V.w.verweij

Congratulations field hockey, you're the most progressive sport in the whole Olympic program.

That needs some clarification: It's not the sports themselves under scrutiny here, but the sports' governing bodies. The above graphic describes the gender makeup of the executive committees—the people in charge—of every sport in the Olympic program (London 2012 and Sochi 2014). That's summer sports on top, winter on bottom; men on the right, women to the left.

For example, starting at the bottom—we are in the midst of the Sochi winter games, after all—the World Curling Federation has seven men and one woman on its executive committee (you can mouseover each horizontal bar for specifics).

Among all 33 bodies, field hockey's executive committee comes closest to equality by percentage, topping out at 37.5% female. Holy heck, that's pathetic. And even that fact comes with an asterisk. The last official document from the International Olympic Committee itself was a 2009 report in which the composition of the FIH executive board was listed as 17 men and six women. Currently, the official FIH website lists just the 16 members indicated by the above chart. That's odd, because bureaucracies tend not to shrink.

Reverting to the IOC numbers would give the "most equal" title to skating, with four women holding one-third of the power. As an arbitrary threshold—2:1 men to women—it should be an easily achievable minimum. But it's almost the opposite, with only two governing bodies getting to that ratio. Oof. Collectively, it's embarrassing. That chart is bluer than Karl Rove's worst nightmare.

It's even worse when you consider there is a credible argument to be made that women generate a disproportionate amount of horsepower in the economic engine that is the Olympics.

The single highest-rated night of programming from the 2012 London Olympics was Tuesday, July 31st, when NBC posted a 21.8 rating. That was the night they aired the womens' team all-around finals in gymnastics. The second highest rated telecast from London happened two nights later, when the women's individual all-around finals took place. Even if it wasn't the most-watched night of the Olympics, it was still the largest audience to watch Thursday night TV on any network since the finale of "Friends" in 2004. Women also ruled online; NBC's most-streamed event was the women's soccer final.

Similarly, it's a safe bet that the highest rated night of NBC's coverage from Sochi will be one of the two nights of the ladies' figure skating singles final. It was the highest-rated telecast in Vancouver, and Torino, and Salt Lake City. The women's competition in Lillehammer is still the sixth highest rated TV program ever, with a 48.5. But it's not every year you get hired goons whacking an ice princess on the knee.

Heck, the IOC added a new made-up figure skating event this year—the team competition—probably just to create more TV programming.

The International Skating Union council

It's not only women athletes drawing viewers and it's not only women being drawn to watch, but you don't have to look too far beyond the commercials to infer that Y chromosomes aren't being as pandered to by sponsors during the Olympics as they are during most sporting events. One commercial break over the opening weekend went: Cover Girl, Ameritrade, Disney, AT&T; and there was an ad for Secret—the exclusively female deodorant—in the previous break. That doesn't sound overwhelmingly feminine, but the AT&T commercial was basically emotional porn for being a mom. As well, GE and some paper towel made similar "Mom is Awesome" spots they are running throughout the games. More obviously, though, it's not the beer-truck-truck-beer that usually dominates sports on TV. This isn't new; the Times wrote about it back in Beijing.

And that is why NBC paid ridiculous money for the rights to the Olympics: $2B for the 2010 and 2012 games. The U.S. isn't the only place that watches the Olympics; we just pay the most for the privilege. That $2B represents 51% of the total take for the IOC for that cycle. The next two biggest spenders combined—Europe and Japan—paid just over half of what NBC did.

So women are the biggest TV draws of the games, and they bring in casual female viewers who otherwise mightn't watch primetime TV, much less sports. At least partially because of that, the most lucrative market fills the IOC's TV coffers more than half-full by itself. Nice job, ladies.

But why are you so powerless off the ice or field or water or whatever then? Twelve of the 33 bodies have one or fewer women—that'd be zero for the mathematically challenged among you—on their executive committee.

Forget equality—getting to 50-50. There are only a couple of sports where the governing body is close to equity—here, mirroring the participating rates among genders at the games. Those are canoeing and boxing. The latter is partially because of a technicality. Women's boxing just appeared on the Olympic program for the first time in London. The 36 female pugilists were dwarfed in volume by the 250 men. But, percentage-wise, the 12.6% of 2012 female boxing competitors lets the AIBA's 10% female board look relatively equitable as a function of participation.

It's probably a bad day in sports when the people running boxing can be held up as an example for others to follow.

Most everyone else is pretty lousy. And not to pile on any one federation, but FINA (the Fédération Internationale de Natation) is a particularly egregious offender. Because of synchronized swimming, there are actually more women than men under swimming's purview at the Olympics (676 to 624, or 52% women). Yet, FINA has but one woman among 23 executive committee members. Mathematically, tennis and handball are slightly worse, but that's because they have no female members at all (both are 50-50 in terms of athletes).

FINA's "Bureau" at Barcelona in 2013. Photo by Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia.

Part of the problem is that these are independent organizations. They aren't necessarily beholden to the IOC, or to anybody but themselves for that matter. For something like FIFA, soccer's governing body (and it just added the first female member in 2012), the Olympics isn't even the sport's marquee event. It has much more important business, specifically running its own quadrennial graft-a-thon in the World Cup. Another part of the problem is that these are global organizations and there are plenty of parts of the world that still have Cro-Magnon views on gender roles.

That still leaves plenty to be explained. What the number of women on any given governing body ought to be is a separate argument. But if women are such an important part of the draw of the games (and hence its financial success), then it seems axiomatic that the numbers ought to be higher than what they currently are. The IOC could theoretically put pressure on these sports to put more women into positions of power. The games are expensive to stage and the IOC has already made moves to curb the number of competitors and limit costs. Baseball in 2008 was about 200 competitors for 3 medals. It's one of the reasons it (and softball) got the kibosh after Beijing. Rowing has seen its events trimmed. Track and field has already been told its numbers will be capped for 2016.

It'd be two birds should the IOC threaten to remove competitor spots in sports if governing bodies don't modernize their thinking (and numbers) with regard to women. It would be a laudable first step, and one that might actually be a catalyst for progress.

Of course the IOC might want to look inward first. With only four women among its 14 executive committee members, even it doesn't reach that 2:1 threshold. And yet, apparently it could be worse.

Michael Bertin is a writer rarely in New York.

The post Who Runs Olympic Sports? It's Men appeared first on The Awl.

Thanks to JB for sending from from Cleveland Park.

Photo by PoPville flickr user evegophotos

From WMATA:

“Limited Metrobus service will be restored on certain major arterial roadways only beginning at 2 p.m. today.

Only those routes included in Metro’s severe snow plan will operate, with the exception of the Z8 route in Maryland and REX and 23A routes in Virginia.

The following routes will have limited service restored as of 2 p.m.:

• District of Columbia: 32, 36, 52, 54, 70, 90, 92, A6/A8, S2, X2

• Maryland: 81, A12, C4, C21, D12, F4, J2, K6, P12, Q1, T18, Y9, Z8

• Virginia: 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 7A, 9A, 10B, 16A, 22A/25A, 23A, 28A, 29N and shuttle service between Pentagon & Rosslyn stations

Bus riders are advised that even after limited service is restored, delays and detours are possible due to local road conditions.

Metro expects to continue operating limited service only on these routes for the remainder of the day Thursday through 1 a.m. or connections with last Metrorail trains. Additional service information for Friday will be provided this evening.”

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“This is Pascal on Halloween and lives in Logan circle.”

“Cobaka doing what he does best.
Columbia Heights.”

“Finley in Brookland getting ready for a ride.”

“Dear PoPville,

My friend and I launched Capital Hustle to empower local underserved entrepreneurs in DC. For the inaugural campaign, we are helping Columbia Heights based Mexican Cowboy Tamales. Ofelio Crespo makes delicious homemade tamales and delivers them to one’s home or office.

We shot a western movie trailer style video in Rock Creek Park and on Connecticut Avenue. Ofelio grew up in a ranch in rural Mexico but he says it had been 30 years since he had rode a horse. We also upgraded his website. We hope this helps Ofelio reach new demographics and increase his sales. Someday, I hope his business becomes a household name in DC. For the time being, his tamales remain a hidden gem.”

Check out the menu here.

Photo Credit: Abby Wood, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“We are very sad to announce that Pandora, our giant Pacific octopus, died yesterday. She was curious, charismatic and taught all who visited the Invertebrate Exhibit so much about octopus behavior.

Animal care staff estimate that Pandora was about 5 years old. (The median lifespan for giant Pacific octopuses is about 3 to 5 years.) Pandora came to the Zoo in November 2011 when she was about 1.5 years old. She lived at the Zoo’s Invertebrate Exhibit for 27 months—longer than any of her predecessors. Pandora was a wonderful ambassador for her species and will be greatly missed!”

"Dinets and his colleagues observed crocodile species on three continents—Australia, Africa and North America—and examined previous studies and anecdotal observations. They found that four species climbed trees—usually above water—but how far they ventured upward and outward varied by their sizes. The smaller crocodiles were able to climb higher and further than the larger ones. Some species were observed climbing as far as four meters high in a tree and five meters down a branch."

–Pictured: a crocodile that has climbed a tree.

Photo by Kristine Gingras

The post Crocs Climb Trees appeared first on The Awl.

2632 Georgia Avenue, NW

Looks like Koffee’s Lounge located above the Salt and Pepper Grill Indian and Pakistani restaurant is going to become Peace Lounge. A recent liquor license application says:

“Neighborhood lounge offering Ethio-American style cuisine with a seating capacity for 86 patrons. Total occupancy load of 99. The following endorsements summer garden with 13 seats and entertainment to include dancing and cover charge featuring occasional acoustics jazz band, karaoke, open mic and DJ.”

Updates when they get closer to opening.

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“This is Oliver of the U Street Corridor, feeling much better after spending a few days with the kind folks over at at Friendship Vet Hospital.”

“This is Jackson, a Brookland basenji. He would like for you to put down the iPhone and throw his squeaky toy.”

“Stevie of Park View strikes a pose. She recently celebrated the first anniversary of her adoption from WHS!”

Congratulations to our latest “If Walls Could Talk” poll winner, Nanny O’Briens. We’re going to do a little digging into the history of your building at 3319 Connecticut Ave. NW.

Nanny O’Briens

The Greek restaurant investor

On September 11th, 1952, The Washington Post reported on a funeral mass to be held for Louis Kanakos, who died at the age of 51. The mass was held at Helen Church, 6th and C St. SW and he was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in northeast.

Mr. Kanakos died at Gallinger Hospital after having fallen ill in January of that year (it was an unspecified illness). Louis was originally born in Greece and had come to the United States in 1915, first to New York City and then Savannah, Georgia. Ultimately, he ended up in the District at the age of 38.

He was involved in the local restaurant business, being a kitchen manager and part owner in the Flame Restaurant at 1629 Connecticut Ave. (where Gazuza and Chipotle are today). Prior to this, he was a stockholder in the King of the Sea Restaurant at 3319 Connecticut Ave., Nanny O’Briens current location.

His last residence in the city was at 3755 Jocelyn St. NW, just west of Connecticut and south of Military Rd.

King of the Sea Restaurant

Speaking of King of the Sea … we found a funny little snippet in the newspaper, mentioning a gag sign they had posted in their window. There were numerous complaints by restaurants and local businesses at the time, that people would come asking for handouts or credit. King of the Sea was one of those, and they posted a sign that read “Credit extended only to people over 70 years of age who are accompanied by their parents.” The sign stayed up for a really long time, primarily as a joke. That is, until one night when an elderly couple entered, approached the manager, Jimmy Kanakas [sic] (related to Mr. Kanakos above), and then pointed to an even older couple standing in the background, saying “meet mom and dad.” Jimmy stuck to his word, and the troupe of four really old patrons had dinner on the house.

Jimmy, by the way, lived at 434 Harvard St. NW, in a home that doesn’t appear to be there any longer.

Below is an advertisement for the shops on Connecticut Ave. in Cleveland Park. King of the Sea is listed along with a number of other businesses listed in The Washington Post in 1950.

Washington Post ad July 1950

Robbery charges

We found an article printed on December 18th, 1956, mentioning the indictment of John B. Harley of 505 G St. SE, who was accused of stealing $385 in cash and property from the new restaurant at 3319 Connecticut Ave., the Steak Ranch. Sounds like a place that belongs in Texas.

Interestingly, another article in The Washington Post, this time from June 3rd, 1952, identified John B. Harley, then 20 years old, living at 2405 Nichols Ave. SE (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.) as a suspect in a restaurant burglary.  He was walking out of the alley on the 1900 block of R St. NW when he was arrested by two officers. The charge was stealing $43 from the Flame Restaurant at 1629 Connecticut Ave. (i.e., the one also owned by Kanakos, the man mentioned above). He was also in possession of a box of 12 fifths of whiskey.

The cops found the restaurant’s back door in the alley jimmied, the cash register broken into, and a screwdriver was dumped in the trash can. Harley’s excuse was that he needed money to pay for an attorney. There was no mention of why he needed an attorney.

Ed Myles Riviera

At the end of 1950, the restaurant that was located at 3319 Connecticut Ave. was now called Ed Myles Riviera. Unfortunately, there was very little on this restaurant in the newspaper archives. The only thing we could dig up was the advertisement below from Thanksgiving, 1950.

Riviera ad 1950

Best spaghetti in town

Steak Ranch – Christmas 1958 ad

You would think that the Steak Ranch is where you go to get steak, right? Well, according to The Washington Post in 1959, Elizabeth Jones’ Steak Ranch was a great place to get some of the best spaghetti in D.C. Not only that, but you would be entertained by wonderful organ music played by Penny Martin if you were there for dinner. She featured Wednesday night through Saturday from 9pm to 1am.

Organ music and spaghetti? Sign me up! Starting in June of 1960, Elizabeth decided to keep her restaurant open seven days a week, but only had Penny Thursday through Saturday by then. It seems like Ms. Martin was fairly popular because she’s featured in multiple ads for entertainment at downtown D.C. restaurants.

Not only that, she was a music teacher who happened to have among her students, the grandchildren of President Eisenhower.

We love Irish pubs

There was surprisingly no mention of the address in the newspapers for the entire decade of the 1960s. Maybe the owners saw no need to advertise?

Anyway, it reappears in the 1970s as Gallagher’s, an Irish pub that I’m sure at least some GoDCers remember. At least those that like to throw back a pint of Guinness. Gallagher’s also had a second location back then at 637 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. That location today holds Remingtons.

Gallagher’s in Cleveland Park was also a good place to go for some live music, especially on Sundays if you were a musician yourself. You could show up yourself by 8pm and play at open mic night.

Gallagher’s Pub

Source: Flickr user Mike Steele

Gallagher’s and Mary Chapin Carpenter

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Seriously? This place is connected to Grammy award winning Mary Chapin Carpenter. Trivia like this is why we love digging through old newspapers and learning about this city.

Open mic night at Gallagher’s was hosted for many years by Carpenter, until she went on to become a very famous and successful musician. It was a mainstay in the amateur music community here in D.C. for more than two decades. The open mic night ended in 1995, a couple years after the place was sold.

Gallagher’s faded into a dank, dingy place when it was purchased to become Nanny O’Briens. Today, it has the great feel of a neighborhood Irish pub and hopefully will stick around for many, many years.

Finally, take a look at the map below. This is from 1909, well before the time when Nanny O’Briens building was built. The west side of Connecticut was fairly developed with nice, large homes. The east side was still barren land, owned by the Chevy Chase Land Company. Although, it looks like the land on which Nanny’s was built was part of John Sherman’s trust (at least that’s what I assume John Sherman Tr. stands for).

Also, if you look closely enough, you’ll see the neighborhood to the west, where Newark St. runs, was called Connecticut Avenue Highlands.

1909 map of Cleveland Park

Source: Library of Congress

Here are some photos we took on our recent visit to Nanny O’Briens.

old King of the Sea sign is still there

Gallagher’s “G” still in the floor

Nanny O’Briens

Nanny O’Briens

3224-3226 11th Street, NW looking north towards Lamont Street and Room 11

Per a reader’s request, the new Filipino restaurant coming to the former El Rinconcito Deportivo space on 11th Street is on track for a May/June opening. I bumped into co-owner Nick Pimentel who told me that initially the restaurant will only be located in the 3226 11th Street space, though it could later expand into the 3224 11th Street space which he is also renovating. Stay tuned a name, menu and more details when they get closer to opening.

1914 14th Street, NW

In early January we learned the Trader Joe’s coming to 14th and U Street would be opening the week of March 21st. I’m told that is still accurate. A new sign and a peek in the window reveals they’re getting close:

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“This is Maxwell, aka Mad Max, of Pleasant Plains. He is mildly inappropriate at all times.”

“Our rescue French Bulldog Mordecai loving his new home in SW.”

“This is Tom from Columbia Heights. He is very concerned because his food bowl is nowhere to be found.”