Monthly Archives: February 2010

The Daily Feed
By

Blizzard Warning for Three MD Counties

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Anne Arundel, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties are now officially in a blizzard warning.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD WARNING…IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 PM EST SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS EVENING.

Also, NOAA is taking this storm very seriously and wants you to as well. From the head of NOAA (the parent agency of the National Weather Service):

An epic snowstorm has the mid-Atlantic region in its cross hairs. At this time, personal safety must be first and foremost. National Weather Service forecasters have been tracking this storm for the past week and now that the storm is here it must be taken very seriously.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, We Love Drinks
By

Friday Happy Hour: The Kraken

Photo courtesy of
‘The Kraken’
courtesy of ‘wrgenec’

Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.

I admit freely that when it comes to liquor, I can easily be seduced by bottle imagery. Shallow, I know, but when beautiful imagery is actually matched by flavor, well, that’s it. Done.

The first night Tom Brown showed me a bottle of The Kraken black spiced rum, it was Christmas Eve at The Passenger, and I was in a magical mood. The vintage image of the beast from the deep hit all my old Mystic Seaport memories from being a kid peeping at exotic (and often erotic) scrimshaw. The color, dark as the night sea, was also pretty evocative. But let’s be honest, it could’ve tasted like bilgewater.

Only it didn’t. Continue reading →

Adams Morgan, Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Drinks
By

Drinks Preview: Tryst

4329313964_1c0e20b5c2

David Fritzler burns up a Blue Blazer. Photo credit: Samer Farha.

For many people I know, Tryst is “The Office.” Well, now they can drink on the job in style!

Last week the Adams Morgan coffeehouse pioneer rolled out a new cocktail menu, and fellow WLDC author Samer and I were treated to some fine libation as they branch away from the bean. And as we all await the impending snowflakes of doom, it’s nice to note that Tryst will be open throughout the storm!

In operation since 1998, Tryst has always aimed to be a neighborhood gathering place true to its fun motto, “No Corporate Coffee, No Matching Silverware.” Of course they opened the year after I’d already left Adams Morgan for Logan Circle, so I’ve never been one to hang out there – but several friends really do treat it as their office, setting up with laptops and getting social over the screens, fueled by lots and lots of coffee. Just as the java isn’t corporate, when it came time to debut a new cocktail menu, Tryst wanted to do the same for drinks. With David Fritzler at the helm, Tryst’s beverage director for the past ten years, and two new bartenders – J.P. Cacares and Lana Labermeier – the new menu is billed as “quality cafe cocktails” ranging in price from $6-10.

As David told us, “I want to bring pre-Prohibition cocktail knowledge, quality liquors and fresh ingredients out of the speakeasy and expensive hotel bars and to the general public.” As a member of the DC Craft Bartenders Guild, he’s already dedicated to a high standard of cocktail culture. We parked ourselves at the bar and knocked back a few to see whether the drinks would succeed.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Biggest Snowstorm Since 1779…WHAT?!?

Photo courtesy of
‘(036/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

At times like these, you keep your Senior Meteorologist at the National Weather Service on speed-dial. And for good reason. Logan Johnson brings us this very interesting tidbit:

“…3 feet of snow in the district is a possibility. And the only storm ever to thought to have dropped that much snow in DC was back in 1779 in the Washington and Jefferson Storm.”

WHAT!?! Most snowfall in over 230 years in the District? So pretty much this has a very real chance of being the biggest snowstorm in DC….EVER. If you are interested in snow history, check this page out with all of the details.

The official forecast from the NWS office in Sterling is as follows (after the jump):

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Make a power-outage plan

Photo courtesy of
‘mPower Porsche Design Flashlight’
courtesy of ‘nanpalmero’

We all hope for nothing but pretty pictures and snowball fights*, but heavy snowfall has the potential for power outages. Could be iced lines, could be a bad driver hitting a pole, could be just plain old bad luck.

Or it could be you overloading a circuit with a space heater.

So have an emergency plan. Know where your circuit breaker is Make sure your cell phone is fully charged. Check your flashlights and make sure they’re somewhere you can find them. Put some warm clothing – long underwear, etc – somewhere you can find it.

Live in a rented apartment or house? Make sure you have contact numbers for your landlord. Know where the nearest emergency room/urgent care center is.

Put the phone number to report outages where you can find them:

  • PEPCO 1-877-737-2662
  • Dominion VA 888-667-3000
  • BGE 877-778-2222.

Be careful and safe.

* just don’t throw them at cars, you never know what sort of power-mad douchebag is inside

Downtown, History, Penn Quarter, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
By

Spring Offerings From ISM

Photo courtesy of
‘Boundaries’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

Every Friday for the next six weeks, the International Spy Museum (ISM) will be debuting a new exhibit within the museum, including the addition of several new rare artifacts from the shadowy world of espionage. These new additions (some for a limited time only) join the already-extensive collection regarding the world’s “second-oldest profession” and the new gallery dedicated to espionage in the 21st Century. Several of these exhibits will tie into special programs occurring at the museum over the next few months, covering not only the secret history of spying but also exploring today’s hottest topics that daily impact the world of intelligence. “Espionage deals with clandestine, hidden information and the best spies make sure their every trace disappears, which makes finding personal pieces of tradecraft very challenging,” says Anna Slafer, ISM’s Director of Exhibitions and Programs. “Many of our new artifacts have to come us from intelligence agencies and the families of these famous spies, giving us a detailed story of these object’s role in history.”

And the lineup, after the jump. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Ugly Weather Officially Dampening the Joy of Pants-Optional Friday

no pants metro ride
no pants metro ride
Originally uploaded by laurarotondo

Have you been outside yet? Lovely Wife called me at 10:30 from the Weaver Compound in Arlington to say it was snowing somewhat heavily. We had not yet seen flake number one over in DC where I work. Now it’s a different story, of course. My office closed at noon and I am home, getting ready to dig out the hatch to the underground bunker.

If only Mother Nature would respect the rules. First rule of bad weather: Schedule it for a day other than Friday, because let’s cut to the chase here. No pants + snow = just plain messy.

The Daily Feed
By

The Second #snOMG Cometh – DC’s Best Snowtags

Photo courtesy of
‘snow ‘stache’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

#snOMG. #snowpocalyse. #snowmageddon.

#snOMGasm. #snogasm. #snoWTF. #snowlyshit

The only thing more ridiculous than the amount of snow we’ve been getting this year are the snow hashtags flying around the interwebz. And by ridiculous, I mean RIDICULOUSLY funny. In a good way. LAUGH. Let us also recognize that we must pay homage to the fact that this is indeed the second coming of the #snowpocalypse this year. Therefore, #snOMG2pointO is pretty appropriate.

#snovechkin #snohedidnt #precipaggedon #snowpocalypseNOW #snowbliteration

Continue reading →

The Features, Tourism
By

Gone Hunting (for Photos)

IMG_69269Students at work in Adams Morgan by Corinne Whiting

When you think DC, you don’t typically think “safari.” (Heck, with Tai Shan leaving us yesterday, now even the National Zoo seems far less exotic to explore.) But thanks to local photographer-entrepreneur E. David Luria, locals and visitors alike get the chance to go on a different type of hunt: the pursuit for the perfect photo.

I’ve been lucky enough to tag along on two of David’s tours with Washington Photo Safari. One was on a very sticky day that attracted a lot of map-wielding tourists to must-see spots like the White House, Vietnam Memorial and Lincoln Reflecting Pool. The second, on a morning so cold that a few wayward students kept disappearing inside for long coffee breaks, drew visitors and locals to the lively Adams Morgan zone. I enjoyed both safaris for the spontaneous chats with curious city newcomers as well as longtime residents who gladly shared their shutterbug expertise. I also appreciated David’s kind encouragement, grandfatherly jokes and the way in which he made every member of our slightly ragtag, eclectic photography team feel included.

But my favorite part? The license these tours gave me to screech to a snail’s pace for a few hours, studying the details of my city as if seeing it all for the first time. I pointed my lens at monuments, memorials, doorknobs, tattered murals, cracking sidewalks, shiny car hoods and intricate African weavings, finding beauty in places normally eclipsed by my rushed daily routine. As a pro tip, I recommend you to carry one of these Hiking backpacks, which you can get from weather proof hunting backpack sales shop, to help you take everything you need.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Chart Madness

Screen shot 2010-02-05 at 10.44.47 AM

When you think Too Much Information and associate it with your boss telling you about his weekend getaway, well, you clearly haven’t been to the NOAA site.

The hourly weather forecast, which is buried in the bottom right of the screen when you’re viewing the 7 day forecast? THAT is too much information.

Wind chill, temp and dewpoint every hour on the hour for the next 48 hours? Yep.

Relative humidity, sky cover, chance of precipitation? That too. Thunder, rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain? Well of course!

The predictions are very localized – just key in your area name here and then pick the hourly weather graph down in the bottom right.

Screen shot 2010-02-05 at 10.51.36 AM

One of the most useful things on this is the wind predictions. If you’re planning on tromping around today you want to be safely inside for the night by 10p when winds hit 20+mph.

The Daily Feed
By

Haven’t Gone Shopping Yet? You’re Kinda Screwed.


This is a mad house!
Originally uploaded by carlweaver

This was the scene last night in the produce department at the Safeway on Lee Hwy. Lots of thing were still available, but probably not the things you would care to eat if you had a choice. Beets, radishes, papayas and kale were still there. On the shelves were pig knuckles, potted meat, mustard, clam juice and laxatives. That was about it.

Since the snow has been delayed a bit from its predicted early morning start, what last-minute items are you heading out for?

News, The Daily Feed
By

NTSB Plans Hearing on June Metro Crash

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro crash aftermath 2’
courtesy of ‘futureatlas.com’

The National Transportation Safety Board is planning a hearing at their offices in Southwest DC on February 23rd through 25th to question witnesses concerning the accident last June that claimed the lives of nine men and women. The hearing will be streamed to the internet, and you bet that we’ll be watching as the NTSB questions Metro about their safety track record, and the Tri-state Oversight Committee about Metro’s oversight roles.

Essential DC, Food and Drink, The District, The Features
By

What Snow? Restaurants & Bars To Stay Open in DC Blizzard

Photo courtesy of
‘Metaphorical lesson’
courtesy of ‘c00lmarie’

[Update 2/8, 11AM] Hey there – if you’re reading this now that the blizzard is over (for now…) maybe you’d like some more topical information, like Katie’s updates on lunch specials available on Monday, Feb 8th.

If you’re like me, the thought of spending an entire 24 hours in your apartment makes you a little batty. In the snowstorms of recent past, my lovely roomie and I have zipped up our boots, slung on our hats and trudged out into the great beyond in the name of burgers and beer, searching for the only place along Wilson and Clarendon to be open. I love the neighborhood-y feel DC gets in the snow; everyone emerging from warm apartments and the air filled with a little buzz of excitement and “we’re all in this together”-ness. So where can you find your neighbors? Here’s a great list to get you started. Some of my favorites are hosting snow specials, so I’ve got an entire section on that, just for you, because I love you. Plus, omg, A MAP! Tom made a map, places with specials are in red, places that are open are blue. Cheers to the snow. Continue reading →

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
By

Ovechkin Racks up 500th Point

Alex Ovechkin is really, really good at Hockey. He’s probably the best skating the ice in the NHL right now, and very possibly the world. Check out his 500th point, scored last night in the waning seconds of the 2nd period at MSG. Ovi flicks the puck, one hand on his stick, right over the goalie’s shoulder and into the Net. Ridiculous. Simply ridiculous.

The Caps picked up their 12th straight win, and head into Sunday’s grudge match hotter than the core of the sun. They go for 13 against the Thrashers tonight, and then 14 against the filthy Penguins on Sunday.

The Daily Feed
By

National Geographic Cancels Weekend Festival

Photo courtesy of
‘National Geographic Terra Cotta Warriors – Face of a Warrior – 11-18-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

As the closings come in, we’ll be posting them here. If you had tickets to go see the Terra Cotta warriors exhibit at National Geographic this weekend, you may want to give them a call as they’re closing for the weekend, and will be canceling their Chinese New Year festival due to the storm.

Due to the anticipated weather moving into the area, the National Geographic Museum will be closed Saturday and has cancelled the planned Chinese New Year Festival. Information for how Saturday’s ticketholders can redeem their tickets will be announced at a later date

News, The Daily Feed
By

OPM Announces 4-hr Early Dismissal (and other closings)

Photo courtesy of
‘squeeze’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

OPM has announced a 4-hr early dismissal, and isn’t ruling out that they may move that further up if the storm starts to move faster. They aren’t alone.

DCPS is closing at noon
MoCo Schools are closing 2.5 hrs early
PG County Schools are closing 3 hrs early
American University closing at noon
Howard University closing at noon
Trinity University closing at noon

The Daily Feed
By

DC Snow Emergency in Effect after 9:30a

Photo courtesy of
‘Tow Truck Hydraulics In The North Capitol Street Sleet (Washington, DC)’
courtesy of ‘takomabibelot’

The word has been given: as of 9:30am tomorrow, we’re in a Snow Emergency. That means no parking on the Snow Emergency routes, or else you’ll be ticketed and towed (the fine is $250 + towing. Don’t forget to move your car.), and that’s no good. According to DDOT: “Residents can park for free at DC USA throughout the weekend. Cars must be moved by noon on Monday to avoid charges.” Parking at DC USA will open at 10pm tomorrow night.

Another thing to recognize, starting at 9:30am tomorrow, cab fares in the District go up by 25% to deal with the snow emergency.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Homeless Shelter to Be Warmer Now

Making it better - photo courtesy of Green DMV

Making it better - photo courtesy of Green DMV

Yesterday, about 20 people gathered downtown to make a homeless shelter cozier — good news for those who will spend Snowpocalypse II there.

Participants weatherized the doors at Gospel Rescue Ministries to block drafts and keep the inside warmer, which will save the shelter precious money on heating, too. They also brightened rooms with a new coat of paint.

Members of the first graduating class of Green DMV’s Greater Washington Green Jobs Corps led the project, guiding volunteers from DC and federal agencies and the Latin American Youth Center. The corps is DC’s only program that trains people from disadvantaged backgrounds to join the green economy.

In addition to snugging up the shelter, this project introduced shelter residents to the possibilities of entry-level green jobs.