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Good morning from Washington City Paper! It’s Tuesday! Today in 1800, President John Adams signed a law transferring the nation’s seat of power from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. and in the process, appropriated $5,000 to buy any books that Congress might need. Thus establishing the Library of Congress.
LEADING THE MORNING NEWS: Marion Barry said poorly worded things about hiring Filipina nurses this week. [Examiner] Mayor Vince Gray to unveil 20-year sustainability plan for D.C. [Post] One company in the Jeff Thompson network sent donations to politicians, skipped paying taxes. [Times] Va. Governor Bob McDonnell hasn’t decided whether to veto Voter ID bills. [WAMU] Prince George’s County middle schools extend the school day. [WTOP]
YOUR DAILY QUALITY-OF-LIFE MEASUREMENT: On Monday, City Paper‘s Needle fell two points. The bad news: Two otters died at the National Zoo. The good news: Noah Wyle got arrested in a protest. Take a look here.
SIX CITY PAPER STORIES FROM THE LAST 24 HOURS TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF YOUR DAY:
Meet The New Boss: DSLBD’s Harold Pettigrew: In a regular feature, Lydia DePillis interviews the new director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Harold Pettigrew. He says D.C. is a better place to do business than it’s ever been: “[…]oftentimes, at forums, we may have people who said, it took me this long to get certified, and my first question is, when was the last time you were certified? And very often it’s been years, if not a decade or so, since their last engagement with the agency. When now we’re actually certifying faster than ever, and the experience is a lot more streamlined, how we leverage technology, policy changes that have been made. It’s a totally different experience from what small businesses may have experienced years ago.”
No More Pho Dogs At U Street Music Hall: Actually, no more food at all, reports Chris Shott. “Co-owner Jesse Tittsworth, who created the pho dog in collaboration withToki Underground chef-owner Erik Bruner-Yang, confirms the grub stoppage via email. Tittsworth offers no further explanation, just a vague promise of future eats for club-goers: ‘[W]orkin on substitute food really soon.’ More details as they become available.”
Chuck Brown Is Sick, Postpones Howard Theatre Show: “Chuck Brown has been sick for several weeks and is currently hospitalized, according to a Facebook post from his family over the weekend, but it’s not clear what exactly ails the Godfather of Go-Go. ‘Joint pain and inflammation’ caused his show this weekend at the Howard Theatre to be postponed until June.”
You Call That An Artini? Taste The Finalists In Y&H’s Less Fancy Cocktail Contest: This Thursday at Fruitbat. Be there!
Old School Pols to Headline Good Government Fundraiser: LL reports, “The old crew is getting back together! Former Mayor Anthony Williams, former D.C. Council Chairwoman Linda Cropp, former At-Large Councilmember Bill Lightfoot and former Ward 6 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose are headlining a fundraiser tomorrow for the D.C. Leadership Development Council, a new nonprofit whose aim is to “prepare ethical, knowledgeable candidates for local offices.”
St. Elizabeths Master Plan Drops With Pretty New Pictures: “Do not underestimate the power of charismatic renderings in getting people on board with a development vision,” writes DePillis. “That’s what’s been missing at the St. Elizabeths east campus in Ward 8, where the District envisions a mixed-use urban center full of tech companies, educational institutions, retail, parks, new residents, a new “transit center” next to the Congress Heights Metro station, and even a mini-farm. The new master plan for the 180-acre site includes detailed descriptions of how the various pieces fit together, which historic buildings are to be preserved, where large new buildings could go, and how they should look.”
CAPITOL DAY FOR FISHING PHOTO OF THE DAY: Man With Fly Rod
LINKDUMP AFTER THE JUMP!
LOOSE LIPS DAILY POLITICS LINKS, by Alan Suderman (tips? lips@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- Marion Barry says too many nurses are from the Philippines, more should be homegrown [Fox5]
- Behold, Mayor Vince Gray’s 20-year plan [Post]
- Jeff Thompson‘s associate had tax troubles, enough money to donate to local pols [Times]
- Children & Youth Investment Trust Corp. in upheaval, has been for some time [Times]
- Ward 5 candidate Tim Day’s car was keyed yesterday, he says it was politically motivated [Times]
- Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham in favor of Sunday liquor sales [Post]
- Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans may actually vote in favor of budget [Patch]
REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT LINKS, by Housing Complex blogger Lydia DePillis (tips? housingcomplex@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- McMillan gets new website, more salons. [Bloomingdale]
- Brick walls, exposed! [PoP]
- Are new historic districts just about keeping people out? [Salon]
- D.C.’s sustainability game plan. [Post]
- Could East Shaw get historified? [EastShawDC]
- McPherson gets aerated. [Examiner]
- Gales School finally getting started. [DCMud]
- City didn’t have a grass cutter until recently? [ParkViewDC]
- Today on the market: HUGE YARD
ARTS LINKS, by Ally Schweitzer (tips? artsdesk@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- Signature’s Hairspray wins big at the Helen Hayes Awards [Post]
- Former MTV VJ Kennedy grills Marion Barry on his anti-Asian comments [DCist]
- Adrian Loving will DJ the White House Correspondents Dinner pre-party and after-party. [Adrian Loving]
- Did someone offer you a free book at a Metro station yesterday evening? If so, it was probably ’cause of World Book Night. [Post]
- Lady Gaga earns her rightful place at Madame Tussauds [WTOP]
- National Gallery of Art extends hours during Ito Jakuchu exhibit. People can’t get enough of those scrolls, y’all. [Post]
- Noah Wyle arrested on Capitol Hill for protesting Medicaid cuts [Huffington Post D.C.]
- PETA wants to adorn Baltimore firetrucks with images of hot babes. Does anyone really think this is OK? [Huffington Post D.C.]
FOOD LINKS, by Young & Hungry columnist Chris Shott (tips? hungry@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- Indeed, Taqueria Nacional is moving to T Street NW [Eater]
- Masa 14 sure picked a fine night to open its rooftop [Urban Daddy]
- Banana Leaves is back open in Dupont Circle [PoP]
- Sala Thai is opening a fast-casual Thai spot on M Street NW [Dining Bisnow]
- Sakuramen to open May 10 in Adams Morgan [The 42 Bus]
- The “Headless Food Critic” visits Ben’s Chili Bowl [You Tube]
- Mayor Vince Gray wants you to catch your own fish dinner in a cleaned-up Anacostia River one day. [Post]
- Art and Soul‘s Art Smith hosts the charity dinner An Evening With Common Threads on Thursday. [Examiner]
- Some grilled cheeses around town that don’t suck [Refinery 29]