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Washington City Paper hits the streets this week, and you’ll want to read this week’s cover. In an excerpt from his new book, Ian Svenonius talks rock bands, and why you might be better off being Donald Rumsfeld than Mick Jagger.
LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:
- Report: Metro safety is improving, but progress is “fragile.” [Post]
- MPD moves Asian Liaison Unit from Chinatown. [Times]
- Big layoffs coming at the Washington Times. [City Desk]
RECENT CITY PAPER STORIES TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF YOUR DAY:
Photo of the Day: Two for Tuesday.
DyingSocial: LivingSocial has started laying off some employees, including at least three in the District.
Rage Turner: Ex-schools chancellor Michelle Rhee‘s new book isn’t out yet, but Loose Lips got his hands on an early copy. Key plot points include an awkward meeting with Vince Gray, Adrian Fenty‘s shiny head, and Marion Barry as Boss Hogg.
A Mitzvah: DGS Delicatessen wants to bring the Jewish deli tradition to Washington—-except for the kosher part.
Displacement: Southeast has a new neighborhood, built on top of another.
Scrappy Gallery: Art gallery Transformer is celebrating 10 years of exhibiting art in the city.
LOOSE LIPS, by Loose Lips columnist Alan Suderman. (tips? lips@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- Usual suspects very interested in running in the special election. [Post]
- Your tweets about District government services, both positive and negative, are being read by agency heads. [WSJ]
- Temporary set-back, or headlong dive into Pets.com territory for District’s biggest, baddest “tech” company? [WBJ]
- LivingSocial’s problems are because of the Height Act. [Slate]
- Gray spox to council: lower speed camera fines and you will have blood on your hands. [Examiner]
- Follow up hearing on CFO and lotto scheduled. [Examiner]
- Have your say on District playground renovations. [Post]
- Chinatown unhappy with MPD moving liaison unit. [Times]
HOUSING COMPLEX, by Housing Complex columnist Aaron Wiener. (tips? awiener@washingtoncitypaper.com )
- LivingSocial layoffs unlikely to hit D.C. offices hard, given tax break deal. [CityDesk]
- The city’s seeking contractors to envision a post-Height Act D.C. [WBJ]
- A Mary Cheh bill would let contractors buy passes to park on residential streets. [GGW]
- The city is trying to lease out a Georgia Avenue building that’s falling apart. [WBJ]
- 2012’s best smart growth projects. D.C. doesn’t make the cut. [Atlantic Cities]
- A cool map of D.C.’s state-named avenues. [Bog Rosemary]
- Murry’s grocery to move from Skyland to Rhode Island Avenue NE. [WBJ]
- The Office of Planning foresees increased job concentration downtown. [OPinions]
- Kevin Payne‘s resignation shouldn’t derail plans for a new D.C. United stadium. [WBJ]
- Today on the market: Detached brick home by Fort Dupont Park
ARTS LINKS, by Caroline Jones (tips? artsdesk@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- The Kennedy Center premiered its latest musical offering on Tuesday: a 5,000 pipe organ that, unlike its predecessor, will hopefully not make unscheduled noises during performances. [Post]
- Peoples Potential Unlimited presents a new compilation of rare funk, boogie, and go-go tracks straight out of the ’80s. [Big Cartel]
- Washingtonian breaks down the White House Christmas decorations by the numbers. The Bo topiary involved 20,000 black and white pom poms, 85 hours of labor, and some portion of your tax dollars. [Washingtonian]
- Local DJ Chris Burns has been on a remixing spree lately. You can sample his latest experiments now, via Sound Cloud. [Sound Cloud]
- Connecticut Avenue used bookstore Kultura’s is closing. But there’s good news – until Sunday, all merchandise is 50% off. [Borderstan]
- The trip may be canceled but the party goes on: Andrew W. K. spills the details on his State Department-sponsored trip to Bahrain that’s now been called off. [DCist]
FOOD LINKS, by Jessica Sidman (tips? hungry@washingtoncitypaper.com)