Yearly Archives: 2010

The Daily Feed
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Just a Reminder: Today is Emancipation Day

Photo courtesy of
‘Lincoln & the Emancipated Slave’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

Today is one of DC’s unique holidays: Emancipation Day, celebrated each April 16th, to commemorate the signing of the Compensated Emanicipation Act signed into law in 1862. All city offices are closed today, including the DCRA permit center in SW and the DMV, and pretty much all of the rec centers, and there is no school today. Chances are, you have to work today, like we do, so we’ll be going strong here throughout the day.

If you are off, there are a number of activities today, including a voting rights workshop on Capitol Hill.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Shop for Food, Save Our River

Photo courtesy of
‘Great Falls in Flood- March 17 2010’
courtesy of ‘Roger Photos’

Hold on to your grocery list! Just in time for Earth Day, next Wednesday you can shop for groceries and restore our water, all at once!

Shop at any of the three DC Whole Foods locations — P Street, Georgetown, and Tenleytown — from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 21st, and 5% of the day’s profits will go to Potomac Riverkeeper.

Potomac Riverkeeper staff will be handing out hats, bumper stickers, and brochures to shoppers as well, so you can learn more about this great organization and how it keeps our river (and our drinking water) healthy and clean.

Capital Chefs, Food and Drink, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Alain Roussel of La Ferme (Part II)

Photo courtesy of
‘Chef Alain’s Perfect Chocolate Souffle’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

Nestled away in a gorgeous residential neighborhood, a delightfully rustic French restaurant has been catering to nearby residents for the past 25 years. We were greeted with a handshake and said our farewells with the typical kiss on each cheek. Presenting us with perfectly typed out recipes and instructions, Alain was quick to jump right into the good part: eating. He orchestrated our kitchen experience like no chef has done before, alternating a little cooking with a lot of eating.

We started off making his Grand Marnier Soufflé. The presentation of the huge Grand Marnier bottle was enough to make me want to “Ooo” and “Ahh,” but then I asked if I could taste the bucket of pastry cream hanging around on the table, and oh boy, I could have stolen that whole container and taken it for myself and been set for the afternoon – or the week, really, because he said that’s how long it could last for. But there was work to be done, and as it turns out, many, many more pastries and delicious things to be eaten.

Before we made our first soufflé, we paused to drink our perfect French coffee. And while our soufflé was rising in the oven, we were treated to hot pain au chocolat straight from the kitchen of the French patisserie, Lenôtre. Crusty, brown, warm and with the perfectly crunchy essence of butter, the pain au chocolat would be just one, of the many, reasons to return to La Ferme. I can even respect Chef Alain for not attempting to make his own pain au chocolat or croissants, because really, why mess with something so perfect? Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Capital Drama (Or Not)

Photo courtesy of
‘Vogel & Kolbe’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

The puck hasn’t even dropped for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Caps and the Habs, and already Couch Boudreau is lit, according to a blog post by Mike Vogel.

In his morning press conference today, Boudreau blasted the media for making stuff up and creating drama where there is none. “Before I go further, I don’t have a problem answering any questions, but get it right – that’s all I ask of you,” Boudreau said. He was referencing erroneous reports that Nicklas Backstrom had been injured (he’s been bedridden with an illness) and that star forward Alex Ovechkin had beaned goalie Jose Theodore with a hard practice shot (it was actually Dave Steckel’s shot that gave Theodore a stinger). The mainstream media has also been making a big deal over Boudreau’s comments comparing Theodore’s record over the last 20 games to New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur and Buffalo’s Ryan Miller. “Don’t try to create the controversy if it’s not there. If we say the controversy it is there, but don’t try to create it by making [crap] up, or stuff up OK? That’s all I ask.”

Interestingly, it’s been the mainstream media overblowing the reports from practices, not area bloggers. While the frenetic obsession of the Montreal reporters is legendary in hockey circles, it’s sad that our local press isn’t much better.

Well, at least a few of us “second stringers” know better. Watch for my recap of tonight’s game tomorrow morning.

Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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Celebrate National High Five Day

Photo courtesy of
‘high five!’
courtesy of ‘hinagiku’

Taxes got you down? Well, here’s a “pick me up” for your enjoyment.

The third Thursday in April is National High Five Day, a holiday UVA started back in 2002.

Keep the festivities alive. Go lay one on your co-worker, classmate, significant other, stranger on the street, or fellow happy hour bar dweller. Anyone anywhere is fair game.

There’s nothing like paying it forward, right?

Need inspiration as to how to best execute your high five? Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat has a pretty good one to imitate.

Plus, if the Caps win, that’ll take the high fiving to a totally other level. Awesome.

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends, April 17-18

Photo courtesy of
‘Kermit :)’
courtesy of ‘Daniel.Techie{TaiShan~4Ever} @ 127.0.0.1’

Katie: Now that the weather is nicer, that means the farmers markets are coming into full swing. This weekend marks the beginning of the full-fledged Arlington Farmer’s Market at Court House, and I’ll be there, reusable bags in hand. The first few weeks are generally plants, but I’m looking forward to May andstrawberry season! In the meantime, I’ll be eating farm fresh eggs, freshly made pastas and the beginnings of asparagus. As for the rest of the weekend? I’ll be spending time on U street getting my hair did at Bang, and sweet-talking WLDC author Jenn into hemming a dress I bought last fall to wear this summer.

Michael: This weekend I will be rocking out in the California desert at the Coachella Music Festival. But if I was here, I would definitely be going to the Positve Force-sponsored Titus Andronicus concert on Friday at St. Stephen’s Church. One, because Titus Andronicus’ new indie-rock concept album about the American Civil War is bloody inspired! Two, because seeing a show in a church is a really old school DC kind of this to do. Three, because Positive Force does great things for DC!   Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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NORAD Fly-By Friday

Photo courtesy of
‘Etched Glass F-16’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

This is a forewarning of loud noises to come. Just after midnight on Friday, NORAD will be executing a series of training flights over the District’s airspace.

The training flights will continue from midnight until 2 a.m. and then again from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., according to WTOP.

What’ll be flying overhead? Air Force F-16 fighters, Civil Air Patrol aircrafts and Cost Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopters.

Entertainment, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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Georgetown Gallery Gazing

Photo courtesy of
‘Staring at Lines’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

This Friday, April 16 from 5 to 8 p.m participating Georgetown gallery owners will open their doors with extended hours, welcoming people with art, music, libations, and nibbles. It’s all part of The Georgetown Gallery Gaze featuring fine art, wearable art to adorn, and artful patrons will be there. For a list of participating galleries, maps and more information, visit www.georgetowngallerygaze.com.

The Daily Feed
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Last chance for tickets! Let Teddy Win!

If you haven’t bought your ticket to join us for Let Teddy Win! at Nationals Park, make sure to get it before tomorrow at noon when ticket sales close.

The weather report is in, and Wednesday is looking mighty nice for a baseball game.

Join us at 5:30 p.m. on April 21 as we cheer on Nat’s mascot Teddy Roosevelt with the founder of LetTeddyWin.com, plus a behind the scenes tour of Nationals Park, Nats stadium character trivia, and prizes.

Let Teddy Win! Get your tickets now! This could finally be his big night. Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Two Seriously Injured In GU Fire

Photo courtesy of
‘In Case of an Emergency’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

**Updated via Vox Populi @4:45pm — Georgetown Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas wrote in an e-mail to the student body that the two workers who were burned are in stable condition. Two DPS officers also suffered from smoke inhalation, he said, and were treated and released early this morning. The equipment that started the fire was a floor stripper.

Early Thursday morning, a chemical fire broke out at the 221 New North building located on Georgetown University’s campus.  Vox Populi reports that two maintenance workers were cleaning with chemicals, when their tools overheated the chemicals and started the fire. D.C. Fire Department responded to the one room fire which was contained by the sprinkler system.

The two workers were taken to the Georgetown University Hospital with serious burns to their arms and faces, and their condition is reported as critical.

Capital Chefs, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Alain Roussel of La Ferme Restaurant (Part I)

IMG_2008

So I have a few chef crushes in this city. DC is full of adorable, smart, funny and talented chefs – how can a girl not wind up with favorites? I’m not going to show you my whole hand, but I will let you in on one chef crush of mine – this guy. Chef Alain Roussel of La Ferme. After Cathy and I took a trip out to Chevy Chase to learn how to make souffle, we walked out of the restaurant and I gushed “AH! If only he were younger, I’d totally be smitten!” “I know!” agreed Julie Feldman, his PR person, “He’s great!”

Each of these Capital Chef articles is different – some chefs are business-like, some chefs are delightfully casual to the point of throwing eggs at me, and some chefs, my favorite chefs, feed us nonstop. Chef Roussel is the latter – everything about him is warm and old-school. Chef is oh-so-French (fraunchhhh, if you will), and spending a morning learning how to whip up the classic French souffle was such a fun experience. You can’t help but feel comfortable in his kitchen, surrounded by his favorite foods. He brought us (excellent, crave-worthy) coffee, (excellent, crave-worthy) croissants, lemon and sugar crepes, and of course, two souffles. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Grammy-Award Winner Mary Chapin Carpenter To Receive Honor At Newseum

Photo courtesy of
‘Mary Chapin Carpenter’
courtesy of ‘neatnessdotcom’

Grammy Award-winning recording artist Mary Chapin Carpenter will be receiving the “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech in Music Award at this Newseum Tuesday, April 27.

Carpenter will speak to her audience about her time spent as a musician and her career as whole before performing live that night, in conjunction Judy Collins and Rodney Crowell, starting at 7:30 in the Leonore and Walter Annenberg Theater.

Tickets are still available for the event and cost $25/general admission and $20/Newseum & Americana Music Association members.

All proceeds from the celebratory event support First Amendment education and the work conducted by the Americana Music Association.


Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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A DC Artist Raises Their Hand For District Voting Rights

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘xeroxdocuprint’

Living in DC is great. For all intensive purposes I love it (pun intended). But there’s one teeny, weeny detail that often gets overlooked by DC residents — our lack of presence in Congress.

That’s right. As some of your may or may not be aware of, District citizens lack congressional representation.  District artist Peter Krsko plans to raise awareness with his new campaign called “Give Me A Vote.”

WTOP reports that Krsko’s “Give Me A Vote” campaign will place 100 sculptures of a raised hand throughout our city to draw attention to the lack of representation in Congress.

The 3-foot, 5-foot, and 7-foot Fiberglas sculptures will be placed  next week and stay up for at least a month.

capitals hockey, Special Events, Sports Fix, The Features
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2010 Eastern Quarterfinals: Capitals vs. Canadiens

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6297’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

Finally.

After what seemed like weeks of waiting – ever since the Olympics were over, really – the Washington Capitals finally enter the NHL postseason. First opponent in the opening salvos of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals?

The Montreal Canadiens.

The Caps desperately want to get the right skate forward this year; after last year’s rough start dropping the first two games at home against the Rangers, it’s something the team is aching to move past. And by all accounts from various team sources the last couple of days, they’re not only aware of it, they’re chomping at the bit to roll.

Despite the Habs’ recent struggles, however, the Caps cannot enter the series tomorrow taking Montreal for granted. True, the Habs enter the postseason after only notching three wins in their final 11 games. And true, forward Michael Cammalleri hasn’t been nearly as effective in his first nine games after knee surgery, nor has the netminder situation been anything spectacular. No team enters the NHL’s “second season” not wanting the prize at the end of the two-month campaign.

Let’s not kid around – both of these teams want the Stanley Cup. Montreal, to start its next century off right after last year’s dismal failure to celebrate their 100 years in style. Washington, to finally grab the golden ring of hockey that has been oh-so-close only a handful of times in its young (relative to Montreal) hockey existence.

So let’s look over the keys to Round One, starting here in the District on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Continue reading →

Crime & Punishment, News, The Daily Feed
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Help Find This Puppy

"charlie" courtesy of nbcwashington

"charlie" courtesy of nbcwashington

Out of Prince William Country, VA comes a super upsetting story of a stolen pit bull puppy that was a high school graduation present to the owner’s daughter. The topper is that the puppy was taken right out of the owner’s vehicle.

According to NBCWashington, last Friday, the owner was parked outside a convenience store along Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge. He left the pup in the car, went into the store for just two minutes, and when he went back to the car, the dog was gone.

The little fellas name is Charlie, he’s very friendly, is gray and white and was wearing a name tag. Anyone who may know anything about the dog’s disappearance should call Prince William County police at 703-792-6500.

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Red Sparowes (+) @ Rock and Roll Hotel 4/11/10

red sparowes at rock and roll hotel in dccourtesy of Red Sparowes.

It is always difficult deciding how to start a post-rock concert review. This massive, instrumental genre has no convenient entry-point for the uninitiated and for those who already are, the music is usually so personal that any attempt to describe a particularly beloved band will fall short of the high expectations. I say this as someone who both reads and writes a great deal about music, and happens to have some very personal opinions about my own favorite post-rock bands. It is with this in mind that I am challenged to review Sunday night’s spectacular Red Sparowes concert at Rock and Roll Hotel. So, I will take the easiest route and start from the top.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Goodbye Dorm, Hello Parking Garage?

Photo courtesy of
‘Snow Blown’
courtesy of ‘Tyrannous’

The residence hall at 2034 G Street on the GW campus is set to be demolished in order to make some room for a new parking garage/law school building.  I am deeply saddened by this news.  I spent an entire year of my graduate career studying this 3-story gem, selecting this building for my thesis because it was the only low-rise dormitory left on the entire campus, and most scholarly research suggests that high-rise, mall-like dorms can negatively impact a student’s physical and emotional well-being.  Although the residence hall had its problems, it needed to be renovated and made accessible, I am disappointed to see that GW has decided to take away the students only alternative on-campus living option.

The Daily Feed
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Family nutrition event April 22nd

Photo courtesy of
‘school lunch’
courtesy of ‘kroopsydaisy’

The “What’s In Your Kids’ Food?” campaign is hosting “Food for Thought” on April 22nd, a panel of local experts will do some education and provide some electronic resources for parents to help them shop better and model better food choices.  The event will be at the Ward 8 Parent and Child Resource Center in the M.C. Terrell Elementary school on April 22nd at 6:00 PM. It’s open to the public.

With all the attention being paid to school lunches because of Jamie Oliver’s show and Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, it’s nice to see some local-level activity designed around helping parents make better nutritional choices for their kids.