By Tom Bridge
Two years ago, Amazon announced same day service in DC provided you got your order in by 9:15am for various departments. So, today, when Amazon announced a brand new service: same day delivery, I was a little confused. Wait a sec, haven’t we had this for two years already?! I’m not sure. Did I just make that up in my head, or?
By Karl Johnson
‘The Cell’
courtesy of ‘andertho’
The man that wrought terror on the DC metro area, and cowardly took the lives of 10 innocent people, is seeking life over death. The Washington Times reports that an attorney for John Allen Muhammad will be filing a request for clemency with VA Governor Tim Kaine – the only guy that can prevent Muhammad from being put to death on November 10th. Chances of clemency being granted are incredibly slim, however.
By Tom Bridge
‘Smithsonian park bench’
courtesy of ‘Slippy Slappy’
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve seen a promo for 2012 by now. It’s disaster porn of the highest order. But, you might’ve missed that there’s a transmedia project associated with the game, including twitter accounts and a YouTube channel. If you’ve got some time this afternoon, bolt on over to the comic book store by 3pm at 50 Mass Ave NE and pass them the codeword “2012”, you’ll find yourself with a package of some import to the game.
A wild goose-chase, perhaps? Perhaps. But a fun diversion that makes you feel a bit like a spook, definitely. I remember a campaign in DC in 2003 that had me running all over DC with a group of people answering payphones as a part of a puzzle, and another that involved playing poker in Congressional Cemetery, so it’s nice to see another fun game stopping in DC along the way. If you’re looking for more in this vein, check out Unfiction, the largest online community devoted to these kinds of experiences.
By Katie
‘April 036’
courtesy of ‘krisandapril’
Cornel West is at Union Station in the bookstore signing his latest book. I got a little teenybopper and squee-ish on him, cause I wrote my senior exit paper on his influence on Lupe Fiasco‘s Food and Liquor. So if you’re in the area, and love you some Mr. West, well then, you’re in luck. He’ll also be appearing at Busboys & Poets tonight.
By Don
‘Mary McLeod Bethune’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
The section edition of A Child’s Right to Counsel: A National Report Card on Legal Representation for Abused and Neglected Children[pdf] has been released by First Star and the CAI and Maryland ranks higher than D.C. or Virginia. The report is primarily concerned with what kind of representation kids get when they interact with the child welfare system. The introduction numbers are sobering.
Over 300,000 American children entered foster care in the last fully reported year of 2006. Of the 289,000 children who exited from the system that year, only about half were reunified with their parents. The parents of 79,000 children were found to be unfit by clear and convincing evidence and had their parental rights terminated. Only 51,000 children were adopted. The remainder of these children stay in the foster care system, now numbering over 500,000 nationwide—most living in state-provided care or with relatives.
‘Fortune….’
courtesy of ‘christaki’
A University of Maryland student was arrested this week for an incident in which he drunkenly entered the dorm rooms of several sleeping female students on the GWU campus (the student has admitted to this much), and specifically in one case the female dorm occupant is alleging that he attempted to sexually assault her.
MPD says that they have noted the similarities between this incident and the Georgetown Cuddler Rapist incidents, but do not yet have any evidence that the two are related.
By Cathy
‘IMG_3820.jpg’
courtesy of ‘www.VoteJoeC.com’
If you’ve been to the new (Sexy) Safeway, Busboys & Poets or the neighborhood Ace Hardware at the CityVista complex at 5th and K, you likely haven’t been disappointed. You probably have gone back more than once. It’s an oasis of useful and appreciated stores just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Chinatown.
Well, starting tomorrow there will be a new reason for you to return to paradise island: Taylor Gourmet, a deli and market specializing in gourmet hoagies, opens its second location in the NW complex.
Feeling that DC was missing out on a place for a great hoagie, Philadelphia transplants Casey Patten and David Mazza opened their first Taylor Gourmet in the H Street NE corridor in 2007 amid great reviews. Their second location has been causing excitement since the day they told the world they were opening a second location. Continue reading
By Rebecca
photo courtesy of NPS.gov
This Saturday from 6:30-9pm, the National Park service will host the 13th Annual Life & Death on the C&O Canal at the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center in Great Falls, MD.
Volunteers and park rangers will take visitors on a one-hour journey back in time, and recreate the trials and tribulations experienced by the men and women who built, lived and staffed the canal during its 96 year long history. Every interpretation is based on documented facts or legends, and interpreters will present various 15 minutes programs throughout the evening.
Reservations are recommended and the program is not for young children. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, and $4 for seniors and children (4-14). Call 301-767-3714 for information and reservations.
By Don
‘look at this’
courtesy of ‘Vark1’
Arlington Rap? Fairfax? Whatevah. Ezra Klein’s blog has an amusing bit about a pundit cancellation and some upcoming output from local George Mason University:
“We just learned that Russ Roberts, a professor of economics at George Mason University, who was our second choice for the anti-Keynes position, is shooting a rap video about Keynes and Hayek next week in New York. He has written the lyrics (they are quite good), hired rappers and musicians, and tapped professional music video producers — there will be bling, babes, limos, the works.”
I eagerly await the response, “Freidman was a suckah.”
By Tom Bridge
In some brilliant marketing, Arlington County hired songster Remy to produce a new song about the Cultural Center in Rosslyn that will open up next October. Props to Arlington for recognizing the genius in their midst.
By Rebecca
‘Battle of the Beltways’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’
The Nationals’ Screech? Or the Orioles’ The Bird?
Well, in the battle over D.C. TV ratings, our neighbors to the north have won. According to the Washington Business Journal, “D.C. is the only TV market in the country where a team from another city (the O’s) gets better ratings than the hometown team.” That’s sad.
What’s sadder still is that the two teams combined for 201 losses. :(
By Jenn Larsen
Helmet, Pantera, The Clash, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Slayer, Dead Kennedys, Big Black, Jawbox, Bad Religion, Mastodon.
Like the sound of that?
The “Fists of Fury” DJs debut tonight at Rock and Roll Hotel, spinning enough underground rock, metal and punk to get your hearts pounding and bodies slamming. Just don’t actually throw a punch, ok? It’s free, 9pm to close, at the upstairs bar. Let the mid-week mayhem begin.
By Tom Bridge
‘00208386’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’
Celebrity Sports Blogging is about as attractive to me as swine flu, but if that’s your thing, check out Caron Butler’s new blog. Since Agent Zero’s blog went dark, it’s nice to get an occasional, if pithy and entirely devoid of actual wisdom, peek into the Wizards’ persona.
By jasmine
‘DSCN3278.JPG’
courtesy of ‘::FiZ::’
Tonight at DC9, local bands including The Moderate, Alex Gruenburg, and Frau Eva come together for a sweet $10 show to benefit Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE). SAFE empowers survivors of domestic violence here in DC and helps them navigate the legal system and get out of their bad situations. So come out and support both the local music scene and a great organization tonight!
By Katie
‘Sustain Ceramics: Three mocha pinch bowls.’
courtesy of ‘Liverpool Design Festival’
In an effort to remind all of us that have, about those of us who deserve to have, Capital Area Food Bank is hosting their annual Empty Bowls lunch. This year’s event is taking place at DLA Piper (500 8th Street, NW) on on Wednesday, October 21. All you need to do is stop by between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM with $25. The site says, “You’ll receive a lunch of soup, bread, cookies and a unique handcrafted bowl to take home. The bowl serves as a reminder of the 600,000 empty bowls in the National Capital Region.”
The soup, bread, and cookies will be provided from some of the area’s best eat places: Breadline, Café Atlantico, Capital Area Food Bank, Clyde’s of Gallery Place, Food & Friends, Israel CME Church, PS 7’s, thebestcookie.com, and Thrive DC.
Help Capital Area Food Bank know how many people to expect, by rsvping to richardsonj (at) capitalareafoodbank (dot) org.
By shannon
‘bike dc’
courtesy of ‘ann gav’
This Saturday is Bike DC, an annual opportunity to bike around the District and Arlington on car-free roads. If you’ve always wanted to bike around the city but you’re a little nervous about having to bike in traffic, this is your chance to try it out! There are two routes to choose from: the 25-mile Capital Ride that connects Capitol Hill, the Zoo, and the GW Parkway; and the 10-mile Family Ride that connects the National Mall with Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon. Both rides start on the Mall and end in Crystal City, where there will be a Finish Line Festival with entertainment and activities. And since you’ll probably be hungry after that bike ride, various Crystal City businesses are offering lunch specials to Bike DC participants. Registration is $35 for the Capital Ride and $25 for the Family Ride, and proceeds benefit the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and the American Heart Association.
By Don
Despair Inc has a satirical poster I’m fond of that says MISTAKES: it could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others. Well, DC Fire and EMS have taken that life lesson to heart for use in their safety demonstrations. During one at Galludet University their demo got away from them and ignited a plastic curtain, showering a few of the firefighters with molten goo. It all goes pear-shaped at 1:20 into the video, when the firefighters get too close in and the curtain which was meant to contain smoke goes up and falls on the firefighters who are, inexplicably, in the box rather than spraying from outside it.
One firefighter suffered minor burns to the face and hand and will be returning to work in short order, so hopefully he won’t be carrying any scars.
By jasmine
‘Library of Congress’
courtesy of ‘tzk333’
I think it’s funny that although I’ve never heard of Chris Hillman or even like his genre (“country rock”), I recognize his music. That is some powerful influence. He’s played in bands like The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Desert Rose Band, was officially inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame, and now he’s coming to DC to talk to us about his prolific career.
The event is free to the public at the Library of Congress, at noon on Friday, October 16. If you work around the area (or take long lunch breaks), I would definitely recommend stopping by to see this guitar legend.
By Tom Bridge
If you’re headed to the World Cup Qualifier at RFK tonight, there’s a campaign to support USMNT Forward Charlie Davies who was severely injured in a car crash on the GW Parkway the other evening. Charlie’s likely done for quite a bit, and his career is likely on the ropes after a surgery like last night. So, please, if you’re going, let Charlie know you care. Print out this PDF and hold it up during the 9th minute of tonight’s game. Charlie’s #9, and we’re all pulling for him.
By Don
‘Artomatic 2009 Ramune’s Candy’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
This is a town full of associations, which usually just gives us something to gawk at when we walk around the city. Political scientists, videographers, historians, architects, anthropologists. I think it would make for a good tourist group bingo game.
In this case however, the association is giving not just amusement but ten pounds of candy. The National Confectioner’s Association just put up a contest that they’re having judged by four “celebrity” bloggers from Gizmodo and other big blogs. All you have to do is amuse them by providing the best costume idea, posted in their comments. Win and you get enough snacks to take you through hockey playoffs next year. You know, so you have something to eat as you watch the Caps pound on the Penguins.
Yes, I do happen to have a personal connection to NCA which is why I heard about this so quickly. However kissing up to me will garner you no favors. Which should not stop you from sending me free beer. Say, if you’re from the brewer’s association.
By