Yearly Archives: 2010

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Wizards Acquire Yi Jianlian From Nets

Photo courtesy of
‘Yi JianLian Juice Box’
courtesy of ‘Wootang01’

The Wizards have another new face to welcome to Chinatown.

Days after the Wizards drafted John Wall, the Wizards continue their rebuilding by acquiring Nets forward Yi Jianlian from the New Jersey Nets for Quinton Ross and cash- lots of cash.

By dealing the sixth pick of the 2007 NBA draft, the Nets clear up cap room as they work to make room for two max contracts. Sounds like somebody wants to be a big suitor for LeBron and company. Jianlian is due to make $4 million this year but the Wizards should only have to pay about $1 million since the Nets are also giving Washington $3 million to complete the deal.

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The Daily Feed
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An entire bookstore is on sale

Photo courtesy of
‘SALE’
courtesy of ‘nevermindtheend’

It’s a sad thing to see a bookstore close. I walk by the still-empty shells of the Olsson’s locations in Penn Quarter and Dupont Circle and feel a twinge at the long afternoons spent browsing the shelves. And I’m sure someday I’ll sit down at a table in the new Clydes at 14th and F streets and think, “Hey, weren’t these walls covered with books once?” But hey, in the ever-chugging slog of commercial progress, life goes on. And Borders will close. C’est la vie.

As a parting gift to DC book lovers, the store began liquidating its inventory today, marking most books and CDs down 20 percent. That discount puts the store’s pricing now in line with online retailers like Amazon, which, let’s be frank, is why Borders has had such a tough time lately anyway. For a few brief shining days, though, there are deals to be had. Stock up for the beach or the holidays, or maybe finally grab that copy of “Gatsby” you always meant to read.

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News, The Daily Feed
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Obama Scheduled To Talk Immigration Reform At AU Thursday

Photo courtesy of
‘Obama and his endorsers’
courtesy of ‘ragesoss’

It was announced this afternoon that President Obama will speak about the state of immigration reform from the brand new School of International Service building on American University’s main campus Thursday, the same morning a slew of new freshman enter the grounds for new student orientation.

This is not Obama’s first time on campus. He was endorsed by the late Sen. Ted Kenedy (D-Mass.) who was accompanied by his niece Caroline Kennedy on Jan. 28, 2008 during the presidential election season from Bender Arena in the heart of AU’s main campus.

Update 4:38 p.m.: The event is invitation only and only attendees approved by the White House will be allowed near the building.

The speech will be streamed live at: whitehouse.gov/live.

Entertainment, Penn Quarter, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Johnny Meister + The Stitch

Chris Dinolfo and Rex Daugherty in Solas Nua's production of "Johnny Meister and The Stitch" Photo credit: Aoife Mckenna

The “black box” theater is a tricky environment. Actors and audience, being so close to one another in a tight setting, enter into a kind of silent agreement – we see them sweat, they hear us breathe. Actually, it’s a bit like a date. We start out eager for it all to go well, maybe laughing a little too hard, being charmed. But it can end awkwardly. Or go brilliantly.

Solas Nua has the black box date down. In a tiny square nestled in the Flashpoint Gallery (properly known as the Flashpoint Mead Theatre Lab), they keep things sparse and simple, focusing on brutally provocative plays featuring actors who relish the meat of contemporary Irish drama. It works. I’ve yet to see a lazy or self-indulgent piece performed here (last year’s startling Disco Pigs was the first play in a long time to punch me in the gut so hard I cried).

On a given performance of Johnny Meister + The Stitch, the immediacy of live theater is strongly evident as you watch the beads of sweat slowly trickle down Chris Dinolfo’s face as he stands (briefly, it’s a fast clip) lit by long flourescent bulbs. Or the dangerous crackle of Rex Daugherty’s eyes as he makes momentary eye contact with an audience member. This is the thrill of the black box theater, and it’s highlighted by this American premiere of Rosemary Jenkinson’s play about two rough Belfast boys and one wild night.

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The Daily Feed
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Congress Takes the Field At National Park

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_0692.JPG’
courtesy of ‘rogefer’

The MLB All-Star Game is still three weeks away, but there’s some good news if you’re looking for a rivalry in the sport of baseball that will distract you from the hometown team’s recent struggles.  Since 1909, Congressional Democrats and Republicans have squared off in an annual midsummer classic of their own; this year’s contest will be held tonight at Nationals Park and plenty of tickets are still available. The all-time series has the Republicans holding a 38-33-1 edge of their Democratic counterparts, and this year marks the 49th year that Roll Call has sponsored the contest.

There’s one more reason to consider attending in the heat this evening: the ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by the daughter of baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, Rachel. Whether you work on the Hill or not, it is still one of those Only-In-D.C. events to get you excited about the week.

Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Music, The Daily Feed
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A WLDC Author + Columbia Heights Farmers Market = Win!

Photo courtesy of
‘CH Farmer’s Market Gelato’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

A new farmers market in Columbia Heights opened its grounds to the public June 5th at 14th and Park, across from Giant, Target, and Tivoli Theater.

Fellow WLDC author Donna C. filled us in on the delicious details including the market’s spread of  fresh veggies, fruits, meats, breads, cheeses, flowers and “beat-the-heat” gelato all grown and raised within 150 miles of DC.

If there’s anything I’ve learned since moving to the District it’s that we love to celebrate inaugural events — presidents, baseball teams, and in this case farmer’s markets.

What do I mean?

This is the inaugural season of the Columbia Heights Market Place and in honor of trying to get people out for the produce and neighborhood comradery, the market place group have grabbed local entertainment from around town to put on a show for you while you shop.

The entertainment on tap for Saturday features: Cherae Mabry from Yoga on the Plaza (10 a.m.), Salsa dance group Conga Beat in between acts, Monty Wells (11 a.m.), the DoS Jazz Ensemble (12:15 p.m.), and then myself (1 p.m.) to close out the day!

Look forward to seeing you all there!

Note: If you’d like to support a worthwhile cause while visiting the market this Saturday, I will have two albums on sale. Proceeds from all albums sales will be donated to the National Kidney Foundation and Donate Life campaign to raise organ donation awareness in honor of my late father Steven Levitin who was a heart transplant recipient in 1999.

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Wavves & Cloud Nothings @ RNR Hotel 6/25/10

Wavves @ RNR Hotel 6/25/10
courtesy of Wavves.

While the early-week, DC-music, blogosphere is atwitter with tales of Courtney Love’s awful on-stage antics at the 9:30 Club on Sunday night, Friday night’s Wavves show seems to be completely off radar. This is interesting to me, because Wavves mastermind, Nathan Williams, is an equally volatile personality known for on-stage meltdowns and fisticuffs of his own. In fact, before the weekend began, the quality of the Friday night Waaves’ concert at Rock & Roll Hotel was as much in question as was which Courtney Love would appear at the 9:30 Club on Sunday. When faced with the decision of which concert to attend (there was no way I was going to sandwich my weekend with potential cluster-f*cks) I used a simple calculus to aid my decision making: Courtney Love is a miserable, over-the-hill, waste of space who only ever put out one good album; while Nathan Williams of Wavves is an unpredictable, indie-genius on the rise, who cranks out infectious tunes as frequently as normal people draw breath. For me the decision was easy; both shows had the potential to be spectacular personality-based failures, but only Wavves had the possible upside of also delivering brilliant music.

Nathan Williams did not have a nervous break-down on-stage, nor did he indulge himself as the star of his own iPhone-shot reality-show on Friday night. He did talk quite a bit between songs, but then so did his rhythm section. Their collective antics were less delusional rants and more about bratty fun. Wavves did more than hold it together on Friday night. They showed up with their snotty, punk attitude and tore through an hour of great, noise-wrapped pop-music. They were preceded by another blog buzz-band in Cloud Nothings from Cleveland, who also put on an excellent set of bedroom-recording inspired tunes. Both bands combined to put on an fantastic new music showcase for the nearly sold-out crowd at Rock & Roll Hotel on Friday.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Wone defendants found not guilty

Photo courtesy of
‘Recompensa’
courtesy of ‘Daquella manera’

Today, Judge Lynn Liebovitz delivered her verdict on the conspiracy/tampering/obstruction charges in the Robert Wone case. She found the defendants Dylan Ward, Victor Zaborsky, and Joseph Price not guilty on all counts, while still noting that it’s “very likely” that Price altered the knife used to murder Wone. She also rejected both the intruder theory of the crime as well as Michael Price, brother of Joseph, as the murderer.

The three housemates in whose house Wone was killed still face a wrongful death suit by Kathy Wone, Robert’s widow. The rules of evidence for civil cases are different than those for criminal cases, so watch for different information to be considered in that proceeding.

The Daily Feed
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SoberRide Saved for the Fourth

Photo courtesy of
‘Nacho #9’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Earlier this month, it looked like there was some concern as to whether or not there would be enough budget for Washington Regional Alcohol Program to supply their SoberRide initiative around this year’s Independence Day celebrations. SoberRide is a simple program that ensures revelers can get home safely and responsibly, but in offering free cab rides on large party holidays in the past years, WRAP was staring in the face of some serious fiscal concerns.

The good news is that several large donors have stood up to make sure that the program would be available for this weekend’s holiday, including MillerCoors and Geico. The contributions helped WRAP get past a $31,000 gap that would have prevented the service’s availability. Thanks to these sponsors, if you or a friend has enjoyed the fireworks and cookouts a little too much, SoberRide is still available to get someone home – up to a $50 fare – for free. Between the hours of 10 p.m. on Sunday the 4th, through 6 a.m. on Monday the 5th, all you’ll need to do is dial 1-800-200-TAXI, and SoberRide will help arrange to get you home.

Entertainment, Essential DC, Music, Special Events, The Daily Feed, We Love Music
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Support Underground Music In DC

Flickr Video

Gradually, over the last decade, Washington DC has evolved into one of the foremost cities in the world when it comes to experimental, avant-garde, noise, and improvisational music. There is a thriving underground of DC-based noise and improv acts boiling just under the surface of our fair city. Every year this scene is in the spotlight for one week when they invite fellow noise-mongers and sound-scape artists from around the world to come to DC and jam with them. This wonderfully creative week of far-out sounds is called the Sonic Circuits Festival. This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Sonic Circuits Festival and they need some financial support to finalize their plans for this year’s ambitious schedule. With a little help they will be bringing in musicians from as far away as Ukraine, Japan, and France. If you can spare a few (tax-deductible) dollars to help this unique, home-grown scene plan their festival, please pledge. Continue reading →

Arlington, The Daily Feed
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Fancy Solar Compactors Spotted In Rosslyn

I think a co-worker spotted me taking this photo after work- she probably thinks I’m weird.

I was only snapping this photo because I just noticed that Rosslyn is sporting these fancy new Solar Compactors (aka the Big Belly) outside my office yesterday. Look how neat and tidy it looks compared to an overflowing trash can (which we’ve all seen on occasion around these streets.)

I first saw one of these things in action back in Boston and I’d love to see it in the middle of crunching down some garbage. For those that aren’t familiar with these things, a Big Belly is trash compactor that is with a solar powered from UV Power so you get a trash receptacle that can hold more and prevents pests from picking at the trash (and it doesn’t need any power.) The only complaint I had was that it made it hard for me to dump and run as I’m known to do in my jet-set lifestyle. However upon hearing that complaint my roommate told me I was a lazy, lazy person.

These units are already in use around Georgetown University, DC Parks, and Fairfax County.

What do you guys think about these the new bad boys of trash around the streets? If anything I bet M street could use some of these on the weekends.

The Daily Feed, We Love Arts
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Win 2 Tickets to Phillips After 5!

Photo courtesy of
‘The Phillips Collection 2523’
courtesy of ‘yospyn’

Looks like the Phillips Collection took my light criticism to heart last Friday because they have decided to hold a contest to see who can come up with the best alternative name for the Pousette-Dart exhibit – which is currently titled, Predominantly White Paintings.

All you have to do is go to their Facebook Page and submit something exciting, alluring, or at least, improved.

Two tickets to Phillips After 5 this Thursday will be awarded to the winner.

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo


TWEE 4571 by Yospyn

A few weeks ago I asked our readers if they could help me name this mysterious new street artist, but in reality I knew the answer all along.  These wheatpastings that went up overnight along 14th street were deliberately placed as part of Jeffry Cudlin’s show at Flashpoint, BY REQUEST.  The idea behind his show was to challenge local artists to create the ideal work of art, at least as determined by some of DC’s most influential art minds.  The catch?  He had to be a part of every piece.  In some cases his involvement was completely obvious, say for example, the 23′ long nude photo of him that you’ll either love or be terrified of.  However to please the tastes of Pink Line Project’s Philippa Hughes, local artist Cory Oberndorfer transformed Cudlin into a fictional street artist from Nova Scotia named TWEE.

I had the honor of accompanying Oberndorfer and TWEE one late night to witness and document the evolution of DC’s newest street artist as he pasted his bittersweet characters along 14th street.  The mission was simple.  Scatter some art that Hughes was sure to love along a street that she travels every day.  It would only be a matter of time before she became curious, and the gamble paid off when she posted a picture on Facebook the very next day asking, “Been seeing these along 14th Street. Who is it?”  ObernTWEEfer had nailed it.

At the show’s opening at Flashpoint, Hughes was completely shocked to learn that the pieces she’d been seeing were made specifically for her, and that the queen of art gossip had just been played.  It was a great social experiment that went off without a hitch thanks to the deviously creative minds of Cory and Cudlin.  BY REQUEST will go down in history books as one of the most outlandish, well-marketed, and beautifully executed shows in DC.  Well done, Mr. Cudlin.  I mean, TWEE.

The Daily Feed
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Washington’s Summer Heat – How Hot Is It?

Photo courtesy of
‘sun & Capitol’
courtesy of ‘ekelly80’

You don’t need an outstanding glossary of weather terms to understand “hot” (but if you need one for other things, check out Don’s awesome post from yesterday). Moving my car at 6:30 this morning, I started sweating, and then I started wondering: exactly what are we looking at in terms of record breaking weather months here in June? Here’s a few facts and notes about the record heat, thanks to Capital Climate and Capital Weather Gang:

  • In the month of June, we’ve seen two daily records fall for highest max temperature, including a triple-digit reading on June 24. Also worth considering regarding the hot summer nights: three of the 28 measured days also registered new records for the highest minimum temperature.
  • Yesterday was the 17th day of 90+ degree temperatures in the month of June, tying records co-shared by 1943 and 1994. Considering Weather.com is reporting at 7:57 a.m. that it is 83 out downtown, there is no way we stay below 90 today and 2010 should earn outright number one for the record.
  • While yesterday’s storm helped lower the humidity a little, the heat may still be sticking around until we can get some more cold air moving through. It may be dryer this weekend thanks to that, but early forecasts show that you’ll get plenty of warmth to accompany your fireworks and cookouts.

Drink fluids, wear sunscreen, and stay cool, Washington.

The Daily Feed
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Russian Spies Arrested in Arlington

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_4600’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

The FBI and the Justice Department brought down 10 suspected spies this afternoon across the country, including three from right here in Arlington. Several sources are reporting the details, including this article from CNN, and talk to the fact that these Russian secret agents were reportedly sent to the US for long-term operations and were to fully adapt to our way of life (marriage, kids, house, mini-vans…and the true American dream of  balloon mortgage payments says Wonkette). The article also includes details of some of the intercepted and decrypted messages that Russia reportedly sent to these agents.

“Your education, bank accounts, car, house, etc. — all these serve one goal: fulfill your main mission, i.e., to search and develop ties in policymaking circles in U.S. and send intels (intelligence reports),” the document said.“

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Stammen Returns, Will Start Tuesday

stammen
Photo By Rachel Levitin

The man sent down to the minors in return for Stephen Strasburg being called up to the majors will be taking the mound for Washington this Tuesday in Atlanta.

Bill Ladson reported from Twitter that he just found out RHP Craig Stammen, who was optioned by the Nats to Triple-A Syracuse on June 6 after starting against the Cincinnati Reds in a no-decision extra inning loss, will return the 25-man roster and join his team on the road for the Braves series.

Stammen was 1-2 with a 5.43 ERA in 12 starts with the Nationals this season.

capitals hockey, Sports Fix, The Features
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Capital Drafting: 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Photo courtesy of
‘Mighty Mites!’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

The NHL 2010 Entry Draft occurred in Los Angeles over the last three days and after seven rounds, the Caps exited this year’s draft with five new prospects. Selected by the team are Evgeny Kuznetsov (Russia), Stanislav Galiev (Russia), Philipp Grubauer (Germany), Caleb Herbert (U.S.), and Samuel Carrier (Canada). The five selected picks cover the range of ice positions, from center to goalie, and will be entering an already well-stocked prospect larder. GM George McPhee has gotten a great handle on building the team’s future depth, in large part due to the experienced Capitals’ scouting squads.

Let’s take a look at the new blood, shall we? Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Severe? Watch? Warning? Brad? Dr Scott?

YouTube Preview Image

Maybe you need to be of A Certain Age to get the reference but it sums up, for me, the experience of listening to weather shorthand sometimes. Nice word, what’s it mean?

Earlier today the always-awesome Capital Weather Gang had a quick tweet spelling out the meaning of a “severe” thunderstorm: “Winds of 58 mph and/or hail .75″ diameter or more.” Pretty precise, that. It got me to thinking, what are the other terms that we hear all the time but perhaps don’t know the exact meaning of? I took a minute to put together a few and they’re below the fold.

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Silversun Pickups @ DAR Constitution Hall 6/23/10

Photo courtesy of
‘Silversin Pickups’
courtesy of ‘MudflapDC’

This was one of those concerts that make me love my job.

Silversun Pickups played at DAR Constitution Hall last Wednesday night. They delivered an exuberant display of musical joy that put a big ol’ smile on my face that lasted the entire show. Silversun Pickups are a band with a great sound and a growing fan-base, and yet every time I see them perform they seem completely amazed that people like their music. It’s this “they like us, they really, really like us!” attitude and their genuine appreciation for their fans, that keeps this huge-sounding band grounded and endears them to the listener. When watching Silversun Pickups perform you find yourself rooting for them to succeed while they proceed to melt your face off with their massive, alt-rock attack.

Wednesday’s concert was the best of the three times I have seen Silversun Pickups perform, mainly because it was the first time I have seen them as headliners. The headliner spot gave them time to stretch their legs musically which really added another level to their performance on just about every song they played. Add to this the fact that the longer set gave them the opportunity to throw some slower songs into the mix and Silversun Pickups were able to create an atmosphere that was all their own and not merely shared space with other, larger acts. Silversun Pickups were the main event on Wednesday night and they used their moment in the spotlight to truly shine.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Sno-cones and CHEAP Happy Hour at Art & Soul

Photo courtesy of
‘art and soul mac and cheese balls’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

So this summer has been like redonkulously hot, right? Well Capitol Hill’s Art and Soul is offering sno-cone cocktails and one of the cheapest fancy happy hours around. You should go. Here’s the deal:

The Sno-Cones, served in a cone-shaped martini glass, come in three adult flavors including: The Savannah (vodka, African nectar tea and peaches); Laurel Park (gin, St Germain, sparkling rose, cucumbers, and strawberries); and Rehoboth (Cachaca, pineapple, and spearmint rimmed with smoked black salt). The Sno-Cone Cocktails are priced at $12 each — $6 during happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday.

Speaking of happy hour, the food is also really cheap (really fried, too) but you can snag yourself some fried green tomatoes, house made potato chips and assorted dips (they have old bay!) and to-die for deviled eggs. Each of the small plates are less than $6, and if you add a glass of wine or a cocktail to one of them you get the pair for $10. Regional beers are on tap for only $4.

So who is ready for this Monday to be over so they can get to eating? This girl.