10 Memorable Moments of 2011

 2011 left us with some wild, inspiring and somber memories – natural disasters, dead terrorists and the stench of Occupy DC. Some were unforgettable and some we’d just like to forget. Good or bad, here are the Top 10.

Welcome to DC’s Tent City- Occupy DC

Protestors from Occupy D.C. descended upon the city in solidarity to Occupy Wallstreet and similar movements across the country. The group of smelly protestors claim to be a grassroots movement empowering the 99% to have a say in returning the country to a just political and economic system.

It’s January, and the demonstration continues. While city officials have dispersed many Occupy camps across the country, two camps in the District remain: one in McPherson Square and the other in Freedom Plaza. Watch for stray cats!

The Big ‘Osama Bin Ladin’ Death Party at the White House

Ding Dong, the Witch (errr Warlock?) is dead! Hundreds of revelers gathered outside the White House following the death of Bin Laden who was killed just outside of Islamabad, Pakistan, almost a decade after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The city had no curfew, as horns blared and people danced in blockaded streets. Thousands of Washingtonians gathered around the gates of the White House draped in American flags, chanting “U-S-A,” mugged for the cameras, climbed trees and shimmied up lampposts as passing motorists honked their support.

Murder in Bethesda

Jayna Murray was brutally murdered in the Lululemon Athletica store in Bethesda, Md. by her co-worker, Brittany Norwood. Norwood was convicted of first-degree murder on November 2 in Montgomery County. The horrific slaying made for a sensational cover story and a morbidly staged crime scene. Norwood’s holiday season likely consisted of dining on bologna sandwiches in her orange jumpsuit. Our prayers are with the Murray family.

Earthquake rattles the District

On August 28, DC was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9, the strongest to hit the area in a century. Building in the District were evacuated as hoards of people filled the streets and left motorists stuck in traffic. The epicenter of the quake was 87 miles southwest of Washington DC, near Mineral, Virginia. The quake was felt all around the region, and apparently all the way up the east coast and as far west as Ohio. Notably, The Washington Monument and National Cathedral suffered significant damage during the earthquake.

Hurricane Irene Blows

In late August, Hurricane Irene blew through the Eastern Shore. While the District largely avoided widespread damage from the storm, many areas across the Eastern Seaboard were hit hard with heavy rain and winds that downed trees and knocked out power for days.

It was no Katrina, but it doesn’t take much to have the power go out in DC and it was enough to rid all local grocery stores of all bottled water, milk, bread – the essentials when one is blown out of their home by a hurricane!

Crazies Herald ‘The End of the World’

Doomsday prophets rolled into DC with their messages of ‘The End of the World’ plastered on a caravan of five recreational vehicles that parked near the Washington Monument.

“Have you heard the awesome news?” the side of the RVs asked, in big bold letters. “The End of the World is Coming!” The Rapture, they warned, is upon us. The man pushing the forecast was Harold Camping, an 89-year-old Christian fundamentalist radio host and co-founder of the Family Radio network. We are all still here, breathing a sigh of relief!

Georgetown v. China Battle Royale

In August, players from Georgetown University men’s basketball team and China’s Bayi Rockets men’s basketball team fight during a game at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena in China. The Hoyas were hit with garbage from fans as they were leaving the stadium. That stinks! Maybe they are taking out their aggression over the debt the U.S. owes to China!

September 11th 10 Year Anniversary

Former president George Bush and wife Laura Bush joined first lady Michelle Obama and President Obama for  the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks at Ground Zero in New York.

It’s Naptime for DCA Air Traffic Controllers

Air traffic controllers have a tough life sitting in a chair all day at Reagan National Airport in Alexandria. Controversy hit at the airport in April, when a control tower supervisor failed to respond to two planes attempting to land at Reagan National Airport — one carrying 97 passengers and the other 320 — because he allegedly fell asleep on the job.

Obama’s Birth Certificate Revealed

Much to Donald Trumps bemusement, Obama put the rumors to rest about his true birthplace. A copy of the birth certificate has been posted on White House website. Trump, led the media charge in “exposing” Obama as not being born in the United States.

Trump commented after the reveal, saying, “I am really honored to play such a big role in hopefully, hopefully getting rid of this issue.” Trump should spend more time exposing his “real” hair and leave the rest to the President.