Category Archives: The Daily Feed

The Daily Feed
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Bring on the Bubble

Hirshhorn
Courtesy of Diller Scofidio & Renfro

On Monday, the New York Times blew the roof off of the Hirshhorn Museum’s plan to build a 145 foot tall bubble-shaped meeting hall, estimated to cost a cool $5 million (that’s roughly 5 million packs of Bubblicious).  Quickly thereafter, the Washington Post followed up with an article that basically said, “What a dumb idea.  Art museums should be about art, and only art.”

First, why can’t our own newspaper be the first to break a story about something incredibly cool happening in DC?  Come on, Blake.  Get your nose out of the air.  New York Times, +1.

Second, the Hirshhorn Bubble, if it is indeed erected, will be one of the best things to happen to the DC art scene.  The Tate Modern in London is known as one of the most revered art museums in the world, not only because of its amazing collection but because they allow the building to be an extension of the art.  Remember Doris Salcedo’s Shibboleth?  Washington Post, -1.

As you can tell, I welcome this idea with open arms and think it would add some spark to DC’s conservative reputation.  I always hear, “DC art will always come in second to New York art.”  That’s partially because New York doesn’t poo-poo creativity and reserve art for the elite.  Take off that business suit, DC, and put on a swan dress.  Live a little, and bring on the bubble.

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Catoe: Budget-Driven Service Cuts Likely

Photo courtesy of
‘double vanishing point’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

So if Catoe has his way with the budget, say goodbye to 8-car trains. And the peak period turnbacks at Grosvenor. And look for more crowded trains and buses.

Catoe unveiled his plan this afternoon to deal with the (now) $40M budget gap in Metro’s books.

Bus and rail service reductions, including lengthening the time between trains and buses. Gaps could increase by a minute during rush hour to upwards of 10 minutes over the weekend. Such service reductions would save the transit agency an estimated $4M.

The timetable for such cuts could be as early as February of next year through at least June, when Metro’s fiscal year ends. But keep in mind that Catoe & Co. have indicated that next year’s shortfall is now around $175M, so it’s quite likely such cuts – if approved – will become “permanent” for the foreseeable future.

The Daily Feed
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Catoe Says What He Should Have Said in June

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

WMATA General Manager John Catoe made a statement to Metro’s board today in which he declared “war on anything and everything that stands in our way of making our system as safe as it can possibly be.”

I applaud Catoe’s statement, because really, when tens of thousands of people are trusting you with their lives every day, that’s exactly what your attitude should be. Too bad it came after the worst safety year Metro has ever HAD, and not immediately after the June 22 Red Line crash, or the deaths of employees inspecting tracks, or the crash that totaled three cars in a railyard. It seems pretty sad that this had to wait until Senator Barbara Mikulski hung him out to dry.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Social Safeway to seek LEED certification

Photo courtesy of
‘green’
courtesy of ‘s2art’

DCmud reports that the currently under construction Georgetown Safeway (AKA the Social Safeway) will be seeking a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

While this is truly great news, what’s not so great news for area residents is that the supposed nine month renovation that started in April will actually extend into May 2010.

The Daily Feed
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H1N1 Vaccine Available to All in DC

Photo courtesy of
‘who is calling me at this hour’
courtesy of ‘choofly’

DC has lifted the restrictions on who may receive the H1N1 (swine flu, bacon lung, hamthrax) vaccination, as has Maryland. (Virginia residents are still slightly restricted, but people younger than 50 can generally get it.)

H1N1 cases have been down slightly recently, but a resurgence is expected in January/February, so it’s a good time to get your shot. DC will be offering a free clinic at the Fort Davis Community Center in Southeast from 5-9PM today. If that doesn’t work for you, your doctor or pharmacist (yes, pharmacist, if your pharmacy offers immunization services) can vaccinate you, but you’ll be charged for the administration, so check with your insurance to see what your coverage situation is.

The Daily Feed
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DC CFO: We’re Gonna Be Short

Photo courtesy of
‘Heritage Village – Largo, Florida’
courtesy of ‘kthypryn’

DC CFO Natwar Gandhi says the District is going to be experiencing “declining revenue” that will result in shortfalls over the next three years. $17M in 2009 (yes, current year) and then up to $277M in Fiscal 2012, which suggests that we’re far from out of the woods in this recession and cutbacks or new taxes are going to be the order of the day going forward.

I fully expect this will be an issue in the Mayoral race next spring and summer, so get used to seeing discussions of empty pockets.

News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Skins’ Cerrato Resigns

Photo courtesy of
‘FIRE VINNY!’
courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’

I’m sure these two fans are very happy this morning as Vinnie Cerrato has resigned this morning according the ESPN 980. Cerrato was the Executive Vice President in charge of Football Operations and has been calling the plays for the Skins since they moved that responsibility from Jim Zorn several weeks ago shots in the front office for the team.

It’s not immediately clear who will replace Cerrato, but I’m hearing that there will be a press conference at Redskins Park this afternoon to discuss the situation. As soon as we know more, you will, too. Cerrato has been a controversial figure for the Skins this season, and his departure will likely be hailed by many as a long time coming, This season has been very disappointing for the Skins, and likely Vinny’s taking the blame for poor performance on the field. Good choice? That remains to be seen.

The Daily Feed
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NCBF Shows Off Official Festival Artwork

2010 Official Art

The National Cherry Blossom Festival has announced that the 2010 Festival Artwork has been selected. The piece (seen above) was created by Junko Yamada of Jackson Heights, NY.

The artwork will be seen on official merchandise when the National Cherry Blossom Festival arrives on March 27 and concludes on April 11. Grandstand ticket seating for the parade is already on sale for those who can’t wait. Also of note is a new collectible holiday ornament, hand-painted by artist Otella Brantmier.

Just a little touch of spring for those of you already chilled by winter.

Adams Morgan, Alexandria, Arlington, Downtown, Dupont Circle, Essential DC, Foggy Bottom, Life in the Capital, Penn Quarter, Petworth, The Daily Feed, The Hill, The Mall
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Giving Map

Photo courtesy of
‘Salvation Army Christmas Give Away’
courtesy of ‘docentjoyce’

Continuing with our “Good Samaritan” theme, I now provide you with a means by which you may become said Samaritan.  Behold: the WaPo giving map.  This handy application maps out charities in the DC area and sorts them by type.  The list includes everything from homeless shelters, to non-profits for the arts, to religious charities.  So, in the spirit of the season, take a look at the map and find a place in your area that you’re willing to give time or money to.  Make someone’s holiday better.

The Daily Feed
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People are often good

Photo courtesy of
‘Super Heroes are nearby!’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

There’s not much to this story. I share it just as a reminder that every day there are people in need and every day there are people who step forward to help, even if it puts them at risk.

A 27-year-old woman is okay after several Good Samaritans rescued her from a burning car after an accident on the Beltway.

…

After the crash, the woman was dazed and unable to get out of the Jeep because her foot was stuck underneath one of the pedals and the doors were jammed shut.

Once the Jeep came to a stop, the back of the car erupted into flames.

Brady says several Good Samaritans saw the car catch on fire and ran to rescue the woman. One rescuer tried to knock the fire out with an extinguisher as others jumped onto the hood and tore the cloth top off the Jeep.

The Daily Feed
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WTF Am I Supposed To Do With This?!


WTF am I supposed to do with this?!
Originally uploaded by tbridge

I came home the other day and there it was. The annual bag with our new yellow pages. The one that we always just take out to the curve…eventually. Sometimes it sits there for a few weeks, get’s soaked or frozen, or both, because really, in the age of Google, what the hell is the point of the Yellow Pages? To take up space?

I wish there was a way to opt-out of these damned things with any expectation it might work…

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Winter 2010 Restaurant Week Best Bets

Photo courtesy of
‘Ping Pong Dim Sum Reflection’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

I say it every go-round, but some of you are new to the city or new to restaurant week (Jan 11-17th), so I’ll briefly repeat myself (click here for my full thoughts) – you want to book a restaurant week place that is going to be a great deal that you can’t get at any other time. That, to me, is the key to success for RW. There are a LOT of great places on that list that have prix-fixe menus all throughout the year that are $35 or less. I’ve rounded them up for you, so here are places to avoid.

A lot of really great places, like PS 7’s and Oya, tend to extend the deal for a few weeks, or months after. I’d recommend taking them up on that extension and not bending over backwards to get a table during RW proper.

That said, here is my short list of my best bets:

Lunch: 2941, Bourbon Steak, Volt, Westend Bistro

Dinner: Bibiana, Adour, Me Jana, Poste, Volt, Zentan, Willow, 1789

The Daily Feed
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And the meddling/pontificating begins

Art_chaffetz_congress

We seem to have a “winner” for the competition to see which congressperson would first promise to subvert DC home rule on marriage equality: Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah.

Here’s my favorite part: “If it were put up for a vote, traditional marriage would win,” he said. “It would win with a congressional vote, and it would win with the residents of Washington, D.C.

Setting aside the question about whether civil rights should be up for a popular vote, I do wonder if anyone explained to Rep Chaffetz that the DC council was elected by the residents of DC… and he was not?

Entertainment, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Free Irish Film Fest Tickets!

Gabriel Byrne in "Stories from Home." Photo courtesy Capital Irish Film Festival.

Gabriel Byrne in "Stories from Home." Photo courtesy Capital Irish Film Festival.

The good folks at Solas Nua are giving our readers a chance at free tickets to the Capital Irish Film Festival’s closing night screening! The first 20 readers who order tickets using the code “welovedc” will be comped the regular admission fee (limit 2 tickets per person).

Gabriel Byrne: Stories from Home is a “revealing and evocative” documentary detailing Byrne’s public and private life, showing this Sunday, December 20 at the E Street Cinema at 6pm. Byrne is probably best known for his current role on HBO’s In Treatment, but my personal favorite will always be The Usual Suspects…

News, The Daily Feed
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No Innocent Until Proven Guilty at MPD

Photo courtesy of
‘Cathy “Bags” Lanier’
courtesy of ‘Women_in_Uniform’

The words from Chief Lanier yesterday were harsh and left no room for doubt:

“Officer Jones and his actions are a disgrace to the uniform proudly worn by the men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department who put their lives on the line every day. This crime is a betrayal of the community’s trust and is an insult to the fine men and women of this Department.”

Someone should remind Chief Lanier that here in the United States, you’re innocent until proven guilty at trial, and that this kind of rhetoric is useful only after they’ve found the guy guilty. Now, the evidence is apparently fairly conclusive, according to news reports, but give that sort of disgrace talk a break until after the trial.

Then again, Chief’s always been tough on crime, and somewhat more lenient about the law, so take that with a grain of salt.

The Daily Feed, The District
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Restaurant Week Announced

Photo courtesy of
‘Dining is………….’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

Winter Restaurant Week will be Jan. 11-17 this year, with $20.10 (lunch) and $35.10 (dinner). Go forth and reserve!

I’ll be back soon with recommendations – but if you’re competitive and looking for some best bets/favorites from food writers in the area (including yours truly!) check out BrightestYoungThing’s The Best and Worst Things We Put In Our Mouth round up.

The Daily Feed
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Unintentional Copy Hilarity

Photo courtesy of
blimp photo courtesy of ‘afagen’

Okay, kids! It’s time to play my favorite game! “Who screwed it up? The speaker, the reporter, or the spellchecker?”

Out of the Post’s (no doubt rushed to the web as breaking) coverage of the gay marriage vote by DC Council today comes the following:

“We are going to exercise our constitutional rights,” [Rev. Anthony] Evans said. “This is not a win today. This is an insignificant blimp that cannot become law until the process ends, and we are going to stop it in every way we can.”

So was it a typo that wasn’t caught by the spellchecker or the copy editor? Did the speaker mangle his words in his zeal, leaving the reporter and editor no choice but to report it as spoken? Anybody have a recording?

The Daily Feed
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DC Marriage equality has steps left to go

Photo courtesy of
‘Gavel’
courtesy of ‘David Michael Morris’

DC’s local government is getting a lot of attention today because of the marriage equality vote. #DC4M is a trending topic on twitter and a lot of people are making statements like this one: “DC legalizes gay marriage.”

There’s reason for gay marriage supporters to celebrate, but this is not yet a done deal.

Locals know this, but those of you coming to us from a distance probably don’t: if you’re a resident of one of the fifty states, you share your congressional representation with DC. The difference is that you get to vote them in and out of office, where DC residents just have to live with their meddling.

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