Omar Karim was on today’s Kojo Nnamdi Show, and boy did he get testy. I mean, I’ve seen some political figures get this angry, but in the clip above, Karim does everything except challenge analyst Tom Sherwood to pistols at dawn. Karim is one of the principals behind Banneker Development which has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, chief among them, they’re the beneficiaries of several contracts to build recreation centers in the District, which the Council will be reviewing for improper award. Karim defends his company’s record, and his relationship with the Mayor, which Karim describes as pretty mundane. Either way, it’s some entertaining watching, as Karim is certainly a fiery guy.

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Metro’s in a bad way. They’re facing a $189M budget deficit for the fiscal year starting in June, and proposed service cuts are pretty draconian. There will be a series of six hearings related to the deficit, and Metro will seek public opinion for how to address the major gap in funding and the service level of the transit system at large.

Some of the options for the service reductions are pretty draconian, and include the removal of 8-car trains from service, and closing three stations on the weekends, as well as reducing the frequency of approximately 40 bus lines. The options right now would make an already crowded-to-capacity system practically unusable. If these aren’t the sort of thing that you’re comfortable with, maybe a fare hike is more what you’re looking for. Options there include increasing the peak charge from $1.65 to $2 each way, and the maximum to $5.45, and peak-of-the-peak charges of $.50, as well as $.35 hikes in bus fare, and peak-of-the-peak charging for Metrobus, as well.

No matter what you do, you should check out Fair Share for Metro and use their tools to contact your representative to let them know how important Transit issues are to you. Click through for the locations of each hearing, they all begin at 7pm.

Monday, March 22
Hearing No. 548
Oakton High School Lecture Hall
2900 Sutton Road
Vienna, VA

Wednesday, March 24
Hearing No. 549
St. Francis Xavier Church, Bailey Room
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington, DC

Monday, March 29
Hearing No. 550
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
5120 Whitfield Chapel Road
Lanham, MD

Wednesday, March 31
Hearing No. 551
Arlington County Board Room, 3rd Floor
2100 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, VA

Thursday, April 1
Hearing No. 552
All Souls Unitarian Church, Pierce Hall
1500 Harvard Street, NW
Washington, DC

Thursday, April 1 
Hearing No. 553
Montgomery County Executive Office Building, Cafeteria
101 Monroe Street (entrance on Jefferson Street)
Rockville, MD

With tomorrow being the first day of Spring, that can only mean one thing in DC.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival is just around the corner.  This year it’s going to be running from March 27th-April 11th, and there’s plenty of stuff to do, and even better, plenty of stuff to eat!  Tons of area restaurants are getting festive and offering cherry blossom-themed dishes, drinks, and desserts, so I have taken the liberty of narrowing down this list  to a few places I would recommend just for you, and in particular places with featured drinks and desserts.  I totally have a sweet tooth, so about half of this list is dessert, but I just couldn’t help myself!

Poste Moderne Brasserie. What’s cool about Poste is not only the food, but the history that comes with it.  Located in the original 1841 General Post Office on 8th St. NW, this restaurant is a perfect setting for you to enjoy the cherry blossoms.  Executive Chef  Rico Wisner has mixed up a special drink called the Arborist’s Delight.  It’s a blend of 3000 Generations Sochu, Ron Cartavio Gold Rum, cherry preserves, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling wine.  For 11 bucks, you too can enjoy your very own “Arborist’s Delight.”  For a limited time only!

‘co co. sala chocolate’
courtesy of ‘aliciagriffin’

Co Co. Sala. If there’s one thing I can’t get enough of, it’s chocolate.  So, what better to mention then Co Co. Sala?  This chocolate boutique and lounge located on F St. NW is ringing in the Spring with the Chocolate Cheery Cordial.  Made with dark chocolate and cherry financier, morello cherry gelato, and a cherry blossom yogurt bon bon, I’m almost positive you’ll be begging for more when you finish.  Executive Chef Santosh Tiptur and the staff there would love for you to stop in.

Commonwealth Gastropub. Executive Chef Delian Shannon-Dipietro put a spin on a classic with the Tempranillo Cherry Ice Cream Sandwich.   The ice cream sandwich is definitely an oldie but goodie, but even better this time around.  Tempranillo glazed cherries with a chocolate cookie and cake surround house-made vanilla ice cream and bing cherries to make this sandwich extra-special.  Commonwealth is conveniently located just a block away from the Columbia Heights Metro.

Sou’Wester at the Mandarin Oriental. I’d thought I’d throw in another drink just for fun, so if you’re in SouthWest DC, make your way to Sou’Wester.  Chef de Cuisine Rachael Harriman has prepared not one, but two beverages for your cherry blossom-enjoyment.  First up is the Cherry Smash Cocktail, which is made up of Austrian Sour Cherry Liquor, Stoli Vanilla, Lemon Juice, and Cherry Lambic.  Have no fear, though, for the designated driver Harriman was one step ahead of you and also mixed up a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail called the Cherry Not So Smashed.  This one is made with muddled organic cherries, cherry juice, vanilla syrup, and ginger ale.   Something for everybody!

Buzz Bakery. Lately it seems like everywhere you turn there’s a cupcake shop popping up, but Buzz Bakery located in Alexandria is sure to please.  Executive Pastry Chef Josh Short has come up with several sweets for the festival.  The Cherry Blossom Cupcake is devil’s food cake (my favorite!) and cream cheese frosting decorated with a cherry blossom motif.  If you want to supersize it, there’s an 8-inch version of the cake as well.  Not in the mood for cupcakes?  Short is also offering Cherry Almond Granola and Cherry Cheesecake.

So there you have it…enjoy!

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If you don’t have to drive in DC tomorrow, just don’t. The National Marathon is run tomorrow through the streets of DC, and no quadrant is left out. Constitution, East Capitol, North Capitol, the Frederick Douglass Bridge, and various other streets throughout the District will be closing intermittently from 7am to 1pm. Chances are, you’re better off going around. In addition, Metrobus has rerouted 42 different bus routes as part of the event. Please prepare for transit pandemonium.

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Caring about the environment is the cool thing to do, right?

According to a study conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, when people shop in public they tend to favor green and more earth friendly products – however, when shopping online people tend to favor the ‘regular stuff’; thus suggesting that “green purchases are often motivated by status,” says Vladas Griskevicius, co-author of the study.

Although I find this study to be quite interesting, I wonder how variables such as statewide or citywide mandates could moderate this study’s outcome. Since the District’s 5-cent bag tax law took effect, not only is going green now hip – but if you want to watch your pennies, it’s basically required.

I don’t really thing in the end anyone really cares what your reasons for being environmentally conscious truly are, because as long as a difference is being made then it doesn’t really matter right?

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Nestled in along M Street, in the heart of Georgetown, you’ll stumble upon The Old Stone House, one of the oldest homes remaining in Washington, DC. Built in 1765, the house is maintained and operated by the National Park Service, and is part of the National Park System’s Rock Creek Park unit. Since it’s original construction, the house has traded hands many times and has been used as a shop for hats, tailors, locksmiths, clockmakers, house roofing, house painting, and even a used car dealership. Fortunately, the house was purchased by the Federal Government in 1953 for $90,000. At today’s market prices, the house and its garden are thought to be worth close to $6-7 million.

Constructed from local quarry stones and ballast stones from the English sailing vessels that journeyed up the Potomac, the house is a prime example of a typical 18th century dwelling that would have been inhabited by common Americans. Tours and lectures offered by Colonial period-dressed park rangers, highlight the lives of these early Americans and DCers.

‘Old Stone House 1935′
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

Upon entering the house, even if you’re of average height, you’ll immediately notice the low ceilings. It can feel a bit claustrophobic, but you’ll adjust/stoop quickly. The front room offers an excellent NPS shop filled with wonderful books, photos and collectibles featuring DC history. It’s definitely worth a perusal.

The next room is an 18th century style kitchen with a massive kitchen hearth that was used to heat the entire house. What I found of particular interest in this room was a height chart located just through the door frame.  The chart marks not only the heights of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but also the average height of Colonial men and women and the average height of current U.S. men and women.  While I was fist pumping, the fact that Americans have grown about 2″ on average since the 18th century, I was surprised to learn that this height differential is not the reason why Colonial ceilings infringe upon our head room.  Low ceilings were, in fact, actually built for the very rational and economical reason of keeping houses warm during the winter. Duh,  heat rises, so lower ceilings mean a warmer room.

The second floor showcases a, minimally decorated, dining room, parlour and bedroom. You won’t find many accessories or admonishments in the Old Stone House. In fact, an inventory of house goods by the house’s first owner, woodwork Christopher Layman, listed only one table, beds, chests, one towel, no chairs, and two Pennsylvania Dutch Bibles.

‘Old Stone House 1890′
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

The third floor, which is believed to have housed the children’s bedrooms and storage, is partially unfinished and built from brick. The bedrooms are decorated as they would have been in the 18th century, which like the rest of house is  simple and basic and continues to showcase what the daily lives of these ordinary people was like.

Once you’ve toured the house, which is opened Wednesday through Sunday from 12-5pm, take a stroll through the quaint and tranquil English garden. It’s amazing that such a peaceful, green space could be located 10 feet from the busy, shopping streets of Georgetown.  In the garden you’ll find wooden benches, a grassy lawn and the typical shrubberies and perennials found in an English garden. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy some coffee or lunch. The garden is open during daylight hours 7 days a week and is accessible through the gate on M Street.

Should you want a more in-depth tour, on Saturdays at 10:30am, the NPS offers guided tours of the house that highlight colonial life as lived by the various inhabitants of the Old Stone House and feature craft demonstrations.

DSC_1855, courtesy of Me

President Obama is speaking out on the campus of George Mason University in a few minutes and where there’s POTUS there’s protest.

The signs were pretty one-sided against health care, though one determined fellow was walking around with a huge “Public Option Now” banner that looked more suited to a renaissance faire in style than a protest.

Among the reasons for the imbalance was the limits on attendees. The invitations said “cameras are allowed, however no signs or banners are permitted,” so any opposition inside is going to have to pretty much seethe in silence. The folks outside were making up for that with their energy, doing a lot of shouting across a 6 foot tape-enforced DMZ at the folks waiting to go in. Once most had entered the approximately 150 or so folks on the other side of the tape pretty much settled down to chatting amongst themselves.

The ban on signs didn’t go over well with some – the woman below was yelling “there is no free speech in that building.”

DSC_1875, courtesy of Me

More shots after the jump.

DSC_1854, courtesy of Me

The folks waiting to get in, demonstrating that when all signs are outlawed only opposition will have signs.

DSC_1869, courtesy of Me

I couldn’t entirely follow what this fellow was worked up over; when I walked up there was an extended argument going on between him and a pro-Obama fellow on the other side of the tape about exactly who the building security standing in the DMZ worked for; it was going on when I walked up and was still happening when I walked away a few minutes later. Whether he was a state employee or not seemed to matter a great deal to the guy on the protest side though I never figured out why; perhaps he was bothered that the man on duty seemed to like the other side better or it was the crux of some larger philosophical point.

DSC_1865, courtesy of Me

Some folks were there less in opposition to something than support of a candidate. I’m guessing Fimian is against health care reform.

DSC_1862, courtesy of Me

That was about the entirety of the opposition crowd, though about half a dozen stragglers were conversing off to the right now that all the attendees had entered.

DSC_1853, courtesy of Me

There’s the protesters from the other side earlier, when they were more motivated and yelling to those waiting to go into the building.

DSC_1859, courtesy of Me

I’m not sure if that’s in quotes because he doesn’t think Wright is a legitimate religious leader or because it’s mis-spelled.

DSC_1857, courtesy of Me

I don’t know what this means but I presume it’s an issue with some compensation or retirement formula.

DSC_1866, courtesy of Me

DSC_1864, courtesy of Me

DSC_1867, courtesy of Me

DSC_1868, courtesy of Me

DSC_1870, courtesy of Me

DSC_1871, courtesy of Me

DSC_1876, courtesy of Me

DSC_1877, courtesy of Me

DSC_1878, courtesy of Me

DSC_1879, courtesy of Me

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For those about to rock … here’s your chance! The D.C. Regional Air Guitar Championships are being held this April at the 9:30 Club.

The Official U.S. Air Guitar Championship website reports that entry slots for D.C. are nearly full. If you want to enter — prop up the digital camera, throw together your most rockin’ of rockin’ fits (and by “fit”, I mean “outfit”), and convince those judges you’ve got what it takes to compete by sending in an audition video via YouTube.

All videos must be under a minute long and sent to list_serve@930.com by Sunday, March 21.

Winners will be announced March 31 and regionals will be held on April 10.

Rock on!

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As if Metro riders haven’t had enough day-to-day issues plaguing them as they fork over chunks of their paychecks for endless delays and an array of other dilemmas over the past year … now, there’s more.

WaPo reports that there are 60+ escalator outages throughout the entire Metrorail system at the moment. Way to go WMATA.

I mean — I’m a firm believer in walking up the escalator stairs because that’s what feet were made for — but with Metro turning down media requests for interviews regarding the escalator problem it makes you wonder, what else is wrong that they’re not telling us about?

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All GroundScore wants is to have a good time and watch you dance. And no – that isn’t creepy. It’s freakin’ awesome.

This trio of DC metro-area jammers debuted their first full-length record late last year and is now determined to bring that “feel good” feeling back into people’s lives one east coast town at a time. They’re a group of self-proclaimed reggae rocking, blues driven, jamming machines who rehearse with the recording tape running at all times.

“That’s how we get some of our best stuff,” guitar player and lead singer Zach Bellas said. “We just leave it running for 7 to 10 minutes and have a good time.”

They go back and listen to the tracks after the fact to pick out the gems of the session, add those gems into the original piece of music, and voilà – a song new song is born.

“Our tracks are never 100% structured,” drummer Chase Lapp said. “That’s the coolest part. But that’s what also makes the record so restricting, as awesome as it is. The only thing that sucks about making a record is the restriction. Now people have expectations of what the songs should sound like.”

GroundScore started out with no material in early 2008 jamming out at three hour basement parties trying to play DJ in friend’s basements via their own creation of reggae-blues-jam-band-rock.

That’s when they caught the jitter bug.

Both Bellas and Lapp agreed — there’s just something about seeing people dance to the music and groove to the tunes that make this band the fun band they’ve always wanted to be a part of.

Two shows standout in the band’s collective mind as their greatest musical successes to date – well, that and getting people to 2-step their entire set. A four hour set on the Ocean City, Md. Boardwalk hooked that jitter bug to GroundScore’s set-list. The played hole-in-the-wall while people walked by during the day’s peak afternoon hours sipping on beer, sun beating down, and solidifying their spot on the ‘walk as folks came and went with their foots always tapping on the dance floor.

That boardwalk show combined with the experience of playing to a packed crowd of 1,400 at the SONAR in Baltimore makes these guys believe they have what it takes to head out and start staking their claim in the east coast music scene. There’s really no fighting them on that one.

Think Sublime’s 40 oz. to Freedom meets 311’s Amber with a jam band twist and dash of Blues.

GroundScore’s biggest fault is also their biggest attribute — they sound like “everyone else”. Their record Healthy Children (released under the independent label SMB Records) feels like a generic reggae track-pack at first listen. This is one case where first impressions are not correct.

Bellas’ voice is like hearing Sublime’s Bradley Nowell come back from the dead. It never falters, is always on pitch, and is as smooth as buttah (with an “AH”, not an “ER”). Lapp and bassist Nick Graves lay down the rhythm track that keeps the band in the pocket while groovin’ along.

It’s safe to say that if you want to chill out with your buddies this summer and grab a beer, GroundScore would make the perfect soundtrack to your life in the process.

GroundScore is scheduled to play Asylum in Adams Morgan on Wednesday, March 23 at 9 p.m. For more tour dates visit their MySpace Music page.

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Need an excuse to throw on those flops and head to the waterfront since … you know … spring appears to be here now? Cantina Marina is opening their outside deck this weekend due to the totally awesome weather we’ll be experiencing through Sunday.

The dock bar will be open and the fish tacos really are a quite tasty when paired with a frozen margarita.

Plus – now that the sun’s out for longer – you can soak in the rays and get your first taste of what summer will feel like.

It’s that time of year again…practically the biggest night of the entire year if you’re a senior in high school:  Prom!  Lots of family taking pictures, your date pinning  on your corsage, a limo full of friends waiting in the driveway, and of course the dress.  This year you can help a young lady find her dream gown by donating to DC Public Schools Annual Prom Dress Collection.

No girl wants to go to prom in just anything, so it takes days, weeks, even months to find THE dress.  Why not help someone find their dream gown for that special night?  The collection is accepting new and gently used dresses, shoes, jewelry and purses.  You can drop off items between 9am and 5pm Monday – Friday until April 14th at 1200 First Street NE, on the 12th floor.  For more information, call 202-442-5447 or email dcpspartnerships@dc.gov.

Of all the venerable hotel bars that this city offers, the one that never really spoke to me was the St. Regis Library Lounge. With an air that screamed lobbyist power broker, it just never provided the quirky elegance that I find essential in a grand old hotel. That changed for me this past autumn when I popped in for a look before the most scrumptious Thanksgiving meal ever (if you have a serious special occasion coming up, go to Adour, it’s incredible). I knew the hotel had been renovated but I assumed it would be more of the same. Wrong.

The Bar at the St. Regis (its official name) is soothingly decorated now in shades of violet and grey, adding Art Deco touches like crazy 1960’s biomorphic light fixtures to a 40-seat room dominated by an intensely elaborate Italianate ceiling. Lacquered, metallic, mirrored surfaces abound. It’s simply gorgeous, but not overwhelming. You can easily tuck into a soft corner and broker your deal or impress your date. As for the drinks, they’ve undergone a change too. Sure, there’s the high-end madness one might expect (Remy Martin’s Black Pearl Magnum, anyone? $1,926 – the year the hotel opened – for a two ounce pour out of the only bottle in DC…).

But you can also have a little luxury for less, and enjoy some wacky molecular mixology too!

‘Adour 10′
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

Molecular mixology? Oh yes. The Bar’s signature cocktail is the Adour Bubbles & Pearls, made with Prosecco and “Cointreau Caviar.” Cointreau has supplied about 20 bars in the country with tool kits that within about an hour processing time transform the liquid into a solid state. Basically, it’s a calcium bath that results in pearl shapes. They can be infused with additional flavors as well. WLDC author Max and I tried this cocktail after admiring the delicate dance of the bubbles and the “pearls” as they floated to the top.

“They taste like jelly bellies,” Max quipped, and he’s right – I thought they might burst in your mouth like fish roe, but instead they are completely solid, like tapioca balls. So if you love bubble tea, this is the cocktail for you! It’s frizzy and fun.

‘Adour 7′
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

We also got to preview The Bar’s limited edition cocktail for the Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s called Acai of Spring (Acai = a-sigh) and will be available starting March 30. Composed of a vodka and Cointreau base infused with black cherries, spices and acai, the Cointreau Pearls are infused with acai and added here topped by a champagne float. The garnish is sugared black cherries. It’s a very pretty and aromatic drink that made me long for that festival and spring to get started.

So who’s responsible for these drinks? It’s mixologist Mia Baila, who moved from Florida to DC in 2008 to join the St. Regis team. She’s a painter as well, and that artistic background is evident in her drinks style.

“Painting and mixology are just two avenues that lead to the same thing,” she explained, “an exploration of the senses… sense of sight and taste. My paintings are comprised of layers and layers of paint and those layers make up the image, while the drinks that I design have layers of flavors and those layers make up the final taste. Of course, a drink is visual too… it has to look good!”

Moving from Florida to DC was a no-brainer for Mia, who loves living downtown and being in the center of cultural activity. “There is such a wealth of culture in this city, and it’s all so available to everyone,” she asid, echoing many others. When I ask her where she likes to go on nights off, she says, “there are so many great mixologists and chefs here that it’s difficult to decide sometimes… so many people doing wonderfully creative things make for an incredibly stimulating environment!”

‘Adour 3′
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

I’m always interested in finding out what the most popular drink is at any given bar, and here Mia says it’s the Trial by Berry, featuring fresh blackberries, house infused vanilla vodka, fresh lime, spices and a champagne float. “It has the added bonus of being good for you with the berries, and the color is just beautiful,” she said.

Mixing drinks that are good for you as well as pretty is Mia’s specialty – as she said, ”Drinks can and should be good for you as well as delivering a buzz!” On the spot she rustled up a “greens martini” for me with green superfood powder, fresh pressed apple juice, blueberries, Ketel Citroen and lemon with a champagne float and garnished with mint. It’s not on the menu – she just happened to have some green superfood in her purse – but this off-the-cuff concoction surprisingly did taste good, in a fun childhood way it reminded me of Pez. She’s whipped up wheatgrass cocktails as well! The Bar features its famous Red Snapper Bloody Mary and a variety of the original “good for you” tomato-based drink, so I suppose it’s all part of the same tradition.

‘Adour 4′
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

Cocktails at The Bar at St. Regis are on par with other luxury spots – $16 each (the hotel graciously comped our first round). I can easily see relaxing here with a drink before a dinner date – it’s also definitely one for the parents or a high-end client. Whichever occasion brings you here, Mia is a treasure and will make sure you are well taken care of, with both booze and vitamins in balanced proportion.

So your team didn’t make the tourney? Or perhaps your college didn’t have a Division I Men’s Basketball program? Or maybe you’re just not that into March madness overall?

Well luckily, Georgetown University’s Vox Populi has come up with a robust, Hoya focused drinking game, just in time for tonight’s game against Ohio.

Even if you’re not a Georgetown fan, at least the game will jump start your Thursday night and could, potentially, get you back into the March Madness.

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John Gerrard, the environmental photographer and installation artist will be at the Hirshhorn Museum tonight to discuss his latest exhibition.  The exhibition consists of large-scale format, digitally manipulated pictures of American landscape that unfold in real-time — allowing patient enthusiasts to experience each “shot” unfold over a 24-hour period.

The event is in conjunction with the 2010 Environmental Film Festival.

Meet the Artist tonight at 7 PM in the Ring Auditorium of the Hirshhorn Museum [Corner of Independence Ave and 7th ST S],

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I’m sorry kids, but you’re going to have to go to school tomorrow.  March 19th was originally scheduled as a professional development day for teachers, meaning students didn’t have to go to school.  But, seeing as you got a few weeks of unforeseen vacation courtesy of mother nature, you don’t actually get tomorrow off. So, make sure you’re in school tomorrow, don’t don’t do crack, follow your dreams, etc….

I’ve been kind of underground for the last week as the ol’ day job went into annual conference mode and I was working 12 hour days for a week and a half. But that’s over now and I’m catching up on all the stuff I missed on the Internet during that time. John’s post about Spider Kelly’s rebirth as a bro-haven reminded me that BYT preserved possibly my favorite Craigslist housing posting ever: The 6BR Bro-Palace.

It’s clearly a joke post, but the quantity and variety of bro-related puns, dare I say, the brocabulary, in this post causes me to want to raise a protein shake in honor of the writer. I think “Temple to Broseidon” is my favorite.

Here’s an interesting little piece of potty humor that doesn’t involve having a dirty mind.

There’s a lack of women’s restrooms in our government buildings. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee seek to end this potty drought by introducing the “Potty Parity Act” bill today. The bill requires federal buildings of the future and buildings leased by the government to have a 1:1 ratio of men’s to women’s restrooms.

The bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) told WaPo that a lack of restrooms in our government buildings has become an issue because these buildings were constructed long before masses of women entered the federal workforce. According to Towns, some women have even suffered work-related problems and been fired as a result of their inability to take the time necessary to address health or medical concerns.

The addition of more women’s restrooms would aid the effort to help halt these uncessary women’s health concerns in the federal workplace.

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