Miscellaneous: May 2009 Archives

Ah, Krispy Kremes. Anyone insisting that they don't like 'em is nothing but a no good, downright liar. But if you even remotely resemble a Kreme devotee, this was not an encouraging week. After all, when byproducts of pastries that this author himself has eaten for breakfast begin clogging and destroying industrial-grade metal sewers to the point of major leaks, it's slightly jarring. As we noted yesterday morning, the Examiner broke the news that Fairfax County is currently suing the glazier for basically ruining the County's pipes near the company's factory in Lorton. Obviously, the Kremers didn't listen to Mom when she nagged about pouring grease down the drain. (What, just me?)

>> Zipcar starts an interesting new advertising campaign: blocking your path. [PQ Living]

There are a lot of homeless in D.C., and they have many ways of panhandling. Some just sit quietly, some will tell a joke, some have a sign or talk about how they need money for a court date or to get to work. Some of them probably have legitimate reasons for asking for money. And then there are strategies that probably won't work.

>> Clogwyn and alastor -- the words that vaulted Tim Ruiter, a home-schooled 12-year-old from Fairfax County, into tonight's finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. DCist will have full coverage after the proceedings, so be sure to check back after the Bee ends around 10 p.m.

This isn't exactly happening in the D.C. area, but we were so interested to see these incredible wild animal images pop up on the National Zoo's Flickr stream today, we wanted to share them. The Smithsonian's Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program has been around since 1986, traveling around the world working with governments and organizations to, among other things, "provide scientific information and build in-country capacity to foster the sustainable use of natural resources."

Here's a project for the photography nerds in the house: D.C. Public Libraries Then & Now contest. First, you need to browse through the DCPL Flickr Commons photostream and look for old pictures of buildings in the area that still exist today -- an interesting way to spend a few minutes for history buffs as well. Then break out the camera and go on a field trip to find it. Use your creative talents to shoot the building in an interesting way and add it to their Flickr contest pool. It's free to enter, with the best photos winning some neat prizes. There are only a few entries so far, and the contest ends June 9 July 3, so you have a pretty good chance at taking that Flip MinoHD Camcorder or Holga starter set home.

BOOK RELEASE: As we mentioned earlier, the 14th and V Busboys and Poets hosts a book release party today for one of our favorite D.C. non-profits: the Capitol Letters Writing Center. The Way We See It: Complete Coverage of the Nation's Capital From the Inside Out, is a collection of fiction, poetry, essays, and journalism written by students at Cardozo High School about all things D.C. Free, 5 p.m.

>> Did you keep up with the National Spelling Bee prelims today? The results, including the posed words, are up on their site, and if you can't watch the semifinals (10 a.m. on ESPN) or finals (8 p.m. on ABC) tomorrow, you can follow the blow-by-blow on Twitter.

       

Hundreds gathered in Dupont Circle last night to protest the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8, as we noted yesterday. Among others, Councilmen Phil Mendelson spoke to the crowd; you can see a video taken of some of the speakers at EricaAmerica. Check out some images from our photographers, and read more about whether or not the people should vote on marriage rights in our post earlier today.

Is this going to become a yearly thing for Jim Graham?

Nothing breathes a little life into a slow news week like some neighborhood listserv drama. The comments and tips line have been buzzing about the Cleveland Park Citizens Association turning the area into a "banana republic." How? Well, let's start from the beginning.

>> Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham might not blame Jumbo Slice for all of society's woes after all, reports Loose Lips. Says Graham, “I have been in media for 30 years, and there’s never been a more preposterous story than this one." (Obviously, the individual who said that the pizzeria tolerated "a certain level of violence" was Graham's evil twin brother, who somehow escaped from the basement of the Wilson Building. Or something.)

Someone get the Washington Nationals a team of copy editors, stat.

>> Welcome to the beach! Oh, just one thing: just ignore the 41-foot-long, 50,000 pound whale carcass which washed up over there. So, who wants a sandwich?

THE NATIONAL: The boys from Brooklyn finish their set of three shows in two nights at the 9:30 Club this evening, previewing material from their highly-anticipated new record. Tickets for tonight's set are sold out, but Craig's got plenty of options. Doors open at 7 p.m.

You all know John A. Logan, right? He's that guy on that horse to the right there. Now, maybe you're not familiar with his entire CV, but the man from the Land of Lincoln is pretty much an American legend. How do we know? Well, having your signature prominently displayed on your Wikipedia page confers immediate bigshot status. (You know, as if a humongous statue erected in your honor in the middle of the nation's capital wasn't enough of an status indicator.) Logan is one of the more accomplished individuals in the country's history -- not many other folks can claim to have been a General, a Representative, a Senator, and have a county in Kansas named after them.

• We're getting outta here early to start this holiday weekend right, but Mark Segraves is still hard at work, letting us know via Twitter that Marion Barry will once again not be going to jail. U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson has denied a request by prosecutors to revoke Barry's probation, instead chosing to extend it for 2 years. We'll have more on this over the weekend, to be sure!
• 14th and You updates on the U Street hotel project. Neighborhood association votes to approve, but "This is simply the first of many hurdles for the project."
• Logan Circle News reports a lost puppy: '"MONA" About 12 lbs. Floppy ears 1’ 6” inches tall All black with a white patch on her chest She was last seen on S and 14th. Sightings have occurred in 11th and Florida area and Logan Circle. If you see her, DO NOT CHASE HER. She’ll run away, and has from many people. Approach her slowly and calmly, even sit down close to her and let her come over to you. Please call 202 271 7702."

For whatever reason, the dummies seemed to come out of the woodwork this week. Maybe it's the warm weather, or they're busy thinking about grilling out or going to the pool, rather than making a coherent point. Whatever it is, we're blessed.

• Cute story alert! A pair of D.C. police supervisors helped deliver a baby girl in a car outside a police station in Southeast yesterday. [WaPo]
• Let the speculation/daydreaming begin. List of major retailers who are interested in coming to D.C. after this week's International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas "includes Macy’s, Bloomie’s, Target, Armani Exchange all the way to some of the most sought after New York restaurants." [WashBizJo]
• Bread for the City announced today that it has opened a new after-hours health clinic designed to help refugees seeking asylum get their medical paperwork in order. [Beyond Bread]

• Hilarious update on that Quinn Emanuel first year associate who sent out a bunch of ill-advised, "reply-all" emails regarding the firm's recent win in the Redskins team name copyright case. He's since been fired, Above the Law reports, but not because of those emails: apparently he failed the bar exam for a second time. Ha.
• Remember that massive water main break in Bethesda back in December? A WSSC reports says it was caused by an incorrectly installed pipe.
• PoP reports that Circle Boutique on 14th Street NW has closed its doors.

The winning question was: Timis County shares its name with a tributary of the Danube and is located in the western part of which European country? Do you know the answer? The final series of questions (and their answers) are in the video above.

D.C. United takes a break from a seemingly endless string of stalemates in league play to continue their Open Cup defense tonight at RFK. The country's oldest soccer tournament, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, unfortunately doesn't save places for defending champs -- despite bringing home the cup last season, DCU have to play in the early qualifying rounds this year because of their poor league finish last year. Up to speed? The Black-and-Red dispatched of FC Dallas with ease in qualifying round one, and tonight their rivals, the New York Red Bulls, make the trek down I-95 to battle for a spot in the Round of 16.

The WashCycle and other area cyclists have organized a D.C. version of the Ride of Silence, an international event that pays tribute to cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding on public roadways, tonight.

• With a tip of the hat to the dcsportsbog Twitter feed, check out this hilarious all-firm email exchange between a senior partner and a first year associate at Quinn Emanuel, courtesy Above the Law. Think before you hit reply-all, people.
• The singularly named shannon at We Love DC breaks down the origins of D.C.'s building height restrictions. It's not just about the Capitol, people.
• WTOP's Mark Segraves reports on who's getting free tickets to Nats games from D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. Lots of youth and school groups, plus Sinclair Skinner, and of course a few major donors.

It's been five months since the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Durval Martins, who was killed at the corner of 11th and Q Streets NW as he walked home from Fox & Hounds on Dec. 16. Martins was shot multiple times in the head, nothing was stolen from him (including his wallet), and no suspect has been identified in the case.

In which DCist talks to the people that help make the Black-and-Red one of the premier clubs in the North American soccer world.

Afternoon, ladels and jellyspoons! It's once again time for your weekly roundup of all things comment: What's That You Say?

Sure, horse racing ranks somewhere between golf and the Tour de France on the list of most-clamored for sports in the American collective consciousness. But it's still worth noting that the Preakness Stakes -- also known as the "Race for the Black-Eyed Susans," or "That One That Comes After The Kentucky Derby" -- will go on this afternoon, in all of its state-owned glory at nearby Pimlico. Looking for stories to entertain you through the five-hour leadup to today's race? Here's one: jockey Calvin Borel, who rode 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby, is dismounting that horse to ride a different horse -- gasp, drama! -- who just so happens to be a filly (that's a female horse, people) named Rachel Alexandra.

Ah, Metro, ye of the fantastically low-budget YouTube videos which have brought us so many laughs in the past -- it's good to see you're back behind the lens. To be honest, I got a little concerned that after producing classics like the stirring documentary about marshmallow Peeps journeying to Nationals Park, an epic homage to 1970s schlock kung fu, and your expose that Joe Biden wasn't standing on the right, things might have slowed down at WMATA Studios.

• Sage advice: if you're in the country illegally, probably best not to sign up for a White House tour.
• An Acela train struck and killed a person south of BWI this morning. All tracks have since reopened.
• The man who was shot and killed on 7th Street NW last night has been ID'd: he's Brandon Scott, 21, of the 4800 block of Kansas Ave NW.

Forget Bike to Work Day! For whatever reason, today is National Pizza Party Day. Blame the sinister pro-pizza lobby, or something.

• Don't forget that tomorrow is Bike to Work Day. Register to stop by your closest pit stop.
• Big name stars (Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, and Ricky Gervais among them) are on their way to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum right this minute for the premiere of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. DCist operatives are already in place along the red carpet, and we'll bring you all the action tomorrow.
• Oh good gravy. Vince Gray and Adrian Fenty are still arguing over those damned Nats tickets. Can't we all just get along?

• Bloomingdale (for now) fantasizes about what could go into an empty commercial space at 1st and Seaton.
• 14th and You updates on the 11th Street construction project delays.
• PoP has an image of the aftermath of a small rowhouse fire at 13th and Otis Streets NW this morning.

• The D.C. Council did go ahead and pass the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Request Act and the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Support Act today, including a number of changes that Mayor Fenty did not want. Could the city's chief executive be considering a veto?
• Well, duh. Ted Lerner and Dan Snyder both make SI's list of the worst owners in professional sports.
• The family of David Kerstetter is suing the District of Columbia after Kerstetter was shot and killed inside his home by D.C. Police officers. City Desk has the scoop, along with new photos of the crime scene inside Kerstetter's Logan Circle apartment and details from the autopsy report.

• The price of first class stamps officially went up 2 cents, to 44 cents, today.
• A D.C. man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Anne Arundel County last month.
• The Banita Jacks trial will begin in July as planned, despite the fact that her attorneys say she's been unwilling to meet with them for the last six weeks.

Welcome back to the Commencement Speaker Scouting Report! Last time, we brought you news of Gwen Ifill, Vernon Jordan and New York City police commissioner Raymond W. Kelly all heading to District universities to dispense platitudes and receive honorary degrees. Now it's on to the rest of D.C.'s illustrious institutes of higher learning. Ready, set, graduate!

Comedienne Wanda Sykes returned to Washington this weekend to deliver the ever-fraught White House Correspondents Dinner host's comedy routine. Sykes grew up in the D.C. area, and famously worked as a procurement officer for the National Security Agency before launching her stand-up career.

• DCist was shocked when a local newscaster threatened a gay blogger on live TV while they were discussing Kirby Dick's new film, Outrage, a documentary about outing closeted politicians who fight against marriage equality legislation.
• Shanghaiist knocked-off that super pretentious piece on bike culture by the New York Times by showing its own counterfeit bike style.
• Seattlest, staring at a week full of rain, started hunting for cheap flights to LA.

What's up, people? It's time, once again, to venture down comment lane and check out the best and brightest from our post-jump adventures from this past week.

Rapper, producer, and D.C. Ambassador Wale made an appearance on ESPN morning-squawker First Take this week to talk hockey -- or as he calls it "professional wrestling, minus the professional wrestling" -- and heap some much-deserved praise on Caps star Alexander Ovechkin.

• WaPo reports on beginning of court hearings over constitutionality of the MPD's controversial "Neighborhood Safety Zone" checkpoints.
• The AP has a brief story on the Obamas' visit to elder daughter Malia's school today, the D.C. campus of Sidwell Friends School. Just a routine parent-teacher conference.
• If you haven't read this week's WCP cover story by Amanda Hess, on the sexual misconduct rules in force at Catholic University, don't miss it.

Oh dear. Looks like there's another Blonde Charity Mafia-esque "docu-reality" TV series heading our way. We just got this request to post a casting call from a publicist, who wouldn't tell us the name of the production company behind the show. But here it is, in case any of our female readers are still desperate for a chance to be on teh teevee. This one at least pretends to be slightly less vapid, as it's hoping to include professional women instead of just socialites.

       

A number of Hollywood celebrities and other prominent women stopped by Unity Health Care in Columbia Heights on Thursday to speak with mothers of pediatric patients who have faced serious difficulties receiving health care. Jessica Alba, Keri Russell, Regina King, and Ali Wentworth joined Marian Wright-Edelman, the founder of Children's Defense Fund, along with D.C. first lady Michelle Fenty before traveling to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of expanding health care benefits for children, including the Children's Health Insurance Program. All photos by DCist contributor Jeff Martin.

There's been a lot said about the Obamas so far, mostly positive (at least, if you go by the polls.) You hear he's presidential, he's nice, people overseas like him, he's getting a lot done. The couple have romantic nights, Sasha and Malia are cute, everybody likes the new dog.

Last night on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart did a little segment on the D.C. Council's recent vote to approve legislation that would allow the District to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Naturally, the show picked up Ward 8 D.C. Council member Marion Barry's quote from last week's anti-gay marriage rally, the infamous "I am a politician who is moral" speech. Stewart's response? ‘Normally, when someone says something that oblivious to their own reality, you might say, “What, are you on crack?”‘

• The Office of Management and Budget put its factsheet on the District of Columbia online.
• PoP reports the Black Squirrel is expanding into the basement.
• D.C. PR personality Raymone Bain, who has worked for Marion Barry, is suing Michael Jackson for $44 million dollars.

Unsuck DC Metro points us to this solid effort at capturing the need to have a visual representation of just how often D.C.'s Metro system breaks down. Flickr user brhefele has offered up the "Fail Rail," a play on the ubiquitous Fail Whale familiar to Twitter users everywhere. Nicely done.

• Big news on the school vouchers front. On the same day that pro-voucher activists rallied at Freedom Plaza to lobby for the continuation of D.C.'s unique program, President Obama is poised to lead the push to end the program, while still finding a way to allow all 1,716 current students to continue to receive vouchers until they graduate from high school.
• Some guy learned the hard way today that just trying to push past security at the Pentagon isn't really the brightest idea. He was arrested, duh.
• Carlos in DC asks an intriguing question: Why would someone hide drugs in your bike?

>> The NYT takes a closer look at the selected National Museum of African American History and Culture design. The piece features more views of the museum, including a Kara Walker installation. [New York Times]

Could the National Zoo be taking some cues from WMATA with this low-budget comedy promo video?

• Matt Yglesias catches some congressional Republicans hosting an event that was billed as being "outside the Beltway" in ... Arlington. We guess that by out, they actually meant in?
• DC Metrocentric has a rendering of what the new NPR building in NoMa might one day look like.
• Carlos in DC has the best images from Friday's May Day rally for immigrant rights.

Torontoist covered a multi-day protest by Toronto's Tamil community, a protest that blocked one of the city's busiest streets, all day and all night, for the majority of the week.

  

We're noticing a trend in the DCist photo pool. Swine Flu has captured the undivided attention of every media outlet and the imaginations of local pranksters. If you spot anymore clever pandemic art, add it to our pool on Flickr.

Hmm, it seems like the right time to lug the trusty ol' machine which spits out the week's best comments out of storage, and give her a whirl -- and What's That You Say? has got the keys to start the engine. Vroom vroom.

"This Is Your D.C. United" is a new DCist feature, in which we'll talk to the people that help make the Black-and-Red one of the premier clubs in the North American soccer world. Keep checking back on Saturdays and Sundays for more discussions throughout the season.

• Developing: two probable cases of swine flu at George Washington University, which the city is calling D.C.'s first official cases. Both students have reportedly already recovered. [The Hatchet & City Desk]
• Apparently Redskin Chris Cooley was forced to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after that whole accidentally-posted-a-photo-of-his-penis-on-his-blog incident last fall. Post your best head shrinking jokes in the comments! [Deadspin]
• Fatal shooting in Northeast early this morning. [WJLA]

Fish in tanks don't normally get us too excited, but who can resist the sneaky allure of puffer fish? The National Aquarium just sent us a notice about "General George," the latest addition to their exhibits. So they tell us:

He was named for his authoritative presence and because he holds command over a watery exhibit featuring a sunken replica wing and prop engine of a World War II F4U-1 Corsair blended in with colorful coral.