By Katie
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
Just a minute ago I was thinking, you know, there really should be more cute animals on our site. And then I realized I have the power to make it so. So then I took the liberty to cute all over your computer screen. You’re welcome. (All photos courtesy of our lovely flickr contributors!) Continue reading
‘Inner Goddess’
courtesy of ‘lululemon athletica’
I know, it’s still only mid-January and it’s a little early to be thinking about Valentine’s Day, but if you are someone who would consider learning exotic dance as a gift for your mate, you probably want to get started so you can practice. Born2Dance Studio in Vienna is offering workshops in exotic dance in advance of Valentine’s Day, 2 hours each for $45.
The workshops will not be pole oriented, and high heels are optional. And if exotic dance isn’t really what you’re after, there’s always belly dance to try out.
By Donna C.
‘Reusable Giant Bags’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
Break out those reusable totes! DC’s new 5 cent fee for disposable bags is such a great idea that Virginia and Maryland may soon follow suit. That is, if two new bills pass.
This week, Maryland Del. Alfred Carr (D-18) introduced a bill patterned after the District’s that would give 3 to 4 cents per disposable paper or plastic bag to the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund to pay for pollution mitigation.
Last week, Virginia Delegate Adam Ebbin (D-49) introduced a similar bill that works the same way and would benefit the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund. He says this approach could reduce taxpayers’ costs for cleaning waterways and lower stores’ expenses on bags.
Both bills exempt some bags, including those for meat and produce, restaurant carry-out and dry cleaning.
By Tom Bridge
‘Sidwell Friends School’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’
WTOP is reporting that a Middle School teacher at Sidwell Friends School has been fired for inappropriate conduct with a student. The teacher, Robert A. “Pete” Peterson, was fired when charges were filed by Montgomery County authorities. Peterson is alleged to have watched pornography with one of his students, and then touched the student inappropriately. Peterson is also facing charges on the Eastern Shore related to the school’s day camp.
By Rebecca
‘Catoctin Mountain Park-5’
courtesy of ‘TrailVoice’
Nestled an approximate 90 minute, northwesterly drive from DC, Catoctin Mountain Park located just outside of Thurmont, MD, is a great spot for a day trip or the perfect location for a weekend getaway from the district’s hubbub.
I’ve long had Catoctin on my radar since moving the DC, in fact visiting the national park is one of my New Year’s resolutions. And while I wouldn’t consider now the perfect time to visit the park, I’m of the spring/summertime hiking ilk, the park is definitely still opened to hikers, drivers and visitors, although you should check the park’s website prior heading out for closure updates, and is well worth the effort. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘USAID Relief Supplies in Haiti’
courtesy of ‘USAID_IMAGES’
If you made it out to Monday night’s concert at the 9:30 club, you saw an amazing show, and you did a good thing for Charity. Last night, the 9:30 club announced that the concert raised $37,000 for Yéle Haiti. All of the performers’ fees, the ticket prices & convenience charges, the drinks and food, and the 9:30 club staff’s wages went into the kitty for Yéle, making for a great event all the way around.
Congratulations, 9:30 club for a great event, and thanks so much Wale, D.C. Don Juan, Tabi Bonney, XO, Kingpen Slim, K-Beta and Phil Ade for giving back.
‘More than Half-Empty’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
Before Washington got the Nationals, our boys in red were shagging flies and blasting runs as the FIRST Major League Baseball club to play outside of the states. The Montreal Expos, who started as a National League expansion team in 1969, changed their Canadian mailing address and club name on Dec. 3 2004 when they became the Washington Nationals.
Nationals blogger Ed Chiglaik, founder of the Federal Baseball blog, took a minute to remember our team’s heritage today. How’s about a Montreal Expos Day at Nationals Park this summer to commemorate the days of baseball past as we move forward with the 2010 season? Nationals pitcher Collin Balester says he’s a fan of the idea! Anyone else?
Who knows — it might just give our guys the karma boost they deserve to give their “forefathers” a slight tip of the hat. Anything to notch a few more W’s in that win column, right?
By Jenn Larsen
‘Elli’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’
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.
Elli Benchimol is never without a wine key, maybe two. Sometimes three. This can cause problems with airport security. Or, it can save the day! Either way, she laughs it off. It’s a chilly afternoon, and she thoughtfully pours me some hot tea as we sit down to talk about her background and learn about the beverage program she manages at AGAINN, downtown’s new “British Isles Bistro.”
Fellow author and photographer Samer has come along and can’t stop salivating at the wall of scotch. But we’ll get to that soon! I had previously stumbled onto AGAINN one night not having a clue that they had a brilliant cocktail program, and was instantly smitten. The bar is beautifully lined with fresh ingredients, garnishes and brown bottles, a selection of bitters, exotic tinctures of vanilla rooibos.
“Some people have added the syrups to their fish and chips by accident,” Elli smiles.
But I’m sure they would never be made to feel intimidated about such a mistake here. It’s a friendly environment, with the affectionate camaraderie between Elli and her staff immediately obvious.
Maybe that’s part of the West Coast style. Elli is a transplant from the laid-back land, someone who (like our first profile Josh Volz) was profoundly influenced by the San Francisco cocktail and wine scene. She’s part of a tradition of culinary professionals who believe that bar and kitchen should go hand in hand, and that quality is worth the wait.
“In San Francisco I learned that waiting for ten minutes for a cocktail is the true test,” Elli says, getting ready to line up some of her favorites. Samer and I lean forward like eager students.
By Tom Bridge
‘Caps/Pens: Game 1 (2009 NHL Playoffs) – 17’
courtesy of ‘Garyisajoke’
In case you’re not a big hockey fan, you may not have recognized that tonight is the Caps vs the Penguins in a steel cage death match in Pittsburgh. You want rivalry? We got rivalry. These are two teams lead by charismatic and skilled young players and grizzled old veterans who eat nails for breakfast. Tonight, Puck Daddy and Japers Rink are hosting a watch party for the game at Bailey’s in Ballston at 6pm and they’re giving out prizes.
Rock the Red!
By Kirk
‘REPUBLICAN SCOTT BROWN RUNNING FOR SENATOR OF MASS…Could be Democrats worst nightmare…’
courtesy of ‘roberthuffstutter’
Ok, lame headline, but the newly elected senator from Massachusetts, Scott Brown, arrived in DC today. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re aware that Senator-elect Brown is the harbinger of doom for the Democratic party and the health care reform bills (or a simple consequence of Bush era politics. It depends on which news channel you watch). Brown is expected to be seated some time next week, but he arrived early to get his office in order. He’s been running around the Hill, meeting with Senators anxious to catch a glimpse of the conservatives’ great white hope. Do you feel that? I think Uncle Teddy is rolling in his grave.
By Tom Bridge
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
The Mega Millions lottery draw is coming to DC starting the end of next week, giving DC two options for the big lottery jackpots. While the Lotto tends to be a tax on people who are bad at math, funding does return to the state lottery boards which then fund education budgets, so I tend not to feel too awful when I grab a $5 ticket once in a while when the jackpot hits $100M or so. Don’t worry, though, Powerball will be sticking around, so it’s likely you’ll get two shots at big jackpots here.
‘Rob Schneider’
courtesy of ‘PetroleumJelliffe’
Rob “Deuce Bigalow” Schneider will be appearing at the DC Improv June 11-13. In my world, this is secret code for “go watch local comedy instead that week.”
By Don
‘0706 r family cruise slr261’
courtesy of ‘MommyCheryl’
If you’ve got any affection for Kathy Griffin’s schtick then today’s your day – she’ll be at the K street Borders in NW at 6:30 tonight singing her book. Personally I find her kind of amusing, but I’m boycotting any endorsement of her until I can hear about her without also hearing about her dropping the F bomb on CNN on New Year’s. Seriously, who cares other than the 9 people who still watch CNN?
Oh, writing about this even here probably qualifies as endorsement, doesn’t it. Well, f-
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
Tom: I’m back in class once again, so I have a feeling that this weekend will be all about reading books and writing responses. I do know, however, that Saturday night I’ve been invited by Chevy to go test drive a Volt over at RFK Stadium, so tune in on Sunday to see my impressions of driving a “greener” hybrid around DC. Sunday afternoon we’re off on a tour of Petworth, courtesy of The Prince himself, as we continue our hunt for a new place to live.
John: After a week out of town in the Studio, I’ll be back to hit up some shows and some grub. Friday night there’s a benefit concert for Haiti at the IOTA Club and Cafe in Arlington. Saturday night I’ll be hitting up dinner at Ulah Bistro and then follow that by checking out Thievery Corporation at the 9:30 Club on their five (?) night stand there. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘the first amendment lives!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Tomorrow marks the 37th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court Decision of Roe v. Wade which determined the legality of abortions in the United States. Every year, pro-life protestors gather in Washington and march on the Supreme Court in opposition to the decision. In past years, uninterested bystanders, pedestrians and drivers have been subject to large billboards and signs of grisly images of aborted fetuses on the drive to work, so if you’re sensitive to that kind of imagery, you might want to arrange not to come up 14th Street tomorrow, or be on the Metro first thing in the morning.
Expect heavy delays on Constitution and Independence near the protest, which will run from 7th Street NW to 1st Street NE at the Supreme Court, and also in the Penn Quarter area.
By Tom Bridge
‘No Shelter for Fenty’
courtesy of ‘spiggycat’
We’ve talked before about how it’s looking like no one will step up and challenge Mayor Adrian Fenty in his bid for re-election this year, and how unfortunate that is. Mike DeBonis of the City Paper has a list of draftable candidates that could make the District a far more interesting place to live. He suggests, amongst others, Kojo Nnamdi and Peggy Cooper Cafritz. It’s a good read, time to go dream.
If you’ve been searching far and wide for “that ultra-catchy sound that you’ve always wanted” to hear but couldn’t seem to find, go see one of L Magazine‘s “8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear in 2009” tomorrow night at the Velvet Lounge.
Savoir Adore started out as a two-piece band featuring singer-songwriter Deidre Muro on keyboards and Paul Hammer on drums but is up to a six-man roster, complete with female vocals (compliments of Sasha Brown).
Savoir Adore is joined by fellow rockers Ra Ra Rasputin & Bellflur.
Doors open at 9, show starts 10. It’s 21+ with an $8 cover.
Photo by Rachel Levitin.
By Tom Bridge
‘templeton rye’
courtesy of ‘marajane creations’
It was only recently that I discovered I really liked Whiskey. In college, I had, shall we say, a checkered relationship with the brown liquors, after an alcohol poisoning incident. But I got myself cleaned a few sessions to the rehab centre. Thankfully, that time, I have seek for guidance immediately on how I can get out of the situation, searching in the internet for the best rehab centre has been a great help for me. Even the smell was enough to send me running for the Busch Light. I grew up, and sure enough, I discovered I liked the stuff. But, what if I wanted to experiment with some whiskey that I couldn’t get at the liquor store? A regional bottling that doesn’t leave the midwest, say, something like a Templeton Rye, at the recommendation of an Iowa-based friend?
You order it online. Well, maybe you do. Recent events have inspired me to do some digging, with the help of my friend Fedward, to establish the legality of ordering booze and wine online, and having it shipped to your premises, work or home. Here’s the scoop: Continue reading
By shannon
‘taking the bus’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Metrobus is reinventing itself, reports The Examiner. Their new slogan (“See how far we’ve come”) and ad campaign is taking over the District. This $739,000 campaign is aimed at reversing the decline in bus riders in the wake of several Metrobus accidents last year.
While I like the shiny new buses, I think Metro’s dollars might be better spent improving NextBus service and getting more riders to use it. A new slogan won’t get me to take the bus, but knowing when the bus is coming so I don’t have to wait out in the cold would.
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