The Old Reader

23 Jan 23:36

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Genie

by tech@thehiveworks.com

Click here to go see the bonus panel!

Hovertext:
You CAN get away with killing a million people if you make a million babies. It nets out.

Today's News:

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26 May 02:18

Thomas Circle Indefinitely Closed To Homeless Encampments After Fatal Shooting

by agomez

Thomas Circle will be closed to homeless encampments until further notice after a man was fatally shot inside his tent near the area Monday morning. The news comes as unhoused residents face increased hostility and violence.

The man, whose identity is being withheld until a relative is notified, was shot around 9:30 a.m. at Thomas Circle and Massachusetts Avenue NW and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to D.C. police. A homicide investigation is currently underway. At the scene on Monday, Assistant D.C. Police Chief Andre Wright said his team recovered a firearm but released no further details on possible motives or suspects.

Shortly after the shooting, the city cleared the small homeless encampment at Thomas Circle, according to Alexandra Bailey, a commissioner of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2F08. She says that some of the people landed there after the National Park Service cleared encampments at nearby Burke Park and Samuel Gompers Memorial Park last summer.

“I was just devastated,” says Bailey of how she felt after learning of the shooting. “Everybody should have been housed last summer. This shouldn’t have even been something that could possibly have happened.”

Bailey says she and other members of the Ward 2 Mutual Aid group sought to support Thomas Circle residents when the city announced they were clearing the area. Clearings are often traumatic, especially because most people have nowhere else to store their personal belongings. Some neighbors offered to help, including Bailey who says she is currently storing a generator for an evicted resident in her basement.

“We’re just dispersing people. We disconnect them from each other. We disconnect them from resources,” she continues. “We end up with situations like this one.”

Monday evening, mutual aid organizers also raised money to shelter people affected by the clearings. The D.C. government provided hotel rooms for some, says Bailey, through D.C.’s Pandemic Emergency Program for Medically Vulnerable Individuals (PEP-V) program — but not everyone, Bailey adds. By her count, there were at least four younger people, including one couple, who were not offered housing. Mutual aid organizers raised enough to provide hotel rooms for three-to-four days.

“I’m going to continue to push and fundraise and we are also going to be pushing to get them into PEP-V and then into a permanent supportive house as soon as possible,” says Bailey.

Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, meanwhile, says the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services told her everyone living outside at Thomas Circle was offered housing through the PEP-V program, but two refused. (Bailey disputes this.) The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment.

While overall homelessness has decreased over the last decade, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Wayne Turnage tells the Post the number of encampments has increased more than 40%. Both government officials and neighbors are at odds on how to respond.

Some people have connected increased crime with the homeless encampments. Bailey says that is untrue and, worse, dehumanizing. “They’re very kind, decent people. And not only did they not deserve the terrible murder that happened yesterday, they definitely didn’t deserve the way we responded,” she says in reference to the clearing.

The Bowser administration has permanently shut down several of the city’s encampment sites, with the goal of moving people from tents into stable housing. According to an April budget report to the Committee on Health, the pilot program has a 64% success rate. The pilot program has come under scrutiny, however. “I worry this rush to remove and bar neighbors from the streets comes at a cost of rupturing trust in government further and signals the wrong priorities of erasing and harming our unhoused neighbors versus caring for them,” said Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George during an oversight hearing on the program.

In a statement to DCist/WAMU, DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) Acting President Gerren Price says Thomas Circle is closed to homeless encampments until further notice, based on conversations with the deputy mayor. He also says the BID requested a police briefing, which will take place Wednesday afternoon. “We look forward to working closely with MPD and the city to ensure that the entire community — residents, workers, visitors, and the unhoused — is safe during this difficult time,” says Price via email. “We are saddened by Monday’s horrific act of violence, which led to the loss of a life of one of our unhoused neighbors.”

Homeless advocates say threats and violence against unhoused people have increased in recent years, which they note correlates with the growing presence of visible homelessness. Just two months ago, multiple people experiencing homelessness were attacked — five shootings over nine days, two resulting in deaths. Police quickly made an arrest. Residents who are or formerly homeless were not surprised by the attacks targeting unhoused people.

“This is what we go through. The police, the government, they don’t give a damn about us. They look at us as if we’re the problem,” Donté Turner, a Street Sense Media writer and vendor, told DCist/WAMU.

The post Thomas Circle Indefinitely Closed To Homeless Encampments After Fatal Shooting appeared first on DCist.

10 Jul 03:54

Ausus Micarta Knife by StatGear (60% Off) for $20 + FS

by DJ3xclusive

Thumb Score: +26

StatGear Tools.com has Statgear Ausus Micarta Folding Pocket Knife (Black or Brown) on sale for $49.99 - $29.99 w/ coupon code AUSUSFEVER = $20. Shipping is free. Thanks DJ3xclusive

Available Colors:

Brown/Stonewashed
Black/Stonewashed
Black/Black

Note, you may opt to have the knife engraved for an additional $1.98 (after coupon).

15 Feb 19:55

Copyright Office Refuses Registration for 'Fresh Prince' Star Alfonso Ribeiro's "Carlton Dance"

by msmash

The U.S. Copyright Office is skeptical about Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor Alfonso Ribeiro's ownership claim over the signature "Carlton Dance," which became famous after a 1991 episode of the Will Smith series. From a report: In correspondence last month that was surfaced on Wednesday in California federal court, Saskia Florence, a supervisory registration specialist in the Office's Performing Arts Division, told Ribeiro's attorney that registration must be refused because his claimed "choreographic work" was a "simple dance routine." [...] Take-Two Interactive, publisher of the game NBA 2K, is now seizing upon the refusal in support of the argument that movements for the "Carlton Dance" are not protectable. Ribeiro is suing Take-Two as well as the publisher of Fortnite over special features that allow game players to have their avatars perform the dance. In a dismissal brief, Kirkland & Ellis attorney Dale Cendali makes some of the same arguments she did earlier in the week in an attempt to reject a similar lawsuit over Fortnite from the rapper 2 Milly. But there are particular contentions specifically directed at Ribeiro's claim.

Microsoft Debuts New Low-Cost Laptops and 'Classroom Pen' For Schools

by msmash

Microsoft is doubling down on the education market, a competitive arena for the world's largest tech giants, with a series of new low-cost laptops and tools to help students and teachers work together. From a report: At the BETT education conference in London Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled seven new laptops and two-in-one tablets made by partners like Lenovo, Dell and Acer and a new Microsoft Classroom Pen designed for the smaller hands of kids. Starting at $189, the low-cost devices are designed to stand up to tough treatment of being dragged around in a backpack everyday. The seven new devices showcased today are: Lenovo 100e -- priced from $189, Lenovo 300e (2-in-1) -- priced from $289, Lenovo 14w -- priced from $299, Acer TravelMate B1(B118-M) -- priced from $215, Acer TravelMate Spin B1 (B118-R/RN) -- priced from $299, Acer TravelMate B1-114 -- priced from $319, and Dell Latitude 3300 for Education -- priced from $299. The pen is priced at $40.

Developer Bungie Splits With Publisher Activision, Will Keep World Shooter Series Destiny

by msmash

Developer Bungie and publisher Activision are splitting up in an industry-shaking divorce that will see the shared world shooter series Destiny enter fully into Bungie's control. From a report: This development comes after years of tension between the two companies -- tension that has existed since before the first Destiny even shipped. Bungie, the studio that created and has led development on the franchise, told employees during a team meeting this afternoon, framing it as fantastic news for a studio that has long grown sick of dealing with its publisher. Employees cheered and popped champagne, according to one person who was there. [...] One of the most significant tensions between Bungie and Activision had long been the annualized schedule, which mandated the release of a new Destiny game or expansion every fall. Now, separated from Activision, Bungie will no longer be constrained to that schedule. "We'll continue to deliver on the existing Destiny roadmap, and we're looking forward to releasing more seasonal experiences in the coming months," the company said, "as well as surprising our community with some exciting announcements about what lies beyond."

4-Pack Musician's Gear Braided Instrument Cable 1/4 30 Ft at Guitar Center $20 w/ Free Shipping (***Valid 1/4/18 only)

by rsvpd

Thumb Score: +26

Guitar Center.com has 4-Pack of 1/4 30' Musician's Gear Braided Instrument Cable on sale for $19.99. Shipping is free or select free ship to store. Thanks rsvpd

Note: Availability for free ship to store may vary.

Features:

Shielding: 64 x 0.12 95%
Conductor: 0.12 x 20
O.D.: 6mm

Deal Editor's Notes & Price Research: Offer valid today 1/4/2019 only.

03 Jan 19:25

It’s Officially Wigs And Breeches Season: The Racing Presidents Auditions Are Sunday

by lmccue

The Washington Nationals will hold their own presidential race on Sunday when they try out the new crop of Racing Presidents. If you thought this was your chance to put your medium-level running skills to good use you’re out of luck: The field of candidates has already been selected.

Aspiring Toms, Georges, Abes, and Teddys have been chosen from a field of applicants who submitted a cover letter, resume, and their tax returns (kidding!). On Sunday, they’ll further prove how presidential they are by donning the costume (which weighs about 30 pounds) and doing a dance, running a 40-yard dash, and racing their competition on the field of the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy.

Don’t despair that you won’t run like a POTUS: As we reported in our oral history of the Racing Presidents last year, it can be kinda rough:

[former Racing President] Brian: The suits were very top-heavy. A lot of times, when you are running as a pack, you couldn’t … see your feet. Sometimes I would [accidentally] clip the person in front me and then I go down and then they go down. Accidents happened.

[costume designer Randy] Carfagno: [The] biggest shock was how physically filthy they were from falling so much. The dirt that was embedded in them literally changed their skin tone. So, when we redid them [in 2014] we had to use a darker skin tone so we could mask the dirt more easily.

Brian: By mid-season, they stunk. We all had our own air fresheners that we preferred.

Oh well. Surely there’s a Hamilton sing-along somewhere that’s still accepting applicants.

The post It’s Officially Wigs And Breeches Season: The Racing Presidents Auditions Are Sunday appeared first on DCist.

26 Nov 03:12

Lesson #3370 - Family

Some families are colloidal suspensions, some families are immiscible, some families are homogeneous, some families are combustible, some families . . . you get the point.

STW SHIRT SALE: This Friday through Monday, you can get 20% off all STW shirts! Just use the coupon code "SALE2017" at checkout. Enjoy!

STW PRINTS, STICKERS, CARDS: Meanwhile, you can get whatever STW prints, whiteboards, stickers, or Christmas cards as well! Thanks for your support!

08 Jun 23:08

One-time D.C. Mayoral Candidate Snuck An Ad For His Black History Tours Into CNN's Comey Coverage

by Rachel Sadon

"I was right behind Wolf Blitzer!" Don Folden notes with glee. "That was my guerrilla warfare marketing move." [ more › ]

08 Jun 12:52

Dickies Men's Challenger Leather Waterproof Work Boots (Black) $19.86 Shipped w/ Redcard or $25+ Order Target.com

by GoodDay

Thumb Score: +30

Target.com has Dickies Men's Challenger Leather Waterproof Work Boots (black) marked down to $19.86. *Click on "all sizes" to see more size options. Shipping is free on $25 or more or Free shipping (no minimum) for Target REDcard-holders. Thanks GoodDay

Deal Editor's Notes & Price Research: If you don't have a Target REDcard, you may apply here. A Target REDcard entitles you to 5% off most items, free shipping on online orders, and an extended return period. - brisar

15 Dec 13:43

ComicList: New Comic Book Releases List for 12/09/2015

ComicList: New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, December 9, 2015. This work, a list of the comic books, graphic novels, and other products that should be available in your local or online comic book shop this week, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License, and is © 1995-2015 Charles S. LePage.

Information provided by our friends at Things From Another World. Visit GoCollect and use their next-generation, near real-time comic book price guide. To find a local comic book shop, please browse The Master List of Comic Book & Trading Card Stores. Check out the the Comics Price Guide Forum, Facebook and Twitter for discussions about your favorite comics.

PLEASE NOTE- Not all of these titles will arrive in all stores. Let me know if any of the names or numbers are wrong. Items with release dates not been verified by Diamond Distribution are individually noted.

Scroll down for "mature" items on page 2.

PUBLISHER
TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS ("AR" means "ask your retailer for the price")

215 INK
Enormous Volume 2 #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Adam Gorham), $3.99

451 MEDIA GROUP
Bad Moon Rising #3 (Of 6), $3.99
Humbug #1 (Of 5), $3.99

ABSTRACT STUDIOS
Rachel Rising #38, $3.99

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT
Archon Battle Of The Dragon #3 (Of 5), $3.99
Hero Cats Midnight Over Stellar City #2 (Of 3), $3.99
Just Another Sheep #2 (Of 5), $3.99
Nutmeg Volume 2 Late Fall Brownie Points TP, $11.99

AFTERSHOCK COMICS
InSEXts #1 (Ariela Kristantina Regular Cover), $3.99
InSEXts #1 (John Cassady Variant Cover), AR

AMERICAN GOTHIC PRESS
Famous Monster Presents Broken Moon #3 (Of 4)(Nat Jones Regular Cover), $3.99
Famous Monster Presents Broken Moon #3 (Of 4)(Sanjulian Variant Cover), AR

ANTARCTIC PRESS
Airship Enterprise #1, $3.99
Steam Wars First Empire #2, $3.99
Super N.H.S. #1 (One Shot), $3.99

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party TP (not verified by Diamond), $5.99
Betty And Veronica Friends Comics Annual #246, $5.99

ASPEN COMICS
Eternal Soulfire #5 (Cover A Alex Konat), $3.99
Eternal Soulfire #5 (Cover B Pasquale Qualano), $3.99
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West #3 (Cover A Alisson Borges), $3.99
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West #3 (Cover B Jesse Wichmann), $3.99
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West #3 (Cover C Nei Ruffino), AR

ASTRONAUT INK
New Zodiax Volume 1 TP, $15.99