Just What DC Needs

Another FamousDC glossy mag

Project Beltway:

Soon Washington will have another, yes another, fashion/social scene/party/lifestyle glossy. This time, the Washington Post franchise getting in the game. The Washington City Paper seems to have broken the news (with obligatory eye-rolling, of course) for FW (Fashion Washington). While the distribution model is a little disappointing, The Post isn’t ripping off The Examiner exclusively at all; the paper seems to be considering all of the models its competition uses - select mailings and select retail drops (you can pick up DC Magazine at Muleh on 14th Street and Capitol File at Erwin Gomez in Georgetown).

Take Your Tour Sticker Off

Douche in DC: Tourists on the Town

We all see tourists and can recognize them on the spot, whether it be because they are holding up a map, standing on the left, or wearing the obnoxious Capital tour stickers. However, sometimes they don’t do themselves any favors. This douchy tourist was spotted near the US Botanical gardens, with apparently every imaginable item strapped to her belt. Also, on the other side was a water bottle.

Jonathan Kaplan is Back

And probably giving a few Chief of Staffs heartburn this morning.

Politico: Taxpayers pay for reps big screen TVs

A leased Cadillac: $557 a month.

Chinese food for 230 colleagues: $1,425.

A 46-inch Sony flat-screen television: $2,805.

Having taxpayers foot the bill: priceless.

When I Grow Up

I’m going to be a blogger for the Redskins

Check it out — The Redskins Blog
Congrats to Matt Terl

That Didn’t Take Long

Citizens United launches “Hype”

Here’s the movie trailer:

Congrats Juniper Lane

Last Second Thoughts: Congratulations to DC’s Juniper Lane for scoring the opening gig at Coldplay’s August 3rd show at the Verizon Center

We Pass the Laws, We Don’t Live By Them

This story is sure to ruffle a few feathers - especially given the out of control gas prices lately.

It looks like the DNC and perhaps the RNC will get a pass on paying gas taxes when they each host their conventions in the next few months.

And just how are some reacting?

“The DNC is not government. The RNC is not government,” Faatz added. “They are political parties and they are putting on a huge party, and that is not providing services to each and every citizen each day.”

Stay tuned…

UPDATE: Teresa McFarland, a spokeswoman for the Minneapolis-St. Paul host committee, said they’re getting their gas at the pump.

“We’re not getting a tax break on fuel,” she said. “That’s not the set-up at this end.”

In Case You Didn’t Know

Frank Luntz is a BIG deal. He has many leather bound books and his apartment smells of rich mahogany.

Shenanigans: Who said the following?

“I’ve been getting yelled at that I need to take time for me.  I work so hard I have great relationships.
Steve Wynn wants me to go on his yacht for a week– I can’t go.  Mike Milken wants me to fly on his plane with him - I can’t go.  I had dinner with Prince Charles a month ago – it was so hard to schedule, this is the prince, the future King of England, and I could barely schedule it. Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson – it’s all jammed in.  I’ve missed all these opportunities -  I never have time to go.  I’m not retiring in any way but I have reached 100 hours of work a week. And I’m going to do about 350,000 [flier] miles this year. Tally it up.”

FamousDC wonders if Prince Charles called Mr. Luntz after his self Google Alert went off.

Jill Chappell is FamousDC

Wolf Blitzer’s producer Jill Chappell might want to hire an agent pretty soon.

First she handles a LIVE call from Ellen and now she’s hanging with Tate Donovan.

Shenanigans: The Damages Edition

CNN booker in D.C. Jill Chappell got to visit actor Tate Donovan on his TV set of “Damages” in New York over the weekend. See? Good things do happen in Iowa. You get to meet people like Tate Donovan.

VEEP STAKES Heating Up

The Evans-Novak Political Report is reporting that the McCain Veep pick will come this week:

Sources close to Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign are suggesting he will reveal the name of his vice presidential selection this week while Sen. Barack Obama is getting the headlines on his foreign trip. The name of McCain’s running mate has not been disclosed, but Mitt Romney has led the speculation recently.

According to FamousDC sources …

Team McCain will wait until after Obama picks his VP and Obama’s pick is expected as soon as he returns from the Middle East.

Whatever happens, with only a little over three months left before the election and two conventions right around the corner, the daily hedging for the media’s attention will only heat up.

Latest from Daly, Manley, Smith, and Stew

Ben Pershing: Top Hill Aides Talk about the Week Ahead

Is the majority stifling the minority? That seems to be the theme of this week in both the House and Senate, where Republicans are agitating for a chance to get votes on their proposals to open up more domestic territory to oil and gas exploration. Democrats say they have their own plans to try to reduce energy prices, and Republicans should get on board rather than obstruct. The debate continues below, with contributions from aides to the top four congressional leaders.

Crazy C-Span Prank Calls

Keep the audio down if you’re in the office. We can’t believe the hosts never lose their cool.
These are a little dated, but they never get old.

Obama Staffers Aren’t That Into McCain Staffers

It works for James & Mary and Ken & Emily, but not for Obama and McCain staffers.

Eavesdrop DC: Cats and Dogs Living Together

17th and Pennsylvania:
Female DNC Worker: Hi, sir, do you have a minute for Barack Obama?
Guy: No, I’m a McCain supporter.
Female DNC Worker: Okay, well, have a great day!
Guy (stops): You’re cute though…what are you doing for dinner?
Female DNC Worker: ….seriously?

Mad Props to the Advance Teams

OK, so we need someone to ask Speaker Pelosi a question about global warming, and then we need Pelosi to check her blackberry, and then we need to have Al Gore’s voice come over the loud speaker, and then we need Gore to walk on stage and make a surprise appearance at Netroots Nation. And we need to pull this off without any of the media knowing until Gore walks out on stage.

Impossible?

Hotline On Call: Gore Makes Surprise Visit To Netroots Nation

Gore joked, “We oughta take that act on the road, Nancy,” to which Pelosi responded, “We are on the road!” Gore replied, “We are on the road, but I feel right at home, I’ll tell you.”

Ryan Grim Worked This Weekend

And ended up with a top of page Drudge Alert

Politico: Pelosi calls for high-level meeting with Iraqis

[Speaker Pelosi] “So with the prime minister saying it’s time for you to go,” she told the crowd, “I think it’s time for our country to sit down with the Iraqis and work that plan out. [We need to be] respectful of what the prime minister says, and respectful of the will of the American people, who have been against this war for a long time…[We should] have a high-level meeting with the Iraqis to work out the terms of our deployment out of Iraq…So, the end could be in sight.”

Jason Taylor Now Spinning for the Skins

Former Dancing with the Stars contestant and six-time Pro Bowl defensive end, Jason Taylor, is now a Washington Redskin. Don’t let the dance twirls fool you, Taylor was the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The D.C. Sports Page: The Tuna Sends Taylor Dancing to the Redskins

Jason Taylor now plays for the Washington Redskins. Taylor was traded for the 2009 second round pick and the 2010 sixth round pick. This appears to be a great deal especially since he told the Redskins that he did not need to renegotiate his contract and would play it out with the two years remaining on it.

Agent Zero Around the World

Agent Zero: Everybody Should Visit Manila

I came out of a quick retirement for this blog. I wanted to announce that I’m happy to remain a Washington Wizard.
…
Wizards fans, go ahead and renew your tickets. We got the team back, we’re going to be healthy and I don’t know what the slogan is for next year, so I can’t say it. Before I could say like “Ready to Rule” or “Go All In,” but they haven’t told me the new one yet, so I can’t say it.

Gilbert Arenas then tells us of his travels to Beiging, Hong Kong, Manila, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Barcelona.

Agent Zero also has advice for Pauly Shore:

Just remember people, if you want to feel like a king and feel like a star, you know where to go: Manila. So, Pauly Shore, after you finish reading this, you head to Manila to jumpstart your career, baby. You’ll be back in the business, baby. You’ll be doing Jury Duty 2 in no time.

2008 Chris Cooley Beard Growing Contest

What else would an All-Pro NFL TE announce on his blog after a summer of marrying a cheerleader and hanging with Dale Earnhardt, Jr?

The Cooley Zone: 2008 Beard Growing Contest:

Well, only five days before training camp and I’ve been trying to get in the right mindset, but it’s tough! It seems like if I can do something stupid or silly it makes it easier to get through some of the days. I pulled off the long hair, I wore the shorts, there is always a couple sharpie tatoo days but now I’m ready for a new adventure…Greatest facial hair of training camp is going to be this years motif. After leaving Wyoming for my summer vacation I came home with quite a start on my new project. It’s been a little over two weeks since I’ve shaved and I’m as proud as I can be! One thing about my little endeavors is that it is much more fun if I can have a partner in crime, or as many participants as possible. So I’ve decided to start the Chris Cooley Beard Growing Contest.

Famous Five [Reasons to Be Mean to DC Tourists]

 

The District Chatter recently came up with 5 reasons to be nice to tourists. One of our favorite tipsters took offense to this list and decided to respond to each of them.

District Chatter:

5. These people are spending money in our city. Sales tax equals cash flow. Money is money. Fix a pothole, change a light, pay my Government salary.

Brad Kanus: These tourist spend money with the people selling junk on the South Lawn.  Because these tourist NEED a shirt that says “FBI” sweatshops in Indonesia are doing quite well. Thank you for your investment. Let’s not even talk about feeding the homeless and the inevitable process of digestion finishing itself in front of the doors of my building.

District Chatter:

4. Washington, D.C. was the destination of choice for these people. They want to be here because they thought it was nice. This Nation’s Capital is every American’s city.

Brad Kanus: These people choose to travel from more than 1,000 miles away to make you late for work. Tourists come to D.C. to stand left and walk against the light. They choose tour buses as their means of blocking off every lane in the entire city at 5:00 p.m.

District Chatter:

3. You represent our city. They will share their experiences with others. So, don’t be an asshole.

Brad Kanus: Be an asshole and maybe they won’t come back. If you’re lucky they well tell their country bumpkin friends too. Only YOU can prevent a tourist from ruining our summer.

District Chatter:

2. They didn’t do anything to you. Washington, D.C. is the only city I have encountered with the whacked walk on the left, stand on the right “rule”, tourists don’t know that.

Brad Kanus: Tourist cost you time, money and the occasional chat with DC’s finest when you smack one that doesn’t understand how crosswalks work. DC is the only city sophisticated enough to develop the “Walk Left, Stand Right” rule - the envy of every other city on earth.

District Chatter:

And the number one reason to be nice to tourists…
1. Karma- What goes around comes around.

Brad Kanus: And the number one reason to be mean to tourists…
They started it. I didn’t go to their hometown and ruin their day.

FamousDC Media Ticket [Round Up]

Last week we launched the FamousDC Media Ticket. Several of our favorite Web sites linked to it so we wanted to pay back the favor:

FishbowlDC:

Lord Save Us: Journos Running The White House?!?
…
The folks at FamousDC have proven smarter at this whole “start a new blog” thing than we ever could have anticipated.

Extreme Mortman:

Save A Pulitzer For FamousDC
…
Outstanding work by FamousDC for its new “Media Ticket.”

Mike Allen’s Playbook:

YA CAN’T MAKE IT UP –FAMOUS DC, the mystery website, posts its all-media fantasy administration, with Dana Milbank as V.P., Chuck Todd as White House chief of staff, Rick Klein as Secretary of Labor, Danielle Jones as Secretary of Transportation and Jonathan Martin as Secretary of Education. Someone who’s famous not just in D.C.: “Now THAT’S a good way to abolish the Department of Education.”

Shenanigans:

FamousDC’s Media Ticket!
…
“The Beltway Community lives and dies by the words penned from Washington’s elite press corp - so isn’t about time we put our entire country’s livelihood in their hands?”  — FamousDC
…
And so the blog FamousDC is debuting their media campaign ticket tomorrow, and gave Shenan some teasers - they are hilarious.

Potomac Flacks:

Famous DC has posted their “Media Ticket” — who they envision making the best 2008 Administration if it were all journalists.  At the top of the list — none other than Mike Allen, President.  Good call and we’re certain he’ll leave office with a higher approval rating than any President in history.  Overall, in our judgment, a well-rounded administration.

JibJab Has Done It Again

Some of their best work to date.

Hotdogs vs. PETA

On the hill today the American Meat Institute is sponsoring the Annual Capitol Hill Hot Dog Lunch. This means Members and staffers can stop by, grab a hot dog, and meet a baseball Hall of Famer.

Today is also a favorite day to every male hill staffer aged 22 -82, because PETA sends up their Lettuce Ladies to hand out veggie dogs right outside the Hot Dog Party. There aren’t any Hall of Fame baseball players at the PETA party, but there seems to always be a long line.

Ahh, America.

Facebook Update of the Week

Josie Hearn, former Politico reporter, needs someone to watch her VW:

Josephine Hearn is looking for a friend or trustworthy acquaintance to take her 14-year-old VW for 9 months while she is in NYC. $63/month pays the insurance. 

If It’s Meet the Press

It’s time for advocacy ads.

Media buyers know their target audience and they’re drilling home the energy ads during the expensive MTP airing:

T. Boone Pickens - The Pickens Plan
Southern Company - Powered by Common Sense
Chevron - Human Energy
SVEZ - Energies of Progress
Association of American Railroads - Freight Rail Works

Next week Al Gore will be a guest on MTP. Will we see more clean coal, energy futures, and drilling? Or will it be all green and clean?

Monday Morning’s Talker

JoMa: Ya can’t make it up: The New Yorker says it’s satire. It certainly will be candy for cable news.

Did You Do Anything Embarrassing Over the Weekend?

Sunday’s Playbook:

SPOTTED - Doug Heye, doing the Macarena on the Jumbotron at Nationals Park.

Money Bags Agent Zero

Gilbert Arenas makes it official, signs six-year, $11 million deal with Wizards on Sunday.

Congratulations to Agent Zero and the Wizards. We’re glad to see local teams spend big money to keep our superstars in D.C.

Another Free Cap Lounge Ad

HOH: Striptease II

The titillating tale of the two bare-chested women making out with each other at the Capitol Lounge on Saturday night is reaching near urban-legend status on Capitol Hill. The scandalous rumors are flying (The girls were twins! They were tan but had no tan lines!), but HOH is happy to bring you more salacious, and confirmable, details: The women apparently engaged in the steamy session at the behest of a Lounge bartender, who said if the women wanted to stay at the bar — it was nearing closing time — they would have to take off their tops, according the HOH sources. The women acquiesced to the bartender’s (probably in-jest) request and put on quite a show.

The Hills meets The Fix meets Countdown

Ok, FamousDC fans. Let’s figure out where thehotfile works. During the day she is a normal news producer, but once home she turns into….thehotfile.

The self-described “good liberal” is willing and ready to take on the “Double Talk Express.” She wants her 15 minutes, so let’s shine the FamousDC spotlight on thehotfile.

Hotfile:

Yesterday at work I declared, “I canNOT read another blog, I’m all blogged out.” As a producer for a news program, I scour the web, newspapers and magazines for the latest political stories about the ‘08 campaign trail. And now that I’m formally complaining about that on a blog, I can’t help but feel somewhat guilty and like a bit of a brat…but still, I can’t deny that I had truly reached the end of the blogosphere. And after all the reports and analysis on gaffes, cheap shots, superdelegates, superduperdelegates, Bosnia, Bubba, Wright, wronged, Penn, pins, and a place called Hope, I thought, let me take a stab.

Dumbest Background Quote of the 110th Congress

The Hill: Energy Bill Out of Gas

“‘Right now, our strategy on gas prices is “Drive small cars and wait for the wind,’ said a Democratic aide.”

Why would anyone ever say something so profoundly stupid?

Cap Lounge Cat Fight

We bet the Lounge will be packed this Saturday.

From today’s HOH: Striptease

Revelers at the popular watering hole Capitol Lounge on Saturday night were treated to a scene straight out of a “Girls Gone Wild” DVD. HOH hears two women engaged in a topless make-out session at the front bar, after one of them directed an obscenity-laced rant at one of the bartenders.
…
Amazed patrons snapped cell-phone pictures and videos of the girl-on-girl action, we’re told.
…
Sadly, HOH couldn’t collect any intel on the identities of the misbehaving ladies — neither of whom are believed to be Hill staffers — and HOH couldn’t reach anyone at the Lounge for comment.
…
So we can only beseech our readers for help. Know the identity of the mystery women? Can you shed any light on the naughty incident?

Cupcakes, Champagne, and a Whole New Lexicon

Here’s our first FamousDC experiment … let’s see if it works. We’ll call it the Erin Hartigan Experiment.

Ya know the theory that all single guys need to do is hang out a gay bar and they will have their pick of the girls that go? Well, what about this?

A Daily Candy party…seriously.

Our  theory has always been that Saturday is a much bigger night in DC than Friday, because most people don’t make plans for Friday. So the FamousDC guess is that a wide range of single ladies show up to this (but also a ton of wise guys!)

The Daily Candy invite:

Sweetness,
…
Please join us for an evening of merriment as we celebrate the launch of
THE DAILY CANDY LEXICON: WORDS THAT DON’T EXIST BUT SHOULD
…
Friday, July 11, 7 p.m.
…
Olsson’s Dupont Circle
1307 19th Street Northwest
Washington, D.C.
…
R.S.V.P to dcbook@dailycandy.com
Sips and sweets to be served
…
Love,
Daily Candy
…
NOTE: This invitation to you and a guest and is nontransferable.

We Could Understand Viqueira

but David Gregory?

Craigslist: NBC–David - 35 (NW DC)

Interested in what type shoes David Gregory wears to work? his shoe size?

Pollin-Grunfeld 08

Ivan Carter: Agent Zero $111 Million Staying in D.C.

“I looked at like this: There is nothing I can do for my family with $127 million that I can’t do with $111 million,” said Gilbert Arenas, who was offered the maximum salary allowed to stay with the Wizards. “I mean, college is expensive but it ain’t that dang expensive. Now, we have room to add a piece. There is a window of opportunity for us. Adding key pieces leads to championships and that’s what we all want.”

Washington sports teams locked up long term deals with Chris Cooley, Ovechkin, Gilbert Arenas, and Antawn Jamison — all in the same year. Championships are right around the corner.

However, Mike Wilbon thinks the jury is still out.

Isn’t it just fabulous, Gilbert Arenas putting aside his own basic needs to sacrifice for the greater good of Washington and the Wizards by accepting $111 million instead of $127 million? How unbelievably heroic can one man be? It’s not like the $16 million surplus will allow the Wizards to go get Elton Brand, too. It will allow the Wizards to keep a couple of their own guys and not pay a big luxury tax. Whoop-de-doo!

Hat tip - Extreme Mortman: Gil-llionaire

John Stanton Eats Fireworks for Breakfast

John Stanton - reporter, rock star, radio host, 100% American bad ass.

Maybe He Should Quit His Day Job?

NPR: Vermont’s Leahy Cameos In ‘Dark Knight’

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), is making a cameo appearance in the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight. The lifelong Batman fan will also host a $50-a-ticket screening on July 12. The proceeds will go to Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Bonus Day

Didn’t yesterday feel like Sunday? Today is totally a bonus day.
Lots of good Flickr pics from the DC fireworks.

Happy 4th of July

We’ll be back after the holiday weekend. 

We Couldn’t Say It Better

Douche in DC:  Ways to be a Tourist Without Being a Douche…

We spend some time discussing the Douche we all encounter every day, from every place, in every nook of our fair city… the tourist. Now, to discuss the douchiness of DC tourists is by no means a one post type of entry. In fact, there is no one type of touristy DC douche. All shapes, sizes, different colored fanny packs, they march, ahem, wander through our streets asking us for directions and generally irritating us.
…
All shapes sizes, and unfortunately, smells, the DC tourist never seems to leave. Christmas, the 4th of July, and the most dreaded of all, Cherry Blossom Week. The DC tourist flocks to town and brings the kids with them. Now, I can’t say that all tourists are from obscure Midwestern cities, but let’s just say they act like it.

A few simple rules:
1) Act like a human (with a brain) on the Metro.
2) Dress like an adult.

Continue reading here…

How to Get On-Air

FamousDC readers know we’re big fans of Patrick Gavin and Nora McAlvanah. You can imagine our surprise to read an article that has advice from both of them. Luckily for all of us….they nailed it (with an Extreme quote).

Campaigns and Elections: How to get on the air - all the time

“What can you say that no one else has said and can you say it smartly?” asks Howard Mortman, who works at New Media Strategies, an Arlington, Va.-based marketing firm. Too many people rush to accept appearances outside their area of expertise, then stare blankly at the camera or say something mundane. And in TV, it’s one strike and you’re out.
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If you do have unique insights but no outlet just yet, try creating your own. Nothing could be more fundamental, easy and inexpensive as starting your own blog. Mortman has had success with his own blog, ExtremeMortman.com, which has been linked to from several popular aggregating websites and blogs.

Please enjoy your FamousDC head’s up before D. All hits us with another moon bounce email alert.

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