Metro Transit Police fight iPod theft

From the Metro Website:

Metro Transit Police fight iPod theft
iPod theft is on the rise in the Metro system, and the Metro Transit Police want it to stop. From January through April 2007, 30 iPods were stolen from Metro customers. iPod thefts totaled 34 in all of 2006, and just two in 2005. To reduce iPod theft, Metro Transit Police are targeting Metro customers using electronic devices at a crime prevention outreach session at 4 p.m. today, May 9, at the Anacostia Metrorail station.

MTPD Officers will demonstrate behavior that helps customers avoid theft and crime. Officers will remind customers to remain aware of their surroundings and use electronic devices discretely. Safe behavior includes listening to music at a low to moderate decibel level; using black headphones instead of white headphones to make them less noticeable; and holding items inside backpacks, purses or jackets instead of in hands or on laps.

The officers also will distribute crime prevention information and identification decals for portable electronics.

The identification decals can be affixed to electronics and registered in a national database. The unique identification number will make lost or stolen items easier to track or recover.

In addition to the behavior listed above, the Metro Transit Police would like to remind customers of the following safety tips when riding Metro:
• Always be alert of your surroundings and the people around you.
• Avoid talking to strangers, especially in isolated areas.
• If carrying a purse, hold it tightly, and close to your body.
• If carrying a wallet, keep it in your front pocket.
• If you notice unusual behavior, unattended packages or anything that seems suspicious, call the Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121 or tell a Metro employee.

If it can't hide it...don't wear it!

Alright ladies...I know spring is in the air and as the weather warms up we are uber-tempted to show a little skin. But let's have some class!

I've noticed the cutout is back. You know what I'm talking about: that little missing geometric swatch of fabric from your shirt/bathing suit. I'm not sure what I think of this but after seeing a rather horrendous faux paux regarding this trend on Saturday afternoon, I feel its my responsibility to let you know what people will and will not let you get away with while sporting this trend.

Numero uno pet peeve -- if you can't hide a bra under it or go without, you probably shouldn't be wearing it. I know, I know...Carrie on Sex and the City did it all the time and with her couture no less. Well, that was a tv show that operated outside of the realm of reality. This most likely will not work for anyone not frequenting the Red Carpet. And even Carrie matched it to her outfits or went with a basic black. The girl, so unflatteringly depicted to the right (and I must thank Ryan for surreptitiously snapping this pick for me) is breaking a couple of rules. The bra doesn't even match. It was a lacy, periwinkle colored thing that stood out so obviously we were giggling about it for at least a half an hour. It didn't help that she was a little drunk and calling extra attention to herself. This shirt is the perfect candidate for the self adhesive bra. I mean, from the front she obviously needed "support" so I give her props for that. But when you only spend $14.99 on a shirt, you can spring for the $30 bra that can hide under it.

I was going to search for some good cutout options...but there aren't any really. If you wanna show some skin I suggest a halter, tube top or a strappy tank. But even with those options, if you can't go the no-bra route and you can't camouflage the thing, skip it. I don't care if its on sale or the most comfortable thing you've ever worn.

Its. Not. Attractive.

Save Eastern Market!

This Tuesday, bars across the District will be donating a portion of their proceeds to help restore Eastern Market. If this isn't a worthy cause, then I don't know what is! All of the proceeds will go to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. Currently our old staple isn't on the list, but hopefully they will step up! Regardless, plan on heading out and drinking Tuesday, May 8th. For a list of participating bars, click here.

Screen on the Green

Every summer I plan on checking out at least one of the Screen on the Green movies and every summer something keeps me away... one summer it rained every day, another summer I was recovering from surgery or out of town. But I am determined to see at least one movie this summer!

They just released the schedule for this year (thanks DCist for the heads-up) and the line-up looks great. There is just something idyllic about seeing old classics on the National Mall - it makes you ignore the fact that you are outside in DC in August sweating!

This year the line-up is much better than last year:

Monday, July 16: Annie Hall
Monday, July 23: The Thing From Another World
Monday, July 30: Wait Until Dark
Monday, August 6:: All the King's Men
Monday, August 13: Casablanca

Keep DC short!

I think one of the reasons I love DC so much is because it doesn't feel like a big city. Much of this has to do with the fact that there are no tall buildings in District. I love the fact that from my house near U street I can look downtown and see the Washington Monument. This wouldn't happen in any other major city. The Washington Post looked into the debate of high rises in DC today. I always thought that there was some old law in DC that buildings couldn't be taller than the Washington Monument. Turns out though, that law doesn't exist. There is a height Act that Congress created, but that was in response to protesters in 1894 who were protesting the 160-ft height of the Cairo apartment building on 16th which is pretty intereting.

Developers are claiming that DC is running out of space and that soon there will be a time where DC will have to be built up to attract more businesses and lower rates. But of course the Developers would say that. However, I am pretty sure that is not what L'Efant had in mind when he planned the beautiful sprawling city. He is probably turning in his grave right about now. Could you imagine DC with skyscrapers? All of the charecter DC has would be lost. They don't even have to be that tall to be an eye sore - a perfect example would be Rosslyn!

This is sad

I've been to Eastern Market a couple of times and while I didn't fall in love with it, I understand that a lot of people in the neighborhood love it. Evidently, part of the market has burned down over the weekend. Luckily no one was hurt.

Weekend Picks Return

Friday night
Check out ArtDC - DC's first modern and contemporary art fair - apparently it will put DC on the international art scene map. It will be at the convention center through Monday. But try and head there tonight where it is free all day. Though it ends at 7! If you go this weekend (11-7 Saturday and Sunday) you'll pay $12.

Saturday
This is the last weekend for the DC International Film Festival. You can check out the schedule at FilmfestDC. The films are all over DC at different locations (mainly on Wisconsin Ave) and most films are $9. At 3pm at Busboys and Poets there will be a Directors Roundtable with free admittance.

Sudnay
Sundress Festival '07 at the Wonderland Ballroom is sure to be fun. An equal opportunity event - anyone (guys or girls) who come in sundresses gets cheap drinks ($2 off drafts, $3 rail and $6 bottles of Delirium Tremens -whatever that is). To see pictures of last years Sundress Festival, log into Myspace and click here.

Enjoy the weekend!