Category Archives: The Daily Feed

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Nats Offer Dollar Ball, First Look at Strasburg on Friday

Photo courtesy of
‘Batter up’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

The Nationals are offering $1 seats in the lower bowl for Friday’s game against the Brewers, and also offering a look at pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg’s first press conference at Nats Park at 2pm on Friday. The conference will be followed with a Q&A with various Nationals players and front office staff in a Town Hall format that, for once, won’t feature the words “Health Care”, “Nazis” and “Barney Frank“. We’re also pretty sure no one will be outside this Town Hall with AR-15s.

If you missed the parcel of tickets that went on sale for $1 today, there’s another set of 1,000 seats that go on sale on Friday at noon, so get your clicking fingers ready, Nats fans!

The Daily Feed
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Get Rich Quick


Powerball Bunny by Eda Cherry

If you hadn’t heard or noticed, tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth a cool $250 million.  Yep, a quarter of a billion dollars folks.  Of course after taxes you’ll only be left with a paltry $125 million (assuming you’re the sole winner), but you can still do a lot with that kind of money like:

Or you could quit your job and do whatever you want to for the rest of your life.  What would you do with that kind of bullion?

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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WMATA raises the bar

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro: Don’t Panic’
courtesy of ‘nevermindtheend’

This story reminds me of an exchange I had in the workplace long ago. I told a co-worker I was surprised he knew about some company goings-ons and he said “I know more than you think.” I replied “you’d have to.”

WMATA has announced that they’re raising their standards for employment, though I think it’s more accurate to say they’re adding to the list of recent offenses that disqualify a person from being hired. Perhaps it’s a pointless distinction, but I don’t think we’d say that refusing to date someone who had been recently convicted of murder would qualify you as “having standards.”

I’d call them a worthwhile step, though. Applicants for front line positions can not have received a citation for moving violations related to carelessness within the last three years. Previously they were only disqualified if their license has been suspended during that period. More than two points on their license in the last three years also now disqualifies a candidate, as does a DUI during that period.

I’m less thrilled with the increased criteria on criminal offenses – if Michael Vick can be written a free pass by so many people because he has “served his time” I’m not sure why we don’t apply the same forgiveness to the less famous. However this WMATA limit only applied to customer-interacting folks, so the reformed aren’t completely cut off from opportunities with metro.

The Daily Feed
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A Short Shorts Preview

dcshortsbanner

The DC Shorts film festival is right around the corner. Running September 10th through 17th, after the third day the awards will be given out  and viewings will continue for another five days. WAMU’s Metro Connection show had a sit-down with the festival director last Friday and the show is available to be listened to online. John Gann explains how they went from over 700 submissions to the 100 that are shown, as well as the interesting voting methods. If you go to a showing you get a chance to vote, which is pretty neat.

At just over 6 minutes it’s a quick listen and an interesting statement about the festival’s mission. I defy you, however, stop listening without hanging around for the Blelvis –  the black Elvis – piece.

Life in the Capital, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Kastles To Receive Key to the City


2009 WTT Champions by Max Cook

To honor the 2009 World TeamTennis Champion Washington Kastles, Mayor Fenty will be presenting the team with the Key to the City next Thursday, August 27th at 11am.  The ceremony will be held on the steps of the Wilson Building at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW.  The first 300 fans will receive a free Kastles WTT Championship t-shirt so be sure to get there early if you’re in the market for free stuff.  The entire Kastles team will be there including Murphy Jensen, Leander Paes, Rennae Stubbs, Scott Oudsema, and Olga Puchkova.  After the ceremony there will be a fan appreciation event across the street at Freedom Plaza with food and drinks, giving you a chance to catch up with the players and to give them high fives and such.  Can I get a “whooooaaaa Kastles”?!

The Daily Feed
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Show Beckham Who’s Hotter & Win Free Tix

Photo courtesy of
‘DC United at RFK – Now and Forever -5858’
courtesy of ‘Joe Tresh’

So yesterday I told you to get your tickets FAST for Saturday’s D.C. United soccer match against L.A. Galaxy, aka Beckham. If you haven’t taken my advice yet and bought your tickets, now’s your chance to vote “Hot or Not? You make the call,” but this time, you are voting for the home team.

For a chance to win TWO free passes to Saturday night’s game, you must comment on this post with who you think is the hottest D.C. United player! The deadline to enter is tomorrow (Thursday) at 12 noon, and we’ll announce the winner right after, giving you plenty of time to finalize your weekend plans.

To help you in your decision and ALSO to give you a little morning eye candy, check out the D.C. United roster.

Ladies Night is seriously going to be a full of hot soccer boys, so let the voting begin! You may even have the chance to meet your dream boat in person, as several players are expected to make appearances at the pre-game party!

The Daily Feed
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Naked Sushi Comes to DC


naked sushi
Originally uploaded by John Sexton

Thanks to Angie Goff, who wrote about naked sushi coming to DC. I had heard of such things but always imagined it was a myth. However, Goff writes:

I remember going to events like this when I lived in LA! Nyataimori, Also known as ‘Naked Sushi’ is Sushi art on a woman’s body, came from the ancient Japanese culture, where Tokyo is world famous for this type of dinner theater and art practice. It happens this Friday the 21st, 2009 11:30pm-Midnight with Legendary Sushi Chef Niki Shimasaki (Dragonfly) at Current Lounge located at 1215 Conneticut Ave, NW DC. RSVP/ Table – litonevents@gmail.com // 703.930.0338

One big drawback I see is that I imagine the sushi will not be vegetarian. But what do you think – should sushi be served on naked women? Maybe I am old-fashioned but this seems rather exploitive. Would you go to a naked woman sushi party?

Me, I don’t even go to parties with strippers when invited by friends. You?

The Daily Feed
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MD Delegate Uses Police Helicopter to Propose.

Photo courtesy of
‘A Dandy Night for a Cruise’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

Ordinarily, Baltimore shenanigans are rather outside the geographic scope of this site, but I hope you’ll agree that in this case, the Hilarity Exemption is in play. (And if not, please scroll on by, this will only take a minute.)

Maryland state delegate Jon S. Cardin (delegate from Baltimore County, and nephew of US Senator Ben Cardin) recently decided to surprise his lady love with a marriage proposal on a boat ride. He asked the Baltimore marine police to do what Del. Cardin describes as “a five-minute safety check,” but what the Baltimore Sun describes as more like a raid, complete with hovering police helicopter, during which which officers “searched” the boat for contraband, before finding a box which contained the engagement ring. (She said yes, in case you were wondering.)

Unsurprisingly, the delegate is experiencing some backlash for this use of police resources to create ambience for his proposal. Del. Cardin, if I may offer some advice, your neighbors down here in DC can help you with this. Marion Barry can tell you ALL ABOUT misappropriating public resources for your love life.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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“Glamping”? Oh, Come On.

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_0097’
courtesy of ‘puregin’

Did you see this in today’s Express — that you can go glamorous camping, or “glamping” in Maryland?

Here’s how it works. If you want to go camping but are simply too lame to set up your own campsite, you can pay the fine folks at Montgomery County’s Little Bennett Regional Park to do it for you.

For “Camper Ready Camping,” (no hyphen included) they will prepare for you a tent, a stove, a lantern, and two chairs for your pampered behind. (Note that it’s a four-person tent, so either you’ll have lots of room, or two of you will be parking your butts on logs where they belong.)
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Finally, Some Metro Stations Get Underground Service!

Photo courtesy of
‘Berry’
courtesy of ‘lorigoldberg’

Oh happy day!  News comes from Metro today that they have begun installing wireless service in 20 Metro stations that will allow customers to access the internet and make calls with Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile services as of October 16. This has been a long time coming, and while it’s not the full, system-wide service that has been promised (that won’t be complete until 2012), it is certainly a good start.

This will be the end of Verizon-only service in Metro, with the four providers joining together to build, operate, and maintain the new wireless network.  The firms will also build a second wireless network that will eventually support The Metro Channel, a planned service of system information, news, and advertising in stations, trains, and buses.

So, the good news: more opportunities to check e-mail or make a call if you’re stuck waiting in one of the 20 lucky stations. The bad news: now the rest of us have to listen to more inane conversations while we’re waiting.  Luckily, with three years until the network is complete with service in tunnels, we’ll still have relative quiet on trains (except for those pesky Verizon customers).

The Daily Feed
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Secret Service Tagged My Ride


Secret Service Tagged My Ride
Originally uploaded by carlweaver

Another day of the long line of cars turning onto 29th Street to be poked, prodded and sniffed by the Secret Service and my reward? A Secret Service gang tag. Yesterday they marked my car with the X and, since I rarely wash my car, it was still there this morning when I went through, so they gave me an O to go along with it. Two easily identifiable marks.

I don’t know, my friendly, clean-cut Secret Service pals. If you are trying to do gang tags, you might take a tip or two from our MS-13 members over in Arlington and Fairfax. They know how to tag stuff. At least I didn’t get harassed about anything like taking pictures, not that I whipped out my Brownie Hawkeye during the cavity search. Maybe at lunch I will get a few shots of the activity.

The Daily Feed
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Get ’em while they’re hot

Photo courtesy of
‘Lady of the Night’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

The tickets – the hot soccer boys are not for sale – to this Saturday night’s second D.C. United Ladies Night are expected to sell out soon. D.C. United will be playing the LA Galaxy, which means Beckham (hot or not? you make the call) is expected to make a full appearance.

While Ladies Night is of course open to members of the opposite sex, the night will again feature music, complimentary manicures, wine tasting, product samples and demonstrations. However, you will need to dish out an additional $15 to enjoy the Ladies Night party, which does include complimentary pre-game beverages and snacks.

Get the full details on D.C. United’s Ladies Night site.

News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Nationals Sign Strasburg for $15.067M

Photo courtesy of
‘Stephen Strasburg’
courtesy of ‘jpangan3’

Congratulations to Stephen Strasburg, who just became the highest paid amateur draftee in the history of Major League Baseball. The #1 draft pick has been paid $15.067M for his services, as broken by Nationals Farm Authority this evening. We’re still waiting for how the deal breaks out, but it will be a 4-year deal, for a total of $15.067M in salary, approximately 50% more than the landmark contract Mark Prior received in 2001 for his signing with the Cubs.

Is it worth it? We’ll see. I’m pleased to see the Nats sign Strasburg for less than $20M, which was the magic number in my head for his first four years. No idea where he’ll end up first, or how quickly he’ll be there, but a good bet would be the Potomac Nationals in the next week or two. Here’s hoping this is money well spent.

The Daily Feed
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Valet permit requirements starting

Photo courtesy of
‘vroom’
courtesy of ‘erin m’

The Washington Business Journal reports  that the city is now going to require any operation running valet service more than once to get a permit and pay the city for the spaces used. At $0.50 per hour per 20 feet of curb space – plus the going rate for any blocked-off meters – it’s not terribly prohibitive. The big question is, to me, what were they paying before? The obvious implication is “nothing.” I’d call this an improvement – if the quantity of street parking is diminished by someone operating a valet service then they certainly should compensate us (ie, the city) for it.

Also interesting in the D.C. code (1606.1) is the limit on anyone running an ongoing valet to “not park motor vehicles anywhere in the public space, including, but not limited to, on-street parking, on alleys, metered parking spaces, and areas designated as Residential Permit Parking zones.”

I feel like I see valets parking cars in street spaces all the time. Is that just me?

The Daily Feed
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Cocaine Found on 95% of DC Money

Photo courtesy of
‘tip’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

It’s always nice to be number one, isn’t it? The American Chemical Society reported a study that found that 95% of bills circulating in DC are tainted with cocaine. That’s only up 5% from the national average, but, hey, it does put us in the lead.

This study jumps 20% ahead of a 2007 study which found that 67% of U.S. bills were tainted with cocaine. The major percentage jump surprises some researchers (and um, anyone with a wallet?) and brings into question whether the driving factor behind the recent results was the new testing equipment or increased cocaine usage caused by the recession.

The study claims that the drugs get on paper money in three ways. The obvious one: snorting cocaine powder. The dubious one: during drug transactions. And the dirty one: by touching other bills. This means that cocaine powder has infiltrated all of your bills, not just your Benjamins.

While you have a 95% chance of finding cocaine in your wallet at this very moment, the concentatrations are too small for anything very exciting.  There should be just enough in there for bragging rights that DC is number one.

All Politics is Local, The Daily Feed
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Arlington Republicans Becoming Gay Friendly?

Photo courtesy of
‘virginia 11.2.08 – 57’
courtesy of ‘laura padgett’

Arlington is a very progressive and heavily democratic county where Democratic Party candidates have nothing to worry about going into a general election. While that is most likely still the case for the VA House of Delegates race in the 47th district (which includes parts of Court House, Clarendon, Ballston), the republican in the race might just be catching on to some of the progressive values that dems typically use to get elected. While the GLBT community is not huge in Arlington, the majority of local voters are supporters of gay and lesbian equal rights and often use that as a bit of a wedge issue to show why they cannot vote for republicans. Eric Brescia is about to change all of that, at least for his race, according to the Arlington Sun Gazette.

Continue reading →

Business and Money, Technology, The Daily Feed
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MSNBC buys EveryBlock

Picture 3.png

There are a couple of really amazing tools for combining local news, events, crime reports, real estate listings and photos all into a single geo-aware environment, but of them, EveryBlock is probably about the best of them. MSNBC.com announced this morning that they have purchased EveryBlock, for plans unknown. Congrats to former Washington Post Online guy Adrian Holovaty for the sale!

The Daily Feed
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Mubarak Visit DC and His Peeps Block 29th Street NW


unmounted
Originally uploaded by philliefan99

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is visiting DC and is apparently kicking up his heels in the wake of Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhall. So Mubarak is staying at the Four Seasons, from what I understand, and people are super worried that he is in danger, on account he says he wants peace in the Middle East but is really unwilling to do much to facilitate that. Also, troubles at home make for uneasy traveling while abroad. On the other hand, I understand he likes his espresso without the ice, thus freeing the Secret Service from protecting him from a solid punch in his man junk.

In the meantime, if you need to traverse 29th Street NW between M Street and K Street, I recommend either rethinking those plans or else get in the long line of cars facing east on K Street, waiting to turn left onto 29th. Be prepared to pop your trunk and hood and have a German Shepherd sniff around your vehicle. He’s a cute dog but don’t pet him unless you want to be eaten by him.