Monthly Archives: April 2010

The Daily Feed
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Come On Ride It (The Train)

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_2126’
courtesy of ‘cliff1066â�¢’

Love trains?  Love Union Station?  Love actor Taye Diggs?  Head down to Union Station on May 8 between 11 and 4 for National Train Day, Amtrak’s annual celebration of trains and rail travel.  There will be exhibits and performances to see, you can check out various trains and model trains while you’re there, and National Train Day spokesman Taye Diggs will be on hand.  Want to take a tour of the trains?  Reserve a free ticket ahead of time.  No word on whether Taye will be leading tours himself, but if he is… sign me up!

Special Events, The Features
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Eco Chic: Night of Stars and Rising Stars

Photo courtesy of
‘Eco Chic Star Award’
courtesy of ‘oparrish’

Last night at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the stars aligned.  Bringing together pioneers of the environmental movement in fashion, art, beauty, architecture, and interior design to celebrate the event, “Eco Chic: Night of Stars and Rising Stars”. The occasion, held on the eve of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day was the first of its kind; promoting awareness of Eco and Ethical Design, while recognizing the exemplary efforts of a few, key professionals on their pursuit of excellence.

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Special Events, The Features
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Let Teddy Win! Highlights from WeLoveDC’s Night at the Ballpark

Photo courtesy of
‘Teddy #191’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Thank you so much to every one who trekked out in the rain last night. Our small group certainly made a large dent in what turned out to be the least attended game in the National’s Park’s history… But the sparsely populated ballpark also made for a great playground for the Let Teddy Win group. After a great tour of the stadium, including a trip up to the press box and views of private suites and the Diamond Club, we headed back to our seats for presidential race trivia and prizes. And we were there at the finish line when Teddy’s umbrella slowed him down to a near halt, letting Abe pull into the lead.

Click below for highlights of the evening:

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The Daily Feed
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Get Your Bike Out of Hibernation

Photo courtesy of
‘Busy Bike Lane’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

Just a heads up that two major DC bike events are coming up next month, so get your bike out of storage and sign up now for these two events:

Bike to Work Day – Friday, May 21:  Registration is open for this commuting event that features 35 regional pit stops with free t-shirts, food and drink, and raffles. Worried about biking in traffic? Join a Commuter Convoy so you’ve got company on the ride in.

Bike DC – Sunday, May 23:  Register now for this 19-mile recreational ride through the streets of DC. Pedal down Pennsylvania Avenue or the GW Parkway without having to worry about cars, as the route is closed to traffic during the event. Then wrap up your ride with Finish Line Festivities out in Crystal City.

Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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DC Bloggers Skeeball Tournament TONIGHT, Stop By H Street Country Club

Photo courtesy of
‘Skeeball at H Street Country Club’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

The We Love DC authors collective will do their best to relive the glory days of youth by going up against other local bloggers in tonight’s Blogger Skeeball Tournament at H Street Country Club.

The Hill is Home, And Now Anacostia, New Columbia Heights, The Heights Life, The Totten Life,  Greater Greater Washington, The District Curmudgeon, Penn Quarter Living, and The Triangle will also be trying their luck in this DC blogger showdown.

You can get in on the fun too if you like! Admission for the evening is $5 and includes drink specials, a free round of mini golf, and a chance to win a bunch of prizes.

Hope to see you there!

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends, April 24-25


Legs 09 by Yospyn

Rachel: Friday I’m heading to the batting cages at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria with a friend to sharpen my eye for Sunday’s big game with my new-found softball team. We might wash the “workout” down with a stop at Dairy Godmother on the way back into the city, here’s to keepin’ those fingers crossed!  Saturday begins a rigorous rehearsal schedule that I’m going to attempt to throw myself into as the “Great Search for Summer Gigs” rages on with no sign of slowing down. As of right now I’ve got a July 3rd gig booked at the Columbia Heights Community Market, so that’s a start. And then Sunday is a baseball double-header of sorts. I’ll be spending some time at Nationals Park to help Screech celebrate his 5th birthday (yes, mascots have birthdays too!) and then racing back to Cleveland Park after the game to go play my in my own for my second week with the Glover Park Co-Ed Softball League. Go Misses!

Kirk: I’m going to spend Friday evening at a send off party for myself before I head to the Sudan for a month-ish to do some humanitarian work.  We’re planning on sampling some of Shelly’s Back Room’s scotch selection, particularly the Glenlivet 25 Year. On Saturday, I’m going with Shenandoah Brewing Co. to brew with Dad as a belated father’s day gift.  Sunday is going to be for church and relaxation, which probably means drinking beer on my porch all afternoon.

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The Daily Feed
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Will Politico’s new local news site be named TBD? Yes.

Photo courtesy of
‘day295 :: year two’
courtesy of ‘erin*carly’

It would seem that way.

Garret Graff commented on twitter that TBD.com seems to be tied to Politico – via physical address –  and the text at TBD.com certainly would seem to indicate that this is it.  “In a mixture of humor and frustration, Editor Erik Wemple began signing his emails, “Editor, TBD.com.””

Erik Wemple is the former City Paper editor who announced he’d be leaving to work on Allbritton Communications’ new website.

Allbritton being the corporate umbrella over Politico, among other media operations.

Welcome to the world, TBD.

Edit: Jim Brady confirmed via Twitter a few minutes ago.

Adventures, Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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How Many GU Students Does It Take To…?

Photo courtesy of
‘DSCF0842’
courtesy of ‘joelogon’

Yesterday, some Hoya had a serious brain fart and decided to heat up their pizza in the common room oven without removing it from the PAPER box. Of course, as physics and common sense would have it, a fire broke out and the Harbin Hall dormitory was evacuated. DCFD were promptly on the scene and students returned to their dorms just in time for Jeopardy.

Usually, I’d chalk this mistake up to drinking, but considering the fire occurred at 7pm (prime college dinner time) I’m gonna just call a bonehead a bonehead.

The Daily Feed
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Nats Pitching Looks Good, Gains Run Support, Nats Pass Rockies 6-4

Photo courtesy of
‘1ST_1380’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

Last night’s Nat game was awesome … and that’s not because We Love DC was there (but come on, that’s ONE of the reasons, right?)

But really – here are the details: John Lannan threw 107 pitches, 71 for strikes, bringing the Nats to 8-7 (yes, that IS over .500, please allow the happy dance to ensue). There was a 3-0 deficit to overcome after the Rockies came out hitting, scoring 3 runs over 3 innings, but the Nats got it done.

Washington rallied in the 3rd and again in the 8th to eventually seal the deal for Tyler Clippard (3-0, 0.77) who gets the win and Matt Capps gets his seventh consecutive save after zipping balls over the plate for the victory march in the 9th.

How’d they score? Catcher Wil Nieves got the start behind the plate, and proceeded to hit the go-ahead RBI double in the 8th putting the Nats ahead. Adam Dunn crushed four runs in the 3rd inning with a two run double down the left field line, not to mention Josh “The Hammer” (please, someone find out where this nick name came from, I’d really like to know) Willingham continues his hitting streak having hit safely in 11 of Washington’s 15 games this season by going two for four.

All in all, it was definitely a good night at the ball park. Next game is this afternoon at 4:35. Livan (2-0, 0.00), who is coming off a killer complete game shut out from this past Saturday, faces Ubaldo Jimenez (3-0, 1.29) for the final game of the Rockies series.

Disabled List Update: Jason Marquis was placed on the 15-Day list and Ryan Zimmerman was forced from last night’s  game in the 7th inning due to a right hamstring injury after hitting a double off the right field wall. We’ll see if he makes the start this afternoon or gets some rest as the day proceeds.

Zimm Update as of 12:33 pm (via Adam Kilgore): “Ryan Zimmerman is out of the #Nats lineup today. Willie Harris is batting 3d, Alberto Gonzalez playing 3rd. Day off for Hammer. Guzman in RF.”

The Daily Feed
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DCPS Students Shop ‘Till They Drop in Prom Dress Boutique

photos by Michael DeAngelis

Well, it looks like there will be some very lucky young ladies going to Prom this year, thanks to the efforts of DCPS and everyone who helped contribute to their annual Prom Dress Collection.  Last week after the collection was complete, students had the opportunity to shop in the boutique for gently used dresses and accessories, at no cost to them.  There was even a professional make-up artist on hand to make the day extra-special… what more could a girl ask for?!

The day would not have been possible without several other donors that lent their services.   Target provided gift cards, the Body Shop donated gift bags, Buzz Bakery and Café took care of the cupcakes, and Neiman Marcus was responsible for hangers, shopping bags, and garment bags.  Prom season is looking good already!

The Daily Feed
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District Restaurants Celebrate Earth Day 2010

Photo courtesy of
‘Dew Drop Wishes’
courtesy of ‘NJ..’

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, tons of area restaurants are serving up specials for their diners.  For example, Firefly will give you a buck off of your bill for each wine cork that you bring in to be recycled.  You can bring up to 22 corks (which represents today’s date), and they will be delivered to Wente Vineyards for a joint recycling program with ReCork.  Chef Danny Bortnick will also be cooking up a five-course meal with ingredients straight from local farmers, all for $50.

Another restaurant that will be celebrating is Poste Moderne Brasserie.  Bev Eggleston of Eco Friendly Foods will provide a 400 POUND PIG to be roasted by Chef Robert Weland and staff.  For just $15, you can have a piece of the hog and your choice of one of mixologist Rico Wisner’s garden punches.  All other “Garden Menu” items will be available for just $4!

Finally, The Grille at Morrison House will be hosting a 100-mile candlelight dinner.  Chef Dennis Marron has prepared a four-course meal, which will include ingredients from local farmers within a 100 mile radius, such as eggs and poultry from Path Valley Farms and fresh fish from the Chesapeake.  All this can be yours for $55, excluding tax and gratuity.  What better way to celebrate than with food?  Enjoy and Happy Earth Day!

Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Drinks
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We Love Drinks: Dickson Wine Bar

Photo courtesy of
‘Dickson Wine Bar’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

Dickson Wine Bar has been open for a few weeks now, occupying a three story brick building opposite Nellie’s. It’s got a rather nondescript industrial look outside, save for the old stone plaque “Dickson BLDG 903 You” from which the bar took its name. I walked by one night in late March, noticing the sexy candlelit interior, and vowed to hit it as soon as possible. I’ve been back twice and can say it will definitely become a regular stop for me from now on. You can’t beat having a bar like this five blocks from your house!

It certainly has a great pedigree – the owners are Tien Claudio (with her husband and DC legend Eric Hilton) and Steve Kaufman (with his husband Fred Paxton), all locals living in Adams Morgan. They wanted to create a friendly neighborhood bar, and that’s the vibe here – residents, workers, Howard University students – everyone’s mingling nicely in an atmosphere that manages to be both adult and fun. As my friend who lives a block away puts it aptly, “the clientele seemed more interested in the food and drink than in finding potential spouses.”

And that food and drink is definitely a draw. Executive chef James Claudio (who also helms the kitchen at Marvin) has dedicated the food menu to local ingredients, and the wine list designed by Jarad Slipp, restaurant director at Cityzen, features organic and biodynamic selections. Rounding out the team is Tom Street, who created the cocktail program and selected the beers. Tom told me they are planning on changing the entire beverage program “quite often,” and in keeping with the eco-conscious theme, the food menu will also change seasonally. Everyone on staff is incredibly personable and helpful, which imbues the bar with a kind of care and love that’s really striking.
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The Daily Feed
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Fresh Lobsters Roll Into Town, Preview at Azalea Festival

Photo courtesy of
‘Lobster baskets’
courtesy of ‘aejharrison’

Most displaced New Englanders long for fresh lobster from time to time (I feel like it’s part of our contract for living in DC, that and mocking people who complain about snow). As much as we come to appreciate the offerings of the bay and crab season, we long for that shellfish we call our own.

It’s not always possible to make that trip up north justifiable just for some lobster, but it looks like some of the flavor of the North Atlantic is on its way down to District residents. The Red Hook Lobster Pound, a Brooklyn-based eatery, is filling up with fresh lobsters and rolling down to the region for the Landon Azalea Festival in Bethesda on April 30-May 2. The three-day appearance will be a preview as the owners of Red Hook work to “trick out” a truck that will become a permanent fixture in D.C. come June.

The Daily Feed
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Nats Place Marquis On 15-Day DL

Marquis and McCatty

Jason Marquis was placed on the 15-Day Disabled List today due to what the Nationals are calling “loose bodies in his right elbow.” Let’s hope some rest does him the man a little good, considering all of his previous outings for the Nats this season are … how you say, umm … not so good?

It couldn’t have been easy for Marquis to watch his former team (the Rockies) playing against his new squad tonight at Nationals Park, especially since his pitching hasn’t been up to par when compared to what his contact says it should.

Here’s to hopin’ the DL placement’s proves to be beneficial and not just a waste of the Nationals off-season spending allowance.

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Robot Fest This Saturday

Photo courtesy of
‘Gort Robot Model’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Do you have a strong, nerdy passion for technology? Did you cry when the little runt in Batteries Not Included came out non-functional?  Does the thought of gears, cogs, WD 40 and miniscule wrenches really light up your motherboard?

Well then Robot Fest and Mid-Atlantic Mini-Maker Faire in Linthicum, MD and you have a date with destiny this Saturday, April 24. This one day event will satisfy your urge to create new, previously unseen forms from lifeless electronics and mechanical parts of metal and plastic.

For the 10th anniversary of this festival, the tech-geek offerings have expanded  into realms where technology is used in any creative fashion. There will be a Wearable Tech Fashion Show featuring electronic embedded smart fabrics, regional student teams will present their robots built to compete in state and national competitions, the LEGO store will give Flight Simulator demonstrations, visitors can experiment with RoboDog and Gregor the Gorilla, full-size R2D2s will wander the halls, the University of Baltimore Game Design will showcase its experimental games and
controllers, and the Art Institute of Washington is bringing their Dead Animatronics and Beatbots to demonstrate Keepon, a socially interactive robotic character for entertainment, research, and therapy.

Starting this year the suggested admission donation is $6 for
adults, and $3 for middle and high-school students. Children elementary
school and younger are free!

News, The Daily Feed
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Proposed Bill Could Rank DC Ninth In Nation’s Highest Gas Tax

Photo courtesy of
‘Yafa #4’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

It doesn’t seem fair, but somehow Metro might end up retrieving revenue generated via a raise in the city’s gas tax. WTOP reports that councilman Jim Graham introduced a bill Tuesday that would raise the current gas tax of 23.5 cents/gallon to 33.5 cents/gallon and then give Metro the money made from the increased tax – making DC gas tax the ninth in the country.

This, of course, is a result of Metro facing a $189.2 million budget shortfall as originally proposed in this year’s operating budget.

Luckily, WTOP also mentions that “the bill is unlikely to pass because the tax would only take effect if the Maryland and Virginia jurisdictions that govern Metro would enact the same increase.”

Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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Going to the Nats game tonight? Fancy that, so are we!

Teddy Makes Kids Smile

Photo by Rachel Levitin

A few of your favorite We Love DC authors will be taking the trip to Nationals Park tonight to watch as John Lannan (1-1, 5.74) and our boys face Jason Hammel (0-1, 11.42) and the Colorado Rockies.

We’ll be sitting in section 237 (pending whether or not the rain holds out on us) with some of your fellow We Love DC readers, rooting for the Nats and eagerly awaiting the President’s Race.

Feel free to swing by and say “hi!” We’d love to see ya! Game starts at 7:05, so keep those fingers crossed and say a little prayer that we get baseball instead of silly April showers.

Media, Music, Special Events, The Features
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Apollo Theater Exhibit to Open at Smithsonian

Photo courtesy of
‘Vinyl’
courtesy of ‘tiffany bridge’

When I was a kid, I listened to my parents’ music almost exclusively until I was about 12 years old. Which meant that while my friends were listening to Pet Shop Boys and Material Girl-era Madonna, I was singing along (into my hairbrush, of course) with the Supremes, the Drifters, and Chuck Berry.

While it was an excellent musical education, the local oldies station and my dad’s cassette tapes didn’t do a lot to put that music in the social context in which it belonged. I had learned about the civil rights movement in history class, and the general experience of African-Americans in the United States, but somehow had never connected the dots between the dates in my textbooks with the dates on those album covers until adulthood.

Which is why I so thoroughly enjoyed checking out the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (not yet built and currently existing as a gallery in the National Museum of American History) exhibit “Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment.”   Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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A Hirshhorn Museum Facelift

Photo courtesy of
‘Hirshhorn Museum Shop’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

The Hirshhorn is set to get a bit of an update in the form of a new, ultra-contemporary bookstore.  Rumor has it that Museum Director, Richard Koshalek has called upon artist Doug Aitken to work on the preliminary design of the permanent installation.  Although the project remains in the schematic phase at this time, Aitken’s concept renderings show a kaleidoscope-type room with numerous sharp angles, creating a vision of light through the usage of the principles of refraction.

Furthermore, Aitken’s artistic eye may also be used to update the exterior of the Museum – the artist has proposed a 360 degree wrap-around video installation that would hypothetically span the entire concrete shell.

The Daily Feed
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CBS to Spotlight Anacostia River Tomorrow Morning

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the Anacostia River is getting the star treatment.  Tomorrow morning from 7-9 AM, the CBS Early Show will be highlighting grassroots efforts to clean up the river, and the Anacostia Watershed Society wants you there!  They’re trying to draw a large crowd for the Early Show taping, so if you’re interested, meet at Poplar Point (across the river from the stadium) anytime between 7 AM and 9 AM.  They’re doing multiple segments, so feel free to stop by anytime in that window.  The site is accessible via the Anacostia Metro station.

As Donna previously mentioned in our Earth Day Events Blowout, the Anacostia Watershed Society is also organizing this Saturday’s River Cleanup and Celebration at more than 30 sites in the area.  Help clean up the river in the morning, and enjoy a free picnic lunch and celebration at noon.