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
- Museum of National History scores its first full Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. (DCist)
- Nearly 400 koi fish were stolen from a pond in an industrial park in Herndon, VA. (CBSLocal)
- City of Alexandria passes ordinance that allows bicyclists to ride on sidewalks. (WAMU)
- Michigan Congressman proposes bill that would eliminate all traffic cameras in the District. (DCist)
- DC Council votes to lower the sale tax from 6% to %5.75. Lowest level since 2009. (Washington Times)
- The Rolling Stones zing President Obama over NSA wiretaps during DC concert. (Washington Post)
- Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk donates first skateboard to Smithsonian. (WJLA)
- Mayor Gray prioritizes education spending with $92 million in projected local revenue. (BizJournal)
DC Housing
- For only 2.6 million you could have this old DC engine station. Fire poll included. (Estately)
- DC Chief Financial Officer forecasts an end to the city’s population growth. (CityPaper)
- The Atlantic Plumbing Supply Company building next to the 9:30 Club is no more. (Price of Petworth)
Popular Culture
- Kinda racist? No worries. Paula Dean’s cookbook jumps to #1 on Amazon best sellers list. (BuzzFeed)
- A map of the United States that shows the most famous company brand from each state. (DesignTaxi)
- Have you been wondering what actor Rick Moranis has been up to? Wonder no more. (HeebMag)
Sports
- PETA ranks Nats Park as the third most vegetarian-friendly stadium in MLB. (Washington Post)
- Joe Theismann interested in replacing Sam Huff on the Redskins radio broadcasts. (NBC Sports)
- Not satisfied with free burritos for life, Bryce Harper scores some free Cap’n Crunch. (Washington Post)
- With the third pick in the NBA Draft, the Wizards select Otto Porter Jr. from Georgetown. (SBNation)
- Every single shot Lebron James made during game 7 of the NBA Finals in one GIF. (DeadSpin)
- Don’t hate on the mullet. Rendon’s hair sparks Nationals rallying call. (Washington Post)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week… shocking cats… and your Moment of Zen.
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From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The Metro Rule, it never fails. (Luis Gomez Photos)
After living in a city for a while, you start to pick up on some of the unwritten rules that apply to that particular city. I’ve definitely learned a few unwritten rules while living here in the District.
Keep your commute under 30 minutes. Stand on the right, walk on the left. Parking on Connecticut Ave after 7:30 am on a weekday will get you a $100 ticket. Okay, maybe that’s a written rule, but you get the idea.
And what it is the most important rule I’ve learned while living here? The Metro Rule.
I haven’t always lived in the District. When I first moved to the area more than 10 years ago, I lived in a far off place called Fair-A-Fax. It’s a magical place full of things called CostCo, Applebees and McMansions. People do this thing they call “driving.” It’s all very strange. While I might have lived out in the suburbs, I worked in downtown DC. Right across from Camelot. Great lunch buffet, by the way.
To get to work every day, I would drive 15 minutes to the nearest Metro station, park, ride the Metro for 35 minutes and then walk 10 minutes to my office. Then I would do it all again in reverse later that same day. Practically two hours of my day lost to the commute.
Like any good 20-something with a job in the city, I attended my fair share of happy hours and social events after work. Sometimes those social events included drinking. Okay, a lot of those social events included drinking. And the one constant after every event, was the long Metro ride home.
And do you know what Metro stations and Metro cars don’t have? Bathrooms. Henceforth, the Metro Rule was born.
Met·ro Rule (metrō ro͞ol) noun
Definition: The idea that an individual should visit the lavatory before leaving their current location.
Example of Metro Rule: Brian decided it was a good idea to apply the Metro Rule after closing out his tab at the bar.
I truly believe that Metro turnstiles are cursed. As soon as you walk through… BOOM! You’ve got to go. And what’s that? A 15-minute wait for the next Red Line train, AND you’ve got to transfer at Chinatown? This is not looking good my friend. You should have Metro Ruled. Yes, it’s a verb too.
You might say to yourself, “I don’t have to go. I just went!” (Sigh) Your body is lying to you. You do have to go. Or maybe you’re not even taking the Metro. That’s why the rule applies to all modes of transportation. Bus. Bike. Cab. Walking. It doesn’t matter, the rule applies!
There are NO exceptions to the Metro Rule. None. Well, maybe a couple. Long bathroom lines can be a deterrent to the Metro Rule. Proximity to your next destination is also a factor. Are you literally walking next store or just a few blocks away? Ok, fine. Hold it, but you’ve been warned.
Ultimately, the Metro Rule is infallible. When applied consistently and correctly, the rule will bring peace of mind and … relief to those who believe in the power of preemptive peeing.
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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
- Hank, the new sloth bear cub at the National Zoo, made his public debut this week. (DCist)
- More than 10,000 students were suspended this past academic year in DC public schools. (WAMU)
- Old NPR headquarters building in Chinatown succumbs to the wrecking ball. (Prince of Petworth)
- Another Shake Shack is set to open in Penn Quarter. I love me some Shake Shack. (DCist)
- Fairfax County schools working with sleep specialists to study school start times. (WAMU)
- Sometimes bag searches on the Metro aren’t always optional. (GreaterGreaterWashington)
- First child of 19, Josh Duggar takes a job with conservative lobbying firm in the District. (DCist)
- That trip out to Tysons Corner Mall will have to wait. Silver line opening delayed till January. (NBC4)
DC Housing
- Shepherd Park and Petworth are the two hottest housing neighborhoods in DC right now. (BizJournals)
- Owners of Meridian Hill Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant hope to turn it into a 70-unit condo. (UrbanTurf)
- I’m shocked! Real estate in Georgetown is getting more expensive. (Georgetown Metropolitan)
- If you have an opinion about the redevelopment of Walter Reed, let them know. (WalterReedTomorrow)
- Study finds that DC renters can save almost 30% by sharing an apartment with a roommate. (UrbanTurf)
- A look at the ten buildings that changed Washington, DC. (Parchment)
Popular Culture
- A video of all the “OOHS” in Saved by the Bell. Lots of kissing and AC Slater dancing. (Shortlist)
- North West. A quadrant in Washington, DC and a Kardashian. (DailyMail)
- The 10 greatest sitcom characters that were introduced late in show’s run. (UPROXX)
Sports
- Alexander Ovechkin has three MPV trophies … and zero Stanley Cups. (Sports Illustrated)
- Bryce Harper modeling underwear. Why haven’t you clicked the link yet? (Washington Post)
- Don’t expect the Wizards to revert back to the Bullets nickname anytime soon. (Washington Times)
- How well do you know the MLB rulebook? Take this quiz to find out how little you do. (ESPN)
- John Wall has been busy this offseason. At the tattoo parlor. (Washington Post)
Random Picks of the Week
- Your random blog of the week … remember James Gandolfini … and your Moment of Zen.
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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.
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From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
Did you get your mother one of those Edible Arrangements on Mother’s Day as I suggested? Did you at least call her? Good. Don’t get too comfortable though. Father’s Day is Sunday and you’re on the hook to do something nice for your other parental unit.
My father gave me his music, literally, in the form of vinyl. (Willis Shawyer)
Finding the right Father’s Day gift for dad can be difficult. There’s always brunch. Perhaps a round of golf at your local country club? How about an old bottle of scotch? All dads drink scotch, right? Just don’t get him a tie. He has enough ties.
Whether or not you decide to give your dad a gift on Father’s Day, at least take a moment to thank him. If you were fortunate like me, you had a father who was a positive influence on your life. Someone who taught you right from wrong. Someone who left their mark on your life.
My father gave me his music, literally. In the form of over a hundred vinyl records. During my childhood, I would paw through the stacks of his records and sample every genre of music. From Sly and the Family Stone to Elton John.
I’ll never forget the opening guitar riffs of Santana’s “Black Magic Woman,” or the blazing horns that kicked off the Chicago Transit Authority album. As a kid, I was blown away by the amount of sound The Who produced with songs such as “Baba O’riley.”
My dad wasn’t a hippie but there were some great folk albums from America and Peter, Paul and Mary that I loved. I can also thank my father for turning me on to George Harrison and his first amazing solo album, All Things Must Pass.
There were more than just the classic rock albums. There was the Ghostbusters soundtrack that I would rock out to in my room for hours at a time. Ray Parker Jr. anyone? If you weren’t jumping around on your bed dancin’ to the Ghostbusters theme you weren’t livin’!
And of course there was the Beatles. If you’re a fan of the Beatles you probably remember the first time you discovered their music. I was hooked when found the Red and Blue albums in my father’s record collection. You get to experience the early hits like “Love Me Do” and “Please Please Me“, and then quickly move into classics like “Here Comes the Sun” and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
It’s nice to be able to relive those memories from my childhood whenever I want. All I have to do is pick a record, fire up the record player and listen.
My father game me his music. Whatever it was for you, thank your pops for it. Happy Father’s Day, dad.
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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.
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From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
Beats Venue is at 1219 9th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Need to get your live music fix this Thursday? Well, the Beats Venue (1219 9th Street NW) has you covered and then some.
Catch the NYC based indie rock band The Dig, as they kick off their summer tour in support of their newly released EP, Tired Hearts. With two full length albums already under their belt, this up-and-coming foursome from Brooklyn has a vintage rock sensibility that is guaranteed to rock DC.
The show tomorrow night also features two opening bands from the Washington, DC area. The high-energy group Brett will get you moving with their up-tempo dance mixes, and the performance by experimental pop trio Wheelie will feature costumes, props and dancers.
The show starts at 9 pm and tickets ($10) can be purchased online or at the door. For more information about Beats Venue DC, check out their website.
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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.
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 Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
The U Street Music Hall. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Apparently, in order to accurately describe Burning Man, you have to experience the festival first hand. Well, Borderstan, you might just get your chance this weekend.
Held in the desert of northern Nevada, this annual event features art installations, parades, a temple, and culminates in the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy. Along with the body paint, wind, and sand, another large portion of the Burning Man experience is the music. Lucky for us, a taste of that music is coming to the District this weekend.
The non-profit electronic music collective DISTRIKT is bringing the sounds of Burning Man to U Street Music Hall this Sunday night, May 26. The show will feature a selection of the latest techno, house, breaks, and electro music.
Techno/house producer Carlo Lio will headline the event along with special appearances by DJs Ben Seagren and DJ Kramer. Local DC artist Fort Knox Five will also take the stage along with Austin, Texas performer DJ Manny of Los Bandidos Cosmicos.
So if you’re not quite ready for a week out in the desert, perhaps a night out on U Street will bring you that much closer to the Burning Man experience.
Tickets for the show (18 and up) are $10 and can be purchased online. All proceeds of the event will benefit the DISTRIKT and FUNKY TOWN Burning Man camps.
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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.
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
Author Willis Shawver and his mother. (Courtesy Willis Shawver)
Don’t worry. Mother’s Day is this Sunday, so you haven’t missed it. There is still plenty of time to show your mother just how much you care, or to disappoint her like you usually do. So that raises the question, how does an individual properly thank someone for birthing them?
Lucky for you there are lots of ways to express your love and gratitude for Dear ol’ Mom. To help, I’ve ranked some popular Mother’s Day activities that fall somewhere in between “Best Child Ever!” and “You’re dead to me.” Here’s hoping you fall somewhere towards the top of this list.
1. An Open Hearts necklace. Don’t ever question the jewelry designing skills of Jane Seymour. Ever. (JK. Don’t buy an Open Hearts necklace.)
2. Give mom a visit. If you can swing it, seeing your mom in-person on Mother’s Day is a perfect way to celebrate. Take her out to dinner, or even better, brunch! Moms dig brunch. If your mom is local, check out Masa 14 or the Greenhouse at the Jefferson Hotel for some great brunch options here in the neighborhood.
3. Send flowers. Ok. So a trip to see mom is out of the question. No worries. Let a bouquet of flowers brighten her day in your absence. This isn’t Valentine’s Day though, so stay away from the roses. Mom’s like lilacs, irises, tulips, or perhaps some kind of blooming plant. If you’re really trying to impress, pull out all the stops and order her an Edible Arrangement.
4. Send a card. Necklaces, trips, and arranged food can be expensive. Greeting cards, on the other hand, are cheap and easily accessible. Take some extra time to write a personalized, heartfelt message in your card. Degree of difficulty: when was the last time you bought stamps?
5. Call your mother. That thing in your pocket that takes Instagram photos? That’s a phone. It can make actual phone calls. Use it. The least you can do this Mother’s Day is to give your mom a phone call.
6. Send a text. Did you just text “hpE mthRs dy. <3 U!” to your mother? Shame on you.
In conclusion, you should hand deliver your mom an Edible Arrangement with a card attached containing an Open Hearts necklace. Easy enough I think. Whether you travel, send flowers, or call, make sure you do something for mom this year. She’s earned it.
What am I going to do for my mom this Mother’s Day? Blog about it. Duh. Love you, Mom!
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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.
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Nootana will be at 1700 Kalorama Road NW. (Bryan Bowman, Nootana Resident Artist)
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
Catch a showcase of classical Indian music and dance this Saturday, May 4, at the Sitar Arts Center (1700 Kalorama Road NW) by the performance ensemble, Nootana. The showcase will feature a diverse ensemble of local musicians, dancers, and artists performing a combination of Indian dance and musical numbers.
Founded by local artist Rishi Das in 2012, Nootana is a volunteer based performance ensemble that highlights the artistic innovation found in the classical arts of India. Nootana’s mission is to find a home within DC culture by reviving interest in Indian classical music and dance as a combined art form.
To purchase tickets and to find out more out Nootana, please visit their website.
The Details:
- What: Utsav: Celebrating Innovation
- When: Saturday, May 4 at 8 pm
- Where: de Laski Theater of the Sitar Arts Center
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