By brownpau
(This is a video. You can play it. Listen for the horn!)
Piled on top of this morning’s Red Line woes, this train on the Red Line appeared to have its horn stuck in “VERY LOUD ON” mode, constantly blowing without stopping. (Insert clever ‘your mom’ joke here.) I got on at Union Station, got off at Metro Center, and that horn never stopped blaring through the tunnels and stations the whole time. Anyone else get to ride on the Eternal Horn Metro train this morning?
By Tom Bridge
‘Coming and going’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Oh, Red Line. I wish you were better. But I’m hearing from all over that you’re nothing but a Charlie Foxtrot this morning. Between the Escalators at Dupont’s North Entrance freezing up, and the stuck train Union Station, and all manner of stopped up traffic jams, it’s a bad day to be at Metro Center.
It strikes me as hilarious, though, that of all the lines, only the Red Line has a Twitter Account to talk about all the issues.
By Carl Weaver
Moonstruck chocolates
Originally uploaded by eszter
The Fairfax, VA Chocolate Lovers Festival is this weekend, Feb. 7-8 in the Old Town part of the City of Fairfax in our fine Commonwealth of Virginia. It has been going on since 1992, is held the first full weekend in February and looks to be quite a big affair. From the festival’s web site:
Among the events planned each year are the Taste of Chocolate, featuring chocolate vendors selling their wares; the Chocolate Challenge, an arts extravaganza where the medium is chocolate; the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast featuring chocolate chip pancakes; historic re-enactments; children’s activities; a craft show at Fire Station 3 sponsored by the Auxiliary to the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department; open houses at historic buildings; and much more.
So who’s going? I know it’s all the way across the river for those of you in MD and DC, but it’s a celebration of nature’s most excellent resource. How can you not go?
By Katie
When I worked in Foggy Bottom, I found it practically impossible to find a bar in Foggy Bottom proper that wasn’t overrun with George Washington and Georgetown students. Too bad I didn’t find The 51st State Tavern until now, because it’s the answer to my happy hour prayers.
Situated in a two story former row house (like oh so many bars in DC) 51st State is the perfect place to grab an incredibly affordable drink with a friend. Located where Penn meets L street, near 26th at that super funky intersection, I finally found the perfect Foggy Bottom/West End after work spot. It’s not crowded, nor is it overrun with frat boys and the girls that follow (at least during HH), and has the perfect short beer list with something for everyone. Continue reading
By Don
Zathras knows that Zathras not as interesting to people as Numfar was. Not like Zathras has a version of Whedonesque. Who would go to Zathrasesque? Nobody. Probably would be broken all the time anyway, eventually crash alone and unnoticed. This way Zathras not expecting anything other than inevitable doom and obscurity. Either way, it is bad for Zathras.
By Rebecca
photo by flickr user: spiggycat
If you like keeping an eye on local criminal activity, then look no further than SpotCrime’s Washington, DC Crime Map. This handy little tracker allows you to search by crime type (Arrest, Arson, Shooting, Burglary, etc.,) by date/time, by location, and enroll for crime alerts. It also allows you to report crimes, but usually takes about 24-48 hours for them to register, so if you search for today’s crime information, it will be limited.
Another SpotCrime feature is UCrime, which allows college students to track on-campus or near campus crime. If you sign up for UCrime, you can receive alerts as well, which is not a bad idea given the recent rash of college/school violence.
SpotCrime offers tracking throughout the U.S. and a little over 30 international cities.
‘Typical Beltway traffic’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’
Metro police are looking for a dark, maybe green, Honda Accord (model year somewhere between 98 and 02). The driver hit a Metro police officer on his motorcycle on the inner loop of the Beltway last night near Pennsylvania Ave. in PG county, catapulting him to the center of the road. The driver dragged the officer’s motorcyle for a while as they fled the scene.
The officer was treated for non life-threatening injuries and released.
By Ben H. Rome
‘e-z pass my ass.’ courtesy of ‘the idealist’
A myriad of transit news items, so pay attention.
E-Z Pass: If you’re a Maryland driver who has an E-Z Pass, get ready because the state is tacking on a monthly maintenance fee. Starting July 1, a $1.50 charge per account will be added; there will also be a new charge of $3 accompanying a Notice of Toll Due. Toll violation charges will increase from $15 to $25 and the duration of E-ZPass commuter plans will change from 60 days to 45.
Metro Track Work: After some time off, the work crews are back and we’ll be seeing weekend line delays as Metro restarts its maintenance cycles. This weekend is the Red Line’s turn, so add 20 minutes to your travels between Silver Spring and Forest Glen from 8 p.m. Friday to close of service on Sunday.
By jasmine
‘The National Building Museum’
courtesy of ‘Pete…E’
For all you photography and architecture enthusiasts out there, DC-based architectural photographer Robert Lautman will be at the National Building Museum tonight at 6:30 pm to discuss his 60-year career–that is still going strong! If you’re a fan and can’t make it tonight, the NBM has an extensive collection of his work, some of which is on display in their exhibition Cityscapes Revealed.
‘This is my life in a cubicle’
courtesy of ‘RSchley’
I don’t know if you’ve heard about this, it seems to be something that no one likes to talk about, ALL DAY LONG, in EVERY MEDIA OUTLET POSSIBLE… but there’s this recession thing going on. Yeah, I know, it sucks. Fortunately, while DC isn’t immune to the economic forces of recession (just ask anyone in the 8.8% unemployment rolls) , we do have some built-in resistance to it. Our big employers aren’t banks or automakers. The government still has to run (and experience turnover with a new Presidential administration). The country still has to get defended. Grant money still has to get awarded. Many of the WLDC authors were just remarking amongst ourselves this weekend that we’re busier than ever at our respective jobs- and we range quite a bit. There IS work in DC.
You just have to know how to find it and keep it. Fortunately, I used to be a recruiter, and I can give you some advice that will work whether you’re a cube-monkey at the will of one employer, or a freelancer with a dozen bosses across as many companies. If you are a freelancer and want to stand out from the rest, we recommend to visit freelancermap.com.
Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘Taxation Without Representation’
courtesy of ‘Travlr’
Tom Daschle’s out at DHHS. Nancy Killefer is out at OMB. Tim Geithner is, apparently, too big to fail at Treasury. All three of them had major problems in their dealings with the IRS. In the first two weeks of President Obama’s tenure in the White House, he seems to have found a bunch of talented people who just can’t pay their taxes.
Now’s the time for DC to rise up and say, “Hey look, we pay our taxes, and we can’t get decent representation, what the hell is going on here?!”
It’d be nice if someone did, anyway.
By Don
‘hooker brewery’
courtesy of ‘dharmabum60’
Randy Cassingham produces a weekly email column called THIS IS TRUE which focuses on the insane and inane in life. This weeks had a moment we probably could have lived without: a mention of Marc Fisher’s column drawing attention to the signs placed around town during Inauguration week that said “This area has been declared a PROSTITUTION FREE ZONE.” Cassingham is amused by Fisher’s observation that, if you are pointing out that this area is a protitution free zone, are the other areas not?
I’d post the paragraph from This is True directly, but the footer of Cassingham’s newsletter very stridently says “ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED… MANUAL FORWARDING by e-mail to friends is allowed IF 1) the text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY, from the “Since 1994″ line on top through the end of this paragraph.”
Don’t worry, you’re not missing much. Cassingham doesn’t link the Fisher’s article or, for that matter, even identify Marc Fisher by name.
By Katie
‘Bottle Necks’
courtesy of ‘christaki’
2941 is a lot of things. Gorgeous: with high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. Delicious: From a beef tartare amuse bouche to a delicious lemon dessert our meal was rich, creative and certainly french–nouveau. It was also Expensive. Capital E. Matt first took me to 2941 for my birthday, we heard great things about Anthony Chavez’s pastries and headed over for wine and dessert. That alone was a bajillion dollars, so we were hesitant to try dinner there, knowing tasting menus ranged from $55 to over $120 per person. We’re meager young professionals, trying to live off a lobbyist/PR and a teacher salary, folks. So when we heard word 2491 was having a $44 tasting menu in honor of Obama, we rushed to make reservations to finally taste Chef Chemel’s actual dinner food.
By Tom Bridge
Oh 24. I look forward to mocking you every week now. I didn’t think that was possible. And yet, here we are. Last week, we had all manner of craziness with the First Dude going on, planes crashing over “Edgeborough,” and frankly I haven’t seen a cabinet that full of pansies since I visited the garden shop the last time.
With that in mind, here we go, episode five!
2:00pm
We’re at the Washington Field Office. Or, at least, the pretty glass entrance. For those who haven’t been following along at home, that’s in Judiciary Square, not at the HQ at 9th & E.
Oh goodie. We’re opening up fresh sockets. Christ on a pogo stick, these people glom on to one IT term. Sigh.
2:04pm
Junction Jack wants to talk to the First Dude, but he’s incommunicado. JJ’s a little testy with the FBI SAIC.
2:05pm
The Motobos are in 546 Adams, according to Chloe, Wondergirl, and Jack’s all about the security specs. Turns out, that’s Debaku’s hideout, where he’s working on doing some damage to that Ohio Chemical Plant. Debaku and Motobo are having a “which one of these african dictators has a larger unit” contest. For now, Debaku’s winning.
I can’t seem to find an Adams street anywhere. But, it seems the same kind of bland California office park kind of place one might find in, say, the suburbs of Los Angeles. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
The Wall Street Journal’s James Taranto seems to think that Marion Barry’s latest tax woes are really part of a plot to get him into the Obama Administration. Taranto notes that the top slot at the ONDCP is currently open, and might be a good fit for Barry, but I think he’d probably do just as well as maybe the FDA, or perhaps somewhere at Health & Human Services?
By Tom Bridge
‘So’s your mother!’
courtesy of ‘phi’
Yesterday’s dramatic finish in Tampa brought a smile to many a face in the DC area yesterday, as DC has become home to many who’ve left Pittsburgh for warmer climes. While at least one Cards fan I know is putting an asterisk on the final result, for the lack of review on the “fumble” on the last play of the game, I’d say it’s a pretty clear victory for the Steelers, and, well, for freedom and puppies, too. So, football is done, and now we’re into the loneliest month in all of Sports: February. Sure, we’ve got the Caps and the Wizards, but it’s awful quiet out there, otherwise. Here we go, into the Recap!
Capitals
Record: 32-15
Last Two Weeks: 2-2
Place: 1st in the Southeast!
Ovechkin put up a Hat Trick against the Sens last night, his second of the season, as the Caps strung together a pair of wins after a pair of losses. The win against the Red Wings late last week also brought back Defenseman Tom Poti who’d missed 15 games with a groin injury. It’s good to have him back, as he had 5 blocked shots, the most of either squad that night.
The Caps face the surging Devils in New Jersey on Tuesday night in what should definitely be a killer game. The game’s on VS in HD, so check your local listings for a quality game. They’ll face the Kings on Thursday at the Phone Box, followed by the Panthers on Saturday. Tickets are available for both home contests. Get out and see some awesome hockey! Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘Camera moves more than train’
courtesy of ‘Mllerustad’
The McPherson Square Metro station is currently closed due to a burned out cable that caused significant smoke in the station. The Blue and Orange line are currently severed between McPherson Square and Metro Center, so be aware that this will definitely impact getting around the core of the city on the Metro today. Metro’s operating a shuttle between the two stations, but there’s a 40 minute delay expected on the system right now. Ouch!
Update: Metro has reopened McPherson Square, but trains are single-tracking through the station at this time. Expect delays.
By Tom Bridge
‘Marmota monax’
courtesy of ‘Gilles Gonthier’
A feckless rodent thug, similar to the one pictured above, going by the name of “Punxatawny Phil” is holding Spring hostage in Central Pennsylvania. He declared his verdict in the middle of the town square, with a henchman dressed as a Victorian Era Dandy working as his interpreter. It’s not clear immediately what “P-Phil” wants, or what his minimum offer for the release of Spring will be, but I’m hoping Jack Bauer will take a break from defiling DC Geography to get on this case, immediately.
By Ben H. Rome
All American, courtesy of afagen
Good morning! For all us Steeler fans, it’s a good morning indeed! Don’t fret though, Cardinal fans – your boy Kurt and his posse put up a great fight; the consensus at the party I was at (where I was one of only two Pittsburgh fans…) was that it was the best Super Bowl we’ve seen in years.
But that’s not all that was happening around the area. A gorgeous Sunday capped off a nice and pleasant weekend after our area brush with “Icepocalpyse 2009.” It was a great backdrop for many, including an area bloggers’ meet-up, a Flickr walk, and a party in Chinatown. To those celebrating the Chinese New Year – happy Year of the Ox to you!
So let’s find out what you saw over this fine, brisk weekend after the jump. Continue reading
By Wayan
Your roster’s filled with cheesy dips, spicy wings, loaded poppers, savory snack mixes and more. These Super Bowl snacks will be the MVP of your game-day spread, so go ahead, do your best celebration dance.
We love the Super Bowl. And while it can be fun seeing men tackle one another on television or watching whatever pop star the NFL was able to conjure up during halftime, we throw football-themed bashes for one thing and one thing alone: the junk food we won’t apologize for loving. To get snacks to share at home, check the Vending machines perth.
Ahead of this year’s big game, we polled The Daily Meal staff to see what Super Bowl party essentials are their absolute must-haves. The result is our definitive ranking of Super Bowl dishes. However, it should be noted that most Super Bowl party foods are good.
While my wife suggests that chicken wings are a Super Bowl snack food requirement, she is not a true Washingtonian. And while Don is trying to eat my daughter, who is a Washingtonian, I am wondering if there is a specific District-based snack food we should be consuming in celebration of America’s grand sport.
By 
