‘The Georgetown Waterfront’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’
I’ll tell you. The Georgetown Waterfront. Place is overflowing. Ice cream and HH sales up. Productivity down. Spring has sprung.
By Rebecca
Monthly Archives: April 2010
By Rebecca
By Tom Bridge
Meet the Newest Redskin: Willie Parker, RB
‘Willie Parker’
courtesy of ‘Jessa B.C.’
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Redskins today signed a one-year $3.1M maximum value deal to with Running Back Willie Parker, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Parker, 29, had three 1,000+ yard seasons in 2005-2007 with Pittsburgh before production dropped off over the last two seasons, in part due to Parker’s broken leg at the end of the 2007 season. Parker will be competing with Clinton Portis and newly-signed Larry Johnson for the starting spot. This should make Skins camp fairly interesting this summer.
By Kirk
Friday Happy Hour: Peep of View
‘Peep of View’
courtesy of ‘rabid_c’
Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.
There aren’t a ton of holiday specific drinks out there, and pretty much the only ones that do exist are Christmas drinks. POV at the W Hotel has stepped in to remedy this with their new Easter themed cocktail, the “Peep of View.” It’s a concoction of vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry, and St. Germaine, topped off with champagne and garnished by a Peep. As you can imagine, it’s sweet and fruity and drinking it was a severe test of my masculine security. As over the top as a Peep garnished cocktail sounds, it’s an altogether pleasant drink. House squeezed juices give it a freshness that pairs perfectly with open air on the rooftop at POV. Not to mention that food and beverage director Robert Sabin wouldn’t let anything pass from his shop that wasn’t well constructed. He even took into account how the marshmallow from Peep garnish would affect the flavor of the drink. This weekend, consider the season. Have your self a Peep of View at the W (but remember to get a reservation before you go). Happy Easter!
By Get Some Rock With That (Sushi) Roll
‘WANT’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’
We all know that some folks inside the Beltway are fearful of crossing the river. Throw those fears aside folks, you now have the perfect reason to take that inaugural adventure should you choose to do so.
Fresh fish, cold sake, and classic rock are a few of the staples waiting to be discovered inside Sushi Rock in Clarendon.
The chef prepared rolls are in on the hard rock theme. Feast on the Pink Floyd (a salmon ceviche with cucumber salad) or the Dream On Roll (a bacon, kimchi, and sundried tomato combo) while heading banging the night away from a zebra print, laced-up faux leather bar stool.
Sushi Rock opens Monday, according to Urban Daddy.
A Couple Locals Rock The Red And The Black
‘Day 31: Saturday Night at The Red and the Black’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’
This month’s concert preview covers a wide scope of genres, performance styles, and live music venues. What it DIDN’T cover is the array of local acts itching for attention (and rightfully so).
Two local bands, The Bang and Chute, are gigging at The Red and the Black tonight.
I’d say these bands are worth checking out if you’re in the mood for a laid back Friday night in the Atlas District complete with drinks in-hand.
Show starts at 9. Admission is $8.
The Red and the Black is located at 1212 H Street N.E.
By We Love Music: Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medicine @ Ottobar 3/28 & The Black Cat 3/30
Jello Biafra will turn 52-years old in June but you wouldn’t know it from listening to his new album “The Audacity of Hype” or by watching his punk-as-f*ck live show. Fueled by a combination of unyielding political outrage and a bottomless reserve of poetic wit, Jello Biafra has been calling it like he sees it to anyone and everyone who will listen (and sometimes to those who refuse too) for over 30 years. Biafra’s various political platforms have included his legendary, California, punk band, The Dead Kennedys; numerous musical collaborations, several spoken word tours, and most recently his first ‘official’ band in 25 years, The Guantanamo School of Medicine.
Continue reading
Damage Estimates From C&O Canal Flood At $2.8 Million
‘C&O Canal refilling with flood waters at TJ’
courtesy of ‘palkynebtab’
The National Park Service released estimates today that the flooding at the C&O Canal last month is going to end up costing close to $2.8 million worth of damage to the canal and surrounding era.
Costs include damage to Inlet Lock No.1 about one mile upstream from the District.
There is no word from the National Park Service about funding for the flood damage incurred by the Washington Harbour due to the C&O Canal bursting at this time.
By Donna C.
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
‘DSC_2744’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
Starting today, you can tiptoe through the tulips and pick some too at America’s First Organic Tulip Festival, held an hour or so down the road in Madison, Virginia. (Charlottesville, Shenandoah National Park, and wineries are in that part of the world, too.)
Wander their 10,000 square foot garden and pick as many of their 40,000 tulips as you’d like, for $1 a stem. You can also spread out a picnic in the organic show garden, among more than 50 different types of flowers, including daffodils, alliums, grape hyacinths and irises.
What does organic mean? That they were raised pesticide-free, for a healthy plant and a healthy planet.
Reflecting Pool Upgrade Scheduled To Begin In 2010
Photo by Hilary Levitin
The Reflecting Pool could be closed for up to two years due to a face lift scheduled to start after this summer’s tourism season, according to the Washington Examiner.
Paths surrounding the pool were eroded over time due to an exorbitant amount of tourists and residents alike passing by on a daily basis. Plus, let’s face it, the water floating around is a less-to-be-desired cesspool at this point.
Building plans for the renovation project include adding a paved, 13-foot-wide walking path on the pool’s perimeter and changes to the pool’s water system.
By shannon
Second Highest Ridership Day Ever for Metro Yesterday
‘at least we’re not outside anymore!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Think these cherry blossom tourists are crowding up the Metro even more than usual? You’re right. Metro announced today that more people rode the Metro yesterday than any other day in history, except for Obama’s Inauguration last January. The high ridership (totaling 877,890 trips) was due to the Capitals game as well as the Cherry Blossom Festival. Crowds are expected to continue through the weekend, particularly with the National’s exhibition game tomorrow afternoon.
If you want to keep your sanity, just avoid the Smithsonian Station for the next week or so until all the tourists head home.
By Rebecca
Tourism: Dumbarton Oaks
‘Stairs’
courtesy of ‘Amberture’
If you’re looking to escape from the Cherry Blossom hoards and find your own little piece of Washington DC for a few hours, the Dumbarton Oaks house, gardens and museum have your name on it.
In 1920, U.S. Foreign Service diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife Mildred Barnes Bliss purchased a large portion of land and a 1801 Federal style house in the northern most section of Georgetown. The Blisses made significant architectural renovations and additions, such as the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (DORCL) structure, which includes the 1963 Phillip Johnson designed Pre-Columbian Pavillion. And more recently DORCL has welcomed a new library in 2005 and an extensive renovation of the house and museum was completed in 2008.
The museum houses, amongst other things, the significant art collection amassed by the the Blisses during their State Department life overseas. This includes two fascinating collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art and artifacts, as well as displays of tapestries, sculptures, paintings, and furniture dating from the fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries, which can be seen in the Music Room. Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
Bradley Snaps Streak; Caps Win
‘DSC_6053’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
Matt Bradley scored his first goal in over two months midway through the third period last night, giving the Washington Capitals the victory over the Atlanta Thrashers with a final score of 2-1. The win also puts an end to a three game slide as the Caps enter the final stretch of regular season play. Atlanta’s loss puts them just a little more behind in the scramble for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
The game was a refreshing change of pace for the Caps, who have been outscored 9-1 in the first periods of their recent skid. Last night, Nicklas Backstrom tipped in a Mike Green slap shot from the point in the last minute of the first, giving the Caps the lead going into the first intermission. Backstrom’s goal was his 30th on the season; his previous career high was 22, just last season.
Caps goalie Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves against the anemic Atlanta offense in his first win since March 4. The Caps’ next contest is an away game in Columbus on Saturday at 7 p.m.
By shannon
Army Ten-Miler Registration Open Now
‘Army 10 Miler – 24,000 Runners’
courtesy of ‘jdiggans’
Update: Registration is now closed. The Army Ten-Miler sold out in just over 24 hours this year, which set a new record for the race.
With the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler just around the corner next weekend, it’s time to start thinking about DC’s other great ten mile run: the Army Ten-Miler. Registration for the October 24 race opened today and it’s expected to fill up in just a few days. With over 24,000 runners, the Army Ten-Miler is the country’s largest ten mile race, and it’s a great course that benefits a worthy program— so sign up today!
By Tom Bridge
GMU Hosts Klingon Lecture
‘Klingon Jail & Bail’
courtesy of ‘Uriel 1998’
As far as I can tell, this is not an April Fools’ prank. If it is, I apologize. The George Mason University Linguistics is hosting Marc Okrand, creator of the Klingon language, for a reception & lecture tomorrow night at 7. “Light refreshments” will be served. Personally, I’m hoping for a big bowl of gagh, but only if it’s fresh, or failing that, some roasted Targ.
it’s okay to call me a nerd, now. Here, I’ll just give myself a wedgie.
By Mei Xiang might be pregnant! Or not!
‘The One & Only Mei Xiang’
courtesy of ‘Daniel.Techie{TaiShan~4Ever} @ 127.0.0.1’
The panda keepers at the National Zoo are on panda pregnancy countdown again. Mei Xiang’s hormone levels are rising, which would indicate a pregnancy… or a pseudopregnancy, which is common for pandas.
Stupid pandas. Adorable, and yet I can’t think of any other species less suited for propagating itself.
Go Appreciate Some Jazz This Month
‘Live Jazz’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) starts today as a part of the Smithsonian Institutes’s effort to keep the art of Jazz alive and well here in its birth country.
JAM started in 2001 as an annual event that paying tribute to jazz both as a historic and living American art form. Since then, it has grown into a nationwide celebration in all 50 states plus a worldwide month of mention in 40 countries.
Events include master classes with professional Jazz musicians and composers, film screenings, jam sessions, concerts, and many more interactive activities.
Click here for a full list of the month’s events.
We Love Music: April Music Preview
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
Every band’s gotta start somewhere. Last month, we took a look at local acts at local venues. The homegrown groups got some sweet, sweet lovin’ via your attendance at their shows. April, the first full month of spring, calls for a savory new way to titillate your aesthetic sense. Here are five concerts to catch at the hometown venues you’ve learned to love with up-and-coming east coast (and Canadian!) musicians, air guitar pros, and a personal favorite of mine (aka live jazz). Continue reading
By shannon
Johns Hopkins Has a Little Fun
‘Johns Hopkins at greenmount cemetery.’
courtesy of ‘hankenstein’
You’ve got to love a major university that can poke a little fun at itself on April Fools Day. Today, the administration of Johns Hopkins University announced that they’re finally dropping the ‘s’ at the end of Johns once and for all. Not only did they craft a nice little press release about the change (saying that they thought the extra ‘s’ was probably just a typo anyway), but they have some great photos all over their site of the ‘s’ being removed from university buildings. My favorite has got to be the front page image.
Well played, JHU. Anyone spot any other good local April Fools jokes out there?
Metro Appoints Dougherty Safety Chief
‘Train exiting – 167/365, 3/12/10’
courtesy of ‘vpickering’
It’s official: Metro has appointed James M. Dougherty of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency its new Chief Safety Officer. His first day will be April 19th, when he’ll be knee-deep in orientation to Metro.
While credited with improving SFMTA’s safety record, he’s only occupied the top safety job there for a year. He’s held safety positions with two other transit agencies before that, however, and was a police officer for 22 years.
By courtney
Buzz Bakery Goes Green for April
‘Kermit’
courtesy of ‘NomadicLass’
So just in case you didn’t know, April is National Frog Month, and Alexandria’s Buzz Bakery is ringing it in with all the froggy food you can imagine. Pastry Chef Josh Short has created a dessert menu that I’m sure will make you green with envy.
With everything from iced Kermit Cookies for $2.25 each to a Frogger Pie made with an Oreo crust and crème de menthe cream for $2.95 per slice, these are just too cute to pass up. Even better, if you pick up half a dozen iced Kermit Cookies or more, you can enter to win a brand new DVD of “The Princess and the Frog!” You’ll definitely score points with the kiddies with that one, so make sure you stop in soon!
For more information, call 703-600-2899 (703-600-BUZZ).