Category Archives: The Daily Feed

Fun & Games, News, The Daily Feed
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Wizards Win Season Opener, 102-91

Photo courtesy of
‘Caron Butler at the line’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Don’t look now, but the Wizards won their season opener against the Dallas Mavericks last night.  For a team that won fewer than 20 games last season, it’s an impressive feat.  Gilbert Arenas announced that he was healthy by putting back 29 points with six assists.  The Wizards moved like a well oiled, respectable team and led the Mavs for almost the entire night, winning the game 102-91.  Is this a prelude of things to come?  Will the DC field a decent basketball team this year?  It looks hopeful, right now.  What are your thoughts from last night?

News, The Daily Feed
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Chinatown Coffee Releases Statement

Photo courtesy of
‘Chinatown Coffee’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

This evening we received a statement from Chinatown Coffee’s owner Max Brown, printed in full below the break. It appears that the Browns were unaware of Cho’s previous situation with Murky (something I find a little dubious) and that while he was to have stayed on as an employee manager of staff, that role will instead go to Travis Edwards, who will become the GM on Sunday. Read on for the full statement.

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The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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WMATA silently edits news release

Photo courtesy of
‘Pravda’
courtesy of ‘aquateamhungryfort’

Earlier I linked to a WMATA news release on the changes to how SmarTrip SmartBenefits would be handled and disbursed. When reader Nate commented that he disagreed with me about the significant part of the story I went back to look at the release again… and was surprised that I had misremembered there being a section about how unused benefit deposits were refunded

When I checked another window, however, I discovered I hadn’t misremembered – WMATA had just edited the release and made no note of the change. Both releases state they were issued at 11:52am today. The original section that explains what Nate is talking about was the last bit of the second paragraph and reads as follows:

Any unused benefits will be credited back to the employer at the end of each month. Employees who currently contribute a portion of their pre-taxed salary to through the SmartBenefits® program should contact their employers to determine how that employer will handle any unused portion of their pre-tax contribution.

The new edited release makes some mention of “pre-tax benefits” but excises the word “contribution” entirely. Kinda sleazy.

The other changed sections are after the jump.

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News, The Daily Feed
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Coffee Maven Cho Faces 40 Years in Prison

Photo courtesy of
‘razor’
courtesy of ‘Skelekitten’

Nick Cho, famous for his work as a barista and coffee-shop owner, today surrendered himself to arrest and booking on 82 counts of tax fraud related to the tax debt that shuttered Capitol Hill’s Murky Coffee in 2008. According to the release from the OCFO, posted in full below the cut, he’s facing 180 days in jail for each count, if convicted, along with a $5k fine, and full restitution if convicted. That would be $410,000 in fines, plus restitution for the amounts not filed with the District in 2006 and 2007, as well as 41 years in jail.

The amount specified by the OCFO for delinquent taxes is over $100,000, which would be compounded with penalties, interest and additional fines.

Chinatown Coffee Company, where Cho currently consults on the coffee operation, did not have a comment this afternoon when reached by telephone. Cho was released this afternoon following the booking. City Paper’s Jason Cherkis has a bit of the backstory here as well. Cherkis has now also spoken with the owners at Chinatown Coffee.

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Entertainment, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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CityDance: Latitude

City Dance Ensemble, photo credit Paul Gordon Emerson

City Dance Ensemble, photo credit Paul Gordon Emerson

CityDance Ensemble has just returned to their DC homebase from tours in the Middle East and Chile, and are settling into the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre for two performances this Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm. “Latitude” features contemporary works by Artistic Director Paul Gordon Emerson, Choreographer-in-Residence Christopher K. Morgan, and others from Brazil, Chile, and Israel.

This year they were awarded the DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in an Artistic Discipline, no small feat. They even run an early arts outreach program teaching dance to kids across DC. Dancer Magazine calls them “breathlessly innovative.” Go see why.

The Daily Feed
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New Ballston Building Uses Old Bob Peck Style

bobpeck

The work of mid-century American architect Anthony Musolino was at its finest in the Ballston dealership of Bob Peck. Built in 1964, very possibly at the height of Chevrolet as a company, the modern angles and shapes of the dealer were iconic. It was demolished in 2003 as part of the revitalization at the confluence of Wilson and Glebe in the heart of Arlington. While I never came to love those angles like some did, I certainly understand how iconic they were.

Interestingly enough, those same diamond patterns of the showroom’s roof will now be part of the Cooper Carey designed building at the same site. The towering glass office building will carry the same diamond pattern at the entrance. Beautiful appropriation of an iconic design.

All Politics is Local, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Dan Snyder and the Gestapo

Photo courtesy of
‘Under the lights’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Not to keep rubbing salt into the “Redskins are the worst” wound, but Dan Snyder seems more and more like a fascist dictator every day.  There have been several accounts, including two from last night alone, of people being kicked out of FedEx Field for expressing their true feelings for Mr. Snyder.  Apparently, he sicked a couple of security guards on critical fans, confiscating a banner and kicking them out of the stadium.  Nice.  Glad to hear he’s so confident in himself.  Let this be a lesson to the rest of you.  If you’re going to tell Mr. Musolli… I mean, “Mr. Snyder” that he sucks, don’t do it in his stadium.  He really doesn’t like it. But seriously, Dan, you do suck.

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News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Wizards Kick It Off Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington Wizards’
courtesy of ‘RMTip21’

The Wizards kick off their season tonight in Dallas against Mark Cuban’s Mavericks. While it seems the Wiz will wait even longer for the holy trinity of Arenas/Jamison/Butler to be united, but since we’ve been waiting since 2007, anyhow, so what’s another 3-5 weeks? This will also mark the Washington debut of coach Flip Saunders, who took over at the helm during the off-season. Saunders’ past success with Detroit and Minnesota make him a candidate to lead the turn-around for the Wizards, but much is dependent at this point on getting everyone healthy and keeping them that way.

The Wizards start of with a brutal first fifteen games. Four of their first five opponents made the playoffs this year, and they’ll be down Antawn Jamison until mid November at the earliest. It’s not exactly the sort of situation you want a team that has so much to prove to be in so early in the season. This is the kind of stretch you want to see much later in the year, once the engine’s running on all cylinders. But, if Saunders can keep the keel even, and can come out of that first fifteen with six or seven wins, then I’d say there’s a fair chance the Wizards might be back to their earlier form. Don’t hold your breath.

Tipoff’s at 8:30 tonight, and the game’s on Comcast Sports Net.

All Politics is Local, The Daily Feed
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Obamas Wait for Swine Flu Shots Like Everybody Else

Photo courtesy of
‘Uh…Joe?’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

When it comes to the H1N1 vaccine, the CDC doesn’t play favorites. Not even for the president. Sasha and Malia have been vaccinated, as they are in one of the priority groups (young people under 24), but el presidente and the first lady have to wait like everyone else until the vaccine is available for adults 25 and over. Fair, right? Although now I am imagining Obama, delirious from having been struck down by the piggy flu, shouting from his bed, “Reid! Keep the public option, Reid! Reeeeiiiidddd!”

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Burying the lead disappointment

Photo courtesy of
‘NO SMARTRIP -6480’
courtesy of ‘Joe Tresh’

WMATA’s press release about SmartBenefits talks a little about how some changes will be made to the SmarTrip behavior to comply with new IRS rules but leaves the really interesting thing for last. A sizable percentage of people in the area might get transit subsidies from their employers but here’s the real news for all SmarTrip users: no passes or online refilling of cards till Fall 2010.

WMATA blames this delay on the complexity of implementing these changes to meet IRA rules, but it’s hard to give this much credence given how horribly overdue they are in implementing this feature. IRS transit mandates might be why they couldn’t fit it into 2009, but what’s the reason they didn’t have it in 2004 or 2005?

The Daily Feed
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MLK Memorial Just Waiting for Building Permits

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

The negotiations over the design and placement of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial have finally concluded, with the National Capital Planning Commission voting unanimously to approve the revised design. It’s been sort of a long road for this particular monument, with conflicts arising over everything from the choice of a Chinese sculptor to what kind of security stanchions would be installed around the perimeter. But with the design approved, the National Park Service just has to issue building permits so that the construction can go forward.

The monument will be placed on the tidal basin, among the cherry blossom trees, sort of diagonally across from the Jefferson Memorial. The new memorial sounds lovely, so I’m looking forward to being able to view it, the Jefferson, AND the cherry blossoms in one trip. It’s scheduled to open in late summer 2011, so expect to pick your way around the construction site while walking the tidal basin for the next couple of years.

Fun & Games, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Redskins have a Case of the Mondays

Photo courtesy of
‘Colt Brennan and Marcus Mason’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

What a night for the hometown team. The Redskins lost to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 27-17 in an absolutely miserable performance.  You may be thinking “10 points isn’t that bad,” but, I’ll remind you that half of the Eagles team is injured and that they lost to the Oakland Raiders, last week.  It’s bad.  Where to start with this?  The offense, while making a few clutch plays (hence the 17 points), had 3 turn-overs, one of which resulted in a touchdown for the Eagles. The line allowed Campbell to be sacked 6 times, oh, and Chris Cooley broke his ankle.  Things are not looking good.  On the defensive side, no one seemed to be able to stop Desean Jackson, who scored two touchdowns, one on a huge run and the other on a huge reception.  All in all, the Skins looked par for the course for this season.  The front office’s decision to mute Jim Zorn obviously had no positive effect on the play calling and the Redskins show no sign of improvement.  Honestly, get used to losing.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Crepe Love

Photo courtesy of
‘Nutella + Banana crepe!’
courtesy of ‘ronnieliew’

I don’t think I can adequately describe my love of crepes, so you’ll just have to believe me when I say that upon reading PoP’s breaking of not one but two crepe cafes hitting my ‘hood this winter I just about passed out from sheer bliss. Three words, people – Nutella! Banana! Strawberry! That’s all it takes to get me in a buckwheat batter lather!!

(ahem)

Anyway, yes, two creperies will open on the rapidly blooming 14th Street Corridor this season. Crepes on the Corner in the old Garden District space at 14th & S (by the same owners as the garden shop) and Point Chaud in the storefront formerly operated by Circle Boutique (on roughly the opposite side of the street). The former has the opportunity for a large outside seating area so I predict quite a hot brunch spot. The latter will probably be cosier. But who cares about the details! Nutella! Banana! Strawberry!

Two, two creperies. So close to me. I’m in heaven. Dancing around with dreams of savory and sweet. Can’t wait.

The Daily Feed
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Need a New Bike Light?

Photo courtesy of
‘light reflection’
courtesy of ‘m hoek’

DDOT, WABA and the City of Alexandria want bicyclists to be safer in the dark, and that’s why they’re giving away 800 free front & rear bike lights tomorrow and November 5th at Sun Trust Plaza at 18th & Columbia NW in Adams Morgan and 7th St NE and Constitution Ave NE in Capitol Hill. The giveaways in Alexandria will run tomorrow through Thursday at Holmes Run and Duke Street (Tuesday), Mount Vernon Trail at Canal Center (Wednesday) and the Four Mile Run Trail at Commonwealth Ave. (Thursday)

Night Life, The Daily Feed
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The Gibson Expands Saturday

Photo courtesy of
‘Ceiling at The Gibson’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

If you’ve been left waiting outside at the Gibson, then you’ll probably be ecstatic to hear: they open their upstairs this weekend, doubling the capacity of the popular speakeasy. Better news? The upstairs has a couple rooms that you can rent for private events. Of course, I’m betting that’s going to be a popular option which then limits the capacity again, so don’t get too excited, just get ready to book that room way in advance for cool events.

The Daily Feed
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Street Car Maps

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Hoffmann’

The District Department of Transportation released an interactive map of the new street car systems, currently under construction.  The map superimposes the proposed routes over a map of the city, and the system looks like it will be pretty widespread by the time it’s finished.  I, for one, am excited.

The Daily Feed
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It’s That Time Again: High Heel Race!!

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

Folks, it is time for that most DC event: The High Heel Race. If you’re not familiar, it’s a race down 17th street, with men in their finest taffeta and lamé gowns, in beautiful high heel shoes. If you’re not convinced, check out Katie’s photo digest from last year’s event. The race isn’t until 8 or so in the evening, but plan to be there by 6:30 at the latest if you want a good viewing spot.

My friend Stuart will be racing this year, and I certainly wish him good balance and excellent speed. He’ll be in the purple slinky cocktail dress and matching pumps, I’m sure. Seriously, come out and see the costumes for yourselves, they’re absolutely perfect for this fantastic time of year.

Update to mention: Of course I left the date off. The Race is Tomorrow, 10/27, not today.

The Daily Feed
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The Romance of Steam


The Romance of Steam
Originally uploaded by LaTur

When I moved to DC in 2000, it was just about the worst move ever. We were dragging a trailer in my 92 Ford Explorer, and the transmission died in Cumberland. I had just found out the job I came here for had evaporated, that I couldn’t get out of my lease, and now I was facing a $1,000 car bill and three days stuck in Cumberland while my transmission got fixed. My cousin and I tried to make the most of it, and we took a trip on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad captured here by Flickr user LaTur.

The trip on the restored railroad is a beautiful one, winding through the hills of northern Appalachia through the trees and scenic views. This weekend, I can only imagine, was a beautiful one to take the train, as we’re having just about the most picturesque fall I can remember in my near-decade of DC life. They do Saturday Murder Mystery events with a ride on the train and dinner. Go. Feel wrapped in the anachronism, and just step out of reality for an evening.

The Daily Feed
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Education Funding Gone Awry

Photo courtesy of
‘Multimedia message’
courtesy of ‘Big C Harvey’

D.C. Wire has the story about an Education project in DC that went horribly awry and cost the city $5.5M for something that doesn’t even remotely work. Several councilmembers got to hammer away at the Chief Procurement Officer and State Superintendent on Friday afternoon for the abject failure to conform the project. In addition to the lengthy delays in delivery and error-prone system, the consultants they hired to build it are nearly bankrupt. Way to go, DC Government, that’s another big win for us all.

Nicely done.