By Tom Bridge
‘field of dreams’
courtesy of ‘waferboard’
No, you read that correctly. The Virginia Legislature gave final approval to the ban, which would go into effect on December 1st (wow, guys, not pressed for time, are we?) and ban smoking in bars and restaurants in Virginia, except for private clubs, and bars that construct special rooms to keep smokers in.
By Katie
‘day175 :: year two’
courtesy of ‘erin*carly’
Delays on the Orange line are still kickin’, because we didn’t get enough of it this morning.
WMATA warns “Orange Line riders can expect major delays during afternoon rush hour as trains are single-tracking (taking turns sharing one track) between the East Falls Church and West Falls Church-VT/UVA Metrorail stations due to a piece of equipment that derailed for a second time today.”
Orangies, it might be time to run that errand in the city you’ve been putting off. Or go visit a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Happy hour, anyone?
By Tom Bridge
Marion Barry was admitted to Howard hospital this morning for a kidney transplant. The operation, which has a 95% success rate, does have a pretty lengthy recovery time. Get better soon, Councilman.
By Katie
Dart Board
Originally uploaded by oparrish
I ate dinner last night with a friend who joined a Darts team he found on Craigslist. My friend’s boyfriend joined a ski club he found on Craigslist. It seems like CL is just hopping with activities for people to join. I was curious, so I checked out the DC-area offerings.
We’re home to TONS of active groups – flag football, women’s soccer, Japanese language speakers, softball, dance, movie clubs – you name it we’ve got it! So if you’re in the mood to pick up a new activity to push through the end of the winter doldrums, click your way through to the “activities” section on Craigslist.
That said, any reader suggestions? What’s your favorite recreational league in the DC area?
By Tom Bridge
‘beam me up, Scotty!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
Thanks to every who tweeted us to let us know that the Metro is a bit of a disaster this morning due to emergency track maintenance between Foggy Bottom and Clarendon, which means both the Orange and Blue lines are single tracking trains through these packed stations. Delays are listed as more than 40 minutes after one of the maintenance vehicles in the tunnel derailed. The incident hit this morning about 4:30am, and Metro’s hard at work at fixing it, but this one’s going to leave a mark.
By Katie
‘Naked Mountain Vineyard’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’
Virginia.org is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the slogan “Virginia is For Lovers”, and as such is sponsoring 40 trips in 40 weeks, a promotion where you can win any number of trips around Virginia. I kind of love this, actually, as all the trips are in my “backyard” so to speak.
They range from a stay at Charlottesville’s Boars Head Inn (complete with a dinner at the Old Mill Room and Presidential Home passes) to a private birdwatching expedition, to whitewater rafting or skiing, to a Roanoke Valley trip complete with lodging , massages, candle-lit dinner, and what else but the orchestra.
I love travel, I especially love vacations, so I’m already signed up! The sweepstakes ends with a drawing of four Grand Prize winners who can choose from four different luxury vacation packages depending on what floats your boat. And honestly, even if I don’t win (tear!) then at least I’ve now got some FABULOUS trip ideas up my sleeve, my home state of Virginia has got a lot to offer!
By Ben H. Rome
‘waiting’
courtesy of ‘volcanojw’
Ah, Metro, how we love thee.
After listening for months now from Catoe and Co go on and on about how dire Metro’s situation is, how much money they’re short, and how “woe is ME(tro)” – despite a record-breaking Inauguration ridership day and many other top-10 rider days last year AND a fare hike last year, to give Metro more of our money to play with – they do this.
Seems our near-broke and needy transit system is going after the stimulus monies now. Anything to fill that $154M gap, eh boys? (Oh, wait – the list of projects total about $230M. Well, when reaching deep into our pockets, why not go all the way?) On the list is nearly everything WMATA cried about last year, including the track maintenance warnings, replacing old buses and platforms, increasing SmarTrip services and so on.
I’ll give Catoe and Co credit; it’s a ballsy move to take your ‘needs’ list and try to siphon stimulus money for it by couching it in the “let’s help the economy now” phraseology so popular on the airwaves today. Hey, everyone else is doing it, so why not WMATA?
By Tom Bridge
‘nick was practicing my signature! lol’
courtesy of ‘irina slutsky’
It seems the Nationals are in a bit of trouble with their latest prospects.
Gonzalez’s current agent, Stanley King, said early Wednesday morning he was shocked by the revelations.
“I hope this is a mistake,” King said via telephone. “I was at his house this winter and he answered by his [baseball name]. I will look into this.”
I’m not exactly sure what goes between those brackets that makes any of it look less damning. Looks like that contract’s going to be void, and that the Nats might have to figure out who they really signed…
By Don
‘Cuff links for criminals’
courtesy of ‘Soulrider222’
There are some days when it’s hard to be in favor of home rule.
Like when, following a very distinct Supreme Court smackdown, the city drafts rules that fly in the face of very clear text on the opinion. Like when foolish “all hands on deck” days result in the city putting a dozen men out to watch that hotbed of crime, NW 7th and F St. Like when random automobile stops infringe on people’s right to travel through the city.
Don’t worry, though! It’s only for areas that are known for illegal activity. And there’ll be authority given to the mayor to create rules that protect “assembly protected by the Constitution.” How nice that they’ll toss that in.
If you like spending time in the Supreme Court chambers so badly they offer tours.
UPDATE: Fixed the link. Thanks, Jonathan!
By Don
‘Where the magic happens’
courtesy of ‘Dave ‘Coconuts’ Kleinschmidt’
Reader Brian commented over on our rays-has-moved post with a link to something he wrote today about the Ray’s move, including a short interview with Ray’s owner Michael Landrum but it demands more prominent attention than that. Take a look; it had a tidbit that I, at least, was not aware of regarding what’s happening to the old space.
By jasmine
‘ROB RIGGLE’
courtesy of ‘Robotclaw666’
The Daily Show really seems to have a knack for turning out the big stars: Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Ed Helms (now on The Office as Andy) all took their turns as correspondants before their current gigs.
So who’s excited that Rob Riggle, one of my favorites because he’s so obnoxious and over-the-top, will be at Sixth & I tomorrow night? I am! Amazingly, it’s not sold out yet, and tickets are $20 for the rest of today (they go up to $25 the day of the show).
By Katie
‘The Pancake Maker’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’
WLDC would like to congratulate all the DC metro area chefs who were nominated in the Best Chef: MidAtlantic category for the prestigious James Beard Awards:
José Andrés of Minibar was nominated for the Outstanding Chef award, taking company in greats like Tom Colicchio, Dan Barber, Stephan Pyles and Barbara Lynch.
The James Beard Award is touted as “the country’s most coveted honor for chefs”.
By Katie
‘at least we’re not outside anymore!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
I was just at metro center when a train went out of service. All the passengers unloaded and the operator blinked the lights and the train went black. A man standing near me on the platform randomly reached out to hold the door open and then I saw it, a little movement from the end of the car, a cane tip.
The man on the platform had spotted an elderly passenger who couldn’t move very fast and wasn’t off the train yet. The man on the platform yelled for the operator to hold but the operator didn’t hear and shut the door, leaving the man on the platform to pry the doors to save the old man on board from being whisked away on an out of service train. It took him two battles with the door (as well as the help of myself and two other men) to help hold the doors until the old man managed to shuffle off the car to safety. The old man exited the train and moved away, and the man on the platform went back to his blackberry and ipod.
Random acts of kindness spotted. Reason eight hundred sixty seven why I love DC.
By Don
‘Action!’
courtesy of ‘curran.kelleher’
Well, it looks like all but a done deal – DC United is going to head over into Maryland’s PG County because they want someone to build them a new stadium. I only have two suggestions: forget this horse-hockey about keeping the name – you’re not welcome to it. You want to be DC United, be in DC. The Nationals aren’t called the grod-damned Montreal Expos anymore because they’re not in Montreal. You won’t be in DC either, so be honest about it.
Second, enjoy your new digs and the quality law enforcement. I’d suggest you don’t host any Bring Your Dog To Work days, and if any of your fans get picked up and throw in jail for drunk and disorderly I’d suggest making sure they’ve paid up their season tickets in advance; might be hard to collect from them later.
By Katie
‘Day 14: Rachel Cooking’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’
My roommate and I regularly burn things, under-cook things, and generally make a mess in the kitchen. It’s sort of a trial by error approach to cooking, but hey – that’s how you learn right? Well, until now. Cookology, a recreational cooking school, opened out in Dulles Town Center on Valentine’s Day.
It’s the perfect place for those of us who look at a huge slab of roast and think: “um, what knife do I use” and “what do I do with this weird bone” and “is there a sauce that would go with this that I just don’t know about” and “do I put this in a pan or in the oven or can I just stick this mess in the toaster oven and be done with it?” – all those questions make me wish I could take my middle school home ec class all over again. Cookology is here to answer all the questions I wished I had asked back then!
The site has yet to post classes and prices (please be affordable, please please please!) but they’ve got a list of classes that they’re starting with, including my favorite: “Ready to Bake, take home an entire week’s worth of meals” as well as assorted others, “Make. Eat. (Guys night!)” and nutritional cooking. Cookology also offers wine tasting nights, product demonstrations (got a new gadget you wish you could test before you commit?) and every Friday is Date Night where you can cook with your significant other – perfect for Matt and I, we’re always trying to figure out new fun dates.
I love it, I’m excited! Where do I sign up!?
By bstanfield
It may be the middle of winter, with freezing temps back and more talk of wintry mix coming from the weathermen, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about planting your garden. RootingDC is holding their second annual Urban Gardening Forum this Saturday at the Carnegie Library.
The forum is designed to bring DC Gardeners together to share resources and foster partnerships between those who are working towards common goals of a greener, healthier DC. Are you a community gardener in Washington, DC? A teacher with a schoolyard garden? A member of a garden club or block club interested in beautifying your neighborhood? Involved with a non-profit leading a gardening program? Or, are you interested to get involved with such community projects? Sounds like this is the event for you.
By Don
‘Patterson’
courtesy of ‘Teecycle Tim’
DBT’s going to be at the 9:30 both Friday and Saturday, and if you’re not familiar with the band you might find this album review from 2001 interesting. “Rock opera” is a concept that makes me think Styx in the 80s, but the concept of following the path of Lynyrd Skynyrd is an interesting one.
By Rebecca
flickr user: midstreammom
Get them while they’re hot! The Z Burger chain in Glover Park (not sure if this applies to all DC Z Burgers) is giving out free burgers tonight. These burgers seem less greasy than Five Guys and more like the homemade from your backyard barbecue type. Choose from a long list of toppings. I learned about the GP giveaway from this month’s Glover Park Gazette, which is always a fun neighborhood read.
By Don
‘Look, there’s my island!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
WTOP has a fun piece here – complete with video! – from the tryout for people to be the racing presidents.
I have to wonder how fair it is to do tryouts when the weather is like this rather than the OMG MUGGY HOT DYING it’ll be when they’re suited up and running down the diamond…
By Carl Weaver
Mama Ayesha’s Presidential Mural
Originally uploaded by carlweaver
I was walking with my lovely wife to get some Ethiopian food in Adams Morgan yesterday when I saw this mural on the side of Mama Ayesha’s restaurant at 1967 Calvert Street, NW. There’s Mama Ayesha posing in front of the White House with all the presidents from Ike to Obama. And notice the motif of Ike being in front of an autumn scene, symbolizing death, and Obama near a sunrise, possibly symbolizing the dawning of the age of Aquarius. It gives me hope, I guess, or maybe some other single-syllable word relating to my wishes for the future.
Mostly what this mural does for me is make me wonder why Rich Little stood in for George H.W. Bush. Also, why is Johnson holding a book like that? To hide his presidential woody, perhaps? Go check it out and if someone asks why you are staring at it so long, just say that you are trying to figure out why LBJ is smiling like that.