From Mathew Harkins. Email him at mharkins[AT]borderstan.com.
The following interview is with Francisco “Paco” Fimbres, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement. A longtime resident of DC, Borderstan recently caught up with Fimbres to discuss why he makes his home here in DC, what changes he has seen occurring in our city and what it’s like working directly for Mayor Vincent Gray.
Paco Fimbres (Courtesy Paco Fimbres)
Borderstan: Are you still living in Foggy Bottom? Do you make it over to the Borderstan area often?
Fimbres: I have been living in the West End-Foggy Bottom area since 2009. It is an excellent neighborhood with a great diversity of people. Our ANC Commissioner Rebecca Coder is fantastic. We are very lucky to have her serve our SMD. Other great neighborhood assets are Gary Griffith and Asher Corson both very passionate about our neighborhood.
We have Trader Joes, Whole Foods, GWU Hospital, GU, Meiwah, RIS, Rasika and so many other great spots. However, I lived from 2007-2009 on 16th Street across from the JCC and miss the neighborhood tremendously. I am amazed and grateful for the transformation of the 17th to 14th Street corridor and the rebirth of Logan and Shaw. Amazing and exciting things are happening citywide.
My wife and I visit Borderstan often. Some of our favorite people and beloved friends live in Borderstan. Also Le Diplomate and Pearl Dive, two of our favorite venues, can be found in Borderstan.
Borderstan: What is it like working for Mayor Gray?
Fimbres: Honestly, it is a true honor and pleasure. I consider it a great responsibility and privilege to serve our city and fellow neighbors, while working for the Mayor of DC.
Vincent Gray is emotionally mature, deliberate and thoughtful in his decision making process; he is also charming, innovative, detailed oriented and has the right temperament for the job. No kidding, he is the first one in and the last one out at the office. On a human and personal level, I could not have asked for a better boss and Mayor; he is a truly decent and kind man. I don’t know if he will run for reelection, but Vince Gray has earned a second term. Just look around our city, we are moving forward in the right direction by leaps and bounds.
I also work daily with Stephen Glaude, the most important and key member of the Mayor’s cabinet in my personal opinion. Steve is the Mayor’s Community Affairs Director and my direct supervisor. Steve has all of the affinity group offices under his responsibility like OLA, African Affairs, Women’s Policy, Clean City, LGBT Affairs, Asian Pacific Islander Affairs and others. Steve has been a great mentor and teacher. I also enjoy working with Daryl Levine, Sedrick Muhammad, Sheila Bunn, Chris Murphy and Pedro Ribeiro all good people and solid professionals. The Mayor has assembled a great team of committed, dedicated and professional individuals. Still my two favorite ladies in the DC Government have to be Chief Lanier and Assistant Chief Groomes. Both are just awesome.
Borderstan: What exactly does your current role as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement entail? And what is it that those who report to you do?
Fimbres: I direct, manage and coordinate all citywide neighborhood engagement efforts. We serve residents as their link between their Mayor and city government agencies. The Mayor’s Ward Liaisons are under my direct supervision and management, but again we are lucky to work in the same office space as our leaders Mayor Gray and Steve Glaude — they both lead by example. Essentially, we are the Mayor’s go-to folks for concerns, complaints, questions, neighborhood issues and challenges.
No issue is too small or too complex, we are committed to helping residents navigate through our government’s agencies and getting results in a timely, efficient and satisfactory fashion. We are results oriented and accountable to the residents directly, since they contact the Mayor and we act on his behalf to resolve their issues quickly. It is a 24/7 job that is not for the weak of heart, thin-skinned or passive public servant.
Demands and challenges across our city are great, but we pride ourselves on having the experience, background and will to get things done. We especially like to get difficult cases. However, there are times, when we cannot help or our agencies have exhausted their talents and resources to assist our fellow neighbors; this is when we suffer along with the residents. However, we have complete and uncompromising support from Mayor Gray and city agencies.
Ward Liaisons attend nightly, weekly, and monthly meetings/events. They represent the Mayor at graduations, funerals and special events. They attend Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) meetings, canvass neighborhoods, hold office hours, conduct neighborhood walk-throughs with the MPD and the Mayor and they have core team meetings with government agencies. We also serve as first responders during some emergencies. We share information with agencies for their action based on information provided while visiting their respective wards and neighborhood stakeholders.
Borderstan: You’ve been working in/with Ward 2 for some time. How have you seen the neighborhoods changing?
Fimbres: Yes, the changes have all been positive. We need to keep fighting together for a safe, clean, livable and economically vibrant city and ward. Mayor Gray, during his tenure, has been very attentive and engaged with Ward 2 residents and leaders, Councilman Jack Evans and his team have also played a pivotal role in the current conditions of Ward 2. Finally, a special shout out to all of those unsung and unpaid elected officials (ANCs), bloggers and other civic-minded stake holders, who live and work in W2.
Borderstan: What do you think is the biggest issue not being addressed right now in the city?
Fimbres: In my personal opinion, the biggest challenge for our city is that all of us, together and collectively, ensure that we not only reduce but also eliminate poverty, hunger and unemployment across the city’s eight wards. There are efforts past and current that have attempted to reduce/eradicate poverty, hunger, unemployment and homelessness, but have yet to truly accomplish this crucial objective for DC. Also we need to keep working on our education system. New, comfortable and beautiful buildings are important, but excellent teachers and committed/involved parents are essential.
We also need to achieve budget autonomy and full voting rights in Congress. This is important for our self-respect and dignity as a people. Another important matter is that we need to support and care for our children, youth and seniors. Finally more affordable housing needs to become available, so that our first responders, police and fire heroes can afford to live in the city they so passionately defend daily.
How can we be the nation’s capital and continue to see developing country issues in some parts of our city? We need more public-private partnerships. The for-profit sector needs to step it up and support non-profit organizations with more fervor.
Borderstan: You came to DC to attend American University in 1996 but you also left to work and travel overseas. What brought you back here? Why DC?
Fimbres: My family still works and resides between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego — but simply put, DC is home. This is where I met my wife and we would like to raise our children here. Therefore my commitment to DC is not only professional, but very personal. I would like to see DC one day be considered like Paris or another of the world’s unique capitals. What makes DC great is not only its rich history, beautiful architecture and current events, but it’s people, the native Washingtonians, and all of those who have moved here to live and work.
I was taught from a very young age, that there is no substitute for hard and intelligent work, but one must also aspire to be the best in their trade. My vocation in life first and foremost is to be an excellent husband and father, but my second is to be a great public servant – a true and sincere servant and leader. My life continues to be a work in progress and I am blessed to serve my fellow residents.
Borderstan: Having traveled and worked overseas, and having worked for a number of presidential campaigns, do you have national or international ambitions beyond DC? What is in the future for a Francisco Fimbres?
Fimbres: I am a firm believer that public service does not begin or end with an election, it starts at home and should transcend into one’s own community. At this time, I am content and honored to work in the City Government. I would like to continue serving Mayor Gray and my fellow residents across the city’s eight wards.
As for the future, time and circumstances will determine next steps. However, my love for DC and its people is great, my passion for public service ever present, and my need to serve well and effectively are all part of my make-up as a human being.
Having worked for two Mayors, I am blessed for these experiences. The great, tireless, passionate and committed people I have met in the city government, my ONE team, supervisors, mentors, neighborhood leaders and beyond inspire me to continue fighting for the residents of Washington, DC every day.
Therefore, I don’t foresee a future where public service is not part of my daily existence.
An earlier interview with another participant in local government, Andrew Huff, can be found here.
The opinions and views expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the city government.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy.
The District
- Ben & Jerry’s is making an ice cream flavor for DC and needs your help. (Ben&Jerrys)
- DC is becoming a younger and whiter city according to latest census report. (DCist)
- Lane changes in Glover Park spark debate between ANC members and DDOT. (WAMU)
- Chef Driven food truck calls it quits. Owner is thinking about going fishing. (CityPaper)
- Only 14% of students attending closing DC Public Schools have re-enrolled for the fall. (Examiner)
- Public pool in GTown shut down because it was painted with non-waterproof paint. (Georgetowner)
- Comcast customers can now access over 3,800 Wi-Fi hotpots in the DC region. (WTOP)
- Apparently it costs $10.8 million to remove 6.4 inches of snow in Montgomery County. (Examiner)
- Repairs to the Washington Monument set to begin in the next few weeks. (NBC4)
DC Housing
- Rumor has it that a Whole Foods could be coming to the Navy Yard neighborhood. (TheHillisHome)
- Proximity to Capital Bikeshare is spurring economic development in the District. (Examiner)
- Home prices in DC rose nearly 9% in the past year. Median sale price hits $490,000. (UrbanTurf)
Popular Culture
- Because no one demanded it, Terminator 5 will begin shooting in January 2014. (Verge)
- Steve Sanders is now a Chippendales dancer in Las Vegas. Donna unimpressed. (Blemish)
- The kid from the Mighty Ducks movie turned 35. How old do you feel now? (HuffingtonPost)
Sports
- Every MLB player’s at-bat entrance music. Apparently Bryce Harper likes Moby. (DesignatedHits)
- DC United General Manager gives Coach Ben Olsen a vote of confidence. (Washington Post)
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defends Redskins’ name in letter to members of congress. (ESPN)
- Calculus homework. Taxes. Knitting a scarf. A collection of distracted Nationals fans. (DeadSpin)
- The Nats Tyler Clippard is just like you. Rides his bike to work. (Washington Post)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week … Hamilton the hipster cat … and your Moment of Yen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
Last week we asked Borderstan readers, “Where’s the Gay Neighborhood in DC,” and for the fourth consecutive year Logan Circle was the winner. Once again, it was not even close, with 42% saying Logan Circle, followed by Dupont Circle with 9% and 7% for Shaw. U Street fell from 9% last year to 4% this year.
Logan Circle wins again.
While Dupont Circle was once considered DC’s official gay neighborhood, the percentage of readers declined from 13% last year.
The choice of “Everywhere and Nowhere” actually finished second again this year with 22% of survey respondents. “This is such a 1970s question” got 8% of the votes — you have to figure there is a tie-in to the “Everywhere and Nowhere” attitude of an increasing number of both DC’s gay and non-gay community.
The number of readers selecting Other jumped to 6% this year. A variety of neighborhoods were listed, with Capitol Hill being the most popular write-in choice.
The number of readers who chose those two options this year, 30%, was up from 26% in 2012.
Dupont Circle, once the center of DC’s LGBT community, has gotten almost exactly the same results in the last three years — 13% in 2012, 12% in 2011 and 14% in 2010.
Here’s how Borderstan voters responded, with results for earlier years shown for comparison.
| Where is DC’s Gay Neighborhood? | ||||
| Neighborhood | 2013 Reader Poll |
2012 Reader Poll |
2011 Reader Poll |
2010 Reader Poll |
| Logan Circle | 42% | 38% | 34% | 38% |
| Everywhere and Nowhere | 22% | 18% | 22% | 21% |
| Dupont Circle | 9% | 13% | 12% | 14% |
| Shaw | 7% | 9% | 4% | 2% |
| U Street | 4% | 9% | 8% | 6% |
| This is such a 1970s question | 8% | 8% | 17% | 18% |
| Columbia Heights | 2% | 3% | Not asked | Not asked |
| Other | 6% | 2% | 3% | 1% |
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy.
The District
- DC sixth-best city for parks. More than 95 percent of residents live within a mile of a park. (DCist)
- The Washington Post will begin charging for online access starting June 12. (Mashable)
- Your children are annoying. Sushi bar in Alexandria bans children under the age of 18. (Huffington Post)
- Proposed bill would let District students ride Metro and Circulator buses for free. (Examiner)
- General Manager of Metro makes $350,000 a year. Money well spent? (The Washington Post)
- Local celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio will compete on season five of Top Chef Masters. (Eater)
- DC police handed out 322,000 parking tickets for expired meters last year. (WAMU)
- Constitution Ave used to be canal and other historic DC waterways. (Greater Greater Washington)
- DC’s population grows 79 percent every workday. Centreville suburb loses 41 percent. (WAMU)
DC Housing
- Former Mount Vernon Business Improvement District director moves to Dupont Circle. (CityPaper)
- I thought we were past the age of “McMansions”. Bigger houses are making a comeback. (Atlantic)
- Developer of new housing developments in Shaw hints at new independent movie theater. (UrbanTurf)
- Plans moving forward for 400 new apartments at Landmark Mall in Alexandria. (The Washington Post)
Pop Culture
- Prepare to be bummed out in sepia. Ken Burns plans documentary about cancer. (Hollywood Reporter)
- Ever wonder what the fellas from Daft Punk look like without their helmets? (Gawker)
- The top ten best movies you haven’t seen. Nope, you haven’t seen them. (UrinalGum)
Sports
- Nationals manager Davey Johnson mercifully shaves his “rally goatee.” (The Washington Post)
- Gio Gonzalez most likely won’t be suspended for his link to performance-enhancing drugs. (NBC4)
- Glenn Beck is hatin’ on RGIII’s new house. Cries about it and then consults his chalkboard. (DCist)
- Do you like statistics? Do you like baseball? Well, Ryan Zimmerman thinks you’re a nerd. (Deadspin)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week … the science behind hangovers … and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy.
The District
- DC regulatory committee will recommend proposed food truck regulations be rejected. (DCist)
- Screen on the Green starts July 22. Come see E.T., Willy Wonka, and Tootsie. (The Washington Post)
- Cute overload. National Zoo’s newborn fishing cat is weighed in a tiny cup. (DCist)
- Sequestration? What sequestration? Despite cuts, DC area adds nearly 40,000 jobs. (WAMU)
- Population in the DC area continues to rise, but Metro ridership continues to fall. (Examiner)
- Fifty new restaurants and counting are opening in the District this spring. (Eater)
- Washington DC is better than NYC, Atlanta, and Chicago… in PCP arrests. (Washington Times)
- Well, it was good while it lasted. Wall Street Journal spells doom for LivingSocial. (InTheCapital)
DC Housing
- Home values in the District have tripled in the past 20 years. (BizJournal)
- NoMa is slated to receive a $50 million grant to create and update parks. (CityPaper)
- Robert Griffin III just bought a house in Loudoun County. It’s bigger than your house. (UrbanTurf)
- Housing booms around the country, but will there be a bust? (Gawker)
Popular Culture
- Who didn’t see this coming? The Grumpy Cat movie is in the works. (CNN)
- The definitive guide to cities and their corresponding hot dogs. (ShortList)
- I admit it. I watch the Bachelorette. Here’s how to bet on the show. (BuzzFeed)
Sports
- RG3 plays DJ during the Redskin’s OTA sessions. Pumps Notorious B.I.G. and Outkast. (The Washington Post)
- Ryan Zimmerman hits three homeruns in one game, but the Nats fall to the Orioles. (Washington Times)
- I’m always happy to see Tyler Hansbrough get pushed to the ground. Birdman, Birdman. (USAToday)
- This is what happens when a brother and sister are caught on the Kiss-Cam. (DailyMail)
- Foul balls. (DCist)
Random Picks of the Week
Your random blog of the week… “knaidel” winning spelling bee word… and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
For the past three years, in anticipation of Capital Pride, we’ve asked readers, “Where’s DC’s Gay Neighborhood?” The Dupont-Logan area is the center of LGBT pride events each year, including the parade, which runs from Dupont Circle, down 17th Street and then over to 14th Street NW in the Logan Circle neighborhood. (See this year’s slightly different parade route.)
Click here to take survey: Where is DC’s Gay Neighborhood in 2013? We will share the results with you next week.
We ask the question each year because DC’s gay population has been shifting eastward and northward from the one-time center around Dupont Circle.In the 1980s it began shifting to 17th Street, on the eastern end of Dupont — after being centered along Connecticut Avenue and P Street NW west of Dupont Circle.
In the 1980s DC’s gay neighborhood began shifting eastward to 17th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
As we have asked in previous years, “Does DC still have a single gay neighborhood?” Is the LGBT population spreading out across the city at a slow but steady pace?
In the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Borderstan reader polls, the top choice of readers was Logan Circle. Last year 38% in 2012 said Logan Circle was the city’s primary gay neighborhood, with “Everywhere and Nowhere” in second place, and Dupont Circle in third place — with Shaw making big gains each year. (Results of previous reader polls are below.)
Today 17th Street is still generally recognized as DC’s “gay Main Street” — and only a few blocks from the Logan Circle neighborhood. But, overall, is the Logan Circle area the new Dupont Circle when it comes to all things gay?
Here’s how Borderstan voters responded the past three years.
| Where is DC’s Gay Neighborhood? | |||
| Neighborhood | 2012 Reader Poll |
2011 Reader Poll |
2010 Reader Poll |
| Logan Circle | 38% | 34% | 38% |
| Everywhere and Nowhere | 18% | 22% | 21% |
| Dupont Circle | 13% | 12% | 14% |
| Shaw | 9% | 4% | 2% |
| U Street | 9% | 8% | 6% |
| This is such a 1970s question | 8% | 17% | 18% |
| Columbia Heights | 3% | Not asked | Not asked |
| Other | 2% | 3% | 1% |
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy.
The District
- Oh, you didn’t know? There’s a new elephant named Bozie at the National Zoo. (DCist)
- I knew all those crunches would pay off. DC is seventh healthiest city in America. (Huffington Post)
- LivingSocial looks to boost profits by promoting concerts, festivals, and other events. (The Washington Post)
- It’s good to ride your bike in DC, but there is still work to be done. (WAMU)
- Third times a charm. DC woman claims 911 hung up on her three times. (WTOP)
- Metro considering plans to let riders use smartphones or credits cards to pay for fairs. (WTOP)
- The District is more populous than Vermont and Wyoming! DC twelfth in population growth. (DCist)
- Damn. I was hoping y’all were gonna be gone this Memorial Day weekend. (The Washington Post)
- New craft brewery, Atlas Brew Works, set to open at the end of summer in Northeast DC. (ElevationDC)
DC Housing
- Old DC Post Office is one step closer to becoming high-end Trump Hotel. (BizJournal)
- New Web portal helps charter schools trying to repurposed recently closed DCPS schools. (CityPaper)
- Half of new home listings in the District are under contract within two weeks. (Redfin)
- After NYC declares Airbnb illegal, what will happen to the service in Washington DC? (UrbanTurf)
Pop Culture
- Lando Calrissian? Never! The 20 worst dressed movie characters. (ShortList)
- Lucky Charms + Cheerios + Cinnamon Toast Crunch = Best cereal ever! (BuzzFeed)
- Everything you need to know about the recently announced Xbox One. (Kotaku)
Sports
- Apparently the Nationals pitching coach posed for Playgirl in 1984. Oh, my. (The Washington Post)
- What music pumps up Stephen Strasburg before a game? Lil Wayne and Garth Brooks. (YouTube)
- The NCAA bans the use of twitter hashtags on college football fields. #lame #YOLO (Yahoo)
- The Washington Wizards could go local with the third pick in the NBA draft. (The Washington Post)
- Don’t expect an invitation, but RG3 would like to thank fans for the wedding gifts. (NBC4)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week… remembering Ray Manzarek… and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
From Sarah Griswold. Email her at sarahg[AT]borderstan.com.
Loving DC its easy. (Luis Gomez Photos)
I feel like I have had this conversation a lot lately. Whether it be with long-time/long-distance friends from California to Canada, or friends right here in the District. I absolutely love DC, specifically my neighborhood. Right smack-dab in the middle of the Borderstan region, as close to the U street Metro stop as I am to Dupont location, a short walk to dozens of great restaurants, bars, boutiques.
Here’s the thing, DC has been somewhat of a novelty to me — a recent resident of a little more than a year, I still find exciting to make the short trip down to the monuments when we have guests in town. Into my second year here, I’m finally starting to feel settled, like I belong.
It’s A Young Place
Here’s the thing, to outsiders DC can intimidate the crap out of you. If you have this idea of the city in the image of the past — the people here are stuffy and old, or gangsters and hooligans. I know I certainly got that warning when I first told my loved ones about moving here. But when you spend more than a long weekend here, you realize, WOW, this place is young!
Actually, the average age of DC residents is 33.8 years old. A fact that actually makes it much easier to make friends and do fun stuff than I had thought it would be. And another thing, while yes, there are actually some old, stuffy folks, and even some gangsters in poor areas, the majority of people fall somewhere in the middle, which lends itself to a much more diverse place than you might imagine. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to experience that diversity as a girl who lived the last 18 years in Arizona. Diversity — it’s a good thing.
I Hate Driving
I really hate driving. I feel like I really need to hammer this point home. I REALLY HATE DRIVING. For the first time since turning 16, I don’t own a car. I sold it when I knew we were moving here, and my boyfriend did the same thing. We wanted to live in and experience the city the way it was meant to be experienced, by walking. The convenience of walking, or biking, or busing, or Metro-ing everywhere is actually the best thing ever.
The average commute time in the United States is just more than 25 minutes each way — and in Phoenix, my boyfriend and I were easily at 45 minutes each. That was six hours a week we were spending in our cars, in traffic and cursing those crazy drivers basically the whole time. So lame, not fun. But now, not only has our time decreased by roughly 30 minutes, but we get to enjoy being outside and stretching our legs, making us both much happier people to be around.
It’s Even Beautiful
Lastly, and probably my most favorite thing about living in DC is how unbelievably gorgeous it is. I go on and on about it to my friends and family, but really, unless you have been here to see it for yourself, you have no idea. Of course there are the monuments, The White House, The Smithsonian buildings and the rest of the touristy buildings — all lovely of course.
But for me, it’s the row houses, the little hidden parks tucked away, the flowers all over everything, the old buildings blending with the new, brick sidewalks, George Washington’s face on the side of that building at 15th and U NW, the drum circle in Meridian Hill Park — it’s just all so awesome! Definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.
In short, I think it’s pretty darn important to love where you live. Picking up and moving across the country was a scary proposition, but I’m so glad I did, because I’ve never loved living somewhere as much as I love it here! I hope that all of you can say the same thing about the places you call home.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
So many places to go in the city. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Mathew Harkins. Email him at mharkins[AT]borderstan.com.
The past couple of weeks have seen Passport DC events happening all over the city. If you’ve been lucky enough to find the time, then you’ve had the chance to be transported to Parisian cafes, Brazilian jazz clubs and Slovenian concert halls, all without packing a single suitcase.
But, you might ask yourself, how does my own city stack up against all this international competition? How do I know where DC stands in the great ranking of countries and cities?
Look no further than the Travel section of The New York Times, which published a list this past January of the 46 Places to Go in 2013. Some may be surprised, but our city made it onto this select list, coming in at #43 and one of only seven U.S. locations on the list.
The main reason for the attention on our city has to do with our ever-expanding food scene. The handful of restaurants/locations that have been selected for the piece include:
- Toki Underground — at 1234 H Street NE
- Union Market — at 1309 5th Street NE
- Graffiato — at 707 6th Street NW
- Little Serow — (our own nearby entry) at 1511 17th Street NW
At the close of this short list, the Times includes the exhibit, “Food: Transforming America’s Table 1950-2000,” currently open at the National Museum of American History.
And as we good Borderstan readers know, this is only the thinnest sample of the culinary excitement happening here in DC. From Stephen Starr’s Le Diplomate to the Italian invasion we’ve seen happening on 14th Street; from the outdoor barbecue to the expansion of local culinary entrepreneurs. The Borderstan area and DC at large is full of exciting new food and restaurant experiences, keeping our taste buds happy and our interest piqued for what might come next.
Not only do we have a few more bragging rights now, but if we keep up at this rate, we’ll be closer to the top of a few more lists next year.
For a rundown of some of the restaurants newly opened or opening in the area this spring/summer, take a look at the list from this past March.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy.
The District
- A church and a strip club join forces in opposition of proposed M Street bike lanes. (DCist)
- The sequester shuts down the National Arboretum on weekdays. (The Washington Post)
- Commission to spend next six months considering changes to the DC height ban. (WAMU)
- Don’t be alarmed if you see Kwame Brown out and about. His house arrest sentence ends. (CityPaper)
- Times are tough for food trucks in DC, but Arlington is considering longer service hours. (WAMU)
- Between 2000 and 2011, the number of biking commuters has nearly doubled in DC. (CityPaper)
- Why didn’t anyone tell me about DC’s largest swimming pool? (Popville)
- DC Government to consider $1 billion plan to bury power lines in the District. (WTOP)
DC Housing
- The top 10 DC zip codes where homes sell the fastest. Mount Pleasant ranks second. (UrbanTurf)
- Construction of a 10,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse begins in Anacostia. (Curbed)
- The National Cathedral wins $100K to repair damage from 2011 earthquake. (BizJournals)
Popular Culture
- Need your Prince Harry fix? The 21 swoon-worthy moments from his American visit. (BuzzFeed)
- After eight seasons, we finally met the mother on How I Met Your Mother. (Entertainment Weekly)
- An interactive Web site that charts every reoccurring joke from Arrested Development. (Recurring Developments)
- The 25 creepiest book covers of all time. Yes, Goosebumps and R.L. Stine is on the list. (ShortList)
Sports
- Check out the possible wedding registry for RGIII. I call dibs on the waffle maker. (Bed Bath & Beyond)
- As the injuries mount, the Nationals might have misdiagnosed a Bryce Harper concussion. (DeadSpin)
- They might be the worst MLS team this season, but DC United will soon have their own beer. (DCUnited)
- After the Capital’s playoff loss, Tony Kornheiser lashes out at Caps fans and … (The Washington Post)
- … Michael Wilbon has a few choice words for Alexander Ovechkin. (The Washington Post)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week … a cat that doesn’t like his vest … and your Moment of Zen (NSFW).
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy!
The District
- DC taxi riders rejoice! All District taxis will accept credit cards by August 31st. (DCist)
- Cyber-attack cripples WTOP and Federal New Radio Web sites and infects users. (The Washington Post)
- The poor man’s Prince William visited DC on Thursday. Did you catch a glimpse? (DCist)
- Under proposed budget plan, Circulator bus fares could double in 2014. (The Washington Post)
- A collection of DC area farmer’s markets all on one map. How convenient. (Curbed)
- Waiting list for DC’s charter schools exceeds available spots. (WAMU)
- Nearly 19 million people visited Washington DC last year. (DCist)
- Hey thanks Volkswagen! German carmaker donates 10 million to National Mall restoration. (WAMU)
- If you’re reading this on your iPhone while riding the Metro, watch out! (The Washington Post)
DC Housing
- A historic account of what the Southwest DC waterfront could have been. (Atlantic Cities)
- You’ve taken the tour, now hear from the owner of the District’s smallest house. (UrbanTurf)
- Plans to turn former First Church of Christ in Adams Morgan into luxury hotel move forward. (The42Bus)
Pop Culture
- Don’t get too attached to Randy, Keith, Nicki, and Mariah. Possible American Idol shakeup in works. (DigitalSpy)
- The rumors are true. Steve Carell will reprise Michael Scott role for the Office series finale. (TVLine)
- The most important infographic about breakfast that you will read today. (ShortList)
- Hooters offers guests free entrée when you bring your mom on Mother’s Day. (Yahoo)
Sports
- The Nats Jordan Zimmermann becomes MLB’s first six-game winner. (USAToday)
- Nope. Despite Verizon Center ad, a Tim Hortons will not be coming to the District. (The Washington Post)
- The New York Rangers even the series with the Capitals at two games apiece. (CBS Sports)
Random Picks of the Week
Your random blog of the week … in preparation for the movie, The Great Gatsby in 133 seconds … and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy!
The District
- A visual breakdown of each Metro stop by median annual household income. (CityPaper)
- Hope you like red. DC Taxicab Commission releases proposed cab color scheme. (DCist)
- DC Central Kitchen reaps the benefits of deer overpopulation in Rock Creek Park. (DCist)
- District tops dubious list. DC is leading state in births out of wedlock. (Examiner)
- Eternal flame at JFK gravesite to undergo repair. Flame transferred to temporary burner. (WAMU)
- DC waterway fish became slightly less disgusting. Tumor rates drop substantially. (CityPaper)
- Third time’s a charm. Supreme Court Justice Breyer has shoulder surgery after bike accident. (WJLA)
- Capital Bikeshare agrees to install 50 new bike stations in Montgomery County. (The Washington Post)
- Are you young? Are you professional? Are you happy? You’re in the right city then. (Forbes)
DC Housing
- Five companies have been short-listed for the upcoming Walter Reed development. (CityPaper)
- Are you a fan of 60 Minutes’ Lara Logan? Like a big fan? You can buy her house. (Curbed)
- You’ve been warned. The great DC Grocery Invasion of 2013 is about to begin. (CityPaper)
- Take a tour, albeit brief, of DC’s one room studio house. (UrbanTurf)
Pop Culture
- The top 50 Romantic comedies. Warning: Excessive use of John Cusack. (Paste)
- New reality series called Top Hooker to air this summer. It’s not what you think. (Entertainment Weekly)
- Turns out that Kevin Bacon isn’t even in the top 40 of most connected actors. (BuzzFeed)
- You’ve come a long way baby. Sears women’s fashions for the summer of 1972. (Jezebel)
Sports
- Jason Collins sought advice from former ‘N Sync member Lance Bass. (The Washington Post)
- Adam LaRoche, Patrick and Gina Neely, and the Duck Dynasty guys eat at Ben’s Chili Bowl. (Twitter)
- Preview of the Capitals playoff series with the New York Rangers. (ESPN)
- DC officials considering land swap with developer for future home of DC United stadium. (BizJournals)
- Is Stephen Strasburg going to be ok? Yes. Are you sure? YES. Really? YES!!! (ESPN)
Random Picks of the Week
Your random blog of the week … in remembrance of Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly … and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy!
The District
- First DC clinic receives license to distribute medically prescribed marijuana. (DCist)
- Virginia transportation board to consider new highway west of Dulles. (WAMU)
- DC Government seizes almost $2.5 million from tax returns to offset unpaid parking tickets. (Examiner)
- Share the road. Illinois Avenue NW in Petworth to get new bike lanes. (CityPaper)
- Have you noticed less traffic in the District recently? You can thank sequestration. (DCist)
- Proposed design for Donald Trump’s luxury hotel in DC gets initial approval. (The Washington Post)
- Only two Metro board members report using public transportation every day. (Examiner)
- Twenty-seven area high schools rank in the top 500 in America. Two in the District. (WTOP)
- Development proposal for plot of land on Florida Avenue NW includes 200 micro units. (UrbanTurf)
Pop Culture
- Drugs and stun gun found on Justin Bieber’s tour bus. Monkey remains captive in Germany. (Yahoo)
- Fresh off her selection as most hated celebrity, Gwyneth Paltrow named most beautiful. (CNN)
- Catholic church in Brooklyn gets with the times. Proclaims Jesus to be the “original hipster”. (Gawker)
- TLC, Marky Mark, and Kriss Kross all together on Oprah. Can you handle the awesomeness? (BuzzFeed)
- The now infamous University of Maryland sorority email writer resigns. (Gawker)
- A collection of trashy lingerie catalogues from the 1980s. Butts, bosoms and big hair. (RetroSpace)
Sports
- ESPN the Magazine rates the Redskins as the fifth worst drafting NFL team. (The Washington Post)
- Davey Johnson does push ups in the dugout. I hope to be as spry when I’m 70. (DCist)
- The Capitals rebound from a slow start to clinch Southeast division title, playoff spot. (ESPN)
- New college football playoff is officially named, College Football Playoff. (USAToday)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week… a cat dressed as a shark, riding a Roomba, chasing a duck… and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy!
Boston
- Here are a few ways to help those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. Donate through One Fund Boston, register to donate blood, or give through the Salvation Army.
The District
- Don’t forget to vote next Tuesday. All you need to know about the special election. (DCGov)
- Bus and train operators not included in Metro anti-fatigue campaign. (Examiner)
- Filmfest DC facing budget shortfall, leaving 2014 festival in question. (CityPaper)
- WMATA considers several K Street and Georgetown streetcar options. (GreaterGreaterWashington)
- Seems worthwhile to me. Long lines at opening of Nordstrom Rack on 18th and L . (DCist)
- DC tourists have it easy. Cars are not required to get around the District. (UrbanTurf)
- Another DC food truck calls it quits. Pinup Panini says proposed regulations would hurt business. (DCist)
- Union workers for the DC government are looking at a 3 percent salary increase. Thanks, Mayor Gray. (NBC4)
DC Housing
- Developer moving forward with multipurpose 1,000-car parking garage in NE. (CityPaper)
- Surprise. Surprise. DC area rent prices rose more than rest of country. (Examiner)
- Update on the first tenant-owned rooming house in the District. (CityPaper)
Pop Culture
- Check out this handy flowchart that tries to explain time-travel in movies. (Laughing Squid)
- The public has spoken. Gwyneth Paltrow named most hated celebrity. (DailyMail)
- Ever wondered what Barbie would look like without makeup? Wait no longer. (Jezebel)
- Relive your awkward years all over again. The top 30 all time coming-of-age novels. (ShortList)
Sports
- Famous athletes are just like us. Alex Ovechkin gets stuck in NOVA traffic. (The Washington Post)
- … And it looks like Ovechkin’s custom Mercedes is up for sale. (Cars.com)
- Beloved baseball pastime is under attack. Group calls for the end of the Wave at Nationals Park. (The Washington Post)
- “Bryce Harper vomits multiple times, gets four hits, is awesome.” Sometimes the headlines write themselves. (USAToday)
Random
- Your random blog of the week… Stephen Colbert’s “Oopsie-Daisy Homophobe“… and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
What did you miss during the past week on the great big Internet? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Internet is a big place and you can’t be expected to see everything. Don’t worry: Borderstan Missing Links are here to help. We’ve collected some highlights from the past week that you might have missed. Enjoy!
The District
- Home prices in DC rose 13.6 percent on average this past year. (UrbanTurf)
- Whatever you do, don’t park in front of David Gregory’s house. (The Washington Post)
- Maryland Live casino in Hanover opened table games this week. (The Baltimore Sun)
- Yo-Yo Ma and former Guns N’ Roses drummer ask congress for more arts funding. (WTOP)
- Need another reason to quit? A pack of cigarettes in DC could climb above $8. (DCist)
- Speaking of bad habits. DC to collect over $42 million in “sin taxes” this fiscal year. (Examiner)
- Metro gives up on trying to repair troubled rail cars. Will buy new ones instead. (The Washington Post)
Food and Drink
- Local celebrity chef Mike Isabella might be distancing himself from Bandolero. (Washington City Paper)
- Sequestration claims another victim. White House assistant chef gets furloughed. (DCist)
- Danish “recovery beers” and other hangover cures from around the world. (FOODBEAST)
Animals
- The next strain of flu might come from horses, bats, or even seals. Really. (Gizmodo)
- Think you could outrun a Tyrannosaurus Rex? Think again. (i09)
Pop Culture
- ‘Vote for Pedro’, ‘I Got Wood’ and other iconic t-shirts in movies. (ShortList)
- You’re never going to guess how they made the dinosaur sounds in Jurassic Park. (Vulture)
- IMBD users vote for the 10 worst movies of all time. (Huffington Post)
- Gavin Rossdale is still getting it done. 90’s band hunks, then and now. (Buzzfeed)
Sports
- The answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries. How Arnold Palmer orders an Arnold Palmer. (Yahoo)
- For those of us who love to over analyze things. The anatomy of a really bad strike call. (FanGraphs)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week … a retrospective look at the movie Batman and Robin … and your Moment of Zen.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
