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Or as some will call it, Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza.

While the name rivals the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in absurdity (and length), the building is looking mighty impressive. Before we go any further, I, for one, will *not* be using this name, except in this post and occasionally in mockery for one reason or another. I will now (affectionately) refer to it as “The Box” with the area in front of it being “The Plaza” (or “The Area Formerly Known as The Turf”). I feel this is only a natural progression from The Promenade to the west. I recommend you adopt this vernacular as well. Unless you’re one of the “historical” people, in which case “The Box Formerly Known as The Armory” is also acceptable.

Don’t get me wrong: I really like the building. And today, you can get inside and see it for yourself. It’ll be an afternoon of music, dance, and other entertainment, followed by an official opening ceremony. Schedule is thus:

• 2:00 to 2:30: GapBuster’s NAACP-SO Gold Medal Winners: Singer Melissa Blue (Blake High School) and Guitarist Delano Broad Water (Bethesda Chevy Chase High School
• 2:30 to 3:00: Truth
• 3:00 to 3:30: Truu Soul
• 3:30 to 4:00: Jonny Grave
• 4:00 to 4:30: Hey Day Players & Mighty Shock
• 4:30 to 5:00: Los Charlys Nativos
• 5:00 to 5:30: Contradiction Dance
• 5:30 to 6:00: The Memphis Gold Band featuring Charlie Sayles
• 6:00 to 6:30: Washington Revels

At 6:30 pm, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett will preside over a inaugural ceremony ribbon cutting, after which the public will be invited to enter The Box and see the new space. The Downtown Silver Spring site has even posted a handy virtual walkthrough, complete with goofy stand-in people.

I’m surprised some boneheaded group hasn’t lobbied for a pedestrian bridge from the parking garage at Fenton and Ellsworth.

Hope to see you there!

Of course, they went and changed the date on things. Walk and movie screening are tomorrow in Georgetown. For all the latest details, go to www.zombielandzombiewalks.com.

In other news, tickets for Michael Moore’s appearance at AFI for Capitalism: A Love Story sold out in all of 17 minutes, according to Silver Spring Penguin. The screening itself is on Monday, October 5 at 8:00pm.

Speaking of AFI, there’s been a lot of chatter on Twitter and such about the new AFI Silver Theatre marquee. When I first saw it I was unsure, and while it’s growing on me, I still continue to miss the old one. Evidently the parts weren’t available to fix the old one properly, so they decided to upgrade. As long as it doesn’t get too Times Square-like (now that Rudy Giuliani ruined that area for good), I’m okay. It’s here to stay, so bitching and moaning isn’t going to do much good anyway. You make the call.

ATTENTION WASHINGTON DC ZOMBIES!! Join your fellow DC Zombies at an advanced screening of Columbia Pictures’ ZOMBIELAND (Rated R) on Thursday, October 1 at a local movie theater to be announced soon! Admission is FREE  but you must dress like a Zombie. To reserve your seats, RSVP by sending an email to zombielanddc@gmail.com with the full name of each guest. You will receive a confirmation email with event details. After the screening, the undead will walk the streets of DC!

Stay tuned for news about an accompanying ZOMBIELAND Zombiewalk to be announced VERY SOON! Check out the Zombieland trailer here. View the Facebook event page here.

Editor’s note: This came from the Sony/Columbia pictures folks, and I told the people at the promotions company that I’d be willing to promote the hell out of this. Should be a great movie. Please feel free to pass it on. Details on actual theater and walk should be forthcoming any day now.

Boy – this zombie stuff has taken on a life of its own. We’ve gotten multiple requests for movie screenings from producers and filmmakers, and even questions about filming the event for a documentary on zombie culture in our society. This is gonna be something.

We have also been notified of a promotional screening of the new film Zombieland, due out in theaters October 2. The actual location of the screening is yet to be determined (most likely in the District), but it looks like it’s going to be scheduled for September 30. The company doing the promotion for Sony pictures plans on doing a zombie walk, and capacity notwithstanding, all the zombies in the walk will be granted free passes to the pre-release showing. There’s also talk of some good swag to go along with.

Stay tuned for details. The movie looks great, and it could be a good choice for next year’s walk if we can get a print at AFI.

Don’t forget: the last ESSCA meeting of the season (until September) is tonight at the Sligo Recreation Center. Pizza and soda will be provided, and the festivities begin at 7:30. If you didn’t RSVP by May 15, though, leave the pizza be. I, for one, will not be partaking for fear of potential food tampering, sedation, kidnapping and torture due to my incessant mockery of the organization.

On the agenda for this evening:

• Re-election of the usual suspects to various ESSCA offices
• Mr. Dunkel, Pedestrian Safety Coordinator with the County’s Department of Transportation, will discuss proposed changes to Sligo Avenue
• Ms. Khashan, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, will discuss Census 2010 and the role that East Silver Spring residents will play in it.

And Speaking of ESSCA…
I’ve been pretty harsh on the ESSCA folks lately, so I want to make a couple of things clear. First, ESSCA does do some good things around the neighborhood. For example, they’re sponsoring a Community Paper Shred on May 23 at the Sligo Police Station. That’s nice. And there are some good, well-meaning people in the organization that fight for things in which they strongly believe. But they make some decisions and endorse some policies that I don’t agree with (which I have outlined in plenty of previous posts).

I will also continue to harp on the fact that the make up of the group (and particularly, its leadership) does not properly reflect the demographics of the neighborhood. It’s not just their fault – it’s the fault of all the people that live within the boundaries of East Silver Spring that don’t get involved, and I’m working to change that.

As long as people open themselves up to opinionated mockery, I will continue to make fun of them – whether it’s misspellings on public buildings, inappropriate use of quotation marks, or trying to take away the potential for a Harris Teeter at Falkland Chase. That’s the modus operandi of this blog, and it always has been. That won’t change. If you don’t like it, then don’t read this blog. It’s that simple. Some days the listserv itself can provide enough material for an entire Marx Brothers movie, and I can’t pass up an opportunity like that.

Lucky for them, we’ll have a few months off and I’ll most likely turn my attention to other things in the meantime. But come September, all bets are off.

In Other News
NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday had a great story “From Silver Spring to the Silver Screen” about 15-year-old Michel Pinczuk from Silver Spring who is showing her short documentary L’Chaim Israel at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It asks local Holocaust survivors what they would like to give Israel for its birthday. Outstanding to have a local filmmaker so prominently featured. Congratulations to her!

You all have heard me say many times that we just need to work to bring the Fillmore Music Hall to Silver Spring. And while I’m still very much in favor of this venue (or something like it), I now recognize we have a problem. It’s not the type of music. It’s not the fact that the organization vying for the old, defunct JC Penney building is a huge corporate conglomerate. And frankly, it’s not even Ike Leggett’s support of the current deal.

The problem is the Lee Family.
In particular, the two men you see in this photo from the Washington Post: cousins Bruce and Blair. These people are the problem.

I understand they’re business people and they’re looking out for their company first. And according to an interesting story in the Washington Post, they don’t trust Montgomery County. I can appreciate that, too. But counting the music hall as public open space so the Lees can wait 15 years to do whatever the hell they want with the adjacent land without county approval might be taking it too far. Add to that more articles outlining opposition for a variety of reasons from WaPo’s Steven Pearlstein and the DCist and it’s too much to ignore. And when Washington Business Journal – a decidedly pro-business publication – has an editorial lambasting both the deal and the Lees themselves, you have to start asking yourself what you believe.

I say screw them. They have enough money, and someone will find some way to pacify these jokers and their self-centered grab for code fulfillment and building rights. Find someplace else to build a music hall. The National Institute of Cleaning & Dyeing on Georgia? Something else in South Silver Spring?

What are the chances of taking these boneheads out of the equation? Blair? Bruce? Can you take the silver spoons out of your mouths long enough to say something for yourselves?

Alert reader bonifant more sinister than thayer (who might actually be on to something) sent a discussion forum post saying that Michael Landrum (of Ray’s The Classics) has opened Butcher Burgers (aka Ray’s Hell-Burger) in the same Arlington strip mall that houses Ray’s the Steaks. From the horse’s mouth:

We will be serving one thing only–10 ounces of our secret blend of premium and prime aged beef, char-grilled over an open flame. This is the same single-breed, farm-raised beef that we use at Ray’s The Steaks and Ray’s The Classics, aged in house ridiculously long, hand trimmed to the same exacting standards as all of our steaks, and ground fresh daily, several times throughout the day.

Free toppings include: sauteed mushrooms finished with sherry and brandy, grilled red onions, sauteed peppers, charred jalapenos, vine-ripened beefsteak tomatoes, roasted garlic, and dill or bread and butter pickle chips. Applewood-smoked bacon (the same that we use for the grilled bacon app at Ray’s The Classics) and guacamole are available for an additional charge.

In addition to the regular quality cheeses on offer (‘Merkin, aged Vermont white cheddar, imported Swiss, imported Gruyere, aged Danish Bleu/Italian Gorgonzola, smoked mozzarella, Monster, Brie, pepperjack) we wil also be offering a changing selection of specialty and artisinal cheeses–currently, Epoisse, Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue, Queen Anne Stilton, Pa Noble Cave Aged Amish Cheddar, Chimay a la biere, Taleggio, and Bel Paese.

If we can’t get a Five Guys within walking distance of downtown, the least Landrum could is pay more homage to Silver Spring by putting one of those here. (Photo courtesy of flikr user mimisip)

In other news…

Mancuso-Suzda Project at Blues Alley
Silver Spring’s own experimental jazz duo Mancuso-Suzda Project has landed a gig at the venerable Blues Alley in DC on July 21 (showtimes at 8pm and 10pm). I saw these guys perform at the Strathmore Mansion and they’re just incredible. I mean, who doesn’t want to see someone play an amplified cactus?

Blogging the Bloggers
Yes, there are a lot of blogs in the area, but I’d like to call your attention to another newcomer to the scene: SoCo Eats (that’s South of Colesville, btw). Good food news and reviews from the area with a focus on locally-sourced stuff. I encourage you to check it out.

In Venti Retreat
Is it any surprise Starbucks is closing 600 stores?

Once again, Washington City Paper has bestowed its distiguished “Best of D.C.” honors to several Silver Spring establishments. I couldn’t agree more with (most of) them:

BEST HAMBURGER: Quarry House Tavern
I was one of the ones that thought the post-Jackie’s burger was subpar to the original. Nothing beat the old school burger-and-onion-rings basket, even though I wasn’t a big fan of PBR or wine from a jug. To be fair, I haven’t had a burger at QH in some time, preferring to indulge in the fantastic draft beer and excellent whiskey selection. But I have had my fair share of tater tots (washed down with the aforementioned beverages), and they’re money. After the review, I’ll have to pump $20 into the jukebox and give the burger (medium rare, with bacon & blue cheese, please) another whirl.

BEST RED-SAUCE ITALIAN RESTAURANT: Olazzo
I couldn’t be happier for this Silver Spring newcomer. As many of you may know, I’m a fan of the Tuesday night martini specials at Olazzo, but I haven’t delved all that deep into their menu. Now I’ll certainly explore more. The food I’ve had has been excellent, the staff is top-notch, and we’re hoping for bigger and better news from the Pietrobono boys very soon. (You’ll know it when you hear it.)

BEST DELI: Parkway Deli & Restaurant
A short time ago, Silver Spring Penguin espoused the virtues of our Deli to the West. Sure – it’s a little bit away from DTSS proper, but it’s one of my favorites and worth plugging here. The reuben is awesome, and the pickle bar, so choice. We’ve tended to hit Woodside Deli recently for such a fix, but now it’ll be back to Parkway.

BEST STEAK HOUSE: Ray’s the Classics
When looking strictly at a cost benefit analysis, this is a fantastic choice: Great, perfectly cooked steaks at affordable prices. But I still miss Michael Hartzer. And the pastry chef they used to have. And the good bar service. And having the bar stock Hendrick’s gin. The absence of the sausage biscuits and other appetizers, as well as some of the key desserts, really took this place down a notch or two in my book. As a special occasion place, it’s nice – but if I want a good steak now, I tend to fire up the charcoal in the backyard, visit with the neighbors, and relax on the porch.

BEST DIM SUM: Hollywood East Café on the Boulevard
Yeah, it’s in Wheaton, but it’s worth the drive, and Wheaton could always use a little love. I haven’t set foot in the Triangle since El Pollo Rico went all Cheech and Chong on us, and I’ve found myself standing in line outside Oriental East more often lately. But having spent three years on Dennis Avenue in the shadow of Wheaton and digging on Hollywood East since they opened, they certainly deserve it.

What about the others?
I’m proud of Bombay Indian Restaurant (which I’ve never tried but plan to remedy), and happy about the pupusas from Sabor Carry Out, but I really don’t care that much about some of these places on the periphery. Not my hood. And the places I mentioned from outside my immediate vicinity are ones I know I like and want other people to know about. Want to promote those? Get your own blog.

It’s unfortunate (perhaps) that all my posts recently have been a mishmash of short things, but after April 10, my life will begin returning to normal. More on that after the fact.

Goodbye, Mr. Heston
Can we have that gun, now?

Hook and Ladder Wins Beer Madness Tourney
As if there wasn’t enough reason to be excited about Hook & Ladder opening up a brewpub here, they went and won the Washington Post Beer Madness Tournament. From the article:

Their Backdraft Brown, this year’s Beer Madness champion, is an American-style brown ale with a chocolate caramel sweetness from the specialty malts, balanced by a splash of citrusy Cascase hops. The Fleischer brothers donate a portion of the proceeds to groups that help burn victims: a penny per pint, a quarter per case, and $4 from every keg sold! If we needed an additional reason to drink their beer, this is an admirable one.

Congratulations to Hook & Ladder! Meanwhile, in my March Madness brackets, I picked UCLA over North Carolina in the finals. Damn.

Urinate. But if you were better looking you’d be a 10.
There’s been some concern/hilarity on the listserv lately, depending on what side of the fence you’re on (literally). Someone has been urinating in soda bottles and leaving them in odd places – in people’s yards, dropped over fences, sitting by the curb.

I get my fair share of crap in the yard. Living on a main thoroughfare between stops for the 20 bus, there’s always plenty of bottles, bags, garbage, etc. And if it came down to urine-filled Gatorade bottles, I’d be hesitant to post it to the listserv for discussion. But thanks to those with the chutzpah to do so for the humor.

Live Nation Update
As reported on Silver Spring, Singular, among other places, some of us got together with Ted Mankin of Live Nation to see what the company had in store for The Fillmore Silver Spring. First off, this is NOT a done deal. If you’re for this deal, I urge you to actively support it. Ted will be answering questions for the general public at the Lee Building on April 8. Help make this happen.

And for all you bozos that think the Silver Spring Blogosphere is a mouthpiece for the Live Nation movement, please take take a trip down to 9:30 or The Birchmere and have another cool glass of STFU. I want music sooner rather than later, and I think this is the right ship to be on. Period. Get behind it or get your folk-song-singing-NIMBY-lovin’ ass out of the way.

The Washington Post (specifically, the Going Out Gurus) are reporting that the Wheaton Mall complex Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton is getting a Montgomery Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse. It will be slightly larger than its Arlington sister at 32,000 square feet and will show a variety of films – including first run films (at $8.50 – $9), some middle-of-the-road films (for $6 and under), and will even offer $1 movie nights from time to time.

The current P & G Theater will close in April and re-emerge in “late summer” as the Montgomery Cinema & Drafthouse. And in addition to movies, the facility will have stand-up comedy and broadcast sports events, among other things.

All that having been said, I’d still rather go to AFI to see a movie and forego the truant-ridden Wheaton area. Ever since El Pollo Rico burned down, I’ve had no reason to trek up there (and, frankly, less of a reason for being).

Speaking of theaters…
I got an email a short time ago from someone who had their purse emptied during a movie at our esteemed Majestic Theater. It must have been a real stealth operation, as the perp got into the purse, took out the cash, and returned the wallet to its normal place with credit cards and such intact. Keep your eyes peeled.

And back on the subject of beer…
If any of our friends at the Hook & Ladder Brewery are listening, I encourage you to email me. We’re all looking forward to the opening and I’m more than happy to shill for you guys as time draws nigh.