The Washington Post article on the transportation plan is worth reading.
Here is part of the article:
"When Virginians learned that the U.S. Secret Service and other top officials had decided to bar personal vehicles from every bridge from the commonwealth into the District on Inauguration Day, many felt the underlying message to them was this: Drop dead.
Or: Stay home.
Or: If you're going to try to come and see the first African American sworn in as president of the United States, well, good luck."
The complete article can be found at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/08/AR2009010803900.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Congressmen Comment on Closing Virginia For Inauguration
NBC Washington is reporting:
"WASHINGTON -- Two members of Congress are asking the Secret Service to reconsider the plan to close all bridges crossing the Potomac River between northern Virginia and Washington on Inauguration Day.
Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly, who represent northern Virginia, say medical personnel and hospitality workers who are scheduled to work the day President-elect Barack Obama takes office should be able to use the bridges.
"The secret service, they're insane," Moran told the Washington Post. "This is security on steroids. They are imposing major obstacles on people who have a right to be there for the inauguration."
On Friday, Moran said "common sense" should be guiding the region's transportation policies, rather than "fear." He also said having only two bridges open to pedestrians is unacceptable.
The Secret Service announced the bridge closings Wednesday. In addition, about 3.5 square miles of downtown Washington will be closed to traffic starting the day before the inauguration.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said she is concerned about the traffic plan."
Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Rep-Moran-Secret-Service-Is-Insane.html
This report appears to conflict with an earlier NBC Washington report on the transportation plan, that we featured in Attending Events During Inauguration Week - This Is A Must Read!
"Only authorized vehicles – emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and for-hire limos - will be permitted on I-395 North and I-66 East within the Beltway."
Many emergency personnel will be arriving into DC through their agency and/or will be housed within DC during the week.
In addition, emergency vehicles, personnel, and other support systems will be prepositioned.
It is our hope that emergency vehicles from outside the region who are NOT part of emergency procedures for inauguration DO NOT use these roads to get family and friends into DC. This will only cause more confusion and an improper use of emergency vehicles.
"WASHINGTON -- Two members of Congress are asking the Secret Service to reconsider the plan to close all bridges crossing the Potomac River between northern Virginia and Washington on Inauguration Day.
Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly, who represent northern Virginia, say medical personnel and hospitality workers who are scheduled to work the day President-elect Barack Obama takes office should be able to use the bridges.
"The secret service, they're insane," Moran told the Washington Post. "This is security on steroids. They are imposing major obstacles on people who have a right to be there for the inauguration."
On Friday, Moran said "common sense" should be guiding the region's transportation policies, rather than "fear." He also said having only two bridges open to pedestrians is unacceptable.
The Secret Service announced the bridge closings Wednesday. In addition, about 3.5 square miles of downtown Washington will be closed to traffic starting the day before the inauguration.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said she is concerned about the traffic plan."
Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Rep-Moran-Secret-Service-Is-Insane.html
This report appears to conflict with an earlier NBC Washington report on the transportation plan, that we featured in Attending Events During Inauguration Week - This Is A Must Read!
"Only authorized vehicles – emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and for-hire limos - will be permitted on I-395 North and I-66 East within the Beltway."
Many emergency personnel will be arriving into DC through their agency and/or will be housed within DC during the week.
In addition, emergency vehicles, personnel, and other support systems will be prepositioned.
It is our hope that emergency vehicles from outside the region who are NOT part of emergency procedures for inauguration DO NOT use these roads to get family and friends into DC. This will only cause more confusion and an improper use of emergency vehicles.
Flight Advisory National Special Security Event 2009 Presidential Inauguration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) have issued the following Public Advisory for Inauguration.
"As a result of the planned 2009 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009, the FAA at the request of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense as part of the airspace security measures will be modifying the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) with additional flight restrictions between the hours of 1000-1800 local."
The impacted zone is as follows:
"As a result of the planned 2009 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009, the FAA at the request of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense as part of the airspace security measures will be modifying the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) with additional flight restrictions between the hours of 1000-1800 local."
The impacted zone is as follows:
For complete details and additional information on the advisory, please visit:
www.faa.gov/news/media/public_advisory_inauguration_2009.pdf
For additional advisories and Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs), please visit:
Friday, January 9, 2009
Colin Powell Announces President-Elect Obama’s Call to National Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 09, 2009
CONTACT: Sandy Scott
Phone: 202-606-6724
Email: sscott@cns.gov
Colin Powell Announces President-Elect Obama’s Call to National Service
Washington D.C. – At a packed news conference here today, General Colin Powell, USA (Ret) and the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced President-elect Obama’s plans to call on Americans to serve their communities on the King Holiday and throughout the year.
As part of his “Renew America Together” initiative, the President-elect wants to ignite the spirit of service in our nation by asking all Americans to make a lasting pledge to serve their communities.
“At this moment of great purpose and great promise, President-elect Obama is calling on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country,” said Powell. “The Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday is not only a day off but also for the last 14 years, it has been a day on. It’s a day to reach out to our fellow citizens in need.”
Powell unveiled http://www.usaservice.org/, a new website created by the Presidential Inaugural Committee where Americans can find volunteer opportunities for the January 19 King Holiday or sign up to host a local event. Nearly 5,000 events are already listed on the website.
Powell commended the many organizations that are planning King Day of Service projects, including the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency charged by Congress in 1994 with transforming the King Holiday into a national day of service. The Corporation has been working closely with the Presidential Inaugural Committee for the past month on the website and larger effort to call Americans to service.
For the past fourteen years, the Corporation has worked with the King Center in Atlanta and nonprofit, education, corporate, and community groups across the country to organize projects on the King holiday. The agency encourages its large network of AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America programs to lead or participate in King Day of Service projects.
Powell was joined at the event by Roxanna Garcia Marcus, a former AmeriCorps member with City Year who shared her personal journey of service. Marcus is one of tens of thousands of AmeriCorps members and alums who are taking part in this year’s King Day of Service.
“If there is one common experience I wish for every American, it’s to know the power of service – to have the opportunity to be a part of something larger than yourself and make a positive impact on your community. AmeriCorps gave me my opportunity.”
A Florida native, Marcus first came to the Washington D.C. area when she served for two years as an AmeriCorps member with City Year. A first-generation American, Roxanna said she was drawn to the opportunity to give back to her community and country in a meaningful and lasting way. Marcus currently serves as the Development Manager for Year Up, an intensive training program that provides urban young adults with technical and professional skills, college credits, an educational stipend and corporate apprenticeship. Marcus cites her AmeriCorps experience at City Year with changing her career focus to the nonprofit sector.
“In this time of great need, we need to reignite our nation’s spirit of service, starting on King Day and lasting throughout the year,” said Nicola Goren, the Corporation’s Acting CEO. “We salute President-elect Obama, Colin Powell, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee for making service a centerpiece of the Inauguration and launching this broad call to service.
In addition to asking Americans to serve, President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden, and their families will participate in service on the holiday in the Washington D.C. area. The President-elect’s service on the holiday continues a tradition started by President Clinton and continued by President Bush.
A wide variety of projects are being planned for the King Holiday including delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, removing graffiti, reading to children and more. Many organizations use the day as a springboard for year-round civic action, such as signing up mentors or tutors or youth taking pledges of nonviolence.
The Corporation for National and Community Service improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation provides opportunities for four million Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. For more information, go to http://www.nationalservice.gov/.
###
Friday, January 09, 2009
CONTACT: Sandy Scott
Phone: 202-606-6724
Email: sscott@cns.gov
Colin Powell Announces President-Elect Obama’s Call to National Service
Washington D.C. – At a packed news conference here today, General Colin Powell, USA (Ret) and the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced President-elect Obama’s plans to call on Americans to serve their communities on the King Holiday and throughout the year.
As part of his “Renew America Together” initiative, the President-elect wants to ignite the spirit of service in our nation by asking all Americans to make a lasting pledge to serve their communities.
“At this moment of great purpose and great promise, President-elect Obama is calling on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country,” said Powell. “The Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday is not only a day off but also for the last 14 years, it has been a day on. It’s a day to reach out to our fellow citizens in need.”
Powell unveiled http://www.usaservice.org/, a new website created by the Presidential Inaugural Committee where Americans can find volunteer opportunities for the January 19 King Holiday or sign up to host a local event. Nearly 5,000 events are already listed on the website.
Powell commended the many organizations that are planning King Day of Service projects, including the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency charged by Congress in 1994 with transforming the King Holiday into a national day of service. The Corporation has been working closely with the Presidential Inaugural Committee for the past month on the website and larger effort to call Americans to service.
For the past fourteen years, the Corporation has worked with the King Center in Atlanta and nonprofit, education, corporate, and community groups across the country to organize projects on the King holiday. The agency encourages its large network of AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America programs to lead or participate in King Day of Service projects.
Powell was joined at the event by Roxanna Garcia Marcus, a former AmeriCorps member with City Year who shared her personal journey of service. Marcus is one of tens of thousands of AmeriCorps members and alums who are taking part in this year’s King Day of Service.
“If there is one common experience I wish for every American, it’s to know the power of service – to have the opportunity to be a part of something larger than yourself and make a positive impact on your community. AmeriCorps gave me my opportunity.”
A Florida native, Marcus first came to the Washington D.C. area when she served for two years as an AmeriCorps member with City Year. A first-generation American, Roxanna said she was drawn to the opportunity to give back to her community and country in a meaningful and lasting way. Marcus currently serves as the Development Manager for Year Up, an intensive training program that provides urban young adults with technical and professional skills, college credits, an educational stipend and corporate apprenticeship. Marcus cites her AmeriCorps experience at City Year with changing her career focus to the nonprofit sector.
“In this time of great need, we need to reignite our nation’s spirit of service, starting on King Day and lasting throughout the year,” said Nicola Goren, the Corporation’s Acting CEO. “We salute President-elect Obama, Colin Powell, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee for making service a centerpiece of the Inauguration and launching this broad call to service.
In addition to asking Americans to serve, President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden, and their families will participate in service on the holiday in the Washington D.C. area. The President-elect’s service on the holiday continues a tradition started by President Clinton and continued by President Bush.
A wide variety of projects are being planned for the King Holiday including delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, removing graffiti, reading to children and more. Many organizations use the day as a springboard for year-round civic action, such as signing up mentors or tutors or youth taking pledges of nonviolence.
The Corporation for National and Community Service improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation provides opportunities for four million Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. For more information, go to http://www.nationalservice.gov/.
###
Another Option To Be Part of Inauguration
Disability Power and Pride
Inaugural Ball
You are invited to join the disability community in commemorating the historic Inauguration of President Barack Obama with the first-ever Disability Power & Pride Inaugural Ball. Reflecting the growing strength and stature of the community – and celebrating Life Without Limits – the event will draw officials of the new administration and Members of Congress, along with hundreds of disability leaders, advocates and allies.
Parking and Getting Around More Of A Challange For Some
When looking through all the inauguration resources, there does not appear to be any handicapped or special needs parking.
The following article and video higlights some of the challenges that may be keeping some citizens from attending inauguration.
Disabled Citizens Say Inauguration Events Too Difficult to Attend
And as one of the comments to the article says,
"The ADA codes requires people with disabilities have the same access to public spaces as people with no disabilities. This includes: parking lots, sidewalks, entrances, stairs, elevators, restrooms, and drinking fountains. But not Inauguration."
Time for change...
The following article and video higlights some of the challenges that may be keeping some citizens from attending inauguration.
Disabled Citizens Say Inauguration Events Too Difficult to Attend
And as one of the comments to the article says,
"The ADA codes requires people with disabilities have the same access to public spaces as people with no disabilities. This includes: parking lots, sidewalks, entrances, stairs, elevators, restrooms, and drinking fountains. But not Inauguration."
Time for change...
Limited "Reserved" Parking Still Available for Inaugiration, if you are a....
...BUS.
"Buses may register for available parking spaces at RFK Stadium and on designated streets in each quadrant of the city (NW Zone, NE Zone, SW Zone, SE Zone). Note that automobiles will not be permitted in these lots or bus parking areas."
...but since many of us do not drive a bus, check out the official Presidental Inauguration parking website at:
http://2009inauguration.clickandpark.com/?cid=35814194&sid=399254
Passengers on buses parked in locations other than RFK Stadium must walk or use public transit or taxis to access the event site.
For anyone that has been at the local airports during the holiday season, on particular on December 25 or January 1, getting a taxi was definitely a challenge.
As we get closure to inauguration, Neighbors Helping Neighbors will share some weather resources, for the most current weather information.
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