Monthly Archives: February 2010

News, The Daily Feed
By

Two Big Hearings Today

Photo courtesy of
‘Public hearing, 1957’
courtesy of ‘Seattle Municipal Archives’

Two big hearings going on today.  First, we’ve got the first of three days worth of hearings related to this summer’s Metro accident that claimed 9 lives and injured 80.  Day one is all testimony from WMATA.  NTSB will be streaming these hearings live over the web, so you can jeer and throw popcorn at the appropriate moments.  We’ll have a summary up later, fret not.

The second is a bit more interesting.  Ten years ago, Washington DC took a vote and decided that the usage of marijuana for medicinal purposes was a perfectly legitimate use. Today, the Council listens to testimony regarding the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and how to properly control who has access, and from where it’s dispensed.  It’s not really clear how the city would handle dispensaries, in terms of locating them, or in terms of procedural identification of eligible patients.  Those details are coming, and they’re part of the hearing process, so stay tuned.

Big day for DC in the governmental processes that make this place so unlike any other.

Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Food
By

First Look: Capital City Diner

Capital City Diner Front

I met Matt and Patrick, the owners of Capital City Diner, last September. I stopped by the former used car parking lot on Bladensburg Road to tour the then mid-construction diner. They had a chain-link fence up around the restaurant, and there was a gaping hole in the ground where grass now grows. The guys had been waiting on plumbing inspection by Richtek, and Patrick had decided to dig a hole himself for the water connection, since it would speed up the process. The history of Capital City Diner’s permit getting has been well documented here on We Love DC and over at Young & Hungry. In short, it’s been a mess. “Is it to the point that it’s funny? You guys have had such a tough time, that all you can do is laugh.” I asked Matt in December. “No. It’s definitely not funny,” he replied, looking frustrated. I heard a sordid tale of ridiculous permits, incompetent government workers, and a process so frustrating I probably would have just quit. So when I was invited to a soft opening at the diner over the weekend, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to belly up to the counter on a stool and get a first look at what Matt and Patrick have worked so hard for.

I couldn’t have asked for more. It is exactly what I had pictured when I heard the vision – Trinidad’s first sit-down restaurant serving true diner food to H street hipsters, city workers and neighborhood folks alike. I remembered listening to Matt and Patrick talk about their vision for who would come by. Matt told me about the city workers shifts, and how there isn’t a good place to grab breakfast at the crack of dawn in the neighborhood. He told me all about the neighbors who have stopped by the diner to inquire about jobs, some of them laid off chefs from DC’s hotels and restaurants, hoping to help out. The guys explained their vision of staffing entirely from the neighborhood so that they kept integrated into the tight-knit community, and were able to employ the people that would keep them in business. The more I heard them talk, the more I believed in what they were doing. And while a soft opening, when a restaurant isn’t yet open (they open tomorrow, Tuesday the 23rd, for the public), is a great time to identify issues, figure out processes, and basically work through the kinks, I saw a huge, burgeoning success story. Continue reading →

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
By

Try Out for the National Anthem at Nats Park

Photo courtesy of

‘US Flag waving at Nationals Park’
courtesy of ‘daveynin’

One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had singing the National Anthem came at the Nats Tryouts in 2008.  It’s time to tryout again and the Nats are offering 75 tryout slots to the average Joe and Jane musicians of DC.  So if you’ve got an awesome rendition for ukulele, saxophone and triangle, go sign up, it’s free, just be prepared to back it up with a sweet headshot and performance resume.  And remember, people, the National Anthem isn’t something for you to put your stamp on, it’s something to honor our nation.  It’s a drinking song, not a funeral dirge.  Over-modulate, over-embellish, and frankly, I’m gonna boo you for trying to own the Star-Spangled Banner.  No 12-minute Bleeding Gums Murphy editions, okay?

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Guns at Great Falls and Other National Parks

Photo courtesy of
‘Limberger’s Victory (cinema 1915)’
courtesy of ‘New York Public Library’

Today, a new law goes into effect that allows firearms in many national parks.

Previously, guns were generally prohibited in national parks, except for some in Alaska and in parks that allow hunting.

Now, the national parks — there are nearly 60 in this area — follow local gun laws. Anyone who can legally possess firearms under federal and state law can now possess those firearms in the national parks in that state, except in federal facilities such as visitor centers and ranger stations.

In fact, some folks suggested driving their guns out to Great Falls this afternoon, just because they can.

So what does this mean for, say, the Jefferson Memorial? Or the Mall?
Continue reading →

Special Events, The Features
By

PechaKucha Night Vol.11

Photo courtesy of
‘Reception – PechaKucha Vol.11’
courtesy of ‘prettylovelythings’

Capitol PechaKucha Night Vol. 11 was held Friday night at the Embassy of Austria as a unique means to provide global awareness about the earthquake that shattered Haiti. In addition to the Nation’s Capital, on February 20th, 280 other cities across the world held PechaKucha’s in collaboration with Architecture for Humanity to help rebuild Haiti 20 seconds at a time.

The PechaKucha originally began in Tokyo circa 2003 and was developed by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham Architecture as a way to get young designers sharing ideas under one roof.  PechaKucha is translated from the Japanese term for “chit chat” and refers to the type of presentation format that is utilized for the now globally celebrated event.  Each presenter at a PechaKucha displays 20 images, each lasting for 20 seconds, while talking alongside their slideshow – a format that supports a presentation that keeps things interesting for both the presenter and their audience.

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District, The Mall, WTF?!
By

Screen On The Green In Danger … Again

Photo courtesy of
‘Screen on the Green’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Screen on the Green is in danger for a second year now. HBO has yet to determine their 2010 budget, which  means no one has any idea whether or not Screen on the Green will be back this summer.

Want to support the effort and keep Screen on the Green a running DC tradition? Screen on the Green supporter and founder of the Save the Screen on the Green Facebook group Jesse Rauch is asking fans to vote for Screen on the Green as Best Festival in CityPaper’s annual Best of D.C. contest. You can cast your vote at the CityPaper’s webiste.

Want to stay updated on the latest news concerning Screen on the Green? Check out the Facebook group.

The Daily Feed
By

There Will Be A Test. It Will Just Be A Test.

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro Station Platform’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Should you be near the Friendship Heights Metro station this Wednesday around midnight, you’ll be seeing a fair amount of law enforcement, as the Metro Transit Police Department’s special response team, the FBI, DCPD, DCFD and emergency medical services personnel practice a staged emergency response exercise.

According to WMATA’s website, the exercise (a staged shootout) will test their communication and joint response to a major incident on the Metrorail or Metrobus.

Metro should not be delayed as the drill will take place shortly after Metro closes for the evening.  Police activity will remain in the area until around 3:30 a.m.

Food and Drink, Special Events, The DC 100, The Features
By

DC Omnivore 100: #19 Steamed Pork Buns

Photo courtesy of
’04 Small Steamed Pork Buns’
courtesy of ‘jasonlam’

It’s time for another item on the DC Omnivore 100 list of the top one hundred foods every good omnivore should try at least once in their lives.

In the spirit of the recent Chinese Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger celebrations, let’s explore the sweet, doughy, BBQ-esque goodness of steamed pork buns. In China, these roll sized delights are regularly consumed street cart food and are also a staple of the traditional Chinese family gathering of dim sum.

The bun’s exterior and its steaming bamboo container might have you thinking that this is just another dumpling. And while you’d be right, this is a dumpling, the steamed pork bun offers a sticky, rich, doughy and savory experience that starkly differs from the clean and fresh taste of shumai and the nutty flavorings of potstickers. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors
By

Theodore Roosevelt Island in Snow

IMG_1657

Speaking of unhikable, unbikable paths, commenter Phil noted that Theodore Roosevelt Island trails are still a mess of snow and fallen trees and branches. I got to see that firsthand over the weekend; most of the island is still shin-deep in snow, and the boardwalk remains uncleared of branches and ankle-to-shin deep accumulation, with an unevenly packed path in the middle thanks to occasional daring joggers. Hard to walk, but pretty to look at.

More photos after the jump: Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
By

Fares to Rise Again

Photo courtesy of
‘Newspapers Newspapers Newspapers’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Kytja Weir from the Examiner has had a look at the FY2011 WMATA budget, and get ready to bend over, because here it comes again. Look for an increase up to $2.00 for peak rail fare minimums, with the new max at $5.10. There’s also a peak-of-the-peak period during the height of rush hour (7-8:30a and 4:30-6p) which will increase the peak fare by a dime each direction. Metrobus fares face a hike of a quarter each direction. Taking the shuttle to Dulles or BWI? That’ll be $6 instead of $3.10.

The increases are draconian, and will likely affect the commuting rider to the tune of $154 a year, with an additional $110 if they add bus legs each direction. Even worse? With these increases, Metro still has another $40M to make up in shortfall. No idea where that’s going to come from, but I’m hoping it’s not the ridership’s pockets. I suspect that’s a well they’ve gone to too much.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Last chance to get your ticket for tomorrow’s DRINKS!

WeLoveDCDrinks

Seriously. We’ve had enough of the snow. And the cold. And the snow that’s still left over because it’s so cold. We’re ready to break out of the doldrums, too. And thus, we are soooo excited to snuggle up in the warm nooks and crannies of Wisdom Cocktail Parlour tomorrow night from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ticket prices increase at midnight tonight, so get your ticket!

Join your favorite WeLoveDC authors and Wisdom owner/bartender Erik Holzherr for a craft cocktail experience at a happy (two) hour(s) you will leave all the wiser.

Tickets, which include your first craft cocktail, are $15 ahead of time or $20 at the door. Food and happy hour specials will also be available.

The Daily Feed
By

Strasburg: The New Jesus

Photo courtesy of
‘redneck_jesus’
courtesy of ‘Steve Riley SEA’

It looks like the Nats have gone all religious on us after just one day in Florida. They’ve seen the light … and that light is Stephen Strasburg’s pitching ability.

Centerfielder Nyjer Morgan and the rest of Strasburg’s teammates have given the rookie a new nickname — Jesus. Why Jesus?  “‘Cause what’s the first thing you say when you see him pitch?”  Morgan told the Washington Post, “Jeee-sus!”

For now, Strasburg will be starting the season in the minors. “I wouldn’t really want to say that he’s competing for a spot in the rotation,” Riggleman told the Post. “I think we’re open-minded, but… he could pitch real well down here, but we still might feel like the development, the process is to be respected of going through the system and getting really used to the rigors of throwing every fifth day [in the minor leagues].”

All signs point toward things starting off on the right foot this season. Now we have to wait and see what happens when the rest of the team reports in a week and a half.

The Daily Feed
By

Kojo in Columbia Heights Tomorrow

KIYC_web_tile.gif

If you’re a fan of good talk radio, chances are you listen in to Kojo Nnamdi on WAMU each day from noon to two.  This Tuesday evening, he’ll be recording a live show at All Souls Unitarian at 1500 Harvard St NW, with topics to include an hour long discussion on education reform and an hour long discussion on commercial development in Columbia Heights/Mount Pleasant.  If you like live radio (and believe me, the college DJ in me sure loves it), come out to listen.

The Features, Weekend Flashback
By

Weekend Flashback: 2/19 — 2/21/2010

Photo courtesy of
‘the big melt’
courtesy of ‘lisa cee’

A weekend without any snowfall? I still don’t believe it myself. The city is starting to thaw. The mounds of snow resembling Mount Everest are melting into small, manageable to climb hills (even Mount St. Fenty seems to be decreasing in size). And — best of all — the sun’s chosen to peek its pretty head once more. So, enjoy the rising temperatures and lack of freak snow storms. Here are a few snapshots of DC’s thawing out process to tide you over while you wait for all that powdery white stuff to disappear from our streets and sidewalks. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Nowhere to Run…or Bike

Good day for a ski

Good day for a ski

Heading out to the towpath this weekend, I didn’t expect to see it plowed. But I was surprised to see it wasn’t packed down. In some areas, like near Fletcher’s Boathouse, there is plenty of loose snow not suitable for running or biking, and not all that easy for walking, either. (Hint: Snowshoes ROCK.)

The Capital Crescent Trail there doesn’t look much better. Nearer Georgetown, so many large trees are across it that people have blazed a winding path. (See recent reports.) Sure, it’s pretty for a weekend hike, but what about training for that upcoming 10K — or more importantly, biking on it to work? Especially when the roads are a mess?

The WashCycle has plenty to say about the matter. Saturday’s The Ice Storm post talks about why the trails aren’t plowed, then requests that people contact trail managers and ask The Post‘s Dr. Gridlock to address the issue in his chat today at noon.

Paul McCray of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority says in the comments the W&OD trail staff will start clearing snow this week. The upcoming rains also may wash away a lot of it.

Did you hit the trails this weekend? If so, what did you find?

The Daily Feed
By

Don’t Crap Your Snow in the Street


My neighbor crapped his snow into the street
Originally uploaded by carlweaver

My neighbor decided that the snow-clearing job at his house was not good enough, so he crapped some into the street for good measure. Because that’s where it belongs or something, I guess. I don’t know why. It’s just plain annoying.

People, if you need to do a bit more shoveling to clean things up a little, throw the snow somewhere it makes sense, like into a yard or onto another snow pile. Heck – I’d even pile it by one of the many cars that still has not been extricated from its parking spot.

Don’t throw it in the street. That’s just dumb. We want it to be out of the street, remember?

Life in the Capital, Sports Fix
By

Curling: Sweeping the Nation’s Capital

Photo courtesy of
‘Dave Drags the Foot 3’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

I’ve talked a very big game all week when it comes to curling. Inspired by the perfect combination of Norwegian pants, live broadcasts online and the sheer novelty of the sport, I have tried to throw all of my perceived curling expertise around whenever I got a chance. I’ve made my puns about throwing rocks at houses and bacon curling in pans (including overusing the #CurlingRocks hashtag). I have cheered loudly and emphatically for the US teams in Vancouver, and have conversely made criticisms of John Shuster that would make Byung-Hyun Kim say, “alright, easy there.”

It’s been a wonderful hobby for the week; part of the appeal of the sport is not only how often it is on during the Olympics, but the accessibility of it. “That totally seems like something I could do.” I gave it in my first run on a modified, synthetic sheet on Friday afternoon at the Hilton Garden Inn’s weekend long expo. After a well-documented victory over DCist’s Aaron Morrissey, my confidence was at an all time high. I still believed I had a handle on the sport.

And then I took my first steps on the sheet out at Potomac Curling Club in Laurel, Md., and I finally had to admit that this whole thing is just a tinge harder than it looks. Confidence swept away, all my hopes and dreams for a birth on the Sochi 2014 team were on thin ice.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Pitchers And Catchers Have Reported: Let The Games Begin!

Photo courtesy of
‘Liván Hernández back pitching for the Nats’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

It’s official — we’re just 11 days away from the start of Spring Training! What does that mean? Manager Jim Riggleman and his staff of pitchers and catchers are on the field at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida RIGHT NOW playing “catch” for the first time as a team this season.

First-round draft pick Stephen Strasburg and the other newly acquired pitching talent including Matt Capps, Jason Marquis, Brian Bruney and Chien-Ming Wang are all in attendance and ready to go. Let’s get this season started!

The Daily Feed
By

Win Club Seats to the Capitals!

Photo courtesy of
‘Our New Years Day Capitals Tickets!’
courtesy of ‘sinksanctity’

American Pest launched a contest today for Caps fans to win two club-level seating to one of two upcoming Capitals games at the Verizon Center. The contest runs through 11:59 p.m. on March 4 and winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Facebook.

All you have to do to win is find six ‘bugs’ hidden throughout their website and be a Facebook fan of American Pest to qualify. The tickets are to either the March 12 game versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, or the March 30 game versus the Ottawa Senators.

Fans can vote after every game for the Hard Hat Player of the Game, sponsored by American Pest. So go, find some bugs, and score some hard-to-get tickets!