Category Archives: The Daily Feed

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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The New Vintage

Photo courtesy of
‘Bottle’s Top’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

Want to benefit a good cause while drinking wine and eating food prepared by Esquire’s best new chef? Look no further than Heart’s Delight: the New Vintage Eat Local ~ Drink Local wine auction, hosted at the Blue Ridge this coming Wednesday.  $50 gets you in the door and allows you to sample fare prepared by the acclaimed Chef Barton Seaver.  His dishes, which are locally sourced, will paired with beer and wine from the DC area.  Proceeds from the auction benefit the American Heart Association, and the event is designed to give young, philanthropically minded professionals an opportunity to network and volunteer.  If you’re interested in attending, be sure to buy your tickets by the end of the day!

The Daily Feed
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The Redskins trademark case is done. For probably 10 minutes.

Photo courtesy of
‘Randle El’
courtesy of ‘headsoak’

The Washington Post reports that the Supreme Court has declined to take up the trademark case about Washington Redskins that’s been kicking around through the courts for no less than 17 years now. That puts an end to the case as it’s currently filed, but the plantiffs have indicated they have a backup plan. I’d bet they put it in motion before the end of the year, if not the end of the week.

The basic assertion of the case is that the Washington Redskins’ name and imagery is offensive, but that’s not what the courts have been wrangling over for these last few years. The issue at hand – which is what the Supremes declined to examine – is whether too much time has gone by for this challenge to be valid. This Washington Times article from May does a good job of summarizing the points, as well as the backup plan that we’ll surely see brought into play, but it does omit one important fact.

Namely that there’s nothing explicit or settled in trademark law that provides a firm time limit for an offensiveness challenge. If I were to role-play a Supreme Court justice I might have declined to take up this current challenge in order to wait for a more perfect test case example. Like, say, the same case by someone who filed on the day they turn 18.

We haven’t heard the last of this.

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Leesburg Under Attack by Overly Agressive Turkey

Photo courtesy of
‘I’m no one’s Thanksgiving dinner!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Leesburg, VA is under siege by an aggressive,  car hating turkey. According to Fox, the bird, affectionately, albeit uncreatively named “Tom,” has been patrolling the streets, chasing passing vehicles.  Animal control officers managed to lure Tom to a flock of turkeys on a near by farm, which they hope will keep him out of traffic.  If not, the impending holiday should provide an easy and delicious solution to this problem.

The Daily Feed
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Auntie Anne’s Pretzels Arrival Announces Chinatown as First “Semi-Outdoor Mall”

Photo courtesy of
‘”Obama Pretzels!”‘
courtesy of ‘lorigoldberg’

Why not? I mean we have Ruby Tuesdays, Legal Seafoods, a movie theater, bowling alley, and now a smoothie shop. Why not throw in the mall chain that is Auntie Anne’s Pretzels?

Auntie Anne’s is opening in Gallery Place’s “Kiosk Row” between Chipotle and Clydes in the little green kiosk which used to house a florist.

I’m a huge fan of local, non-chain restaurant eating, so this part of Chinatown is already kind of an eyesore for me. This just brings insult to injury. But I guess that’s what we should expect in the “Times Square of DC,” as this block has been called.

What do you think? Will you be stopping by Auntie Anne’ for their delicious pretzels? Or does this feel strange to you, too?

The Daily Feed
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Tweedy Goodness

Photo courtesy of
‘DC Tweed Ride 10’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

We were out downtown this weekend, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, came a mass of easily 200 cyclists, all bedecked in beautiful garb. There were new bikes and old, racing bikes and penny-farthings, gorgeous handlebar mustaches, both painted and real, and all manner of incredible Victoriana. This was DC’s First Tweed Ride, put on by Dandies & Quaintrelles, to benefit Art for the Aging. Did you catch the Tweed Ride on your Sunday? Did you join in? Check out our photo gallery inside. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Fed’s Takeover Move Triggered by Metro Crash

Photo courtesy of
‘Wednesday Morning on the Metro’
courtesy of ‘Photos by Chip Py’

The Washington Post wrote Sunday about the Obama administration’s intent to push Congress to implement a large change in how subway safety is regulated and enforced across the country by DOT. Currently, the feds really have no power to set regulations what so ever on subway systems due to a 1965 law passed by Congress that was intended to prevent the government from inhibiting transit growth. Subway safety is typically overseen by a state level agency or, in Metro’s case, an independent Tri-State committee (which the Post notes has exactly zero employees). DOT doesn’t even have the power to make Metro comply with NTSB recommendations today.

It comes as no surprise that this move was triggered by the awful Metro crash in June and the many, many safety incidents that have plagued Metro this year. Our subway system is the second largest in the country, but it is definitely the one that has the most direct effect on Capitol Hill – it moves the majority of Hill staffers to and from work everyday.

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All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Essential DC, History, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Final Commemorative Penny Makes Its Debut

Photo courtesy of
‘Lincoln in Illinois (2009 Proof Lincoln Cent)’
courtesy of ‘kevindooley’

This morning the U.S. Mint issued the fourth and final coin of the 2009 Lincoln Bi-Centennial One-Cent Program.

Despite the rainy, cold, miserable weather, coin enthusiasts of all ages patiently waited in line to be the first recipients of the special edition penny and to turn their hard earned paper currency into coin.

This final penny carries a special edition backside showing an unfinished Capitol Building representative of the divided union Lincoln presided over. The three previously issued coins feature the log cabin where Lincoln grew up, a youthful Lincoln reading on a rail post, and a young working Lincoln standing in front of the Illinois State Capitol (feature in the above picture).

Entertainment, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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“The Wizard of Oz Turns 70” – Encore Presentation To Be Held At Mazza Gallerie

Photo courtesy of
‘Going to Oz’
courtesy of ‘alessandraelle’

The MGM classic and family favorite “The Wizard of Oz” makes a triumphant return to the silver screen this Tuesday night in Friendship Heights’ Mazza Gallerie theater at 6:30 pm. Classic film historian and Turner Classic Movies host, Robert Osborne, will be in attendance to introduce the film and share the documentary “To Oz! The Making of a Classic”. “To Oz!” gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at how L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel became a timeless film sensation for generations and generations to come.

This event is sponsored by NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video, and Turner Classic Movies, and tickets are still available at MovieTickets.com

The Daily Feed, The District
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Good News DC, Foreclosures Down!

Photo courtesy of
‘Foreclosure’
courtesy of ‘BasicGov’

Since everybody needs some kind of good news on a cold, rainy, windy, nasty, I-want-to-go-home-and-crawl-under-the-covers-with-the-dog-or-just-DRINK kinda’ day, I bring to you an article from WaPo today showing that foreclosures are going in the right direction in our area. The drop in foreclosures or take-overs this past month was nearly half the previous month in the District. The drop has also been seen in Virginia and Maryland, although not nearly as significant.

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Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The District
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Ted Kennedy’s DC Residence Goes On The Market

Photo courtesy of
‘gone, but always remembered’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Vikki Kennedy, Ted Kennedy’s widow, has put their 7-bedroom Kalorama house on the market according to the Washington Post. The property features 5 fireplaces, 7 bathrooms, a lap pool and in-home gym personally outfitted by Arnold Schwarzennegger.

The couple moved into the Kalorama estate in 1998, and occupied the residence until Senator Kennedy’s death from brain cancer on August 25, 2009.

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Quite The Showing at Capital Food Fight

Photo courtesy of
‘Capital Food Fight 2009’
courtesy of ‘DC Central Kitchen’

I’m a smidge late on the reporting, but that’s how I roll. Fashionably late to the party, you know how it is. Anyways, I had a lovely time at Capital Food Fight! The annual fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen was a blast this year, and despite my throbbing feet, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of DC’s best Chefs all in one place. The event is a combo live-battle (Top Chef style with secret ingredients and all) and Washingtonian Best-Of party style food samples. A bit star-studded, I was thrilled to see Eric Ripert, Ted Allen and Carla Hall.

The live battle was entertaining – the adorable Jose Andres co-hosted with Anthony Bourdain. The two make a really funny pair, Bourdain teasing Andres about how many restaurants he has, or how to pronounce Zaytinya. The challengers were Top Chef contestants Bryan Voltaggio (Volt), Mike Isabella (Zaytinya), and local chef Tracy O’Grady (Willow), out-of-town-chef-but-has-a-restaurant-here-does-that-count?-i-guess-we’ll-roll-with-it Michael Mina and last year’s winner Barton Seaver (Blue Ridge, etc.). After making it through three rounds, Michael Mina came out victorious. Sample his food (let’s give David Varley the Chef de Cuisine some credit here too) at Bourbon Steak. I love that restaurant!

Sixty other restaurants came out and had tables, the standout dishes in my mind were courtesy of Bastille, Oyamel and J&G Steakhouse. Others of note were Kora’s sausage over bean puree and Westend Bistro’s foie and duck over a toffee brittle. PS 7’s Gina Chersevani did cocktails for the pre-event VIP reception and I loved her vodka cider cocktail with a cinnamon sugar rim. The DC Central Kitchen student chefs were so friendly, helping out under-staffed restaurants and describing dishes to guests. Congrats to Mina and thanks to the chefs and DC Central Kitchen for putting on a great show.

The Daily Feed
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Jim Riggleman Takes the Helm

Photo courtesy of
‘Blogger Day’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

No longer “interim,” Jim Riggleman officially took his spot at the Nationals Manager yesterday afternoon at Nationals Park. Rigs went 33-42 for the Nationals in his interim role, far better than Manny Acta could muster, and better than the Nats average since they came to DC. While the Nats have a lot of improvements to make, lining up Riggleman for next season was likely one of the more unexpected choices. With Don “Sideburns” Mattingly out there, and Bobby “I’m one craaaaazy mofo” Valentine, I half-expected Stan Kasten and the Lerners to bring in Valentine to throw bats into the showers and call people lollygaggers. I’m thankful they decided to wait a few years before doing that.

The Nationals aren’t in a position to hire an A-grade manager right now. No A-grade manager worth his salt would take this job right now. There’s too much in transition, too much reputation at stake for what would be, at best, two losing seasons followed by a .500 season. Why not let someone of decent talent and demeanor soak up a few of those losses, and manage the talent that’s in the AAA and AA system into the majors? Thus enters the Rigs. Will he be enough to get the Nats back toward .500? Yes, I think so. His choices were far less frustrating than Acta’s, and he actually seemed to have a personal stake in the day to day on-field action, instead of being an impassive sphinx.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Something’s Fishy

Photo courtesy of
‘A River Runs Through It’
courtesy of ‘Brian Knight Photography’

Here’s another good reason to use all-natural lotions and potions — they can help you stay a manly man or a girly girl. How’s that?

Well, earlier this week, a new report said that now 80 percent of the male fish swimming in the Potomac River have developed eggs. Since the river provides 90 percent of DC’s drinking water, this is reason to sit up and take notice.

What’s going on? Experts aren’t entirely sure, but they’re pointing an accusing finger at endocrine disruptors in the water. The good news — you can help! Put unused medicines in the trash (not down the drain), and choose personal care products without chemicals.

And guys, remember. If you get pregnant…there is something in the water.

Music, News, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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New Music Venue in Downtown Silver Spring

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

Live Nation‘s got its paws on the next big D.C.-area music scene and its address is Silver Spring.

Residents — it’s time to say your final “goodbyes” to the J.C. Penney store that’s been vacant for 18 years. The Fillmore Music Hall will take its place. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced today that the latest addition to downtown Silver Spring will “dramatically enhance the community’s fast-growing entertainment district.”

“The County’s vision is to bring a dynamic, first-class music, entertainment, and community use venue to Silver Spring in the former J.C. Penney building,” Leggett said. “We want to bring Silver Spring revitalization across Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue. Today, we take a huge step on delivering that vision.”

Current landowners, Lee Development Group, will be presenting Montgomery County with this $3.5 million musical gift as soon as the venue’s construction is completed.

The Daily Feed
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Downtown BID Project… huh?

photo (3)

Every morning on my walk to work, I walk through Thomas Circle and down 14th Street.  Every day this week, there’s been an electronic variable message sign on 14th Street that says, “Downtown BID Project/starting on or about/11-09-09, 9:30AM-3:30PM.  The Downtown BID, as you may know, is a business improvement district, which works to revitalize the downtown core through streetscape and cleaning projects.  They’re responsible for the SAMs on the street– those friendly folks wearing red that will provide directions and information.

So, since I’ve passed this display board every day since Monday, and there’s no real information about what this project is, I decided to call the Downtown BID today and find out.  But apparently, they have no idea what’s going on either.  Someone from marketing said I’d have to “be more specific”, which I couldn’t, because there’s nothing to be specific about. See the other two screens after the jump– what can I be more specific about?
Continue reading →

Adventures, Downtown, Essential DC, History, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The District
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36th Annual Conference on Washington DC Historical Studies

Photo courtesy of
‘Lincoln’s Cottage – Magnified Capitol – 4-25-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

This Saturday, November 14, rub shoulders with and pick the brains of prominent DC scholars, students, history buffs and collectors at Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives.

The 36th annual conference unites all those dedicated to collecting and sharing the history of our nation’s capital and its local history.  This year’s highlights include newly uncovered findings on DC’s Underground Railroad, a photo history of the area, learnings from the restored Ford’ Theatre, and more.

Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.  Reservations are required. Call 202-383-1840 for more information.

The Daily Feed
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Have You Ever Seen the French (Hip Hop) Dance?

Photo courtesy of
‘Dancing to Batala at Artomatic 2009’
courtesy of ‘starbuck77’

Having lived in France for a year, I can attest that there is a certain “Je ne sais QUOI” about the way French people dance. Even when they’re out on a Friday night, it’s simply different with some 1940s swing mixed into urban break dancing. It’s also incredibly amusing to watch, and sinfully simple to start dancing along.

Tonight at 8:00 p.m., Aurélien Kairo, a well-known and “amazing” French Hip Hop dancer comes to St. Stephens Church in NW DC, hosted by L’Alliance Française and Words Beats & Life.

The 30 year old self-taught dancer from Lyon, France is successfully pursuing a faultless career.

From the street to the theaters, from the urban scene to the rural world, the relationship with his audiences, to all generations, is at the heart of Aurélien Kairo’s creative process.

Check him out on YouTube and see for yourself. This should, if nothing else, inspire some new dance moves for later tonight. And, a new interpretation of the music genre “Hip Hop.” I want to see him keep up this kind of energy for 50 minutes straight of dancing with no intermission… Can he do it??

The performance is $18 at the door. It’s expected to last 50 minutes without intermission. St. Stephens Church is located at 1525 Newton Street NW.

The Daily Feed
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Travelzoo Travel Deals Hit Twitter @DCFares

Photo courtesy of
‘fun with perspectives’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Great news for DC area deal-finder travelers who also have/follow their twitter accounts: Travelzoo partnered with Fly.com to launch real-time flight deal alerts via Twitter at @DCfares.

@DCFares promises to have the hottest airfares as soon as they come out. And their “easy-to-read Low Fare Calendars will show you exactly when the fares are available.”

Their twitter account expects 3-4 posts a week, so just make sure the other 2,458 people you follow don’t dilute the deal-finding.

The Daily Feed
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Not The Same Thing Over Againn

Againn Restaurant Located in Washington DC

Honestly, the British Gastropub trend sounds so unappealing, doesn’t it? I’ve heard it called “awful” and “tired” recently, and I gotta be honest: eating something called Mushy Peas, Black Pudding or Bubble and Squeak is not first on my list when I think of a delicious night out. It doesn’t speak to me the way “rack of lamb with cranberry coulis and yukon gold potatoes” speaks to me. That is, until I actually tried Againn.

Over on New York Avenue (sort of tucked away on 11th, really) – Againn is homey while still being trendy (the details are flawless), British without being flavorless, and a great happy hour spot to boot. And ya’ll, the Bubble and Squeak? More like a delicious savory potato latke with some veggies thrown in, than the weird swamp-creature vision I had in my head. Even better? Wesley Morton, Executive Chef of AGAINN, and partners Mark Weiss and Bahar Makinaci put a strong focus on serving sustainable seafood, organic meats and sourcing from select local farms for produce.

Standouts in my mind? I loved the cornish fish soup, served with thinly sliced bread serving as croutons to spread with a saffron mayonnaise and dip in your soup. The pork belly with brussel sprouts and cracklin’ was also a winner. But the real superstar? Toffee Pudding. The bar is also a great place to be, the genius who designed it should win an award or something for creating my ideal bar situation. A few feet from the bar proper, they’ve placed a few small little stands to set your drink on, with hooks all around the stand leg. Hang up your purse, your coat, and set your scotch down for a minute. Grade A in my book, I hate hanging on to my purse and coat while trying to unwind from my day.

Againn is located at 1099 New York Ave., NW, a few blocks from Metro Center’s 11th street exit.

Entertainment, The Daily Feed
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Bowen McCauley Dance

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Alicia Curtis and Dustin Kimball in "Lucy's Playlist," Bowen McCauley Dance. Photo credit: John McCauley

 This Sunday, Bowen McCauley Dance will be performing three pieces at the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage, free at 6pm. Featuring not just the artistry and athleticism of the professional company, but the Kenmore junior company and Dance for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) as well.

Bowen McCauley is the only dance company in the area to provide free weekly classes for people with PD, artistic director Lucy Bowen McCauley having received training and certification from the originators in New York – the prestigious Mark Morris Dance Group. This Sunday class participants will perform a piece called “If I Can’t Dance,” accompanied by folk singer Grace Griffith.  

“On this small stage you will see a huge show,” says Lucy, “involving the young, the old, the disabled, the professional, with live musicians and all for free.” Sounds pretty uplifting to me after a dreary grey week. Head out to the Kennedy Center this weekend and enjoy.