Where are the flawed elections?

and presidential contests occurring in 66 countries worldwide holding 73 election from July 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2013 (excluding smaller states with a population below 100,000), from Albania to Zimbabwe. Data is derived from a global survey of 855 election experts. Immediately after each contest, the survey asks domestic and international experts to monitor the quality based on 49 indicators. These responses are then clustered into eleven stages occurring during the electoral cycle and summed to construct an overall 100-point expert Perception of Electoral Integrity (PEI) index and ranking. Several major new findings emerge from the EIP research. - Headlines often focus on problems occurring on polling day. Yet as figure 1 illustrates, lack of a level playing field in political finance and campaign media was seen by experts as the most serious risk to integrity worldwide. These problems were found in many countries, with campaign finance the weakest part of the electoral cycle. By contrast, the vote count was seen as least problematic. - Overall, not surprisingly, electoral integrity is strengthened by democracy and development. Longer experience over successive contests consolidates democratic institutions, deepens civic cultures, and builds the capacity of electoral management bodies. Nevertheless as Figure 2 shows, electoral integrity was particularly strong in several third wave democracies and emerging economies, including the Republic of Korea, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania, Argentina, and Mongolia. Democracy and perceptions of electoral fairness - By contrast, experts were critical about flawed elections in several long-established democracies, such as Italy and Japan. Most strikingly, according to the PEI index, the United States ranked 26th out of 73 elections under comparison worldwide, the lowest score among Western nations. Experts highlighted concern over American practices of district boundaries, voter registration and campaign finance. Figure 3: The world map of perceptions of electoral integrity - Worldwide, South East Asia was the weakest region. This includes Malaysia, due to its district boundaries and electoral laws, and Cambodia, with concerns about voter registration, the compilation of results and the independence of electoral authorities. Recent electoral protests and instability in Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia vividly illustrate these challenges. Eurasian elections also raise concern, such as those in Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. Finally, several African states with restricted human rights and political freedoms were at risk of failed elections, including Equatorial Guinea, Djibouti, the Republic of Congo, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Subsequent annual reports will cover national


In ‘CSI: Mozart,’ the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra puts the composer’s puzzling death to rest

“It’s a whole new genre, really,” Balle says. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conductor Marin Alsop will lead the staged investigation with the help of orthopedic surgeon William J. Dawson, author of several papers on Mozart’s death. In between musical excerpts and Dawson’s medical explanations, actors will re-enact episodes from the Austrian composer’s tumultuous life. “Toward the end of his life, he had fallen from favor with the Viennese, who were a bit fickle,” Balle says. “There was a recession in Vienna, they were at war, and his concerts weren’t selling the way they used to.” Things began to turn around for Mozart in 1791, when he won a flurry of commissions for new work. “That year, he wrote two full-length operas,” Balle says, “and he conducted the premieres six weeks apart in two different countries.” Just as Mozart was composing some of his greatest works, including “The Magic Flute” and his unfinished “Requiem,” he fell ill. At first, he complained of a high fever and headache, but that soon progressed to swelling and pain in his hands and legs. By the time Mozart died, his body has ballooned into comic proportions and stunk badly. Mozart’s doctor pronounced the cause of death “acute miliary fever” and called it a day. That doctor’s cursory diagnosis, made without an autopsy, launched a cottage industry that’s produced more than 100 theories as to what killed Mozart. Could he have been poisoned by rival composer Antonio Salieri? Was it a cuckolded friend who did the deed? Alsop will interrogate the witnesses and sort through the competing theories — a job she’s well suited for, Balle says. “I don’t want to say that Marin is a ham,” Balle says, “but it’s a requirement today for conductors to have the ability to talk to the audience, to tell a good story, and to share their insights into the music, and Marin is great at all of these things. This is a natural extension of what she already does.” Whodunnit? The 1984 movie “Amadeus” points a finger at rival composer Antonio Salieri, but there are plenty of other theories as to what caused Mozart’s sudden illness and death. A few favorites include: Franz Hofdemel The Freemasons Pork chops Vampiric habits Doctors Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda; Fri., 8:15 p.m., $49-$83; 301-581-5100. (Grosvenor-Strathmore) Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore; Sat., 7 p.m., $44-$73; 410-783-8000.


Five reasons to get excited about 5G networks

At the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, participants dreamed up amazing new uses for 5G networks. (Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images) At this week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, one of the hottest topics of discussion was the future of 5G — a next-generation mobile communications network that would offer exponential gains in both speed and capacity over existing 4G networks. If 2G networks were for voice, 3G networks for voice and data, and 4G networks for broadband Internet connectivity, what exactly do you get when you deliver a 5G network? When asked to answer that question in Barcelona, the heads of Europe’s top mobile operators — the likes of Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Orange and Nokia – couldn’t even define what 5G was, but were nonetheless committed to spending billions of dollars to make 5G a reality in Europe. The same timetable exists in Asia, where Japan and South Korea also plan to invest billions to build the next 5G networks by 2020. So here are five examples of innovations that 5G might make possible. The next Winter Olympic host city of Pyeongchang could host the first-ever 5G Olympics in 2018. (Issei Kato/Reuters) 1. The first-ever 5G Olympics Now that the Olympic Flame in Sochi has finally been extinguished, it’s interesting to consider the types of innovations that might appear at future Olympics. Both Pyeongchang (host of the 2018 Winter Olympics) and Tokyo (host of the 2020 Summer Olympics) are in nations that are at the forefront of 5G innovation in Asia, so it makes sense that they will attempt to showcase 5G innovation throughout the Olympics. When Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics, for example, the city became the first-ever to broadcast the Olympics overseas via satellite and in color. For the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, here are just some of the ideas that might be made possible by 5G networks: one-second downloads of massive Olympic video clips; super-high-definition screens for broadcasting events; holograms of Olympic athletes; and mobile 3D images of venues and competitors. There are also hopes of creating “instant translation” glasses that would enable visitors from all over the globe to read anything written in Japanese within seconds. It might also be possible to offer “facial recognition” glasses in which Olympic visitors could spot fellow countrymen in a crowd, and instantly receive personal details about them to facilitate an introduction. As anyone who has ever missed a connection


‘Scandal:’ 5 questions as Season 3 returns

that his character may become a bit nicer … at least in comparison to others (et tu, Maya?). “I think you’re going to find out in the rest of Season 3 that the scariness kind of gets spread around to different people,” he told The Post’s Helena Andrews and JulieAnn McKellog. Will James help David Rosen take down Sally Langston (and Cyrus in the process)? When we last saw the vice president, she was unraveling, clearly haunted by her murderous actions. But her conscience is the least of her worries. David Rosen initially dismissed James’s assertion that Sally or Cyrus may have had something to do with Daniel Douglas’s death, but now he’s got cold, hard proof, thanks to a programmer with ties to the NSA. Anyone who watches “Scandal” is familiar with James’s — however wayward — ambition. Now that Cyrus has granted his demand to be White House Press Secretary (because that’s the kind of thing that can just, you know, happen), will he be willing to disturb the peace by looking into the shadiness surrounding Daniel Douglas’s demise? If the sneak peek below is any indication, he may have no choice. Is Quinn still a Gladiator? It’s hard to tell whose side Quinn is on these days. She did make an attempt to return to Pope & Associates during the winter finale, but ran back to Charlie after Huck made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. It’s unlikely that Quinn is actually in love with Charlie, though he seems to melt around her. Now that Rowan is out as head of B613, it’s hard to imagine Charlie throwing his support behind Jake. My theory is that they don’t call Quinn Baby Huck for nothing. The girl has to have a plan and if I’m betting correctly, it will be to do something so deliciously evil (something that helps Olivia, mind you) that Huck will be forced to welcome her back into the fold. We’re finally going to learn more about Harrison, right? Right?! Harrison’s fuzzy back story is a point of (good-spirited) contention among “Scandal” fans because…Columbus Short, hello. We did start learning more about Olivia’s most loyal gladiator in Season 3. Fans have theorized that Harrison is in love with Olivia, but there’s also speculation that the two could be related, an idea that yielded the nickname “Brolivia Pope.” We know that Olivia


Boston Marathon 2014: No bags, backpacks or bandits allowed

There will be no bags near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. (Charles Krupa / AP) The Boston Marathon next month will have an unusual look for a road race. No bags, backpacks will be allowed near the start or finish line and bandits — unregistered runners — will be banned as part of increased security measures stemming from last year’s bombings. Bags and backpacks also will be prohibited along the 26.-2 mile course, the Boston Athletic Association announced, after bombs in backpacks near the finish line exploded, killing three people and injuring more than 260. In the past, runners were allowed to bring bags and backpacks, usually containing things like a change of clothes or a jacket, to Hopkinton, at the start of the race, and the bags were taken to the finish line in Boston. Instead, the BAA will pr0vide clear plastic bags in which runners can check their stuff near Boston Common. Runners can wear fanny packs or fuel belts, but there will be restrictions on costumes that some like to wear. Faces must not be covered and no bulky clothes can be worn. Nor will strollers be allowed near the starting or finish lines. “We are aware that many people want to participate in some way in this year’s Boston Marathon as a display of support, but we ask that those who are not official participants to refrain from entering the course for the safety of the runners and themselves,” the BAA wrote in an email to Boston.com. “Similarly, units or groups such as military ruck-marchers and cyclists, which have sometimes joined on course, will not be allowed to participate.” Last summer, officials expanded the field for the April 21 race to 36,000 runners, an increase of 9,000, and part of the Boston scene is the presence of bandit runners. But not this year. “This really is the year they need to avoid the Boston Marathon,” BAA spokesman Marc Davis told the Boston Herald. “With an already large field, it is just not the year to run if you’re not registered. We’re asking unregistered runners to just stand on the sidelines and cheer. Our policy is to provide a safe, enjoyable event. That’s what we’re going to do.” Increased security measures will include the presence of undercover officers. “I don’t want it to look like an armed camp,” William Evans, the police commissioner, said (via


Here’s what $100,000 buys you at the cybersecurity industry’s biggest conference

x 20 feet going for $33,000. But furnishing and staffing booths could cost even more. One company with a booth of that size estimated setting up the booth and hiring attendants cost upwards of an additional $50,000, including around $6,000 for a rotating sign hung from the exhibit hall's rafters. Its total cost for the conference was close to $100,000. Some companies built out elaborate multistory booths in the 20x20 spaces. (Andrea Peterson/Washington Post) Other gimmicks abounded. One vendor had a Matrix-style character rear-projected onto a custom cut slab of glass to give the appearance of a futuristic hologram. (Andrea Peterson/Washington Post) Another had a full-fledged boxing ring set up, complete with "ring girls" passing out invitations to an after hours party. (Andrea Peterson/Washington Post) Both the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency maintained 20x20 booths, although a DHS press person on site declined to comment on how much the government paid for the space. The NSA booth featured an actual World War II Enigma Machine. Enigma Machine at RSA 2014 (Andrea Peterson/Washington Post) Even a relatively modest 10 feet x 10 feet booth cost over $8,000 and closer to a minimum of $15,000 to furnish and staff for the week long event. And exhibit hall space was actually cheap compared to "Diamond" sponsorship status, which for $330,000 came with a keynote speaking slots of 25 minutes (speaker requires prior approval) with web recast, 30 feet x 60 feet exhibit space, a "partner pavilion" for up to 12 associated groups, and the company's name embroidered on the official conference bag, among other opportunities. Microsoft and Juniper Networks made that level of investment in their conference presence. Then there are other added "opportunities," including thousands to get a branded pen in the conference bag or host an "old-fashioned popcorn cart." Fifteen thousand dollars could buy "room drops," where branded material is delivered to the doors of conference attendees at nine different area hotels. "Inside room drops are available at an increased cost." For the bargain price of $10,000-$12,000, companies could reserve a "meeting suite" consisting of "a 10' x 10' hard walled room with locking door, carpet, 42" round table with 4 chairs, one floor lamp, and a logoed identification sign outside the room" near the Southern conference hall. The upgraded versions included a ceiling, and word on the conference floor was that the basic units didn't muffle


Map: Majorities of consumers in 37 states have subprime credit scores

(CFED) We missed this report last month, but fortunately it resurfaced on a local newspaper’s site Thursday. Every year, the Corporation for Enterprise Development, a think tank focused on the poor and middle class, releases a scorecard grading states on policies that enable or frustrate the ability of residents to improve their lot. It focuses on policies that facilitate new opportunities and make it easy for people to build up their own personal safety net. The report also provides snapshots of where people stand, and one of them is particularly striking. In 37 states and the District of Columbia, more than half of consumers have credit scores too low to get decent (prime) rates: Mississippi has the highest percentage of consumers with subprime credit scores (69.1%), while Minnesota has the lowest (43.8%). Many Americans also lack access to safe and affordable financial services and products. One in five (20.1%) households is “underbanked,” meaning they have a mainstream bank account but still rely on high-cost, alternative banking products. As a result, they are more vulnerable to predatory financial products and services. Most states regulate predatory lending in some way, but rates can still be incredibly high for individuals with such low scores: “19 states prohibit or cap at 36% APR or lower payday loans, 30 states prohibit or cap auto-title loans and 22 states cap small-dollar installment loans. Nine states and the District of Columbia have prohibited or capped all three types of predatory loan products.” CFED purchases the aggregate data from Transunion, one of the nation’s largest credit bureaus. The subprime score is based on internal ratings the bureau uses to gauge an individual’s creditworthiness.


Avast, beer lovers: Heavy Seas Alehouse has docked in Rosslyn

That’s a lot that are taking the time to come and visit.” Those who’ve made the trip to Baltimore – to the brewery or the alehouse – will find some familiar elements in Rosslyn. There are eight Heavy Seas beers on tap, including the seasonal Black Cannon Black IPA and Winter Storm ESB, and three more hand pumps for cask-conditioned ale. (That’s my favorite way to enjoy Loose Cannon.) Even more Heavy Seas brews, such as the limited-edition Siren Noire imperial chocolate stout, are available in bottles. Nautical scenes and Heavy Seas portholes dominate the dining room. (Photo by Fritz Hahn/The Washington Post) Most beers are in the $5-$6 range; if you can’t make up your mind, a “fleet” of four 4-ounce samples of different beers is $6.65. When you've settled on a favorite, 64-ounce growlers are available to go. Expect to pay $12-$15, depending on the beer. Aside from Heavy Seas, there’s a small selection of Virginia taps, with beers from Devils Backbone, Hardywood and Lost Rhino. The beer’s not just in pint glasses, either. A selection of six beer cocktails features Any Port in the Storm, a Dark and Stormy variation with ginger syrup and Gold Ale subbed for the ginger beer; and the Musket Ball, which pairs Gold Ale with Bulleit bourbon, Bulleit rye, lemon and black walnut bitters. The restaurant, tucked into the first floor of an office building at 18th Street North and North Oak Street, is a wide-open 170-seat space with nautical touches, including displays of buoys and model ships. There are framed prints with Heavy Seas’ “pyrate” logo, but the kitschy decor is kept to a minimum. It comes across more as a pleasant pub than a beer swilling pirate’s den, with a sweeping 40-seat bar and a large, light-filled area of bar seating near the front door. A patio will offer outdoor seating in a few weeks. Heavy Seas Alehouse, 1501 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-879-4388. A "fleet" of small pours of any four Heavy Seas beers will set you back $6.65. (Photo by Fritz Hahn/The Washington Post) The barrel-heavy dining area between the front door and the bar is a comfortable and roomy spot for groups. (Photo by Fritz Hahn/The Washington Post) Pro tip: The Heavy Seas Alehouse's address is 1501 Wilson Blvd., but the entrance is on North Oak Street, near the intersection with 18th. (Photo by Fritz Hahn/The Washington Post)


‘Scandal’ recap Season 3, Episode 11: Run, Olivia, Run!

calls me Dad.” Papa Pope's dialogues are epic. Two minutes of pure read. He never fails #ScandaI #ScandalParty Somehow, Liv is still able to work despite the threat promise made by her dad. The Gladiators (minus Quinn, who had her Gladiator card revoked by Huck) mobilize to help Fitz’s campaign. Against Olivia’s advice, Fitz insists on tapping fellow California playboy, Andrew Nichols for the VP slot. Abby’s doing TV now! She and Leo Bergen exchange barbs on a political talk show and Leo resurrects the Olivia-as-Fitz’s-mistress rumor, which inspires Mellie to go all OKCupid! on her at a very awkward “public lunch.” On the menu? A list of of suitable bachelors for Olivia to play relationship with. “I’m making a respectable woman out of you, Olivia.” Zing! As the political fight between Fitz and Sally intensifies, Olivia asks Abby and Huck to look into the lack of public information surrounding Daniel Douglas’s death. They’re not the only ones looking into it. James and David Rosen already know quite a bit thanks to some good old-fashioned wiretapping. A member of the White House press corps is getting anonymous texts (really, “Scandal?”) from someone calling themselves Publius. I guess we’re supposed to ignore the fact that no one, literally no one, would ever call themselves that. Except…* Abby and Huck pose as Post reporters(!) and pay a visit to the coroner, who is forced to lie about what she knows regarding Daniel Douglas’s death. Thank Quinn for that. She isn’t a Gladiator and, according to Jake, she isn’t — and won’t be — B613 either. But Creepy Charlie is taking her down a dark path. She says she wants to babysit and he enlists her to literally kidnap a child. I know Quinn didn't just kidnap that kid! #ScandalABC The biggest surprise of the night? Apparently, I’ve been using the wrong pronoun for Adnan Salif. I know I’m not the only one who assumed Adnan was a guy intent on murdering Harrison. Apparently, she is a love interest that makes Harrison do naughty things in the Pope & Associates headquarters. So what if she’s a little dangerous? I think Harrison deserves a little action (it’s been a while since Candace). You know who else deserves some action? The first lady! Her prospects are good. It seems Andrew Nichols isn’t just a political ally to her husband — he’s an old flame who


Confronting the exploitation of extreme weather events in global warming reporting

ago when my father asked me whether I thought that nuclear weapons tests were changing the weather. Related: In contrast to the situation with nuclear weapons testing, we know that global warming does affect the weather in some ways. For example, as the global mean temperature rises, all time high temperature records are being set more frequently than they would be in a constant climate. At many tropical stations, the mean temperature of the past few decades lies within the top quartile of the probability distribution of temperature at those same stations a century ago. But at sites in middle latitudes, the internal variability of the climate system swamps the human-induced global warming trend, especially during wintertime. That’s why low temperature records are still being set occasionally, even in a warming climate. Global warming time series charts (National Academy of Sciences) But like the the nuclear weapons testing of 50 years ago, the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is a threat to our planetary life support system arising from the ever expanding pressures of human activities. It is notable that under the Kennedy administration above ground testing of nuclear weapons was halted, not because it was changing the weather, but because it was considered detrimental to human welfare. I look forward to the day when the unbridled consumption of fossil fuels is halted for the same reason. But in the meantime, I disagree with those who argue that we need to capitalize on recent extreme weather events to raise public awareness of human-induced global warming. Many of the reporters who write stories about our research don’t recognize the distinction between the broad scientific consensus on climate change and the various unsubstantiated hypotheses relating to extreme weather events. When the public becomes confused, the carefully considered scientific consensus becomes vulnerable to attack by the apologists for economic growth at all costs. It didn’t take them long to learn that poking fun at the notion that global warming could lead to extreme cold is an effective tactic. This winter’s extreme cold has been front page news not because of climate change, but because it affects the lives of hundreds of millions of people. The looming global environmental crisis, of which global warming is a part, is even more newsworthy, but that’s a different story. The author, John Michael Wallace, is a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington.


Happy Friday everyone!

A small part of the Large Magellanic Cloud, one of the closest galaxies to our own, is seen from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The collection of small baby stars — most weighing less than the sun — form a young stellar cluster known as LH63. The burning red intensity of the nebulae at the bottom of the picture illuminates wisps of gas and dark dust, each spanning many light years. (Reuters/NASA/ESA/) Here’s a great image to mark the end of the work week. (See it up close here.) Enjoy your weekend! I’ll see you back here Monday. Also if you’re heading to SXSW next week, drop me an e-mail. I’ll be arriving Friday.


Steve McIntyre: was Michael Mann “exonerated” by the Oxburgh Panel?

of Mann’s methods were unfounded. But as McIntyre documents, one of the main themes of the press coverage of the Oxburgh report was the comments made at the official press conference by “panelist David Hand, an eminent statistician who was then the President of the Royal Statistical Society.” Hand criticized the quality of Mann’s work, leading to headlines around the world, such as “Climategate scientists chastised over statistics.” Here is part of McIntyre’s account: Louise Gray of the Daily Telegraph, generally highly sympathetic to green causes, reported that Hand had accused Mann of using “inappropriate” methods that had “exaggerated” the threat from climate change . . . The article continued with harsh words about Mann: Professor David Hand said that the research – led by US scientist Michael Mann – would have shown less dramatic results if more reliable techniques had been used to analyse the data… But the reviewers found that the scientists could have used better statistical methods in analysing some of their data, although it was unlikely to have made much difference to their results. That was not the case with some previous climate change reports, where “inappropriate methods” had exaggerated the global warming phenomenon. Prof Hand singled out a 1998 paper by Prof Mann of Pennsylvania State University, a constant target for climate change sceptics, as an example of this. He said the graph, that showed global temperature records going back 1,000 years, was exaggerated – although any reproduction using improved techniques is likely to also show a sharp rise in global warming. He agreed the graph would be more like a field hockey stick than the ice hockey blade it was originally compared to. “The particular technique they used exaggerated the size of the blade at the end of the hockey stick. Had they used an appropriate technique the size of the blade of the hockey stick would have been smaller,” he said. “The change in temperature is not as great over the 20th century compared to the past as suggested by the Mann paper.” . . . The New Scientist’s report, also by a very green reporter, . . . reported that the “strongest example of imperfect statistics” was said to occur in the work of Michael Mann, which had led to “exaggerated” results: [Hand] said the strongest example he had found of imperfect statistics in the work of the CRU and collaborators elsewhere


This weekend, everyone had an opinion on Ukraine. Here’s a quick guide.

They voted against him. They impeached him. So Russia and President Putin are aligning themselves firmly with this kleptocracy. They're aligning themselves with the person who was legitimately stripped of his power by the parliament, even by his own supporters. I think this is an enormous mistake for Russia On "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" We are not looking for a U.S.-Russia, East-West redux here. What we want is for Russia to work with us, with Ukraine. If they have legitimate concerns, George, about Russian speaking people in Ukraine, there are plenty of ways to deal with that without invading the country. They have the ability to work with the government, they could work with us, they could work with the UN. They could call for observers to be put in the country. There are all kinds of alternatives. But Russia has chosen this aggressive act, which really puts in question Russia’s role in the world and Russia’s willingness to be a modern nation and part of the G8. On "Face the Nation" I think Russia needs to think very carefully about the choice that it’s making. And there are visa bans, asset freezes, isolation with respect to trade, investment, American businesses may well want to start thinking twice about whether they want to do business with a country that behaves like this. These are serious implications. And I know from my conversations yesterday: everyone of our allies, friends are determined to stay united and to make clear there is a price attached to this kind of behavior. President Obama It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine, and of international laws. And just days after the world came to Russia for the Olympic games, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world. And indeed, the United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin's office In the case of any further spread of violence to Eastern Ukraine and Crime. Russia retains the right to protect its interests and the Russian-speaking population of those areas. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel I won't get into the different specific options, but this could be a very dangerous situation if this continues in a very provocative way. We have many options, like any nations do.


A tale of two cybersecurity conferences: Mistrust at TrustyCon and RSA USA

panels. Plus, the NSA was there with its own 20' x 20' booth -- it even brought a World War II-era Enigma machine. Outside the exhibit hall, government privacy representatives held many prominent speaking slots. And attendees continued to raise questions about the aspects of national security related programs. During Colbert's keynote, University of Indiana Computer Science Prof. L. Jean Camp asked how many people in the audience were afraid following the revelations about government programs from the past year and received a low rumble of acknowledgement. For her part, Camp says she understands RSA's decision to use the reportedly flawed algorithm. "The thing about RSA using the DUAL_EC_DRPG is that it was a reasonable choice," she told me over e-mail, citing earlier actions the agency took that strengthen encryption during its early days. Specifically, she referred to the agency recommending the use of techniques that amounted to similar protections to differential cryptanalysis in Data Encryption Standard (DES) deployments during the 1970s, although information about that type of protection was not openly published until the 1990s. She says she understands RSA's decision. "So RSA, if approached by the NSA and assured that these changes were necessary, could have chosen the DUAL_EC_DRPG with historically reasonable confidence and trust in the NSA," she said. "With what we know now about the practices of the NSA, no one would trust them. But with the history of the NSA in cryptography, it was a reasonable choice at that time." RSA mirrored her sentiments in their initial response to the story, writing "at that time, the NSA had a trusted role in the community-wide effort to strengthen, not weaken, encryption." Researchers to the rescue? After explaining his reasons for his boycott, Hypponen gave the talk he was once scheduled to give at the RSA event. He discussed government sponsored malware -- both the development of offensive cyber weapons by governments and deployments more close to home. Ten years ago, he said, the thought that governments would be regularly deploying malicious code against their own citizens was science fiction. But now he says, "cops are infecting their own citizens with viruses." Another TrustyCon speaker, American Civil Liberties Union technologist and security researcher Christopher Soghoian, noted that the practices of technology companies are intimately linked to government capabilities. "If the service exists, the government can come and ask to use it." EFF Activism Director Rainey Reitman struck


Three ways of serving the underbanked (without the post office)

One of the more surprising (that’s a euphemism, by the way) ideas of addressing the problem of unbanked and underbanked consumers is the idea of getting the United States Post Office into the banking business (here’s the post office’s proposal). The argument seems to be that there are a lot of unbanked consumers, and the post office has all these buildings around that could be used for banks. Why financial services and not, say, fresh vegetables and other products that are hard to find in certain areas of the country? That’s not exactly clear. Regardless, Jim Epstein discusses three ideas for how to better serve the unbanked — without the post office. I’m not sure I agree with all of them (most notably the lotteries idea) but I certainly agree with clearing away regulation and allowing new banking models to flourish. If we want to bring more people into the mainstream banking system, repealing the Durbin Amendment is a no-brainer. And clearing away regulatory obstacles to new banking products is important as well — including, of course, repealing the Durbin Amendment, which is probably the single largest obstacle today to prepaid cards evolving into a fully functional mobile banking platform for lower-income consumers. To this list I would add another — grant Wal-Mart a bank charter so that it can compete with traditional banks. It seems absurd to me that banks can open branches in grocery stores — and presumably even in Wal-Mart itself — yet Wal-Mart (or Safeway or Target or Sam’s Club) is not permitted to simply run its own bank. I’ve always thought that the opposition of incumbents to Wal-Mart obtaining a bank charter was nothing but rent-seeking designed to prevent competition; I’ve never found the arguments against granting Wal-Mart a bank charter to be particularly persuasive. I think this proposal is well within Epstein’s third idea of allowing competing banking models to flourish. But there is another question — even if the Post Office does enter into the business of serving unbanked and underbanked consumers, is it likely to actually be a viable competitor? To be sure, the Post Office enjoys a privileged position that allows it to avoid many of the costs of operation that private businesses face, so in theory it could offer banking services at a lower price than banks or payday lenders (of course, for the same reason it could theoretically offer


John Shields returns to familiar turf as D.C. restaurant falls through

Chef John Shields says his plan to open a restaurant in Georgetown at 1050 Potomac St. NW has fallen through. "We couldn't make the numbers work" said the former chef of the late, acclaimed Town House in Chilhowie, Va. John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, formerly of the Town House restaurant. (Beall + Thomas) While Shields is still actively looking for space in Washington, he's also "itching to get back to cooking," he said. So, beginning in April, he and his wife, pastry chef Karen Urie Shields, plan to return to the remote part of Virginia that made them famous and offer intimate dinners two weekends a month at Riverstead, the small inn that offered lodging to Town House patrons before the innovative, 26-seat restaurant closed two years ago. Chilhowie is approximately five hours from D.C. The couple's first dinner will be held April 18 and repeated the next night. Early meals are expected to cost $150 for more than a dozen courses. Dinners will initially be BYOB, says Shields, who may extend the event to Sunday depending on demand. The event promises to be exclusive: Riverstead, a renovated farmhouse, can accommodate just 14 customers. A preview of what the couple has in store for guests finds, among other creations, scallop cured in herbs and flowers, slow-roasted chicken with wheat and garlic, and "ember" ice cream. "It tastes like burnt cookies and cream in the best possible way," the chef says of the dessert, which will get a boost from mint, lime and eucalyptus. The couple met at the late Charlie Trotter's in Chicago; John Shields went on to serve as sous chef at the experimental Alinea, also in the Windy City. In 2008, the two turned down an offer to open a restaurant in Las Vegas to do their own thing in Appalachia. "We are still fully committed to getting the D.C. restaurant off the ground," Shields said by e-mail, "but at least this will get us back in the mix." For reservations and additional information, see riverstead.com.


Updated: Snow closings and specials for Monday

you want to see your special listed here, e-mail goingoutguide@washpost.com. What's closed or canceled? • All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, except for the National Air and Space Museum. It's not because the Smithsonian is on the "Gravity" bandwagon after that film won seven Academy Awards on Sunday night: We always try to keep museums open if enough staff can get in safely. We will have adequate staff to keep @airandspace open. • Almost every other museum in the area is closed because of the storm, including the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the National Building Museum, the Newseum, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Ford's Theatre, National Georgraphic and the U.S. Botanic Garden. • The Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Phillips Collection are always closed on Monday. • The Shakespeare Theatre's ReDiscovery Series reading of "A Family Affair" has been postponed. No makeup date has been announced. • The 9 Songwriter series at Jammin Java, a benefit for local singer Ted Garber and his family, has been rescheduled to April 21. • The Yellow Ostrich concert at DC9 has been postponed until April 2. • The Men concert at Rock and Roll Hotel has been cancelled. Refunds are available at the place of purchase. • The sold-out Bring Me The Horizon concert at the Fillmore has been cancelled. Refunds are available at the point of purchase. • The Juan Perro concert at the Howard Theatre has been postponed until March 9. • Capital One Comedy Night on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage has been cancelled. • The Weekend and Lorelei concert at the Black Cat has been cancelled. "Make-up date TBD" says the club's Twitter feed. Which bars and restaurants are open? 14th Street Adams Morgan Alexandria Arlington Bethesda Capitol Hill Columbia Heights Downtown Dupont Circle Foggy Bottom H Street NE Navy Yard Penn Quarter/Chinatown Shaw U Street Looking for a snowball fight? • It's on in Dupont Circle at 2 p.m., according to the Washington D.C. Snowball Fight Association. UPDATE: The snowball fight has been moved to the National Mall in front of the Smithsonian Castle, "due to ice buildup in Dupont Circle." • Not to be left out, the "Battle at Ballston" takes place at 4 p.m. in Quincy Park. Organizers are asking participants for donations for the Frye Foundation; post-battle drinks are scheduled for Wilson Tavern.


Thoughts on the crisis in Ukraine (updated with some new information about the upcoming Crimean referendum)

to oppose Russia effectively. The best of the flawed available options is probably to impose tough sanctions targeted at Russia’s political elites, as recommended by Fareed Zakaria and Russian politics expert Leon Aron, among others. As Aron points out, Putin is not an absolute dictator, and he depends on Russian elites for essential political support. That support might be undermined by forcing the elite to pay a price for supporting him: Yet even with the military option off the table, the U.S. still has quite a few diplomatic and economic tools at its disposal…. The U.S. and its allies also must keep in mind that most, if not all, of these measures are aimed not only at Putin but at the elites around him and at the Russian public at large. Dominant though he is, Putin is not Stalin or Brezhnev. Russia is not the Soviet Union, the Iron Curtain is gone – the internet exists and public opinion matters…. [T]he risks [imposed by potential sanctions] would involve Russia’s membership in the G-8, the safety of financial and other assets of the Russian elite which are located outside of Russia, as well as the ability of the members of this elite and their families to visit, live or study in the U.S. and the EU. In addition, Moscow’s behavior could trigger new export controls, which given its dependence on Western technology, particularly in the oil and gas sector as well as in the food industry, could have a very negative impact on the Russian economy. Russia’s political and economic elites place great value on trade and investment relations in the West, and on their ability to travel abroad and acquire and hold assets in Western nations. Since these elites were and are complicit in the Putin regime’s human rights abuses at home and aggressive actions abroad, sanctions targeting them would not victimize innocent people, as is often the case with conventional economic sanctions. There is no easy solution to present crisis, and it is possible that Putin will ultimately get away with occupying Crimea. But if he and the political elites he depends on for support pay a steep price for their actions, it is less likely they will repeat them in the future. UPDATE: There is some confusion on whether the Crimean referendum scheduled for March 30 is really going to be about independence or not. The new pro-Russian


Ukraine aid package, sanctions possible, lawmakers say

Congress is set to begin debating an economic aid package for Ukraine that's expected to cost at least $1 billion and possible sanctions against senior Russian officials involved in the ongoing military standoff, senior lawmakers said Monday. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), foreground. (AP) Despite the cancellation of House and Senate proceedings Monday due to a snowstorm, top leaders were at the Capitol finalizing plans for a formal debate expected to begin next week. On the sidelines of long-scheduled meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) described the situation in Ukraine as a "crisis" and said the United States should take steps "in coordination with our allies." House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said Monday that there is bipartisan support for an aid package for Ukraine designed in part to "reassure allies throughout the world that the United States will not stand idly by in the face of such aggression." "We should be focused on moving such a package as quickly as possible," Cantor said. Lawmakers and aides said both chambers were coalescing around a plan to authorize an aid package in the form of loan guarantees and possible sanctions against unnamed Russian officials. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said Monday that the aid package would cost at least $1 billion. But in a brief interview, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) declined to specify a price for the aid package. "We’re usually very bullish about putting a lot of pressure on these regimes that misbehave so that they feel the economic consequences of it. So we think we’ve waited too long and we want to accelerate the process," he said. Royce added that he spoke Sunday night with Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew about the possibility of imposing sanctions. "We’re trying to lead on this, because our concern is that the administration in only using rhetoric and not taking a decisive step to impose any economic consequences is allowing [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to believe that he can move forward without any downside risk," Royce said. Royce and others said that the proposal would originate in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is expected to formally debate the package next week. Menendez said in a statement that any sanctions would "range from visa bans and asset freezes, to the suspension of military cooperation and


The man behind the Magnitsky Act explains why now is the time to go after the Russian elite’s assets

"murder," perhaps alluding to one report from Russia's Presidential human rights council that said torture contributed to the lawyer's death. Browder, who had been barred from entering Russia himself, began to lobby back in Washington for the introduction of a "black list" of Russian officials involved in the crime. Those on the list would have bank accounts frozen and assets seized. The Magnitsky Act passed in December 2012, and a few months later 18 names were released. Importantly, the scope of the act was expanded to include a number of people not related to Magnitsky's case. Browder feels that now is a perfect time for the list to be updated again. “You can’t just let Russia take over another country without consequences," he said, reasoning that the Magnitsky Act worked better than sanctions as going after individuals made them "face real personal consequences which their commanders can't protect them from." “The main reason Magnitsky has been so successful is that it addresses the state of the world in modern Russia vs. the Soviet Union," Browder explained, arguing that nowadays officials who commit human rights violations for profit in Russia often keep their money in the West as they fear the instability of Russia. “I guarantee you, if put them on a sanction list, they'd think twice about what they are going to do next in Ukraine and elsewhere.” While it's difficult to quantify the exact impact of Magnitsky Act, the reaction from Russian lawmakers suggests it hurt: Shortly after it was implemented, Russia passed a law banning U.S. parents from adopting Russian children. Later, Russia responded with their own "black list" of U.S. officials, and Magnitsky himself was finally found guilty of tax evasion – even though he was already dead. Of course, the Magnitsky Act was initially envisaged as a response to one particular incident, and it's hard to foresee how it might be used in the case of Russia's state-sanctioned aggression in Ukraine. How many people, for example, would it target? Browder argued that it should be easy to work out the target, and that it could even go all the way to the top. When e-mailed about the possibility of targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Magnitsky Act, Browder e-mailed back: "I don't see why not. He is said to be the richest man int the world holding lots of money offshore, which could be frozen."


Nightlife Agenda: Free music at the W, the return of Scythian and a tribute to Biggie

playing the djembe. Colorado's Left Hand Brewery picked up three medals at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival, and every one was gold. (Not too shabby.) The brewery is making its official foray into Washington this week and is bringing along multiple versions of two of its big winners: Milk Stout (Best Milk Stout or Cream Stout) and Sawtooth ESB (Best Ordinary or Special Bitter) to ChurchKey. Customers can sample draft, smooth nitro pour and cask-conditioned versions of both beers, plus five others, including 400 Pound Monkey IPA and a cask of dry-hopped Black Jack Porter. The full draft list is here. Thursday, March 6 The W Hotel's rooftop P.O.V. bar is best known for its postcard-quality views of the White House and Mall, but it's turning into a hotspot for music fans this week with two great (and, most important, free) events. On Thursday night, local alt-rockers U.S. Royalty perform at a release party for the vinyl version of the band's second album, "Blue Sunshine," a collection of tuneful, '70s-soaked Americana. As a bonus, the event also heralds the launch of a new DC Brau beer: a version of the boozy Belgian quadruple Ghouls' Night Out that has been aging in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels since October. The fun begins at 9 p.m., but you need to e-mail povlive@brandlinkdcrsvp.com to get on the guest list. While go-go used to ring out at the corner of 14th and U before U Street's era of accelerated growth, fans and musicians have since found it has no space on the new U. That's what makes a night of classic, funky go-go back on the block for one night at Tropicalia feel like such a homecoming. Ras Lidj brings his combo of reggae and go-go with the Deep Band, while old-school go-go all-star outfit Faycez U Know will feature E.U. icon Sugar Bear on its front line for the night. Karaoke for Complainers Friday, March 7 Saturday, March 8 If you've spent any time in clubs over the last decade, you've come across one of the men spinning at U Street Music Hall's Saturday night DJ summit. Eric Hilton is a founding member of Thievery Corporation and a renowned DJ in his own right; DJ Dredd is the man responsible for the long-running Prince parties at the Black Cat and 9:30 Club; Stereo Faith is equally comfortable dropping Britpop at the Black Cat


How might sanctions affect Russia?

Secretary of State John Kerry departs from Joint Base Andrews in Washington en route to Ukraine, Monday, March 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, Pool) The following is a guest post from Kimberly Marten, a political scientist at Columbia University. In it, she explains how sanctions might affect Russia, noting that the political ramifications might be more important than the economic ones, at least in the short term. Links to previous Monkey Cage posts regarding developments in Ukraine can be found at the bottom of this post. ***** President Obama and his European Union allies have been criticized for the weakness of their response to the Russian military intervention in Crimea. The G-7 officially condemned Putin for violating Ukrainian sovereignty and the U.N. Charter, the Obama administration has threatened visa and asset freezes against top Russian officials, and the E.U. will meet next week to discuss the possibility of targeted sanctions. But so far all that has happened, beyond harsh criticism, is a call to reschedule the upcoming G-8 summit meeting in Sochi, alongside the cancelling of U.S.-Russia military-to-military programs and some routine low-level trade meetings. Sanctions would probably not do much to hurt direct Russian economic interests, given the dependence of many E.U. countries on Russian gas imports and the absence of any key economic levers in Europe or North America. Yet the sanctions threat could still have a negative impact on Russian President Vladimir Putin in an indirect way, by contributing to instability among the elite clans who vie for control over Kremlin policy. Western pundits have a tendency to equate “Putin” with “Russia,” seeing their interests as one and the same. But Putin does not rule alone. Instead he sits at the top of competing informal network groups who vie against each other for political power, in a Kremlin game that Philip Hanson has likened (in an edited scholarly volume) to “dogfights under a carpet.” Putin’s political longevity is testament to his skill in balancing and managing this network competition, as Henry Hale recently argued. Putin built his reputation on maintaining political and economic stability in Russia, replacing the chaos of the immediate post-Soviet years with order and predictability—and that means containing the dogfights. If elite battles break out into the open it will be a sign of Putin’s weakness, and will likely lead contenders to emerge to challenge him. Unchecked competition between two broad networks in particular


Map: The 45 parks that lost more than $2M each from the government shutdown

National parks across the country missed out on nearly 8 million visits and gateway communities lost out on $414 million last October thanks to the government shutdown, according to a National Parks Service report. Among the parks affected, 45 lost $2 million or more in October visitor spending during the 16-day shutdown. Great Smoky Mountain tops the list, having lost an estimated $25 million in October. All told, six parks—denoted by the large markers in the map below—lost $10 million or more. But there’s a critical caveat: the losses were only for October and may have been recouped. Here’s why: Visitors may have deferred their visits, visited other recreation areas, chosen other recreation activities, or purchased other non-travel related goods and services. Additionally, the publicity of the NPS closings may have triggered others that were not originally intending to visit a park in October to make a trip once the shutdown ended. Therefore, the estimates in this summary are only associated with changes in October visitation to NPS park units, not the overall change in visitation to gateway communities.


White House budget would ask for $17.5 billion for NASA

A handout image dated Feb. 10, 2014 and provided by NASA on Feb. 12, 2014, made with Mars rover’s Navigation Camera (Navcam) on its mast showing a look-back eastward at wheel tracks after driving through and past ‘Dingo Gap’ inside Gale Crater. (NASA) The Obama administration is asking $17.5 billion for NASA, another tight budget for an agency that peaked at $18.7 billion in 2010. The 2015 request is down $186 million from the enacted 2014 budget. NASA can also tap $900 million in the administration’s Opportunity initiative if Congress provides the funding. NASA officials view this as a “continuity-driven” budget that will make almost all major programs go forward as planned. That includes the Asteroid Redirect Mission, the controversial asteroid-capturing proposal of a year ago that Republicans on the Hill vociferously opposed, but which the administration is still pushing, with $133 million requested for the program in 2015 (NASA believes the overall mission would cost less than $2 billion over time). Also going forward is the James Webb Space Telescope, on track for a 2018 launch, and the development of a new, heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System, and the Orion space capsule. The administration extends the life of the International Space Station until 2024, and funds a commercial launch industry that hopes to send American astronauts to the ISS on American rockets by 2017 – though NASA has warned that the schedule will slip without full funding of the program. The budget request cuts $180 million from the science program, but keeps the Curiosity rover on Mars and extends the life of the Cassini mission to Saturn. A casualty of the tighter budget is an airborne astronomical observatory known as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).


USDA budget includes more funding for broadband access to rural communities

(Diego Giudice/Bloomberg) The Agriculture Department would lose roughly $938 million under the fiscal 2015 budget proposal, receiving $23.7 billion in discretionary funding. New initiatives for the agency — which has a diverse mission that includes food safety, agriculture and economic development in rural communities — include a boost in funding for broadband access to rural communities and the creation of three agricultural research institutes dedicated to crop science, advanced bio-based manufacturing and anti-microbial resistance research. To address the increased risk of wildfires brought on partly by climate change, the USDA is proposing to revamp its approach to suppressing catastrophic fires, to increase efficiencies. The budget also provides $50 million to strengthen critical habitats for bees and other pollinators, whose declines have led to rising concerns for agriculture production.The money would support research, fund surveys to determine the effects of declining bee populations and strengthen bee habitats. The USDA is also pressing for reduced crop insurance subsidies for farmers and insurance companies “to more reasonable levels,” changes that would save the government $14 billion over 10 years. The goal is a program that is “less costly to the taxpayer, yet still provides a quality safety net for farmers.” Crop insurance subsidies cost the government $9 billion a year to run, the budget says.


Try Heady Topper, allegedly the world’s best beer, tonight in Adams Morgan

the best-tasting beer in the world lower than 16 imperial stouts almost impossible to get Except tonight, that is, when it will be included at a special tasting of "Vermont's Best Ales" at Bourbon in Adams Morgan. The $35 tickets -- limited to 50 -- include the following, from 7 to 10 p.m.: • A 16-ounce can of Heady Topper • 12-ounce bottle of one of Long Trail's Farmhouse IPAs, which are only available in Vermont • 4-ounce tastes of two different beers from Hill Farmstead, a tiny world-class brewery that has a perfect 100 percent rating on Beer Advocate. • A 4-ounce pour of Fiddlehead IPA from Fiddlehead Brewing in Shelburne. • A 4-ounce pour of Citizen Cider, from the Citizen Cidery in Essex. UPDATE Hill Farmstead's (understandable) fear is that the beer in growlers might not be in the best shape, due to issues of time and travel. Bourbon's James Woods says that "I understand their views, in terms of quality control. We're going to open and taste every growler tonight before serving them." If flavors are off, Woods says, he'll only pour the bottled Hill Farmstead beers. Fiddlehead IPA is also being poured from growlers, because the brewery doesn't bottle or can its beers. If the Fiddlehead is off, Woods will substitute another beer in its place. Even if the beer in growlers is in fine shape, Woods says, he obviously won't sell any of it after tonight. For lovers of rare and delicious beers, this is a fantastic opportunity. Tickets are sold through Eventbrite. If you miss out on the all-inclusive tickets, a limited number of Heady Topper cans and bottles of Long Trail and Hill Farmstead will be available for purchase a la carte.


Tennesseans will soon be able to buy wine at the grocery store

Oenophiles in Tennessee will soon be able to find their favorite varietals in neighborhood grocery stores after lawmakers approved a bill Monday to lift restrictions on wine sales in food stores. The proposal, which passed the Senate on Monday after passing the House earlier this year, marks one of the last steps in a nearly decade-long fight between grocery stores and liquor stores backed by alcohol distributors. If Gov. Bill Haslam (R) signs the proposed legislation, voters in cities and counties that have liquor stores or bars will have to pass individual referendums to legalize wine sales in grocery stores. David Smith, a spokesman in Haslam’s office, said the governor “will review the legislation in its final form before taking action on it, but I anticipate he’ll sign it.” Supporters hope to begin collecting signatures to put the first referendums on the ballot by this year. But even if they pass, grocery stores won’t be able to sell wine until the middle of 2016 at the earliest. Grocery stores located within 500 feet of a liquor store won’t be able to sell wine until July 1, 2017, the Tennessean reported, unless the liquor store owner gives the grocery chain permission to begin selling earlier. Some in the liquor industry say the bill would hurt Tennessee’s growing whiskey industry. Distillers are only allowed to sell their goods at liquor stores, which cannot be open on Sundays. “We believe that if voters can decide wine in grocery stores by local option, they ought to have the chance to decide on seven day sales for package stores, too,” the Distilled Spirits Council said in a statement earlier this year. Adding Sunday sales, the council estimated, would increase tax revenue by $3.3 million to $4.6 million annually. The U.S. wine market has boomed in recent years, capturing market share that once belonged to beer makers. About half the $59 billion Americans spent on alcohol in 2011 was spent on beer, while 17 percent went to wine sales, the Distilled Spirits Council reported in 2012. Total wine sales have risen sharply in the last decade, from about 617 million gallons in 2002 to 856 million gallons in 2012, according to statistics compiled by the Wine Institute.


Is NASA really going to send a probe to Europa? [w/updates]

along — the zephyr known as Barack Obama. Obama killed Constellation. That meant the demise of the Ares 1 rocket after it had already burned through billions of dollars. And what were they going to do with that $500 million, brand-new mobile launcher at the Cape that was designed for the Ares 1? (Answer: They can probably re-purpose it for another rocket, but space hardware is so customized that it’s not like adjusting the height knob on a workout machine at the gym.) Surviving from Constellation is the Orion capsule, but where will you go with it, if not back to the moon? NASA last year proposed the Asteroid Redirect Mission, which would involve astronauts in Orion visiting a captured asteroid in lunar orbit. In the new FY2015 budget request, the Obama administration wants to boost funding for the ARM, to $133 million in 2015, but you can expect political rancor on that front. The ARM is hardly a slam dunk, in part because they haven’t found a target rock. Republicans don’t like it because it has Obama’s imprimatur, and they took the rare step last year of trying to prevent NASA from spending any money on it. The ARM has no international partners. It is not essential to the hopes and dreams and bottom lines of the huge aerospace corporations (although a captured rock would give Orion and the SLS rocket a “destination” in the relatively near term other than points in space or interesting orbits around the moon). So the ARM lives, but it’s precisely the kind of program that a subsequent Congress or Republican administration would take delight in killing. Which finally brings up the issue of a Europa mission. Seth Borenstein of the Associated Press wrote about the Europa proposal Tuesday. (Could be fish under the ice there!) There’s $15 million in the Obama budget request for a Europa mission (here’s my news article that touches on the NASA budget — it’s mostly about the United States and Russia being roommates in space). But a Europa mission would be a “Flagship” class mission, meaning $1 billion-plus in cost. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said a few months ago that the space agency couldn’t afford new Flagships in the near future (other than ones already underway). Other officials confirmed that: There’s no money in the tight NASA budget for Flagships right now. Any plausible mission to Europa is


The Washington Post Book Club: Meet author Steven Levingston

The Washington Post Book Club will host Steven Levingston, Post non-fiction editor and author of the new book, “Little Demon in the City of Light: A True Story of Murder and Mesmerism in Belle Epoque Paris.” Now available, “Little Demon” tells the true story of the murder in Paris that brought mesmerism and hypnosis into the court room. Levingston will read from his new book, take audience questions and sign copies of the book, available for sale at the event. Event Details Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 6:30PM at The Washington Post (1150 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20071) To register for the event or for more information, email bookclub@washpost.com. Recent reviews: “Mr. Levingston, who . . . knows a good story when he sees one, has given it a richly enjoyable telling. Its lurid and improbable plot twists are expertly transposed into a breathless true-crime thriller set against a sumptuous evocation of the boulevards, nightclubs and boudoirs of Belle Époque Paris.” The Wall Street Journal “Equal parts period piece, forensic manual, and legal thriller, the book is a strong entry in the “fascinating case in a fascinating time” genre.” Daily Beast’s Hot Reads “A highly colorful and expertly reported account…” NY Daily News More about the Book Club:


40 Eats: The dishes every Washingtonian must try in 2014

In the three years that we've compiled Washingtonians' favorite dishes, we've described burgers, tacos and Pop-Tarts with all sorts of flowery adjectives. "Funky" has never been among them. This year, several chefs reached for that word to describe the unique sour, salty and sweet mashups that filled the list. Take, for example, Rose's Luxury's pork and litchi salad, with its bits of chewy fruit, bitter garlic and foamy coconut; the salt-brined beef at Duke's Grocery, topped with house-made mustard so pungent you taste it with all five senses; or Astro's crème brûlée doughnut, with its whiff of burnt sugar. View Photo Gallery —Readers and staff select the area’s best dishes, tapping more District restaurants than ever before. See whose BLT, fried chicken and doughnut made the cut. By Lavanya Ramanathan. Readers pointed the way, via e-mail and Twitter, to these weird little gems of the District's dining scene, as they have since we began this evolving project. Also weighing in this year were some of the city's notable food lovers and, for the first time, Post staffers including food critic Tom Sietsema. In 2014, readers and staff gave the most nominations to restaurants within the District's borders, not surprising considering the explosion of the dining scene on 14th Street, in Shaw and in Northeast. (Nearly three-quarters of the dishes come from restaurants that opened in the past two years.) Korean, Italian and even Balkan plates populated what could be the most diverse list we've ever created. Bacon and burgers seemed to have lost some of their greasy luster, as cauliflower and tofu enjoy their day in the sun. Inventive desserts also won more nominations this year, a sure sign that the pastry chef is ascendant. But mostly, this year's list of 40 essential dishes, presented here in no particular order, is funky, and we wouldn't have it any other way. See 2013's Essential Eats If last year’s list was the road map to area’s iconic dishes, this reader-nominated roundup of Washingtonian’s favorite eats is like a weather vane, vulnerable to capricious appetites of foodies (hello, doughnuts). See whose fried chicken, house-made soda, ramen and Pop-Tarts made the cut, and then make plans to go by clicking on the boldface names to read the restaurants’ reviews, make reservations, and more. By Lavanya Ramanathan View Photo Gallery —If last year’s list was the road map to area’s iconic dishes, this reader-nominated roundup


Obama administration moves to freeze Russian assets

President Obama signed an executive order giving his administration powers to freeze U.S.-based financial assets and property 0f Russian officials responsible for the country's military intervention in Ukraine, the White House announced Thursday. Meanwhile, the State Department has expanded its effort to deny visas to those responsible for or complicit in Russia's actions in the Crimea region. Those include Russian and Ukrainian officials, the State Department said. U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks on raising the minimum wage at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn., March 5. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Press secretary Jay Carney called the executive order "a flexible tool that will allow us to sanction those who are most directly involved in destabilizing Ukraine, including the military intervention in Crimea, and does not preclude further steps should the situation deteriorate." Administration officials did not name specific individuals who will be targeted or how many would be sanctioned. They said the executive order will allow Treasury Department officials to freeze the assets of those who undermine democracy, peace and territorial integrity in Ukraine, those who misappropriate state assets and those who seize power without authorization from the interim government in Kiev. A spokesman for House Speaker John A. Boehner's office said: "We welcome this first step, but remain committed to working with the administration to give President Obama as many tools as needed to put President Putin in check as well as prevent Russia from infringing on the sovereignty of any of its other neighbors." The moves build on previous punitive measures from the Obama administration, including canceling planning meetings for the Group of 8 economic summit in Sochi, Russia, in June. The White House is weighing additional steps and has pressed Congress to support a $1 billion aid package for Ukraine's interim government. The House will vote on that proposal Thursday. "We call on Russia to take the opportunity before it to resolve this crisis through direct and immediate dialogue with the Government of Ukraine, the immediate pull-back of Russia’s military forces to their bases, the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and support for the urgent deployment of international observers and human rights monitors," Carney said.


Video: D.C. chefs dish on 40 Eats in 40 seconds

Katsuya Fukushima. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) Daikaya We wanted to capture the organized chaos of the ramen shop, and four other restaurants, in videos accompanying The Post's annual 40 Eats guide to the dishes every Washingtonian must try in 2014. Take a look inside the kitchens of Chocolate Crust, Daikaya, Rose's Luxury, Water & Wall and Woodlands Vegan Bistro to see why each chef thinks his or her dish is among D.C.'s essential eats. • 40 Eats: The dishes every Washingtonian must try in 2014 Vegetable ramen at Daikaya The vegetable filled ramen has gained a following at Daikaya, according to chef Katsuya Fukushima. The bowl practically overflows with carrots, bean sprouts, snap peas, noodles and a seaweed-based broth. Even though it lacks meat, it does not lack flavor. (Music: "Good" by Podington Bear) Doissant at Chocolate Crust Chocolate Crust's doissant is hybrid of a doughnut and croissant based off of the cronut from New York's Dominique Ansel Bakery. The flavors rotate every month, but for February, a heart-shaped doissant filled with chocolate cream and topped with pistachios, white chocolate and caramel was on the menu at the Brightwood bakery. (Music: "Pouncin'" by Poddington Bear) Pork and litchi salad at Rose's Luxury Peanuts, garlic chips, herbs, coconut, red onions, country ham and litchi are just some of the many ingredients that compose Rose's Luxury unique pork and litchi salad. Chef Aaron Silverman says it hits many flavorful notes, which is one of the reasons why it is so popular. (Music: "Carefree to Careful" by Podington Bear) Macaroni and cheese at Woodlands Vegan Bistro Woodlands Vegan Bistro chef Mickiyah Woodland says almost every customer has a helping of the restaurant's macaroni and cheese. The comfort food, made without milk or cheese, is a staple at the vegan soul food restaurant. (Music: "Chauncy" by Podington Bear) Duck confit at Water & Wall Water & Wall's succulent duck confit with crispy brussels sprouts and truffle aioli is a mix of sweet, salty, savory, sour and bitter flavors, according to chef Tim Ma.


States change approach to heroin amid epidemic

also known by its brand name Narcan, is displayed at the South Jersey AIDS Alliance in Atlantic City, N.J., on Feb. 19, 2014. An overdose of opiates essentially makes the body forget to breathe. Naloxone works by blocking the brain receptors that opiates latch onto and helping the body “remember” to take in air. (Mel Evans/AP) An alarming spike in heroin usage has left states scrambling to reduce the number of deaths caused by the powerful drug, a move that has lawmakers focusing increasingly on helping those who overdose rather than punishing them. The jump in overdoses is alarming. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported about 669,000 Americans used heroin at least once in 2012, and nearly 3,100 died from overdoses in 2010 — a 55 percent increase from the previous year. State Net Capitol Journal reporter Rich Ehisen takes a look at how states are reacting by trying to save lives in this month’s issue: Law enforcement and other emergency responders say that many of these deaths could have been prevented if someone with the overdose victim would have simply got that person help. Usually that means calling 911 or taking the overdosed person to get medical attention. But it could also come in the form of giving that person the anti-overdose drug naloxone, which works to block opiates from the brain’s receptor cells. A 2012 report from the Centers for Disease Control says naloxone — usually sold under the brand name Narcan and which can be injected or applied via a nasal spray — has reversed more than 10,000 opiate overdoses since its introduction in 1996. But many overdose victims never get that chance because fear of being arrested often supersedes a drug user’s willingness to call 911. And in many states, there is no assurance that even emergency responders will be carrying naloxone when they arrive. In recent years, 17 states and the District of Columbia have adopted “Good Samaritan” laws, which grant some immunity to those who seek medical help for an overdose victim. Eighteen states and D.C. have also given first responders the ability to administer naloxone to overdose victims. And the number of states seeking to get help for overdosers will expand in coming weeks: Legislation has advanced in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio and Utah in just the past few months. Similar bills are before legislators in seven other states, Ehisen reported.


Taste new beers from DC Brau, Atlas Brew Works and 3 Stars

(Courtesy of DC Brau) With all the national beer news in D.C. this week -- the appearance of highly-ranked Heady Topper at Bourbon’s all-Vermont tasting on Tuesday, California’s Colorado's Left Hand Brewing making its official debut at ChurchKey on Wednesday -- we should remember that D.C. has some exceptional breweries of its own. Three of them are tapping new beers in the next few days. Thursday: DC Brau Across town tonight, Friday: Tomorrow, it’s 3 Stars’ turn in the spotlight. A mini tap takeover at ChurchKey is officially the debut of Danny Greene Double IPA, a collaboration with Tim Adams of Maine’s Oxbow Brewing. It’s named after Danny Greene, a Cleveland mobster turned FBI informant who was killed by a mafia car bomb in 1977. “It’s something we were talking about while brewing with Tim,” explains 3 Stars co-owner Dave Coleman, a native of Cleveland. “He hadn’t heard the story, and was a bit fascinated.” The ultra-fresh beer, which will be put into kegs today, uses Azacca, Amarillo and Centennial hops. Other 3 Stars drafts at ChurchKey include the new Phoenix Rye Saison, Samsquanch IPA, Southern Belle brown ale and Pandemic Porter, all beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday: More good news for DC Brau fans: The brewery is bringing back NATAS, the Belgian-style imperial porter created with Brian Strumke of Stillwater. The dark, chocolatey beer was a limited release back in the winter of 2011, and will be available for growler fills at the brewery this weekend.


The end of the traditional supermarket

Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP is acquiring the supermarket chain Safeway in a deal worth about $9 billion. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Say goodbye to the traditional supermarket. Safeway announced Thursday that it was being acquired by the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management in a deal worth about $9 billion, part of an industry-wide shake-up that is transforming how consumers shop for their food. Effectively a merger between Safeway and supermarket chain Albertsons, already owned by Cerberus, the deal is an attempt to compete in the increasingly tough grocery business, which is now crowded by a gamut of retailers, from drugstores and Wal-Mart to local neighborhood farmers markets. Over the past decade, supermarkets have lost about 15 percent of their market share to other retailers, according to Phil Lempert, an editor at Supermarket News. “The traditional supermarket that we grew up with and that we love needs to evolve,” Lempert said. The supermarket, which rose up in the 1930s and had its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, has long relied on its convenience and size for its popularity. It’s the place where you can find five different brands of peanut butter or 10 different kinds of olive oil. These stores also have long relied on advertising and promotional fees paid by their suppliers. So the peanut butter brand you’re seeing at the end of the aisle isn’t necessarily there because consumers are clamoring for it. Instead, it’s because the company that manufactured the peanut butter has paid Safeway to put it there. By contrast, stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s work on a different model: relentlessly present only what you think the customer wants. Trader Joe’s, for instance, is especially brutal in its decisions about what to put on its shelf space. If the product doesn’t sell well enough, it’s rotated out for something else. “It’s gotten a lot more competitive, and the ones who are going to win, and who are winning now, are focused on the consumer,” Lempert said. Safeway, much like its rival Giant Food, has struggled to remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry. After years of gobbling up market share from mom-and-pop grocers around the country, Safeway is facing the same threat from Wal-Mart and CVS. Big-box retailers and drug stores have been barreling into the grocery segment. In the past five years, Wal-Mart has opened a crop of


The end of the traditional supermarket

of olive oil. These stores also have long relied on advertising and promotional fees paid by their suppliers. So the peanut butter brand you’re seeing at the end of the aisle isn’t necessarily there because consumers are clamoring for it. Instead, it’s because the company that manufactured the peanut butter has paid Safeway to put it there. By contrast, stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s work on a different model: relentlessly present only what you think the customer wants. Trader Joe’s, for instance, is especially brutal in its decisions about what to put on its shelf space. If the product doesn’t sell well enough, it’s rotated out for something else. “It’s gotten a lot more competitive, and the ones who are going to win, and who are winning now, are focused on the consumer,” Lempert said. Safeway, much like its rival Giant Food, has struggled to remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry. After years of gobbling up market share from mom-and-pop grocers around the country, Safeway is facing the same threat from Wal-Mart and CVS. Big-box retailers and drug stores have been barreling into the grocery segment. In the past five years, Wal-Mart has opened a crop of “super” stores with fresh produce and dry goods, while CVS has stocked its aisles with eggs and ice cream. The continued expansion of Wal-Mart, which has more than one-third of the national grocery market, into urban areas poses a threat to traditional supermarkets. Safeway said in a statement Thursday that none of its 1,335 stores nationwide are expected to close. Safeway executives said Thursday, though, that if government regulators evaluate the deal for antitrust issues, some stores may need to be spun off. Albertsons, which has 1,075 stores, has no locations in the Washington area. “There is a clear and compelling rationale for this merger,” said Safeway chief executive Robert Edwards on a call with analysts Thursday. Safeway is one of the few grocers in the country with a unionized workforce. Pressure from non-union shops has in the past prompted the company to try to reduce labor costs. There’s no sign of how the new ownership will handle the issue, or if they will try to dismantle the union. Analysts say the two companies need to combine in order to compete— and that no matter what happens, the future of grocery shopping will not be the same. For one, supermarkets


Another death reported in Saudi Arabian SARS-like virus

Saudi Arabia says a man has died from a new respiratory virus related to SARS, bringing to 62 the number of deaths in the kingdom at the center of the outbreak. The Health Ministry says the latest victim died in a Riyadh hospital on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. The ministry also reported that a chronically ill Saudi man who was admitted to a hospital in Riyadh became a new positive case of the virus, bringing to 150 the number of people infected in the kingdom since September 2012. The new virus is related to SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, which killed some 800 people in a global outbreak in 2003. It belongs to a family of viruses that most often causes the common cold.


Morning Bits

scheduled to receive another $550 million in unfrozen assets from the Obama administration on Friday, just days after Tehran unveiled a slew of new weapons and advanced ballistic missiles. . . . Iran’s Defense Minister announced on Wednesday that the military had made great progress in approving the accuracy of its ballistic missile guidance system, which Tehran views as a deterrence to the U.S. and Israeli militaries.” Ducking There is no ducking our responsibility in Ukraine. Why? George Weigel explains: “Because we don’t want Putin to reverse the Verdict of 1989 and reignite the Cold War. Because of our own self-respect. Because we can read what happened in the late 1930s and ought to have learned a few things from that. It would be desperately self-demeaning to let Putin snatch victory from the jaws of a richly merited defeat because we want to take our marbles and go home, tired of the game.” President Obama ducks the implications of his own rhetoric, says the speaker of the House. “I would note that the president justified his actions today by calling this a national emergency. Frankly, I agree. But if it’s truly a national emergency, then the president should order the Secretary of Energy to expedite approval of American natural gas exports. Russia has an energy stranglehold on much of Europe, and it has been using it to its own advantage. There is a growing consensus that ending this de facto export ban would not only help keep Putin in check but help our own economy as well and help our allies in Europe.” The president ducks meaningful steps. “Senior Obama administration officials told reporters Thursday that the administration’s new sanctions plan in response to Russian actions in Ukraine gives the United States ‘a great deal of flexibility’ to target individuals behind the Crimean invasion. Visas have been pulled from an unreleased number of Russians and Ukrainians, and the United States has promised to impose economic sanctions on individuals and companies as well. But no one is being hit with the sanctions quite yet.” Well, Obama did tell Putin he’d have more flexibility after the election. Thankfully, the House is not ducking its responsibility. “The House voted 385-23 [Thursday] under an expedited process to let the government guarantee private-sector loans to Ukraine. The bill, H.R. 4152, would allow previously appropriated funds to be used to cover the cost of the guarantees.”


Why China’s newfound innovation is a good thing for America

stage. While debates go on in the United States about global warming and the need for green innovation, the Chinese need no convincing with smog and water pollution affecting large regions of the country. And as a result, China’s clean technology market is projected to triple to more than $500 billion by 2020. China also appears set to create more compelling private companies that should turn into global competitors, such as Xiaomi (mobile phones), Tencent (social media) and Alibaba (e-commerce). While these companies will be in the minority in an economy still dominated by China’s state owned enterprises, its quality of entrepreneurs and business models is quickly improving. All of these innovations are just the beginning for China as it seeks to transition into more high value-added business. For the United States, this means greater international competition, but also a unique opportunity to reflect on its own performance on the world stage. The United States has long been the global home of innovation, whether it is technology, media, finance or energy. However, it has lost some of its shine in recent years as support for innovation has waned in some sectors. Investment funds are largely focused on social media and mobile, leaving promising areas such as renewable energy, materials science and biotechnology underfunded. Visa issues have sent many foreign entrepreneurs away from Silicon Valley, spurring increased global innovation. The United States may still be the pacesetter, but the current competition environment may sway the pendulum East. But is it a zero-sum game? Though some U.S. companies will be surpassed by their Chinese counterparts, we are not at the beginning of a no-holds-barred innovation arms race. Chinese innovation is not occurring in a vacuum. For a young company in China aspiring to be a global player, the United States will be an important proving ground. Likewise, American companies will find that China, with a flourishing consumer base, is an important test bed and market for their innovations especially as Beijing aims to promote consumer spending as announced by Premier Li Keqiang Wednesday. China and the United States will continue to be strong partners and competitors in business, each with an intense national pride. China’s growing capability to innovate will likely entice the United States to be the fierce competitor it has always been. Think back to the 80’s and 90’s when the United States was challenged by Japan Inc. and Korea


Where the $20 Diner ate in his first year, by neighborhood

When Post Food writer Tim Carman began writing his $20 Diner column, his vow was to find the area's restaurant gems that weren't typically covered by food blogs or glossy magazines. "If I’m honest with myself," Carman wrote in his column-launching manifesto, "many of my favorite dining experiences over the years have occurred in restaurants that will never aspire to a James Beard Award." In honor of the column's first birthday, here's a list of everywhere the $20 Diner ate during the past year: 14th Street Adams Morgan Alexandria Arlington Guests are invited to choose from Soy Garlic or Hot sauce on their wings, seen at the BonChon Chicken Arlington location on Friday, July 26, 2013 in Arlington, VA. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post) Ballston Beltsville Bethesda Brightwood An assortment of daily baked pastries at Chocolate Crust in Washington. (Juana Arias/For The Washington Post) Brookland Capitol Hill Chinatown College Park Downtown Breakfast biscuit with bacon at WTF. (Dayna Smith For the Washington Post) Dupont Circle Falls Church Kadu palow at Panjshir. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) H Street NE Langley Park Lanham LeDroit Park Leesburg Manassas New York Avenue NE Sichuan fiery pot fish at Panda Gourmet. (Amanda Voisard/For The Washington Post NoMa Petworth Rockville Silver Spring The vegetable combination platter at Lucy in Silver Spring. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post) Springfield Sterling Takoma Park U Street Wheaton


Charm City Classical

Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra announced their eight season together this week. Photo: BSO The 2014-15 classical-music season took shape in Baltimore this week as both Shriver Hall and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra announced their upcoming seasons. “In Baltimore” is actually misleading, since one of the biggest innovations of the BSO season is a series of five Sunday afternoon performances at the orchestra’s second home at Strathmore, a stop on the Washington, DC metro. The matinees will expand on the orchestra’s Off the Cuff series, which presents an in-depth exploration of a single work; now, Strathmore audiences can hear both the introduction (on Friday evenings) and the complete concert (on Sunday afternoons). Given that the National Symphony Orchestra has stopped doing its occasional Friday matinees, these Sunday concerts will also be welcome for those in the DC region who prefer to hear orchestral music during daylight hours. The orchestra is also celebrating its 10th anniversary in Strathmore with a gala concert in February. The BSO’s season focuses on “spirituality and transcendence,” a popular theme in recent years as the Lincoln Center’s White Nights festival and other organizations seek to connect audiences with what is arguably the motivating force of much Western classical music. In Baltimore, the rubrik includes works with clear spiritual ties — Mozart’s “Great” mass, Jennifer Higdon’s “blue cathedral,” Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and Christopher Rouse’s “Rapture” — and ones in which the link is more implicit. Few would argue with the description of the Mahler 3rd and 4th symphonies, which both include explicit visions of heaven, or the Beethoven 9th as “spiritual.” A bit more of a stretch in this rubric, though an enjoyable addition to the program, is Bernstein’s “Candide,” which the orchestra will perform in June in a semi-staged performance, with Patti LuPone. “Spirituality is an extremely personal journey,” Alsop said in a press statement, “and that is the profound beauty of music: its message is always an individual, personal one.” For the rest, the season offers a balanced mix of classics (Alsop will conduct both Rachmaninoff’s first and second piano concertos, played by Queen Elisabeth Competition-winner Boris Giltburg and Garrick Ohlsson respectively) with the less-known and contemporary. Arild Remmereit will lead a concert overture by the Swedish composer Elfride Andree along with the Third Symphony by her coeval Tchaikovsky; Alsop will juxtapose “Rite of Spring” with Golijov’s “Rose of the Winds;” Colin Currie


How Bank of America is killing the paper check

protection against overdrafts," explained Betty Riess, a spokeswoman for Bank of America. BofA's core checking account, "MyAccess," waives maintenance fees for customers with at least $250 in monthly direct deposits. Reiss said the new account is targeting folks who come in under that amount or might not have the option of direct deposit. Big banks have wrestled with how to serve customers who keep low balances. They tend to have lower incomes and less of a chance to qualify for mortgages, auto loans and other products that earn money for banks. Customers with low balances usually bear the brunt of bank fees--a charge for having an account, a charge for overdrawing the account. In the last few years, big banks, like PNC and JPMorgan, have used prepaid cards to reach this group. But Reiss said Bank of America preferred a more traditional approach that would give customers full access to the financial system. Greg McBride, senior analyst at Bankrate.com, says the bank made the right choice. "Call me old fashioned, but if you're going to build wealth and save and invest for the future, you need to be part of the traditional financial system," he said. But a checking account without checks? Novel, but not new. Remember the crop of online banks that popped up in the 2000's with the promise of high interest rates on savings accounts (think: ING)? Most of them offered checkless checking accounts as well. But few, if any, megabanks have gotten in on the action, until now. Cutting paper checks out of the account experience makes sense. Americans wrote 28 billion checks in 2009, 5.3 billion less than 2006, according to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia. At that pace, researchers at the Philly Fed expect checks could disappear all together in 12 years. A 2003 change in the law on how banks process checks hastened their demise. Before then, banks sorted, then carted checks off onto airplanes for delivery to other banks. When the FAA grounded planes after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, lawmakers passed legislation to let banks use electronic images of checks to process payments. Philly Fed researchers estimate that the electronic switch is saving banks $1.2 billion a year. Between the electronic processing and the rise of mobile banking, the days are numbered for paper checks. You might want to save one to show your grandkids some day.


Q & A: Monty Hoffman, developer of the Southwest Waterfront

the project and we were looking for a partner to augment the money that we were willing to keep in and we will be keeping in. So we began a look domestically and foreign. We did go to China. What was the reception like in China? They’re new at capitalism. Their ideas were a little different than ours. Recognizing how important this is to the city and the fabric and the nuances of it, it was essential to have a partner sophisticated, grounded and long-term in terms of their approach and outlook. And we couldn’t find a right fit with some of the interested parties out in Asia. My partner, Amer Hammour [chief executive of Madison Marquette] has been to Malaysia, and to Abu Dhabi and several Middle Eastern as well as far eastern countries, and so our net was planetary to find that right fit. Why do you think there is so much interest abroad in American real estate right now? First we’re a stabilized country with laws that people can rely on. We’re the largest economy in the world, number two, and I think in particular Washington, D.C. is one of the strongest markets in the country. And there’s a comfort with proximity to the Capitol and the White House. Most countries, the capital of that country is its strong cities. Look at Paris, look at London, look at Beijing. You could look at almost any country and the capital is the strongest — and they perceive that, ‘Ok if we’re coming to the United States, New York and then Washington, D.C.’ I think we get a little bit of a lift with that. Can you tell me about some of the environmental and energy features of the project? You have a co-generation plant that uses natural gas to produce electricity for all the underground parking, which is substantial. We are also using solar, which will be on top of the penthouse roof, which will produce electricity for the bridge that we want to light up, as well as a lot of the public areas. We are also using a great deal of LED lighting technology. How about storm water retention? We have a cistern system that goes all along the edge of the underground parking and goes underneath the Wharf itself, and that allows us to retain about two inches of rainfall coming down. It’s the most


Female brewers on tap at Brewer’s Ball benefit

April Anderson, a senior brewer for Devil’s Backbone in Virginia, raises a glass at the Brewer’s Ball. (Photo by Emily Heil.) For decades, beer had a reputation as the province of dudes, made and swilled by bros. But check out the lines queuing up for craft brews at the annual Brewer’s Ball at the National Building Museum on Saturday night for evidence that things have changed: There seemed to be just as many cocktail dresses as ties. Silent auction items at the bash, which raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, included spa packages and sports memorabilia. And then note the number of women in charge of concocting the mixes at some of the area’s finest breweries. Kristi Griner was pouring sips of Kolsch to thirsty partygoers at the booth of Capitol City Brewing Company, where she’s director of brewing operations. She says that those who invented the craft in ancient times were probably women, so today’s rise of lady brewers is just things coming full circle. “It’s cool to see so many more of us in the profession,” she says. “But the way I see it, it’s our birthright.” The guys in the beer business welcome women in their ranks, Griner says, turning to her pal Mari Rodela, a co-owner of D.C. Brau, who has dropped by for confirmation. “It’s not as macho as you’d think,” Rodela agrees. The Brewer’s Ball, now in its tenth year, features beers from dozens of breweries paired with dishes from local restaurants slurped down by an upscale crowd, a testament to the elevation of craft beer and its brewers to the status enjoyed by fine wines and well-known chefs. April Anderson, senior brewer for the Lexington, Va., outpost of Devil’s Backbone brewery, says that even as the profession of brewer develops a bit of prestige, there’s little glamour in the day-to-day. “I’m more often in steel-toed boots than I am dressed like this,” she says, gesturing to her black evening gown. “As a brewer, I’m kind of a glorified janitor a lot of the time.”


Town Square | Buyers get bargain in Kalorama estate

(HomeVisit) In Kalorama, one of the priciest neighborhoods in Northwest Washington, a house at 2121 Leroy Place NW has emerged as the best deal of the week for the buyer, according to Rockville-based multiple listing service MRIS. The home was listed at $4.2 million and was sold in a private exclusive sale by Jim Bell of Beasley Real Estate for $3.764 million. According to MRIS, the home sold for $435,960 less than the asking price, the largest dollar amount under the list price in the area last week. The buyer’s agent was Mary Ehrgood of Washington Fine Properties. The agents did not disclose the name of the buyers. The Federal-style home includes elegant details inside, such as wainscoting, crown moldings, coffered ceilings and a wood-paneled library on the upper level with French doors that open onto a Juliet balcony overlooking the garden. The main level includes a top-of-the-line kitchen with a center island and an adjacent family room, both with French doors leading to a flagstone patio with a built-in grilling area. The master bedroom suite includes a bathroom with a fireplace and a private rooftop terrace. Free housing expo in Northern Virginia Looking for affordable housing in Northern Virginia? AHOME Foundation, Virginia Housing Development Authority (VDHDA) as well as local jurisdictions are sponsoring the 2014 Northern The free event will showcase both homeownership and rental options and resources. Workshops will offer such advice as improving This year’s expo will be held at Lee High School in Springfield from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations are required. Visit (Design Collective) New apartments planned for Tysons Corner The transformation of Tysons Corner with the expansion of Metro includes plans for a more walkable, urban community and has Kettler The development requires approval from the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning. So far, plans call for 275 to The building would help transform the area into a pedestrian-friendly location within walking distance of shops, entertainment and work. A landscaped courtyard will be available for residents and a small public park will be developed with areas for children and dogs and open space. For more information, visit www.Kettler.com. Appliance upgrade benefits Habitat for Humanity and HomeAid The Virginia division of Toll Brothers recently donated more than 150 kitchen appliances to HomeAid Northern Virginia, an organization Toll Brothers recently updated its model homes and Virginia Design Studio with new appliances and donated