Monthly Archives: January 2010

The Daily Feed, The District
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Will You Accept This Rose, DC?

Photo courtesy of
‘Candle Light and Roses’
courtesy of ‘Jill Clardy’

My shameless guilty pleasure reality show is The Bachelor. And this season? They’re showing some heavy-hitting DC love. I’m not convinced this is the best season ever, but The Bachelor is joining the ranks of Real World and Real Housewives with the DC love they’re giving us.

I don’t LOVE this season – honestly could Jake be a little more dull? I mean, I think he’s as hot as the next girl does, but come on! Does he actually have a personality somewhere? But you know what I do love? The DC love. There’s Ashley, who dressed up in the flight attendant costume and whose Mom shops for her – she’s a teacher in Fairfax, VA. Then we have Elizabeth, who was eliminated (much to my dismay) in the first rose ceremony. I liked that girl, she seemed actually down to earth (as opposed to um, say, Rozlyn? or Gia?) and I squealed a little on the inside (okay and on the outside to my roommate) when Elizabeth posed in front of the Capitol in her bio video. Finally, we have Ashleigh, who resides in Bethesda. I basically remember nothing about this girl, but apparently she didn’t get eliminated. Maybe we’ll see more of her in the future, one can only hope. Side note: I think the fact that three out of the 25 ladies on the show are from our area just proves how impossible it is to find a man in this town!

So two out of our three ladies are still competing for Jake’s heart, and a shot to get DC on the small screen. And before you say it, snarky commenters, you have something embarrassing that you love too, so I don’t wanna hear it in the comments okay? Don’t tease me about my hobbies. I don’t tease you about being an asshole.

News, The Daily Feed
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This May Have Been Your Commute

Photo courtesy of
‘Totally stopped traffic’
courtesy of ‘dmuth’

Much of the western part of DC is a traffic jam this morning thanks to a smoking power line at the Rock Creek Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue that closed both the Parkway, in both directions, and Pennsylvania Avenue, and impacted the Key Bridge as well.

Police and Fire are waiting for Pepco at this time to shut off the power so they can make the repairs and restore traffic flow.

Business and Money, Crime & Punishment, News, The Daily Feed, The District
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Northface Store Robbed, Handgun Involved

Photo courtesy of
‘North Face Store, Georgetown’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Yesterday afternoon thieves entered The Northface Clothing Store on M Street in Georgetown, stole a large amount of merchandise and held the pursuing security officer at gunpoint before making their getaway.

At around 1:45pm, five suspects entered the store, removed a significant amount of merchandise, exited the store without paying and got into an awaiting dark colored, 4 door, Mercury Marquis parked on 36th and Prospect Streets. Then, according to Lieutenant John M. Hedgecock of the MPD, “The [Northface] security officer confronted the suspects within the vehicle. At this time, the driver of the vehicle pointed a silver handgun at the security officer and stated ‘back up’.” Fortunately, the  security guard, employees and passersby were not hurt during the incident. A description of the suspects is pending further MPD updates.

The theft is interesting considering October reports by My Fox DC and DCist that undercover MPD officers would be donning Northface apparel in an attempt to nab thieves. Wonder if the two are in any way connected. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Sheila Dixon to Resign

Photo courtesy of
‘We Need a Lightbox’
courtesy of ‘Danielle Scott’

Boy it’s a Breaking News Wednesday here today. Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has agreed to resign on February 4th as part of the plea deal with the Baltimore City Prosecutor’s office. Dixon will get 4 years of Probation, 500 hours of community service and be required to contribute $45,000 to charity. City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will become mayor on the 4th.

Dixon will keep her annual pension of $83,000 as part of the deal, but some of her property will be auctioned to make restitution for perjury.

The Daily Feed
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Today’s legislative irony

Photo courtesy of
‘(278/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Thirty-nine congresscritters signed an amicus brief that was filed today supporting putting DC’s marriage equality on a ballot referendum. This is normally the point where I kibbitz about the idea of putting civil rights up to a popular vote, but this specific brief has tweaked me on another front….

Since when, exactly, have these folks been concerned about the residents of D.C. getting a vote?

UPDATE: Shocking! Despite their huge concern over D.C. citizens getting their chance to vote, three of the signators of this brief,  Roscoe Bartlett (Md.),  Jack Kingston (Ga.), and  Don Manzullo (Ill.) all voted NO in 1993 on the D.C. statehood bill.

U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (Ala.), Todd Akin (Mo.), Michele Bachmann (Minn.), J. Gresham Barrett (S.C.), Roscoe Bartlett (Md.), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), John Boozman (Ark.), Jason Chaffetz (Utah), John Fleming (La.), J. Randy Forbes (Va.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), Scott Garrett (N.J.), Phil Gingrey (Ga.), Louie Gohmert (Tex.), Jeb Hensarling (Tex.), Wally Herger (Calif.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Steve King (Iowa), Jack Kingston (Ga.), John Kline (Minn.) Doug Lamborn (Colo.), Robert Latta (Ohio), Don Manzullo (Ill.), Michael McCaul (Tex.), Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.), Patrick McHenry (N.C.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Jeff Miller (Fla.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Randy Neugebauer (Tex.), Mike Pence (Ind.), Joe Pitts (Pa.), Mark Souder (Ind.) and Todd Tiahrt (Kan.)
The Daily Feed
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NBA Suspends Wizards’ Arenas Indefinitely, No Pay

Photo courtesy of
‘Introducing Gilbert Arenas’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

According to ESPN just minutes ago, the NBA has announced that Wizards’ player Gilbert Arenas will be suspended indefinitely without pay. This is a rather shocking and unexpected move as a result of his ridiculous gun pulling stunt that took place in the locker room of the Verizon Center on Christmas Eve. He later came out and said it was all a joke, but I don’t think many people really buy that.

Quotes from the ESPN article and the AP:

“Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game,” commissioner David Stern said in a statement Wenesday. “Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA.”

The Daily Feed
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New Year Fitness for Free


‘dancer_XV_by_Hedgepig13’
courtesy of ‘cuirjean’

If your New Year’s resolutions included “get in shape” or “try something new,” you may want to check out Winter Free Week at Blue Heron Wellness in Silver Spring. Free classes run through Sunday.

They include everything from belly dancing and hoop dance to Soul Camp, a boot camp class that explores all styles of movement to unleash inner strength, to NIA, an expressive, barefooted, dance/fitness practice that combines elements from Tai Chi, Tae-Kwon-Do, jazz, Duncan dance, yoga and Aikido.

You can also learn more about MTHFR and folic acid toxicity, acupuncture and Chinese herbs, Reiki and reflexology, Shiatsu and Thai massage. And of course much more…that is, if you resolve to go.

News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Fist Pump Along with Cast Members of MTV’s Jersey Shore

Photo courtesy of
‘Fist Pump’
courtesy of ‘jimwhimpey’

Is the Real World not satisfying your thirst for reality television? Has your guilty pleasure quota not been met yet? Good. I didn’t think so.

The GW Hatchet announced that JWoww and Pauly D of MTV’s Jersey Shore  are making an appearance at McFadden’s on January 19.

McFadden’s will be running drink specials from 8 p.m. to midnight on $5 Jagerbombs. But that’s not all! There’s more! Get ready for some of Jersey’s finest while bar go-ers battle it out during a fist pumping contest AND a bikini contest for the ladies.

Capital Chefs, Food and Drink, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Dennis Marron and Brian Turowski (Part II)

Red Cabbage - Marron
Chef Marron and Chef Turowski’s Pickled-Pink Red Cabbage

With pickled red cabbage added to my jar collection (which includes a living breathing, yeasty bread starter), my fridge is starting to look more like a science project for Halloween than what you would expect to be pieces to a delightfully edible puzzle.

As you read this morning, Katie and I went to The Grille at Morrison House this past weekend to pickle some onions and learn the tricks of the technique with local chefs Dennis Marron, executive chef of The Grille, and Brian Turowski, chef-de-cuisine of Jackson 20. The guys showed us their recipe for pickling the red onions that they pair with Jackson 20’s “Wedge” salad: a crunchy iceberg wedge, smothered with a creamy bleu cheese dressing, accompanied by plump bacon lardons – plated quite creatively, as Katie alluded to!

To start off our pickling adventure, Katie and I tasted two kinds of pickled red onions, comparing how more salt and more pickling time can affect the end result. The chefs also shared a taste of their pickled red cabbage, which I resolved to test at home for you.

Chef Marron recommends this same basic pickling recipe for cabbage, onions, cucumbers, and even SHRIMP- which he noted would also go well with a blue cheese salad. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Famous dogs and number two sounds like a scooper violation

Photo courtesy of
‘Jack the bulldog’
courtesy of ‘Julie Lyn’

Georgetown U blog Vox Populi has been on fire with the updates today, but the one that caught my eye was yesterday’s piece about the American Kennel Club’s listings of famous dogs in pop culture.

Apparently it’s not just retail that gets slow in January. You know they wouldn’t be spending time making lists like this if the Westminster show was just around the corner.

Anyway, Georgetown’s bulldog mascot, Jack, took the #8 spot in the voting. I’m personally skeptical – there’s really more Georgetown fans than Family Guy (Brian, #10) fans on the internet? I’m betting on a vote-bot created in the GU computer science department but I can’t prove anything. Similarly I don’t get how “Who let the dogs out” (#9) made it above number 125 on the list.

In the sports category Jack took second only to Texas A&M’s Reveille, which is a stupid name for a dog. Clearly Georgetown was robbed.

updated second paragraph to make it clear I was tweaking the AKC, not Vox Populi.

News, The Daily Feed
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Breaking: Holocaust Museum Shooter Dead

Photo courtesy of
‘United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

There are reports that Holocaust Memorial shooter James Von Brunn has died  in a prison hospital.  The white supremacists was shot by security guards as he allegedly perpetrated an attack on the Memorial in June, that killed 1 person.  There is no word  on if his death was a result of the injuries he sustained during the shooting.  We’ll keep you updated as more information comes in.

The Daily Feed
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Northrop Grumman Relocates HQ to DC in 2011

Photo courtesy of
‘Global Hawk Drone’
courtesy of ‘Rennett Stowe’

Northrop Grumman, one of the largest defense contractors in the country, is moving its headquarters from the Los Angeles area to Greater Washington in 2011. It has been one of the few major contractors to not have its main office in the DC area, but it outspends its two main competitors (Lockheed Martin and Boeing) on lobbying. The move only relocates 300 employees of the company but it puts the home base squarely in the middle of 26,000 employees in Maryland and Virginia, or 1/6th of the company’s 120,000 strong work force. And hey, Grumman designed the LEM/Moon Lander back in the 60s. And that’s just cool.

All Politics is Local, History, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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White House Staff: A History

Photo courtesy of
‘DC’s Biggest Postcard’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

If someone on the street asked me to list the job titles at the White House, first on the list would be the President, VP, Chief of Staff, the news core, Press Secretary, etc…you know the people we constantly see in our national and local news reports.

But what about the behind the scenes people?  I’m not talking about the administration people, or those who do the glamorous, high powered functions, I’m talking about the guys and gals that service the place and walk secretly among DCers. Who are they?!! What’s their story? How do they make White House tick? How have their roles changed from administration to administration?

The answer is to be found at “The Working White House: 200 Years of Tradition and Memories,” at the White House Visitor Center, now through Feb. 28. The exhibit showcases the history of White House serving staff and other workers from the time of William Taft through George W. Bush.

Can’t wait for them to update the exhibit with how things have changed with the addition of the White House garden and Bo the dog.

Capital Chefs, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Dennis Marron and Brian Turowski (Part I)

P1020544

“Boys and their toys,” I laugh to Cathy. She and I are leaning against the counter in the kitchen at The Grille at Morrison House, watching Chef Dennis Marron pull out all his kitchen tools. He whips out a set of huge tweezers, tapping them together. “These are looser, more flexible,” he explains, comparing them to the pair he’s got in his other hand. Cathy and I nod knowingly.

Chef Marron is flipping big fat cuts of bacon in a cast iron pan using tweezers, and I was poking fun at him, teasing him about his tool of choice. His partner in crime, Brian Turowski, chef de cuisine at Jackson 20, is sticking up for him. “There’s a lot of detail work in plating here,” Turowski says. “The tweezers are good for that.” And it’s true. Chef Marron oversees the kitchen at two Old Town restaurants, the more casual southern-American themed Jackson 20, and the more buttoned-up The Grille at Morrison House. Chef Turowski has taken over duties at Jackson 20, and Marron spends most nights at The Grille. The plates at The Grille are more fussy, and thus, the tweezers. The home-cooking at Jackson 20 is much more basic in presentation. Today, both tweezer-wielding chefs are together in the kitchen, teaching Cathy and I to construct Jackson 20’s signature Wedge salad – a fatty delight of blue cheese, pickled onions and bacon.

Chef Marron pulls out a spoon. “We call this one the shovel”, he says. He’s rummaging around, trying to find all the second-hand tools he’s bought and stocked the kitchen with. “I got a sandwich press for six dollars once!” he exclaims with glee. “Chefs are cheap,” Turowski jokes. And that’s not all. Together they’ve collected tons of spoons, a seltzer, even an ice crusher. Cathy inquires where they get all their cookware, and Marron points towards King Street, where Look Again Resale Shop is located. The thrift store is a treasure trove, apparently. “Good stuff over there,” Marron agrees. Continue reading →

Dupont Circle, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Media, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Real World DC Drinking Game!

Photo courtesy of
‘Drink Responsibly’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

And now, to make our Real World viewing experience more enjoyable, I present the RWDC drinking game that I promised last week.  I envision this game developing as the season goes on and we get to know the characters a bit better.  For now, though, I think that this should get us through the next episode.  And, since it’s Wednesday, it’s perfectly legitimate to interpret “drink” as “sip.” The rules are after the break. Enjoy!

Continue reading →

Adventures, Fun & Games, Media, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Real World Live Blog Tonight!

Photo courtesy of
‘The Biggest Looser’
courtesy of ‘: rebecca :’

More live blogging is coming your way, this evening, for episode two of the Real World: DC.  Last week, we had 200 people tune in and it was the bomb .  So, please join us right here on the WLDC main page at 10pm for more “real life.” Oh, and be sure to have drinks in hand.  It makes the Real World so much better.

News, The Daily Feed
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One Less Challenger for Fenty

Photo courtesy of
‘H. Ross Perot & DC Mayor Adrian Fenty’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

The word came down late yesterday: R. Donahue Peebles will not challenge Mayor Fenty in 2010. For a while, it looked like we might have several challengers for Mayor Fenty, whose popularity is on a bit of a slide after a few scandals and miscues, but no one, it seems wants to make a serious effort to run. Kwame Brown? Staying Mum. Vincent Gray? Quiet like the Sphinx. Is it part of some grand plan to let the mayor keep screwing up by the numbers, and not to give him any competition for that part of the negative spotlight? Very possibly.

When will a real challenger emerge?