SYMHM: July 25 Weekend Roundup
It isn’t going to get any better this week. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Mike Kohn. Got some news for Mike? Drop him an email or find him on Twitter @mike_kohn.
Good Riddance
Some of the biggest news this weekend came from outside the District, but it’s still worth reporting in case you missed it. In less than 60 short days, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell will officially be repealed, according to MetroWeekly. President Obama signed repeal legislation back in December 2010, and has certified that the military is ready for DADT to end. The legislation now will go into the “congressional review” period. On September 20, 2011, it’s OK to be out and proud in the military. Get your party heads and Pride posters ready.
Rest In Peace
While we’re excited to see DADT come to a close, the other outside news of the weekend was a lot more upsetting. The New York Times reported that singer Amy Winehouse was found dead on Saturday in her apartment in London. The cause of death is still unknown, though police continue to investigate. Winehouse was 27, the age that resulted in a morbid club of singers who passed away well before their time.
Random Act of Kindness
On a much happier note, WTOP tells us that a passerby performed CPR on a woman having a cardiac arrest in Rock Creek Park yesterday. Though the woman was in critical care, the random act of kindness most likely saved her life. After assuring that the person’s actions were highly commendable, the police said they would like to talk to the person to see if they have any additional information on what happened, so if you know anything, please talk to the Park Police.
Update on Utopia
About a month ago we brought you the great news on the Utopia project that will soon be coming to the intersection of 14th and U Streets NW. 14th & You gives us an update on the project, including employees from El Paraiso restaurant packing up and moving to El Paraiso II in Alexandria, and the sale of the United Supreme Council National Headquarters and Archives building to JBG for $5 million.
Give the Man a Medal
D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. has agreed to pay back the $300,000 in city money that he used for personal purposes, in a report from the Washington City Paper. He originally asked for the money for youth baseball programs, but instead found better use for it by purchasing a new SUV, among other things. Thomas has also agreed to not have anything to do with “directing, controlling, or participating in the solicitation of charitable contributions in the District” for the next five years (except for his constituent services fund). WCP also has a fun follow-up article telling us that Thomas is donating the money because he wants to do something good for the city, not because he actually did anything wrong. Right.
