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Let’s catch up on some of the things John Kelly wrote about in 2019 Let’s catch up on some of the things John Kelly wrote about in 2019
(about 1 hour later)
Before the footprints of 2019 are washed away by the tide of 2020, let’s revisit some of the people and things I wrote about this year.Before the footprints of 2019 are washed away by the tide of 2020, let’s revisit some of the people and things I wrote about this year.
In January, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced it was collapsing all of the individual Twitter accounts of its various parks into a single account: @MDStateParks. Some park users and rangers were concerned that this would make it hard to find information on the happenings at specific parks. And since all tweets would have to go through a central mechanism, it would be harder to push out tweets in a timely fashion.In January, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced it was collapsing all of the individual Twitter accounts of its various parks into a single account: @MDStateParks. Some park users and rangers were concerned that this would make it hard to find information on the happenings at specific parks. And since all tweets would have to go through a central mechanism, it would be harder to push out tweets in a timely fashion.
The DNR said it was working on “a standardized approach to using hashtags” so people could find specific park information. After some desultory hashtagging, they stopped even that.The DNR said it was working on “a standardized approach to using hashtags” so people could find specific park information. After some desultory hashtagging, they stopped even that.
For what it’s worth, the @MDStateParks Twitter account has grown since then from 17,000 followers to 19,200.For what it’s worth, the @MDStateParks Twitter account has grown since then from 17,000 followers to 19,200.
It might have seemed like a practical joke, but on April 1 I wrote about the installation of a machine that dispenses short stories in the Beltsville Motor Vehicle Administration, a joint project of the MVA and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. It might have seemed like a practical joke, but on April 1 I wrote about the installation of a machine that dispenses short stories in the Beltsville service location of the Motor Vehicle Administration, a joint project of the MVA and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System.
Since then, more than 2,700 stories have been printed out by people waiting to renew their driver’s licenses or get new plates. That’s about 10 a day.Since then, more than 2,700 stories have been printed out by people waiting to renew their driver’s licenses or get new plates. That’s about 10 a day.
During October, there were special spooky stories. December has featured the “Winter Holidays” catalogue.During October, there were special spooky stories. December has featured the “Winter Holidays” catalogue.
Steve Fitzgerald of the Prince George’s library system says people are more apt to press the button and print out a story at the end of the day, between 3 and 5 p.m. Steve Fitzgerald of the Prince George’s library system says people are more apt to press the button and print out a story at the end of the day, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
In May I wrote about how James William Thompson paid to screen the Three Stooges’ “You Nazty Spy!” at the Old Greenbelt Theatre. He was hoping to produce a groundswell of support for nominating the 1940 anti-Hitler film to the National Film Registry.In May I wrote about how James William Thompson paid to screen the Three Stooges’ “You Nazty Spy!” at the Old Greenbelt Theatre. He was hoping to produce a groundswell of support for nominating the 1940 anti-Hitler film to the National Film Registry.
After the screening, Greenbelt sent a letter to the Library of Congress in favor of its nomination. So did of Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.). Alas, when the list of films came out last month, “You Nazty Spy” was not on it.After the screening, Greenbelt sent a letter to the Library of Congress in favor of its nomination. So did of Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.). Alas, when the list of films came out last month, “You Nazty Spy” was not on it.
I asked Thompson how he felt.I asked Thompson how he felt.
“Depressed,” he said. “Disappointed.”“Depressed,” he said. “Disappointed.”
He may try again next year. (The deadline for 2020 nominations is Sept. 15.)He may try again next year. (The deadline for 2020 nominations is Sept. 15.)
In the meantime, Thompson is hoping to host free screenings of Shemp-era Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello films at the Old Greenbelt Theatre in March.In the meantime, Thompson is hoping to host free screenings of Shemp-era Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello films at the Old Greenbelt Theatre in March.
“March is the funniest month,” he said, explaining that Shemp Howard, Lou Costello and Jerry Lewis were all born in March.“March is the funniest month,” he said, explaining that Shemp Howard, Lou Costello and Jerry Lewis were all born in March.
In June, Fairfax County asked residents to vote on a name for the bicycle trail that will run alongside Interstate 66. The survey drew 1,124 respondents.In June, Fairfax County asked residents to vote on a name for the bicycle trail that will run alongside Interstate 66. The survey drew 1,124 respondents.
The name “66 Ramble” received the most votes, but the county’s Transportation Department staff recommended the second-place name: “66 Parallel Trail,” because “it gave a sense of place and connection to the corridor,” wrote FCDOT’s Robin Geiger in an email.The name “66 Ramble” received the most votes, but the county’s Transportation Department staff recommended the second-place name: “66 Parallel Trail,” because “it gave a sense of place and connection to the corridor,” wrote FCDOT’s Robin Geiger in an email.
The next step is taking the name to the Commonwealth Transportation Board in early 2020.The next step is taking the name to the Commonwealth Transportation Board in early 2020.
Remember the crown-of-thorns starfish that are eating the coral in Raja Ampat, an Indonesian beauty spot?Remember the crown-of-thorns starfish that are eating the coral in Raja Ampat, an Indonesian beauty spot?
After my column on how the District’s Blue Planet scuba shop had collected old dive gear so Indonesian residents could kill the critters with jabs of vinegar, more equipment poured in from readers.After my column on how the District’s Blue Planet scuba shop had collected old dive gear so Indonesian residents could kill the critters with jabs of vinegar, more equipment poured in from readers.
This month, Bruce Butterworth, organizer of the dive drive, traveled to Raja Ampat, bringing with him nine bags of donated masks, fins and snorkels. The battle rages on.This month, Bruce Butterworth, organizer of the dive drive, traveled to Raja Ampat, bringing with him nine bags of donated masks, fins and snorkels. The battle rages on.
In June I wrote about the world premiere of “Queen of the Capital,” a documentary directed by University of Maryland journalism professor Josh Davidsburg. It follows big-haired Muffy Blake Stephyns — the alter ego of Labor Department legislative analyst Daniel Hays — as she campaigns to ascend to drag royalty as Empress of the Imperial Court of Washington.In June I wrote about the world premiere of “Queen of the Capital,” a documentary directed by University of Maryland journalism professor Josh Davidsburg. It follows big-haired Muffy Blake Stephyns — the alter ego of Labor Department legislative analyst Daniel Hays — as she campaigns to ascend to drag royalty as Empress of the Imperial Court of Washington.
Just before Thanksgiving, Davidsburg got word the film had been accepted into Slamdance, the indie filmfest that takes place in Park City, Utah, at the end of January, the same time as Sundance.Just before Thanksgiving, Davidsburg got word the film had been accepted into Slamdance, the indie filmfest that takes place in Park City, Utah, at the end of January, the same time as Sundance.
“I’m still amazed we got in,” he said. “They got more than 8,000 submissions. . . . This puts it on a national stage.”“I’m still amazed we got in,” he said. “They got more than 8,000 submissions. . . . This puts it on a national stage.”
Hays told me he’s been picking out outfits to wear at the festival — and getting a couple of new ones made.Hays told me he’s been picking out outfits to wear at the festival — and getting a couple of new ones made.
“I’ll be there for six days and five nights,” Hays said. “Pretty much the whole time there I’ll be in face as Muffy, promoting the film. It will be one of the longest periods of being day after day in drag.”“I’ll be there for six days and five nights,” Hays said. “Pretty much the whole time there I’ll be in face as Muffy, promoting the film. It will be one of the longest periods of being day after day in drag.”
Here’s a story that isn’t over: We need your help with The Washington Post Helping Hand. Our annual fundraising campaign ends on Friday. Our goal is $250,000. We’re very close.Here’s a story that isn’t over: We need your help with The Washington Post Helping Hand. Our annual fundraising campaign ends on Friday. Our goal is $250,000. We’re very close.
For information about giving, go to posthelpinghand.com.For information about giving, go to posthelpinghand.com.
Twitter: @johnkellyTwitter: @johnkelly
For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/john-kelly.For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/john-kelly.