2014 Super Bowl Commercials

Several 2014 Super Bowl commercials have been released. This year's 30-second spots are reportedly going for $4 million ($130,000 per second) on the Fox network. Click below to check out a few more ads that will be shown during Sunday's game on Fox 5 in the DC area.

DMV Connections... Nirvana

Courtesy musiclipse.com

Which of the following members of the 90's group Nirvana grew up in Springfield, Virginia?

A. Kurt Cobain

B. Dave Grohl

C. Krist Novocelic

D. None of the above.

The Best Gas Prices We've Seen

January 26, 2014

These are by far the best gas prices that we've seen in the city. For the location, click below.

The Mall in Columbia is on Lockdown

The Washington Post is reporting that Howard County Police have put the Mall in Columbia on lockdown. Apparently, an active shooter is in the building. More here:

An Update on Frager's

The folks at Frager's Hardware, which burned on June 5, 2013, have persevered by continuing to operate on Capitol Hill. Several temporary locations are offering various services that the original stores offered.

The 2013 Real Estate Market

Courtesy realtor.org

Earlier this week,the National Association of Realtors released a 2013 summary of the country's real estate market. Overall, 9.1 percent more homes were sold in 2013, when compared to 2012. This is reportedly the market's best year-to-year performance since 2006. For more, click here:

On Our Blocks... Media

Courtesy Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post

It looks like the Capitals,Wizards and Mystics' owner, Ted Leonsis, has ambitious plans for the Monumental Network.The network, which celebrates its one-year anniversary today, plans to eventually end their current licensing deals with Comcast SportsNet. Leonsis goes into detail about how they plan to deal with cable providers directly in the future at DCRTV.com and washingtonpost.com.

Still Coming Down in DC

With the Feds and most school systems extending their MLK holiday weekend by closing today for inclement weather, we decided to take a few shots during what would normally be rush hour. If you were caught in the January 2011 evening rush hour disaster, you undoubtedly appreciate the day off. A freeze is scheduled tonight, so tomorrow's call should be interesting. Stay tuned... By the way, the snowball fight started in Dupont Circle at 6:30 pm.
- Update (7:30 pm) - According to NBC4, Fairfax and Montgomery County Schools are closed tomorrow.
- Update (10 pm) - Fox5 says that the Federal Government will open two hours late tomorrow morning.
- Update (10:15 pm) - DC Public Schools are closed tomorrow (Fox5).
- Update (10:30 pm) - Arlington County Schools are closed tomorrow (Fox5).

DMV Connections... Dunbar High School

Courtesy twitter.com/VernonDavis85

We noticed that the demolition of the former Dunbar High School building is nearly complete.One of that school's distinguished alumni is San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. Davis, who played in last year's Super Bowl, will be competing in the NFL's NFC Championship Game on Sunday For more on Dunbar, click below.

DC's Historic Movie Theaters

The Former Penn Theater - 650 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

With the Oscar Award nominees being announced this week, we thought that it would be a good time to reminisce about DC's historic motion picture theaters. Some of us may remember elders talking about how air-conditioned movie theaters were a welcomed relief from the oppressive DC heat? Check out the first in a series of these landmarks here:

Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week

Courtesy www.ramw.org/restaurantweek

We're moving into the third day of Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week. More than 200 restaurants in DC, Maryland and Virginia are offering 3-course meals during lunch for $20.14. A 3-course dinner will cost you $35.14. To see the list of participating restaurants offering deals through Sunday, January 19, 2014, click here.

You can now apply to move quickly through airport screenings in the DMV

courtesy TSA.gov

Dulles International Airport is the first in the area to offer an application center for TSA Precheck.  Airline passengers will eventually have the ability to expedite the screening process in airports throughout the country. If approved, you'll no longer have to remove your shoes, belts or light jackets. You'll also be able to keep your laptops in your bags. Click this wtop.com post and TSA.gov for more information.

DMV Connections... The Golden Globes

Courtesy www.nbc.com/GoldenGlobes

The Golden Globe Awards take place on Sunday, January12, 2014. We thought that we'd review the nominees to see if there are any DMV Connections. There are at least two prominent actresses with ties to the area...

Which of the following Golden Globes nominee for Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama, grew up in Arlington, Virginia?

A. Cate Blanchett - "Blue Jasmine"

B. Sandra Bullock - "Gravity"

C. Judi Dench - "Philomena

D. Emma Thompson - "Saving Mr. Banks"

E. Kate Winslet - "Labor Day"

Which of the following Golden Globes nominee for Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, graduated from Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland?

A. Amy Adams - "American Hustle"

B. Julie Delpy - "Before Midnight"

C. Greta Gerwig - "Frances Ha"

D. Julia Louis-Dreyfus - "Enough Said"

Live TV broadcasting on the web challenged by networks

Courtesy www.aereo.com

The Supreme Court has agreed to settle a case that could significantly alter the way we view live television. In American Broadcasting Companies v. Aereo, the Court will determine whether Aereo has the right to deliver live programming over the Internet. The memberships, which start at $8 per month, are currently available in Baltimore and scheduled to be in DC soon. Here's a post from washingtonpost.com.

It's A Wrap for Landover Mall

DMV Native Tracee Wilkins 

Although most of Landover Mall was demolished in 2006, Sears has continued to conduct business.Well, we're sad to say that it's over soon. We look forward to learning what The Lerner Corporation (owner of the Nationals) may have planned for the property. By the way, the property sits approximately one mile from both FedExField and Wegmans. More from NBC4 here:

NoMa - Home of the Beatles' First Performance in the States

DMV Development Update - The Shops at Georgetown Park

We went to The Shops at Georgetown Park to check on the progress of its renovations. Several retailers have signed leases, and a few are doing business now. DSW and a bowling alley/bar and grill called Pinstripes will be part of the renovated mall. 

An Update on the H Street/Benning Road Streetcar

They've been testing this streetcar on the H Street trolley tracks in NE. Here's an update on the H/Benning Road Streetcar Line.

DMV Connections

Which of the following reportedly attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Montgomery County Maryland?

BCC - Courtesy http://bccdcrealestate.com/2010/12/15/bcc-cluster-schools/

A. Tommy Davidson - "In Living Color"

B. Peter Rosenberg - Hot 97 DJ/Former 106.7 Personality

C.  Daniel Stern - "Home Alone"/The Voice of Kevin Arnold ("The Wonder Years")

D. All of The Above

E. None of The Above