Category Archives: The Daily Feed

The Daily Feed
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About.com guide blatantly rips off DCist

Photo courtesy of
‘douches’
courtesy of ‘twicepix’

While watching the @welovedc Twitter account yesterday, I saw what could have turned into an entertaining confrontation that sadly never seemed to go anywhere. @DCist_updates angrily demanded that @washingtondcist get an original name. Who is @washingtondcist? Karen M. Hart, the About.com DC Travel Guide.

Hart’s Twitter feed is full of retweets of more renowned DC institutions interspersed with the occasional link to her somewhat sporadically updated About.com blog, so it’s not like any locals are likely to confuse The Real DCist with the impostor, and it’s true that Hart’s target audience is people for whom DC is a tourism destination who are likely not already reading DCist.   Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Wemple Departing City Paper for New Local Venture

Photo courtesy of
‘city paper flower’
courtesy of ‘christopher.poole’

Congratulations to Erik Wemple, current editor of the City Paper, who will be heading up the new local DC media outlet owned by the folks at Politico.com.  Wemple has been at the City Paper since 2002, and has lead the paper through it’s hardest time to date.  Between the sale to Creative Loafing, and their eventual bankruptcy, the City Paper has remained an interesting part of DC’s media culture.  It’s hard to see what the road for the City Paper will be without Wemple, nor entirely what niche the new Albritton-backed as-of-yet-unnamed venture will fill.  DC already has six group-run high-quality hyper-local blogs (DCist, We Love DC, BYT, PoP, Famous DC, and one other), so it’s hard to see what potential role another outlet might have, but it will be fascinating to watch.

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Pancakes! Pancakes! Get Your Free Pancakes!

Photo courtesy of
‘pancakes are good’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

In observance of National Pancake Day, participating area IHOPs are serving free short stacks of buttermilk pancakes today from 7am-10pm, and in return asking diners to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Be sure to phone your local IHOP before heading out as participation is not mandatory. But I mean, what IHOP doesn’t participate in this awesome celebration and fundraising event.

The Daily Feed
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West Elm Closing

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington, DC Woodward & Lothrop historic 2’
courtesy of ‘army.arch’

West Elm is closing its DC store which is currently located in the former Woodward & Lorthrop department store building at 1020 G St. NW – also known as, the building over a Metro Center entrance. This comes as another sign of the times, backtracking from the city’s efforts to boost the density of retail stores downtown – “it was a corporate decision, this location was just not as successful as they’d hoped,” said Store manager Dion Barela for the Washington Business Journal.

On a positive note for the rest of us, the furniture retailer is currently holding a sale on remaining store items.  The store has an approximate close date set for March 15th.

The Daily Feed
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Passive Aggressive Notes About Parking Spaces

Photo courtesy of
‘Stella is Free!’
courtesy of ‘mollytics’

Now that the snow is melting and parking on streets is becoming easier by the day, we’re seeing fewer spaces marked with chairs or tables.  Sure, if you spend hours digging out a parking space, it’s understandable that you’d want it to be there when you return, and you’d be angry if someone else parked there.  But this collection of snow parking passive aggressive notes (including a few from the DC area) is just ridiculous.

Here’s hoping that the melting snow and eventual thaw will mellow people out a bit.

The Daily Feed
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Greener Buildings = Healthier Employees?

Photo courtesy of
‘Interning at Bascom’
courtesy of ‘Mark Drago’

This Thursday night, the National Building Museum is hosting another session in its For the Greener Good series.  This session focuses on the benefits of green buildings, and panelists explore how working in a green building could actually make employees healthier.  More natural light, better heating and cooling, and building with more sustainable resources all seem like they’d make an office a healthier and happier place to be.  Arlington has already jumped in to the Green Office Challenge, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out locally.

Tickets for Thursday’s panel are $12 for NBM members, $20 for members of the public, and free for students.

The Daily Feed
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Why the Washington Monument is Two-Toned

Photo courtesy of
‘In the Shadow of the Obelisk’
courtesy of ‘william couch’

Did you know that the Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure in the world?

That from the time the cornerstone was laid, it took 40 years, three months and five days for the monument to open? (The original marble became unavailable after a delay. This is why the monument changes color partway up.)

Or that it is now half an inch shorter than in 1884 due to repeated lightning strikes?

Find a wealth of fun facts like these in yesterday’s post on National Parks Traveler.

The Daily Feed
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Senators Threaten Metro Takeover

Photo courtesy of
‘Departure’
courtesy of ‘Rolenz’

A group of four US Senators have threatened Metro with “direct federal intervention” if it fails to make immediate safety improvements the Washington Post reports. The Post adds the senators sent a letter to Metro’s board saying the agency had suffered “an institutional failure.”

It’s hard to argue against the failings of Metro with regards to safety: the letter points out the 17 deaths over the last five years on the transit system, and that 42% of all track worker deaths since 2002 in the US happened on Metro’s watch. Those are sobering numbers, and indicative of systemic failure, not “a string of isolated ‘accidents.'”

What isn’t known is how a federal takeover of Metro would work. The Post goes into several options available. While a federally-run Metro wouldn’t be a panacea, a single entity making decisions instead of the fractured board might be a good thing.

A copy of the letter is available on Streetsblog.

News, The Daily Feed
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Two Big Hearings Today

Photo courtesy of
‘Public hearing, 1957’
courtesy of ‘Seattle Municipal Archives’

Two big hearings going on today.  First, we’ve got the first of three days worth of hearings related to this summer’s Metro accident that claimed 9 lives and injured 80.  Day one is all testimony from WMATA.  NTSB will be streaming these hearings live over the web, so you can jeer and throw popcorn at the appropriate moments.  We’ll have a summary up later, fret not.

The second is a bit more interesting.  Ten years ago, Washington DC took a vote and decided that the usage of marijuana for medicinal purposes was a perfectly legitimate use. Today, the Council listens to testimony regarding the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and how to properly control who has access, and from where it’s dispensed.  It’s not really clear how the city would handle dispensaries, in terms of locating them, or in terms of procedural identification of eligible patients.  Those details are coming, and they’re part of the hearing process, so stay tuned.

Big day for DC in the governmental processes that make this place so unlike any other.

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Try Out for the National Anthem at Nats Park

Photo courtesy of

‘US Flag waving at Nationals Park’
courtesy of ‘daveynin’

One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had singing the National Anthem came at the Nats Tryouts in 2008.  It’s time to tryout again and the Nats are offering 75 tryout slots to the average Joe and Jane musicians of DC.  So if you’ve got an awesome rendition for ukulele, saxophone and triangle, go sign up, it’s free, just be prepared to back it up with a sweet headshot and performance resume.  And remember, people, the National Anthem isn’t something for you to put your stamp on, it’s something to honor our nation.  It’s a drinking song, not a funeral dirge.  Over-modulate, over-embellish, and frankly, I’m gonna boo you for trying to own the Star-Spangled Banner.  No 12-minute Bleeding Gums Murphy editions, okay?

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Guns at Great Falls and Other National Parks

Photo courtesy of
‘Limberger’s Victory (cinema 1915)’
courtesy of ‘New York Public Library’

Today, a new law goes into effect that allows firearms in many national parks.

Previously, guns were generally prohibited in national parks, except for some in Alaska and in parks that allow hunting.

Now, the national parks — there are nearly 60 in this area — follow local gun laws. Anyone who can legally possess firearms under federal and state law can now possess those firearms in the national parks in that state, except in federal facilities such as visitor centers and ranger stations.

In fact, some folks suggested driving their guns out to Great Falls this afternoon, just because they can.

So what does this mean for, say, the Jefferson Memorial? Or the Mall?
Continue reading →

Entertainment, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District, The Mall, WTF?!
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Screen On The Green In Danger … Again

Photo courtesy of
‘Screen on the Green’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Screen on the Green is in danger for a second year now. HBO has yet to determine their 2010 budget, which  means no one has any idea whether or not Screen on the Green will be back this summer.

Want to support the effort and keep Screen on the Green a running DC tradition? Screen on the Green supporter and founder of the Save the Screen on the Green Facebook group Jesse Rauch is asking fans to vote for Screen on the Green as Best Festival in CityPaper’s annual Best of D.C. contest. You can cast your vote at the CityPaper’s webiste.

Want to stay updated on the latest news concerning Screen on the Green? Check out the Facebook group.

The Daily Feed
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There Will Be A Test. It Will Just Be A Test.

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro Station Platform’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Should you be near the Friendship Heights Metro station this Wednesday around midnight, you’ll be seeing a fair amount of law enforcement, as the Metro Transit Police Department’s special response team, the FBI, DCPD, DCFD and emergency medical services personnel practice a staged emergency response exercise.

According to WMATA’s website, the exercise (a staged shootout) will test their communication and joint response to a major incident on the Metrorail or Metrobus.

Metro should not be delayed as the drill will take place shortly after Metro closes for the evening.  Police activity will remain in the area until around 3:30 a.m.

The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors
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Theodore Roosevelt Island in Snow

IMG_1657

Speaking of unhikable, unbikable paths, commenter Phil noted that Theodore Roosevelt Island trails are still a mess of snow and fallen trees and branches. I got to see that firsthand over the weekend; most of the island is still shin-deep in snow, and the boardwalk remains uncleared of branches and ankle-to-shin deep accumulation, with an unevenly packed path in the middle thanks to occasional daring joggers. Hard to walk, but pretty to look at.

More photos after the jump: Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Fares to Rise Again

Photo courtesy of
‘Newspapers Newspapers Newspapers’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Kytja Weir from the Examiner has had a look at the FY2011 WMATA budget, and get ready to bend over, because here it comes again. Look for an increase up to $2.00 for peak rail fare minimums, with the new max at $5.10. There’s also a peak-of-the-peak period during the height of rush hour (7-8:30a and 4:30-6p) which will increase the peak fare by a dime each direction. Metrobus fares face a hike of a quarter each direction. Taking the shuttle to Dulles or BWI? That’ll be $6 instead of $3.10.

The increases are draconian, and will likely affect the commuting rider to the tune of $154 a year, with an additional $110 if they add bus legs each direction. Even worse? With these increases, Metro still has another $40M to make up in shortfall. No idea where that’s going to come from, but I’m hoping it’s not the ridership’s pockets. I suspect that’s a well they’ve gone to too much.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Last chance to get your ticket for tomorrow’s DRINKS!

WeLoveDCDrinks

Seriously. We’ve had enough of the snow. And the cold. And the snow that’s still left over because it’s so cold. We’re ready to break out of the doldrums, too. And thus, we are soooo excited to snuggle up in the warm nooks and crannies of Wisdom Cocktail Parlour tomorrow night from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ticket prices increase at midnight tonight, so get your ticket!

Join your favorite WeLoveDC authors and Wisdom owner/bartender Erik Holzherr for a craft cocktail experience at a happy (two) hour(s) you will leave all the wiser.

Tickets, which include your first craft cocktail, are $15 ahead of time or $20 at the door. Food and happy hour specials will also be available.

The Daily Feed
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Strasburg: The New Jesus

Photo courtesy of
‘redneck_jesus’
courtesy of ‘Steve Riley SEA’

It looks like the Nats have gone all religious on us after just one day in Florida. They’ve seen the light … and that light is Stephen Strasburg’s pitching ability.

Centerfielder Nyjer Morgan and the rest of Strasburg’s teammates have given the rookie a new nickname — Jesus. Why Jesus?  “‘Cause what’s the first thing you say when you see him pitch?”  Morgan told the Washington Post, “Jeee-sus!”

For now, Strasburg will be starting the season in the minors. “I wouldn’t really want to say that he’s competing for a spot in the rotation,” Riggleman told the Post. “I think we’re open-minded, but… he could pitch real well down here, but we still might feel like the development, the process is to be respected of going through the system and getting really used to the rigors of throwing every fifth day [in the minor leagues].”

All signs point toward things starting off on the right foot this season. Now we have to wait and see what happens when the rest of the team reports in a week and a half.

The Daily Feed
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Kojo in Columbia Heights Tomorrow

KIYC_web_tile.gif

If you’re a fan of good talk radio, chances are you listen in to Kojo Nnamdi on WAMU each day from noon to two.  This Tuesday evening, he’ll be recording a live show at All Souls Unitarian at 1500 Harvard St NW, with topics to include an hour long discussion on education reform and an hour long discussion on commercial development in Columbia Heights/Mount Pleasant.  If you like live radio (and believe me, the college DJ in me sure loves it), come out to listen.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Nowhere to Run…or Bike

Good day for a ski

Good day for a ski

Heading out to the towpath this weekend, I didn’t expect to see it plowed. But I was surprised to see it wasn’t packed down. In some areas, like near Fletcher’s Boathouse, there is plenty of loose snow not suitable for running or biking, and not all that easy for walking, either. (Hint: Snowshoes ROCK.)

The Capital Crescent Trail there doesn’t look much better. Nearer Georgetown, so many large trees are across it that people have blazed a winding path. (See recent reports.) Sure, it’s pretty for a weekend hike, but what about training for that upcoming 10K — or more importantly, biking on it to work? Especially when the roads are a mess?

The WashCycle has plenty to say about the matter. Saturday’s The Ice Storm post talks about why the trails aren’t plowed, then requests that people contact trail managers and ask The Post‘s Dr. Gridlock to address the issue in his chat today at noon.

Paul McCray of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority says in the comments the W&OD trail staff will start clearing snow this week. The upcoming rains also may wash away a lot of it.

Did you hit the trails this weekend? If so, what did you find?