By Max
Evening Rush Hour by Rolenz
According to another beautifully written text message from Alert DC, your evening rush hour may be less than pleasant. I quote:
SUBJ:1/1
MSG: 15th & R Sts will remain closed for rush hour. Please avoid both streets! Big backup anticipated.e
So if you usually take 15th street to get home, you might rethink that strategy.
Imagine a quiet Sunday morning. The city is silent from the few inches of snow that stuck to the ground yesterday. Most everyone’s either still asleep or in the comfort of their own homes trying to keep warm. It’s the last day of the first month of 2010. So, you choose to lounge around. Huge mistake. Why? You’re missing out on the most pristine, once in a lifetime moment baseball fans in DC have had since the game’s big move back to town.
NatsFest 2010 was — in a word — awesome. Although it’s easy to doubt their dedication during the season, fans turned out in the hundreds (and early!) for a fun-filled fan fest hosted by their favorite men in red. Nationals fans of all-ages wrapped themselves around the park entrance for close to an hour before the 11 a.m. start time of NatsFest. Their devotion was somewhat shocking considering their team’s losing for the past five years, but let us all remember that the Nationals are still teenagers by baseball standards. They’re new. They’re in their awkward, “growing-up” phase. Can you really blame them for trying to find out who they are among all of the other big kids playing the game?
By Don
‘Bright Bike STOLEN!’
courtesy of ‘mandiberg’
Well so much for any chance of my attending any of the Crystal Couture events in Crystal City this week. If I want someone to mug me for my art I’m sure I can find a way to do it that doesn’t demand I help by bundling up my stuff and handing it over.
It’s a shame, really. I enjoyed it last year and got some fun shots. I guess the Crystal City BID liked some of the pictures taken last year as well, given their mass-grab strategy. The linked page above says the following:
Outside photographers are welcome at the event. Please see a staff member to fill out a photographer waiver.
What’s on the waiver? A pretty reasonable request that you give priority to official staff photographers, then some pretty unreasonable stuff. “Photographer must: Supply the Crystal City BID with a copy of high resolution images taken during event at no charge on CD within two weeks of event” and “The Crystal City BID is: Free to use images for advertising and media.”
They don’t give themselves the right to reproduce the images “for resale or profit,” though I wonder how comforting that would be if they decided to put your work in advertising without paying you a dime.
Almost as offensive as this blatant grab is the opening paragraph claiming the justification for stealing your work. “To ensure the privacy and safety of the Crystal Couture Designers and Models,” is silly on its face. The models, having not signed any over-reaching waivers granting me free reign to use their likeness, continue to be protected under the law. Were I to use images of them in advertising without a release I could be sued into next week.
If you were thinking of going to the events to take some pictures, stay home.
By Ben H. Rome
One Cubic Foot; photo courtesy of the National Geographic Society
Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming event at National Geographic! Many thanks to NatGeo for this great offer for WeLoveDC readers; if you’ve not signed up in comments for your chance, you’ve got until 1 pm tomorrow (Tuesday).
By Rebecca
‘DSC_4085’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
It’s been a busy and eventful last two weeks in the Washington DC sports world. The Caps are ON FIRE!!! The Wizards might be getting there. And we’ve had some solid developments for those out-of-season teams, some expected, some not so much.
Capitals
Record: 37-12
Last Two Weeks: 7-0
Place:1st in the Eastern Conference
With yesterday’s win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Capitals are on a 10 game wining streak tying their 1984 franchise record.
Defender Mike Green will be out for the next two games for an elbow to the head of Michael Frolik during Friday night’s game. Green’s absence yesterday was a huge disadvantage for Washington, as Green is the league’s leading defensive scorer. However, with Ovechkin’s third period goal, they managed to pull out the victory.
Over the next two weeks, the Caps are out of town quite a bit, traveling to Boston, Ottawa and Atlanta. Look for a solid match against the Penguins at the Verizon Center on February 7th.
By Don
‘St Elisabeth’s Hospital – Communications’
courtesy of ‘spiggycat’
I got a press release with Friday’s date claiming “AT&T today announced the activation of 12 new 3G cell sites in Fairfax County that will enhance coverage for area residents and businesses.” Well, okay. I suppose that’s good news, though it doesn’t address the areas closer in to the city where I see more dramatic problems – huge sections where for whatever reason I only see an E on my iPhone, or when I get no data service at all if there’s large crowds on the mall.
Honestly, my reaction as a customer is sort of in line with Chris Rock’s routine about men wanting credit for doing things they should be doing anyway. Yeah, you upgraded some towers so you might show some sign of earning the $100 a month you suck out of me. Feel free to use $1 of that to buy yourself a pack of gold stars.
In differently odd wireless news, I keep seeing advertisements from Sprint touting their new 4G service speeds available… in Baltimore. Nothing against Charm City, but exactly what about Baltimore seemed more compellingly in need of high speed wireless access than DC?
By Kirk
‘JOH_9103’
courtesy of ‘star5112’
I’m not a huge breakfast person, but, in my opinion, one of life’s most precious graces is the bagel. I feel like in most major cities, particularly in NYC, decent bagel shops are a dime a dozen. There are enough that there can be significant controversy as to which shop is the best in the city, or even the best in a particular neighborhood. Unfortunately, this is not the case in DC. I’ve got my regular bagel shop, but my choosing it was more based on scarcity than on it actually being the best. So, readers, am I missing something, or are decent bagels a rarity in DC? Thus far, I’ve only found one shop that I’d call “good” and that’s Best Buns in Shirlington. What are your favorites?
‘Fenty Oops’
courtesy of ‘Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com’
The Washington Examiner reports that Mayor Fenty’s numbers are down. Way down. Fenty’s approval rating is at a mediocre 42 percent. When compared to his 72 percent approval rating in January 2008, his current ratings look quite miserable.
Where does the real problem lie? DC residents feel like Fenty isn’t spending enough time around the wards.
“He hasn’t spent much time in this ward, and the time he’s spent has not been quality time,” Philip Pannell, an active Democrat in Ward 8, told the Examiner. “That’s not the way you cultivate a base of admirers.”
The real answer to Fenty’s problems is that he needs to “polish up his people skills.” Otherwise, he runs the risk of losing to his speculated running mate D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray in the upcoming November election.
‘Roll Film!’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
The best of the DC Shorts Film Festival in 2009 are being presented in a special double feature format this weekend at the U.S. Navy Memorial‘s Burke Theater (located at 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW above the Archives Metro). There will be 90 minutes of film screened at a time, with a brief intermission, then 90 more minutes of shorts to watch following the intermission.
Tickets sold online are $15 for the night (which comes out to 88 cents per movie shown … not bad). Ticket sales at the door are CASH ONLY.
$3 Stella Artois will we available for purchase, all proceeds go to the DC Shorts Film Festival.
Don’t worry if you can’t make the Friday night showing, both nights will feature the same films. Tickets for Friday and Saturday are still available.
The event goes from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. each night.
By Ben H. Rome
‘single snowman’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
While Saturday proved to be more than just a ‘dusting,’ it was still less than our Snowpocalypse of December. And when there’s light, fluffy snow and a sunny day afterward, it’s just natural to have photographers out in droves to capture the beauty created around the capital area.
Enjoy. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
Christina Kahrl, Baseball Prospectus
Originally uploaded by The SABR Office
It’s almost February. Almost. Which means that baseball is just on the cusp. Rachel told you all about Nats Fest this weekend, and now there’s a prediction of an over .500 year for the Nats, based on a strong defense and low runs allowed. They’re also banking on the team scoring about 60 more runs in 2010 than in 2009, and allow about 130 less than they did.
It’s hard to say if they’re overeager about the Nats, even while the team is firming up its final spring training roster, but there’s certainly significant cause for Nats fans to be brightening up coming into the 2010 season.
‘Life is full of decisions.’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’
DC — this is your chance to see Adams Morgan: The Movie before anyone else! Writer/Producer Paul DeVeuax and the rest of his cast and crew are turning out for the movie’s very first screening at Bottom Line Saloon (located at 1716 I Street NW) this Sunday.
A $10 cover gets you in the door to see the movie, meet the folks involved with the film, free draft beer, drink specials and cheap eats.The party starts 1:30 and is open to the general public.
By Ben H. Rome
Chimps of Goualougo; Photo courtesy National Geographic Society
The spring season of National Geographic Live – a series of dynamic lectures, concerts, films and more – kicks off next week.
This year, the National Geographic Society has graciously offered some event tickets to our readers. If you’re interested in winning a pair of tickets to any of the events below, simply remark in comments which two events – in preferred order – you’d like to attend. We’ll do a random drawing on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 2nd) after 1pm and we’ll get the winners set up with their first (or second, if your first choice is full) selection. Keep in mind that tickets are for single events only, not multi-part series or showings, unless otherwise indicated. (The kung-fu film festival is an exception; you can win tickets for all three movies!)
Okay, enough about rules. Check out the February offerings after the jump. Continue reading
By Kirk
Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.
On icy weekends, such as the one we’re facing, you can’t stand for a cool, fruity, refreshing drink. It just doesn’t fit. Instead, you need something warm and robust that will ward off the cold; something that you can sip so that the warmth lingers for as long as possible. There are a few beverages that accomplish this, but I’m going to recommend Founders’ Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale. This stuff is powerful, with an 8.5%ABV and a thick texture. The flavor is complex and malty, with a sweet, smoky overtone. It’s a perfect example of a scotch ale, just one step lighter than a stout, both in color and character. Beware, though, this Michigan brewed beauty is not for the faint of heart, and definitely not a beginners beer. Rustico in Alexandria should have it on tap, or you can find bottles in most specialty wine shops.
By Don
‘Ocean Meteor’
courtesy of ‘the_tahoe_guy’
Consider yourself warned: just because a meteor screams through your office and narrowly misses giving you a new brain piercing doesn’t mean you’ll get to keep it.
That’s the assertion of the property owners who lease an office to the two doctors who almost got beaned in Lorton not long ago. The doctors had planned to donate the meteorite to the Smithsonian in exchange for a courtesy honorarium. In fact, the Smithsonian already has it in their hot little mitts.
Deniz and Erol Mutlu, however, have other plans. They say that established case law makes them the owners of the meteorite.
The lawyers have now gotten involved, so you can be sure everything will all work out cleanly and cheaply now.
Photo Courtesy of Noah Baron
Now that DC’s got her own movie BY her people ABOUT her people FOR her people, it only makes sense to get to know one of the people who made this film possible. John Sales (played by Noah Baron) has high expectations for life but a low self-esteem, making him a glass half empty kind of guy. But who’s the man behind the John Sales? There’s more to the character than Paul DeVeaux’s script.
Noah Baron took a few moments to chat and tell us a little about himself, his experiences on-set with the cast and crew of Adams Morgan: The Movie and about his character John Scales. Here are the highlights of that conversation:
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Where are you from? How long have you been acting? What made you start?
Well, I was born in raised in Cambridge, MA (a die-hard Red Sox fan). I’ve been acting for about 15 years now. One of my friends was in the Boston Children’s Opera in Belmont, MA. I had always wanted to perform, so my mother signed me up on the waiting list (there were no auditions). I still remember the exact second I was cast in my first role. I was 9 years old and sitting at my mothers computer in her room. The phone rang. My mother came upstairs to tell me that a role at Boston Children’s Opera had opened up and that I was going to be playing Professor Van Helsing in Dracula. One of the happiest days of my life. I continued working with Boston Children’s Opera for about four years and took part in thirteen shows. I was hooked. However, I had no idea that I would turn this into a profession. I ended up graduating from American University with a dual BA in Theater and Broadcast Journalism. I have just moved out to Los Angeles to further my career. So far, I’m loving every second of it.
How did you get involved with “Adams Morgan: The Movie”?
I really lucked out. Paul gave me a call after seeing me at a mass audition in Baltimore, MD. He told me that he enjoyed my work and was interested in having me come in to read for a role in “Adams Morgan: The Movie.” I went in to read for the character of John Sales. He shot me an email about a week later offering me the role. I called him from Spain (I was traveling with my family at the time) and accepted.
‘out to the ball game’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’
Nats fans and baseball enthusiasts alike would be silly to miss the 2nd annual NatsFest this Sunday. What could be better than filling into the park during the off-season? Sure … the there’s no fresh-cut grass to smell or draft beers to drink but members of the Nats management team and 40-man roster will be there to answer your questions, sign autographs, take pictures, and schmooze about America’s past-time.
Hell, you can even try your luck at slugging a homer in the fan batting cage! I can’t think of any better way to get out your post-season aggression against a team that hasn’t really had too much to brag about since their inaugural season in 2005.
Get your RED ON DC!!!! It’ll feel good!
$10 adult/$5 kid tickets are still available. Snatch ’em up before they’re gone!
”E’ is for “election”‘
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
If you haven’t heard of Midnight Madness at E St. Cinema by now, I can’t even be mad … I just feel bad that you’ve been missing out on a totally awesome experience for far too long. That is why I feel it is my duty to fill you in the details.
E St. Cinema hosts weekly Friday/Saturday night midnight showings of the oldie-but-goodie films that we’ve learned to love throughout the years. Tonight’s movie is a personal favorite of mine — Back to the Future. The show starts at the stroke of midnight (if you’ve got a Cinderella complex, I suggest another movie-going option). If you miss tonight’s show, there’s always tomorrow, but keep in mind this is a golden opportunity to see Michael J. Fox rip it up to Johnny B Good on the big screen so I suggest not squandering the chance.
For a full list of upcoming Midnight Madness movies at E St. Cinema, visit their website.
By Rebecca
‘Tomix EF66 41 Hauling Hayabusa’
courtesy of ‘foolish adler’
Both Virginia and Maryland will received funds from the federal government’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to improve local railway infrastructure and services.
Virginia’s $75 million dollars in funding will build an additional 11 mile track to the current railway service between Woodbridge and Quantico. The new track will allow freight and passenger trains to simultaneously navigate this bottle-necked section and will allow trains to reach speeds up to 100mph. Improving this stretch is only part of a proposed $1.8 billion dollar project to create a Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor.
According to WTOP, the $70million awarded to Maryland will rebuild a highly-traversed Baltimore tunnel and will speed both commuter and freight traffic.
By Tom Bridge
‘familiar places’
courtesy of ‘Pappa91’
That’s the word from the weather folks, is that this southern snowstorm is going to peter out somewhere between Richmond and DC, leaving Richmond up to their ears, and DC with a dusting. The area between Richmond and the North Carolina border may get 8+ inches, according to the Capital Weather Gang, but we’ll largely just dusted with snow.
Whew. I didn’t like the idea of having to shovel out this weekend.
By 