Category Archives: The Daily Feed

The Daily Feed
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Apartment Fire on Rhode Island, Injuries Reported

Photographs for We Love DC.

A fire has occurred on the upper floors of a 10-story building on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest (Update as of 5:30 p.m. – the apartment is the Windsor House at 1444 Rhode Island Ave. NW).  As of 5:15 p.m., 10-plus fire trucks have gathered in the area, in addition to numerous police cars and ambulances.  People were seen on stretchers, but the extent of injuries is unclear at this time.

Traffic is impacted in the area. Rhode Island is closed between 14th and 15th NW and 15th is closed from Massachusetts to Rhode Island.  It is also noted that 14th Street NW is open going north, but closed off headed south.

Watch this post and our twitter feed for updates.

Update as 0f 10:23 p.m. – @dcfireems reports via twitter at 9:55 p.m., 21 residents displaced, EMS transported 6 — three civilians and three firefighters. Incident is under investigation but appears to be accidental.

Update as of 8:30 p.m. – 15th street NW remains closed from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, and Rhode Island between 14th and 15th NW.  Fewer fire and EMS vehicles on-site.

Update as of 7:23 p.m. – @dcfireems reports via twitter at 7:14 p.m., EMS transported 5 — including three civilians and two firefighters.

Update as of 7:03 p.m. – Area still blocked.  Traffic continues to be disrupted.

Update as of 6:04 p.m. – According to fire spokesman Pete Piringer to NBC Washington, several dozen people needed to be evacuated or needed assistance exiting the building. Several people were injured — two seriously — but none of the injuries is believed to be life-threatening.

Photograph of 15th and Rhode Island NW.

Photograph of visible damage.

See more photographs and eyewitness accounts here.

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The District
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Best/Worst Halloween 2010 Costumes Part 3: Zombies

Photo courtesy of
‘Baby zombie!!!’
courtesy of ‘erin m’

Zombies invaded DC last week and remained in town through the Halloween festivities. It seemed like everywhere I looked there was some sort of zombied out crew stumbling down the street or up to the bar for a drink.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Do Your Civic Duty and Get Free Food

Photo courtesy of
‘I Voted’
courtesy of ‘Don Solo’
Not that you should need another reason to go out and rock the vote today, but just in case, there are a few foodie rewards out there for the civic-minded. Wear your “I Voted” sticker today when you show up to the El Floridano truck (it’s in Foggy Bottom today) and you’ll get $2 off your order. At any California Tortilla, you’ll get a free taco when you wear your sticker or just yell “I Love Election Day!” No word on if you get two tacos when you do both. At Chicken Out locations, wear your sticker and get a free cookie.

They may not be voter-specific, but if you need a cupcake after your hard work dodging exit pollers, both Georgetown Cupcake and Curbside Cupcakes can help you out. Head to Georgetown Cupcake and be one of the first 100 people to say the secret flavor (“D.C. Cupcakes Banana Split”) and you’ll get it for free. At either of the Curbside Cupcake trucks today (check for locations here), be one of the first 24 people to say the secret password (“Election Day”) and you’ll get a free cupcake of your choice.

Update: Sticky Rice is also offering 25% off your meal or tab when you wear your sticker.

Any more food rewards for voters out there? Put ’em in the comments!

Adventures, All Politics is Local, Entertainment, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The District
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Best/Worst Halloween 2010 Costumes Part 2: Politics

Photo courtesy of
‘Be Excellent to Each Other’
courtesy of ‘Collin David Anderson’

As we’re in DC, there’s no surprise that political costumes figure heavily into Halloween 2010 festivities and with the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in town politics-related costumes were in FULL effect. Continue reading →

Adventures, Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, People, The Daily Feed, The District
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Best/Worst Halloween 2010 Costumes Part 1: Clowns

Photo courtesy of
‘Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear’
courtesy of ‘MudflapDC’

After a few days of rest and recovery, it’s finally time to reflect (and judge) the 2010 Halloween costumes. As Halloween approaches, there are always the somewhat predictable pop culture or current event costumes. Prior to Halloween night this list included: Chilean Miners, The Cast of Jersey Shore, BP oil spill-related get ups, and as this is DC, any sort of political costumes.

Oddly enough, as I culled the WeLoveDC Flickr pool, the traditional creepy clown was in major effect this year. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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So You Think You Can Shoot?


P021809PS-0069 by The White House

Have you ever had anyone other than your friends and family look at your photos?  If you’re an aspiring photographer, you probably should.  When your mom introduces you to her friends by saying, “This is my daughter – she’s an amazing photographer,” it just doesn’t hold that much weight in the real world.  With FotoWeek coming up, you’ll have a few chances to show your work to professionals, including this great opportunity brought to you by Civilian Art Projects:

“Submit 3 images for $25 by email before Nov. 10th. Images will be projected for the panel and the audience in the order received on Nov. 13th starting at 3pm. The panel will dialogue about each image offering pointers, advice and edits. All work will be projected anonymously but you can ‘out’ yourself if you feel like it. The best 3 photographers will have work published on Washingtonian.com!”

The panel consists of Mary Cahill (Deputy Photo Editor, Martha Stewart Omnimedia), Avi Gupta (Photo Editor, U.S. News & World Report), David Hicks (Senior Photo Editor, Washingtonian), and Dee Swann (Senior Photo Editor, Washingtonpost.com). The deadline to submit your images is at 11PM on Wednesday November 10th, so start looking for your top three photos tonight (after you help your mom with the dishes).

The Daily Feed
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Andy Haynes to headline 3 Chord Comedy

After months of neglect due to Eli Sairs’ departure to NYC (land of unicorn-dusted, vomit-soaked dreams for young comedians everywhere), the 3 Chord Comedy showcase at Velvet Lounge returns this month, booked by the able Hillary Buckholtz. Which means, OMGZ, that there is a female-managed comedy show in town that is neither gyno-focused NOR at the Improv (not that there is anything wrong with either).

The November 19th show will be headlined by Andy Haynes, whose recent Jimmy Fallon appearance is viewable above. The show will also feature the aforementioned Buckholtz, Scott Moran, Courtney Fearrington, and Mike James (the artist formerly known as Mike Eltringham, of “opening for Screech” fame).

The show starts at 7PM and costs a mere 5 bucks.

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Conflicting stories and new revelations at DC9’s ABRA hearing

Photo courtesy of
‘DC9 Memorial Ali, The Morning After’
courtesy of ‘Chris DiGiamo’

The death of Ali Ahmed Mohammed two weeks ago at Howard University Hospital unleashed a chain of events that have shuttered rock club DC 9, caused protests from the Amharic-speaking community on U Street, and lead to a lot of hang-wringing concerning bar security personnel throughout the city.  The death of Mohammed, thought by police to be a murder, though the medical examiner’s report has not returned, resulted in the arrest of five employees at DC 9 on charges of aggravated assault.

Today, in front of a fairly full hearing room at the DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Admninistration, DC9 owner Joe Englert testified before the board concerning the safety of his club, the policies of the club, the training of the staff and future plans.  TBD’s Sommer Mathis and Washington City Paper’s Rend Smith have filed their initial reports from the hearing room, and report high emotions, and testimony that conflicts with the charging documents and public statements from MPD.  Chief among the new revelations is that DC9 has parted ways with part-owner Bill Spieler, who resigned, and has let go the other four accused, Darryl Carter, Evan Preller, Arthur Zaloga, and Reginald Phillips.  Englert defended his employees, but acknowledged the reality of having to part ways with them while the case was on-going.

The Office of the Attorney General made the argument today that DC 9 was too careless with their security policy, and that their license to serve alcohol served as a danger to the public and ought to be suspended.

At the end of the day, the board agreed with the Office of the Attorney General enough to issue a continued suspension of their license until December 1st, when the Board will hear a status review for DC 9.  The ABRA board would like to have a copy of the Medical Examiner’s report, as would, I’m sure, everyone else.

The Daily Feed
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Celebrate World Vegan Day Tonight at Busboys & Poets

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington’
courtesy of ‘Michel Banabila’

Happy Vegan Day! Excited for today’s meat-free holiday but don’t know to celebrate? Well the veggie lovers at Busboys & Poets have got you covered. At the 14th St. & V St. 5th & K St. location tonight at 6:30pm, they will be hosting a Vegan Day event featuring speakers who know their stuff when it comes to veganism. The first half of the program will be focused on stories of how their panelists have lived meat free, while the second half will be a Q&A designed to answer all the questions you may have about going vegan, staying vegan and enjoying being vegan.

As a bit more incentive, the first 75 people in the door will get a free goodie bag filled with all the snacks and information your vegan heart desires, includng treats from Stickey Fingers and Divine Chocolates. And come hungry, Busboys & Poets has an extensive vegan menu for you to munch on while you discuss the age-old seitan vs. tofu debate. (I’m a tofu girl myself.)

The Daily Feed
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Freezing temperatures possible tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘”Audrey Hepburn” Hot Chocolate’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

We knew the day would come: the National Weather Service has issued a freeze watch for pretty much the entire Beltway area tonight (plus Baltimore, Waldorf, and Annapolis, but who cares about them?), with temperatures expected to be in the low 30’s.

The first frost of the season may or may not really be tonight, but if you haven’t already, it’s a good time to bring in any plants in containers you’ve kept outside, clear away any of your possessions that have piled up next to your radiators, and get out the hot chocolate fixings.

Music, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Wait, Shamrockfest planning is already happening?!

Photo courtesy of
‘Dropkick Murphys – Do Or Die LP’
courtesy of ‘mtarvainen’

Two weeks ago, we thought it was too early to be planning for New Year’s, and I know a bunch of my friends wanted to punch various retail and online outlets for reminding us that Christmas is 54 days away today, but there was the email, right in my inbox this morning, telling me that Dropkick Murphys are coming for Shamrockfest this coming Spring.  That’s right, mark your calendars, my Irish-punk loving friends: March 12th, Dropkick Murphys are coming to DC for Shamrockfest, and tickets go on sale Wednesday after next at 10am, so set that alarm, too.

Isn’t it great to look forward to Spring Training, Green Beer, and an awesome rock concert? That may not be enough to keep you warm through the winter, but at least it’s a good start, right?

All Politics is Local, News, The Daily Feed
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On The Ballot: Electing an Attorney General?

Photo courtesy of
‘Sam Waterston’
courtesy of ‘Alan Light’

In addition to the hundreds of ANC campaigns, and the formal election of Vincent Gray and the Council, tomorrow’s District ballots will have a question for the voters of DC: Do you want the position of Attorney General to be appointed by the Mayor, or elected by the People?  The whole paperwork considering the amendment to the charter is quite lengthy, but can be found on page 39 of your voter guide, or in this handy PDF. To simply: vote for the proposition if you want to elect the AG, vote against it if you think that’s the mayor’s job.

Now to the pros and cons of such an affair.  Proponents of the charter amendment say that it will insulate the city against Attorneys General like Peter Nickles: unresponsive to citizen concerns, no accountability, and pursuing oddly-shaped justice.  Opponents of the charter amendment say that it will change the way Justice is meted out, and will have a chilling effect on unpopular prosecutions.  What say you?  For or against?

The Daily Feed
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Redskins Cheat Sheet: Week 8 @ Detroit

Photo courtesy of
‘213/365’
courtesy of ‘Danilo.Lewis|Fotography’

Trick or Treating, the Marathon and Recovering from Restoring Sanity probably went to the top of your list for Sunday, and not watching the Redskins/Lions stumblefest in Detroit. That’s why we have the Redskins Cheat Sheet.

One of the jokes last year that came after the Redskins helped the Lions get one of their few wins on the season was the easy crutch policy line: “Oh, of course Washington is bailing out Detroit.” This year, I’m not sure what the excuse was, but boy was it painful to watch the ending of that one. While an NFC playoff spot isn’t ruled out at 4-4 halfway through the season (mainly because I’m convinced that everyone is going 8-8 this year), going into the bye week, there are probably more questions than answers for Shanahan’s maiden voyage.

To help you talk through as yesterday’s loss gets dissected in the office, read on beyond the jump.

Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Rally for Sanity breaks 19-year Metro Saturday ridership record

Photo courtesy of
‘After the Game’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

If you thought yesterday was a zoo on Metro, you were right. Metro has announced preliminary ridership numbers for yesterday’s rally insanity, and they were through the roof.  825,437 Metrorail trips were taken yesterday by first count, eclipsing the record from the 1991 Desert Storm rally, which drew 786,358 trips.  The stories from Metro yesterday were of a system well past its breaking point, with long lines to enter the stations, and longer lines still to use the farecard machines.

I suspect that Metro could’ve raked it in if they’d decided to charge peak fares yesterday, or to charge for parking at their facilities, which would have helped a system facing serious deficits in their budget.  I would’ve also bet money that Metro could’ve sold boxes and boxes and boxes of $15 SmarTrip cards for $20 apiece if they’d thought about offering them in exchange for exact change at the various stations.  Sadly, Metro did neither, and missed out on a real opportunity to reap benefits in the crunch.

The Daily Feed
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Stewart’s Rally for Sanity Causes Crowd Size Insanity

Rall for Sanity
Photos courtesy of Author

60,000 people were expected, according to the permit filed with the NPS by Comedy Central, yet 150,000 were planned for when it came to the uber-important decision as to how many portable toilets were needed. Jon Stewart started out the rally with his satirical people count swag of 10,000,000. But how many people really were there? Well, you knew this was coming and we’ve only seen the beginning of the insanity over the sanity. Rough estimates from various sources say somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 people were in attendance for the Rally for Sanity and/or Fear hosted by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert Saturday afternoon. Check out this crowd pic. If those numbers are accurate, however, it puts the rally size right around the same size as the Glenn Beck Rally to Restore Honor from a few months ago. Allow the great debate to begin. Who’s more popular? Stewart or Beck? Honor or Sanity?

Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Emergency at Metro Center: person injured on the tracks

Photo courtesy of
‘but of course…’
courtesy of ‘Barbara.K’

It’s not currently clear if the person currently underneath a red line train at Metro Center jumped or fell in front of the train, but the response has been the same: DC Fire & EMS is currently working with WMATA and WMATA Police to extract them from underneath the undercarriage of the train.

The Red Line is closed between Dupont Circle and Judiciary Square while they work on the tech rescue.  Trains are turning around at Dupont and Judiciary Square, according to tweets.

DC Fire & EMS are currently evaluating one adult male, priority 1 (highest priority), who is under the train, and is also evaluating a bystander who assisted.  We’ll have updates as they come.

Update: 9:05pm Metro is now saying that the person put themselves on the track intentionally in the incident.

News, The Daily Feed
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Carjacking, Shooting in Brightwood, Metro Access vehicle involved

Photo courtesy of
‘Yafa #4’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

A Metro Access vehicle was stolen at gunpoint this afternoon in Brightwood on the 500 block of Shepherd Street NW, according to TBD, shortly after the suspect shot three people, including two children, in the 500 block of Madison Street NW.  The car and the suspect were last seen in the 4900 block of New Hampshire Ave.  As of yet, neither the suspect nor the victims have been identified.

Police are searching for the Metro Access vehicle, a Mercury Grand Marquis, with DC Tags C71165, Metro Access number 3910.  Please call 911 if you have information concerning the incident or the whereabouts of that car.  Do not approach the car, the suspect has already shot three people, you don’t need to be number four.

Update: 6:05pm: The suspect in the afternoon shootings was picked up, along with the stolen Metro Access sedan off Kenilworth Avenue near Polk & Olive NE near the Deanwood Metro.