By Tom Bridge
‘IMG_8619’
courtesy of ‘dbking’
First it was the Gay Marriage thing. Then it was the Gay Marriage Flip-flop. Now, it’s an $800 opera jacket that he can magically afford for his girlfriend despite owing thousands to the IRS.
DC deserves so much better than this sorry clown.
By Rebecca
Far Infrared SlimDome Sauna Treatment
DailyCandy today featured the FAR Infrared SlimDone Sauna Treatment currently being offered at PureSkin of Chevy Chase. The treatment exposes the body to FAR infrared heat, which penetrates 1.5 to 2 inches deep below the skin. This makes the body sweat at temperatures of 110 – 140 F, producing 2-3 times the volume of sweat and eliminating 3 to 5 times more toxins than in a regular sauna. Now why would anyone want to subject themselves to this? Continue reading
‘Marion Barry and Mr. Grumpy Pants’
courtesy of ‘ricepeter’
Marion “Bitch Set Me Up” Barry appeared at a rally to oppose gay marriage in the District today. Which is newsworthy enough all on its own, but that’s not what caught my attention. When asked about his absence at the council meeting where the decision to recognize other states’ gay marriages passed unanimously, Barry said:
“If I had been [there], I would have voted ‘no,'” Barry added. “I am a politician who is moral.” (emphasis mine)
I think there’s only one thing to say to that: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
By Ben H. Rome
Update: I’m getting more information now; watch for our Talkin’ Transit feature tomorrow with more details.
According to a heads-up from a reader, the Park Police are now arresting and impounding pedicabs that operate on Madison and Jefferson Streets around the National Mall. This policy goes into effect today and will most likely kill a 100% eco-friendly form of transportation in the heart of the tourist district of the city.
The reason Park Police are giving is that the pedicabs are soliciting business on the mall and advertising…but isn’t that what normal cabs and buses in the same area are doing already with sideboards and logos?
Anyone who has more info on this, share, because at a glance this isn’t looking all that kosher.
By Ben H. Rome
On one of the first springtime Saturdays in April, I managed to slip down to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to catch its associate curator, Paul Chaat Smith, read from his latest book Everything You Know about Indians Is Wrong. Not exactly an event to herald the death of a wet, extended winter, but the book title and press release had my attention. I wanted to know more about the book – and the man behind it. Spring, for the moment, could wait.
I wasn’t disappointed.
To understand the author is to understand the book that much more. It’s less a cohesive treatise on any particular point – and if you’re looking for a “top ten” list based on the title, you’ll be sorely disappointed. As Paul stated, “It’s a book title, folks, not to be taken literally. Of course I don’t mean everything, just most things. And ‘you’ really means we, as in all of us.”
‘Specter’
courtesy of ‘skye820’
Speaking of DC turncoats, we hear Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) is about to become Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) today. Not that this will involve a meaningful shift in the already-decisive Senate Democratic majority, but at least now I can go to parties and not hear any grumbling about “that RINO* Specter.”
*RINO – Republican In Name Only
By Don
‘Lexmark X6570 wifi printer and fax’
courtesy of ‘bpedro’
Well I think it’s an odd way to celebrate International Worker’s Day, but the DC Students for a Democratic Society are going to be showing Office Space in an outdoor screening on Friday at 9p in the Petworth area. Followed, of course, with a discussion in the parking lot. I’m not sure that Peter’s journey is one I, as a worker, want to emulate, but I guess viewing Norma Rae in a grocery parking lot was just too depressing to contemplate.
Maybe next year they can do Say Anything.
I don’t want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don’t want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don’t want to do that.
Update: Just remembered, on the topic of labor and bad jobs, my favorite podcast, Filmspotting, did their top five bad job movies for their weekly list when they reviewed Adventureland. If you’re a podcast listener at all I highly recommend their show.
By Katie
Known as one of the best happy hours in the northern Metro area, Black’s Bar & Kitchen is situated a few blocks from the Bethesda Metro station. WLDC author Acacia and I were headed to Bethesda to review Menopause the Musical (which you can read all about) and we decided we could make it a double feature – a We Love Arts and a We Love Food, all in one trip. I would recommend you replicate our Bethesda trip, I enjoyed the play, but I will probably look back with even more fondness on our eats.
We stepped into Black’s and basically halted, it was absolutely packed. The interior is sleek, stylish and clean. The bar features two and four-seater booths are built into the back wall with a few free standing tables between the booths and the bar. Large windows look out onto Woodmont Ave. and the patio featuring a small modern pond. We couldn’t find a seat in the bar area, and it was one of those pre-spring days too chilly to sit outside, but we had plenty of time to waste before the show so we decided to wait it out. Soon thereafter a table opened up, but the wait gave us time to survey the crowd. Around 6 p.m., we were bringing down the median age – it was mostly a 35-55 aged crowd, complete with power suits and ties. But by the time we left around 7:15, the average age had lowered considerably, and there were plenty more jeans and after-work twenty-somethings mixed in the crowd.
Black’s is also an oyster bar, with the goods laid out on display when you walk in the door. I was eager to try the seafood, so we grabbed beers and gave our order. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘Jack takes a stand.’
courtesy of ‘tiffany bridge’
Jack is being treated in the back of an ambulance, being treated for his seizure and urged not to talk, as his vocal cords are in spasm. But he manages to choke out instructions to stop Tony to Freckles. Oh, Jack, hindsight is 20/20.
At this point it would be easier to talk about who’s NOT a traitor.
Tony is at a no-tell motel that appears to be off NY Ave. NE. He tells the nameless henchman that the payment has been wired to his account, and he’s able to check his balance without dialing 47 different extensions and re-entering his account number 18 times. And now the henchman is turning on Tony. It’s so hard to get good henchmen these days. Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
‘090127 brashear-1’ courtesy of ‘Dan4th’
Word from the NHL Head Office: Donald Brashear is going to be sitting out the next six games, whether they’re playoff games or regular season.
The punishment is actually for two incidents: Brashear got tagged for a one-game suspension from his pre-game shove on Colton Orr during the warmups, and a whopping five games for his “blind-side hit” on the Rangers’ Blair Betts midway through the first period. The league determined the crushing shoulder hit was delivered late and targeted Betts’ head. Betts left the game with a broken orbital bone and won’t be at Tuesday’s game at the Verizon Center.
The suspension is the latest in a bunch of issues between the two teams during a crazy Quarterfinals series; the most recent shenanigans saw Rangers coach John Tortorella suspended from Game 6 due to an altercation with a fan here in DC. Fortunately, the drama all comes to a head tomorrow night with Game 7; the winner moves on, losers go home.
By Ben H. Rome
‘suspended in midair’ courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Up for something a little different this weekend? Fancy yourself a master of the District streets? What about at night? With people chasing you?
Then sign up for a new type of race: Journey to the End of the Night.
Journey to the End of the Night is a race through the streets of DC. You will try to make it to six checkpoints as fast as you can, while avoiding being caught by chasers. Those who survive will be praised and feted at the end. Those who fall will become chasers themselves, rising to pursue their former friends and allies.
The race begins on Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 PM at Dupont Circle. This is a footrace–only your own two feet and the metro are permitted. No bicycles, no skates, no cars, no taxis. This race is for you, your fellow players, and the city itself.
Register here. Can you survive to the end?
By Ben H. Rome
‘Kids in the Air’ courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’
Hey! Where did Spring go??? It feels like Winter not only overstayed its welcome, it booted out Spring and let Summer in the back door.
Nonetheless, I was amazed at the sheer volume of photos our intrepid readers dumped into our Flickr pool over the weekend. Astounding! And you guys were BUSY! I guess the summer-like heat didn’t keep many indoors; I think we all needed to get outside, regardless of the surprise heatwave.
The great peeps over at Capital Weather tell us that Spring is sneaking back in and clobbering Summer starting on Wednesday, under the cover of rain. Well, I guess we’ll take what we can get, right?
Meantimes, enjoy the awesome spread of weekend happenings, captured by our awesome photo-readers. Enjoy!
By AcaciaO
‘Cherry Blossom Bombshell Victory. Washington, DC. April 2009.’
courtesy of ‘stuzehner’
Beloved WLDC readers, it is your lucky day! We have 2 tickets to give away to the upcoming Championship bout of roller derby. The match-up pits the DC DemonCats against the Cherry Blossom Bombshells on Saturday, May 9th, at the Armory. Doors open at 4, match begins at 5 p.m.
How do you score yourself a sweet ticket to this madness? Answer below, in the comments, if you were a DC RollerGirl, what would your roller derby name be? An explanation of why it suits you afterward would be added fun. For those unfamiliar with the sport might want to check out the league rosters for example names. Fun fact: there’s a national database of registered player aliases, and no two names and numbers can be the same.
The top 2 names — as selected by the judicious WLDC staff — will win a ticket. We’ll announce the winners at the end of the week. Get crackin’!
By Don
‘Stuck’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’
WTOP has an interesting article on how the DC government is using ZipCar’s auto management technology to increase efficiency in their auto pool. I’m all in favor of the government reducing its number of cars on the road and it’s hard to argue with a projected $1M+ a year savings, but the article somewhat glosses a significant fact. The vehicles continue to be owned and maintained by the DC government, meaning that sharing vehicles in the auto pool isn’t something they couldn’t have already been doing on their own – this is just a licensed, managed solution they’re utilizing, and at an ongoing cost.
WTOP states that the fleet has been reduced by 17%, 360 cars. That works out to an original pool size of 2,117 vehicles, which reduced by 360 means 1,757 now. The article cites a monthly price of $65 to $90 per vehicle, so averaged that’s $77.50/vehicle/month, or $136,167/month for the whole fleet, $1,634,010 per year.
Ongoing.
It would be interesting to what it would have cost to get a solution custom-built and run by a local firm.
By Tom Bridge
‘PHOTO Tradewinds 2009 090306-M-7404B-011CB’
courtesy of ‘Exercise Tradewinds 2009’
At the Darfur protest outside of the Sudanese embassy, Rep Ellison (D-MN) and Rep Donna Edwards (D-MD) were both arrested after crossing a police line. No word on charges at this point aside from violating a police order.
Update: It’s now being reported that five members of the house have been arrested. The afore-listed Reps Ellison and Edwards, as well as Rep John Lewis (D-GA), Rep Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Rep James McGovern (D-MA).
For those of you scoring at home, that’s 1% of the House of Representatives currently under arrest.
Update 2: Huffington Post now has the video from the arrests. Let’s be clear: of all the reasons to get arrested, protesting genocide in a civil fashion is probably just about the best of them. This wasn’t an arrest for a violent mob getting out of control, just an arrest to make a point. And, let’s be honest, no one can be for the Sudan at this point. Expelling 14 aid agencies is just plain ridiculous when your country’s in that kind of shape.
By Rebecca
Taking a water break, Originally uploaded by philliefan99
With temperatures in the 80s and even 90s for the past few days, I’ve been DYING to jump into a pool, run through a sprinkler, or catapult myself down a slip-n-slide. But no. DC public pools aren’t open until after Memorial Day, and I’m without a lawn/yard for a sprinkler or Crocodile Mile, so I guess I’ll have to settle for misting myself with a spray bottle. What are you doing to keep cool during this April Heat Wave?
By Ben H. Rome
‘ANSWER Protest Signs’ courtesy of ‘Wayan Vota’
Just noticed on WTOP’s Twitter that DCPD have arrested seven Greenpeace activists for the traffic-inducing banner-unfurling at a construction site near the State Department this morning.
The banner, consisting of a giant image of the Earth, read “Too big to fail. Stop global warming, rescue the planet.” A Greenpeace spokeswoman said if governments can bail out big banks, “they can find the resources to bail out the Earth.”
The sign’s been taken down and the activists arrested for unlawful entry.
By Tom Bridge
How’s that for some sweet victory?
The Nats beat the Mets, 8-1 on the stellar pitching performance by rookie Jordan Zimmerman (now 2-0), and off the bats of Jesus Flores and Austin Kearns. The usually virile bats of the Mets were struck dumb by Zimmerman for almost 6 innings, and then kept quiet by Hinckley, Mock and Wells for the rest of the game. The Nats are still not that great at 4-13, but we’ll talk more about that tomorrow on Sports Fix.
The Caps forced game 7 against the Rangers today, which will be played on Tuesday at the Phone Booth. The Caps have won two straight against the Rangers, both routs, and they looked as good as you’d hope going into a final winner-take-all matchup. Simeon Varlamov had 29 saves, and is at 90% plus for Save Pct. Not bad for a guy who didn’t start much at all this season.
DC United edged the Red Bulls 3-2, in a real nail-biter. DC United lead 1-0 at the Half, but the Red Bulls scored two goals in the middle of the second half, and the situation looked very dire for the boys in black. It wasn’t all lost, though, as Luciano Emilio scored in the final minute of the game to tie the match at 2. I was content to think we’d pull out a tie and save the point, but Chris Pontius had other ideas, and put a right-foot shot into the upper corner of the goal with just seconds on the clock to capture the win for United.
What’s that, New York? Is that the sound of crying I hear? Perhaps gnashing of teeth for ruining your weekend? Excellent. Just what were going for.
By Tom Bridge
‘Old MPD Cruiser: Anyone Know What Year??’
courtesy of ‘marciadc’
Two things for the jerks who decided that breaking windows and spray-painting cars was a good idea:
1. PNC Bank isn’t the problem. Seriously guys. PNC is a medium-sized local-ish bank that avoided the risky investments that have caused the credit crunch.
2. Breaking windows and vandalizing people’s stuff is about as likely to make your message popular with the people as hitting them in the face. Seriously, nobody likes a jackass. I’m down with free speech, but that’s not a freedom to break other people’s stuff, mmkay?
Oh, and by the way, if you want to stop the delegates from leaving your hotel, that means you have to be there before they leave, okay? So maybe tomorrow don’t stop for Starbucks, and don’t sleep past 9. Or, maybe let the adults go to work, and you kids can stay home? That’d be just fine with us, too.
By Tom Bridge
‘Capitol – In Pre-Dawn Light – 3-9-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’
Tomorrow pits the best of DC sports against the best of New York sports:
So, who’s for taking down those feckless thugs in New York? Bring the spirit DC! See you at the sports bars!
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