Yearly Archives: 2009

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Crime & Punishment, Downtown, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors, WTF?!
By

D.C. Parking Injustice – Tow Me… Blow Me…


Law enforcement scofflaws
Originally uploaded by philliefan99

Did you hear me Mr. Fenty and Ms. Babers? D.C.’s quest to now emulate Chicago with the new administration has reached new lows. As the Democrats and Obama administration have been touting friendliness to green technologies, smart transportation alternatives, and conservation, the city they now hold a majority in,  took a TWELVEFOLD step backwards. I had created the D.C. Motorcycle parking map of the Metro region to help those folks on two wheels track down ever vanishing spots (one set is in center court in the Verizon Center… how convenient), and since most garages do not allow motorcycles in, it’s necessary. Over this past weekend, the D.C. Parking Authority (aka, the D.C. DMV) cranked up the rates without warning for the motorcycle spots to be commensurate with the rates for cars (or even more so), from 12 hour meters which were 25 cents for an hour and 24 minutes, to now 7 minutes per quarter… a loss of 77 minutes 92% of your parking value… WTF?! It shocked most folks parking on the G Street meters (which until the beginning of last year were free) on the west side of the Old Executive Office Building so much, that today, EVERY bike has decided not to pay. Seriously D.C., are you trying to discourage smart commuting?

Continue reading →

Comedy in DC
By

Comedy in DC: Comedy is for Lovers (corrected)

You know what’s a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Laughing your ass off.  If you still haven’t made Valentine’s Day plans and you’re looking to get out of the city to avoid all the amateurs clogging the restaurants, Riverboat on the Potomac is doing a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise featuring Matt Kazam and Seaton Smith. Okay, I know, riverboat food usually sucks, but you’ll be laughing so hard you won’t have time to eat anyway. Matt Kazam is notable for having been on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, XM Comedy, and for teaching the DC Improv’s standup comedy classes (which I highly recommend).  Seaton Smith features regularly at the Improv, and is notable for being able to say pretty much anything and make it funny. I swear, ask him to say “aluminum siding,” and he will find a way to make you laugh while he does it. 

Also coming up this month, Eli Sairs and the Official Comedian of We Love DC Commenters, Aparna Nancherla, will be appearing with Maria Bamford at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on February 27th and 28th (corrected from earlier version). What’s that? Two female comics on the bill in the same night? Bless you, Drafthouse comedy bookers.

The Daily Feed
By

Crazy Blind Date

Photo courtesy of
‘H E A R T’
courtesy of ‘Bunnyrel’

So there’s this really crazy web site that will set you up with a time, a place, and a stranger for a spur-of-the-moment blind date. The site is aptly called Crazy Blind Date, cause what you will be doing is, well, flat out crazy. I mean, maybe it’s crazy cool, or maybe it’s just plain crazy crazy, but either way, you’re going to have a story to tell when you’re done.

So if you’re valentines-less and of the bold variety, hook it up! This site is free, so you’ve got practically nothing to lose. You go through the “date wizard” and you can choose to go on a solo date, a double date (with a friend or a stranger) or just go balls to the wall and be placed however Crazy Blind Date wants. Choose when you can go out (tonight! tomorrow! next week!), choose the time (now! later!), choose the area of the city (Georgetown! Clarendon! Capitol Hill!) and then choose how short of a notice you can get yerself together and out. Choose the type of venue you’re down for, bar or coffee, and then describe your ideal date. You can then choose your gender and age preferences, then you can get more specific – you’re looking for x race,  x height, a nonsmoker, the typical dating site thing.  A few more pages of questions, some email and phone confirmations, and you’re off…

Is this Crazy? I think so. But crazy good? Possibly! Crazy bad? I hope not (for your sake)! But how will you know unless you try?

The Daily Feed
By

A puzzle for you

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro Rider, Express Reader’
courtesy of ‘chip py the photo guy’
Tom took a swing  at Fletcher for his choice of question at President Obama’s news conference the other day but he was one of many folks who took issue with it. It seems like every one of Tuesday’s WaPo chats included mention of it. Out of the three times I saw it only one Post writer gave anything other than a weasely defense of it.

Below the fold, see if you can match the quotes with the speaker. Continue reading →

Arlington, Business and Money, Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Ray’s Opens Tonight!

Rays.jpg

It’s hard for me to say enough good things about Ray’s the Steaks. I’ve been a fan since my very first Cowboy Steak back in 2004. The tiny location in Courthouse, though, is history, replaced by a larger venue that opens tonight in the Navy League Building on Wayne Street between Clarendon and Wilson. I was passing by this afternoon as the wait-staff was meeting in the front of the restaurant. The corner slot across from King Street Blues has a ton of space. I counted no fewer than 40 tables, some as large as 10 people, which means that this place could be a huge success.

No word on what the menu will bring, nor on how the new “limited” phone reservation system will work. I’m hoping for the ability to call in a reservation, and get a nice tasty steak late next week sometime.

The Daily Feed
By

DC Design House


President’s House, Gallaudet University
Originally uploaded by NCinDC

Rebecca over a Inspiration DC pointed out that the application process has begun for interior designers looking to shape up this year’s DC Design House.

The 2009 house, Georgetown’s St. John’s Episcopal Church Rectory, features 16 “spaces” for the designers to create their masterpieces.

Apartment Therapy DC has a peek at the interior rooms, all empty and waiting. The redesigned house will open to the public April 18-May 10th, with proceeds going to the Children’s National Medical Center.

All Politics is Local, Entertainment, Life in the Capital, The Features
By

Library of Congress: With Malice Toward None

Lincoln's Journey to Washington - Interactive Map

Thursday is the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. It will be marked with all manner of fanfare, throughout the country, with celebrations and re-dedications galore. The Library of Congress is celebrating the bicentennial with a special touring exhibit that opens Thursday evening.

With Malice Toward None is an incredible portrait of Abraham Lincoln in his own handwriting. Beginning with an arithmetic primer, and ending with letters after the end of the war, it’s a trip through famous artifacts of Lincoln’s import for the United States.

I couldn’t help but feel a little “Great Man Theory” soaking through the exhibit at times, making Lincoln out to be a man who was eight feet tall. Though, this was delicately counterbalanced by the group of curators giving the tour, speaking of Lincoln’s personal difficulties and family troubles during his tenure at the helm of our nation. One such note made it fairly clear that Lincoln wasn’t having a good time leading a nation amidst its worst conflict. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

White House first?

Photo courtesy of
‘Baby’s first christmas ornament’
courtesy of ‘wfyurasko’
In Salon’s coverage of last night’s Washington Post embarrassment White House press conference they comment on President Obama calling on a Huffington Post reporter, asserting that it was the first time a new media professional has been called on at a White House press conference. (Presumably calling on Jeff Gannon didn’t count, as that represented recognition of the oldest media profession…)

So congrats to our fellow new media bretheren. I took a quick look at the HuffPo website to get an idea of their DC presence and noticed they have an opening for a “Reporting/Editorial Internship” post. So if any of you are so turned on right now by their brush with news celebrity that you want to get in on the ground floor, here’s your shot.

The Daily Feed
By

Sale @ Propper Topper


Looking Dapper for Barack Obama
Originally uploaded by starbuck77

I covet cloche hats. I think they’re classy, adorable, practical and unique in the sea of polartech hats lining Metro platforms. When I was searching for the perfect cloche, I found it at Georgetown’s Proper Topper. It’s a great one-stop-shop for hats of all shapes and kinds.

If you’re on the market for a hat, or other winter wear, Proper Topper’s Gigantic Get-Ready-For-Spring sale is already kicking. The sale includes all books, leather goods, hats, gloves and fall/winter clothing. They’re slashing prices on everything – $90 clutches are being slashed to a much more reasonable $39, and covet-worthy cloches are on sale for as little as $20.

Happy shopping, or should I say Topping?

Featured Photo
By

Featured Photo

Blissful Slumber by Karon

It seems that no matter what species, we all enjoyed the warm weather last weekend.  The first sign of warm winter weather brings out shorts, t-shirts, skirts, flip flops, and other optimistically unsuitable clothing for 50 degree temperatures.  Convertible tops come down, people eat brunch on local outdoor patios, and some people even hit the links.  If you’re an otter at the National Zoo, you slumber in the afternoon sun while people make cutesy noises at you.  Awwwww.  Life is good isn’t it?

Warm temperatures look like they’ll peak on Wednesday this week, reaching nearly 70 degrees.  Anyone want to call in sick with me?  Spring will not come soon enough.

24 in DC, The Features
By

24 in DC: Episode Six (3:00 to 4:00)

Jack Defends Freedom
‘Jack Defends Freedom’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

We’re running a little late tonight thanks to the President’s Press Conference. We’ll be underway in a minute.

Okay, here we go. It’s the recap of last week, when Ike Debaku got a first name, and an apartment somewhere near Dupont. Prime Minister Ule Motobo also has a first name now, and is on the way to the White House. President Taylor’s husband, the First Dude, is in the trunk of a car somewhere in DC.

3:03

The First Dude is being taken into an alley. Meanwhile, Ike is at a hotdog stand (with a TV?) listening to President Taylor from the White House’s tiny magic press room where there aren’t chairs. Ike’s now in a backroom of a storefront near Dupont. In his underground lair, which is fairly expansive, he’s got the First Dude tied up. Ike’s going to use him up like Tina and probably beat him pretty solid along the way.

3:06

President Taylor continues in the tiny press room. Seriously, the White House Press Room has seats. And it’d be packed to the gills, and not just in front of four reporters and staff. When the President speaks, there’s people are around. Jack, Bill and Chloe, Wondergirl, are heading into the Oval Office as President Taylor finishes.

3:10

And now we break the bad news that there are bad men inside President Taylor’s Government. Bill takes a beating from the President for hiding all this. C’mon guys, get back outside. This dialogue is really, really terrible. And Renee’s trigger finger is looking itchy. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Confidential to Michael Fletcher, Washington Post

Photo courtesy of
‘toolbag’
courtesy of ‘erik jaeger’

Dear Michael Fletcher.

Thanks so much for going to the Press Conference tonight and covering the event for our local paper. But seriously, you can ask the President anything, and you ask him about Alex Frakking Rodriguez?! Seriously?!

Was there nothing about the economics of the United States, or pressing foreign policy matters that you have to ask a sports question?!

Man. I hope this is a hazing prank or something and that Howie Kurtz is laughing it up in the wings right now.

The Daily Feed
By

Dog Park News

S Street Dog Park by Max

We noted a few weeks ago that the city had plans to spruce up the S and T Street Parks, making one a dog park and the other a park for actual human beings.  Well, those days are here my friends.  Today a fence went up around the park in preparation for construction which is rumored to take 6-7 weeks.  Who wants to wager that it takes longer than that?

The ground breaking ceremony is slated for Tuesday afternoon at 3:45 with Mayor Fenty in attendance.  Really, 3:45?  Can’t we pick a round number?

Stay tuned to WLDC for construction updates, and don’t worry, there won’t be anything regarding pounds of poop.  Poop is for Petworth.

Business and Money, Technology, The Daily Feed
By

Technovultures, Hold Off

Photo courtesy of
‘Circuit City going out of business’
courtesy of ‘F33’

It’s still too early for the crazy deals at now-liquidating Circuit City. I went by the location in Bailey’s Crossroads off Columbia Pike, looking for a plug adapter for our impending trip to London. I figured we might be getting into crazy-deal territory, since it’s been about a month since they let the liquidators take over and start to clear out the stuff. Most of the stuff was between 10% and 30% off their already high prices. There aren’t any super deals to be had yet. Check back in a couple weeks.

Food and Drink, The DC 100, We Love Food
By

DC Omnivore 100: #11, Calamari

"Squid" by ajagendorf25, on Flickr

"Squid" by ajagendorf25, on Flickr (a shot from the DC Fish Market)

This week, our continuing quest to try all 100 foods a DC Omnivore must experience checks out calamari. 

Whenever I see fresh calamari, the first thing that comes to mind is Admiral Ackbar slurping, “your taste buds can’t repel flavor of this magnitude!”

Ok, maybe not. But this versatile cephalopod is truly a wonder of the sea.

There are a myriad ways to prepare squid – fried, grilled, stuffed, with the tentacles or not (no tentacles? wimp!). Squid ink makes a glorious rich pasta and salty sauce that can stain your tongue black as night. Raw squid as sushi can be disconcerting or refreshing, depending on your palate. My personal preference is sauteed or grilled. Perfectly prepared squid should not be overly chewy – it should have an initial ever-so-slight firmness that dissolves into a fresh from the sea taste. 

When I was a poor little match girl just out of drama school, I discovered I could get squid quite cheap and saute up a batch for both me and my cat (wow. that is a depressing memory!). But now if I cook calamari, it’s for a luxurious seafood pasta with squid, shrimp, and scallops. 

After the break, a more appetizing picture, and tips for rustling up calamari at home and eating out…
   Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

The (tasty) British Invasion

Photo courtesy of
‘Opening Soon – Wagamama, Chadstone Shopping Centre’
courtesy of ‘avlxyz’

First there was Pret a Manger. Then…then there will be WAGAMAMA! I cannot tell you how excited I am for my two favorite London establishments to descend upon DC.

The Washington Business Journal ran an article that Wagamama has set a May 2010 date for their new Penn Quarter eat place, and let me tell you, I’ll be the first in line.

Until then… food dreams of Yaki Udon and gyoza.

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed, The Hill
By

Local Baristas Clean Up

Photo courtesy of
‘Mocha’
courtesy of ‘box of lettuce’

Congratulations to baristas (baristae?) from Murky Coffee and Peregrine Espresso who swept the top four spots at the Mid Atlantic Regional Barista Competition. Katie and Allie rocked out the top two spots, representing Murky, and David and Jeremy rocked out 3rd and 4th from Peregrine. If you have any doubts about a well-poured cup of coffee in this town, stand assured, our baristas are best.