By Tom Bridge
‘Snow Emergency Route’
courtesy of ‘ameschen’
If you live by one of DC’s Snow Emergency routes, you may want to go move your car now. The city has declared a Snow Emergency starting at 9am tomorrow morning, as a storm is inbound that will probably drop between 1-4″ of snow on the already congested city. The fines for parking in a snow emergency route are steep: $250 + towing & impound, don’t be that guy.
(This is not a repeat from two weeks ago, last week, or December. really.)
The Washington Nationals hosted invite-only auditions for the 2010 Geico President’s Race yesterday afternoon at Nationals Park. Over forty hopefuls competed for the chance to become one of four great American Presidents for all home games this season. Check out a few exclusive shots of all those George, Tom and Abe’s (this is the fourth year that the twelve foot Teddy costume was not used during the auditions) running through an untouched, snow covered warning track after the page jump. Continue reading
By Kirk
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
For some reason (I still can’t fathom why) the Metro closed at midnight on Friday and Saturday. This meant that for the average person out on the town, taxis were the only option for getting home, and apparently cabbies got wind of this. Instead of turning on their meters and offering their fares the normal rate, drivers would jack prices up two and three times the normal, knowing that cab scarcity and the freezing cold would leave their patrons with little recourse but to accept the gouged prices. This is illegal. But, when the driver says “30 dollars to take you there” and pulls away when you inform him of the law, what can you do? So, as one of those screwed-over patrons from last night, I offer a hearty “burn in hell” to the cabbies of DC. Seriously, die in fire.
By Carl Weaver
Love Heart by Photos8.com
Originally uploaded by Photos8.com
Molly of Mollytics just renewed my faith in DC’s humankind. Yes, even amid rants and warnings about how you are about to die, my heart is warmed by this tweet:
mollytics http://twitpic.com/131ufa – Know who is amazing? @WillBlog4FoodDC b/c he shoveled out my car & let me pay him w/ high fives.
It warms the cockles of my heart, whatever the heck those are.
This is what happens when you let stir-crazy museum employees play in the snow. Staff of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History created this Snow-Olmec on the Constitution Avenue side of the building. Thanks to friend-of-We Love DC Elspeth for catching a photo for us, and here’s another with the perpetrators (I assume).
Suddenly all the snowman photos I’ve been seeing look so sad…
‘Nationals Park Ticket Window’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
Want in on all the awesome glory that IS baseball’s Opening Day? The party starts on Monday April 5th but you need a ticket to get in.
You can secure your seat in Nationals Park for opening day NOW if you choose to purchase one of the multi-game Grand Slam Flex Plan ticketing packages. Whichever package you choose guarantees tickets to Opening Day against our division rivals — the Philadelphia Phillies. Go get ’em while you still can!
‘Opal Restaurant in Santa Barbara 102409Sa’
courtesy of ‘vmiramontes’
Local music lovers agree — DC9 is an institution when it comes to intimate venues to hear live acts in this city. And today, DC9 turns six!
Go celebrate with some of DC9’s biggest fans tonight at 9 with the Liberation Dance Party DJs. There will be an open bar from 9-10:30 with rail cocktails only.
The cover is $7 at the door and it’s 21+ to party.
Washington Teachers’ Union president George Parker said on the Kojo Nnamdi show today that the union is “very close” to reaching a contract agreement with the DC Public Schools, but wouldn’t give a timeframe as to when a contract could be signed.
So, before the contract is signed, any bets on who will turn out to have sucked it up and compromised more?
By Don
‘Pecan Meadow Farm’
courtesy of ‘Carly & Art’
Well, sorta. The Crystal City BID started a farmer’s market last year and handled management themselves. Washington Business Journal reports that when it returns in May it’ll be managed by FreshFarm, the non-profit organization that handles 9 other local markets, including the Dupont and the White House location.
It’s good news for those of us who reside in what I like to call The Area Formerly Known as Part of D.C. The contract is for three years, so presuming it continues to be successful that should provide some nice consistency.
I’m happy to see them get the contract just based on their sense of whimsy. FreshFarm’s website says of this weekend’s Silver Spring and Dupont Circle markets “Farmers and producers will attend based on their ability to dig out of the snow and get to market.”
‘Splash of Color’
courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’
Despite not being particularly fashionable myself, I’m a huge fan of Manolo the Shoeblogger and his empire of specialty fashion sites. You may recognize Manolo from his weekly shoe-recommendation column in Express. This week, he takes on the Snowpocalypse.
And the District of Columbia, which is not the most efficient governmental entity on the planet, simply throws up its hands and snuggles down by the fire with the warm cup of cocoa, while the citizens are left to their own devices.
Of the course, there is the upside to all of this snow, such as dozens of days off from your job at the Department of Homeland Phrenology, the giant hilarious snow ball fights with your neighbors, and the chance to finally meet Yukon Cornelius.
‘Paper Snowflakes and Birdhouses’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
As the snow is melting you are probably already thinking of all the exciting things you can do this weekend (not at home). So why don’t you just add the President’s Day Sample Sale at The Washington Design Center to your schedule on Saturday between 10 and 3. Enjoy deep discounts at some of your favorite showrooms that are only open to the public for just one day; including: American Eye, Christopher London, Ebanista, Fendi Casa, Michael-Cleary, and many more. At least next time when you are stuck inside because of snow you will have some lovely new furnishings to look at.
Sample Sale at The Washington Design Center is Saturday, February 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and located at 300 D Street NW – Washington, DC 20024.
By Kirk
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
So, I’m at work. I decided to skip the trains and made it in with little hassle via Metrobus. But, now I’m starting to worry about the commute home. Granted, it’s still five hours off, but thinking about the mess that the Metro has been this morning makes me wonder if I should even bother trying to get out of the city. I might just hunker down with a beer somewhere and wait this whole situation out. Things should be resolved by 8ish, right?
‘Departure’
courtesy of ‘Rolenz’
UPDATE 11:58: Fire Chief Dennis Rubin: Incident is now under control 6 cars, 3 married repairs, passengers moved into 4 operational cars, decoupled from 2 derailed cars (that took a while) and moved back into the station. Other stuck trains have been sent on their way to destination. Evacuated passengers now on their way to work. Single tracking will be happening around FNorth. 345 passengers evacuated from train, only 3 injuries, very minor. “This incident is under control; it will not get worse.”
From WMATA.com (reposted in case their site gets crushed again):
A six-car Red Line train headed in the direction of Shady Grove Metrorail station has reportedly derailed near the Farragut North Metrorail station. There are no reported injuries.
Metro officials and local first responders are at the scene to investigate and to safely get customers off of the train and to the station.
The preliminary report is that the front wheels of lead car is the one that came off the tracks. The incident took place at 10:13 a.m.
Various Twitter-ers report major fire/EMT presence at Farragut North, including fire response turning people away from the stations. Continue reading
By Carl Weaver
Let’s be careful out there, folks. Safety is a shared responsibility. I have seen blatantly stupid behavior out there. If you are driving, slow down and accept that traveling will take a little longer for a while. If you are walking, be smart. Walk against traffic, on the sidewalk if you can, and single file. If you are biking, simply try your darndest to follow traffic rules. Those cars you are used to barely not hitting you are going to have a harder time braking in the slush and snow, so don’t bike like a d-bag.
Snowy Bike by dmolsen.
By Kirk
‘Train approaching’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’
As you are all aware, the Fed has finally reopened today after nearly a week of closure. With roads fairly clear and sidewalks mostly shoveled, it seemed like the right call. But I’m beginning to suspect that maybe it wasn’t. Metro appears to be woefully unprepared for the return of the Federal workforce. Trains and buses are running sporadically and we’ve been getting reports of measured chaos at many metro stations. Personally, I want to know what the deal is. According to the WMATA website, all lines are on schedule and Metro has “expanded service for Friday.” Problem is, expanded service apparently means one train every fifteen minutes. In my book, that’s not quite enough for rush hour. So, what do you all think? Was it a good call to open the Fed, or did your commute tell you otherwise?
By Katie
‘Snow Deere’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’
My roommate and I were walking around the city yesterday in awe of the ginormous piles of snow across the city. It’s not looking like it’ll warm up any time soon, so what are we going to do with these HUGE masses of snow?
I had a chance to talk with a snow disposal specialist in Arlington who was directing snow removal efforts along Clarendon Boulevard. He had four dump trucks and a front end loader scooping up snow off the streets and loading into the truck. “Where do you take the snow?” I asked. “Well, there are locations across the county,” he told me. “We take the snow there and then there is a huge coil that melts it down into water.” Arlington County lists four snow holding locations: S. Clark St. site (just off Old Jefferson Davis Hwy), Future Long Bridge Park (also off Old Jefferson Davis Hwy), Virginia Highlands parking lot (off S. Hayes St. near 15th) and Barcroft #6 parking lot (off Four Mile Run Dr. near George Mason Drive).
Arlington County Environmental Services says, “The County’s snow melter can melt roughly 60 tons of snow per hour. The melted snow will drain into the County’s stormwater sewer system, much like stormwater runoff from a rainstorm.” Arlington says other factors will help speed up removal. “Mother Nature is also expected to aid in the effort as warmer temperatures and sunshine return.”
‘2010:41’
courtesy of ‘::FiZ::’
I didn’t think they’d do it, but I was wrong- the Federal Government will be open tomorrow, on a “delayed arrival/unscheduled leave” policy. Employees are expected to report no later than 2 hours after their usual start time.
If you’re still stranded where you are, you’re SOL and will have to burn leave .
By Max
Mural Jam 17 by maxedaperture
Kelly Towles, one of my favorite local street artists, set out a few days ago to turn our white winter wonderland into a colorful, creepy scene from a Tim Burton movie. You’ve no doubt seen his unmistakable work around town. From murals to storefronts to gallery shows, there are some crazy creatures whirling around in that imagination of his. Click over to Brightest Young Things to see his marvelously creepy snow ghouls, and if you see any of them around town be sure to add them to the WLDC Flickr pool!
Strong pitching is what will make this year’s Washington Nationals a fierce competitor from within their division. They are backed by newly acquired veteran starter Jason Marquis and fellow veteran Pudge Rodriguez from behind the plate. But what about the rest of the rotation?
The Washington Nationals are coming off of a 2009 season in which they posted the worst ERA in all of the National League (5.00). This year, they’re all about changing that.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com says that if the Nats don’t acquire a veteran starter, fans better be on the look out for Collin Balester, Matt Chico, Ross Detwiler, J.D. Martin, Garrett Mock, Scott Olsen and Stephen Strasburg to fill the final two rotation spots. Then Marquis will maintain the role as ace, leaving John Lannan and Craig Stammen in the top-half of Riggleman’s 2010 pitcher’s line-up. That combination is enough to motivate a young team ripe and ready for success. Continue reading
By Max
Venus Williams by Max Cook
As if having the world’s #1 women’s tennis player on our team wasn’t enough, the Washington Kastles have added the #5 player as well. That’s right, both Serena and Venus Williams will be playing for the Kastles this season almost assuring another successful run at the World TeamTennis Championship. With arguably the best sibling duo in tennis history, the Kastles roster now boasts a combined 61 Grand Slam titles.
In other exciting news for Kastles fans, coach Murphy Jensen will be back again to see if lighting can strike twice. “It takes world-class talent to win championships and there are no more accomplished athletes than Serena and Venus,” said Murphy, “Last summer was truly a dream season for us, and come July 5, the dream continues in DC.”
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