Photo by DC Metroblogger

Check out this little devil I found on Vermont Avenue in Shaw.

The stump of a street sign, its raw metal edges awiting an exposed toe or unobservant walker, is primed to cause a yelp, a twist, and a fall.

How many of these booby traps litter our sidewalks? Why do they not seem to garner pothole-level attention?
A street pothole may ruin your tire, but a sidewalk booby trap will ruin your person.

Mayor Fenty, how about a little attention on transport hazards for pedestrians, walkers, runners, those who face city-left booby traps across Washington DC? Save our soles, grind down these spikes.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

If there were a course on concert photography, Kyle Gustafson (aka leafblower) would be a likely candidate to teach it. His photos, mostly taken at our beloved 9:30 Club and Black Cat, are awesome examples of this unique breed of photography. It’s one thing to setup a tripod in front of the White House, but once you get inside a dark concert venue you’d better put that tripod away and hope you’ve got a fast lens and a good set of earplugs. A camera that has low noise levels at high ISO settings is key too. In other words, no, that camera phone isn’t going to cut it so just put it away right now.

I met Kyle a few months ago and was immediately jealous of the access he has to these clubs as well as to any Wizards or United game he wants to go to. Being a senior editor at DCist really pays off! Evidently he contacted the Wizards’ front office, said he wrote for a prominent blog, and they gave him a press pass. How sweet is that? As my dad always say, “You never know until you ask.”

Be sure to check out Kyle’s Flickr portfolio. He’s covered bands and musicians ranging from Snow Patrol to Pete Townsend to Scissor Sisters to Gnarls Barkley. I can’t think of a better gig! Well, unless you’ve got Hugh Hefner’s job. That’s pretty hard to beat.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It looks like its going to be another 16th Street Parking Lot during today’s rush hour. Alert DC has issued this Transportation Alert:

2400 Block of 16th St. NW will remain closed into & throughout rush hour. Avoid 16th St. NW if possible, use alternate routes.

Now while I don’t know why 16th is closed at Meridian Hill Park, I do think you should spend a minute to familiarize yourself with the Alert DC system.

This impressive emergency communication system is used by The DC Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA) to send emergency alerts, notifications and updates to all manner of electronic devices and email accounts.

While many alerts are of the transport and power-outage variety, they do help you decide between a traffic jam commute or communing at a patio bar

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Did you see the earnest college students making cardboard homes on the National Mall last weekend? Did you wonder why?

Apparently, the Invisible Children campaign will end the enslavement of child soldiers in Northern Uganda by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army through awareness and aggressive campaigning of the US government.

Aggressive campaigning that requires much use of pink by kids who didn’t know basic facts about Uganda or the LRA.

Questions like “What the capitol of Uganda?” or “Who is the leader of the LRA?” were greeted with mumbles before an answer was found. “Aboke abductions” “Night Commuters” or “Yoweri Museveni” just brought on blank stares.

Before carpeting the Mall with cardboard & kids, maybe the Invisible Children campaign should start with its own, internal, awareness campaign. Making the LRA entry of Wikipedia required reading would be a decent start.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Molly

Molly was the first person to take me up on the offer to promote her walk and she may be a hard act to follow! Here’s her donation link. Her story is below.

Help fight breast cancer and support Molly and her team here. Like Molly said, any amount is great. When you click the “click here to support me” button on that page you can opt to do any amount on a one time basis.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

photo courtesy of JoCo

As the resident Coulton–obsessed metblogger I would be remiss if I let Tom wish you a happy Loyalty Day but did not wish you a happy First of May.

You probably want to wear your headphones if you’re in mixed company…

update my darling girlfriend says the above caching link doesn’t work for her, so if it’s an issue for you there’s First of May here too.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

So, here in the land of the free and the home of the brave, it’s Loyalty Day, as so declared by the Congress of these United States and the President:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2007, as Loyalty Day. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in this national observance and to display the flag of the United States on Loyalty Day as a symbol of pride in our Nation.

Swear your loyalty to the King Nation.

I swear to God, I couldn’t make this more Orwellian if I dug up George Orwell’s spinning corpse and had him write the proclamation. Along with Depart of Homeland Security, God help us if we can’t pick the ironically awful names.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Really, not one of our readers is going to do the Avon walk and interested in taking me up on my offer to pimp your donation link? Given the number of walkers in the event I’m amazed.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Now this is a whole different Washingtonian commute, the Delta Shuttle.

Headed to NYC for the day, I joined the suits for the 8:30 am flight to LaGuardia. Suits who complained of all the time they spend flying the East Coast corridor.

I was too jet lagged from Egypt to check their empty complaints. These kids get hot coffee, bagels, and leather seats for a 40 minute flight.

A sweet commute I would love after 24 hours in coach.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The second floor of the Georgetown Public Library is a complete loss, and with it goes much of the archive of the Library, some of which predates the founding of our nation. According to Firehouse.com, several of the area fire hydrants were not in working order, due to an issue with water pressure. According to WTOP, this is a frequent problem in Georgetown and other elevated areas of town.

Wait. Hold on a second. You’re telling me that these fire hydrants are purely decorative? That’s got to be cold comfort to all of Georgetown all of a sudden as they realize the fire hydrant that’s just up the street may be as useful as your neighbor’s garden hose when it comes to putting out a serious fire. Seriously, how does a city like DC not be able to push the pressure it needs to fire hydrants. That seems like a basic service…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Georgetown Public Library is on fire, too, in a fire that looks to be as destructive as the one at Eastern Market. What’s with the local landmarks catching fire all of the sudden?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

photo courtesy of J Dell Designs

My darling girlfriend and I have known Jennifer Eubank for a bit over a year now. She’s one of the dozens of friendly and helpful vendors we’ve met by exhibiting at Eastern Market. She’s also one of the half-dozen or so who have helped to make our efforts less profitable by making stuff so great we buy their things rather than taking our hard-earned dough home with us. Ah well. I like to call DG’s ring from jdell designs “the boobs ring,” which is worth it just for the chuckle.

This coming weekend Jennifer will be doing the Avon walk to help raise money for breast cancer issues. Precise details about how the money is spent can be found at the Avon Foundation’s website as well as in the GuideStar data on the charity.

You can support Jennifer’s walk by going here and making a donation. She’s got a personal motivation to be in the walk.

I am doing this in honor of my sister, Gail, who has been battling breast cancer for more than 5 years now. I am completely committed to walking the full 39-mile walk May 5 & 6 in Washington, DC. My sister Beverly is joining me for what will most likely be the most important thing we have done in many years.

She’s already hit her fundraising goal but more is always better. She’s going above and beyond to increase her funds intake, too. Aside from offering to give a free pair of earrings from her stock to anyone who pledges over $150, she’s added a line of pink jewelry that she’ll be selling from this point forward. She’ll be contributing the profits from the sales of them to the Avon foundation so she can keep the giving going past the day of the walk.

You have to support that kind of dedication.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

from the Old Dominion website

Ack! Since Nice Mirror didn’t get into the Manayunk art show this year, my darling girlfriend and I thought “oh good – maybe we won’t be out of town for the Old Dominion Beer Festival this year like we were last time.” Well, we may not be out of town but we won’t be at the festival either.

We really tried to make it work, but if you have looked at our ‘festival grounds’ (the lot behind the brewery), it is under excavation and construction. We explored other locations, but it was critical that we kept it close by, and ultimately we could not find a site that would work with our traditional dates. Old Dominion appreciates your loyalty to our great beers, our great people and a great summer event. As disappointing as it to all of us, we could not in good conscience put on a beer fest that did not live up to our high standards. We know the Beer Fest is a great tradition and much-loved happening, and we are already planning for a return run in 2008.

This is just heartbreaking! I hate to torment you with tales of something you won’t get to enjoy this summer, but the festival has been fantastic both times I’ve been. Affordable sample size beers from a few dozen breweries, good music, great food, interesting vendors…. *sigh* I’m going to have to go drown my sorrows now…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

In a flurry of Twitter messages this morning, my friends and I all wondered what the eventual fate of Eastern Market would be. Mayor Fenty is promising to rebuild, but will the character be preserved? Will Starbucks be permitted to open a store there in exchange for a rebuilding grant?

The Washington Post reported this morning:

In continuous operation since 1873, Eastern Market was designed by noted architect Adolph Cluss and is a recognized National Historic Landmark. The market sits just off Pennsylvania Avenue SE, on the neighborhood’s eastern edge.

Wondering exactly what National Historic Landmark designation means for a property that needs to be rebuilt, I checked out the National Park Service’s National Historic Landmark Program page, only to discover… Eastern Market is not, in fact, designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Wondering how I caught, in 5 minutes of Googling and using NPS’ own database, what the WaPo fact checkers had not (hey guys, did you take the morning off?), I noticed that the National Register of Historic Places is a separate list, also maintained by the National Park Service. Eastern Market does indeed appear on this list.

What’s the difference? I’m so glad you asked:

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs Continue reading →

Randall L. Tobias

Did you see who was the first to fall from grace when Deborah Jeane Palfrey, accused DC Madam, gave her confidential call girl contacts list to ABC News? None other than Randall L. Tobias, the deputy secretary of state responsible for U.S. foreign aid. The WashPost says:

On Friday, Randall L. Tobias resigned as deputy secretary of state one day after confirming to Brian Ross of ABC that he had patronized the Pamela Martin firm.

Speaking yesterday on “Good Morning America,” Ross said Tobias told him Tobias’s number was on Palfrey’s phone records because he had called “to have gals come over to the condo to give me a massage.” There had been “no sex,” Ross quoted Tobias as saying, and that recently he has used another service, “with Central American gals,” for massages.

Now that was smart of Mr. Tobais. As the director of President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, he learned that the best way to practice safe sex is not to have sex. Now he knows the best way to practice safe politics is not to practice call girl massages.

The question is, who is next to get the call? Palfrey gave her list of 10,000 to 15,000 phone numbers to ABC News for free and ABC is expected to air a report on Palfrey and her clients on “20/20” on May 4, during sweeps.

I for one, can’t wait to see who is next…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The weekend, for so many people in DC, means Eastern Market. The produce and arts booths that fill the indoor/outdoor market, the lunch counter, the market stalls and the non-existant parking, these are the things that draw the crowds to the 134-year old historic hub of DC’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Built in the Reconstruction era, it’s beautiful South Hall, which houses butchers and cheese shops, produce and more, is an iconic landmark for Capitol Hill.

Mayor Fenty has pledged to rebuild the site, saying, “We’ll bring it back 100 percent. How could we not? It’s too much history to let it get burned away.” It took 160 firefighters to douse the blaze that started around 1am this morning. The fire seems to have begun in the dumpsters behind the building, then spread inside. At this time, it’s not known whether or not this is an accidental fire or an arson, but I have a feeling this is the number one priority for the police and fire departments today.

Market events will be cancelled for weeks to come as the investigations continue and the repairs ensue. This City is a poorer place for its absence. One of my first dates in this town was lunch at the lunch counter there. Mona told me that it was the only place she trusted to get her a good pastrami sandwich. She was right, it was incredible. And now it’s an empty burned hull.

Photo Credit: Nikki Kahn – The Washington Post Photo

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

This is an odd WMATA Metrorail sign for the Green Line: National Airport.

When the train arrived it was a Yellow Line train, suggesting that while Metrorail has its lines right it is not adjusting to the off-peak Yellow Line extention.

Might WMATA stop the confusion and make the extension both permanent and full service? Those of us who ride and work on the Yellow Line/Green Line would be appreciative.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

One week from right now the Avon walk will be over. Last year the walk brought in 5.6 million bucks in the DC area and I presume this year well do at least as well. I discovered today that one of the other craft vendors we know is walking and tomorrow I’ll share her story and motivation with you, along with the link to make a donation to her team.

If you’re walking – or know someone who is – you can drop me an email if you like and include the link and a brief explanation of why you’re walking and what it means to you. I’ll post the first four I receive, once a day, Tuesday through Friday this coming week. Mail me at avonwalk.z.whiteside@spamgourmet.com. (No attachments, please, or it’ll be automatically scrapped. If you want to add a picture I’ll give you another opportunity to mail me something or you can provide me with a Flickr link.)

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

One of my favorite tools the Washington Post online offers is their Congressional vote information and – more importantly – feeds. Using one of a bazillion RSS readers – I’m partial to Google Reader these days – you can track the votes for your representatives with a specificity that is maybe a little unhealthy. The only thing they’re lacking is a quick & easy way to determine your rep if you’re not sure. Senators are easy but House districts can be redrawn. Thankfully you can go to Project Vote Smart and there’s a finder on the left hand side.

Aside from enabling obsessive-compulsive behavior, they also do some useful aggregation like breakouts for late-night votes or most voted on. There’s not-so-useful too, like vote by astrological sign which is only available in the per-vote breakdown.

Then there’s vote missers, which seems like a way for you to get your indignant on and see who failed to do their legislative duty by showing up.

photo courtesy of WaPo online

Except that the rolls are filled with folks who are/were sick and out for an extended period or, in the case of the #1 spot, dead. I personally think that there’s a fair number of good reasons to miss work, but departing the land of the living is without question the top qualifying category. Thankfully the listings have notes to indicate these things, but I feel sorry for poor Charles Norwood who seems destined to hold that top spot through the 110th Congress. His attendance record isn’t going to get any better as the term continues. It’s an unfortunate reflection on a man who was at work through the day he died, based on his votes

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

My wife and I had a hankering for ice cream yesterday and went out in search of it. I know there’s a Baskin Robbins store near my home but that’s not what we wanted. BR is really a dumbing-down of ice cream experience, comparable to drinking coffee from Starbucks or eating at the food court in the mall. It’s like the lowest common denominator of what people will eat and pay for.

It’s not bad, but it’s not good enough for me to want.

I figured we might find some nice, independent ice cream store between Ballston and Rosslyn but never found anything. Have all the mom and pop places been put out of business by the giant conglomerates like Baskin Robbins?

So tell me – what area ice cream places do you recommend? Sometimes a guy just needs a bit of cool sweetness on a warm day.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs