Monthly Archives: November 2009

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends, November 13-14

Photo courtesy of
‘let’s get the party started’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Kirk: I’ll be starting this weekend off with drinks at Gibson. It’s time to bust out the winter cocktails, which generally means some form of whiskey drink that contains no ice. I like drinks like that. On Saturday, I’m going to try to rediscover some of the Smithsonian Museums. It’s been a good while since I’ve been inside any of them, and, considering how great they are, that’s a real shame. Other than that, I’ll just be spending time with friends and bumming around the house.

Katie: You know what has been missing in my life? Brunch, that’s what. So I’m going to brunch it out this weekend. I’ll be heading to both Co Co Sala and Et Voila! for brunch. Co Co Sala has french toast s’mores (what?!) and Et Voila! has divine to-die-for quiche. In addition to brunching my face off, Cathy and I are going to be cooking up a storm with chef Victor Albisu at BLT Steak for a new Capital Chefs feature. Keep an eye out for it! Maybe I’ll even take a break from eating to go see the second half of Angels in America in Silver Spring. I loved the first half so much that I’ve been anxiously awaiting Perestroika at the Forum Theater. The cast is brilliant and that play is absolutely breathtaking. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Catholic Church says helping poor less important than denying same-sex benefits

Photo courtesy of
‘Jerk Festival ’09’
courtesy of ‘Bob B. Brown’

The Washington Post’s OnFaith column reports that the Catholic Archdioces has told DC government that they’ll pack up their social programs if they’re put in a position where they have to extend benefits to same-sex married couples.

Councilmember Catania expresses my thoughts on this pretty succinctly: “If they find living under our laws so oppressive that they can no longer take city resources, the city will have to find an alternative partner to step in to fill the shoes.”

The Daily Feed
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Ovechkin Who?

Photo courtesy of
‘00065085’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Suffice to say, “Ovechkin who?”

The Caps pulled out a thriller last night over the Islanders without their top winger, taking the game to 11 rounds of shootout madness before Chris Clark tagged the twine and the win. The goal capped a massive comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

Semin, Fleischmann and Fehr all knocked in goals on the night (Semin had two) and Semyon Varlamov carried the team through after Jose Theodore let in three goals on five shots in the first period. Semin’s first goal actually tied the team record (set by Gaetan Duchesne in 1987) for the fastest goal at the start of a game, only 8 seconds in.

The Caps have won three games in a row now without Ovechkin; Boudreau has indicated that the Great Eight’s recovery is going better than expected and the team could possibly see Ovie back as early as this weekend. The Caps play the Minnesota Wild here at home on Friday and are off to New Jersey on Saturday.

Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Food
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We Love Food: Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and General Store

Outside

Franklin’s is Cracker Barrel. Minus the flagrant discrimination, and with house-brewed beers, and a general store that sells toys instead of wooden peg games, and craft booze instead of lollipops.

Located on Baltimore Avenue in Hyattsville, the restaurant, brewery and general store are steps away from the up-and-coming little-engine-that-could Hyattsville Arts District. The store and restaurant are in a landmark building built in the 1880’s as a blacksmith and carriage shop. As such, Franklin’s remains a lovable, family-friendly community staple. Continue reading →

Scribblings, Special Events, The Features
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Scribblings: Christopher Andrew

Photo courtesy of
‘MI5 Headquarters and Towers’
courtesy of ‘the grasshopper lies heavy’

This fall marks the 100 year anniversary of the founding of MI5, Britain’s counter-intelligence and security agency. As a celebration of the agency’s storied success since its inception at the turn of the 20th century, the service has authorized the publication of an official history by Professor Christopher Andrew of Cambridge University. This Thursday, November 12, the public is invited to meet with the author as he discusses his new book Defend the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5 (here’s the Kindle link) at the International Spy Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Attendance is free.

Prof. Andrew reveals the precise role of MI5 in twentieth-century British history: from its foundation in 1909, through two world wars, and its present roles in counterespionage and counterterrorism. He describes how MI5 has been managed, what its relationship has been with government, where it has triumphed, and where it has failed. Defend the Realm also reveals the identities of previously unknown enemies of the United Kingdom whose activities have been uncovered by the agency and adds significantly to our knowledge of many celebrated events and notorious individuals while laying to rest a number of persistent myths.

A brief chat with Professor Andrew after the jump. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Gold Glove goes to Zimmerman

Photo courtesy of
‘Ryan Zimmerman 3’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

As was widely rumored this morning, Nationals’ 3B Ryan Zimmerman was officially revealed as this year’s National League Gold Glove winner at Third Base. Zim lead the NL at his position in defensive chances, assists and games started, and his play was pretty spectacular on the defensive side.

Zimmerman is just the second DC player to receive the honor, and the first in 49 years, since Senators catcher Earl Buttey won it in 1960. Way to go, Zim! Here’s hoping it’s the first of many.

The Daily Feed
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County May Shut Down Wine and Sunsets in Virginia

Sunsets on the patio

Sunsets on the patio

If you like sipping wine at sunset at wineries in Virginia’s Fauquier County, you might soon be out of luck.

Tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Warrenton, a public hearing will take place on proposed new zoning ordinances that would limit wineries’ ability to hold events, especially in the evening, and would put the kibosh on outdoor music.

There are 17 wineries in Fauquier, and they have a lot of events. One would think they might also bring a lot of business into the county, but perhaps this is about something other than common sense.
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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An unpleasant mystery

Photo courtesy of
‘Jerk Festival ’09’
courtesy of ‘Bob B. Brown’

I wish passiveagressivenotes or their submitter had specified exactly where in Herndon this happened. I have to be out there once in a while and I’d just as soon avoid a place with dining companions like this.

I am inspired to modify my favorite moment from Heathers.

Doesn’t this cafeteria have a “No Fatties Allowed” rule?
Well they, uh, seem to have an open door policy for assholes though, don’t they?

Dupont Circle, History, The Features, Tourism
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Mystery Mansion in Dupont: The Heurich House

Photo courtesy of
‘Hidden Bronze Lion’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

Tucked away in plain view, the Heurich House is the most intact late-Victorian home in the country. Right in the middle of the action in Dupont Circle – on a corner you have probably walked by at least a dozen times – you are absolutely transported back in time – easily envisioning the family who lived there enjoying a meal in the German beer tavern-styled breakfast room and needle pointing doll clothes and tapestries in the ladies’ retreat room. The furniture, furnishings, wall and ceiling canvas paintings, and even the gas and electric lighting are all original to the house.

The Heurich House museum was home to Christian Heurich, who was regarded as the patriarch of the American brewing industry. After moving to America from Germany in 1872 at the age of 30, he purchased an old, declining brewery and within 10 years, became the largest and most successful brewer in the nation’s capital.

Nicknamed the “Brewmaster’s Castle,” the Heurich House sounds more like a Brickskellar’s with a spiral tower, but the initial disappointment you’ll have to get over first is: they don’t serve any beer. A more fitting nickname for the mansion might be “Fireproof Fortress.” Continue reading →

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Last Chance For Lincoln’s Coat

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_3383’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

If you’ve not seen the revamped Ford’s Theatre yet, you may want to soon. Tomorrow, the National Park Service is replacing the original wool overcoat worn by Abraham Lincoln with its replica. The original Brooks Brothers coat will remain in conservation storage until February, where it will return for public viewing until June.

The National Park Service with the support of Ford’s Theatre Society have agreed to display the Lincoln coat for six months annually in an effort to balance conservation of and public access to the historic artifact worn by Abraham Lincoln on the night he was shot at Ford’s Theatre. The coat has been on display in the Ford’s Theatre lobby since February 2009 when the theatre and adjoining lobby opened to the public following its $25 million renovation.

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Shooting at H St & 14th St NE

14thHstNE.png

Voice of the Hill is reporting a shooting at the Metrobus stop at 14th and H St NE, in which a victim was shot multiple times. Kyle Sheldon also reports 12 police cruisers and a Police Van at the intersection, which is closed down to car traffic at this time.

WUSA9 has a bit more detail: A man was shot and fatally injured as he stepped on board a Metrobus in Northeast Washington Wednesday. The shooting occurred shortly before noon at 14th and H Streets N.E.

Police officials say it appears there were no other passengers on board the bus, and immediately after the shooting, the bus driver took off and drove another block or so to 13th and H. The bus driver was not injured. Police were said to be looking for multiple suspects.

The Daily Feed
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Tonight at Rhino Bar: Benefit for Ft. Hood Families


P1020447
Originally uploaded by jsmjr

Fritz at GOG pointed out that Luke’s Wings will be hosting a happy hour tonight at Rhino Bar in Georgetown, with proceeds ($10 via Luke’s Wings or $15 at the door) going to Luke’s Wings to help get the families of those injured in the attack to visit their loved ones in the hospital and during their recovery. The cause is worthy, and the cost is small. Pay tribute, and buy a soldier a beer while you’re there.

The Daily Feed
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HUD to DC: The AIDS Bucks Stop.

Photo courtesy of
‘The Buck Stops Here – Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum and Library – Independence, Missouri’
courtesy of ‘Marshall Astor – Food Pornographer’

After the Washington Post’s exposé on the problems with HIV/AIDS funding in the city, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has decided on a course of action: unless there are changes in DC policies, there won’t be any more federal money. The threat amounts to $12.2M in lost funding unless the city allows HUD to monitor the spending. HUD has been attempting to monitor the spending since 2003, with little to no cooperation between the DC CFO’s office and HUD’s grant investigators. The situation violates over 60 policies within HUD’s grant structure, according to the Post’s coverage.

Here’s hoping that with monitoring from HUD, the money might get spent on something useful, instead of job centers that never open, and substandard care.

Interviews, We Green DC
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He Loves DC: Seth Goldman

Seth Goldman

I’ve long been a fan of Honest Tea. It’s flavorful with a light sweetness, it’s organic, and the company that makes it is socially and environmentally responsible.

Co-founder and TeaEO Seth Goldman brewed the first batches of it in his Bethesda home in 1998. Now with offices in downtown Bethesda, the company makes 37 flavors of bottled drinks, plus tea bags. When I was there in late October, boxes arrived bearing the first bottles of fizzy goodness from the newest line, Honest Kombucha, which is now available at Whole Foods in the mid-Atlantic region.

Plenty of people share my devotion. Last year, sales reached $38 million, and The Coca-Cola Company purchased 40 percent of Honest Tea.

I met Seth recently when Bethesda Green, a nonprofit he co-founded, launched its new Education Center and Green Business Incubator. Here, he shares with We Love DC readers some thoughts on DC, green, and tea.

Donna: How long have you lived in the DC area?

Seth: My wife and I moved to Arlington in 1990, and I worked on Capitol Hill for two and a half years. I went away to graduate school for two years. Then we came back to Bethesda in 1995.

What do you like most about DC?

There’s a lot of openness around community. I’m from Boston originally. It feels like DC doesn’t have the same kind of ethnic neighborhoods, but you don’t have the feeling of being closed off. In DC, whether you’ve been here for a year, or five years, or 10 years, it feels very easy to connect to the community.
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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The WTF Blanket is locally grown

The WTF Blanket Parody

I’d actually seen the WTF Blanket parody of the Slanket commercials some time ago, but until this article in the Washington Times I hadn’t realized it was done by a local of sorts – American University student Jack Douglass. Apparently parody dubbing can be profitable – the Times article claims  Douglass is bringing in over $2,000 a month in ad revenue from his various videos.

I have to admit, his sequel is almost as funny as the first. The cameo at the end made made me laugh out loud.

The Daily Feed
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New Sculpture at 5th and K City Vista

Busboys sculpture

Yesterday, I noticed a cranes and quite an operation setting up this fanciful metal sculpture outside of the Busboys and Poets and 5th and K. It reminds me of the sculpture outside of Zaytinya at 9th and K, and I kind of like it…

We could use a little art on that corner to block the view of the drug busts going on round the clock on the corner across the street. Although, I find those quite entertaining as well.

What do you think? Love it or hate it?

The Daily Feed
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Tan Ban for Howard County Kids

Photo courtesy of
‘day003’
courtesy of ‘Photomish Dan’

As of tomorrow, if you’re under 18 and live in Howard County, MD, it’s illegal for you to step into an indoor tanning booth. The surprising thing about this little piece of news is that a) this is the first time it’s occurred to the board of health to do this b) they’re the first jurisdiction in the country to ban underage indoor tanning. Perhaps health officials have never visited my high school? There were so many girls walking around tinted a strange oompa-loompa orange, complete with those weird little goggle marks, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were actually in the chocolate factory. Time to embrace the pasty, kids. It’s really not so bad.

The Daily Feed
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Arlington to Gain Another Year ‘Round Farmers Market

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘sarawithoutanh001’

Lovers of farmers markets, rejoice. An additional one, the Columbia Pike market in Arlington, will be staying open year ’round.

As in years past, there will be a holiday market each Sunday until Dec. 20. In addition to apples, winter squash and the like, the market will offer eggnog, holiday baked goods, gift baskets, wreaths/garlands, Christmas trees, standing rib roast, special raviolis, handmade holiday cards, jewelry, and more. I like to pick up some of the homemade chocolate truffles as gifts; they’re always a hit.

Come January, for the first time, several vendors will return to bring us local staples through the winter: J-Wen dairy, Smith Meadows All Natural Meat and Eggs, Hondo Coffee, and Union Street Soapworks. Creekside Produce and other vendors may stay through the cold months, too.

Talkin' Transit, The Features, WMATA, WTF?!
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Talkin’ Transit: Same Old, Same Old

Photo courtesy of
‘Service Advisory’
courtesy of ‘MattHurst’

WMATA quietly announced last night it has lifted a long-standing ban on allowing independent safety monitors access to Metro tracks. Metro board Chairman Jim Graham met with WMATA higher-ups yesterday and it had some result, supposedly. Late Tuesday, WMATA officials said that the Tri-State Oversight Committee (TSOC TOC) does have the authority to carry out safety inspections and ensuring employees are complying with safety rules and regulations.

But once again, Metro fails to communicate. Eric Madison, chairman of the oversight committee, told the Washington Post that as of last night, no one from Metro had contacted him about removing the ban; he considers the ban still in place. The Metro press release appears contradictory to what the TSOC TOC has heard previously and didn’t contain any new information, so until WMATA provides the committee with a formal written agreement, they consider the ban still in effect. Madison told WaPo “[w]e want to get something in writing that lays out the specifics of how we access the right of way and that sort of thing. This has gone on long enough.”

We feel your pain, Mr. Madison. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Some Modern Warfare 2 DC scenes

ScreenShot152

Ah the glory of Youtube. I knew it wouldn’t take long before we saw some video of the gameplay set in the District. If I was smarter it would have occurred to me to look for this yesterday – some people always manage to get their hands on things before release date.

I’ll put everything below the jump here in case you intend to play the game and want to be surprised.

Continue reading →