Monthly Archives: November 2009

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Special Tour of “Oil”

AMARC #5, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 2006. Chromogenic color print. Photograph © Edward Burtynsky

AMARC #5, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 2006. Chromogenic color print. Photograph © Edward Burtynsky

I’ve been hearing great things about the Edward Burtynsky exhibit “Oil,” which features large, intriguing, beautiful photographs related to oil — how we take it out of the ground, what we make with it, and the effects it has the world over.

Tonight offers a chance to see it up close and personal. CarbonfreeDC is hosting a social hour at the Corcoran Museum Cafe at 6 p.m., followed by a special guided tour of the exhibit.

I’m prepared to become addicted.

The Daily Feed
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Breakfast at National

Photo courtesy of
‘American troops patrolling poppy fields in Afghanistan’
courtesy of ‘illuminating9_11’

We’re headed out of the area for a week or so, and instead of our usual trek out to Dulles to go Virgin or JetBlue across America, we’re at National this morning, flying to Phoenix on the way to our final destination. It’s been a while since I’ve flown out of good old DCA, as I tend to prefer the shiny new carriers instead of the old hub-and-spoke monstrosities, but some airfares can’t be ignored, and here we are at Gate 39. Right across from us, though, is the best reason to fly out of National’s US Airways C terminal: Five Guys. For Breakfast. Sure, you’ve had their beautiful burgers, but they also do breakfast at their airport restaurants (and yes, I recognize there’s one at IAD, too), which now includes DCA. Actual eggs fried on the griddle, actual bacon fried on the griddle, and nothing that was flash frozen last week! Sign me up.

What makes it extra special? The heroin. I swear there’s some in every sandwich. As the last line worker reaches out of sight to trigger the buzzing coaster alerting me to the order, I’m certain there much be something to make these taste extra delicious. No, it’s not the healthiest option, but it’s probably the only breakfast that was actually made to order at DCA. That’s worth considering.

The Daily Feed
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WaPo Needs New Nats Beat Writer

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

It’d be big shoes to fill, but the Washington Post is looking for a new Nats Beat Writer. That’s the guy who goes to all of the games, Spring Training, Fall Ball, and maintains the Nats Journal. It’s also my dream job. But, as I’ve got my own business to run, and We Love DC to tend to, it seems a bad fit. But, all of you Nats bloggers out there, this might be a way to get to every game…

The Daily Feed
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Now that’s a case of the Mondays

Photo courtesy of
‘Untitled (Big Man)’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

The Arlington crime report is usually a pretty dry and uninteresting read. The usual mishmash of property crime, petty theft, some assault and maybe an indecent exposure or two. When it’s more interesting it’s usually sadly so – sexual assault or a shooting.

But once in a while, you get a gem like this one.

GRAND LARCENY AUTO, POSSESSION, ASSAULT ON POLICE-ARREST 11/16/09, 300 block of N. Kensington Street. On November 16 at 7:45 pm police responded for a suspicious person. The suspect was found in a stolen vehicle. The suspect was under the influence of narcotics and unclothed. He assaulted officers at the scene before being arrested. Duy Nguyen, 32, was charged with Grand Larceny of an Automobile, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Driving While Revoked, Indecent Exposure, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement. He was held without bond.

It’s pretty easy to imbibe enough such that you can no longer make a sound judgment about whether you’ve had too much to drive – your judgment is impaired, after all. But here’s a tip: if you’re butt-ass naked and in the car you probably shouldn’t be driving.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, The District
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Top Chef Contestant Blais Brings Burgers to Chinatown

Photo courtesy of
‘The Juicy Loosey’
courtesy of ‘akuban’

You guys, we must be getting sexier, ’cause Top Chef has been drawn to us as of late. The crush is festering, and we’ve just moved from the couch to the bedroom. Not only do we get served by Carla Hall, Spike, Bryan Voltaggio, and Mike Isabella but Richard Blais recently announced that he is bringing his Flip Burger concept to DC.

Atlanta is the home base for Flip Burger and Blais is reportedly looking around Chinatown for his third location (We’re second to Birmingham, odd, right?). For my love of Richard Blais subtle sarcastic sense of humor I’m going to politely refrain from whining about how all celebrity chefs like to bring us steak and burgers. Cause they do. Steak or burgers. Red meat. Woo! Ugh.

(Oh, whoops.)

Anywho, Blais says that Flip is all about burgers + molecular gastronomy, and who doesn’t love a little liquid nitrogen mixed with their food? I say? Bring it.

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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The Dog Whisperer Goes on Tour

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_0977’
courtesy of ‘Arlington Karl’

If you missed Cesar Millan, aka The Dog Whisperer, when he was in town a little while ago for a book signing, never fear–he’s coming back December 6! Not for another book signing, though. Oh, no. The Dog Whisperer is on tour.

I couldn’t make this up if I tried. It’s called The PowerPack Tour, and it’s coming to the George Mason Patriot Center on December 6 at 5:30 pm. “From Sheepdogs to Schnauzers, Poodles to Pomeranians, Cesar Millan will have audiences spellbound as he shares his amazing insights on dog psychology and how people can inadvertently play a role in their dog’s behavioral issues,” said tour producer Bill Silva. Tickets are $150.00, $75.00 and $39.50 plus applicable service charges at Ticketmaster or the Patriot Center box office.

Before his seminar, The Dog Whisperer is joining forces with the Washington Humane Society for a blanket and towel drive, which will be at the Patriot Center starting at 3:30pm December 6. The towels (any size or color, just no holes) go in the cages to keep the animals warm before they get adopted, which is awesome.

Five Favorites, The Features
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Five Favorites: Bike Routes

Photo courtesy of
‘Rounding the point’
courtesy of ‘randomduck’

Welcome to another edition of Five Favorites.  This week we’ll be checking out bike routes in the District.  Whether you’re a recreational weekend biker, a bike commuter, or a hard-core triathlete, DC’s bike routes have something to offer you.  Here are our picks for the top five bike routes in the city (including a map so you can check these out for yourself):

Number 5: Hains Point.  Hains Point in Southwest isn’t the most scenic bike route in the city, but it is nicely separated from traffic and offers some great straightaways to work up speed.  For that reason, it’s a favorite of serious competitive cyclists and triathletes in the city.  On weekday evenings and weekends, you’ll find cyclists doing ten or even twenty 5-mile loops.  The views of the Potomac River and the Washington Monument get old after the first couple laps, but you won’t find wide lanes with limited car access like these anywhere else.  If you’re looking to get in a flat but fast bike workout, Hains Point is for you.  Route stats: three or five mile loop, paved, plenty of room for passing, and limited car access.

Continue reading →

Foggy Bottom, Music, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Public Enemy Spreads Holiday Cheer To Homeless DC Youth

Photo courtesy of
‘Public Enemy’
courtesy of ‘LivePict – LIVEPICT.COM’

DC just got some serious points added to their street cred.

Hip hop bad boys Public Enemy are back and are storming the DC streets tonight via a flat-bed truck (slowly making their way to GW’s Lisner Auditorium). If that doesn’t make you want to shout “FLAVOR FLAAAAAV”, I don’t know what will.

Public Enemy’s evening is set to start at the Sasha Bruce House with a Thanksgiving dinner for the 30+ homeless kids staying in the home as a part of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. Shortly after, they’ll load up that flat bed and start doing what they do best — busting beats and pumping politically incorrect jams.

The flat bed show is scheduled to start around 7:30 pm at the Foggy Bottom intersection of 18th and G Streets NW.

Want VIP access to the show? Easy — bring a winter coat to donate and you’ll get an instant ticket upgrade.

Want to track the truck? The Post’s got the dish of where it should be and around when.

The Daily Feed
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DC Area Thanksgiving Turkey Trots

Photo courtesy of
‘Turkey trot’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

We’re just over a week out from Thanksgiving, so I hope you’re prepared for gluttony and overeating!  There are all sorts of calculators out there that show you how many calories are in your Thanksgiving dinner and how much you’d have to exercise to burn them off.  But forget about those, because a little light jogging on Thanksgiving morning is sure to burn every one of those calories off (that’s my reasoning, at least).  Here are a couple area turkey trots to choose from:

The Daily Feed
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Save the Blade

Photo courtesy of
‘The Washington Blade’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

The erstwhile staff of the dearly departed Washington Blade is resolute in their commitment to continuing to serve DC’s GLBT community and will be releasing the first issue of their new publication, even if they have to photocopy it themselves. They’re having a Tweetup tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe near Chinatown from 6-8 if you want to go high-five them.

The staff will be working on a volunteer basis for the time being, and any money that comes in from donations or other sources will be going to distribution costs. As fellow members of the volunteer DC media, we salute them and wish them the best.

Interviews, The Features
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He Loves DC: John Snedden of Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company

JohnSneddenPhoto

For 18 years Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company has been cooking for the DC area, whipping up some of the finest in the area with its wood-only barbeque. Since crafting his own sauce in 1978 after being dissatisfied with store-bought sauces Owner John Snedden’s been taking on the beltway’s tastebuds one wood-smoked protein at a time. Rocklands has even developed its own line of sauces including the popular Original Barbeque Sauce, to the award-winning Global Warming, Tamarind Chipotle Hot Sauce and the recently developed Barbeque Citrus Sauce.

In addition to its own line of sauces, every one of the four locations features a ‘Wall of Fire,’ boasting more than 100 hot sauces sourced from all around the world for customers to sample and even purchase. Customers who bring a bottle of hot sauce Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company doesn’t sell will get a free sandwich. It’s just that kind of place. So what does John Snedden think about the area? Where’s the best BBQ other than his own joint? Where does he go on his days off? Read on to find out.

Katie: How long have you lived in the DC area?
John: I moved to Washington in the Spring of ’84.

What is the best thing about DC, in your opinion?
My family and I love living in DC. For an urban area, DC has so much green space and character. We often forget we live in the city. It is also exciting to be in the hub of the federal government. There is so much power and influence in this city. It is palpable and exciting. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Acoustic Mashup Artist Jacqui Naylor Visits Blues Alley

Photo courtesy of
‘Mic Check 1,2’
courtesy of ‘Mayes Studios’

What do George Gershwin and AC/DC have in common? To most people, that answer would be — nothing. But Blues musician Jacqui Naylor begs to differ.

Naylor is in DC tonight for two shows  (8 pm & 10 pm). This stop on her fall tour brings her to the historic Blues Alley in Georgetown.

Good luck trying to categorize Naylor into a specific genre. The girl’s got vocal chops equivalent to that of a modern Billie Holiday or bolder Norah Jones. Then, combine those vocals with her newly arranged jazz standards featuring musical compositions by some of classic rock’s biggest names and you’ve got one helluva musical package.

There’s just one thing to remember about Blues Alley though — there’s a $10 minimum purchase requirement per person. But to be honest, feeling like a true Jazz-cat c. 1960 for a night is well worth it.

Tickets for the show are still available.

The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors
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Artificial Reef Breaks, Litters 2000 Tires on Assateague

Owly Images
Courtesy of @AssateagueNPS

According to the twitter account of the Assateague National Park Service (@AssateagueNPS), an offshore artificial reef broke apart in last week’s tropical storm depositing 2000 tires on the beach at Assateague Island.

WaPo’s Tuesday coverage of the storm surge that uplifted the tires from the ocean floor quotes Louis Hinds, manager of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. He informs us not to worry about the famous Chincoteague ponies who retreated to high ground, but that  “strapping folks” are needed to volunteer for cleanup.

Crews of Assateague National Park staff and volunteers are out picking up tires on the beach today.

Check out another photo after the fold.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Council Chair Gray in Trouble?


IMG_4627
Originally uploaded by tbridge

The Post has the news this morning that Council Chair Vincent Gray may have committed a major faux pas by asking for Comcast to donate $20,000 to the council to support the council’s efforts at the DNC last summer as part of their home rule efforts. Slight problem. By District law, no one person or corporation can donate more than $5,000 per year to a political action committee like the D.C. Democratic State Committee, which received the check from Comcast.

There’s a couple issues here:

1) Council Chair Gray solicited a political donation on City Council stationery, which is against the rules.

2) The donation he solicited is larger than the law allows

3) The party itself did catch the issue, but then didn’t do anything about it.

This should be fun to watch. Expect it not to make a difference in whether the Council Chair announces for Mayor in February.

Business and Money, Entertainment, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Ripping Off Childhood Favorites

hungryhipposripoff

Recently I’ve been spending a little too much time at my local CVS. Whether I’m filling an Rx, stocking up on 2 for 1 cans of chicken noodle soup or buying toilet paper, I could spend hours roaming the aisles looking at all the “As Seen On TV” offerings and discounted holiday supplies.

However, like the way too early holiday displays, I saw an item there that really busted my buttons. A ripoff of the dearly beloved, totally skillless, Hasbro children’s game Hungry, Hungry Hippos.

WTF! Is nothing sacred anymore? In the ripoff, titled Hungry Dog, the pups don’t have that marble crazy look in their eyes like the hippos.  And the very name of the game with only one “hungry” gives their sub-par dedication to manic marble chomping away.

So my advice to parents is don’t deprive your kids of the real-deal when it comes to classic kids games.  Spend the extra $2 bucks and buy the original.

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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And Now, A Metro Shower Curtain

DC-Hires.jpg

How much do you love Metro? Sure, you have every commemorative farecard, you’ve got both the Nationals SmarTrip AND the Barack Obama SmarTrip card. You even dressed up like a Metro pylon for Halloween. But, do you have the shower curtain yet? No shower is complete without the Metro Shower Curtain. It’s an easy $30 gift for that friend of yours that you once caught looking a little too intently and longingly at the station manager at Chinatown/Gallery Pl.

We’ve worked out a giveaway with the manufacturer, Izola Shower Curtains. Enter a comment, and include your email address in the form, and we’ll pick a winner at noon tomorrow.

The Daily Feed
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Ovechkin Returns, Caps Continue Winning Ways

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_5175’
courtesy of ‘photopete’

I was very glad to see that Alex Ovechkin was back on the ice last night against the Rangers, and that his late goal was part of the difference over the Rangers. From On Frozen Blog comes this description of his return:

The scoresheet shows Ovi with just a single shot on goal (a successful one at that), but you’d have to label it a fantastic return performance. He had 7 hits that seemed like 70 ferocious ones against skaters in blue shirts. In fact, when the Rags were seriously pressing in the Caps’ end midway through the final frame Ovi went up the ice at last with the puck and made like the proverbial bull in a china shop, stalking Lundqvist with his powerful drive wide strides, swirling back again dangerously behind the cage, and then going on a one-man missile mission of hitting Rangers who’d taken the puck away from him. They were like bowling pins falling down. The shift reversed the game’s momentum.

Congrats also to Coach Bruce Boudreau on his 100th win with the Caps!

Interviews, The Features
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She Loves DC: Becky Lee

WalkThisWay_BeckysFund_ByNakevaCorothers-8705 Courtesy of Walk This Way

I met Becky Lee, local advocate for Domestic Violence and Founder of Becky’s Fund, at her awareness and fundraiser fashion show, Walk this Way, last month. Becky has clearly made an impact on this town and earned some clout: her fashion models were the Redskins AND the DC United.

But fashion and fame aside, Becky fights hard against a serious and sobering problem: Domestic Violence. Find out why Becky advocates from DC, be reminded of the signs and symptoms of DV, and hear about some of the resources available here in town.

Cathy: Why did you pick DC as home base to fight your cause?

Becky: During law school I had several internships in DC, including a position with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. I loved the combination of my interests in law and policy, as well as being able to make a positive impact on the lives of people in the community. After receiving my law degree from the University of Pittsburgh, I decided to return to DC and took a position with the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), and then an attorney position with the Battered Women’s Justice Project. I learned a tremendous amount from these experiences, and through interacting with the victims of domestic violence in particular, I was inspired to create and found my own domestic violence organization in 2006.

After coming in third on the CBS reality show “Survivor: Cook Islands,” I used some of the prize money to start Becky’s Fund in 2006. I knew DC was the perfect place to start my organization and fight for this cause after being down here for a few years and experiencing the positive energy of this city. I also had maintained several strong relationships with the groups I had worked with over the years and felt confident that I would have the support needed to start this organization on my own. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Lebron James at Josephine Wednesday night

Photo courtesy of
‘00069882’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the Lebron James is probably the second or third most popular living NBA player. He’s in town on Wednesday night with the Cavs, as they take on the Wizards. And, if you want to tell him how much he sucks/rocks, he’ll be at Josephine after the game to host a party. Now, he’ll probably have his whole fifteen-person entourage with him, so Wizards fans might want to take a few friends if they wanted to send Mr. James a message.

The Daily Feed
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Perez Hilton Scorned by TWT

Photo courtesy of
‘Perez Hilton’
courtesy of ‘thomasrdotorg’

Fishbowl DC has the details of the latest journalist to meet the ire of Gossip-blogger and remora-par-none Perez Hilton, and it’s a local: Stephanie Green from The Washington Times. Given the opportunity for an exclusive by Hilton’s publicist, Green took the story, and published an article based on the segment with the publicist. You know, as you might expect from any writer who was pitched a story would do. The small problem? The publicist said that Hilton decided to pass on the story with the Times, in a one-line email, and went about her day. Apparently, that was supposed to kill the story, but Green, being good at her job, decided not to roll over and be Hilton’s lapdog.

Bravo, Stephanie, Bravo. Hilton’s bark is a lot worse than his bite.