By 
‘yes please’
courtesy of ‘hellomarkers!’
It’s still a little slippery out there my friends, so walk, do not run, to the nearest food truck.
Category Archives: The Daily Feed
By Rebecca
Christmas Lights Car and Bike Parade
‘Hoggie’s Entry’
courtesy of ‘GollyGforce – on a new quest’
This Saturday, Brightest Young Things hosts a holiday lights bike and car parade where participants decorate their vehicle with bulbs, wreaths, tinsel, antlers, etc. and parade around town from 7-9:30pm.
The parade route starts at Jack’s Boathouse at the Georgetown waterfront at 7pm, heads to Politics and Prose for a celebrity reading of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and then moves over to Chevy Chase’s Comet Ping Pong. The free event is co-sponsored by Flying Dog Brewery.
My biggest question was how do you convert wall plug in lights to run on your bike or car. Thankfully, a Google search easily answered my question.
By Tom Bridge
George S. Hawkins breakin’ it DOWN!
Meet George S. Hawkins, the head of DC Water, at the company Christmas party. Now, most agency heads aren’t as cool as Hawkins is, and most of them aren’t going to break it down and do some quality dancing on the floor. Of course, even the ones that do don’t release it on YouTube the next day. Kudos, GM Hawkins! And nice moves.
By Tom Bridge
Nationals trade Willingham to Oakland for prospects
‘Nationals vs Mets 08’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’
Josh “Alabama Hammer” Willingham and the Nationals parted ways this afternoon as the left fielder recovering from knee surgery was sent to Oakland for two prospects. Willingham’s return to the Nationals has been doubtful for some time, with much speculation about his recovery and the arbitration hearing he’d be facing. The trade wires started buzzing around noon today, and by 3:30pm the deal was finished and Willingham was heading West for two prospects from the A’s: OF Corey Brown (late of AAA Sacramento) and RHP (and Fireballer) Henry Rodriguez.
By Tom Bridge
WMATA to start searching (some) bags at (some) stations
‘Barbcue!’
courtesy of ‘Dan Dan The Binary Man’
In response to recent threats to the system, WMATA has decided that the negative press that the TSA is getting is the sort of thing that they would like to have also, and today announced enhanced searching of individuals, including bag searches at random stations. One small problem with Metro’s plan is that they will not be searching at every station, and I can’t quite figure out what would stop someone from seeing police presence at, say, Farragut West, and instead walking just two blocks to Farragut North. Terrorists aren’t going to be deterred by searches, and a bomb going off at any station would do the sort of damage that would be irreparable to ridership and public confidence in the embattled transit agency.
So, if you were looking for yet another reason to decide that Metro is an agency adrift, without leadership or positive policy, then you just got it. Searches start in the next few days. The searches are supposed to take “minutes,” but when you consider it took them 90 minutes to figure out that a christmas ornament with LEDs was harmless, I’ve got to think that the average search of my bag will last approximately six days.
UPDATE: Metro has released a YouTube video to sell this to you, showing that the process should take no more than 60 seconds. You know, as long as no one else is in the process of being scanned, and never mind that 60 seconds is more than enough time to miss your train.
Armed Man Arrested at Capitol
‘Nacho #19’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
In what Capitol Police are calling an “incident,” an armed man was arrested this morning outside Senate offices. According to sources, the man brandished a gun at the barricade at 1st Street and Constitution Avenue NE before officers arrested him. He is currently in custody, and the weapon has been recovered. The Capitol was on lockdown for 10 to 15 minutes. No one was hurt.
House Passes Statuary Hall Bill
‘Statuary Hall’
courtesy of ‘MichaelTRuhl’
One small vote for Congress, one semi-large symbolic step for DC. Last night, the House passed a bill that would allow Washington to erect a statue in the Capitol’s honored Statuary Hall. Each state is granted two statues in the Hall; the version of the bill that passed allotted the District only one. Heaven forbid we think ourselves on par with our fellow Americans.
Our statues are already sculpted and ready to go: Pierre L’Enfant and Frederick Douglass have been waiting it out in One Judiciary Square for quite some time. Should the bill pass the Senate, the next fight will no doubt be which statue will get its chance to shine on the national stage.
Food Truck Tracker
‘(339/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
It’s snowing. I repeat, it’s snowing. With the one-inch avalanche predicted, it’s important that you stock up on lobster rolls, pizza slices and cupcakes. So don’t just go out and buy lunch — buy meals for the next three days!
By Tom Bridge
Reports: Gray to retain Lanier, hire back old Fire Chief
‘DC’s Police Chief Cathy Lanier’
courtesy of ‘intothelens4149’
The announcement came late last night: Mayor Elect Gray will this afternoon introduce “key appointments in the public safety cluster of his administration,” at the Reeves Center at 1:30pm. The reports we’re hearing jibe with something we’d heard discussed by sources inside the Gray Transition team: Police Chief Cathy Lanier will remain in her post.
In addition, TBD is reporting that former DC Deputy Chief Kenneth Ellerbe will be appointed Fire Chief this afternoon, after helming the fire department in Sarasota for the last eighteen months. Ellerbe had been deputy chief in DC before leaving as part of a “Personnel Exchange Agreement,” which allowed Ellerbe to seek a promotion but not give up his retirement benefits in DC. There was a significant dust-up in the public sphere late last year surrounding this unconventional exchange, and Ellerbe then resigned from DCFD before he could be eligible to retire from DCFD at 50.
And now, he’s back to serve as Chief. Boy I bet the council’s going to love that confirmation hearing. Something tells me Phil Mendelson is going to have a field day with this one.
By Dave Levy
Snow, DC and Acting Like You’ve Been Here Before
Subtitle: “A Letter to DC from New Englanders, Northerners and Midwesterners Who Moved to DC”
‘Remember this? [explored]’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
Alright, residents of DC, let’s chat. It’s going to snow today. You don’t need to be a professional weatherman to see that moving blue field on the weather map means something white and fluffy is coming our way.
Among other reasons, Northerners move to Washington to make fun of the reaction of Southerners to the cold (aside: in addition to this sentiment is the steadfast belief that DC is actually part of the South). Seriously, this is what gets us through the “winter” months of December and the beginning of January.
I, in no way, shape, or form, speak for an entire region when I say this – but sack up, it’s going to be ok.
You remember last February? You cleared grocery stores out of all the essentials (and some of the extracurriculars). The fact that things were staying open was news. We’re getting a small fraction of that much snow today, so little that we won’t have to wait for a week for it to be cleaned up (which, ask any Northerner, was the problem last February, not the snow itself). This is what we call “a light dusting” (or in Syracuse, “spring showers”). It’s going to make for a lovely walk home from the office, and when it warms up close back to 40 tomorrow, it’s probably going to be mostly gone. Do me/us a favor: don’t freak out.
By Patrick Pho
Kobe And The Lakers Dominate The Wizards
Photo courtesy Patrick Pho
It was challenging enough that both John Wall and Andray Blatche were listed as inactive prior to Tuesday’s game against the Lakers. The starting line-up of Thornton, Yi, McGee, Arenas, and Hinrich were quickly depleted when McGee picked up two fouls and Yi left the game with a knee sprain that will now keep him off the court for 2-4 weeks. Continue reading
By Will Packard
Caps Fall to Ducks in OT
‘Brooks Laich’
courtesy of ‘bridgetds’
For about 30 minutes of hockey, it looked like the Caps might break out of their slump. But it turned into another night of missed opportunities, and Caps dropped their seventh game in a row to the visiting Anaheim Ducks, 2-1 in overtime. Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf was too much for the Caps as he made a defensive play to save a certain goal in the first period and then scored the game winner in OT.
After a tentative start for both teams, the Caps pressed to find an advantage. In the 15th minute, Nicklas Backstrom buzzed in from center ice. Matt Bradley and Brooks Laich crashed the slot in front of Ducks’ goalie Jonas Hiller. Backstrom circled the net and found John Carlson sneaking down from the point. Carlson shanked the shot, but Hiller had already committed. Laich took a backhand whack at the rebound and found the back of the net. It was exactly the kind of goal the Caps needed: bodies in front of the net, a broken play and a lucky bounce leading to a goal. The Caps were earning their bounces by making things happen. A few minutes later Laich slipped another one past Hiller only to have Getzlaf sweep it off the goal line. “We had the puck most of the night,” said Laich. “We were the ones with the chances.” Continue reading
By “How Do You Know”: The D.C. Premiere
Photo by Rachel Levitin
The first-ever portrayal of a Washington Nationals player on the silver screen opens in theaters this Friday (December 17) in the form of the latest James L. Brooks film “How Do You Know” starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson (who plays a relief pitcher), and Jack Nicholson. As a fun, holiday “thank you” to season ticket, premium ticket, and re-newed ticket holders in 2011, the Nationals Dream Foundation — led by Marla Lerner Tanenbaum — hosted a unique holiday season film screening at E Street Cinema Wednesday night.
Nats pitcher Craig Stammen and team manager Jim Riggleman were in attendance and able to catch up for a minute on the red carpet E Street rolled out for the occasion. Fans mingled while cocktails were delivered by an event staff decked-out in the team’s new uniforms. And — most importantly — Batolin creator and player Glenn Donnellon was there to provide a wide-range of musical entertainment featuring hits by The Beatles, Lady Gaga, and more. Continue reading
By Ashley
Cafe Milano Owner Awarded International Honor
‘December Night’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’
Hot on the heels of the announcement that Jose Andres would be awarded the Spanish Order of Arts and Letters medal last month, another international honor has come to Washington. Franco Nuschese, the owner of Georgetown’s Cafe Milano, was awarded the title of Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana. From a couple years of college-level Italian, I can tell you that means something-something-something-of the Republic of Italy. What it actually is, according to Wikipedia, is the highest ranking knighthood given to Italians.
Nuschese was honored for his career in the culinary world and the way he has promoted a positive image of Italian-Americans. Previous honorees include Giorgio Armani, Mario Andretti, and astronaut Umberto Giudoni. He received his award earlier this week from the Italian ambassador to the United States during a dinner at the Italian Embassy.
By Rebecca
Freeze Your Nuts Off With Capital Bikeshare
‘Ready, set, go?’
courtesy of ‘fromcaliw/love’
In an effort to keep ridership up during the frigid winter months, Capital Bikeshare is holding a two-month long biking competition starting January 1, 2011. The crux of the competition is to crown the area’s Winter Weather Warrior (aka: the participating member who makes the most trips by February 28,) and then handsomely rewarded he/she with the below prizes:
- A free, three year extension of their membership
- Two free annual memberships to give out to friends or family
- A $100 gift card to Hudson Trail
- A $25 gift card to Starbucks
In addition to the Winter Weather Warrior, Capital Bikeshare will award the Long Haul Rider (member taking the most trips on Capital Bikeshare over 3 miles) and the Most Saddle Time (member with the most time spent on Capital Bikeshare) awards in both January and February.
To sign up for the contest you 1) have to be bloody nuts, it’s cold out there, 2) have to be a Capital Bikeshare member and 3) have to sign up to participate.
By Jenn Larsen
American Ice Co. Opening
‘American Ice Co. signpost’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’
Last night I braved the serious chill and stomped my frozen legs over to American Ice Co. to warm up at their soft opening. It only took a few minutes to defrost with a perfect Vieux Carre cocktail at the marble bar, courtesy of one of my favorite bartenders, Patrick Owens. This lowkey spot has been hotly anticipated (as it’s co-owned by Joe Reza with Eric and Ian Hilton, giving it Midas touch credentials). The official opening is this Thursday, December 16, after which American Ice Co. will be open at 5pm seven days at week. If last night was any indication, it will fast become my go-to neighborhood bar. Here’s a quick peek at what to expect! Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
The Census Survey and the New York Times just ate my day
It’s hard not to get lost in a data projection like the NYT’s Mapping America: Every City, Every Block, which allows you to parse through 20 or so different projections of the American Community Survey data over the last five years from the Census Bureau. When you can see the geographic correlations of education levels and income (check out the dividing line at 16th street in both cases), it’s a stark reminder of the different Washingtons that exist.
Be sure also to check out DCist’s initial take (focused on demography and increase/decrease) and GGW’s initial take (focused on population shift between wards)
This is a data goldmine, and the sort of thing that yours truly is absolutely in love with. Parse through this with us over the next couple weeks.
By Tom Bridge
Blinking ornament in bomb-proof trashcan causes 90 minute fustercluck at Pentagon
‘Christmas 2008 – My Tree – 12-21-08’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’
I understand being cautious in a world where new plots to assault Metro riders are announced daily (and that’s just by WMATA! *badum ching*) that you have to be cautious in a situation where you figure out that you might well have something a bit hazardous on your hands. This morning’s incident at Pentagon Metro, that closed the hub station for 90 minutes during the midst of rush hour, is one case where the caution lead to massive amounts of commuting frustration over a battery-operated Christmas ornament.
My question: why the hell did it take so long to figure out that it was a Christmas Ornament? I mean, I get not wanting to put your hand down in there to pull it out and have something go off, but why not just put that bomb-proof trashcan on a dolly and wheel it right out of the station so that life can go on while you figure it out?
By Ashley
Food Truck Tracker
‘Curbside Cupcakes’
courtesy of ‘gerdaindc’
Food trucks. I recommend ones with soup today.
By Tom Bridge
Do you know this thief?
Do you recognize this alleged lowlife? This is allegedly the guy who broke into Marc Fisher’s place and allegedly stole a bunch of his family’s stuff, including his son’s laptop. In an effort to take his thuggery to new levels, the new “owner” of the laptop has been posting to Fisher’s son’s Facebook, which is taking insult to injury on a couple levels.
Read the whole piece from Fisher, and if you know this guy, give the Police a ring? The Police’s treatment of the case may tick you off a bit, as well, but I’m stealing Fisher’s thunder, so go read.