Lewis Black played two sold out shows at the Warner Theatre tonight, as part of a recording deal with HBO that will bring a new Lewis Black Live special to the network on June 10th, 2006. The show tonight was an absolute riot. Black hails from Silver Spring (though he generally claims DC as his hometown, primarily because he said acknowledging that you’re from Silver Spring makes you a pussy.), and so tonight he brought all of his hometown stories to the audience.

I managed to grab a set of seats about two months ago when it was nearly sold out, and even though they were listed as “potentially obstructed,” they were nearly perfect. We were all the way to the left of the ornate and gold-plated orchestra section, just two rows back. We were close enough to smell the anger. It was perfect.

Apparently, they initially were in discussions with the Kennedy Center to host the Special. Then the Kennedy Center figured out who Lewis was. Apparently, they’re not big on the swearing, as his 42 utterances of the tetragrammaton put them over the edge. Sure, he could do his show there, HBO just couldn’t ever mention the Kennedy Center in the promotion of the event.

There’s something great about seeing a performer in their hometown, they step it up just a notch further, and turn a great performance into something epic. Thanks for a great show, Lewis.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Stardust is a tasty little restaurant just off North Washington in Alexandria that apparently has a social conscience. This Sunday, from when they open at 4:00pm through closing closing time, they’ll be donating 25% of the evening’s proceeds to SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia.

Did you know it was National Child Abuse Prevention Month? I didn’t, though I’m personally in favor of banning it year-round.

I’d recommend Stardust even if there wasn’t a little charitable payoff to the meal.The decor is neat (although I think their selection of funky mirrors is at short at least one more nice mirror), the service friendly and the food excellent.

Stardust, 608 montgomery st. alexandria, va. 22314

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Hurrah! I can barely contain my excitement! The Yellow Line will be expanded to Fort Totten in a trial program starting in January!

For me this means no more getting off at Mount Vernon (which can be a bit sketch at night) and waiting forever for a Green Line train on trips home to U Street from NATIONAL (sorry Jeff, couldn’t resist) or Pentagon City.

Fantastic! I only wish I didn’t have to wait til next year for it to start…

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Matt for sale!

Think ahead. Think all the way to next week. Think of your dating life. Think how empty and barren it is. Think of a fun date. Maybe a night at the Improv? Or a canoe trip down the Shenandoah? Or dinner at Whitlows? Any of that make you pause? Now add in a cute and interesting date. Got your attention yet?

Now add in an auction! For charity no less!

That is what we have a’ cooking with the Fourth Annual Babes for Boobs next Wednesday. A charity auction to raise money for breast cancer research, Babes for Boobs is your chance to bid on ten hotties of each sex.

That’s right, twenty hotties in all, and all can be yours, for a buck or fifty. Better yet, each comes with a Dream Date for the top bidder. What might you do? How about:

Kristen for sale!

• Cooking class for two: Simply Indian
• Cha-cha or swing class for two: Elena Torbenko Studio
• Canoe rental for two: Shenandoah River Outfitters
• Tickets for two: DC Improv
• Golf for two, with cart: Jefferson Golf Course
• Wine tasting class for two: Greater Washington Wine School
• Dinner for two: Whitlows

And that is just a partial list. Best yet, I’m even up for sale. Yeah, you scrounge in the couch for change and you could take me out, take me in, or just take me!

But no matter your relationshipal status, be at Whitlow’s on Wilson next Wednesday, April 26th at 7pm. The bidding starts promptly and if you snooze, you loose!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Sometimes it feels like the city is rapidly revitalizing, with the potential to finally become a truly vibrant international metropolis. Other times it feels like the forces of retroactive resistance threaten to strangle that dream in vitro, and keep us in the clutches of special interests that have long ceased to be of any true value.

Two particular stories have highlighted this for me lately – the ongoing battle over the religious parking policy, and the battle over a bar’s liquor license. Both affect my Shaw neighborhood and strike at the heart of my personal hopes for the city I’ve called home for half my life – space for all.

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In the heart of Shaw, across from a Church, two guys decided they wanted to open a bar. Apparently, the Church took umbrage to the fact that not only did they serve the demon liquor, the owners are also participating in an alternative lifestyle, but the best moment out of all of us this comes to us from the Washington Post who highlight:

“A bar ? Across from my church?” asked Barbara Campbell, who lives on Georgia Avenue NW and for three decades has gone to Scripture Cathedral in Shaw, where she works as a cook in the church’s day-care center. “Don’t they understand that there is a day-care center in the church?”

All of a sudden I have an image in my head, a toddler with a sippy-cup full of rum.

Aren’t the hours of a bar and a day-care center just about antipodal? But that’s a whole other situation, especially when you consider the City Vs. The Churches fight that’s heading through the city like wildfire. Churches in the District are frequently exempted from parking regulations, much to the ire of the residents of the neighborhoods, and find their cars parked in by Maryland and Virginia plates. Worse still, the Mayor has granted a nearly blanket exemption for them, despite the laws on the books being clearly enforceable and enforcement being called for by the residents.

Is there a Church and State Marriage here in DC that’s restricting development and preventing the enforcement of regulations? I think that’s going a bit far, but I have a feeling the owners of Be Bar, or anyone who lives near a DC church on Sunday might disagree.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

photo courtesy of Eye of Einstein

Surplus koi fish? Apparently. I guess when you’re in a pond you eat, swim and breed. And, eventually, breed yourself too many kids for the pond when there’s no predators. So this Saturday the National Arboretum will be selling off some of their koi to relieve crowding. If you have yourself a koi pond or perhaps a spare bathtub* here’s your chance to get yourself some government fish.

* Kidding! Please don’t get a pet you can’t give a good life to. Though I have to admit my white trash roots make me think that a clawfoot bathtub koi pond in the yard would be AWESOME.

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He pours the steamed milk into the spartan white cup, swirling the stream just a bit with fine motor control to make an artful pour and a heart shaped design in the surface of the mocha. She stands at his elbow, tamping down yet another pod for the pour. The clack of the grinder, the thud of the receptacle on the counter, this is the discussion between them. Yet, they move in perfect harmony. She scribbles on a cup. thwackthwackthwack goes the grinder, tamp with a twist, pour. The steamer hisses loudly in his hands, the pitcher moving gently. Then a perfect pour, all the while their heads nodding in time to the beat of the music.

To them, it’s not coffee, but craft. Intricate dance and artform, all in one. The ephemeral nature of the result is not lost on them as they smile and craft yet another one.

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In reading the Definitive Patio Bar List comments, it struck me that Bin Round is right, we need to look beyond the usual suspects:

There must be more! How about Capitol Hill or Columbia Heights? Anyone know of good places there? Other than G’town and GWU, any places near the schools in the area?

Last night I stumbled home from one of my favorite places, Wonderland Ballroom after a great time in their new pet-friendly outdoor Beer Garden. Yep, a great Beer Garden in Columbia Heights. Who knew?

Well now you do. And we should all know – where are more Patio Bars? Add your new ideas to the Definitive Patio Bar List.

Wonderland’s Beer Garden

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Anyone who knows me, knows my love of Ray’s The Steaks. Even though I’m a little upset with them, I’m sure one cup of Crab Bisque all will be forgotten. Now, though, there’s a deal in place at the Arlington Ray’s that is one that absolutely, positively cannot be missed. According to Jason Storch of DC Foodies, Ray’s will be offering a $20 Bistro menu that includes a cup of their phenomenal soup or a salad, and a choice of their Hanger Steak or Salmon, all served with their famous mashed potatoes and creamed spinach.

When you see Michael, tell him Metblogs sends their love. There is no finer steak in town that Ray’s, get out there before the wait gets too bad.

Ray’s The Steaks

1725 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Okay, now I really need a new coffeeshop. First it was velour jumpsuits, now it’s youth assaulting congressmen. Where can I go to have a cup of coffee and be unassailed?! Jim Moran is sitting at the table behind me plotting a demonstration against the detainees in Guantanamo, and while I suppose I appreciate that someone in Congress is actually talking about it, declaring that the Attorney General and the Presidents are in cahoots against Muslims, that seems to me to be a bit far fetched. They’re also talking about a letter signed by 100-150 Congresscritters to bring the troops home since Tom Fox died. Never mind the troops who’ve given their lives, let’s politicize the death of one civilian. Righteous.

[Edited later: They were Tom Fox’s Quaker group, not just your run of the mill constituents. I do feel bad for their loss, but I’m pretty sure bringing the troops home now isn’t the answer.]

I thought all this stuff went down in dark, smoky wood-panelled rooms on the Hill, but apparently it’s also going on in Northern Virginia coffee shops.

Moran bought two fruit juices at the counter. Of course, given his cozy relationship with MBNA, it was no surprise he paid by credit card.

[Edited later: I did get a chance to shake Congressman Moran’s hand. He’s a grabby fellow. Just didn’t want to let go of my hand. Why are all politicians like this?]

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Falun Gong Dafa

If you are downtown today, you might wanna check out the massive Falun Gongregation happening in McPherson Square.

Not content with the small ongoing protest in front of the Chinese Embassy on Connecticut Avenue, or last week’s better location of Farragut Park, they’ve now massing for a serious protest – going for numbers as well as location.

I’m going with a completely unscientific 1,000+ Falun Gong Dafa’ers, and based on the backpacks, food, water, and organization, they’re ready for a day-long occupation.

Oh and they’re also shifted tactics. No longer content with the usual “Oh we’re persecuted” line, or last week’s organ harvesting upgrade, now they’re going all out politically too. Chants of “Down with the CCP!”, calling for an end of the Chinese Communist Party is a sign they’ve given up thinking they’ll get anywhere with the current government. Now the Dafaists are for all-out regime change.

Good luck with that, kids. Just be sure to pick up your trash as you leave, or I’ll be calling you out for trashing the park too.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Arlington County has won the Travelling Spittoon award for their work with communicable diseases.

Okay, that’s great, but can someone please, for the love of all things good and crunchy in milk, tell me why they decided to make the award a Spittoon?!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

My darling girlfriend and I had a very unsuccessful evening Monday trying to drop in for the last hockey game of the season. I figured with the Caps being lame ducks it would be easy to grab some cheap seats, have an overpriced beer and watch the last live hockey I’d get till fall. Not to be – for some reason the crowds were out in force, the cheapest spot left in the upper bowl was $50 and the scalpers – not that I would ever use their illicit services – wouldn’t budge on their insanely high prices even at the end of the first period. Ah well, we made do with a few drinks at Clyde’s and watched the second period on the tv.

With the game heading into basketball-level scores at the end of the second we figured we’d go hit the salad bar across the street at TGI Fridays. While looking over the menu waiting for our server I commented that of the six chicken dishes on the menu, five were covered in cheese. The sixth is deep fried. “I should comment on this hostile attack on DC arteries,” I joked. DG commented that (a) TGI Fridays being heart-hostile is hardly news and (2) not at all DC related.

[correction: checked the receipt, it was actually Ruby Tuesdays. Thanks rich! All those places look alike to me…]

Apparently the universe concurred and decided to give me something worth writing about.

The staff at Friday’s may mean well, but they are woefully inadequate at dealing with one of the dangers of being in the city – street people. Or perhaps they’re just used to someone coming in looking to beg a buck, rather than the more vociferous variety they – and we – got that evening. I don’t know which voice in her head told her to walk in and sit down at an unused table, but it wasn’t a happy one. When her constant muttering about “killing everyone, dead to the floor” caught my attention and I looked away from the tv, she caught my eye and pointed at me from her six feet away and said “I’m going to kill you dead.”

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs Continue reading →

You know, some stories are long in coming. It’s amazing, really, the things that just snap something into context. Sometimes they’re things that happen years later, like your ex-girlfriend coming out to you at a high school reunion some ten years later. Today’s event is Jim Bowden Arrested in Miami for DUI. Oh, wow, does that explain some things.

Sure, it explains things like leaving Ryan Church in the minors at the beginning of the season. It explains the leather pants. It absolutely explains completing the Soriano deal in the off-season without talking to Soriano about a position change. But, love him or hate him, he’s innocent until proven guilty.

What I want to know is….does running a baseball team while under the influence count as a misdemeanor, or is it more of a low-grade felony?

Please, for the love of God, Baseball, find us some owners so we can boot some of these clowns running the show.

[Update] Oh this just gets better and better, not only was Bowden arrested for DUI, his fiancée was arrested too. Capitol Punishment is all over this, and even has Jimmy Bo’s mugshot.

This really doesn’t look good for Bowden.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Coworker 1: “I think I want to join Flow Yoga because I like how environmentally-conscious they are.”

Me: “So, are there a lot of yoga studios out there which aren’t environmentally-conscious? Because you’re kind of screwing with my yoga studio stereotypes right now.”

Coworker 2: “Yeah, are there yoga studios where they slaughter kittens while spraying Aqua-Net around the room?”

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Special to Metroblogging from contributor Mik,

Junkyards or Condos? Which would you rather see in D.C.? Perhaps DC will go the way of Japan, expanding into the water and building up the city on a rubbish dump. Don’t ask me what that sweet stench is during the Nats game on a hot July night, I’ll feign ignorance.

A recent article in the Washington Business Journal informs us that we may be running out of space in our beloved Capital. Soon enough, we’ll be living and working in Condominium city. What will happen to our trash transfer stations? Would looking at the practices put into place further North in Rhode Island prepare the City to deal with an expected 100,000 new residents by 2010?

With an influx of residents expected over the next four years will the City be able to meet the demand for services? Will young families have to traipse out to Leesburg to find a pediatrician for their young children? Will it be harder to make appointments with the neighbourhood veterinarian when Fido’s sick? How many people will not fight for that neighbourhood parking spot? Our only saving grace may be that as the City Dwellers age, and prepare to start families, they also want the picket fence to go with their 2.5 children, state of the art grill and Fido. Just as the Phoenix rises from its ashes, so too are our young marrieds moving out to the ‘burbs to make way for the next generation of City Dwellers.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I’ve been in Bonnie Greer & Company in Del Ray a few times and found it to be a fun mix of stuff – funny knick-knacks, neat cards, weird pajamas, scented body soap sold and dispensed in scoops like ice cream – so it’s a shame that “Bonnie” has decided to close this location and focus on her shop in Gainesville. On the other hand, I like cheap & fun better than just fun so I’m excited by the prospect of her moving sale.

This Wednesday and Thursday, April 19th and 20th, a lot of the selection will be on sale for half off. Apparently not everything will be marked down since it’s a relocation sale to trim inventory, not a going out of business sale. Hours will be from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, but if you can’t make it then the last hurah will be Saturday during the fairly normal business hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm.

The shop is at 2204 Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

In my day to day work as a recruiter, I troll through the resumes on Craigslist DC to see if anyone with an interesting skill set is looking for work. At least, that’s what I tell myself.

I think the real reason I read Craigslist resumes so much is really postings like this one.

Good luck in your job search, Stormy. I’d hire you if I could.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Sure, the President’s ride lives out at Andrews Air Force Base under heavy security, and it’s nearly impossible to get near the place without being fondled in uncomfortable ways by men and women whose job it is to kill people who wish to do things like this, but some guy managed to tag Air Force One.

I certainly can’t vouch for the veracity of the video in question, but if it’s honest, holy shit, people. What the hell is going on that some guy can get close to the engines of Air Force One?!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs