Monthly Archives: July 2010

Entertainment, Special Events, We Love Arts
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Norman Rockwell & the Movies

---And Daniel Boone Comes to Life on the Underwood Portable

Norman Rockwell, "---And Daniel Boone Comes to Life on the Underwood Portable"; 1923, oil on canvas; Collection of Steven Spielberg; courtesy Smithsonian American Art Museum

Last week, the latest special exhibit opened up at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg” showcases 57 major Rockwell paintings and drawings from the private collections of two of Hollywood’s most influential modern moviemakers. The exhibition runs through January 2, 2011.

The exhibition – only being shown here in DC – is the first to plumb the depths of the connections between Rockwell’s images of American life and the movies. Between Rockwell’s work and the movies of Lucas and Spielberg, the themes of patriotism, small-town values, children growing up, unlikely heroes, imaginations, and life’s ironies are portrayed between canvas and film. “Ultimately, looking at Rockwell in terms of the movies opens a whole new way of understanding his work for the public,” said senior curator and exhibition organizer Virginia Mecklenburg, “but also for scholars interested in American popular and visual culture in the middle of the 20th century.”

Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, The Features
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Campaign Notebook: July 9, 2010

Photo courtesy of
‘police trooper writing a ticket’
courtesy of ‘woodleywonderworks’

There are 67 days until the primary.

This week’s edition will be a bit shorter given the short week, but there’s been some interesting news. It mostly involves traffic tickets. If you missed it, the DC Board of Elections and Ethics released the full candidate list for the September primary on Wednesday. Provided there are no objections to the petitions, the ballot will be set. Of course this is DC, and there have been objections in the past. In 2002, incumbent Mayor Anthony Williams was forced to run as a write-in candidate due to fraudulent signatures on his petition. Despite not appearing on the ballot, Williams still won the Democratic nomination and was re-elected in November. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Clouded leopard cubs frolicking

YouTube Preview Image

It’s Friday afternoon. I know perfectly well you’re not working. So here’s some video of the National Zoo’s clouded leopard cubs engaging in some kitten-like activity for you to procrastinate with.

The two male cubs in the video will soon be sent to other zoos to be paired with females so that this endangered species can continue to be preserved. There, now you have learned something and can go back to the squeeing over the OMG ADBORBS KITTEHS.

The Daily Feed
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Happy Retrocession Day?

Photo courtesy of
”Western’ Washington, D.C.(1)’
courtesy of ‘cizauskas’

I couldn’t quite decide what today’s greeting should be. The retrocession of the area of the federal district south of the Potomac River is a bit of a mixed bag, like most of American history. Ostensibly, it was done to pump capital into the neglected port of Alexandria, but it was also done to preserve the slave port at Alexandria, in an effort to preserve the union. As no federal buildings could be constructed west of the Potomac, none of the existing government structures were in the area, and it made for an easy give back to Virginia. Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Caps Retain Eric Fehr

Photo courtesy of
‘Caps/Habs (April 15, 2010) – 20’
courtesy of ‘Garyisajoke’

Fresh off a career high season, Eric Fehr has extended his stay with the Caps after signing off on a two-year deal worth $4.4 million yesterday afternoon. Fehr had 21 goals and 39 points in 69 games with the Caps last season, even though he averaged less than 13 minutes of ice time a game. Out of all the 20+ goal scorers in the NHL, Fehr had the lowest on-ice average.

Plagued with injuries during the early portion of his career – he was the Caps’ first-rounder in the 2003 Entry Draft – Fehr finally came into his own last season, shrugging off surgery on both shoulders and a major back injury. Having been an offensive force despite the low ice time, his return to the Caps offense should elicit a great sigh of relief for the Rock the Red nation. Fehr had a solid playoff performance last year, with 3 goals and 4 points in the seven game series with Montreal.

Entertainment, The Daily Feed
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We Love DC Does Top Chef DC: Episode 4

Photo courtesy of
‘Cucumber Puree’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

There is a reason that we love DC- and Top Chef DC. Washington DC is a Top Chef town with many former contestants and judges working in the area. This week the names we’ve grown to love locally returned to the small screen.

But first, a baby challenge.

With Padma fresh off a pregnancy (sporting a turtle shell for a shirt) and Tom with young children of his own, the two hosts challenge the chefs to create an adult meal with a companion purée for a child.

The chefs certainly came up with baby food that I wouldn’t expect to see in the grocery store aisle. Duck with Spinach? Curried Sweet Potato Bisque? Pan-Seared Rib Eye?

Certainly choices for those being fed with a silver spoon I suppose. Of course I am a 26 year old blogger with no kids- is making your own baby food the in thing for DCers or do you head for the Gerber aisle? Continue reading →

Interviews, Life in the Capital, People, The Features, They Shoot DC
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She Shoots DC: Paige Weaver

Photo courtesy of Paige Weaver, on Flickr
‘3.30.10’
courtesy of Paige Weaver

Ever since I started our Weekend Flashback feature to start off your week, I’ve become fascinated with the myriad (just for you, Erin!) of photographers in our area. There’s such a wide range of talent, skill, expertise, and perspectives around here that’s worth sharing, so I decided to begin a periodic feature showcasing our local photogs and their array of works. Because DC imagery makes up only a small part of many of our local photographers’ repertoire, I want to give them a chance to expose their broad range of expertise and work – and their personalities.

Kicking off this periodic feature is Paige Weaver, known on Twitter as Moxie_Marmalade. A baker in Chevy Chase, Paige lives in the Mt. Vernon Triangle area and loves to shoot – and eat! – food on the side.

So who is Paige Weaver? Where do you come from originally?

Well, I grew up in Dallas, TX and ended up in DC via Maine and Tennessee. I graduated college in ’08 and moved to DC for a job, which I quit last August to attended culinary school in New York City. The school I attended emphasizes health supportive cooking — how ironic now that I make desserts for a living. But if you need a vegan, gluten-free dinner party menu, I’m your girl. I hate parsley, don’t discriminate against wine that comes in boxes, and have recently become obsessed with the Civil War.

I’ve also been participating in Project 365 this year, challenging myself to take a photograph every day of 2010. It’s been a great undertaking because it forces me to practice photography every day. As expected, some shots are much better than others, but so far, I haven’t missed a day!

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Christmas in July Toy Drive at Nationals Park All Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘Nationals vs Orioles 04’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

The Washington Nationals are hosting their annual Christmas in July Toy Drive benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program all weekend.

Fans are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys for kids of all ages that will be collected and distributed to non-profit organizations and hospital pediatric wards throughout the D.C. Metropolitan Area. Last year, the Christmas in July Toy Drive brought in 23 bags of toys and more than $16,000 in cash donations. This year, the Nationals look to do that again and then some.

Toys will be accepted starting with Friday night’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants when the center field gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Fans can continue dropping off all toy donations through the end of the fourth inning on Saturday and Sunday as well. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

The Daily Feed
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Mat Latos Dominates A Quiet Nats Lineup


Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nationals News Network

The brooms were kept tucked away Thursday night at Nationals Park when San Diego right-hander Mat Latos dominated the Washington Nationals over seven innings preventing a series sweep.

“He threw a good ball game or two against us before tonight,” Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman said about Latos after the game. “We saw him out there at their place and he was every bit the same tonight. He was tough.” Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Need last minute (funny) plans?

Photo courtesy of
courtesy of ‘christopher.poole’

The monthly comedy showcase at Eleventh Street Lounge is tonight, and this month it’s Night of the Newbies, featuring newer local comics who have been workin’ it at open mics but haven’t started getting into a lot of these pre-booked shows yet. Comics featured will be: Emily Ruskowski, Brandon Wardell, John Robbins, Jessica Brodkin, Josh Scott, and Reggie Melbrough. Chris Barylick of the Geek Comedy Tour will host, and Courtney Fearrington (of general hilarity) will also appear. I recommend you check it out.

The Daily Feed
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José Andrés Thanks Psychic Octopus For Predicting Spain’s World Cup Victory

Photo courtesy of
‘Polipetti alla Griglia’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

The World Cup is just about to conclude with a final match this Sunday that features Spain and the Netherlands (Not Germany, as originally was here, my bad! -DL), two countries who have never won the championship in its illustrious history. There were two fantastic side stories during this year’s really entertaining tournament: the first was the Vuvuzela, and all the annoyance it brought. The second was the story about a German octopus (his name is Paul) who was tasked with predicting every game that featured his home country’s national team. for more accurate psychic readings, check outhttps://www.peninsuladailynews.com/marketplace/best-psychic-reading-online-100-accurate-psychics-with-answers-to-all-your-doubts-and-questions/.

Here’s how it worked. Paul’s keeper, Oliver Walenciak, would arrange two glass boxes displaying the flags of Germany and its opponents in the aquarium, each with a bit of food. The box that Paul selected would represent the winner – and the eight-legged soothsayer managed to go a perfect six for six in all of Germany’s matches. This unfortunately, upset some of those at the wrong end of the prediction, which included the Germans in yesterday’s semifinal game against Spain.

For Spanish fans, though, the prediction of Paul is to be honored, having come true. Among those fans is local chef, José Andrés, who has pledged to remove octopus from his menu for the weekend as a gesture of gratitude to the creature. Think it would have been two-for-one calamari night if Paul was wrong?

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Features, We Love Drinks
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We Love Drinks: Rickey Month

July is Rickey Month in DC

Close your eyes and imagine life in our fair city over one hundred years ago. Imagine it was a week like we’ve had, a scorching heat wave, in your restrictive starched collar or corset – and there is no relief in sight, no air conditioned buildings to dart in. Sweat is dripping down the back of your neck, the small of your back. You need something refreshing. Now.

Enter the Rickey – “an air conditioner in a glass,” as Derek Brown termed it last night at a Columbia Room seminar on the history and making of our very own native cocktail. Wait, DC has its own cocktail? Indeed. July is Rickey Month, in its third year designated by the DC Craft Bartenders Guild to celebrate and spread the word on a very simple yet heat wave essential drink. All month long bartenders around the city are debuting their unique versions of the classic Rickey, culminating in a competition at The Passenger on Monday, August 2 at 6:30pm. The event is $10 at the door (including a free Rickey), and you can pick up a “Passport” at any of the competing bars and restaurants this month to try as many of the versions as you can before the contest (get ten stamps on your Passport and you get in free). As Guild President Owen Thomson says, “The Rickey is our native cocktail and designed to combat hot, muggy DC summers. We hope to pay tribute to both our history and future as a great cocktail city, as well as helping everyone stay cool.”

I think we can all get excited about that this month! So let’s explore the background of DC’s historical cooler, find out who the contestants are, and learn what makes a classic Rickey so special. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Alice Swanson ghost bike replaced in Dupont Circle


‘Ghost Bike’
courtesy of @victorzapanta

Today marks two years since 22-year-old cyclist Alice Swanson was struck and killed by a trash truck at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and R Street in Dupont Circle. Shortly after Swanson’s death, a memorial “ghost bike” appeared at the corner. The memorial remained in place, often adorned with flowers or notes, until last August. At the behest of the Dupont Circle Merchants and Professionals Association the memorial was removed by the city.

This morning, Swanson’s friends and family placed mementos at the site of the accident, and chalked messages on the sidewalk. This afternoon, the ghost bike memorial was replaced. Twitter user @victorzapanta sent along a photo of the new memorial.

The previous bike was removed by the Department of Public Works following a request by the Mayor’s office. The original request came from Ed Grandis of DC MAP, who characterized the well-kept memorial as an eye sore. Most street memorials in the District are left in place for 30 days before removal by DPW. These are generally memorials of photographs, flowers and/or stuffed animals. The District Department of Transportation has a policy of removing abandoned bicycles, but only after leaving a notice on the bicycle first.

In any event, a ghost bike is a solemn reminder to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians that all must share the road.  Last year the District debated constructing a memorial tree box at the location, but eventually declined to pursue that course of action. It will be interesting to see how the city reacts to the replacement of the ghost bike.

The Daily Feed
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Last Chance: Vote Zimmerman

Photo courtesy of
‘Nationals vs Mets 15’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

The Final Vote fan ballot closes TODAY at 4. That’s just under an hour and a half from now.

Want to see Nationals third baseman Ryan “Mr. Walk-off” Zimmerman join reliever Matt Capps at the All-Star Game in Anaheim? Place those votes ASAP.

Don’t know why to vote for Zimm? Well — he was a 2009 All-Star, a 2009 Golden Glove winner at third base, a and 2009 Silver Slugger winner. We could go into more detail, but do you really need more at this point?

***Vote here***

The Daily Feed
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VA Capital Bikeshare Locations Announced

Photo courtesy of
‘CIC’s New Bikes’
courtesy of ‘rmburnes’

Via BeyondDC, we have word that the first bike-sharing locations for the Capital Bikeshare system have been announced.  These first 14 stations of the proposed 114 throughout DC and Arlington are located in Pentagon City and Crystal City.  Check out the map of the recently-announced stations— they’re all in pretty high-traffic areas close to restaurants, offices, apartment buildings.

Capital Bikeshare is expected to start up in September, and there’s still time to vote for where you’d like to pick up and drop off bikes.

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends, July 10-11

Photo courtesy of
‘Sparkler!’
courtesy of ‘Daniel.Techie{TaiShan~4Ever} @ 127.0.0.1’

Kirk: I’m off to Mann’s Choice, PA this weekend, where the air is cooler, but if I were in town, I’d probably go to the Strasburg game tomorrow night,  Red Derby for their brunch (good sammiches and $2 drinks!) on Saturday morning and then find some pool to spend the rest of the weekend in.  Screw heat.

Rachel: Stephen Strasburg takes the mound Friday night at Nationals Park, so I’ll be watching that either at the park or elsewhere. Haven’t made a final decision just yet. Then it’s on to a two-day two-games softball “double header” with the Glover Park League at Guy Mason Field Saturday and Sunday. Will be doing my best to get some quality relaxation time in while I’m at it too. It’s been a busy week.   Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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National Public Radio Reduced To Just An Acronym

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Since 1971, National Public Radio has fallen back on the acronym “NPR” as a shorthand for its lengthy, official name. As of today, the truncated version will be the only thing left, as the District-based organization is ditching the long moniker.

All things considered, this isn’t that much of a change beyond nomenclature, but there is some rationale in the decision. NPR has jumped head first into several digital channels, dominating the podcast landscape and trying its best to build as many useful smart phone apps as possible – translation, it’s about a lot more than just radio these days. Paraphrasing from NPR’s CEO, this change is meant to mirror the efforts and help NPR become more streamlined and more in touch with the speed of media.

For the NPR fans out there, here’s one more treat from the “trying to be more in touch with the digital generation” that NPR did earlier this summer. Enjoy as All Things D and NPR’s personalities embrace several Internet memes from the last few months:

YouTube Preview Image
The Daily Feed
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Broken A/C Means Free Iced Coffee


Starbucks by  Jomo

I think it’s safe to say that none of us are enjoying this lovely heat wave, and that includes the employees at Starbucks on Dupont Circle.  Their air conditioning has been broken since yesterday, forcing them to close up shop and to deprive many people of caffeine and free wireless.  However much to my delight, when I stopped by about an hour ago they were serving free iced coffee and iced tea on the back patio.  So if you’re in need of some free caffeine, hurry over and get yours while supplies last.

The Daily Feed
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Don’t Let Phillie Fans Invade NatsTown … Again

Photo courtesy of
‘Swing batter batter!’
courtesy of ‘m hoek’

Nats fans — don’t let the Phillies pull a fast one on this city again.

As of right now Phillies Nation is soliciting the baseball faithful of Philadelphia to jump on a bus and turn Nationals Park into Citizens Bank Park South.

You didn’t like it the first time back on Opening Day when they stood around booing not only the Nationals, D.C. and the National Anthem but causing a drunken ruckus on the Nats home turf.

The Phillies return to Washington for a three game series starting Friday July 30. There’s plenty of time to ensure that the Opening Day Phillie fan frenzy doesn’t happen a second time this season.

So if you have any shred of pride for this District and for Nationals baseball, prove it over the weekend of July 30 – August 1.