That's a Lot of Green: Oh no! It would seem that the District government is going to have to deploy a bunch of new street signs—and spend a lot of money—to meet new federal standards on sign readability by 2015. A no all-caps signage future looms on the horizon! -3

Not the Raccoons! Wow, there have been sightings of raccoons "lumbering down" alleyways in Adams Morgan! People are reporting the sightings on the community Yahoo! Group. So this must be a problem, right? What will Councilmember Jim Graham do to curb this quality of life nuisance? -2

Dig Yourself a Hole: Over at the Capitol Hill Oasis on 12th Street NE, neighbors this week watched construction crews trying to dig themselves out of this hole. Sure, it's another instance of bad luck for the cursed project. But it's at least entertaining! +2

The "Hipster" Bus Arrived Safely! The Washington Post sent a reporter on the maiden voyage of the new discount bus service connecting U Street NW in the District with Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal. (Please, stop calling it the "Hipster Express." Please?) Anyhow, the journey took about four hours, which ain't bad at all! Meanwhile in more important transportation news, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey delayed a decision to withdraw funding for the most important infrastructure project in the Northeast corridor. +2

Stupid Ginkgo Trees: Apparently, area ginkgo trees won't be dropping as much stinky fruit this year, Georgetown Metropolitan reports. Yes, but the fruit that does drop still stinks. Looks like this now-pitiful looking tree on Corcoran Street NW never had the chance to stink. +2

Yesterday's Needle rating: 46 Today's score: +1 Friday bonus points: +1 Today's Needle rating: 48

Goodbye to the talk of wrong-doing
In home repair; donor-pursuing
Gray's name had been smeared
But now he is cleared
'Bout time; he's got votes to be wooing

There's nothing quite like a spring breeze
Though why does it smell like disease?!
As ginkgoes unfurl
The trees smell like hurl
So spray and spray soon, pretty please?

Some folks find the contract delighting
(That 20 percent is inviting...)
But raising some ire
Is Rhee's right to fire
It's risky when that is in writing

"Octavius" certainly suits
But why not Doc Ock? [octo]Pus-in-Boots?
The winner's a snooze
Good names always lose
Are killjoys and zoos in cahoots?!

“I Speak for the Trees, for the Trees Have No Tongues”: Hilloholic, writing on the blog Frozen Tropics, says, “Ginkgoes are awesome! Don’t cut them down. I wouldn’t call their smell a huge problem.” There is also a pesticide spray available that halts the production of the smelly fruit—a tactic the Urban Forestry Administration has utilized in the past.

What is That Smell? No stretch here: Many people wouldn't be sad to see the smelly offenders go. The blog DCist has an entire page of comments dedicated to describing the aroma of the ginkgo fruit: Most include some combination of the words “vomit,” “jizz,” and “Parmesan.” As far as the pesticide option, the city found it difficult to complete the spraying in the short time window available, and has mainly used tree removal as a solution in recent years.

Next Step: If you want trees replanted fast, grab neighbors and mobilize: DDOT spokesman John Lisle told City Desk that the city also “requests an agreement saying the community is going to water the tree and assist nurturing it for the first two years.” A commenter also offers this advice: “You have to call to have the tree removed. You can't use the online system because they don't read those reports.”

Photo by Kew Gardens, Creative Commons Attribution License