CAROLJOYNT.COM

"At Large w/ Carol Joynt" on WUSA: Bradley Cooper, Bipartisan Baseball & HHS

 

"At Large w/ Carol Joynt" on WUSA: Rob Lowe, JINnifer Goodwin, Kennedys & Minigolf

 

Washingtonian Parties ... at The Palm

SENIOR WRITER SHANE HARRIS WITH SENIOR EDITOR DENISE WILLS

Our office closed early today and a group of us did what any group of writers would do -- we went out for a drink, to The Palm, just a short walk up 19th Street. Not the whole office, of course - most already had  departed for the holiday weekend - but some of us.

YES, THAT'S WOLF BLITZER ON THE WALL, NOSING IN ON THE PARTY

Not sure if you remember Life magazine, but I always loved an occasional feature they ran -- "Life Goes to A Party." These photo stories were so deliciously insidery, because the parties were small, private and not cause benefits or political fundraisers. Will someone please bring that back? Hello, Town & Country? Perfect for your pages. Until then, it was an inpsiration for this afternoon's repast and these photos of my colleagues having a party in a booth at The Palm. Only thing missing were more colleagues. 

ANDREW GLOVER, A CIVILIAN, AND MARY CLARE GLOVER, FEATURES EDITOR

I like the Palm and go when I have the dollars. Like Cafe Milano in Georgetown, and the Monocle on Capitol Hill, it's managed to maintain its years-long power hold in Washington without bending to foodie or fashion trends. One could debate whether that's a good thing, but it's the way it is. I like the booths in the back and the bar up front, the shoe string potatoes, the spicy shrimp, the occasional surf and turf (I mean, where can you get that item anymore?), $9 martinis at lunch (well, lunch on a Friday before a holiday) and sometimes even the volume of the testosterone. 

SENIOR WRITER LUKE MULLINS CONSIDERS WHATEVER IN THE HELL IT WAS THAT GOT ARTS EDITOR SOPHIE GILBERT TO MAKE THAT FACE. OH, WAIT. I REMEMBER. CAN'T REPEAT. PINKY SWEAR!

SOPHIE: "OH DEAR, DID I JUST SAY THAT??"

DENISE WILLS AND HER HUSBAND, ERIC, ANOTHER CIVILIAN

We had fun and launched the holiday weekend with warm camaraderie, and several rounds of drinks and some "bites." I had to leave before my friends but heard later that the service went from good to bad and then to rude.  It doesn't make the gathering not fun for us, but note to The Palm: gracious is as gracious does. 

"At Large w/ Carol Joynt" on WUSA: Peculiar Craigslist Ad, Carol Burnett & Best DC Beers

 

Washingtonian Magazine and Website Win Top Honors At Magazine Awards

Washingtonian magazine and washingtonian.com won top honors at the City and Regional Magazine Awards tonight in Atlanta. The magazine won "general excellence," which, according to publisher Cathy Williams, is the magazine equivalent of "best picture." The website won for "excellence online." So, that's two best pictures. 

And this just in from editor Garrett Graff:  We also won "Personality Profile" for Ariel Sabar's profile of John Wojnowski, which the judges called "unforgettable." This is the second year in a row we've won the profile award.

Pop the corks! Congratulatons, all. 

The Place to be for Brunch On White House Correspondents Weekend was Cafe Milano

MC HAMMER, TODD BRADLEY, RAUL FERNANDEZ, RON DOZORETZ AND NNAMDI ASOMUGHA. 

Where to begin. Today the buzz was about a brunch up the hill in Georgetown at the mansion fomerly owned by Katharine Graham, when actually the place to be was Cafe Milano. When we first arrived at Milano we saw our friend Tina Brown, who had been at the brunch. "I realized I didn't want to eat standing and holding a plate," she said. TINA BROWN, KATHY O'HEARN AND HARRY EVANS AT LUNCH AT CAFE MILANO

Cafe Milano felt as buzzy as any party (as it often does). There was Tina and her husband, Harry Evans, and Tina's colleague Kathy O'Hearn, but also the foreign minister of Jordan; philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, having lunch with the mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa; Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera; MC Hammer with Raul Fernandez and a group of friends, and, at the table adjacent to ours, Ron Dozoretz and Nnamdi Asomugha, who just signed with the San Francisco 49ers. The difference between here and elsewhere was quiet quality versus mosh pit. Charlie Rose found respite at Milano, too. 

ADRIENNE ARSHT, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM, HAVING LUNCH WITH MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA OF LOS ANGELES 

But Nnamdi was the man of the hour, with group after group of people stopping by his table to pay respects. No surprise, read about him. An incredible professional football career as well as a remarkable pattern of philanthropy and commitment to causes.

For a moment, but in broad daylight, Milano felt like Rao's.

MY LUNCH POSSE: JOHN FOX SULLIVAN, FRANCESCA CRAIG, KEVIN CHAFFEE

CAVE DWELLER DROP BY: TANDY AND WYATT DICKERSON WERE AT MILANO, TOO

(deleted. hahaha. sometimes i write crazy s**t)

THE MAN WHO IS CAFE MILANO, LAURENT MENOUD, ON THE LEFT. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COULD LEARN FROM HIM.

Breaking News Matters, Even At A Beautiful Ball

WHY WE LOVE OUR IPHONE; WATCHING BOSTON AT THE CORCORAN BALL

Possibly a little rude but who could resist checking out the breaking news tonight as the Boston Marathon manhunt came to a close? I couldn't, that's for sure, even at a crowded social event. On my behalf, I pulled out my phone only while alone at the table, waiting for the others who were seated there to show up. By the time they arrived the drama was all over. There will be more about the Corcoran Ball at washingtonian.com on Monday. For now, here are some pics from the evening. 

THE BAR AT THE VIP RECEPTION BEFORE DINNER

MYRA MOFFETT AND AUBREY SARVIS

A SIGNATURE OF THE CORCORAN BALL IS BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

...AND BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED ROOMS

AND PEOPLE AT DINNER WHO KNOW EACH OTHER

AND A BIG BAND

AND AFTER-DINNER DANCING TO THE BIG BAND

AND SOMETIMES A RIDE HOME IN THE RAIN

Another Tasty Day at the Office, Fried Chicken Edition

Here's how it goes down sometimes at the Washingtonian offices: the food people organize tastings and photo sessions for the food they will be featuring in the magazine. Today it is fried chicken - from the major carry-outs in the DC area. No kidding. Swoon, right? I couldn't think of better Friday photos to post here than these golden images. Apologies that this site doesn't have a scent feature. 

"At Large w/ Carol Joynt" on @WUSA9: Corcoran Chaos, Thatcher Snub, Morrison Encore

 

Glee's Matthew Morrison Sings & Dances in DC on Saturday Night

Matthew Morrison, star of "Glee," was in town tonight as the main event at the Washington Performing Arts Society's spring gala. He put on a show that ended up as a dance party for 600+ guests at the Ritz Carlton West End. More about it on Monday at washingtonian.com, but for now here are some photos of Matthew, starting with the VIP reception, then the show, and at a small private after-party where he sipped the Jameson's he first asked for on stage. btw, he's s sweetheart. Zero attitude, loves DC, and takes the time to talk to everyone and pose for pics.

A Parisian Ball For The Ballet At The Library of Congress

THE "CAN-CAN" PERFORMED BY MEMBERS OF THE WASHINGTON BALLET

The Washington Ballet held it's annual ball Friday night at the Library of Congress. It was a good choice. A refreshing break from the usual venues -- National Building Museum, Reagan Building, Mellon Auditorium, hotels -- and the elegance of the building suited the evenings theme: "Hemingway in Paris." I'll have more about the party on Monday at washingtonian.com, but for now here are some photos.

YOUNG BALLET DANCERS GREETING GUESTS UPON ARRIVAL

BALLET BEFORE DINNER

WATCHING, AND WATCHING THE DANCERS

"A LOT OF MONEY FROM NEW YORK," ANOTHER GUEST SAID OF THIS TABLE

VIEW OF THE CAPITOL DOME FROM ONE OF THE TABLES FOR 400

BRUCE LIPNICK AND CHRIS DODD

THE MEXICAN AMBASSADOR, ARTURO SARUKHÁN AND HIS WIFE, VERONICA (IN RED),WITH JANE HARMAN AND TONY PODESTA

CHRIS DODD, JANE HARMAN, JACKIE CLEGG DODD

BILL AND ALISON PALEY

SEPTIME WEBRE, ON THE LEFT, THE BALLET'S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

GOURI MIRPURI OF SINGAPORE AND CHOREOGRAPHER ASTAD DEBOO OF INDIA

SUNHEE KIM OF SOUTH KOREA

MORE "CAN-CAN"

"At Large w/ Carol Joynt" on @WUSA9: Jason Wu, McLaughlin Brunch, Bill Marriott

 

More Photos From Jason Wu Runway Show at Saks Fifth Avenue

The luncheon Thursday was on behalf of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation but the star of the event was designer Jason Wu, whose clients include First Lady Michelle Obama. I have a full story at washingtonian.com, but shot many more photos than we used. So, here are some of those photos. I was seated at the end of the runway with Saks Fifth Avenue president Ron Frasch, other Saks execs, luncheon sponsor Elise Lefkowitz and her husband, Marc, and ... Jason Wu. All I had to do was lift up my camera and snap.

A USER'S GUIDE TO PARTIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE WHCA DINNER

SOPHIA VERGARA AND WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL SECRETARY JEREMY BERNARD, LAST YEAR, AT VANITY FAIR WHCA AFTER PARTY

It's almost here, the annual social ritual known as the White House Correspondents' Association weekend, which is a four-day wraparound to a Saturday night dinner. So many parties are compressed into these four days that we've come up with a handy guide, useful to those who are invited, hope to be invited, or will pretend they are invited: An A Lister's List of  WHCA Parties

"At Large w/ Carol Joynt" on @WUSA9: Nats, Walk Ups, Hillary, Caroline

 

At Large w/ Carol Joynt: Jill Biden, Gary Sinise, Food Security, DC Real Estate

 

"At Large with Carol Joynt" on WUSA 9: Olympus, River Surfing & RdV Vineyards

 

Washington Social Life: Defense Industry Edition

THE SCENE TONIGHT: TODD WILCOX, BRENT SCOWCROFT, CHESTER CHANG, REX TILLERSON AND GINNI ROMETTY (THE LAST TWO RUN EXXON & IBM)

As I tweet so often, I go out so you don't have to. Tonight was a dinner at the Ritz Carlton West End in honor of former Bush (41) National Security Adviser, Gen. Brent Scowcroft. The National Defense University Foundation hosted the dinner, where Scowcroft was presented with the first ever "Lifetime International Statesman and Business Advocate Award." The corporate defense industry showed up in force, including the heads of IBM, Exxon, Deloitte, CACI, EADS, Lockheed Martin, military brass and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and his wife, Nancy. I was seated with the Kissingers, as well as Susan Eisenhower, NDFU president Walter Stadtler and his wife, Maida, and Todd Wilcox, CEO of Patriot Defense Group of Maitland, FL., and Dr. Chester Chang of Santa Monica, CA - both members of the NDFU board. Among others...

More tomorrow at washingtonian.com, but first an 8am breakfast with a source. 

NANCY KISSINGER HUGS A FRIEND, HENRY CHILLS, SUSAN EISENHOWER SAYS HELLO TO TODD WILCOX

MAJ. GEN. GREGG MARTIN, HENRY KISSINGER, MRS. MARTIN

THE EXXON-IBM-LOCKHEED-DELOITTE TABLE COULD HAVE BEEN A WILLIAM HAMILTON SKETCH

PROTEGE AND MENTOR, DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY ASH CARTER AND BRENT SCOWCROFT

GEN. SCOWCROFT ON STAGE AFTER RECEIVING AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION. H.A.K. ON THE RIGHT

GEN. BRENT SCOWCROFT

TEMPEST IN A TWEEZER: WHO DOES MICHELLE OBAMA'S MAKE-UP?

This is the way we like to start a Monday around here, with a doozy of a gossip item. And as Stefan would say, this has it all: make-up, men, the Phillipines, FLOTUS, the White House, and a lot of people talking to me. Who Is Michelle Obama's Make-Up Artist? 

COMING TO WUSA-TV 9, MY WEEKLY WASHINGTON SOCIAL WATCH

THE CHANNEL 9 MORNING NEWS TEAM: JESSICA, MIKE, ANDREA, HOWARD AND MONIKA

Starting next Wednesday Feb 13, one week from today, I'll make a weekly appearance on WUSA's morning show to talk about what's going on our town. It will be a Washington  social chronicle, derived from what I write for washingtonian.com, with context, and with photos, As with Washingtonian, it will be social occasions that show something about the city, who we are, and how social life keeps the wheels turning as the work day transitions from day to night. It will have some character, meaning not a checklist of last night's fundraisers and red carpets. We will pick and choose. While a lot of reporters like to focus on celebrities, visiting here or what they are up to in Hollywood and New York, I like to talk about the people who live here, which means a quite few household names.

For example, there's  a social context to who goes to Nats, Wizards, Caps and Redskins games with season tickets and the best seats. Hey, you've noticed, I'm sure, that Congress doesn't live here anymore. What's that about? Why are Bill Clinton, John Kerry and Joe Biden regulars at Cafe Milano? What about the new Georgetown hotel that will have a private rooftop pool club and hopes to kill the nearby competition? Then there's the story I broke last year, about the Oval Office renovation and President Obama having to move to the EEOB (to Nixon's old hideaway) while the work is done. There will be more of that type of story, too. And Donald Trump opening a hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Everybody loves hearing about social life, and sometimes with a little good gossip thrown in (I'm sitting on a doozy right now).

A  good example of what I do is an article yesterday about a rare party for embassy social secretaries. At the party both White House social secretary Jeremy Bernard and chief of protocol Capricia Marshall confirmed to me that they will be staying in their jobs in the second term. So, there's a news component, too. If you've been reading my social chronicling for the last six years, with New York Social Diary and now Washingtonian, you know what to expect.

WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL SECRETARY JEREMY BERNARD

Another recent story that would play well in this context is what I reported last week about First Lady Michelle Obama: posing for a Vogue cover, having a Girls Night Out at BLT Steak and the Howard Theater, where she was seen dancing in the aisles. What does it say? What does it mean? Why should we care? That's what we'll talk about. Also, the Alvin Ailey Gala Tuesday night. At the dinner dance I sat between a brilliantly talented 26-year-old Ailey dancer and a DC artist who switched careers from government to painting after she received a message from God.

CHIEF OF PROTOCOL CAPRICIA MARSHALL

While the Ailey event was a fundraiser it is also unique in Washington, because it's a wild dance party and probably DC's most diverse formal party, mixing White House staff (Valerie Jarrett), Congress (Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz), business leaders (Post publisher Katharine Weymouth) ... with the exception of whatever went on in the East Room the night of President Obama's public swearing-in. I wasn't at that party, but that's precisely the kind of party I pursue -exclusive, private, unsual and off the grid ... so long as it says something about this town and who we are.

The idea for this new venture, which I would say initially is in the experimental phase, came from anchor Mike Hydeck, after I made an appearance to discuss the inauguration. Mike, executive producer Anetra Gaines and I got together to discuss it further. So please watch, wish me luck, comment, and let's hope this finds its place on the rails and stays there for a long time. I spent most of my professional life in television, including a decade with WUSA's mother ship, CBS News, and still host The Q&A Cafe for DC Cable, and enjoy keeping a hand in. For me it's a natural habitat.

What the Redskins and the Nationals Have in Common

JAYSON WERTH AT BAT

It's a big weekend for Washington sports fans, because the Redskins are in the NFC play-offs. This reminds me of October, when the Nationals won the NL East pennant. Today for Washingtonian I took a look at what the Redskins and Nationals have in common, and how we as fans benefit. Please give it a read. 

Talking Inaugural, Washingtonian & Innocent Spouse on "News Talk"

 

I spent a nice few minutes with Bruce DePuyt today, appearing on his News Channel 8 "News Talk" broadcast to cover a range of subjects: the inaugural, Washingtonian, Washingtonian's inaugural ball, celebrity spotting during the Kennedy Center Honors and, last but not least, "Innocent Spouse," the paperback edition. Bruce and I both were suffering from head colds - his on the way out, mine on the way in. Had it not been that the interview was scheduled a while back I probably would have stayed in bed.

White House Christmas 2012 - We've Got The Scoop

HOLIDAY PACKAGES FROM A PREVIOUS WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS

We went to the White House today for the unveiling of the "White House Christmas 2012" decorations throughout the public spaces of the mansion. It's always a good show. That said, the last time I did this event was during the Bush Administration. There have been significant changes. Nonetheless we did two reports: 

The White House Unveils Its Festive Holiday Decorations

and

White House Christmas 2012 By The Numbers

To note the changes, take a moment to step back in time and read this from the New York Social Diary archives:

White House Christmas 2007

Dinner with Bono, Tina Brown, Charlie Rose, Martha Raddatz & The Admiral

MY VIEW AT THE "HERO SUMMIT" DINNER: ADM. WILLIAM MCRAVEN, TINA BROWN, BONO

I love a good dinner party, which isn't the same as loving a dinner party. I love a dinner party when it is good. As much as I go out, and that ranges from 5-6 nights a week over the last several years, my barometer of what's good is highly developed. Generally I can determine what to expect well in advance, from the invite, the guest list, the location and the caterer. Often I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong.

I was wrong about the Hero Summit dinner.

I thought it would be just another corraling of the usual suspects with a lot of tedious speeches. Wrong. And I should have known, because of one essential and important ingredient: Tina Brown. I've been fortunate to have attended her events in the past, and one of her at-home dinner parties (and she's twice appeared on The Q&A Cafe), and Tina doesn't do boring. Even when everyone around her may be beige, she's consistently technicolor. And by that I don't mean she's one of those faux bubbly hostess types. No no no. She's not warm and cuddly. She's strategic. Heat-seekingly so. But she's very good at what she does: being Tina Brown. And fun to watch. 

I wrote a report for Washingtonian on the Hero Summit dinner. It captures most of what I experienced, but let me add here that what made the evening a stand-out, apart from Tina and the setting (the U.S. Institute of Peace), and a provocative guest list (meaning NY imports), were the interviews conducted by Charlie Rose and Martha Raddatz. Dinner organizers try to stage Q&A's all the time and usually they don't work. I consider myself a master class of the Q&A, and what I've learned over the years is that an audience that's been drinking and a Q&A don't mix. The secret is to put the interviews right up front, and that's what Tina did. Charlie interviewed Adm. McRaven just as we sat down, and Martha Raddatz came right after to do a compelling talk with an actual Blackhawk team about a stunning rescue mission (to them routine, not to anyone in the audience).

It was a reunion for me with Charlie Rose. We go so far back -NBC News, CBS News Nightwatch, PBS - and I still believe we did great work together, certainly some of my best. We talked about a mutual friend Tom Mazzarelli, who had worked with me at Larry King Live and with Charlie at CBS News. We were both singing Tom's praises, and I told Charlie this: "Working with Mazz reminded me of working with you, in that I felt like sometimes we shared a brain, which made the work so much better and more fun." He said Tom's taking a wee break from the network news grind. I don't blame him. That's healthy. Soon enough he'll be the executive producer of some hot big show. On that Charlie and I agreed 100%, and then we hugged a lot. 

One thing more: if you haven't yet been to the Institute of Peace, do check it out. The building reminds me of the East Wing of the National Gallery, with expansive clean spaces and grand views.

Champagne Fête Sur L'Ambassade de France

Last night at the French Embassy there was enough Champagne to last through Thanksgiving and into Christmas and New Year's. It was called the "Champagne Ball." I'll have more about it Monday on washingtonian.com, but here's a few photos.

A GUEST PERUSES THE SILENT AUCTION ITEMS, SOME QUITE INCREDIBLE

MICHEL RICHARD'S TEAM SERVED A TASTY LOBSTER BISQUE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND HERBED BREADSTICKS

THIS LITTLE ITEM FROM PATISSERIE POUPON COMBINED PASTRY, ORANGE CREAM, CARAMEL AND GOLD

THIS PRESENTATION OF LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL HAD A FUNEREAL QUALITY TO IT. CRISTAL SHOULD BE IN A BUCKET OF ICE, NOT A BOX!!

The Scene at Fight Night

A VIEW OF THE BOXING RING AT FIGHT NIGHT AT THE WASHINGTON HILTON

There will be much more tomorrow on washingtonian.com, but let me say now that "fight night" lives up to all its advance billing. This was my first time attending, and yes it was an amalgam of men being men, strong cocktails, cigars, boobs, steaks and camaraderie ... and not necessarily in that order.

OUR TABLE HOSTESS. THERE WAS ONE ASSIGNED TO EVERY TABLE

OUR VERY OWN REDSKINETTES, LESS CLAD THAN USUAL, DANCING IN THE RING

MC HAMMER IS IN THERE SOMEWHERE

Washingtonian Web Team Parties For #carols1year RitzGeorgetown and George

WASHINGTONIAN'S ACE WEB TEAM, READY TO DANCE AT GEORGE: TANYA PAI (FEARLESS LEADER), MYSTERY GEORGE MANAGER, SOPHIE GILBERT (ARTS), MELISSA ROMERO (HEALTH AND WELLNESS), ALISON KITCHENS (PRODUCTION)

To mark my one year anniversary with The Washingtonian I hosted a little party for my immediate colleagues, the so-called "web team," at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown followed by dancing at George. We are the website and we're at it every day. The pace and camaraderie of the web site crew is different from the rest of the office - fierce, actually - and we all work together well. This was an auspicious occasion for another reason, too: the demise of Newsweek magazine as a print edition. It will now be only web. How far behind is Time? Newspapers? 

SOPHIE AND MELISSA

Anyone who works for a daily website knows that like a daily television broadcast it is a great white shark, never satisfied, always needing more to chew on. That's what we do. We work like that, we party like that....when we get the opportunity to party.

TANYA AND ALISON

FASHION EDITOR SARAH ZLOTNICK WITH FOOD AND WINE EDITOR JESSICA VOELKER

They put me through some rituals that were amusing for their generational flow, not the least of which was letting me know right away that the party had been given a hashtag and I should start tweeting. So, the evening started with Manhattans, white wine, canapes and tweeting as we sat by the wonderful, blazing fire at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown ... still one of the best places to gather with friends for food and drink and talking. In time, Sophie elatedly announced, "Carol, you're trending!" Wow. What a feeling. Whatevs. We played question games, where the objective was to get me to dish up deep dark secrets: who, what, when, where, how...

The Ritz took very good care of us, kept the drinks coming, along with bar food such as plates of cheese, charcuterie, veggies, followed by barbecue, crab and beef sliders, towers of truffle fries, and flatbread with shrimp and chorizo. Dessert was this season's new Georgetown Cupcakes: pumpkin spice and maple crunch. 

MELISSA AND SARAH

AW, THE BARTENDERS, WHO  SWEETLY TREATED US TO CHAMPAGNE FROM THE ONE AND ONLY REED LANDRY

THE BRO-JAYS, WHO LOOKED AT ME THUS WHEN I ASKED, "DO YOU HAVE ANY AVERAGE WHITE BAND?"

TANYA AND A MYSTERY MAN

NO SURPRISE THE PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTTED SOPHIE

ANOTHER SHOT OF THE DEEJAYS, LOOKING LIKE 3 AM WHEN IT WAS ONLY 11. HOW DO THEY DO THAT?

Missing from these shots, but definitely at the party: food writer Anna Spiegel and production manager Chris Campbell

A Brilliantly Cracked & Spooky Video Shot at Markoffs Haunted Forest

You'll see more of him when you watch the spooky YouTube video shot and edited by Washingtonian's Melissa Romero. Prepare yourself for some anxious moments....in a good way. Then, I'm confident, you'll be on your way to Markoffs. 

 

Great Boozy Dinner At Mount Vernon w/ The President and Fireworks

 

Last night at this evening hour I was at Mount Vernon, having a delicious steak dinner under a tent on George Washington's lawn, overlooking the Potomac River. We had just been entertained with the fireworks you see in the YouTube vid above, and we were also getting fairly nicely buzzed. There were multiple bars featuring all the best in commercial and craft spirits, because the evening was hosted by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, as well as President George Washington. The folks at DISCUS throw a party with an incredible array of booze. So, please take a moment to read my full report: The Spirit of Mount Vernon Dinner. And enjoy the fireworks, too. 

What To Wear To Tonight's Nationals vs Cardinals Game

Here I am wearing my Natitude. You should, too. Check out what to wear to tonight's Nationals vs Cardinal's game. Team spirit can make a differece. You'll be out about $30 bucks but the hat or t-shirt or sweatshirt will last for years and be a good memento of this amazing season in Washington baseball.  

Note the goggles: essential wear for getting doused by champagne.