Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
1 day after talking to bloggers, Metro's Catoe announces resignation - William World News
Thursday, January 14, 2010
1 day after talking to bloggers, Metro's Catoe announces resignation
Catoe stepping down after three years at the helm - Not even 24 hours after he sat down with leading D.C. bloggers, including my former colleague Tom Bridge of We Love DC, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager John Catoe announced he would resign on April 2. The move signals the end of Catoe's rocky 3 years as WMATA head saw the nation's second largest subway system suffer its worst accident on June 22 (Red Line crash is worst Metro accident ever ), several employees killed on the job, a number of suicides on the tracks and worsening service. To blame Catoe, a D.C. native, for these incidents would be unfair, but he has not been able to reverse the trend. Catoe's career was more focused on buses than rails which may have hindered his time in charge. His quote about the safety problems becoming "an unhealthy distraction" is telling though. Safety problems are not what I call a "distraction." Ultimately though, the problems of an aging system and the economic crisis has been Metro's biggest problems.
As soon as I heard the news, I wondered if Dan Tangherlini would be a candidate to replace Catoe. In 2006, Tangherlini was interim general manager of Metro to great acclaim. He wanted the job permanently, but when the WMATA board wanted an extended search, Tangherlini took a job with the Adrian Fenty administration (Tangherlini leaving Metro to return to District government). I remember when Tangherlini left I told a few people that he might get another shot someday. I don't envy him if it is now though, the outlook for Metro is grim on just about all fronts.
"The Band That Wouldn't Die" looks good - William World News
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
"The Band That Wouldn't Die" looks good
I have a soft spot for the Baltimore Colts.
While my antipathy towards Baltimore's baseball team is well documented, I have said on a few occasions that the Colts moving out of Baltimore is probably the worst franchise relocation in professional sports history. The fans were great, the team had great, memorable players and a marching band with a catchy fight song. The team moved away ultimately because the owner, Bob Irsay, was a really nasty individual who was also an alcoholic. Indianapolis was and still is completely unworthy of those horseshoe helmets and uniforms.
Noted film director Barry Levinson, a Baltimore native, has made a documentary for ESPN 30 for 30 about that marching band, "The Band That Wouldn't Die." The band played on even after the team abandoned them and eventually became the Marching Ravens after the Cleveland Browns (another bad move, but one that was corrected almost immediately) came to Baltimore. The whole story gets told tonight at 8 p.m.
I don't know that Mayor Shelia Dixon has enough political capital to make a soccer stadium happen, but the chance to take something that belongs to Washington might get people a little excited. Remember the Bullets (now Wizards) left Baltimore for Landover and later Washington D.C. proper.
I have been to all of one DC United game ever and I had a good time. I'm inclined to go to more and when my son is old enough, I'd like to be able to take him. If the team leaves for Baltimore, I'm not going because they won't be a local team anymore.
Hopefully, this will wake people up and get progress back in the direction of a D.C. area venue for United. Perhaps in the interim, Dan Snyder could do something right and make FedEx Field available. I think the lower bowl could routinely be filled for DCU games and Snyder could clearly use the money. They could play there while they figure out something permanent for United.
Snyder will never let D.C. United have a full season in his stadium simply because of the amount of damage the Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles do in one game.
That's also the reason why the HFStival was only held there and up in Bhawlmuher once each. The kids who went to that trashed the place.
Now, at RFK or their own dedicated field, it wouldn't be an issue, they can trash the place all they want but at a place like Landover, no way are they going to let those fans trash the place on the regular basis.
# posted by Caps Nut :
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 10:28:00 PM
More 2010 FedEx college football - D1SCOURSE, The Wash. Times Expect more college games like this one at FedEx Field in the coming years.
Now, a few thoughts from me on this game
Indiana sold its soul for $3 million, but given l'affaire Bobby Knight, one can debate whether Indiana has a soul. They traded a Big Ten home game for a road trip that puts than 500 miles further away from home than the "visiting" team.
Based on what I am seeing on Twitter, Facebook and talking to people around the office, Nittany Lion fans are very excited about this game. Apparently, there are 40,000 alums in D.C./Va./Md./Del. Also, I know some Pennsylvania based fans who want come down. It should be a very good turnout. Indiana is on the hook for just 7,000 seats. While Penn State will certainly exceed that by a wide margin, will they buy 84,000 more? Maybe, Temple sold 69,000 tickets to their 2007 game with Penn State at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field and that included forcing fans to buy a three game package.
The Redskins initiated this game and will pay Indiana $3 million. Now, let's say that tickets cost $55 and parking costs $25. This is probably a conservative guess. I'm going to say they sell 75,000 tickets which is $4,125,000. Let's say 15,000 people park there, that's another $375,000, so right there the Redskins have already grossed $1.5 million minus the $3 million they gave to Indiana. That is before anyone buys a concession too. Chances are attendance will be higher, maybe even a sellout which would mean another 15,000 tickets sold and probably 5,000 more parking spaces.
Speaking of concessions, I do not know if they will be able to sell alcohol in the stadium. The Big Ten probably gets a say in that decision and they are ban alcohol in on-campus stadiums. Temple sold beer at Lincoln Financial Field two years ago.
This won't hurt Penn State's recruiting efforts in the greater D.C. area either, though I don't know that they can host potential recruits for the game.
I for one, am really looking forward to this game. Just the thought of being able to take the Metro to a Penn State game is very exciting. I have been hoping Maryland would come back on the schedule for this reason. Speaking of Maryland, I wonder if they will be playing in College Park that day too. The game at FedEx Field might double their attendance.
I had to remove a comment that said something unkind about the alma mater by someone who doesn't allow comments on his blog. The gist of the comment was that Penn State cannot engage in any recruiting activities during the Indiana game.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 9:00:00 PM
It is actually November 20, 2010 game, not 2009. Indiana fans are not happy. I'm thrilled, I can take the Metro to a Penn State game! There are about 90,000 seats. There are over 20,000 parking spaces for tailgating too. Let's sell it out. This is like a dream come true for me!
Does this mean Redskins owner Dan Snyder did something right?
Wilson Bridge Trail: State/city borders are 75% great - William World News
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wilson Bridge Trail: State/city borders are 75% great
OVER THE POTOMAC RIVER -- On my initial ride along the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail, I did not see anything marking the borders between Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. On my second ride, I was pleased to see that some were there. The line seperating Maryland and D.C. is shown above. However, there is a problem with D.C. and Virginia:
Virginia is covered up by warning stripes! Oops. Obviously, this is not a high priority, but I would like to see it corrected. Virginia residents paid for it too, so we should get our state clearly represented.
I would also like to see the border painted on the walls too.
The Awakening's new home is lacking - William World News
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Awakening's new home is lacking
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- I was not happy that "The Awakening" was moved from Hains Point, Washington D.C. to this new resort in Prince George's County. I don't blame the developer for buying of course, it was a shrewd move to catch the Park Service napping. I do fault the developer for the new placement though. The sculpture is placed in what can accurately be described as a sandbox. It looks like was just put there in the morning, whereas in the old Hains Point location, it had a sense of place even though it was merely covered by dirt and mulch. It felt like was coming out of the ground in dramatic fashion. Here, it just looks like it was put there without much consideration to its environment.
The screwed up the perspective too. The parts are too close together. Pity.
# posted by Your Brother :
Friday, June 12, 2009 10:34:00 PM
I was thinking that too, but I could not confirm it by comparing before and after photos.
# posted by WFY :
Saturday, June 13, 2009 5:51:00 AM
Post a CommentInitial thoughts of National Harbor, Maryland - William World News
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Initial thoughts of National Harbor, Maryland
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- On Monday, when I took bicycled on the Wilson Bridge Trail for the first time, I also pedaled down to National Harbor, the new waterfront development in Prince George's County, Maryland. I regularly see it from Alexandria, but this was my first visit close up. My first impression -- this is going to be a pretty cool place someday.
The development, along the Potomac River, is not completed yet, though there are several places to eat and the enormous Gaylord hotel. The aesthetics are pleasant enoug and the docks will make it a fun stop for boaters. There were not many there, but it was Monday. I also like the distance signs with local and non-local destinations
Two things I was not crazy about -- the unpaved path from the Wilson Bridge Trail and the music piped in over loud speakers. To me, a place like National Harbor ought to sound like -- a harbor. I want to hear the water, the sound of flags blowing in the wind and the general streetlife, for a lack of a better term, not smooth jazz.
Overall though, National Harbor looks like a nice place to spend a few hours strolling with baby carriage, getting a bite to eat and looking out over the Potomac. I am sure we'll go over there sometime this summer via the water taxi from Alexandria. Once this place reaches critical mass, probably in a few years and a better economy, I expect it to be another special place in the D.C. area. I wonder if they have enough room or interest in a soccer stadium too.
The Wilson Bridge trail is wonderful - William World News
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The Wilson Bridge trail is wonderful
LOOKING WEST -- Foreground: Pedestrian signal for the drawspan. Background: Overlook and Wilson Bridge Trail
OVER THE POTOMAC RIVER -- Last Saturday, the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge trail opened and on Monday, I bicycled on it for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed my it, the trail is a triumph for several reasons.
The trail, located on the northern bridge span (which actually carries I-95/495 SOUTH/WEST also known as the Capital Beltway's Outer Loop), is a comfortable 12 feet wide and enclosed by attractive fences on either side. The height of the fence on the river side is such that I can still see out, but not feel like it is too low. On the highway side, the fence is slightly lower, but reasonable. The grade of the trail, while steeper than the highway portion of the bridge on the Virginia approach, is barely noticeable. The pavement, concrete, is perfect, but that is too be expected.
By itself, the trail is great, but the inclusion of information signs about local history and ecology and landscaping on each shore make it more than a non-motorized transportation corridor -- it is a linear park. There are also three overlooks on the span that provide more information signs, some mounted binoculars/telescopes and benches and northern views of Alexandria and Washington D.C. The magnification on some of the telescopes are stunning, so much so that I if I lived along the Alexandria waterfront, I might keep the blinds closed.
On the Virginia side, the trail begins at the Washington Street deck which essentially a large overpass, that the Beltway travels under, with park like features. Additional trails to US 1 and the Mount Vernon Trail are adjacent connect here. Embedded compass-like wayfinders provide riders/walkers with guidance to these points.
On the Maryland side, the trail corkscrews on either side of the overpass spanning Capital Beltway (I-95/495). It looks steeper than it feels and is aesthetically pleasing. The overpass also includes a great deal of information about Prince George's County's early history as well as some ecological information. The trail diverts from the Beltway in direction of a trail to Oxon Hill Road and National Harbor. Upon entering the National Harbor property the pavement ends, something that will hopefully be rectified soon. There are unpaved trails all the way down to the completed National Harbor area that are annoying but were not a deal-breaker for me.
Even though it was a Monday, there were a fair amount of cyclists and pedestrians on the bridge. I chatted with a few, including a Park Police officer, about the project and the consensus was that this was an extremely well done project. There were lots of smiling cyclists on it. The only drawback seemed to be the lack of connections to other trails on the Maryland side, something that will have to be addressed by National Harbor and PG County. However, the biggest and hardest piece of the project is now complete and hopefully the connections will arrive soon. The stakeholders of the project, the Federal Highway Administration, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, the city of Alexandria and Prince George's County deserve a lot of praise for this latest and perhaps greatest addition to the area's trail network.
The bike trail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is actually along the inner loop and not the outer loop. Thus you are looking at the City of Washington and not away from it.
# posted by Anonymous :
Monday, February 08, 2010 12:20:00 PM
Post a CommentNew bicycle connections: Four Mile Run & Wilson Bridge - William World News
Monday, June 08, 2009
New bicycle connections: Four Mile Run & Wilson Bridge
This spring has been a good one for area cyclists.
Shirlington Underpass Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - TheWashCycle The Four Mile Run Trail is now extended from Shirlington to Glebe Road underneath I-395 (Shirley Highway). The concrete viaduct is quite impressive, maybe even overdesigned. I rode on it before the actual dedication and enjoyed it. Now, getting past I-395 is much easier than before when cyclists had to ride over the Shirlington Circle pedestrian overpass, with its hairpin turn, and along Alexandria streets to connect between the two Four Mile Run Trail segments. According the link above, this connection has been in the works since 1985! There is room for some improvement with signage at Shirlington Road though -- it is not obvious how to get there from the existing Four Mile Run Trail or the W&OD Trail's the eastern terminus a few hundred feet away.
Wilson Bridge Bike Path Gets Rolling - The Post It is now possible to bike across every Potomac River crossing in Washington D.C. Remember, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge actually enters the District at its southernmost point for a few hundred feet. The trail opened on Saturday. I am going to go for a ride on it later this morning, I will report back on it sometime soon.
25 years ago, the Colts were taken from Baltimore - William World News
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
25 years ago, the Colts were taken from Baltimore
On March 29, 1984, Robert Irsay moved the Colts out of Baltimore under the cover of darkness to Indianapolis, an unworthy destination. In observance of the anniversary, the Sun has a number of articles in Baltimore Colts section that basically say "let's get over it already." Yes, there is a bit of irony in those statements since the paper's Web site has a regularly updated section a generation after the fact, but they are probably right. In the end, Baltimore got a new team, one that won a Super Bowl, and stadiums for football and baseball. The new team, the Ravens, came from Cleveland, but the NFL did the right thing and insisted the colors and name be left behind there and put a team back there three years later.
I have said before that while I hope for nothing failure and misery when it comes to the Orioles, I have sympathy for the Colts fans who were on the wrong end of what was likely the worst sports team move ever. Why move out of a football crazy city to an irrelevant midwestern city? The Colts left because of the absolutely belligerent and incompetent Irsay (Sports Illustrated), a drunk who shopped the team for years despite strong fan support. The team only after he died. His son, Jim Irsay, still owns the team and missed an obvious chance to redeem the family legacy when he did not return the colors and logos to the city of Baltimore. Perhaps it was because he was high (Indy Star). The Indy side of the story is here if you care.
On a lighter note the reporting of the move has been, shall we say, imprecise over the years.
Sometime when it gets warmer we will take the water taxi over to National Harbor and see what it is all about. Then we will come back and have dinner in Old Town.
Frederick, Md.: There has been some speculation on a name change for DCU. This got even more muddied during the press conference. Can you reassure some of us that you will keep United under the same name.
Kevin Payne: We have no intention of changing the most recognized name in American soccer. We have always thought of ourselves as a regional team -- the fact we have season ticket holders from so many states proves that point! We will be very much a part of the community in Prince George's County, but we will be D.C. United.
That was something I was wondering, I half expected them to become F.C. (Football Club) United.
D.C. United to become P.G. United? - William World News
Friday, February 13, 2009
D.C. United to become P.G. United?
P.G. United? Co-Owner May Move D.C. Soccer Team to Prince George's - The Post Washington's most successful franchise of the last decade or so appears to be headed to suburban Prince George's County, Md. D.C. United, winner of 4 MLS Cups had been trying to build a soccer stadium at Poplar Point, across the Anacostia River from Nationals Park, but D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty balked despite a hefty contribution from ownership. DCU even got Marion Barry (Ward 8) on board. You can get some perspective from the D.C. United fanbase over at DCenters.
I don't know if this is posturing by DCU or if they really plan on heading to Maryland, but I would not blame them. Still, moving the team out of The District is not the ideal scenario for them. I have been to all of one D.C. United match, but I am inclined to go again. Having to go all the way out to P.G. County is a deterrent.
Post reporter David Nakamura is chatting about the proposed P.G. County stadium for United right now.
It is very much like the situation that drove JKC to build his stadium for the Redskins in P.G. County and not DC. DC has had their chance to do right by DCU and has repeatedly failed time and again.
This is why people like myself am so amazed that they got it (semi) right with the Nats. But remember, they tried very hard to foul that one up too.
# posted by Caps Nut :
Saturday, February 14, 2009 7:59:00 AM
I still can't believe that Nationals Park got built.
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 15, 2009 8:41:00 AM
Post a CommentPlaces I went in 2008 - William World News
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Places I went in 2008
I used the same criteria as previous years -- I have to had a meal or spent the night there. Fast food does not count either.
Alexandria, Va. Arlington, Va. Bluemont, Va. McLean, Va. Vienna, Va. Virginia Beach, Va. Washington, D.C. Columbia, Md. Avalon, N.J. Sea Isle City, N.J Stone Harbor, N.J. Bronx, N.Y. New York, N.Y. Allentown, Pa. Belleville, Pa. Harrisburg, Pa. Hershey, Pa. Lewisberry, Pa. Lewistown, Pa. Manada Hill, Pa. Mechanicsburg, Pa. Reedsville, Pa. State College, Pa. Tannersville, Pa. Kenley, N.C. Wilson, N.C. Conway, S.C. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Pawley's Island, S.C.
There are a couple of exceptions to the rule -- we did not eat in Bluemont, but cut down a Christmas tree, so that counts. Also, we drove through Delaware but did not stop. This year also marked the least amount of visits to New Jersey ever. Next year, we will have to do better.
The chase, which began on Interstate 270 South in Maryland and continued onto the Outer Loop of the Beltway and into Virginia, ended shortly before 4 p.m.
Jones eventually left the Outer Loop of the Beltway at Exit 46 and drove toward the Tysons Corner area.
The 18-wheeler smashed into trees and stopped on a sidewalk at the intersection of Westpark Drive and Park Run Drive in Tysons Corner.
Tractor-Trailer Leads Police on Chase Along I-270 - The Post I looked out the window and saw "airwolf" flying low parallel to the Capital Beltway and later found out it was this chase. Surprisingly, this did nothing to increase my commute time on the way home, even though the chase ended mere minutes before I left.
It included several other schools from the Washington area in the top 100: Walt Whitman High in Bethesda (No. 44), Thomas S. Wootton High in Rockville (No. 54), McLean High (No. 55), Winston Churchill High in Potomac (No. 57), Langley High in McLean (No. 76) and W.T. Woodson High in Fairfax (No. 90).
This is one of the reasons I like living here -- good schools and a success oriented culture. By the time my son is high school, we expect to be somewhere in Fairfax County.
For what it is worth, my high school, James Madison in Vienna, was a silver medal school.
Possible NHL or NBA team in Baltimore? - William World News
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Possible NHL or NBA team in Baltimore?
Baltimore wants to build a new arena (The Sun) that could support a franchise from either the NHL or NBA. I think Baltimore could support a NBA team, but am skeptical about the NHL. Either way, should a team be placed there, the established D.C. team should be granted 90% of the new Baltimore team's television rights. After all, what is fair for Baltimore is fair for Washington, right?
By the way, which bird would be the new Baltimore team's nickname?
Which bird, eh? Well clearly the oriole and raven are off the list. And you can probably scratch any birds that exist for other professional sports teams, especially those on the east coast, so good bye to the eagle and cardinal and falcon. The canary wouldn't be fit to a pro team but would make for some eye sores of a uniform.
What about the Seagulls, or Gulls? Weak, I know.
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:09:00 PM
Vulture
# posted by John Taylor :
Friday, July 25, 2008 11:34:00 AM
Post a CommentWe Love DC launches; Metroblogging DC withers - William World News
Monday, July 07, 2008
We Love DC launches; Metroblogging DC withers
Remember Metroblogging DC? I used to be a regular over there. The regulars who stayed have broken away and launched a new site called We Love DC. It is pretty much the same idea as Metroblogging, but with a superior design and completely local ownership. It went live on Independence Day. Coverage will be anything inside the Beltway. I am may even get involved with it, we'll see.
On Friday, I got an email from nationals.com titled "See your Nationals play at Camden Yards next week" offering me a chance to buy tickets for upcoming series in Baltimore. While Camden Yards is certainly an attractive ballpark (though the seats don't all face the field) and about 90 minutes away I will not be going. Long-time readers of the blog know what is coming -- don't go there. Not now, not next week, not ever. No Washingtonian should attend any Orioles game so long as Peter Angelo$ or his heirs own the O's and the Nationals do not control their own broadcasting rights. Giving an additional subsidy to Angelo$ would be akin to "providing aid and comfort to the enemy."
As a reminder of the problem, here is an excerpt of last year's list of grievances against Baltimore's most cowardly millionaire and his pathetic franchise:
Angelo$ was the only owner to vote against the Expos relocating to Washington.
Remember how most of us couldn't watch the Nationals regularly for two seasons? That was Angelo$ doing. Angelo$ and MLB made a corrupt bargain to put the Nats TV rights in the hands of someone who had an interest in limiting the ability of a "competitor" to succeed. Thomas Boswell accused Angelo$ of trying to "kill the baby in the crib." This cost the Nationals from getting full media exposure during the crucial first year which could have sold more tickets and contributed to the D.C. treasury.
He is duplicitous and hypocritical -- remember when he said "there are no baseball fans in Washington D.C. that's a fiction." If that is true Petey, why you "need" the TV rights. Also, take a look at his past rhetoric for use of the term "monopolists." Isn't it something how he forgets that he sought to retain his monopoly of baseball in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The production values of Malevolent Angelo$ Sports Network -- players being named incorrectly, poor A/V fidelity, and treating the Nats like the visiting team on their own network. Malevolent Angelo$ Sports Network screwed up a Penn State telecast last season too.
He has recklessly thrown money away (see Belle, Albert; Ponson, Sidney), but now finds it more convenient to blame Washington for his inability to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox. This is the basis for his subsidy argument when in truth 15 years of bad franchise management got his team where it is now, not having another team 35 miles (and 90 minutes away on game nights) to the south.
It has been said Angelo$ wanted to by mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland. Clearly the people of that city and state knew better and are not falling for his "look, it stuck it Washington, so you should love me" actions. Washingtonians shouldn't have to suffer because Baltimore had to the good sense not to empower him from the ballot box.
In short, Angelo$ has wielded his disproportionate power to keep the Nats from fully realizing the potential of their market for petty, personal reasons and to keep himself from having to work hard. The Nats can not realize their full revenue potential because they have to subsidize Angelo$' mediocrity. Do you really want to reward that kind of bad behavior?
Though I can't dispute anything here, I'm still boycotting the Nats rather than the Orioles. Part of it is family history -- my mom's side of the family is from the Eastern Shore. Part of it is that I can usually keep my opinion of a team separate from my opinion of the owners, as plenty of Redskins fans might also tell you. (The number of Orioles implicated in the Mitchell Report bothers me a little bit more than Angelos.)
But the truth is I probably won't see either team this year, just as I didn't last year. And that's because the manner in which the Nats came to Washington soured my impression of MLB in general. They extorted hundreds of millions of dollars from a municipality that can't even tell its schoolkids where they're supposed to go for class. I simply can't support that.
Bottom line is that there's something unsavory about both teams. How much tolerance we have for it is sure to depend from person to person.
# posted by bdure :
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 7:57:00 AM
Neither MLB or the District distinguished themselves during the negotiation. That being said, I think it winds up working out very well for D.C. because a lot of the money coming in will be from suburban fans, money that would have been spent elsewhere. Additionally, the development going around the ballpark is quite impressive. The schools could learn a lot from the way the construction was managed (on time, on budget) and just well might. Allen Lew, the chief executive for the Sports Commission, moved onto lead the school system upgrade last year.
# posted by WFY :
Friday, May 16, 2008 12:26:00 PM
Post a CommentIt's National Chili Day! - William World News
Thursday, February 28, 2008
It's National Chili Day!
WTOP passed along some very important news this morning -- today is National Chili Day! To celebrate, Hard Times Cafe is giving out free bowls of chili. They have locations throughout suburban Virginia and Maryland. They will have a D.C. location in Nationals Park too.*
I'll see if I can get more details at lunch time.
UPDATED 6:55 p.m.: I went to the Old Town Hard Times to get my free chili. It turns out you have to make a purchase to get the free chili. Not a big deal, since you want something to drink with chili anyway. I had a Hard Times draft root beer with a bowl of Texas chili. Not bad for under $3 total. I was disappointed with the slow service though, it took several minutes for the bartender to acknowledge me. Had I not been getting a mostly free meal, I would have been out of there.
*I still need to comment on the recently announced ballpark food offerings. I'll get to that soon.
A Head Start for National Harbor - The Post District Treasure Goes to Pr. George's Development More about the move of The Awakening moving to National Harbor with some details about that project. There is also a video:
D.C. Giant to Be Unearthed Next Week for New Digs - The Post After residing in East Potomac Park since 1980, "The Awakening" will be dug up and moved to National Harbor starting next Wednesday. The J. Seward Johnson sculpture was owned by the Sculpture Foundation and loaned to the National Park Service until it was sold last year to the developer building National Harbor in P.G. County.
I'm really going to miss seeing "The Awakening" when I bicycle around Hains Point. I will have to stop by this weekend and get some final photographs of it.
With Virginia, The District and Maryland all having primaries on the same Tuesday, I have heard a few different ways to describe this event. Some media outlets are calling it "Potomac Primary" after the river that separates the two states and the District while other outlets are calling it the "Chesapeake Primary" after the bay that both states, but not the District, share.
Here is a very informal survey of what media outlets are calling the day:
Potomac Primary The Post The Wash. Times The Sun Times-Dispatch Post-Gazette WTTG USA Today Post-Gazette CNN FOX News Reuters The Times NPR CBS News NBC News Agence France-Presse
Chesapeake Primary WTOP WUSA WJLA
It isn't even close, it just may seem that way because of broadcast using Chesapeake. According to Google News (at 7:30 p.m. last night), Chesapeake Primary has "about 310" results, while a search for "Potomac Primary" returns "about 695."
Neither the Associated Press or The (Annapolis) Capital seem to be using either term.
Is the Purple Line in trouble too? - William World News
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Is the Purple Line in trouble too?
Dulles Rail Problems With FTA Worry Md. - The Post With the FTA showing reluctance to fund Virginia's Silver Line, Maryland officials are concerned that mass transit projects like the Purple Line won't be funded either.
As for the Silver Line, proposed to connect West Falls Church to Ashburn, it isn't dead yet, according to Dr. Gridlock's Get There blog.
Also, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority took issue with the FTA's suggestion (WTOP) that it couldn't handle building the Silver Line.
Post columnist Marc Fisher breaks down the tax burdens of the BeltwayLand jurisdictions in today's Raw Fisher post. My city, Alexandria, is the lowest listed. Would it surprise you that Montgomery County is the highest? At least they have something to show for it, unlike PG County which isn't far behind its western neighbor. The District comes in third, while Fairfax County is the highest in Virginia. Arlington is fifth highest/second lowest.
Of course the downside of being the lowest taxed could be "Now Accredited" (What, they weren't before?!) signs hanging on elementary schools in Alexandria, but truth be told, money probably isn't the only issue there.
Generally speaking, I had to either spend the night or sit down for a meal somewhere for it to qualify.
Alexandria, Va. Annapolis, Md. Arlington, Va. Avalon, NJ Bellefonte, Pa. Daly City, Calif. Eatontown, N.J. Edison, N.J. Hamilton, N.J. Harrisburg, Pa. Lake Harmony, Pa. Lemoyne, Pa. Lewistown, Pa. McLean, Va. Mill Valley, Calif. Morristown, N.J. Mount Vernon, Va. Philadelphia, Pa. Potomac, Md. Princeton, N.J. Reedsville, Pa. San Francisco, Calif. Ship Bottom, N.J. Spray Beach, N.J. Springfield, Pa. State College, Pa. Stone Harbor, N.J. Virginia Beach, Va. Vienna, Va. Washington, D.C.
Northern-most point: Blakeslee, Pa. Southern-most point: Virginia Beach, Va. Western-most point: San Francisco, Calif. (by car, Bedford, Pa.) Eastern-most point: Bay Head, N.J.
I doubt I'll get any further west this year, but I hope to get further north, east and south. Hopefully, New York and Boston can make it back on the list too.
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Sunday, January 06, 2008 3:58:00 PM
It was the closest White Castle between Brick and Edison. We had a memorial service to attend to that day.
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, January 06, 2008 4:35:00 PM
Post a Comment50 years of the Harbor Tunnel - William World News
Friday, November 23, 2007
50 years of the Harbor Tunnel
Harbor Tunnel marks 50th anniversary - The Sun The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel is approaching its semicentennial. When I was a kid, it was a traffic nightmare, but once the Ft. McHenry Tunnel (I-95) opened in 1985, the Harbor Tunnel became a good alternate route.
Other notes:
I can't remember it before it was I-895, but I do remember all the non-MUTCD signs that only got replaced about ten years ago.
The Harbor Tunnel Thruway had unusual exit numbering schemes -- sequential starting after the tunnel headed northbound; mileage-based from the northern terminus southbound)
There used to be a Colt 45 brewery near the interchange with the Baltimore Beltway (I-695). It later became a Washington Flour facility.
I also remember the Segram's 7 advertisement that was on a brick building near the highway
The speed limit should be at least 55 MPH throughout the non-tunnel sections and maybe 60 MPH in the stretches without exits.
PERRYVILLE, Md. -- Right after paying the one-way $5 toll for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway there is this awful I-95 sign: This is easiest the ugliest shield on a mainline big green sign* I have ever seen on I-95. It is almost as if the Maryland Transportation Authority, administrator of the toll road, is saying "we're charging you an arm and a leg, but are going to put up ugly signs, just because we can."
*I'm excluding the odd shields on the old school variable rotating signs on the N.J. Turnpike spurs though.
Best foliage of the season -- I-95? - William World News
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Best foliage of the season -- I-95?
CECIL COUNTY, Md. -- Drought has made this autumn a disappointing one for foliage in Northern Virginia and even on the roads to Penn State. I was a bit surprised to see the best colors of the season along I-95 between Baltimore and Delaware. Granted, it has been a long time since I traveled this stretch during this part of fall, but I never remembered it being so good. I'm sure in sunlight it was bordering on spectacular.
The throwback - The Sun Recently, a reporter watched a recent Ravens game with all-time great, Art Donovan. The Bronx born former Colt is one of my favorites of old NFL Films. Unfortunately, he was been hospitalized recently:
"Broke my femur on a cruise with my wife, in Italy," he said. "I'd walked back to my cabin after dinner with half a plate of spaghetti when I leaned in to open the door. Turns out it was already open so I fell flat on my face like something from the Keystone Kops.
"They drove me to an American hospital in Rome, 3 1/2 hours away. Road must've had 15,000 potholes. I almost bounced out of the ambulance.
"At the hospital, when they lifted me into the bed they put my head halfway through the wall and knocked me out. So I said, 'Don't touch me. If I'm going to die, it'll be in the United States, not in the Middle East somewhere.' "
A week later, Donovan was flown home to Baltimore for surgery. He said he would have kissed the ground if he could have.
"I swear to God, I was so happy as we neared the airport that I didn't care if we crashed, as long as it was on American soil."
Pearlstein on Nats gala in P.G.: So what? - William World News
Pearlstein on Nats gala in P.G.: So what?
STEVEN PEARLSTEIN - A Broader View of Home-Field Advantage - The Post Using the recent controversy over the Nationals holding their Dream Gala at National Harbor in Maryland, Pearlstein argues that borders really don't matter much anymore:
Let's start with a simple but profound reality: There is no longer any such thing as the District's economy, or the Prince George's economy, or the Fairfax economy. There is only a regional economy, with a regional housing market, a regional labor market and regional retail markets. Our economic lives no longer respect the political boundaries set down 300 years ago.
Furthermore, he notes a larger regional cooperation is on the way:
As it happens, District Mayor Adrian Fenty, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, with the prodding of several business leaders, are quietly working on their own regional economic development strategy. Although still taking shape, the idea behind the Chesapeake Crescent is that the area from Baltimore to Richmond is fast becoming a single regional economy, and that collaboration in areas such as the environment, transportation, technology transfer and worker training could catalyze that process.
Very interesting. I'll bet Hampton Roads wants in too.
Back on the subject of the Nationals and the District, a Post editorial suggests that everybody Play Nice and work together as partners. Why this seemingly hasn't occurred to either the District or the Nationals is beyond me.
You know it is a tough night when 51 saves are not enough - William World News
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
You know it is a tough night when 51 saves are not enough
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- We hadn't seen the Penn State hockey club, generally known as the Icers, in about five years, so when we found out they were going to be nearby, we made sure to see them. Last weekend, they played a Friday and Saturday series with Navy, winning both games. We caught the Saturday night match-up at McMullen Arena. [flickr set: Icers: Penn State at Navy]
Penn State got off to a strong start, scoring the first goal early. Surprisingly, Navy responded soon after, but the tie didn't last long. Penn State netted another goal and went into the break up 2-1. Most telling was the Icers 17 shots to the Middies six.
The second period would be more of the same as the faster Icers dominated with speed and precision passing. In the third period, the Icers scored their final two goals while shorthanded. In total they had 57 shots on the night, while Navy had a respectable 30.
The Icers are ranked #3 in ACHA Division I. By the way, in May I spoke with someone close to the program and asked about getting a new hockey arena built which would be necessary for the Icers to move up to varsity, Big11Ten/NCAA competition. He or she said there is a lead gift for construction, but the university is holding off on big new construction projects for a while. Someday...
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-- Saturday's visit was probably the my fifthteenth to Maryland's capital city. I have been to Annapolis more than any other state capital. The only other state capitals I've actually spent time in are Harrisburg (Pennsylvania), Boston (Massachusetts), and Denver (Colorado). I've driven around or through Albany (New York), Providence (Rhode Island), Trenton (New Jersey), Richmond (Virginia), Raleigh (North Carolina) and Columbus (Ohio). I've never set foot in Richmond despite living in the commonwealth for 93% of my life. I guess I should correct that someday, but I've never felt compelled to there.
I've been to Richmond 3 or 4 times. I can't say anything would really motivate you to make the trip south. The Richmond Braves, perhaps? Though I suspect that would be more enticing if they were a Nationals affiliate.
# posted by TMBC :
Monday, November 05, 2007 8:32:00 PM
Annapolis acts like its been there before - William World News
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Annapolis acts like its been there before
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-- Prior to the Icers game against Navy, we stopped in downtown Annapolis for a quick bite to eat. An traffic jam on the Beltway limited the amount of time we could budget for dinner, so we stopped at Chick & Ruth's Delly on Main Street. Our arrival coincided with the end of regulation of the Navy vs. Notre Dame football game.
Navy went into South Bend having not beaten the Fighting Irish since 1963, coming agonizingly close several times. It seems like every time I would turn on the Navy vs. Notre Dame game, Navy would have a shot in the last few seconds. This time was no different. Navy scored a touchdown and extra point in the first overtime with Notre Dame responding accordingly. Several tables away, a midshipman announced he would do push-ups if Navy could pull it out. The second overtime saw the two gold helmeted teams trade field goals. In the third overtime, Navy threw for a touchdown on the first play and converted two points on another pass. On Notre Dame's 3rd OT possession, a fourth down pass was batted away, seemingly bringing victory to Navy, but a pass interference penalty (I suggested the ref hates America) nullified it and gave Notre Dame another shot. They ran it on fourth down and Navy stuffed them, ending the streak. There were a few hoots, some clapping, but overall the reaction was nothing more than what you would see after a regular season baseball win. The streets of Annapolis had no buzz either. I can't decide if I was disappointed or admired the restraint.
Although Chick & Ruth's wasn't what we had in mind when we planned our trip to Annapolis, we found it to be a pleasant enough diner, although I know someone who would take issue with the spelling of the proprietors' name. Clearly, there is a lot of history at Chick & Ruth's, but we were admittedly distracted from it by the game. Erica enjoyed her crabcake sandwich. Since we were in a hurry, I ordered a burger which was fine. Perhaps sometime when we spend a whole day in Annapolis (which we have been meaning to do for a long time) we'll have a more leisurely lunch there.
Catoe stepping down after three years at the helm - 
Metro, WMATA,Mass Transit, John Catoe, Dan Tangherlini
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