By Tom Bridge
‘Love Wins’
courtesy of ‘Matt.Dunn’
Chalk one up for the good guys. Senator Bennett (R-Utah) was unsuccessful in getting his anti-marriage equality amendment through the Senate and amended to the health care bill. Don and I were talking yesterday, what’s up with Utah not wanting gay marriage in DC? Are they still bitter that the government banned plural marriage in their state so many years ago?
By Kirk
‘Thor, Over Processed’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’
We Love Drinks continues our series where we look behind the bar, profiling the many people – from mixologists to bartenders, sommeliers to publicans – who make your drinks experience happen.
When I sat down with Thor Cheston, the beer director at Brasserie Beck, our conversation centered on the future. Not that I necessarily meant for this to happen, it just did. Frankly, the future’s an exciting place. The future is place where beer is wine’s equal (almost). The future is a place where beer de cuisine is an art form. The future is a place in which DC has a local brewery (!!!). Thor wants to be at the center of this future, making sure that everything happens according to plan.
By Tom Bridge
Tweeters everywhere in DC tonight will gather up at K Street’s Shadow Room for Twestival 2010, with the focus being Concern Worldwide. A $30 donation gets you into the club for the evening’s festivities, and that will include some free libations courtesy of their sponsors for the evening. If you want to tweetup-for-charity, then Twestival’s your bet for tonight.
By courtney
Courtesy of Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo
What has eight arms, no spine, and a webcam? The National Zoo‘s brand-spanking-new giant Pacific octopus, that’s what. There’s just one thing it’s missing… a name! But have no fear, that’s where you come in.
The National Zoo has narrowed it down to four choices for names, which are the following: Olympus, Ceph, Octavius, and Vancouver. Each name has its own description and meaning relevant to our eight-armed friend, and you have the opportunity to vote for your favorite online. You can vote until April 7th at noon, and the winner will be announced on the octopus cam at 2pm.
Something else to take under consideration is gender. Unfortunately, we don’t know for sure whether it is male or female, and it will have to mature more before that can be confirmed. Personally, I’m a little partial to Vancouver just because I think it could go either way, but we’ll have to tune in April 7th for the fate of the anonymous octopus. Get those votes in!
By Rebecca
‘DH dog giggle animated avatar’
courtesy of ‘Generic Brand Productions’
This really rubs me the wrong way. The 2010 National Mutt Census, intended for mixed-breed dogs only, allows DC mutt owners to submit their data, but when it comes time to locate DC on the U.S. map and see the summary of DC mutt statistics, it’s missing. Guess DC must have gotten lost in the Mists of Avalon or Bermuda Triangle, or something. I can’t even tell you how frustrated I was trying to navigate my mouse over the little iotas of map pixels between MD and VA. I was really hoping DC was lurking in their somewhere, but no, we’re not.
So I’ve written to the 2010 National Mutt Census, pointing out our lack of map presence and I’m hoping they will/can put us on the map. You too can help by writing Mars Veterinary (the owner of the site who BTW is located nearby Gaithersburg, MD – I mean, seriously, how did they forget DC?!!) to ask that DC mutts be represented in census.
Fail. 2010 National Mutt Census. Fail.
‘They’re almost ready!’
courtesy of ‘vpickering’
Katie: This weekend I’ll be wishing it was weather from last weekend. But no matter – I’ve got tons of things on my plate. I’m heading out to the Kite Festival to shoot some creative pictures with a photographer friend, and then stopping by the Court House Farmer’s Market for some farm fresh ingredients for a dinner I’m hosting on Sunday. Saturday night I’ll be kicking it with Washington Improv Theater at the FIST festival, and then heading out on 14th for drinks. Sunday, the day of rest and relaxation, I’ll be doing the opposite. Cathy and I are going to meet a new chef for a Capital Chefs feature, and then I’m taking advantage of a CityShopGirl promotion and getting some free eco-friendly makeup. Along the way, I might even get to partake in my current coveted and beloved brunch, Masa 14’s Latin/Asian fusion.
Tiff: I’ve got no real estate-related tasks this weekend, so for me it’s all about the cherry blossoms. The festival starts on Saturday, peak bloom starts on Sunday, and I am all over it. Will it be crawling with tourists? YES. Do I care? NOT AT ALL. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘3D glasses & my messy room’
courtesy of ‘racheocity’
If you’ve been wondering about the 3D Craze, and wanted to try something that was a little bit different than Monsters vs Aliens 3D, next weekend the Fairfax Corner 14 will be showing the Final Four and Championship games in 3D. That’s right, Cinema-grade 3D to see Kansas win it all. Pardon me one second. No, I didn’t know that. Wait, what do you mean they lost? How is that possible? My bracket’s ashambles! Northern Iowa!?!? St. Mary’s?! Oh for crying out loud.
Well, whoever’s still in this thing, you can check it out at Fairfax Corner next weekend on the big screen
‘Polling Place Sign’
courtesy of ‘moonShadows7’
It’s that time of year again — Washingtonian Magazine has opened up voting for their “Best of Washington” poll. As if voting We Love DC for “Best Local Blogger” wasn’t enough, Washingtonian is awarding a lucky voter dinner for 2 … and then some.
To vote, visit http://bit.ly/aHwnV6.
Ballots close May 1 and decisions will be announced in the July issue.
By courtney
‘National Zoo, Washington DC’
courtesy of ‘Roger Photos’
If you live in DC, I’m pretty sure you know that the Monday after Easter isn’t just any old Monday, and this year is no different. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo are hosting their annual celebration entitled “Easter Monday: An African American Family Tradition,” on April 5th from 10am to 4pm.
From the easter egg hunt to the a cappella gospel quintet to the Easter Bunny himself, this year families have a lot of fun to look forward to. The great thing about Easter Monday is it’s totally free, and will still carry on even if it rains, so there’s no excuse not to bring the kiddies out for a good time. It’s also going to be educational, with presentations from representatives of the Zoo and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Sponsored by the 2010 U.S. Census Road Tour, United Airlines and WHUR Radio 96.3 FM, the event has been a staple in the District for more than 100 years.
To do good deeds unto others is a mitzvah. To those of you who are unsure what the word mitzvah means, it’s a Golden Rule – do unto others what you would wish upon yourself.
Spring brings renewal to an outside world left barren for the cold winter months. It is this renewal I ask you to keep in mind as us who are more fortunate than others give back to those who deserve it most.
American University is hosting the Armed Forces Wheelchair Basketball game at Bender Arena on April 1 at 6 p.m. The game features Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s “Wounded Warriors” as they take on the San Antonio’s Brooke Army Medical Center team.
All proceeds from this event benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Push America. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
As Michael wrote in his review of BGR this December, “There is no better food than a hamburger,” and we would certainly agree. The Burger Renaissance that’s happened in this town over the last few years has been nothing short of a Golden Age for this simple and wonderful culinary treat. BGR announced late yesterday that they’re opening a new location over in Lyon Village, home of The Italian Store, in Arlington.
BGR will open on April 15th. Here’s to the spread of the delicious, tasty burger. Cheers!
BGR
near 3213 Lee Highway
Arlington VA, 22201
By Katie
‘PAL Airlines Food Snacks going to Singapore’
courtesy of ‘Milo Riano’
(Oh that was such a pithy little title now wasn’t it? I’m all proud of myself. ANYWAYS, not the point.) The point is, Michel Richard is either crazy or brilliant, but either way he’s cooking plane food now. Yup, as in, peanuts in bags and would you like Diet Coke or Coke Zero or maybe some Regular Coke oh and we have apple juice, plane food.
OpenSkies, an all-business class air carrier has announced that they’ll be serving Richard’s food to customers traveling on its new route between Washington D.C.-Dulles and Paris-Orly for two months beginning in June. Now, that’s a smooth move for OpenSkies, you know, since they’re trying to be all fancy in a recession. But the foodie in me has to wonder if the quality Richard is known for on the ground will translate in the air. We Love DC co-author Don pointed out that Richard sous-vides his food – a technique everyone who watches Top Chef is familiar with, where food is vacuum sealed and put in warm water to cook over long periods of time. (Think an under water sophisticated CrockPot, if you will.) And what airline doesn’t love them some vacuum packed food? So that’s a point, right? The other part of me wonders if it’ll be mushy vegetables in butter, just because you’re on a plane and let’s be real, it’s not like they have copper pots back there in the little closet kitchen.
Someone book a trip to Paris and report back, will you? K thanks.
Pittsburgh Bridges, photo by Tom Bridge
Updated on 12/29/10 with links, seasonal recommendations, and Pittsburghese section.
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I thought about not posting this pending the outcome of last night’s Caps/Penguins game. But then they won, so I figured it would be okay.
Most of our Getaways features have been about smallish towns where you might go to unplug for a few days when you need a break. But what if you don’t want to unplug? What if you still want city amenities but not, you know, THESE ones? Maybe you want to spend a weekend seeing movies at multiplexes and taking photos of architecture and going to sporting events without feeling like you should really be at home doing laundry.
Pittsburgh is a 4 hour drive from DC- 2 hours up I-70 to Breezewood, and then 2 more across Pennsylvania on the Turnpike. Staying there is nice and easy unless it’s a holiday or the G-20 is in town- there are 3 4-star hotels in the city, so it’s easy to Priceline a fantastic room for cheap and still find yourself centrally located.
And what will you find when you get there? One of my favorite things about walking around the city is the “sense of place” you get. You know how when you’re walking around Capitol Hill and it’s like the very air around you is saturated with DC-ness? Pittsburgh has a lot of the same thing, only the look is what I would call “steel baron chic.” A lot of the city’s rapid development happened in the era of Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, leading to lots of downtown buildings with interesting architectural details like talismans and outdoor molding. It’s reflected in the decor of the hotels as well- lots of lush draperies and tin ceilings- if you manage to get your room upgraded you feel like Carnegie himself when staying at the Omni William Penn or the Renaissance.
But what should you DO there, I hear you ask? Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
‘DSC_6093’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
The Washington Capitals hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins last night and for all the noise, excitement, and skill on display on and off the ice, one would think it was the NHL playoffs already.
The Caps won 4-3 in the shootout on Mike Knuble’s fake-out during sudden death. Knuble was a surprise to see come off the bench, as he’s been 0-4 ever since the shootout started in 2005. “I couldn’t believe Bruce was doing it to me,” Knuble said when asked about Coach Bruce Boudreau’s choice. “I didn’t play in overtime at all, so I thought my night was over. I told him when I got off the ice, ‘I don’t like you when you do that. Don’t do that stuff to me.'”
Knuble had a solid night during regulation, tipping in the first goal of the game at the start of the second period. The Penguins’ Maxime Talbot evened-up a little over a minute later, and the Penguins entered the dreaded third period up 2-1. Before last night, the Caps have outscored the Pens 14-1 in the third over the last two years. Alexander Semin and Eric Fehr continued the Caps’ domination and seemed to have the game well in hand until Jordan Staal flipped in the tying goal at 16:54.
The win has given the Caps 108 points on the season, tying the franchise record they set last year. With nine games to go, it’s a sure thing to see that record fall. Especially when six of the last nine are at home – the Caps own the NHL’s best home record at 27-4-4. Next up is a road game versus division rival Carolina tonight at 7 pm, then back home on Sunday against the struggling Calgary Flames at 3 pm. Both games are carried on the Comcast Sports Network.
(Still riding that hockey high? Relive the excitement from last night’s game through my “photo log” on Flickr.)
By Tom Bridge
Unsuck DC Metro pointed us at this video, which shows an aboveground Metro train stopping for a brush fire…in the middle of the fire. This, right here, is my personal nightmare on the tracks. I figure the driver stopped to report the fire to Control, but couldn’t they have stopped a little further away from the licking flames?
By Rebecca
‘Chain Bridge’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’
Starting Friday, March 26 at 8pm and weather permitting, Chain Bridge will be closed to all traffic (this includes pedestrians and bikes, and traffic from both the DC and Arlington side) until Monday, March 29 at 5am. The weekend work hopes to continue the reconstruction work already begun on the bridge deck, approaches and structural steel beams. Crews will be pouring new approach slabs, replacing expansion joints, installing a catcher beam system and upgrading streetlights on the bridge.
Canal Road traffic will not be affected, but motorists will not be able to turn onto Chain Bridge. DDOT advises motorists to use alternate routes and river crossings including the American Legion, Key, Roosevelt , Memorial and 14th Street Bridges.
The proposed 8 month long repair work started in June 2009 and was supposed to be completed this past January. Unfortunately, the Snowpocalypse, SnOMG, Snoverkill, etc. are to blame for a derailed schedule and, therefore, the weekend work. DDOT now anticipates all of the lanes on the bridge will reopen by May 31. Additional work beneath the bridge is scheduled to continue through August 2010.
‘National Press Club #27’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
The National Press Club, rich in historical context and paramount in its mission, is best-known as a retreat for the affiliates within the journalism industry. As a Washington, D.C. fixture, the feeling evoked upon entrance into the Club could best be compared to the dilemma that a young child may face as they enter the formal living room of the home – you are in complete awe of its presence and utterly afraid of breaking something, yet, somehow still manage to want to touch everything in sight.
The good thing is that what differs between this presented scenario and that of my first visit to the National Press Club, is that at the Club exploration is not only encouraged – it is celebrated.
‘Leaves of Grass’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
I love reading Chelsea Handler‘s books – they never seem to disappoint. I frequently find myself being ‘that person’ who is laughing obnoxiously loud on the airplane, Metro, or any other public mode of transportation while reading them. Handler’s latest book Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, which I read in about one day, is hilarious and truly might just be the perfect guilty pleasure for lounging around this Spring.
Chelsea Handler will be signing her book at the Borders on L Street this Saturday at 3:00 PM.
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
Who doesn’t like a good bowl of cereal? Some of my closest friends still eat the stuff for dinner because it’s easy and never a bad idea. You TOO can eat cereal for any meal now with the opening of The Cereal Bowl in Cleveland Park.
Cereal Bowl served its first bowl last Tuesday but is celebrating their success thus far with primary menu items running for $1 from 6 to 10 p.m. tonight.
Their menu includes cold bowls like “The Sweetest Thing” featuring the sugary stuff you had as a good and “The Give Me S’More” which is like your favorite campfire memories shoved into a bowl. There are also healthier items like the “Let it Fly” featuring Life and Wheaties cereal, dried mixed berries, and granola.
Join the latest addition to Cleveland Park this Saturday for its official grand opening from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Cereal Bowl is located at 3420 Connecticut Ave. N.W. and is just one of 3 other east coast locations (the others are in Newark, DE and New Brunswick, NJ).
The Cereal Bowl is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, with the exception of an 11 p.m. closing time on Fridays.
By Jenn Larsen
Erik Holzherr of Wisdom's ARTINI. Photo credit: T. Silva. Courtesy of the Corcoran ARTINI 2010 Committee.
This Saturday the Corcoran Gallery of Art presents ARTINI, and if you’ve been waffling about attending I hear there are roughly less than 100 tickets still left, but going fast and not available at the door. So jump!
ARTINI is a fabulous event mixing two of my favorite things – art and cocktails. Twelve local mixologists have created drinks inspired by works in the current exhibit at Corcoran, A Love of Europe: Highlights from the William A. Clark Collection. Preview events featuring the submissions have been ongoing this month (I know, I know, I should’ve told you earlier, mea culpa, it’s been a crazy time lately). Tonight you can sample Art & Soul and tomorrow try out Rasika from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the respective restaurants. The Washingtonian is a co-sponsor and handles the voting, with the winning artini announced Saturday. The inspiration works will be on display that night as well.
The cocktail reception runs from 8pm to midnight, with $85 tickets for 1869 Society members and $100 for non-1869 Society members. That includes a cocktail bar, music by DJ Chris Nitti, and tours of both the Clark exhibit and Turner to Cezanne: Masterpieces from the Davies Collection. Proceeds support ArtReach, which provides free high-quality arts education programs to underserved communities in DC.
So many mixologists already take their inspiration from art. It’s a natural collaboration. Here’s a quick rundown of who’s on board and a few teasers to get you in the mood. Continue reading
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