Breakfast links: Would you swim in DC’s rivers?

LinksBy Libby Solomon (Former Managing Editor) March 23, 2022

A swimmer in the Anacostia River in 2011 by Mr.TinMD licensed under Creative Commons.

Some urge DC to allow swimming in the rivers again

Some environmental advocates say that parts of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers are once again clean enough to swim in. The first swimming ban in the Potomac was 1932, when the region was dumping raw sewage into the river.  (Jacob Fenston / DCist)

Montgomery County Shared Streets program to continue until September

Streeteries are sticking around in Montgomery County through September 5, according to the county’s Department of Transportation. The program, which has been extended multiple times, has locations in Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Wheaton.  (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat. Tip: Chester B.)

Arlington to residents: use transit

Arlington is launching a marketing campaign urging people to use transit, aimed at restoring ridership to pre-pandemic levels. The county will focus especially on boosting bus ridership and using Metro to access entertainment and cultural sites.  (Jo DeVoe / ARLnow)

DC’s trashiest help line

Why are DC residents calling 311? About half of the time, it’s because of trash, as from pandemic moves to spring cleaning, residents have requested a lot of bulk trash pickup. Parking enforcement issues are also high on the list.  (Paige Hopkins / Axios DC)

Reston Town Center common areas are getting a makeover

The common areas of Reston Town Center are getting their first overhaul in over three decades, in a world whose relationship to outdoor space has changed since the start of the pandemic. New features will include overhead fans, fire pits, additional seating areas, and an oversized chess board.  (Daniel J. Sernovitz / Business Journal)

Cycling community fixture killed by van driver

Shawn Blumenfeld, 51, a cyclist active in the Washington area bicycling community, was killed while riding when the driver of a van struck him from behind in near Emmitsburg, Md. on Monday.  (Post. Tip: Chester B.)

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