Talkin' Transit

Talkin’ Transit: All About Trust

Photo courtesy of
‘Empty Ride’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

“There is no more valuable currency to a transit system than the trust of its ridership. The accident at Fort Totten severely shook the faith of Washington area riders and the millions of tourists who visit this city. WMATA can win back that trust by taking our safety recommendations to heart, and, at its core, fundamentally changing its culture. This effort has begun, but there is still a long ride ahead.” — National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman, July 27, 2010

Trust. You can’t buy it. You have to earn it. Without it, you’re going to lose customers, no matter your business. When you get into your car, you trust the manufacturer to have tested all the design elements as well as the car you are in. You trust your mechanic to have kept the car in good working order. You trust yourself behind the wheel to keep you safe. The trust you have in each of these things comes from years of observation (by you, or by others you trust).

When your car fails in a way that should have been detected and was preventable, you lose some trust. Depending on the severity of the problem, you might decide to never buy a car from a certain manufacturer or you might no longer do business with your mechanic. And if it turns out that are unwilling to fix the problems or to get a reliable car or to drive in a safe manner, you wouldn’t expect people to continue to trust you to drive them around, time and again.

But that’s exactly what is going on with Metro. It took years of neglect, years of not caring about safety, for the system to get into a state where a deadly accident was all but inevitable. The NTSB report found that, in the words of chairman Deborah Hersman, “the layers of safety deficiencies uncovered during the course of this investigation are troubling and reveal a systemic breakdown of safety management at all levels.”
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Sports Fix, The Daily Feed

Legg Mason Tennis Action


Andy Roddick by Max Cook

AUGUST 3, by Paula Schumann

Second round matches were under way on Tuesday evening at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.  The skies were cloudy but temperature tolerable, a slight reprieve from the otherwise hot and sticky weather of late. The grounds were buzzing with the crowd’s anticipation of seeing local favorite Andy Roddick.

First up on the Stadium Court were two lefties, Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs Michael Berrer (GER).  After taking the first set 6-4, Berrer continued to hold on to his lead in the second set, and at 5-3 it looked like it might be all over for Verdasco.  On what seemed like the final game, Berrer served and suddenly Verdasco came alive, taking the game to deuce.  Berrer got the next point by making a shot that clipped the net and fell onto the other side for ad in.  Verdasco won the next two points, seizing the opportunity to break Berrer’s serve.  The crowd, which was solidly behind Verdasco, went wild.  The turn around continued and Verdasco took the second set 7-5. Continue reading

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed

Georgetown BID Unveils New Map

Photo courtesy of
‘The Old Town Georgetown’
courtesy of ‘Mylar Bono’

Georgetown’s BID debuted its new official Georgetown map featuring store listings, historic sites and more. Like most BID managed projects, the map heavily promotes the neighborhood’s businesses, but what really stood out to me are the two walking tours. One focuses on Georgetown locales where movies like Dave, True Lies, The American President, etc. were filmed. And the other features notable Kennedy residents and haunts. The map also lists the must-visit/dos sites of Georgetown, like the Old Stone House, Tudor Place and C&O Canal Boat Rides, etc.

The Georgetown BID is currently redefining the neighborhood’s “brand” with the help of Arlington’s The Roan Group. Not sure if the map is part of this project, but as a Georgetown frequenter, I think, it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!

Labor Day Weekend, Metro will close five Red Line stations

redline.jpg

Metro announced yesterday that over the Labor Day weekend, they will be closing five stations at the Glenmont end of the Red Line in order to do significant track work in order to comply with NTSB recommendations. Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma will be closed from 10pm on Friday, September 3rd, through 5am on Tuesday, September 7th. During that closure, Metro will be replacing 2 track switches at Silver Spring, 525 feet of track, and 500 rail insulators. In addition, they’ll be swapping out 750 rail fasteners and 1,720 cross ties. It will be Metro’s single biggest replacement in the history of the system.

It’s going to suck for those who use the system in that branch for a few days, but it’s a helluva lot better than 150 days of single-tracking trains through that area, I think.

Entertainment, Fun & Games, Music, We Love Music

The Winning Ticket: Galactic

As a way to say thanks to our loyal readers, We Love DC will be giving away a pair of tickets to a 9:30 Club concert to one lucky reader each week. Check back here every Wednesday morning at 9am to find out what tickets we’re giving away and leave a comment for your chance to be the lucky winner!

This week’s giveaway is a funky jazzy good time with two tickets to see Galactic featuring Cyril Neville and Corey Henry at 9:30 Club on Friday, August 6th.

Galactic is touring in support of their latest album “Ya-Ka-May”, a mash-up of New Orleans music styles and influences featuring a slew of vocal collaborators, who each bring their own genre’s influence to the mix. In other words Galactic are still the great, genre blending, jam band that they have become known around the world as. The most intriguing thing to me about Galactic’s new project is their inclusion of “bounce” inspired hip-hop, New Orleans’ emerging hip hop brand. Friday night’s concert will feature plenty of Galactic’s trademark funk/jazz mega-jams, hopefully some of their new album material, and the guest vocals of a living legend, Mr. Cyril Neville.

For your chance to win these tickets simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between 9am and 4pm today. One entry per email address, please. Tickets for this show are also available through Ticketfly. If today doesn’t turn out to be your lucky day, check back here each Wednesday for a chance to win tickets to other great concerts.

For the rules of this giveaway…
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Entertainment, Fun & Games, Music, The Daily Feed

Like the Barenaked Ladies? Have a free extra ticket to their show. Love, CalTort

Photo courtesy of
‘Barenaked Ladies, The Big Bang Theory’
courtesy of ‘watchwithkristin’

Let me ask you two questions: 1 – Who doesn’t love California Tortilla? 2 – Who doesn’t love a burrito joint that gets you a free concert ticket for the price of one? If you answered yes to both, which I’m going to assume that you did, then you’re in for a treat.

The fine folks at California Tortilla are running a special offer for this Sunday’s Barenaked Ladies concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion. All you’ve got to do is visit CalTort’s ticket site and enter the code “caltort” when prompted. Then, you’ll receive a second ticket to the show for the price of one.

That’s not all. If you purchase a ticket to the show through CalTort, you’ll be placed in a drawing to win passes to an excluseive pre-concert sound check party. You don’t need a million dollars to get in on this action. Enter today!

The Daily Feed

Make a Wish Triathlon Next Month

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_5545’
courtesy of ‘photopete’

Looking for some motivation to get in shape this fall?  What better inspiration is there than helping to fulfill the wishes of kids with life-threatening illnesses?  Mark your calendar for September 25 for the Make-a-Wish Triathlon at Sea Colony.  This Olympic-distance triathlon is held just three hours outside of DC near Ocean City, and proceeds go to making wishes happen for kids in our area.

If you don’t think you’ll be ready to do a full triathlon in 7 weeks, consider signing up for the relay, where you’ll just be responsible for one leg of the triathlon.  Or you can just volunteer for the event and watch the triathletes do their thing. And if you can’t make it out to the beach that weekend, there are plenty of other ways to get involved with the Make-a-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic.

The Daily Feed

Black-footed ferrets born at National Zoo

Photo courtesy of
‘Black-Footed Ferret’
courtesy of ‘Smithsonian’s National Zoo’

Apparently the black-footed ferrets at the National Zoo’s conservation center have been having a baby-pocalypse of their own. At one time, this species was thought to be extinct, but there have been 50 of them born at the Zoo’s facility, 48 of which through “natural” means. Seems like the ferrets have a thing or two to teach the pandas about how to ensure the existence of one’s species.

But you don’t care about any of that. What you care about is that they’re really freakin’ cute. And because we are all about cute baby animals here at WLDC, there’s a slideshow after the jump. Continue reading

Entertainment, Music, The Features, We Love Music

We Love Music: August Music Preview

Photo courtesy of

courtesy of ‘erin m’

It’s August. It sure doesn’t feel like August, but the calendar says it is. That means summer is slowly slipping away and the days of sweater weather, sweltering lattes, and crispy leaves is inching closer.

This is quite possibly my favorite time of year. Baseball’s still being played, we’re on the cusp of a drop in daily temperatures, and as always — there’s plenty live music being played.

Here the shows for the month of August that I definitely wouldn’t miss.

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The Daily Feed

TaKorean, the Newest Truck to Hit the Streets

Photo Credit: Alexandra Boule-Buckley

Looks like you won’t have to pack up and head to Annandale the next time you want some Korean BBQ. TaKorean, a new food truck coming to Washington at the end of this month, has got the market cornered on Korean BBQ…tacos. Operating under the theory that everything is better in a taco shell, TaKorean’s recipes are home created and made fresh each day.

On the menu will be Korean style Bulgogi beef, tangy chicken or caramelized tofu tacos topped with one of two slaws and a plethora of sauces. TaKorean also plans to have vegetarian and vegan options, along with daily specials.

Not only will you get healthy meals at a reasonable price ($5-$9), but TaKorean will be pledging 1% of its gross sales to local environmental and youth based non-profit organizations. Delicious food AND a little charity? That’s a lot packed in to a taco shell.

The Daily Feed

Hot Ticket: Boris w/ Russian Circles @ 9:30 Club TONIGHT

Boris Variations

Tonight the 9:30 Club hosts an awesome line-up of post-metal bands that is guaranteed to deliver a much needed dose of guitar annihilation to your summer.

Japanese noise-metal daredevils, Boris, are going to crush during their headlining set. This is a band that has dabbled in just about every genre of guitar-rock imaginable over their long career, but have alway been rooted in insane Japanese metal. Currently Boris are touring to support their sort-of greatest hits compilation “Variations”. I say sort-of because almost half of the songs on it have been re-recorded with an extra guitarist, because the original versions just weren’t heavy enough, ya know? Boris are a band that are supposed to be legendary live and tonight will be my first time finally catching their act. Lately the band has been doing some really interesting stuff, including cutting an EP with Ian Astbury of the Cult and prepping to perform their Sunn o))) collaboration album, Altar, in full at next month’s All Tomorrow’s Parties NY. Boris have never played 9:30 Club before and I expect that these sonic reducers will level the place with their super-heavy riffs and shoegazer-metal feedback attack.

As if Boris wasn’t enough, we also get Russian Circles as an opening act. These guys play heavy post-metal guitar symphonies that have left me speechless on more than one occasion. Last seen kicking ass at DC9 with Young Widows about eight months ago, Russian Circles return to DC tonight and will sound epic on the 9:30 Club’s sound system.

I highly encourage metal and guitar innovation fans alike to check out tonight’s show.

Boris
w/ Russian Circles & Disappearer
TONIGHT
@ 9:30 Club
$16

Mythbusting DC, The Features

DC Mythbusting: Tourist Tips

Photo courtesy of
‘Souvenir City 1086’
courtesy of ‘yospyn’

Dear DC Tourists, Interns, and Other Newbies,

Welcome to the District!  While we love to complain about you, we’re actually really glad you’re here.  Many of us were in your shoes at one point, and DC can be a little overwhelming when you first get here.  So we’ve compiled a special DC Mythbusting just for you!  Read on for the little secrets that DC residents know, including the best ways to get around the city, the real can’t-miss destinations you’ve never heard of, and the best way to see the Mall.

Love, DC Continue reading

The Daily Feed

You’re Spending Too Much on Clothes

Photo courtesy of
‘Java #5’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

The Wall Street Journal recently released retailers’ shopping data that shows what we’re really shopping for.  And in Washington DC, just like every other major city listed, the top choice is underwear.  The top five brands that Washingtonians are shopping for are Victoria’s Secret, Nine West, Banana Republic, New York & Co., and BCBG.

We’re also spending a lot more on clothes than many other cities, third only to New York and Los Angeles.  But despite all this spending, we apparently still look worse than Dallas: “Though Dallas has a flashy, big-spending image, the average woman there spends less on fashion than one in notoriously frumpy Washington, D.C.”

So, long story short: you’re probably spending too much on clothes, because your drab business suit simply can’t compete with the bedazzled cowboy hats in Texas.

Adventures, Business and Money, Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Media, News, The Daily Feed

And The Day Is Mine! WAMU’s “Big Broadcast” To Reair On Sunday Mornings

Photo courtesy of
‘open mic’
courtesy of ‘timsnell’

Joy of joys! WAMU will be reairing The Big Broadcast on Sunday mornings. If you haven’t caught this fabulous show, hosted by Radio Hall of Famer and local DCite Ed Walker, then you’ve truly been missing out. The four hour long show features recordings of popular radio programs from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, and is seriously the best way to ease back into the coming work week.

While some of the programs can be on the cheesy side, i.e. “har. dee. har. har.” most of the shows offer fantastic whodunit story lines, wonderful radio renditions of classic books/plays and feature some of the brightest stars of that day like Orson Welles, James Stewart, Olivia De Havilland, Henry Fonda, Frank Sinatra, and many more.

Featured Photo

Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of
‘pinhole apt’
courtesy of ‘maria jpeg’

I had to look twice to figure out what I was seeing in this photo by Maria Izaurralde. It seems that she’s turned her apartment into a camera obscura.

In order to capture the otherwise dim image, Maria used a DSLR and an exposure of about eight minutes. The hotel and Thomas Circle overlaid upside down on the walls of the room is accentuated by the pictures and umbrella. And the figurine taking a kick at one of the windows is a nice touch. It’s worth looking at large.

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, News, People, The Daily Feed, The District

Sign Her Up! Redskins Latest Recruit

Photo courtesy of
‘New Washington NFL Uniform’
courtesy of ‘Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com’

Today Albert Haynesworth for the third day in a row chose not to take the Redskins conditioning test, which consists of two timed 25 yard shuttle runs with a 3 1/2 minute rest in between each set. So local Fox 5 reporter, Lindsay Murphy, took it for him and came pretty darn close to passing.

Given how useless, lazy and overpaid Haynesworth has been during his time at the Redskins, I say “Sign Her Up!”

The Daily Feed

Social Media in the Campaigns

Photo courtesy of
‘Twitter Fail’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

DCist has a good piece today on Social Media in the local political campaigns, and I have to say, this is an excellent batch of candidates for the large part, when it comes to using social media and the web to influence voters. Over the weekend, I used Twitter to get in touch with two of the Ward 5 candidates for City Council, both of whom said they’d be out and about in the ward this weekend. We offered lemonade to the teams of any of the campaigners who happened to be out, and we had a great group from the campaign of Kenyan McDuffie stop by to talk with us, and the candidate himself dropped by after the forum on Saturday. It was nice to use something like Twitter to meet up with, and talk issues with, a candidate in a city as big as ours. I was really impressed with his dedication to the Ward, and his willingness to pursue potential voters through social media to bring his platform forward.

Nice job, Kenyan, sorry DCist didn’t mention your efforts.

Entertainment, Music, Night Life, We Love Music

We Love Music: Deadmau5 @ 9:30 Club 7/28 & 7/29

Photo courtesy of
‘Deadmau5’
courtesy of ‘Max Cook’

Joel Zimmerman aka Deadmau5 played 2.5 concerts at the 9:30 Club last week. After delivering stunning shows on Wednesday and Thursday nights, Deadmau5′ set on Friday night was cut short when he vomited and passed out on-stage. Immediately after his performance the night before, Deadmau5 posted “God damn… What’s wrong with me now? Ugh… Me no feely so good” on Twitter. Sources indicate that on Friday Zimmerman had been vomiting back-stage before the show and that he tried to tough it out before collapsing. After passing out, Zimmerman was immediately hospitalized, diagnosed with exhaustion, and the next day it was announced that the remainder of his world tour has been canceled.*

I was not at the Friday night show. I was, however, at the concerts on Wednesday and Thursday night to witness the Deadmau5 techno-spectacle road-show first hand. Since debuting his new stage show at the Coachella Music Festival back in April, Deadmau5 has been touring hard around the world with an incredible show that blends electronic music and digital visuals better than almost anything else I have seen.** His aggressive campaign to take the crown for best electro-concert experience has been relentless and I’m afraid has now taken its physical toll on him. With each show, Deadmau5 makes his case for best dance concert experience with an astonishing display of visual fireworks that envelopes and overwhelms you while his bass-heavy House/Electro beats toy with you like a sadistic cat would a dead mouse. For fans of performance spectacle, the tour is a visual feast. For dance music fans, Deadmau5′ current tour is about as close to nirvana as it gets.

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