Category Archives: The Daily Feed

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Gorgeous Comparison of Rail Systems

wmata.png

Good has an incredibly sexy graphic comparing WMATA to other large transit systems including CTA, BART, MBTA and MTA, including length of commute averages and other sweet statistics. This is nothing short of sweet, sweet infoporn. How does Metro compare? Right in the middle of the big five transit systems for average commute length, percent active vehicles, ridership and speed.

Like porn, though, I’m not sure if the graphic is representative of reality: how are there really 1M riders on Metrorail + Metrobus on an average day, when an average day has 1.2M trips (not riders) between the two systems and likely a total passenger total of much less than half that number. But hey, we’re probably still ahead of Boston and SF. That counts for something, right?

Fun & Games, The Daily Feed, The District
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Flash Mob Coming

Photo courtesy of
‘Dancing’
courtesy of ‘pete van vleet’

I feel like DC is on the cusp of mass pranking greatness.  Sure, we’re a few steps behind our NYC brethren, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with flash mobs and pantsless subway rides.  If you’ve yet to get in on any action of the like, you may have a chance on Feb 24th.  Steve Kemble, some fitness guru that I’ve never heard of, will be leading a dancing flash-mob in an as of yet undisclosed location in DC.  The dance moves will be posted on Youtube so that you can practice up ahead of time.  Register here.

News, The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors, WTF?!
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Anti-Climaxpacolypse

Photo courtesy of
‘Goodbye, snowman’
courtesy of ‘erin m’

Despite the hype and my most fervent prayers, the District came out on the winning end of its bout with snow. This was due largely to getting considerably less precipitation than was predicted.  Most of the DC area reported less than 3 inches of accumulation, but this was enough to close Montgomery and Fairfax county schools and to put the Fed into unscheduled leave.  Still, the roads were little more than wet, this morning, and my commute wasn’t harried in the least.  It was kind of a let down, to be honest. We’ll see if mother nature throws something more challenging our way, this weekend.  Considering that there won’t be any work to miss, I’m guessing that she will.

The Daily Feed
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Spring Dream


‘DSC_0175’
courtesy of ‘Just a Prairie Boy’

After spending so much time indoors this winter, you might be contemplating a home or apartment makeover.  But WAIT!  Why attempt this alone when you can get some professional expertise at a promotional rate?  Save your walls from unnecessary holes and register by February 8th for ASID Washington Metro’s Spring Spruce Up 2010.

Fill out the about your home questionnaire and within three weeks you could be on your way to domestic heaven.  Applications will be accepted until all available slots are filled so there is no more time to waste.  Your home will be forever grateful.

News, The Daily Feed
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Council Approves Elected AG Measure

Photo courtesy of
‘District Door’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

Starting in 2014, DC voters will elect the attorney general to go along with the Mayor. Currently, the position is appointed, which was the subject of a recent poll by the Post. 55% of those questioned said the AG’s position should be elected and not appointed. The mayor is less than thrilled by the proposition, the Post says, citing the fact that the Mayor would now have to hire his own attorneys going forward. He could veto the bill, which would require 9 council votes to overturn. The initial bill, passing 12-1, heads to his desk and thence to Congress for approval.

Any idea if Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) wants to stick his nose in this? Why not give him a call at (202) 225-7751 and ask?

The Daily Feed
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It Goes to Eleven!

Photo courtesy of
‘Amplifer Knobs’
courtesy of ‘Koonisutra’

Congratulations to the Washington Capitals for setting a franchise record last night! With their 4-1 whipping of the Boston Bruins, the Caps are sitting on an amazing 11 game win streak, stemming back from Ovechkin’s anointing as team captain.

It wasn’t a sure thing until the third period, however. Both teams fought a solid game through two periods, and the 1-1 score going into the last 20 minutes reflected it. But, as seems to be standard Caps operating procedure lately, around five minutes in the Caps just exploded. Brooks Laich and Alexander Semin made Boston’s Matt Hunwick pay on a turnover to gain the Caps’ first lead of the game. Boyd Gordon dropped in his second of the season and then Ovie capped it with an empty netter. Mike Knuble continued his strong play of late with the tying goal early in the second period.

The Caps are sitting pretty at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 10 point lead over New Jersey and face the New York Rangers tomorrow at Madison Square Garden.

The Daily Feed
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WASA Wants A New Name

Photo courtesy of
‘Artomatic 1905 WASA Pumping Station’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Generally, I’m against rebranding contests, as you tend to end up with a bunch of elementary school kids’ drawings, and a few desperate hacks, instead of a good new logo/name/brand, but since it’s DC WASA that’s asking? I don’t think you could get much worse. Though DC WASA can’t legally change their name, they’re asking for a new name, logo and tagline, or some combination thereof, and the winner will come away with $2,000.

If you’re creative and like working on spec, fire up Illustrator, it’s time to make a logo! (Don’t forget to make the logo bigger.)

The Daily Feed, The Hill, WMATA, WTF?!
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Metro to Boost Bike Locker Fees 185%

Photo courtesy of
‘Bikestation’
courtesy of ‘Dendroica cerulea’

The news came this afternoon from Wash Cycle that Metro is considering a proposal to increase fees by 185% for its bicycle lockers at various Metro stations from $70 a year to $200 a year. The increase would make it, per square foot, more expensive to store a bicycle than it would be to store a car in one of the WMATA garages.

While Metro’s certainly in a hard place financially, is almost tripling the fees of cyclists who ride to Metro the way to handle things? Surely $70 was too low, but trebling the cost? We’ve asked Metro what their argument was for such a dramatic hike. We’ll let you know what they say.

Update: Metro’s Doug Karas sent on the budget for FY2011 (which did confirm the hike), but wrote: Ultimately, the Board will decide what will go on the docket for public hearing. So any changes will be announced officially. I am sure if such a change is being considered it will be discussed at a Board or Committee meeting.

The Daily Feed
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Got Snow?

Photo courtesy of
‘monumental snow’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

It’s been snowing a lot lately. The DC Snowpocalypse, or snOMG if you will, was just the start. Even with the three or four storms we’ve had already, Mrs. Nature (she’s the mother) is not done with us yet. With a few more storms already in the forecast, we had to call on our National Weather Service Senior Forecaster Logan Johnson once again. Logan’s WeLoveDC forecast and description of thunder snow was a big hit in December and he’s done it again.

So, Logan…give it to us straight. What does the next few days hold for us?

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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DC’s ABC thinks you’re stupid

Photo courtesy of
‘Vet’s Liquor’
courtesy of ‘Rolenz’

That’s the only conclusion I can come to, anyway. Why else would they have a proposed rule to make alcohol retailers put up a sign stating that:

  • Drinking and driving is dangerous
  • Drinking alcohol when pregnant is dangerous
  • Drinking and driving is illegal in the District

The rules are in comment period now, so if you really have a problem with this you can send your observations to the board in the next thirty days. I imagine nobody’s going to complain – aside from the pointless cost of making these signs and retailers having a little less wall space for neon Corona signs, this isn’t the kind of government action that whips people into a froth.

I’m considering sending in an suggestion that they add “Fire hot, water wet.”

The Daily Feed
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DC is Ridiculously Good Looking

Photo courtesy of
‘masked’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Move over you sun tanned beauties from Hawaii (2) and California (3) who spend all day working out, surfing and just being hot. Despite the fact that we spend all of our time stuck in cubicles, in underground Metro and Hill tunnels and freezing what little assets we have off in the 15 degree snow, DC IS WHERE IT’S AT. I cannot lie and I do not lie. The Daily Beast is now claiming that, based on their rather crazy and somewhat absurd, albeit somehow slightly practical, calculations, the District of Columbia is the “state” with the most attractive people in the United States.

No longer will we stand for that ridiculous term “Hollywood for the ugly.” No longer will we sit back and take the abuse dished out at us by the 50 states who wish they could be a district instead of a state but who still love their Congressional representation (but actually always hate their Reps. yet always vote them back in, just be happy you have some mmkay?), and there’s even Guam and American Samoa who probably say crap about us too! NO MORE I SAY!

Continue reading →

Adams Morgan, Arlington, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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In Search of a Decent Bagel 2: The Consensus

Photo courtesy of
‘bagel – before’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Did you see how good I was? I almost made an “Electric Boogaloo” reference in the header, but I restrained myself.

Anyways, the bagel question really brought out the comments, so I thought it would be worthwhile to share the reader’s consensus.  Brooklyn Bagels in Courthouse seems to be the almost universal favorite, but So’s Your Mom and Bethesda Bagels also got some significant love. I think that fairly settles it: the best bagels in DC are actually in Arlington.  Now I’ve got to get over to Brooklyn Bagels to see for myself.  I feel that this has been a useful exercise and one that I must repeat for all of the other major food groups.  Well done, readers!

The Daily Feed
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Getting From A to B by Bike

Ride the City

Ride the City

DC residents, are you feeling bad that you can’t get the folks at Bike Arlington to map our your commute for you by bike because you’re not an Arlingtonian?  Well here’s a new cool little biking tool that will help you get around the District: Ride the City.  Enter your starting location, your ending location, and whether you want a “safer” ride, a “safe” ride, or the most direct route, and Ride the City will chart a course for you.  They’ll also tell you the elevation gain, approximately how long it will take, and which parts of your ride include bike lanes– and you can rate the route to provide feedback.  This just made biking around the city a lot easier.  Now, if only they could show the nearest bike racks to your ending location!

Adams Morgan, Entertainment, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Rachel Levitin Live At Chief Ike’s Mambo Room Wednesday Night

up close

Chief Ike’s Mambo Room in Adams Morgan hosts live local musicians all night for your viewing and listening pleasure. This Wednesday just so happens to be the night that yours truly (Rachel Levitin) will be playing a full 30 minute set, along with Producer/Musician Paul Derlunas. What makes this EVEN BETTER is that we’ll be debuting three new songs never before played live on-stage!

There’s no cover charge and drink deals are available depending on Chief Ike’s day-to-day specials.

But — here’s the kicker — show starts at 11:30 p.m. So if you like good music (you can check out some tracks here and be the judge), good atmosphere, and good Wednesday night drinking (and don’t have a Cinderella complex that keeps you from staying out past midnight) you have no excuse to not come out and show your love!

CD’s will be available for purchase.

Come early. Hear the other acts. Mix and mingle. I know I’ll be there.

Chief Ike’s Mambo room is located at:

1725 Columbia Road Northwest
Washington, DC 20009-2803

Adventures, The Daily Feed
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PG County Boy Rescued From Ravine

Photo courtesy of
‘ACC Mountaineering Course: Gummi Bear Crevasse Rescue’
courtesy of ‘iwona_kellie’

According to WBAL and WTOP, last night a PG County teenager slipped down a snow covered hill, near Marlton Center Drive, and landed 100ft down the ravine. Fortunately, the boy managed to keep himself out of the nearby creek and was unharmed after the fall.  The boy then struggled to get a little more than half way back up the steep incline. Exhausted, he secured himself to a stable tree branch and began calling for help.  After about two hours, local residents heard his cries and directed rescue crews to his location.  Emergency services rescued him from the ravine and transported him to the nearby hospital, where last night he was being evaluated and treated for hypothermia.

Downtown, Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Try Barley Wine at AGAINN

Photo courtesy of
‘Barely Wine’
courtesy of ‘tswicegood’

When I profiled Elli Benchimol at AGAINN a few weeks ago, she mentioned a barley wine dinner was in the works. It’s now set for Monday, February 22 at 7pm. Reservations are required at $75 per person, which will get you four courses paired to this storied ale. The food alone sounds pretty tempting – Shallow Poached Loch Duart Salmon, Braised Hereford Beef Cheeks, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheddar Cheese, and Gianduja Chocolate Tart. Um, yes to rich deliciousness on a chilly night.

But wait, barley wine = ale? Indeed, this is one of those confusing situations like when vegetables are really fruit. Barley wine, also sometimes known as old ale, originated in nineteenth century England and can reach an alcohol strength of 8 to 12%. So it can be as strong as wine, but because it’s made from grain instead of fruit, it’s really an ale.

But don’t worry, Jeff Wells from DOPS Distributors (DC’s beer guru) will be on hand that night to help explain the pairings and the history of barley wine. Call AGAINN for reservations at 202.639.9830.

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Arenas: “I am trying hard to right my wrongs”

Photo courtesy of
‘Role Models are Very important’
courtesy of ‘crazyapplefangirl’

This morning’s Washington Post features an editorial from Gilbert Arenas concerning his recent behavior, including his felony conviction for firearms possession. It’s hard to see sincerity in Arenas’ words, when he was so glib before about his prospects and about the story itself. Arenas pledges to work with youth non-violence efforts in DC as part of his penance, but it all seems to ring hollow to me. Just another athlete giving proper lip service to community service and being a role model.

I’d love to be wrong.

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Don’t Freak Out: It’s Just a Drill

Photo courtesy of
‘Lotus #37’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Tomorrow morning between 7:30 and 8:30, or, as we know it the heart of rush hour, WMATA will be conducting a terrorism drill in a crowded Metro station. So, don’t freak out if you see the bomb squad or a series of K-9 officers in your Metro station tomorrow morning.

Now, I understand it’s not really a good drill if you announce all the particulars ahead of time, but is needlessly burdening an already overburdened system in the name of preparedness a good idea? Why can’t you do this sort of drill at 10am instead of right in the middle of rush? Is rush hour a real necessity here?

The Daily Feed
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Rush Hour May Suck


Evening Rush Hour by Rolenz

According to another beautifully written text message from Alert DC, your evening rush hour may be less than pleasant.  I quote:

SUBJ:1/1

MSG: 15th & R Sts will remain closed for rush hour. Please avoid both streets! Big backup anticipated.e

So if you usually take 15th street to get home, you might rethink that strategy.