Monthly Archives: January 2010

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Adam Franklin & The Bolts of Melody @ DC9 1/6/10


courtesy of Adam Franklin

On Wednesday night, DC9 played host to Adam Franklin & The Bolts of Melody as they made DC the second stop of their month-long American tour. The small venue proved the ideal spot to observe and enjoy Franklin’s guitar alchemy and emotional vocal delivery up close and personal. The band put on a really special set for the modest-sized crowd of Swervedriver fan-boys and guitar-geeks who braved the winter’s chill to catch this mid-week show.

This is where every review and article on the planet about The Bolts of Melody offers a quick rundown of Adam Franklin‘s prolific career. If you don’t know the man you can read about Swervedriver (personal favs of mine), the interesting Toshack Highway project, and Magnetic Morning on your own dime. For our purposes what is really important is that after many years of self-imposed exile from effects-pedal, guitar work Adam Franklin, one of the very best, has returned.
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The Daily Feed
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The Lovely Snow


Snow covered Capitol Hill (8/365)
Originally uploaded by katieharbath

Awaking this morning to see not just the beautiful dusting of last night’s show, but also clear roads most everywhere was such a treat. It seems to be DC’s perfect snow: Picturesque and quickly gone. Well, it would be if temperatures this weekend were going to be anything resembling above freezing. So, this beautiful layer gave us some incredible shots from our Photo Pool
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Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Washington Area’s Women Chefs Support Fight Against Ovarian Cancer

Photo courtesy of
‘Emmenthaler Cheese Souffle’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Ris Lacoste of ris, Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora, and Jamie Leeds of Hank’s Oyster Bar along with dozens of other renowned women chefs from the DC area are teaming up to benefit The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance at their annual Gala on February 2, 2010 at the Ritz-Carlton, DC.

The special guest of the evening is Gina DePalma, the James Beard Award-winning pastry chef who is also an ovarian cancer survivor, and the night’s emcee is Wendy Reiger from NBC4.

Entrees, appetizers, desserts – the women chefs are leveraging their specific talents to create an amazing multi-course meal in a festive environment while benefiting the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Street Food 2.0 – Meet Sâuçá

You may not be able to pronounce it, but you will soon be talking about the coolest street food truck this side of the Mississippi – or perhaps even the Nile (not “denial”, we are actually talking about the river in Egypt). Sâuçá is a new “mobile restaurant” that will be hitting the District’s streets by the end of the month. Let’s recap a few key words that describe this new concept: on wheels, food from around the world, flat screen TVs, wifi, international pay phone, super social media usage and FOOD FROM AROUND THE WORLD. Did I mention this is all on wheels? To this, Mr. Farhad Assari (the restaurateur), I have only two words: YES PLEASE.

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Special Events, The Daily Feed
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“Peace out, District. What up, China?” Bye-Bye, Tai Shan.

Giant Panda

The end draws near on Tai Shan’s time in our fair District.

Zoo goers and panda enthusiasts will forever remember his tenure as one that brought joy to the eyes of children and adults alike. What better way to say “Peace out, District. What up, China?” than a giant party being thrown in your honor?

The Friends of the National Zoo is hosting the official “Farewell to Tai Shan” party at the National Zoo. The event is scheduled for January 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include: talks with panda experts, goodbye card writing, and sweet-sweet panda lovin’ (aka oooo-ing and ahhh-ing at how gosh darn cute that lil’ panda is).

Food and Drink, People, The Features, We Love Drinks
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We Love Drinks: Greg Engert

Photo courtesy of
‘Beer Master Greg Engert’
courtesy of ‘snapzdc’

We Love Drinks continues our series where we look behind the bar, profiling the many people – from mixologists to bartenders, sommeliers to publicans – who make your drinks experience happen.

Greg Engert views the world through the bottom of a beer glass. This is not a statement on his sobriety, but rather the lens through which he has chosen to focus his profession and personal interest. Greg is the beer director for the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, owners of Rustico and the new, wildly popular ChurchKey and Birch and Barley restaurants near Thomas Circle. He researches beers, meets with brewers, manages his stock of beverages, and has the final say on anything beer related at Neighborhood restaurants. Sounds like a dream job, right? Well, I’m not going to lie. It is a dream job, but that doesn’t make it easy, and Greg certainly isn’t one to rest on the laurels of his title.

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News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Verizon Center Takes Down Arenas Banner

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video.

NBC Washington has the video of Verizon Center personnel removing Arenas banner from the side of the building this afternoon. It’s not clear if this is a deliberate move by the Wizards, or by the Verizon Center management, but either way, Agent Zero’s profile is a bit smaller right now.

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District, WMATA
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Another Near Metro Disaster & Potential Price Hike

Photo courtesy of
‘It has been a long day’
courtesy of ‘spiggycat’

As if WMATA hasn’t been in the news enough, today comes word that on December 10, 2009, a team of independent safety inspectors were nearly struck by a metro train at the Braddock Road Station. According to the Tri-State Oversight Committee, the inspectors “were forced to quickly scramble out of the way to avoid being struck.” Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The incident occurred shortly after Metro lifted a six-month ban on monitors accessing live subway tracks, and was only one of a long list of safety violations reported by the committee.  A summary of the report by The Washington Post stated that “Metro’s safety training was inadequate and that the transit agency needed to take “immediate, short-term corrective action” to ensure worker safety.” The Post also reported that WMATA is taking action to correct the situation and will hold a safety session with multiple transit agencies.

Additionally, we hear that the Metro Board will hold public hearings (to take place before a Jan. 28 vote) on adding a 10 cent surcharge to Metro fares. The increase in fares (from March to June 2009) would be an attempt to cover a $40 million dollar shortfall and to prevent significant cuts to both metro and metrobus service. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Buccigross Chimes In

Photo courtesy of
‘Rock the Red’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

So remember my mid-season Capitals’ report? Well, one of the analysts I was trying to get commentary from was ESPN’s John Buccigross, who’s participated here a couple of times before. Deluged with letters and his blogumns during the holiday weekend AND the NHL’s Winter Classic, my question list slipped right on by.

Fortunately, he was nice enough to post his answers in his weekly mailbag column on ESPN.com. Here’s the specific questions I asked and his answers for your enjoyment:

Biggest surprise from the Caps’ season so far?

Bucci: Nicklas Backstrom. He has brought his game to another level and, as he improves, brings the whole team to another level. That’s the power of young, elite players.

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The Daily Feed
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World Wide Inter Wub is for showing pictures of cats

sam_bat

used with permission – full-sized original here

It turns out that I’d been enjoying the work of Paw Prints Photography for quite a while and didn’t even know it – they donate their services to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, a site where I’ve spent many an hour just looking through the pictures of animals. The photos on their blog, however, are even more fun and better than a cup of coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. I like the above action shot as an animal photo but the pictures from Christmas in Middleburg are beautiful art.

If you’re in the market for pet photography you should check them out. In addition to clearly being talented they give back to the animal and human community through donated work for shelters and Vet Dogs, an organization that provides service dogs to disabled veterans.

If you’re not in the market, well, just go look at the cute kitty. Who cares what Warren Ellis says?

Arlington, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Features, The Hill
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Where to Watch the Game

Photo courtesy of
‘2010 BCS Championship 2010 BCS Championship Logo’
courtesy of ‘RMTip21’

Unless you live in a cave, or genuinely care about nothing sports related, you’re probably aware that the BCS Championship Game is this evening.  And, if you have even an inkling of football fanaticism, you’re probably planning on watching it. Year to year, the BCS Title is a clash of the titans, and one of the highlights of the football season.  This year pits the Texas Long Horns against the Alabama Crimson Tide.  I’ll leave analysis and predictions to others and focus on the most practical of matters: where to watch the game.  I’m going to assume that you’re already aware of the “my house” and the “my friend’s house” options, so here are a few suggestions in case you want to leave the living room.  If you’re not a real sports bar type, big game nights are excellent for branching out.  In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with the places below:
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The Daily Feed
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Crime & Punishment Museum Free Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Autopsy’
courtesy of ‘SWP Moblog’

If you’re a fan of the TV show Southland (formerly of NBC, now re-starting at TNT), drop by the Crime & Punishment Museum tonight over in Penn Quarter and meet actor Michael Cudlitz, who plays Officer John Cooper. He’ll be there from 5:15 to 6:15 tonight, and entry to the Museum is free if you use the password “Southland” at the entry.

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends, January 9-10

Photo courtesy of
‘Hot Tea, Cold Day’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

John: Friday night I’ll be heading up to the Honor by August show at the 9:30 club to cheer on my old band mates as they rock the house. Saturday I’m in the wilds of Virginia at Jammin Java in Vienna to see the D.R.A.M.A. Kings (former members of the band The Speaks) play their first headlining show. A big rock weekend, hopefully not to be quashed by the snow.

Shannon: When it is as cold as it has been recently, it takes a lot to actually get me to leave the warmth of my house.  But Friday night’s Spelling Buzz at the Rock and Roll Hotel sounds like the perfect combination of nerdy fun and alcohol– it’s a spelling bee for adults, and all participants must drink a beer and a shot between rounds! Saturday I’m going to spend wrapped up in blankets catching up with my DVR, so I’ll finally be able to participate in the next RWDC live blogging event (while drinking heavily).  And on Sunday afternoon I’m going to make a point to ride the Metro, just to catch all the no-pants riders. Continue reading →

Downtown, Food and Drink, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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New Vintage Wine Tasting on Monday

Photo courtesy of
‘Sonoma Wine Bar’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

The New Vintage is hosting another charity wine event on Monday evening.  Castello Banfi, an Italian vineyard, will be showcasing a number of their wines at Cork Wine Bar, which is booked solely for this even. Tickets, which must be purchased ahead of time, are $50 ($25 is tax deductible) and benefit the American Heart Association. The event is a great way to meet and network with younger, philanthropically minded people.  Yours truly will be there, and I suggest that you come to.  After all, it’s nice to experience the softer side of charity, every so often.

Dupont Circle, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Phillips After Five, Tonight

Man Ray's "Noir et Blanche" courtesy of The Phillips Collection

Man Ray's "Noir et Blanche" courtesy of The Phillips Collection

Theater meets art tonight at The Phillips Collection’s monthly Phillips After Five event, featuring preview scenes from Round House Theatre’s production of Permanent Collection.

In a timely intersection with the Phillips’ current Man Ray exhibit featuring his photographs of African artifacts (closing this wekend!), the play is about a museum director’s “racially charged battle” over an African sculptures exhibit. A discussion on the politics of museum display follows with director Timothy Douglas and Round House producing artistic director Blake Robison, joined by the Phillips’ director Dr. Dorothy Kosinski and exhibit curator Wendy Grossman. That’s an arts powerhouse lineup!

Allyn Johnson will be performing piano pieces by Henry Crowder (Man Ray’s friend) from 5-8pm, the Round House segment is at 6:30pm, and gallery talks on the Man Ray exhibit will be held at 6 and 7pm. The whole event runs from 5-8:30pm with cash bar and tickets are $12. Definitely a great way to say good-bye to the Man Ray exhibit.

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Metro is NOT Exploding

Photo courtesy of
‘and boom goes the dynamite’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

…no matter what it sounds like. Metro’s going to be doing structural integrity testing on the new pillars they’re putting in between I-66 and the DTR this afternoon around 1pm, and it’s going to sound like an explosion, but really, nothing should combust quite like that.

Should. Remember, this is Metro, after all.

The Daily Feed
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Elvis Has ENTERED The Building

Photo courtesy of
‘P7030095.jpg’
courtesy of ‘dwhartwig’

My hands are shaky and my knees are weak. I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet … and it’s all because The King is BACK! Well … he’s SORT OF back … and we can all thank the Newseum for that.

Get ready to re-visit the days when Elvis reigned as the supreme ruler of the American music and pop culture scene at “Elvis!” The exhibit, opening March 12 (in celebration of what would have been The King’s 75th year), features stage costumes, professional/personal mementos, and archives from the Graceland collection in Memphis.

“In many ways, Elvis embodied free expression in America,” said Ken Paulson, president of the Newseum. “We’re delighted to join with our colleagues at Graceland to tell his story through photos, videos and news coverage spanning more than two decades.”

Mark those calendars now so you don’t forget later! All music lovers are bound to enjoy this gem of Rock ‘N Roll history.

“Elvis!” will be on display at the Newseum through Feb. 14, 2011.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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ACKC Chocolate Pairs Nicely with Wine

Photo courtesy of
‘Chocolates at Veritas’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Peas and carrots. Bubble and squeak. Fish and chips. (Mary Kate and Ashley. What?)

The incredibly enterprising people over at ACKC D.C. on 14th street NW are rightfully tackling the historic food pairing, wine and chocolate. Now, not only can we reach euphoric heights with their cocoa indulgences, but we can balance off that chocolate high with a fine glass of wine.

ACKC DC just received its liquor license, so what are you waiting for? Chocolate. Wine. Head on over there to get your chocolate truffle fix paired with wines by First Vine.

Update from ACKC Directly: “We have indeed opened the wine bar, serving six wines that we’ve paired with different chocolates we make here in the store.  The wines are all from First Vine, a Washington, DC importer and internet retailer; our selections are imported from France and go especially well with chocolate — or by themselves if you’d like a glass without accompaniment.  We plan to offer savory snacks, too.  As far as I know, we’re the only place in DC that explicitly pairs wines and chocolates.  We’ll be doing an official opening party later this month, and of course there will be special tasting events, too.”

Snacks, TOO?!?!?

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Naked Jogger Freaks Out Secret Service Yesterday

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

A man shivvied out of his clothes yesterday, over near the White House at 5pm, to go for a jog around the White House. The Secret Service were rather upset that the man just left his clothes in a bag, which had to be deemed as a suspicious package, at the corner of 15th and E Street to run around, and for his troubles they took him in for indecent exposure, but he has not yet been charged.

No word on how badly 25 degree windchill affected the jogger’s suspicious package.

The Features
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My Checking Account Was Wiped Out… Here’s How to Protect Yours

Photo courtesy of
‘at the ATM’
courtesy of ‘volcanojw’

It’s easy to think of identity theft and credit card fraud happening to other people– people who aren’t observant in the ATMs that they use, or people who are careless with their PIN numbers, for example– but trust me, it can happen to anyone.  This past weekend I returned from a wonderful week-long trip to Italy that was completely relaxing and perfect.  But on Sunday, I opened up my checking account online and saw that my entire account had been cleared out while I was gone.  I’ve become a victim of identity theft, and I’m here to tell you how to avoid it.  Skimming has been spotted in DC, as well as waiter-based theft, and since we live in a tourist-heavy city, we could all use a refresher on how to keep our financial information secure. Continue reading →