Statehood Rides the Bus: Hot on the heels commissioning of pro-statehood TV spots that only ran on the D.C. government's cable Channel 16, District patriots today rolled out pro-statehood advertisements that will run on...the sides of Metrobuses. That surely guarantees more viewers than tune in to watch old mayoral press conferences, but, especially with bus routes that stay in the city, it still presents a problem: The people most likely to see the ads have no ability to call a voting member of Congress to demand that the situation be rectified. -1

No Bull's Eye on South Dakota Ave: Target is abandoning plans to open a second D.C. store. The chain was supposed to go into Dakota Crossing, the troubled Fort Lincoln retail development that was supposed to have a Shopper's Food Warehouse and a Costco, too. But only one of the three hyped retailers has signed a lease, meaning it's unclear just who else will be luring shoppers to far northeast. The good news: If Michelle Obama's next "secret" shopping trip is to Costco, she may be able to stay in the District. -2

We Love Stuff:  If only Target had paid attention to the survey results from Bundle.com. The website says Washington is America's "most shopaholic city," with an "average monthly spending in clothes, shoes and other wear" of $263. Arlington, with $254.58, is second. Oddly, burgs like New York and Los Angeles aren't on the list, "we're guessing, because their populations include both the wealthiest and the poorest," speculates the Huffington Post. Because, you know, the District doesn't have any of America's poorest people. +3

It's a Disaster! President Barack Obama "today declared a major disaster exists in the District of Columbia," the White House announced. The Redskins? No, silly: The earthquake? Sure, the trembler took place back in August, but today's declaration helps the District and "certain nonprofit organizations"–like, say, the one that runs a cathedral frequented by various important locals–recoup repair costs. +1

Yesterday's Needle rating: 32 Today's score: +1 Today's Needle rating: 33

First, the first lady was spotted at an Alexandria Target store, skipping the Columbia Heights Target (which is only a short ride up from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave on the 16th Street s9 bus)—then, last night, the presidential couple celebrated their wedding anniversary at Alexandria's Restaurant Eve.

To be fair, we know the pair has eaten out in D.C. in the past, and considering only 37 percent of Americans think the president will be re-elected next year, maybe this is part of a strategy to show love to areas where, you know, votes actually count.

Photo by aschweigert via Flickr/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License

I guess I should have known that when a fashion-forward pal tweeted early this morning that she was in line at the Arlington Boulevard Target, in Falls Church, Va., the Missoni for Target collection was a big deal.

Everything went pretty quickly, according to reports from across the country. Within eight minutes of opening, in Falls Church, shoes were gone, followed quickly by bedding and housewares.

The fashion house designed a line with 400+ items for the retailer—everything from bikes to serving platters to scarves—all with multi-colored squiggly stripes.

Target has been doing short-run designer lines for a few years now, and rarely has there been such a run on stores, especially for a design so, dare I say, unattractive?

Anyway, according to the employee at the Columbia Heights Target that I spoke to this afternoon, everything there was sold out in about "20 minutes."

And are people are still showing up, desperate for discounted Missoni style and all the squiggly stripes they can handle?

"Yes, Lord, yes," she says, with a laugh.

Many people are desperately hitting refresh on the downed Target website, but they should hold off on turning to eBay, where prices are three to four times higher for the merchandiser's Missoni wares. The employee also says the company is currently updating the site, so it'll be easier to order pieces from the collection soon.

Photo by Target

Happy Anniversary!: One year ago today, the institution of marriage came under a withering assault here in the District, when same-sex unions were first allowed after the mandatory six-day wait for a license (the law took effect March 3). Or at least, so the forces who want to deny a basic human right to people because of their sexual orientation would have us believe. The actual stats seem to tell a different story: Between March 3, 2009, and March 2, 2010, D.C. issued 3,101 marriage licenses. Between March 3, 2010, and March 2, 2011, D.C. issued 6,604 marriage licenses. Clearly, marriage is under attack. +5

Georgetown Targeted: There was a time when shopping at Target was considered slightly declassé, as if the mere fact that the prices were reasonable meant those who could afford to shop elsewhere should. The recession has, naturally, completely obliterated that notion. Which is why it's not as surprising as it once would have been that Georgetown is now eagerly awaiting the signing of a lease to bring Target to the flagging Georgetown Park Mall. (Bloomingdale's is also on the way, apparently.) West of 31st Street, people will, presumably, still insist on pronouncing the name of the store, "Tar-ZHAY." +2

Time Runs Out: Phone customers have been able to dial 936-1212 for the weather and 844-1212 for the time long enough that the numbers used to be WE6-1212 and TI4-1212 (WE for "weather" and TI for "time," naturally). By June 1, those numbers will be history, as Verizon is pulling the plug on both. There was a bit of a generation gap in Washington City Paper's offices about the matter this morning; those of us who were old enough to care what the weather was in the years before everyone had high-speed Internet or smart phones noticed the news, the others didn't. Actually, we should probably start over—once upon a time, people used to have "landlines," from which they would occasionally dial a phone number to learn the time or the weather, instead of just opening an app. -2

March Sadness: The last 24 hours have not been good for D.C. college basketball teams. On Tuesday night, George Washington washed out of the Atlantic 10 conference tournament, losing 71-59 in overtime to St. Joseph's (as the Philadelphians' hawk mascot flapped on obliviously). This afternoon, Georgetown continued its flailing end to the season, losing to Connecticut 79-62 in the Big East tournament. (Though at least they first got to see rivals Villanova lose an upset last night to the University of South Florida.) Maryland's chance to lose its own first round conference tournament game comes tomorrow, when ACC action kicks off. -3

Yesterday's Needle rating: 42 Today's score: +2 Today's Needle rating: 44

We all have our groc'ry routines
And times when our rice just needs beans
If Giant is trouble
Your options soon double
When Target adds fresh leafy greens

If Metro is not how you travel
You know nearby "streets" are just gravel
To lighten your moods
The street work concludes
Before we are all start to unravel

The verdict came down on their side
The three guys aren't guilty as tried
But where their luck faltered:
It's likely Price altered
The knife on the night that Wone died

Reluctant at first, but not now
M.Rhee sent a shot 'cross the bow
If Gray beats Hizzoner
Then she is a goner
Not staying? No way and no how.

Columbia Heights, April 2

OK. On to a topic that isn't going to melt away any time soon.

It's hard to please the Washington Post's best columnist Colbert King. He has routinely hammered DYRS and the local politicians who meekly respond to his queries or who fail to muster his level of outrage. Councilmember Tommy Wells, who helms the council's Committee on Human Services, must be a frequent target of King's calls. After all, DYRS falls under Wells' watch. So it was all the more surprising that Wells actually impressed King with his response to the columnist's questions concerning the apparent racial divide over the bag tax.

A recent poll showed that 75 percent of white residents support the bag tax. Only one third of black residents support it. King asked Wells to respond.

Wells keyed on all the plastic found in the Anacostia River. He wrote King:

"The issue of a racial divide is often more complex than it appears on the surface of a poll . . . Often the experience of living in our city is described or explained according to which side of the Anacostia you reside, serving as a physical symbol of a racial divide in D.C. Representing a ward that includes the river, I wanted to do something substantial to help improve it...

I conducted formal presentations at four senior wellness centers about trash in the Anacostia and then fully described my bill, placing a 5 cent fee on disposable bags. The presentations were held at centers in Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8. I engaged the council members for the wards, including Marion Barry, who is a strong supporter of the bill. The vast majority of the participants were black. A group of seniors from one of the centers even came down and testified in support of the bill."

Finally, environmental degradation is often accepted as the norm in lower income neighborhoods, but I never assumed that black citizens living along the Anacostia found the state of our river acceptable. In fact, many of the older black residents I talked with remember swimming in the river and fishing with their parents, and they still boat on it."

I'm actually only quoting a portion of Wells' response. You should read King's whole column linked above (it also includes a wonderful look back on Barry's dreadful response to a historic snowstorm in the mid '80s). King's own response to Wells was short and sweet:

"Wells said a cleaner Anacostia River will show the wisdom of the bill. I agree."

Maybe the two can focus some energy on the unemployment crisis in the District. In another town, maybe 12 percent unemployment would require a press conference, a summit, a series of hearings, and emergency legislation. There were tons of benefits around town to support Haiti. Those were awesome. I'd love to see more benefits directed at supporting the nonprofits and social services that support our unemployed and homeless residents.

WaPo has a strong story on the crisis and comes up with some not-so-surprising stats on which jobs are being lost:

"From November 2008 through November 2009, about 27,000 jobs were created in the Washington area, among them positions for lawyers, lobbyists, accountants, federal workers, educators, health professionals and government workers, according to an analysis by Fuller. Of the 42,000 jobs lost, about 16,000 were in construction, 9,000 in retail and about 11,000 in financial and information fields that have been in decline since before the recession.

The losses contributed to the news last month that unemployment shot up to 12 percent in the District — nearly double the rate in Virginia, more than 4 percentage points higher than in Maryland and above the national average of 10 percent at the time. It renewed criticism by city leaders who have long complained that government jobs too often go to residents of neighboring jurisdictions. Advocates say there could be a long-term impact for the District and the entire region, creating a permanent gap in the kinds of jobs that have historically provided less educated workers a chance to move up the social ladder."

So what the hell is actually open right now? Plenty. The District still loves to eat brunch even in these conditions. Here is a list of places currently open for business. We will update throughout the day:

3:10 p.m. Update:

The Diner: The Adams Morgan restaurant is open. It has no plans on shutting down its 24-hour service.

Angles: The 18th Street NW watering hole plans on opening at 4 p.m. per usual.

2: 50 p.m. Update:

Comet Ping Pong: No answer.

Second Story Books: The Dupont Circle location is open. But will be closing "when it gets dark. Probably about 5-ish," an employee says.

Soho Tea & Coffee: The P Street hangout is open. They plan on closing at around midnight.

Som Records: The 14th Street vinyl shop isn't answering its phone. A bad sign.

Red Onion Records & Books: The 18th Street shop isn't answering its phone. I wouldn't take a chance on going over there.

2:36 Update:

The Raven: The Mount Pleasant bar says they plan to open in one hour!

Commonwealth: The gastropub is open and has no plans to close early. "We are pretty packed right now," an employee tells me.

Yes! Organic Market: The Adams Morgan grocery is closing right now.

Melody Record Shop: The Dupont store is open. They are undecided on whether they will close early. "We have a constant customer traffic coming in," says an employee.

2:16 p.m. update:

The Heights Life says Target and Bed Bath and Beyond in Columbia Heights have closed.

DC Fire/EMS is reporting that Safeway at 40th Street NE is reporting smoke in bakery section, light blast, possibly electrical.

Banana Cafe: The Cap. Hill restaurant and piano bar is open. "Maybe we close early, depends on the weather," says an employee.

Denny's: the Benning Road NE outpost is open and plans to be open all day.

Java House: The 17th and Q Street NW coffee shop is closed.

Open City is open and packed.

1 p.m. Update:

Crooked Beat Records: Yes. You can still buy vinyl. The Adams Morgan store is open all day unless, an employee tells me, "it gets ugly." No customers have come in yet. "I don't know if you've been outside but...some of us made it here because we're idiots...We're here," the employee says.

Cafe Saint-Ex: It's open–as of now the restaurant is not closing early. "We're fairly busy right now," an employee tells me.

City Lights of China: The Dupont Circle restaurant reports that they are open and have no plans to close early just yet.

Lauriol Plaza: It's open. No decision has been made on whether the Mexican restaurant will close early. "We're probably going to be regular hours," a manager says, adding that they are still waiting on the owners to arrive. She says there are plenty of tables available.

The Black Squirrel: This institution will be open at 2 p.m.

Red Rocks: It's open and an employee tells me they will not be closing early. "It's pretty crowded," the employee says.

The Tune Inn: The Cap. Hill institution is open. An employee says: "We're open all day long, buddy."

12: 30 p.m. Update:

Columbia Heights Coffee: Not answering their phone.

Sticky Fingers Bakery: It's open but will be closing at 3 or 4 p.m. "We have some pretty decent business," an employee tells me. "We're probably about half full in our seating area."

Kramerbooks & Afterwords: It's open unless they lose power. "We should be running normal hours," says an employee. "We don't plan to be closing....We're starting to fill up our dining room."

Politics & Prose: It's open until 4 p.m. and opening late tomorrow at noon. Still, it's busy. "We've been getting a steady stream of people," an employee says.

ORIGINAL POST:

Ben's Chili Bowl: It's open. There are currently 20 people inside the U Street institution.

Target: It's open. An employee says that the big box may close early.

Tryst: It's open. An employee says that they currently have a "full house."

Busboys and Poets: The 14th Street location is open and has no current plans for modified hours. An employee tells me they are currently serving between 60 and 70 people. "I believe we're the only restaurant open on the block," she says. "At least that's what customers have told us."

IHOP: The Alabama Avenue SE outpost is open and may close early. An employee tells me they restaurant is fairly empty. But there's a reason for that: She says that Alabama Avenue has not been plowed.

*photo by Darrow Montgomery.

For shoppers, a new destination
But only a three-day duration
This Target To-Go
Shall help you bestow
The latest consumer sensation

'Fore revenue slows to a trickle
The Post wants your very last nickel
The hike is not drastic
Demand's inelastic
And readership likely ain't fickle

With action decisive and swift
The House voted yes, it will lift
Bye, rider restrictions
Cue pundit predictions
On policies likely to shift

Bloomingdale (for now) reports on the groundbreaking ceremony for St. Martin's Apartments complex, providing pictures and context for the somewhat controversial project. The controversy? The Eckington building will be setting aside 50 units for homeless individuals. Residents say that's just warehousing. Homeless advocates say the new housing program works and has worked in New York City and has just started up in Dallas. The Wall Street Journal has a solid analysis of the program.

Life in Mount Vernon Square is already encouraging people to sign up for some spring tree planting.

New Columbia Heights reports that beer and wine are now being sold at Target: "The wine didn't seem too pricey, but the beer was – $9 for Corona, for example. Still, nice to see. Maybe they'll drop prices."

Congress Heights on the Rise reports that one of its neighbors is having a book signing. Congress Heights resident Marcus White will be signing his book signing in....Oxon Hill.

Pop Cesspool analyzes a Kay Jewelers commercial.

Prince of Petworth follows our follow up about every NIMBY's favorite alleged juvenile offender. I had my say. PoP comments suggest people now want to start an e-mailin' campaign against At-Large D.C. Councilmember–and chair of the Judiciary Committee–Phil Mendelson.

*photo courtesy of our own web guy/crime reporter.