Monday Watercooler

Monday’s Watercooler — Sept 17

We’re back, it’s Monday, and you had an awesome weekend. There’s so much that happened this weekend! Here’s a quick précis so that you don’t feel lost if you didn’t follow every strand of the weekend.

Oh My God, Baby Panda! Just when we were all ready for disappointment, Mei Xiang gave birth to a little bundle of giant panda last night at around 10:46pm. There’s no name for the little girl or guy yet, but many are hoping that this one is Butterstick II: Electric Cutebaloo, or maybe just Parkay Tub or somesuch. I’m sure the Internet will have a proper name for the cub before long, and the Zoo will find an appropriate Chinese name for the cub, too, I just hope it doesn’t match another Chinese restaurant.

Your Takeaway: The zoo is going to be just packed when that cub is released to the panda enclosure. Plus, there’s a webcam (Windows Media required, because everyone has that, amirite?) Don’t say: Aw man, another welfare panda?!

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Monday Watercooler

Monday’s Watercooler

It’s Monday again, DC, and if you were out living your life this weekend, you might’ve missed a few highlights, so here’s what you need to know about this weekend:

RG III is Football Jesus, or at least that’s what Redskins fans are saying about his performance Sunday. The rookie’s first start under center was nothing short of a massive success. His 320 yards and 2 TD, coupled with no interceptions, make it the best rookie debut in football.

Your takeaway: He’s the real deal. Don’t say: The Skins are going all the way (at least, not yet)

Union Market opened in the Florida Avenue Market area. The rebuilt marketplace building houses a number of vendors hawking upscale goods, and only one of two of the old vendors were able to come back. Before an October 2011 fire, this was a local neighborhood marketplace with family-run stalls. Now, it’s (lots) more upscale, and while a few old vendors are back, this is a transformation of the market.  On the plus side, A. Litteri has a sandwich stall in the new building, and their subs rival Arlington favorite The Italian Store, and coffee favorite Peregrine Espresso has a stall, too. On the down side, this place could be a bit local conflict object as the vendor choices are generally speaking “stuff white people like.” Still, worth a look.

Your takeaway: interesting and tasty food and foodstuffs in a part of town you might not usually get to. Don’t say: I can’t wait til they do that to the whole area.

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