Monthly Archives: November 2009

The Daily Feed
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Curbside Cupcakes Happiness

Photo courtesy of
‘Cupcake Frosting’
courtesy of ‘christaki’

I don’t know what it is about food trucks/stands/vans that appear out of nowhere and then move on, but it makes me want to buy what they’re selling. DC’s latest roving food trend is the bright pink cupcake van called Curbside Cupcakes.

I just took advantage of them (oh yeah. It was good, too.) being at Union Station during lunch today and tried the red velvet cupcake. It was a little on the small side, but it was super moist and fluffy–exactly how I like my cupcakes. Plus, the people working in the van are ridiculously nice. Cupcake van FTW! If you want to track them down and try the cupcakes for yourself, check out their Twitter or Facebook.

Food and Drink, The DC 100
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DC Omni 100: #32 Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl

Photo courtesy of
‘Chowder in sourdough bread bowls from Boudin’
courtesy of ‘TheGirlsNY’

It’s time for another item from the DC Omnivore 100 list of the top one hundred foods every good omnivore should try at least once in their lives.

As I’m a Northeasterner, when I hear “clam chowder” my mind immediately goes to the creamy, rich, hearty goodness that is New England Clam Chowder. This is the typical winter fare that keeps us Yankees warm on the ski slopes and sledding down snowy banks for hours and hours.  The chowder sticks to your ribs, keeps your core warm and makes you smile on -15 degree (including wind chill) days.

I’m also from Manhattan, so I’m well aware of New England Clam Chowder’s alterego, the red Manhattan Clam Chowder. As a kid, I was not a fan of this soup. It was the imposter of clam chowder. Definitely not the real deal. “Ewww…who eats red clam chowder?!!” However, as an adult, my palette has shifted and I really like the acidity and sharpness of this tomato-based version. And now that I don’t have the metabolism of a hypeactive 8 year old, it’s also a more health conscious choice.  For those DC-VA-MD folk, Manhattan Clam Chowder is farely similar to Maryland Clam Chowder, only the NYC version lacks corn and chicken (presumably these additions come from the Eastern shore of MD). Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Washington Blade Closes

Photo courtesy of
‘guilty pleasures’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

This morning at 11:20, the Washington Blade tweeted, “Washington Blade, like all Window Media publications, is closing today. Thank you for your support. (Keep following us for developments.)” The Blade was owned by Window Media, which also owned Southern Voice, which was in turn bought by Avalon Equity Fund, which is now in receivership and closing publications. Today’s move was part of four GLBTQ outlets closing, the Blade, which just turned 40, Atlanta’s Southern Voice paper and David magazine and the South Florida Blade.

In addition to shuttering the paper property, the digital archives at Wash Blade is now reporting down (Update, 12:10p: the servers are alternating between down, up, and the Site Down page, probably under heavy load). The Blade has been a DC institution for 40 years, and its loss will be very hard on the DC area in specific. Started in 1969 with humble beginnings as a mimeographed paper, the Blade has a long and storied history that I can’t believe will just be destroyed like this. I recently heard a great segment with their editor on the Kojo Nnamdi show celebrating their great history.

Washington is a poorer place without the Blade.

UPDATE, 12:55p: Via Politico, the Blade’s staff is working on a new venture already, with the first meeting being tomorrow, under the helm of Private Citizen and former Blade editor Kevin Naff. Anything we can do to help Mr. Naff and his fine staff, he need but ask. I’m very, very glad to see Mr. Naff crafting his own Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and I hope it’s up and running very soon.

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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The New Vintage

Photo courtesy of
‘Bottle’s Top’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

Want to benefit a good cause while drinking wine and eating food prepared by Esquire’s best new chef? Look no further than Heart’s Delight: the New Vintage Eat Local ~ Drink Local wine auction, hosted at the Blue Ridge this coming Wednesday.  $50 gets you in the door and allows you to sample fare prepared by the acclaimed Chef Barton Seaver.  His dishes, which are locally sourced, will paired with beer and wine from the DC area.  Proceeds from the auction benefit the American Heart Association, and the event is designed to give young, philanthropically minded professionals an opportunity to network and volunteer.  If you’re interested in attending, be sure to buy your tickets by the end of the day!

The Daily Feed
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The Redskins trademark case is done. For probably 10 minutes.

Photo courtesy of
‘Randle El’
courtesy of ‘headsoak’

The Washington Post reports that the Supreme Court has declined to take up the trademark case about Washington Redskins that’s been kicking around through the courts for no less than 17 years now. That puts an end to the case as it’s currently filed, but the plantiffs have indicated they have a backup plan. I’d bet they put it in motion before the end of the year, if not the end of the week.

The basic assertion of the case is that the Washington Redskins’ name and imagery is offensive, but that’s not what the courts have been wrangling over for these last few years. The issue at hand – which is what the Supremes declined to examine – is whether too much time has gone by for this challenge to be valid. This Washington Times article from May does a good job of summarizing the points, as well as the backup plan that we’ll surely see brought into play, but it does omit one important fact.

Namely that there’s nothing explicit or settled in trademark law that provides a firm time limit for an offensiveness challenge. If I were to role-play a Supreme Court justice I might have declined to take up this current challenge in order to wait for a more perfect test case example. Like, say, the same case by someone who filed on the day they turn 18.

We haven’t heard the last of this.

The Features
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A DC Halcyon Day

Photo courtesy of
‘Smithsonian Castle 2’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

Sunday was just about as incredible a day as we get here in DC. Perfect temperatures, brilliant jewel-toned sky with wisps of high clouds, and colors that popped. I went out with some friends to participate in a Ravenchase Adventure, starting at Presidents Park just north of the White House. With a package full of clues and DC-specific hints and puzzles, we took off around the National Mall, from John Paul Jones to the Enid Haupt garden and the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. Running from statue to statue, sculpture to exhibit, Mall to Penn Quarter, we gathered seven worksheets full of codes and clues, all to realize we were carrying the solution in our bag all along.

We ended with a late lunch at Matchbox. We walked tired back to the Metro and car, having covered 4.5mi of ground in the middle of the city; it was the part of DC we usually reserve for tourism, doing our own tourguide duty for friends from out of town. It was nice to get down to the Mall to get to some of the out-of-the-ordinary places like the Enid Haupt Garden where the views are so lovely. Seeing Jim Sanborn’s Antipodes, a very similar work to his Kryptos which is at CIA-Langley and remains unsolved, was a real treat. I had somehow missed it on previous visits, and it is absolutely amazing in person. Our clues lead us to a code for Ian’s wooden chest, but lead us into parts of the Mall we’d otherwise missed. Our day, though, was not quite yet half-done. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Leesburg Under Attack by Overly Agressive Turkey

Photo courtesy of
‘I’m no one’s Thanksgiving dinner!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Leesburg, VA is under siege by an aggressive,  car hating turkey. According to Fox, the bird, affectionately, albeit uncreatively named “Tom,” has been patrolling the streets, chasing passing vehicles.  Animal control officers managed to lure Tom to a flock of turkeys on a near by farm, which they hope will keep him out of traffic.  If not, the impending holiday should provide an easy and delicious solution to this problem.

The Daily Feed
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Auntie Anne’s Pretzels Arrival Announces Chinatown as First “Semi-Outdoor Mall”

Photo courtesy of
‘”Obama Pretzels!”‘
courtesy of ‘lorigoldberg’

Why not? I mean we have Ruby Tuesdays, Legal Seafoods, a movie theater, bowling alley, and now a smoothie shop. Why not throw in the mall chain that is Auntie Anne’s Pretzels?

Auntie Anne’s is opening in Gallery Place’s “Kiosk Row” between Chipotle and Clydes in the little green kiosk which used to house a florist.

I’m a huge fan of local, non-chain restaurant eating, so this part of Chinatown is already kind of an eyesore for me. This just brings insult to injury. But I guess that’s what we should expect in the “Times Square of DC,” as this block has been called.

What do you think? Will you be stopping by Auntie Anne’ for their delicious pretzels? Or does this feel strange to you, too?

The Daily Feed
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Tweedy Goodness

Photo courtesy of
‘DC Tweed Ride 10’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

We were out downtown this weekend, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, came a mass of easily 200 cyclists, all bedecked in beautiful garb. There were new bikes and old, racing bikes and penny-farthings, gorgeous handlebar mustaches, both painted and real, and all manner of incredible Victoriana. This was DC’s First Tweed Ride, put on by Dandies & Quaintrelles, to benefit Art for the Aging. Did you catch the Tweed Ride on your Sunday? Did you join in? Check out our photo gallery inside. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Fed’s Takeover Move Triggered by Metro Crash

Photo courtesy of
‘Wednesday Morning on the Metro’
courtesy of ‘Photos by Chip Py’

The Washington Post wrote Sunday about the Obama administration’s intent to push Congress to implement a large change in how subway safety is regulated and enforced across the country by DOT. Currently, the feds really have no power to set regulations what so ever on subway systems due to a 1965 law passed by Congress that was intended to prevent the government from inhibiting transit growth. Subway safety is typically overseen by a state level agency or, in Metro’s case, an independent Tri-State committee (which the Post notes has exactly zero employees). DOT doesn’t even have the power to make Metro comply with NTSB recommendations today.

It comes as no surprise that this move was triggered by the awful Metro crash in June and the many, many safety incidents that have plagued Metro this year. Our subway system is the second largest in the country, but it is definitely the one that has the most direct effect on Capitol Hill – it moves the majority of Hill staffers to and from work everyday.

Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Essential DC, History, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Final Commemorative Penny Makes Its Debut

Photo courtesy of
‘Lincoln in Illinois (2009 Proof Lincoln Cent)’
courtesy of ‘kevindooley’

This morning the U.S. Mint issued the fourth and final coin of the 2009 Lincoln Bi-Centennial One-Cent Program.

Despite the rainy, cold, miserable weather, coin enthusiasts of all ages patiently waited in line to be the first recipients of the special edition penny and to turn their hard earned paper currency into coin.

This final penny carries a special edition backside showing an unfinished Capitol Building representative of the divided union Lincoln presided over. The three previously issued coins feature the log cabin where Lincoln grew up, a youthful Lincoln reading on a rail post, and a young working Lincoln standing in front of the Illinois State Capitol (feature in the above picture).

Entertainment, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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“The Wizard of Oz Turns 70” – Encore Presentation To Be Held At Mazza Gallerie

Photo courtesy of
‘Going to Oz’
courtesy of ‘alessandraelle’

The MGM classic and family favorite “The Wizard of Oz” makes a triumphant return to the silver screen this Tuesday night in Friendship Heights’ Mazza Gallerie theater at 6:30 pm. Classic film historian and Turner Classic Movies host, Robert Osborne, will be in attendance to introduce the film and share the documentary “To Oz! The Making of a Classic”. “To Oz!” gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at how L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel became a timeless film sensation for generations and generations to come.

This event is sponsored by NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video, and Turner Classic Movies, and tickets are still available at MovieTickets.com

The Daily Feed, The District
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Good News DC, Foreclosures Down!

Photo courtesy of
‘Foreclosure’
courtesy of ‘BasicGov’

Since everybody needs some kind of good news on a cold, rainy, windy, nasty, I-want-to-go-home-and-crawl-under-the-covers-with-the-dog-or-just-DRINK kinda’ day, I bring to you an article from WaPo today showing that foreclosures are going in the right direction in our area. The drop in foreclosures or take-overs this past month was nearly half the previous month in the District. The drop has also been seen in Virginia and Maryland, although not nearly as significant.

Continue reading →

Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The District
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Ted Kennedy’s DC Residence Goes On The Market

Photo courtesy of
‘gone, but always remembered’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Vikki Kennedy, Ted Kennedy’s widow, has put their 7-bedroom Kalorama house on the market according to the Washington Post. The property features 5 fireplaces, 7 bathrooms, a lap pool and in-home gym personally outfitted by Arnold Schwarzennegger.

The couple moved into the Kalorama estate in 1998, and occupied the residence until Senator Kennedy’s death from brain cancer on August 25, 2009.

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Quite The Showing at Capital Food Fight

Photo courtesy of
‘Capital Food Fight 2009’
courtesy of ‘DC Central Kitchen’

I’m a smidge late on the reporting, but that’s how I roll. Fashionably late to the party, you know how it is. Anyways, I had a lovely time at Capital Food Fight! The annual fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen was a blast this year, and despite my throbbing feet, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of DC’s best Chefs all in one place. The event is a combo live-battle (Top Chef style with secret ingredients and all) and Washingtonian Best-Of party style food samples. A bit star-studded, I was thrilled to see Eric Ripert, Ted Allen and Carla Hall.

The live battle was entertaining – the adorable Jose Andres co-hosted with Anthony Bourdain. The two make a really funny pair, Bourdain teasing Andres about how many restaurants he has, or how to pronounce Zaytinya. The challengers were Top Chef contestants Bryan Voltaggio (Volt), Mike Isabella (Zaytinya), and local chef Tracy O’Grady (Willow), out-of-town-chef-but-has-a-restaurant-here-does-that-count?-i-guess-we’ll-roll-with-it Michael Mina and last year’s winner Barton Seaver (Blue Ridge, etc.). After making it through three rounds, Michael Mina came out victorious. Sample his food (let’s give David Varley the Chef de Cuisine some credit here too) at Bourbon Steak. I love that restaurant!

Sixty other restaurants came out and had tables, the standout dishes in my mind were courtesy of Bastille, Oyamel and J&G Steakhouse. Others of note were Kora’s sausage over bean puree and Westend Bistro’s foie and duck over a toffee brittle. PS 7’s Gina Chersevani did cocktails for the pre-event VIP reception and I loved her vodka cider cocktail with a cinnamon sugar rim. The DC Central Kitchen student chefs were so friendly, helping out under-staffed restaurants and describing dishes to guests. Congrats to Mina and thanks to the chefs and DC Central Kitchen for putting on a great show.

The Daily Feed
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Jim Riggleman Takes the Helm

Photo courtesy of
‘Blogger Day’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

No longer “interim,” Jim Riggleman officially took his spot at the Nationals Manager yesterday afternoon at Nationals Park. Rigs went 33-42 for the Nationals in his interim role, far better than Manny Acta could muster, and better than the Nats average since they came to DC. While the Nats have a lot of improvements to make, lining up Riggleman for next season was likely one of the more unexpected choices. With Don “Sideburns” Mattingly out there, and Bobby “I’m one craaaaazy mofo” Valentine, I half-expected Stan Kasten and the Lerners to bring in Valentine to throw bats into the showers and call people lollygaggers. I’m thankful they decided to wait a few years before doing that.

The Nationals aren’t in a position to hire an A-grade manager right now. No A-grade manager worth his salt would take this job right now. There’s too much in transition, too much reputation at stake for what would be, at best, two losing seasons followed by a .500 season. Why not let someone of decent talent and demeanor soak up a few of those losses, and manage the talent that’s in the AAA and AA system into the majors? Thus enters the Rigs. Will he be enough to get the Nats back toward .500? Yes, I think so. His choices were far less frustrating than Acta’s, and he actually seemed to have a personal stake in the day to day on-field action, instead of being an impassive sphinx.

Entertainment, Essential DC, The Features, Tourism
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Tourism: The Newseum

First Amendment Etched in Glass

Last Saturday, my wife and I decided to take some family members out to the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue. It was the first time I’d been able to visit the place since a pre-pre-pre-opening tour I’d had back in 2006 (when there were practically no displays in place, just the news van and the Checkpoint Charlie tower). And, for the record, the Newseum hooked us up with tickets; even so, I think the museum could be worth the full $20 admission price.

And yes, I said ‘could.’ I’ll qualify that later for you.

The building itself is a marvel of architecture. Designed by Polshek Partnership Architects, the combination of open space, glass and concrete blends well within the museum. The mix provides division for each contained exhibit (permanent and visiting), yet bleeds back into the open air of the general concourse. I suppose I could say it’s like the news field and media blending with the openness of life and all that, but why bore you?

The Newseum certainly won’t. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Something’s Fishy

Photo courtesy of
‘A River Runs Through It’
courtesy of ‘Brian Knight Photography’

Here’s another good reason to use all-natural lotions and potions — they can help you stay a manly man or a girly girl. How’s that?

Well, earlier this week, a new report said that now 80 percent of the male fish swimming in the Potomac River have developed eggs. Since the river provides 90 percent of DC’s drinking water, this is reason to sit up and take notice.

What’s going on? Experts aren’t entirely sure, but they’re pointing an accusing finger at endocrine disruptors in the water. The good news — you can help! Put unused medicines in the trash (not down the drain), and choose personal care products without chemicals.

And guys, remember. If you get pregnant…there is something in the water.

Music, News, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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New Music Venue in Downtown Silver Spring

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

Live Nation‘s got its paws on the next big D.C.-area music scene and its address is Silver Spring.

Residents — it’s time to say your final “goodbyes” to the J.C. Penney store that’s been vacant for 18 years. The Fillmore Music Hall will take its place. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced today that the latest addition to downtown Silver Spring will “dramatically enhance the community’s fast-growing entertainment district.”

“The County’s vision is to bring a dynamic, first-class music, entertainment, and community use venue to Silver Spring in the former J.C. Penney building,” Leggett said. “We want to bring Silver Spring revitalization across Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue. Today, we take a huge step on delivering that vision.”

Current landowners, Lee Development Group, will be presenting Montgomery County with this $3.5 million musical gift as soon as the venue’s construction is completed.