Category Archives: Life in the Capital

Alexandria, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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In Search of a Decent Bagel

Photo courtesy of
‘JOH_9103’
courtesy of ‘star5112’

I’m not a huge breakfast person, but, in my opinion, one of life’s most precious graces is the bagel. I feel like in most major cities, particularly in NYC, decent bagel shops are a dime a dozen.  There are enough that there can be significant controversy as to which shop is the best in the city, or even the best in a particular neighborhood.  Unfortunately, this is not the case in DC.  I’ve got my regular bagel shop, but my choosing it was more based on scarcity than on it actually being the best.  So, readers, am I missing something, or are decent bagels a rarity in DC?  Thus far, I’ve only found one shop that I’d call “good” and that’s Best Buns in Shirlington.  What are your favorites?

Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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Fenty Needs To Work On His Social Skills

Photo courtesy of
‘Fenty Oops’
courtesy of ‘Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com’

The Washington Examiner reports that Mayor Fenty’s numbers are down. Way down. Fenty’s approval rating is at a mediocre 42 percent. When compared to his 72 percent approval rating in January 2008, his current ratings look quite miserable.

Where does the real problem lie? DC residents  feel like Fenty isn’t spending enough time around the wards.

“He hasn’t spent much time in this ward, and the time he’s spent has not been quality time,” Philip Pannell, an active Democrat in Ward 8, told the Examiner. “That’s not the way you cultivate a base of admirers.”

The real answer to Fenty’s problems is that he needs to “polish up his people skills.” Otherwise, he runs the risk of losing to his speculated running mate D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray in the upcoming November election.

Business and Money, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, The District
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Up Against The Wall Follows Commander Salamander

Photo courtesy of
‘Mystery man #1’
courtesy of ‘Ed Yourdon’

Exactly one week ago, I posted the sad news that long time Georgetown staple Commander Salamander would be shortly shutting its doors. The only glimmer of hope was that sister shop, Up Against The Wall, was still opened and right around the corner. Unfortunately, today’s posting by local DC-Georgetown blogger Carol Joynt, announces that Up Against The Wall will be closing as well.

No word yet on if this means the entire chain is going under.  I’m planning on swinging by the shop today and seeing if I can find out further details.

Adams Morgan, Entertainment, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, Night Life, People, Special Events
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Adams Morgan: The Movie

Photo courtesy of
‘Where have you gone, Philip Marlowe?’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

If there’s one thing Paul DeVeaux and I agree on, it’s that DC lacks what some other major cities don’t – a movie about “us.” There is no such recounting of District life from the perspective of an actual resident — or least none that come to mind at a moments notice.

We’ve seen the White House blown up more times than we can count (anyone remember “2012” or “Independence Day?”) and we’ve borne witness to the ups-and-downs of the political game thanks to “All The President’s Men” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” but what about a movie recounting the lives of all the folks putting their blood, sweat, and tears into making this the city what it is.

“That’s what I’m doing”, DeVeaux said. “This movie is my love letter to DC.”

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, Music, People, The Daily Feed
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Let’s Hear It For DC!!!

I was listening to Metro on Connection‘s report on this past weekend’s 2010 Orginial DMV Music Awards show, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear this DC remix of the Jay-Z/Alicia Keyes “Empire State of Mind” by Eezy Money.  The song titled “Capital Conscience” calls out Mumbo sauce, the Skins/Nats/Wizards poor seasons and features a  DC montage music video.

Well worth sharing.

Adventures, Entertainment, Life in the Capital, Night Life, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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United For Haiti Fundraiser

Photo courtesy of
‘Dining Room Interior, Policy’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

If you’re looking for a place to have your Thursday night out, and honestly who on a Wednesday afternoon isn’t thinking about non-work related activities, then definitely check out United For Haiti Fundraiser to benefit Partners in Health (PIH) taking place at Policy.

Starting at 7:30pm, your $25 donation will help aide PIH’s efforts in Haiti, get you entry into one of coolest restaurants/lounges in DC, provide complimentary liquor drinks until 9:30pm and have DJ spinning good beats until the wee hours.

A good cause, good food, good drinks, good friends, what a great way to start the weekend.

Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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Drivers Beware! The Parking Meter Conversion Is Complete.

Photo courtesy of
‘me limit 0:00’
courtesy of ‘theilr’

The parking meter conversion is scheduled to reach its completion today and DC residents must now be aware that  new enforcement hours and higher rates – including  Saturday enforcement and some meters running to 10 pm  — are in effect.

Not sure if these changes have anything to do with you? WTOP has the low-down on what you need to know.

But one thing’s for sure, it’s probably a good idea to start paying attention when parking on the street. You don’t want to go and get a ticket for forgetting to read a sign.

Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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DC, A Foodie Town? American Way Magazine Says So.

Photo courtesy of
‘Capitol #501’
courtesy of ‘andertho’

DC is more than the political hub of America. I find that outsiders forget this and are often surprised when you prove them otherwise.

I stopped for a drink on my way back to DC from Chicago last night at O’ Hare international airport only to be assaulted by a fellow flier who had been drinking for 4 hours before I even sat down. She proceeded to asked me, “So where ya headed,” I knew I’d have to defend myself.

“DC,” I responded, only to have her ask yet another question.

Continue reading →

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

Arlington, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Features, The Hill
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Where to Watch the Game

Photo courtesy of
‘2010 BCS Championship 2010 BCS Championship Logo’
courtesy of ‘RMTip21’

Unless you live in a cave, or genuinely care about nothing sports related, you’re probably aware that the BCS Championship Game is this evening.  And, if you have even an inkling of football fanaticism, you’re probably planning on watching it. Year to year, the BCS Title is a clash of the titans, and one of the highlights of the football season.  This year pits the Texas Long Horns against the Alabama Crimson Tide.  I’ll leave analysis and predictions to others and focus on the most practical of matters: where to watch the game.  I’m going to assume that you’re already aware of the “my house” and the “my friend’s house” options, so here are a few suggestions in case you want to leave the living room.  If you’re not a real sports bar type, big game nights are excellent for branching out.  In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with the places below:
Continue reading →

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

Essential DC, History, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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Happy 110th Birthday Eddye Williams!!!

Photo courtesy of
‘It’s Teddy’s birthday!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

NBC 4 reports that Northeast’s Eddye Williams turned 110 yesterday and marked the event by celebrating with family, friends and D.C. councilman Harry Thomas Junior at her home.

Williams, the oldest known DC resident, enjoys writing poetry and banging on the tambourine. Happy Birthday Eddye and rock on!

Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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Georgetown’s American Eagle Outfitters Shuts. Tweens Left with Plenty of Options

Photo courtesy of
‘urban adventurer’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Over the holidays, the Georgetown strip lost another retail shop with American Eagle Outfitters shuttering its flip flop, tank top, bikini laded aisles for good.  Luckily for those AE diehards, there are plenty of other substitutes to be found close by, like Vineyard Vines, Abercrombie & Fitch, Rugby, Tommy Hilfinger, Patagonia, etc…..

Like most commercial areas, Georgetown is an ever evolving strip with shops and restaurants opening and closing year round. Unfortunately, during this economic downturn, there have been more departures and less arrivals, and according to CarolJoynt.com there could be more casualties in the horizon.

Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Features
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We Love Resolutions: 2010 Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘Comet-looking Fireworks over DC’
courtesy of ‘ianseanlivingston’

Well, hello, 2010, so nice to meet you! While you, my dear reader, are busy recovering from your hangover, the We Love DC authors have banded together yet again to bring you our second-annual We Love Resolutions feature (here’s 2009’s). Here is our list of things we resolve to do in our fine city during 2010. For those of us who have been around for a year (our staff doubled in 2009!) we’ve even held ourselves accountable to last year’s resolutions by reporting on our score.

Rachel:
1) Finally go to the Spy Museum. I’ve lived here since August of 2005, it’s really time I get there.
2) See a Wizards or Capitals game at the Verizon Center. As a baseball junkie, I went to Nationals Park AT LEAST 15 times in 2009. It’s time to broaden my horizons.
3) Wake up early enough to get the full-effect of a Saturday at Eastern Market.
4) Spend a day on Roosevelt Island.
5) See the sunrise AND the sunset while sitting on the Lincoln Memorial steps, facing the reflecting pool and Washington Monument — AT LEAST 5 times each.

Corinne:
1) Go to the top of the Washington Monument (as a DC-area native, I think it is finally time I check out the panormaic view from our city’s most iconic landmark!)
2) Check venues off my must-eat list like brunch at Tabard Inn, a burger at Ollies Trolley, custard at Dairy Godmother and Korean feasts in my hometown of Annandale (anyone have any good suggestions?)
3) Visit the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
4) Take more day trips and weekend jaunts to explore nearby gems-seafood in Annapolis, live music in Baltimore, hiking/camping in Virginia’s gorgeous mountain ranges
5) Attend more embassy events, maintain my dwindling language skills and continue my hunt to befriend Scots/Irish folk in DC!
6) Write more, photograph more, yoga more, volunteer more

Tom:
1) Move into the District.  Yes, that’s right, it’s time to move inside the line.  We’re looking in Eckington, Bloomingdale and Shaw.  Seen anything that’s awesome?
2) Finally get an exercise plan together.  Maybe it’s time to map out some walks within the city?  I’d like to try some of the bike trails, as well
I know, two doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s time to focus on what’s really important and getting things moving.

How’d I do in 2009?  Well, I caught a Wizards game, and I got my Snowy Iwo Jima shot, but I still haven’t made it to Marvin. Continue reading →

Adventures, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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Last Minute DC Gifts

Photo courtesy of
‘Zipcar ad’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

So like me you’ve waited until the last second and now you’ve got to hazard the crowded shops and DC streets to finish up your Christmas shopping. You’re fairly limited with online shopping opportunities, you have no time for brainstorming, and you’ve got a gazillion other things to do, so you’ve got to put your nose to the grind stone and pound these last little (or big) tidbits out. Lucky for you, and me, there are plenty of cool DC-related gifties out there waiting to be scooped up.

Many of us will be heading through Union Station today and the shops there offer some fantastic last minute gift pick up opportunities.  You can find historic memorabilia and inauguration items at America!’s Spirit, or small paintings, pottery and jewelry at Echo Gallery Mezzanine Kiosk, or perhaps Lids, where you can pick up a Redskins or Capitals branded baseball cap. There’s also a solid wine and spirits shop that can provide that much needed Jameson for eggnog or bottle of bubbly for Christmas morning drinkypoos.  These shops are a hurried travelers delight and are definitely worth checking out, if you’re still gift hunting or needing to fill up those stockings. Continue reading →

Adams Morgan, Alexandria, Arlington, Dupont Circle, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, Penn Quarter, Petworth, The Features, WTF?!
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Surviving the Next Snowpocalypse

Photo courtesy of
‘South Smithsonian Escalators’
courtesy of ‘william couch’

The DC area, this weekend, was something of a post-apocalyptic landscape. Driving down 395 on Saturday, one would have seen abandoned cars spun out at odd angles and their stranded drivers trudging towards some nameless help. Most residents stayed holed up in their homes, living off of the provisions they had dutifully stocked the day before. Basic commodities were impossible to come by and the majority of services simply shut down. As the snow storm abated, DC residents peered from their homes at the changed landscape, and painstakingly began the cleanup, trying to return to normality.

Ok, sure, that is a bit of an over-dramatization, but seriously, 395 did look like something out of 28 Days Later.  This snow, like any snow, threw into sharp relief how woefully unprepared DC area citizens are for wintry weather. So, as a northerner, I take it upon myself to save you all from yourselves before the next snowpocalypse.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Why Milk and Bread?

Photo courtesy of
‘Harris Teeter bread isle’
courtesy of ‘wfyurasko’

We’ve been reporting since yesterday that, in light of the storm, stores have been running out of “essentials” like milk and bread. Now, I’m not from DC originally, I’m from Maine, but I’ve lived in the south for most of my life. It’s always perplexed me that citizens of non-snow prone states, at the first whispers of a substantial storm, immediately flock to their local grocery and buy up all the milk and bread. Why milk and bread? Why would you need more milk and challah buns during a snow storm than you would on any other day? Up north, people stock up on salt and snow shovels, and make sure they’ve got enough of the food they’d normally eat to last for a day or two. Can a southern reader please explain to me to logic behind the milk and bread craze?

Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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Snow Bored Yet?

Photo courtesy of
‘Snowball fight’
courtesy of ‘takenbyjillian’

So you woke up this morning all “AHHHHH SNOMAGEDDON, SNOWPOCOLYPSE, SNOWMAIGAWD, THUNDERSNOW2009! HOLY CRAP!” and about an hour later that wore off and now you’re all like, “SNOW BORED.” So if you’re like me, you can’t sit still for that long, the snowstorm is wrecking your epic weekend plans, and you’re antsy. Well, never fear, there are some snow activities still kicking in the DC area.

First, may I recommend the Brightest Young Things snowball fight happening this afternoon at 2 p.m. at 14th and U? Be there. Armed and ready! In Clarendon, the Capital Weather Gang is hosting a snow happy hour at Liberty Tavern where they’re having their regular happy hour specials from 2-5 p.m. Pete’s A Pizza in Columbia heights is having a half-priced bottle of wine with purchase of any pie special. And of course, sledding! Cathy has you covered with recommendations.

The other great thing to do? Get out there and take pictures! And then submit them to the We Love DC pool on flickr, (We’ll be sure to do a big photo feature on them! You know you want yours included!) and add them to the comments of Karl’s snow post for some real-time snow lovin’.

Adams Morgan, Alexandria, Arlington, Downtown, Dupont Circle, Essential DC, Foggy Bottom, Life in the Capital, Penn Quarter, Petworth, The Daily Feed, The Hill, The Mall
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Giving Map

Photo courtesy of
‘Salvation Army Christmas Give Away’
courtesy of ‘docentjoyce’

Continuing with our “Good Samaritan” theme, I now provide you with a means by which you may become said Samaritan.  Behold: the WaPo giving map.  This handy application maps out charities in the DC area and sorts them by type.  The list includes everything from homeless shelters, to non-profits for the arts, to religious charities.  So, in the spirit of the season, take a look at the map and find a place in your area that you’re willing to give time or money to.  Make someone’s holiday better.