By Don
‘silhouettes, part 2’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’
Regular metro riders likely have heard this, but if you’re a weekend warrior who takes the yellow or blue lines you should be aware of this: the rails are going to be completely stopped at Pentagon station this weekend, requiring a shuttle ride to get to either side. WTOP has details on the closures and what that means.
By Don
The Washington Post has drank the Microsoft kool-aid and is hosting several photosynth projects on their website. It’s neat technology, though you’ll need to install something on your local computer to support it. Is it worth it? Well, WaPo describes it thus: “With a 360 degree view and the ability to zoom in close enough to see the smallest details of Lincoln’s eye, users can explore the memorial more closely than they ever could in person.”
Available ‘synths:’
The Lincoln Memorial
The National Museum of the American Indian
The Air and Space Museum
By Katie
‘6th St Row in Snow’
courtesy of ‘daveinshaw’
Last week’s Thrifty District story was eerily familiar to me. My good friend Rebecca, over at Inspiration DC, has gone through almost the exact same Pepco disaster that Tiff featured in her post. She’s got a 700-square foot apartment, top floor of a building in eastern market, with two small bedrooms, one bathroom and a kitchen you can barely fit into. And she comes home to a $500 electricity bill.
With Pepco recently foraying into social media (welcome, welcome!) we thought we’d put the system to the test. We tweeted Rebecca’s story and Andre Francis, the Twitter dude (aka the Social Media Lead) over at Pepco, got on the case. Read on to hear the story from Rebecca’s point of view, and to hear what @PepcoConnect has done to resolve her case. Maybe you’ll learn some tips on how to deal with your own massivly large Pepco bill…
“When we got our first heating bill from Pepco at our new apartment I thought for sure it was an obvious mistake and would be cleared up quickly. No one in their right mind would pay $491.70 for a month of electricity and heat in a small 700 sq feet apartment. Now it has been a month, several angry phone calls later and we apparently owe them almost $900 for two months of heating and electricity.
Make sure that you heating and air conditioning are working correctly, with the help of air conditioning repair Escondido you can do it, this will save you a lot of money every year.
Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
Random TV Interview
Originally uploaded by Mr. T in DC
I love doing interviews for all you WLDC readers. So I’m putting out the call – I’d like to line up some interviews for everyone’s reading pleasure, because you know we all like to be nebby in other people’s lives…
So if you or someone you know fits the following, contact me at cherokeeace [at] juno [dot] com:
I won’t guarantee that everyone who contacts me will see their ‘story’ up here, but I will guarantee those that do will be interesting and fun.
By Jenn Larsen
"Lionshead Faucet, Artists Inn Residence" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr
Sigh. Stupid economic apocalypse. I really wanted to get away for my birthday this year. Rough times on all fronts. Originally I had some fantasy about skipping town to Barcelona or Marseilles. But, no such luck. So, I settled for a staycation and escaped for the night to exotic Dupont Circle. The bed and breakfast that I discovered, however, turned out to be the best birthday idea I’d had in ages.
The Artists Inn Residence, run by the incredibly kind Terry Gerace, is an amazing B&B at 18th and R Streets NW. If you have any out-of-town guests to house or are looking for a romantic or peaceful escape, this is the place. Beautifully renovated, it’s filled with light and gives the impression of a gracious Parisian mansion with a modern twist. Six suites are lovingly decorated like perfect jewelboxes – each with a different theme that is never heavy-handed. The rooms are also completely outfitted with the technophile essentials like high-speed wireless internet, crazily hidden HDTVs, heated floors, mood lighting… I easily spent half-an-hour just fiddling with the gadgets like the TV hidden in the mirror over the massive stone fireplace.
I stayed in the Da Vinci suite, with its bed constructed out of massive carved doors making me feel like I was nestled in a Tuscan farmhouse. Upon arrival I was even sweetly greeted by a little chocolate cake. Now that’s a class act. Continue reading
By Rebecca
Spy, courtesy of Ghost_Bear
If you’re interested in changing up your happy hour plans, then heading over to the International Spy Museum’s “Spy At Night” is for you.
Every Friday and Saturday from 6pm-10pm, the museum stays open to offer guests (read: spies in training) a late night glimpse into the lives of spy operatives. According to the Executive Director of the International Spy Museum, Peter Earnest, Operation Spy combines real-life details and mission deliverables from past spy operations, and he should know: he’s former CIA. I can’t give too much away–it’s confidential, and would ruin the mystery behind the experience–but what I can tell you is that Operation Spy is completely different from the museum. Continue reading
By Don
Molly from the Post has pointed out to us this post on the Going Out Gurus blog about tonight’s grand opening of Eventide in Clarendon. It’s been a long time coming – a quick googling till turn up old articles claiming a Summer 2008 opening – and the ownership glibly quips about it to the GOG. “Nats Park took 22 months to build,” says Dave Pressley with a smile. “I think we’re at 27.”
You might take into consideration the success of those who you choose compare yourself to in the future, Dave.
It sounds like nice digs. Bar level on the bottom floor, restaurant on the second level. The roof’s not open yet but when it does you can enjoy it without environmental guilt: it was designed by local firm Capitol Greenroofs and you can see some pictures and information about Evertide’s roof on their website[pdf].
By Don
While looking for something else (don’t ask) I hit upon the wikipedia page for the internet phenomenon that is a picture of a kitten fleeing domo-kun and the caption “every time you masturbate, god kills a kitten.” I was about to click away when I noticed this:
The phrase originally appeared as the headline “Fact: Every Time You Masturbate, God Kills a Kitten. How Many More Have to Die?” with a kitten photo on the cover of The Gonzo, a satirical publication produced by students at Georgetown University, in 1996
Who knew? Sadly it seems that the online archives of The Gonzo are no longer active. Does anyone know of a live source?
By Jenn Larsen
"Malbec at Vinoteca" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr
So, here’s my question: the wine bar proliferation over the past few years – fad or fabulous? I mean, with all these places popping up everywhere, are people actually learning about wine? Becoming educated oenophiles? Or still just stabbing nervous fingers in an overwhelming list and hoping like mad they pronounce “viognier” correctly?
Seriously, dear reader, hasn’t it come down to one thing and one thing alone – the size of the charcuterie plate? Isn’t it all about the meat and cheese?
Well, maybe not. In a city like DC there really are a lot of wine connoisseurs who would be far more qualified to talk about this trend than me. I’m just lucky to have two neighborhood wine bars – Cork and Vinoteca – where I can hang out and slowly pick up some idea of what I like. Of those two, I think Vinoteca has evolved the most. It didn’t spring out of the gate fully formed as a Frommer’s pick. There were some hiccups along the way since its opening in fall of 2007. But after several recent sojourns with good service giving spot-on wine recommendations, not to mention one of the best charcuterie plates in the city, I’ve really warmed up to Vinoteca as a favorite drinks spot.
And maybe not just for the sinful duck prosciutto… or the fact that they have tasty venison, lamb, and bison sliders… though that certainly helps!
By Tom Bridge
‘Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn’
courtesy of ‘SD Dirk’
The Nats have finally given us all here in DC something to cheer about, with the signing of Adam Dunn this afternoon to a 2-year deal for an unspecified amount of money. Dunn, traditionally an outfielder, will probably play some at first during Spring Training, or possibly as part of a platoon in the outfield. Dunn brings a nice powerful bat to the Nats, who’ve traditionally lacked for anything resembling a power hitter. With 206 homers in the last five seasons, Dunn represents a major power punch to the Nats Lineup.
Look for a bit more detail in Monday’s Sports Fix column on Dunn’s arrival in DC, plus the reporting of Pitchers and Catchers on Saturday (3 days til Spring Training! Woohoo!)
‘Eureka!’
courtesy of ‘kevinphaines’
Via today’s Daily Candy DC comes the thing I would totally give Tom for Valentine’s Day if only we were going to be in town this weekend. You can hire a barbershop quartet from the Alexandria Harmonizers to serenade your Valentine for a very reasonable rate. The quartet, serenades your beloved with a song, and then presents him or her with a card and a gift. Be sure to book them right away. I imagine that the schedules are filling up rapidly. Because seriously! Barbershop quartet! How awesome is that?
‘2007.10.19-111c.am’ courtesy of ‘RShinozaki’
After the Library of Congress’ recent parade of the rather bland contemporary American music, the premiere of a new work by Kurtág performed by the composer and his wife and long-time duet partner Márta was like a breath of fresh air. Exquisite comes to mind, as does vital. It was an honor to share in this celebration of a national treasure of another nation.
The programs describes György Kurtág as one of the world’s foremost composers, which is certainly true in certain circles. He has served as Professor of Piano and Chamber Music at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, as composer-in-residence at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Konzerthausgesellschaft, and has a list of awards, honors and recordings too lengthy to even describe here. In America, Kurtág’s name is better known than his music still, I think, and the music is better known through recordings than through live performances. The experience of performances of works almost always exceeds the experience of hearing recordings of those works, but in Kurtág’s case, the contrast is particularly striking.
Much work has been done in the press and printed program to connect this concert to a Library of Congress concert of Kurtág’s countryman Béla Bartók. Bartók’s storied performance with violinist Joseph Szigeti, performed the at the Library of Congress in 1940 marked the premiere of Bartók Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano. (In a spirit of full disclosure, I should mention that the recording of that recital was a staple of my undergraduate listening regime.) Continue reading
By Amélie
Law enforcement scofflaws
Originally uploaded by philliefan99
Did you hear me Mr. Fenty and Ms. Babers? D.C.’s quest to now emulate Chicago with the new administration has reached new lows. As the Democrats and Obama administration have been touting friendliness to green technologies, smart transportation alternatives, and conservation, the city they now hold a majority in, took a TWELVEFOLD step backwards. I had created the D.C. Motorcycle parking map of the Metro region to help those folks on two wheels track down ever vanishing spots (one set is in center court in the Verizon Center… how convenient), and since most garages do not allow motorcycles in, it’s necessary. Over this past weekend, the D.C. Parking Authority (aka, the D.C. DMV) cranked up the rates without warning for the motorcycle spots to be commensurate with the rates for cars (or even more so), from 12 hour meters which were 25 cents for an hour and 24 minutes, to now 7 minutes per quarter… a loss of 77 minutes 92% of your parking value… WTF?! It shocked most folks parking on the G Street meters (which until the beginning of last year were free) on the west side of the Old Executive Office Building so much, that today, EVERY bike has decided not to pay. Seriously D.C., are you trying to discourage smart commuting?
You know what’s a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Laughing your ass off. If you still haven’t made Valentine’s Day plans and you’re looking to get out of the city to avoid all the amateurs clogging the restaurants, Riverboat on the Potomac is doing a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise featuring Matt Kazam and Seaton Smith. Okay, I know, riverboat food usually sucks, but you’ll be laughing so hard you won’t have time to eat anyway. Matt Kazam is notable for having been on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, XM Comedy, and for teaching the DC Improv’s standup comedy classes (which I highly recommend). Seaton Smith features regularly at the Improv, and is notable for being able to say pretty much anything and make it funny. I swear, ask him to say “aluminum siding,” and he will find a way to make you laugh while he does it.
Also coming up this month, Eli Sairs and the Official Comedian of We Love DC Commenters, Aparna Nancherla, will be appearing with Maria Bamford at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on February 27th and 28th (corrected from earlier version). What’s that? Two female comics on the bill in the same night? Bless you, Drafthouse comedy bookers.
By Carl Weaver
I saw this vehicle on the way to work today. Thanks, VA DMV, for your lax supervision of what we can get on our license plates. My next challenge: How to shorten, “back that ass up,” into something I can get on a plate. Any ideas?
By Katie
‘H E A R T’
courtesy of ‘Bunnyrel’
So there’s this really crazy web site that will set you up with a time, a place, and a stranger for a spur-of-the-moment blind date. The site is aptly called Crazy Blind Date, cause what you will be doing is, well, flat out crazy. I mean, maybe it’s crazy cool, or maybe it’s just plain crazy crazy, but either way, you’re going to have a story to tell when you’re done.
So if you’re valentines-less and of the bold variety, hook it up! This site is free, so you’ve got practically nothing to lose. You go through the “date wizard” and you can choose to go on a solo date, a double date (with a friend or a stranger) or just go balls to the wall and be placed however Crazy Blind Date wants. Choose when you can go out (tonight! tomorrow! next week!), choose the time (now! later!), choose the area of the city (Georgetown! Clarendon! Capitol Hill!) and then choose how short of a notice you can get yerself together and out. Choose the type of venue you’re down for, bar or coffee, and then describe your ideal date. You can then choose your gender and age preferences, then you can get more specific – you’re looking for x race, x height, a nonsmoker, the typical dating site thing. A few more pages of questions, some email and phone confirmations, and you’re off…
Is this Crazy? I think so. But crazy good? Possibly! Crazy bad? I hope not (for your sake)! But how will you know unless you try?
By Don
‘Metro Rider, Express Reader’
courtesy of ‘chip py the photo guy’
Tom took a swing at Fletcher for his choice of question at President Obama’s news conference the other day but he was one of many folks who took issue with it. It seems like every one of Tuesday’s WaPo chats included mention of it. Out of the three times I saw it only one Post writer gave anything other than a weasely defense of it.
Below the fold, see if you can match the quotes with the speaker. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
It’s hard for me to say enough good things about Ray’s the Steaks. I’ve been a fan since my very first Cowboy Steak back in 2004. The tiny location in Courthouse, though, is history, replaced by a larger venue that opens tonight in the Navy League Building on Wayne Street between Clarendon and Wilson. I was passing by this afternoon as the wait-staff was meeting in the front of the restaurant. The corner slot across from King Street Blues has a ton of space. I counted no fewer than 40 tables, some as large as 10 people, which means that this place could be a huge success.
No word on what the menu will bring, nor on how the new “limited” phone reservation system will work. I’m hoping for the ability to call in a reservation, and get a nice tasty steak late next week sometime.
By Katie
President’s House, Gallaudet University
Originally uploaded by NCinDC
Rebecca over a Inspiration DC pointed out that the application process has begun for interior designers looking to shape up this year’s DC Design House.
The 2009 house, Georgetown’s St. John’s Episcopal Church Rectory, features 16 “spaces” for the designers to create their masterpieces.
Apartment Therapy DC has a peek at the interior rooms, all empty and waiting. The redesigned house will open to the public April 18-May 10th, with proceeds going to the Children’s National Medical Center.
By Tom Bridge
Thursday is the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. It will be marked with all manner of fanfare, throughout the country, with celebrations and re-dedications galore. The Library of Congress is celebrating the bicentennial with a special touring exhibit that opens Thursday evening.
With Malice Toward None is an incredible portrait of Abraham Lincoln in his own handwriting. Beginning with an arithmetic primer, and ending with letters after the end of the war, it’s a trip through famous artifacts of Lincoln’s import for the United States.
I couldn’t help but feel a little “Great Man Theory” soaking through the exhibit at times, making Lincoln out to be a man who was eight feet tall. Though, this was delicately counterbalanced by the group of curators giving the tour, speaking of Lincoln’s personal difficulties and family troubles during his tenure at the helm of our nation. One such note made it fairly clear that Lincoln wasn’t having a good time leading a nation amidst its worst conflict. Continue reading
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