Afternoon links: The next generation draws on the last

by David Alpert • March 9, 2011 4:18 pm

What Mad Men would say about trains: A PIRG video startring Mad Men actors imagines the time when nobody could imagine not having trains as a comfortable travel option. One more amusing moment: "You wouldn't do open heart surgery on yourself, so why would you drive a car yourself?"

LaHood pushes "next generation" of mobility: DOT Secretary LaHood discussed the next generation of transportation last night at the National Bike Summit. The word "car" only appeared following the words "you don't have to own." (Transportation Nation)

Neighbors decry child care center: A neighborhood in Vienna is protesting a proposed child care center on an empty corner lot facing the main arterial. No one seems to care that they could drop their children off on the way to anywhere. (Post)

Why Garber supports a landmark nomination: Near Southeast ANC Commissioner and blogger David Garber supports a landmark nomination for a small deli building at 1st and L SE. JDLand commenters debate the question, and Garber defends his reasons.

Lessons from a failed iPhone theft: A woman managed to fend off kids trying to steal her iPhone on the Metro. She shares some tips for not becoming a victim but also warns our society has to better address youth needs. (TBD On Foot)

ANC commissioner won with 1 vote: One Ward 8 ANC commissioner got her seat by idly writing in her own name. She found she's loving the position, though either the reporter or she makes an awfully big deal out of the free parking permit involved. (Post)

Gentrification looks much different in West Hollywood: Some residents of West Hollywood oppose development because of gentrification fears. But while in many communities gay residents and nightlife represent a gentrifying wave, in West Hollywood, they're the long-time residents afraid of being pushed out. (NYT)

And...: A New York police officer yelled "why the f*** are you biking?" and assaulted a cyclist (The L) ... A study suggests trees can slow traffic as much as speed cameras (Telegraph) ... San Diego passed a performance parking plan. (10 News, Michael P)

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David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington and Greater Greater Education. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.

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I have this evil idea here. Someone ought to be able to make something that sort of looks like an iPhone, but all it really contains is something like those dye packs that are used with bank robbers. Some sort of hidden trigger would be held by the "victim", and when the thief grabs the thing, it is armed and goes off about 30 seconds later....

Yeah, I know - not practical in real life. But fun to think about..

by JackRussell on Mar 9, 2011 5:45 pm • link • report

Alternatively, give the owner of the phone a 'key' (with a radio signal) that gets put into the their wallet ... And if someone tries to use the phone when it's out of radio range from the key, the phone gives out an electric shock ... and then starts sounding a sirene sound ... and flashing lights .... :)

by Lance on Mar 9, 2011 5:56 pm • link • report

@JackR... you might be on to something
http://www.truesupplier.com/apple-iphone-4-iphone-4th-display-dummy-phone-fake-not-working-pr-23058.html

by wd on Mar 9, 2011 5:58 pm • link • report

ANC commissioner won with 1 vote

Another example of the lack of democracy behind ANCs.

by Jasper on Mar 9, 2011 6:49 pm • link • report

@Jasper, Democracy requires public involvement to work. I commend this young lady for stepping up to the plate and offering to be involved ... Hopefully others in her SMD will follow her example, and next time around there'll be others on the commission.

by Lance on Mar 9, 2011 7:39 pm • link • report

"Neighbors decry child care center: A neighborhood in Vienna is protesting a proposed child care center on an empty corner lot facing the main arterial. No one seems to care that they could drop their children off on the way to anywhere. (Post)"

The location is NOT "IN" Town of Vienna. The location is in 22181 the no-mans land half-way to Oakton.

by Some Ideas on Mar 9, 2011 8:27 pm • link • report

Typical: Blame the victim. In this case the victim is blaming herself?

by Dave23 on Mar 9, 2011 8:46 pm • link • report

While I find the claims about home values dubious (that always seems to be the first defense as well) I would be concerned about the traffic plan surrounding a center with that many students. That said, it wouldn't be the developers fault. Traffic there is already horrendous because there aren't that many options besides 123 to get to oakton or between fairfax and vienna, I don't think expanding 123 would do much except just exacerbate the problems at the 66 interchange and entrance to Vienna were the road can't really be widened. a better plan would be to see if Courthouse road can be extended further into Oakton.
And while I don't think it has anything to do with the actual substance of the proposed center I too find it odd that someone with the position he does with the county can also do the developing work that he does and not have brought up the conflict of interest issues.

by Canaan on Mar 9, 2011 9:07 pm • link • report

Vincent Kartheiser really seems to walk the walk on these smart growth transportation issues:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7492/can-pop-culture-push-sustainable-mobility/

by Steven Yates on Mar 9, 2011 9:22 pm • link • report

The new commissioner will get a surprise if she actually tries to park "anywhere" with her ANC parking card.

It can only be used to park where time limits normally apply - it waives the two hour limit when parking in another ward or where there are meters. It doesn't waive rush hour limits or any "no parking" limits.

It is to be used, in any case, only when on official ANC business.

by David Holmes on Mar 10, 2011 9:01 am • link • report

A New York police officer yelled "why the f*** are you biking?" and assaulted a cyclist (The L)

I think this would be a good place to insert the word "allegedly".

by David desJardins on Mar 10, 2011 12:29 pm • link • report

Re the I-Phone theft attempt:

I think the woman had a very balanced, and compassionate, point of view. We can [and should] think of ourselves and our own safety; at the same time we want to think of what our overal actions [as a society] are doing to others.

by Tina S on Mar 11, 2011 12:41 pm • link • report