Monthly Archives: June 2009

Sports Fix, The Features
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Sports Fix: DC Freedom

freedom2

After the match, clumps of jersey-clad youth players, posters and balls in hand, thronged the fence at RFK stadium, waiting anxiously to catch a glimpse of and maybe even talk to the pro athletes. As the players sidled over, looking fresh-faced despite having just completed a 90-minute contest on a balmy DC afternoon, squeals went up throughout the group. This unbridled excitement was caused by women’s professional soccer players, and the sight was heart-warming. Dozens of girls in full kits bounced around, calling out the names of Washington Freedom team members. “I got Abby! I got Abby!” a bespeckled teeny bopper yelled to her friend, referring to star striker Abby Wambach; “I got Cat!” she called back, and the two collapsed into giggles. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Secret cables and black SUVs?

Photo courtesy of
‘Fiber Optic Cable’
courtesy of ‘slgckgc’

Seems like a slow day here in DC-land, at least for us, so I thought I’d highlight this bit that Bruce Schneier’s monthly e-newsletter included: A Washington Post piece from May 31st with one of the most implausible stories you’re likely to see in mainstream media. The story is recounted in the first few paragraphs and claims, implausibly, that “within moments” of a fiber being cut that a car-load of supposed-spooks pulled up. It’s not till the end of the piece that it’s revealed that this supposed incident is from 2000.

Putting aside the wisdom of retelling an nine year-old uncorroborated story, this fails the sniff test on several levels. Moments? It takes me five minutes to make it to the drug store less than a mile from my house. How did they know where the cut was? Why would a construction crew pay any attention to a car-load of suits who refuse to show ID? If the cable is already cut what was the point of them coming? If it’s such a supah-sekret why was AT&T making the repairs?

WaPo ombudsman wrote a piece in Sunday’s paper talking about some of the defects staffers fear might come about after this recent buyout offer. “An editor expressed fears of “an overall loss of polish and professionalism.” If you’re recounting inanities like this in a supposedly serious article, you don’t need to worry about a loss there.

The Daily Feed
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A Less Sketchy Ride to NYC

Photo courtesy of
‘Bolt Bus and Astroturf’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

In pursuit of the cheapest way to get to New York, I’ve found myself trapped on a Chinatown bus one too many times with a non-English speaker driving erratically up I-95 who makes unannounced stops on the side of the road.  Not exactly luxury travel, but you get what you pay for!

We’ve all seen the BoltBus, Megabus, and DC2NY buses around town, offering a new type of service with wireless internet, electrical outlets, and generally more upscale conditions for just $40 round trip.  Now Bloomberg tells us that these buses are attracting a new clientele that typically wouldn’t touch a Chinatown bus with a ten foot pole.  The article points out that many business travelers are considering the bus as an alternative to flying in order to cut down on costs.  Sure, the ride may take a bit longer, but once you factor in airport travel/security time and the lack of internet on airplanes, the bus seems like a pretty good option.

Food and Drink, The DC 100, The Features
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DC Omnivore 100: #22 Fresh Berries

Photo courtesy of
‘Pick ripe berries’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Berry season. This is the time of year that puts the Omnomnom in Omnomnomivore. Er. Omnivore. Not lolcat. Check.

This is a heavenly couple weeks when strawberries are in season, blueberries are coming into season and blackberries and raspberries aren’t far off. The strawberries at the area farmers’ markets are about the size of a child’s fist, and sweet as laughter. You can just eat them whole, you can make jam, you can make strawberry shortcake, you can soak them in rum and lather them up with Gran Marnier whipped cream, or dip them in balsamic vinegar or dark chocolate or even just a little bit of peanut butter.

There’s really nothing you can’t do with fresh berries. And we’re lucky enough to get them for these next few weeks. So, head to the market and get a pint, a quart, or even a whole flat’s worth of summer’s tasty, tasty bounty. Soak them in red wine and serve sangria. Eat them with fresh whipped cream. Make a pie. Make muffins. But they never, ever, ever get this good at any other time. The rest of the year, they have to come from South America, or California, or anywhere where they have to grow them extra hardy, and extra bland. Or, best of all, ice cream. Click through for my favorite ice cream recipe.

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Take Your Dog To Work Day

Photo courtesy of
‘is this too much cute too early in the morning?’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Bo Obama is often seen galavanting around the White House grounds and making his way in the Oval Office. Bo is certainly setting a good example for pups everywhere, as many area dogs gear up for the offical Take Your Dog To Work Day on June 26.

So lobby your boss for a day of slobber, fur and lovin’. If you don’t have any crazy allergic people in your office, I think this would be such a fun summertime work activity. Also, in celebration of the day, after your pooch has done his proper filing, and sucked-up to all the right people, you two can head on over to Art and Soul’s special patio puppy happy hour.  Your doggie can get all kinds of delicious gourmet chef-made treats and you can throw back some local brews well-earned after a day’s hard work.

Just remember, dogs aren’t allowed on the Metro or on the buses, so if you’re bringing your adorable furry friend to work, you’ll have to do an alternative commute. Maybe a puppy carpool, or something.

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Two People Killed by Trains Over the Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘The Evening News’
courtesy of ‘Bogotron’

This weekend was a deadly one for Metro riders as two people were struck by trains in separate incidents.  The first took place on Saturday at the Potomac Ave station when a man was run over on the orange line.  He was alive when rescue workers arrived but later succumbed to his injuries.  The second incident occurred on Sunday at Bathesda where a women intentionally jumped in front of a train.  Both deaths delayed service for several hours as police investigated.

The Daily Feed
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Naked Bikers Hit DC

Photo courtesy of
‘and their (clothes are) off!’
courtesy of ‘m hoek’

Gooooood morning, DC! This past weekend, the World Naked Bike Ride hit DC, and boy am I glad sorry I missed that one. As you must with an event like this, they tackled the practical, like laws in the area, while at the same time supporting their cause with a sense of humor: they claim to fight “indecent exposure” to vehicle emissions. Start your morning off right with more photos like the one above in the We Love DC Flickr pool and this photog’s set from the event. You’re welcome.

The Daily Feed
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Covering Ovechkin

Photo courtesy of
‘090127 Ovechkin-2’ courtesy of ‘Dan4th’

2K Sports has unofficially announced that Caps left winger and superstar Alex Ovechkin will be on the cover of NHL 2K10. The official announcement will be on Tuesday.

The company is hosting a motion capture session in Las Vegas next week, where the public can watch Ovechkin and Vancouver Canucks centerman Ryan Kesler wear motion capture suits and pull off their moves at an outdoor rink. If you’re in Sin City, the event is free at Ceasar’s Palace from 8-11 pm.

Alex’s response says it all: “It’s a good time to be Ovi!”

The Daily Feed
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Color Me Mine For a Good Cause

Photo courtesy of
‘Borah’
courtesy of ‘anothersamchan’

Hey, what are you doing later? Nothing? Watching America’s Next Top Model reruns on Vh1? Alright, well, maybe instead you should go paint some pottery. Because you know you’re, like, totally creative. The Washington Peace Center is hosting a night at Color Me Mine, where a portion of your studio fees go to benefit the Peace Center. I always thought pottering painting was a great first or second date idea, someone make that come true for me. 

Color Me Mine, 2439 18th Street, N.W., Adams Morgan
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
$10 studio fee for adults, $7 for kids, each pottery piece priced separately.

Music, Special Events, The Features, Tourism
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Six Flags and Summertime Sounds

raven

Raven-Symoné

A staple of summer here is Six Flags America. And one of the park’s big summertime draws is its Starburst Summer Concert Series – free with park admission or a 2009 Play Pass.

Julia over at Six Flags gave me a great heads-up on this year’s lineup and I thought I’d share with everyone else. (And yeah, I like the park even if the company’s fiscal issues are less-than-desirable.) And it’s a great lineup this year, with acts appealing to pretty much everyone – and all are family-friendly.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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All Kids Can Create, Now In Union Station

 Photo courtesy of
‘Work in Progress’
courtesy of ‘Martin Clifton’

My old artwork is either hanging up on walls in my parents house, or in folders in their basement. Well, VSA Arts is giving kids a more exciting space to display their artwork, in their exhibition Celebrating Who I Am. The exhibition, which is currently displayed in Union Station, features the work of kids ages 5 to 15 from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Be sure to check out the work of Antonio, age 15, repping the district with his drawing “Box Out.” Said Antonio of his piece: “I am a natural artist, but also love to play basketball.” Now that’s what I’m talking about.

The Daily Feed
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Budgetball? Really?

budgetball

What is Budgetball?

We Gen-Xers have, for much of our life, watched educators attempt to Make Learning Fun by using games and computers. Usually it’s a painful failure but it lets someone spend some grant money and play with some gadgets, but once in a while something worthwhile comes along.

I suppose it was inevitable till someone tried to Make Lobbying Fun, or maybe Make Public Awareness Fun at the same time. Certainly this is glitzier than Ross Perot’s graphs and charts back in the 90s. Beyond that, however, you’ll have to show up for yourself on Sunday for the Budgetball exhibition tournament on the Mall.

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Recycling woes: People amaze me


People still don’t get it.
Originally uploaded by carlweaver

I work in an office in DC, where recycling is enforced and violations come with fines. Granted, we are new transplants here, as our office recently moved from Virginia, where lawlessness pervades and you can do anything you want without consequence. Almost. We are simple, country folk, still getting used to the big city.

However, you’d think that a whole office of college-educated people could figure out what goes in which contaier. They are different colors, different color bags and one container even has the recycle symbol stenciled on it.

Our office administrator put up these signs just today, and included a list of what can go into the recycling bin, and already it has been violated. What do you do at this point? Hire someone to monitor them? Does your office comply with recycling rules? How do you enforce them?

Life in the Capital, People, The District, The Features
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Why I Love DC: Shannon

Photo courtesy of
‘dupont circle-6’
courtesy of ‘dr_kim_veis [”o ]’

Ever since I joined We Love DC a few months back, I have been looking forward to writing this post.  I’m pretty much a DC fanatic and absolutely love living here, so this list could go on and on.  Lucky for you, I’ve narrowed it down to my five favorite things about this city:

It’s an urban planner’s dream.  Vibrant public spaces, sidewalks filled with pedestrians, revitalization, mixed use development close to transit, beautiful architecture, and downtown attractions that keep people here after the 9-5 workday are what makes this city a prime example of excellent urbanism.   There are only a handful of American cities that are even in the same league.  Sure, it’s got its problems, but the District is doing a lot of things right and is creating  great places to live, work, or play.

Also, DC lets this urban planner live her dream.  I live three blocks from my office, I don’t own a car because I can walk to four Metro stations, I’m within a few blocks of great restaurants and shopping, I’m a quick jog from Rock Creek Park, and I have a breathtaking view of the city from my rooftop patio.  I don’t know another American city where I could have all of that.

DC is full of history, myths, and legends.  Sure, half the legends about the city are not true, and probably 95% of what you hear on a Capitol tour is probably made up, but they make for great stories.  It’s pretty cool to live in a city full of historical significance, and to be able to show out-of-town friends our city (even if we avoid the national monuments and memorials at all other times).  It’s also a great feeling to be a part of DC’s ongoing history– I know I will someday tell my grandkids about what it was like to be in Washington during Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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More baseball draft picks.

Alex Ellis/The GW Hatchet

photo courtesy of Alex Ellis/The GW Hatchet

Reader Robert Lintott pointed out to me that GW had a student baseball player picked in the recent MLB draft as well, in round 13. Pat Lehman hails from Jersey originally, so he’s not one of our native sons, but he adopted our city for four years and was drafted by the Nationals. Congrats Pat – hope you’re happy to be staying in the area.

George Mason’s record number of players drafted in one year bumped to six when Shawn Griffith was drafted in the 37th round. Griffith’s a Florida boy like me, though he hails from the Gulf coast in St. Petersburg.

The Daily Feed
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Bliss Out(side) in Mt. Pleasant

Photo courtesy of
‘Yoga time!’
courtesy of ‘lululemon athletica’

The first yoga studio in Mt. Pleasant has just opened opens soon, serving yogis at all levels, and it does sound fun. Classes include Strong Hold for athletic types, Virgin Yoga for newbies, and a jammin’ Friday Happy Hour with a Top 40, alternative or R&B soundtrack.

Past Tense is at 3235 Mt. Pleasant Ave., three blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., they’ll be having a free class outside at Lamont Park (17th and Lamont). And they’ll be taking pictures that they promise will not make your butt look big. Yay for yoga!

Update: They believe the studio will open June 25, so keep an eye on their site.

Food and Drink, Foodie Roundup, The Daily Feed, The District
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Foodie Round-Up (June 8-12th)

Photo courtesy of
‘foodie blogger damage done’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

Hi Kids! It’s actually sunny out there today! Whee! What a dismal week we’ve had. But that’s okay, brushing it off, let’s talk food for a while. Not a super-busy week, but there have been some notable tidbits round here. So, without further ado, a new mixologist for Proof, wine dinners, winners and more in this week’s edition of all the news fit to eat in the District. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Legendary Rainfall

Photo courtesy of
‘Encroaching Waters’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

If you saw the Potomac or the Anacostia this morning and though, “Man, does that look full,” you’d be absolutely right. In the eleven day span ending yesterday, DC has notched 4″ of rainfall, which is almost an inch over what we normally get for all of June. And, since it’s supposed to rain again pretty much every day til the middle of next week, it’s safe to say this might be one of the wettest Junes ever. And no, that time when you ended up at that Intern party doesn’t count.

The Daily Feed
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Farmers Market Comes to Glover Park

Photo courtesy of
‘Radishes’
courtesy of ‘Amberture’

Yet another farmers’ market comes to our fair city this weekend — the Glover Park-Burleith market starts on Saturday (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Wisconsin and 34th and runs until fall.

It will feature goodies from orchards, bakers, and coffeemakers, as well as meats and pastas. And I love the sound of the vendor called a “veggieporium.”

Already a fan of a certain farmers’ markets? Vote yours as America’s Favorite.