‘Ready, set..’
courtesy of ‘BehindTheBadge.com’
Attention, interns: DC United is offering student discounts on tickets to the July 18th game against the Colorado Rapids. Use your .edu email address to purchase tickets online, and you can sit near the Supporters Sections. That means you’ll be up close to the Screaming Eagles and La Barra Brava, which, if I may say, are probably just as entertaining as the game itself.
By Katie
‘Vegetate Outside’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’
I have a co-worker and friend named Heather. Heather is a vegetarian. She’s one of those odd vegetarians, though, that doesn’t really eat a bunch of vegetables. She likes them just fine, and she’ll eat them if you cook them for her, or bring them to her, but she doesn’t seek out vegetables the way a stereotypical vegetarian would. In fact, she tends to eat a lot of mac and cheese, and mozzarella sticks are her favorite bar nosh. Fried food is good food for Heather, especially when it involves cheese. So when I told her about Vegetate, the vegetarian restaurant in Historic Shaw, and my experience there, she said “now that’s the restaurant for me!” – and it totally is. Here is why. Continue reading
By Kirk
‘Metro, Orange Line train to Vienna’
courtesy of ‘GogonaÅ?’
The Business Journal reports that riders on Saturday set a new record for July 4th commuting. Metro reported 631,206 trips on their system, an increase of over 32,000 from 2008 ridership. If the masses of humanity that I saw are any indication, every last one of these trips went through L’Enfant Plaza station. What a mess.
By shannon
If you have a couple minutes to spare, take a look at the clip above. Created for the Congress for New Urbanism, it’s a catchy short film linking suburban sprawl to global warming. It frames global warming as a result of the built environment, and encourages new urbanism (i.e. walkable development with a mix of uses that is close to transit and preserves more of the natural environment) as a way to create communities that are sustainable and built to last.
The video is quite well-done, and it got me thinking: the Washington region has a strong concentration of good examples of new urbanism (the examples of good development in the film look very familiar). Aside from the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor that has become the national example of good transit-oriented mixed-use development, we’ve got great places like Bethesda and Crystal City and Silver Spring that are continuing to attract new development. Recently, the region has seen high-quality walkable development in Shirlington and Rockville Town Square, among others. Our region definitely has more than its share of high-quality walkable, mixed-use development than any other metropolitan area I can think of (of course, the region also has a lot of crappy suburban sprawl, too). What do you think– is this type of development the answer to combating global warming?
By jasmine
‘Cigarbox Planetarium – Fort Reno Park – Washington, DC’
courtesy of ‘bSmithPhotoBlogDotOrg’
Tonight, head over to Fort Reno Park (two blocks from the Tenleytown Metro station) for local bands Go Home Robot, Sea Monsters, and Power Pirate. The thing I love most about the Fort Reno concert series this summer? They are serious about making it home at a reasonable hour, which is great for me since I go to bed earlier than most grandmas. Their website declares that all concerts begin promptly at 7:15 pm and are over by 9:30 pm, so feel free to jam out to some electro-rock on your blanket and still be bright eyed and bushy tailed the next morning.
By Rebecca
‘Grand Analog @ The Reverb’
courtesy of ‘blurasis’
The DC Hip Hop Theater Festival (HHTF), beginning today and running until July 11, will host a plethora of events and performances that integrate hip hop and theater, and address the socio-political issues relevant to the hip-hop community.
The kick off performance, AM Radio Live Art & Performance, begins tonight at 7pm at The Library Salon. The show pairs DJs and painters to create 7’x5′ compositions in front of the live audience. Performance goers will watch as the artists combine to create pieces from beginning concept to finished product. This will definitely be an inspirational show, breaking down the craft to its core. Afterwards, hit up the Open Night Party at Marvin’s and take in various DJ’s spinning hip hop music from around the globe.
Here’s a little taste of the HHTF.
By AcaciaO
‘Oven Fried Chicken’
courtesy of ‘thebittenword.com’
This morning on twitter I learned something very important: namely that today is National Fried Chicken Day. I bet you didn’t know there was a National Fried Chicken Day, did you? Or that Thursday is National Sugar Cookie Day, followed by National Pina Colada Day (now that’s a day I can get behind). Yep, it turns out that every single day is dedicated to, among other things I’m sure, a niche food. Months too. Not surprisingly, July is the month of Baked Beans, Grilling and Hot Dogs. What is with this — why do Americans feel the need to make everything into a day? Feel free to pitch in your thoughts while I go talk to a bucket of Popeyes about this.
By Tom Bridge
‘Picture 033’
courtesy of ‘wearedc’
Kastles
Record: 0-2
Last Two Weeks: 0-2
Place: Last in the East
Here we are, at the start of our second WTT season! The Kastles will face off with Philadelphia tomorrow night in the new tennis stadium at the corner of 11th & H Streets. Short-benched by the Wimbledon tennis final (a quick aside on tennis, holy crap! Between Venus vs. Serena on Saturday and the brink-of-insanity matchup on Sunday, could tennis be any more exciting right now?!) the Kastles have lost two incredibly close matches to Sacramento and Newport Beach. Tomorrow night, they’ll face off with the Philadelphia Freedoms, lead by Venus Williams.
Unfortunately, we won’t have a rematch with Serena (are you looking at her titles?) in the home opener, but Wimbledon champ Serena will be playing in several matches at the Kastles Stadium this July, so keep an eye out.
Also making news for the Kastles are Leander Paes, who was part of the winning team at the French Open in Men’s Doubles, and Rennae Stubbs, who was part of the 2nd place team in Women’s Doubles at Wimbledon this weekend. If you haven’t, check out Max’s interview with Kastles manager Murphy Jensen.
By Tom Bridge
Marion Barry will be facing the media regarding his weekend arrest shortly. We’ll have the conference liveblogged for your entertainment. Keep tuned in here.
Update 4 [11:04am]
And we lost our feed. We tried to get an updated feed, but managed to get back just in time for the end. Councilman Barry did not comment at all. Mr. Cooke is attempting to discredit Donna Watts, the complainant as listed below, suggesting that her account is not credible. The Park Police have made their complaint to the US Attorney’s office, who will decide if Councilman Barry is charged with misdemeanor stalking. All the details are below.
By Kirk
‘I DO support GAY marriage!’
courtesy of ‘galifa85’
Despite referendums and protests, today DC became the 10th jurisdiction in the US to recognize gay marriage. In May, the City Council passed legislation amending DC code to recognize legal same-sex marriages performed outside of the District. This legislation passed the requisite 30 day review by Congress and today, officially became law. This marks a major victory for gay-rights advocates and sets the city well on the path to full same sex marriage legalization .
By brownpau
This here is Pickles, a green and very talkative rose-ringed parakeet last seen in a tree in the Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. Pickles’ owner Scott likes to take the bird on his shoulder, pirate-style, for walks around the National Mall on weekends, and on nice days, perch Pickles on tree branches in the Gardens to let him get some nature.
Yesterday, Pickles disappeared. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘Fireworks over the Mall – 2nd Edition’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’
There are a TON of amazing fireworks photographs in the We Love DC Flickr Pool this morning, so we’ve decided to fire up a contest for all our photographers. Add your best fireworks-in-DC photo to the pool, slap this tag on it: WLDCFireworks, and you’ll be entered to win a pair of passes to the Corcoran’s screening of William Eggleston in the Real World, a documentary about the invention of color photography, showing this Thursday at 7pm. Enter up to three photos per person by noon on Tuesday, and we’ll announce the winner Wednesday at noon!
By Katie
”
courtesy of ‘Hoffmann’
Where and when are you going to be able to get Sweetgreen’s Sweet Flow, wine from Asia Nine, sushi from Kaz, a dish from The Source and Pete’s Apizza all in the same room? Duh, at Washingtonian’s Best Of Washington Party, of course!
Washington’s top restaurants (as voted by readers and editors of Washingtonian) and wine and beer purveyors will be serving up their best at the National Building Museum on July 15. See the list of participating restaurants and purveyors here. Editor- and reader-favorites including Central Michel Richard, Citronelle, Blacksalt, Hook, Charlie Parker Steak and the Oval Room will participate in the annual event which attracts more than 1,200 people and shares a portion of the profits with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Dessert lovers will find cool treats from Dolcezza Gelato, sweets from Georgetown Cupcake and Baked & Wired, and delicious offerings from other top-rated bakeries and creameries.
Tickets, $95 to $125, are available on washingtonian.com.
By Ben H. Rome
‘Fireworks in DC – the aftermath’ courtesy of ‘spiggycat’
Aaaaand welcome back to the workweek! Hope you enjoyed your very special three-day holiday weekend. We know it’ll take a bit to get into the swing of things on a Monday, so we’ve slipped in some extra photos for you to ogle while the caffeine drip gets started.
And if you’re hankering for even more fireworks photos, check out our Flickr pool for some great area photographer contributions. (We couldn’t possibly fit them all in here.)
Meantimes, we’ll get our crew up and awake so we can stock your week full of great articles. We’re a year old now, you know. Time for us to be professional… eh, who are we kidding? We know you love us just the way we are!
By Jenn Larsen
"Smashed Egg" by nicasaurusrex, on Flickr
It had been a while since I walked down the stretch of R Street between 15th and 14th. But on a leisurely stroll home last night with some friends, we really weren’t thinking about watching our backs. I mean, it was the Fourth of July! Everyone’s in a good mood, right? No need for anyone to be jerks, let alone hostile and violent jerks.
In hindsight, it shouldn’t have surprised us when the first egg hit the sidewalk in front of us. I’ve avoided that block for years at night precisely because of incidents like that. There were probably some thirty people hanging out on the opposite side of the street, all just glaring at us like a gauntlet. The fact that we had a dog didn’t deter them from throwing about four eggs at us. At least they weren’t rocks.
The glow of “we’re all Washingtonians together in a new beginning” has obviously faded, or they never felt it to begin with.
It breaks my heart.
By Tom Bridge
‘IMG_8619’
courtesy of ‘dbking’
NBC 4 is reporting tonight that Marion Barry was arrested today in a domestic dispute. The Twitter Buzz is that the charge was for stalking, but as the commenter on NBCWashington.com wrote, “the only thing it seemed that he was capable of stalking might be a stuffed animal or a warm glass of milk”.
Hopefully Hizzoner will be available for comment in the morning.
By Ben H. Rome
‘The We <3 DC Crew’ courtesy of ‘marc.benton’
With apologies to a certain escapist ’80s TV show…
“In 2008 a crack blogging team was bound by restrictions of a blogging organization they didn’t build. A select group of men and women promptly escaped from the shackles of the oppression to the freedom of WordPress. Today they survive as a radical bloggers in the nation’s capital. If all you see is the politics, if no one else can give you the real scoop on DC, and if you love your metro region, then maybe you can read: WeLoveDC.”
It was one year ago today we stepped out on our own into the brave new blogging world. I’ve been extremely blessed to have been included in this endeavor from the start and want to take a moment to especially thank Don, Tom, Tiff, Carl, Paulo, Wayan, Jenn, BenS and John for inviting me into the fold. I’ve felt like a modern version of the Founding Fathers and am humbled and amazed that we’re still around after a year and that all of you – our wonderful readers – continue to support us. So, on this first anniversary and on our nation’s celebration of Independence, this humble resident thanks you all.
Here’s to 233 more!
By Rebecca
‘Tchotchke the Freedom Bulldog’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’
With one day to go until July 4th, it’s time to marinate the chicken, clean the grill, set out the checkered table cloths, raise Old Glory and get pumped to celebrate the birth of our country. And what better way to do that, than watch a kick ass, chest thumping USA! USA! movie tonight that will make you jump out of your recliner, scream “God Bless America!” and parade around your living room waving a small US flag.
Not surprisingly some of these movies were filmed in or are based in DC, which makes them all the more badass to watch for us DC lovers. Of note: this is only my personal shortlist of movies to get me in the Independance Day mood. I’m sure there are a lot more out there that spark the same sense of pride, so leave a comment on what you’d add to the list.
Cheese Lincoln
Originally uploaded by tiffany bridge
Yes, that’s a 6’8 statue of Abraham Lincoln carved out of mild cheddar on Constitution in front of the American Pharmacists Association building. You are not hallucinating.
For each of the past three years, CHEEZ-IT has sponsored a massive cheese carving of some patriotic theme in honor of Independence Day. Cheese sculptor Troy Landwehr has been their go-to-cheesehead, creating a Mount Rushmore and a Signing of the Declaration of Independence in the last two years. The choice to carve Lincoln in pasteurized dairy product is to honor the 14th president’s bicentennial year.
The sculpture took about 40 hours in a near-freezing room to complete, says Landwehr. It started as a 1000-pound round, and the completed sculpture weighs about 700 pounds. Landwehr prefers to work in mild cheddar over other cheeses because it has the right texture and consistency for carving. Even sharp cheddar is too crumbly. (I swear to God I’m not making this up.)
CHEEZ-IT staff assisted passerby with taking photos with Cheese Lincoln, and passed out single-serving bags of CHEEZ-ITs. Unfortunately, American Pharmacists Association staff did NOT pass out leaflets on cholesterol management.
By shannon
‘a hug on Riggs’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’
Welcome to Where We Live: Dupont! Dupont Circle is one of the District’s best-known neighborhoods, and there’s so much history and beautiful architecture to love here. Dupont is home to everyone from recent grads in group houses to young professionals in condos to well-off diplomats with kids, and yes, even some new stars. I know I’m probably supposed to be unbiased in my descriptions of all these neighborhoods, but to be honest, Dupont’s my favorite. Read on to find out why.
History: Not much was really going on in the Dupont area until the Civil War. Up until then it was a rural backwater, but a massive modernization program built streets and sewers in the 1870s, making the area a fashionable new residential district. In 1871, the circle itself (then known as Pacific Circle) was constructed, and in 1882 Congress decided to use the circle to honor Civil War admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. A statue of Du Pont was erected in 1884, and replaced in 1921 with the fountain that we all know and love today. The traffic signals in the circle were added in 1948 to make it easier for pedestrians to cross, and in 1949 the Connecticut Avenue tunnel was built to separate thru traffic and build a streetcar station.
By the 1870s and 1880s, impressive mansions were built along Massachusetts Avenue, and Connecticut Avenue had more shops and offices. Much of the area was developed with rowhouses, many of which remain today. The neighborhood began to decline after the 1968 riots, but in the 1970s some urban pioneersmoved in. Dupont Circle took on more of a Bohemian character, and the area became a gay enclave. It is considered the historic center of the gay communityin DC, though many of those original urban pioneers later moved on to Logan Circle or Shaw. The 1980s and 1990s saw more reinvestment in the neighborhood, and today Dupont Circle is again one of DC’s most desired neighborhoods.
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