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Whitney Saupan • August 10, 2012

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority began its enhanced rush hour service, “Rush Plus,” June 18. The new arrangement — with six additional trains per hour (three in each direction) on the Orange Line during rush hours – sets out to ease “Orange Crush,” when peak trains on the Orange Line between Courthouse and Rosslyn carry more passengers per car than anywhere else on the system, Metro says. “For 33,500 Blue and Yellow Line customers in Virginia, Rush Plus will result in an increase in the share of Yellow Line trains, meaning more direct and faster access to downtown via the Yellow Line bridge.”

Metro explains: “Rush Plus is an expansion of rush hour service that will result in additional trains between Mt. Vernon Square and Greenbelt, and between Vienna and Court House, as well as new transfer-free travel opportunities between stations on several lines. Rush Plus is designed to ease crowding, improve the commuting experience for Metrorail riders on the Orange, Blue, Green and Yellow lines, and prepare for the future Silver Line.”

As part of Rush Plus, “21 Metrorail stations will see an increase in train service,” Metro says. “During each rush-hour period, 18 new Orange Line trains — three per hour in each direction — will operate between Vienna and Largo Town Center. Every third existing Blue Line train (three trains per hour in each direction) will now operate between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt via the Yellow Line bridge. These trains will be identified as Yellow Line trains. As a result, customers at Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street and stations from L’Enfant Plaza to Greenbelt will have new transfer-free trip options between certain stations.”

Metro is also making some changes to its SmarTrip cards. These changes include vending locations for SmarTrip Cards in all stations, the option to automatically reload the card and a raise in price for those riders who use the paper fare card. Some changes will be in place by July 1. Another round of changes will be implemented by September and even more changes are planned for 2013 and 2014.

Currently, bus riders using the SmarTrip card save 20 cents per ride and 50 cents of rail transfers. Beginning July 1, Metrorail will start charging $1 more per trip for those who use paper fare cards.

Robert Devaney •

At 7:38 p.m. on June 14, during a special meeting, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E voted unanimously to approve Georgetown University’s 2010-2020 campus plan, as revised by neighborhood groups and university leaders in the last few months. Thus ended at least two years of sharp debate between the two, ushering in a new era in town-gown relations. It was one of the shortest ANC meeting ever.

The most significant outcome, amid a pulling back of students from living in the neighborhood into dormitories on the main campus, is the Georgetown Community Partnership. It will be a standing group of residents and university officials along with student representation to discuss progress and problems as they happen.

“We are all Georgetown here,” commissioner Jeff Jones said. “We have to trust each other.”

Those sitting at the long table on either side of the commissioners included Jennifer Altemus of the Citizens Association of Georgetown and Chris Clements of the Burleith Citizens Association and the university’s vice president for public affairs Erik Smulson and vice president for student affairs Todd Olson.

Again, participants from the neighborhood and the university said they had been skeptical at first but realized it was a good agreement for all with real compromises made. There were a few questions on details, but nothing to hold up the agreement. When one resident, who lives on Reservoir Road, said that his house had been egged by students, the university’s Olson said he would look into that.

Students have expressed displeasure at the phrase — living off-campus is a privilege, not a right. Commissioner Jake Sticka, a Georgetown student, said: “This doesn’t fundamentally alter what it means to be a Georgetown undergraduate. . . At the end of the day, it’s a positive step.”

ANC 2E will send its report to the D.C. Zoning Commission; ANC 3D will meet soon on the campus plan. The Zoning Commission will issue its decision next month.

For details on the plan, visit: Georgetowner.com and read our News Buzz

Veronica Lopez •

Summer has officially begun. With the mark of the summer solstice yesterday, the longest day of the year, residents of Washington, D.C., can expect blazing hot temperatures for today, June 21. Expect the morning and afternoon commute to be anything but comfortable, with temperatures in the high 90 degrees and an expected heat index around 105. You’ll want to pack a hat, sunglasses and extra water for any time spent outside.

The summer solstice, which occurs when the sun is at the highest point north of the equator, takes place every June 21 most years and is the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. With 2012 being a leap year, this year’s summer solstice arrived one day earlier than usual. For the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is currently in effect. With the start of the summer solstice at 7:09 p.m. yesterday evening, days will start to get shorter and shorter until the start of the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice in December.

A heat advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service throughout the D.C. area and is expected to remain issued until 10 p.m. this evening. Fortunately, due to these uncomfortable conditions, Metro has allowed water bottles aboard all buses and trains for yesterday and today only. “The exception to Metro’s ‘no drinking’ policy applies to water only — on buses, in stations and aboard trains — and will remain in effect through system closing on Thursday night,” Metro says. This new accommodating exception by Metro will definitely contribute to making life a bit easier for those who have to commute today.

With the heat wave making its way to the East Coast today, it’s necessary to prepare yourself in order to prevent dehydration and exhaustion. Make sure to drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and put on the sunscreen.

Gary Tischler •

Phil Mendelson is the new (but interim) chairman of the District of Columbia Council. Who would have thunk it?

Yet, it was obvious after Chairman Kwame Brown resigned after admitting to bank fraud, something quickly and quietly had to be done. Mendelson, a veteran, amiable, and not ethically challenged at-large Council member, was, by vote of his colleagues on an 11-1 count, accorded the title of interim council chairman until a special election (along with the general election) can be held on November 6.

The only nay vote came from at-large council member Vincent Orange, who, perhaps flush with two victories (to complete a term and to get a full term) for an at-large seat, isn’t happy unless he’s running for something.

Orange didn’t fight hard for the chairmanship since it was obvious that the council had coalesced around the steady, honest Mendelson but he did go for the council’s chairman pro tempore, and took a loss by an 8-4 vote. It was fight day at the council for this debate, and Orange went down fighting—or at least comparing himself to fighter Manny Pacquiao, a welterweight fighter who last a tough decision recently. According to the Washington Post, which headlined the proceedings as “Fierce Uproar on D.C. Council,” Orange insisted that “I am the best,” and he did so loudly if you got to watch the video of the contratemps.

Ward 7’s Yvette Alexander teared up as she watched the council erupt in charges and counter charges and warned that anything could happen and that any one of them could walk out in handcuffs.

The council gave the positon of chairman pro tempore to Michael Brown, still going as an independent, even if his late father Ron Brown had been commerce secretary under President Clinton. Brown, too, has had a little black ethics cloud over his head, which Orange, Ward 8 council member Marion Barry and others pointed out. He did plead guilty in 1997 to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation and had financial problems similar to those that got Kwame Brown in trouble.

Barry—not shy of using hyperbole—warned that this was like “Lincoln at Gettysburg,” that things hadn’t been this bad since 9/11. He pointed out Brown’s tax problems, and so the kettle had to listen to the pot. Barry has been in tax trouble himself among other things.

The whole thing—check the video in part—seemed unseemly. Soon enough, what with Barry making charges, his own troubles—jail for a sitting mayor—came up going back to 1990.

Mendelson spoke quietly but eloquently about the reputation of the council: “Right now,” he said, “the symbol of this council is tarnished. Some people have even lost faith in our citizens’ ability to elect good government which imperils not only this institution but the autonomy of the District overall.”

“I ask everyone to pursue with me a very basic goal: Let us be honest, let us act with integrity, let us become individually and collectively an institution people can trust.”

Sounds simple. After the vote, someone was heard to say that “It’s over.” In November, both Mendelson and Orange have indicated they will run for chairman of the council. So, it’s probably not over.

Rashee Raj Kumar •

The Washington Kastles Charity Tennis Classic is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17 at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf in southwest Washington. The Charity Tennis Classic is a team tennis match featuring players from the local political community, the media, the diplomatic community, sports personalities and Washington Kastles players. While it is common to see political sporting events in Washington with Republicans pitted against Democrats, the Charity Tennis Classic mixes. Republicans, Democrats, administration, Congress, media, diplomats and pro players will all have to work together.

There will be two teams of 12 players — the Stars and the Stripes — vying for the Kastles Trophy. The match will be decided by a series of seven doubles match tiebreakers up to 10 points. The team that wins the most matches will capture the championship and the trophy.

The names of the charity competitors have not been released.

“There will be some noteworthy people,” said Mark Ein, founder and owner of the Kastles. The Kastles held a smaller version of this event two years ago, but this is the first time they are doing it as a stand-alone event, Ein said. There is not a specific fundraising goal, but Ein already believes the event will be successful. They have already raised about $20,000 before even selling tickets to the event itself.

All ticket proceeds will go to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Share our Strength and the D.C. Public Education Fund. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors aids anyone grieving the death of someone who died while serving in the military. Share Our Strength is an organization focused on ending childhood hunger in America. The D.C. Public Education Fund brings together school system leadership and the philanthropic community to improve student achievement.

The Kastles are a professional tennis team that is part of World TeamTennis, co-founded by Billie Jean King. Many of the players are coming off wins at Wimbledon and four of the six players are representing their country in the Olympics in London. Once the Kastles season ends, Venus and Serena Williams will represent the USA, Anastasia Rodionova will represent Australia and Leander Paes will represent India. The Kastles kick off their fifth season, June 9, on the road. Their first home match is June 12.

“The world’s best players get together for a few weeks and play other franchises,” Ein said. The season is three weeks long, with seven home and seven away games. The team has played a three-week season every summer since 2008. There are 14 in the regular season games, a conference final and the championship. In 2011, the Kastles won all 16 of their matches and the championships, becoming the first team in World TeamTennis history to have a perfect season. The Kastles formerly played at CityCenter DC and moved to their current home at Kastles Stadium at the Wharf in southwest DC. It is an intimate stadium with less than 3,000 seats, Ein said.

Whitney Saupan •

The damage to the Washington Monument caused by the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the D.C. area in August 2011 is still not fully repaired. The monument has been closed to the public since the earthquake. Initially, it was thought that the repairs would be completed by 2013. Damage is more severe than originally thought, said the National Park Service which oversees the monument which honors founding father and the first U.S. president, George Washington. The repairs may take until 2014 to be complete. “The Washington Monument will remain closed to the public during repairs,” the NPS added.

During the earthquake the monument was cracked and pieces of the structure were loosened, especially near the top. The loose chunks of marble and granite were removed after the earthquake to prevent the material from falling. The removed pieces were saved and engineers will the pieces back into the monument. Some loose chunks of the material was taken out after the earthquake to prevent it from falling. The removed pieces were saved and engineers will put the pieces back into the monument. No stones need to be replaced, but about 50 patches will be added, according to the NPS.

This project is estimated to cost $15 million. The scaffolding will help brace stone slabs that are currently resting on cracked supports near the top of the monument. It will also allow for the temporary removal of part of the plaza surrounding the plaza. Scaffolding will be located in both the interior and exterior of the monument to make the repairs easier. The plaza pieces that are removed will be saved and put back into place after the repairs are complete. Other renovations will also be in place. Metal brackets will be added to help better fasten some slabs near the top of the monument to make them more secure in case of another earthquake. Repairs are scheduled to begin this fall.

Most Washingtonians will agree that the Washington Monument is a must-see while in D.C. Although the monument’s closure has been a disappointment to many tourists, visits along the National Mall have not declined.

Construction of the 555-foot obelisk was completed in 1884. At that time, the monument claimed the title of world’s tallest structure until 1889, when the Eiffel Tower was erected.

Robert Devaney •

In step with its agreement with the neighborhood to lessen main campus expansion, Georgetown University announced July 19 that its School of Continuing Studies “will relocate to the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. Georgetown signed a lease agreement with Brookfield Office Properties for a new space to house SCS at 650 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., at the intersection of 7th Street near the Gallery Place/Chinatown neighborhood. Located just eight blocks from the university’s Law Center campus, the move expands the university’s ‘Georgetown Downtown’ presence. It reflects Georgetown’s commitment to aligning itself with the growth and development goals of the city.”

The announcement came just days after the D.C. Zoning Commission approved the university’s campus plan, thus ending years of tense, sometimes hostile, debate over town-gown issues.

The university says, “1,100 students will take classes and study at the new campus. . . . There will be four levels of leased space that cover 91,000 square feet, allowing for future program growth. The school welcomes conversations with local community leaders about new ways to engage and collaborate at the new campus.”

Across from Mount Vernon Square, the continuing education school is one block from the Washington Convention Center at 7th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, and near Chinatown’s restaurants and shops and three blocks from the Verizon Center, home to the Georgetown men’s basketball team. Currently, the school holds its classes at the university’s main campus at 37th and O Streets, NW, as well as in Arlington, Va.

“This expansion of Georgetown Downtown is a defining moment for the university,” said John DeGioia, president of Georgetown University. “Just as the construction of our Law Center did 30 years ago, this new home provides us with an opportunity to extend the impact of the university into new parts of the city and to broaden the reach of our work.”

According to the university, the school “offers graduate degrees in human resources management, journalism, liberal studies, public relations and corporate communications, real estate, sports industry management and technology management, as well as over 25 professional certificates, summer school and special programs. It also includes the university’s only part-time bachelor’s program. The school intends to launch several new master’s programs in the coming years. In fall 2013, for example, it will launch two of those programs – urban and regional planning as well as emergency and disaster management.” [gallery ids="100910,128497" nav="thumbs"]

Alexis Williams •

Impending Fourth of July celebrations did not stop members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from detonating fireworks and explosives June 26 on the National Mall. As part of its annual fireworks safety demonstration, the commission reenacted seven dangerous scenarios based on information staffers collected in 2011 of injuries sustained by fireworks. The demonstration also featured guest speakers from introduced the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

From bottle rocket blunders and sparkler slip-ups to homemade firework flops, the CPSC displayed the consequences even the slightest misuse could cause. As onlookers watched and heard the snaps, crackles, and pops of products such as m-1000s, quick match professional fuses, and aerial shells, test mannequins lost limbs and watermelons were obliterated. The finale of the demonstration featured a replication of a homemade firework that killed a 51-year-old man last year. Once detonated, the tiny living room display was instantly blown to pieces within seconds.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said that 9,600 persons were treated in U.S. hospitals last year for fireworks-related injuries and four deaths occurred. Some of these injuries included severe burns and loss of fingers. As for the deaths, which were caused by illegal devices, the victims suffered from head and face trauma when the device exploded. In one instance, a victim was decapitated. Moreover, according to the CPSC, 65 percent of all fireworks injuries in 2011 were sustained during the 30 days surrounding Independence Day. In regards to illegal fireworks, Tenenbaum urged the public to heed the CPSC’s warnings. “Don’t make them, don’t purchase them, and don’t go near them,” she said.

She went on to introduce the PHMSA Administrator, Cynthia Quarterman, who provided guidelines on fireworks transportation safety. Quarterman said PHMSA is responsible for approving the safety of fireworks used for both the annual Independence Day and the Cherry Blossom celebrations held on the National Mall. Quarterman added that although PHMSA, CPSC, and ATF are separate entities, they are bound by one, common goal. “We want to assure that everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July,” she said. An overlooked aspect of fireworks safety, she mentioned, was the transportation of fireworks. As a result, Quarterman provided five tips to prevent firework transportation fatalities. First, never attempt to light fireworks in a car. Second, never smoke while lighting fireworks. Third, when transporting fireworks, place them in the trunk. Fourth, always transport fireworks in a spark-proof container such as a cardboard box. Finally, when driving a vehicle that does not have a trunk, keep fireworks out of the sunlight.

Following Quarterman, the Assistant Director of Enforcement Programs and Services for ATF, Arthur Herbert, explained how to spot the differences between legal and illegal fireworks and explosives. While legal fireworks are typically brightly colored, illegal fireworks, some commonly known as m-80s, m-1000s or cherry bombs, are either wrapped in plain, brown or silver tubes and are unlabeled. “Know the difference before you buy,” Herbert said. “Both are extremely dangerous even if they aren’t misused.” His personal safety tips were two-fold: leave firework detonations to the professionals and, more importantly, abide by the law. Federal permits are required to detonate and distribute fireworks. With Independence Day quickly approaching, be sure to check out the CPSC’s fireworks statistics to help keep you and your family safe this holiday. [gallery ids="100868,127176,127169" nav="thumbs"]

Riena Santa •

The beloved C&O Canal boat, the Georgetown, is leaving us. The 19th-century style, mule-pulled, 90-foot cargo boat sits on blocks on the canal between 33rd and Thomas Jefferson Streets. Captivating visitors for a ride along the C&O Canal for decades, the boat has deteriorated and is deemed unsafe for passengers.

For years, the National Park Service had set up tours for visitors. Park rangers and volunteers would wear period clothing and describe what life was like for the families that lived and worked on the canal. The Georgetown boat will be removed and destroyed, and some of its neighbors are not happy with the decision. Despite a signed petition delivered to the NPS, there have been no public protests — and a date for any farewell parties have not been reported yet.

John Noel, chief of division of partnerships, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, had been fighting to keep the boat around. “The National Park Service and I have looked at all our options, whether it was better to repair the boat or to somehow save it,” Noel said. “Due to the budget crisis, unfortunately we cannot repair it.”

Noel also said that because of how bad the boat is deteriorating, there would be no way to transport it anywhere without it being destroyed. “We would have liked to have transported to a museum in Williamsport, Md., for installation as an exhibit, but it wouldn’t make the trip,” he said. “We don’t exactly have a date set when it’ll be taken out, but we are expecting within the next month or so.”

Fortunately, NPS plans to launch a boat program where a smaller recreational battery-powered boat will make the Georgetown tours accessible to visitors. Still, Noel said, it is “not the same effect as with the current Georgetown cargo boat, but still very effective.”

According to Noel and the NPS website, fees will stay the same unless further notice. The current summer boat tour hours are Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Note: on 4th of July only 1-1/2 hour rides at 11am and 2pm will be offered. Prices range from $8 for adults (ages 15-61), $6 for seniors (ages 62 and over), and $5.00 for children (ages 4-14). Children, aged three and under, ride free.

For further information, please call 301-767-3714, or visit the NPS website [gallery ids="100864,127124" nav="thumbs"]