Rios signs autographs and Mint website changes

There is no song that says I have Washington, D.C., on my mind, but this morning I do.

Word came yesterday that Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios will be at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing tomorrow, Dec. 16, to sign Federal Reserve Notes brought to her by the public.

Even if you don’t happen to have a note that you would like her to sign, you can buy one on the spot for face value.

There is a limitation of two notes per person.

Rios will be available from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

I’m sorry I won’t be there. I don’t exactly collect notes autographed by the Treasurer, but I have one or two stashed away. The first one I ever obtained was by accident. It offered birthday greetings on my 30th birthday from Katherine Ortega. Thoughtful colleagues here had arranged for it.

Anytime I see a public official autographing paper money, I get a warm fuzzy feeling about it.

Perhaps if you are in the area, you can start a tradition for someone else on your holiday gift list.

But don’t ask for a new $100. That’s a sore subject at the moment.

The second Washington item on my mind is the U.S. Mint has given a new look to its website. The new logo appears. Take a look at it at www.usmint.gov and see what you think.

Unfortunately, the new look is simply that: cosmetic. The functions that went haywire in recent days are still underlying the new look.

Here is wishing the Mint good luck in getting the computer guts changed as well. Perhaps Santa will give them a new system.