The DC Traveler

Just off the heels of being rated in the top 5 rudest drivers in the U.S., GMAC Insurance’s National Drivers Test puts Washington DC drivers as the second worse in terms of knowing the rules of the road.
The study showed that over 16% of licensed drivers across the country (33 million drivers) would probably not pass a typical DMV written driver’s test. 
Drivers from Kansas ranked tops in the country, (average score of 84.0%) with New Jersey’s drivers finishing last, (69.9%).
Washington, DC drivers, came in second to the last, with an embarrassingly low score of only 72.9%.  DC drivers …read more

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Once again, Washington, DC area drivers were ranked the fifth worst in rudeness and hostility on the road.
Sadly, I must agree with the latest AutoVantage Road Rage survey.  A large portion of our area drivers have become overly aggressive, drive as if the speed limit is as fast as you can go until a car blocks your way and assumes that using a turn signal is not an indication of intent, but results in a God-given right to force their way over without looking.
Another trend that seems to be growing exponentially is texting while driving, especially among younger …read more

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From this….

To this…

With all the rain that we have had recently, Great Falls literally disappeared.
Visiting now will give you a rare perspective on the falls, that you only see after massive rain storms.
Here’s a quick clip of the falls from Tuesday afternoon (May 13, 2008)
 
Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion Drive at Georgetown Pike (Route 193)
McLean, VA 22102 (map it)
Days and Hours – Open daily, 7:00 a.m. until sunset.
Entrance Fee- $5.00 per vehicle, individual passes (on foot, horseback, bicycle or motorcycle) – $3.00, annual pass – $20.00
Nearest Metro subway station– West Falls Church or Dunn Loring – Orange line. Then a …read more

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In the first of an ongoing series, J-Michael at Starked DC and I will be examining the totally ridiculous, unimportant, and silly issues (such as the $76 million dollar pants story), that seemed to make it to the front page of DC’s newspapers. And perhaps once in a while, ever try to tackle the more serious DC related issue issues.  Often it might be a simply our opinions; on others, we will take opposing views in a point–counterpoint format.
Today’s issue was recently reported by The Washington Post and revolved around Comet Ping Pong Pizza, located in upper Northwest Washington, DC. …read more

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 It’s April 15th…and that means tax day.
Etched into the facade of the IRS Building at 1111 Constitution Avenue is a quote from former Justice of the Supreme Court, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr…
 ”Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society.”

Formed during the Civil War, the the Bureau of Internal Revenue was enacted to collect income taxes to help pay war expenses. At that time, a 3% federal tax was levied on all people earning an annual income of between $800 and $10,000 per year. Today, that income would equate to between $15,000 and $200,000. A 5% tax rate …read more

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When I get a hankering for a good burger, there’s only one place I go. Five Guys Burgers & Fries. With dozens of locations around the Washington, DC metro area, you’re never far from a Five Guys. 
Their simple burgers are served on a classic hamburger bun, baked in Five Guy’s own bakery. Besides the usual toppings, they offer fried onions, sauteed mushrooms, freshly sliced Jalapeno peppers, and green peppers, which can make your burger almost too think to fit in your mouth.
The beef is never frozen, and patties are made fresh daily. The burgers are cooked on a sizzling …read more

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If you see what looks like a camper convention at different places around town, it’s probably the film crew of the new political thriller being filmed in Washington, DC, “State of Play”.
Scheduled to be released in April of next year, “State of Play” becomes one more film in a long list of movies that have been filmed in and around Washington, DC. 
As recently as yesterday, the cast and crew were shooting scenes at various locations around the district, including on U Street in Northwest, at the Library of Congress and on the Waterfront at Maine Avenue Fish Market. …read more

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After a five year absence, (and an additional 6-month delay), the “new” Newseum in Washington, DC is scheduled to open in its new location on April 11, 2008. 
The new 250,000-square-foot, seven-level museum dedicated to news and the press covers five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits.
Visitors will be greeted by a 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment when they enter the Newseum.  They can then explore the 14 main galleries covering:

News History – This gallery highlights 30,000 historic newspapers and 5 mini-theaters covering top news from the past 500 years.
World News and Front Pages – …read more

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Today in 1634, America’s first tavern opened in Boston. Since then, enjoying a drink in a public house, even during prohibition of the 1920s, became part of the American way of life. 
And every city across America has it’s own list of classic and notable taverns, frequented by locals and eagerly visited by tourists.  New York has the legendary McSorleys (1854), Chicago has it’s share of classics, The Lodge, PJ Clark’s, and River Shannon. And Philadelphia has McGillin’s Old Ale House, dating back to 1860.
Likewise, Washington, DC has it’s share of classic bars, taverns and pubs as well.  And …read more

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In the latest annual Forbes survey of America’s most wired cities, Washington, DC came in at number 11, an improvement from it’s 14th place ranking last year.
The rankings are based on a combination of the adoption of broadband Internet access in the home, the number of companies providing high-speed Internet access in the area and the number of public Wi-Fi wireless Internet hot spots per capita in 30 major cities.
For the second year in a row, Atlanta won the honors, with Seattle close behind.
Some of the more interesting places in DC to find free Wi-Fi wireless Internet access is …read more

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