‘he reads tea leaves’
courtesy of ‘p22earl’

Excuse the use of the tea leaves image on this one, but as interesting as a stance as it is, Dave McKenna’s predictions over at City Paper that Dan Snyder may be eyeing the Washington Times may be little more than trying to read through the lines on the future for the second daily in town. Still, it’s an interesting theory on the future of TWT.

McKenna was inspired by a hint by DCRTV that a new buyer was lining up to pick up the newspaper, and then noted that there is at least one good, joking, reason why Redskins owner Dan Snyder could be the man behind a deal: “a track record of making horrible business decisions.” Beyond the joke, there is at least some other evidence that Snyder may be interested or involved. For one thing, at last spring’s White House Correspondent’s Dinner, Snyder showed up (with a few Redskins in two) – and sat at the Washington Times table. Further, Snyder actually canceled an appearance with Washington Post editors earlier this month.

There is still some value with the Times, even if it is suffering the same uphill battle as much of the print industry, and interestingly, it involves a sports section that hasn’t existed since earlier this year. Thanks to Tom for pointing out one thing in which Dan Snyder have legitimate interest: a Google search for “Washington DC Sports News” still puts the Times atop the results. In the Internet era, that’s lots of SEO capital that can’t be replicated from the ground up, especially for a profesionall sports owner.

Rumors? Sure. But prognostication in the August dog days are sometimes what we face.

(h/t Patrick Gavin)

”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

It’s a good day for Michelle Rhee. Just one day after the school year began, DC and nine other states (Maryland included) have been named winners of the Department of Education’s Race to the Top grants. The grants will disperse roughly $3.4 billion to the winners, though no word yet on how much DC will specifically receive.

Winners were chosen based on their commitment to school reform. This was demonstrated through the creation of tools to measure students’ success, preparation of students for college and the workplace, hiring and retaining effective teachers, and improvement of poorly performing schools.

Other winners in this round of competition included Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island. This is the second round of winners for Race to the Top, which was created in 2009 by economic stimulus funds.

‘No Scams’
courtesy of ‘ivanpw’

WTOP brings us a story of a lottery scam going on in the Virginia area: men claiming to be illegal immigrants who have won money in the lottery which they cannot collect offer to share in the winnings if their victim will help them. The mark provides some sort of deposit or fronts “their share” of the winnings in cash and eventually discovers there’s not really a winning ticket.

There’s a sad irony that the lottery has extended out to sucker even people who don’t play, but the real lesson here is that when someone approaches you on the street with an odd offer that will enrich you in some way it is almost certainly a scam. Winning lotto tickets, “extra” stereo speakers that turn out to be bricks in a box, “designer” watches by Rolux.

That’s not to say the street vendor doesn’t occupy a beloved place in my heart, but don’t kid yourself that you’re receiving some windfall.

‘the food truck crowd’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Sorry for yesterday’s hiatus. The Food Truck Tracker is back in action today, though many of your favorite food trucks are not. Rebel Heroes, Sauca, and El Floridano are all on vacation. Insert sad emoticon here.

Continue reading →

‘IMG_5362’
courtesy of ‘zugaldia’

I don’t know about you, but I always thought it must have been pretty cool to be one of those old school sports announcers with fedoras atop their head, holding on to a microphone while giving commentary on the game being played. If you’re anything like me, then you won’t want to miss the opportunity the Washington Wizard’s have in-store this fall.

The Wizards might not be the top dogs when it comes to District sports, but if you love the game of basketball and have an affinity for the team it’d be a waste to not take advantage of their newly announced Public Address Announcer Tryouts.

That’s right, the Wizards are holding auditions for a “new voice” to announce their home games during the 2010-2011 season. Here are the details: Anyone can audition and experience is a plus but not mandatory.

So if you want to stand on that soap box and have a shot of having some extra outside-the-office fun, go ahead and fill out the application. It can’t hurt.

Auditions will be September 13 at the Verizon Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

‘mom told me a couple people attending are having birthdays so I made special birthday cupcakes’
courtesy of ‘@heylovedc’

I’m the last person in the world who focuses on the great cupcake wars here in town, but there are some stories too tasty to avoid, especially when they involve free treats. In honor of its 2nd birthday, the good people at Hello Cupcake in Dupont Circle are giving everyone who walks through the door today a cupcake as long as supplies last. Hello Cupcake is at 1361 Connecticut Avenue, NW, and the doors open at 10 a.m. Get your free cupcake while you can!

‘5TH’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

Veteran anchor Livan Hernandez didn’t get the calls he wanted against Mike Quade’s Cubs Monday night. Quade stepped into the interim manager’s role for his first game since being the Cubs third base coach after “Sweet” Lou Pinella retired Sunday night for family reasons.

Hernandez has been a mostly consistent main-stay of this Nats ballclub after joining Washington in spring training this year, but Manager Jim Riggleman realizes there will still be bad nights no matter how well he’s been throwing the ball.

“He’s got to get a little edge there now and then on the plate,” Riggleman said. “When the pitches are close and you’re not getting them that’s tough for Livo.” Continue reading →

The Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs begin a three-game series Monday night at Nationals Park and there are a lot of Ex-Nats in town from the Windy City, along with a few Ex-Cubs on the Nats bench.

Nats Manager Jim Riggleman served the North Side team from 1995-1999 (including the 1998 Wild Card winning Cubs), Jason Marquis pitched from 2007-2008 for the back-to-back playoff team under guidance of the recently retired Cubs skipper “Sweet” Lou Pinella.

Cubs outfielders Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd also played in Washington at RFK Stadium together during the 2006 season. Soriano was a Nat in 2006 and Byrd was traded to the Nats in 2005 for Endy Chavez before being assigned to Washington’s Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs. Both will be starting tonight.

Check out some pictures of the players after the page break.

Continue reading →

Photo by Moshe Zusman Photography

There are few things I love more than a good wedding. And boy does this wedding sound good. On Saturday, Chef Art Smith of Art and Soul married his partner of 10 years, Jesus Salguerio. The couple celebrated with an entire day of festivities, which included everything from an impromptu Lady Gaga singalong to a celebrity chef potluck.

The ceremony was held at Art and Soul, and was presided over by spiritualist Marianne Williamson. The grooms wore matching suits by Daniel Sudur, as well as white sneakers emblazoned with Mr. Salguerio’s heart artwork. After the couple recited their own vows, guests were treated to a barbecue buffet, also held at Art and Soul. Dishes included pulled pork and baked beans by BBQ Pitmaster Myron Mixon, coleslaw by Ludo Lefebve of Top Chef Masters fame, macaroni and cheese by Michelle Bernstein of Top Chef, and fried chicken and biscuits by Rey Villalobos of Table 52.

After the star-studded feast, the party moved to the rooftop pool at Liaison Capitol Hill, where Moby spun beats for a Summertime Vegetarian Celebration. More food followed, including sweet treats from Georgetown Cupcake. The highlight of the night was no doubt when the couple jumped into the pool and “serenaded each other with Lady Gaga songs.” As I said, it sounds like a good wedding.

Congratulations Art and Jesus!

‘Metro: Don’t Panic’
courtesy of ‘nevermindtheend’

By now you’ve probably seen this unintentionally hilarious guide to DC published by a Maine Tea Party member for his cohorts planning to attend Glenn Beck’s March on DC this weekend (and his commenter’s assertion that the streets of DC are “more dangerous than Baghdad!”). And even better is Laura Olin’s intentionally hilarious Google Map of what areas of DC should be considered “safe.”

As a public service to you, our DC-loving readers, here are just a few of my personal suggestions for things to enjoy in DC that will no doubt not be overrun by protester-tourists*, falling as they do outside of the designated safe areas.

Ray’s the Steaks East River – This incarnation of Michael Landrum’s beef-serving empire is near Benning Rd. and has nearly all the same quality of his Arlington/Silver Spring locations, but at more attractive price points to accommodate the neighborhood it’s in. The smoked prime rib is life-changing.

Ted’s Bulletin on Capitol Hill – On 8th St. SE, near the Marine Barracks, I’ve never felt even a little bit unsafe heading to Ted’s, but since it’s in the SE quadrant, you will not find that the lines will be longer from an influx of our visitors. Try the short rib sandwich!

Ben’s Chili Bowl, Cafe Saint-Ex, and the Black Cat – Since it’s on the Green/Yellow line and our impending guest from Maine advises his friends to avoid those lines entirely, the U St. Corridor in general should be protester-free.

This is but the tiniest sample of what DC has to offer that does not fall in the area suggested by our soon-to-be guest from Maine, based entirely out of my own habits and preferences. No doubt, you have suggestions too, so please share them in the comments.

*Inevitably, persons sympathetic to the protesters’ cause will find this post and arrive to accuse me of picking on the Tea Partiers simply because I do not agree with them. If you think I’m mocking the Tea Party for that reason, then you clearly have not been paying attention to pretty much anything I’ve said about tourists and protesters for the last 6 years of my local blogging career, all readily accessible in the WLDC archives. Take your assumptions and accusations of bias elsewhere, for you are wrong, and  I am tired of hearing it.

‘00207256’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

All summer, local sports writers have been having a blast blasting away at Redskins’ All-Pro Tackle Albert Haynesworth. First, dating back to June, Haynesworth indicated to reporters that he had little interest in returning to Washington, holding out and demanding a trade back in June.

The deluge really started, though, as training camp approached and Haynesworth was prepping for his second season with the ‘Skins since signing a massive seven-year, $100m deal after the 2008 season. Or should I say, “not prepping for his second season with the ‘Skins.” When he showed to camp in late July, he seemed a little out of shape. As per team rules, he wouldn’t be allowed to practice until he completed the team training physical; well, it took him several tries. This is a test that Fox 5’s Lindsay Murphy nearly completed.

Don’t worry, the fun is far from over. Continue reading →

‘Smirking Prez’
courtesy of ‘MichaelTRuhl’

It’s been a few decades since I left the fifth grade, but all of a sudden, I’m itching to go back. Why? Because Barack Obama Elementary School opened its doors today in Upper Marlboro, Md. I’m thinking that with a spectacular name like that, homework will be fun and tests will be glorious. Plus, you must get a lot of playground cred for having this nebulous link to Barry at age six. Adding to the school’s cool factor is its array of green features. The school is equipped with low-flush toilets, motion sensors for classroom lighting, and underground water tanks that will take the place of boilers.

This is the seventh school in the nation to be named after the President, and the first in the DC metro region.

‘Finally’
courtesy of ‘erin m’

The Board of Elections has done some rule-making for messy children. While you always were limited to two replacement ballots and one original they’ve added a requirement that you be told that this isn’t going to go on forever. Here’s your first replacement – after this there’s only one more!

It’s somewhat amazing that this rose to the level of enough of an issue that this needed to be spelled out. We all make mistakes, but who raised a fuss after being provided with two replacements and then being told they were just going to have to make do with that third chance?

‘Yet another street fair, Oct 2009 – 45’
courtesy of ‘Ed Yourdon’

Restaurant Week may have officially ended yesterday, but a number of restaurants have decided to keep the love alive. According to Dining in DC, 42 restaurants have extended their R.W. deals, some for another week and others through the end of August. So if you missed the boat last week, fear not: there’s still plenty of time to eat your bargain-loving heart out.

‘DSC_0063’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Thinking back to where the last few years have gone, it is at least a little surprising to think that the iconic “HOPE” image of President Obama has been floating around for almost two and a half years. The presence of that image in this city is still very much felt, and the original was purchased by the Smithsonian and now a part of the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery.

In the last few years, there has been more than one law suit involving the artist (Shepard Fairey) and the Associated Press, who argued that Fairey’s reimagination of a photo taken by one its contributors, Mannie Garcia, was not only a crucial piece of the work but in fact infringing on the copyright. Countersuits started to fly, and as resolution is still sought on the copyright side of things between the artist and the AP, there was one other point of conflict. Continue reading →