College or nature? Following a stormy meeting of the district planning and construction committee, the IDF college project was approved and it is now open to objections from the public. The plan to establish a campus for the IDF college in the capital dates back to the 1970s. It was re-approved in 2005 (when Mayor Nir Barkat was head of the opposition at the council) and has now been finally located on the edge of the Kiryat Menahem neighborhood. The choice of this location is part of the larger plan to create a continuity of national institutions on the same axis: Mount Herzl, Yad Vashem and down to the slope from Ein Kerem village. While there is no question about the importance of the establishment of the college in the city, the location has stirred anger and protest. As the meeting was taking place Monday morning, residents of Ein Kerem and environmental activists protested outside, arguing that this project was no less than a monster in the middle of the pastoral village. MK and mayoral candidate Rachel Azaria tried to persuade the members of the committee not to approve the location, but failed to do so and the decision was approved unanimously. It's in the cards Ever been caught on the bus and find out your Rav-Kav is empty? It has happened to many of us, but now this might become a real problem. According to the new Transportation Ministry rules, drivers will no longer handle cash and people will simply not be allowed to travel if their card is empty. But the real problem is that the same ministry hasn't found a way to deploy the necessary amount of machines to charge Rav-Kav cards. City council member Elad Malka (Hitorerut) found that while there are 2,100 bus stops across the city, there are only 400 loading machines. If you live, for example in the Baka, Talpiot or Arnona neighborhoods, you will have to first make your way (on foot?) to the First Station to find a loading machine. Until this issue is somehow remedied, the Transportation Ministry suggests we make sure we know where machines are and keep our cards charged. Every breath you take City Egged buses are not only often late – and sometimes dirty – but they are also packed with passengers most of the day. Whether it has to do with the Transportation Ministry's decision to open Jerusalem up to additional bus companies or simply a basic measure of attention to the comfort of the clients, Egged will be adding 10 electric buses to its fleet. Seven of the 10 are directly imported from China; and the rest are from Eastern Europe. While these additional buses may not do much to solve the crowding problem, they can at least contribute to cleaner air. Biblical-style arts and jazz festival The Bible Lands Museum is holding a unique evening, including a performance by the international jazz musician Omri Mor, video art displays, sound meditation, performances and meetings with several artists in various fields. This is the museum's traditional Summer Event, called “Andrelamuse Blue,” scheduled for August 22. The arts festival will run a video performance by Mejadra Eyes, which the producers say will be “a unique experience that pierces into your subconscious mind through a mesmerizing blue explored in selected works and texts by various artists.” Inspired by the exhibition “Out of the Blue,” visitors will meet artists to hear about their expertise in different fields and explore the various techniques that are used to create objects with a connection to the color blue. Participating artists will include painters, sketchers, glass-blowers, ceramicists, as well as textile and dye artists, along with many others whose work will be available for purchase. Also on the program is a sound meditation by Ran Gerson using a didgeridoo and other exotic musical instruments; and there will be conversations with artists from a range of disciplines, as well as an enchanting live performance from internationally celebrated jazz player Omri Mor. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. and will run into the night. Early-bird tickets: NIS 60; subscribers: NIS 50 NIS; day of event: NIS 70. Bookings: (02) 561-1066.
