Yearly Archives: 2010

News, The Daily Feed
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Equipment Derailment to Slow Your Commute

Photo courtesy of
‘Empty Metro Car’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Metro has implemented speed restrictions on part of the Yellow and Blue lines following the derailment of a piece of maintenance equipment. If your commute takes you between National Airport and Crystal City, you will notice a slower train speeds.

A speed swing vehicle derailed while returning to the Alexandria rail yard after overnight work, causing minor damage to the tracks. The damage was repaired, but the vehicle derailed a second time and was parked on a pocket track until it can be examined.

Metro has not said how long the speed restrictions will be in effect.UPDATE: Metro tells us that the 15 mph speed restriction will be in place all day.

UPDATE: Metro is also reporting delays of up to 20 minutes on the Green line due to a cracked rail at Naylor Road Station. Trains are single tracking between Naylor Road and Southern Avenue.

The Daily Feed
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Council Chair Race Taking Shape

Photo courtesy of
‘309_0909’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

This afternoon, Vincent Orange reportedly resigned from his position at Pepco, most likely after a decision to take a run at the City Council Chair position. Orange ran for Mayor in 2006, but fell badly short, getting just over 3,000 votes in the primary. Orange would face At-Large Councilman Kwame Brown in the primary this fall. One of the other potential candidates, Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, stated that he was not likely to run for the position.

The Daily Feed
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Tax Rebate for Buyers Drives Market Spike

Photo courtesy of
‘2008’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

It looks like DC’s on its way toward a real estate comeback, thanks in no small part to the tax credit for new buyers ($8,000) and return buyers ($6,500). The big question is: after the tax credit ends, will the buyers continue to buy? The credit amounts to a significant carrot for potential new buyers, and without it, it’s hard to see the rate of sales continuing on its upward trend much past June without an extension on the incentive. Sales volumes were up, 9.2% region-wide, as were average prices, up 4.9% to $357,983.

Given the number of real estate signs I’m seeing on my drives through the District, I’d say there’s a decent supply now, as opposed to two months ago, when there was hardly anything worth picking up. Buying? Selling? What are you seeing out there right now?

The Daily Feed
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Two Senators Want Fewer DC Gun Laws

Photo courtesy of
‘GUNS AMMO PAWN LOANS’
courtesy of ‘rutlo’

Even though the District has given up the ban on semi-automatic handguns, and allowed for the storing of loaded guns in one’s homes, with proper permitting, that’s not enough for Senator Cranky Old Man John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) who want a Second Amendment Enforcement Act which could strip the District of any ability to regulate firearms within its borders, forcing the city to default back to the Federal standard, including the ability to open-carry in the city.

You can call Sen. McCain’s office at (202) 224-2235, and Sen. Tester’s office at (202) 224-2644, if you wanted to make your voice heard on the issue.

The Daily Feed
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Streetcar Showcase Scheduled For Next Week

Photo courtesy of
‘French Market Stop No.1 – Riverfront Streetcar, New Orleans, LA’
courtesy of ‘Ed Siasoco (aka SC Fiasco)’

It appears the crossroad of DC’s venture back into becoming a Streetcar city has been reached. The first modern street car is scheduled to make its District street premier next week in a DC Streetcar Showcase on Wednesday, May 5 at City Center DC (the site of the old convention center), according to a tweet from DDOT earlier today.

The Showcase schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, May 5, 11am – 7pm
• Thursday, May 6, 11am – 7pm
• Friday, May 7, 11am – 7pm
• Saturday, May 8, 11am – 5pm

Additional Showcase-related events include:  a seminar on streetcar propulsion technology, hosted by DC Surface Transit (DCST), on Thursday, May 6, 2010, 5-7pm, at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th Street, NW and an extra excuse for celebration at Union Station’s National Train Day “party” on Saturday, May 8, 2010, from 11am – 4pm.

Visit DDOT DC’s website for more information.

Entertainment, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Bowen McCauley Dance

Bowen McCauley Dance performs to Stravinsky's Mass with the Cantate Choral Singers. Courtesy of Bowen McCauley Dance.

As a young balletomane, I was fascinated by the story of the explosive performance of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, performed by the Ballet Russes on a night that basically produced mass hysteria in its audience. Star dancer Vaslav Nijinsky choreographed, and apparently had to stand on a chair in the wings shouting out counts for the dancers, who could not hear the music over the outraged audience’s uproar. The music and movements were so revolutionary, the elite had a collective heart attack that erupted into a riot.

Saturday night I had the privilege of attending the world premiere of a piece by Bowen McCauley Dance, set to Stravinsky’s Mass with the Cantate Chamber Singers led by music director Gisele Becker. Stravinsky’s music is notoriously difficult, but we no longer expect the audience to scream in protest and throw punches at each other as they did that night for The Rite of Spring (though, wouldn’t that be an interesting evening at the Kennedy Center?)!  When Becker approached BMD artistic director Lucy Bowen McCauley about collaborating on a piece of music never before choreographed to, by a composer many consider impossible if not painfully hard to tackle, her first reaction was -“What have I got myself into?”

Luckily, the company was well up to the task. No riot occurred, just a beautiful evening of vibrant dance and song.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Name That Redskins Quarterback

Photo courtesy of
‘Marshalling the Troops’
courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’

It’s pretty weird when it becomes your beat to cover Redskins Quarterback signings, but I’m the new guy around here and not exactly partial to any specific NFL team, so why not provide this service given how much news there has been this off-season? In just the last few days, the Redskins traded away Jason Campbell, who has been the starter in town for most of the past three seasons, and signed an undrafted rookie out of Penn State, Daryll Clark. It’s getting confusing to follow, so here’s an idea of the depth chart at QB, with info about NFL service time and how each signal-caller got to the team:

  • Donovan McNabb, (entering 12th NFL season, acquired from Philadelphia via trade on April 4, 2010)
  • Rex Grossman (entering 8th NFL season, signed as free agent on March 17, 2010, last played with Houston in 2009)
  • Colt Brennan (entering 3rd NFL season, 6th round draft pick by the Redskins, 186th overall, in 2008 NFL draft)
  • Daryll Clark (entering rookie NFL season, signed as undrafted free agent after 2010 draft)
  • Richard Bartel (entering 4th NFL season, signed with Dallas as undrafted free agent after 2007 draft, signed to Redskins practice squad in November 2009)
The Daily Feed
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Pollin Family Finalizes Deal with Ted Leonsis, Sells the Family’s Wizards/Verizon Center Shares

Photo courtesy of
‘Verizon Center // Washington DC’
courtesy of ‘AchimH’

Update 3:05 pm: Both sides are expected to officially sign a purchase agreement in the upcoming keep, ultimately transferring the ownership over the course of a month to six weeks maximum.

As of now, there is only an agreement and no paper work has been signed. “What we really wanted today is to say we have basically reached an agreement with Ted,” family spokesman Robert Pollin told the Washington Post. “I wanted to get it out to our employees. We just wanted to get it all out so we can plan for a transition that would be smooth, and for the employees to understand where we are.”

Wizards ownership would provide Leonsis complete control of the Verizon Center, perhaps even gearing up a shift toward an increase in hockey related arena revenue, says the Post.

Original Posting: The family of the late Abe Pollin will be selling the family’s share of both the Wizards and the Verizon Center to Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. For on-going updates of this breaking news, visit the Washington Post’s latest on the announcement made by the Pollin family earlier today.

Mythbusting DC, The Features
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DC Mythbusting: Lincoln Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘Lincoln’
courtesy of ‘Samuel Gordon’

Had enough of the tourists yet?  Not only do they stand on the left of Metro escalators and block entire sidewalks with their matching-t-shirt armies, half of what they’re saying about the monuments and memorials in our city is wrong.  The Lincoln Memorial is the subject of several monumental myths, so this week we’ll look at myths regarding our 16th President: is Robert E. Lee sculpted into the back of Lincoln’s head at the Lincoln Memorial?  Are Lincoln’s hands supposed to be showing his initials in American Sign Language? And why is  a portrait of George Washington hanging at the Lincoln Presidential Box at Fords’ Theatre?
Continue reading →

History, News, The Daily Feed, The Hill, WTF?!
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Smallest House in DC for Rent

Photo courtesy of
‘Real Estate For Sale Signs’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Do you ever feel like your pad is just a bit too large? Maybe you’re the type that doesn’t really like a space of their own.  Well, you’re in luck because DC’s smallest (unofficially) house is currently on the market.  For just over $1000/mo, you can enjoy all that this Capitol Hill home’s 252 square feet has to offer. The house is comes complete with a kitchenette, bathroom and backyard that’s actually larger than the interior. Frankly, though, it looks a little silly in between the neighboring normal sized houses, but I suppose that’s part of the charm.  So, if you’re the type of person searching for a unique little (emphasis on little) home, DC has the answer.  Isn’t there a tiny house in Georgetown, too?  I wonder which is smaller.

The Daily Feed
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Nats Fall To Cubs in the 10th, Both Teams at .500

Photo courtesy of
‘Pitcher-catcher celebration’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

There are two ways to look at last night’s game and the upcoming series with the Cubs: either the Nationals came to Chicago at a good time or the Nationals came to Chicago at a bad time. After a 10th inning loss to the Cubs at Wrigley, I’d say last night was on the “bad time” part of the vantage point at-hand.

The Cubs were 9-10 going into the game and the Nationals were 10-9. The Cubs have a miserable bullpen that’s been killing their season, not to mention a lack of run support when they need it most from the top of their line up. The Nationals have Zimm out for the count and have been having a less than lack luster beginning to the season when it comes to starting pitching. What both clubs have are knock out closers (Carlos Marmol and Matt Capps) and the ability to send the ball to the stands.

It’s safe to say that at this point in the season these teams are pretty comparable when compared to each other, according to the statistics. Continue reading →

Media, The Daily Feed
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White House Correspondents’ Dinner: D.C.’s “Hollywood” Week

Photo courtesy of
‘White House Correspondents Dinner’
courtesy of ‘angela n.’

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner – sometimes affectionately referred to as “Nerd Prom” – is a gala to which media types through D.C. very much look forward. While it’s a fancy-pants event to begin with, the dinner often attracts a wide array of politically active celebrities to visit the District to enjoy the prom.

Mike Allen has the scoop (I mean, it’s Mike Allen, of course he has the scoop) on the types of stars you can expect to grace the event. Among others, it looks like the press corps can join Alec Baldwin, Betty White, Jeremy Piven, the Jonas Brothers, Jimmy Fallon, John Cusack, Morgan Freeman, Mariska Hargitay, and even new Redskins QB, Donovan McNabb. It looks to be another A-list caliber WHCD.

News, The Daily Feed
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Departures & Arrivals at City Paper

Photo courtesy of
‘____ _______ __ _’
courtesy of ‘Sexy Fitsum’

Some big news in little china for the City Paper in the last twenty-four hours. First, as of this morning, they’re under new management. New editor Michael Schaffer has taken the helm of the Wemple-less weekly after stints with the Philadelphia Inquirer and U.S. News and World Report. Before that, he was a City Paper writer and senior editor, so this marks a homecoming for Schaffer. His first job is the second piece of news: Mike “Loose Lips” DeBonis is headed for the Washington Post, according to Bruce DuPuyt of Channel 8 News. DeBonis will write his last column for the City Paper on May 10th before starting at the Washington Post on May 15th.

Details of DeBonis’ deal are not yet clear, so it’s not apparent whether he’ll be doing the same style daily reporting for WaPo, or if he’ll be covering a more traditional desk job at the Post. Here’s hoping they give Loose Lips a blank work order and let him figure out what’s best to do.

The Daily Feed
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Georgia O’Keeffe, Extended Hours

Photo courtesy of
‘Phillips Collection Staircase’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

The Phillips Collection just announced that the museum will be extending its hours for the final two-weeks of the Georgia O’Keeffe: Abstraction exhibition.  I had the chance to check out the exhibit a few months ago and it definitely was a real treat.

Now you really don’t have an excuse for not checking it out.

On May 1-2 and May 8-9 the exhibition will be open to visitors from 10AM to 10PM.

Adventures, Business and Money, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, People, The Daily Feed
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DC To Get A Waffle House, Courtesy of Fred Smoot?

Photo courtesy of
‘The Old Waffle Shop’

courtesy of ‘Penelope700’

Former Redskins cornerback, Fred Smoot, loves DC. Despite his current free agent status, the footballer hearts our city and has developed a deep connection to the fans and DCers, he’s met during his tenure on the Deadskins’ roster.

Although his player status for the 2010 season is still very much up in the air, Smoot told Kevin and Rock on 106.7’s The Fan that no matter what he plans to keep his connections to the area by opening up D.C.’s first ever Waffle House. During the weekly radio show, Smoot stated, “I’m actually in the process of starting a couple businesses up here. I’m bringing Waffle House to D.C. — I think they’ve been yearning for it for a long time. My first location is right off 14th and U.”

Of course, Smoot’s plan will not only bring the deliciousness of tasty waffles to the area and meet the heavy demand for the breakfast item, but will also revive the long lived syrup vs. gravy debate that this September saw syrup take the prize. Perhaps it’s time for a rematch?

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of
‘Earth Day 5’
courtesy of ‘erin m’

We get a lot of pictures of objects, places, bits and bobs at We <3 DC. What we don't get a lot of are pictures of people. Stories of people. One of the reasons I like to highlight photographs of people is the story behind the person and the photograph. Erin M wandered down to the Mall while the Earth Day festivities were going on this weekend. She decided she’d find interesting people, shoot them, and ask a couple of questions. And while the whole set is interesting, this picture sums up Earth Day pretty well. From the composition and cropping to the subjects, their hula-hoops and bare feet, the feel of this picture is less modern day Washington and more summer of love Woodstock.

So go out there, with your camera and some time on your hands. Say hello to a stranger, start a conversation, find part of their story. And share it with us all.

The Daily Feed
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Teen Cribs, really?

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_1827’
courtesy of ‘”G” jewels g is for grandma’

I had no idea this spinoff/replacement for “Cribs” existed. Then again, I always thought the term crib kinda sucked, for reasons that “Teen Cribs” makes even more clear: you really want your home to be associated with the place that a baby sleeps? What’s the message here, that you can’t get feed yourself and crap in your pants? Kinda lame when you’re an adult, but a teen who still can’t regulate your own bowels? Maybe look into home schooling and don’t televise this issue…

ANYWAY. Via VoxPopuli, I came across this link on the Georgetown Metropolitan about an episode of MTV Teen Cribs that looked inside a house in Georgetown. The episode is online and the ‘crib’ in question starts at about 14:30 – just click the third “tick mark” on the slider bar, though you might want to check out the second clip – it’s just over the river in Potomac Falls and includes a guest appearance from not-a-Redskin-anymore Jason Campbell.

The Daily Feed
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Welcome Back, Washington Blade

Photo courtesy of
‘Launch issue of “DC Agenda” the successor to the Washington Blade’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

Great news this week from the world of DC media… the Washington Blade will return on Friday with its original name and URL. The laid-off staff of the Blade formed a corporation and bought the intellectual property at the bankruptcy auction in February, clearing the way to bring the paper back. The DC Agenda name will be used as the name of the Blade‘s entertainment section.

Fun & Games, The Features
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Screech’s Birthday Celebration Rounds Up The Kiddies

DSC01722

Yesterday’s main event at Nationals Park, besides the game, was being a kid again. Everyone was in on it – the Nationals in-house staff, press, the NatPack, all adults, and children themselves – everyone. Let us not forget the teaching’s of one, Mr. Billy Heywood: “Hall of Famer Bob Lemon once said, ‘Baseball was made for kids. Grown ups only screw it up.’” On Sunday, baseball was all for the kids and no one, not even a grown up, could have screwed it up this time.

Sunday was more than a ball game (that the Nationals won, by the way, making the team 10-9/1.5 games behind the Phillies). The beloved feathered mascot, Screech, turned five years old. Nationals Entertainment Coordinator Tom Davis took a moment to share his favorite eagle’s life story with We Love DC.

According to Davis, Screech hatched back in 2005 and was found in the rafters of RFK Stadium. Little baby Screech was so excited by the team hosting its inaugural season of the National Past-Time in the Nation’s Capital that the darn bird wouldn’t stop screeching – and hence, he was given a name and home with his new family – the Washington Nationals. Continue reading →

Adventures, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Cochon 555: Get Your Pig On

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

This little piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. And this little went “wee. wee. wee” all the way home. And by home, I mean The Ritz-Carlton for Cochon 555 on Sunday, May 2.

This yearly competition travels the US in search of  the “Prince / Princess of Porc” and has 5 local Chefs go head-to-head in a pig preparation throw down. Last year’s Prince, R.J. Cooper of Vidalia returns to defend his title and chefs from Bourbon Steak, Bibiana, Eola and Westend Bistro will try to usurp him. Lots of Pre-cooking, braising, grilling, pressing, pickling, rubbing, smoking, searing, saucing, spicing, injecting, marinating, etc. is involved and top-chefs have been known to use the entire animal.

Tickets for the event go for $125, and guests not only get to enjoy some tasty pork, but will witness a whole pig butcher demonstration, taste great wines, brews and enjoy a plethora of pig perfect desserts. There will also be an after party at a location to be determined.