Breakfast links: Yesterday and today

50th anniversary

The Beatles’s first concert in the US was played in NoMa’s now-defunct Washington Coliseum. To commemorate the event, the DC Preservation League is hosting an anniversary concert tonight. (Post, WBJ)

Blown budgets

With more snow on the way, Virginia and Maryland have already spent their snow removal budgets. Maryland allotted $46 million for the winter but has spent $80 million while Virginia has exceeded their budget by $17 million. (WTOP)

Expanding school bus cameras

After the first five school bus cameras issued ten $125 citations to drivers illegally passing buses in the first month of operation, Montgomery County officials want to add more than the 25 initially planned. (WAMU)

Safeway rat infestation

The Piney Branch Road Safeway has reopened after being closed due to multiple violations, including a rodent infestation. Safeway has a month to clean up its store or face more serious penalties from the DC Department of Health. (WTOP)

Speed cameras are working

DC’s speed cameras are effective at reducing crashes, according to a new DDOT study. The 87 locations where speed cameras are installed saw an up to 20% reduction in crashes. (DCist)

Priced out of DC

A new report shows that housing prices in DC are out of reach for those in many professions because wages are not keeping pace with the housing market. An $80,000 salary is needed to afford the median-priced home of $302,000. (WAMU)

Region is hot for “hipster flipping”

A listing of the top ten zip codes for flipping a property to sell to hipsters includes six Washington area zips, with Fairfax leading the way with an average flip profit of $210,020. (WTOP)

Sampling of the Purple Line

A series of two-minute dashboard cam videos shows what it will look like to ride the segment of the Purple Line  from New Carrollton to the College Park Metro. (Hyattsville Wire, RTB)  (Tip: RTB)

China’s future

While many problems plague Chinese cities, they are the key to China’s continued economic success. To mitigate the pollution and congestion problems seen in China’s biggest cities, urbanization should be strategic rather than rapid. (CNN)

And…

Once again, DC named the most literate city in the nation. (WAMU) … DC has the country’s highest economic confidence. (DCist) … BWI saw 22.5 million passengers  in 2013. (Post) … DC area renters save 34% on rent by living with significant other. (UrbanTurf) … Alexandria man could get 7 years for death of pedestrian in Ballston. (Patch)