Breakfast links: Quality of life

Why are gas prices high?

Are high gas prices in DC a result of market manipulation or is it just market forces? If the DC Council forces Joe Mamo to sell his stations, would it lower gas prices? (City Paper)

Brown’s top priority: Chocolate milk

Kwame Brown pushed hard to restore chocolate milk in DC schools at last week’s confirmation hearing for Kaya Henderson. Why? A first grader presented him with some research on the matter. Oh, and the dairy lobby has been pushing for it. (DC Food For All)

People explain why they bike

Veronica Davis interviews children, teens, and adults in Ward 7 on why they ride bicycles. (Life in the Village)

Clean up after your dogs

Geoff Hatchard caught a couple not picking up after their dog at 17th and Pennsylvania, NW. When confronted, they said they forgot to bring bags but wouldn’t walk into a nearby cafe to try to get one. (The District Curmudgeon)

Sears interested in our tax breaks

Sears’ tax breaks from Illinois are expiring, so they’re looking to move somewhere else, at least until whatever new tax breaks they get expire. The DC region is one of the candidates. (WBJ)

West End library not quite as affordable?

Eastbanc would like a break on inclusionary zoning for the West End library development. There will be more affordable housing on the companion fire station parcel, but that’s not yet fully funded. (WBJ)

Union asked about transit operations

As last night’s ATU Local 689 town hall, questioners seem mostly to have asked the transit union questions not particularly related to the union, such as about broken escalators, safety, and whether MTPD is becoming too militant. (Post)

2-year terms for Maryland delegates?

A former advocate for legislative term limits now realizes they create their own problems, but suggests a new reform: having 2-year terms for Maryland delegates, like the US House, instead of 4. (Baltimore Sun)

And…

Is the National

US Institute of Peace building a duck? If not, what is? (Post, цarьchitect) … The Army’s museum will be at Fort Belvoir (Post) … Pepco is so far from top-tier, they aren’t even aiming to be average. (Examiner)