Category Archives: News

News, The Daily Feed, The District, WTF?!
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We’re Number 1!

Photo courtesy of
‘Cabbages and Condoms’
courtesy of ‘wharman’

I shouldn’t have to write this. I really shouldn’t. Folks, if you’re not grown up enough to cover your willie when you go to have sex, maybe you shouldn’t be at home with the Astroglide, okay? The CDC has released a study that shows that DC is #1 for per capita syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia infection. I’m gonna let that sink in for a second.

You’re three times as likely to get gonorrhea in DC than you are in VA or MD. That’s outrageous. That number goes up even higher for the other diseases. So really, folks, if you’re having sex and you don’t know the other person’s status (or, if you for any reason don’t trust it) then please for the love of god use a condom? This is just embarrassing.

Usual disclaimers about DC being an entirely urban “state” for demographics purposes, and I don’t believe the CDC breaks it out by metropolitan areas, where, I hope, Baltimore still has us beat.

News, The Daily Feed
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Ex-Maryland Police Chief Sells Stolen Gun To Civilian

Photo courtesy of
‘Guarding Justice’
courtesy of ‘Photos by Chip Py’

You know the economy’s bad when you’ve got local officials selling off their “office supplies” to make an extra buck.

Former Morningside, MD Police Chief David Eichelberger was indicted on five counts after allegedly stealing a gun from the Morningside Police Department. To make matters worse, Eichelberger sold the Glock handgun from the back of a police cruiser to a civilian back in July — a month before Eichelberger was named chief of police.

“The person that the former chief sold the gun to eventually notified the mayor of the town of the sale,” Attorney Glenn Ivey said.

Maryland State Police are still investigating the case, but as of now Eichelberger is facing a five year prison sentence.

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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10 Years Later & People Are Still Talking About “The Blair Witch Project” — Really? Really!

Photo courtesy of
‘Blair Witch Project’
courtesy of ‘Catchpenny’

The appeal behind The Blair Witch Project never made any sense to me. In fact, I’m jealous that someone thought of such a simple idea and made a decent profit off of it.

With that said, Burkittsville, MD officials announced today that the small western Maryland town will be replacing the four “Welcome to Burkittsville” signs stolen throughout the area over the past decade due to Blair Witch fans.

“You really can’t imagine how crazy it was during the whole Blair Witch saga,” Mayor Debby Burgoyne said.

The black on white “older-style”  signs will be replaced by blue ones with white letters and red stars, according to  Burgoyne.

Officials are saying that a local history society has obtained one of the old signs. The rest are set to be auctioned a later date.

News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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American Red Cross Auctions Off History To Close Defecit

Photo courtesy of
‘Hospital’
courtesy of ‘saturnism’

Rose Percy’s long stint with the American Red Cross comes to close today. The 23-inch, Tiffany jewelry wearing,wax doll is being auctioned off  in an effort to expunge the $33 million budget deficit the Red Cross has amassed over time.

Rose isn’t the only treasure being sold. Nurse uniforms from World War I in addition to the numerous other historical items from the Civil War era and before will be the hot items to spot in the auction.

Roger Lowe, Red Cross spokesman, said, “It’s a chance to buy a piece of history.”

All proceeds from today’s auction will benefit Red Cross general fund, which aids in the effort to execute their humanitarian mission.

To see a complete list of auction items, click here.

Essential DC, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District
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Five Guys Makes Ad Age’s “America’s Hottest Brands” List

Photo courtesy of
‘Five Guys’
courtesy of ‘SWP Moblog’

Well, lookie here, Lorton-Baltimorebased chain Five Guys has made it on to Advertising Age’s “America’s Hottest Brands” List. Long heralded by DCites for its juicy, meaty burgers and specially spiced cajun fries, the Five Guys chain is exploding, opening shops along the Northeast corridor and infiltrating the Midwest.

The secret to Five Guys success, apart from their menu offerings, is good old fashioned customer service. You really can’t beat a good burger, some spicy fries and a smile.

*Rob C and Billy are correct. Five Guys is currently headquatered in Lorton, VA. The first Five Guys location, now closed, opened in 1986 at South Glebe Road and Columbia Pike in Arlington, VA.

Music, News, The Daily Feed
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Library of Congress Announces McCartney To Receive 3rd Annual Gershwin Prize

Photo courtesy of
‘Paul on the Jumbotron’
courtesy of ‘ameschen’

The Library of Congress has “come together” to honor former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, with their 3rd annual Gershwin Prize for Popular Song that “celebrates the work of an artist whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding.” The prize commemorates American composers and brothers George and Ira Gershwin who complete catalogs are managed by the Library of Congress.

“It’s hard to think of another performer and composer who has had a more indelible and transformative effect on popular song and music of several different genres than Paul McCartney,” said James H. Billington, librarian of Congress.

McCartney will return to DC to accept the award next spring and is honored to accept the prize due to his admiration of the Gershwin songbook.

An all-star line-up of a tribute concert in his honor is scheduled to take place. No further details have been made public yet.

Previous winners of the Gershwin Prize include Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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The Sky is Falling!

Photo courtesy of
‘227 Images Perseid Meteor Shower’
courtesy of ‘aresauburnâ�¢’

The sky is falling! Or at least … it will be.

At around 4 a.m. Tuesday, the Leonid meteor shower will blaze across the sky at an average speed of 20-30 meteors per hour.

Back in the day, c.1833, the Leonids’ “were seen to ‘fall like snowflakes in a blizzard,’ with estimated rates of several dozen per second,” according to Sky & Telescope Magazine.

What’s your best chance of seeing this stellar light display? City dwellers might find the meteors a bit more difficult to see but the stargazers further out from the orange glow of the urban sky have the best chance of catching the show.

Skies will be partly cloudy in the early Tuesday hours, according to NBC4 meteorologist Tom Kierien. So be on the look out for a few random streaks of light running through the sky. Is it a bird? Probably not. Is it a plane? There’s a chance, but at that hour in the morning your best bet is that it’s the Leonid meteor shower giving you a show.

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Washington Blade Closes

Photo courtesy of
‘guilty pleasures’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

This morning at 11:20, the Washington Blade tweeted, “Washington Blade, like all Window Media publications, is closing today. Thank you for your support. (Keep following us for developments.)” The Blade was owned by Window Media, which also owned Southern Voice, which was in turn bought by Avalon Equity Fund, which is now in receivership and closing publications. Today’s move was part of four GLBTQ outlets closing, the Blade, which just turned 40, Atlanta’s Southern Voice paper and David magazine and the South Florida Blade.

In addition to shuttering the paper property, the digital archives at Wash Blade is now reporting down (Update, 12:10p: the servers are alternating between down, up, and the Site Down page, probably under heavy load). The Blade has been a DC institution for 40 years, and its loss will be very hard on the DC area in specific. Started in 1969 with humble beginnings as a mimeographed paper, the Blade has a long and storied history that I can’t believe will just be destroyed like this. I recently heard a great segment with their editor on the Kojo Nnamdi show celebrating their great history.

Washington is a poorer place without the Blade.

UPDATE, 12:55p: Via Politico, the Blade’s staff is working on a new venture already, with the first meeting being tomorrow, under the helm of Private Citizen and former Blade editor Kevin Naff. Anything we can do to help Mr. Naff and his fine staff, he need but ask. I’m very, very glad to see Mr. Naff crafting his own Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and I hope it’s up and running very soon.

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Leesburg Under Attack by Overly Agressive Turkey

Photo courtesy of
‘I’m no one’s Thanksgiving dinner!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Leesburg, VA is under siege by an aggressive,  car hating turkey. According to Fox, the bird, affectionately, albeit uncreatively named “Tom,” has been patrolling the streets, chasing passing vehicles.  Animal control officers managed to lure Tom to a flock of turkeys on a near by farm, which they hope will keep him out of traffic.  If not, the impending holiday should provide an easy and delicious solution to this problem.

Music, News, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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New Music Venue in Downtown Silver Spring

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

Live Nation‘s got its paws on the next big D.C.-area music scene and its address is Silver Spring.

Residents — it’s time to say your final “goodbyes” to the J.C. Penney store that’s been vacant for 18 years. The Fillmore Music Hall will take its place. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced today that the latest addition to downtown Silver Spring will “dramatically enhance the community’s fast-growing entertainment district.”

“The County’s vision is to bring a dynamic, first-class music, entertainment, and community use venue to Silver Spring in the former J.C. Penney building,” Leggett said. “We want to bring Silver Spring revitalization across Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue. Today, we take a huge step on delivering that vision.”

Current landowners, Lee Development Group, will be presenting Montgomery County with this $3.5 million musical gift as soon as the venue’s construction is completed.

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Shooting at H St & 14th St NE

14thHstNE.png

Voice of the Hill is reporting a shooting at the Metrobus stop at 14th and H St NE, in which a victim was shot multiple times. Kyle Sheldon also reports 12 police cruisers and a Police Van at the intersection, which is closed down to car traffic at this time.

WUSA9 has a bit more detail: A man was shot and fatally injured as he stepped on board a Metrobus in Northeast Washington Wednesday. The shooting occurred shortly before noon at 14th and H Streets N.E.

Police officials say it appears there were no other passengers on board the bus, and immediately after the shooting, the bus driver took off and drove another block or so to 13th and H. The bus driver was not injured. Police were said to be looking for multiple suspects.

News, The Daily Feed
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Goodbye Sniper.

Photo courtesy of
‘End of the line’
courtesy of ‘quinn.anya’

Governor Tim Kaine this morning announced that there will be no clemency for John Allen Muhammad, and that his execution will proceed at 9pm Eastern Time tonight. As someone who lived just a few miles from the Home Depot on Route 7 where Muhammad shot Linda Franklin, and remembers the chaos and confusion around the random attacks in 2003, I have to say: Good riddance to bad rubbish.

I’m not a huge fan of society putting people to death, but in this clear-cut case? No objections here.

Essential DC, Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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Ray’s the Steaks at East River Asks for Liquor License

Photo courtesy of
‘Ray’s Hell Burger’
courtesy of ‘roboppy’

DC Public records show that restaurateur Michael Landrum has officially applied for an Alcohol License for Ray’s the Steaks at East River. The license says Ray’s the Steaks at East River will be, “New high quality and full-service community and family oriented restaurant serving grilled steaks and traditional entrees. Occupancy Load is 85 and Sidewalk Café with 40 seats.” An indicative move on the part of Landrum who has been attempting to open the restaurant for a while now, and has had to push back opening East River since the original prediction of April 2008.

Located in East River, many believe East River to be a bold move on Landrum’s part, especially since Ward 7 is severely lacking in sit-down options. The only option now for sit-down in Ward 7 is a Denny’s. The location is cited as right off of Benning Road at Dix Street, at what looks to be easy walking distance from the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station.

Landrum has been quoted in the past as saying, “The more I looked into the neighborhood, the more I talked to people, the more excited I have gotten about the great prospect and hope there.” We Love DC author Shannon has reported on East River in the past as being the next big redevelopment location in DC, and a Ray’s the Steaks is a great way to start.

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Marion Barry Gets His Own Reality Show

Photo courtesy of
‘Harrison, NY Train Wreck’
courtesy of ‘George Eastman House’

If there’s one trend in entertainment in the last decade that I have come to absolutely, positively, with no exception loathe, hate, despise and deplore, it’s the rise of reality television. The “unscripted” nature of these programs, along with a willing supply of fame-whores looking for an easy break, makes it cheap to produce them en masse with little or no preparation. One need only look at this list of the 15 worst Reality TV shows ever made to recognize the scourge that they are.

Now, DC has played host to a few of the Reality shows, with this summer’s Real World taking place up in Dupont, and Bravo’s Real Housewives of DC filming now (seriously, this is the show concept that has me thinking that fiery demise is far too good for the people who come up with the premise for these shows.), so why shouldn’t it surprise me that Marion Barry is filming a pilot for his own reality show? DCist confirmed it with his Chief of Staff. If you really felt the need to watch this kind of train wreck, could you let us know? I really want to figure out who likes these things.

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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$14M Power Distribution Unit Replacement?

Photo courtesy of
‘wheat pennies bw’
courtesy of ‘christaki’

The root cause of yesterday’s Metro failure was the death of a 27-year old Power Distribution Unit (be sure to click through for the pictures of what was left… (read yesterday’s interview with Chuck Goolsbee to get more detail as to what these do), and while there’s an interim solution in place, full replacement is necessary. Metro is estimating that this will cost approximately $14M to do correctly, including upgrades and replacements of HVAC gear, and a new generator. This is the sort of capital improvement that happens maybe once a quarter-century, so it’s likely that they’ll get it, however, when I asked Chuck about the cost, this is what he said: “I could build an entire new datacenter facility for 14mil!”

Yikes. That’s a bunch of money…

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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WMATA Backpedals on SmartBenefits Changes

Photo courtesy of
‘Newspapers Newspapers Newspapers’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

With the change in SmartBenefits (ie, MetroChecks) looming large, and confusion running rampant concerning the potential changes, Greater Greater Washington reports that some employers are going to have the option to stay as it stands after January 1st. The difficulty appears to be in the concept of pretax deductions. If you’re taking money out pre-tax for Metro fare, and fail to use it by the end of the month, the money has to revert to the employer, and thus, the employee. Unfortunately, that paperwork is not straightforward, so there’s a delay here.

Food and Drink, News, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The District
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Iron Chef Comes To The White House

Photo courtesy of
‘The White House – The Dream Home of Many Children’
courtesy of ‘adcristal’

The Food Network announced today that Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse came to the White House last month (how did we miss this?) to film a special two-hour Iron Chef episode, called “Super Chef Battle”. Michelle Obama and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford gave Batali, Lagasse and Flay the challenge of using produce from the White House garden as the “secret ingredient”. In new-media fashion, Flay even tweeted about it this morning.

The special episode premieres Sunday, January 3rd at 8pm ET. Here is the full New York Times article (and a picture of Mario Batali wearing RIDICULOUS orange shenanegans on his feet).

$5 says FLOTUS wore a cardigan for the episode.

Fun & Games, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Snyder Apologizes for 2-5 Record, Fails to Realize He is Still a Jackass

Photo courtesy of
‘Post-game’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Yesterday, Dan Snyder apologized for the Redskins abysmal record. He appeared at a press conference after a charity event and stated that the Skins have “let everyone down” this season and that the organization is sorry. Unfortunately, he failed to address his crackdown on “offensive” signs and his pathological need for adulation from fans and the media. My guess is that he figured what Washingtonians are really upset about is the Skins’ losing record, and not that he meddles in the team’s coaching or that his skin is so thin that he can’t handle seeing a “Fire Snyder” t-shirt in his stadium. Dan, if you want people to stop hating you, let the coaches coach and quit being a jackass. Mostly the latter. It’s really that simple.

News, The Daily Feed
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A DC District Attorney: Our Very Own Jack McCoy?

Photo courtesy of
‘Sam Waterston’
courtesy of ‘Alan Light’

The best thing I’ve ever heard about Law & Order’s DA Jack McCoy is, “Jack McCoy would eat a baby if that’s what Justice demanded of him.” McCoy would likely also put himself on trial for the eating of the baby, and he’d get the death penalty. It would be an awesome episode.

Today Congresswoman Norton introduced the District of Columbia District Attorney Establishment Act of 2009 to the House, which would provide for an extension of the Home Rule Act that would permit the city’s top prosecutor to be an elected position. In November of 2002, the city put a referendum on the ballot concerning the election of a District Attorney that passed overwhelmingly, however extension of the Home Rule Act is the purview of Congress, and would also require the signature of the President.

Personally, I kinda liked Adam Schiff, but as he’s retired, I think we might just have to find our own Jack McCoy.