Yearly Archives: 2009

News, The Features
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Celebrating DC

Photo courtesy of
‘(heart) D.C.’
courtesy of ‘rockcreek’

When we started We Love DC last year, we knew that loving DC wasn’t something new, but we felt that it needed a new voice. In the last year, we’ve come to love our city even more, and we hope that we’ve made you love it a bit more, too. We’ll be celebrating our first year of existence with a party over at Science Club on 19th Street on July 1st, 2009 from 7pm until they kick us all out on the street for loving our city too much. Don’s awesome photobooth will be there, and the great bar staff at Science Club will be pouring tasty libations all evening long.

We’d like our celebration to also help make the city we love a better place, so we’ll be asking for a voluntary donation of $5 at the door to benefit Bread for the City, which provides comprehensive services to tens of thousands of low-income DC residents. Donations are tax-deductible and besides – we’re going to have drink specials to save you a few bucks once you get in the door, so consider a contribution to those less fortunate. Bread for the City staff will also be in attendance, if you’d like to learn more about their services and ways you can help.

We Love DC’s First Anniversary Party
1 July 09, 7pm ’til we pass out
Science Club
1136 19th St NW
Washington DC

Entertainment, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Getaways, The District
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Getaways: Rehoboth Beach

Photo courtesy of
‘Sandy Palimpsest’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

From boardwalks, to seafood, to sandy stretches to outlet shopping, Rehoboth Beach in Delaware has everything you could ask for in a beach. Three of my friends and I recently struck out for a relaxing escape-our-stressful-jobs girls weekend.

We’re twentysomethings on budgets, so we stayed at the Atlantis Inn. Clean, no frills, on the main strip, only a block and a half from the beach, the Atlantis is equipped with comfy rooftop poolside chairs, but take warning: double beds. So if you’re just a group of friends, you’ll be forced to do some mandatory cuddling. Whatever, at least we like each other.

The main drag of Rehoboth is adorable, lined with all kinds of great shops, good food and plenty of ice cream options. We were totally entertained. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Giant Donates $100,000 to Food Bank

Giant Donates $100,000 to Capitol Area Food Bank
Remember that mystery $144 million Powerball winner back in April? Well, that lucky dog claimed his prize (but chose to remain anonymous) but there’s one clear beneficiary of the winnings: Capital Area Food Bank. The lottery rules state that the seller of the winning ticket gets a portion of the cash, and Giant chose to donate to CAFB to support the renovation and construction of a larger food distribution center.
The Daily Feed
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Trapeze School in DC: What More Can I Say?

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘toolmantim’

Via Facebook, I’ve been following the adventures of a high school friend who is enrolled in trapeze school. Every couple of days she posts new pictures of herself engaging in some astonishing midair feat, and it always gives me a welcome couple minutes of respite to daydream about the circus in the middle of my day. I had started hearing rumblings that we were getting a trapeze school here in DC. I looked into it, and the Trapeze School of New York was looking for a location for their DC branch, so I held off blogging about.

Well. Guys, we’re getting a TRAPEZE SCHOOL. The school’s temporary location will be outdoors, at 9th and H Streets NW, near Gallery Place. That means you can go over there and watch trapeze class- it’s visible from the street. I have just found my new entertainment. They’re hoping to secure a permanent location in the next few months near Nationals Park.

I welcome this development wholeheartedly. DC needs more stuff like this. Trapeze School Founder Jonathon Conant says, “Beneath the surface, trust me, DC is a lot weirder than everyone thinks.” Truer words were never spoken.

Classes start this weekend. YES!

Downtown, Essential DC, Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, The Hill, WTF?!
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Sound Off: Best food INSIDE Union Station

Photo courtesy of
‘it’s full. yet it’s empty.’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

I have mixed feelings about Union Station. It’s gorgeous,  yet it’s grubby. It’s full of good stores, yet it has nothing really that interesting.  It’s got good hustle and bustle, yet I hate the lost souls. Seriously, it’s love/hate. I love it but I really hate it. But mostly I think about Union Station and how much space is wasted with bad food. I recently had a discussion on Twitter with my tweeple (I’m getting addicted. We knew this would happen, didn’t we?) about Union Station and the lack of decent food inside.

We settled on Corner Bakery actually being the best option. And that’s fine, I like Corner Bakery (not as much as I love Potbellys!) but isn’t it sad that our epicenter of transportation doesn’t have good uniquely-DC food inside? There’s a decent Gyro to be had downstairs, and I don’t hate Cafe Renee, but ya’ll, it’s basically a food-void, in my opinion. This is distressing to me. So I ask you… Am I missing something? Is there a hidden gem in there that I just don’t know about? Or is Union Station just the way I see it – a black hole of mediocrity?

Food and Drink, Night Life, The Features, We Love Food
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We Love Food: Policy

Light Fixture, Policy

"Light Fixture, Policy" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr

Right from the start, you know something’s off at Policy. Standing in the luridly lit stairwell, a sickly yellow gleam gives everyone the look of a mental patient. Not even the most nubile twenty-year-old looks good in light like this. It doesn’t get much better inside. The whole place is lit like a lighting designer who hates his actors. I was originally going there to write it up for my usual We Love Drinks but, any cocktail menu that has a drink mixing my beloved espresso vodka with Red Bull is off my list. But the food menu seemed at least potentially interesting.

However, I had reservations about Policy the first night I walked by and saw they had valet parking. At 14th and T, I really wonder. What does that say? Your clientele is too scared to park their own cars? What are they doing in the neighborhood anyway?

After you get past the mental hospital stairwell, the dining room greets you with a look rather like the Diner From Hell. Ceiling tiles seem to drip blood all night. Awful lighting in your booth gives you a migraine. Bad club “hits” from a decade past pound away. Contrast the forced clever black-and-red motif here with the crazy kitsch black-and-red motif at Jimmy Valentine’s, and it doesn’t take Dante to tell you where the Devil would rather hang out.

Ok, I keep getting distracted, because all these things are actually not the worst part about a night at Policy. It’s the overpriced mediocre food. Another bad sign is when your server explains to you the “concept of small plates” because “not everyone gets it.” Um, right. 14th and T again, remember? We’ve got Cork and Bar Pilar already. Or is this explanation for the people who want the valet parking?

Right, distraction. Sorry. Here we go. We tried six dishes at Policy. Two were good. Four were disappointing. The Madras Curry Lamb Sliders may have had curry in them, but I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t in the title. The three little sliders for $13.95 were juicy, sure, but had no flavor at all. For lamb, that’s… odd. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Cheap Jeeps


Jeep Liberty redux by michael.banovsky

With the American car industry making a kerplunk sound in the toilet, there are some deals to be found if you’re in the market for a new car.  CNN is reporting that Pohanka Chrysler-Dodge in Leesburg is selling their new vehicles for as much as 40% off the sticker price and they may be marked down even further.  With Chrysler’s recent filing for bankruptcy, dealers have until June 9tch to sell off their new car inventory.  Dealer owner Ray O’Bryhim says, “As we get closer to June 9, we’re going to have to do what we have to do to move these cars.”

So if you’re looking to buy a 68 R Code Mustang, now may be the time to buy.  Hurry now while supplies last!

Fun & Games, Music, Special Events, The Features, WTF?!
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To Air is Human

Photo courtesy of
Air guitar pants’ courtesy of ‘rabid_c’

The crowd screamed and the LED bars fluttered and held at the upper border of the E-Q shirt. “I think you all broke the t-shirt! Again, 1-2-3!” More screaming, more lights, the same result. This was how the regional US Air Guitar championships were being decided: the read out from a sound tech’s geeky, light-up shirt. I hardly batted an eyelash. It just fit into the natural course of things. After several hours of flamboyance and machismo, the honor of DC’s air guitar reputation resting on the fluctuations of a light-up t-shirt seemed like nothing to me. And that’s what the US Air Guitar Regionals, held last Friday at the 9:30 Club, was all about. Blowing your mind.

I approached competitive air guitar with a measure of incredulity. I assumed that I’d be treated to fleshy denizens of “mom’s basement”, out to strut their stuff and generally make fools of themselves, and that after two or three performances I’d grow bored and b-line for bar. I was so self-assured that I grabbed a few drinks before the competition, just to give the evening a fighting chance. Journalistic integrity (if bloggers are actually beholden to that) kept me to two beers, after which I girded my loins and headed for the 9:30.

Continue reading →

History, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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The 300 club

 Photo courtesy of
‘Nationals Home Opener’
courtesy of ‘cruffo’

Tonight could be historic at Nats Park. Giants’ pitcher Randy Johnson is going for win number 300. While 24 other pitchers have broken this milestone, it is conjectured that due to changing “strategy” (ie, not using ‘roids anymore) Johnson could be the last to do so. To post a win, Johnson needs pitch at least five innings, leave the game with the Giants in the lead, and then see that lead maintained by his relief. It’s a large number of variables, but Randy Johnson is obviously a quality pitcher.  I bet he can overcome them. If you’re planning on seeing a game this summer, you should definitely go tonight.

Continue reading →

Downtown, Entertainment, The Daily Feed
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Live on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza

Photo courtesy of
‘Woodrow Wilson Plaza’
courtesy of ‘mastermaq’

The Wilson Plaza, located at 13th and PA NW, now has its own twitter page to keep you updated on lunchtime concerts.  Unfortunately, you’ve already missed Chaka Khan who performed today, but with a concert everyday, there will be plenty more to catch over the summer.  For anyone who works downtown, it’s a welcome change to the typical lunch.

The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Men Fake Foreplay

Oh Mike Dugan, You're Telling me

Maybe it was the Women’s Studies major joke in which Dugan’s father asks his former girlfriend, “Women’s Studies? You go to school for four years just to learn how to cook?” (I took a Women’s Studies course or two at Vassar) or it could have been the “militant feminist lesbian chiropractor” joke, “She cracks my back and breaks my balls” (I was a member of the feminist alliance in college. I read Bitch magazine.) Early on in Mike Dugan’s one-man show, “Men Fake Foreplay,” adapted from his book by the same name and now playing at the Bethesda Theatre, I realized I wasn’t quite the target audience for either Dugan’s jokes or his message. Despite my skepticism and even criticism, however, I left with an appreciation for Dugan and what it is he’s attemping to convey. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Boozy Bus = No.

Photo courtesy of
‘Hell yes. Hell yes.’
courtesy of ‘normalityrelief’

In college, I lived at this fancy apartment complex that ran a shuttle to campus during the day, and then on Thurs-Sat they also a ran night shuttle to the main bar drag on campus. We dubbed it the drunk bus. It was brilliant, and some residents even made a song on GarageBand about the bus. It was well loved.

So when I read this Examiner article about the boozy bus, a shuttle direct from the hill to Gin & Tonic, free for anyone with an intern badge, I had instant flashbacks of my drunk bus years. They were good years, but seriously? You guys? The hill? IS NOT COLLEGE, despite what you may think. (And apparently what Gin & Tonic tells you.) Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Metro Opening Early on Saturday for Race for the Cure 5K

Photo courtesy of
‘Walk Start’
courtesy of ‘ManWomanGradyBaby’

Just a heads up from Metro that the system will open two hours early at 5 AM on Saturday to accommodate the Race for the Cure.  There are estimates of 50,000 people participating in this 20th anniversary event, so make sure you leave plenty of time to get there.  Also, Metro reminds us that there will be track work on the Red and Orange lines, so add in twenty to thirty minutes of travel time to get to the race.  And of course, we can expect many road closures in the area, so don’t even think about driving.

If you want to raise money for a great cause, there is still time to register— and you can even Sleep In for the Cure and avoid Metro altogether!  I’ll be running the 5K Saturday– see you there!

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Bet you won’t want to miss this

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_6330’ courtesy of ‘muztiko’

For those of us craving some Vegas madness, a definite “don’t miss” is Casino Night this Thursday, June 4th, 6PM to 12AM at Teatro Goldoni. Proceeds from this gambling themed party will benefit local DC non-profit Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care (PAHC).
Check it out:

$20 gets you in the door with free cocktails until 8pm and free hors d’oeuvres all night.

An additional $20 (optional) gets you unlimited chips for blackjack, craps, roulette and Wheel of Fortune (sorry, no Pat Sajack).

If you’re a true gambler, $200 gets you into the Texas Hold’em Tournament (20 limit).

Players with the most chips at the end of the night receive prizes.

Can’t wait until Thursday to take a gamble? Check out the event’s promotional website, Beat The Odds; buy your tickets or make a donation at Groundspring’s website.

The Daily Feed
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Park For Free

Shenandoah N.P. by numbphoto

You have to agree that as much as we love DC, it’s always nice to get out of the city.  Luckily for us there are a lot of national parks in the area that make for great road trip destinations with family and friends (or by yourself if you’re the loner type).  I know one of my favorites to visit in the fall will always be Shenandoah National Park, that is when it’s not swarming with people.

But what about those pesky park entrance fees?  Well, the National Park Service is waiving them for certain parks for three weekends this summer, so dust off those hiking boots, load up your car full of beer and weenies, and get your nature on! Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Simple as Banana Cream Pie. Or French Bread.


French bread or banana cream pie?
Originally uploaded by carlweaver

The local Safeway near my house (yes, the same one with the occasional rotten produce) is screwing with me, setting up logical impossibilities that make my brain hurt. Banana cream pie is French bread. Is this store run by idiots or freaks? Come on, folks. It’s labeling, not rocket science. I know today is hump day and all, but go get a free coffee, buck up and let’s fix some stuff this afternoon.

News, Special Events, The Features
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Discussions: Pakistan, the USA and Terror

Photo courtesy of
‘Candlelights at Leopold’s’ courtesy of ‘Unlisted Sightings’

With the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, the ever-tense relationship between Pakistan and its eastern neighbor was once again headline news. Pakistani government officials condemned the attack, but the incident raised questions again about links between the Pakistani Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Islamic terror networks. How does the history of the ISI- and its partnership with the CIA during the 1980s-affect its actions and worldview? How do the United States and Pakistan look on their partnership in today’s circumstances? These pressing questions will be considered and discussed tonight by a panel of experts at the International Spy Museum.

Present will be Shuja Nawaz, Director of the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council of the United States and author of Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within; Bruce Riedel, senior fellow, foreign policy, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution, former CIA officer and senior adviser to three U.S. presidents on Middle East and South Asian issues; and Ambassador Teresita Schaffer, the Director of the South Asia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies, who has written extensively and testified before Congress on Pakistani issues.

To get an idea of tonight’s discussion, we obtained from the ISM a quick Q&A session with Shuja Nawaz. Continue reading →

Comedy in DC
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Comedy In DC: At Your Desk

Photo courtesy of
Tyler Sonnichsen, whose picture I’m using because I couldn’t find a decent video clip
courtesy of ‘Aaron Webb’

A comedian acquaintance and I were lamenting the challenges of acceptably promoting local comedy recently, and something we both noted was the utter lack of demo clips that are professional and showcase the comedian to his or her best ability. I’ve seen  it happen in We Love DC’s very own comment section, where a promising comic gets written off by the commenters after viewing a couple of crappy videos of an open mic that takes place in an echo-y classroom on some college campus. The problem, of course, is that it’s hard to get a decently produced video until you’re performing in clubs, and it’s hard to get booked in clubs without a decently produced video. But that’s a rant for another time. 

So I decided to stay up late and find you some videos of comics who have made me fall out of my seat laughing.  Most have been produced well, so that you can evaluate the comedy without being distracted by poor sound, a room unsuited for comedy performance, or other factors that frequently beset eager young comics. Put your headphones on if you’re at work, though. Maybe you don’t want your boss hearing this. Continue reading →