By Karl Johnson
‘The Cell’
courtesy of ‘andertho’
The man that wrought terror on the DC metro area, and cowardly took the lives of 10 innocent people, is seeking life over death. The Washington Times reports that an attorney for John Allen Muhammad will be filing a request for clemency with VA Governor Tim Kaine – the only guy that can prevent Muhammad from being put to death on November 10th. Chances of clemency being granted are incredibly slim, however.
By Jenn Larsen
"Jason Tesauro sabers champagne" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr
Maybe it’s easier to define feminine elegance than masculine, but one thing I know for sure – a man can be elegant without losing his swagger. In fact, both complement the other. It’s no coincidence that the men who best epitomize this quality are usually from another era – Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Duke Ellington, Steve McQueen.
Sound appealing? Enter Jason Tesauro, author of The MODERN GENTLEMAN: A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy & Vice. Earlier this week I had the privilege of attending a complimentary preview of his upcoming series at Morrison House in Old Town. These four courses are designed to give modern gents a roadmap for mixing confidence with class. Or as Jason put it, to give you “a code of ethics even in the dicier areas of vice.”
Want to learn how to saber a bottle of champagne? How to navigate the world of artisan cocktails, stocking your home bar with confidence? How about choosing hand-rolled cigars, carving a bird, learning about custom tailoring, all while wooing the ladies? Covered, in true raconteur style. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘Smithsonian park bench’
courtesy of ‘Slippy Slappy’
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve seen a promo for 2012 by now. It’s disaster porn of the highest order. But, you might’ve missed that there’s a transmedia project associated with the game, including twitter accounts and a YouTube channel. If you’ve got some time this afternoon, bolt on over to the comic book store by 3pm at 50 Mass Ave NE and pass them the codeword “2012”, you’ll find yourself with a package of some import to the game.
A wild goose-chase, perhaps? Perhaps. But a fun diversion that makes you feel a bit like a spook, definitely. I remember a campaign in DC in 2003 that had me running all over DC with a group of people answering payphones as a part of a puzzle, and another that involved playing poker in Congressional Cemetery, so it’s nice to see another fun game stopping in DC along the way. If you’re looking for more in this vein, check out Unfiction, the largest online community devoted to these kinds of experiences.
By Katie
‘April 036’
courtesy of ‘krisandapril’
Cornel West is at Union Station in the bookstore signing his latest book. I got a little teenybopper and squee-ish on him, cause I wrote my senior exit paper on his influence on Lupe Fiasco‘s Food and Liquor. So if you’re in the area, and love you some Mr. West, well then, you’re in luck. He’ll also be appearing at Busboys & Poets tonight.
By Don
‘Mary McLeod Bethune’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
The section edition of A Child’s Right to Counsel: A National Report Card on Legal Representation for Abused and Neglected Children[pdf] has been released by First Star and the CAI and Maryland ranks higher than D.C. or Virginia. The report is primarily concerned with what kind of representation kids get when they interact with the child welfare system. The introduction numbers are sobering.
Over 300,000 American children entered foster care in the last fully reported year of 2006. Of the 289,000 children who exited from the system that year, only about half were reunified with their parents. The parents of 79,000 children were found to be unfit by clear and convincing evidence and had their parental rights terminated. Only 51,000 children were adopted. The remainder of these children stay in the foster care system, now numbering over 500,000 nationwide—most living in state-provided care or with relatives.
‘Fortune….’
courtesy of ‘christaki’
A University of Maryland student was arrested this week for an incident in which he drunkenly entered the dorm rooms of several sleeping female students on the GWU campus (the student has admitted to this much), and specifically in one case the female dorm occupant is alleging that he attempted to sexually assault her.
MPD says that they have noted the similarities between this incident and the Georgetown Cuddler Rapist incidents, but do not yet have any evidence that the two are related.
‘(270/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
Ben: This weekend looks to be on the chilly side but that won’t stop our usual Friday hockey viewing. Saturday we’re entertaining a friend from New York who just recently became a U.S. citizen, so we’ll be visiting the National Archives and checking out the nation’s founding documents with her, followed by an early dinner at Matchbox and finishing off with a visit to the Verizon Center, where the Caps take on the Nashville Predators. Sunday looks to be a day of recovery but may involve a trip out to Foxfire Grill, our new foodie addiction in Springfield.
Shannon: We’re right in the thick of fall, and I’m gearing up for Halloween this weekend! Friday night I’d like to check out a lantern-lit ghost tour at the National Building Museum, and Saturday I hope to finally head out to Poolesville for Markoff’s Haunted Forest, which I’ve been wanting to check out for ages. Saturday is also Bike DC Day, so in between these two spooky, scary nights I’ll be biking around the city on car-free streets. And on Sunday, I’m going to head to the pool, because I just signed up for next year’s Alcatraz Swim and I need to train to outswim any sharks. How’s that for scary? Continue reading
By Cathy
‘IMG_3820.jpg’
courtesy of ‘www.VoteJoeC.com’
If you’ve been to the new (Sexy) Safeway, Busboys & Poets or the neighborhood Ace Hardware at the CityVista complex at 5th and K, you likely haven’t been disappointed. You probably have gone back more than once. It’s an oasis of useful and appreciated stores just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Chinatown.
Well, starting tomorrow there will be a new reason for you to return to paradise island: Taylor Gourmet, a deli and market specializing in gourmet hoagies, opens its second location in the NW complex.
Feeling that DC was missing out on a place for a great hoagie, Philadelphia transplants Casey Patten and David Mazza opened their first Taylor Gourmet in the H Street NE corridor in 2007 amid great reviews. Their second location has been causing excitement since the day they told the world they were opening a second location. Continue reading
By Rebecca
photo courtesy of NPS.gov
This Saturday from 6:30-9pm, the National Park service will host the 13th Annual Life & Death on the C&O Canal at the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center in Great Falls, MD.
Volunteers and park rangers will take visitors on a one-hour journey back in time, and recreate the trials and tribulations experienced by the men and women who built, lived and staffed the canal during its 96 year long history. Every interpretation is based on documented facts or legends, and interpreters will present various 15 minutes programs throughout the evening.
Reservations are recommended and the program is not for young children. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, and $4 for seniors and children (4-14). Call 301-767-3714 for information and reservations.
By Don
As I watched the teams from multiple counties go through this drill I heard the radio announcement voice in my head say “If this has been an actual emergency, there would have been a lot less official rubberneckers taking snapshots.”
It makes perfect sense – if the point of a drill is to run a scenario and determine how well you’re doing things then you need observers who aren’t a part of the response to watch and grade. There were also other folks occasionally providing input to the suited-up response teams who were seemed to be running the scenario and providing the simulation participants with information about what they were discovering as they went.
The day started like all official operations: with a lot of waiting around. Those of us who’d shown up from the press to observe were given time to talk to Arlington and Alexandria county officials about the exercise, as well as a representative from the railroad management organization CSX. The visuals got a lot more interesting once we were led to the site of the simulated incident.
By Don
‘look at this’
courtesy of ‘Vark1’
Arlington Rap? Fairfax? Whatevah. Ezra Klein’s blog has an amusing bit about a pundit cancellation and some upcoming output from local George Mason University:
“We just learned that Russ Roberts, a professor of economics at George Mason University, who was our second choice for the anti-Keynes position, is shooting a rap video about Keynes and Hayek next week in New York. He has written the lyrics (they are quite good), hired rappers and musicians, and tapped professional music video producers — there will be bling, babes, limos, the works.”
I eagerly await the response, “Freidman was a suckah.”
By Tom Bridge
In some brilliant marketing, Arlington County hired songster Remy to produce a new song about the Cultural Center in Rosslyn that will open up next October. Props to Arlington for recognizing the genius in their midst.
By Rebecca
‘Battle of the Beltways’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’
The Nationals’ Screech? Or the Orioles’ The Bird?
Well, in the battle over D.C. TV ratings, our neighbors to the north have won. According to the Washington Business Journal, “D.C. is the only TV market in the country where a team from another city (the O’s) gets better ratings than the hometown team.” That’s sad.
What’s sadder still is that the two teams combined for 201 losses. :(
By Cathy
Raymond Lee Jewelers has this Platinum diamond bracelet. Total diamond weight is approx 20.50 carats.
Courtesy of Raymond Lee Jewelers
Every weekend, do you swing by the Hope Diamond to glare at its stunning size and beauty on your way to Home Goods for some second hand “antiques”? That’s not that too far from my ideal weekend.
No matter your inclination, starting tomorrow and through the weekend, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center downtown is hosting almost 100 exhibitors for the Antiques, Art & Jewelry Show. For $15, you can spend up to four days to see Antique Road Show-style action right here in town, and maybe learn a thing or two during the free lectures. You’ll feel just like you’re down the street at a Smithsonian, only these goods come with a story – and a price.
The variety of unusual historical art collections and antiques from around the world available at this show makes it compelling for both serious collectors and beginners. The first annual show’s collections will feature everything from original paintings and works of art, to Art Deco and Modernism pieces. Continue reading
By Jenn Larsen
Helmet, Pantera, The Clash, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Slayer, Dead Kennedys, Big Black, Jawbox, Bad Religion, Mastodon.
Like the sound of that?
The “Fists of Fury” DJs debut tonight at Rock and Roll Hotel, spinning enough underground rock, metal and punk to get your hearts pounding and bodies slamming. Just don’t actually throw a punch, ok? It’s free, 9pm to close, at the upstairs bar. Let the mid-week mayhem begin.
By Tom Bridge
‘00208386’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’
Celebrity Sports Blogging is about as attractive to me as swine flu, but if that’s your thing, check out Caron Butler’s new blog. Since Agent Zero’s blog went dark, it’s nice to get an occasional, if pithy and entirely devoid of actual wisdom, peek into the Wizards’ persona.
By jasmine
‘DSCN3278.JPG’
courtesy of ‘::FiZ::’
Tonight at DC9, local bands including The Moderate, Alex Gruenburg, and Frau Eva come together for a sweet $10 show to benefit Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE). SAFE empowers survivors of domestic violence here in DC and helps them navigate the legal system and get out of their bad situations. So come out and support both the local music scene and a great organization tonight!
By Katie
‘Sustain Ceramics: Three mocha pinch bowls.’
courtesy of ‘Liverpool Design Festival’
In an effort to remind all of us that have, about those of us who deserve to have, Capital Area Food Bank is hosting their annual Empty Bowls lunch. This year’s event is taking place at DLA Piper (500 8th Street, NW) on on Wednesday, October 21. All you need to do is stop by between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM with $25. The site says, “You’ll receive a lunch of soup, bread, cookies and a unique handcrafted bowl to take home. The bowl serves as a reminder of the 600,000 empty bowls in the National Capital Region.”
The soup, bread, and cookies will be provided from some of the area’s best eat places: Breadline, Café Atlantico, Capital Area Food Bank, Clyde’s of Gallery Place, Food & Friends, Israel CME Church, PS 7’s, thebestcookie.com, and Thrive DC.
Help Capital Area Food Bank know how many people to expect, by rsvping to richardsonj (at) capitalareafoodbank (dot) org.
By Katie
Michael Babin isn’t necessarily a DC household name, but his restaurants sure are. He’s one of the co-owners behind the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, (NRG) the powerhouse behind Buzz, Evening Star Café, EatBar, Planet Wine, Rustico, Columbia Firehouse, Star Catering, Tallula and Vermilion – all Northern Virginia staples that have quickly become community favorites. With Michael opening his first restaurant in DC proper any day now, the beer-focused Birch & Barley and upstairs bar Churchkey, I thought it was high time to talk to him about what he loves about DC.
Katie: How long have you lived in the DC area?
Michael: 18 years.
What is the best thing about DC, in your opinion?
DC is much more manageable and affordable than just about any other city with comparable cultural attractions. Also, the people who live here tend to be well educated, well informed, and passionate about public issues. Because there is more awareness of the inside baseball of how things really work, it can seem to outsiders like a cynical town, but just as much (if not more), it’s a city of idealists and big dreamers.
What would you change about DC if you could?
Lower the pollen levels and eradicate those tiny Asian mosquitoes.
Why did you start NRG, and what do you see for it in the future?
I opened the Evening Star Cafe because I wanted to get a practical education in business by starting and owning one. A few years later, I decided to do this full-time and it turned into NRG. I have too many goals for NRG to mention, but personally I hope to continue to earn the right to work with smart, creative, and committed partners in the kitchens and fronts-of-house to create and operate places that we, and our guests, genuinely love. Continue reading
By shannon
‘bike dc’
courtesy of ‘ann gav’
This Saturday is Bike DC, an annual opportunity to bike around the District and Arlington on car-free roads. If you’ve always wanted to bike around the city but you’re a little nervous about having to bike in traffic, this is your chance to try it out! There are two routes to choose from: the 25-mile Capital Ride that connects Capitol Hill, the Zoo, and the GW Parkway; and the 10-mile Family Ride that connects the National Mall with Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon. Both rides start on the Mall and end in Crystal City, where there will be a Finish Line Festival with entertainment and activities. And since you’ll probably be hungry after that bike ride, various Crystal City businesses are offering lunch specials to Bike DC participants. Registration is $35 for the Capital Ride and $25 for the Family Ride, and proceeds benefit the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and the American Heart Association.
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