New trees obscure roadway

Readers inquire about trimming hedges in parking lots and sharing HOV lanes with semis

Date published: 9/13/2004

By EDIE GROSS

"THE MUPPET SHOW," starring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear, premièred today in 1976.

While Howdy Doody has long been honored for breaking television's discriminatory marionette barrier in 1947, the Muppets are credited with furthering public acceptance of fuzzy puppets lacking opposable thumbs.

The variety show's supporting cast included the linguistically challenged Swedish Chef and Animal, the Great Gonzo and his main squeeze, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork and theater critics Mr. Waldorf and Statler.

In related news, CNN.com reports that participants in an online poll voted the Muppets' Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, as Britain's favorite on-screen scientists.

True visionaries all.

QAt the ends of the parking lanes in front of Lowe's and PetsMart in Central Park, large decorative trees or shrubs have been planted. Because of these obstructions, it is impossible to see from side to side to safely pull out from the parking area into the travel lane that passes directly in front of these stores.

One needs to be able to see traffic approaching in the travel lane without hedging out just to be able to get a clear view. What can be done about having these trees or shrubs removed?

--Richard Maye, Fredericksburg

AThose two particular properties are actually owned by the stores themselves (some plots in Central Park are leased). Anna Smith, director of The Rappaport Cos., which manages property in Central Park, said she spoke with officials at both businesses to let them know of your concerns.

If you notice that kind of thing, usually it's OK to just walk into the store and let a manager know about the problem, Smith said. They're generally pretty receptive to customer concerns, and most contract with professional landscapers to keep those shrubs trimmed.

QAs a daily commuter from Fredericksburg to Alexandria, I find it very annoying to share the express lanes during non-HOV hours with 18-wheelers. I know they are trying to get where they need to go, but when they are riding side-by-side and neither of them is doing the speed limit, it gets very frustrating.

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Date published: 9/13/2004