Category Archives: All Politics is Local

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, History, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District
By

America The Beautiful Quarters To Feature Local Sites

Photo courtesy of
‘two hundred two-bits’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Starting in 2010, the United States Mint will issue 56 quarter-dollar coins featuring designs depicting national parks and other national sites as part of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

The first regional quarter will be for Fort McHenry National Monument representing Maryland in 2013.  Followed by Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park in 2014, Delaware’s Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in 2015 and West Virginia’s Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in 2016.  DC rounds out the pack with Frederick Douglas National Historic Site located in SE in 2017.

Each year, the public will see five new designs depicted on the tails side of America the Beautiful Quarters.  The quarters will be issued in the order in which the honored site was first established as a national site. This year the quarters will feature Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon.

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Essential DC, News, The Daily Feed, The District, We Green DC
By

Zipcar Acquires The UK’s Streetcar, Car Sharing Across The Pond

Photo courtesy of
‘zip’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

Zipcar, the world’s largest car sharing service, announced it has acquired Streetcar, the UK’s fastest growing car club. The acquisition will benefit both Streetcar and “Zipsters” (Zipcar members) by offering more vehicles, a greater variety of hybrid and other green cars, and more locations, and give members access to both networks’ vehicles located in cities in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Zipcar currently offers hundreds of cars in the Metro DC area that members can rent out by the hour or day.  Car sharing services, like Zipcar, are a fantastic way to get the benefits of having a car without all of the associated costs.

All Politics is Local, History, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
By

National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism

Photo courtesy of
‘blue skies shining on him’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and President Obama called on Americans to “pause to remember victims of terrorism both at home and abroad, we honor the heroes who have supported them, and we redouble our efforts to build the kind of world that is worthy of their legacy.”

Flags across the nation will be flying at half-staff and in his proclamation, the President reminds us to “observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and acts of community service in memory of the victims and survivors of terrorism worldwide.”

All Politics is Local, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Armed Protesters

Photo courtesy of
‘9-12 March in DC-24’

If you happen to see a group of armed Tea Baggers in Virginia tomorrow, don’t be alarmed! It’s merely a group of patriots(tm) attempting to make some sort of statement against big government by carrying firearms, which symbolizes something. A coalition of militias and gun rights groups that are ticked about, amongst other things, health care reform and bailouts, are strapping on and gathering tomorrow at Gravelly Point on the Virginia side of the Potomac, the closest place to DC that they can openly carry. They aim to make history by holding the first armed protest in a national park, and are in no way attempting intimidate political opponents by brandishing weapons as they protest the “erosion of the Constitution.”  In fact, they see bearing arms as a form of mainstream political dialogue, a right granted to them by the Constitution, along with the right to peaceably assemble. Why you’d need weapons at a peaceful protest hasn’t quite been hashed out, but supposedly the group has a rationale.  But really, I’m not here to tell you about it.  I just don’t want you to freak out if you see guys with guns shouting angrily in the direction of the Capitol. They’re just fighting for our rights.

All Politics is Local, Entertainment, Technology, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

A Little Busey With Your Barack

Photo courtesy of
‘busey’
courtesy of ‘spectabillis’

Thankfully, it’s not that often that Gary Busey and DC cross paths. However, the geniuses at http://barackandgary.tumblr.com/ have a lot of time on their hands and have photoshopped shots from the official White House Flickr stream with Busey’s head.  My personal favorite is the photo of Busey with Clinton, Gates and Obama. Classic. Not sure what the purpose of this project is, but it was a great way to start hump day.

All Politics is Local, Entertainment, Music, The Features, We Love Music
By

We Love Music: Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medicine @ Ottobar 3/28 & The Black Cat 3/30

courtesy of martindd23

Jello Biafra will turn 52-years old in June but you wouldn’t know it from listening to his new album “The Audacity of Hype” or by watching his punk-as-f*ck live show. Fueled by a combination of unyielding political outrage and a bottomless reserve of poetic wit, Jello Biafra has been calling it like he sees it to anyone and everyone who will listen (and sometimes to those who refuse too) for over 30 years. Biafra’s various political platforms have included his legendary, California, punk band, The Dead Kennedys; numerous musical collaborations, several spoken word tours, and most recently his first ‘official’ band in 25 years, The Guantanamo School of Medicine.
Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, News, The Daily Feed
By

Vincent Gray Announces for Mayor



video courtesy of the Gray campaign

Council Chair Vincent Gray today announced that he is running mayor this afternoon, providing a legitimate challenge for Mayor Adrian Fenty. He gave a short statement, citing his long residency in the city and history of public service and the desire to see the District “do better,” but did not provide any policy planks in his short statement.

Gray polled well against Fenty in a January poll, and is expecting to be a fundraising tornado in the coming weeks as he looks to provide the Mayor’s enemies with an electable alternative. In addition to the announcement, Gray unveiled a new social media presence, in the form of a YouTube channel, campaign website, Facebook page and Twitter account, putting him far ahead of Mayor Fenty, who seems to have forgotten that interacting with citizens is a part of his job.

We look forward to a vibrant campaign between the two rivals.

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The District
By

FEMA To Redraw DC Flood Maps

Photo courtesy of
‘Potomac River Floods Washington Harbour’
courtesy of ‘brownpau’

Yesterday, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced , they’d be revising flood maps for Washington, D.C. over the next six months.  Per FEMA’s flood map database, the most recent DC flood maps are from 1985, so I’d say DC is in good need of some updating.

The maps help local officials and residents identify known flood risks, and assist in making insurance and development decisions. Maps are updated, per Congressional guidance and direction, to provide communities with solid information on how to mitigate and insure against the risks posed by floods.

DC home and business owners who purchase flood insurance should talk with their local insurance agent to discuss how revised flood maps may affect their options and rates. More information on flood insurance is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

All Politics is Local, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

2010 National Mutt Census Fails DC Dogs

Photo courtesy of
‘DH dog giggle animated avatar’
courtesy of ‘Generic Brand Productions’

This really rubs me the wrong way. The 2010 National Mutt Census, intended for mixed-breed dogs only, allows DC mutt owners to submit their data, but when it comes time to locate DC on the U.S. map and see the summary of DC mutt statistics, it’s missing.  Guess DC must have gotten lost in the Mists of Avalon or Bermuda Triangle, or something. I can’t even tell you how frustrated I was trying to navigate my mouse over the little iotas of map pixels between MD and VA. I was really hoping DC was lurking in their somewhere, but no, we’re not.

So I’ve written to the 2010 National Mutt Census, pointing out our lack of map presence and I’m hoping they will/can put us on the map. You too can help by writing Mars Veterinary (the owner of the site who BTW is located nearby Gaithersburg, MD – I mean, seriously, how did they forget DC?!!) to ask that DC mutts be represented in census.

Fail. 2010 National Mutt Census. Fail.

All Politics is Local, News, The Daily Feed, The District
By

Marriage Day Slide Show

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

Today was a big day for the gay community in DC and WLDC Flickr Pool contributor Erin M. was there to capture the moment.  I’m happy for the couples and realize that they’re the point of this whole business, but I find the counter protesters facing off against Westboro Baptist Church to be particularly hilarious.  I’m of two minds on this: I feel that counter protesting gives Westboro exactly the attention that they want.  On the other hand, I love when people stand up to hate groups.  Either way, I really enjoy some of the counter-protest signs.  See them in the slide show after the break. Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, News, People, The Daily Feed
By

White House Social Secretary Stepping Down

Photo courtesy of
‘Down to the Oubliette’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

According to an Obama administration official, Desiree Rogers will be leaving her post as the White House social secretary. Rogers was a much hyped hire for the Obama Administration, and was even featured in the February 2009 issue of Vogue.

However, recently Rogers had faced a wealth of criticism for the handling of the Salahi-Dinnergate kerfuffle that took place during a November 24 state dinner for the Prime Minister of Indian. Whether or not this debacle factors into her departure is unknown.

All Politics is Local, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
By

Someone Doesn’t Like The New Parking Laws

parking sign in the C&O Canal

parking sign in the C&O Canal

Someone in Georgetown is clearly not a fan of the new parking regulations that took effect in January. And I have to admit the addition of Saturdays has been the bane of my existence, however instead of throwing signs into the historic C&O Canal, let your voice be heard by contacting Mayor Fenty, your Ward representative and/or your ANC with your complaints/comments/suggestions.

Adventures, All Politics is Local, Business and Money, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
By

No Metro Means Taxis Screw You Over

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

For some reason (I still can’t fathom why) the Metro closed at midnight on Friday and Saturday.  This meant that for the average person out on the town, taxis were the only option for getting home, and apparently cabbies got wind of this.  Instead of turning on their meters and offering their fares the normal rate,  drivers would jack prices up two and three times the normal, knowing that cab scarcity and the freezing cold would leave their patrons with little recourse but to accept the gouged prices.  This is illegal.  But, when the driver says “30 dollars to take you there” and pulls away when you inform him of the law, what can you do?  So, as one of those screwed-over patrons from last night, I offer a hearty “burn in hell” to the cabbies of DC.  Seriously, die in fire.

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Downtown, Essential DC, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Fed Closed AGAIN!

Photo courtesy of
‘The White House’
courtesy of ‘william couch’

OPM has announced that the Fed is closed for a nearly unprecedented fourth day in a row.  The last time the government shut down for more than 2 days was for the blizzard of 1996, when employees were instructed not to report for an entire week (also the record for longest closure).  We’ll see if the fed decides to open for business on Friday.  I’d like to think that they’ll be able to, but God only knows, at this point.

All Politics is Local, People, The Daily Feed
By

Mr. Brown comes to Washington

Photo courtesy of
‘REPUBLICAN SCOTT BROWN RUNNING FOR SENATOR OF MASS…Could be Democrats worst nightmare…’
courtesy of ‘roberthuffstutter’

Ok, lame headline, but the newly elected senator from Massachusetts, Scott Brown, arrived in DC today.  Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re aware that Senator-elect Brown is the harbinger of doom for the Democratic party and the health care reform bills (or a simple consequence of Bush era politics.  It depends on which news channel you watch). Brown is expected to be seated some time next week, but he arrived early to get his office in order.  He’s been running around the Hill, meeting with Senators anxious to catch a glimpse of the conservatives’ great white hope.  Do you feel that? I think Uncle Teddy is rolling in his grave.

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District, WMATA
By

Another Near Metro Disaster & Potential Price Hike

Photo courtesy of
‘It has been a long day’
courtesy of ‘spiggycat’

As if WMATA hasn’t been in the news enough, today comes word that on December 10, 2009, a team of independent safety inspectors were nearly struck by a metro train at the Braddock Road Station. According to the Tri-State Oversight Committee, the inspectors “were forced to quickly scramble out of the way to avoid being struck.” Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The incident occurred shortly after Metro lifted a six-month ban on monitors accessing live subway tracks, and was only one of a long list of safety violations reported by the committee.  A summary of the report by The Washington Post stated that “Metro’s safety training was inadequate and that the transit agency needed to take “immediate, short-term corrective action” to ensure worker safety.” The Post also reported that WMATA is taking action to correct the situation and will hold a safety session with multiple transit agencies.

Additionally, we hear that the Metro Board will hold public hearings (to take place before a Jan. 28 vote) on adding a 10 cent surcharge to Metro fares. The increase in fares (from March to June 2009) would be an attempt to cover a $40 million dollar shortfall and to prevent significant cuts to both metro and metrobus service. Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, History, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Daily Feed
By

White House Staff: A History

Photo courtesy of
‘DC’s Biggest Postcard’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

If someone on the street asked me to list the job titles at the White House, first on the list would be the President, VP, Chief of Staff, the news core, Press Secretary, etc…you know the people we constantly see in our national and local news reports.

But what about the behind the scenes people?  I’m not talking about the administration people, or those who do the glamorous, high powered functions, I’m talking about the guys and gals that service the place and walk secretly among DCers. Who are they?!! What’s their story? How do they make White House tick? How have their roles changed from administration to administration?

The answer is to be found at “The Working White House: 200 Years of Tradition and Memories,” at the White House Visitor Center, now through Feb. 28. The exhibit showcases the history of White House serving staff and other workers from the time of William Taft through George W. Bush.

Can’t wait for them to update the exhibit with how things have changed with the addition of the White House garden and Bo the dog.

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Food and Drink, Night Life, The District
By

May We Have Separate Checks, Please?

Photo courtesy of
‘I take the fifth’
courtesy of ‘Lars Plougmann’

It has happened to everyone at some point or another. You’re sitting with a group of your friends at the end of the meal, and the waiter drops off the check. Some of you had drinks, you split an appetizer, and your one just-laid off friend only had dessert. This is going to be one heck of a check to try and divvy up. Finally, after some awkward shifty looks, someone brave picks it up, you dig around in your purse for a pen and the person of your left busts out the cell phone calculator. You pass the check around, and inevitably someone forgot to bring cash. You flip over the check, write dollar amounts next to your last names, and yet the bill doesn’t add up in the end. Someone gets shafted, someone else insists they paid what they owe when the obviously didn’t, and your friend that is the notoriously bad-tipper left 50 cents on a $25 bill. It’s just generally awkward all around and someone in the group winds up taking a big hit to the wallet. It’s an awful way to end a meal. Last week, after one terribly frustrating experience at dinner with a huffy waitress and paying in way more than what I owed, I finally had it. I decided that this issue of splitting checks in DC needed to be investigated, so I set about doing just that.

To begin, let me explain to you what I’m used to. In North Carolina, where I come from, individual checks are the norm. Generally you don’t even have to ask for them, but when you do ask for them, the waiter or waitress doesn’t blink an eye, and an itemized list appears with what you owe. Then you can tip on your total, and pay how you please – cash or credit. Unlike in DC, you don’t get a huffy waiter, and you definitley don’t have to scramble for pens or pound away on the cell phone calculator to divide the tax. Individual checks are just the way of the world down there – and maybe that’s not everywhere, but I’ve talked to so many people in DC that think it’s frustrating, annoying and unlike where they come from that I just HAD to investigate and write about it.

So I interviewed a bunch of people – customers, wait staff from some of the area’s most popular restaurants, managers and also the king of power dining in DC, Ashok Bajaj – and have finally come up with some answers. You may not like them, but at least next time you go out on the town with six of your closest friends, you’ll be armed with better information. Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Essential DC, History, Special Events, The Daily Feed
By

Final Commemorative Penny Makes Its Debut

Photo courtesy of
‘Lincoln in Illinois (2009 Proof Lincoln Cent)’
courtesy of ‘kevindooley’

This morning the U.S. Mint issued the fourth and final coin of the 2009 Lincoln Bi-Centennial One-Cent Program.

Despite the rainy, cold, miserable weather, coin enthusiasts of all ages patiently waited in line to be the first recipients of the special edition penny and to turn their hard earned paper currency into coin.

This final penny carries a special edition backside showing an unfinished Capitol Building representative of the divided union Lincoln presided over. The three previously issued coins feature the log cabin where Lincoln grew up, a youthful Lincoln reading on a rail post, and a young working Lincoln standing in front of the Illinois State Capitol (feature in the above picture).

All Politics is Local, The Daily Feed
By

Virginians: Time to VOTE!

Photo courtesy of
‘Polling Place Sign’
courtesy of ‘moonShadows7’

Good morning Virginians! The polls all across the commonwealth just opened. It’s voting day. Time to do your civic duty and cast your ballot! While the most talked about contest is definitely the race for governor between Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D), you also will be casting a vote for lieutenant governor, attorney general and your local state representative in the VA House of Delegates. Depending on your locality, you probably also have a few other local positions to decide on; in Arlington, that would be a seat on the county board and one on the school board. After tomorrow, NO MORE CAMPAIGN ADS!

If you need to know where your polling place is or how to get there, get all the info here or just enter your address in the handy little map below (after the jump)!

Polls are open from 6am to 7pm. VOTE!

Continue reading →