Yearly Archives: 2009

The Features, We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends: July 11-12

Photo courtesy of
‘Patriotic photo for D-Day’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

The weather this weekend looks to be pretty good, with some chance of a popup thunderstorm both days. What are our authors up to? Here’s the account…

Ben R: We’ll be celebrating my newfound return to the land of employment with a nice dinner over in Penn Quarter, probably either Zaytinya, Jaleo, Matchbox or Poste. If the weather holds well, we’ll probably be taking our cameras out down to Mount Vernon; they’ve got their National Treasure tour still going on, but more awesomely, the wheat harvest has begun and they’ll be doing demonstrations throughout the summer. If the weather tanks, then it’ll most likely be a “Washington DC movie night,” where we’ll pick a few movies out that were filmed / set in DC and proceed to either identify locations or snark them for poor representation.

Jenn: Who cares if the forecast is calling for evening rain this weekend? The W Hotel Washington is open, you should hit the POV rooftop bar (there is an enclosed section that’s superswank) and relax while the thunder rolls. Or check out H Street’s newest bar, Little Miss Whiskey’s, which finally opens after last week’s liquor license snafu. Hit a few crazy plays at the Capital Fringe Festival. Me? I finally bought a bike! I’m hitting the trails! So if you see a girl with a bike that’s way cooler than she is, constantly falling off and cursing, that would be me. Get out of the way before I get hurt.

Continue reading →

The Features, We Love Arts
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Colors and Shapes: An Interview with Harry Potter Illustrator Mary GrandPré

Photo courtesy of
‘Harry Potter’
courtesy of ‘KitAy’

Harry Potter fans, close your eyes and think of “The Half-Blood Prince” — the sixth book in the series, the movie of which will open in just a few short days. What image do you see? What color? Chances are, the answer is an amalgum of green and yellows, with the faces of Harry and Dumbledore as imagined and drawn by the hand of Mary GrandPré, the American illustrator of the series.

While GrandPré is best known for her work on the series, she has an extensive body of work beyond the realm of Hogwarts and Horcruxes, including many children’s story books. She will be discussing her career at the Corcoran Museum on Monday, July 13 in a talk entitled “Creating Characters: An Illustrative Evening.” WeLoveDC’s Acacia O’Connor had the opportunity to chat with GrandPré about “King Harry” and what inspires her.

WeLoveDC: Tell me a little bit about the upcoming lecture and presentation.

Mary GrandPré: Well, most people know me as the Harry Potter illustrator, so I’m going to show some slides on the work I’ve done on that, and some of the work behind the scenes that people don’t see.  Also a new collection of pieces that are editorial and other works. I’ve been an illustrator for 25 years now so I have quite a variety of things to show.

So you’ve been to DC before? What were your impressions?

I really enjoyed (DC). I know it’s changed now but it seemed like it’s really efficient, it’s beautiful, good food, good art. I just thought it was a great town, I think it still is.

When you get a cover assignment – where do you begin?

I go through the manuscript at least 2 or 3 times, I read it with a fine-toothed comb. I actually have this system where I highlight characters in one color descriptions and events in another color, I’ll highlight little descriptions that are important — anything thats a clue for me to making a complete cover. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Peeps Store to open at National Harbor

Photo courtesy of
‘sugar overload’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Peep Jousting and Peep Dioramas are about to become year-round activities in DC. Just Born, Inc., makers of the famous technicolor marshmallow candies, have announced that they’re opening their first-ever retail location at the National Harbor development in PG County this fall. In addition to the squishy art supplies (because really, who actually eats those things?) they’ll sell a variety of peep-related swag, including china, some of which is apparentlymade by Lenox. Who knew Peeps gear could be so fancy?

The store will be in the vicinity of the Awakening statue, which to me seems like an invitation for some pretty hilarious photo ops. I expect to see your “Awakening…with a Peeps Moustache” photos in the Flickr pool by the end of the year. You are on notice.

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Metro’s New Zero Tolerance Policy: No Phones

Photo courtesy of
‘Pink Croc & Subway Rail’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

If you’re working for Metro, you’d best leave your cellphone in your locker. Starting Monday, if you get caught doing anything with your phone while operating a train, you will be fired, with prejudice. While Metro used to have a three strikes policy, with the uproar in the community after a driver was caught texting this week, the previous 5-day and 10-day suspensions are now gone, and have been replaced with simple termination.

No word yet if this applies to drivers who fall asleep while driving the train.

The Daily Feed
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Kastles Remain Winless


Olga Puchkova by Max Cook

Despite a strong start in mixed doubles and a big women’s singles win by Olga Puchkova, the Washington Kastles were defeated last night by the St Louis Aces.  The Aces may have actually benefited from the loss of their marquee player, Anna Kournikova, who is out for the season with a wrist injury.  While she was once ranked eighth in the world in singles and first in doubles, her tennis career has been seriously curtailed in recent years due to injuries.  She still draws quite a crowd and finds time to do charity work including yesterday’s Bloomberg Kids Tennis Clinic.

While the Kastles remain winless at 0-4, there is still hope.  If Puchkova works on her doubles game with Rennae Stubbs and the team reduces their double faults and improves their break point conversions, they stand a good chance of winning.  The players need to get fired up and start living up their motto, “refuse to lose”.

The Kastles play again at home on Sunday against the New York Buzz, so buy a ticket and hope for a win!

Getaways, The Features
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Getaways: Tangier Island

Photo courtesy of
‘tangier local riding in his little boat to his crab shack.’
courtesy of ‘mrtobo’

Nestled 12 miles west of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, lies Tangier. The island of Tangier was officially settled in 1686 by John Crockett, whose descendants still reside on this 0.2 square mile cluster of small islands and marshes.  Despite its size, Tangier is a fascinating and wonderful summer trip for those looking to getaway.

Getting to Tangier requires visitors to board a ferry from various points on both the Maryland and Virginia Eastern shores.  However, don’t expect to take your car, as the only methods of transportation allowed on Tangier are bicycles and golf carts.  Don’t worry the island is flat and totally walkable. Tangier also has a small municipal airport, but the vast majority of flights in are personal aircraft.

Once there, you’ll be transported back in time, and I’m serious.  For starters the locals, and there are only 605 of them, speak in a unique Elizabethan dialect of American English.  Some linguists hypothesize that this dialect or “accent” has not changed since the occupation of English colonists.  It’s like having Thomas Cromwell or Shakespeare talking to you.

I recommend your first stop off the ferry be the Tangier History Museum.  There you can learn about the island’s settlement, crabbing and oystering history, it’s role in the War of 1812, and much, much more.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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I-395 Meltdown

Photo courtesy of
‘Motorway Madness’
courtesy of ‘DavidHBolton’

If anyone is planning on heading south on I-395 this evening, I’m afraid that you are SOL.  AlertDC reports that there is a major accident on the southbound side of the highway that has all lanes closed.  The official report:

“Arlington: Accident on I-395 South prior exit 7 all lanes closed in addition the right HOV lane is closed: 4 vehicles with overturned.

HOV is lifted to southbound traffic between D.C. and Edsall Road; lanes expected to be closed for estimated 1 hour.

Delays 5 miles into D.C.”

update [5:14]

It appears that VDOT worked more quickly than expected to clear the wreck.  All lanes appear to be moving, althought backups remain, particularly around exits. Both HOV lanes are open and moving freely.

News, The Daily Feed
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Marion Barry Sex Tapes?

Photo courtesy of
‘Marion Barry and Mr. Grumpy Pants’
courtesy of ‘ricepeter’

Okay, that’s misleading. And wrong. And oh-god-please-never-ever-ever-for-real. But the City Paper does indeed have a bunch of voicemails between Marion Barry and his ex-girlfriend-now-stalking-victim Donna Watts-Brighthaupt. Mike DeBonis of the City Paper has done some extraordinary work making sure that the voicemails get out and that the story from Ms. Watts-Brighthaupt’s point of view is out there, as well as that of Mr. Barry.

I have a feeling that this is one of those “fractally weird” stories, where any one part of the story is just as weird as the entirety of the case. It’s hard to guess where the Soap Opera that is the life of Marion Barry will go from here, but we’ll find out tomorrow when he appears in court to either be formally charged by the United States Attorney, or have the incident be dropped like a hot potato. Either way, this one’s not nearly done with yet.

The Daily Feed
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Breaktime Assistance

Photo courtesy of
‘Breaktime’ courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

If you’re a follower on my Twitter, you’ll know about my employment situation that has happily changed this afternoon. Starting tomorrow, I will once again be working in downtown DC – something I absolutely love – and in a new area of the city. Which means two things I need help with, so why not ask you guys?

I need a nice morning coffee-imbibing place to visit and I need some lunchtime suggestions for some quick bites. Fast service, good food, and not the usual fast-food garbage either. My new employer is located near McPherson Square Metro. So, readers, help me out! Where would you suggest I go for morning caffeine and lunchtime nibbles? Who knows, maybe I’ll see you around!

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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The Simpsons at the Postal Museum

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Fox and the US Postal Service have collaborated on a new set of stamps featuring The Simpsons. The stamps were designed by Matt Groening himself, which is kind of cool, considering the enormous commercial enterprise built around these characters.

Anyway, the National Postal Museum is dedicating Saturday, July 18th to the Simpsons. The first 1,000 visitors to the museum that day will recieve a first day cover, with the stamps canceled on their first day of issue. (View a sample.)

The Features
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We Need Your Help to Save Jonathan’s Life

Jonathan Haupt, courtesy of TeamHaupt.org

Jonathan Haupt, pictured above, is a 32-year-old DC native, and he is battling acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive blood cancer.  Chemotherapy has not worked for Jonathan, and his only hope for a cure now is to find a bone marrow match for a transplant.  Jonathan’s wife Courtney and the rest of Team Haupt are asking for your help in joining the National Bone Marrow Registry, because there’s no good match in his family or on the registry yet.  It’s so easy to join— fill out a form, swab the inside of your cheek, and you’re on the registry.

By signing up for the National Bone Marrow Registry, you’re not only potentially helping Jonathan, you’re helping everyone.  Too often, the friends and family members of a patient needing a bone marrow transplant aren’t a match, and that patient has to rely on the kindness of strangers who have added themselves to the registry.  Imagine if your husband or wife, child, or friend needed a bone marrow transplant and you weren’t a match?  Knowing that only 3 in 10 patients will receive the transplant that could save their lives, you’d probably encourage everyone you could reach to join the registry to find a match.  The National Registry needs people from all backgrounds (in Jonathan’s case, European Jewish heritage) to make sure they have a wide selection of matches out there, so if you’re African American, American Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or multiple races, please strongly consider joining because they need you the most.

Continue reading →

Sports Fix, The Features
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Discs Over DC: The Washington Area Flying Disc Club

huddle 2

It’s a warm and sunny weeknight in DC, and as the tourists are abandoning Potomac Park and the FDR memorial in favor of dinner, area residents young and old are streaming in. It’s sports night — or so you might think, judging from the number of uniformed people and shouts ringing out across the Polo Fields. Organized soccer, pick-up soccer, team softball and — the most sizable group — ultimate frisbee. Discs are being tossed as team members pull on cleats and stretch, chatting animatedly. Its clear that many of them have been waiting for this all through the workday, and who could blame them? They’re here to run around in the sun, sweat out a bit of the stress and enjoy their game. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Library of Congress Book Festival Authors Announced

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

I was most gratified to learn a few months ago that the Library of Congress Book Festival would be happening again this year (September 26th!). It was instituted by Laura Bush, so I was hoping the change in administration wouldn’t put an end to something as worthy as celebrating the written word. But indeed, the Book Festival will be happening in fine style- the list of authors was released yesterday, and bestill my inner child’s beating heart- Judy Blume will be appearing this year. I wonder if my parents still have my old copy of Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing?

More authors will be announced as they are confirmed at the date draws closer, so be sure to check the list periodically.

The Daily Feed
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12:34.56 7/8/09 Oh Mai

Photo courtesy of
’12’
courtesy of ‘daviddesign’

Today, for maybe the second time in your life (if you were around for 1:23.45 6/7/89, that is), there will be a CRAZY RUN of all 9 single-digit numbers in the timestamp and date. At 12:34 and 56 seconds p.m., it will be 123456789. Does this mean doom and destruction and the apocalypse are upon us? Could be. More likely it’s an entirely insignificant factoid that humans will think about for two seconds and say “WOAHHH, CRAZY,” like Bill & Ted on their excellent adventure and then it will be 12:35 and time for you to get lunch at Au Bon Pain.

The Daily Feed
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We suggest the pool

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington, DC – 113’
courtesy of ‘giantminispacegoat’

Buried on the 4th page of the Health section yesterday was a Washington Post piece about the water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Or the lack of quality, rather. A report released by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation claims that all sorts of yuck awaits humans who choose to go in the bay, ranging from algae blooms to mercury to a particularly nasty bacteria, vibrio.

The story closes with an anecdote about one of Virginia’s 30 reported vibrio cases from last year, Ken Smith, vice president of the Virginia Waterman’s Association. The idea of picking up what looks like a mosquito bite that ends up turning into a swollen arm and a trip to the hospital is pretty ugly, so be mindful of any seemingly minor injuries you pick up in the water this summer: see a doctor if they start to get worse.

You can read the report yourself if you like; the CBF hosts Bad Water 2009: The Impact on Human Health in the Chesapeake Bay Region [pdf] on their website for anyone to download. If you don’t, please consider at least taking the advice of both the CDF and government officials who suggest you avoid swimming in the Chesapeake for at least 48 hours after a heavy rain in order to avoid unpleasant runoff.

In case you’re wondering: neither the WaPo or the CDF report expicitly definewhat makes for a  “heavy” rain but sample data in the report refers to samples after a 1″ rain, so you should probably consider anything over 1/2″ as “heavy” for this purpose.

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Red Line to Stay Slow

Photo courtesy of
‘June 22 2009 – Red Line Delay’
courtesy of ‘Anything!’

According to a WMATA  press release, customers on the Red Line should continue to expect slower service and more crowded trains for the next ten days.  They expect the NTSB investigation of the June 22 metro crash to wrap up on July 19, after which service should return to normal. Until then, the situation on the Red Line will remain as is.

The Daily Feed
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Kastles Lose Home Opener


Venus Williams by Max Cook

It was a beautiful night for tennis at Kastles Stadium, but despite a valiant effort in overtime, the Washington Kastles were handed a loss in front of a sold out crowd by Venus Williams and the Philadelphia Freedoms.  The match started out strong for Washington when Scott “Boom Boom” Oudsema took on Nathan Healey in men’s singles, but the final point went to Healey whose serve was too much for Oudsema to handle.  The Kastles struggled with basics like double faults and return serves throughout the rest of the match, ending with a 23-16 loss.

Those who went to the match to see Venus play weren’t disappointed as she showed off her powerful serve in women’s singles, mixed doubles, and women’s doubles.  It was amazing that Williams, along with Washington’s Rennae Stubbs and Leander Paes, could play at such a high level after competing in the Wimbledon Finals last weekend.

The Kastles get a chance to secure their first win tonight against the St Louis Aces and Anna Kournikova.  I’ll say that again in case you missed it.  Anna Kournikova.  Buy your tickets now!

Talkin' Transit, The Features, WMATA
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Talkin’ Transit: We’re Number Two

Photo courtesy of
‘Typical Beltway traffic’ courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Just like death and taxes, transportation woes never seem to go away around here.

The annual Texas Transportation Institute traffic study released today shows that while traffic is lighter in every other major metro area, it’s only increased our misery here. The DC area continues to rank second to LA in congestion, wasting about 62 hours a year as we crawl along our major routes. That’s an increase of 3 hours over the previous year, by the way.

Sitting in traffic around here has cost us nearly $2.8 billion and 90 million gallons of gas. The data is from 2007, by the way, so next year’s study may (hopefully) show a decline due to increased focus on transit options after soaring gas prices last year.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Metro = Sweatbox

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro Center’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

I’ve been around these parts for a while now, and in all my Metro riding experience, nothing has ever been *quite* as hot underground as the sweatbox otherwise known as Metro Center. I hop off my train to transfer there twice a day and walking out of the air conditioned car I’m hit with a wall of hot, humid grossness. And with the red line trains running much slower and farther apart, I’m left sweating on the platform for a very uncomfortable amount of time.

UnsuckDCMetro has been reporting that the “chiller” is broken at Metro Center and last week was supposed to be fixed “in a couple days”, whatever the heck that means. Ughhhh, nothing says professional like mopping sweat when you get to work, right?

But Metro Center can’t be the only sauna in the system right now, no way. So I ask you, dear readers, what’s the hottest Metro Station you’ve been to recently?