Well, it’s that day, finally! Today is our 2nd Birthday Party out at Fletchers Boat House in Northwest. We’re bringing the fire and the food, you’re bringing the fun and good times. We’ll be kicking off around 1 but going well into the afternoon.

We hope to see you there! If you find yourself lost, or can’t find us in the park, drop me a call at 571.243.3135.

On Monday, Metro will be showing a model of their next generation railcars with a new interior layouts as well older generation cars with revised layouts as well. From the press release:

As part of Metro’s efforts to improve passenger flow into and out of railcars, officials have redesigned the interiors of some railcars for testing. News reporters and the general public are invited to see a remodeled interior layout of an existing railcar featuring bench seating, more grab bars, and an open floor area to accommodate more passengers. Also on display will be the interior layout of Metro’s newest 6000 series railcars, which differs from all of the other models. This car features back of seat to ceiling poles, no floor to ceiling poles, and some wall grab bars. The 6000 series car is expected to be in service later this summer.

The cars will be on display from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with WMATA staff available for news media until 10:30 a.m.

How do the new layouts sound to you?

Instead of looking for something DC, you might be looking for something funny. If so, from Matt over at Media Concepts we get wonderful daily DC bumper sticker sightings.

My favorites that he’s spotted:

• “A Trillion Dollar War – Who Needs Healthcare?”
• “Bush Is Listening … Use Big Words”
• “I Never Thought I’d Miss Richard Nixon”
• “There’s lies, damn lies, and Weapons of Mass Destruction”

Thanks for the Friday giggles, Matt!

photo courtesy of
Tom Davis’ website

Maybe I just have “corruption fatigue” or something, but when I read this article on Virginia Representative Tom Davis’ apparent efforts to give people all the government they can afford I think “yeah?” I’m so jaded about this kind of thing now that when I read the line “But the congressman said that Upson did not have “unique access” to his office” I mentally fill in “this is an amount of access available to anyone out there with cash!”

To be marginally less cynical, I do almost wonder why the Post devoted so many inches to this story. Time has written about the ‘revolving door’ here in Washington with regards to lobbyists and the access that friends and former co-workers get in government. SourceWatch has a big list of those kind of industry-to-government and vice versa situations, and while they’re focused on people and jobs in the last decade, I think you’d be hard-pressed not to find the same thing going back much farther. From friends and co-workers to spouse is a short jump, though one that a person more concerned about appearance of objectivity probably shouldn’t be making…

Do you see this gill o’ treats and feel your stomach grumble? Wanna be @ a BBQ right now, with juice dribbling down your chin?

You’ll have to wait just 24 more hours for the foodie event of the summer, DC Metroblogging’s Second Anniversary BBQ Bash tomorrow at the cool, riverside Fletchers Boat house.

There, Tom will be grilling up a storm, while we all watch, drink, and provide never-ending commentary till he tosses one of us in the river.

If you think that’s gonna be me, don’t worry. I’ll have already gone for a swim or two by then.

The incomparable dj lil’e will be spinning her Right Round dance party tonight on the Black Cat’s main stage… with a twist.

This month’s theme is Mash-ups, and I know that e has been laboring for months to bring you the booty-shakingest mashes for your listening enjoyment. She’s been slaving away, listening to countless generic-rap-track-over-famous-guitar-riff mashes to find the best, the most creative, and the most danceable. She has also created several of her own special blends for our entertainment.

So come! It’s only $9 and it starts late so you can finish out your Friday night with some dancing to work off that Jumbo slice you’ll have eaten by then. Look for me- I’ll be the short chick who knows all the words and transitions to “my other car is a beatle.”

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Coming close on the heels of understanding the “scooterist” tag, we now have a new adjective for the stalkers fans of transit systems: “foamers.”

The Examiner reports that these foamers are even causing a little paranoia in transit officals. Luckily WMATA is not NYC’s MTA.

Unlike there, where MTA officials tried to ban photography on the subway, WMATA is downright welcoming of foamers. To quote the Examilner:

Metro officials said dozens of foamers regularly attend public events in hopes of getting a behind-the-scenes look at the system.

A recent walking/riding tour lead by Metro’s Interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini drew more than 300 people. Officials said they expected a few dozen.

Oh and in case you are wondering, while I am no scooterist, I might be a closet foamer.

Thanks for the tip Live from the Third Rail!

An absolutely epic video of Stephen Colbert with Eleanor Holmes Norton. You really, really have to watch this if you live around here.

Wold Cup Soccer Shirt

Maybe something that says “Washington DC” to you that’s different than the tourist trap T-shirts? May I sugget the ultimate in odd DC paraphernalia? May I suggest a “washington dc” search on eBay?

Doing one will give you all kinds of results. In my quick view I found great keepsakes like:

• Vintage World Cup DC shirt from 1994
• Attack on the Pentagon coin
• 51st State Quarter
• 1977 Inauguration License Plate

What might you find? Maybe my favorite: an Ambassador Hotel coat hanger?

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Right now, at the back entrance to the National Zoo this band is rocking out.

Part of the Zoo’s Sunset Serenades every Thursday thru August 10, they are treating a lawn full of families to some serious Jimi Hendrix.

Got kids? Then see you here next Thursday @ 6.30!