Monthly Archives: June 2009

News, The Features, The Mall, WTF?!
By

Breaking: Shooting at the Holocaust Museum

Photo courtesy of
‘CIMG1828’
courtesy of ‘e_tothe_ipi’

A spate of gunfire erupted at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum this afternoon, with two men injured and transported to area hospitals. The shooter is reported to be James W. Von Brunn, a white supremacist. Both Von Brunn and a member of the USHMM Security Force were taken to George Washington University Hospital in critical condition.

14th Street has been shuttered in the area (between Constitution and D St SW), leading to major traffic snarls around the artery (link to Traffic Camera at 14th & E) as police response and investigations continue. A third man has been taken to the hospital, according to WTOP, after being injured from flying glass.

Update 23 [5:10p] We’re going to wrap our live coverage at this time. We’ll pick up additional updates in a new entry later this evening.

Update 22 [4:42p] The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is confirming the death of Officer Johns, a six-year veteran of the Security Force at the USHMM. The museum will be closed tomorrow in honor of Officer Johns. In addition, flags will be flown at half-staff at the Museum.

Update 21 [4:40p] The Washington Post has republished the 1983 article about Von Brunn’s sentencing, with some details about the attempted kidnapping of the Federal Reserve Board.

Update 20 [4:32p] WUSA9 identifies the security guard as Stephan Tyrone Johns. He was fatally wounded at the Holocaust Memorial Museum this afternoon just a bit before 1pm.

Update 19 [4:22p] Many thanks to Karen, who pointed us at Von Brunn’s Wikipedia User Page biography, which largely mirrors the site from earlier today.

Update 18 [4:18p] Former Secretary Cohen and his wife Janet Langhart are on CNN now. They’re talking with him about his viewing. He was right out front of the Museum when it happened. He was 30-40 feet away when the incident occurred.

Update 17 [4:05p] WUSA 9 is reporting that the Security Guard at the Holocaust Museum has died, due to his injuries sustained at the scene. CNN has confirmed this as well.

Update 16 [3:25p] Clinton Administration Defense Secretary William Cohen was in the entry to the museum when the incident occured. His wife Janet Langhart was to have performed her one-act play, an imagined conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till, this evening at the Museum. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

One shot? Two shots? Few details

Photo courtesy of
‘image’
courtesy of ‘rossneugeboren’

Headline News and now NBC4 have information on a shooting at or near the Holocaust Museum on 14th. NBC4 claims one person shot but CNN Headline News just claimed that two people were shot and taken to GW Hospital. Both sources agree the shooter is in custody. No indication of any fatalities at this time.

UPDATE: Now CNN is reporting, via WTOP, that a person walked into the museum and opened fire. Guards returned fire. Now they say THREE people have been shot. Suspect in custody.

Entertainment, We Love Arts
By

A Historic Rage

Photo courtesy of
”’
courtesy of ‘musicalhedonist’

No matter what Craig Finn may tell you about a unified scene, The Hold Steady comes at you in fragments.

Blame it on the sometimes sloppy, jangly old-school rock and roll riffs — unashamedly lifted straight from your dad’s collection of vinyl — the drunken sing-speak proclamations of Finn, or just the confusion over just what you’re watching; America’s biggest bar band throws the craziest fist-pumping house party in town.

Granted, it’d be a strange place thing to witness from the rafters, a seat, or just a spot on the balcony — boredom and misplaced analysis falls easy— but when you’re packed into the rolling, bouncing first rows of the 9:30 Club on a sloshing Sunday night, there’s no scene that I’d rather fall into.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

Fenty’s New Ride?

Photo courtesy of
‘Fentymobile’
courtesy of ‘Rabid_C’

It seems that with the passing of Memorial Day, Adrian Fenty may have decided to upgrade his official car to reflect the changing season.  A white, convertible Smart Car, with what appears to be red, velvet lined seats, was seen in his parking spot at the Wilson building by one of our readers, yesterday. The Mayor isn’t gunning for the masculine aesthetic, apparently.  There’s been no official word from the city on a change in automobile, so I suppose we’ll have to wait until he’s spotted driving it to confirm.

The Daily Feed
By

Teddy for Food Network Star

Photo courtesy of
‘mussel’
courtesy of ‘daumdna’
I can’t believe we haven’t mentioned this before, but if you didn’t already know it: Teddy Folkman of Granville Moore is a contestant on this season’s Next Food Network Star, which aired its first episode Sunday. He’s made it past elimination one but that’s still 8 more people to compete with.

Anyway, Today’s Express has a nice interview with Teddy and it has an M Night Shyamalan-level twist in the last answer. Shocking!

Alexandria, The Daily Feed
By

Lovebirds and Ducks Agree: Alexandria Waterfront is Filthy as Homemade Sin

Love Note

I found this note on a dock at Alexandria’s waterfront area the other day while my Lovely Wife and I were taking what could have been a lovely stroll. Of course, the jerk who was so upset about pollution as to write this note also was dumb enough to make more litter by leaving it there.

The river is polluted and dirty, littered with bottles, tires, bags, shoes and even dead fish. Yes, apparently it’s even too dirty there for the fish. On our 20-minute walk, I counted no fewer than five fish floating in the filth. That’s pretty messed up.

Take a look at one view of the trash:
Continue reading →

Entertainment, Food and Drink, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
By

Squid, Shrimp and Veg, Oh Mai!

Photo courtesy of
‘two types of paella’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

Monday night, I headed over to Jaleo in Crystal City for the kick-off of Jaleo’s annual Paella Festival. While Jose Andres and company were spotted at the Dupont Farmer’s Market last weekend cookin’ up a big old pot of the stuff, Monday marked the first day of the official festival. This year, Jose’s cooking buddy, Chef Quim Marques of El Suquet de L’Almirall, Barcelona, Spain, joins him to help Jose whip up tasty rice creations. So this year’s festival features paellas based on Marques’ recipes.

So how was it? There were some I loved, and some I wouldn’t care to try again. I’ll tell you what’s what. Continue reading →

Talkin' Transit, The Features, WMATA, WTF?!
By

Talkin’ Transit: Doors to Nowhere

Photo courtesy of
‘CSC_1718’ courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

Remember a year ago when Metro said they were going to ‘crack down’ on the rash of “doors opening” off platform? That new safety and training programs would be implemented to keep such accidents from happening?

Guess what!

It hasn’t worked.

WaPo caught the story on Monday: over the last two months, there have been 17 incidents of train doors opening at stations with cars still in the tunnel. Of those 17, 14 of them were eight-car trains that weren’t properly berthed. During rush hour. Most on the Red Line. The other three were six-car trains…two of which not properly berthed.

Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Norton “Disappointed” in Obama

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_8246’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

With the Voting Rights Bill on hold, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton has expressed some displeasure with President Obama over his unwillingness to help with the situation. According to WTOP’s Mark Segraves, she reached out to President Obama’s offices several times for assistance and got just the cold shoulder instead. Would Obama’s help have come in handy against the Ensign amendment? It’s possible, but I think that with major political capital projects like Health Care Reform, the Nationalization of General Motors, and TARP funds, he’s had other things to do.

The Daily Feed
By

Take Cover. It’s About To Get Insane Out There

weather.png

Hooboy. This morning’s storms were fierce. We’re in for a second bout from the weather gods, so get your pants on, your umbrellas up, and get to shelter. This one’s going to hit downtown right around 6 or 7, so hole up at the house and go out late, or hit the happy hour and stick around for a bit before going home.

The Daily Feed
By

Film Preview: Wish a Fish to Be Your Dish?

Photo courtesy of
‘Anacostia Fish Market Red Snappers’
courtesy of ‘andertho’

Last night, National Geographic held a sold-out screening of The End of the Line: Imagine a world without fish.

With scenes of fishing boats and markets the world over, the movie does a great job of explaining why seafood is on the decline worldwide — and predicted to run out in 2048 — and what you can do now to keep more fish in the sea. (Hint: Know which fish is sustainable, and ask where it comes from before you buy it.)

The film, which mentioned our own Chesapeake Bay rays, will come to E Street Cinema on Aug. 14. Now, you can see the trailer and join a campaign to protect marine life.

History, Mythbusting DC, The District, The Features
By

DC Mythbusting: “Lobbyist” Coined at Willard Hotel

Photo courtesy of
‘WASHINGTON 2-35’
courtesy of ‘chantoozie’

Welcome to another edition of DC Mythbusting!  This week we’ll be busting the myth of the term ‘lobbyist’.  The legend that I’ve heard countless times in the District is that the term ‘lobbyist’ originated at the Willard Hotel when Ulysses S. Grant was in office (1869-1877).  Apparently President Grant would frequent the Willard Hotel to enjoy brandy and a cigar, and while he was there, he’d be hounded by petitioners asking for legislative favors or jobs.  It is said that President Grant coined the term by referring to the petitioners as “those damn lobbyists.”   The legend has been forwarded by the Washington Post, The Hill, the American Society of News Editors, and, of course, the PR director of the Willard Hotel.

It’s a fun story to tell tourists, and it makes the Willard Hotel even more of a landmark, but the legend is just not true.  Sure, President Grant visited the Willard Hotel and enjoyed his brandy and a cigar, but he did not coin the term ‘lobbyist’.

The verb ‘to lobby’ first appeared in print in the United States in the 1830’s, at least thirty years before Ulysses S. Grant came to Washington.  The term is believed to have originated in British Parliament, and referred to the lobbies outside the chambers where wheeling and dealing took place.  “Lobbyist” was in common usage in Britain in the 1840’s.  Jesse Sheidlower, editor-at-large for the Oxford English Dictionary, believes the term was used as early as 1640 in England to describe the lobbies that were open to constituents to interact with their representatives.

So there you have it: President Grant may have used the term to refer to all those hangers-on at the Willard, but the term was around long before he arrived in DC.

All Politics is Local, Crime & Punishment, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Eleanor Holmes Norton: Voting Rights Can Wait

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_2721’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

Mike DeBonis (Loose Lips of the City Paper) has the news that Eleanor Holmes Norton is killing this year’s Voting Rights Bill, mostly thanks to the inability of Steny Hoyer to get his party in line over the removal of the Ensign amendment. The Voting Rights Bill may come back in another Congress, but for now it remains a continuing elusive dream for the District of Columbia.

The Ensign amendment, designed to remove all of the District’s current firearms registration laws and revert to the Federal standards, was transformed into a national referendum by the NRA, who promised to grade legislators on their vote. With political pressure weighing on centrist Democrats who support 2nd amendment rights, the Ensign amendment passed handily and put a boat anchor on the bill. Unable to remove it in Conference, Congresswoman Norton has requested that the Bill be tabled until some time in the future.

If you’d like to register your displeasure, you can contact the office of Senator John Ensign, below. Perhaps we can arrange for a mail-in campaign where we send him something to symbolize the disenfranchisement of the District on a Federal Level?

Senator John Ensign, Nevada
119 Russell Senate Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6244

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Features, The Great Outdoors, We Love Food
By

We Love Food: Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor

Food and Wine Festival

Summertime is festival time, and I’m not complaining. After attending Savor a week ago, I had no idea what to expect going into The Food and Wine Festival at National Harbor. Would it be fancy? Would it be lame? Would they have enough food and wine to keep me happy? Actually, does anyone ever have enough food and wine to keep me happy? Is there enough food and wine in the world to keep me happy for life? Ah! So many existential questions, but I digress. Basically, Jasmine and I headed over to National Harbor with zero expectations, and wound up extremely happy, totally entertained, bellies satisfied, heads full of wine.

We took the water taxi over from Alexandria, quite nice. Pretty views of Alexandria and National Harbor, and I generally just love boats. Period. If you’re a regular reader, you already know that if there is an event or location near, on, or around water, I’ll like it. It’s a guarantee. So National Harbor already had that going for it, as the festival exhibitors lined the boat docks, so we were on water the entire time. Combine that with wine, and food, and I think you’ve got a total winner. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
By

Aaaaand They’re Back

Photo courtesy of
‘Friday night fireworks at Nationals Park’
courtesy of ‘randomduck’

It seems that the great-fireworks controversy at Nationals Park has drawn to an end a mere 24 hours after it started.  You may recall that DC Fire Chief Dennis Rubin suspended the displays after debris fell on him during a game on Sunday.  After what must have been some intense negotiations, Nats officials caved and agreed to change the firing angle slightly to better protect the crowd. Hooray.

Crime & Punishment, Life in the Capital, Night Life, The Daily Feed
By

Hate Letter to The Weather

Photo courtesy of
‘Lightning over River Place’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Dear crack-o-dawn thunder,

You really need to learn some respect. I had plenty of time before my alarm was supposed to go off this morning, and there you were, banging around like some psychotic upstairs neighbor from hell. I was peacefully sleeping til you came along with your strobe show all flashing lights and such. Well guess what thunder, you’re not Kanye and you never will be.

And while I’ve got your attention, I just thought someone should balls up and tell you the obvious. You and your rain counterpart have worn out your welcome. We here in DC have basically had to forge an ark to get to and from work the past week or so, my pants have permanent cuff creases in them. Like Marion Barry, you are no longer needed here.

I hate you,

Katie

Oh, and don’t forget you owe me 4 bucks for the coffee I’ll need today, asshat. That’s all on you.

Penn Quarter, The Features, We Love Arts
By

We Love Arts: Fever/Dream

KenYatta Rogers and Kate Eastwood Norris in "FEVER/DREAM" at Woolly Mammoth. Photo by Stan Barouh.

KenYatta Rogers and Kate Eastwood Norris in "Fever/Dream" at Woolly Mammoth. Photo by Stan Barouh.

Battle of the sexes, generational conflict, and class warfare all tied up in a screwball comedy that re-imagines Calderon’s classic “Life is a Dream” – this is Woolly Mammoth‘s world premiere of Sheila Callaghan’s “Fever/Dream.” It’s a frolic, but with bite.

There’s something for everyone to relate to here. The generations are neatly drawn – Boomers worrying about relinquishing control, Gen Xers bitterly bemoaning the loss of their ideals to get ahead, Millennials seemingly disinterested but eager to be inspired. Witty references to the modern mania for celebrity culture abound.

Poor neglected Segis (an engaging Daniel Eichner) is chained up in the basement of a mega-corporation, doomed forever to serve in Customer Service. His crime? Being born on Black Monday, symbolizing the worst double losses of his corporate shark father Bill Basil – his money and his wife. But what if this hapless kid became head of the company? Would he be able to rise above revenge and pain to do what’s right for his employees? It’s really a King-for-a-Day morality play, peppered with hilarious moments – the accountant staff literally whipped into shape, the struggling temp (a heartbreaking Jessica Frances Dukes) grinding out meaningless tasks to perfection, the associates blogging on the job.

While Segis flounders in his new role, two rivals for the throne of CEO wage war against him and each other. “Coward,” hisses Kate Eastwood Norris as the chilly Stella Strong. “Cougar,” snaps KenYatta Rogers as the dapper Aston Martin. It’s a Hepburn/Tracy pairing for the 21st Century, and these two give what could have easily been cold caricatures a brilliant sheen. Love them. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, The District, WTF?!
By

Manassas Causes Obama Grief, Shame

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

I love the Onion. Seriously, those guys are hysterical. Apparently after visiting a Denny’s in Manassas, the President has abandoned all future plans of green energy, robust economy, and all manner of social programs, just to try to get people not to leave the house wearing sweatpants, and maybe to cut back on the eggs & sausage at breakfast time. Click through for the hilarious video piece (strong language in the video, be aware.)

Continue reading →

We Love Arts
By

International Booty-Shaking

Photo courtesy of
‘Embassy of India Dance Performers’ (Dhoonya Dance)
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

So, on a lark, I signed up for a Bollywood dance class. I figured I’d get to listen to some music I’m not familiar with, work out on a predictable schedule, and have a little fun. I even signed up for my dance studio’s recital, figuring that if I was going to put all that effort into learning, I might as well perform. But I didn’t really invite anyone to attend- first of all, I’m 30 years old and felt a little weird talking about my dance recital. Secondly, the last dance recital I went to was an interminable bore- class after class of tiny kids who couldn’t remember the steps, progressing up into teenagers, and finally getting to the experienced classes at the end of the night. Hearing that our show was going to last two and a half hours, I decided I didn’t want to subject them to it.

Now I feel bad, because I completely underestimated the appeal of a recital put on by a studio specializing in world dance styles. My friends probably would have enjoyed it quite a bit. Flamenco! Belly dance! Salsa! Bollywood! Hip-hop! (hey, American styles have to be represented too). Scarves! Veils! Ankle bells! Cheering and whooping like would never happen at the ballet. (Oh, and by the way, my class’ performance went very well and rocked the house just as much as everyone else’s.)

So if Jenn’s enthusiasm for her belly dance class or my Twitter-gushing about Bollywood class has sparked any interest at all, I’ve got a roundup of how to find a class that works for you. Continue reading →