Yearly Archives: 2009

The Daily Feed
By

Ritz Camera closeouts start tomorrow

Photo courtesy of
‘Day 60: Going Out of Business’
courtesy of ‘quinn.anya’

I spent several years of my young life working in Uncle Chuck’s Camera Emporium Wolf Camera, so on my priority list going into a Ritz Camera ranks somewhere between… swapping hankerchiefs with SARS carriers and stabbing myself in the face.

However, Dealmac reveals that the closeout sales start tomorrow. They’re closing almost half their stores as part of their chapter 11 restructuring and apparently will be discounting items to get them off the shelves. Personally I’m not optimistic the deals will be that great or include many worthwhile things; I imagine that anything that can be moved will likely be shuffled out to more profitable stores – they still have about 400 that will continue to do business. However it should not be a repeat of the Circuit City nonsense where a 3rd party liquidator peddles things at list prices that are above what you’d pay anywhere – these sales are still through Ritz themselves as they try to reorg.

If you want to give it a shot I’ve culled all the closing stores from our surrounding area from the (annoyingly not-sorted-by-state list) PDF linked in the Dealmac article. It looks like all the ones in our area are closing, but check the list below the jump before you head out just to be sure. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Bitter sweet&soggy

Photo courtesy of
‘Hold onto your hats!’
courtesy of ‘lorigoldberg’

We’re getting much-needed rain today. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows our region as being in moderate drought conditions, so this rainfall is good news. It’s not a one-shot fix, though – Capitol Weather pointed out at the end of last month that we were a full five inches below normal, something you can’t correct in one hit. While it would be nice to get more dry days to enjoy the warming weather, we really need to be hoping for some more consistent rainfall over the next few months.

The downside to today’s catch-up is that you might be done with blossom-peeping whether or not you’ve gone out to do it. National Weather Service says we’re looking at a wind around 15mpg and gusts that could go up to 28mph. Tonight’s just going to get windier, to the point where there might be a wind advisory. As I recall, last year it was some windy spring weather that took us from beautiful to bare trees in no time at all.

So batten down your hatches, such as they are, and if you didn’t get to the basin, well, you can enjoy Ben’s shots,the great shots in the We Love DC pool or some of the over 300,000 pictures in Flickr marked with “Cherry Blossoms.”

Essential DC, Monumental, The Features, The Great Outdoors
By

Monumental: Cherry Blossoms

DSC_2489

On March 26, 1912, probably the most famous ‘monument’ in the Washington DC area arrived from Japan: 3,020 cherry trees.

Year after year, these trees bloom in a beautiful display that gives us a sure-fire sign that spring is upon us. It’s also the time of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival and probably brings the biggest influx of tourists for the year.

And, by far, the blooms give the city a photogenic quality that never gets old.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Talking Trash in the River

Photo courtesy of
‘Cleaning Up the Potomac’
courtesy of ‘mtngirl9999’
We love the Potomac, but let’s face it: the river has issues. This Saturday, you can make it better! The 21st Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup takes place at more than 400 sites throughout the area from 9 a.m. to noon.

Can’t come this weekend? You have until the beginning of May to join the Trash-A-Thon and raise money for the river while you clean. So get out your gloves and giant leaf bags and flex your biceps.

After all, it’s our drinking water out there. What are you, scared?

The Daily Feed
By

The Real World DC??

Photo courtesy of
‘the politico’
courtesy of ‘erin m’

ZOMG yes please. Now, before you get as excited as me, this intel source is a Gawker poll trying to project the site of the 23rd season of MTV’s The Real World. In the voting, however, DC is listed in second place… right behind “A watery grave” (27%). 

The current season takes place in Brooklyn. Should the show move to DC next, it will confirm my long-held belief that DC = the new NYC. You could get a great mix here: the hill intern, the green/human rights non-profit worker, the junior lobbyist, the yoga instructor… 

Question remains: Where would Real Worlders reside in DC. WLDC author KatieT says U Street would be the place for MTV dramz. Maybe. Based on the “Brooklyn” season, however, which put the cast about as far out as you can get in BK and actually still claim its BK, I’m apt to vote for something like Capitol Heights. Thoughts? Where would Real World: DC be staged?

Entertainment, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed
By

Pillow Fight Saturday

courtesy of flickr user Nivad

courtesy of flickr user Nivad

Left wondering what to do with those old, deflated pillows?

Problem solved: At 2PM on the National Mall in front of the Smithsonian Castle or at 3PM in Dupont Circle, show up with a CONCEALED SOFT pillow – in a bag, backpack or something similar and act completely nonchalant.  Wait for the crowd to gather and when you hear the signal it’s on!

Hooray! It’s International Pillow Fight Day, part of The Urban Playground Movement, whose goal is to organize free, fun, all age appropriate, non-commercial public events all over the world. DC’s pillow fights are being “organized” by DC Defenestrators.

Pillow fighting etiquette dictates:

-Soft pillows only! I don’t like to use a simple pillow, my favorite to play are Beckham Hotel Collection Pillows.

-Swing lightly, many people will be swinging at once.

-Do not swing at people without pillows or with cameras.

-Remove glasses beforehand!

-The event is free and appropriate for all ages.

-Wait until the signal to begin.

-The event is more fun with feathers. I logged onto the DC Defenestrators facebook page for the event and they’ve updated their last pillow fight rule: + *CHANGE* you are responsible for your own feathers! – California had a pillow fight that required $10,000 to clean up from the city. If you leak any feathers, you are responsible for cleaning them up. We want this to be fun for everyone, don’t be d**ks that make a mess and leave.

All Politics is Local, Special Events, The Features
By

Premiere: Inside Guantanamo

Photo courtesy of
‘Obama: Shut Down Guantanamo’
courtesy of ‘mike.benedetti’

Mentioning Guantanamo Bay incites different reactions in different people, but almost everyone has a passionate take on the issue. One of President Obama’s first actions when he took office was to sign a bill to close Guantanamo within a year, so this couldn’t have been a better time for National Geographic’s Explorer: Inside Guantanamo. I went to the world premiere screening of the film and panel discussion this past Tuesday, which was very exciting and informative– it’s events like this that make me glad to be in DC.

The event started with a huge reception with lots of food, drink, and mingling. According to one of the people I talked to, that kind of thing is very unusual for National Geographic’s screenings, but they must have pulled out all the stops for high-level guests from Congress, the administration, the military, and even Fox News Sunday’s Chris Wallace, who moderated the panel. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Crystal City 5K Fridays

Photo courtesy of
‘Dedication’
courtesy of ‘N.S.’

You know what time it is. It’s Operation Hot Summer Bod time. Or maybe its just, get fit/get in shape/do something outside time. Your goal matters not, Crystal City’s Green Scene is here to enable you with its 5K Fridays. 

For five consecutive weeks beginning tomorrow, run a race each Friday eve at 6:30 p.m. You can sign up for each at a price of $15 a pop or do the whole she-bang for $50. Race starts at 2121 Crystal Drive in Crystal City. ALSO there are post-race parties at the Tortoise & Hare Bar and Grill, and you get a free pasta dish at Noodles & Company (CC likes its ampersands…). GOOD DEAL.

Downtown, The Features, Thrifty District
By

Thrifty District: Shoe Repair

"shoe repair in metro" by sacasterisk, on Flickr

“Thank you for keeping me in business.“

They say one of the leading indicators of hard times economically is the rise of people getting their shoes repaired. It’s a pity, really, that in flush times people don’t appreciate as much the wonderful profession that used to be known by the old-fashioned term “cobbler.” Even after being sexed up when Daniel Day-Lewis went off to Italy to learn the craft, it still doesn’t get much attention or respect.

Well, besides learning how to fix your own hems, sew your own buttons on, and darn your socks (ok, even I draw the line at the last one) the best thing you can do is find a cobbler you like and bring in your shoes regularly for a shine and a spruce-up. I had three shoes that needed some help in varying degrees of complexity – here are two happy results, and one sad one.

I went to my local go-to guy downtown, the reliable 12th & G Cleaners & Shoe Repair. With a full shoe repair facility in the back, he was able to fix the first two with relative ease. 

Pair 1: ‘Dollhouse’ Three-Strap Mary Janes. Oh so demure, with a touch of dom around the ankle. They needed some touch-up where the leather was running raw at the toes, new heel taps, and a good polish. A relatively easy job nicely done. $18.

Continue reading →
Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
By

A Vacation… To Where???

Photo courtesy of
‘crane-bird-in-the-creek’
courtesy of ‘forestgladesiwander’

Squee! I love vacations. LOVE. In fact, I should totally be on one right now, but alas, I am not. But you know what is better than just a plain vacation? A FREE one!

Virginia Tourism Corporation at Mount Vernon is offering 20 lucky winners + a guest a free vacation. The catch? You have no idea where you’re going! Once the winners are drawn, they will get ready, get packed, and get whisked off for an overnight vacation to one of four “secret” destinations. The winners and their guests must show up – suitcase in hand – at Mount Vernon on April 28, where the Virginia Tourism Corporation will launch the state’s newest travel deals program.

Then the “40 Off” will jump on buses destined for fun and adventure with a bit of mystery. Each winner will find out where they are going only when they arrive at Mount Vernon. The prize destinations are four areas in Virginia, each providing the hotel stay, an experience that can only be found in Virginia, one pampering experience and meals.  I’m digging all this love from the Virginia Tourism peeps. if you plan to take some time off to plan your vacations, click on the next link with some of the best McCall Idaho vacations tips and locations.

I kind of adore the Metro Center ads (better than Fallout, for sure!) and although I don’t appreciate my Express being hijacked this morning, at least it’s not ads with gross toe fungus or fat rolls. And a free vacay to boot? Alrighty.

The Daily Feed
By

Take On Teaching?

Photo courtesy of
‘A classroom’
courtesy of ‘Ryan Stanton’

So the times are bad. You’re on furlough, you have to pay for all your health insurance, and you know at least three people who have been laid off. I’ve been there (the laid off part, too, thank God that’s over!) and I know what it is like to be faced with the question of – well, what are my options?

Going back to school is on the rise, higher ed enrollment skyrockets in economic downturns.  But I’ve got an ex-coworker who is looking at going back to school in a different way – as a teacher. I considered this option myself when I got laid off from my job in 2008 – DC Public Schools runs a teaching fellows program that I thought about doing.  I wound up going another route, more for other reasons than I was scared off by DCPS itself, but that thought DID cross my mind.

My ex-coworker is mulling the DCPS teaching fellows too, but is understandably apprehensive. Given DCPS’s track record for keeping teachers and staff support, it’s scary to take the jump. Then again, if you don’t try, you’ll never know. No matter what you think of her, Rhee is on the warpath to closing the achievement gap. The public schools SO need people who want to teach, who are passionate to teach, and who are ready to take on the challenge of even the most unmotivated student. Plus, my ex-coworker admits the salary is more than she makes now.

So what do you think? If you were faced with a chosen (or forced) career change in these economic times, would you be a DCPS teaching fellow?

Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, WMATA
By

RIP N22: New Circulator Woes

Photo courtesy of
‘Bus Signs’
courtesy of ‘FredoAlvarez’

The new Circulator routes, which promise easier and faster transport between Columbia Heights-K St./Woodley Park-McPherson Square, launched this week. The Columbia Heights route has been long-anticipated and the switch seemed to hold promise. The change also, however, replaced the 98 and N22 bus routes, leaving us wondering, really, why?

The N22 route Circulator is essentially the same route, except it eliminates many of the stops of the N22, including several between the Capitol Building and Union Station. My friend and co-worker takes this bus and has been 15 minutes late everyday since the Circulator began. Not only is the commute from Barracks Row to Union Station longer, the stops now promise a longer walk on both ends AND while the Circulator professes to stop every 10 minutes, the wait has been closer to 25 minutes, every day. 

It’s still early – they could definitely still be working out the kinks. Has anyone else’s commute been disrupted by the switch? Better or worse?

Sports Fix, The Features
By

Sports Fix: Four Sport Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘00001201’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Wizards
Record: 17-59
Last Two Weeks: 1-8
Place: Last. Still and Always.

It’s nice to see that Gilbert Arenas is back off the bench and in uniform again, but I’ve got to ask: shouldn’t we let him wait so we can guarantee a #1 draft pick? I mean, it was great to see him on the court on Saturday, putting up 15 points and 10 assists at the Phone Booth, but shouldn’t we be conserving at this point? I don’t mean throw in the towel and throw the games, but c’mon. Let Agent 0 play in the summer leagues, don’t risk our draft pick, okay?

Just six games left for the Wizards, and I think it’s safe to say we’ve seen just about the worst performance in years. If they take 3 of the last 6 games, they’ll tie for the worst record in the 36 years they’re been here in DC. I’d put good money that they don’t win more than 2. Sad.

Capitals
Record: 47-23-7
Last Two Weeks: 4-2-1
Place: 2nd in the East, 1st in the Southeast

The Caps have clinched their playoff spot, and with just 5 games left in the season, it’s all about jockeying for opponents in the first round. As it stands, the Caps would face the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs, a team they’re 3-1 against this season, outscoring them 14-11. In the unlikely event they finish in third, they’d be facing Carolina, who they’re more evenly matched with.

Can Ovi lead the Caps to the Stanley Cup? We’ll see.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Cherry Blossom…Om….

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_9792’
courtesy of ‘Sharr Paul’

Ah, yoga under the cherry blossoms. What a great way to celebrate spring! On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., you can join a free class at the Jefferson Memorial with Sarah Lynn of Arlington’s JOURNEYoga. What’s more, for every person who comes, lululemon athletica will give $1 to Imagine1day, which supports children’s education in Ethiopia.

Bring your own mat. Then do “pigeon” with the pigeons while breathing in fresh, petal-scented air.

Crime & Punishment, Downtown, Food and Drink, Night Life, Penn Quarter, The Daily Feed
By

701 Owner Responds to Credit Card Thefts

Photo courtesy of
‘credit card’
courtesy of ‘Ebu Cehil’

Ashok Bajaj, owner of 701 Restaurant, is responding to the stories about credit card thefts at several area restaurants, including 701. Mr. Bajaj explains, via an email sent to patrons this evening, that he goes to great lengths to hire good staff, but that despite that, these thefts still occured:

I would like to personally assure you of my commitment and my staff’s commitment to protect our guests. Please know that my approach to business is one of creating the highest level of service, value and standards. We strive to hire employees who abide by the superior standards of professionalism and integrity established by our restaurant group. We also perform due diligence on all candidates including reference checks before hiring them. Unfortunately, despite our high standards and due diligence in hiring restaurant personnel, the screening process is not fail proof.

While there’s no promise of further diligence, or that they’re cooperating with the Police as part of an on-going investigation, that’s probably more for PR reasons, than anything else. So, watch your credit cards, folks, when you’re dining out. As if we all didn’t have enough to worry about.

Downtown, The Daily Feed, The District
By

Meters Up! (No Joke)

Photo courtesy of
‘Renovated Museum of American History in DC’
courtesy of ‘EvinDC’

Reminder to everyone that DC parking meter rates are increasing this month, starting today. If the meter was a $1/hr, it’s going to $2/hr. All other meters are going up .25, so .50/hr meters are going to .75/hr and so on.

DDOT said they are in the process of updated all the 15,453 meters in the District to reflect the rate increases, and are expected to be updated by April 30.

The Daily Feed
By

Not a Murky mystery

Photo courtesy of
‘Vaseline Everybody’s friend’
courtesy of ‘Sarah G…’

The question that keeps coming up about the Murky closure and Nick Cho’s new shop in D.C. seems to be “why won’t the new place be named Murky?”

Murky Coffee is a registred trademark, and given the tax difficulties that Nick has had with D.C. and lately with Virginia, it’s possible – or perhaps likely – that Nick won’t have the rights to use that name anymore if things go badly for Murky Coffee, LLC. That’s the legal entity that the USPTO lists as the trademark owner.

Pay your taxes, kids. (Unless you’re angling for a cabinet position, of course)

Entertainment, Music, The Features
By

April Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘Exit Clov’
courtesy of ‘flickr-rickr’

This month, people seem to have planned ahead and half the really exciting concerts are sold out! Well, I’ll try to nip that in the bud from now on and post some future shows to watch out for at the bottom. Also seems like there are a lot of dance parties this month, which might be just the thing to get everyone going and ready for summer. But now, onto the music! Continue reading →

Arlington, Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

A Hard Day: The End of Murky

Murky Coffee Regulars

This morning’s letter on the Murky Coffee website is no April Fools’ Joke. Replacing Murky in the space they’ll leave behind in Clarendon will become a venture of the group that owns Liberty Tavern, with a new space, and a new concept. While details are still sketchy, from what I understand, the upstairs at the new coffee location will be a co-working space, something like Beehive Baltimore or Indy Hall in Philadelphia.

The staff of Murky, owner Nick Cho included, are coming back into the District starting in early to mid May at a new shop called Wrecking Ball Coffee, which will be over at 5th and H Sts NW in Chinatown. The changes will be taking place here in the next month, leaving me without a third place to work from, which has me very disappointed. Murky has been, since I left my desk job, my home and community since 2006. The picture above shows half my Murky family, the other roving consultants and self-employed folks who have been my “co-workers,” and I count many among my finest friends. This site was actually designed and coded in the upstairs section of Murky before the county shuttered that part of the shop.

Murky’s run wasn’t free from controversy, from the problem with DC sales taxes that shuttered the Capitol Hill location, to Dickpunchgate, but it was home to me. And so, I’ll miss my third place, and hope that the folks who run Liberty Tavern will know they have a group of regulars who’re looking for a home, and open to what they’ve got to offer.