Posts by Tim Krepp — Contributor
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Go ahead, wade in the memorial
Wading in the World War II memorial is emphatically not allowed. Solemnity is the officially preferred emotion. But the memorial’s buoyant design inherently invokes liveliness, and strict rules violate the spirit of the war against fascism. Keep reading…
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Shocking rhetoric from John Townsend and AAA
This week’s Washington City Paper cover story quoted AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend calling Greater Greater Washington editor David Alpert “retarded” and a “ninny,” and comparing Greater Greater Washington to the Ku Klux Klan. Many other reporters, people on Twitter, and residents generally have clearly stated in response… Keep reading…
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How do you choose a school?
Schools are important. That’s what everyone says, at least. But while much of the public discourse revolves around big picture school reform issues, parents just need to find a good school for their child. Every parent in the country has school choice to a certain extent, but for the overwhelming majority of them it involves an expensive decision to move to a better school… Keep reading…
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Visitors will walk far to MLK, as they do to most memorials
On August 28th, an estimated 400,000 people will attend the dedication of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. They will experience what thousands of visitors find every day: it’s hard to get to the memorials. The nearest Metro stop is Smithsonian, 0.8 miles away. In a special guide for those heading to the dedication, Metro wisely suggests not using this one, which… Keep reading…
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Life as a tour guide: Why can’t tour groups take the Metro?
Tour groups to DC arrive in an endless stream of big honking tour buses. People frequently ask, “Why can’t these kids just walk and use the Metro?” It’s a fair question. After all, I’m willing to bet just about every reader out there has been a tourist in a new city and managed to poke around without the benefit of a motor coach. We have an extensive… Keep reading…
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Are tour guide licenses unconstitutional?
Washington, DC is one of a handful of cities that requires tour guide licenses. As a guide in DC, I’m required to fill out some forms, pay some fees, and sit down for a written test. Thanks to some recent reforms within the District’s Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), this a relatively painless process. I did it in DC and New York, and am none the worse… Keep reading…
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Life as a DC tour guide, part 1: Impossible schedules
Tourism, and the consequent presence of tourists, is a way of life in Washington, DC. But what does the perennial tourist swarm look like from the other side: the tour guide’s point of view? One of the most persistent complaints, both from DC residents and visitors, are about tour buses and the accompanying congestion. A recent letter by Senator Webb (D-VA) criticized congestion… Keep reading…