Monthly Archives: February 2010

The Daily Feed
By

Arlington says you can keep reading that library book

Photo courtesy of
‘Art & Architecture’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

If you’re an Arlington resident and have some books that are due to go back this week – keep em. Anything that was due on the 5th on through the 15th is now auto-magically not due back till the 16th. If you’ve got something you checked out in 1993 and were finally going to bring it back today, don’t sweat that either – no late fees will be incremented for the days the library is closed.

So if it was good, crack it back open and give it another pass-through. You’re not going anywhere.

The Daily Feed
By

I Enjoy A Nice Time Lapse

Oh, what you’re not sick of time lapses? ME NEITHER. Good. Here’s another, this one by Andrew Cutaro. I like this one for it’s longevity, and daily life action (clearing the car, walking the dog, sidewalk shoveling, etc.).

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games
By

Bored Out Of Your Gourd Solutions

Photo courtesy of
‘so bored’
courtesy of ‘sunnyfunnyyellow’

Yeah, I feel you. There’s only so many days you can surf the interwebz, watch movies, catch up on your DVR recordings, read, twiddle your thumbs, pace around your apartment, etc.

So let’s get crazy and kick ourselves into snowaction. The Washington Post’s Jenna Johnson has already compiled a fantastic list of snomageddon activities geared towards the college aged set, and I’ve brainstormed the following activities to stave off the boredom and enjoy the winter wonderland that is DC for the next few days. Continue reading →

Downtown, The Daily Feed
By

Snow Fort Sublet on Capitol Hill! Turn Key!

Capitol Hill Snow Fort on Craigslist
Snow Fort from Craigslist.org

Ok, this is just hilarious. I know we’ve been covering a LOT of snow related “news” lately, but sometimes you just find something that demands postage. Half the interwebz have seen our post on the Big DC Condom Shortage of 2010 from earlier and this just fits right in with the lighter side of this #snowdiculous winter.

Want to live on the Hill? Tired of living in a tiny studio apartment in DC because you can’t afford a full 1 bedroom? Always wanted your own doorman to get the door for you when your hands are full of groceries from the local ‘Teeter? Tired of paying extra for wifi? Oh wow have we found the place for you.

$140 1BR Affordable Snow Fort Sublet In Capitol Hill

Take advantage of the never ending blizzard! This move-in ready apartment is as cool as it gets. (What? There were no puns.) By the way, this would be so much more hip than living in Columbia Heights these days.

The Daily Feed
By

Do something for others on Thursday

Adam Gallagher of Food&Friends reached out to us saying that these storms and subsequent transportation ugliness has made it hard for them to deliver meals. Here’s their plea, verbatim.

On Thursday, February 11th, Food & Friends needs 20 volunteers to deliver meals, especially those with 4-wheel-drive vehicles.  Those without cars would be very much appreciated in the kitchen, and it would be great if they could come between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.  Volunteers may sign up to chenderson@foodandfriends.org.  This information is also available on our website at www.foodandfriends.org/winterstorm2010.  Without Food & Friends, our clients likely will not eat, so the help of the community is vital.  Meals may be picked up from Food & Friends (219 Riggs Road, NE/Washington, DC) between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m., we will provide detailed delivery directions, and routes should take no more than 3 hours.  For more information, prospective volunteers may call 202.841.5347.

Food and Drink, Interviews, People, The Features
By

She Loves DC: Ashley Messick of From Komi to Marvin

Ashley Messick

There are only a handful of people that understand what it is like to eat at 84 places in 6 months. Ashley Messick is one of them. Funny, adorable, and one of my favorite food writers in the city, Ashley embarked upon a year-long project of eating at every single one of the 2009 Washingtonian 100 Best Restaurants list. She’s been called crazy, but I fully understand her plight. She recently completed her 100, and so we had a chance to chat about the project, what she loved, what she hated, and a weird waiter at Circle Bistro.

Katie: How long have you lived in the DC area?
Ashley: My whole life! I grew up in suburban Maryland and moved in to the District after college.

What would you change about DC if you could?
I’d make the Metro a little more accessible. If you want to go up and down Connecticut Avenue it’s pretty great, but other than that you’re destined for a long ride or a long walk or a long wait. I never like to compare D.C. to New York because I think they’re completely different, but New York blows us out of the water when it comes to convenient mass transportation.

Why did you start the From Komi to Marvin challenge?
Looking back, I can’t believe how flippantly I made the decision to start this project. It was like, “I think I’ll drop off my drycleaning, have a grilled cheese for lunch and eat at all the 100 best restaurants in a year.” I’ve always considered myself an expert when it came to recommending restaurants, so when I realized I had only tried about a third of the best restaurants after living here 25 years, I figured I should probably try and eat at the rest. For research purposes only, of course. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Jefferson’s Winter Storm Special

Photo courtesy of
‘Quill Bar interior, Jefferson Hotel’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

Maybe you don’t live in the city proper and it looks like you may get stuck in DC tonight. Or you just can’t take the sight of those four walls anymore and need a change of scene. If your tastes tend to the luxurious, The Jefferson is offering a Winter Storm Special rate of $195 a night tonight and tomorrow.

These are for the Deluxe Rooms which have a usual rate of about $380 a night, and judging from my visit last year post-renovation I’m actually debating checking in for a long hot soak in a soothingly beautiful bathtub. The rooms are truly gorgeous and serene.

Though restaurant Plume will be closed, never fear – Quill bar is open, and you can cuddle up in a cushy chair and read by the light of the glowing glass bar. The staff is gracious and you can pretend all this insanity doesn’t exist. Book by calling the hotel directly at (202) 448-2300. I’ll at least trudge on over for a drink!

The Features, The Hill, We Love Arts
By

We Love Arts: Evolve Urban Arts Project

Evolve at the Pierce School. Photo courtesy Eric Hope.

Evolve at the Pierce School. Photo courtesy Eric Hope.

Arts organizations tend to get hit the hardest in times of economic distress or, let’s face it, the current weather crisis. When galleries and theaters have to shutter their doors for even one night, it can be devastating. So consider this your PSA for Arts today: once we’re out of this mess, hit a play, see an exhibit, get out there and help the arts as much as you can. They’re really going to need it.

And there are so many worthy arts centers here in DC that go beyond the typical; we are truly lucky! One such unassuming place is Evolve Urban Arts Project in the H Street Arts District, with a special mission to promote local artists. Basically, says curator Eric Hope, “I’m trying to take some chances and give exposure to up-and-coming artists.” The recent exhibit by Dana Ellyn in December was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time, and upcoming shows look to match that intensity. Let’s take a closer look at one of DC’s pioneering galleries.

Evolve Urban Arts Project came about when Chris Swanson and Jeff Printz bought the Pierce School in 2000 and renovated it to include a home for themselves and several loft units. A few years later, they started arts exhibits in the main foyer and throughout the public spaces of the building. Curator Eric Hope came on board in April 2009 and saw the potential to expand their profile in the DC arts community. The only steadfast rule, strongly encouraged by Swanson, is the promotion of local talent, and the exhibition space is free to the artists.

“Lowkey really describes us,” Eric explains, “I’m happy to have the freedom to work with artists who push boundaries and take chances.”

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Civic Innovators Announced

Photo courtesy of
‘Building Museum Columns HDR’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

DC has always been a city at the forefront of civic engagement and this spring the National Building Museum will be honoring three “civic innovators” who are are leading the nation in natural disaster relief, city planning, and clean energy systems at the 24th Honor Awards.  The three honorees this year were just announced and will include the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon, renown architecture firm Perkins + Will, and the founders of New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village – Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, Anne Marie Wilkins, and Jim Pate.

The 24th Honor Awards is scheduled to be held on May 11.

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Condoms In Short Supply

124ty4.jpeg
photo courtesy of Alex of @BYTEatDrink

Hi there! If you’re new to We Love DC, you might want to check out a few of our other posts, like which restaurants are still open in all this snow, or check out what Thundersnow’s all about, or if you’re from DC, check out our great posts on the Building Height Limit Myth or The Palisades. Thanks for coming!

That was the scene at an area Safeway as DC residents are intent on screwing their way out of the snow. I’m just wondering, though: presented with a Birth Control aisle like that, do you buy the Magnums and hope, or do you find other means of making it through the shortage?

Who wants to bet we see a spike in births come November? …or maybe just an uptick in anti-biotic prescriptions in March?

Shelves are showing a good supply of lube, though. Make of that what you will.

The Editors of We Love DC would like to make sure you know that we are all for safe sex and don’t advocate unsafe sex, even under blizzard conditions. STDs suck, AIDS sucks, and unintended pregnancies can suck. Think about that for a second while you’re considering your options, mmkay?

The Daily Feed
By

Metrobus Expands to 300 buses on 98 Routes

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_4741’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

Metro has updated their running buses list to include 98 different routes that now have some traffic on them. 27 routes are now running in the District, 23 in Maryland and 48 in NoVa. They’re working hard to get things up and running, but Metro can also use your help:

Local jurisdictions are responsible for clearing bus stops. Local residents can help their neighbors by shoveling the bus stops along the sidewalks near their homes so that people are not standing in the icy streets while traffic is passing.

So, if you’re working from home today, or just off due to the Federal closure, grab a shovel and clear a bus stop, it’ll make for a better city, and help the transit situation immensely.

The Daily Feed
By

Alexandria Is For Lovers?

Photo courtesy of
‘snow in love’
courtesy of ‘mofo’

The Business Journal is reporting that according to Amazon, Alexandria is the most romantic city in the US, due to their purchase history. Amazon looked at purchases of “romance novels; sex and relationship books; romantic comedy DVDs; Barry White CDs; and sexual wellness products since Jan. 1, 2010,” to make the determination.

Arlington is #7, and DC is #11. My guess is, the DC area was stocking up for the snowpocalypse.

The Daily Feed
By

What, no ollie?

YouTube Preview Image

Make your own decision about what proportion of  awesome : stupid this is, but I enjoyed the hell out of watching it.

News, The Daily Feed
By

Train Evacuated at Smithsonian

Photo courtesy of
‘Smithsonian Metro’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

DC Fire and EMS is reporting on their twitter feed that a train had to be evacuated at the Smithsonian Metro station because of a possible fire. They later clarified that there was no fire.

Local news stations are reporting that a communication cable which dropped from the ceiling wrapped around a train’s wheels. WTOP reports that train behind the stopped one is being used to evacuate the people on the stuck train.

Featured Photo
By

Featured Photo


fling by mennyj

As I write this, the mild winter sun illuminates the pale blue Phoenix sky and warms the earth to a perfect 74 degrees.  Retired people wearing athletic gear and sun visors pass by my window in their electric golf carts, either on their way to the 1st hole or on their way home from the 19th hole.  With nary a breeze in the air, the statuesque palm trees stand tall and perfectly still.  Yet what you may be most envious of are the copious amounts of bread, eggs, and milk within a five minute drive.  Despite the circumstances that brought me here to the desert, life is good.

As you read this, your electricity may be out, your car may be stuck in a snow drift, and you may be out of milk and bread.  As you “work from home”, city workers are doing their best to clear the roads, restore your power, and keep things in order.  The city’s budget goes further into the red as more of the white stuff comes down, but what I’m most jealous of is all of the fun that I’m missing out on.  As a native Coloradan, I grew up in a blizzard and wish I could be there with you building igloos, throwing snowballs, and launching your kid into a snow bank.

The snow is always whiter on the other side of the fence, isn’t it?