If half a million people show up, the infrastructure should be okay, except for major issues such as transportation and dining near the mall.  But if a couple million people converge on the Mall, the infrastructure, along with the food service industries will be pushed to their limits.

So here’s a few of the potential “disasters” that might occur due to massive crowds attending the inauguration celebration, and my estimation of how likely it will happen.

1. Multiple hour waits to get on Metro trains leaving the National Mall — With crowds expected to run at least five times more than a typical July Fourth event, it’s likely that Metro will be overwhelmed, even with 15 hours of consecutive rush-hour scheduling. Likelihood – very high.
2. Mobile phone service will cease — Due to overwhelmed cell towers around the Mall, especially during the hours just before and after the ceremony, the cellular carriers will likely not be able to handle all of the call traffic.  Considering at times all over the Washington, DC area, especially during rush hour, it can be sometimes tough getting a call through, so don’t expect to place a call phone call on the first attempt 3 minutes before Obama takes his oath.  Likelihood – medium/high.
3. Chartered busses might not find parking – With upwards of 10,000 chartered busses potentially bringing people to the inauguration, where are they all to park? So far, potential places include Wolf Trap, JFK Stadium, Hanes Point, and more so parking should not be an issue. Likelihood – low.
4. Getting people from chartered busses at remote parking areas to the National Mall — Getting upwards of a half a million people to the Mall and then back again quickly will be an issue. So see #1. Likelihood – high.
5. Grocery stores will run out of staples – With a million-plus people who are not staying in hotels looking for items such as as bread and milk, grocers may run out quickly.  While the hint of a snowfall in the area causes some people to rush out and hoard 200 rolls of toilet paper and 40 gallons of milk, I doubt that retailers will miss the opportunity to stock up and make big bucks form our out of town visitors. Likelihood – very low.
6. Parking at Metro rail station will not accommodate all the cars — With only 60,000 parking spaces spread out over 42 stations, if you don’t get to the Metro very, VERY early, chances are you won’t get a parking spot. Again, see #1. Likelihood – very high.
7. Getting a meal on the Mall will require an act of Congress — You should be able to find plenty of hot dog vendors around the Mall on inauguration day. But if you want to wait out the exit rush after the ceremony, at a restaurant anywhere near the Mall, expect a multi-hour wait. Likelihood – high.
8. Restroom facilities will be tough to find – DC does a great job at having enough porta-potties at most major events in the Mall, so this shouldn’t be an issue. Likelihood – low.
9. Finding a taxi to get to or from the Mall – With all the expected street closures, security checkpoints, rerouted traffic patterns, and the massive crowds all heading to the same place, finding a cab (or for that matter, a cabbie willing to bring his cab anywhere near the expected gridlock on Mall that day) is unlikely. Likelihood – medium.
10. People will simply grin and bear it — In the crowd that descends on Washington, DC, there will be some complainers who expect a seat on the Metro train, a table at a restaurant just blocks from the Capitol, parking garages to have open spots an hour before the inauguration ceremony and no hassles getting to and from the Mall.  But I hope people will just expect the worst and smile when things go well.  Likelihood – high.

So what do you think?  Will Washington, DC handle the crowds or will it be a tourism nightmare?  Make a comment below.

Image – Flickr – 2005 inauguration

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Post from: The DC Traveler

If you are not inside the security perimeter, these rules will most likely not apply.

Note that strollers and chairs are on the list, so ATTENTION PARENTS with small children and people who may need to sit during the long wait.

Prohibited items at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration include, but are not limited to:

• Strollers
• Chairs
• Backpacks, large bags, duffel bags, suitcases
• Thermoses or coolers
• Signs or posters
• Firearms, ammo, explosives, fireworks, knives, blades, mace, pepper spray, or any other weapon or sharp objects (of any length)
• Umbrellas
• Laser pointers
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Other items that may pose a security threat

So it looks as if people lucky enough to get inauguration tickets will be required to stand, leave small children at home or carry them, and only pack a small bag.

This list might actually lesson the number of people who attend the inauguration.  And as always, this list is subject to change.

The West Lawn of the Capitol grounds will open at 8:00 a.m.. with the event starting around 11:30 a.m. 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

A little over a week ago, I posted a new poll on the The DC Traveler, regarding if people thought that the city should allow bars and restaurants to remain open until 5:00 a.m. during inauguration week.

The votes so far…

• 23% – No, it’s a horrible idea.
• 27% – Yes, let people party longer.
• 50% – If people can’t get drunk by 2:00 a.m., another 3 hours won’t help them.

Sounds like a resounding…NO!!  But the poll will remain up for a little while longer, in case you haven’t yet voted.

But the DC City Council changed their mind, based on local pressure and even some pressure form Congress and modified the legislation. Now, places that serve alcohol will be allowed to remain open until 4:00 a.m., not the 5:00 a.m. initially allowed under the emergency legislation.

Plus, bars will need to register and pay a fee to the city in order to stay open (restaurants and bars – $100 per night, nightclubs – $250 for each night). Dining establishment can remain open 24-hours as well.

Metro has not announced any plans to extend operating hours beyond the normal hours to accommodate late night partiers.

Image – Flickr – clock

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Drivers that may be alcohol impaired or unable to safely drive can request a free taxi ride to their home, up to a maximum cost of $50, through January 1, 2009.

It’s never wise to drive after indulging and especially during the holiday season. Again this year, area police will be establishing sobriety checkpoints around the region.

Most years, Metro DC police set up approximately 30 during holiday season, including some surprising locations. One year, I saw a check point in the heart of Georgetown, catching post-happy hour drivers.

Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland all have a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for a establishing DUIs, and Maryland adds a .07 for a DWI.

The penalties for a receiving a first-time DUI are severe, including losing your license, fines, points, and possible jail time.  Washington, DC also requires mandatory jail time of a minimum of 5 days for drivers arrested with a BUC in excess of .20. While Virginia also has mandatory jail time for higher BACs on the first offence, resulting in 5-15 days if the BAC is over .15.

The SoberRide program is in effect daily only between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and offered to licensed drivers at least 21 years old.

The rider (or person who requested the cab) is responsible for any fare on the meter over $50.

Call 1-800-200-TAXI (8294) from any Washington, DC , Virginia or Maryland mobile phone, pay phone or landline and mention “SoberRide”.

Calls and rides can originate from any of the following locations:

• District of Columbia
• Maryland – Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, or the cities of Rockville, Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt and Takoma Park
• Virginia – Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Eastern Loudoun Counties, or the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park

A total of 17 area taxi companies are participating this year.

Image – Flickr – checkpoint
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Post from: The DC Traveler

Will  you be attending the Inauguration on January 20th in Washington DC?

Here’s the results:

• Yes, wouldn’t miss it!! – 32%
• No,  I’ll watch it on TV. – 32%
• Planning on it, but still working on details – 18%
• I’m going to Disneyland, no crowds that day – 18%

So it looks like a good number of people who voted (50%), have plans to attend President-elect Obama’s Inauguration on January 20, 2009.

And here’s the new poll…. and in

Should Washington, DC officials allow restaurants, bars and night clubs to extend hours and serve alcohol until 5 a.m. during Inauguration Week?

For some background, the DC City Council approved emergency legislation (proposed by the local Restaurant Association of) to allow restaurants, bars and nightclubs to serve alcohol until 5:00 a.m. for the four days leading up to Inauguration Day.

Normally, establishments serving alcohol in Washington, DC must close at 2:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 3:00 a.m. on weekends.

The reports imply that the city council feels that extended drinking hours would encourage people to safely celebrate indoors, versus taking to the streets to celebrate.

Yet two U.S. senators (Diane Feinstein, CA-D, and Bob Bennett, UT-R) sent a letter to the city council and Mayor Fenty asking them to reverse the legislation. The DC police union also has reportedly been lukewarm on the concept, stating that the police will be stretched thin enough without bars and clubs remaining open an additional couple hours.

The Metro subway system will still close weekdays from midnight to 5:00 a.m., and between 3:00 and 7:00 a.m. on weekends, except on Inauguration Day, when it will run from 4:00 a.m. Monday until to 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

So what do you think? Will keeping bars open three hours later add to party atmosphere, and keep the streets safer?  Or will it have the opposite effect by reducing police protection citywide and increase the number of drunk drivers, fights and arrests in DC?

Cast your vote below and to the right —>

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Post from: The DC Traveler

• Morning Worship Service, a tradition started in 1933 by Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Motorcade Procession to the Capitol, where President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will accompany the President-elect Barack Obama and his wife and Michelle to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.
• The Vice President’s Swearing-In Ceremony happens before the President is sworn into office on the steps of the US Capitol.
• The new President’s Swearing-In Ceremony follows and has occurred 54 times, for 43 presidents, in 10 different locations.
• Immediately after the Swearing-In Ceremony, the Inaugural Address is delivered by the new president.  The shortest was by George Washington, just 135 words. The longest Inaugural Address was by President William Harrison, who delivered the longest address, at 8,445 words.  It is suspected that the bitter cold and rain of that day contributed to his death from pneumonia, just a month later.
• Departure of the Outgoing President follows the inaugural ceremony on the front of the U.S. Capitol.
• The tradition of the Inaugural Luncheon began in 1953. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosts a luncheon for the new President, VP and dignitaries.at the U.S. Capitol.
• Inaugural Parade then concludes the public events, running down Pennsylvania Avenue, from the Capitol Building to Lafayette Square in front of the White House. The parade become so large, that it is now limited to 15,000 participants. 
• The last events of the inauguration are the many Inaugural Balls.

I’ll write about specifics on each of the public events as the date gets closer and details are made public.  Stay tuned to The DC Traveler for more information on the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

Images – Flickr – no parking sign; President Reagan and Inaugural ball – public domain ____________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Both polling places, along with the regular electronic voting machines, had several paper ballot stations, there to accommodate the high number of expected voters. 

Personally, I waited under a minute to check in, and less than three minutes to vote on one of the three electronic machines. All of the 6 paper ballot booths were open during my visit.

Poll workers commented on “very high” or “record” voter turnouts.

To find your polling place, click here.
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Post from: The DC Traveler

I visited three polling places near my home in Northern Virginia before 7:00 a.m.,  and at two locations, the line s were at least double in the two most recent presidential elections in both 2004 and 2000. 

The lines at these two polling places ranged from 150 voters waiting to over 250 people lining up outside of the building, plus additional people indoors.

Strangely, at one other polling place just a mile away, there was no outside line and only 30 or so people inside waiting to vote.

In case you don’t know your area polling place is located or voting hours for your state:

• Washington, DC - District of Columbia voters can cast ballots for the 3 electoral college votes at precincts voting locations from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Find your polling place in The District.
• Maryland – Polls in Maryland are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Anyone in line by 8:00 p.m. in Maryland, will be allowed to cast their vote.  Find your polling place in Maryland.  Maryland has 10 electoral college votes.
• Virginia – Virginia polls opened starting at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.  Find your polling place in Virginia.  Virginia has 13 electoral votes up for grabs.
• For All Other States – check Vote411.org.

Electoral College Map

Images – map – public domain, other photos from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti  ________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Former judge Roy “frivolous lawsuit” Pearson took his case to the Washington Court of Appeals, after it was initially thrown out of DC court, then again by a DC Superior Court. If he wins his appeal, his case will be heard again. A decision is expected in the next few months.

His claim was that the store’s sign stating “satisfaction guaranteed” was misleading and that the Pearson was a victim of fraud. The dry cleaners has made several attempts to settle the case, but Pearson seems insistent on being compensated with millions of dollars for a lost pair of pants. The dry cleaner has offer $12,000 to the lawsuit go away and also claims to still have the pants, ready to be picked up.

The dry cleaners, Custom Cleaners located in NW DC , has reportedly been forced to close two of its three locations, due to the huge legal bills the owners have generated defending themselves.

I suspect when this case it tossed out, he will file an appeal with the US Supreme Court. 

Image – Flickr – suit

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Post from: The DC Traveler

On Monday, Alaska Governor and Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin will be visiting Leesburg in suburban Washington, DC for a rally of her own. 

It seems with Virginia as a highly contested battleground state, the candidates just can’t seem to visit often enough. I suspect with just a week left until the election, we may see Joe Biden and John McCane making additional stops in Virginia.

Sarah Palin Rally
J.R.’s Festival Lakes
42830 Ft. Evans Rd.
Leesburg, VA 20176  (map it)

Dates and Times – Monday, October 27th, gates open at 7:00 a.m., rally starts at 9:00.

Tickets – Free but tickets required.  Tickets can be ordered online.

Parking – Free

Images – Flickr- Sarah Palin, Barack Obama 

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Post from: The DC Traveler