The Nationals (23-21, .523) may be second in the National League East standings, but for the defending division champions, second place is not good enough. Washington is just two games above .500, an unimpressive statistic for a thus-far unimpressive team.

While the Nats have given glimpses of a strong team—they had a five-game win streak at the beginning of May—they have struggled to put up the numbers and maintain the momentum that leads to sustained success [...]]]> May 21, 2013
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider

The Nationals (23-21, .523) may be second in the National League East standings, but for the defending division champions, second place is not good enough. Washington is just two games above .500, an unimpressive statistic for a thus-far unimpressive team.

While the Nats have given glimpses of a strong team—they had a five-game win streak at the beginning of May—they have struggled to put up the numbers and maintain the momentum that leads to sustained success and first place.

Since heading to California for a series against the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants, the Nats are 3-4, with their latest loss an embarrassing 4-13 blowout by San Diego.

The lack of offense from the Nats lineup is troubling, but nothing new. During the first week of the season they were shutout 0-15, and a quarter into the season they have yet to score more than ten runs in a game.

“We have not been very consistent,” third basemen Ryan Zimmerman told reporters after Sunday’s loss.

Zimmerman himself is a prime example of that. Once hailed as the team’s best player, his errant throws, which have garnered him nine errors this season, have been a talking point for some sportswriters.

Still, Zimmerman, a fan favorite who is signed with the club through 2019, is still viewed as a great asset, despite some setbacks.

Not all of Washington’s hurdles can be helped. Key players Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos remain on the disabled list, and Bryce Harper’s play time has been spotty since he crashed into an outfield wall last week.

Despite the injuries and lackluster offense, their trip hasn’t been all bad. On May 16 Stephen Strasburg (2-5) broke his seven-start winless streak after pitching a career-high eight innings in his hometown of San Diego. Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper both contributed homers in the 6-2 win, which Strasburg got to celebrate with family and friends.

The Nats complete their West Coast trip with three games against the Giants (24-20, .545), another team that has had a disappointing start to the season. The defending World Champions are second in their division, and host the Nats fresh off a three-game losing streak.

With both teams looking to turn their seasons around, Nationals manager Davey Johnson seems hopeful that, whether it happens in San Francisco or not, his team will turn a corner soon. “The middle of the lineup is swinging the bat very good, and other guys look like they’re starting to come around,” he said on Sunday. “Sometimes it just takes time to jell.”

Teresa Yuan was sentenced on Tuesday in Brooklyn federal court. She pled guilty in the fall. According to prosecutors, Yuan sent over 504 email and 120 webcam videos of herself to the actress‘s website in 2011.

The 32-year-old is currently being treated for bipolar disorder, and she has been warned to remain on her medications. A judge has ordered Yuan to only [...]]]> A New York City woman has been sentenced to probation for stalking actress Marion Cotillard on the Internet.

Teresa Yuan was sentenced on Tuesday in Brooklyn federal court. She pled guilty in the fall. According to prosecutors, Yuan sent over 504 email and 120 webcam videos of herself to the actress‘s website in 2011.

The 32-year-old is currently being treated for bipolar disorder, and she has been warned to remain on her medications. A judge has ordered Yuan to only be allowed the use of one device with Internet access.

The first store will open in New York on June 15th, with other stores following in Los Angeles and Miami. The stores will have a bilingual staff and will provide a “culturally relevant shopping experience” says Viva Movil. Viva Movil is an authorized Verizon Wireless [...]]]> On Wednesday, the singer actress announced she will be opening a chain of 15 cell phone stores and a website under the Viva Movil brand. Her goal is to sell phones and services to Latinos.

The first store will open in New York on June 15th, with other stores following in Los Angeles and Miami. The stores will have a bilingual staff and will provide a “culturally relevant shopping experience” says Viva Movil. Viva Movil is an authorized Verizon Wireless seller whose prices will remain the same as Verizon’s.

Lopez is the majority owner of Viva Movil and says the company, as well as their Facebook page, is a way for consumers to connect with her. “Latinos need a place to go and they need to be catered to because it is such a growing demographic and market,” Lopez said in an interview.

Lopez’s work with Verizon ensures premium and contract-based service, which is unlike other cell phone companies targeted at Latino populations who attempt to create low-cost and no-contract service.

According to authorities, the robber snuck up behind his victim near the 1500 block of 34th street northwest and used the stun gun to immobilize the victim before stealing their cell phone, wallet and change.

The victim’s injuries are said to not be life-threatening.

Jerry Sutton was the stepfather of the First lady’s great- grandfather and served at the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads in Mississippi in 1864.

Caesar Cohen, who was 25 when he joined the United States [...]]]> Wednesday marked the 150th anniversary of the Union’s first black regiment. In honor of those who have served, a wreath was placed by two men’s names on the American Civil War Memorial on U Street who are believed to be ancestors of First lady Michelle Obama.

Jerry Sutton was the stepfather of the First lady’s great- grandfather and served at the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads in Mississippi in 1864.

Caesar Cohen, who was 25 when he joined the United States Colored Troops, was Michelle Obama’s great-great-grandfather.

Both Sutton and Cohen deserted the war after some time and became among the first generation of African American landowners.

The African American Civil War Memorial is located on U Street just across from the African American Civil War Museum.

Richard Curl, who pled guilty to charges in February, is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Curl was banned for life by USA Swimming over allegations of having an intimate relationship with a teenaged swimmer in the 1980s. Curl was charged last year when a woman came forward and told [...]]]> A Virginia native, and one of the nation’s most prominent swim coaches, is scheduled to be sentenced for the sexual abuse of a girl he was instructing.

Richard Curl, who pled guilty to charges in February, is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Curl was banned for life by USA Swimming over allegations of having an intimate relationship with a teenaged swimmer in the 1980s. Curl was charged last year when a woman came forward and told police that he sexually abused her from the ages of 13 to 18 when he was her swim coach.

Curl faces up to 15 years in prison.

May 21, 2013 Catie Curry News Writer mETRO SCENE

WASHINGTON, DC — Actor Sean Penn gathered with Representative Chris Smith (D-NJ) and members of Congress on Monday to advocate for the freedom of an American prisoner in Bolivia as well as the future for U. S. citizens detained overseas.

American Jacob Ostreicher has been held in Bolivia for two years after being arrested in June 2011 for alleged money laundering as well as associating with criminal organizations. No formal charges have been made [...]]]>

May 21, 2013
Catie Curry
News Writer
mETRO SCENE

WASHINGTON, DC — Actor Sean Penn gathered with Representative Chris Smith (D-NJ) and members of Congress on Monday to advocate for the freedom of an American prisoner in Bolivia as well as the future for U. S. citizens detained overseas.

American Jacob Ostreicher has been held in Bolivia for two years after being arrested in June 2011 for alleged money laundering as well as associating with criminal organizations. No formal charges have been made against him, yet he remains under house arrest in the country after being released from prison on bail in December 2012.

The corruption involved in Ostreicher’s case has caused Smith, as well as Representative Nydia Velaquez (D-NY), to re-introduce the Justice for Imprisoned Americans Overseas Act, or “Jacob’s Law,” as it is also known.  This law, H.R. 1778, will deny visas to any foreign government officials who are holding Americans and violating their human or due process rights. This ban on travel would also apply to the officials’ immediate family members.

“It is wrong for our government to give foreign officials and their families the privilege — and it is a privilege, not a right — to visit and study in the U.S. while those same officials are wrongfully detaining an American abroad,” Smith said.

Penn, an Academy Award-winning actor, became involved with the case in October 2012 after a phone call from fellow actor Mark Wahlberg who alerted him to Ostreicher’s situation. Penn has since had the chance to meet with Ostriecher multiple times last year. Since then, he has spoken several times on Ostreicher’s behalf.

During his testimony in Congress on Monday, Penn also suggested that by asking companies to boycott Dakar 2014, an annual rally of off-road racing, which will be making a stop in Bolivia, the president of Bolivia might be pressured to release Ostreicher. Companies included in this event’s roster were Michelin, Honda, and Red Bull.

“This international pressure could very well be precisely what the President of Bolivia needs to be able to finally expel the malignant cancer of corruption that is killing both the Bolivian justice system and thousands of people like Mr. Ostreicher,” Penn said.

After listening to Penn’s ideas, Representative Smith approved the suggestion and agreed to petition these companies.  “I believe Jacob’s life is in danger as we sit here today,” Penn explained during his testimony before Congress. “We don’t want to look back and say we should have.”