Category Archives: The Daily Feed

Business and Money, The Daily Feed
By

Fenty Proposes Ballpark Tax Shift

Photo courtesy of
‘here’s a question for you two…’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today, is what J. Wellington Wimpy from Popeye always said. Apparently now, Mayor Fenty wants to take Wimpy’s route, and use $50M from the Ballpark Tax toward the General Fund for the city over the next four years. The Ballpark Tax is charged to DC’s large and medium businesses as a way of financing the stadium’s purchase, and now those same medium and large businesses aren’t happy to see that money being diverted back to city coffers during the crisis.

News, The Daily Feed
By

14th Street To Be Closed Between Constitution, Pennsylvania

Photo courtesy of
‘Streaks of Light’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

14th Street will be closed from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue starting at 5am tomorrow for a special event, and won’t reopen until 6pm. I’m not sure yet what the event is that’s causing the closure, but DC’s Text Alert Service has a guide for planning your commute along different routes. If you can, tomorrow, work from home. I fully suspect this to be all kinds of bad for traffic and getting around town tomorrow.

Crime & Punishment, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Alexandria Police Chief Arrested for DUI

Photo courtesy of
‘How Much is that Bottle in the Window?’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

The Post is reporting that Alexandria Chief of Police David Baker was arrested for DUI in Arlington over the weekend, with a blood-alcohol content of .19, more than twice the legal limit. He was involved in a collision with another car, with $1800 in damage to the two vehicles. Chief Baker has been placed on administrative leave while the case is investigated. He faces a minimum of 5 days in jail as his BAC was over .15.

A blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08 percent is considered legally impaired. However, alcohol can start to affect many of your senses after only one drink. No matter the circumstances, you should never drink and drive. It’s not worth the risk of putting yourself and others in danger.

A blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08 percent is considered legally impaired. However, alcohol can start to affect many of your senses after only one drink. No matter the circumstances, you should never drink and drive. It’s not worth the risk of putting yourself and others in danger.

The largest group at risk for drinking and driving are those who binge drink or are struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This means they consume a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time, putting them at risk for harmful side effects and according to Leppard Law PLLC many legal problems. It takes roughly 30 minutes to two hours for alcohol to be absorbed into your bloodstream. During this time, your breathing may slow down and your cognitive skills may be delayed. Because of this, it is always dangerous to drink and drive.

Special Events, The Daily Feed
By

TEP & Ben’s Chili Bowl Fundraiser TODAY!!!

Photo courtesy of

‘Summer = Grill = Hotdogs!’

courtesy of ‘TheBusyBrain’

I know it’s last minute on a Sunday, but if you’re in the mood for some half-smokes, beer and good company, all in the name of raising funds for The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School, this gathering is for you. DC’s very own Ben’s Chili Bowl is sponsoring the event and generously providing half smokes, chili, cheese, the works. There will also be vegetarian options and other delights.

Suggested donation: $20. Brokeass? Throw us $5 or a six pack and they’ll call it even. The party is being hosted by TEP Capital Campaign Board members, who are raising funds for a facility, since charter schools are not provided an actual building.

Location: 605 Q Street NW, (2 blocks from Howard/Shaw metro stop)

Time: 6-9pm Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Restaurant Week Announced (/Leaked)!

Photo courtesy of
‘Zaytinya’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

RAMW said it wasn’t going to release until Monday, Open Table doesn’t have the promotion listed on the home page, but the dates have been leaked on Twitter, (August 24-30) and people are referring to last year’s list as a starting point for when to reserve click here for it. These are good guesses for what will be there this year, right? Right. So you could go ahead and stake out your claim on these spots now and hope they’re on it when it gets announced Monday.

Now, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. SORT IT BY PRICE. Hello?! This is what Restaurant Week is all about people, eating at places you couldn’t usually afford. Now, you can’t sort by price quite yet, because Open Table hasn’t done the full list yet, but here are my initial picks for you without looking at it fully, the way I like to when I sort it. Also, this is without knowing who is extending the list. I’ll dig deeper for you on Monday, but if you’re in a hurry, here are my quick picks, guaranteed for a good time.

1789, Cafe Atlantico, Ceiba, Equinox, Me Jana, PS 7’s, Volt and Willow. Now go forth and reserve, my fair readers.

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
By

Red Line Incident

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro – Vault – 12-15-08’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

A man was hit and injured by a Red Line train at the Van Ness-UDC Metro station this afternoon after he put himself on the tracks intentionally, according to WMATA. DC Fire & EMS retrieved the man from under the first car of the train and transported him to an area hospital. Until the incident scene is formally documented, the Red Line will be single-tracking from Cleveland Park to Friendship Heights, resulting in (yet more) delays.

Is this Metro’s worst year? It’s look like it.

Update: Metro says that “normal” (degraded) service has returned after the accident.

Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
By

DC: Meet The Amazing Race

Photo courtesy of
‘uh, where are we?’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

So you think you know DC? The city’s hidden gems, obscure facts, secret tunnels and back routes? Next Saturday, Aug. 1st, offers you a chance to put all that trivia valuable knowledge to good use.

It’s the first-ever GO Urban Adventure Race, a nationwide series of scavenger hunts that kicks off here at home. Next summer, DC will host all winning teams in the championship race.

Here’s the deal — teams of two will receive clues via text message and will travel by foot, Metro or bus to a GOpoint. They must complete a physical or mental challenge to get their next clue and move on. Clues are tailored to DC’s unique make-up and history. After finding 12 GOpoints, competitors race to the finish — and a party, of course!

All proceeds benefit The Vallon Institute, which raises money for environmentally and health-friendly programs. And the race is green, with organic t-shirts and perks for doing planet-friendly deeds. Sign me up!

The Daily Feed
By

Who doesn’t love Gargoyles?

Photo courtesy of
‘St. Patrick’s Church – Cornered – 3-4-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

They’re so cute and evil! They’re so… Hunchback of Notre Dame. Or Batman Returns. They kind of remind me of Dobby in Harry Potter. Alright, you can project your own pop culture references onto these little guys when you go on the National Cathedral Gargoyle tour. Admission is $10 per adult; $5 per child (12 and under); or $30 per family. No reservations necessary.

Upcoming dates (all Sundays at 2 p.m.):
July 26
August 23
Sept. 27
October 25

The Daily Feed
By

Blogging the Fire Department

Photo courtesy of
‘DC Fireboat and Memorial Bridge’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Yesterday a friend sent me what is becoming my new favorite blog, Raising Ladders, which is the story of Alex, a probie firefighter/paramedic with Engine Company 15/Rescue Squad 3 in the District of Columbia. The writing is phenomenal, and you get to see a whole other side of our city from the vantage point of a young firefighter working in the city he loves. Be ready, though, I’ve lost a couple hours to the site in the last couple days, and you very may well get sucked in, as well. I dare you not to gawk for at least 15 minutes at his photography, though. Dare you. Oh, and if you don’t read the story about talking with the crackhead? You’re missing out.

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Watch as Teddy Devours Secretary Sebelius

Okay, so that’s not exactly what happens in this PSA about the Flu. But with the sound off, it sure looks like Teddy is going to raise the Secretary over his head and stuff her into his gaping, grinning maw as an after-race snack.

Or maybe I just haven’t had my coffee yet.

Seriously, though, wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick, the Flu bites.

The Daily Feed
By

DC United in Talks to Build Stadium (Again)

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

Now and forever, not so much? Washington Business Journal reports today that DC United CEO Kevin Payne has restarted his discussions with DC council member Jack Evans, D-Ward 2, and Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton, D-D.C., about the potential of a new soccer stadium being built in the district around Poplar Point near the Anacostia river. Payne’s been here before, as he was in talks several months ago with Mayor Fenty, but the Mayor abandoned talks when it was evident they could not possibly swing funding a project of this magnitude.

The hope of United officials is to build a 20,000-seat stadium costing at least $175 Million so they can leave the archaic RFK, where DC United has won 100 games in 13 seasons (not too shabby!) With their $1.2 Million lease expiring after the 2010 season, commissioner of Major League Soccer, Don Garber, suggested the team relocate if they can’t find adequate funding to build a new stadium. Booo!!!! Bad idea. Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, News, The Daily Feed
By

Reopening 7th St. SE?

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_7025’
courtesy of ‘Sean Robertson’

After the infamous Eastern Market fire two years ago, Mayor Fenty ordered 7th St. SE closed on weekends to make room for stalls displaced by the disaster.  As most of you know, the market reopened several weeks ago, and WaPo reports that store owners along 7th are requesting that the street be reopened.  They are concerned that parking and traffic difficulties resulting from the closure are limiting their business, most of which comes on weekends.  Stores along market row report a 35% to 75% drop in business since the road closures began.

Their pleas have caught the attention of the City Council, which plans to visit the issue in several months. For now, the government wishes for the street to remain closed to facilitate the revitalization of Eastern Market. 

It seems to me that the 7th St. closure shouldn’t have any effect on Market Row businesses.  There are many, many side streets in the area and ample parking on the blocks surrounding 7th. I’m not entirely sure why the closure of a single block would limit their number of customers.  Besides, Eastern Market is always packed.  According to the WaPo article, the majority of these businesses’ patrons are market goers. If anything, I’ve noticed an increase of people on the weekends.  I’m guessing that there are factors aside from the road closure that are hurting these shops’ revenues.  The economy?  Changing tastes and interests?  An increasingly younger clientele? It could be any number of things.

What are your thoughts on the matter?  Does 7th St. need to stay closed, or should it be reopened?

Adventures, Essential DC, Fun & Games, History, The Daily Feed, The District
By

A Movie Location Tour Of DC

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

DC’s become a hot spot for filming these days! Real World, Real Housewives of Orange County, Blonde Charity Mafia, as well as Reese Witherspoon, Night at the Museum and so many more. It’s a wonder that we didn’t get a DC movie site bus tour any earlier. But it’s here now, better late than never.

Screen Tours has arrived to take you and other interested parties around DC to all our hot film spots. Shop in the mall where No Way Out and True Lies were filmed; stand on the steps where Father Damian fell to his death in The Exorcist; visit the bar used in St. Elmo’s Fire; go to the park used in The Sentinel and see locations from Wedding Crashers, Thank You For Smoking, Election, X Files, Independence Day, Forrest Gump, and many others. From classic films of the seventies such as The Godfather II, All the Presidents Men, and Being There to the recent Transformers, Mission Impossible III, West Wing, 24, and The Visiting, the tour of Washington DC TV and movie sites takes tour guests on a journey of the timeline of filming in DC.

Tours run Saturdays at 10 am and depart from Union Station. Detailed information on all tours can be found at www.screentours.com. Advance purchase is required, as tours normally sell out. To purchase tickets call Zerve at 800-979-3370 or visit them online.

The Daily Feed
By

DC is the Place to Be!

Photo courtesy of
‘Life in a Moving Van’
courtesy of ‘harryalverson’

The Washington Business Journal reports that Washington DC (when compared to states) has been the most popular migration destination during the first half of this year, according to United Van Lines migration study.  We’re leading all the states, with 63.6% of all moves going in to the District, with only 36.4% leaving the District.  Michigan is on the opposite side of the spectrum, with 70% of moves leaving the state.  Maryland and Virginia are both just about breaking even, with approximately as many moves in as out.

To what do we owe this surge in popularity?  Well, I originally thought it was due to people wanting to work for our hot new neighbor,  but it turns out that DC was also the most popular migration destination last year too, before Obama moved in.  So what do you think it is?

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
By

NTSB: More Circuitry Failure

Photo courtesy of
‘tunnel’ courtesy of ‘volcanojw’

According to Dr. Gridlock today, the track circuit behind last month’s crash has apparently been failing to detect trains since a key component was replaced back in December of 2007. The NTSB also said that this component – a part of the WEE-Z bond – is the other end of the paired impedance bonds. The board had said previously it may have been the impedance bond at the other end of the circuit, the one that was replaced five days before the crash.

This new finding now begs the question of Metro: just how bad is their maintenance and trouble-shooting of the train protection system? And what, pray tell, will John “Baghdad Bob” Catoe, Jr. say next?

It’d better include the words “I’m sorry, DC.”

Crime & Punishment, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors
By

Sexual Assault in Rock Creek Park

Photo courtesy of
‘Beach Drive tunnel’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

WUSA 9 reports that a female jogger was sexually assaulted as she ran in Rock Creek Park yesterday.  Police say that a man dragged her into the woods and assaulted her at around 7am.  While Rock Creek park is generally a safe place, please use caution while running there, particularly until this perpetrator is caught. Hopefully this isn’t something serial.

The Daily Feed
By

Kastles Make Playoffs


Kastles Cheerleaders by Max Cook

The Washington Kastles lived up to their motto “Refuse to Lose” last night by destroying the Springfield Lasers, 21-14.  With playoff hopes on the line, the Kastles (7-7) needed to bring their A game to beat the Lasers (12-2) who have already clinched the top seed in the Western Conference championship.

The first three sets looked like child’s play for the Kastles.  In men’s doubles, Scott Oudsema and Leander Paes easily beat Martin Damm and Raven Klaasen 5-2 thanks to some powerful serves and amazing net work by Paes.  The doubles duo has really found their rhythm and become a force to reckon with.

Next up in women’s singles, newly acquired Nadia Petrova showed the Lasers’ Vania King why she’s the #10 ranked women’s singles player in the world, not in World TeamTennis.  King showed finesse and put up a good fight by tying Petrova at three games each, but the Russian put the smack down by serving three aces, winning some amazing vollies, and winning the set 5-3.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover to Come to DC

Photo courtesy of
‘Front Step’
courtesy of ‘Michael Cornelius’

This just announced — CarbonfreeDC has won $20,000 in the Green Effect contest sponsored by National Geographic and Sun Chips!

They will use their winnings to carry out an Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover, and help 20 families from a low-income block to green their homes and lifestyles.

Congratulations, Carbonfree DC — and thanks to everyone who voted!