Category Archives: The Daily Feed

The Daily Feed
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Expecting Mayhem at Whole Foods?

Photo courtesy of
‘Stuck’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

I just came from the Whole Foods in Clarendon, where they had two police cars and two cops in the parking lot, in addition their usual fleet of staff, to direct traffic.

While a steady stream of cars was passing through, all is calm (and very bright), and one of the cops seemed more interested in watching people walk in and out of the store than in watching the traffic.

All this makes me wonder.

Does it say something about the demand for all-natural, organic food? Or about the kind of behavior we might reasonably expect on Christmas Eve from the people who like to buy it?

Happy holidays, everyone!

The Daily Feed
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Track Santa with NORAD

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_3296’
courtesy of ‘derobert’

The folks at NORAD work very hard every day of the year to track air threats against the United States, and they don’t stop for the holidays. WTOP shares a fun little holiday tool that lets you check NORAD’s Santa tracking to find out where the big guy and your presents are.  As of this writing, he’s delivering presents to children in Australia, but he’ll soon be making his way towards us. I’m about to jump on a plane to Italy from Dulles, so I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of him flying over the Atlantic!

Adventures, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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Last Minute DC Gifts

Photo courtesy of
‘Zipcar ad’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

So like me you’ve waited until the last second and now you’ve got to hazard the crowded shops and DC streets to finish up your Christmas shopping. You’re fairly limited with online shopping opportunities, you have no time for brainstorming, and you’ve got a gazillion other things to do, so you’ve got to put your nose to the grind stone and pound these last little (or big) tidbits out. Lucky for you, and me, there are plenty of cool DC-related gifties out there waiting to be scooped up.

Many of us will be heading through Union Station today and the shops there offer some fantastic last minute gift pick up opportunities.  You can find historic memorabilia and inauguration items at America!’s Spirit, or small paintings, pottery and jewelry at Echo Gallery Mezzanine Kiosk, or perhaps Lids, where you can pick up a Redskins or Capitals branded baseball cap. There’s also a solid wine and spirits shop that can provide that much needed Jameson for eggnog or bottle of bubbly for Christmas morning drinkypoos.  These shops are a hurried travelers delight and are definitely worth checking out, if you’re still gift hunting or needing to fill up those stockings. Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Merry Christmas From the Nationals

Photo courtesy of
‘Matt Capps’
courtesy of ‘KitAy’

The Nats have had an active off-season that just got more active. This morning at 1am, approximately, they agreed to a 1-year deal with closer Matt Capps with undisclosed terms. Capps is the third pitcher the Nats have signed this week (Eddie Guardado and Jason Marquis being the others) and will take over the closer duties for the team in 2010. The Nats have been uncharacteristically active this off-season, and appear to be making a run at .500 baseball for 2010.

The Daily Feed
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DC, VA And MD Residents Are NOT Happy, According To New Study

Photo courtesy of
‘Head in Hands’
courtesy of ‘Alex E. Proimos’

A new study published by the journal Science reports that DC (36th), Virginia (28th), and Maryland(40th) rank in the bottom half of the “happiness scale”. What does that mean? Professor Andrew Oswald of the U.K.’s University of Warwick, who co-authored the study, says that “[…] ” our study shows that we can and probably ought to give up thinking of piles of dollars as the criterion for success and go over to a broader quality of life criterion.”

Easier said than done in THIS recession, right?

It could be worse … we could be the in the top three (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). So how’s THAT For something to smile about :-D

The Daily Feed
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Hey Flickr, we spotted M.V. Jantzen first!

Photo courtesy of M.V. Jantzen

Santa the Magnificent, courtesy of M.V. Jantzen

Congrats to M.V. Jantzen for having his picture from the 14th & U snowball fight (pre-weaponization) used in the Flickr blog! The blog entry has snowball fight pictures from all over but we know who’s really best, don’t we?

M.V.’s work has appeared here on WeLoveDC many times, including for the shot about which got him selected as runner-up in last year’s holiday contest. Let me go on record that I voted for his shot to win as far as you know. Considering how often it’s shown up here to illustrate holiday posts we should probably redo our logo to include it…

The Daily Feed
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Say Goodbye to Tai Shan While You Still Can!

Giant Panda

The 3rd annual ZooLights display at The National Zoo is now open again after taking a few day hiatus due to the recent snowpocalypse.

This is your warning to get your goodbye’s in while you still can! Everyone’s favorite panda, Tai Shan, will be bidding DC adieu in early 2010. You know you’ll be kicking yourself in rear-end if you miss out on this chance to catch a glimpse of cuteness before he leaves us for China.

So go early and go often!

Tickets are available at the gate ($5 for members and $8 for non-members). ZooLights are open between the hours of  6-8:30 p.m.   Visit nationalzoo.si.edu for more information.

The Daily Feed
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Cure Those Post-Hannukah Blues

Photo courtesy of
‘Christmanukah’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

As a fellow member of the tribe, I know what it’s like to have the seasonal blues once Christmas comes and Hannukah’s over. With that said, I invite you all (Jew or non-Jew) to check out “Good For The Jews” this Thursday (yes, that’s Christmas Eve aka the 13th night of Hannukah) at Jammin’ Java in Vienna.

The evening features Jewish music for people who don’t like Jewish music. There will be no songs about dreidels or Israeli folk dancing, just good old comedic ramblings about your favorite non-Christmas-celebrating neighbors.

WaPo loved it. The A.V. Club got a kick out of it. And The Baltimore Jewish Times went as far as to say, “This is not your father’s Judaism: [this is] Jews with an edge and proud of it.”

So do yourselves a favor and skip out on the Chinese food and a movie. Go see “Good For The Jews” on Christmas Eve. Then … go get yourself some lo mein and egg rolls on Christmas Day. They’ll taste that much better a day later anyway.

Tickets are still available at www.JamminJava.com or by calling (703) 255-1566

Music, News, The Daily Feed
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9:30 Club Says Fight the Merger

Photo courtesy of
‘Sold Out’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Last night I got an email from the 9:30 club. Usually, their emails are about the sweet shows they get, and about DC Music, but this one was about something else entirely: the LiveNation/Ticketmaster merger that’s in the works. Specifically, they’re hoping that it won’t go through, because it would be bad for DC:

As a concertgoer you have already felt the pain, and if Ticketmaster and Live Nation get their way, it’ll get worse. In the last 12 years, since Live Nation and its predecessor started its widespread takeover of the concert industry, concert ticket prices have shot up 82% while the consumer price index has gone up just 17%*. We are concerned that if the two concert industry behemoths, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, are permitted to merge, the variety and quality of artists coming to local venues will be affected, and your costs could rise further and faster.

And it’s signed:

The 9:30 Club, I.M.P., Merriweather Post Pavilion, Jam Productions, Metropolitan Talent, Another Planet Entertainment, Frank Productions, Stone City Attractions, Rams Head Live, The Black Cat … and independent concert promoters and venue operators nationwide.

If you want to learn more, you can check out TicketDisaster.org and read up on the merger, and how to object as a concert-goer. Me, I think those bastards at TicketMaster can die in a fire, so I’m all for tanking this. “Convenience” Fees my ass…

The Daily Feed
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Arlington Snow Removal Request Line

Photo courtesy of
‘Hemley Lane Dec 20th 2009’
courtesy of ‘Photos by Chip Py’

My street? Still a block of ice. So when Arlington tweeted the snow removal hotline, you bet your holiday ass I called right then and there. And they were totally friendly! And will return my call when the snow is removed! Need to raise a little hell of your own? The hotline for snow removal problem spots is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 703-228-6570 or email des@arlingtonva.us.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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What Snowpocalypse Can Do for You

Photo courtesy of
‘Rowhouse Turret with Snow’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Believe it or not, what’s left of Snowpocalypse can help you save money. By looking at what’s melting on your roof, you can tell if your heat is going through the roof — and launching your utility bill sky high, too.

If the snow on your roof melted quickly, it may mean that your heat is zooming toward the heavens, along with your hard-earned dollars. You can save on heating and cooling simply by insulating your attic. And of course that means you’ll burn less fossil fuel.

Arlington’s Fresh AIRE blog has pictures that show you just what to look for. For starters, try comparing your roof to your neighbors’. It’s just another way to keep up with the Joneses.

The Daily Feed
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Santa Killed Rudolph at Macy’s

Rudolph broke his neck.

That’s kind of how it looks, right? Santa looks like he is beating the poor reindeer senseless, maybe clubbing his head with whatever is in his grubby little mitt. Santa has been known to be jolly at times but is also well known for being a hard ass on the elves. I didn’t know he also beat his reindeer. This is even more of an abuse than George Washington keeping a camel at Mount Vernon.

Seen at Ballston Mall, outside Macy’s. Santa fled the scene moments later.

News, The Daily Feed
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DC To Make Public Office Building Energy Efficiency Levels

Photo courtesy of
‘Peeking Through’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

In 2010, DC will require owners of buildings with more than 200,000 square feet of office space to track their energy efficiency to be made part of a publicly available database of energy efficiency information. DC will be the first to require that this information be made publicly available starting in 2012. All office buildings of that size will be given Energy Star ratings that will be available to potential tenants and others.

The Daily Feed
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AA Flight from DCA Overshoots Runway in Jamaica

American Airlines Flight 331, a 737-800 originating from DC National Airport, overshot the runway on landing in Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica, with heavy rain. The plane broke into pieces and came to a stop on the beach, just short of the water. At the moment we are hearing 154 on board, no fatalities, 91 injuries, 3 reported serious. Survivors escaping the fuselage emerged into dark and rain, then had to walk down the beach to get to waiting buses. More from NPR, and discussion on Airliners.net.

The Daily Feed
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Jason Marquis Joins The Nationals

Photo courtesy of
‘Photo 040’
courtesy of ‘Dinur’

The Nationals got a new addition for the new year today. 31-year-old right-hander Jason Marquis signed a two-year contact today and will join the squad for the 2010 season.

What do Nationals fans have to look forward to with this off-season acquisition? Marquis is coming off of a 15-13, 4.04 ERA season with the Rockies — who he also represented in the 2009 All-Star Game. The guy’s one of only 10 other pitchers in the game today who has notched a double-digit win total since 2004 and is the lone player to have reached the last 10 postseasons (his previous teams include the Braves from 2000-2003, the Cardinals from 2004-2006, the Chicago Cubs from 2007-2008, and most recently the Rockies).

Welcome to the Nat Pack, Jason. We hope to see great things from you!

[And yes … I realize I just said Nat Pack. We’ve really gotta get some better team nicknames. There’s a good New Year’s resolution if you don’t have one already.]

The Daily Feed
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Local Businesses Hurt By Snow

Photo courtesy of
‘life goes on’
courtesy of ‘zoetnet’

The great snowpocalypse is over. And now — we even know how to survive it should it decide to come back again some day!

Some of us went sledding. Some of us stayed inside, covered in blankets, with hot cocoa and a movie. Others saw snow for the first time and looked up in awe, while others who were more accustomed to traditional winters brushed it off after a few hours.

But let us not forget those who are now hurting from the great fun everyone else was having.

The weekend before Christmas is always a huge money maker for retailers. Thanks to the biggest snow storm in DC history, retailers were left feeling the freeze.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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What exoneration do you expect to find?

Photo courtesy of
‘Bheja Fry’
courtesy of ‘kkalyan’

Here’s the long and the short of the DC Police Union’s position: maybe there’s some perfectly good reason that Detective Baylor, after choosing to get out of his vehicle and confront the snowball scofflaws, would have needed to have readied his weapon.

There’s no other way I can think of to take Union chief Kristopher Baumann’s assertion that Chief Cathy Lanier should have refrained from passing judgement. Said judgment being, in case you have forgotten, placing Detective Baylor on desk duty – with pay, of course – and calling his actions “inappropriate.”

Tom took issue when Chief Lanier presumed guilt on the part of an accused officer last week, but this situation has one major difference that Baumann seems to be missing: there is visual proof that Detective Baylor drew his weapon after getting out of his car to confront the snowball throwers. The only thing up for debate is whether there can be any justification for creating this confrontation and then escalating it by producing a firearm when no other weapon – beyond snow – was reported to have come into play.

Perhaps Baumann can think of one, but I cannot and it would seem Chief Lanier concurs. No doubt someone with over-sensitive pride might think that responding to getting hit with a snowball with bullets could possibly be reasonable, but I think that flavor of hothead is better served to a life of crime than law enforcement.

The Daily Feed
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Room 11 Uncorks Their Nocino

Photo courtesy of
‘Lamont and 11th Street NW’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Yesterday, I mentioned in passing that Room 11 was uncorking their nocino last night. On a lark, we headed over after beers at Church Key and tried a glass of the wonderful house-made liqueur. You might be more familiar with the Italian digestif limoncello, which is made in a similar process, the rich lemon flavor is a smooth after-dinner drink.

Nocino is like limoncello’s older, stronger, angrier brother, in the best possible description. The nose is like a floral old-style root beer, heady with herbs that tantalize and inspire. The taste, though, is like nothing I’ve ever had. It comes in three waves, first strong cinnamon and clove, next ginger and nuts, and finally the slow and pleasant burn of a good strong spirit, mixed with the walnut and herbs. Can’t miss this one. Go now.

Room 11
3234 11th Street NW
Washington DC 20010

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Bistrot Lepic’s Tuesday Happy Hour

Mural, Bistrot Lepic

"Mural, Bistrot Lepic" by Jenn Larsen on Flickr

Snowpocalypse hangover gotcha down? Feeling a bit battered by slush and shoveling? Bistrot Lepic has launched its new Tuesday Happy Hour program in the upstairs wine bar, and from 6pm to 8pm tonight you can try complimentary pours from its extensive wine list. Co-Owner and Managing Partner Cyrille Brenac will choose some of the more unique wines off the 160 bottle collection for you to try, and will switch it up weekly. Tonight features a 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Quincy, Domaine de Chevilly.

I love this wine bar’s quiet and intimate setting (but especially the mural of the helpful pigs) and its cosy, terribly sexy ambience is just the thing to stave off any holiday blues.