Monthly Archives: May 2010

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Red Line Pre-dawn Derailment Snarls Metro

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro Spirits’
courtesy of ‘pnzr242’

The pre-dawn derailment of a WMATA construction unit, called a Petibone, has snarled the Red Line for the moment. The unit, which derailed in the direction of Glenmont, near Union Station, necessitated the single-tracking of Red Line trains between Judiciary Square and New York Avenue. Delays are currently reported at approximately one hour on the Red Line. While the unit was re-railed by 6am, the damage to the track near Union Station has just been repaired, and dual-tracking has just recommenced.

Metro says that service has “returned to normal,” but that seems like an odd farce in the recognition that nothing about Metro has been remotely normal since last June’s crash. Trains remain at slower speeds with no return to ATO in sight, minor derailments continue on a semi-regular basis, and Metro’s not talking about the improvements they’re trying to make. Some of that, sure, is their desire to keep quiet until NTSB completes their review, but the silence isn’t reassuring. Hope your commute wasn’t awful.

Talkin' Transit
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Talkin’ Transit: Flat Fare

Photo courtesy of
‘Hole to the Sky’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

There’s a giant hole in the Metro budget, and there is a plan for plugging it. Of course, it’s going to require fare raises and service cuts, and it’s not likely to be fun. Metro’s choice of a complicated set of charges based on distance and time of day (and peak-of-the-peak!) leaves my head aching for something less complex.

New York’s Subway has often been held up as the simplest way to do fare collection: each and every trip is the same price ($2.25). Sounds good to me, but would it work here, and what would it cost?

Let’s do some math, based on Metro’s proposed 2011 budget numbers (PDF – Table 3.8).
Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Councilman Thomas to Tax Non-Resident DC Employees & Contractors?

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

There’s some confusion out there regarding purported commuter tax proposed by Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5).  Councilman Thomas is proposing an amendment to the budget this year that would tax non-resident employees and contractors who work for the District of Columbia, whose income is paid out of non-federal line items.

That would mean District employees whose living is made serving federally appropriated line items would not be subject to such a tax. It’s also not clear what the city would charge these individuals, but somehow they’ve come up with a total benefit to the city of $70M. They’ll do the taxation “at the source,” meaning that the city will keep a portion of the contractor/employee’s pay for themselves, as well as assessing the standard taxes for the employee/contractor’s given home state. Confused yet? Yeah, me too. All I know is that it sounds like an end-around the problems with previous commuter taxes.

Councilman Thomas can be reached via email or phone at 202.724.8028 if you’d like to give the Councilman your feedback.

When we asked one of our authors who lives outside the District, but works for the city, they said that the councilman’s plan was “some bullshitty bullshit,” and asked “Does he really want all of Arlington to move into DC? Where would we fit?”

The Daily Feed
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Bat Boy Lends Nationals Pitcher His Helmet

Photo courtesy of
‘bat boy’
courtesy of ‘a loves dc’

With certain colleagues around these parts, I have learned to “agree to disagree” during arguments about the existence of the DH in the American League. I fall into the, “I like entertaining baseball” category; some may fall into the other side of “We like when the ninth guy up bunts, it makes the game more pure. Double switches, that’s baseball!” Like I said, though, agree to disagree.

However, Drew Storen (that other major pitching prospect for the Washington Nationals not named Stephen Strasburg) may have given me some motivation to come around to the other side – an excuse to tag a post with the infamous “Natinals” monker. As Michael Tunison at the Sporting Blog passed along:

The second of the Nationals two 2009 first-round picks (who is only slightly less heralded than the first one, but still generating his share of anticipation) was looking for a batting helmet with ear flaps on each side…Starter John Lannan offered his, but the helmet wouldn’t fit Storen. As it so happened, the bat boy’s did.

No, it’s not a jersey mistake, but it’s still really quite entertaining – and that’s something we can all agree on.

Entertainment, Music, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Sophisticated Ladies

Wynnona Smith, Janine DiVita, Maurice Hines, Marva Hicks and Karla Mosley in the Arena Stage production of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (Photo by Scott Suchman)

As of last Thursday night, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies has become the best selling show in Arena Stage’s history (that’s a record-breaker over six decades of distinguished theater). It’s been extended through June 6 at the Lincoln Theatre, and rightly so. Go see it.

(I could just leave it at that, but of course I won’t!)

On my way walking the few blocks from my house to the Lincoln Theatre, I made a point of passing the house where Duke Ellington lived on 13th Street. There’s now a placard on the fence outside proudly proclaiming that fact. It gave me a bit of a thrill, walking up that street, past the Whitelaw, and then over to the storied Lincoln Theatre, thinking of the young Duke maybe doing the same. I’ve always had a crush on Ellington since I was a little girl listening to my dad’s jazz records, so I had a special feeling going to this performance – and it did not disappoint.

Glitz, glamour, class and sass. An excess of talented singers and dancers. The Duke’s scintillating music performed by a slamming onstage orchestra. And a legend of tap graciously highlighting two extraordinary newcomers. That’s what you’ll get with Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Find Your New Fare

Photo courtesy of
‘Arithmetic machine’
courtesy of ‘marc kjerland’

If the proposed changes to the WMATA fare structure take effect as planned, how much more are you looking at in daily fees to ride the rails on our aging transport system? The Post’s Kat Downs and Jacqueline Kazil have built a calculator to help you figure it out.  I ran a few of my favorite routes through the calculator, and here’s what I found:

Van Dorn Street to Farragut West (my first commute)
Options: Peak of the Peak, Parking, 10 trips/wk
Per Week Increase: $12.50
Per Year Increase: $650.00
Per Week Parking Increase: $2.50
Per Year Parking Increase: $130.00

Total Yearly Increase: $780.00

Continue reading →

Mythbusting DC, The Features
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DC Mythbusting: City of Neighborhoods

Photo courtesy of
’11th Street NW Rowhouses’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Washington DC is a city of neighborhoods, many of which the tourists who visit our fair city never really experience. But the unique neighborhoods of the District are what make it special– the beautiful rowhouses in Capitol Hill, the commercial centers in Penn Quarter and Georgetown, the arts districts in Logan Circle and U Street– these are the coolest parts of the city. But what do you really know about DC’s neighborhoods? How many neighborhoods do you think the District has?  Can you locate Kent, Swampoodle, or Twining on a map?  And how do these neighborhoods compare? Read on to learn more about the District’s unique neighborhoods.

Continue reading →

Adventures, Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, History, Life in the Capital, Night Life, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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An Evening with Samurai: No Ninjas Allowed

Photo courtesy of
‘ã��Edo Wonderlandã�� Bad Ass Samurai’
courtesy of ‘-ratamahatta-‘

Tonight, courtesy of the Japanese Embassy, you can catch some Bushi-Do, a mix of traditional swordplay, beautiful choreography, comedy and drama. Simply put it’s sword fighting with a contemporary twist. The event titled “An Evening With Samurai” starts at 6:30pm at the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan 1155 21st Street NW, Lafayette Centre III. Admission is free.

The show is part of  Samurai Week which celebrates the first Japanese diplomatic mission to the U.S. 150 years ago, in which seventy-seven samurai crossed the ocean to secure the ratification of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation. During their visit, the samurai captivated the American people with their traditional clothing, top‐knot hairstyle, and prominent samurai swords. Oh yeah, they also developed the beginnings of a strong relationship between Japan and the U.S. No biggie.

The celebration continues through the end of the week with the Samurai Film Fest showing famous Japanese films by Akira Kurosawa, Yoji Yamada and Hatsuki Tsuji. The showings take place at the Japan Information & Culture Center and are free, however reservations are required.

Entertainment, Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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Free Whiskey at Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar

Photo courtesy of
‘Johnnie Walker’
courtesy of ‘Suraj Baadkar’

It’s the last Tuesday of the month. What does that mean? Usually nothing. But today, that changes.

As a whiskey (and scotch … and bourbon) fan, I must admit I’m ashamed I haven’t heard of this before now, but Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar hosts a free whiskey tasting on the last Tuesday of every month.

Tonight, George Concannon is scheduled to make a presentation about the history of Johnnie Walker and serve up samples of the Black, Green, Gold and Blue label luxuries in a bottle.

The tasting starts at 7:30. Little Miss Whiskey’s is located at 1104 H Street NE.

Crime & Punishment, News, The Daily Feed
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Violent Crime in DC Down Significantly in 2009

Photo courtesy of
‘Crime Solvers’
courtesy of ‘Marcellina.’

The FBI has released their annual summary of crime data for the nation, and the good news is: Violent and Non-violent crime in DC is down markedly over 2008 at a decrease of 7.2%.  2009 saw major decreases in the murder rate (down 30%!), the forcible rape rate (down 24%!) and car theft (down 17%!) and moderate decreases in overall violent crime (7%), robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and larceny-theft.  Arson was up slightly to a total of 55 in 2009 over 51 in 2008.

Much credit to MPD and Chief Cathy Lanier for their outreach and enforcement efforts to bring overall crime in the District down!

Looking at the regional data, DC decreased at faster than the regional average of 6.6%, and may have accounted for some of the drop in the murder rate for the Southern Region, and a portion of the drop in forcible rape for the region. Better still DC is now out of the top ten cities for the per capita murder rate, dropping down to #14. Things are looking up!

News, The Daily Feed
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Strasburg Baseball Card Hot Seller in Ebay Auction

Photo By Ebay Seller dunksb_sz10
Photo By Ebay Seller dunksb_sz10

Stephen Strasburg hasn’t been called up to the majors yet and somehow he has one of  hottest selling baseball card’s via Ebay Auction at the moment. The card in question is one of kind, according to Sports by Brooks, making it special among the hordes of Strasburg memorabilia … should he proceed to have the career he is said to have one day.

The initial asking price for the Bowman Chrome Superfractor Stephen Strasburg baseball card was set at $20,000 or best offer. Now, it’s way past that point. A total of 31 offers were turned down and the card was later relisted as a reserve-auction.

And all of this for a young man who hasn’t even pitched one at-bat in major league play.

Entertainment, Music, News, The Daily Feed
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HFStival Tickets On Sale Friday

Photo courtesy of
‘SOUNDWAVE ’10 SYDNEY. Gallows crowd.’
courtesy of ‘SarahB-‘

Senior Vice President and Marketing Manager of CBS Radio Washington Sam Rogers, better known in this case as the former general manager of WHFS admitted a little something to The Washington City Paper recently:

“Nobody wants to admit they’re old and classic.”

In vain of that, it is necessary to announce that tickets for the area’s famed HFStival go on sale this Friday and the line-up is full of a few alt-rock classics in their own right.

Acts on the main stage include 90’s classics like: Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol, Everclear, Ed Kowalczyk from Live, Presidents Of the United States of America, Fuel, Lit, and Marcy Playground.

Ticket prices aren’t out of line and are moderately priced at $25-$40.

Of course, there will also be a local stage featuring the best the DMV has to offer.

HFStival will take place on September 18 at Merriweather Post Pavillion.

I mean come on! A chance to hear Marcy Playground sing “Sex and Candy” is one you really don’t want to miss.

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Local Hottie Husbands

Photo courtesy of
‘House O’ Weenies’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

Two local hotties made Redbook’s “America’s Hottest Husbands” contest finals, but unfortunately did not secure the top honor. Michael Kennedy of Frederick, MD and John McGaha of New Market, MD were selected to the 20 finalists and although they didn’t win the coveted title, they did make the top 5 runners up.

More than 15,000 people voted in the online contest with Ray Sorensen of Greenfield, Iowa winning the title of “America’s Hottest Husband.”

I’m not gonna lie, I definitely spent some time ogling the finalists this AM. Personally speaking, McGaha’s picture is smoking. He’s my winner. I know hands off, hands off.

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘julianne’s’

There’s nothing like a nice day in the park to get your photographer creativity flowing, and Dupont Circle is one of those recurring themes in our pool. And Dupont isn’t short of characters or things that make for good pictures.

But every now and then you have to take a new perspective on the ordinary. User julianne’s got down low to get this angle of people playing chess. It’s not an angle we see often, and I like it a lot.

The Daily Feed
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Flash mob gets completely unlikely crowd to dance Bollywood style

YouTube Preview Image

Of course I wasn’t going to let today go by without posting video of Saturday’s Bollywood Flash Mob. This video was taken from down at the front and focuses mainly on the Dhoonya Dance performers leading the crowd.  They’re professionals, so of course they look great and know the steps.

But for a little bit more of the flash mob experience, here’s a video Tom took from the back of the crowd (while I was participating, of course) showing the wide variety of skill level and choreography memorization present:

YouTube Preview Image

My favorite is the guy in maroon and his girlfriend who gave up and moved out of the crowd in the middle of the first chorus.

We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Gruesome Playground Injuries


Tim Getman and Gabriela Hernandez-Coffey
photo by Stan Barouh

After the final curtain call, complete with standing ovation from several audience members, Jenn said to me “I’m going to have to let you take this one entirely.” I tore my eyes away from the audience member who was directly opposite us, across the theater in the round, who seemed to finally be slowing down in her tears, and looked at Jenn. “This is just too much like a situation I’ve seen in reality for me to write this up.”

I replied that I was okay with that, but it wasn’t going to be a terribly positive review.

Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Miss DC 2009 Defends Herself At Georgetown Bar

miss-dc-jen-corey021by Patrick G. Ryan
Photo By Patrick G. Ryan

Miss DC 2009 had quite the weekend here in the town that issued her the crown. First, a Saturday stint at Nationals Park to sing the National Anthem at the Battle of the Beltways series and then … things got a little less fun.

Jennifer Corey sent a line to The Washington Examiner early Sunday to explain the happenings of her Saturday night fiasco at a Georgetown bar involving her slamming a guy copping a feel up against the wall.

She told the Examiner that she was spanked by some “spoiled rich preppy kids who think that they are better than you because their dad makes a lot of money.” According to Corey, she was pushed or slapped three times by thee different men in Georgetown bars between Friday and Saturday night, hence her reaction of slamming guy number three up against the wall for protection.

“I just had so much rage against him … that I slammed him up against the wall,” Corey told the Examiner.

Rightfully so. No woman, whether they’re a pageant winner or not, should have to take being accosted by anyone without protecting themselves.

The Daily Feed
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Coming soon: more signs

Photo courtesy of
‘What the Heck?’
courtesy of ‘Ardyiii’

One of my friends in Boston once told me he thought the road projects there tended to fall into two categories. The first was legitimately needed fixes and changes. The second was “my cousin needs a job.” This sure seems more like the second.

Proposed resolution PR18-878 would approve new rules under the alcohol board that would cover retailers who sell alcohol in the district. They’d have to post a conspicuous sign that covered these three topics:

  • Drinking and driving is dangerous
  • Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has risks
  • The legal drinking age and the need to present ID

I suspect this will come in handy when Marty McFly steps out of a DeLorean from the early 80s since he’s the only person not aware of this at this point. It’ll also probably be a boon to sign manufacturers.