From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome, email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Not so red. (Luis Gomez Photos)

Every few years or so a discussion about the name “Washington Redskins” makes it into the public sphere, and every time the issue goes away with little or no progress toward changing. The issue is pretty clear and yet, it never moves forward.

The team name and logo is all based on the history of the area and the original intention was to honor the proud native american heritage. However, today (and even back then), the term “redskin” is generally considered offensive. Now it is only a stark reminder of the diminished Native American presence thanks to our European ancestors, aka founders. The controversy has lasted so long it even has its own Wikipedia page. Here is a pretty good wrap up of the issue.

Recently a DC Council member tried to get a resolution passed that would change the name to “Redtails” to honor the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II. The logic being it sounds like “Redskins” and could be easily replaced in the Redskins fight song and color scheme. The issue has a lot of opinions from a lot of sides. The public tends not to care, and with the current owner Dan Snyder change is most likely not going to come from the team.

I understand there is a lot of history with locals with this name, but frankly there is a longer history of it being uglier and, thus, worth the change. The NCAA banned offensive teams mascots from postseason play and it didn’t shake the foundation of college sports. Maybe one day the team will make the right decision, but I have serious doubts.

Some Good News

Finally, Good News: DC cabs are gonna take credit cards. BOOM!

Links! Links! Ice Cold Links!

David Bowie’s Space Oddity, sung in space. This Canadian astronaut is making space cool again.

New Spock meets Old Spock in this awesome Audi commercial. Yes I am that nerd.

“Whose Line Is It Anyway” is back. Finally, a good show gets revived.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

LivingSocial Beerfest. (Lauren Levine)

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome, email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Whether you think the city made a good or bad decision giving Living Social massive tax incentives to put their headquarters in our fair city is irrelevant. What is important is that this company keeps giving back to the city by bringing wonderful weekend beer tastings to the Bullpen next to Nationals Park.

Fellow writer, Lauren, and I had the pleasure of covering this event last year, and I can say hands down Living Social has figured this thing out and this year’s execution was spot on.

Thanks to gorgeous weather all weekend, the city’s underpaid 20 to 35-year-old’s enjoyed a wide range of ales, brews, and ciders from all over the world in the form of a small plastic cup. I myself was able to enjoy Smuttynose IPA, Lost Rhino pilsner, Duvel, Ommegang Hennepin, Angry Orchard, and Shocktop Summer. From that list, my top choices would have to be the Ommegang and the Lost Rhino as both had a great taste and weren’t too heavy.

Another great feature of this unlimited beer tasting is that some of the city’s finest food trucks are there (I wonder if heavy drinking leads to hunger?). Those steak tacos I had from Surfside hit the spot while listening to the fantastic cover band Kristen and the Noise sing classics like “What’s my age again” and “Forget You.”

Overall, this is just a great event. Only thing I’d say for next year is, if you want to go, go the second day as most of the crowd goes Saturday. It’s just easier to move around and drink on Sunday. Most Living Social emails are probably worth deleting, but next time you get that one that says beerfest, forward to your friends and get a game plan going. You won’t regret it.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome, email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Going up! (Alejandra Owens)

At the start of this year I changed jobs/offices from a small building in Silver Spring to a very new building downtown on L Street NW. As my old building was only three flights, my elevator experience was minimal including with my undergrad days of high-rise dorms and apartment buildings where anything went.

As with any transition to a new job, I’ve had to learn some new tricks and behaviors in how to “be normal” in a company with around 1,000 employees and five elevators.

Elevators Have Rules, Too

One of the best things I have noticed is the standard elevator behavior people exhibit. While I thought that it might be unique, after some chats with fellow yuppies, we narrowed it down to few golden rules on how to make the most of your elevator rides. Hopefully these make the 30-second rides just a bit more enjoyable

1. Available Seats/Spots to Stand: The immediate thought everyone has: Where do I stand? Empty is optimal, but usually you are sharing and have to play into that face forward and stare at the doors/oncoming passengers. I never understood that and generally go right to the walls for something to lean on. It works for me. Otherwise in packed “lifts,” I’d say file in as best you can without physical contact
2. Friendly or Quiet: In a building where it’s just your neighbors/coworkers, being friendly can go a long way down the line when you need that favor. Otherwise, in multiple-tenant buildings I’d stay quiet because you have zero clue how much worse their day is than yours. I’d say most people see the elevator as a cone of silence. Unless its obvious (like someone holding an awesome-smelling lunch), it’s best to keep your comments for Twitter.
3. Hold the Door: I’m talking to you, dude, who saw me coming around the hall and didn’t hold the elevator for me. It’s just the nice thing to do. It’s the least you can do after eating that last munchkin at the morning meeting.

I think these few guidelines will be a big help to those of you who look like a deer in headlights upon entering. Also, and maybe most importantly, don’t fart in an enclosed space. It’s just the right thing to do.

Whats Grinding My Gears

Washington Capitals playoffs are here! First round against my New York Rangers. Playoff hockey is awesome, if you can afford it, go!

Links! Links! Ice Cold Links!

• Remember 1999. It was pretty sweet.
• Best hockey save of the year. Watch it!
• We almost had a New Jersey-themed restaurant. Damn.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome, email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Jason Collins makes NBA and professional sports history. (Luis Gomez Photos)

Wow. I won’t lie. Just writing that headline made me a bit emotional. However, I think the writing was on the wall for an event like this. The fact that it happened is an immense step toward equality and progress in our great land.

If you have not heard, former Washington Wizard Jason Collins just penned an article for Sports Illustrated where he described himself as “a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

While in women’s professional sports this is technically not as big of a deal, in the men’s sporting world, it is a different story. The four major leagues all are generally known for rampant homophobia, masculinity, and a fairly hostile environment for men who don’t fit the norm.

Retired male professional athletes have come and told the world they are gay — but this is the first time an active player has done so.

When you live in a place like Borderstan where gay and straight people live openly and easily together, it is easy to forget that we live in a bubble. A very nice bubble, of course, but a bubble. Collins made more than sports history yesterday. He made history for all of us.

Jason Collins is no All Star, but he is considered a “pros’ pro,” which means a team player, the guy who works hard and someone who everyone respects. Many great players have battled along side Jason. With his story out there, I am hoping a lot of his old teammates rethink their own views and perhaps take a stand for LGBT rights — especially in men’s professional sports.

There has been no immediate fallout except praise and understanding. Fellow athletes (including Kobe Bryant) have come out in support. Others have not. I know that in my younger days a team locker room would have been a rough place for Jason’s courage. It is my wish that my children won’t grow up in the same world, thanks to heroes like Collins.

This is a story of immense courage and risk, and hopefully it inspires others to not make a leap of faith, but to feel comfortable in knowing the world will love you equally for scoring a touchdown or loving who you choose to love.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome, email him at scott@borderstan.com.

When the temperature is right, the cicadas will come. (Screen Shot)

In the very near future, DC is going to meet some visitors who only come around about every 17 years. I remember the last time I saw them. I was in in elementary school and my science teacher, Mrs. Semel, made it seem like the second coming of Albert Einstein.

They were loud, all over the place, and made it seem like I was in a poorly made 1950s science fiction film. I am, of course, talking about the emergence of the cicada, an insect that emerges from hibernation about every 17 years.

For readers who didn’t grow up on the Acela corridor (i.e., Northeast), you are in for some funny weeks. Once the ground turns a certain temperature, cicadas will begin to emerge from below. They will start making their presence known by their incredibly loud noise (think crickets on crack) and the shells they leave behind.

There will be no way to avoid this bother, so here are some helpful hints on how to make the cicada period a bit more enjoyable

• Ignore their noise, create your own. When I say these guys are gonna be loud, I mean you light sleepers are going to have some restless nights. I feel the best way to fight this fire is with more fire. Throw a cicada theme party and just roll with it. Hopefully a few beverages will help with the sleeping.
• Crunch crunch, avoid. Cicadas, after some time, shed their outer shell (or something like it, I’m not a scientist) and the ground gets littered with them. My best piece of advice is to avoid them. Yes, that crunch will be fun/weird the first time, but it will get old when your new kicks are covered in cicada goop.
• Don’t be a hater. They are only here less than every two decades. If only other loud and annoying things came to DC this infrequently (cough Rolling Thunder cough).

If the sight of giant bugs creeps you out like this, then HEAD FOR THE HILLS! Otherwise, get ready and enjoy.

On Boston

My thoughts and prayers are with the city of Boston this week. Unimaginable, but if any city will remain strong and set an example, it is Boston.

Links! Links! Ice Cold Links!

• Trailer for every romantic comedy, ever!
• New Daft Punk. SOON
• How animals eat their food.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome. email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Wear your beard proud and strong. But is it right for your job? (Luis Gomez Photos)

I’d like to take this column to talk about something a bit gender specific. When it comes to workplace attire, I already know that we gentleman have it much easier than women. Choosing which pair of khakis and which button down shirt to wear is quite easy compared to the array of choices that could be considered “business casual” for women.

However, one issue most men face that I’d like to discuss here is whether to shave or, more simply, “Can a beard be taken seriously in the workplace?”

I have heard and seen many opinions on beards. For one thing, part of today’s modern workplace is being presentable. Sadly, our culture generally frowns on big bushy beards and does not associate them with hardworking or authoritative personalities.

The idea of a clean-shaven man says, “I make money and can afford razor blades.” I mean, would you trust a high-powered lawyer if he looked like Zach Galifianakis?

So to help the men of Borderstan decide whether a beard is the right decision at work (in life, beards are always awesome… just ask the ladies and gay guys), here is a small guide.

Is a Beard Right for You at Work?

• Do your clients see you daily? If interaction with your clients is an everyday occurrence and your price tag for services has lots of zeros in it, a beard may not be the right choice. I mean how often would you hand a $30,000 check to someone who could double as a lumberjack?
• Can you grow it well? Just because you don’t want to shave, does nott mean you should be lazy. A complete beard is ESSENTIAL to be taken seriously. If you cant grow bridges (the hair between mustache and chin) then a beard is not for you. Sorry.
• Are you friendly? Beards say friendly and fuzzy. If you think you are a serious, no jokes, down to business kinda guy, then a beard will just be seen as being lazy or you getting dumped recently. Frankly, I think every man should grow his beard out. It gives your face more personality, and you can think of it as a permanent facial accessory. So if HR doesn’t care, throw away the razor and let it out!

What’s Grinding My Gears

• Final Four this weekend. Louisville vs. Wichita St, Michigan vs Syracuse. CANT WAIT

Links! Links! Ice Cold Links!

• Kung Fu Grandpa. Just fantastic.
• The octopus is an amazing creature.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome. email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Playing some hoops. (Luis Gomez Photos)

It’s that time of the year again. March tends to be a pretty wild month when you think about it and everyone seems just impatient waiting for the winter to end. From the killing of Julius Caesar to the day everyone becomes Irish, this month is all over the place.

However my favorite maddening tradition this month is, of course, basketball — my NCAA Final Four bracket (aka March Madness).

Every year I go into thinking this is the year I nail all my predictions, and every year I finish very middle of the pack. The odds on a perfect bracket are rough but, frankly, I am just looking to finish better than Obama this year. So to help ya out, Borderstan, here are five easy and simple thoughts to keep in mind when filling out your bracket this week.

Bracketology: Five Things to Remember

1. DON’T OVERTHINK: So many errors happen because we all want to predict the big upset. That’s what makes them the big upset, the fact that you didn’t see it coming. Your bracket will do better if you stick with your first rational thought.
2. Seeds are there for a reason: The seeding system isn’t just random. Yes some teams get more love than others but when thinking about who will win, read the seed before making a rash decision.
3. Where is the game played?:  Regions can make a big difference in the middle rounds. I love picking against smaller schools who have to travel long distances or a contender having to play in their nemesis backyard.
4. History Isn’t Important: Yes we all know teams like Duke, Kansas, and Indiana. But that doesn’t mean a less-on-the-radar team, like Florida, Louisville, or Gonzaga, can’t make a deep run to the finals.
5. It really doesn’t matter: No matter how hard you try, you can’t control anything. Finish your bracket on time and hope for the best.  Best case scenario you win of your office/family/friends pool. Worst case you finish last and no one remembers it in a week.

The first game is this Thursday so fill out your brackets soon! Enjoy the Madness, Borderstan!

What Really Grinds My Gears

Did we even just have a real winter? Maybe we need a word for a cold fall that has no snow

Links! Links! Ice Cold Links!

• 50 common misconceptions. Worth watching whole video.
• Carlesberg friend test. I hope mine would pass.
• March Madness, explained through Star Wars.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

The DC Whiskey Walk was last Saturday. (Scott Leibowitz)

From Lauren Levine and Scott Leibowitz.

On Saturday March 9, we set out on a lovely sunny winter’s day to taste the finest Irish whiskey DC has to offer. Thankfully, the first ever DC Whiskey Walk was very well organized, with registration including a map and punch card system that made tasting and moving bar-to-bar easy and efficient. The friendly registration table prepared us for an afternoon of drinking with a live bagpiper and plenty of green beaded necklaces to go around.

While the many bar crawls in DC attract a crowd of 21- to 25-year-olds, this walk brought in residents of all ages. Each of the eight bars offered one unique whiskey as well as other drink and food specials. The mood was festive, as it was a gorgeous sunny day, making it pleasant to stroll from bar to bar throughout the Dupont area. We were especially thankful for the few bars, likes James Hoban’s and Irish Whiskey Public House, which offered outdoor seating.

Meet the Pickleback

For us, the highlight of the day was learning about the “pickleback” — a shot of whiskey followed by pickle juice. A fellow whiskey walker tipped us off to it at Madhatter and with an enthusiastic endorsement from the Madhatter bartender, we gave it a shot (pun intended). Though the taste was unique, it had some of us wanting actual pickles.

Is there a future for whiskey walks? Time will tell. The level of attendance was hard to guess because participants were spread across eight bars. It was not as social as other District drinking events are, and we found it difficult to meet new people. Maybe we needed more whiskey.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome. Email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Saturday: DC Whiskey Walk. (Luis Gomez Photos)

Eight popular District bars are teaming up for a tasting tour of fine Irish whiskeys during the first annual DC Whiskey Walk on Saturday, March 9.

Participants will enjoy a different 1-ounce pour of a leading Irish whiskey included in their ticket price as they go from venue to venue. All the bars are in the Borderstan neighborhood including favorites like Buffalo Billiards and BoardRoom.

Impressively, the proceeds of this fun afternoon will go to Becky’s Fund and the Washington Literary Center so come out for a whiskey filled afternoon. Borderstan will be there and have a great recap for you after the fact.

Eight bars. 12 whiskeys. What more could you want on a Saturday afternoon. See ya there!

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome. Email him at scott@borderstan.com.

Hockey on your mind? (Luis Gomez Photos)

As some of you may know, I am adamant enthusiast when it comes to goofy non-serious DC sports leagues — whether its indoor bocce, shuffleboard, or this city’s favorite, kickball. Of course, I am signed up for April; more to come.

You may not realize it, but there is actually a pretty strong undercurrent of serious competitive sports too, ranging from the College Alumni Network leagues to the less well known ice hockey leagues. I am currently playing co-ed basketball and we have been having a good season so far.

Hockey in DC

Now, as DC is a city of out-of-towners, all the transients from cold places (Upper Midwest, New England, states that border Canada) are the backbone of the many competitive ice hockey leagues. Yes, the only rink in the city is where the Washington Capitals play, but outside the district there are a slew of leagues that you can play in.

I warn, though, this is not for the average fan or ice skater, this is a real league with some serious competition. A good friend of mine, Kevin, plays in one such league and I asked him about his experiences over the last few years of playing. Some thoughts….

Lebodome: What are average players like? Age? Important or average Joes?

Kevin: The people vary greatly. Some are married with kids, others recent college grads. For jobs, a lot in various business, a handful of criminal attorneys at the pickup games, construction, real estate, finance, government agencies, the works. Although I don’t know if I’ve ever played with any Hill staffers…

Lebodome: How physical is the game? I used to dominate driveway roller hockey, could I play?

Kevin: Not normal-hockey-physical. Body checks will get you a penalty, more than one they may show you the door. Moderate pushing and shoving is common and expected. Only seen one fight in a little over a year. I think they’ll suspend you, not positive.  Some really good players, depending on the league. Top league has former D-1 players, mine has some former college club players who are real solid. There are about five leagues at Kettler organized by general skill level.

Lebodome: A one-line description of your experience?

Kevin: Serious and competitive on the ice, relaxed and slightly buzzed off the ice.

If watching the Capitals (play poorly) has gotten you excited for some real hockey, there is a lot of choice out there. If you got the equipment and means to get to a rink outside the city, then this is the kind of league for you.

What’s Grinding my Gears

Sequester. I liked not knowing what this word meant. Now I hear it and just roll my eyes.

Links! Links! Ice Cold Links!

• Washington Nationals cut a guy mid game during spring training. Ouch
• Bit long, but very cool. Video games themes, middle eastern musicians/instruments
• Best current U.S. diplomat; the best rebounder in the history of the NBA, Dennis Rodman.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.