Going Green at the White House

On the last weekend of October, the President may have been out of town lending a hand to endangered Republicans, and a Garden Party for politically connected in full flower on the South Lawn, but the real story of modern Washington was taking shape out in front of the White House. When the Secret Service was at last successful in closing down Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic, a bonanza for pedestrians, bikers and believe it or not, hockey players was inadvertently created. The capital police keep watch from bikes, sharp shooters from the rooftop, as a once busy strip has been transformed into a recreational area. In traditionally progressive District of Columbia, Whole Foods Markets and Starbucks are sprouting like mushrooms, while bike lanes on major avenues are forcing motorists to the left. With gas guzzlers relegated to EOB VIP parking lot, the environmentally friendly world around is squeezing tight on official Washington.

– Timothy Hagy