Below The Beltway

The big Inaugural News today ?

Oprah Winfrey’s coming:‘

Oprah Winfrey, who gave President-elect Barack Obama a crucial boost during the early primaries, is celebrating his Inauguration by bringing her powerhouse television show to Washington for the week.

“See you there,” Winfrey told “Access Hollywood” in an interview. “That’s the place to be.”

Winfrey said she has rented out the Opera House at the Kennedy Center to film the show, “Access Hollywood” reported.

The Opera House — with a crystal chandelier, luxurious red velvet and a red-and-gold silk curtain, seats 2,318 and is home to the Washington National Opera, spectacular concerts and the annual Kennedy Center Honors.

The Kennedy Center is one of the truly great venues in Washington, and the Opera House is the crown jewel. If the weather were warmer, I’d bet they’d do the show from the patio on the roof.

Oprah may be coming, but Inaugural festivity organizers are telling children to stay away:

Organizers of President-elect Barack Obama’s Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony are being as kid-friendly as a snooty, high-priced restaurant.

Officials are banning all strollers and backpacks and make a point of saying on their Web site that “there are no childcare facilities provided to attendees.” If that hint isn’t enough, they suggest that “extra consideration” be taken by those planning to bring children, noting that “a vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours.”

They also helpfully point out that the swearing-in ceremony is an outdoor event “that is typically cold — normally 37 F at noon — and occasionally wet.”

In other words: Leave the kiddies at home.

“It’s like, ‘No history for you, kids,’ ” said Greg Allen, a New York-based father of two and author of Daddytypes.com, a blog for new dads.

Allen said he can understand the ban against strollers because of space limitations, but no backpacks? And do Baby Bjorn carriers count?

“Maybe a man-purse?” he said hopefully.

Carole Florman, spokeswoman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, said: “An event where you will have 1 million people is inherently kid-unfriendly. They are shorter than everyone else; they can be stepped on. Parents should think long and hard about bringing a small kid to an event with 1 million people.”

Exactly.

There’s a part of me that says that anyone who thinks it’s a good idea to bring small children to an outdoor event in the wintertime where at least 1.5 million, and possibly as many as 3 million, people will be standing outside for hours with little access to restrooms and food should have their parenting credentials checked.

Do yourselves and your kids a favor. Stay home and watch it on television; you’ll see more than you would in person anyway.