Monthly Archives: June 2010

The Daily Feed
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SoberRide Saved for the Fourth

Photo courtesy of
‘Nacho #9’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Earlier this month, it looked like there was some concern as to whether or not there would be enough budget for Washington Regional Alcohol Program to supply their SoberRide initiative around this year’s Independence Day celebrations. SoberRide is a simple program that ensures revelers can get home safely and responsibly, but in offering free cab rides on large party holidays in the past years, WRAP was staring in the face of some serious fiscal concerns.

The good news is that several large donors have stood up to make sure that the program would be available for this weekend’s holiday, including MillerCoors and Geico. The contributions helped WRAP get past a $31,000 gap that would have prevented the service’s availability. Thanks to these sponsors, if you or a friend has enjoyed the fireworks and cookouts a little too much, SoberRide is still available to get someone home – up to a $50 fare – for free. Between the hours of 10 p.m. on Sunday the 4th, through 6 a.m. on Monday the 5th, all you’ll need to do is dial 1-800-200-TAXI, and SoberRide will help arrange to get you home.

Entertainment, Essential DC, Music, Special Events, The Daily Feed, We Love Music
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Support Underground Music In DC

Flickr Video

Gradually, over the last decade, Washington DC has evolved into one of the foremost cities in the world when it comes to experimental, avant-garde, noise, and improvisational music. There is a thriving underground of DC-based noise and improv acts boiling just under the surface of our fair city. Every year this scene is in the spotlight for one week when they invite fellow noise-mongers and sound-scape artists from around the world to come to DC and jam with them. This wonderfully creative week of far-out sounds is called the Sonic Circuits Festival. This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Sonic Circuits Festival and they need some financial support to finalize their plans for this year’s ambitious schedule. With a little help they will be bringing in musicians from as far away as Ukraine, Japan, and France. If you can spare a few (tax-deductible) dollars to help this unique, home-grown scene plan their festival, please pledge. Continue reading →

Arlington, The Daily Feed
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Fancy Solar Compactors Spotted In Rosslyn

I think a co-worker spotted me taking this photo after work- she probably thinks I’m weird.

I was only snapping this photo because I just noticed that Rosslyn is sporting these fancy new Solar Compactors (aka the Big Belly) outside my office yesterday. Look how neat and tidy it looks compared to an overflowing trash can (which we’ve all seen on occasion around these streets.)

I first saw one of these things in action back in Boston and I’d love to see it in the middle of crunching down some garbage. For those that aren’t familiar with these things, a Big Belly is trash compactor that is with a solar powered from UV Power so you get a trash receptacle that can hold more and prevents pests from picking at the trash (and it doesn’t need any power.) The only complaint I had was that it made it hard for me to dump and run as I’m known to do in my jet-set lifestyle. However upon hearing that complaint my roommate told me I was a lazy, lazy person.

These units are already in use around Georgetown University, DC Parks, and Fairfax County.

What do you guys think about these the new bad boys of trash around the streets? If anything I bet M street could use some of these on the weekends.

The Daily Feed, We Love Arts
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Win 2 Tickets to Phillips After 5!

Photo courtesy of
‘The Phillips Collection 2523’
courtesy of ‘yospyn’

Looks like the Phillips Collection took my light criticism to heart last Friday because they have decided to hold a contest to see who can come up with the best alternative name for the Pousette-Dart exhibit – which is currently titled, Predominantly White Paintings.

All you have to do is go to their Facebook Page and submit something exciting, alluring, or at least, improved.

Two tickets to Phillips After 5 this Thursday will be awarded to the winner.

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo


TWEE 4571 by Yospyn

A few weeks ago I asked our readers if they could help me name this mysterious new street artist, but in reality I knew the answer all along.  These wheatpastings that went up overnight along 14th street were deliberately placed as part of Jeffry Cudlin’s show at Flashpoint, BY REQUEST.  The idea behind his show was to challenge local artists to create the ideal work of art, at least as determined by some of DC’s most influential art minds.  The catch?  He had to be a part of every piece.  In some cases his involvement was completely obvious, say for example, the 23′ long nude photo of him that you’ll either love or be terrified of.  However to please the tastes of Pink Line Project’s Philippa Hughes, local artist Cory Oberndorfer transformed Cudlin into a fictional street artist from Nova Scotia named TWEE.

I had the honor of accompanying Oberndorfer and TWEE one late night to witness and document the evolution of DC’s newest street artist as he pasted his bittersweet characters along 14th street.  The mission was simple.  Scatter some art that Hughes was sure to love along a street that she travels every day.  It would only be a matter of time before she became curious, and the gamble paid off when she posted a picture on Facebook the very next day asking, “Been seeing these along 14th Street. Who is it?”  ObernTWEEfer had nailed it.

At the show’s opening at Flashpoint, Hughes was completely shocked to learn that the pieces she’d been seeing were made specifically for her, and that the queen of art gossip had just been played.  It was a great social experiment that went off without a hitch thanks to the deviously creative minds of Cory and Cudlin.  BY REQUEST will go down in history books as one of the most outlandish, well-marketed, and beautifully executed shows in DC.  Well done, Mr. Cudlin.  I mean, TWEE.

The Daily Feed
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Washington’s Summer Heat – How Hot Is It?

Photo courtesy of
‘sun & Capitol’
courtesy of ‘ekelly80’

You don’t need an outstanding glossary of weather terms to understand “hot” (but if you need one for other things, check out Don’s awesome post from yesterday). Moving my car at 6:30 this morning, I started sweating, and then I started wondering: exactly what are we looking at in terms of record breaking weather months here in June? Here’s a few facts and notes about the record heat, thanks to Capital Climate and Capital Weather Gang:

  • In the month of June, we’ve seen two daily records fall for highest max temperature, including a triple-digit reading on June 24. Also worth considering regarding the hot summer nights: three of the 28 measured days also registered new records for the highest minimum temperature.
  • Yesterday was the 17th day of 90+ degree temperatures in the month of June, tying records co-shared by 1943 and 1994. Considering Weather.com is reporting at 7:57 a.m. that it is 83 out downtown, there is no way we stay below 90 today and 2010 should earn outright number one for the record.
  • While yesterday’s storm helped lower the humidity a little, the heat may still be sticking around until we can get some more cold air moving through. It may be dryer this weekend thanks to that, but early forecasts show that you’ll get plenty of warmth to accompany your fireworks and cookouts.

Drink fluids, wear sunscreen, and stay cool, Washington.

The Daily Feed
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Russian Spies Arrested in Arlington

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_4600’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

The FBI and the Justice Department brought down 10 suspected spies this afternoon across the country, including three from right here in Arlington. Several sources are reporting the details, including this article from CNN, and talk to the fact that these Russian secret agents were reportedly sent to the US for long-term operations and were to fully adapt to our way of life (marriage, kids, house, mini-vans…and the true American dream of  balloon mortgage payments says Wonkette). The article also includes details of some of the intercepted and decrypted messages that Russia reportedly sent to these agents.

“Your education, bank accounts, car, house, etc. — all these serve one goal: fulfill your main mission, i.e., to search and develop ties in policymaking circles in U.S. and send intels (intelligence reports),” the document said.“

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Stammen Returns, Will Start Tuesday

stammen
Photo By Rachel Levitin

The man sent down to the minors in return for Stephen Strasburg being called up to the majors will be taking the mound for Washington this Tuesday in Atlanta.

Bill Ladson reported from Twitter that he just found out RHP Craig Stammen, who was optioned by the Nats to Triple-A Syracuse on June 6 after starting against the Cincinnati Reds in a no-decision extra inning loss, will return the 25-man roster and join his team on the road for the Braves series.

Stammen was 1-2 with a 5.43 ERA in 12 starts with the Nationals this season.

capitals hockey, Sports Fix, The Features
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Capital Drafting: 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Photo courtesy of
‘Mighty Mites!’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

The NHL 2010 Entry Draft occurred in Los Angeles over the last three days and after seven rounds, the Caps exited this year’s draft with five new prospects. Selected by the team are Evgeny Kuznetsov (Russia), Stanislav Galiev (Russia), Philipp Grubauer (Germany), Caleb Herbert (U.S.), and Samuel Carrier (Canada). The five selected picks cover the range of ice positions, from center to goalie, and will be entering an already well-stocked prospect larder. GM George McPhee has gotten a great handle on building the team’s future depth, in large part due to the experienced Capitals’ scouting squads.

Let’s take a look at the new blood, shall we? Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Severe? Watch? Warning? Brad? Dr Scott?

YouTube Preview Image

Maybe you need to be of A Certain Age to get the reference but it sums up, for me, the experience of listening to weather shorthand sometimes. Nice word, what’s it mean?

Earlier today the always-awesome Capital Weather Gang had a quick tweet spelling out the meaning of a “severe” thunderstorm: “Winds of 58 mph and/or hail .75″ diameter or more.” Pretty precise, that. It got me to thinking, what are the other terms that we hear all the time but perhaps don’t know the exact meaning of? I took a minute to put together a few and they’re below the fold.

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Silversun Pickups @ DAR Constitution Hall 6/23/10

Photo courtesy of
‘Silversin Pickups’
courtesy of ‘MudflapDC’

This was one of those concerts that make me love my job.

Silversun Pickups played at DAR Constitution Hall last Wednesday night. They delivered an exuberant display of musical joy that put a big ol’ smile on my face that lasted the entire show. Silversun Pickups are a band with a great sound and a growing fan-base, and yet every time I see them perform they seem completely amazed that people like their music. It’s this “they like us, they really, really like us!” attitude and their genuine appreciation for their fans, that keeps this huge-sounding band grounded and endears them to the listener. When watching Silversun Pickups perform you find yourself rooting for them to succeed while they proceed to melt your face off with their massive, alt-rock attack.

Wednesday’s concert was the best of the three times I have seen Silversun Pickups perform, mainly because it was the first time I have seen them as headliners. The headliner spot gave them time to stretch their legs musically which really added another level to their performance on just about every song they played. Add to this the fact that the longer set gave them the opportunity to throw some slower songs into the mix and Silversun Pickups were able to create an atmosphere that was all their own and not merely shared space with other, larger acts. Silversun Pickups were the main event on Wednesday night and they used their moment in the spotlight to truly shine.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Sno-cones and CHEAP Happy Hour at Art & Soul

Photo courtesy of
‘art and soul mac and cheese balls’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

So this summer has been like redonkulously hot, right? Well Capitol Hill’s Art and Soul is offering sno-cone cocktails and one of the cheapest fancy happy hours around. You should go. Here’s the deal:

The Sno-Cones, served in a cone-shaped martini glass, come in three adult flavors including: The Savannah (vodka, African nectar tea and peaches); Laurel Park (gin, St Germain, sparkling rose, cucumbers, and strawberries); and Rehoboth (Cachaca, pineapple, and spearmint rimmed with smoked black salt). The Sno-Cone Cocktails are priced at $12 each — $6 during happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday.

Speaking of happy hour, the food is also really cheap (really fried, too) but you can snag yourself some fried green tomatoes, house made potato chips and assorted dips (they have old bay!) and to-die for deviled eggs. Each of the small plates are less than $6, and if you add a glass of wine or a cocktail to one of them you get the pair for $10. Regional beers are on tap for only $4.

So who is ready for this Monday to be over so they can get to eating? This girl.

The Daily Feed
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Nats Look To Strasburg, Hope To End Losing Skid In Atlanta

Photo courtesy of
‘5TH’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

The Nationals (33-43) are coming off three-straight come from behind losses after being swept by Orioles (23-52) this weekend. It wasn’t a record making weekend for Washington, but it sure was for Baltimore. They became the first major-league team to win four straight games while erasing a deficit of at least three runs in each victory.

Tonight the Nats face another team who’s set a major-league record of their own. The 2010 Braves (44-32), managed by the legendary Bobby Cox during his last stint as manager, “opened the year by losing 14 of their first 22 and are now the first team in baseball history to have a losing streak of at least nine games in April and be in first place by June,” according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“It’s been a little crazy around here,” 38-year-old closer Billy Wagner told USA Today, “and by the end of the summer, hopefully it’ll get a little crazier.”

Crazy for the Braves in a good way? Sure. But how about the Nats? Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Washington Post Ombudsman Admits To Excessive Salahi Coverage, Says We’re Stuck With It

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_1355’
courtesy of ‘KRSPO’

Since making an unrequested appearance at last fall’s state dinner at the White House, it seems that no matter how hard we try, we can’t get rid of Tareq and Michelle Salahi. Especially in this town, that type of reality famous is rare, and the local Washington Post has really embraced the celebrity by posting many stories and features on the couple since their moment of infamy last November – to the tune of 110 articles written by 30 different writers. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Bang Zoom Go the (Legal) Fireworks

Photo courtesy of
‘boats afire’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Independence Day is rapidly approaching, and you know what that means: Fireworks.  Oh, the fireworks. But, as anyone who’s lived in a dry climate can tell you, fireworks need a few things: adult supervision, some precautions, and good fireworks. You don’t want black market fireworks if you want to keep your house from burning down. DCRA is here to help you identify legal places in DC to buy fireworks, so click on through for the sweet Google map.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, The District, WTF?!
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Scenes from the City: The Naked Runner

Photo courtesy of
‘half-naked stampede’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

So there Tom and I were, in our car, a couple cars back from the light at Rhode Island Ave. & Brentwood Ave. NE, waiting to cross onto 13th. We see this guy (late teens, maybe) run across the intersection. He was looking over his shoulder, looking half-entertained, half-scared.

And then we saw who he was running from. A woman who looked to be in her early 20s came sprinting after him, clutching a t-shirt in her hand, looking pissed. But that’s not what we noticed about her first. What we noticed was that she was stark naked. Not a stitch. Sprinting, like a cross-country runner, barefoot down the sidewalk and gaining on the guy. Let’s just say I wanted to offer her a, um, restrictive garment, because it kind of hurt to watch.

And Tom and I wondered… what was the sequence of events that led to that moment? It seems to me like there are a finite number of scenarios that lead to a completely naked woman chasing a completely clothed man down the street in broad daylight. Your theories, DC? (The more outlandish the better.)

The Daily Feed
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Commute Hell: Vent Here

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I heard this morning’s commute described best by Chris Needham on Twitter, who wrote,  “I’m pretty sure this is how “Falling Down” started.” DC summers are usually the province of easier commutes, but this morning’s increased road presence due to the Metro fare increase, and significant arterial delays due to accidents and road construction, meant what should have been a cakewalk was instead the equivalent of the fourth ring of hell.

We know that you guys work hard to be on time, so feel free to vent like crazy about that crazy jackass in the SUV that cut you off, or the guy who just had to squeeze into that spot in front of you, or the bus driver who passed you by because his bus was all full. Just let it out. We can’t have anyone going that crazy this early in the summer. So just breathe, DC, and let it all out.

The Daily Feed
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Guy Fieri Eats at Comet Ping Pong, Brings Camera Crew

Photo courtesy of
‘1577-36Crop’
courtesy of ‘furcafe’
Not long ago there were rumors floating around Washington that Guy Fieri, he of spiky hair and “killer burger” declarations, was making his way around town filming his Food Network show. Well the proof is coming to a television near you tonight when Comet Ping Pong is featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.

If sitting at home and watching alone isn’t your style, head over to Comet Ping Pong (5037 Connecticut Ave. NW) for the official viewing party. The party starts at 8pm, and to go along with your pizza and ping pong, there will be something called “Summery Divey Punch” that is sure to impress even the most discerning diner fan.

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives
Mondays at 10pm, Food Network

The Daily Feed
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The “White House” in Kiev

Is that the White House… by a river? Nope, look again — it’s the Senator’s Park Hotel in Kiev, Ukraine!

Built to closely resemble DC’s own White House, Senator’s Park is “committed to providing visitors with an authentic and luxurious American experience without ever having to leave Ukraine!” There’s even a Barack Obama cutout by the door to make the experience even more authentically American.

(Hat tip to English Russia. Спасибо.)