Monthly Archives: July 2010

Mythbusting DC, The Features
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DC Mythbusting: Parks

Photo courtesy of
‘Rock Creek Foliage’
courtesy of ‘Rukasu1’

Welcome to another edition of DC Mythbusting! One of the greatest things about living in the District is the access to parks: the National Mall, several triangle and square parks, the fort system of parks, and the enormous Rock Creek Park.   But even with these parks, it seems like DC can’t compete with the scale of other urban parks like Central Park in New York City, right? But would you believe that Rock Creek Park is larger than Central Park? How does DC compare to other comparable cities in terms of parkland? These questions and more are answered in this week’s Mythbusting!

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The Daily Feed
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Pig Out at the Four Seasons Georgetown

Photo courtesy of
‘Grant now my boon’
courtesy of ‘Loozrboy’

To celebrate Executive Chef David Varley’s big win at this year’s Grand Cochon competition, Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons Georgetown is putting on an all-you-can-eat pig roast on Sunday, August 1st from 3pm-6pm. For $25 per person (or $40 if you want to include drinks, and I think you do) you’ll get your share of a 400-pound roast pig. As if we couldn’t easily eat $25 worth of roast pig itself, you’ll also get tons of traditional sides like baked beans, ham and cheddar biscuits, mac and cheese and potato salad. And if you’re daring, you’ll be able to try the chef’s winning dessert from the competition–Porkeos. Trust me, you probably don’t want to know what is in them before you chow down. Bourbon Steak will also be partnering up with local (and personal) favorite Dogfish Head to dish out pork-friendly brews for the evening.

To purchase tickets for the event, call 202-944-2026.

The Daily Feed
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Fort Stevens Day this Saturday

Photo courtesy of
‘Fort Stevens’
courtesy of ‘Rob Shenk’

This Saturday is Fort Stevens Day, a celebration of the 146th anniversary of the only Civil War battle to occur in DC.  Always needed an excuse to check out the Civil War Defenses of Washington?  Now’s your chance!

Saturday’s event includes a kids’ activity tent, various historical presentations, and a Civil War heavy artillery demonstration.  Check out the full schedule and directions to the park, and keep in mind that rain cancels the event.

All Politics is Local, The Daily Feed
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Final list of candidates for September primary released

Photo courtesy of
‘Ballot’
courtesy of ‘Berto Garcia’

The filing deadline for the District’s September primary has passed, and the Board of Elections and Ethics has released the final candidate list. You can download the entire list as a PDF from the DC BOEE web site. For the Mayoral race, both Vincent Gray and incumbent Adrian Fenty submitted their petitions back in June. Leo Alexander and Sulaimon Brown also had their petitions in before the deadline, rounding out the first and second tiers. Assorted others, including White House party crasher Carlos Allen turned in enough signatures to appear on the September ballot. In total, there will be seven Democratic candidates for Mayor: Adrian Fenty, Vincent Gray, Leo Alexander, Sulaimon Brown, Carlos Allen, Michael Green, and Ernest Johnson.

There aren’t any big surprises here. For Chairman of the Council, four Democratic candidates turned in their petitions before the deadline. Kwame Brown, Vincent Orange, Dorothy Douglas, and Calvin Gurley. For the At-Large Council seat there are also four candidates including incumbent Phil Mendelson, Clark Ray, Will Ross and another Michael Brown. Not to be confused with Michael A. Brown, a current At-Large member of the Council. No, this is Michael D. Brown, the Democratic Shadow Senator for the District. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Faith No More @ Mann Music Center 7/3/10

Faith No More @ Mann Music Center 2
courtesy of Marcus Darpino.

As much as I would like it to be, Washington DC is not the live-music center of the universe. Sometimes to see that special show I have to hop on a jet, castaway on a boat, or hit the road as I did this past weekend to catch one of the limited East Coast reunion shows by Faith No More. These shows were limited enough (only 3) and special enough (a hell-froze-over reunion) that we thought some of our DC readers might be interested in reading about the one I attended at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia last Saturday.

When considering Faith No More and the quality of concert they put on, it is the little details that make the difference. The little details like: Mike Patton riding a fan like a horse while singing Michael Jackson’s ‘Ben’; an unexpected cover of Vangelis’ ‘Chariots of Fire’ theme; song verses done entirely in flawless Portuguese on a whim; and a singing, daredevil, strip-tease atop a 30-foot rope-ladder. In other words, when Faith No More perform live there really are no such things as little details; everything about a Faith No More concert is as huge and in-your-face as it can possibly get. From Mike Patton’s epic vocal range and deranged persona; to Roddy Bottum’s impenetrable, wall of synth-keyboards; to Billy Gould and Mike Bordin’s spastic funk; and Jon Hudson’s heroic guitar riffs Faith No More’s live sound is so gigantic it is almost absurd. And it would be absurd if they weren’t such a tight and overly-talented group of individuals. Saturday night’s concert in Philadelphia was a success on every level that treated a few thousand fans to the stellar, albeit brief, return of an old favorite and left us all longing for more from these SF Bay-area originals.

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The Daily Feed
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Asia After Dark – Bhangra Night

Photo courtesy of
‘Freer Gallery Chandelier’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

If you didn’t get the chance to catch the last Asia After Dark event at the Freer Gallery of Art, now is your chance to make it up by attending Bhangra Night on Thursday, July 15.

Spice up your summer and listen to “Bhangra’s Ambassador”, the internationally renowned DJ Rekha, and sample some delicious speciality cocktails – all the while also exploring the current exhibition, Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas.   All you have to do is follow the suggested attire (style, colors, and accessories of India) and purchase a ticket (available online or at the door).

You must be 21 years old and with a valid ID to attend.

The Freer Gallery of Art is located at 1050 Independence Avenue, SW.  For more information call 202-633-1000.

The Daily Feed
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Adam Dunn’s Bat Makes Nats Park History, J.D. Martin For The Win

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_0485’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

Washington experienced another scorcher Wednesday night at Nationals Park recording the second hottest starting temperature in the park’s history only second to Tuesday night’s game. But the 13,762 who stuck it out saw J.D. Martin get his first win of the season.

Martin secured a one-run win over the top team in the National League so far this season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-6.

One of the Nationals weaknesses this season, and particularly in the past month, has been an inability to score runs behind their starters and play solid defense to support their entire pitching staff. Tonight they did both. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Be Exhibited At Arlington Arts Center

Image Credit:  Sara Yousefnejad, Arlington Arts Center

For all local artists out there, tomorrow is your last chance to enter for a spot to be featured in a solo exhibit at the Arlington Arts Center.

Artists who “produce cutting edge contemporary art in any/all media, and who live or work in Virginia; Washington, DC; Maryland; West Virginia; Delaware; or Pennsylvania” are eligible to submit exhibition proposals.  Furthermore, all work must have been completed within the last 3 years in order to be considered.

For more information contact the Arlington Arts Center at 703-248.6800.

The Daily Feed
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WMATA needs your help testing new SmarTrip passes

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

WMATA is testing a new SmarTrip bus and rail pass system that will more automagically integrate bus and rail passes and the SmarTrip system.  They’re looking for volunteers, they announced this afternoon, and are offering a week of free transit if you volunteer to help test the system.  If you regularly commute by bus, and use one of the following passes, then you may be eligible: Metrobus Weekly Flash, Senior Weekly Flash, Disabled Weekly Flash or the Metrorail Short Trip or Fast Pass. In addition, they would request that you take at least 8-10 trips per week, have a registered SmarTrip card, and not use Smart Benefits as part of your commute.

The test will occur in August, and will last for four weeks. You would pay for three of those weeks, and Metro would pay for the fourth. If you want to participate, you can sign up at their website.

Talkin' Transit
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Talkin’ Transit: London Edition

All Aboard
‘All Aboard’
courtesy of Samer Farha

“Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” — Samuel Johnson

I recently spent a week working in London, and got to experience, again, London’s remarkable, ridiculous, insane, and fantastic transportation system first hand. Did I say “again?” Yes, this is probably the umpteenth time I’ve worked in London for a short stint, and the umpteenth time I’ve been exposed to the system of busses, subways, and insanity that is the Transport for London (TfL). I’ve been there for strikes and breakdowns, and I’ve been there in the heat and cold. I prefer it when things are running well and in the cold.

This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive article on the differences between Metro and the TfL. It’s more about what I see as obvious similarities and differences, and where one might have done a better job.

I’ll start with station architecture: Metro has this one down cold. Huge, cavernous stations with reasonably well marked platforms. The only time you feel claustrophobic in a Metro station is when the system breaks down during rush hour. The Tube is a little different. The system gets its name from the tube-like tunnels, which extend their presence into the stations. But each platform is its own tube, and the platforms get very crowded no matter the time of day. It feels much more closed in, and you will get jostled.
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The Daily Feed
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Final Artist Call for DCCAH Pop-Up Public Art Project

Photo courtesy of
‘(184/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH), DC Creates! Public Art Program is looking for participants for their “Pop-Up Public Art Project”.   The initiative will establish a 14-block creative corridor along H Street NE.  This project is hoping to help H Street in becoming a destination for arts, business and community experiences in city design.

The deadline to enter is Friday, July 9 at 6pm.

For questions call DCCAH at 202-724-5613.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Caps Re-Sign Schultz, Gordon

Photo courtesy of
‘090127 Jeff Schultz’
courtesy of ‘Dan4th’

The Caps announced today they’ve signed defenseman Jeff Schultz to a four-year deal worth $11 million. Keeping Schultz with the club was important for the team’s blue line; Schultz had recently filed for arbitration along with Tomas Fleischmann and Eric Fehr.

Schultz skated in 73 games last season and led the NHL with an eye-popping +50 rating, a team record for a single season and the first d-man in the NHL to lead in plus/minus since 2005-6. He also racked up a career-high 20 assists on 23 points and averaged just under 20 minutes of ice time a game. “I’m not going to be one of those guys who rushes the puck from end-to-end,” Schultz admitted to Caps writer Mike Vogel. “It’s my job to get it up to the forwards as quick as possible and get it out of our zone with as much ease as possible. If I can make a simple play instead of forcing it, it helps myself and it helps the team.”

The signing is the third by the Caps since July 1, the start of the NHL’s Free Agent signing period. The team signed veteran AHL goalie Dany Sabourin on Saturday and yesterday closed a one-year deal with forward Boyd Gordon. Gordon, the Caps 2002 Entry Draft first-round choice, has played 303 games for the team and recorded 24 goals and 76 points during his Caps career. Last year, Gordon spent a good portion of the season on the injury list, playing in only 36 games and registering 4 goals and 10 points.

The Daily Feed
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Smithsonian Commons project makes museums nerdier, more accessible, awesome

Photo courtesy of
‘Smithsonian Castle – Moon, Stars, & Sun – 3-6-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

Most of us in DC know we’re lucky to have the Smithsonian in our backyard. Its museums are free, they cater to the nerd/art lover/history buff/curious tourist in all of us, and they’re right here for all of us to enjoy. Now, thanks to what looks like a pretty darn cool online initiative called Smithsonian Commons, they’re about to take all awesome culture locked up in their walls and go global.

Continue reading →

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of
‘Folk Life Festival 10 – Sky Dancers and the Sun – 07-05-10’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

Under the beating hot sun, four members of the Téenek of Tamaletón in Mexico fly around a pole. They do this as part of a ceremony called the “Danza del Bixom Tíiw,” to honor the Lord of Corn. The Smithsonian Folk Life Festival brought them here to do their sun dance.

Most people taking shots of the dancers will tend to go closer, trying, perhaps, to capture some motion blur as the dancers go by, or to freeze the action in place. WeLoveDC Flickr contributor Brian Mosley decided to go wide, capturing the dancers, the big blue sky, and the sun and it’s rays. Wander over to his stream to look at it big and see other images from the festival.

If you’ve got a few minutes, you should also take a look at the video that the Smithsonian put out. It’s fascinating.

The Daily Feed
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1789: Not Just for Special Occasions Anymore

Photo courtesy of
‘The Tombs’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

With temperatures, ahem, soaring lately, I certainly don’t feel like sitting down to a major heavy meal. Instead, I’d prefer if someone fed me ice cream while sitting in a meat locker, but I guess we can’t have everything we want. Luckily, some D.C. chefs are also feeling the heat and adjusting their menus accordingly. Case in point: 1789.

The first temperature-friendly change at 1789 is the loosening up of the famous “jacket required” rule. Jackets are now just suggested for men, though there is still practically an entire Brooks Brothers housed in the restaurant if you feel the need to gussy up.

The major change has been the menu though. Organized by ingredients and food sources (such as “From the Fields” and “Gifts of the Sea”) instead of the standard appetizer/entree/dessert progression, it takes a little getting used to but lends itself to ordering a few lighter dishes instead of a big heavy meal.

Last but not least, the prices are to die for. With small dishes in the $7-$12 range, and large dishes in the $17-$26 range, you will be able to eat and have some cash left over for your air-conditioning bill.

The Daily Feed
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House of Cars Ending

Photo courtesy of
‘109/365: Reserved’
courtesy of ‘Amberture’

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Well you should definitely consider heading over to see House of Cars: Innovation and the Parking Garage at The National Building Museum.  The organization of the exhibit is fabulous and the historical significance is absolutely fascinating.  You don’t want to miss this wonderful gem before it is to late, the House of Cars exhibit closes on Sunday, July 11th.

Who knew learning about the innovation of the parking garages could be so much fun!

The National Building Museum is located at 401 F Street NW and offers free admission.

For more information call 202-272-244

The Daily Feed
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Your “How Hot Is It?” Post of the Day, Egg Frying Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘Egg’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

The origin of this story is the streets of Manhattan, but it definitely translates down the eastern seaboard to our fair District, and it involves a familiar turn of phrase for describing the heat: so hot you can fry on an egg on the sidewalk. Yes, it’s quite warm out there, and for yet another day, triple digit temperatures are on the horizon. Before trying to be clever in describing the heat though, make sure to check out the failures of a New York Times columnist who tried to prove the old adage about making breakfast on the pavement.

Andy Newman spent some of the afternoon in the heat of New York City with a frying pan and a choice spot of concrete to test out if he could get anything cooking. Success: melting butter, grilling some tuna. But, even in a few cheating attempts, that egg stayed runny and was not succesfully fried.

As NYTpicker points out, there may be more than one problem with the test, and it may involve the method of cooking our friend is using – a pan:

The cliche clearly states that the egg must be fried on the sidewalk. Not on a pan. That’s because the heat you need to fry an egg comes from under the egg, not from above it. At least, that’s how it works in our kitchen!

What ridiculous weather cliches would you like us here at We Love DC to try out? I mean, we’re just following the lead of the Times after all. The best the Washington Post did recently was stick an intern outside to see how he’d handle it. I’m sure we can crowdsource something better.

The Daily Feed
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Mary J to Become a Bison?

Photo courtesy of
‘Mary J. Blige @WMSoundcheck’
courtesy of ‘kindofadraag’

We know her as the queen of hip-hop soul, but could we also know her as a Howard University student soon?  You heard me right…Mary J. Blige announced Friday that she has been accepted to the Mecca, ABC7 reported.  After her performance on Good Morning America, she explained that she was all set to be a member of the class of 2014.

However, Howard University has yet to confirm any of these details.  In a statement from the school, the spokesperson said, “we encourage Ms. Blige to continue her studies and welcome her consideration of Howard University in the future. We are happy to work with Ms. Blige on completing the formal process for admission.”

Blige did recently attain her GED, so perhaps higher education could be in her near future.  I’m all for it, whether it’s Howard or not, a few textbooks never hurt anyone (even though I have to be somewhat partial to Howard, as it’s my alma mater).  Whatever you decide Mary, we support you, and of course we’ll keep listening!

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Win Da Vinci Lecture Tickets!

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6882’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

Our friends at the National Geographic Museum are giving WeLoveDC readers a final chance to win some tickets to the July 8 lecture “Exploring Leonardo’s Universe” with special guest Dr. Bülent Atalay. Author of Math and the Mona Lisa and Leonardo’s Universe, Dr. Atalay offers a comprehensive look at Leonardo, his work, and his world. Both a scientist and artist, Dr. Atalay is uniquely qualified to give a comprehensive overview of Da Vinci’s art, discoveries, and the many ways his genius has influenced the world around us. The lecture is a companion event to the free exhibit “Da Vinci – The Genius,” currently showing at the National Geographic Museum.

We’ll be giving away THREE pairs of tickets to the lecture; simply comment below and use a legit email address and your first name. We’ll draw our winners tomorrow morning at 11 am. We’ll notify winners before lunchtime tomorrow.

The Daily Feed
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My Favorite Museum Shop

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

For the 4th of July holiday I went to Atlanta to visit family, and while I was there we went to the Coca-Cola Museum.  Since this was not the first time I had been to the attraction (we go at least once a year), and there is only so many flavors of international Coca-Cola product you can taste, I decided to hang out in the gift shop. With one arm wrapped around an extra-large plastic Coke bottle/piggy bank, I began to miss my D.C. museum shops. I am convinced that nothing else compares to the museum shop at The National Gallery of Art or The Textile Museum, and of course, my very favorite, the one found at The National Building Museum.

This got me thinking, our readers always know the best secrets of the city, so I thought I would throw this one out your way – what is your favorite D.C. museum shop and why?