Friday, January 16, 2009
Inauguration Central
Your one-stop shop for all things inaugural, including answers to frequently asked questions about events, parties, crowds and transportation; the Inauguration Watch blog with the latest news stories, panorama photography and webcam images showing construction of the stage; historical photos; a visitors guide; a prediction game and more. All at Washingtonpost.com/inauguration.
Inauguration Weekend Simplified
Below please find one guide from Roll Call Staffer, Emily Yehle that covers logistics/tips/etc:
Inauguration Weekend: Simplified
As President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration quickly approaches, security officials continue to release dozens of advisories, recommendations and updates. So that you don’t have to read them all, here’s a brief version with all the essentials.
Opening Celebration at Lincoln Memorial: Sunday, Jan. 18
• Entrances open at 8 a.m. The show starts at 2:30 p.m.
• Don’t bring bicycles, pets, coolers, backpacks or large bags, aerosol cans, thermal or glass containers, supports for signs or laser pointers.
• If driving, park at RFK Stadium and take a shuttle bus from Lot 8. It would be best not to drive at all, however, because road closures are rampant and the Memorial and Theodore Roosevelt bridges will be closed.
• If walking, arrive through one of these entrances: Constitution Avenue at 19th Street, Constitution Avenue at Virginia Avenue, 17th Street at North Elm Walk, 17th Street at South Elm Walk or Independence Avenue at the D.C. War Memorial.
• If taking the Metro, get off at the Farragut North or Metro Center stops on the red line; Farragut West, Federal Center or Smithsonian stops on the blue or orange lines; and L’Enfant Plaza or Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stops on the yellow or green lines.
Bottom Line: Ditch the car, walk or take the Metro, and arrive early.
Getting to the Big Event: Tuesday, Jan. 20
• If coming from Virginia, you can walk or bike across any bridge. Bikes can be parked between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. through free valet services on the south side of the Jefferson Memorial and on 16th Street Northwest between I and K streets.
• Metro stations will open at 4 a.m. Tuesday and close at 2 a.m. Wednesday.
• Don’t make Metro transfers — the crowds will make it difficult and Metro is discouraging it. If you live on the red line, get off at Union Station. Orange and blue liners should disembark at the Capitol South stop. And those on the yellow and green line should plan to make the hike from the L’Enfant Plaza or Gallery Place-Chinatown stops.
• From 4 a.m. to about 6:30 p.m., the Smithsonian and the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stops will be closed.
• At 7:30 a.m., the Mt. Vernon Square/Seventh Street-Convention Center station will close.
• Starting at 4 p.m., Judiciary Square station will close.
Bottom Line: Walk if you can. If you must take the Metro, don’t transfer.
The Big Event Itself: Tuesday, Jan. 20
• If going to the parade or swearing-in, don’t bring umbrellas, coolers, thermoses, alcohol, strollers, pets, backpacks or large bags or laser pointers.
• The public will be allowed on the parade route starting at 7 a.m. Enter from the north of Pennsylvania Avenue; the only entrances from the south are 14th or 12th streets Northwest at Constitution Avenue.
• If just going to the National Mall, only alcohol and glass bottles are prohibited. But beware: The rules could change.
• Approach the Mall from the south, if possible. A fence around the Capitol and a security border around the parade route make coming from the north or east more difficult.
• Jumbotrons will be set up along the entire length of the Mall, including next to the Lincoln Memorial, but not along the parade route.
• Eat a big breakfast. Food will be hard to come by, and only “small snacks” are allowed on Capitol grounds.
• Dress in layers. Weather predictions put the temperature in the mid-30s with a chance of snow.
Bottom Line: Pack light. Eat before heading out. And plan your route.
Sources: Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Presidential Inaugural Committee, Secret Service, inauguration.dc.gov
Inauguration Weekend: Simplified
As President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration quickly approaches, security officials continue to release dozens of advisories, recommendations and updates. So that you don’t have to read them all, here’s a brief version with all the essentials.
Opening Celebration at Lincoln Memorial: Sunday, Jan. 18
• Entrances open at 8 a.m. The show starts at 2:30 p.m.
• Don’t bring bicycles, pets, coolers, backpacks or large bags, aerosol cans, thermal or glass containers, supports for signs or laser pointers.
• If driving, park at RFK Stadium and take a shuttle bus from Lot 8. It would be best not to drive at all, however, because road closures are rampant and the Memorial and Theodore Roosevelt bridges will be closed.
• If walking, arrive through one of these entrances: Constitution Avenue at 19th Street, Constitution Avenue at Virginia Avenue, 17th Street at North Elm Walk, 17th Street at South Elm Walk or Independence Avenue at the D.C. War Memorial.
• If taking the Metro, get off at the Farragut North or Metro Center stops on the red line; Farragut West, Federal Center or Smithsonian stops on the blue or orange lines; and L’Enfant Plaza or Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stops on the yellow or green lines.
Bottom Line: Ditch the car, walk or take the Metro, and arrive early.
Getting to the Big Event: Tuesday, Jan. 20
• If coming from Virginia, you can walk or bike across any bridge. Bikes can be parked between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. through free valet services on the south side of the Jefferson Memorial and on 16th Street Northwest between I and K streets.
• Metro stations will open at 4 a.m. Tuesday and close at 2 a.m. Wednesday.
• Don’t make Metro transfers — the crowds will make it difficult and Metro is discouraging it. If you live on the red line, get off at Union Station. Orange and blue liners should disembark at the Capitol South stop. And those on the yellow and green line should plan to make the hike from the L’Enfant Plaza or Gallery Place-Chinatown stops.
• From 4 a.m. to about 6:30 p.m., the Smithsonian and the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stops will be closed.
• At 7:30 a.m., the Mt. Vernon Square/Seventh Street-Convention Center station will close.
• Starting at 4 p.m., Judiciary Square station will close.
Bottom Line: Walk if you can. If you must take the Metro, don’t transfer.
The Big Event Itself: Tuesday, Jan. 20
• If going to the parade or swearing-in, don’t bring umbrellas, coolers, thermoses, alcohol, strollers, pets, backpacks or large bags or laser pointers.
• The public will be allowed on the parade route starting at 7 a.m. Enter from the north of Pennsylvania Avenue; the only entrances from the south are 14th or 12th streets Northwest at Constitution Avenue.
• If just going to the National Mall, only alcohol and glass bottles are prohibited. But beware: The rules could change.
• Approach the Mall from the south, if possible. A fence around the Capitol and a security border around the parade route make coming from the north or east more difficult.
• Jumbotrons will be set up along the entire length of the Mall, including next to the Lincoln Memorial, but not along the parade route.
• Eat a big breakfast. Food will be hard to come by, and only “small snacks” are allowed on Capitol grounds.
• Dress in layers. Weather predictions put the temperature in the mid-30s with a chance of snow.
Bottom Line: Pack light. Eat before heading out. And plan your route.
Sources: Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Presidential Inaugural Committee, Secret Service, inauguration.dc.gov
Thursday, December 4, 2008
No Sales Tax in DC from Black Friday - Dec. 7
Twice a year, the D.C. government grants a reprieve from the 5.75 percent sales tax on clothing, shoes and accessories that cost less than $100. The tax holiday began on Black Friday and continues through Dec. 7. For details, call the Office of Tax and Revenue at 202-727-4829 or visit http://cfo.dc.gov/otr.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
National Christmas Tree Lighting
The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is the beginning of a three week Washington, DC Christmas tradition. Nationally known entertainers and a military band perform and the President brings a message of peace to the nation and the world.
2008 Live Entertainment:
country music star, Rissi Palmer
multiple Grammy winner Jon Secada
popular Nashville singer/songwriter Phil Vassar
Washington-based dance troupe Step Afrika!
U.S. Army Chorus’s SFC Steve Cramer appearing as Santa Claus
4-year-old singer Kaitlyn Maher, who came to national attention as one of the ten finalists in this year’s “America’s Got Talent” competition. The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” under the baton of Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr. will be this year’s featured service band, with The Enterprise High School Encores from Enterprise, Alabama providing vocal support to the guest artists as well as solo performances of holiday favorites.
Date and Time: December 4, 2008, 5 p.m.Location: The Ellipse near The White House. The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle, Metro Center and McPherson Square.
2008 Live Entertainment:
country music star, Rissi Palmer
multiple Grammy winner Jon Secada
popular Nashville singer/songwriter Phil Vassar
Washington-based dance troupe Step Afrika!
U.S. Army Chorus’s SFC Steve Cramer appearing as Santa Claus
4-year-old singer Kaitlyn Maher, who came to national attention as one of the ten finalists in this year’s “America’s Got Talent” competition. The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” under the baton of Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr. will be this year’s featured service band, with The Enterprise High School Encores from Enterprise, Alabama providing vocal support to the guest artists as well as solo performances of holiday favorites.
Date and Time: December 4, 2008, 5 p.m.Location: The Ellipse near The White House. The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle, Metro Center and McPherson Square.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Islam: Empire of Faith on UCDC-TV
Islam: Empire of FaithSponsor: UCDC Center Forums
Where: UCDC-TV (Channel 6)
When: Monday, October 13th - Wednesday, October 15th, 9AM
From the birth of the prophet Muhammad to the rise of the caliphs and the glories of the Ottomans, Islam: Empire of Faith illuminates the first thousand years of an often neglected and misunderstood civilization. Historical re-enactments, a remarkable exposition of Islamic art, artifacts and architecture, and interviews with scholars recount the rise of early Islamic civilization and its profound impact on Western culture and world history.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Charlie Wilson's War on UCDC-TV
Charlie Wilson's WarSponsor: Prof. Yoshinaka
Where: UCDC-TV (Channel 6)
When: Friday, October 10th - Monday, October 13th
In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson is a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas who seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, prodded by his major conservative supporter, Joanne Herring, Wilson learns about the plight of the people are suffering in the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. With the help of the maverick CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, Wilson dedicates his canny political efforts to supply the Afghan mujahideen with the weapons and support to defeat the Soviet Union. However, Charlie Wilson eventually learns that while military victory can had, there are other consequences and prices to that fight that are ignored to everyone's sorrow.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Free Jazz Concert
Alex Han and Beyond the Construct perform a fusion of rhythm and blues, funk and hip-hop at 6:00PM at the Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage. For more information call 202-467-4600.
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