Inside the Beltway

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By John McCaslin

"Important notice to voters: be sure all holes are cleanly punched. Pull off any partially punched 'chips' that might be hanging."

SNOW ON THE WATER

The memory of former White House spokesman Tony Snow will endure upon the choppy waters of the Potomac River.

The West Potomac High School Crew Boosters are currently holding weekly raffles to purchase a rowing shell to be christened the "Tony Snow," named in honor of the former presidential press secretary and longtime Washington journalist, who died in July at age 53.

And get this: last week's raffle winner was none other than Jay McConville, a neighbor, close friend and bandmate of Mr. Snow's.

All the more appropriate, considering Mr. Snow's rock 'n roll band, "Beats Working," played only one year ago at a West Potomac crew team benefit. Mr. Snow's daughter, Kendall, rows on the girls' varsity shell.

HAIR AND AIR

That was the bearded John Paul DeJoria of Paul Mitchell hair and skin products fame enjoying a late dinner at Cafe Milano in Georgetown.

We're not sure how the current economic slowdown might be affecting Mr. DeJoria, but John Paul Mitchell Systems most recently reported annual salon retail sales, including its popular Tea Tree Collection, approaching $900 million.

Meanwhile, Paul Mitchell is going green, among other environmental initiatives encouraging its customers to recycle, steer clear of plastic bottled water, trade four wheels for two, and to plant trees to help clean the air and cool the planet: "Fact: One mature tree can make enough oxygen for four individuals."

ANOTHER SITUATION

Give CNN credit for coining a new phrase, "The Situation Room," referring to the network's popular 4 to 7 p.m. roundup of news hosted by Wolf Blitzer.

On the floor of the Senate over the weekend, we heard Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Maryland Democrat, plead: "We need a situation room. We need a situation room, not at CNN. We need an economic situation room at the White House. I ask the president while all this hubbub is going on at Capitol Hill — I ask the president to be commander in chief of the economy."

• John McCaslin can be reached at 202/636-3284 or jmccaslin@washingtontimes.com.