By Don
‘Jerk City’
courtesy of ‘Smath.’
If you’d like to call and tell them what you think, the delightful gentlemens’ names and numbers follow.
Rep. Tom Price. (202) 225-4501
Rep. Jim Jordan (202) 225-2676
Rep. Dan Boren (202) 225-2701
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (202) 225-5629
thanks to DCist for alerting us to this one.
By Kirk
‘Lady of the Archives’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’
The Washington Post reports that in the wake this weekend’s “Post Hunt 2,” the National Archives is getting in on some scavenger hunt action of its own. Just, instead of innocuous puzzles, NARA employees are attempting to solve the disappearance of a hard drive containing, among other things, Secret Service operating procedures and the social security numbers of Al Gore’s daughters. The prize for the person who finds it: the possibility of not serving a lengthy jail sentence.
The hard drive contains around a terabyte of information from the Clinton presidency and was a part of a project to digitize the National Archives’ collection. The FBI has opened a criminal investigation but has no firm leads, as of yet. So, if you see an important looking hard drive lying around, the NARA would appreciate it if you would return it to them without looking at the contents.
‘Little champion’
courtesy of ‘Stoichiometry’
So the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers (I know it’s been 6 times, but saying that still never gets old) are in town today, having been invited to the White House to meet the President, as is traditional.
But one of them is missing. 2008 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, whose 100-yard return was the longest Superbowl play in history, is staying in Pittsburgh. Why?
He’s afraid of flying. This huge guy who throws himself at OTHER huge guys for a living can’t stand to fly. Continue reading
By Katie
‘Polish Embassy Beer’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
Young & Hungry’s beer aficionado’s the Lagerheads rounded up a glorious schedule of beer events surrounding Savor, the beer and food event at the National Building Museum on May 30. Apparently, with all those beer crafters in town, other events (that you don’t need tickets for) have sprung up.
The highlights, in my mind, at least? Thursday, May 28th: Flying Dog “Meet the Brewers” at RFD and Bourbon, H Street Beer Bar Tour beginning at The Red and the Black and Palace of Wonders, Dogfish Head Cooking Class at CulinAeri. Friday, May 29th: Magic Hat Tasting at Dixie Liquors, Meet the Brewers Roundtable at Birreria Paradiso. Tuesday, June 2nd: Beer and Chocolate Collaboration at Brasserie Beck.
Check the whole schedule to see if I missed something you would love.
By Katie
‘Pret lunch…’
courtesy of ‘Matt Seppings’
So… I joined Twitter. I know, right? I did it in the name of research for this story, and have liked it so much I think I’ll stay for good. (That may or may not be a hint for you to start following me, cause that makes me feel important and fuzzy and stuff.) So I come at this with an outsider-turned-quasi-insider perspective.
It seems recently all the DC food blogs I follow have gotten on Twitter, and are busy building a little community for themselves (ourselves?) complete with a list of the who-is-who. But us internet-types are always early arrivals, so the other half of my story is who else in the DC food scene, namely DC restaurants and more namely, which DC Chefs, are on Twitter. And then I’ll muse a bit about what twitter can do, and what others hope it can do, for the DC food scene and the betterment of our local food offerings. Ready? Let’s do it. Continue reading
‘bigger blue water pipes 04.17.09 [107]’
courtesy of ‘timlewisnm’
So, remember that huge, motorist-stranding flood caused by the water main break on River Rd. last December? The one where they had to rescue people from their cars with helicopters?
Turns out it was caused because when the pipe was first installed in 1965, the contract0r installed it AGAINST A BIG JAGGED BOULDER. Okay, look, I Am Not A Plumber, but I’m pretty sure installing a 66-inch water pipe against something that could TEAR A HOLE IN IT is a bad idea. I mean, what could go wrong? Oh right…
Maybe that contractor is related to the architect who screwed over Capital City Diner?
By Don
‘A day with Erin 009’
courtesy of ‘novemberwolf’
WTOP brings the bad news for any of you planning on hitting the pool in Montgomery County this coming weekend: delays in bringing the pools into compliance with new safety standards is holding up opening for a few locations. Bethesda Outdoor Pool, Germantown Pool, and Wheaton/Glenmont Pool will be have partial closures. Check the article for full details and addresses.
By Donna C.
‘Sharing the Road’
Last Friday, more people participated in DC’s Bike to Work Day than ever before — about 8,000. Even U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu took part, riding in on his $5,000 bike and speaking to the crowd. Now, my bike cost just a wee bit less than that and works just fine, but kudos to him for bucking the Secret Service and commuting carbon-free.
Perhaps by now you’re jazzed to commute by bike, or you’ve pulled out your spiffy fuschia spandex and are ready to zip along the city streets for kicks and giggles.
What do you know about playing in traffic? Anything?
Luckily for you, folks are willing to teach you the rules of the road — and you might be surprised by what you learn.
Continue reading
By AcaciaO
‘Michael Jackson’s star’
courtesy of ‘[MC]’
Black Cat just wants your extra time and your…THRILLERRRRR. You’re confused, I can see it in your face. Let me explain: Black Cat hosts DJ Dredd on Sunday night, spinning an 80s showdown: “PRINCE vs. MICHAEL JACKSON vs. MADONNA Dance Party.” This means a battle of Final Countdown-epic proportions and dance-a-rama to some of the greatest hits of all time. Break out that one glove you have because you lost the other one and head over — doors open at 9 p.m. Sunday, cover is $13. It’s memorial day and we’re gonna party like its 2009/Celebrate! Holiday!
By Katie
New Fugly Metro Cars
Originally uploaded by needlessspaces
I stepped onto the red line this morning and did a double take, overwhelmed by this color and pattern.
AH, the ugliness! The new cloth seats, the non-carpet black and white flooring, no Metro, please no…
By Jenn Larsen
"Wealthy Missionary cocktail, Wisdom" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr
When Wisdom owner Erik Holzherr’s Tortoise and the Bare cocktail won the 2009 Artini competition, it took a lot of people by surprise (as in, who is this guy and where exactly is his bar??). I knew I had to get over to sample his concoctions as quickly as I could get someone to venture into the wilds of Pennsylvania Avenue SE with me.
Inside Wisdom’s shopworn exterior is an enveloping dark and shabbily elegant space, with cosy curtained nooks featuring tin ceiling plates on the walls. Moroccan glass lanterns abound. It’s all very Victorian professor’s idea of a medieval tower by way of the harem.
First up to try was the Wealthy Missionary – with a name like that, how could it not be? It turned out to be a luscious mix of Surreal Ginger Peach Vodka and Stone’s Original Ginger. My metaphors went into overdrive – “it’s a southern summer, a debutante’s ball!” Seriously, this cocktail is off the charts good.
But then I had a sip of my friend’s Pears of Wisdom and couldn’t decide which I liked better. This cocktail, featuring vodka and pear cognac (they make pear cognac??) with elderflower, was just like slipping on a vintage French silk slip and lolling around in a field of flowers…
I warned you about my metaphor overdrive. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
boulevard diner
courtesy of Paul Keleher
You might’ve caught the Washington City Paper’s piece this morning on the soon-to-be delivered Capital City Diner, about an old rail-car-style diner from upstate New York being moved to DC to be put up in Trinidad. If you missed it, it’s well worth the read, so head on over, and then click back.
Today, as it turns out, is the move-in day for the diner itself, being delivered to its new home over in Trinidad on the back of a semi. One slight problem: DCRA has not, and apparently will not, approve the foundation that the diner is due to be sitting on. According to their twitter feed, at one point a DCRA inspector came and left without approving the foundation, and after a few back & forth tweets, it seems that DCRA themselves headed out to the site to get things resolved, but not before the diner was given a parking ticket by the city. Now, I’m not exactly sure the last time an entire restaurant was given a parking ticket, but I have to feel for Matt Ashburn, who must feel like insult is being added to injury at this point. Young and Hungry has some more detail as well.
[Update]: DCist has talked with Ashburn, and he’s gotten permission to put the diner on the foundation. We’re still waiting to hear back from @dcra on Twitter, here’s hoping we can get to the bottom of what happened.
[Update 2]: DCRA has put up a couple public replies about what happened today: “But he had some serious issues with architect who took advantage of them.” and “But architect essentially forged engineer’s signature. The REAL engineer confirmed this.” Ouch! That’s shady shady shady! Fortunately, DCRA & Capital City Diner are kissing & making up. From @dcra: “The @capcitydiner guys are great and are now doing the right thing. We’ll do anything they need to make it happen.”
By Tom Bridge
Arugula and Salad Mix coming up
courtesy of boboroshi
Sunshine. Thank God. At long last. I was afraid Spring was going to just be rain and clouds, and none of my plants were ever going to do anything at all. The rain was wonderful from an irrigation standpoint, and did incredible things out at the farm laboratory to soften up the otherwise heavy & clumpy Virginia Clay at Oatlands. But, now that the sunshine is here, everything’s perking up and heading skyward in our various gardens. It’s not too late to get started and reap the benefits of having your gardens
In our patio garden, the radishes appear to have taken over half the bed with tall green plumes with red stems. Sadly, planting in the seed-starter kit wasn’t such a great idea, and the roots are doing peculiar things in most cases. Next year? Plant ’em straight in the ground. Herbs have been slow to start, with the basil in particular staying small and low to the ground. Fortunately, the tomatoes that I’ve planted it with are still fairly young, which means they won’t get crowded out so quickly. The biggest surprise so far has been the peas, which have really come into their own in the last week, grabbing hold of their cage and climbing ever higher. There are a few blossoms & pods hanging down already.
By Don
‘Jerk City’
courtesy of ‘Smath.’
Reader Will H asked us to gently bring this Examiner article on Metro’ priority seating campaign to everyone’s attention. While you’re working your single mojo lookin for love you should try to do it without consuming a seat meant for folks with mobility issues.
The campaign does raise an interesting dilemma, though – Metro’s accessibility program director Glenn Millis is quoted as saying “Not all disabilities are visible, and it might not always be obvious when a person needs a seat.” Presumably that includes the people already in them, so how do you know they should be giving up their place?
By Katie
H Street Country Club
Originally uploaded by jenconsalvo
H Street Country Club has officially confirmed the rumors that Wednesday, May 27 is the day they will open to the general public.
General words of wisdom around the DC foodie world say that to avoid the massive crowds you should arrive early, or be willing to head out really late, since HstCC has been so highly anticipated. Me thinks that the required uniform is the ironic pink polo, popping the collar is optional, but highly encouraged. I’ll be wearing madras, maybe topping them off with some croakies. (I may or may not be doing this completely un-ironically since J.Crew is life, but I digress.)
I’ll run a first look for you on opening day, so stay tuned for a preview of what you’re in for. I bet it’s a lot like heaven.
By AcaciaO
By 
More likely than not, for girls who grew up with a glove on one hand, sliding to makeshift bases and picking at knee-scabs, at some point there was a shift. It went something like this: around the time you started liking boys, you stopped playing ball side-by-side with them. They put the awkwardly hefty softball in your hand where a whiffle or hard ball used to be, and you became a softball player. The women of the Eastern Women’s Baseball Conference (EWBC) however, along with women across the country, are finding their niche playing the great American pasttime.
This weekend, the EWBC hosts the Baltimore-Washington Diamond Classic Women’s Baseball Tournament. The tournament will showcase the best in women’s amateur baseball on the eastern seaboard and beyond, in what EWBC hopes will be a springboard for future growth and success.
By jasmine
‘Going for a Ride’
courtesy of ‘John of Austin’
And now, for your WTF of the day: the Air Sex Championships are coming to DC. Although Rock and Roll Hotel is hosting, this is not some weirdly-named band you’ve never heard of, it’s an actual judged competition of an activity much like air guitar…but with sex. Competitors get up on stage (one at a time), fully clothed, and perform to a song of their choice. For an even more graphic representation, here’s a video from the place where it all started: Texas. Like I even need to say this, but it’s definitely NSFW. Catch all the action for yourself June 10 for $10.
By Don
‘along the way’
courtesy of ‘Bill Jones Jr’
Express Night Out reports that you can catch a late-night showing of the new Night at the Museum sequel (filmed at the Smithsonian, if you have been living under a rock and didn’t know) tomorrow night in IMAX format, at the Museum of Natural History. The online ticket schedule doen’t have any listing for this supposed 11p 5/21 screening, however, so if you’re interested you should call them at 202-633-4629.
‘Metro Fail’
courtesy of ‘Karon’
The entertainingly-named Moving Momentarily calls our attention to WMATA’s recently released ridership demographics. The short version: Metrorail riders are typically college-educated, high-earning commuters, while Metrobus riders are less likely to have a college degree, and earn about 2/3 of what Metrorail riders earn. So, you know, when Metrobus service gets cut, it actually DOES disproportionately affect people who are dependent on public trainsit.
But Moving Momentarily does find an unexpected benefit (and possible WMATA revenue source!) from these numbers: look at all those educated top earners on the train! Metro speed dating, anyone?
By jasmine
‘Teddy and Teddy’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
It’s too early for giant-headed past presidents. Still in my morning pre-coffee stupor, I got off the escalator at Chinatown only to be greeted by good ol’ Teddy, the running prez. He was handing out 25% off coupons to the Memorial Day weekend games, which is always nice. He also informed me that there are post-game fireworks this Friday and free hats to the first 20,000 fans on Saturday. Thanks, Teddy. Now, if only you were handing out coffee…