Notebook

^Briefs

First drive-thru

McDonald’s has opened Moscow’s first drive-thru fast food restaurant. Drivers on Leningradskoye shosse, the main road to Sheremetyevo II international airport, can now experience the three-window system of purchase, similar to that in many Russian shops, from behind the wheels of their cars — they drive up to order, then go on to pay, then receive their meals. The restaurant, which expects half its customers to be motorists,  has a decor to match, with toy vintage cars in display cases and automobile cut-outs along the walls.

Flying the flag

President Boris Yeltsin has issued a decree giving the red flag equal status to the tricolor Russian flag on holidays celebrating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. The flag, which contains a yellow star instead of the usual hammer and sickle, will fly on such days as May 9th (Victory Day). Both democrats and nationalists expressed support for the measure, which they regard as historically just. Communists, however, see the move as pure populism, though it is likely to appease war veterans who see the flag as a symbol of freedom and patriotism.

New Times

ST. PETERSBURG — A new twice weekly English language newspaper has been launched in Russia’s second city. The St. Petersburg Times replaces the weekly St. Petersburg Press, and is controlled by Independent Press, a company that also owns Moscow daily The Moscow Times. With a circulation of 15,000, the new newspaper has a 70% Russian staff and 63% Russian readership. The two Timeses plan to work together closely, using new communications systems between the two cities through the Internet.

Tretyakov to go ballistic?

Moscow’s famous Tretyakov Gallery is threatened by subsoil waters seeping into the foundations and walls of the new complex, say experts at a laboratory set up by city authorities to coordinate the preservation of architectural monuments. Several halls have had to be closed because floors were swelling due to dampness. Scientists believe the gallery can only be saved by modern technology, like water isolation techniques once used to keep ballistic missile shafts dry and recently applied successfully in the restoration of Venice’s cathedrals. Meanwhile, several exhibition rooms are threatened with closure over the summer period.