Snow is Nature’s Muffler

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) After a quiet Saturday afternoon on Feb. 11, an evening snowfall swirls around the street and traffic light on the southeast corner of H and 8th Streets NE. There was no sign of the amplified crowd, which usually assembles Saturday afternoons underneath the street pole. It was the second consecutive weekend that weather apparently kept the amplifier away. Snow also has a tendency to keep cars and trucks off the streets, while the white ground blanket absorbs most sounds. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

Yesterday in downtown Washington, I ran into one of the men who participates in the typical Saturday noisefest at the corner of H and 8th Streets NE. I barely recognized him without his urban camouflage fatigues--he was apparently taking a lunch break from work and was wearing a necktie.

I introduced myself and told him I hadn’t seen him the past couple of weekends. He acknowledged the weather was the culprit, but he said his group would be on the corner this Saturday, weather permitting.

Fine by me, but please leave the amplifier at home.