His first post-Pulitzerchat.

Also, I can now say I have interviewed a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Commentary
Steve Pearlstein -- No, his silly "I like the messy vitality of Tysons" column didn't make it.

Also, the Public Service award for the
Walter Reed series is one of the finest examples of why the fourth estate is so important.

Len Downie makes the announcement


The winners speak


Washington Post, Pulitzer Prize,

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, The District, Video, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:44 PM | |

The New Newseum

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Since I am a "special friend" of the Newseum, I was able to get free preview tickets to the new museum. Erica, Fritz, dl004d (another media stuides major -- I'm not alone!) and Grand Marnier came along as well. Back when the Newseum was in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Va., I went to original Newseum, which closed in late 2001/early 2002, several times over the years. In fact, when I worked in Rosslyn I parked in a garage at the old Newseum.

The beginning starts of our visit was a little awkward.. Newseum guides recommended we start on the lower level, past the Berlin Wall and into the "holding center" to wait for the next showing of the 4D movie. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it sounds. Several panels of the wall and a death tower are on display. The wall is not much more than a giant Jersey barrier with graffiti on one side, the barbed wire is all missing.

After moving on into the holding center, 4D glasses (stylish!) are given out and a video about "getting it right" is played. The 4D movie about the power of the media in America is quite good, both for the technology and the message. It is also unintentionally funny in the beginning.

From there, we took the elevator to the sixth floor. They have an outdoor observation area that details the history of Pennsylvania Ave. and provides excellent views. The view of the Capitol building would be absolutely perfect, but for the fact there are maple leaf flags all over the adjacent building, an embassy, across the corner. It is a harsh reminder of Canadian domination on American life. The sixth floor also includes digital versions of today's newspapers.

Moving down to the fifth floor we checked out the history gallery. Newspapers in clear display drawers are heavily featured as well as other artifacts from news gathering. This area is significantly bigger than the previous Newseum -- you could spend all day right there. One disappointment though - the FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD Daily News was not featured. How can you skip that if you are having a gallery of famous newspaper fronts? I skipped the books gallery - next time I'll check it out. I recall there being an exhibit about Edward R. Murrow on that floor as well.

The fourth floor features a 9/11 exhibit with a TV antenna from the World Trade Center, a time line of events and newspaper front pages. Photography is prohibited, which was fine with me. Having felt my office building shake when the Pentagon was attacked, I don't need to have reminders of that day. Also on the fourth floor was an exhibit on the First Amendment, which was quite interesting. We were reminded that burping is not covered by the First Amendment.

The third floor featured the Journalists Memorial and (if I recall correctly) the bombed out remains of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles Datsun. He was killed in the 1970s while investigating mafia. World news is also explored on this floor. I found the color-coded Press Freedom map of most interest.

Since being "On TV" was not of any interest to me, the third floor was skipped. You can do a newscast there with assorted backdrops. It did not seem very well organized.

The second floor is the Hall of News with a large screen featuring still photographs of major news events and a ticker that uses mixed-case letters instead of all capitals, which pleased dl004d. A satellite and news helicopter hang at this level.

Interactivity is a big part of the Newseum experience. There are touchscreen monitors all over the place. There is a downside to this though, the touch screens provide many opportunities to see bad news like the Challenger explosion or several different assassinations. It gets to be a bit much.

Despite spending over four hours in the Newseum, we really just skimmed it. It would probably take several days to see everything there. Also, we stopped by "The Food Section" a cafeteria with Wolfgang Puck food. The prices were high, but the quality was fairly good. On that level there is the first satellite news truck as well as a small exhibit on comics.

Overall, all were quite pleased with the new Newseum. I am sure I will go back sometime, but at $20 admission, it will probably be a while. Even at that price though, the Newseum is a good value if you can devote a day to spending in it.

[flickr : Newseum sneak preview/slideshow]

Newseum, museum, dc, Washington, media

Labels: Arts and Culture, BeltwayLand, History, Media, Photography, The District

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posted by WFY @ 12:27 PM | |

I'm as serious as a 5 on 3 powerplay. Watch this video and see what I'm talking about.

# posted by  WFY : Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:40:00 PM  

Only one more Don & Mike Show

UPDATED 04.03.2008: Also, Mike pub, O'Meara's in Manassas, has closed is only open on weekends. I never did get around to visiting it because, well, it was in Manassas. I guess I still could visit. DCRTV had incorrectly said it was closed. The economic slowdown was sighted as the reason.

DCRTV.com is reporting that Don Geronimo has "accelerated his retirement" and will only appear on the Don & Mike Show one more time, on April 11. Following that, The Mike O'Meara Show will debut on April 14 with the rest of the cast, plus former producer Beth Ann McBride.

I've listened to them on and off for the duration of the show. I'm curious what the next incarnation will be with only "one idiot." Had I not been listening them since I was a wee lad, I don't know if I would have found them at all entertaining, but with all the "history" I still tune them in.

BTW, I hope Don calls his autobiography "Honk for Cash."

Don and Mike Show, Don Geronimo, Mike O'meara, WJFK

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posted by WFY @ 9:39 PM | |

New and improved I-395 signs

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There are a couple of things I like about these new overhead signs on I-395 North (Southwest Freeway). The control city of "Capitol Hill" makes sense and seeing "Nationals Park" makes me smile. "Nat'l Mall" is also very useful. I also like that exit numbers are finally being rolled out on I-395 North, though I would have just continued the Virginia numbering. I suppose the appeal of exit 1 being for US 1 makes it okay though. Up until the renumbering of the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway, the Virginia exit to US 1 was exit 1. While that was lost, the US 50 exit in Virginia became exit 50, so it was a wash.

One other thing, I'm pleased the didn't use the Clearview typeface.

Interstate 395, SW Freeway, 14th Street Bridge, dc

Labels: BeltwayLand, The District, Transportation