Monthly Archives: November 2010

The Daily Feed
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Redskins Cheat Sheet: Week 12 vs. Minnesota

Photo courtesy of
‘00207256’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

The Redskins are in fact still playing, so the Cheat Sheet is business as usual. Of course, most people are likely to be talking turkey, today, with another loss in the books. Just in case, though, We Love DC has you prepped to look like you still care.

As it’s nearly December, the final month of the NFL season is coming quickly upon us. After yesterday’s loss, the Redskins are 5-6 and, for all intents and purposes, basically out of the playoff picture barring a miracle (it doesn’t help that the NFC is incredibly top heavy this year). While the 2010 Redskins slip silently into the final five games of the season, here’s a few points from Sunday’s defeat at the hands of the now 4-7 Minnesota Vikings to get you through water cooler chatter this morning.

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Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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Sprint Unveils 4G In DC, 4G Network Wars To Come

“Microwave backhaul” courtesy of Flickr user @jbtaylor

You know what I love about wireless standards? They are so vague and undefined. If you’ve ever shopped for a wireless router and gotten confused over 802.11g vs 802.11n then you know what I’m talking about.

The same confusion and arguments are around for wireless phone speeds as well. Today Sprint announced that Washington, DC among 68 other markets will now have 4G enabled networks for those snazzy Sprint 4G phones out on the market.

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Weekend Flashback
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Thanksgiving Flashback: 11/25 – 11/28/10

Photo courtesy of
‘Happy Holidays at Zara’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

It hasn’t quite soaked in that the holiday season has begun yet. (I suspect it’s from all the food I’m still digesting from the weekend gorging…) So if you’re like me, let’s just ignore Monday for the moment and try to relive our extended weekend passed with some great photos. I’m sure those meetings and phone calls can wait just a little bit longer…

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Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Caps need the shootout, but get win over Carolina

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_4847’
courtesy of ‘photopete’

The Capitals last night faced Carolina for the second time in a week and came away with a win. In a tight divisional matchup with the Hurricanes, the Caps got out to a blazing fast start, racking up a pair of goals on the sticks of Marcus Johansson and Alexander Semin, and it would’ve been many more than that, had Cam Ward not been playing an absolute gem for the ‘Canes.  The Caps put 17 shots on goal in the first, and there were at least three more that were nearly in but for the efforts of Ward.

Of course, the ‘Canes weren’t the only team with a solid performance in goal; Semyon Varlamov put up another amazing effort tonight, and his work in the shootout earned him the number one star for the evening.  Varly turned aside 28 shots on goal tonight before the shootout and rejected all three Hurricanes in the shootout and absolutely saved the game for the Capitals tonight.

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capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Semin Strikes Again; Caps Zap Lightning, 6-0

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_2566.jpg’
courtesy of ‘bridgetds’
Alexander Semin owns the Tampa Bay Lightning. At the Verizon Center last night, Semin scored his second hat trick in as many games against the Lightning this season. It was Semin’s third hat trick of the year, and the Caps went on to crush the Lightning 6-0.

The Capitals’ defensive corps also had an outstanding game, even with Mike Green out of the lineup. Three defensemen – John Carlson, John Erskine and Tom Poti – scored for the Caps. Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, the NHL scoring leader, was held off the score sheet for only the fourth time this season. “We pay a little more attention to him,” said Erskine. “Especially on the power play. We try to take him away a little, and it seemed to work tonight.” Tampa Bay mustered only 17 shots in the game.

The Caps got off to a quick start scoring just three minutes into the game. Marcus Johansson won an offensive zone faceoff back to Carlson who one-timed it over the shoulder of Tampa Bay netminder Mike Smith for a 1-0 lead. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Hot Ticket: Kaskade @ Fur Nightclub 11/27/10

Recommended by guest writer: Patrick Palafox.

Kaskade is bringing his bag of San Francisco beats to the nation’s capitol for a night of monument shaking at Fur Nightclub on Saturday, February 27th. I use the term glam electronic to describe his music, because every time I hear it, I imagine myself strutting down a cat walk. Wow, I’m so secure with myself. His latest album “Dynasty” features many tracks with up and coming vocalist Haley. The two have awesome chemistry and I have taken the liberty to create a formula based on their most recent album. Kaskade plus Sexy Woman Voice = bitten lower lips times ass shaking to the tenth power. I would recommend checking out his MySpace for a taste.

I’m eager to find out where Kaskade falls when it comes to putting on a DJ show. Will it be a visual experience like Deadmau5 or Daft Punk, or will the sound unleash visuals in my mind? A fat man once said where there’s smoke there’s smoked barbecue, but I believe that where there is smoke there is a DJ making shoes burst into flames from dancing; not like Drew Barrymore’s “Firestarter” but because the beats are hot and the friction between the feet and the floor leads to…fuck it…I don’t know where I was going with that. Anyway, Kaskade at Club Fur, get your ass there. Your ass will be glad you did.

Kaskade
@ Fur Nightclub
11/27/10
$20 pre-sale

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Richie Hawtin vs. Paul Oakenfold

IMG_6288
all photos by author, except where noted.

Earlier this week DC got a visit from two legendary electronica DJ/producers two nights in a row. On Monday night, perpetual innovator and second-wave Detroit techno demi-god Richie Hawtin set-up shop at U Street Music Hall. On Tuesday night, the world’s most well-known DJ and trance techno titan Paul Oakenfold took over the 9:30 Club. The two concerts delivered epic dance parties and for anyone with a day job sandwiched in-between they offered a sleep-deprived, bass-driven euphoria that was reminiscent of the raves of yore.

The two concerts were fantastic and delivered on everything that they promised; which proved to be two very different things. Oakenfold and Hawtin have each been a major force in the world of electronic music for the past twenty years. The two occupy opposite ends of a huge swath of the electronic dance music spectrum. Oakenfold’s trance is about as mainstream as it gets; he has a huge following around the world and he has produced some of the most recognizable dance tunes of film, television, and radio. Richie Hawtin is a king of the underground, his often challenging music is designed to intellectually engage the listener as much as it is to get their feet moving. Oakenfold’s style is more pop consumable, while Hawtin, although ragingly popular in his own circles, is more of an acquired taste. Their concerts this week were relentless dance parties but also offered a fascinating live example of two very different styles of dance music and its presentation.

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People, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Carolyn Sewell Interview

You can’t walk down the street without seeing a sign.  Signs are there to inform or instruct you, to get you to stop, go and yield to pedestrians. But what good do these signs do if they are difficult to read, provide an unclear message, or get lost in the peripheral?  Graphic design was established as a result of these glaring errors, and developed a universally recognized profession in which people are trained to convey a message, to a target audience, while following the principles of design.  However, the profession has outgrown the average political advertisement and cereal box, and now is an appreciated art form.

Award-winning designer and blogger, Carolyn Sewell, displayed her yearlong project Postcards To My Parents at The Fathom Gallery this September. Every day from July 23, 2009 to July 23, 2010 she sent hand-drawn postcards to her parents with messages of love and adoration, snarky quotes from friends, family and television, and the occasional drawing of a gnome.  Sewell currently resides in Arlington, VA and shares creative (and sometimes not so creative) graphic design with the masses on her blog Pedestrian Typography.

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The Features
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We Give Thanks for DC

Photo courtesy of
‘Thanksgiving Table With Food’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

It has become a We Love DC Thanksgiving tradition to tell you what we’re thankful for in and around DC. Imagine us all around a candlelit table, counting our blessings over wine and turkey. Please join us in the comments. And remember, We Love DC isn’t a cult, we’re just fanatically close-knit, okay?

Tiff: This year has brought a lot to renew my perspective on DC. I’m so thankful for my new neighborhood, the welcome we’ve gotten from our neighbors, and the new regular haunts that have come with our move, like Ray’s River East and Rustik. I’m grateful for people who share their culture and passion through dance and the new friends I’ve made that way. But most of all, I’m thankful each day for the We Love DC community- my fellow writers, of course, but also the readers, the Twitterers, the other DC bloggers, the reporters who welcome bloggers into their community, and yes, even the anonymous comment trolls. Some of you have become valued colleagues, some have become cherished friends, but you all inspire, challenge, and energize me.

Katie:

  • The passionate, interesting, savvy group of people that I follow on Twitter. They keep me informed of DC’s great food, good deals, and breaking news.
  • Great workouts at locally-run places like Mind The Mat and Yoga District.
  • Our area’s farmer’s markets, full of crisp, flavorful produce, that never fail challenge me to be a better cook.
  • Dupont Circle at dusk.
  • Food splurges that are worth it, like The Source, Poste, and Bourbon Steak.
  • Deals and steals on some of my favorite DC food: The unlimited “fat kid” brunch at Masa 14, the slice and pint happy hour at Radius, the beat-the-clock happy hour at Firefly and SEI‘s $6 sushi at happy hour.
  • Drinking wine on the patio at Willow at night in the summer, or a huge cup of Ginger Rose iced tea at Pound Coffee.
  • The breakfast taco from District Taco.
  • Vintage/Thrift shops like Treasury, Secondi, Junction and  Oliver’s in Annapolis.

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Entertainment, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: The Laramie Project Ten Years Later

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘rejohnson71’

This past weekend Tectonic Theater Project performed its play cycle on the murder of Matthew Shepard and its effect on the town of Laramie, Wyoming – The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. I was only able to attend the latter on its final night, which deals with the murder’s aftermath through interviews with town residents. It was a moving evening of documentary theater. Though Tectonic does not as yet list future tour performances, the plays are widely produced and I’m sure you will have a chance to see them if you missed this round at Arena Stage.

If not, watch clips online. Maybe while you’re waiting at the airport this week, fire it up. Start a dialogue with the person next to you. Who knows what may happen? You may learn something about the human capacity to alleviate discomfort by forgetting or distorting the past – “the nature of rumor,” as it’s described by a folklorist interviewed in the course of the play.

Matthew Shepard was murdered in 1998. I remember it not only as a murder whose horror was shocking in itself, but as an incident that catapulted hate crime and homophobia to the national news. It’s hard for me to stomach that there are college students in Laramie now who have absolutely no idea it happened, but that’s the truth as documented by Tectonic’s actors as they interviewed on campus while creating The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Royal Wedding Be Damned, Nerd Prom Will Go On As Scheduled

Photo courtesy of
‘What’s dominating the papers today! (Day 31 of 365)’
courtesy of ‘Gene Hunt’

So, maybe you heard. Prince is engaged and has his wedding date set for April 29th, 2011.

Oh, wait, it’s a prince and not Prince? Damn.

Either way, it sounds like it’ll be a bit of a media frenzy, what with travel to either Minnesota or England. What poor timing, too, as most of the Washington-based media had that late April weekend already booked and planned. The 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner – a.k.a. Nerd Prom – is set to take place on April 30th. Fishbowl DC reports this afternoon that, Royal Wedding weekend or not, the prom will go on:

From Washington Examiner‘s White House correspondent and WHCA board memberJulie Mason:

“There was some consternation because Wills had the shocking bad taste to schedule his wedding the day before our dinner (I thought he was a guest of Fox News this year, apparently not). With so many people broadcasting from London, it was going to be a big panic for them to get back here for the dinner on Saturday. We were also worried thatObama might go to the wedding — although honestly, it doesn’t seem like his thing.

As I like to remind everyone thinking ahead to Nerd Prom: I own a tux and make a fantastic trophy date. Plus, bonus, I’ll actually be stateside because I haven’t gotten a Save the Date from William and Kate yet.

Talkin' Transit
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Talkin’ Transit: Metro Roundup

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

There’s some changes coming to SmartBenefits in the new year, and you might want know about them now for your long term planning health.

Metro tells us that starting January 1, 2011, there will be two changes to some benefit programs mandated by the government. The first change is a limit on how much money a person can get for transit. The new limit is $120, a full $110 less than it is this year.

The agency says that of about 285,000 people that receive a transit benefit, about 90,000 will be affected by this. This change comes about as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expires at the end of the year.
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The Daily Feed
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Clinton Portis Done for the Season

Photo courtesy of
‘Clinton Portis’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

One of the more entertaining personalities on the Redskins is done for the season – and some speculation indicates that his tenure in Washington may be coming to close as well. Jason Reid of the Post confirmed that Clinton Portis will be heading to injury reserve after aggravating a groin tear in last Sunday’s victory in Nashville. The move will keep Portis out of the lineup for the remainder of the year.

Jack Kogod at Kissing Suzy Kolber thinks that the scenario around Portis means he isn’t likely to ever don the Burgundy and Gold any time soon. He also sums it up pretty nicely with his final point:

Portis has looked pretty run down the last couple of years, and seeing as how he’s due over $8 million next season he’s seen as a likely cap casualty in the off-season. We may have seen the last of Clinton Portis in a Redskins uniform, and that blows.

The Daily Feed
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Moose Spotted on Metro


Moose on the Metro by KentonNgo

As you prepare for your  journey home for the Thanksgiving holiday, we’d like to offer you some travel safety tips.

  • Don’t refer to Reagan National Airport as “Reagan Airport”.  You’ll be hogtied and sprayed with patchouli by any liberal who overhears you.  Repeat after me: “National Airport”.
  • Don’t drink before you make your way through security or you may mistake that TSA pat down as a sexual advance.  First, it’s not, and second, have you ever seen an attractive TSA security guard?  Wait until you’re at your gate or on the plane before you break out that flask of Wild Turkey (disguised as a 3 ounce shampoo bottle*), and don’t forget to share with your fellow passengers.
  • If Grandma picks you up from the airport in her ’73 Chevy Impala, grab the keys from her and insist on driving*.  She’s old and could be a danger to other drivers on the road, plus the car has a V8 in it and hauls some serious ass.  Crank that AM radio and be the gangster you’ve always wanted to be.
  • If you happen to spot a moose on the Metro either on your way out of town or on your way home, don’t panic.  According to the Internet, “Moose are most likely to attack during the spring (when the females have new calves) and fall (when the bull moose are trying to mate). They weigh up to 1500 pounds and could easily crush a human if aggravated. Most moose attacks are brought on by foolishness – common sense is the key.”  Common sense.  Is the key.  Wise words.

Safe travels, DC, and say hi to Grandma for me — I’ll be here holding down the fort, enjoying the entire city to myself.  If I missed any travel safety tips, feel free to leave them in the comments.

* In no way do we at We Love DC condone messing with TSA rules or drinking and driving.

The Daily Feed
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Turkeys Get Pardon; Party at the W

This morning, President Obama saved two lucky turkeys from the roaster with an official presidential pardon. The turkeys wasted no time in taking advantage of their new lease on life. While they waited for the ceremony, the pair of 45 pound, 21-week-old turkeys were spotted vamping around the W Hotel, where they’ve been living in custom rooms with wood chip flooring and snacking on W Munchie boxes filled with corn meal and dried cranberries. It’s always heartening when a turkey has a more luxurious life than you do.

After the pardon, the turkeys—named Apple and Cider by Barry himself—will head to Mount Vernon. They’ll take part in the historic estate’s Christmas at Mount Vernon celebration before beginning a life of leisure at the site’s livestock farm.

Today’s ceremony marked the 63rd anniversary of the presidential turkey pardon, a tradition which Harry Truman started in 1947.

We Love Music
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We Love Music: Reel Big Fish (and Aquabats!) at 9:30 Club

Reel Big Fish

You can tell a lot about a show by the way people leave after it’s over. The lights come up, the house music kicks in, and people filter through the door, clinging a little bit to the last two hours. Or, in the case of Reel Big Fish at the 9:30 Club on Monday night, they hum along a little to that house music before breaking into a spontaneous group singalong of “Sweet Caroline.”

Which, really, tells you everything you need to know about that show: a little corny, a whole lot catchy, and, deep down, something you probably enjoy despite yourself.
The Daily Feed
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Local Chefs Compete in Iron Chef Battle: Friendship

Photo courtesy of
‘What is the Secret Ingredient?’
courtesy of ‘michael.poley’
In what sounds like a plot derived from an ill advised sitcom pilot, chef friends RJ Cooper and David Guas are coming together this weekend to battle evil…kitchen evil. Cooper, who is in the final stages of opening his newest restaurant Rogue 24, is the challenger in this Sunday’s 9th season premiere of Iron Chef America. And since it’s important to keep your friends closer than your enemies (that’s how that saying goes, right?) Cooper has enlisted his buddy and fellow chef David Guas of the newly opened Bayou Bakery as one of his sous chefs.

Cooper will be hosting a viewing party at Long View Gallery (1234 9th St. NW) from 8pm to 12am on Sunday. He and Guas will be there along with Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve and Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s, and they will be cooking up hors d’oeuvres for everyone to enjoy. A $50 donation is required for the party, with 100% of the proceeds going to Chefs as Parents, a non-profit organization working to improve school lunch programs.

The 9th season premiere of Iron Chef America will air on Sunday, November 28th at 10pm EST on the Food Network.

Entertainment, Fun & Games, Music
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The Winning Ticket: Peter Hook presents “Unknown Pleasures”

As a way to say thanks to our loyal readers, We Love DC will be giving away a pair of tickets to a 9:30 Club concert to one lucky reader each week. Check back here every Wednesday morning at 9am to find out what tickets we’re giving away and leave a comment for your chance to be the lucky winner!

This week we’re giving away a pair of tickets to see Peter Hook and his band Light perform Joy Division’s ‘Unknown Pleasures’ in concert at 9:30 Club on Wednesday, December 1st. Hookie was a member of Joy Division, although not the most famous one, and a founding member of New Order. Quite the musical pedigree! His decision to perform ‘Unknown Pleasures’ is proving divsive among the Joy Division fan community. Does Hookie performing the album long after Ian Curtis’ suicide do his memory justice? Should this great music be forever banned from live performance because its original singer is dead? Will the performance even come close to matching the inflated, romanticized image of Joy Division that most of us are carrying around in our heads? There’s really only one way to find out for yourself…win these tickets!

For your chance to win these tickets simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between 9am and 4pm today. One entry per email address, please. Tickets for this show are also available through Ticketfly. If today doesn’t turn out to be your lucky day, check back here each Wednesday for a chance to win tickets to other great concerts.

For the rules of this giveaway…
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The Daily Feed
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It’s been a rough year, consider helping out

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘DC Central Kitchen’

With the recession still having its impact, and the budget cuts for 2011 looming like a bad nightmare (in all seriousness, Mike Debonis’ twitter stream last night was a slideshow of horrors from the FY2011 budget) and I suspect that many of DC’s awesome non-profits may be about to dial back plans for next year.

As we enter into the Thanksgiving holiday, when we pause a moment to consider our blessings, think about bestowing some of your extra to the folks who might need it. Personally, I’ll be giving to DC Central Kitchen and Bread for the City this Thanksgiving to help continue their awesome programs. Do you know a non-profit that could use some help this Thanksgiving? Leave it in the comments.

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Wizards Beats 76ers In Overtime… Again!

Photo by Patrick Pho

The last time the Sixers came into the Verizon Center the story was all about the top two picks in the 2010 draft facing head-to-head. Turner ended up playing 27 minutes off the bench while Wall started and scored 29 points the night.

Tonight the tables have turned, Turner ran out of the tunnel as a starter while Wall sat on the bench- active but still recovering from a left foot sprain. He entered the game in the first quarter to cheers but didn’t look like himself as he passed the ball around to shooters that put up bricks early in the game. The one thing that did stay the same for the Wizards this time around was the result: a Victory in overtime. Thanks to a game clinching shot by Nick Young and another strong performance from JaVale McGee, the Wiz eek out past the Sixers 116-114.

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