V.w.verweij

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.

“Boris from Ledroit Park wishing for another polar vortex.”

“This is Talisker. He lives in Dupont with the love of his life, fellow cat Phineas, both adopted from Homeward Trails. He is an aspiring actor.”

“Gadget runs free at the Columbia Heights Dog Park during January’s snow day!”

Thanks to Victoria for capturing the crowd at the Pete Seeger singalong in the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza on Saturday.

And @Kevin_Barta tweets us the beautiful/haunting/terrifying photo below:

“Went for a stroll and met #CapitolPossum”

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.

From the Washington Humane Society:

“WHS Officers are part of two distinct teams:

- Washington Humane Society Animal Care and Control Officers responded to 14,656 calls in 2013 to help animals in need.

o Of these calls, 2,797 relate to urban wildlife (19% of all calls – but just say roughly 20%)
o The WHS Animal Care and Control department is responsible for providing Animal Control Services for the District of Columbia under a contract with the DC Department of Health.
o The team includes Officers, Investigators, Dispatchers, a Wildlife Specialist, and a Director.
o This team responds to a variety of cases, from stray animals running at large, dog bite incidents, cats stuck in trees, wildlife stuck in residential housing, deer in a parking garage – they’ve seen it all!
o For animal emergencies, call 202-576-6664.

- Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Officers responded to 3,131 calls to assist abused or neglected animals last year
o The WHS Humane Law Enforcement department (HLE) is congressionally authorized and maintains the statutory right under DC law to investigate animal abuse and neglect.
o The most serious cases are brought to the attention of the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
o The team consists of 4 Officers, an assistant and a Director
o To report animal cruelty, call 202-723-5730″

Continues after the jump.

Moments after hearing about the death of 94-year-old singer and activist Pete Seeger, June Atley, 39, sat on her Chapel Hill, NC porch reminiscing about growing up with 70s-era union rep parents. Pete Seeger—whose five-string banjo twanged out the backdrops to the civil rights, social justice and labor movement—provided the family soundtrack. “I remember sitting in the back of our Volvo station wagon belting out 'Bring ‘Em Home' and 'Wimoweh,'" Atley says. “Pete Seeger was a hero to me, and I’m going to start living in a way that respects that.” Atley works in software marketing, but she’s going to cut back her hours so she can start volunteering at a local animal shelter. “I know that would make Pete proud,” she said.

In the tony Los Angeles neighborhood of Hancock Park, 52-year-old plastic surgeon Jake Reardon watched as a lawn sprinkler made its way, in a twinkling arc, from the rose bushes surrounding his stoop to the citrus trees edging his curb. “When I heard Pete died, I realized that if I don’t start living my life in a way that respects my values, it’s not a life worth living.”

Reardon was on his way to trade his BMW X5 for a bicycle. Then he was going to ride to the hospital where he worked to inform the powers that be that from now on, he was only doing pro bono work on burn victims.

“Pete didn’t do anything halfway,” said Reardon, who had just posted his favorite song, 'We Shall Overcome,’ on Facebook. “And from now on, I’m not going to either.”

Across the street, Karen Palmer, 42, waved at her neighbor and came out into the street to chat. “I’ve been listening to 'If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle' on vinyl all morning,” she said. She had an architect coming over in an hour afternoon to draw up plans to turn her 3900-square-foot California Tudor into a homeless shelter. “There’s only so many times you can hear 'Which Side Are You On?' without thinking 'Do we really need this much space?'”

Atley was the first to report that her plans had changed.

“Turns out I’m allergic to cats,” she said, reached at her home this morning. So the animal shelter was out. She considered volunteering at a literacy program, but their introductory meetings were on Sunday nights, a no-go zone. “Have you seen 'True Detective'? It’s like, can’t-wait-for-the-DVR good. Also, my team has been working so hard on the rollout of this amazing video hosting software, and we’re really a family at this point. And there’s nothing more important than family.”

Palmer had also hit a stumbling block. “Zoning laws,” she said. “The architect said we might have been able to work around them, but in the meantime, my daughter was like, 'I am not sharing a bathroom with my brother,' which is totally fair. Also, last night, I had a dream where Pete Seeger came to me and reminded me how rare California Tudors are. And you know, I get it. Pete would not have wanted to just rip this place up."

Palmer said she started to realize the changes might not be as simple as they seemed when, on Wednesday, she went across the street to check out Jake Reardon’s new bicycle and saw that his X5 was still sitting in the driveway. The Reardons had decided to replace their landscaping with drought-resistant plants, and they realized they were going to need the BMW to transport materials from the garden store.

“I totally respect their decision,” Palmer said, adding that her neighbor hadn’t informed the hospital about any changes in his practice. “Jake felt that Pete would have found that the gesture, without the bicycle, lacked a certain poetry, and I think that’s right on the money.”

Not long after, Reardon called to report that his wife, Marina, had bought the most beautiful pincushion cactus to go in their garden. “It’s flowering, and we’re going to plant it in Pete’s honor and have a little ceremony. I just feel so grateful to be able to pay tribute to him. What an inspiration.”

Atley, who met the Reardons on the Facebook Forum “Pete Seeger’s Death Woke Me Up," plans on flying to California for the cactus-planting ceremony. She acknowledged that yes, a lot of life-changing plans had been dreamed up and abandoned in a short space of time, but maybe that was okay.

“I think the important thing is that we’re all listening to more Pete Seeger," she said. "Walking around. In the car. Dancing. I never used to dance before. And now I’m dancing. Yeah, I know Pete spent 94 years fighting systemic oppression, and that’s so, so amazing. But in the end, I think I know what Pete really wanted. He wanted me to dance.”




Sarah Miller is the author of Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn and The Other Girl. She lives in Nevada City, CA. Follow her on Twitter @sarahlovescali.Photo by Subbotina Anna via Shutterstock.

The post Pete Seeger’s Death Inspires Brief Fantasies About Participating In Social Change appeared first on The Awl.

"Among experts, a furor continues to swirl over whether gentrification and displacement are conjoined. What qualifies as displacement, anyway? Forcible eviction by a rapacious landlord, obviously, but what about a rent that creeps up while a household’s income doesn’t? How about the intangible, dispiriting feeling of being out of place, or a young person’s knowledge that leaving the family home means living in another borough? Or the dislocation that comes when an industry flees, taking its jobs along? These pressures can affect investment bankers and nurses, as well as busboys and the unemployed, and it’s not always easy to distinguish coerced departure from a fresh opportunity, or gentrifiers from the displaced."

The post How To Feel Better About Gentrification appeared first on The Awl.

"The controversial French comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala has been banned from the UK after one of his shows was barred in France following his branding by the government as anti-Semitic.

Mr Dieudonné had said he wanted to visit Britain to support Nicolas Anelka, a compatriot and West Bromwich Albion football player who has been charged for using the “quenelle”, a gesture created by the comedian that resembles an inverted Nazi salute and is allegedly anti-Semitic."

—Dieudonné, a spectacularly terrible comedian (here is one of his videos, in which he performs a song called "Holocaust Pineapple" to the tune of a famous children's song. The lyrics are basically the title of the song and a couple lines about Jews being merchants making money off the Holocaust, though at one point he does yell "Let's go, shake your butts!"), has already been widely condemned by the French government and most people who have heard of him. Now he's banned from England. This is a nice primer on Dieudonné, but be warned that it is very easy to fall down an internet rabbit hole and come out dripping in rage and scorn for all things French.

The post Comedian Prevented From Being Unfunny In England appeared first on The Awl.

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.

“Ruby & Desy of Ledroit Park.”

“Neko (top) and Bruce (bottom) in their Burleith home.”

“Chloe waits for her share of the bowl on National Popcorn Day in Logan Circle.”

Ed. Note: Thanks to Michelle for putting together this list of adoptable pets. It will be featured the last Friday every month. If you are interested in submitting an adoptable pet you can email Michelle at Help.the.Pups.DC(at)gmail(dot)com

CanCan – Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

CanCan is a year and a half old pitbull mix from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.  This happy-go-lucky girl is just as lovable as can be – she’s attentive, wants to please her people, and likes playing with other pups too.  She has lots of energy, adores “Fetch!,” and is a ton of fun to play with.  If you think CanCan would be a good forever fit, please contact Holly.  We have many adoptable animals, so feel free come check us out at one of our events!

Aladdin & Jasmine – Homeward Trails Animal Rescue

Aladdin and Jasmine are six month old kittens from Homeward Trails Animal Rescue.  This brother-sister pair grew up in the shelter together and would love to find a forever home together or homes with resident kitty companions.  Jasmine (above) is the outgoing one, while Aladdin is more the shy, cuddly type.  If you think Aladdin, Jasmine, or both would be a good fit for your home, please fill out our cat adoption questionnaire and email here.  You can also meet some of our adoptable animals at one of our events!

More great pets after the jump.

Hannah – Rural Dog Rescue

Hannah is a two-year old boxer mix from Rural Dog Rescue.  As you can see here, this sweet girl smiles, wags her tail, and loves to have her ears scratched!  She has a bundle of energy and is very treat motivated, responding to commands such as sit & down.  If you would like to adopt Hannah, or any of our animals, please send the adoption application here.  To foster, please send the foster application here.  You can meet our pups at our adoption events held every Saturday at Howl to the Chief from noon until 3pm.

Jackie – Tails High, Inc.

Jackie is a five-year old beauty from Tails High, Inc.  Though reserved at first, much to everyone’s delight, she calms with petting and kneads and purrs when picked up.  She likes to scamper after laser pointers, and she quickly makes friends with other animal companions.  She would love a quieter home and, all the better, with another cat (or dog!) for her to befriend.  If you would like to adopt Jackie, please complete our adoption application on our website.  You can also visit us at one of our upcoming events!

Koa – City Dogs Rescue

Koa is a three-year old lab mix from City Dogs Rescue.   Koa is a friendly, outgoing pup that would love to be your companion and likes other pups too!  He knows his basics commands, loves to run and play, and does well in a crate – so far, he is accident free!  You can apply to adopt Koa or any of our available dogs on our adoption page, apply to foster one of our pups here, or meet some of our pups at one of our upcoming events!

Here’s an interesting bit of old history. This is a presidential proclamation suspending certain building regulations for Washington on January 1st, 1817.

January 1, 1817

By the President of the United States

Whereas by the first article of the terms and conditions declared by the President of the United States on the 17th. day of October 1791 for regulating the materials and the manner of buildings and improvements on the lots in the City of Washington it is provided “That the outer and party walls of all the houses in the said City shall be built of brick or stone” and by the third article of the same terms and conditions it is declared “That the walls of no house shall be higher than forty feet to the roof in any part of the City, nor shall any be lower than thirty five feet on any of the avenues”, And whereas the above recited articles have been found by experience to impede the settlement in the City of mechanics and others whose circumstances do not admit of erecting houses of the description authorized by the said regulations, for which cause the operation of the said articles has been suspended by several acts of the President of the United States from the 5th. day of June 1796 to the present day, And beneficial effects arrising [sic] from such suspensions being experienced it is deemed proper to revise & continue the same with the exception herein after mentioned. Wherefore, I James Madison President of the United States Do hereby declare and make Known that the said first and third articles as above recited shall be and the same are hereby suspended ’till the first day of January 1818 and that all houses which shall be erected in the said City of Washington previous to the said first day of January 1818 conformable in other respects to the regulations aforesaid shall be considered as lawfully built, except that no wooden house covering more than three hundred & twenty square feet or higher than twelve feet from the sill to the eve shall be erected nor shall any such house be placed within twenty four feet of a brick or stone house.

Given under my hand this first day of January, in the year One thousand eight hundred and seventeen.

James Madison

James Madison

From their Kickstarter page:

“Love it or hate it, tomato ketchup has a place in nearly every restaurant and pantry in America. This iconic sauce has seen little change over the last 150 years … until now.

Our line of fruit ketchups feature five original flavors: cherry, blueberry, peach, mango, and plum. Each variety has the same tangy and sweet zip of tomato ketchup, but offer a much wider range of food pairings for all occasions.

So what makes ‘Chups, ketchup? Tomatoes are only one ingredient in ketchup. Similarly, ‘Chups are made with different fruits (instead of tomatoes), combined with our own blend of vinegar, spices and other natural ingredients. ‘Chups are really quite simple, yet introduce your taste buds to a world of wallop you never knew existed!

Our Mission

The purpose of the ketchup revolution is threefold:

1. To introduce new varieties of ketchup into a market dominated by tomato-based products.

2. To broaden the scope of ketchup usage and highlight its pairing with a variety of foods.

3. To celebrate the history of ketchup while bringing “new” varieties back to the forefront of America’s food culture.”

You can read more and pledge here.

"Sex problems do not only affect middle age and older people — teens and young adults have difficulties with sex too, a new study from Canada shows."

The post Everyone Bad At Fucking appeared first on The Awl.

The State of the Union is tonight, and so here are The Guardian's Ana Marie Cox and Huffington Post political writer Jason Linkins to judge America through the lens of the White House's Flickr feed and its tireless photographer, Pete Souza.

Ana Marie: FLICKR…so much to catch up on

Jason: A whole year of the second term! Plus, Pete Souza is now the guy all the White House correspondents hate! They are like "PROPAGANDA"! And I'm kind of like, "Scoop, if true! Not very good propaganda, if scoop."

Ana Marie: Except did you see in all the interviews, people are like, "Well, I've worked with Pete, and he's great, but NYAH NYAH NYAH ACCESS HOG."

Jason: Who to root for? White House photographers who think they deserve a defining image of Obama eating lunch? Or Pete Souza and his many crutches? It's like this Chelsea/Manchester United game I'm about to watch only there is nothing actually at stake.

Ana Marie: [Insert knowledgable joke about soccer here.] I feel like in most White House coverage, nothing is at stake. As we have discussed, it is the beat is designed to disincentivize actual reporting.

Jason: Mutually assured meh.

Ana Marie: Well, this is awkward.

Jason: This is like the Doctor Who special where a bunch of Doctors Who appear in one episode to solve a big problem except in this case it's like "OMG NO, SOMEONE INVITED COLIN BAKER!" And you know the planet is doomed.

Ana Marie: I have trouble believing that Bush didn't try the "pull my finger" joke at least once on that trip. Maybe twice.

Jason: Michelle seems to be having a good time, though. I have a theory that when he's removed from situations where there are actual stakes, Dubya is actually really hilarious.

Ana Marie: I guess? I think his sense of humor probably doesn't get much beyond "That's what she said!" (and "pull my finger"). He was the Michael Scott of presidents. Only more wars. He'd be the loveable doofus jock except for the crimes against humanity!

Jason: Yeah, like I said it was the whole "doin' stuff where there was high stakes" that really did him in.

Ana Marie: I cannot get over how that baby looks like Ted Cruz.

Jason: Obama meets with the Senate Conservative Fund Babies.

Ana Marie: If Ted Cruz were really a small child, it would explain a lot.

Jason: Oh, I would love to meet a small child who is as haughty as Ted Cruz. That would be so adorable.

Ana Marie: Ted Cruz is Veruca Salt of senators. If he were three, then the tantrums would be more understandable. As would be his understanding of political negotiation and women.

Jason: "OHH!" **pinches cheek** "You just think you are the greatest thing since the combustion engine!"

Ana Marie: "MINE MINE MINE YOU SMELL BAD POOPY FACE" Which I think was his original debate team fall back position.

Jason: ANA YOU ARE GIVING ME TED CRUZ FILIBUSTER FLASHBACKS

Ana Marie: He ruined childhood for everyone.

Ana Marie: When I first read the caption, I read it as "the casual attire accounts for the excitement." Because otherwise there's not really an explanation for "Yay" arms. Obama's…on the phone with John Kerry? Unless he's about to hang up, I just don't see aides cheering for anything about that. Unless Obama is in the middle of *prank calling* John Kerry. Which I think could be hilarious.

Jason: Right, it's like Obama is saying, "Okay, John…well, John I better be going…yep, yep…Okay, John," and the other two are cheering him on.

Ana Marie: They decided who was going to have to talk to him by a round of rock paper scissors. "You call him." "NO, you call him." "I called him last time!" "Ok ok ok… [three hours later] Uh-huh, really? Ok, John. No, we're good. The chocolate there *is* delicious, but we're good. I have a watch. I have to go now, John…."

Jason: And that's when it hit Obama: "Guys, maybe we negotiate the terms of the Iran deal over several rounds of high stakes Rochambeau!"

Ana Marie: YOU ARE FULL OF REFERENCES I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. I am but a simple midwestern girl now.

Jason: Hahaha, Rochambeau is another name for Rock-Paper-Scissors I thought?

Ana Marie: Oh, I did not know that. French. JOHN KERRY CALLS IT THAT.

Jason: OMG. Exactly! It's actually "Roshambo," but with Kerry on the brain I Frenchified it.

Ana Marie: Uh…this is just a picture of Denis McDonough's feet.

Jason: For those who are into that sort of thing.

Ana Marie: Now you can understand the arguments over Souza's access. It's not even a very good picture of Denis McDonough's feet? This is Souza just saying "fuck you" to every photographer employed by a news agency.

Jason: Basically.

Ana Marie: "Look guys, I take this access so much for granted I AM TAKING PICTURES OF FEET." NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT'S FEET.

Ana Marie: I will give Souza this. Bo is in a lot more pix, it seems like. Though I don't like the look the President is giving him here.

Jason: The caption says, "Each morning, the President always enters through this door rather than the direct outside door to the Oval Office." YOU KNOW JUST LIKE AN ILLEGITIMATE USURPER.

Ana Marie: Also, "Bo was just hanging out in the Outer Oval Office when the President walked in…" would be a great first line to a children's book. Or a disgusting porn fantasy.

Jason: OMG, haaaa and GROSS and haaaa.

Ana Marie: "Bo was just hanging out in the Outer Oval Office" also makes me wonder about just how much access Bo has. AND WHO REALLY CALLS THE SHOTS.

Ana Marie: I want to like this shot but the faces of the boys on the right make me sad. I mean, left. To the right of Michelle. Who seems to be having a great time! Unaware of the psychological damage she's inflicting.

Jason: You know what? I think the boy in the purple shirt is like, "OMG I would prefer to be doing anything else right now," and his arms are all wrong, but the fact that he's actually working on placing his hands and fingers in just the right way belies a secret interest in this.

Ana Marie: I think he worries he's going to get graded.

Jason: The other kid is just "Nope." The girl in the third row, who ends up sort of being dead center in the shot, is straight killing it.

Ana Marie: Yes. Other kid is, in his mind, already doing other things. Okay I am charmed by getting-hands-right kid now. I have a backstory for him in my head that includes him taking Bollywood dancing classes in secret and then busting out the moves at prom. AND EVERYONE JOINS IN AND THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS MY MOVIE PITCH.

Jason: OMG that's actually a good fucking movie pitch I would watch the shit out of that.

Ana Marie: It would star the guy teaching the class as purple shirt's Bollywood Miyagi.

Jason: Maybe FLOTUS can cameo.

Ana Marie: Music by Cornershop!

Jason: OMG WHAT IF THIS MOVIE IS HAPPENING AND THIS IS A PICTURE OF IT?

Ana Marie: WHAT IS REAL ANYMORE!?!?!? Speaking of which…

Ana Marie: We're through the looking glass, Jason.

Jason: I can't believe Pete Souza hadn't gotten this shot before! He was probably like, "How have I never gotten this shot before!" Pete Souza is the Nicolas Cage of photographers.

Ana Marie: I don't know if you noticed the bust in the shot…ahem… IT'S LINCOLN.

Jason: I noticed it, and then I didn't want to have noticed it, and then I stopped being able to conjugate verbs! Pete Souza forces one into a new sort of Foucauldian conditional subjunctive.

Ana Marie: This is an image that conspiracy theorists in 2073 will be using to find lost messages in the Affordable Care Act. In "National Treasure 15: Secrets of the Death Panels!"

Jason: Nicolas Cage discovers an ACTUAL RISK CORRIDOR.

Ana Marie: DFOGJADSLKFGLKSADF

Jason: "I want to feel like I am the basketball, Bill."

Ana Marie: I don't know if I have a joke, it's just weird to see Obama as the short guy. It gives the image a much more plaintive feel.

Jason: Also weird to see Obama as the guy with the least amount of grey hair.

Ana Marie: Do you think he's whispering, "Help me with my jump shot, Bill? I need help."

Ana Marie: See, I like these. They seem really in love, not the strange loyalty/intertwined ambitions but sure, also love of the Clintons. The First Couple are clearly still very hot for each other. It's one of the most appealing things about them. Probably inappropriate to put it as "fuck like bunny rabbits." But I suspect they do.

Jason: Like very dignified bunny rabbits.

Ana Marie: There is only one caption for this, and it would be Sasha rolling her eyes.

Ana Marie: Michelle is starring in her own musical here. (ALSO PUPPIES.)

Jason: Is this a scene of Michelle Obama on the last day of Barack's term in office? I mean, she is gonna party so hard when she finally gets to leave DC.

Ana Marie: I dunno, I sort of see this as her busting out the version of the "Fame" theme song that she sings in the shower. "I feel it comin' together / People will see me and cry. Fame! / I'm gonna make it to heaven /Light up the sky like a flame. Fame!" And then she picks up a puppies and whirls around.

Jason: All those puppies are bonkers cute, my god.

Ana Marie: OMG I have that jacket! Which is cute too but not puppy cute or anything.

Ana Marie: Is it just me or are there a lot more photos with kids in the Souza portfolio these days? Is that a reflection on who's left that's still excited to be around Obama?

Jason: They are definitely the only demographic still excited to be around Pete Souza. I think this is a thing we've talked about? But after reading so many accounts where Obama talks about how the part of his life where he could experience a degree of anonymity is over, I suspect that children remind him of a time where people he encountered were honest with him.

Ana Marie: I bet he likes being around Bo and Sunny a lot more for that reason as well. Though dogs aren't honest so much as blindly loyal. Which, on second thought, might make him *more* uncomfortable nowadays.

Ana Marie: Some of the captions these days are pretty awesome: "Chief of Staff Denis McDonough throws a football in the air as the President met with senior staff in Denis's office to discuss the federal government shutdown and debt ceiling deadline. That football got a lot of use during meetings in September and October." That's so… tantalizing! "That football got a lot of use during meetings in September and October"! Use as… what, exactly? Because that's another children's book/porn divide.

Jason: Didn't we see the football in the early days of the Flickr feed?

Ana Marie: Maybe it's filled with scotch.

Ana Marie: Souza, just fucking with everyone now: "The President is literally framed through the arm of Chief of Staff Denis McDonough"

Jason: OMG, it's still not "LITERALLY." Fuck you, Pete Souza!

Ana Marie: I have never seen Pete Souza laugh maniacally but I imagine he does a lot. A LOT.

Jason: He knows what he did wrong.

Ana Marie: OH NOES! REALITY INTRUDES ON THE SOUZAIAN LAND OF PUPPIES AND FOOTBALL. The caption reads: "The faces of others give an indication of the President's mood at the conclusion of a meeting to discuss the problems associated with enrollment in the Affordable Care Act." And I guess Obama's own expression is TOO TERRIBLE TO BEHOLD? I feel like this could be a scene in a Bond movie, where the henchman have to report back to Blofeld.

Jason: Right, and Blofeld says something to the effect of, "You have one day to report back to me that the plan is proceeding, or that will be your last report to me." They leave, and Blofield strokes his cat.(The cat in this scenario is Joe Biden.) And Ron Fournier writes a column about what a great leader Blofeld is.

Ana Marie: And Biden purrs contentedly.

Jason: SO CONTENTEDLY.

Ana Marie: It's also true that Biden purrs contentedly most of the time.

Jason: Biden is like the cat who found the one patch of sun to lay in.

Ana Marie: Most VPs see the job as a booby prize. Biden sees the booby.

Ana Marie: Hey, Obama, trying desperately to recapture that feeling of not having the whole weight of the world on his shoulders!

Jason: True fact. The two people I can confirm they know by name at that Taylor Gourmet sandwich place are Barack and me.

Ana Marie: Tobias Funke is out of frame, I guess? I can say with some certainty that Bill Clinton has never blued himself.

Jason: Did you see that weird princess in a bubble?

Ana Marie: You mean Mike Allen?

Ana Marie: "SOON."

The post Our State Of The Union appeared first on The Awl.

last meme of 2014 make it happen

Photo by Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Great Cats team celebrated the arrival of its first litter of African lion cubs in four years. On Jan. 24, the Zoo’s 10-year-old lion Nababiep gave birth to three cubs—two surviving—in an eight-hour period. These cubs are the third litter for Nababiep and the fourth for 8-year-old father, Luke.

Animal care staff watched Nababiep give birth via a closed-circuit webcam and continue to monitor the family. The first cub was born at 3:58 a.m. and appeared active and healthy. Five hours later at 8:51 a.m., Nababiep delivered her second cub, but it was stillborn. The third cub was born at 11:24 a.m. and appeared active and healthy. It is not uncommon for animals, in this case a lion, to have some healthy and one or more stillborn cubs in the same litter. Nababiep and her two cubs have been under close observation throughout the weekend by the Zoo’s animal care team. They appear to be nursing, moving and vocalizing well, so keepers have not needed to intervene.

“The first few days of a lion cub’s life are very fragile,” said Rebecca Stites, an animal keeper at the Great Cats exhibit. “Naba continues to prove that she has great maternal instincts, so the best course of action is for us to allow her to care for and bond with her cubs. We have every indication that she will successfully raise these cubs just as she did her previous litter.” (Note: Nababiep gave birth to one cub in May 2010 that lived for 48 hours.)

The mortality rate for lion cubs (including those that are younger than a year) in captivity in 2009 was about 30 percent, compared to a 67 percent mortality rate for cubs in the wild. Animal care staff are cautiously optimistic that the cubs will thrive and are giving Nababiep the solitude she needs to care for her young.

The Zoo received a recommendation to breed the lions from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. About one month after Luke bred with Nababiep, he and Nababiep’s 9-year-old sister Shera also bred. Animal care staff are closely monitoring Shera and suspect she is pregnant based on her physical changes and weight gain, among other cues. Keepers gradually separated Nababiep from Luke and Shera to give Nababiep the privacy she needs to emulate the natural process. As Shera’s expected delivery date draws near, animal care staff will separate her from Luke as well. In the wild, female lions will typically leave the pride for a secure area and give birth alone. A lioness may wait up to six weeks before introducing her cubs to the rest of the pride.

The formation of prides makes lions unique among the great cats, many of which are solitary animals. Hunting, disease and habitat loss have contributed to a decline in the population of African lions, which are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

“One of the best parts of this job is seeing all of our planning and preparation come to fruition,” said Kristen Clark, an animal keeper at the Great Cats exhibit. “In 2010, we had a remarkable opportunity to watch seven cubs grow, master husbandry training and go on to other zoos to contribute to their breeding programs. To watch this litter follow in their siblings’ footsteps will be incredibly exciting and rewarding.”

Nababiep’s cubs will not be on exhibit until late spring, which will give the Zoo’s animal keepers and veterinary team time to examine them. However, National Zoo visitors can see 5-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs Bandar and Sukacita on exhibit every day that weather permits staff to give them outdoor access.”

“Dear PoPville,

I was mugged today [Sunday] in the 800 block of Varnum Street, NW. The guy followed me all the way from Grant Circle (Webster and N. Hampshire) to Webster and 7th, where I stopped to look behind me. He walked in front of me and I went to the right down Varnum from 7th. He came up behind me again and grabbed my purse, knocked me down, and punched me in the eye and head six times. He then took the purse and walked away down the side of a house and through the back gate. I called the police, and had to go to the hospital and get a CAT scan.

It happened at 12:50 pm.

I talked to the guy who had been out on his porch with his dog when the assault took place (or he came out right afterward; I can’t remember), and he said he saw the guy, knew who he was, that the guy walked past there every day, usually wears either a navy jacket or a black jacket with a Batman symbol on the back, used to be a boxer (because when I told the witness that I thought he used to be a boxer because of the way he hit me … holding his punch, not breaking the bone, doing the exact amount of damage to make me let go of the purse) he said yes he heard the guy used to box back in the day. He is about 6’3″, some stubble on his face, dark-complexion, built like a boxer, and the witness told me he thinks the guy is late 40′s, and seems “slow” to him; not okay in the head. The witness said he would call the police when he saw the guy again. He said he kept trying to tell the police it was an older guy and they kept trying to insinuate it was a young guy. I had the same experience when the officer said in a voice of surprise “YOUNG?” and I insisted he was older, told how he held his punches, etc etc. The witness offered to ride with the police and try to identify the guy and they told him no.”

From the Takoma Park Police Department:

“During the last month or so we have seen a regional increase in robberies involving carjacking and street robberies of lone female victims walking home or to or from their cars. This recent one is the second carjacking in the City in the last month. The other one involved the victim’s Subaru being stolen and the next day, it was involved in an armed robbery in Prince George’s County and a resulting police chase and apprehension. We have had three street robberies in the City in the last month. All of these met the same general pattern; females walking from public transportation or from their cars. Montgomery County has had several of these robberies on the border of the City and the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia has been inundated with robberies along the borders and in the 4th and 5th Districts. In one of the District of Columbia cases, the victim resisted and was wounded. Prince George’s County has had numerous cases as well. Several of the gas station purse snatches are most likely related as well. Often times we see these cars carjacked and then “rented” to another criminal to commit other crimes. As cars are getting harder to steal, the back lash has been to directly take them from the owners.

We have been working very closely with the Prince George’s County Police and coordinating with the District of Columbia on these cases. I know there have been a number of arrests but the pattern has continued. I have requested a meeting with the border agencies for a coordinated response. I want to assure the residents that we have been involved with these cases prior to this event and will continue to do so.

One of your neighbors correctly posted that one should be aware of their surroundings. If you see something out of the ordinary or suspicious, call us immediately at 301-270-1100. We do recommend that if your phone happens to be stolen, that you keep it active for a period of time until the investigators can determine if it can be tracked. For example, in one recent case, officers stopped the suspect vehicle and called the stolen phone’s number. It rang in the driver’s pocket. I also recommend that one of the many Android, iPhone or Windows phone security software that lets you lock, track and erase your phone be installed. You can also encrypt many of your phones and prevent any data from being stolen.

We ask anyone who may have any information or may have seen anything related to these events to contact the Takoma Park Police Department at 301-270-1100.”

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.

“Roxy the pug refusing to get out of bed in Shaw.”

“Eleanor with her new little brother, President Bartlet, enjoying some time in the U St area. We don’t know what happened to his tail, that is how he came from Last Chance Animal Rescue.”

“Thea (Theadora Bubbles Wali), a beagle-foxhound mix and in this picture she is desperate to go out (again) into the pouring rain.”

@detectedbeats tweets us the above from Reagan-National Airport:

“WORST. IDEA. EVER.”

Heavy Seas Alehouse, which has been under construction at 1501 Wilson Blvd for months, is targeting next month for its opening.

“We are aiming for somewhere around the week of Feb. 17,” The Alehouse said last week. “No official date yet, though.”

The alehouse, affiliated with the Baltimore brewery of the same name, was originally targeting a December opening date. In recent months, it has been hiring staff and, last Friday, announced its Chef de Cuisine would be Marc Kennedy, former executive chef at McCormick & Schmick’s in Crystal City.

The 6,000-square-foot alehouse will be at the corner of N. Oak Street at 18th Street in Rosslyn. The bar will have 15 taps rotating primarily with Heavy Seas beers. It will open daily for lunch at 11:00 a.m. and will be able to fill growlers for customers.

This week’s Pet of the Week is Pugsley, a 9-year-old Boston Terrier who has developed a reputation for stealing balls from his doggy playmates.

Here’s why owner Laura thinks this ball of energy should be Pet of the Week:

Pugsley, a Boston Terrier who turns 9 on February 6, is the loving pet of the Porter family, who’ve resided in Arlington for more than fifteen years.

Pugsley was adopted from a Mennonite farm in PA when he was seven weeks old.  Pugsley (aka Pugs aka The Bugaboo) loves sleeping in the sun, chasing balls (often other dogs’ balls, occasionally his own), and barking intermittently for seemingly no reason at all. He also enjoys runs downstairs to bark at the front door whenever he hears the doorbell ring on TV.

He dislikes cold weather, staying in a kennel, gourmet frou frou dog treats, and leaving stuffed animals intact. He adores cuddling with his family under warm blankets and being swung around on his toy Frisbee by holding on to it using only his iron jaw grip. When sensing that he his near either of his two favorite dog parks (Long Branch Dog Park and Four Mile Run Dog Park), Pugsley often foams at the mouth from excitement.

Pugsley is wonderful with his younger human “sister” Holly and patiently puts up with her as she adorns him with jewelry, hats, and other accessories that she finds hilarious.

Pugsley is much more than a pet. He is family.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email office@arlnow.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our new sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $25 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia — “Quality Service from a Trusted Friend.”

2737 Sherman Avenue, NW at Girard

Happy to say progress continues at Hilltop Bar & Restaurant coming to the corner of Sherman and Girard St, NW. For those who don’t recall this spot, we previously learned:

“And like Saloon, The Hilltop Restaurant and Bar will focus on German beer and other imports. But in addition to the focus on beer the duo also plan to offer a solid dining option. Nothing fancy but comfortable “American fare”. The key to Sam is comfort. Unlike the Saloon, The Hilltop Restaurant and Bar will not enforce (love it or hate it) no standing rules. They hope to keep the atmosphere relaxed and a real neighborhood spot.”

They’ve recently applied for a liquor license:

“New Tavern with Sidewalk Café Seating 25, total Occupancy Load 39.”

Hours of operation on the application are listed as Sunday through Thursday: 8am-2am, Friday and Saturday: 8am-3am.

Updates when an exact opening date is announced.