Yearly Archives: 2009

News, The Daily Feed
By

Capital City Diner and DCRA Square Off On Twitter

diner.jpg
boulevard diner
courtesy of Paul Keleher

You might’ve caught the Washington City Paper’s piece this morning on the soon-to-be delivered Capital City Diner, about an old rail-car-style diner from upstate New York being moved to DC to be put up in Trinidad. If you missed it, it’s well worth the read, so head on over, and then click back.

Today, as it turns out, is the move-in day for the diner itself, being delivered to its new home over in Trinidad on the back of a semi. One slight problem: DCRA has not, and apparently will not, approve the foundation that the diner is due to be sitting on. According to their twitter feed, at one point a DCRA inspector came and left without approving the foundation, and after a few back & forth tweets, it seems that DCRA themselves headed out to the site to get things resolved, but not before the diner was given a parking ticket by the city. Now, I’m not exactly sure the last time an entire restaurant was given a parking ticket, but I have to feel for Matt Ashburn, who must feel like insult is being added to injury at this point. Young and Hungry has some more detail as well.

[Update]: DCist has talked with Ashburn, and he’s gotten permission to put the diner on the foundation. We’re still waiting to hear back from @dcra on Twitter, here’s hoping we can get to the bottom of what happened.

[Update 2]: DCRA has put up a couple public replies about what happened today: “But he had some serious issues with architect who took advantage of them.” and “But architect essentially forged engineer’s signature. The REAL engineer confirmed this.” Ouch! That’s shady shady shady! Fortunately, DCRA & Capital City Diner are kissing & making up. From @dcra: “The @capcitydiner guys are great and are now doing the right thing. We’ll do anything they need to make it happen.”

DC Victory Gardens
By

DC Victory Gardens: The Beautiful Sunshine

Beds Coming Up.png
Arugula and Salad Mix coming up
courtesy of boboroshi

Sunshine. Thank God. At long last. I was afraid Spring was going to just be rain and clouds, and none of my plants were ever going to do anything at all. The rain was wonderful from an irrigation standpoint, and did incredible things out at the farm laboratory to soften up the otherwise heavy & clumpy Virginia Clay at Oatlands. But, now that the sunshine is here, everything’s perking up and heading skyward in our various gardens. It’s not too late to get started and reap the benefits of having your gardens

In our patio garden, the radishes appear to have taken over half the bed with tall green plumes with red stems. Sadly, planting in the seed-starter kit wasn’t such a great idea, and the roots are doing peculiar things in most cases. Next year? Plant ’em straight in the ground. Herbs have been slow to start, with the basil in particular staying small and low to the ground. Fortunately, the tomatoes that I’ve planted it with are still fairly young, which means they won’t get crowded out so quickly. The biggest surprise so far has been the peas, which have really come into their own in the last week, grabbing hold of their cage and climbing ever higher. There are a few blossoms & pods hanging down already.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Metro campaigning for more courteous seating

Photo courtesy of
‘Jerk City’
courtesy of ‘Smath.’

Reader Will H asked us to gently bring this Examiner article on Metro’ priority seating campaign to everyone’s attention. While you’re working your single mojo lookin for love you should try to do it without consuming a seat meant for folks with mobility issues.

The campaign does raise an interesting dilemma, though – Metro’s accessibility program director Glenn Millis is quoted as saying “Not all disabilities are visible, and it might not always be obvious when a person needs a seat.” Presumably that includes the people already in them, so how do you know they should be giving up their place?

The Daily Feed
By

Opening Date Confirmed For H Street Country Club


H Street Country Club
Originally uploaded by jenconsalvo

H Street Country Club has officially confirmed the rumors that Wednesday, May 27 is the day they will open to the general public.

General words of wisdom around the DC foodie world say that to avoid the massive crowds you should arrive early, or be willing to head out really late, since HstCC has been so highly anticipated. Me thinks that the required uniform is the ironic pink polo, popping the collar is optional, but highly encouraged. I’ll be wearing madras, maybe topping them off with some croakies. (I may or may not be doing this completely un-ironically since J.Crew is life, but I digress.)

I’ll run a first look for you on opening day, so stay tuned for a preview of what you’re in for. I bet it’s a lot like heaven.

Sports Fix, The Features
By

A League of Their Own, Here in DC

CarmenThunderBatting

More likely than not, for girls who grew up with a glove on one hand, sliding to makeshift bases and picking at knee-scabs, at some point there was a shift. It went something like this: around the time you started liking boys, you stopped playing ball side-by-side with them. They put the awkwardly hefty softball in your hand where a whiffle or hard ball used to be, and you became a softball player. The women of the Eastern Women’s Baseball Conference (EWBC) however, along with women across the country, are finding their niche playing the great American pasttime.

This weekend, the EWBC hosts the Baltimore-Washington Diamond Classic Women’s Baseball Tournament. The tournament will showcase the best in women’s amateur baseball on the eastern seaboard and beyond, in what EWBC hopes will be a springboard for future growth and success. 

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

My Eyes, My Virgin Eyes

Photo courtesy of
‘Going for a Ride’
courtesy of ‘John of Austin’

And now, for your WTF of the day: the Air Sex Championships are coming to DC. Although Rock and Roll Hotel is hosting, this is not some weirdly-named band you’ve never heard of, it’s an actual judged competition of an activity much like air guitar…but with sex. Competitors get up on stage (one at a time), fully clothed, and perform to a song of their choice. For an even more graphic representation, here’s a video from the place where it all started: Texas. Like I even need to say this, but it’s definitely NSFW. Catch all the action for yourself June 10 for $10.

The Daily Feed
By

Night at the Museum at the museum at night

Photo courtesy of
‘along the way’
courtesy of ‘Bill Jones Jr’

Express Night Out reports that you can catch a late-night showing of the new Night at the Museum sequel (filmed at the Smithsonian, if you have been living under a rock and didn’t know) tomorrow night in IMAX format, at the Museum of Natural History. The online ticket schedule doen’t have any listing for this supposed 11p 5/21 screening, however, so if you’re interested you should call them at 202-633-4629.

The Daily Feed
By

Metro: The New Singles Bar

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro Fail’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

The entertainingly-named Moving Momentarily calls our attention to WMATA’s recently released ridership demographics. The short version: Metrorail riders are typically college-educated, high-earning commuters, while Metrobus riders are less likely to have a college degree, and earn about 2/3 of what Metrorail riders earn. So, you know, when Metrobus service gets cut, it actually DOES disproportionately affect people who are dependent on public trainsit.

But Moving Momentarily does find an unexpected benefit (and possible WMATA revenue source!) from these numbers: look at all those educated top earners on the train! Metro speed dating, anyone?

The Daily Feed
By

Oh hai, Teddy

Photo courtesy of
‘Teddy and Teddy’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

It’s too early for giant-headed past presidents. Still in my morning pre-coffee stupor, I got off the escalator at Chinatown only to be greeted by good ol’ Teddy, the running prez. He was handing out 25% off coupons to the Memorial Day weekend games, which is always nice. He also informed me that there are post-game fireworks this Friday and free hats to the first 20,000 fans on Saturday. Thanks, Teddy. Now, if only you were handing out coffee…

News, The Daily Feed
By

Mei Xiang Not Preggers

Photo courtesy of
‘The Look’
courtesy of ‘Daniel.Techie @ 127.Ã�.Ã�.1’

Staff at Smithsonian’s National Zoo confirmed late yesterday that female giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) is not pregnant but was experiencing a pseudo, or false, pregnancy during the past several months. We knew this was possible, as Mei’s pulled this stunt before, but still, I’m sad about no baby cuteness.

The National Zoo says, “Female giant pandas almost always undergo a pseudopregnancy when they ovulate but fail to conceive. During a pseudopregnancy, hormonal changes and behaviors are identical to those of a true pregnancy, making it very difficult to determine if a giant panda is actually pregnant or not. This is the fifth time Mei Xiang has had a pseudopregnancy. She had her only cub, Tai Shan, in 2005. Giant pandas ovulate once a year—Zoo scientists will determine whether Mei Xiang should be considered for breeding again in 2010.”

At least we’ve still got those Cloud Leopard cubs to aww at.

Comedy in DC
By

Comedy in DC: Go See Some

Photo courtesy of
‘Funniest Fed 71’
courtesy of ‘Aaron Webb’, used with permission

There are a couple of fun things happening in comedy this week.

Jimmy Meritt will be opening for Jeff Caldwell at the Improv tonight through Sunday. It’s good to have a chance to catch him on the mainstage of the Improv. 

Which, unfortunately, means that unless he has staggering powers of Metro/traffic karma (you never know), he’ll probably miss performing with the Geek Comedy Tour on Saturday the 23rd at Alliance Comics in Silver Spring. Which is okay, I mean, the Tour is up to what, 7 6 geeks now? 8? (And not a chick among them…) They can spare one for a night. Anyway, the show is in the basement of Alliance, it starts at 7PM, and it’s $2. So if there are 6 geeks performing, that still works out to a mere 33 cents per geek comic. So it’s very economical.

Comedian-of-local-origin Rob Cantrell will be at the Arlington Drafthouse this Saturday and Sunday as well. You may remember him from his confusing semicolon joke on the first season of “Last Comic Standing” (no wonder the audience voted for Ralphie May), but if he’s lucky, you actually remember him from when he compared a lap dance to rubbing a piece of plastic fruit on the face of a starving man.

Finally, one that you need to plan ahead for- Russell Peters is appearing at the DC Improv June 3-7. I was going to go, but when I wasn’t looking, his Thursday-Sunday shows all sold out and they had to add the one on Wednesday the 3rd. I can’t make it, but you really should.

UPDATE: Chief Geek of the GCT Chris Barylick called me (on the phone! how retro!) to share the news that there will indeed be a female comic on Saturday’s lineup- Aparna Nancherla, Official Comedian of the WLDC Commentariat, will be doing a guest set, and there are some other fun guest spots in the works as well. So it looks like you will be getting even more comedy for your $2 than I originally calculated, even without Jimmy Meritt and the other geek who recently left the tour.

The Daily Feed
By

Going ‘offline’ and staying online

Photo courtesy of
‘R.I.P., Angela Kleis’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

We found out about our old friend Doug’s passing a few weeks ago and it prompted me to go looking through some of his old writings on his website, LoadAverageZero. Front and center at the top of the page is a message that says

On April 28, 2009 Doug Clifton passed away due to health problems. As his close friend and protégé, I am going to keep his site, visions, and programming ideals alive. Steve Perjesi

Coincidentally, NPR ran a story on the 11th about a person’s online legacy after they die, as well as some of the challenges and solutions surrounding the issue. It’s an interesting listen.

Downtown, Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
By

Three Additions to Art & Soul’s Patio

Photo courtesy of
‘art and soul happy hour’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

Three exciting things just in from Art & Soul:

1) A new Crab and Beer Wednesdays happy hour
2) The introduction of a (gasp) fire pit on the patio (love!)
3) A Puppy Patio Menu complete with doggie drinks, treats and desserts

Let’s start with 1. A Crab and Beer Wednesday includes three super jumbo crabs, corn on the cob or seasonal vegetables, hushpuppies and potatoes, price will vary depending on the market price of the day. I’m sorry, did I just type hushpuppies? YES I DID. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

OMG Shoes.

Photo courtesy of
‘OMG, Shoes!’
courtesy of ‘meggle’

Shoe Woo, the new shoe store owned by Jones Company (of Jones New York) enjoyed its grand opening today in Union Station, replacing what once held Nine West. Though Shoe Woo will offer Nine West soles, along with other Jones offerings Anne Klein, Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini etc., the space is dramatically different. Fabulously… dare I say it… New York? It looks like somewhere Carrie Bradshaw would shop: bright white light, purplish-colored bauble chandeliers, display shoes spinning (yes–spinning!) on pedestals, impeccably dressed and attentive sales associates. Shoe expert and collector Lilly Harvey of https://shoeadviser.com has already made an announcement last month of the opening. There was a spread of women’s magazines on the counter and I think I may have seen a copy of Lipstick Jungle under a pair of snakeskin gladiator sandles. Just might have.

News, The Daily Feed
By

Very Possibly: ROCKETS!

Photo courtesy of
‘Glow Sticks’
courtesy of ‘jurvetson’

I know. Two weeks ago, it was looking like there was going to be a rocket launch every night in the week, but weather had other plans for the TacSat-3 launch at Wallops Island Flight Facility on the coast. They’re 150 miles from here, or so, out near Ocean City, but on a clear beautiful day like today, from any high place, you should be see the contrail of the bright Minotaur rocket going up into space with a couple of satellites.

With nary a cloud in the sky, only mechanical difficulties could delay the launch. Here’s hoping the mechanics are all set. Launch is scheduled for 7:35pm, and from DC, look to the East-Southeast.

Essential DC, Life in the Capital, Mythbusting DC, The District, The Features
By

DC Mythbusting: The Height Limit!

Photo courtesy of

‘Cairo Apartment Building’

courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

As an urban planner in DC, I cringe every time I hear a myth about the city (OMG, if I hear the “Pierre L’Enfant hated John Jay” reason for there being no J Streetone more time I’m going to scream).  One of the most widespread myths I hear from out-of-towners and Washingtonians alike is that the height limit in DC states that no building can be taller than the dome of the Capitol, and that the limit was enacted to preserve views of the Capitol and Washington Monument.  This is just plain wrong, and I’m here to tell you why.

Back in 1894, the Cairo apartment building was built on Q Street NW in Dupont Circle.  At 14 stories tall, it was the tallest building in the city at that time, and some residents had concerns about it.  Would it overwhelm the lower-density neighborhood?  Was it structurally sound?  Would existing fire-fighting equipment be able to reach top floors?  Those last two questions were primarily the reason that Congress stepped in in 1899 to establish the Height of Buildings Act.  Technology at the time was advancing quickly, but questions remained about the safety of such a tall building.  Height limits at the time were fairly common in American cities, including Boston and Chicago.

The 1899 Height of Buildings Act established that no building could be taller than the Capitol (289 feet), but if that’s the case, why don’t we have a city full of 28-story buildings?  Well, in 1910 the  act was amended to restrict building heights even further: no building could be more than twenty feet taller than the width of the street that it faces.  So, a building on a street with an 80-foot right-of-way could only be 100 feet, or 10 stories.  This preserved the “light and airy” character of Washington that Thomas Jefferson envisioned.  This 1910 law is still in effect today, and it essentially means that no building can be taller than about 13 stories (with the exception of Pennsylvania Avenue, which is zoned in some places to allow buildings of up to 160 feet). Continue reading →

Essential DC, Foggy Bottom, Special Events, The Daily Feed
By

Our Time Is Now, Georgetown

Photo courtesy of
‘Georgetown Waterfront’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

In Monday’s print edition of the Express, there was an article called “Reclaim Your Territory” by Fiona Zublin. (If the Express web site wasn’t so darn hard to use, I’d be able to find it and link to you, but I quit after 5 minutes of searching. But that is a whole ‘nother Daily Feed.) The article gleefully stated that since this past weekend was the end of the Georgetown school year, and the summer interns haven’t descended upon DC quite yet, those of you usually skittish of M Street and Wisconsin should head there now to take part in the momentary peace.

I’ll second this suggestion to head to G-town, but up the ante on recommendations. Zublin said to head over to Third Edition and Paulo’s, but I’m going to go farther out on a limb, since I don’t think of Paulo’s as generally mobbed by the GU crowd. I have to admit, some of my most fun nights of going all-out have been at Mr. Smiths, and if I can do that without getting hit on by a 20-year old psych major? Yes, please.

I’m also partial to the Georgetown waterfront, you all know how I feel about things on the water, though after a weird night at the beginning of last summer with a slightly euro-trashy main-chain-wearing crowd, I haven’t returned since. I’d happily give it a go during this down time. So what about you? Any Georgetown bars or places you’d like to hit up while we’ve got a respite from the ususal smattering of denim mini skirts and Miller Lite drinking frat boys?

Entertainment, The Features, We Love Arts
By

We Love Arts: “Legacy of Light”

legacy-of-light_298

Stephen Schnetzer as Voltaire and Lise Bruneau as Émilie du Châtelet in "Legacy of Light" (courtesy Arena Stage)

It makes perfect sense that a theater company whose current renovations will include a new space to be christened “the Cradle” would commission a play about motherhood in all its forms. Karen Zacarias’s “Legacy of Light,” at Arena Stage in Crystal City now through June 14, is a wide embrace of these themes – the purely physical act, the creative endeavor, even the scientific genesis. Maybe too wide an embrace. Its first act had me a bit impatient. But if you can get through the beginning exposition and make it to the second act, you’re rewarded with some truly funny and poignant moments that bring these themes to life.

The production weaves together two sets of couples – in the past, scientist Emilie de Chatelet works furiously on her thesis while balancing a young lover, a longtime companion (who just happens to be Voltaire), a military husband, and a fiesty daughter who shows more interest in fashion than learning. In the present, scientist Olivia struggles to come to terms with balancing the impending birth of her child by a surrogate mother while investigating the more exciting birth of a star in a distant galaxy.

You could say these two have a lot on their plates.

The first act plays with mutable gender roles – both the young male lover in the past and the modern husband register as rather feminine (not to mention, a tad annoying), while the women read masculine at least in terms of their assertiveness and consuming drive. It’s a conceit that gets turned on its head in the second act, when timelines intersect and traditional roles become harder to ignore.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

How Cool Is My Bike?

motorcycle jump by Francesco Rachello

As a proud new bike owner (well Vespa owner to be exact), there’s one question that has been bugging the heck out of me.  How cool do I look on my bike when I go zooming up the street?  I mean it’s hard to tell what others are seeing as I haul major ass, pop wheelies, and do burnouts at stop lights.  Thankfully I ran into Larry on craigslist* who can help me out!

Continue reading →