TUESDAY: Though we just had a memoir about William F. Buckley penned by his son, author Richard Brookhiser apparently thought the market was ripe for another remembrance of the famed conservative. "Right Time, Right Place" tells the story of Brookhiser's relationship with Buckley, his hero, who later fired him from his post as editor of the National Review. No hard feelings?
» Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW; Tues., June 30, 7 p.m., free; 202-364-1919, Politics-prose.com. (Van Ness)
Photo from The Washington Post
MONDAY: Ever wanted to learn to dance the salsa? Well here's your chance. Every Monday night Lima Restaurant and Lounge will be hosting free beginner and intermediate salsa lessons taught by D.C. salsa guru Earl Rush.
Part of a five-week summer series, these lessons will take you from dance floor klutz to rico suave come summer's end. Though the series is progressive, participants can join at any point during the summer. Feeling a little timid on the dance floor? There is a no-cover open bar for ladies from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. to help loosen the nerves. After the lessons are over, a Latin inspired DJ takes over to let you show off your new skills.
» Lima Restaurant and Lounge, 1401 K St. NW; Mondays, 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m., free; 202-789-2800. (McPherson Square)
Written by Express' Brian Austin
Photo by J. Carrier
IT'S NOT A HAPPY DAY for folks with cars. Oil prices skidded past another record high on Monday, passing the $143 per barrel mark, as the national average for gas prices hit a new record of $4.086 a gallon, the Associated Press reports.
The price spikes come as the AP and Yahoo News released a poll in which nine in 10 respondents said they expected the rising cost of fuel to batter their wallets. Nearly half of those surveyed think that hardship will be serious, the AP reports.
It's a hit that will have immediate repercussions in this area. An estimate by AAA predicts a decline in the number of Americans who will travel during the July 4th holiday weekend, NBC4's Web site reports. The group says it expects 40.45 million Americans to hit the roads, down 550,000 from last year's travelin' band. One can expect that a drop in travel could mean a dip in the number of tourists who come to see the fireworks here in D.C., which business owners won't like very much (even though locals might rejoice).
IT WAS TOO GOOD to be true. A week without a bump in gas prices was like a day with copious sunshine, but the storm clouds have gathered faster than screaming teens at a Justin Timberlake show.
The seven-cent jump in self-serve regular — and the crossing of the dreaded $4.50 mark for Supreme users — at the Exxon on Capitol Hill came as gas prices nationally jumped over the $4 per gallon barrier.
A look at the numbers only sours the tale further, The Post's Steven Mufson reports this afternoon:
Gasoline prices are now 93 cents a gallon more than a year ago, and the price of diesel, which fuels the nation's trucking fleet, stood this morning at $4.77 a gallon, $1.87 more than this time last year.Don't feel gloomy enough? Here's how it could get worse: "Economists fear that the steadily rising price of gasoline is eating into the money consumers have to spend on other items and that fuel prices could be a drag on an economy already weighed down with concerns over housing prices and the stability of financial institutions.""The fear here is that we've crossed a Rubicon," said John Townsend, spokesman for AAA. "Normally prices plateau after Memorial Day. . . . But we still have this lag between the price of gasoline and the price of crude. We don't know when these prices will come down. I don't think we're going to get much relief this summer."
Can somebody make cars that run on water, green beans or crushed-up Milli Vanilli records now, please?
» "Gas Prices Continue Record Climb" [WaPo]
OUR LAST LOOK at prices at the Exxon station on Capitol Hill came a little more than a week ago, and I was surprised to see that prices hadn't changed when I took this picture this morning.
That lull might end soon, though. Oil prices surged by $10 a barrel today to an all-time high of $139.12. Which means the gas-price roller coaster is about ready to start chugging along again.
After weeks of running closer to empty than I usually allow, I finally filled up the tank in my car at a gas station out near the Express offices in Court House. It cost almost $50. It's madness.
I was listening to Ali Velshi opine on CNN just a bit ago about how Americans are changing their driving habits because of the high cost of fuel. In my case, that's definitely true. I rarely ever drive to work now, and I've consciously put off road trips. They're a little less fun when they cost double what they used to.
What about you? Have you altered your routine or cut out unnecessary drives because of high fuel prices? Let us know below in comments.
EARLIER THIS WEEK, regular unleaded gasoline at the gas station pictured here — the Exxon on Capitol Hill — cost $4.15 a gallon. This morning, it was up to $4.18. Which seems insane, of course — although it isn't out of step with other stations in the area.
Misery loves company, so let's keep an eye on fuel costs together this summer. I'll keep posting snaps from this station so we can chart the prices' highs and lows. If there are any lows.
If the past few weeks are any indication, it's sure to be a bumpy ride.
(Tangential aside: Hey, CNN — any chance you can stop using the label "Gas Pains" for your on-air reports on fuel prices? A little gross, don't you think? Thanks.)
Addison Road