Category Archives: News

Adventures, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Cochon 555: Get Your Pig On

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

This little piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. And this little went “wee. wee. wee” all the way home. And by home, I mean The Ritz-Carlton for Cochon 555 on Sunday, May 2.

This yearly competition travels the US in search of  the “Prince / Princess of Porc” and has 5 local Chefs go head-to-head in a pig preparation throw down. Last year’s Prince, R.J. Cooper of Vidalia returns to defend his title and chefs from Bourbon Steak, Bibiana, Eola and Westend Bistro will try to usurp him. Lots of Pre-cooking, braising, grilling, pressing, pickling, rubbing, smoking, searing, saucing, spicing, injecting, marinating, etc. is involved and top-chefs have been known to use the entire animal.

Tickets for the event go for $125, and guests not only get to enjoy some tasty pork, but will witness a whole pig butcher demonstration, taste great wines, brews and enjoy a plethora of pig perfect desserts. There will also be an after party at a location to be determined.

Adventures, All Politics is Local, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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DDOT To Implement New Safety Rules For Pedicabs

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_2432’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

Under new rules proposed today by the DDOT, D.C. pedicabs will have to meet additional safety standards.  The new rules include requiring seatbelt usage for every passenger, establishing pedicab equipment requirements, mandating that pedicabs only operated  on public streets and in accordance with the “safe operation of bicycle regulations,” and prohibiting pedicab operators from parking or riding on a sidewalk, from riding while intoxicated, from parking in a restricted zone identified for other vehicles and from riding on any D.C. street with a posted speed limit of more than 30 mph.

Across the U.S. pedicabs are growing in popularity as are the number of accidents involving pedicabs.  It’s quite possible that these new rules may open the door for further regulations, such as pedicab licensing and mandatory insurance for all operators. The new rules are currently under public commentary and will likely be adopted in 30 days.

Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Panda on Preggers Watch

Photo courtesy of
‘Panda sign’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Starting at 4pm, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s female giant panda, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), will be a 24-hour pregnancy watch.  FONZ volunteers and animal care staff will closely monitor the panda for maternal behaviors (nest building and cradling of small objects) through keeper interactions and a series of 38 cameras set up throughout the giant panda habitat.

You can check on Mei Xiang through the National Zoo’s pandacam and view a birth should it occur. FYI: Because of increased traffic levels, pandacam visits will be limited to five minutes per session. You can refresh the page to continue viewing, unless there’s just way too much site traffic.

Zoo scientists instated the 24 hour watch as tests of Mei Xiang’s hormone levels approached baseline and indicated that the end of either her pseudo or real pregnancy is near.  If the pregnancy was legit, we should see a new cub within 24 hours.

Business and Money, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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Get Your Greek/Turkish On

Photo courtesy of
‘Greek Salad’
courtesy of ‘christaki’

Starting April 30th, Dupont Circle will be getting a new Greek and Turkish restaurant. Agora will feature small plates prepared on the wood-fired oven and charcoal fired BBQ grill, and overseen by Turkish born Chef Rasit Gulsen, formerly of Nizam’s Restaurant in Vienna, VA.

The restaurants menu will feature Turkish and Greek fare reflecting owner, Latif Guler’s, heritage growing up in the small town of Foca, Turkey.  The restaurant will highlight wines and beer from the Mediterranean regions of Turkey and Greece, and will serve a nice selection of Ouzo, an anise-flavored spirit widely consumed in Greece.

The two-story, 170-seat restaurant located at 1527 17th Street, NW, (aka the “doomed” spot that was formerly Jack’s, Le Pigalle, Peppersm, etc.) has been transformed to a Mediterranean oasis by Brie Husted Architecture and features a collection photos that capture the everyday life of picturesque Foca. Other features an upstairs expansion complete with 48 seats that can be used for private dining and a sidewalk café that can accommodate 34 guests for both the lunch and dinner service.

News, The Daily Feed
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Proposed Bill Could Rank DC Ninth In Nation’s Highest Gas Tax

Photo courtesy of
‘Yafa #4’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

It doesn’t seem fair, but somehow Metro might end up retrieving revenue generated via a raise in the city’s gas tax. WTOP reports that councilman Jim Graham introduced a bill Tuesday that would raise the current gas tax of 23.5 cents/gallon to 33.5 cents/gallon and then give Metro the money made from the increased tax – making DC gas tax the ninth in the country.

This, of course, is a result of Metro facing a $189.2 million budget shortfall as originally proposed in this year’s operating budget.

Luckily, WTOP also mentions that “the bill is unlikely to pass because the tax would only take effect if the Maryland and Virginia jurisdictions that govern Metro would enact the same increase.”

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

News, The Daily Feed
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Quit Administration Job, Get Robbed at Gunpoint!

Photo courtesy of
‘Kal Penn speaking at Inaugural Opening Ceremony’
courtesy of ‘JaneJGA’

I know, the headline’s terrible, and I apologize. But, it’s come out that Kal Penn was robbed at gunpoint this week, not long after he announced he was leaving his White House job in public diplomacy to return to his acting career. Seriously, though, we hope that this experience doesn’t taint Kal’s opinion of DC more than working as a low level functionary in a government office did. Sorry Kal, that sucks. I hope they catch the guy.

News, The Daily Feed
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Voting Rights Bill Not Happening After All

Photo courtesy of
‘Sailor formation’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

It’s hard to tell whether it’s been the sincere backlash from District Councilmembers regarding the voting rights bill, or if it’s Congressional apathy, but Roll Call is reporting that Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said this morning there will be no House voting rights bill. It seems a shame to have this happen on the morning after DC Civil Rights leader Dorothy Height’s death, especially when she worked so hard for equal rights for all citizens.

Rep Hoyer was frustrated by the gun amendment, suggesting that the bill would have passed unencumbered, but not with the restriction on what DC could enact in terms of gun control regulations. It would, I imagine, also frustrate those armed protestors on the banks of Potomac who so long to bring their long guns and pistols into the District legally.

Any way you look at it, it’s a frustrating day.

News, The Daily Feed
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Dirty Water Alert in NW

Photo courtesy of
‘Photo a Day project: November 2006’
courtesy of ‘Jenny Lee Silver’

Update as of 12:40 p.m. — The boundaries have been reduced to the following :

  • West Boundary: Western Avenue, NW
  • North Boundary: River Road, NW
  • East Boundary: Connecticut Avenue, NW
  • South Boundary Nebraska Avenue, NW

Original post as of 11:11 a.m. — Northwest Washington needs to watch what they drink today. According to WTOP, residents in parts of NW are being advised not to drink water from the tap due to a higher-than-normal chlorine concentration.

Officials from the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) say that the sudden rise in chlorine levels occurred at its unmanned Fort Reno facility early Tuesday while it was offline for routine maintenance disinfection.

So prompt those taste buds and make use of your sense of smell if you live in NW, there’s no use in crying over dirty water if you’re on the look out for it.

See the page jump for a listing of boundaries issued by WASA for your safety. Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, History, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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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?!
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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.

News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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¡Livan! Shows He’s Still Got It

Photo courtesy of
‘Livan Hernandez back pitching for the Nats’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

It’s rare, in these days of six to seven inning starters, that someone goes all nine. It’s rarer still that they don’t give up a single run. Yesterday, MLB had two complete-game shutouts, but no one will remember Livan Hernandez’s incredible effort, except for the 18,000+ on-hand and Nats fans. The other CGSO yesterday was a no-hitter by Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies, and will be remembered longer. That’s not to say that ¡Livan!’s effort shouldn’t be lauded, oh no, his 9IP 4H 0R 112-pitch effort should absolutely be celebrated.

Continue reading →

News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Nats Stage Comeback Over Brewers, 5-3

Photo courtesy of
‘daylight fireworks’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Last night’s game was one that could’ve gone either way. It was either going to be one of those shake-your-head lost chances sort of games, or it was the kind that made you grin a bit on the way home. It didn’t look so good to begin with. Adam Dunn was thrown out in the bottom of the first for jawing at 3B umpire Andy Fletcher over balls and strikes, and probably will get a nice fine for tossing his helmet as part of the affair. The Nats stranded runners at third twice in the first five innings, and it looked that, despite Johnny Lannan’s first good outing, the team was in a bit of a bind.

Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Voting Rights to Come Next Week?

Photo courtesy of
‘Military gun salute at the crematorium, Brisbane’
courtesy of ‘State Library of Queensland, Australia’

It’s looking more and more likely by this time next week the House of Representatives will have voted, despite the provision that contains a requirement that the city give up their strict gun control laws and abide by the Federal standards. Initially, this stopped voting rights dead in its tracks, but as Democrats are getting concerned this may be their biggest majority in some time to come, they want to get this done while they can. Standing in the way, of course, are some Republicans, including Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) who don’t believe you can add to the House of Representatives by legislative fiat. So, what do you think, DC? Go for the vote? Hold out for better legislation? Or is it all just unconstitutional? Click through for the poll.

Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Wait, How Are We Paying for that Contract, Superintendent Rhee?

Photo courtesy of
‘WTFCU?’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

The new WFT Contract came with some sizable increases in teacher salaries, and though the contract came with some sizable outside grants from august associations like the Broad Foundation, it looks like there’s going to be some controversy over how it gets paid for.

First, you remember way back when the DCPS said they were running a $40M+ shortfall for the year? And you remember that they RIFfed a number of teachers because of that shortfall, upsetting a number of people? How about that part when Michelle Rhee said they RIFfed those teachers to get rid of a few bad apples, and that ruffled some feathers? Okay, so now we’re up to the point where it was revealed that really they miscalculated that RIF, and instead were operating with a $35M+ surplus. And Rhee said the other day that the city would use that surplus not to rehire the teachers they RIF’d, but rather to pay for part of the new WTU contract.

Okay, now you’re all caught up on the drama. Here’s where it gets good: DC CFO Natwar Gandhi says there is no surplus. The money that was saved by RIFfing those teachers will just about cover the extra expenditures by the DCPS Central Office in FY09. So. Now. How exactly will this surplus-that-isn’t cover any part of the new WTU contract? Good question. We’ll find out, I’m sure.

News, The Daily Feed
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Two Seriously Injured In GU Fire

Photo courtesy of
‘In Case of an Emergency’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

**Updated via Vox Populi @4:45pm — Georgetown Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas wrote in an e-mail to the student body that the two workers who were burned are in stable condition. Two DPS officers also suffered from smoke inhalation, he said, and were treated and released early this morning. The equipment that started the fire was a floor stripper.

Early Thursday morning, a chemical fire broke out at the 221 New North building located on Georgetown University’s campus.  Vox Populi reports that two maintenance workers were cleaning with chemicals, when their tools overheated the chemicals and started the fire. D.C. Fire Department responded to the one room fire which was contained by the sprinkler system.

The two workers were taken to the Georgetown University Hospital with serious burns to their arms and faces, and their condition is reported as critical.

Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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A DC Artist Raises Their Hand For District Voting Rights

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘xeroxdocuprint’

Living in DC is great. For all intensive purposes I love it (pun intended). But there’s one teeny, weeny detail that often gets overlooked by DC residents — our lack of presence in Congress.

That’s right. As some of your may or may not be aware of, District citizens lack congressional representation.  District artist Peter Krsko plans to raise awareness with his new campaign called “Give Me A Vote.”

WTOP reports that Krsko’s “Give Me A Vote” campaign will place 100 sculptures of a raised hand throughout our city to draw attention to the lack of representation in Congress.

The 3-foot, 5-foot, and 7-foot Fiberglas sculptures will be placed  next week and stay up for at least a month.

Crime & Punishment, News, The Daily Feed
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Help Find This Puppy

"charlie" courtesy of nbcwashington

"charlie" courtesy of nbcwashington

Out of Prince William Country, VA comes a super upsetting story of a stolen pit bull puppy that was a high school graduation present to the owner’s daughter. The topper is that the puppy was taken right out of the owner’s vehicle.

According to NBCWashington, last Friday, the owner was parked outside a convenience store along Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge. He left the pup in the car, went into the store for just two minutes, and when he went back to the car, the dog was gone.

The little fellas name is Charlie, he’s very friendly, is gray and white and was wearing a name tag. Anyone who may know anything about the dog’s disappearance should call Prince William County police at 703-792-6500.