PG County Residents Apply for Darwin Awards

The Washington Times reports:

Eight persons were killed and five were injured early yesterday when a car plowed into a crowd gathered to watch an illegal street race in Accokeek.

Prince George's County police said a white Ford Crown Victoria that came down the road after the racers had started off plowed into a crowd of spectators who had been standing along Route 210 at about 3:40 a.m. to watch the contest.

...

Police said the race began on Route 210, also known as Indian Head Highway, near the intersection with Pine Drive. Witness accounts of the number of spectators varied from 50 to 300. The cars involved in the race spun their tires, kicking up smoke before they headed northbound on the four-lane road, which is divided by a grassy median.

Cpl. Copeland said that when the race began, many of the spectators stepped into the street to get a better view as the cars pulled away.

The Crown Victoria came up from behind, speeding northbound when it ran into the spectators, crossed over a small embankment off the right shoulder and came to rest on a road that runs parallel to the highway.

The impact left the bodies of the victims strewn over 50 feet.

One of the victims who had been standing in the crowd became lodged in the windshield of the Crown Victoria, leading police initially to say that a passenger in the car was killed. Another victim was dragged in the undercarriage of the car.

Police said one of the victims appeared to have been struck by a tractor-trailer traveling in the opposite lanes as people scattered away from the accident scene. Police could not confirm the report, and later said the tractor-trailer may have struck a body that had been thrown across the median by the impact of the accident.

Seven persons were declared dead at the scene and an eighth died at an area hospital.

The driver of the Crown Victoria suffered only minor injuries, was interviewed by police and was not charged in connection with the incident. Police were still searching for the cars that were involved in the race.

Police said the tire smoke and the darkness contributed to the accident. The area of Indian Head Highway where the accident occurred is about 20 miles south of the District, near the line with Charles County and is not illuminated by streetlights. The speed limit on the flat stretch of road is 55 miles per hour.

50-300 people wearing dark clothing standing in a highway at 3:40am. Too many survived.

Perhaps the Darwin Awards will consider a group application.

Read the full story here.

Annapolis Starbucks Approved

The Washington Post reports:

The Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission gave Starbucks the go-ahead last night to convert part of a historic building into its sixth store in the Annapolis area.

The proposal to build a Starbucks in the basement of the Maryland Inn, approved unanimously by the commission, had sparked concern among Annapolitans who said the building's historical integrity could be compromised.

Members of the commission, however, focused on the coffeehouse's stated commitment to historical district guidelines. The company also pledged to report regularly on construction plans.

The building dates back more than 200 years, when it was known as the King of France Tavern and hosted foreign dignitaries and spawned a legend of a secret passageway from its wine cellar to the State House.

The Historic Annapolis Foundation, which also recommended approval last night, has said that Starbucks would offer a modern-day gathering spot and spur renewed interest in the historic site.

For more information on the location and the debate, see our earlier post "Are You Afraid of Starbucks?" (Jan. 4, 2006).

Baltimore Seeks an Identity

From the Washington Times:

[Baltimore] is trying yet another promotional slogan, after decades of attempting to arrive at catchy, appropriate one.

City officials have declined to confirm the selection of the slogan "Get In On It," but the Baltimore Sun reports the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association has submitted four trademark applications to secure its use.

Early reviews for the slogan were mixed.

"I've seen some dumb ones in the past, but this is the dumbest," Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, also a former Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor, said through a spokesman.

Baltimore City Councilwoman Rochelle Spector simply asked: "Get in on what?"

This is not the first time the city has been ridiculed for its slogans: "Charm City," "The City that Reads" and "The Greatest City in America."

...

City officials paid consultant Landor Associates $500,000 over the past nine months to come up with the slogan.

The newspaper reported other slogan finalists included "The City You Savor," "Breeze Into Baltimore," "All City, No Hurry" and the cryptic "Enjoy The Pace."

Nancy Hinds, a convention and visitors association spokeswoman, said the new slogan will be announced at a ceremony Wednesday, as the city prepares for the tourism season, and that it was just one element of a new branding strategy.

...

Landor Associates director of brand strategy, Susan Palombo, told Mayor Martin O'Malley in November that many people have a poor perception of Baltimore, largely because of such TV dramas which focus on the city's crime and drug problems.

Baltimore, as you may recall, is also known for weird education policies, a ranking as the nation's 6th most dangerous city (DC was 13th), and a city council that concerns itself more with Iraq than violence in the city or a failing school system.

Here's two suggestions: "Baltimore: Like DC, but without the monuments" or "Baltimore: Like DC, but not as safe."