Category Archives: News

News, The District, The Features, WMATA, WTF?!
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Metro Closes Above Ground Service at 1pm

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Metro has just announced that they will discontinue above-ground rail service at 1pm today, until the snow has stopped. That will close 39 stations until the snowfall has been managed.

In addition: Metrobus and Metro Access will stop running at 1:30pm.

The reason for the closures at 8″ of snow is that if the third-rail is covered, it can no longer transmit the necessary running power for the trains, meaning you could get stranded by the snow. Once they’ve cleared up the snow, they’ll return to normal service, but I’d expect that to be tomorrow at the very earliest. You can read more about Metro’s snow policies on their site.

Steven Taubenkibel of Metro has just said that road conditions are far too treacherous to continue service. For the remainder of the day, they’ll run empty deicer trains on the above-ground tracks, so you may still see trains on the tracks, but there will be no service there. They are emphasizing safety, asking people to stay off the roads so they can be cleared for service.

News, The Daily Feed
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Smithsonian Closed Today and Tomorrow

Photo courtesy of
‘Rural Letter Carrier in Sleigh’
courtesy of ‘Smithsonian Institution’

You read that right. It’s a big storm when even the Smithsonian shutters their doors for a couple days. According to their website:

“Due to the heavy snow, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be closed to the public today, Saturday, Dec. 19 and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 20.”

The last time we think that happened was in 1996, which certainly puts this storm in the historic category.

Adventures, Fun & Games, News, The Features
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Snow Details, Snow Fun

Photo courtesy of
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Update 11:52: THUNDERSNOW HAS BEEN REPORTED AT QUANTICO! You hear me?? THUNDERSNOW I SAY!

Update 11:38AM: (From NWS Senior Meteorologist Logan Johnson): This will now easily be the biggest December snowstorm on record in DC. It is very important that people stay OFF the roads and also that people report their snow totals to the National Weather Service at lwx-report@noaa.gov. Heaviest bands of snow arriving right now in Arlington/DC area so snowfall totals will pick up quickly.

On a side note, DCA is closed until at least 1pm.

UPDATE 9:25AM: We are now in a blizzard warning until 6pm this evening! This means winds over 35mph in addition to our substantial snowfall (up to 22″), as well as very reduced visibility.

Quick snow recap of the latest:

  • We could see 9″ by morning and UP TO 2 feet of snow by Sunday morning. That is kah-ray-zee.
  • Blizzard warnings have been issued for areas east of the city, including La Plata and Annapolis, MD.
  • We are all in a winter storm warning through Sunday morning. 30 HOURS LEFT!
  • There is no milk left in the DC metro area. At all. Like for real.
  • DC has issued a snow emergency starting at 7am, so MOVE YOUR CARS.
  • Nancy Pelosi had to leave Copenhagen early to make sure she could get back to the Hill before DC is swallowed up by fluffy white stuff.
  • It’s very possible that Metro may be an underground ONLY system starting tomorrow. Map and details here.
  • Virginia is already in a state of emergency.
  • DC area news stations will have up to the minute coverage starting at 2am and will give you updated reports every minute on the minute. Team coverage expected at every area grocery store and intersection.

    • By now, you know all there is to know about this #snowpocalypse #snOMG storm. You’ve read our post from earlier today with a description of what thundersnow is and how it could happen tomorrow, making this megastorm even more entertaining. And above you have all of the latest details you could EVAR want! So let’s have some fun with this snow thing. Everyone in our area is going crazy right now and it will only get worse tomorrow. Play along.

    Continue reading →

    Business and Money, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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    DC Area’s Most Expensive Toll Road…

    Photo courtesy of
    ”
    courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

    …will be the Intercounty Connector in PG and Montgomery counties.  The ICC, which will be completed next year, is scheduled to levy a $6.15 toll, each way. That amounts to around $0.35/mile, shattering the standing area record at $0.28/mile, held by the Dulles Greenway.  According to MTA, the exorbitant fee is necessary to cover road maintenance and construction costs.  If it makes you feel any better, the ICC will not be the most expensive road in the nation.  That distinction is held by SR-91 is California, which charges nearly $1/mile.

    News, The Daily Feed, The District
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    Thunder, Thunder, Thunder, ThunderSnow!

    Photo courtesy of
    ”
    courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

    (Hopefully you read that title to the theme song of the popular 80’s cartoon)

    UPDATE: NWS just issued a Winter Storm Warning with up to 20″ of snowfall.

    Unless you’ve been hiding for a few days, you know that our beloved city is in for a real winter storm this weekend. And by that I mean REAL. A once every three years or so kind of thing for DC with predictions of over a full foot of snow even inside the beltway. But what makes this storm even more unusual than simply the amount of snow that could fall is the fact that we could experience the meteorlogical phenomenon that is thundersnow. DUN DUN DUN. A thunderstorm with snow? What? Crazy talk? Luckily, we have Logan Johnson, a Senior Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, here to save the day.

    “Thundersnow is a rare weather phenomenon, which is basically a thunderstorm that forms in weather that is cold enough for the precipitation to fall in the form of snow instead of rain. Thundersnow is rare because normally thunderstorms need warm and moist air to form. Cold and drier air, like what occurs during the wintertime, is not very conducive to the development of thunderstorms. The two things that are necessary for thundersnow are the presence of unstable air and a force that will push this unstable air upwards. This force of rising air is provided by strong low pressure. The low pressure will push the unstable air upwards, allow for clouds and thunderstorms to form, and provided that the atmosphere is cold enough, it is thundersnow,” writes Logan. His full detailed and exclusive forecast just for WeLoveDC, including a complete explanation, is after the jump.

    Continue reading →

    News, The Daily Feed
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    Fenty To Sign Same-Sex Marriage Bill Today

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘well-dressed mayor’
    courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

    Mayor Fenty is scheduled to sign the same-sex marriage bill approved by the DC council at All Souls Unitarian Church in a public ceremony today.

    Why sign the bill in a church? All Souls’ senior pastor Rev. Robert Hardies told the Washington Post that Fenty’s decision to sign this historic bill in a house of worship, “[…] is symbolic of the strong religious support for this bill in D.C.”

    According to WTOP, supporters of the bill expect same-sex couples to have the ability to marry in DC as early as March.

    News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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    Skins’ Cerrato Resigns

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘FIRE VINNY!’
    courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’

    I’m sure these two fans are very happy this morning as Vinnie Cerrato has resigned this morning according the ESPN 980. Cerrato was the Executive Vice President in charge of Football Operations and has been calling the plays for the Skins since they moved that responsibility from Jim Zorn several weeks ago shots in the front office for the team.

    It’s not immediately clear who will replace Cerrato, but I’m hearing that there will be a press conference at Redskins Park this afternoon to discuss the situation. As soon as we know more, you will, too. Cerrato has been a controversial figure for the Skins this season, and his departure will likely be hailed by many as a long time coming, This season has been very disappointing for the Skins, and likely Vinny’s taking the blame for poor performance on the field. Good choice? That remains to be seen.

    News, The Daily Feed
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    No Innocent Until Proven Guilty at MPD

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Cathy “Bags” Lanier’
    courtesy of ‘Women_in_Uniform’

    The words from Chief Lanier yesterday were harsh and left no room for doubt:

    “Officer Jones and his actions are a disgrace to the uniform proudly worn by the men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department who put their lives on the line every day. This crime is a betrayal of the community’s trust and is an insult to the fine men and women of this Department.”

    Someone should remind Chief Lanier that here in the United States, you’re innocent until proven guilty at trial, and that this kind of rhetoric is useful only after they’ve found the guy guilty. Now, the evidence is apparently fairly conclusive, according to news reports, but give that sort of disgrace talk a break until after the trial.

    Then again, Chief’s always been tough on crime, and somewhat more lenient about the law, so take that with a grain of salt.

    Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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    Ristorante Piccolo to Reopen in New Year

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Georgetown’
    courtesy of ‘David Paul Ohmer’

    It’s been over a year since an early morning October 20th fire gutted Georgetown’s romantic, date night hot spot Ristorante Piccolo. Damages to the Italian restaurant were estimated at 1M, and the location has been out of service for the last 15 months, leaving carb and chunky tomato sauce lovers hungry.

    However, according to a recently displayed banner on the restaurant;s door,  the eatery is scheduled to reopen in early 2010. No word yet on final opening date, or on what changes have/will take place to the menu, staff, or decor. Personally, after a one dining experience, I was a fan of the food and service, so hopefully the new edition will not depart too far from the original.

    News, The Daily Feed, The District
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    DC Ranks #1 In Student Debt

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Money’
    courtesy of ‘bredgur’

    It wasn’t enough to name Georgetown University #7 on the list of top 10 colleges and universities with the priciest dorms. Nope, not by a long shot.

    Apparently almost half of the students attending secondary education institutions in DC graduate with debt. Not only that, but they have the highest debt in the country.

    Washington Business Journal announced today that the average debt upon graduation from a DC institution in 2008 was $29,793. When compared to the national average ($23,200), there appears to be quite a discrepancy in price.

    American University topped the list with an average of $34,213, with George Washington University in second, and Georgetown in third. Visit Jeff Clabaugh’s article at the business journal for more on the numbers.

    Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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    Northside Social Now Inside Liberty Tavern

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    Clarendon’s a perfect spot for me in the morning, as it’s on the way into the District if I’m headed that direction for client visits, or if I’m on my way out to the exurbs for other client visits. Since Murky’s demise, I’ve been jonesing for a good coffee shop in my neck of the woods. I tried Greenberry’s without any luck, I can’t do Starbucks, and that leaves me with hardly any good options.

    No longer. Northside Social (Facebook for now), going into the old Murky space, is operating from the first level of Liberty Tavern for the next few weeks, serving up coffee and espresso (nothing too exotic, though, leave chai and flavor syrups on your wishlist for when they open back up across the street) as well as scones and muffins (today’s Frangelico muffin was extra delicious) and tomorrow they’ll add a tasty breakfast sandwich, with house-cured bacon and Polyface eggs on toasted bread. I’ll see you there.

    Fun & Games, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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    Gonzaga upsets 10th ranked Mater Dei for DC Classic title

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Gonzaga – 09 Jesuit Gridiron Classic – Eagles Nest – 9-19-09’
    courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

    Saturday night’s Championship game of the Gonzaga DC Classic held at America University’s Bender Arena proved to be as exciting of a match up as its billing promised.

    After two days of  tournament play, the final two teams, Mater Dei (CA) and Gonzaga College High School (DC,) both nationally ranked programs at 10th and 17th respectively, were set to face off.  Based on rankings alone Mater Dei was favored, but no one doubted that the talented Gonzaga squad would make this a tight, action packed game.

    The first half was, literally, breathe taking. Court play swung back and forth at a rapid pace with both teams running the length of the court and holding stoppage time to a minimum. Fast breaks set the game’s pace, both defenses played tight, turnovers were abundant and perimeter shooting dominated the scoreboard. The half time score, a low 26-24 with Gonzaga leading Mater Dei, reflected the tight game play. Continue reading →

    News, The Daily Feed
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    Pentagon City Metro Closed By Suspicious Package

    Photo courtesy of
    ”
    courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

    We’re receiving reports this morning that Pentagon City Metro is closed due to a suspicious package (is that you, Tiger Woods?) and that havoc is being wrought by a yellow line split in twain, and a blue line stopped near one of its choke points. Details are still forthcoming.

    Update, 10:50a: Metro has also closed Crystal City as part of the investigation and has started shuttle service from Braddock Road to Pentagon. Full initial release after the break.

    Update, 11:32a: Crystal City and Pentagon City have reopened.

    Continue reading →

    News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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    Metro Management Shakeup Coming?

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Unknown Trains to Mysteryville’
    courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

    Some good news out of the Post this morning: Metro’s going to shakeup their management. It’s from Jim Graham himself that the word comes to the Post, so there’s a solid chance that it’s happening, but it’s not clear what a reorganized Metro would look like. It’s suspected that John Catoe will survive the maneuvers, which I think is a tremendous mistake.

    Reorganizing Metro with Catoe at the helm is a classic example of rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.

    News, The Daily Feed
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    More on the 5 Local Men Arrested in Pakistan

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Jack finds the actual FBI Washington Field Office.’
    courtesy of ‘tiffany bridge’

    In addition to the Howard University student we reported was arrested in Pakistan this morning, four other DC-area men were also captured in the same raid. The police chief in Pakistan responsible for their arrest and interrogation is suggesting now that they were “there for jihad,” and that they were trying to get involved with the Jaish-e-Mohammed or Lashkar-e-Jangvi.

    News, The Daily Feed
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    Legalize It? Congress Might.

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘I guess it makes sense?’
    courtesy of ‘yonas1’

    It’s been 11 years since anyone has looked at the issue, but DC is on its way toward legalizing medical marijuana pending the passing of a federal bill.

    A huge government funding bill in Congress  will make or break the future of medical marijuana usage in DC. An agreement must be reached between the entire House and the entire Senate in order for it to pass, and neither chamber can amend the proposed bill.

    Back in 1998, DC voters did approve the use and possession of medical marijuana but congressional Republicans placed a provision in form of a funding bill to block this approval. And — until this year’s funding bill — that provision has continued to exist in all official documents attempting to pass medical marijuana as legal.

    Continue reading →

    News, The Daily Feed
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    Howard University Student Detained in Pakistan

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    A student from Howard University was captured this week in a Pakistani safe house. Ramy Zamzam has been the subject of an FBI investigation this week, after he and four friends left behind a disturbing farewell video that suggested that they might be heading to “defend muslims” overseas. While it’s not clear if they have been recruited to join a terrorist organization, that seems to be a likely possibility, given the reports of where they were captured in Pakistan. This is a developing story, and we’ll keep an eye on it.

    Alexandria, Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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    New Cheese Guy

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Cheesetique bliss’
    courtesy of ‘meanlouise’

    Everyone’s favorite Alexandria based, wine and cheese bar has a new chef.  Cheesetique announced last week that they have hired Josh Andrus, formerly of Minibar, to head up their kitchen. Chef Andrus brings a presumably more sophisticated palate to Del Ray’s local cheesemonger and has already revamped its menu.  New offerings include several cheese centric sandwiches, salads, and small plates.  It’s yet another reason to spend time at this fine establishment.

    News, The Daily Feed
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    WaPo Raises Daily Price to $1

    Photo courtesy of
    ‘Lazy Saturday’
    courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’<

    Get ready to whip out those George Washington’s for your news. The Post is raising its price by 25 cents, making its daily cost a whole dollar in an attempt to offset the decline in ad revenue.

    What does this mean for readers? The Washingtonian reports that “The Post notified retailers Tuesday that the cost of a daily newspaper would increase 25 cents to $1 on December 13. The price of the Sunday paper will go up 50 cents to $2.50.”

    As someone who loves the feeling of a freshly printed paper between her fingertips on a slow morning or leisurely weekend, I must say that I’m willing to pay the piper.  But let us compare WaPo’s weekday/weekend prices to that of newspaper heavyweight, The New York Times. Their daily cost is $2, with a $6 fee on weekends. So by those standards, I’d say WaPo is keeping their costs in check — for now.