Arthur David Olson
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dashdashado.bsky.social
Arthur David Olson
@dashdashado.bsky.social
150 followers 360 following 15K posts
ADO about nothing much.

Wan, testy, and reedy.

Takoma Park, MD, USA.

Here it's (mostly) dull live streams of city council meetings and quarterly checks of infrastructure matters. For just the less-dull stuff, see @[email protected].
Posts Replies Media Videos
dashdashado.bsky.social
New @metrorailinfo.bsky.social check: signage not updated to reflect new half-time Yellow Line service to Greenbelt.

(Lower-right-hand image in mosaic from Hyattsville Crossing Station; all others from Fort Totten Station; third image shows green-only escalator handrails.)

@wmatagm.bsky.social
Mosaic of fifteen images, a row of four, a row of five, and a row of six. All but the last are from Metrorail's Fort Totten Station; the last is from their Hyattsville Crossing Station. All images include elements indicating Green Line service to the station; none include elements indicating Yellow Line service to the station.
January 2, 2026 at 11:29 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Non-recurring: @metrorailinfo.bsky.social service notice fails to show Yellow Line service to Greenbelt (only showing Green Line service).

(Metro started half-time Yellow Line service to Greenbelt 12/31/25 only to disrupt it 1/11/26. Guess: a promise to start service in '25.)

@wmatagm.bsky.social
At entrance to Metrorail's Fort Totten Station in Maryland, a cafe sign headed "Cambios en el servicio." Next to a symbol labeled "Greenbelt"that represents a station, the white letter "G" inside a green disc. At bottom left of display, a green area representing service by Metrorail's Green Line.
January 2, 2026 at 11:11 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Good news: platform ad panels hung at West Hyattsville Station. Thanks @metrorailinfo.bsky.social.

Next: turn the panels off.

Then: remove the panels.

@wmatagm.bsky.social
At Metrorail's West Hyattsville Station in Maryland, an eye-level, portrait-orientation display with the single word "Outfront" (the name of an advertising company). At Metrorail's West Hyattsville Station in Maryland, a second eye-level, portrait-orientation display with the single word "Outfront" (the name of an advertising company). At Metrorail's West Hyattsville Station in Maryland, a third eye-level, portrait-orientation display with the single word "Outfront" (the name of an advertising company).
January 2, 2026 at 11:00 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Today's Google's Greatest Hits: hijinks and lojinks over time.

Spoilers: no instances of lojinks; hijinks on the rise.

books.google.com/ngrams/graph...
Google Books Ngram Viewer
Google Ngrams: hijinks, lojinks, 1800-2022
books.google.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:39 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Today's Google's Greatest Hits: credible, incredible, and noncredible over time.

Spoilers: incredible > credible >> (non-zero) noncredible now;l credible edges noncredible in the 1990s.

(This result is both credible and incredible.)

books.google.com/ngrams/graph...
Google Books Ngram Viewer
Google Ngrams: credible, incredible, noncredible, 1800-2022
books.google.com
January 1, 2026 at 9:31 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: and last and least for now, still no map at replaced @bikeshare.bsky.social station outside the city library.
In Takoma Park, Maryland, view from Philadelphia Avenue of a bikeshare station with an empty display panel. In background, the city library.
December 31, 2025 at 10:28 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still @takomaparkmd.gov "two way traffic keep right" signs on Elm south of Ethan Allen, making drivers think they need not keep right elsewhere.

Spoiler: they need to.

Fix: remove the "two way traffic" signs (leaving the "road curves" signs in place).
In Takoma Park, Maryland, view north along east side of Elm Avenue south of Ethan Allen Avenue. In foreground, a sign pole. At top, a black-on-orange diamond-shaped sign with an arrow curving to the right. Below that, a black-on-white rectangular sign with the text "two way traffic keep right." In Takoma Park, Maryland, view south along west side of Elm Avenue south of Ethan Allen Avenue. In foreground, a sign pole. At top, a black-on-orange diamond-shaped sign with an arrow curving to the right. Below that, a black-on-white rectangular sign with the text "two way traffic keep right."
December 31, 2025 at 10:25 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still @takomaparkmd.gov "do not block crosswalk" signs on Philadelphia at Cedar (and a few other places), making drivers think it's okay to block unsigned crosswalks.

Spoiler: it's not okay.

Fix: remove the signs.
In Takoma Park, Maryland, intersection of Philadelphia Avenue and Cedar Avenue. In foreground at left, a sign pole with a "do not block crosswalk" sign below a parking regulation sign. In background, across Philadelphia, another "do not block crosswalk" sign is visible. Closeup of black-on-white rectangular "do not block crosswalk" sign.
December 31, 2025 at 10:23 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still @takomaparkmd.gov "do not block intersection" signs at a few intersections, making drivers think it's okay to block unsigned intersections.

Spoiler: it's not okay.

Fix: remove the signs (which, as the image indicates, are not necessarily effective).
In Takoma Park, Maryland, view west along Ethan Allen Avenue east of Woodland Avenue. At right, a city-installed "do not block intersection" sign.
December 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check, from your Department of Redundancy Department: still @takomaparkmd.gov "electric vehicle charging" signage at 7500 Maple Avenue.

Fix #1: "vehicle charging."

Fix #2: more iconic signage, as at B. Y. Morrison Park (second image).
In Takoma Park, Maryland, at 7500 Maple Avenue, a sign pole topped by a white-on-blue sign with the text "electric vehicle charging." In Takoma Park, Maryland, at B. Y. Morrison Park, a parking space with a painted blue rectangle including a white stylized gas pump from which a stylized power cord emerges; the blue letters E and V appear on the pump.
December 31, 2025 at 10:18 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still @takomaparkmd.gov "adopt a spot" signage at 7500 Maple Avenue.

If there's one place a government had best maintain itself, it's the seat of government.
In Takoma Park, Maryland, view from parking lot of 7500 Maple Avenue, seat of the city government. In foreground, next to parking spaces, an "adopt-a-spot" sign. Closeup of sign headed "Adopt-A-Spot Program" and including the text "Keeping Takoma Park Clean and Green." Closeup of second sign headed "Adopt-A-Spot Program" and including the text "Keeping Takoma Park Clean and Green." Sign is mounteed on the chain link fence of a basketball court.
December 31, 2025 at 10:14 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still @takomaparkmd.gov replacement street name signs at Ethan Allen and Manor Circle using the county-style "Cr" abbreviation (rather than the city-style "Cir," used elsewhere on Manor Circle).
Closeup of two stacked white-on-green street name signs with the text "Manor Cr 200 Blk" and "Ethan Allen Ave 300 Blk." Closeup of second sides of two stacked white-on-green street name signs with the text "Manor Cr 200 Blk" and "Ethan Allen Ave 300 Blk."
December 31, 2025 at 10:10 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still worn @takomaparkmd.gov Philadelphia Avenue street name sign at Holt Place. (Unlike most cases I see, differential wear on the two sides.)

Fix: remove the signs.
In Takoma Park, Maryland, closeup of stacked white-on-green street name signs including the text "PHILADELPHIA AVE" and "HOLT PL." The letters of the word Philadelphia are peeling from the sign. In Takoma Park, Maryland, closeup of second sides of stacked white-on-green street name signs including the text "PHILADELPHIA AVE" and "HOLT PL." No peeling is visible.
December 31, 2025 at 10:05 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check, from your Department of Redundancy Department: still two @takomaparkmd.gov Valley View Avenue signs at Park Avenue.

Fix: remove the non-standard (blue on white) sign.
In Takoma Park, Maryland, a sign pole with street name signs. From top: white-on-green "Park Ave;" white-on-green "Valley View Ave;" blue-on-white "Valley View Ave."
December 31, 2025 at 9:59 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still worn
@mcdotnow.bsky.social signage on Philadelphia Avenue for INEY BRANCH ELE ENTARY and TAKOMA PARK E EMENT RY.

Fix: remove the signs and poles.
Closeup of white-on-green rectangular roadside sign with original text "PINEY BRANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL." The P and M have worn away. Closeup of white-on-green rectangular roadside sign with original text "TAKOMA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL." The L in elementary has worn away. Closeup of white-on-green rectangular roadside sign with original text "TAKOMA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL." The A in elementary has worn away.
December 31, 2025 at 9:56 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still no replacement for @takomaparkmd.gov Republican Voters Garden and Democratic Voters Garden signs catty-corner from 7500 Maple Avenue.

Fix: replace the signs or remove the stands.

www.google.com/maps/@38.980...
In Takoma Park, Maryland, southeast corner of intersection of Maple and Philadelphia Avenues. An empty sign stand is visible in the foreground; a second is visible in the background. Closeup of empty sign stand. Closeup of second empty sign stand.
December 31, 2025 at 9:49 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still a
@montgomeryparks.bsky.social map (visible from space) with a land mass at the North Pole; kids at two neighboring @MCPS.twitter.com schools are miseducated.

Per a staffer, would only be fixed during regular maintenance, if then.

www.google.com/maps/place/7...
Portion of a circular playground map, with oceans shaded blue, land masses shaded brown, and labels in white. Detail from map, including a brown area labeled "NORTH POLE."
December 31, 2025 at 9:43 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still no replacement for arrow in (unstickered) @mdsha.bsky.social signage outside 202 Philadelphia.

@govwesmoore.bsky.social

www.google.com/maps/@38.981...
In Takoma Park, Maryland, two stacked black-on-white signs outside 202 Philadelphi. Top sign has the text "EAST;" botom sign has the text "MARYLAND" and "410." No arrow sign is visible. Back of 410 signage. No stickers are visible.
December 31, 2025 at 9:41 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still no replacement for "restricted bridge" sign on Philadelphia east of Maple. This is an @mdsha.bsky.social road; @mcdotnow.bsky.social or
@takomaparkmd.gov may be responsible for the sign.

@govwesmoore.bsky.social

www.google.com/maps/@38.980...
In Takoma Park, Maryland, view west along north side of Philadelphia Avenue east of Maple Avenue. No "restricted bridge" sign is visible.
December 31, 2025 at 9:38 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still no replacement for @takomaparkmd.gov "keep left" sign sign on Grant Avenue outside Piney Branch Elementary.

(Images from 3/12/2025 and today, 12/31/2025.)
In Takoma Park, Maryland, view across Grant Avenue of Piney Branch Elementary. In foreground, a black-on-white "keep left" sign is flat on the ground. Image from March 12, 2025. In Takoma Park, Maryland, view from Grant Avenue of north end of Piney Branch Elementary School. No "keep left" signage, downed or erect, is visible. Image from December 31, 2025.
December 31, 2025 at 9:33 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still a @takomaparkmd.gov "City of Takoma" (rather than "Takoma Park") sign at Philadelphia Avenue entrance to 7500 Maple Avenue parking lot.

Fix #1: remove the sign.

Fix #2: tape over "City of Takoma."
A black-on-white sign with the text "City of Takoma; maximum 4 hour parking" at the top.
December 31, 2025 at 9:24 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still @takomaparkmd.gov signage at Philadelphia and Cedar misdirecting Takoma-Metro-bound cyclists to Maple Avenue rather than to Cedar (which has sharrows).

Sign reinstalled 90° off after street work.

Fix: remove signage and pole.

www.google.com/maps/@38.981...
Intersection in Takoma Park, Maryland. In foreground at right, stacked white-on-green street name signs for Cedar Avenue and Philadelphia Avenue. In background at left, across Cedar, white-on-green cyclist signage. Closeup of cyclist signage including the text "Takoma," a Metro logo, the text "0.5 mi," and an arrow pointing up toward Maple Avenue.
December 31, 2025 at 9:22 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark checks: still dregs (timetables, Braille placards) at removed and moved @metrobusinfo.bsky.social stops (in images, on Ethan Allen at Prince George's and on Philadelphia at Maple).

Fix: remove the inserts and placards; leave the holders for Ride On use.

@wmatagm.bsky.social
In Takoma Park on Ethan Allen Avenue at Prince George's Avenue, a sign pole topped by a Ride On bus stop sign. At eye level, a Metrobus Braille placard and a Metrobus timetable. In Takoma Park on Philadelphia Avenue at Maple Avenue, a sign pole topped by a Ride On bus stop sign. At eye level, a Metrobus Braille placard and a Metrobus timetable.
December 31, 2025 at 9:20 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check good news: overhead "Philadelphia" sign at Maple Avenue now correctly oriented. Thanks @mcdotnow.bsky.social.

Extra credit: less than two weeks from report to repair.
In Takoma Park, Maryland, intersection of Philadephia Avenue and Maple Avenue. In foreground, an overhead "Philadelphia Ave" sign is parallel to that street.
December 31, 2025 at 9:08 PM
dashdashado.bsky.social
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: still no @mdsha.bsky.social "fire house ahead" signage on westbound 410. There is signage on eastbound 410 and on northbound and southbound 195.

@govwesmoore.bsky.social
@mcfrspio.bsky.social
In Takoma Park, Maryland, view west along East-West Highway from Jackson Avenue. No "firehouse ahead" sign is visible. In Takoma Park, Maryland, view west along East-West Highway from Manor Circle. No "firehouse ahead" sign is visible.
December 31, 2025 at 9:02 PM