‘Susan outside the Palace of Wonders’
courtesy of ‘Anosmia’
Comedian Ben Kronberg will be appearing at the Palace of Wonders on H Street Tuesday and Wednesday nights. He’s been on Jimmy Kimmel and Carson Daly, and of course here in DC at the Bentzen Ball. He’ll be appearing with Michael Foody and Kyle Martin at 9PM. Tickets are $10, and you can catch a clip of Kronberg’s comedy after the jump.
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By shannon
’22/100 – jamie’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’
The Census takes a snapshot of a place once every ten years– but what would DC’s snapshot look like? The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, FotoWeek DC, and the DC Counts Campaign are joining together to sponsor a photo contest that answers that question. Fifty one portraits will be selected that show “the multiplicity of faces that call DC home.” Selected images will be displayed at Social in Columbia Heights and online.
Here’s the fine print: photographers must be DC residents to participate. Photos must have been taken in DC within the past year, and photographers must have a signed release form from the subject. If you’d like your work to be considered, submit up to three portraits (in print and digitally via CD) by March 30th to the Commission on the Arts and Humanities. There are so many great portraits that perfectly capture aspects of the city over in our Flickr pool, so we hope some of you fabulous photographers submit your work for this contest!
By Tom Bridge
‘We seceded where others failed’
courtesy of ‘szlea’
When I was in junior high school, I wrote a secession fantasy about my home city seceding from California to be its own nation. That’s sort of what Carol Joynt’s screed about a free Georgetown reads like to me: adolescent fantasy at its finest.
Specifically Joynt says, “Reason one is that DC’s not going to get home rule. I just don’t see it happening.” But fails to get around the fact that the District’s borders are firmly established in law, and would likely have to be rescinded by a vote of the whole of the city, as well as the United States Congress. It’s just as unlikely that a “free” (read: free of all those black people) Georgetown would have any better luck passing laws without the oversight of Congress, either, as long as it stood on the same land.
The other line that drew my ire was, “I’m sure in time, the DC government would be coming to Georgetown for loans. But now it would be our money and not theirs.” As if to say that the goal of a free Georgetown would be the creation of a cash-flow positive government designed to be a bank, and not a community. Worse than that, it’s fulfilling stereotypes that the rest of the community often sees of Georgetown.
Carol, if what you want is a better place to live, then work with the community to make it better for everyone, not just your tiny sliver of DC. Don’t just take your ball and go home crying that they’re not listening. We have to work in our communities to make life better for all, not just the wealthy elites sitting on brutally expensive property that was built on the backs of the poor.
If you want to move back in time, though, I guess you can start a little secessionist movement. If it makes you feel better. It shouldn’t make you feel better, but maybe in your tiny pocket of DC, it will.
‘tip’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
You read that right. Occidental Grill near the Willard Hotel (about 5 blocks from Metro Center station) is offering their 1967 menu cocktail prices. Drinks are under a dollar in the main dining room bar pending the purchase of one of their many bar menu items.
The catch is there’s a one cocktail per person limit.
The drinks for under a dollar special will run Monday through Sunday from 3-7 pm through March 31.
Occidental Grill is located at 1475 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
By Tom Bridge
‘Real Estate For Sale Signs’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
…does the real estate market kinda suck for buyers right now?
We’ve been seriously looking since late December, and the cupboard is pretty bare right now in the $350k-500k market, based on all the real estate signs in the area that we’ve seen. There’s some inventory out there, but the good pieces are going in less than 5 days, and there aren’t even many of those. Since the first of the year, we’ve seen three properties worth buying, two in Petworth and one over the Atlas District, and it’s been absolutely hectic. The place we liked in the Atlas District went for $30k over list, and ended up being an all-cash offer that we just couldn’t compete with.
So, are we the only ones having trouble finding a house for $300-450k with central air north of the Anacostia?
‘288/265 Some call me the gangster of love…’
courtesy of ‘Mykl Roventine’
Remember last week’s debacle in Maryland concerning the post-1980’s Ferris Bueller-Esque incident at Churchill High School in Potomac? If you don’t, let me refresh your memory:
An on-going internal investigation of Churchill High has proven that the grades of 54 students were altered during the Fall 2009 semester. Investigators have subpoenaed all records from the school system and have informed almost 700 families that their students’ grades are now in the hands of the state’s attorney’s office.
At this time, the school system does not know if the 54 students who had their grades changed knew that they had been.
An informational meeting regarding all aspects of the grade changes is scheduled for tonight at 7 at Churchill High and is open to the public.
‘Project 365 – Day 2. It’s Only Rock’n’Roll’
courtesy of ‘.ygor’
Ticket prices for chart-topping acts who headline the big award shows are expensive. Not to mention the fact that tour stops at gigantic commercial venues like the Verizon Center take all the fun out of what a concert is supposed to be — an opportunity to hear quality live music. Sure, there are exceptions to the rule (like Muse at the Patriot Center last week), but whatever happened to showing the homegrown groups some sweet, sweet lovin’ by attending their hometown gigs? We’ve got 5 shows slated in March that deserve an audience. So spring something new on yourself this month and check ’em out. Continue reading
By Dave Levy
Photo by the great Tristan Roy
So, I’m one of the new contributors here on the We Love DC team, and there’s an outside chance that I’m stretching my role a little too quickly with this posting attempt. However, thanks to some understanding editors (who are going to be at the gig anyway), I’ve been given a small window for shameless self-promotion for live music this evening up on U. St.
I’m Dave Levy – that’s me on the left there – and the guy on the right is the exceptionally talented Pat Dunne. Together, we make up an acoustic rock duo known as The Greensides. We’re taking over the stage at Solly’s Tavern on U. St tonight to give you hours of what we’d like to think is a unique blend of covers and originals that will be sure to cure whatever Case of the Mondays you may have. With the weather nicer than it’s been since October, there’s no better way to enjoy the tease of spring with some fun, rocking music. The guitars will be out sometime near the end of happy hour (around 8 p.m.), and we’ll be going through with the rock until roughly midnight.
Now, if you don’t mind, I need to figure out a few posts to submit that are a little more widely relevant.
By Tom Bridge
‘Cliff Pennington’
courtesy of ‘k/mc’
What are you doing for lunch tomorrow? Strike that. What were you doing for lunch tomorrow? Instead, around 12:30, you are going to pack up a small AM radio, and head on down to the nearest hot dog cart, and you’re going to get two with extra relish, and you’re heading to the nearest green space. Grab a bit of park bench, pump up WFED 1500 AM, and sure enough, you’ll have Charlie Slowes along side Dave Jageler in the broadcast booth telling you about the balls and strikes. Better still? Tomorrow is Stephen Strasburg’s very first start in a Nats uniform, so lie back, and dream it’s the playoffs.
See you at the park.
By Kirk
‘coming soon…’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
We’re one week away from springing forward, three weeks away from cherry blossoms, the temperature is above 50 and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some flowers poking up from the ground. I think that it’s almost safe to call it: spring has arrived. What’s more is that mild temperatures will prevail for the rest of the week. It looks like the sun will give way to rain in the coming days, but hopefully that will melt the brown snow in my yard. Even if winter rears its ugly head once more (God forbid) I’m still going to enjoy what we’ve got going. So, I’m off to lunch outside, suckas.
‘Souvenir Baseball’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
Opening Day at Nationals Park and around the country is three weeks away. Get in the mood by joining authors Steve Goldman and Clay Davenport tomorrow night at Politics and Prose for a live discussion about their book Prospectus: The Essential Guide to the 2010 Baseball Season.
Goldman and Davenport delve into the academic and statistical aspects of the game, providing a deeper analytical view than that of the standard daily sports column.
The event starts 7.
By Tom Bridge
‘Hot Dog Stand, West St. and North Moore, Manhattan.’
courtesy of ‘New York Public Library’
The hotdog cart has a long and storied history in the United States, and DC is no exception to the hotdog cart culture. In fact, DC’s own epic street meat, the Half-Smoke, is part of that culture of hotdog carts in DC. Sadly, most of the standard vendor carts lack any sort of character, and most are pretty common denominator when it comes to the hotdog.
Continue reading
‘Fix it’
courtesy of ‘Deborah Fitchett’
Potholepalooza is back for round two. Go and honor thy neighbor (and your car) by turning those puppies into DDOT.
Last year, the District mended over 6,000 potholes in the area. This year, they’re hoping to do accomplish the same, if not more. But the end result is up to you.
The goal is simple — fix the potholes within 48 hours of being notified. You can report all potholes via phone (via the Mayor’s Call Center at 311), online report, Twitter, or e-mail.
DDOT requests that all pothole reports require location (including the quadrant in which it lies) and as much detail as possible (size/depth).
Remember: Potholepalooza is a one-month program. So if you see a pothole that needs fixing, don’t wait to make your call.
‘Colorful Jewelry’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
The future Columbia Heights Community Marketplace needs a logo!
Go crazy – be creative. The only stipulation for the logo is that it should include the text “Columbia Heights Community Marketplace”, otherwise, its all up to you. Your logo could be featured on sandwich boards, lamp post signs, canvas bags, t-shirts, and market stall banners. How awesome is that?
Please send your logo design to CHCommunityMarketplace@gmail.com. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, March 16th.
By Tom Bridge
‘Thumbs up!’
courtesy of ‘lululemon athletica’
This weekend, we did some tinkering under the hood to do some back-of-the-house upgrades, as well as install a few new plug-ins. The first that you’re seeing already is the new Thumbs Up button at the end of each entry. Chances are, you cottoned onto it pretty quick, because you’re no stranger to the social networks, but in case you’re not sure what to do with it: if you like a post, but don’t feel like commenting, just hit the thumbs up to let us know we’re doing a good job here. That will help us track which posts y’all are liking best, so we can steer ourselves toward those kind of voices and content.
By Tom Bridge
‘Oscars Night’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
If you missed the Oscars last night, well, I can’t say I blame you. The telecast was about as well put together as a Marion Barry bill. However, it did net an Oscar win for Arlington’s own Sandra Bullock for her role in The Blind Side. Her speech thanked many of her co-nominees, as well as her late mother. Congrats to the Washington & Lee grad.
‘lights, sun, and stucco’
courtesy of ‘m hoek’
What was that gigantic, heat producing orb up in the sky this weekend? The sun is back! Oh how we’ve all missed it so. The weather report tells us that come mid-week, we may be seeing some sundress weather. That means comfort for the ladies and eye candy for the fellas. It also means patio dining is back! So get ready to pull those leather jackets out of storage, throw on those shades, and head outside for a more comfortable climate to wander around in. Forget winter. Soon, it will be nothing more than a distant memory. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
‘Old McDonald’s sign’
courtesy of ‘wfyurasko’
Several people I know are a bit aghast that McDonald’s has been the beneficiary of the city’s money, citing concern for local businesses and for the general health and well-being of the drivers. It’s not quite that simple.
By courtney
‘President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’
courtesy of ‘acaben’
Wednesday, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will receive an extra-special gift from the First Lady when she donates her inaugural gown to its First Ladies Collection. The one-shouldered white chiffon number designed by Jason Wu helped Mrs. Obama sparkle at a total of ten inaugural balls that night in January 2009.
The dress will be the latest addition to a new gallery entitled “A First Lady’s Debut,” which will display inaugural dresses including those of Helen Taft and Eleanor Roosevelt. At Wednesday’s ceremony, Obama will donate the gown in front of Wu and a group of fashion students from New York’s Huntington High School. It will join the ranks of prized possessions from every first lady dating all the way back to 1912.
By John Athayde
‘Dr. Demo’
courtesy of ‘Mrs. Gemstone’
Looks like the location owner Andrew Stewart had selected in Clarendon for the new Dr. Dremo’s fell through due to costs associated with construction and bringing the building up to code. There’s a new location in discussion and Mr. Stewart is negotiating a lease, but this means that it will be even longer before we can sample the 30+ beers in a rock and roll garage setting whilst playing beer pong, shuffle board and pool simultaneously. (That is not snark. I spent every Thursday night of about 4 years at the old Dr. Dremo’s. I miss it dearly.)
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