Yearly Archives: 2009

Sports Fix, The Features
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Eastern Conference Semifinals: Caps vs Penguins

Photo courtesy of
‘Ovechkin and Malkin, Friends at Last, Friends at Last’ courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

I’m in hockey nirvana.

When the NHL playoffs were finally set, one of the first things many fans here and in Pennsylvania did was figure out when and if the Capitals would actually face the Pittsburgh Penguins during hockey’s “second season.” It was a bit convoluted to work around, since both teams were highly seeded, and it looked – for about a week – that this year wouldn’t see the match-up we all secretly wanted (and dreaded). But then the Caps figured out they were actually in the playoffs and executed a very stressful and tense comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to stuff the Rangers.

And when Carolina shocked New Jersey with two quick goals in the last two minutes of their own Game 7, it was as if the hockey planets aligned. The match-up the NHL slobbered for had arrived.

Penguins. Capitals. Eastern Conference Semifinals.

And it promises to be one extremely wild, crazy, emotional ride for both cities. Find out why after the jump. Continue reading →

The Features
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Gettin’ Hitched

Photo courtesy of
‘happy birthday, Amanda!’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

I’m going to be [even more] scarce around these parts for the next week, as my darling fiancée and I are tying the knot tomorrow afternoon. Any of you with magical anti-rain powers can consider this your official last-minute invitation to the wedding. The rest of you, I’m afraid, will have to settle for being in our thoughts. If you want to feel like a part of the event, you can head over to Georgetown Cupcake and get yourself a chocolate&vanilla or a vanilla&chocolate, which are what we’re serving in lieu of cake. Watch this space for a review about how well the cupcakes handle a three hour drive to Ocean City.

If anyone expresses an interest I may write a little about our venue searching from last year and some of our experiences making this happen, but before our big day I wanted to take a minute and write a little about the situation and options for same-sex couples looking to partner up in our area, or for straight couples who, for whatever reason, need to protect themselves without marrying.

And if you’re a long-term partnership, gay or straight, you do need to protect yourself. I won’t belabor the point beyond saying that last year I saw two different people lose their young and otherwise healthy partners to a fatal aneurysm. Loss can come unexpectedly and ignoring the possibility doesn’t make the inevitable consequences go away.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Foodie Roundup, The Daily Feed
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Foodie Round-Up (April 27-May 1)

Photo courtesy of
‘bistro burger’
courtesy of ‘vee*’

It’s been a slow food news week, because everyone is gearing up for Mother’s Day brunch (I’m starting to stretch my stomach already) but there are a few things bopping about in the food news world. We’ve got Sunday dinner, Preakness parties, and the emergence of the “middle plate”. So read on, reader, for all the news fit to eat in the District this week. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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PostSecret Exhibition Opens Today

Photo courtesy of
‘Hillyer Art Space’
courtesy of ‘Joe in DC’

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God opens today at the Hillyer Art Space in DC. The exhibition takes its name from the upcoming PostSecret book, which is focused on secrets about spirituality, religion, and faith. If you make it to the opening, Frank Warren will be there signing books, but not to worry if you don’t– the exhibition will be open through June 26.

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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14th Street Bridge Construction Coming

Photo courtesy of
’14th Street Bridge’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

If you’re coming into the District from Virginia, life’s about to get a whole lot worse. There are those who advocate just blowing all the bridges and making everyone come in via a magically-enhanced metro, but they lost this round. A $27M rehabilitation project will start in the middle of May, with most work coming between 9:30a and 3p and overnight. The Northbound lanes will be the ones under heaviest construction, going down to 4 skinny lanes with no shoulders at all, so one accident on the span, and it’s all over but the waiting.

Monumental, The Features
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Monumental: National Japanese American Memorial To Patriotism During World War II

Crane and Barbed Wire 2
Crane and Barbed Wire 2 by tbridge

The National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II stands on a small triangle of land just north of the Capitol between D St NW, New Jersey Ave and Louisiana Ave. The beautiful bronze crane in barbed wire rises above the low cement landscape, a 14-foot statue designed by Nina Akamu, in demonstration of the Japanese-American’s plight during the second world war. While you might be more familiar with the larger World War II Memorial on the Mall, this monument stands in admittance of the difficult situation that Japanese Americans were placed at the start of hostilities against the Empire of Japan in 1941.

By 1942, many Japanese Americans were placed in Internment camps throughout the Western United States, often in the midst of deserts and other wastelands. Their names, like Manzanar, Topaz and Jerome, are inscribed into the western retaining wall, along with the number of American citizens contained therein. Over 110,000 people, three quarters American citizens, were detained by the United States Government during World War II in these camps. The blanket actions were meant to discourage espionage by those who could be loyal to the Japanese Empire inside the United States. In 1988, President Reagan signed into law an apology on the behalf of the American Government to those who were interned in those camps, and paid out a $1.6B reparation to the families and survivors. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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A Handy Pig Flu Guide

I had to laugh at this hand washing instruction guide in the restroom at my place of work designed to prevent the spread of that nasty, nasty pig flu virus.  In case you need a refresher course on how to wash your hands after doing whatever it is you just did in the restroom, here are the steps:

1) Wet Hands
2) Soap
3) Wash
4) Rinse
5) Dry
6) Turn Off Water

We’ll all be sorry when this this turns into a full blown Pigapalooza, but for now it’s just fun to laugh at the mass media hysteria and CYA that’s going on around the world.  By the way, if and when the pandemic comes to an end, please, please continue to wash your hands after your visit to the restroom.  Please.

The Daily Feed
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OMGSWINEFLOOZ IN TEH WHITE HOUSE

Photo courtesy of
‘Pig Flu T-Shirt Print Design’
courtesy of ’eman_winston’

According to WaPo, a member of President Obama’s security advance team from the recent presidential trip to Mexico has a suspected case of swine flu. 

But that’s all the information they have, as of this writing. It’s not even a whole article. Just a little block on the homepage with a GINORMOUS headline and a little drop down with one sentence in it. 

Here’s a hint, WaPo: The word “DEVELOPING” does not excuse sensationalism and panic-mongering. And really, does anyone think that the White House doesn’t have a massive stockpile of Tamiflu already? Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Alcee Hastings Kisses His Mother with that Mouth

Photo courtesy of
‘phallus’
courtesy of ‘Skelekitten’

During a speech in support of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, which expands the definition of hate crimes to violence against a person because of sexual orientation, Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) found himself listing off a number of sex acts which are NOT covered by the hate crime statute. Apparently it got pretty raw, and he felt the need to apologize to the transcribers for it. NBCWashington has the video, if you’re 12, and into that kind of thing.  But if I may say so, that schtick has already been done, and better, by Rowan Atkinson.

Music, The Features
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May Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
St. Vincent comes to Black Cat May 22. ‘.’
courtesy of ‘Beard Papa’

Here we are again, with another completely subjective installment of everything worth seeing in May, according to me. Did I miss anything you’re super excited about? Leave it in the comments!

Start May off on a hilarious note by hitting up Super Diamond— the Ultimate Neil Diamond Experience at 9:30 Club Friday, May 1 ($22).

Amazingly, there are still tickets for Gavin Rossdale at 9:30 Club on Sunday, May 3 ($25). Reasons to see him: he’s pretty sexy and is married to Gwen Stefani, plus even if you’re not a fan of his latest single (“Love Remains the Same”), what if he plays that 90’s staple “Adrenaline”? Ah, that brings me back. Good times.

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Cinco de Margarita!

Photo courtesy of
‘Yummy frozen margarita’
courtesy of ‘Pianoman75’

I don’t drink liquor. Okay, I just lied. I do drink liquor, sometimes, when it’s high quality. But I’ve basically sworn off liquor and become a beer girl, at least 98% if the time. This way, I don’t wind up reliving my glory days of study abroad in Australia, and have horrible stomach pains as a result. Now I’m more mature, or something like that. I’ve always gotten along with tequila (I’m an anomaly, no one can explain it, I’m like a medical miracle) and so my 2% of liquor drinking is usually reserved for times when I can indulge in my very favorite drink: a frozen marg. And with my favorite marg holiday upon us, where will one go to snag my favorite liquor drink? Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Swine Flu Case Suspected in DC

Photo courtesy of
‘The World Bank Grou’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

Bloomberg is reporting that one case of Swine Flu is now suspected at the World Bank. The employee had recently travelled to Mexico, and has fallen ill. He was in the office on 20 April and may have infected several coworkers through direct contact. All exposed to the individual have been asked to work from home until further information is available.

This would be DC’s first case of the pandemic virus that is currently causing havoc all over the globe. Except in Madagascar.

The Daily Feed
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Bike Events Coming Up

Photo courtesy of
‘Saving gas’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

A couple events for anyone interested in bicycling in DC to keep in mind.  First, Arlington County needs volunteers to count bikes and pedestrians on May 7th and May 9th.  Volunteers will count cyclists and pedestrians on particular routes, and the data they collect will go to inform planners and officials about the need for additional facilities.  If you’re interested in the project and can donate your time in a two-hour shift, contact bikearlington@arlingtonva.us for more information.

Secondly, Bike to Work Week is right around the corner (May 11-15)!  In honor of that, the Swiss Embassy is hosting a May 13th forum on biking with DC’s Tommy Wells, the mayor of Zurich, and bike-friendly Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), to name a few.  The free event will include a bicycling exhibit, remarks from the expert panel, and a reception in the Ambassador’s residence.  And if you ride your bike there, you’ll receive a special gift!  Find more information and RSVP on the Swiss Embassy’s website.

Thrifty District
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Thrifty District: Buying Eyeglasses Online

Photo courtesy of
‘salamin’
courtesy of ‘dcfdelacruz’

I hate buying eyeglasses. I broke a pair once when I didn’t have health insurance and had to pay full price… and whimpered. I just wanted to have some acuvue contact lenses. The next pair I bought cost more than $150 even with insurance, and I did NOT have it to spare, being a fabulous-but-underemployed twenty-something at the time.

I’m no longer eating ramen to pay for a new pair of glasses, but as it became increasingly clear that I was past due for an updated prescription, I got irritated. I can always think of something I’d rather do with a few hundred dollars than drop it on two pairs of glasses (don’t forget the sunglasses).

I was endlessly procrastinating making an optometrist appointment when I read a Slate article about buying glasses online. Yes, picking out something like a pair of glasses without trying them on is a bit of a risk, but I’ve been buying my shoes online for years. Besides, for $35, getting a pair of glasses I wasn’t crazy about was an acceptable risk. Finally I had no excuse, and made my appointment. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Poetry, Bicycling and Love

Photo courtesy of
‘Saturday on East Capitol Street’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the 5th and K Busboys & Poets, grammy-award winning nominated poet and activist Nikki Giovanni will discuss her newest collection of works “Bicycles: Love Poems.” In “Bicycles,” the 65-year-old Giovanni chronicles her rediscovery of love in a volume that is is ernest, playful, romantic and erotic. Celebrate love and the months of bicycles and poetry with a little bit of all three.

Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The District
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Scootergate 4

Scootergate 4 by Spoffy

I recently became the father of a 1979 Vespa P200E, a toy I’ve had my eye on for a long time now.  But to some it’s more than a toy and a mode of transportation, it’s a way of life.  These scooter people make their way across the country for rallies all year long, and in June they’re coming to DC for Scootergate 4.

The festivities kick off Friday evening at the Pug which includes registration and basically a “Hey!  Good to see you, mutherf#*@$r!” type of gathering, complete with a DJ, Stupid Human Tricks, and a late night ride.  Assuming you survive that night, Saturday brings you breakfast, rally rides, Scooter Jackassery awards, dinner, and a concert at the Rock and Roll Hotel.  Still alive?  Then ride to brunch on Sunday at Airborne’s and say your tearful goodbyes until next year.  For a full itinerary that is subject to change, click here.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Hefeweizens for Habitat at the Pug

Photo courtesy of
‘beer flare’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

What can $20 get you on a Friday night? A halfway decent meal…half of a show ticket…2.5 cocktails…a desert at Co Co Sala. OR $20 can get you entrance to the Pug and all the Widmer Hefeweizen you can drink in 2 hours. Personally I guesstimate coming out way ahead on the beers in 2 hours versus $20 game. Plus it’s for a good cause — Habitat for Humanity. Venture to the rising nightlife superpower the Atlas District for delicious brews and good times, Friday night 8-10.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, The District, WTF?!
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Why Do You Hate DC, Food Network?

Photo courtesy of
‘a vegan is crying…………….’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

When a friend sent over the Food Network’s Best Burgers in America guide, I was shocked: There was no DC entry in the contest. How the hell did this happen? I mean, I’m super pleased that Ray’s Hell Burger won for Virginia, but where’s DC’s entry?

There are so many awesome burgers in DC, from Spike Mendelsohn’s Good Stuff Eatery (oh man could I use one of their epic milkshakes!) to the delectable mini-burgers at Matchbox, Capitol Grille’s Kobé Burger, and who can leave Old Ebbitt out? If we want to include vegetarian options, I think you have to include the old veggie burger ever to make me crave another: the Veggie Burger at Science Club.

So, why did DC get such a shafting by Food Network? Our emails to the network haven’t been returned yet. Maybe we should take them a sampling? Where’s the best burger in DC?