Breakfast links: Meet the taxis

LinksHistoryBy David Alpert (Founder) August 10, 2011

Image from Rails-to-Trails.

Meet the cabbie who bikes

One DC cab driver bicycles for personal transportation, finding it easier and cheaper to get around. She isn’t aware of any other cabbies who do. She’s also more respectful toward cyclists when driving. (Rails-to-Trails)

Meet Arlington’s karaoke cab

Another taxi, this one in Arlington, has a karaoke machine inside it. Riders can both sing and get around at the same time. (Post)

Learn more about DC’s 1st sidewalk cafe

This week, DC celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first sidewalk café. Last year, we published a detailed history of that café, at 14th and Pennsylvania, NW.

Metro social staff vs. the critics

In one corner, there’s WMATA’s new and growing social media team which provides valuable but often “sanitized” customer relations; in the other, a cadre of tweeters and bloggers who indiscriminately criticize everything WMATA does. Get ready for the Metro Noise War! (TBD)

Chief Lanier vs. the officers

Cathy Lanier demoted a commander who publicly criticized her about the Charlie Sheen and other police escorts. Many officers dislike yer, yet she’s hugely popular with the public. And crime is down. (DCist, Post, City Paper)

Thomas’ staff promises loyalty for cash

As Walmart was starting its push to come to DC, Harry Thomas, Jr.‘s staff was focused on getting it to give money to Team Thomas, in exchange for a high-profile presence at an easter egg roll that would convince DC residents to support the retailer. (City Paper)

Does Ward 3 need a new school?

Mary Cheh wants another school in Ward 3, where many schools are over capacity. Richard Layman says if other wards had better schools, then Ward 3 wouldn’t be full of so many out-of-boundary students. (Examiner, RPUS)

And…

New Jersey Avenue gets a very ugly black box pop-up. (In Shaw) … Is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict fueled by sprawl? (Yglesias) … Lanier may fire 7 officers who refused to take a report of an anti-gay hate crime. (Blade) … DC’s biofuel plant will be near New York Ave & Bladensburg Road. (City Paper)