By Don
courtesy of Me
With temps staying low today there’s not going to be as much melt as we’re used to. So make sure you brush off your car. This guy’s angling for a ticket for violating the requirement to keep your license plate visible and others are shedding huge chunks of snow and ice on the road. Aside from being dangerous – my darling fiancée saw a bus get a shattered windshield last year when a car lost a huge sheet of ice off its roof – both things can garner you a ticket.
By Ben H. Rome
They’re coming! According to the just-held National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference this morning, the expected ‘bloom date’ is going to be…
April 3 through April 9! Keep in mind this is when 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin are open.
Admit it, you all have been waiting for this. (Just like me.) And don’t forget that the actual Festival this year runs from March 28 through April 12, so remember to take lots of photos and drop them into our Flickr pool!
By Tom Bridge
Ready for a crowd
Originally uploaded by afagen
The Nationals opened up single game tickets to the world this morning, meaning that anyone can buy tickets to Opening Day, or any of the 78 other home games that aren’t against the Red Sox. Why not the Red Sox series? Well, if you want those, they want an extra commitment of capital. So, if you want those seats, get ready to buy a ticket package, or scalp seats, or hit Craig’s List or StubHub or somewhere like that.
By Katie
‘Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow…’
courtesy of ‘cruffo’
So maybe it was just me, but the Express was missing from my morning commute today. At my Metro entrance station this morning, there was a lone Examiner hander-outer man, and I only saw Examiners on the trains this morning. By the time I got to Union Station, there weren’t any Express papers in the paper stands, nor were there any Express hander-outer men (there are usually two!). I know some of you will understand my morning paper woes, the Examiner just doesn’t do it for me in the mornings, I want my Express!
Did you get your Express this morning? Was it just a weird coincidence that I couldn’t land one myself?
UPDATE 3:04 p.m. – WLDC author Tom just heard from Molly at the Washington Post, who reports that “today’s Express order was cut due to icy road conditions throughout the area. Normal distribution will resume tomorrow.” PHEW! Don’t play with me like that, Express!
By Katie
Dino Sinage by Shawn.L on flickr
Last August, Tom and Tiff checked out Dino for Restaurant Week. I was jealous. It sounded delicious, and the menu changes seasonally, so a group of girlfriends and I chose Dino as our big Restaurant Week pick this go-round. We certainly weren’t disappointed. Dino, unlike most other places, was offering their entire menu for RW diners, along with crostini and a complimentary glass of grappa, limincello or muscato. It was a truly thrifty deal, and cheesy tasty to boot! Plus I love it when places embrace Restaurant Week for what it is, and make it worth the diners time by allowing us to try anything we want off the main menu. It enables a place to show off, and I always think it’s admirable when a restaurant decides it can handle whatever the crowds throw at it.
We sat down at Dino and were immediately impressed- the menu is huge, and the choices can be overwhelming. There’s antipasti, oggi, pasta, formaggi, secondi, and plentiful options for dessert. The menu is rustic Italian featuring the flavors of Venice and Southern Tuscany – we were in for a treat. Continue reading
By Don
THIS is where the FBI field office is, Jack. Get it right.
courtesy of tiffany bridge
We’re trying something new this week – we’re going to use CoverItLive and have multiple ones of us going at once. Be merciful – we’re used to being able to press SAVE when we feel good about things, now we’re performing live without a net! We’ll be starting at 8 on the dot this time, so watch with us!
‘McGruff’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’
I cannot make this up: McGruff the Crime Dog, beloved crime-prevention mascot, is standing around at the corner of 14th St. and Spring Road NW, passing out flyers to a group of schoolchildren. All of the sudden, a Metrobus pulls over. The driver hops out, and after taking a moment to adjust his side mirrors, walks up to McGruff and punches him in the face with a closed fist.
Apparently the Metrobus driver, Shawn Brim, forgot that the Crime Dog is a creation of the National Crime Prevention Council as a character for use by police departments. If he had remembered this key fact, he would have realized that the person most likely to be in the McGruff suit is a cop. Surrounded by other cops. Who immediately jumped in their cruisers and pulled the bully over three blocks away. Brim said he was just trying to be “funny,” but I fail to see how punching a costumed character in front of a bunch of children and police officers is anything other than “moronic.”
By Katie
‘Snow Dog’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’
Obama, we’re in a fight. You know I love you, I’ve supported you through a lot – I even went to the Mall for you in the freezing cold. I danced around in celebration of you. I’ve basically been your biggest fan. But ever since you made fun of DC’s reaction to the snow, I’ve been mad.
Today should have been my get-off-work-free day, my spend-the-day-in my-jammies-in-front-of-DVR’d-Grey’s-Anatomy SNOW DAY, but instead, those big shots at the Office of Personnel Management had to go and prove to you that DC can handle this snow by only putting us on a 2 hour delay. OPM, I’ll have you know it’s still snowing, Arlington didn’t do poo to clear away the snow, and I stumbled my way down Clarendon to the delayed Metro and I’m pissed. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
I went to go look at Google Maps to plot a route this afternoon, when I saw something that I’d not noticed before: Google Maps’ Traffic data now covers more than just the usual interstate and highway routes, it also covers some of the center-of-town major thoroughfares that you might be traveling on as you head through town. Dupont Circle, 16th St, Connecticut Ave, Independence and Constitution Ave are among those covered, but it also looks like Suitland Parkway, Route 1, Pennsylvania Ave, Route 7, and others are included in the makeover. How sweet is that?!
By Wayan
It seems that IAD is cleaning up after this morning’s mass cancellations. My new 5pm flight is still has an on time arrival to Dulles and on time departure for SFO.
The FAA Alert for IAD doesn’t mention any serious delays, either though the NYC Shuttles might be all off their schedules. LGA has 3+ hour delays making Amtrak a better option for your Northeast commute.
Good luck to everyone flying today…
By Ben H. Rome
North by East West, courtesy of mindgutter
No, you read that right – the title of this week’s flashback does include today. Because you know, it’s a surprise three-day weekend for some (Not me. Boo!) and there are already some great Snowpocalypse ’09 photos showing up in our Flickr pool. (Which, if you’ve not submitted any, what are you waiting for?)
The cold caught some of us by surprise, but by and large, didn’t kill anyone’s plans. Lots going on in the city, and you guys were out in force! So here’s an extra-large edition of the Flashback, chronicling the varied tastes of all our awesome area residents and regional visitors.
By Tom Bridge
‘Caps Game Face-off’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
Capitals
Record: 40-19-5
Last Two Weeks: 4-3
Place: 3rd in the Eastern Conference, 1st in the Southeast.
Just 18 regular season games remain for the still-strong Caps, it’s looking pretty good for a playoff berth. The Trade Deadline looms large this week, coming Wednesday afternoon at 3pm. Will the Caps wheel and deal, looking for a deadline deal? It’s not clear. They’re doing so well, that the only thing they might look for is someone in the net, but nothing will happen until Tuesday or so. The Caps are close to the salary cap, and are at their player contract limit, so this one may be much ado about nothing.
The Caps are on a three-game homestand this week, facing Carolina, Toronto and Pittsburgh. Look for some big games here from Ovechkin, as he pushes to maintain the league lead in goals. He’s also got some work to do to catch up with Malkin in Pittsburgh for the points lead. Look for some solid hockey.
Wizards
Record: 14-45
Last Two Weeks: 3-3
Place: Last in the Eastern Conference
Friday was a good night for the Wizards. Rebecca was there for the big victory over the Bulls at Verizon on Friday, so if you haven’t yet, read her account from the game. Of course, that’s about all that you can say for the sub .250 Wizards. They’ve got about 20 games left, so it’s not totally done and counted, but it sure looks like a rough ride.
Agent 0, though, is back in practice, starting late last week, so it’s not too early to start thinking about next year. I hope that Gilbert sees that coming back now, too early, would be a pyrrhic victory for a team that doesn’t need more long-term baggage. Stay on the bench and wait until next year, Agent 0, we’ll need you then.
By Wayan
While DC has been quite efficient in plowing the main roads, I had no trouble driving to the White House at 8am, what’s the situation in your neighbourhood? Especially now that most folks need to commute to work.
Here in Petworth, New Hampshire Avenue and Upshur Street NW are both passable, if a little muddy, but the side roads are still piled high in Snowpocalypse drifts. I’ve watched several cars fail to make the gentle Varnum Street Hill from Grant Circle eastbound.
Is that the same on Capitol Hill? Dupont? Or Brightwood? Shout out and let us know if you’ve seen Mr. Snowplow on your block yet.
”
courtesy of ‘vitelone’
So, what would you do? You spend hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing to renovate your historic building to expand your hunting and fishing shop, consulting with the historic preservation board at every step of the way, only to have the principal member of the board change his mind at the last minute, preventing you from moving forward, and forcing your store to close.
If you’re Michael Zarlenga of the Trophy Room, you rent your storefront out to a sex shop to annoy your neighbors. I love it. This is brilliant. But I think my favorite part was the random Old Town passerby who said, “It’s caused a lot of buzz.” BWAHAHA, I see what you did there.
But seriously, there’s a lot of handwringing about whether or not this kind of business is appropriate to a historic district, and I can only ask, “Why? Did people not have sex in the 1800s? I’m pretty sure that’s how we all got here.”
By Rebecca
courtesy of Keith Allison
At around 10am, the rumors started swirling. President Obama was probably, most likely, could be, was maybe considering, attending the Wizards/Bulls game at the Verizon Center Friday night. And indeed after all the hubbub, long screening lines and increased security presence, the Commander In Chief showed up just before tip off.
Continue reading
By Wayan
Driving the wife to work this morning, I am happy to say that Fenty is responding to the Snowpocalypse better than Barry did. Roads are open all the way to the White House and snow plows are everywhere. Now let’s see Obama bitch.
By Tom Bridge
‘Late Snow in DC / Two Rabbits’
courtesy of ‘little-wings’
Well, it’s not a total snow day out there, but there is a two-hour delay on the Federal Government, and most of the schools in the area are closed (except DC, who are on a two-hour delay as well). So, check the closing list, or check your email, to see if you can bundle up with some hot cocoa and television and make it a three-day weekend before going in.
By Wayan
‘going nowhere fast’
courtesy of ‘booleansplit’
If you think you’re flying out of Washington DC tomorrow morning, like I thought I was, you best call your airline right now. United has canceled everything before noon out of IAD, BWI, and DCA. Calling in a panic to my special frequent flyer line, I got one of the last empty IAD to SFO seats for all of Monday. For everyone else, welcome to the madness.
Word is that all the major airlines are canceling their flights before noon and rerouting other flights, telling folks it will be Wednesday before the snowstorm overflow passengers will all get to their respective destinations.
‘Day 1 of 365: Comfort and Spice’
courtesy of ‘marciadc’
A while back, we were delighted to discover Soupergirl, who makes soup from local ingredients for your comfort food enjoyment. Today we have a guest review from Friend of We Love DC and Funmonger Lisa King:
With the mercury firmly fixed in the teens, I was especially happy to seeSara Polon, aka SouperGirl, in my office today, dropping off the Sweet Potato Ginger soup and pita chips I’d ordered.
When I got home I duly poured about a third of the bright orange, incredibly thick and creamy soup into a saucepan, stirring it as it bubbled away. As it was heating I tried not to eat all the pita chips and read the ingredients again as I wondered if there’s really no cream in there. (She promises there’s not.) Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
Brentwood Maintenance Yard
Originally uploaded by AlbinoFlea
Metro’s getting ready for what looks like it could be a fairly large snowpocalypse this evening. They’ve gotten their de-icing trains on the tracks, as well as 2,200 tons of salt and other ice-removal agents ready for use across the 100+ miles of track and parking lot. They’ll be starting the de-icing trains loose on the first runs of the morning tomorrow, and throughout the storm today. Bus routes are subject to plowing in the various jurisdictions that they cover, so that’ll be a game-time decision for most places depending on how bad the storm gets.
Of course, be sure to check in with OPM’s Status Page to see if you even need to go to work…
By 
