Category Archives: The Daily Feed

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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“Peace out, District. What up, China?” Bye-Bye, Tai Shan.

Giant Panda

The end draws near on Tai Shan’s time in our fair District.

Zoo goers and panda enthusiasts will forever remember his tenure as one that brought joy to the eyes of children and adults alike. What better way to say “Peace out, District. What up, China?” than a giant party being thrown in your honor?

The Friends of the National Zoo is hosting the official “Farewell to Tai Shan” party at the National Zoo. The event is scheduled for January 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include: talks with panda experts, goodbye card writing, and sweet-sweet panda lovin’ (aka oooo-ing and ahhh-ing at how gosh darn cute that lil’ panda is).

News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Verizon Center Takes Down Arenas Banner

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video.

NBC Washington has the video of Verizon Center personnel removing Arenas banner from the side of the building this afternoon. It’s not clear if this is a deliberate move by the Wizards, or by the Verizon Center management, but either way, Agent Zero’s profile is a bit smaller right now.

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District, WMATA
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Another Near Metro Disaster & Potential Price Hike

Photo courtesy of
‘It has been a long day’
courtesy of ‘spiggycat’

As if WMATA hasn’t been in the news enough, today comes word that on December 10, 2009, a team of independent safety inspectors were nearly struck by a metro train at the Braddock Road Station. According to the Tri-State Oversight Committee, the inspectors “were forced to quickly scramble out of the way to avoid being struck.” Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The incident occurred shortly after Metro lifted a six-month ban on monitors accessing live subway tracks, and was only one of a long list of safety violations reported by the committee.  A summary of the report by The Washington Post stated that “Metro’s safety training was inadequate and that the transit agency needed to take “immediate, short-term corrective action” to ensure worker safety.” The Post also reported that WMATA is taking action to correct the situation and will hold a safety session with multiple transit agencies.

Additionally, we hear that the Metro Board will hold public hearings (to take place before a Jan. 28 vote) on adding a 10 cent surcharge to Metro fares. The increase in fares (from March to June 2009) would be an attempt to cover a $40 million dollar shortfall and to prevent significant cuts to both metro and metrobus service. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Buccigross Chimes In

Photo courtesy of
‘Rock the Red’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

So remember my mid-season Capitals’ report? Well, one of the analysts I was trying to get commentary from was ESPN’s John Buccigross, who’s participated here a couple of times before. Deluged with letters and his blogumns during the holiday weekend AND the NHL’s Winter Classic, my question list slipped right on by.

Fortunately, he was nice enough to post his answers in his weekly mailbag column on ESPN.com. Here’s the specific questions I asked and his answers for your enjoyment:

Biggest surprise from the Caps’ season so far?

Bucci: Nicklas Backstrom. He has brought his game to another level and, as he improves, brings the whole team to another level. That’s the power of young, elite players.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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World Wide Inter Wub is for showing pictures of cats

sam_bat

used with permission – full-sized original here

It turns out that I’d been enjoying the work of Paw Prints Photography for quite a while and didn’t even know it – they donate their services to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, a site where I’ve spent many an hour just looking through the pictures of animals. The photos on their blog, however, are even more fun and better than a cup of coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. I like the above action shot as an animal photo but the pictures from Christmas in Middleburg are beautiful art.

If you’re in the market for pet photography you should check them out. In addition to clearly being talented they give back to the animal and human community through donated work for shelters and Vet Dogs, an organization that provides service dogs to disabled veterans.

If you’re not in the market, well, just go look at the cute kitty. Who cares what Warren Ellis says?

The Daily Feed
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Crime & Punishment Museum Free Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Autopsy’
courtesy of ‘SWP Moblog’

If you’re a fan of the TV show Southland (formerly of NBC, now re-starting at TNT), drop by the Crime & Punishment Museum tonight over in Penn Quarter and meet actor Michael Cudlitz, who plays Officer John Cooper. He’ll be there from 5:15 to 6:15 tonight, and entry to the Museum is free if you use the password “Southland” at the entry.

Downtown, Food and Drink, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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New Vintage Wine Tasting on Monday

Photo courtesy of
‘Sonoma Wine Bar’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

The New Vintage is hosting another charity wine event on Monday evening.  Castello Banfi, an Italian vineyard, will be showcasing a number of their wines at Cork Wine Bar, which is booked solely for this even. Tickets, which must be purchased ahead of time, are $50 ($25 is tax deductible) and benefit the American Heart Association. The event is a great way to meet and network with younger, philanthropically minded people.  Yours truly will be there, and I suggest that you come to.  After all, it’s nice to experience the softer side of charity, every so often.

Dupont Circle, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Phillips After Five, Tonight

Man Ray's "Noir et Blanche" courtesy of The Phillips Collection

Man Ray's "Noir et Blanche" courtesy of The Phillips Collection

Theater meets art tonight at The Phillips Collection’s monthly Phillips After Five event, featuring preview scenes from Round House Theatre’s production of Permanent Collection.

In a timely intersection with the Phillips’ current Man Ray exhibit featuring his photographs of African artifacts (closing this wekend!), the play is about a museum director’s “racially charged battle” over an African sculptures exhibit. A discussion on the politics of museum display follows with director Timothy Douglas and Round House producing artistic director Blake Robison, joined by the Phillips’ director Dr. Dorothy Kosinski and exhibit curator Wendy Grossman. That’s an arts powerhouse lineup!

Allyn Johnson will be performing piano pieces by Henry Crowder (Man Ray’s friend) from 5-8pm, the Round House segment is at 6:30pm, and gallery talks on the Man Ray exhibit will be held at 6 and 7pm. The whole event runs from 5-8:30pm with cash bar and tickets are $12. Definitely a great way to say good-bye to the Man Ray exhibit.

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Metro is NOT Exploding

Photo courtesy of
‘and boom goes the dynamite’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

…no matter what it sounds like. Metro’s going to be doing structural integrity testing on the new pillars they’re putting in between I-66 and the DTR this afternoon around 1pm, and it’s going to sound like an explosion, but really, nothing should combust quite like that.

Should. Remember, this is Metro, after all.

The Daily Feed
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Elvis Has ENTERED The Building

Photo courtesy of
‘P7030095.jpg’
courtesy of ‘dwhartwig’

My hands are shaky and my knees are weak. I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet … and it’s all because The King is BACK! Well … he’s SORT OF back … and we can all thank the Newseum for that.

Get ready to re-visit the days when Elvis reigned as the supreme ruler of the American music and pop culture scene at “Elvis!” The exhibit, opening March 12 (in celebration of what would have been The King’s 75th year), features stage costumes, professional/personal mementos, and archives from the Graceland collection in Memphis.

“In many ways, Elvis embodied free expression in America,” said Ken Paulson, president of the Newseum. “We’re delighted to join with our colleagues at Graceland to tell his story through photos, videos and news coverage spanning more than two decades.”

Mark those calendars now so you don’t forget later! All music lovers are bound to enjoy this gem of Rock ‘N Roll history.

“Elvis!” will be on display at the Newseum through Feb. 14, 2011.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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ACKC Chocolate Pairs Nicely with Wine

Photo courtesy of
‘Chocolates at Veritas’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Peas and carrots. Bubble and squeak. Fish and chips. (Mary Kate and Ashley. What?)

The incredibly enterprising people over at ACKC D.C. on 14th street NW are rightfully tackling the historic food pairing, wine and chocolate. Now, not only can we reach euphoric heights with their cocoa indulgences, but we can balance off that chocolate high with a fine glass of wine.

ACKC DC just received its liquor license, so what are you waiting for? Chocolate. Wine. Head on over there to get your chocolate truffle fix paired with wines by First Vine.

Update from ACKC Directly: “We have indeed opened the wine bar, serving six wines that we’ve paired with different chocolates we make here in the store.  The wines are all from First Vine, a Washington, DC importer and internet retailer; our selections are imported from France and go especially well with chocolate — or by themselves if you’d like a glass without accompaniment.  We plan to offer savory snacks, too.  As far as I know, we’re the only place in DC that explicitly pairs wines and chocolates.  We’ll be doing an official opening party later this month, and of course there will be special tasting events, too.”

Snacks, TOO?!?!?

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Naked Jogger Freaks Out Secret Service Yesterday

Photo courtesy of
‘Dedication’
courtesy of ‘N.S.’

A man shivvied out of his clothes yesterday, over near the White House at 5pm, to go for a jog around the White House. The Secret Service were rather upset that the man just left his clothes in a bag, which had to be deemed as a suspicious package, at the corner of 15th and E Street to run around, and for his troubles they took him in for indecent exposure, but he has not yet been charged.

No word on how badly 25 degree windchill affected the jogger’s suspicious package.

The Daily Feed, The District
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Will You Accept This Rose, DC?

Photo courtesy of
‘Candle Light and Roses’
courtesy of ‘Jill Clardy’

My shameless guilty pleasure reality show is The Bachelor. And this season? They’re showing some heavy-hitting DC love. I’m not convinced this is the best season ever, but The Bachelor is joining the ranks of Real World and Real Housewives with the DC love they’re giving us.

I don’t LOVE this season – honestly could Jake be a little more dull? I mean, I think he’s as hot as the next girl does, but come on! Does he actually have a personality somewhere? But you know what I do love? The DC love. There’s Ashley, who dressed up in the flight attendant costume and whose Mom shops for her – she’s a teacher in Fairfax, VA. Then we have Elizabeth, who was eliminated (much to my dismay) in the first rose ceremony. I liked that girl, she seemed actually down to earth (as opposed to um, say, Rozlyn? or Gia?) and I squealed a little on the inside (okay and on the outside to my roommate) when Elizabeth posed in front of the Capitol in her bio video. Finally, we have Ashleigh, who resides in Bethesda. I basically remember nothing about this girl, but apparently she didn’t get eliminated. Maybe we’ll see more of her in the future, one can only hope. Side note: I think the fact that three out of the 25 ladies on the show are from our area just proves how impossible it is to find a man in this town!

So two out of our three ladies are still competing for Jake’s heart, and a shot to get DC on the small screen. And before you say it, snarky commenters, you have something embarrassing that you love too, so I don’t wanna hear it in the comments okay? Don’t tease me about my hobbies. I don’t tease you about being an asshole.

News, The Daily Feed
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This May Have Been Your Commute

Photo courtesy of
‘Totally stopped traffic’
courtesy of ‘dmuth’

Much of the western part of DC is a traffic jam this morning thanks to a smoking power line at the Rock Creek Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue that closed both the Parkway, in both directions, and Pennsylvania Avenue, and impacted the Key Bridge as well.

Police and Fire are waiting for Pepco at this time to shut off the power so they can make the repairs and restore traffic flow.

Business and Money, Crime & Punishment, News, The Daily Feed, The District
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Northface Store Robbed, Handgun Involved

Photo courtesy of
‘North Face Store, Georgetown’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Yesterday afternoon thieves entered The Northface Clothing Store on M Street in Georgetown, stole a large amount of merchandise and held the pursuing security officer at gunpoint before making their getaway.

At around 1:45pm, five suspects entered the store, removed a significant amount of merchandise, exited the store without paying and got into an awaiting dark colored, 4 door, Mercury Marquis parked on 36th and Prospect Streets. Then, according to Lieutenant John M. Hedgecock of the MPD, “The [Northface] security officer confronted the suspects within the vehicle. At this time, the driver of the vehicle pointed a silver handgun at the security officer and stated ‘back up’.” Fortunately, the  security guard, employees and passersby were not hurt during the incident. A description of the suspects is pending further MPD updates.

The theft is interesting considering October reports by My Fox DC and DCist that undercover MPD officers would be donning Northface apparel in an attempt to nab thieves. Wonder if the two are in any way connected. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Sheila Dixon to Resign

Photo courtesy of
‘We Need a Lightbox’
courtesy of ‘Danielle Scott’

Boy it’s a Breaking News Wednesday here today. Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has agreed to resign on February 4th as part of the plea deal with the Baltimore City Prosecutor’s office. Dixon will get 4 years of Probation, 500 hours of community service and be required to contribute $45,000 to charity. City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will become mayor on the 4th.

Dixon will keep her annual pension of $83,000 as part of the deal, but some of her property will be auctioned to make restitution for perjury.

The Daily Feed
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Today’s legislative irony

Photo courtesy of
‘(278/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Thirty-nine congresscritters signed an amicus brief that was filed today supporting putting DC’s marriage equality on a ballot referendum. This is normally the point where I kibbitz about the idea of putting civil rights up to a popular vote, but this specific brief has tweaked me on another front….

Since when, exactly, have these folks been concerned about the residents of D.C. getting a vote?

UPDATE: Shocking! Despite their huge concern over D.C. citizens getting their chance to vote, three of the signators of this brief,  Roscoe Bartlett (Md.),  Jack Kingston (Ga.), and  Don Manzullo (Ill.) all voted NO in 1993 on the D.C. statehood bill.

U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (Ala.), Todd Akin (Mo.), Michele Bachmann (Minn.), J. Gresham Barrett (S.C.), Roscoe Bartlett (Md.), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), John Boozman (Ark.), Jason Chaffetz (Utah), John Fleming (La.), J. Randy Forbes (Va.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), Scott Garrett (N.J.), Phil Gingrey (Ga.), Louie Gohmert (Tex.), Jeb Hensarling (Tex.), Wally Herger (Calif.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Steve King (Iowa), Jack Kingston (Ga.), John Kline (Minn.) Doug Lamborn (Colo.), Robert Latta (Ohio), Don Manzullo (Ill.), Michael McCaul (Tex.), Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.), Patrick McHenry (N.C.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Jeff Miller (Fla.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Randy Neugebauer (Tex.), Mike Pence (Ind.), Joe Pitts (Pa.), Mark Souder (Ind.) and Todd Tiahrt (Kan.)
The Daily Feed
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NBA Suspends Wizards’ Arenas Indefinitely, No Pay

Photo courtesy of
‘Introducing Gilbert Arenas’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

According to ESPN just minutes ago, the NBA has announced that Wizards’ player Gilbert Arenas will be suspended indefinitely without pay. This is a rather shocking and unexpected move as a result of his ridiculous gun pulling stunt that took place in the locker room of the Verizon Center on Christmas Eve. He later came out and said it was all a joke, but I don’t think many people really buy that.

Quotes from the ESPN article and the AP:

“Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game,” commissioner David Stern said in a statement Wenesday. “Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA.”

The Daily Feed
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New Year Fitness for Free


‘dancer_XV_by_Hedgepig13’
courtesy of ‘cuirjean’

If your New Year’s resolutions included “get in shape” or “try something new,” you may want to check out Winter Free Week at Blue Heron Wellness in Silver Spring. Free classes run through Sunday.

They include everything from belly dancing and hoop dance to Soul Camp, a boot camp class that explores all styles of movement to unleash inner strength, to NIA, an expressive, barefooted, dance/fitness practice that combines elements from Tai Chi, Tae-Kwon-Do, jazz, Duncan dance, yoga and Aikido.

You can also learn more about MTHFR and folic acid toxicity, acupuncture and Chinese herbs, Reiki and reflexology, Shiatsu and Thai massage. And of course much more…that is, if you resolve to go.

News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Fist Pump Along with Cast Members of MTV’s Jersey Shore

Photo courtesy of
‘Fist Pump’
courtesy of ‘jimwhimpey’

Is the Real World not satisfying your thirst for reality television? Has your guilty pleasure quota not been met yet? Good. I didn’t think so.

The GW Hatchet announced that JWoww and Pauly D of MTV’s Jersey Shore  are making an appearance at McFadden’s on January 19.

McFadden’s will be running drink specials from 8 p.m. to midnight on $5 Jagerbombs. But that’s not all! There’s more! Get ready for some of Jersey’s finest while bar go-ers battle it out during a fist pumping contest AND a bikini contest for the ladies.