By brownpau
(Video from ArlingtonNews)
Update, the next day: Pentagon shooter J. Patrick Bedell was a software engineer from California, with lots of online trails: a Wikipedia profile, a blogspot blog, an Amazon review and wish list, a Linked In page, and a SourceForge project. See DCist and Gawker for additional details on Bedell’s disturbed online presence.
(Earlier updates after the jump)
Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘schoolyard 1’
courtesy of ‘Pappa91’
One of President Barack Obama’s more interesting programs this year has been his Race to the Top program, designed to spur innovation in state school systems, to get better results out of new programs. The District applied last month to be one of the grant winners, and today it was announced that they were selected as a finalist
Now the District must defend their proposal in mid-March, touting the reforms listed and demonstrating their plan for success among the other 16 finalists. The number of winners is flexible, and they will split $4B in education funding among what they term to be a few winners for Phase 1. If the District’s plan is not successful in Phase 1, they may reapply in Phase 2, along with Virginia and Maryland. Maryland chose not to apply in Phase 1, and to wait and see how the process worked, and Virginia was not selected as a finalist.
‘Washington Nationals Game’
courtesy of ‘acaben’
The Nationals are teaming up with the Official Cherry Blossom Festival crew to celebrate the beginning of Spring this April. Festivities include an appearance by Screech and the GEICO Racing Presidents in the National Cherry Blossom Parade on Saturday, April 10 in addition to on-site events at Nationals Park.
Cherry Blossom Festival representatives will be present at the April 3 exhibition game vs. the Boston Red Sox and two games vs. the Phillies on April 7 & 8.
We’ll keep you posted as more details become available.
Washington Improv Theater is hosting a fairly ambitious event for the next month or so: The Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament (FIST) will see 44 teams of 3 improvisers each face off in a bracketed battle for comedy glory. (Which is totally an oxymoron, but whatever.)
The tournament will run Thursdays-Saturdays every week through April 10, but check the bracket for the specific dates and times. All shows will be at Source Theater, and include not only the competition performances by that night’s bracket, but also a performance by one of WIT’s company troupes. Tickets are $10, and no actual fists are involved.
By Kirk
‘Oyamel 4’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’
Tequila flies under the radar as connoisseur’s drink. It’s had an unfair representation from co-eds pounding back shots on spring break in Cancun and middle aged women drinking slushy margaritas by some pool. But Tequila, much like anything, can be done right and can be done wrong. Chef Jose Andres and Co. at Oyamel want to highlight the former, something that they do annually with their two week Tequila and Mezcal Festival.
This celebration of all things agave is becoming a highlight of the DC cocktail scene. Not only do you get to sample some of Mexico’s finest in carefully constructed flights, you find some truly creative cocktails crafted by the mixologists at Oyamel, and from a few guests they bring in. The festival kicked off Monday night and I was fortunate enough to be able to sample a few of their highlighted drinks and appetizers.
‘Friendship Arch’
courtesy of ‘Rolenz’
The DC facade has undergone a few too many facelifts in the past decade or so, turning some neighborhoods – ahem, Gallery Place, Chinatown – into something reminiscent of a once (it’s getting a bit better thanks to NYC finally getting their act together) over-commercialized Times Square.
However, a few key residents of the Gallery Place neighborhood have joined together to stage an intervention. Stop the Billboard, a website made public yesterday, hopes to raise awareness and gain support in order to “keep DC beautiful and free of outdoor color video advertisements“. The residents behind the website are specifically outraged by the newest proposal by Gallery Place Partners LLC to install two, 12-ft by 40-ft ‘interactive’ billboards on the corner of 7th and G Street NW – which as the website states, “violates numerous District ordinances“.
If you want to learn more about this cause, keep DC architecture billboard free, or show your support – visit Stop the Billboard!
‘lost in your eyes’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Max: On Friday I’ll be helping two awesome friends celebrate their birthdays by drinking alcoholic beverages and checking out the Rogue Wave show at the 9:30 Club, and on Saturday…ah yes, Saturday.Well it’s going to be awesome.First I’ll be attending the WPA’s Art Auction Gala and if I’m lucky I’ll walk away with an awesome piece of art like I did last year. Later I’ll be sprinting over to Long View Gallery to hang with my photographer peeps at the fourth annual DCist Exposed Photography Show, the best show in town to buy awesome, affordable photography! Oh and Sunday…ugh. I’ll be preparing my taxes. Way to end on a low note.
Rachel: I’ll have to second Max on the birthday celebration front. I don’t know what it is, but a whole bunch of my friends have March birthdays. Friday night I’ll be partying it up at The Tombs in Georgetown only to follow that performance up with a night of friends and shuffle board at Atomic Billiards on Saturday. Sunday has the potential to be a laid back, movie kind of day. I haven’t been to the Uptown in awhile, so it’s likely I’ll make a visit to see the always dreamy Leo in Shutter Island. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘IMG_1076’
courtesy of ‘bradleyolin’
Right about now, though I’m liking the warmer weather, I’m craving something warmer. Part of me wants to drive up to BWI, get on a cheap flight to Phoenix, and go see some baseball, but then I remember what happened to Kevin Smith, so screw that noise. But, that brings me to the 6th Annual Travel and Adventure Show which runs all weekend at the Convention Center. Find a cool vacation, find a cool adventure, and there will be all kinds of travel discounts available on the show floor. Shopping for a honeymoon, or another big trip, this could be a fun way to think about escape for a day.
We’ve got two passes to give away, so leave your name in the comments, and we’ll pick a winner tomorrow at noon!
By Tom Bridge
‘little linc’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
President Obama today ordered FEMA to consider DC’s first snowpocalypse this winter as a true disaster, opening the floodgates for funding to the area for snow removal and snow-related damages. It’s not clear yet if the region’s second snowpocalypse will get the same qualification, but that could alleviate the impending budget disaster related to the massive snow totals. Much depends, here, on the determination that this was a “record” storm, which is in turn reliant on the weather station readings for DC. Slight problem: DC’s weather station is officially at National Airport, which sits at sea level, right on the temperature-moderating Potomac, and significantly removed from the parts of DC that got a significantly larger amount of snow. We’ll see if it makes a difference.
By shannon
‘Start of the Vasa Ride’
courtesy of ‘Craig Lebowitz’
The weather is supposed to be pretty pleasant this weekend– maybe it’s time to break out of hibernation and take a bike ride somewhere? WABA and the Embassy of Sweden invite you to participate in the Vasa Ride, an organized bike ride on Sunday morning with 56-, 28-, or 14-mile options. The ride commemorates the Swedish Vasasloppet, a cross-country ski race taking place this weekend in Sweden. The ride is free and open to the public (though joining WABA or bringing a donation would be awfully nice), and at the end of your ride you’ll be rewarded with some fabulous blueberry soup at the Embassy of Sweden. See you out there!
By Ben H. Rome
‘Verizon Center ice’
courtesy of ‘afagen’
Yesterday was the NHL’s trading deadline for the 2009-10 season. Many hockey pundits (or wannabes, like yours truly) thought the Washington Capitals might make a minor move or two, or possibly stand pat with the current lineup. When it was announced on Tuesday that Flyers goalie Ray Emery was out for the season for hip surgery, I especially thought for sure the Caps would do some dealing with the hated Flyers. Let’s face it, the Caps have a strong backlog in goal – Theodore’s finally proving himself (though I think it’s a little too late for any hope of contract renewal), Varly’s been solid – when not injured, and both Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby show significant promise for the future.
But once again, GM George McPhee had other plans. The Caps made four moves in the eleventh hour yesterday, pulling in two forwards (Eric Belanger, Scott Walker) and two defensemen (Joe Corvo, Milan Jurcina) and shedding Brian Pothier and Oskar Osala from the rolls. Osala has spent most of his Caps career with the AHL Hershey Bears, so his absence is a non-factor outside of potential future development. McPhee instead gave away four draft picks (three in the 2010 draft, one in the 2011 draft) in his wheeling and dealing.
So, what to make of this roster “shake-up”? Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
‘DSC_2562’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for this winter to be over. The best signpost of spring around here is the blooming of the cherry trees, and National Park Service Chief Horticulturist Rob DeFeo has finally announced their best estimate as to when we’ll be seeing these beautiful blooms. According to the NPS press conference this morning at the Newseum, we’re looking at an expected “arrival” of April 3-8 for peak coverage. The average peak bloom date is April 4 and is considered the day when 70% of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry trees are open. The peak bloom every year varies due to weather and can be as early as March 15 or as late as April 18.
The blooming period usually starts several days before the peak bloom date and can last as long as two weeks, though frost, wind, and high temps can fluctuate that window. The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival is usually timed around the average peak bloom date; this year’s festival will be from March 27 – April 11. There’s still time to volunteer for the festival, so if you’re interested then vist the official NCBF website and sign up today.
‘old school’
courtesy of ‘bionicteaching’
It’s been 24 years since Matthew Broderick enlightened a nation of high school students regarding his wayward ways but it appears students enrolled at Churchill High in Montgomery Country are finally following in his footsteps.
The Washington Post announced today that police, prosecutors, and school officials are now examining a case where at least eight students allegedly used a USB device to steal teachers’ passwords and change 54 students grades.
The investigation is in the beginning stages at the moment, but school Principal Joan C. Benz confirmed that a criminal investigation ongoing.
What we DO know is an internal investigation of Churchill High proved that the grades of 54 students were altered during the Fall 2009 semester. Investigators have subpoenaed all records from the school system and have informed almost 700 families that their students’ grades are now in the hands of the state’s attorney’s office.
At this time, the school system does not know if the 54 students who had their grades changed knew that they had been.
The school is scheduled to hold a community meeting Monday evening at 7 to answer any questions.
By Tom Bridge
‘George Gordon Meade’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’
There’s no question that Marion Barry has dodged more jail time than pretty much any other sitting politician. It appears that the kickbacks scandal for which he was censured by the City Council and stripped of his committee chair will be no exception to that. Michael Neibauer took a dive into the prosecutor’s office to find out what the options for Barry are. It appears the Feds have some concern about Donna Watts-Brighthaupt’s reliability for testimony, and her public statements suggest that she may not be a good option for the stand. It’s entirely possible that Hizzoner could walk again. Doesn’t that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?
‘Muse – Patriot Center – March 1, 2010’
courtesy of ‘Mrs. Gemstone’
Even though I consider Muse one of my favorite bands, I have written very little about them over the years. The majority of the 6 times I have seen them perform took place far away from DC and therefore the majority of their shows did not end up reviewed on any of the DC sites I write for. It is fitting that Monday night’s show at George Mason University’s Patriot Center is the one to finally get a feature review out of me. Fitting because it was without question the best performance of theirs that I have seen. Fitting too because I have followed this band since they first washed up on American shores and have witnessed their progression as a live act. Over the seven years or so they’ve been touring here, Muse have not so much shown an evolution as performers as they have consistently demonstrated their massive power as a live act; an act so huge that whatever stage I saw them on seemed tiny in comparison to their unbridled, power-pop fury. With each tour, each stage got a little larger, and Muse seemed one step closer to realizing their master plan of becoming the best live band on the planet. Having seen them on Monday night, I think it is safe to say that they have finally realized that master plan.
Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
Maryland fans storm the court from Wash Post Sports on Vimeo.
This video comes to us from the great Dan Steinberg, from the floor of the Comcast Center in College Park as Duke (4) is vanquished by the Terps. Maryland (22) is now tied for first in the ACC with 12 wins, and could win the ACC were Duke to lose on Saturday. There are some great shots at the DC Sports Bog, which include some of the fires set by students at University of Maryland last night, and the large police presence on campus after the game.
Congrats to Maryland for beating the Dookies, but did ya’ll really need to light things on fire?
By Kirk
By Kirk
Today was a big day for the gay community in DC and WLDC Flickr Pool contributor Erin M. was there to capture the moment. I’m happy for the couples and realize that they’re the point of this whole business, but I find the counter protesters facing off against Westboro Baptist Church to be particularly hilarious. I’m of two minds on this: I feel that counter protesting gives Westboro exactly the attention that they want. On the other hand, I love when people stand up to hate groups. Either way, I really enjoy some of the counter-protest signs. See them in the slide show after the break. Continue reading
‘Academy Award Winner’
courtesy of ‘Dave_B_’
Pumped for the Oscars this weekend? The National Archives are in on the fun and are presenting free screenings of films in four of the Academy Award’s nominee categories including Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Live Action Short Film, and Animated Short Film.
The screenings begin tonight and run through Sunday in the Archive’s William G. McGowan Theater. Free tickets are available at the National Archives Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue beginning one hour prior to start time.
Seating for the screenings are on a first-come, first-serve basis. And no – you’re not allowed to save any seats. The theater crew say it’s strictly prohibited.
For a full list of the screening schedule, visit the Archives website. The first screening starts at 7.
By Kirk
‘The Real World DC House’
courtesy of ‘alifayre’
Well, the Olympics are over and I have no excuse: the RWDC Live Blog will resume again, tonight. Be here at 9:45 with a drink in hand to mock the strangeness of those real folks that drank and grinded (ground?) their way around or city this summer. Is this voyeuristic? Yes. Can I wait for it to end? No.
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