Photo by DC Metroblogger

What a perfect way to end lunch on a sunny day: free ice cream samples from the Hershey’s Ice Cream store on McPherson Square.

They are passing out sample coupons right now to lucky passerbys like me. I need the coupon too as I miss out on their other free ice cream offer.

A free scoop on my b-day isn’t inviting if you were born in February.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Mayor Fenty’s first bill is now signed, and it’s the School Reform Act, putting the schools under the control of the Mayor’s office, and turning the School Board into an advisory council. The bill heads now to Congress for approval, and the hope is that the bill will be approved there, and changes in the DC Schools will be visible in time for the new school year.

However, all of this was done while the seats in Wards 4 and 7 sat vacant and waiting for special election next month. It strikes me, once again, that this should be something that all wards should have had a seat at the table for a change that’s this drastic. But that’s not going to be the case. Bad move, Mayor Fenty. I know you’re trying to make the school system better, but I think that to do that, you need the consent of the whole council, not one with vacant seats.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When my instant messenger buzzed me at 2pm on a Sunday, I had my feet up and I was watching the Nationals get clubbed like baby seals. The message said, “It would be a sin if we didn’t drink margaritas today.”

Hmm. Now there’s an idea. It’s just about perfect out there. So I pinged Mike back, and suddenly we’re off to the store to get flank steak, onions, peppers and guacamole makings. Because really, what goes better with margaritas that some spicy fajitas? I thought so. Harris Teeter, much like Home Depot on Saturday, was a complete zoo. What is it about perfect weekends that turn normal retail outlets into chaos zones? People not watching where they’re going, leaving their carts blocking the aisles, running over my wife at one point… It was insane. I was glad to be out of it, with the windows down and the sunroof popped to head over to Mike’s place.

At some point Margaritas became three kinds of Sangria, and I realized that the perfection of Spring might well lead to some unintended consequences in the morning. Not caring, I drank deeply from the glass of forgetfulness as the evening drew on. The fajitas were spicy, the company delightful, and best of all, this is just the first of many barbeques to come. Welcome back, good weather!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

If you plan on visiting “The Awakening” any time soon, you’d best do it sooner rather than later. According to a recent Washington Post article:

“…the outdoor sculpture ‘The Awakening’ will be dug up from Hains Point, its home for the past 27 years, then barged and trucked to an undisclosed location where it will be cleaned and restored. Then, the 70-foot work, which depicts a giant struggling to emerge from the earth, will be planted in a new sandy beach on the other side of the Potomac River.”

The sculpture was purchased several years ago for $750,000 by a developer, Milt Peterson, who has grand plans to revitalize National Harbor:

“Sail-shaped banners line the Potomac waterfront, with moving images projected on the fabric. A retractable, 42-foot video screen stretches between two masts for outdoor movies. Stonehenge-like boulders alternate with larger-than-life bronze statues along the promenade leading to the water. In his mind’s eye, Peterson sees concerts, sailboat races, sunset cruises, fireworks, maybe even water ballet.”

Because the harbor is actually part of Maryland, you guessed it: DC is losing one of its landmarks. The Awakening will no longer be a part of DC which is kind of sad in my opinion. In its current location, it’s just within reach for most of tourists, walkable from the Mall (albeit kind of a long walk). With its new location in Prince George’s County, you can kiss that convenience goodbye. I think change can be good though, and if the harbor turns out as Peterson describes it, it may be a fun place to visit every once in a while.

So say your goodbyes, DC, and pray that no one sells the Washington Monument.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

This Green Line WMATA Metrorail train has me seeing red in the morning and not because of the Nats.

I am seeing red because the advertising-free clean lines of the original Metro design are being distorted by crass consumerism.

Yes, WMATA should be looking for alternate revenue sources because the three states it serves chronically underfund mass transit. But aggressive advertising like this visual assault is over the line.

What next? WMATA pimping Bemmers in Metro stations?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

photo courtesy of sean dreilinger

…cuz it’s too loud. A number of us went to check out the bar at Liberty Tavern last night after having dinner around the corner. It’s a lovely space, or at least the bar is – I didn’t wander upstairs to see the dining room. However it is noisy as all get out. Maybe that’s an unfair criticism of anyplace on a Saturday night but after about thirty minutes I found my throat getting a little hoarse trying to talk. On the other hand, the bar seemed smoke-free – no idea if that’s a policy there or just a co-incidence but it was a pleasure, and the only thing I missed when we walked down the block to O’Sullivans.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I’ve seen those old smokestacks near the Capitol on my walks around the Hill before, but I had no idea what they were; this WaPo article resolves my puzzlement: “Reliance on Coal Sullies ‘Green the Capitol’ Effort.” It’s the Capitol Power Plant, which, despite the “power” in its name, does not actually supply electricity, but rather provides heated and chilled water to the Capitol Complex via [guess what] a series of tubes.

Apparently the Plant burns coal to do its dirty work, releasing clouds of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon “We Call it Life” dioxide into the District’s air for our better health. Not just that, but the underground network of pipes which carry their fluids to the Capitol’s climate-control capillaries are lined with asbestos. This also explains that serious walled-off digging area AOC has going in the parking lot between E Street and Mass Ave NE near Union Station, the one with the big sign warning of a respiratory health hazard from asbestos.

Senators Byrd (D-WV) and McConnell (R-KY) appear to have a bipartisan effort going to keep the plant burning coal so it can pump more dirt into our air. Perhaps their constituents currently residing in DC might care to send them a note?

(Gracias to Grundlepuck for the squirrel/smokestack photo. Also note that the Capitol Power Plant entry on Wikipedia could use some extra meat on its stubby bones.)

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Over the years, I’ve often found myself enlightening various tourists and relatives about D.C.’s voting rights issue and the varied arguments over the “last colony” status of the District. It never surprises me that most people from outside the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area have no idea about D.C. residents’ disenfranchisement, and that they usually assume we carry on like lucky residents of Puerto Rico or Guam, not having to pay federal income taxes as a result of our “special status.” When I inform them otherwise, they’re usually surprised and think it unfair. So imagine my surprise reading this gem today on the Washington Post’s discussion about yesterday’s House bill result:

College Park, Md.: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. So says the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

If D.C. gets full voting rights like the other states, then won’t they have to start paying federal income taxes?

Mary Beth Sheridan: D.C. residents already pay full federal income taxes.

This isn’t a tourist or an out-of-towner. This is a Maryland resident in a close-in college town on the Red Line. Shocking? Ignorant? Just amazingly uninformed? An area newbie? I have no idea, but I practically spat out my afternoon mocha upon reading it.

UPDATE: The irony of my saying College Park is on the Red Line. Oh, the horrible irony. Green Line, Green. My own line too. It’s humble pie tonight!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When I walked into the RendezVous Cafe on Wilson Boulevard, I didn’t realize how tiny it was. There are, maybe, six tables in the whole place, it’s an intimate location with no table inside that seats more than a pair. We had three, but we managed to grab the two corner tables without too much of an awkward situations. The menu is primarily Panini sandwiches and Crêpes, which was perfect for a light dinner out on a weeknight. I had the pastrami panini, Tiff and Lisa had the chicken pesto paninis. The sandwiches were divine, hot and cheesy, savory and tangy, and made for a perfect lunch or dinner.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying the crêpes, which were soft and sweet and, in our case, filled with nutella and bananas and drizzled with a bit of chocolate. While the wait was a bit long, and the seating somewhat awkward, it’s a great place to grab some dessert, or even some light dinner. I suspect that once the weather clears up (hey, tonight is supposed to be just about perfect…) their outside tables will be exactly what Virginia Square folks need: a great place for a cup of coffee and a crêpe.

RendezVous Cafe
3540 Wilson Blvd
Arlington VA
Metro: Virginia Square

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Edwin Albert Mroz Chapter of the Order of DeMolay is having a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, April 21st from 8am-12pm. The car wash will be at the Kemper-Macon Ware Masonic Lodge at 411 Little Falls St. in Falls Church.

All donations will be accepted.

I am not sure of the weather forecast for that day but am sure the young people out there will be using lots of elbow grease to get the job done. I know one of the advisors and have every confidence that he will ensure a good job from his kids he leads!

Here is some information on what DeMolay is, for those of you who are curious:

DeMolay is an organization dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today. DeMolay combines this serious mission with a fun approach that builds important bonds of friendship among members in more than 1,000 chapters worldwide.

Come check it out, help the young folks there with their organization and get your car sudsied up. Everyone is a winner!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Okay, what the hell is this “District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act“? Some crazy way to give us Congressional voting representation through congressional authority by returning us back to Maryland? And why is Wade Henderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights saying this to the House of Representatives:

As the committee is aware, the area west of the Potomac ceded to the Federal Government by Commonwealth of Virginia was returned to Virginia in 1846. The leadership conference agrees with the premise of H.R. 381, that defining a national capital service area that would be retained by the Federal Government as the District of Columbia, all Constitutional requirements for the District would be satisfied, leaving Congress free to return the remainder of Washington to the State of Maryland.

Is he trying to sell us back to Maryland? Did he ask my option or yours? Or better yet, did he ask Maryland? Guess not:

Unfortunately, there is no indication at this time that the State of Maryland or its citizens would accept the return of the District, not that I would propose it, as a District resident.

Don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be part of Maryland or Virginia. I want representation for DC as a District resident.

Or we can always be like Puerto Rico, no vote yet no Federal income tax, and everyone’s happy.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When latency began to spike at Murky this afternoon, I chalked it up to someone bit torrenting the latest episode of Drive, or something along those lines. When DNS stopped working, I figured it was the modem in need of a restart and since it was just after 5, I packed up for home. Imagine my surprise when I came home to find those very same symptoms at my condo in Fairlington. And at my friend Lisa’s in Virginia Square. And at my friend Ben’s in Rockville. All over the DC area, there’s a good portion of the internet that’s inaccessible, if you’re a Comcast customer.

When I broke down and called support at 8:00pm, I spend a good half hour on hold, only to find out that since my cable modem and phone are on the same box, I had to be transferred again. After more time on hold, I got to talk to someone in their tech support group. Hooboy. That was an experience. Apparently, at 8:30 or so, they’re finally noticing that there’s been a networkwide issue for close to 4 hours. Glad to see pattern matching is alive and well at Comcast.

According to my friend in Rockville who’s got contacts in the business support area, it’s a major issue that’s affecting all of DC, they’ve known about it for a couple hours and have techs working on the issue. Here’s hoping you can go a whole night without half the internet. Go out. Have a good time.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Eleanor Holmes Norton Putting Her Foot Squarely Down:

This is a woman who firmly believes in the rights of the District.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Gandalf the Grey

Originally uploaded by Dunechaser.

Dreier: Will the gentlewoman yield?

Holmes Norton: I will not yield, sir. The District of Columbia has spent 206 years yielding to people who would deny them the vote. I yield you no ground. Not during my time. You have had your say, and your say has been that you think the people who live in your capital are not entitled to a vote in their House. Shame on you.

Good on ya, Eleanor! Tell ’em how it is.

The DC Voting Rights Act passed today, and you can see DCist’s blow by blow coverage of the entire debate from today. The conclusion? It passed, but it’s linked, oddly, to a budget bill. If both don’t pass, the DC remains voteless.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

From the Scottish Rite Web Site

I saw this on the Scottish Rite homepage:

“The Legend of Merv Conn,” a 50-minute documentary tribute to Conn’s remarkable life and work, debuted on February 18, 2007 at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring to a sold-out audience. Conn, a Silver Spring, Maryland resident and Scottish Rite Mason, has been teaching and performing the accordion in the D.C. area for over 75 years.

Merv Conn is an accordion legend–from the White House to your cousin’s Bar Mitzvah, he has spent years entertaining Washington, DC. “The Legend of Merv Conn” is a documentary tribute to his life and work. He has played and entertained in D.C. for many years, and if you haven’t heard him, now’s your chance!

On April 20th, in addition to the documentary, Conn will perform with two short silent films by George Merriken, one of Glen Echo Amusement Park circa 1940, and the other of the last days of D.C. streetcars in the early 1960s, will be shown.

Date: Friday, April 20, 2007
Time: 2 pm
Place: AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD
Tickets: $5. Unused tickets purchased for the February 25th screening will be honored.

For more information, contact the AFI Silver Theatre at (301) 495-6720 or (301) 495-6700.

According to comments on one blog, this show was not only sold out for the first showing, but they even had scalpers there. That’s the big time, you know! Director Jeff Krulik has made a number of films showing interesting tidbits of life and this one promises to be as good as his others.

Looks like fun to me. I hope to go if I can convince my lovely wife to come along. After all, it is her birthday weekend and nothing spells birthday fun like some good accordion music.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Are you moving? Do you want to use U-Haul, “your moving and storage resource” for a DC zip code change? Before you type in http://www.uhaul.com to make a moving truck reservation, go local.

Go Google Maps for UHaul.

Why? Because if you go to the main UHaul site, they will charge you a $5 service fee to tell the local U-Haul to call you back. Essentially $5 for the U-Haul website to give you a local telephone number.

I just realized this after I called the 1-800 number listed on the U-Hall website and tried to make a reservation for a moving van. They couldn’t guarantee me a reservation for my in-town move, saying they would have to call me back.

As I am in Egypt this week, gazing at pyramids on Giza Plateau, I asked for their number instead.

A $5 “nonrefundable reservation fee” later, they gave me the phone number of the U-Haul on U Street. Nice. Next time, if there is ever a next time with my half-million dollar mortgage, I’ll save the $5 and call the local U-Haul Company directly.

Before then, you can save $5 and have a better customer service experience. Just call your local U-Haul dealership directly and skip the scam website.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I’m a relative newcomer to DC, but never have I heard anyone say, “Boy, that Wrap Works was amazing! I’m sure going to miss it.” It was usually along the lines of, “Thank God Wrap Works is finally gone!” And lucky for us, it wasn’t replaced by some chain restaurant or coffee shop. Instead a new restaurant with much promise has: Circa at Dupont.

Located at Connecticut and Q, directly opposite the Dupont Circle Metro station, Circa is one of the best new neighborhood restaurants I’ve been to in quite some time. Some of my favorite restaurants in the area are Bistro du Coin, Hank’s Oyster Bar, and Urbana, but Circa may soon be added to that list. It has every quality that I look for in a restaurant: tasty food, a nice selection of wine (and other drinks), a beautiful decor, and a great location.

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

There’s been a major development in the investigation down in Blacksburg. Apparently, Cho Seung-Hui recorded a statement and sent it to NBC in the intervening two hours between the first pair of shootings and the rampage in Norris Hall. The statement has been turned over to the FBI by NBC, and I’m really, really hopeful it won’t ever end up seen by anyone except the investigators.

That said, it’ll be on YouTube or at the Smoking Gun in 5…4…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

If you’ve ever spent any time listening to the radio in DC, you know of Ronnie Mervis, his brothers Zed and Kenny, and the diamond mines of South Africa. His commercials are hysterical and absolutely ubiquitous. And now, of course, he’s entered the blogosphere, featuring some incredible content on his blog about his time in the mines, as well as some commercials and remixes:

Maybe it’s just the little boy in me that likes putting on a hardhat and riding roughshod in the humongous earth-moving trucks with wheels bigger than a politician’s ego. The elevator that descends two miles below the surface, “the cage,” is big enough to accommodate one of these behemoths. That gives you an idea of the scale of our mining operations.

While I will call bullshit on the 2 miles below the earth’s crust, I do enjoy the cinematic tone of his writings, and of course, what else do your call your blog, if you’re a diamond merchant, other than “King of Bling”. Check out one of their featured videos.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

We’ve just been sent a few emails coming from one of the families of the victims in the Blacksburg Tragedy, apparently the medical examiner is refusing families access to the bodies of their children pending a full confirmation of the identities of the victims:

John Doe (name changed to protect the innocent) has been calling asking, begging, for someone here to try to help him. The medical examiner at VT is holding onto all of the bodies pending final ID. They won’t let him see his boy

I can’t imagine the trauma that these families have been through and now having travelled from all over and not be allowed to mourn your loss in a very personal manner… it’s horrific. Worse still is the image that it’s been so difficult to identify your loved ones. This incident is truly an atrocity.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs