Yearly Archives: 2010

All Politics is Local, The Daily Feed, The Mall
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Tea Party and Black Family Reunion to co-occupy Mall Saturday

Photo courtesy of
‘Sittin’ on the John’
courtesy of ‘Rolenz’

If you aren’t attending a rally, maybe you just want to avoid the Mall entirely this weekend. The Black Family Reunion will be held on the Mall between 7th and 14th all day on Saturday, and Unite in Action will be holding a March on DC that day as well from 12-4, marching pretty much the entire length of the Black Family Reunion.

The Black Family Reunion and a Tea Party rally also shared the Mall last year, in fact- only last year it was the much larger 9/12 FreedomWorks Taxpayer March on Washington. That rally is also happening again this year, but it’ll be on Sunday, and since the Black Family Reunion is only one day this year, the two will not conflict.

So while the 9/12 Tea Party rally in 2009 caused some issues for the Black Family Reunion from marchers using the Reunion’s portapotties and food vendors due to inadequate facilities for their own rally, it looks like it won’t happen this year. It seems the Saturday rally’s permit has been adjusted downward for a group of 2,000 or less.

The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Metro Reconsiders Their SmarTrip Changes

Photo courtesy of
‘#WMATA Smartrip reader’s impression of the first Terminator:’
courtesy of ‘brownpau’

The Washington Examiner is reporting that Carol Dillon Kissal, Metro’s deputy general manager, told the Metro Riders’ Advisory Council that the previously approved SmarTrip card price drop from $5 to $2.50 has presented some “tricky issues,” prompting Kissal and her staff to come up with other options.

These options now include requiring riders to have a minimum value on their SmarTrip card before entering the system, rewarding cardholders with a $2.50 rebate after they have purchased a $5 card and used it for two one-way trips, or forgetting about the $2.50 price drop all together.

“The feedback I’ve received from people when they found out they would no longer be able to go negative [on their SmarTrip cards] was very negative,” Riders’ Advisory Council member Carl Seip told the Examiner.

He wasn’t kidding. Metro riders (and We Love DC authors) have expressed their frustrations regarding the matter and hope WMATA changes their mind before the new positive balance requirement to enter a Metro station takes place.

According to the advisory council’s chairman Francis DeBernardo, Metro has requested the councils feedback about the best way to approach the revised list of options pertaining to the SmarTrip. New options will be discussed on Sept. 16 at a finance committee meeting and later on Sept. 30 during a Metro board meeting.

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Fenty Accused of Buying Votes

Photo courtesy of
‘Two Dollar #11’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

The job’s good money for little work, but it comes with a pre-requisite: You gotta vote for our guy.

That’s the deal, according to ABC7, who says that they’ve talked to a few youth who were offered $100/day for a campaign job, but had to vote for Fenty in order to get the position.

In the case of one youth, who was offered the job, driven to the polling site to vote, but then denied the position and the $100/day, this definitely looks shady. Sure, you can canvass for someone in exchange for money, that’s fair game, but requiring a vote? Shady, shady, shady. The Fenty campaign is denying that this is happening, of course, and the Gray campaign is obviously upset. Will this sway voters? Probably not. It should, but I’d guess it won’t.

The Daily Feed
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Hot Ticket: The Charlatans UK – TONIGHT

Barring an unforseen setback, brit-pop veterans The Charlatans will take the stage tonight at the Black Cat, finally making their return to the DC area after two years of back to back canceled tours. Their return concert is expected to be a special one as they have three new albums worth of top-notch material that they’ve never played in the US before, in addition to 2010 marking the 20th Anniversary of their excellent madchester-defining debut, “Some Friendly“. Technically this tour is to promote their latest album “Who We Touch“, which drops next Tuesday, but I think the “Some Friendly” anniversary will have The Charlies in a somewhat retrospective mood as well.

The Charlatans are one of the most consistently fun, good time live acts one can see. Tim Burgess is an incredibly charismatic and eccentric frontman with an ultra-cool voice and the band around him build a head of steam that erupts when their songs hit their middle instrumental jam sections. DC is extra fortunate to see The Charlatans playing in a club the size of The Black Cat, back home in the UK these guys are still large-venue-filling super-stars. As anyone who’s heard me DJ probably already knows, I am personally thrilled to be seeing The Charlatans in concert again tonight. I’ll see you there.

The Charlatans UK
w/ Sherlock’s Daughter
@ The Black Cat
TONIGHT – $20

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends, September 11-12

Photo courtesy of
‘stars & lamp’
courtesy of ‘ekelly80’

Rebecca J.: I can’t believe it’s the weekend already! I’m not complaining. It’s A-mazing. Friday I’m off to the freshly opened Carmine’s with the WeLoveDC gang to mow on some veal picata, stuffed artichokes and rigatoni country style. Having been to the Carmine’s in NYC, I’ll be ready to roll myself out of there, as their family style servings are of epic proportions. Fortunately, on Saturday I’ll be working off the previous night’s carbo-fest with a WAWSL soccer game and then a stop for some fresh produce at the Georgetown Farmers Market. As College Football kicked off last weekend, with stellar wins by both Missouri and Notre Dame, I’ll be tuned to the second week of match ups. Sunday, a solid sleep in will be in order, after which an egg, cheese and bacon croissan’wich from Breadsoda suits my fancy. No worries heart, I’ll be working that off during my evening footie match.

Kirkles: On Friday, I’ll be hitting up Carmine’s for dinner with some of the WLDC crew followed by a nerdy laser tag night with friends at Ultrazone Laser Tag (I haven’t played laser tag since I was 11.  I hope it’s still awesome). Saturday, I’m going to Mi Tierra Market for some Latin American brunch and then I will spend the entire afternoon watching football.  On Sunday, I’ll go to church and then spend that entire afternoon watching football, as well.  I’m happy football is back. Continue reading →

Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Yards Park’s Grand Opening

Photo courtesy of
‘SW Waterfront’
courtesy of ‘Peter Gene’

A new waterfront plaza called Yards Park is celebrating its Grand Opening this weekend with events for all ages. Yards Park is a 5.5 acre park that features a quarter-mile boardwalk, extensive lawn place, bridges, waterfalls, and pedestrian walkways.

There are events all weekend starting Friday at 3:30 p.m. including a dog run Saturday at 10 a.m., live music, a trapeze act, and a beer garden by Cap City.

For a full listing of events, visit the Yard’s Park website.

Yards Park is located at 10 Water St.

The Features
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TSA warns you to report photographers

I like to take pictures. A lot of my friends like to take pictures. Sometimes, we even like to take pictures of things like airplanes. You might call us hobbyists, photo enthusiasts, or just photographers. But now, thanks to a new campaign from the Transportation Security Administration, there’s something else you can call us: terrorists. Yep, that’s right, gang, it’s time for another round of Security Theater Will Not Actually Make You Safer, starring the TSA and a bunch of scary, scary people armed with cameras.

Via Carlos Miller’s Photography Is Not A Crime site and Reason Magazine comes word of a TSA poster apparently designed to encourage passers-by to report suspicious photographers–helpfully shown wearing dark pants and hooded sweatshirts–to the police. Sigh. Really, TSA?

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Welcome to the Blogosphere, Georgetown Patch!

Photo courtesy of
‘The Strip’
courtesy of ‘Danilo.Lewis|Fotography’

Listen up Georgetowners– you’ve got a great new source of local news in town. Georgetown Patch, part of AOL’s Patch network, just launched today. This hyperlocal blog will focus on businesses, news and events in the neighborhood, and bring you up-to-date information on everything going on in Georgetown. Check out editor Shaun Courtney’s awesome welcome video to get a feel for Georgetown Patch.

This is just one of the many local Patch sites expected to launch in the DC area over the next couple months, and the first one based in the District.

The Daily Feed
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Car Crashes Into Restaurant, Strikes Two Pedestrians

Photo courtesy of
‘CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS’
courtesy of ‘voteprime’

A car struck two women yesterday evening before crashing through the front of an Adams Morgan restaurant. The Washington Post reports that the two pedestrians were waiting on a traffic island at the intersection of 18th Street and Florida Avenue when the car, heading south, struck them while attempting to turn left onto Florida from 18th. The impact threw the women at least 30 feet, sending both to the hospital. One remains in critical condition, and the other is in serious condition. The driver of the vehicle was unhurt.

Whether it’s night or day and something unexpected just happened on the road, and you need a towing service, emergency gas delivery service, kick-starting your car, or you have a disabled vehicle that needs removing, call Towingless for help.

Following the collision, the vehicle careened into Keren Restaurant (1780 Florida Avenue NW), shattering the front window before coming to a stop. There were several patrons in the restaurant, none of whom were hurt.

Police have charged the 23-year-old female driver with driving while intoxicated and aggravated assault. Neither her identity nor the identity of the victims has been released.

UPDATE: The driver has been identified as Chamica Adams of Mitchellville, Md. TBD reports that her BAC was between .17 and .18 at the time of the crash, more than twice DC’s legal limit. One of the victims has been identified as Julia Bachleitner, a second-year student at SAIS. She remains in critical condition.

The Daily Feed
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VegFest Bringing Sexy Back to, You Know, Veggies

Photo courtesy of
‘Clarendon Market’
courtesy of ‘MichaelTRuhl’

Have you moved down from New York to escape the unending abuse against vegetarians at the hands of Anthony Bourdain? Well, hang out among your brethren Saturday between noon and 6 p.m. at the D.C. VegFest on the University Yard at George Washington University. Not only will there be (meat) free samples, but you can hear speakers, watch cooking demonstrations, check out local restaurants’ meat-free options and much more.

Organized by Compassion Over Killing and the Vegetarian Society of D.C., the event will feature noted vegetarians from near and far and will reward the first 400 visitors with a free tote bag full of all that awesome stuff in the organic aisle at Safeway that is too expensive for me to consider. A girl can dream though.

Fashionable DC
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Fashion’s Night Out DC (And The Men That Love It)

image courtesy of Fashion's Night Out Georgetown

One cannot shake a blog, magazine, or twitter this week without hitting some kind of coverage of Fashion’s Night Out. The event, now in its second year, was launched by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue Magazine occurs this year on Friday, September 10th, from 6 to 11 pm. The well-intentioned – if just a bit self-serving – folks behind FNO imagine it as a response to the recession which supports independent fashion designers, boutique owners, and downtown commercial districts, while making the average person feel good about shopping and stimulating the economy.

Originally focused in New York City, this year the events have spread out – and include festivities here in DC. The principal neighborhoods organizing to participate are MidCity and Georgetown. While there is certainly plenty for the lady, it should not be overlooked that many participating businesses do cater to those in the male way. Therefore, to make this an inclusive event, I present to you…

DC Men I Know and Where They Should Go for FNO:
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Beer + Baked Goods + Charity = Delicious Way to Spend a Saturday

Here’s an idea about how to spend the National Day of Service on Saturday: drink beer and eat cookies for a good cause. Adams Mill Bar & Grill will be hosting a Beer & Bake Sale from 1-4 PM on Saturday to benefit Share our Strength, which is a locally-based nonprofit that fights child hunger.  And not only will there be cookies, brownies, and cupcakes, but Adams Mill will also be offering drink specials throughout the afternoon.  So head out to Adams Mill on Saturday, watch some college football, eat some delicious baked goods, and know that you’re doing your part to end child hunger.

News, The Daily Feed
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Fenty Asks Obama For Some Help

Photo courtesy of
‘DC’s Mayor Adrian Fenty’
courtesy of ‘Sprezzatura Images’

Mayor Fenty is trailing in the polls. The District is less than a week from Primary Election Day. So what does Fenty do? He calls President Obama.

“I have personally reached out,” Fenty told WTOP although he has not named which White House official he spoke with over the phone.

Fenty told WTOP that he personally called the White House and asked to speak with President Obama and the First Lady regarding a potential endorsement in his name.

Besides a helping-hand from a federal face in a local campaign, President Obama and the White House don’t have much to offer the current District mayor besides a continued personal relationship with the first family.

In an ideal situation, Fenty would like to see the Obama’s make a personal appearance before the Sept. 14 primary announcing their endorsement of his campaign or for the White House to print an official endorsement of his campaign, but so far there has been no response to Fenty’s request.

Fenty does remain realistic that this last minute high-profile endorsement is unlikely.

“For lots of reasons I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he said.

The Daily Feed
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The National Mall: Now a Free Wi-Fi Hotspot

Photo courtesy of
‘smithsonian offers free wifi’
courtesy of ‘kafka4prez’

Free wireless is everywhere these days – from chain coffee stores to the Verizon Center. Now? It’s gotten monumental.

City officials announced this afternoon that the National Mall now has more than 200 active hubs will help create a free wireless network on the National Mall. The estimated range of the network will cover from 3rd St to 14th St and establishes an even wider span of coverage for the District’s wireless-reliant citizens and tourists. The new hotspots on the Mall will extend the reach of “DC Wifi,” and was overseen by a partnership between  Federal and city governments.

Have you used any of the other hotspots in the city before? Check wifi.dc.gov to see where the closest one not near a monument is to you.

Adventures, Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: All Tomorrow’s Parties NY 2010 (Day Two)

Sonic Youth @ ATP NY 2010
all photos by author.

Coverage of Day One
Coverage of Day Three

Saturday in the Catskills ushered in a chilly preview of fall weather along with Day Two of All Tomorrow’s Parties. On deck were two stages full of bands hand-picked by the All Tomorrow’s Parties staff to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of their festival series (which began in the UK with the Bowlie Weekender curated by Belle & Sebastian in 1999). In addition to the two stages full of premium indie rock, there were also trivia games, a cinema organized by the Criterion Collection, a book club, a film discussion with Thurston Moore and Jim Jarmusch, and various other fun distractions peppered through-out the Kutshers Resort.

Kutshers is an aged relic of the Borscht Belt and serves as the perfect spot for ATP NY every year. Imagine the hotel from Dirty Dancing gone the way of The Shining and you get a good idea of what this sprawling complex looks and feels like. The years of wear and tear show on every surface in the place, including in the Starlight Ballroom (main stage) and the Dining Room (second stage). The whole place feels like ATP found this former Class-A resort in a thrift shop somewhere. It has got the perfect level of funkiness and seclusion to make the whole ATP weekend feel like you are one of the castaways in an indie-music version of LOST. I staked my camp in the Starlight Ballroom all-day on Saturday to take in an unbelievably cool array of quality acts.

Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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L’Shanah Tovah: A (Short) Rosh Hashanah Story

Photo courtesy of
‘Shana Tova – Happy new year’
courtesy of ‘chany14’

Happy New Year to my fellow members of the extended family that is Judaism. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and high holiday, begins at sundown tonight. This is a time for families to come together, observe, and pray as a unit. Or, if you’re like me, you’re left to your own devices as far as observing the holiday and praying goes.

A story came out today via the City Paper that Jewish residents living on Wisconsin Avenue NW (near Neapolitan pizzeria 2 Amys) encountered a hitch in their Rosh Hashanah festivities. Plans were set to celebrate the eventual ground breaking and opening of a modernized Giant grocery  store and large residential development named Cathedral Commons for Thursday afternoon. According to the City Paper, people living in the area wished to attend but many couldn’t due to the Jewish New Year overlapping with the development launch.

The launch party has been moved as to not conflict with Rosh Hashanah, leaving the once verklempt residents to observe the New Year uninterrupted by neighborhood events.

Updated information for the launch party is not available at this time.

L’Shanah Tovah!

The Daily Feed
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DC Dogs Gain Voting Rights

Photo courtesy of
‘Tchotchke the Freedom Bulldog’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Move over, Paul the octopus. There are new victor predictors in the ‘hood. NBC Washington is reporting that there will be a Paw Poll on Thursday, designed to allow canines the opportunity to cast their vote for DC’s next mayor. Two different dog treats will be distributed: green with white polka dots for Fenty, and white with green polka dots for Gray. The treat picked by your dog represents their political inclinations, and has nothing, nothing to do with whether one smells more like butt than the other.

In addition to its message of voting rights for all, the event will promote Washington Humane Society’s Walk for the Animals, which will take place on Sep. 25.  Voting will occur tomorrow from 7 a.m. through 10 a.m. at the 17th Street dog park. Results will be posted on the Walk for the Animals website on Friday.

Featured Photo
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Featured photo

Photo courtesy of
‘Katy in the surf’
courtesy of ‘MudflapDC’

Labor Day weekend is traditionally recognized as the End Of Summertime. School starts again, the weather (reportedly) begins to cool, and collectively we put away the swimsuits and get down to the business of life. In their quest to document summer’s last grasp, our pool of photographers did not disappoint: Many went to the beach and found some great ways to capture the atmosphere. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Midnight Spin Returns to DC for the Weekend

Midnight Spin at The Velvet Lounge / Photo by Rachel Levitin

Radio ready and always friendly on stage and off, Brooklyn’s finest band of rockers are back in the District for the weekend. Midnight Spin never fails to disappoint a crowd. In fact, they invoke quite the contrary response. From shooting music videos in Manhattan to touring the country in a teeny tiny van together, these guys live and breathe rock ‘n roll.

They’re in the process of finishing up material for their first full-length album, but their current EP “Through the Mojo Wire” contains five incredibly contagious rock songs with a pop hook touch.

Two members of Midnight Spin, lead singer and guitar player Mike Corbett and drummer Danny Scull, are from the greater D.C. metropolitan area (i.e. Maryland) and try to bring their band back home for the parents to see them play every few months.

Their parent’s gain is the District’s reward.

Midnight Spin has two shows lined up on Friday and Saturday: a late-night headlining slot at the Rock and Roll Hotel and an afternoon delight at the Bullpen in Navy Yard.

Here are the details: Continue reading →