How would the city’s housing stock respond, though, to a weather “event” in the near future, before we all installed triple-glazed windows — something like Hurricane Sandy or approximating it, causing power failures — during a period not of moderate temperatures, but of extreme cold or heat? What if electrical supplies had shut down during a week like this one? … But the luxury glass towers proliferating in Manhattan would also do terribly — reaching just slightly above freezing by the fourth day. During a summer blackout, glass towers, because of the intensity with which glass conducts heat, would be rough places to live; indoor temperature would get into the high 80s and beyond by Day 3. (Of course, it is the ultimate science fiction to imagine that anyone living in a $50 million apartment with wall-to-wall views would be in New York in August in the first place.)

Ever so occasionally, nature reminds us that it prefers balance.

Person First Project is a photo blog that seeks to give those currently or formerly experiencing homelessness in D.C. the chance to share their stories. In doing this, we hope to reduce the barriers that separate people in D.C. and spark a dialogue. The Person First Project aims to connect us – and to make us all feel a bit more human.

Ed. Note: per MPD “Please keep the hypothermia hotline phone numbers readily available – (202) 399-7093 or 1(800) 535-7252″

“Good morning, how ya’ll doin’? God bless you have a nice day!

I’ve been doing this for about two years and I’m here every day. People always say, ‘You greet us, but you never ask for anything.’ But that’s not what God wants me to do. This is the job God assigned me to. And I enjoy it, I love greeting these people in the morning. If God sees that I need something he’ll send it to me. When I greet someone coming out here it makes them happy.

People ask me if I ever get mad. Mad about what? If I get mad today because I’m homeless and I’ve got nowhere to go, tomorrow I’ll still be in the same situation. They say that I’m always happy. Yeah, I gotta be happy. Because me getting mad is not going to solve the problem.”

– Garcia outside the Postal Museum

The “Gentrification Myth” Myth

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 6-8 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit. Please try to send horizontal photos 640×480 (medium size on your iphone) if possible. If you’re not using an iphone any size is fine.

“Cisco (boy) and his sister Jinx (we call her Jinxey) in U street.”

“this biggie from petworth,ten weeks old enjoying his first snow”

“This is Cheddar, a sleepy Maine Coon cat who calls Van Ness home.”

americasgreatoutdoors:

America’s public lands like you’ve never seen them! Public Radio International highlights the top 20 photos from our Instagram account: http://on.doi.gov/1LeyIe9. 

Here’s some of them —
Top photo: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah is otherworldly, with vast landscapes of canyons, winding rugged backways and balanced rocks. Pictured here is the monument’s Toadstools — stone caps of Dakota Sandstone protecting the softer sandstone create amazing hoodoos. David Lane created this stunning multi-image panorama of the area with the Milky Way above and radiating bands of red and green airglow visible. While Page, Arizona, is nearly 50 miles south of the monument (and a soft, barely discernible light to the naked eye), the long exposure of David’s camera captured the light more vividly. 

Photo courtesy of David Lane.

Second photo: Sunrise over snow-covered Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Greg Nyquist captured this stunning shot from Discovery Point just as a storm was clearing the park. Crater Lake’s Discovery Point is a popular place to watch the sun rise over the park with views of the lake and Wizard Island. Photo from www.sharetheexperience.org

Third photo: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge lies in northern Utah, where the Bear River flows into the northeast arm of the Great Salt Lake. The Refuge protects the marshes found at the mouth of the Bear River, providing a critical habitat for migrating birds. More than 250 species move through this area annually by the millions to rest and feed, including the group of baby burrowing owls pictured here. Photo by Katie McVey, USFWS.

Bottom photo: Located on the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona, the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument includes a variety of diverse landscapes — from the Paria Plateau and Vermilion Cliffs to the Coyote Buttes and Paria Canyon. This remote and unspoiled 280,000-acre Monument — a part of BLM’s National Conservation Lands — is a geologic treasure with towering cliffs and deep canyons. The colorful swirls of cross-bedded sandstone in Coyote Buttes, which include The Wave pictured here, are an international hiking destination.
Photo by Bob Wick, mypubliclands.

Check out Public Radio International’s story that features the top twenty photos from @USInterior’s Instagram account: http://on.doi.gov/1LeyIe9.  Congrats to BLMer Bob Wick, whose amazing photo of The Wave was included in the collection!

D.C., a City of Childless Singles

Read all of By Crom! on Weald Comics! 

Pick up PDFs!  Buy books and originals!

Crave cromulent prints of this comic (and more!) on my Society 6! 

americasgreatoutdoors:

Happy Valentine’s Day! Every year we make a video of proposals and weddings on America’s public lands. Thanks to everyone who shared their videos and photos — here are some of our favorite shots! And be sure to check out this year’s Valentine’s Day video: http://on.doi.gov/1vqOsU7

Photos by Sam Dixon

Thanks to Sam Dixon for sharing these powerful photos:

“Earlier today [Sunday] I was wrapping up some photo editing on an unseasonably warm February afternoon when I heard the sounds of what could only be a nearby brass band seep through my walls. I really really like brass bands. Grabbed my camera and walked outside, there was a brass band. From what I could gather the band was from a local church and were visiting a sick member.”

Thanks to another reader for sending in this guy not far from H Street, NE.

A bill co-sponsored by Arlington legislators that would require college campuses to provide survivors of sexual assaults with options for off-campus resources — like counseling and law enforcement — has passed the state Senate.

Sens. Barbara Favola (D) and Adam Ebbin (D) are co-patrons of SB 1329, which would require colleges to establish memorandums of understanding with “a local sexual assault crisis center or other victim support service,” refer victims to the center and encourage them to preserve physical evidence for a police investigation.

“This legislation represents a positive step in protecting our young people and making college campuses safer,” Favola said in a press release. “SB 1329 strengthens support systems for sexual assault survivors and empowers these survivors to pursue charges against their assailants.”

The bill would also allow victims to submit anonymous reports and provides “for nonretaliation by the institution against victims who fear their conduct may also be questioned or who are concerned that an official report might jeopardize their academic status.”

The bill passed the Senate unanimously. It also was referred out of two committees unanimously. It will now go before the heavily Republican House of Delegates.

The Senate also unanimously passed two companion bills, SB 1193 and SB 712. SB 1193 would require colleges and universities to prominently mark a student’s permanent transcript if the student withdraws, is expelled or is placed on probation for a sexual assualt violation. SB 712 requires higher education employees to report any student sexual assault they are aware of to the campus’ Title IX coordinator within four hours.

File photo

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Oreo, a delicious dog who has “taken a liking to Sam Adams beer.”

This is what Oreo’s owner, Ron, had to say:

When I’m not busy trying to avoid being dunked in a tall glass of milk, or figuring out ways to legally change my name so I can avoid that whole issue in the first place, I enjoy hanging out with my canine friends in Clarendon. While ladies always comment on the “dogs” that are out in the local establishments, I don’t think they are referring to me and my friends as they are always happy to see me.

My best quality is making people smile. Even grumpy people going to work in the morning sometimes cheer up when they see me. I love traveling to new places and have explored many local parks. I really love the snow and can’t wait to stick my face in it, especially after a fresh bath.

I’ve also developed a refined palette and have taken a liking to Sam Adams beer as you can see. I’m hopefully I might get a brother; rumor has it Snicker Doodle might be heading to my house in the near future.

I do lots of tricks, but something unique I do is the Michael Jackson moonwalk. That’s right, I moonwalk! I can send a video of that too if you’d like to see it. I have to admit, it’s pretty cool.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email office@arlnow.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 6-8 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit. Please try to send horizontal photos 640×480 (medium size on your iphone) if possible. If you’re not using an iphone any size is fine.

“RIP, Churchill, the Diplocat lately of Managua, with prior postings in Panama and Mexico and DC residencies in Eckington and Logan Circle. Although he lived in Nicaragua, he paid his taxes in DC. His greatest diplomatic accomplishment? Turning multiple dog people into cat lovers through a strategic charm offensive.”

“General Pickles and Ginger in Cathedral Heights”

“Mason from Mt. Pleasant”

All the buildings and races of DC, Arlington & Alexandria on one map

1. First of all, your puppy is an idiot.

2. Give the puppy a name that reminds it every day what an idiot it is. We recommend: Grandpa Pajamas, Mrs. Boob, Waffles.

3. Your puppy is a coldhearted idiot. You will know this to be true the next time it looks you straight in the eye and pees on your carpet.

4. Don’t get lured in by expensive puppy swag. Deodorizers and “Thundershirts” are bullshit. Wrap the puppy in sheets like a mummy if you need it swaddled and use white vinegar when it shits on the floor.

5. It will shit all over the floor.

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 6-8 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit. Please try to send horizontal photos 640×480 (medium size on your iphone) if possible. If you’re not using an iphone any size is fine.

“Name of pet: Jerry
Neighborhood: Chevy Chase”

“Jackson from H Street is getting into the Christmas spirit.”

“Winnie from Mt. Vernon Square”

From an email:

“Once again this year, Sugar & Champagne to benefit the Washington Humane Society, will take place Febryuary 4th at The Ronald Reagan Building, honoring our local crusaders against animal cruelty: Washington Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement Officers, Animal Care & Control Officers, and Humane Educators. This celebration of all things sweet, showcases the DC area’s most talented pastry chefs complemented by some of the world’s finest sparkling wines. The VIP Chefs’ Tasting Room presents an exclusive savory gathering prepared by the finest chefs of the national capital region. Our new Exclusive Experience provides special guests with a unique opportunity to make their own desserts, learn to concoct magnificent drinks, view exceptional demonstrations, and try items not offered to any other guests.

In addition to honoring our own, the Washington Humane Society honors our community’s “Humane Heroes” who have had a positive impact on the lives of animals in the District and who have shown tremendous support for our programs and services. These award recipients have proven their commitment to and support of WHS and we truly appreciate their dedication to our mission.

Our Officers have done a lot of outstanding work this past year. During FY ’14 our Humane Law Enforcement Team observed 4,472 animals (42% increase from the previous year), and our Animal Care and Control fielded 16,319 calls (12.1% increase from the previous year).

– One of our victories includes the sentencing of Charles Palmer on April 18, 2014. He was sentenced to 25 months imprisonment, three years of probation, and an order not to own any animals by the Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. Palmer pled guilty to two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of Cruelty to Animals, as well as one misdemeanor count of Simple Assault on January 31, 2014. Palmer was indicted November 26, 2013 on fourteen counts, including five felony counts of Cruelty to Animals and five misdemeanor counts of Cruelty to Animals involving ten different dogs. Three of the ten dogs are now deceased, allegedly at the hands of the defendant, and two of the dogs (Porter and Roxy) were rescued and rehabilitated by WHS.

– Thanks to the work of our officers, DC residents Christopher Wayne Johnson and Mark Donell Mosley were indicted on September 9, 2014, on multiple counts of animal abuse after allegedly brutalizing a bull terrier named McFly. Based on the severity of these acts, the court elevated some to felony level crimes and issued the following. On October 2, 2013, the Washington Humane Society (WHS) was notified about a severely injured brindle and white, male, bull terrier type dog who had just been fought near 602 46th Place SE. Officers were not able to locate the dog until the morning of October 3, when a dog matching that description was found by WHS Officers alive, but in critical condition in the woods behind the address. The dog, McFly, had numerous bite wounds over his entire body as well as three lacerations across his neck consistent with an attempt to slit his throat. Johnson and Mosely were indicted on one count each of Felony Cruelty to Animals (in violation of 22 DC Code, Section 1001) and one count each of Misdemeanor Abandonment of Maimed or Diseased Animal (in violation of 22 DC Code, Section 1012). If found guilty, the men are each facing up to five years imprisonment for the Felony charges and up to 180 days imprisonment for the Misdemeanor charges, with the potential for monetary fines. Johnson was additionally indicted for Felony Animal Fighting (in violation of 22 DC Code, Section 1006.01) and if found guilty he faces a fine of $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.

– A few of our more light-hearted stories include ducklings who were discovered after a pedestrian heard chirping coming from a manhole. Our Animal Care and Control Officers were able to remove the manhole cover using a winch and rescued two ducklings who were then reunited with their mother at Capitol Reflecting Pool in front of the Capitol Building [see video above].

– There was also the case of a goat running loose in NE DC!”

Officer Ted Deppner rescuing a kitten

More photos of Humane Society Officers in action after the jump.

Officer Cindy Velasquez

Officer Dan D’Eramo rescuing dog

Officer Ann Russel

Officer Ted Deppner helping dog

Ray Noll, Director of Animal Care and Control Field Services

Who hath summoned me, Homeworkeo, for help with their homework