By Don
I’d actually seen the WTF Blanket parody of the Slanket commercials some time ago, but until this article in the Washington Times I hadn’t realized it was done by a local of sorts – American University student Jack Douglass. Apparently parody dubbing can be profitable – the Times article claims Douglass is bringing in over $2,000 a month in ad revenue from his various videos.
I have to admit, his sequel is almost as funny as the first. The cameo at the end made made me laugh out loud.
By Cathy
Yesterday, I noticed a cranes and quite an operation setting up this fanciful metal sculpture outside of the Busboys and Poets and 5th and K. It reminds me of the sculpture outside of Zaytinya at 9th and K, and I kind of like it…
We could use a little art on that corner to block the view of the drug busts going on round the clock on the corner across the street. Although, I find those quite entertaining as well.
What do you think? Love it or hate it?
By jasmine
‘day003’
courtesy of ‘Photomish Dan’
As of tomorrow, if you’re under 18 and live in Howard County, MD, it’s illegal for you to step into an indoor tanning booth. The surprising thing about this little piece of news is that a) this is the first time it’s occurred to the board of health to do this b) they’re the first jurisdiction in the country to ban underage indoor tanning. Perhaps health officials have never visited my high school? There were so many girls walking around tinted a strange oompa-loompa orange, complete with those weird little goggle marks, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were actually in the chocolate factory. Time to embrace the pasty, kids. It’s really not so bad.
By Donna C.
”
courtesy of ‘sarawithoutanh001’
Lovers of farmers markets, rejoice. An additional one, the Columbia Pike market in Arlington, will be staying open year ’round.
As in years past, there will be a holiday market each Sunday until Dec. 20. In addition to apples, winter squash and the like, the market will offer eggnog, holiday baked goods, gift baskets, wreaths/garlands, Christmas trees, standing rib roast, special raviolis, handmade holiday cards, jewelry, and more. I like to pick up some of the homemade chocolate truffles as gifts; they’re always a hit.
Come January, for the first time, several vendors will return to bring us local staples through the winter: J-Wen dairy, Smith Meadows All Natural Meat and Eggs, Hondo Coffee, and Union Street Soapworks. Creekside Produce and other vendors may stay through the cold months, too.
By Don
Ah the glory of Youtube. I knew it wouldn’t take long before we saw some video of the gameplay set in the District. If I was smarter it would have occurred to me to look for this yesterday – some people always manage to get their hands on things before release date.
I’ll put everything below the jump here in case you intend to play the game and want to be surprised.
By Rebecca
‘Iwo Jima at night’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’
Today commemorates the 234th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corp. On November 10, 1775, a Committee of the Continental Congress met at the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia and authorized two battalions of Marines to fight against the British in the war for independence.
A very happy birthday and a special thank you to all who have and continue to serve in the USMC. Ooh Rah!
By Tom Bridge
‘End of the line’
courtesy of ‘quinn.anya’
Governor Tim Kaine this morning announced that there will be no clemency for John Allen Muhammad, and that his execution will proceed at 9pm Eastern Time tonight. As someone who lived just a few miles from the Home Depot on Route 7 where Muhammad shot Linda Franklin, and remembers the chaos and confusion around the random attacks in 2003, I have to say: Good riddance to bad rubbish.
I’m not a huge fan of society putting people to death, but in this clear-cut case? No objections here.
By Don
‘0925092106.jpg’
courtesy of ‘steevithak’
Well, I told you about it last month and now that the review period has ended the rules have gone into effect. The District’s games board has put into effect their rules governing ADA compliance for places who want to sell lottery tickets. If you’re unable to roll into a place and throw a buck down the electronic toilet you can file an agency ADA complaint form and they’ll follow up with the merchant.
I’m thinking this might be a good way to go after people peddling crack on the street corners. If they can’t demonstrate knowledge of how to sign “$40 for a dime bag” then drag em off for an ADA violation!
‘500 Block of H Street NW’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
H Street Main Street is seeking residents to help develop a timeline of the history, people, and culture surrounding H Street NE. If you’re reading a blog called We Love DC, you possibly already know that H Street NE was a bustling shopping district before the 1968 riots, and now that the area is undergoing a renaissance, HSMS is trying to capture the stories of people who lived in the area in the intervening years. They need all kinds of volunteers- writers, researchers, photographers, etc. You can get involved by emailing T. Isler at harvestpoluck at g mail dot com.
‘Terracotta-29’
courtesy of ‘akiwitz’
You’ve probably heard of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi’s terra cotta warriors, the thousands of life-sized statues buried with him in his tomb, intended to escort the Emperor to the afterlife. Discovered in 1974, they were one of the biggest archeological finds of the 20th century.
They’re making their last US appearance right here in DC, at the National Geographic Museum. Admission is $12, and the exhibition runs November 19th through March 31. The exhibit will showcase 15 terra cotta figures from Emperor Shihuangdi’s tomb, including nine terra cotta warriors, two musicians, a strongman, a court official, a stable attendant and a horse. Also on display will be weapons, stone armor jade ornaments, roof tiles and decorative bricks, a bronze crane and swan, and a gold coins pièce collection. According to a rare coin dealer, this gold coin collection is highly valuable and costs millions of dollars.
We’re getting a full preview of the exhibit on the 18th, so look for our review shortly thereafter. In the meantime, here’s two ‘sneak preview’ photos provided to us by National Geographic… Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘US Capitol Christmas’
courtesy of ‘marc.benton’
Thanks much to reader Couch for pointing out that you can follow the Capitol Christmas Tree on its trek to DC from the mountains of Arizona. You can also check its daily progress as it comes to DC after touring Arizona through their online schedule. The tree was cut from Apache National Forest, and is an 85-foot Blue Spruce.
By Don
‘zombie texting’
courtesy of ‘mattwi1s0n’
The council’s omnibus bill which I mentioned yesterday had a bit that’s likely to impact all of you drivers: a complete and total ban on texting while driving in the District. The law as it’s written defines texting to include any time you “compose, send, receive, or read a written message or image” and it includes texts, instant messages and electronic mail.
Who needs speed cameras? Fining lobbyists with their blackberries could solve all our financial woes $100 at a time.
Unlike violating the hands-free rules there’s no first offender clause here. So if your friends text you directions to their house you’d better write them down on a piece of paper and read THAT while driving.
I’m not sure why we haven’t seen any press on this. As an emergency act it’s been in effect since Oct 21 when the major signed it, so in theory it’s already operational and the cops can cite you for texting while driving till it expires in late January.
By Katie
‘Ray’s Hell Burger’
courtesy of ‘roboppy’
DC Public records show that restaurateur Michael Landrum has officially applied for an Alcohol License for Ray’s the Steaks at East River. The license says Ray’s the Steaks at East River will be, “New high quality and full-service community and family oriented restaurant serving grilled steaks and traditional entrees. Occupancy Load is 85 and Sidewalk Café with 40 seats.” An indicative move on the part of Landrum who has been attempting to open the restaurant for a while now, and has had to push back opening East River since the original prediction of April 2008.
Located in East River, many believe East River to be a bold move on Landrum’s part, especially since Ward 7 is severely lacking in sit-down options. The only option now for sit-down in Ward 7 is a Denny’s. The location is cited as right off of Benning Road at Dix Street, at what looks to be easy walking distance from the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station.
Landrum has been quoted in the past as saying, “The more I looked into the neighborhood, the more I talked to people, the more excited I have gotten about the great prospect and hope there.” We Love DC author Shannon has reported on East River in the past as being the next big redevelopment location in DC, and a Ray’s the Steaks is a great way to start.
By Tom Bridge
‘Harrison, NY Train Wreck’
courtesy of ‘George Eastman House’
If there’s one trend in entertainment in the last decade that I have come to absolutely, positively, with no exception loathe, hate, despise and deplore, it’s the rise of reality television. The “unscripted” nature of these programs, along with a willing supply of fame-whores looking for an easy break, makes it cheap to produce them en masse with little or no preparation. One need only look at this list of the 15 worst Reality TV shows ever made to recognize the scourge that they are.
Now, DC has played host to a few of the Reality shows, with this summer’s Real World taking place up in Dupont, and Bravo’s Real Housewives of DC filming now (seriously, this is the show concept that has me thinking that fiery demise is far too good for the people who come up with the premise for these shows.), so why shouldn’t it surprise me that Marion Barry is filming a pilot for his own reality show? DCist confirmed it with his Chief of Staff. If you really felt the need to watch this kind of train wreck, could you let us know? I really want to figure out who likes these things.
By Don
Not just if they’re pointed at you – if you know you’re in the car with one. Among the painfully long list of items in the council’s Oct 21 omnibus bill was this: “It is unlawful for a person to be voluntarily in a motor vehicle if that person knows that a firearm is in the vehicle, unless the firearm is being lawfully carried or lawfully transported.”
So if your buddy lets you know that s/he’s engaging in a little bit of civil disobedience by driving around with his pistol in the trunk you may want to reconsider carpooling. The maximum penalty if you’re convicted is five years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. If you’ve been convicted of trafficking in firearms in the District in the past you can double that.
Another fun one in this omnibus bill is criminalizing unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. 90 days and/or $500 fine for entering the motor vehicle that you don’t have permission to get into, and entering means “to insert any part of one’s body into any part of the motor vehicle, including the passenger compartment, the trunk or cargo area, or the engine compartment.” So if someone leaves their Ferrari unlocked I’d advise you not to sit in it and make VROOM VROOM noises.
Though that would still be cheaper than renting one for a day. Hmm.
By Katie
‘Day 783 / 365 – The curse of red wine’
courtesy of ‘JasonRogersFotographie’
EFN Lounge (formerly Be Bar) is hosting DC’s first taste tripping party. $12 will get you in the door, and guests will twist their tongue on a West African berry called synsepalum dulcificum, or “trippy fruit.” Trippy fruit temporarily re-wires taste receptors on the tongue, transforming acidic and sour food into sweet and enjoyable treats.
They say, “After commencing the trip, guests will be ushered into the Tripeteria, a cafeteria with an all-you-can-trip buffet full of all the sour nasties usually consumed in moderation. In this conceptual, experimental flavor laboratory, lemon wedges become lollipops, hot sauce becomes donut glaze, goat cheese becomes cheesecake, bottom-shelf tequila becomes Patron, and a Guinness Beer becomes a chocolate milkshake.
The menu was designed by a team of experienced flavor trippers and evolves for each party. Selections include sour candy, cheese from Dean & Deluca, pickles, soy sauce, raddishes, sour fruits, sugarless cupcakes, and much more. Ticket holders can suggest menu items on a form at the online checkout. EFN will also hold taste-testing of shots and cocktails designed for flavor tripping enthusiasts.”
I got a little weirded out by this and turned to my BFF Google for answers. These things DO exist, and ARE legal, and are having a come-back. So now… I’m oddly intrigued. For more info, or reservations if you’re bold, visit the EFN Web site.
‘226’
courtesy of ‘elgin.jessica’
With all the grousing we do about the circus that is City Council and the general inefficiencies of DC government, it’s nice to take a minute to think about who is really doing great work while the Harriette Walters and Marion Barrys of the world grab all the headlines. The Cafritz Awards for Excellence in DC Government are now accepting nominations, and past winners have run the gamut from police officers to social workers, from recreation workers to District CTO office employees. Each winner receives $7,500 cash and is celebrated at a gala event next summer.
Have you had a great experience with a staff member of DC Government? The nomination deadline is December 11, 2009, so get nominating.
By Donna C.
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
It takes a lot to get me excited about a sale on clothes, and it’s happening this week. Mail-order seller Title Nine is bringing a blowout sale to Friendship Heights from Thursday through Sunday.
They have fun fitness and casual clothing; a little summer skirt I bought from them is my favorite and has been worth every penny. Some of their clothes have eco-friendly materials, and I like that they use everyday women to model for their catalog.
I’m happy because there’s a limit to what I’ll spend for workout wear, and this promises savings of up to 60%. While I don’t have any ties to the company, I am hoping to have a new pair of their winter running pants soon.
By Don
not the actual Che image
The Reliable Source reports kind of a duh moment between a GOP consultant and the proprietor of Busboys & Poets over the B&P display of some images of famous communists. It’s pretty unsurprising stuff on both sides, with the exception of this one bit: “Blakeman, who says he didn’t know the restaurant’s leanings, e-mailed Shallal to express disgust over the poster of communist revolutionaries”
How is it possible to walk into a B&P and not be slapped in the face by their leanings? The last time I walked by the Shirlington location – the site of this tempest in a socialist teapot – the windows were festooned with flyers that made you wonder if it was okay to come in without a hemp shirt.
I think Blakeman is focusing on the wrong aspect. Personally I love the irony of buying overpriced coffee in a place that lionizes communist figures. Irony is tastier than nutrasweet.
By Don
The wikipedia entry for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 takes a cynical stance. It points out that “A trailer released on the official Infinity Ward YouTube page teased fighting at the United States Capital in Washington, D.C., although it is unknown if the game will feature fighting in that setting.” I choose to remain optimistic and look forward to seeing how the most recent game to be set in our fair city depicts our layout. We know that there’s at least some liberties taken – as commenter Mr T in DC pointed out when I first mentioned the game’s setting, they show a damaged Washington Monument with rebar or girders showing through. The monument is actually solid masonry.
If you just can’t wait and are unsullied by this disease I call “employment,” you can get a jump on the rest of us by picking up the game at some local stores tonight at 12:01. Walmart has indicated they will be open to sell it and Best Buy has a webpage listing which stores will be open for the midnight sale. Amusingly-but-not-actually-ironically neither of the DC-located stores in Tenley or Columbia Heights will be participating. Also amusing, they seem unclear on what timezone we’re in – the above screencap was off the BB site at 12:43p, making it the latest midnight I’ve ever seen
By 