The Metro

The MetroRail (commonly referred to as the Metro) is the rapid transit system used in the Washington D.C. area. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (which also operates MetroBus). It services Montgomery County and Prince George's County in Maryland as well as Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria in Virginia.

Since 1976 it has grown to include 5 lines (with a 6th in the construction stages), 86 stations, and 106.3 miles of track. It is the 2nd busiest transit system in the United States, after the New York City Subway. In 2008, 215.3 million trips were taken on the MetroRail.

Passengers enter and exit the transit system using a wallet sized, stored value, paper card with a magnetic-strip. Frequent riders often use a SmarTrip proximity card. Fares vary on time of day and distance travelled.

http://www.wmata.com/

D.C. United 2009

The 2009 season is over for D.C. United. The Washington D.C.-based professional soccer team missed the MLS Cup Playoffs as the season ended last week, on goal difference alone. As we wait for (there's always...) next season at RFK Stadium, let's take a look back on the season that was.

D.C. United's coach for the 2009 season was Tom Soehn, at 43 years old he has been an assistant under Bob Bradley (current coach of the U.S. Mens National Team) and Peter Nowak (assistant to Bradley and coach of the U.S. Mens U-23 National Team). He has also been a manager with the Chicago Fire.

In January, for the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, United selected midfielder Rodney Wallace from the University of Maryland with the 6th overall pick. In his rookie season Rodney made 28 appearances and scored 3 goals. Also chosen by United were Chris Pontius (7th overall; midfielder/forward; UC Santa Barbara), Milos Kocic (21st overall; goalkeeper; Loyola College in Maryland), Lyle Adams (26th overall; defenseman; Wake Forest University), and Brandon Barklage (36th overall; midfielder/forward; Saint Louis University).

The team's statistical leaders over the past year have been Luciano Emilio (4 goals), Bryan Namoff (3 assists), and Josh Wicks (19 appearances in goal). The side was captained by Jaime Moreno. The Bolivian has played in 308 games for United during his career.

The team eventually finished 10th overall in the MLS, were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League in the group stage, and finished 2nd in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

We look forward to seeing what they can do in their 15th season during 2010.

http://www.dcunited.com/

Night of the Living Zoo

The National Zoo (Smithsonian National Zoological Park) is celebrating Halloween with the "Night of the Living Zoo" on October 30th from 8 p.m. until midnight. Enjoy the park and see the animal exhibits while dressing up in costume (prizes will be given for best group costume; 2 or more people) and enjoying such treats as palm readers, fire eaters, talking bats, and illusionists. There will also be a live performance by the musical band Soulive (featuring Shady Horns with special guest Nigel Hall). Food and beverages (event is sponsored by Magic Hat Brewing Company) will be available. It is a 21 or older event and, unfortunately, tickets have already sold out.

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/LivingZoo/

Housing Prices: Major Metro Areas Showing Slow Decline

Housing prices in 20 major metro areas are not yet making year-over-year gains, but the decline is slowing according to the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller home price index. The report indicated that home prices are about where they were in 2003, before the bubble began. Prices in the D.C. area were up 1.4% from July to August.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/economywatch/2009/10/home_prices_most_major_metro_a.html?hpid=topnews

Buy a House in Arlington, Virginia

"The urban villages that make up the majority of Arlington real estate provide terrific neighborhoods, shopping centers, and restaurants. Shirlington, Columbia Pike, Ballston, and Pentagon City – in addition to many other prime Arlington real estate spots – are always bustling with residents, workers, and visitors. Many Arlington real estate owners spend time both outdoors, along the Mount Vernon Trail, and indoors, at the many shops that make up the Crystal City underground. In addition, several Washington, D.C.-area landmarks call Arlington real estate home; both the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, as well as the Defense Department Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where the Internet was created, are located here.
This ethnically diverse city has one of the most educated populations in the country. Not surprisingly, twenty percent of the jobs in Northern Virginia are in Arlington, which makes Arlington real estate an ideal investment for business owners and commuters. But there are many other reasons to consider investing in Arlington real estate. The city offers easy access to I-395, I-495, I-66, and downtown D.C. And with its excellent public schools and convenient Metro access, the value of Arlington real estate has risen much faster than the national average in recent years." (Long & Foster Living)

http://virginia-homes.longandfoster.com/Northern_Virginia_Real_Estate/Arlington.aspx

Halloween Playlist

Being a music-lover, one of my favorite things to do is make playlists about EVERYTHING. Not the coolest thing ever to admit, but it's my thing. Here's what I came up with for the theme of "Halloween":

Jack'o'lantern's Weather (311)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
Wolfman Jack (Binary Star)
Dead Man Walking (Bruce Springsteen)
Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniel's Band)
Drink to the Dead (Clutch)
I Put a Spell on You (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Halloween (Dave Matthews Band)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Dr. Funkenstein (Parliament)
Wolfman's Brother (Phish)
Ghost of Tom Joad (Rage Against the Machine)
Living Dead Girl (Rob Zombie)
Black Magic Woman (Santana)
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads)
Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)

Happy Halloween!

Arlington County Government

Arlington, VA is governed by a five person County Board, whose members are elected to staggered four year terms. The board elects a County Manager, who is chief executive of the County Government. Arlington, like all Virginia counties, also has a Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Commonwealth's Attorney, Treasurer, and Commissioner of the Revenue; all elected officers. There is also an elected five member School Board.

County Board: Barbara Favola (Chairman), Jay Fisette (Vice-Chairman), Mary Hynes, J. Walter Tejada, Chris Zimmerman.

Virginia Congress: Patsy Ticer (Senator), Mary Margaret Whipple (Senator), David Englin (Delegate), Albert Eisenberg (Delagate), Robert Brink (Delegate), Adam Ebbin (Delegate).

School Board: Sally Baird (Chair), Libby Carver (Vice Chair), Ed Fendley, Abby Rafael, Emma Sanchez-Violand.

Constitutional Officers: Frank O'Leary (Treasurer), Paul Ferguson (Clerk of the Court), Dick Trodden (Commonwealth's Attorney), Beth Arthur (Sheriff), Ingrid Morroy (Commissioner of Revenue).

http://www.arlingtonva.us/portals/topics/TopicsLocalGovt.aspx