By Tom Bridge
‘Toothpick’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Lastings Milledge was supposed to be the answer for the Nationals in the Outfield. Unless the question was, “So, who are we overpaying for their undisciplined services?” Milledge wasn’t it. So, he’s been optioned to Syracuse, on the heels of Tom Boswell’s suggestion that they do exactly that. Is Boz a candidate for the GM position? Maybe he should be.
By Donna C.
‘european keyboard 1’
courtesy of ‘Listener42’
On April 15, while you’re giving all those pesky extra greenbacks to the government, you can green the planet as well. Just drop off your unwanted electronics and batteries for recycling at Power Purge from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 2001 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Crystal City. They’ll take everything from batteries, desktop computers, and laptops to TVs, monitors, and microwaves, at no charge.
It’s part of Crystal City’s new Green Scene, which runs the 5K Fridays race series. It also has extended free Wi-Fi to many outdoor spaces and courtyards so that you can sit outside and Tweet with your feathered friends.
By Katie
‘IMGP1537’
courtesy of ‘fujikinoko’
Today is the day of free sweet things on Tax Day, apparently. Cinnabon, your friendly sugar-coma-inducing retailer of 1-million-calorie sticky buns, is offering up free Cinnabon bites on April 15.
The catch? They will only be available for free from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. And they are not available at airports or travel plazas – so those of you who just got excited about your pre-flight Cinnabon at DCA, I am sad for you. I did not mean to tease you like that. This is only valid at participating US mall-based bakeries.
Suburbanites, this is probs the best deal for you, as the mall-squatter Cinnabons are out in the ‘burbs. Check for a location near you here.
By bstanfield
HacDC Electronics Bench
Originally uploaded by acaben
For the next few Thursdays (starting this Thursday) at 7:30 pm, HacDC is hosting workshops on sound hacking from the ground up. Borrowing, a couple tricks from the glitch/bender tradition and adding some new twists. If you’re interested in electronic sounds and music, this is the place to be.
This workshop series is going to involve soldering, (ab)use of digital CMOS chips for analog ends, a smidgen of electronics knowledge (provided), and enough noise to ensure that you leave with a good solid headache.Bring $5.00 to cover the cost of materials for April 16th and around 3-6 volts’ worth of batteries if you’d like to leave the space with something powered up. Two to four AA, AAA, C, or D cells will do.
By Ben H. Rome
Freelon Adjaye Bond 2, courtesy of afagen
Earlier today, WaPo broke the news regarding the newest – and last – Smithsonian museum to be built on the National Mall. The winning design (see the above photo) for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture belongs to the architectural team from Freelon Adjaye Bond / Smith Group. The group is also designing the new DC public library in Anacostia and has worked on several other Smithsonian projects, including the (in my opinion) outstanding National Museum of the American Indian.
The six finalists have been on display at the Smithsonian Castle since March 27; the winning design was announced this morning.
The new museum is expected to be finished in 2015 at a cost of $500 million and will be built on Constitution between 14th and 15th streets NW, near the Monument. Currently, the museum is in a private phase of fundraising, and half the cost will be funded by Congress.
National Zoo’s Baby Giant Anteater: It’s a boy!
Originally uploaded by Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The National Zoo’s baby anteater has turned out to be a boy, and the poor thing is going to be saddled with a name chosen by the voting public. Sigh.
I wouldn’t have even mentioned this, except for the awesomeness implied in this photo. No wonder anteaters always look so pleased with themselves.
‘Mornin’ Yoga’
courtesy of ‘mtngirl9999’
This is the kind of thing someone more yoga-inclined than myself could have turned into a great Thrifty District, but hey… Julee Newberger has already done the work for us. She’s got a roundup of free and cheap yoga around DC for your exercising enjoyment.
‘French ambassador’s residence’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’
My brother moved a couple of years ago to a teeny, tiny town in Wyoming. When he comes to visit, he teases me about all the big city crap I put up with- traffic, crowded transit systems, sirens, tourists, etc., and asks me why I stay. “Simple,” I said once. “Last night I went to a party at the Irish embassy. I got to meet the ambassador. How many people get to do that?” “I see your point,” he said.
One of the advantages of living in the capital of one of the worlds’ most powerful nations is that this is where other nations send their representatives to conduct the business of state with ours. Which means we get awesome stuff like Passport DC, where the embassies invite us all in to learn about the culture and arts of their respective countries. This year’s event is happening April 30-May9, so there’s lots of time to broaden your horizons.
There’s a staggering variety of cultural events– music, dance, theater, food, and art exhibitions, but if wandering around from place to place is more your speed, be sure to get the map of embassy open houses happening on Sunday, May 3. There’s a free shuttle for the open houses, so there’s no reason not to get your culture on.
By Katie
‘Maggie Moo’s’
courtesy of ‘Marusula
I’m not sure I’ve properly shared my obsession with ice cream on this blog. I adore ice cream. I worship at the house of Moorenko’s, specifically the salted praline. Boccato Gelato on Clarendon is a close second. In fact, I’m even a fan of ice cream on facebook. So free ice cream is even more exciting to me than other free food items. (Chop’t salad, I’m looking at you. You wilt in comparison.)
I’m happy to share with you that on Tax Day, you can be the recipeint of one free single-scoop of ice cream at Maggie Moo’s. DC has more than our fair share of “treateries” so find one near you and head on over April 15. I’ll be right behind you.
By Katie
Okay, okay, I know, I get it. I’m on a brunch kick. I promise next We Love Food, I’ll write about another meal, I’ll branch out, but really? LOOK AT THAT PHOTO, you can’t not love brunch. Om nom nom nom. That my friends, is the french toast with whipped marscapone from Circle Bistro.
Circle Bistro is located in the Circle Hotel, right off of Washington Circle in Foggy Bottom/West End. My friend Rachel and I headed there a few Sundays ago to partake in my current favorite meal. We walked in about 15-20 minutes early for our reservation (it’s all about the OpenTable points, my friends!), and the manager-type/host was curt and rude, only agreeing to seat us if we were willing to wait for a server to free up to take care of us. He huffed all the way to our table, and was brusque handing us our menus, basically taking it out on us that we were early.
I realize that early guests can be an inconvenience if you’re short on staff. I too have been a hostess at one of the busiest restaurants in Charlotte, and dealt with more than my fair share of difficult table assignments and situations, I get it. But this was easy, we were happy to settle in for a while, brunch is the most relaxed meal possible. But honestly – don’t promise me slow service from the get go, it’s a bad start, and doesn’t make me feel like you are willing to be accommodating. Especially when we were one of four total tables. Color me unimpressed. I sat down, hoping the food would save the situation. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
Generations
Originally uploaded by tbridge
What a day. The loss of Harry Kalas, the Phillies announcer, before the game began today was a crushing loss for the sport at large, and it put a pall over the game. The Nats performance was uneven, and ended up losing 9-8, despite another 9th inning opening day homer by Ryan Zimmerman. They continued to leave runners in scoring position, and continued to make critical defensive miscues that cost the team.
What truly marred the day, though, were the obnoxious jackholes that came down on the train Philly in our section. A pair of them got pretty much hammered and belligerent in our section and eventually were thrown out by a threesome of angry ushers in the 8th inning. Blocking the view, swearing up a storm in front of a couple young families, and generally acting disreputable. I mean, these are the guys that booed Santa Claus and throw D-cell batteries at opponents, so I shouldn’t be too surprised, but next time, Stan Kasten, please don’t invite the cretins from Philly down, okay? Pittsburgh, fine. Mets fans, fine. Hell, Red Sox fans are even welcome. But no more Philly fans, okay?
By Tom Bridge
Guess what? There was actually some geography to snark about this week!
Recap time! Freckles’ Cleavage, Jack’s middle name is Exposition. Moss retreats from Fauxwater, Freckles wants to call Jack’s daughter, and the President caves to Jonas’ demands.
And we’re off: Hey look, Tony has figured out what the deal is with the missiles.
So Jonas is on his way to the White House, while Jack reminds the President that we don’t NEGOTIATE with terrorists, we TORTURE them. For America. After getting a tacit go-ahead from President Woman President, Tony rigs the RP-7 rocket fuel to blow… with the three charges of C4 he just HAPPENS to have with him for JUST SUCH AN OCCASION. (I mean, who doesn’t, right? It’s a girl’s best friend.) Continue reading
By Don
Jessica Frances Dukes as Edna and Jenna Sokolowski,shot by Stan Barouh
I pondered letting this one pass without comment; one of the virtues of writing for a blog rather than a Paper of Record is that I’m not obligated to weigh in. In the end, though, I decided I’d weigh in, however briefly. In no small part because I’m so struck by the difference in reaction between Missy Frederick over at DCist and Peter Marks of the Washington Post. Continue reading
By AcaciaO
‘102/365 Peep Starry Night’
courtesy of ‘Mykl Roventine’
The much-anticipated winner and finalists for the Washington Post’s 3rd Annual Peeps Diorama Contest were announced yesterday, Easter Sunday. This year’s winner was a re-imagining of Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” (you know, that ubiquitous 1940s moody diner painting) entitled “NightPeeps.” The artist is Melissa Harvey, 44, of Arlington, whose day job is as a graphic designer for WETA.
Of the other brilliant finalists my favorites are the M.C. Escher tribute, the Dexter shoutout and the Georgetown Cupcake lovefest. Which do you like best? It’s must be incredibly hard to judge these though, considering the amount of time and sheer cleverness of some of the dioramas. Maybe next year WaPo should host a science fair-esque show with the displays. They can call it PeepShow. (Cue: knee-slapping laughter. Anyone?)
By Katie
‘White House Easter Egg Roll’
courtesy of ‘dbking’
The White House is livestreaming everything from the Easter Egg Roll… including the chef’s cooking lessons from Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn, Art Smith of Art and Soul and Jose Andres of Zaytinya, et al. You can also catch other adorable things like DC United soccer players reading to kids (swoon) and Ziggy Marley on the music stage.
If you’ve got a specific star or act you’re following, you can check out the PDF schedule to see when you can catch the stream from your desk. It’ll be like you were really there. Except not. Hello, Web 2.0 at the White House, we missed you…
By Ben H. Rome
‘The Cruel Bird of Spring that No One Knows’ courtesy of ‘andertho’
Welcome back to the work week; hope you didn’t stuff yourselves too full of chocolaty, sugary goodness over the holiday (or non-holiday, if you’re inclined).
The Cherry Blossom Festival is now in the past, having closed out with a ‘bang’ (that’d be the usual festival-ending fireworks); maybe now we’ll get a little peace before our ‘second wave’ of tourists hit in mid-May. Time to get out and about to enjoy our mid-Atlantic springtime – provided we can get out of these chilly mornings!
A quick look at the weekend as captured by you. Continue reading
By jasmine
White House photo by Pete Souza
I’m actually really pleased at the way the White House has handled the arrival of the new pup–the post on their blog was understated (“In case anybody was wondering…”) but they must have known that Puppywatch 2009 had been going on since Nov. 2 and people are understandably excited. There was even a minor controversy when a blog leaked a photo before the Washington Post’s exclusive article hit. Hilarious.
So, now that we’ve got an official dog in the White House, can we go back to talking about fixing the economy or even how awesome the rescue of the sea captain from the evil clutches of the pirates was?
By Katie
‘Pad Thai with Shrimp’
courtesy of ‘mastermaq’
Today kicks off Thai Restaurant Week, folks. DC area Thai places are rallying with special menus, discounts and performances to celebrate Songkran, or Thai New Year, from April 13-19.
The DC restaurants participating are: Asia Nine; Bangkok Bistro; Bangkok Joes; Mai Thai; Tara Thai; Thaiphoon; and Thai Tanic. The Thai Embassy site has a full list of participating restaurants including plenty of places in the surrounding VA and MD ‘burbs too. The site also has a handy 10% off coupon that you should print out and take with you.
I’m a huge fan of Bangkok Joe’s at Georgetown’s waterfront. It is always affordable and delicious. I’ve heard good things about Thaiphoon, but the rest of them are a mystery to me – I’m hoping someone will add some handy advice in the comments about the best place to go (hint hint!). Try something other than the obligatory pad thai…
By Tom Bridge
‘Slapshot Flies the Flag’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’
Capitals
Record: 50-24-8
Last Two Weeks: 5-2
Place: Won the Southeast, Finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference
The Playoffs have returned to the Verizon Center’s Ice, and the Caps will be hosting the NY Rangers for the first round of the Stanley Cup. Thanks to the Caps’ 2nd place finish, they’ll have home-ice advantage down to the Conference finals, and perhaps then, depending on if first-seed Boston is still playing. Tickets go on sale shortly after the schedule’s set, with games probably starting as early as Saturday this week.
The Caps finished the year against the Rangers at 3-1, losing the one game in a Shoot-out. The Rangers are 3-3 in their last two weeks of the season, with losses to Carolina and Boston.
Wizards
Record: 19-61
Last Two Weeks: 2-5
Place: Last. Still. Always.
Two games remain for the Wizards. Two chances to get a win and beat out the 2000-2001 season’s awful record of 19-63. But, they’re facing #2 Boston, followed by Toronto. It’s a bit tough to see the guys going 21-61, but perhaps 20-62? Either way, an atrocious season for the Wizards, largely due to the absence of Agent 0, or perhaps a coaching deficit. Any way you look at this season, it’s fractally bad. Here’s hoping with a decent draft pick, and some off-season practice, they might be a halfway decent team come the Fall. That’s about all you can hope for, I’m afraid.
Truth Truck
Originally uploaded by woofiegrrl
I’ve seen it a few times before, but today was the first time I saw the (rather arrogantly named) “Truth Truck” during the new presidential administration. To be honest, I’m surprised it took so long.
This photo doesn’t depict the specific messages I saw on the truck, but I wasn’t able to grab my own photo. Apparently, the truck’s message panels are designed to be interchangeable- they appear to be made of plywood and hand-painted. You can see it in its Terri Schiavo phase, but in order to fully appreciate the ingenuity of this modular design, you simply must view the Truth Truck’s photo album, featuring it all decked out for all kinds of issues- abortion, terrorism, homosexuality, public education, etc. The Truth Truck seems to go where the action is, and when I saw it today it was covered in messages blaming gay people for God’s judgment on America in the form of 9/11, so I’m guessing it has something to do with the DC Council vote from earlier this week. Continue reading
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