Closing Bell: Spencer’s Cat

Washingtonians of the Year

Washingtonian is taking nominations for the best of the beltway.

Leslie Milk:  Help Us Find Washingtonians of the Year

For more than 30 years, the Washingtonian of the Year awards have been the highest honor our community bestows on the people who make this a better place. The Washingtonian is looking for the 2010 Washingtonians of the Year. If you know of someone who is helping to build a better city and region, help us recognize his or her contribution. Please send us any information you think might be helpful, and include your name and phone number or e-mail address. Winners will be featured in the January 2011 issue of The Washingtonian and honored at a luncheon at the Willard InterContinental hotel.

Send or e-mail letters of nomination by September 30 to:

Washingtonians of the Year, The Washingtonian, 1828 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20046

Or email woy@washingtonian.com

Today is 9.02.10

Mary Katharine Ham

Today is 9.02.10. We should celebrate by all wearing the same dress & glaring at each other. Happy 90210 Day! 

Closing Bell: SHARKS

And now for the scariest thing that you’ll read today.

NBC Washington: 8-Foot Shark Caught in Potomac River

H/T Kristen Soltis

Tea Party T-Shirts For the “Grossly Misinformed”

A new internet website just popped up and they’re selling t-shirts just in time for fall.

The Tea Party might have a quasi-mainstream official platform, but it also seems to be a magnet for far right loonies, angry racists, borderline psychotics and those that are simply grossly misinformed.

These shirts are for those fringe nutjobs that make the Tea Party rallies so much fun to read about.

Check out the shirts here.

h/t Lazy Hazy’s Wife

Hostage Situation at Discovery Communications Building

Welcome to the wired world: Hostage Taking 2.0

Here’s a link to the gunman’s manifesto. That link is farked, try this one.

Live streaming [Fox 5 News]

And here’s a picture snapped by an employee:

UPDATE: The photo is a picture of a plainclothes officer – not the gunman.

UPDATE: Follow the Washingtonian’s Twitter feed for breaking news on this.

Pregnant Demons Having Tea with Glenn Beck

…perhaps that should be the name of our next rock band. [byt]

big h/t to Brightest Young Things

If I Ruled The World #NAS

I’d eat at Ben’s Chili Bowl everyday.

FamousDC Jim Billimoria

Roll Call’s photographer superstar Tom Williams snapped Jim Billimoria at the top of the Rotunda.

When Fantasy Football and the Iraq War Collide

Rick Klein

will be drafting fantasy FB while Tweeting Obama Iraq speech. if I draft David Petraeus, please excuse me in advance.

Brian Montopoli vs. Glenn Beck #CrowdWars

The CBS News vs. Fox News battle heats up as Brian Montopoli explains the science behind their Glenn Beck rally crowd calculations.

CBS News: Glenn Beck “Restoring Honor” Rally Crowd Estimate Explained

Knock, Knock. Who’s There? Roy Blunt’s Talented Intern

Senate hopeful Roy Blunt has a very talented intern. So talented in fact, that he’s one viral video away from headlining his own show in Branson, MO. [pay raise]

Continued proof that interning on a campaign isn’t just about licking stamps and stuffing envelopes.

We Love the Sh*t Out of Jim Traficant

Nothing makes us happier than this: [we need more of this in Congress]

Former Rep. James Traficant gets to run for his old congressional seat after all.

Say Hello to Hurricane Earl #DCWeather

From the city that brought you #snOMG & earthquakes, Washington, D.C. proudly presents …

HURRICANE EARL

Break out your MREs, and blue tarps … because if there was ever a year in which we could all but guarantee Hurricane Earl making landfall within 100 miles of DC, this would be it. [bet on it]

RGA Actors Just Miss Emmy Deadline

These two really gave it their all in what ends up being a superbly acted performance. Feel the passion, the energy, and the electricity as they rail against Ohio’s Ted Strickland. Count them as front runners for next year’s Emmy awards.

RGA TV Ad: Ohio – Ted Stirckland “Twice” from Republican Governors Association on Vimeo.

PS: Is that Ed Asner?
PPS: Is that supposed to be his daughter/wife/girlfriend?

Shocker: Member of Congress Funnels Money to Family

Imagine a Member of Congress violating rules…

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson violated rules, steered scholarships to relatives
Eddie Bernice Johnson has awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships to four relatives and a top aide’s two children since 2005, using foundation funds set aside for black lawmakers’ causes.

Of course every broken rule always has a good excuse:

Had there been more “very worthy applicants in my district,” she added, “then I probably wouldn’t have given it” to the relatives.

Eddie Bernice Johnson represents Dallas, TX. Apparently there are very few college-aged people living in Dallas.

What’s Wrong With This Screen Grab?

We’ll give you a hint: It doesn’t involve NASA.

h/t Treacher

Bipartisan Fish Story

Reeled in from Mike Allen’s Playbook:

THE BIPARTISAN ADVENTURES of the DNC communications director and Boehner’s new-media director — @woodhouseb: “With @nickschaper. Were fishing the mouth of the Chester tearing them up. Headed home and ran out of gas. Waiting now for tow boat us. … @nickschaper and I got back across the bay at around 10:30. Never like to be stranded on the water – but this wasn’t a bad night for it.”

Happy Monday Morning

Did you take a private jet to Las Vegas and get arrested for cocaine possession? [Paris Hilton]

Do you think John Mayer could take Ryan Grim? [full of sh*t]

“OMG, there are so many of them here …” [Journolist]

Happy Monday.

Let’s rock this week.

Campaigning 101: Marty Lamb’s Barf Bag

If you’re a candidate running for office and looking for an interesting campaign gimmick, the “barf bag” handout is always a solid option.

A Republican candidate for Congress [Marty Lamb] is hoping an unusual campaign gimmick can help him “sack” his opponent in November.

“This is a barf bag. They’re not to be used in real life, but it’s to get the message out,” Lamb said.

The message: If Congress is making you sick, then vote in somebody new like the Holliston real estate lawyer, who is running against Democratic incumbent Jim McGovern.

Stay tuned next month when Marty unveils the Congressional toilet seat cover with the tag-line, “in times when you have to cover your own ass.”

The Only Thing Good To Happen to the Washington Nationals Has a Torn Ligament #Strasburg

It was fun while it lasted. [102 mph, huh?]

Rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg has a significant tear on the ulnar collateral ligament that probably will require reconstructive Tommy John elbow surgery, the Washington Nationals announced Friday.

For those of you playing at home, that means he’ll be about for 12-18 months.

h/t KMadden

Foghorn Leghorn Has No Plans to Keep It Classy

JD Hayworth, a loser in his recent primary election, has no plans to congratulate his opponent. [toll free]

Two days after his win in the Arizona Republican Senate primary, Sen. John McCain has yet to receive the customary post-election congratulatory phone call from his opponent J.D. Hayworth, Politico reports.

Said a McCain aide, also keeping it classy: “J.D. has less class than the Salahis.”

Friday’s Photo of the Day [Caption Anyone?]

This was spotted on Roger Ebert’s Journal. [great captions below]

Possible captions:

Have you seen this man? If so, NO YOU DIDN’T, back to you Nancy.

“Now, let’s check in with Dallas Raines on the weather in Guatemala, where I’m moving. Dallas?”

“Witnesses say the suspect looks dashing in a suit and red tie.”

Police warn citizens that the suspect could be hiding in plain sight.

Got a good caption? Email us at FamousDC@gmail.com

Famously Quoteworthy: Congressman Jokes that Pelosi Might Die

If there was a list of things you shouldn’t say while on the campaign trail, this would be #1: [Bobby Not-so-Bright]

Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL) dodged criticism about voting for Nancy Pelosi (D) as House Speaker by suggesting she might not be available for the job next year if Democrats retain control, the Montgomery Advertiser reports.

The freshman congressman joked that Pelosi “might lose her own election, decide not to run for the speaker’s job or otherwise not be available. He suggested, jokingly he insisted to his audience, that Pelosi could fall ill and die in coming months. That remark drew laughter from the crowd.”

h/t Political Wire

Hurricane Katrina: Then and Now

Amazing before and after pictures courtesy of CNN.com:

In the five years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, some areas have rebuilt while others remain unchanged. CNN photographers and iReporters collaborated in a powerful past-meets-present photography project to show what the region looks like today.

View them all.

Oh…Canada: Winnipeg’s Mayor Kicks Kid In the Face

In America, when a mayor kicks a kid in the face, either his opponent instantly has the perfect campaign ad, or HE instantly has the
perfect campaign ad. [sort of depends on where you're mayor].

Bill and Hillary Shake Their Tailfeathers [Photo]

We’re told it was mildly uncomfortable for everybody watching.  [We think it's terrific]

On the eve of former president Bill Clinton’s 64th birthday, Bill and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton rocked-it-baby-all-night long under the tent at the annual “Summer” party hosted by Brooke and Dan Neidich at their estate in East Hampton’s private Georgica Association. The community was once the summer retreat of New England ministers, academics, and their families — and is still the last, best (albeit unaffordable) relic of the small township that once was East Hampton.

The party blazed on until 6 a.m.

Famously Quoteworthy: Nikki Schwab Dreams About Bristol

Some people dream of Jeannie, others dream about Bristol Palin …

“Had a dream about Bristol Palin last night. She lived in my closet with baby Tripp and asked me to get her a rum and coke.” She adds, “This is when you know your job has consumed your life…” – The Washington Examiner’s Yeas & Nays gossip writer Nikki Schwab on Twitter.

Nikki clearly works too hard, but at least the dream wasn’t about Levi.  He lives in her other closet.

h/t FishbowlDC

Your WTF of the Week: And It’s Only Monday

This won’t be topped:

Minneapolis will pay $165,000 to zombies
The Minneapolis city attorney’s office has decided to pay seven zombies and their attorney $165,000.

At the time of their arrest, the Zombies had no IDs.

Things Escalated Quickly

Famously Quoteworthy: Ne-VAH-da

It’s only Monday, but this might be the lead of the week:

You know the old adage: You say to-MATE-o, I say to-MAHT-O. You say Ne-VAH-da, I punch you in the face.

Nevada state legislators get real fired up about how you pronounce their state’s name. [real fired up]

The Geosocial Universe @JESS3

The fine folks at JESS3 have been working to accurately depict the size of the key players in the geo / social space.

They released this earlier today:

Terrible Use of Photoshop = Best Campaign Strategy Ever

We want to work for whoever thought this was a good idea. [copy, paste, print]

Bessemer Councilwoman Dorothy Davidson, who is running for mayor of the city, claims she secured Saban’s endorsement of her campaign three weeks ago. Davidson printed it on a color campaign flier that shows her and the coach smiling side by side on a golf course.

Small problem: The photo isn’t real and the University of Alabama disagrees with the endorsement:

But University of Alabama athletics officials on Tuesday said there is no such endorsement. And the photo of Davidson and Saban together is not real, but digitally altered from another photo.

Doctored photo vs. real picture below.

h/t DA [also spotted here: KevinMaddenDC]

Confusing Headlines…Florida Edition

Kendrick Meek gets Obama to stump for him in his close race primary with life coach billionaire Jeff Greene, and some dude named Sink hops in front of him and makes it look like the opposite.

Obama headed to Florida to help Sink, Meek [the importance of commas]

Or is this some prophecy and commentary on the President’s approval ratings? Guess we’ll find out Tuesday.

ICYMI: The Weather Still Sucks

We’re not quite sure what DC did to deserve weather like this, but we certainly hope the end is near.

Oh wait, no end in sight: [TBD]

The second round is expected to hit about 4 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. While the rain is not expected to be as heavy, it will likely cause more problems during the evening commute.

UPDATE: TBD user comment: Remember everybody, traffic lights without power means you need to be as inconsiderate as possible and try and rush though them! Whatever you do, don’t treat it like a 4-way stop sign, that would make too much sense for D.C. area drivers.

Alvin Greene’s Latest Campaign Sign [Photo]

Alvin Greene’s most recent [and likely only] campaign sign comes on the heels of his latest attempt at crazy. [howling]

One would think that it would be a bit more tech-savvy, all things considered, especially since Al is probably a fan of a lenient internet regulations. That and he apparently has access to a computer lab.

Note: The sign was spotted on Ashley River Rd. in Charleston, SC.

Photo credit and h/t to Allison Cunningham

Rantworthy: R.I.P. Tune Inn

Something on your mind? Need to Rant? Email famousdc@gmail.com

Tune Inn joins DC reality television craze, crushing hearts more than their mozzarella sticks

The successful opening of Chef Spike’s tourist-beloved We the Pizza and the Silk Road-length lines outside Georgetown Cupcake have proven that television celebrity can add cold hard cash to District businesses’ bottom lines in the otherwise unforgiving summer heat.

But one legendary Capitol Hill dive bar may have just eaten its own scrapple.

The Tune Inn, holder of the oldest liquor license in Washington, D.C. and celebrated for its gritty pretentiousness, recently re-branded itself after Food Network personality Guy Fieri following his April visit for the show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Menus, once crinkled and historied as a two dollar bill from your grandfather, now feature Fieri’s cartoon face recommending approved dishes of along with photos of him posing with staff and serving customers. The restaurant’s logo itself if now overlapped with a seal announcing that Fieri certifies these once hallowed walls as an “official dive.”

A giant poster of Fieri lurks outside of the bathrooms with an indignity that has made some regulars wish the urinals were relocated slightly below his trademark bleached blonde hair.

The move seems to contradict the image what one Yelp reviewer described as “a warm-welcomed refuge from the hectic, wannabe ‘trendiness’ of several other late night establishments in D.C.”

Ask the Tune Inn’s servers why the establishment re-branded from the unpretentious Capitol Hill watering hole where Congressmen sit in booths beside known vagrants in a mutual pursuit of a taste of home to a tourist-baiting trend based around one appearance by the winner of the “Next Food Network Star” show, and they seem perplexed themselves.

Once popularly known for walls covered in taxidermy animals, now the atmosphere is defined by the endorsement of a television personality who many current patrons would not have asked the opinion of in the first place.

Will Fieri’s endorsement lead to wrap-around lines of patrons waiting for ice cold cans of Natural Bohemian beer and scrapple hamburgers? How the change will affect the establishment’s regular clientele is yet to be determined, as the Tune Inn’s episode in “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” airs Sept. 16.

Who Steals Frozen Water?

Which rookie cop is having to investigate this crime?  [APB]

Many a summer party requires a late-night ice run, especially with this year’s sweltering heat. But is that why someone broke into a Loudoun County convenience store to steal 200 bags of ice?

That’s what Loudoun police are investigating.

Authorities say that sometime between Sunday night and early Monday morning, someone broke the lock on a conveniece store in the 38900 block of E. Colonial Highway.

Ice tends to melt, so the clock is ticking.

Headline of the Day: Apple Pie Face

This cracks us up:

Levin Gets Hit In the Face with Dutch Apple Pie

Not to be mistaken for “regular apple pie.”

Sen. Carl Levin was hit in the face with an apple pie during a meeting this morning with constituents in Big Rapids, Mich.

Sharon Dunn, the general manager and owner of Pepper’s Café and Deli, said things got heated during the question-and-answer session, when a young man stood up and started yelling about Levin’s work with the Senate Armed Services Committee.

At least it wasn’t coffee in the lap.

Politico Gods Shine Favor on Meredith Shiner

Meredith Shiner:

Today is the day the @politico gods are coming down and granting me a new BlackBerry. I have been waiting for this day forever.

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