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A Way Too Explosive Interview with Kojo Nnamdi at The Q&A Cafe

It was an explosive situation at The Q&A Cafe today, literally, when ten minutes into my interview with Kojo Nnamdi there was a dramatic fury of water and light. Since my eyes were directed at Kojo I did not see precisely what happened, but first there was a watery sound, and then some hissing steam, and then the sprinkler exploded, knocking over one of the lights, which came flying toward the stage. It was all in a matter of seconds. The sprinkler appeared to fall out of the ceiling, leaving a gusher. Photographer Ben Droz, who was there, got these photos. 

It all began smoothly enough. Kojo and I talked about his recent journey to Ethiopia and had moved on to discuss his own personal life journey, from Guyana to Canada to New York and to Washington, when BOOM.

Everyone remained relatively calm, but we evacuated the bar of the Ritz Carlton as alarms went off. The biggest issue was the water spraying down on the room. There was a scramble to protect cameras, smartphones, and other items in the path of the deluge. Thankfully, no one was injured.

The Fire Department came by but did not stay. The audience, including the Argentine ambassador and her husband, adjourned to the lobby, where one of the mangers, Heather Foster, passed out the cupcakes donated by Georgetown Cupcake. So, there was that. But they were planning to also serve a nice charcuterie platter, as this was a rare later afternoon Q&A (timed to meet Kojo's broadcasting schedule).

Kojo, near the trajectory of the falling light, remained relaxed. I jumped off the stage. Water poured out of the ceiling onto the liquor bottles, the bar and the floor. I remained at the hotel for an hour after the incident, and stepped back into the bar when they were cleaning up. It seemed only the ceiling was damaged in the area of the sprinklers. The TV may have got some water damage. Otherwise, it was a mopping up project.

Here's the charcuterie platter that never got served. (But it will, when we reschedule the interview, and I'll have that date ASAP. Come in a wet suit!)


Thank you to Heather and Allen Smith at the Ritz for taking care of everyone with comp'd parking and some glasses of wine. And also to the crew from District Cable Network, who got the brunt of the explosion but who also stayed calm.

Joe's Stone Crab Opened in DC on Wednesday Night

Joe's Stone Crab opened on Wednesday night at 15th and H Streets, Northwest, in the old American Bar Association building that I believe was originally a bank. It looks like a bank inside, and I'm sure the owners of the franchise are counting on making bank. I know they are looking for investors for the DC location, at $50K per. And, obviously, loads of customers to fill the many seats.

The party for 1500 invited guests was generous. To me that means premium brands at the bar and second helpings of Stone Crabs on every plate. Done and done.  As soon as a guest sat down to a table a waiter arrived with a bountiful seafood platter. It also meant a mosh pit. Please don't ask me who was there. Generally, everyone in Washington. Specifically, I can't tell you. Couldn't see the forest from the trees.  I will try to have more about the party tomorrow at washingtonian.com.

My first visit to Joe's Stone Crab was 1977 or 1978. I've stopped in for a meal, with my husband or my son or both of them, every time we've been to Miami since. My son and I, during our cross country drive, checked out Joe's in Las Vegas. I'm happy to have them in DC and I wish them success. 

This Is A Rough Week

 

I write this for lots of reasons but in particular for a woman I met last night who just lost her father. We sat nex to each other at dinner. We talked about death and grief for  quite a while. And that's what this is about. Death and grief and healing and moving on.  She's worried about her mother, now left without her soul mate after 34 years of marriage. 

That's why it's  a rough week for me. At this time 17 years ago, my husband of 20 years was spiraling toward his death, which came on the morning of  February 1. I held his hand as he died.

Yes, 17 is a lot of time. But, then again, it isn't. No matter how many years pass, these few weeks of winter, with their tell-tale signs, bring back the three weeks he was on life support at the Washington Hospital Center. I shuttled back and forth between home and the waiting room, usually in a daze, when I wasn't sleeping on the waiting room flloor, or crying, or begging God and doctors. Outside was ice and cold and an overall bleak landscape. As now. So it comes back in memories stirred by January.

The loss of a loved one is awful in duplicate, triplicate and  a compound of that. I wouldn't wish my loss on anyone. But you do move on. The pain does become less sharp. I mean, what's the option? 

She asked me what I miss. I miss being loved, having the best friend, the reliable other, the person who had my back,  who believed in me when I didn't, who made me laugh when I couldn't, who was a handyman and a bon vivant and was happy just staying home, the three of us. I thrived on his view of the world and his sense of humor. The fact he loved me as much as he did was the cliché: wind beneath my wings. These aren't small values. 

Every day since is uphill. But you do it. Me and every other woman and man who has  lost their soul mate.

So, if I'm not all smiley this week, or if I seem inappropriately morose, it's not you. It's me. A brief pause in the past. And then, forward.

New York Social Diary Today: The State of the Union Address

For New York Social Diary today I provide my take on the Sate of the Union Address, and how I go about watching it, and so on. Plus a review of the high points of last week. 

A Few Photos From A Foodie Fest, Sips & Suppers

The annual Sips & Suppers foodie extravaganza got underway at the Newseum tonight, with the "sips" half of the weekend. It benefits DC Central Kitchen and Martha's Table. Tomorrow evening brings the "suppers" half. I'll have more Monday at washingtonian.com, but here are a few images from the evening as the party started. It was quite a large crowd. Half of the guests looked like they were on first dates arranged by match.com, which means later it could be hookup.com. Being that it was Saturday night, that's entirely possible. Wishing them all success.

CULINARY ROYALTY, ALICE WATERS

GEORGE CLOONEY'S FAVORITE DC CHEF, LUIGI DIOTAIUTI OF AL TIRAMISU

CASHION'S OFFERED MANHATTANS, MAKING IT MY FAVE STOP

 

Ice Hockey on the C&O Canal in Georgetown

They call it "Canal Hockey" and the name tells the story.

That's exactly what a group of Georgetown University business school grad students were up to this morning on the C&O Canal near the Key Bridge. I spotted their game as I drove back from Palisades and, delighted, quickly hunted down a parking space. By the time I got parked, grabbed my camera, ran down 34th Street, crossed the bridge and arrived at their spot they were done. Darn. But good news, I took a photo of the group, which I sent to them, and in return, one of the players, Ryan Bowden, sent me some of his pics. 

Apart from the group shot, above, the other photos are by Ryan, the player in the "USA" shirt. Thank you, Ryan. I don't have last names, but left to right: Taylor, Dan M., Mike, Sam, Chuck, Dan R., Ryan, Alex, AP. Yo, boys.

They played from 8 am to just before noon. If you are thinking of trying to skate the Canal, please note: they stopped because the ice turned soft beneath their feet. They may try to get back on the Canal Sunday morning. But one of the other players, Sam Fagelson messaged, "Not sure if ice will hold up for another game." 

If they skate again, I'll be there. If you try to skate the Canal, please shout out. You never know where I'll show up, but by all means engage. I'm on everyting, but Twitter will do.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley Pops In For a Brewski at New DC Irish Pub

OWNER DAVID KELLY, left, AND GOV. O'MALLEY, right, AT THE OPENING OF RI RA IN GEORGETOWN

Maybe it takes a former pub owner to recognize the potential of a new arrival, and on that basis I predict va va voom for Rí Rá, the Charlotte-born Irish pub that opened on M Street in Georgetown Thursday night. It has so much action - bars upstairs, downstairs, near and far - that you have to move around to keep up with the celebrities in the house. Thursday night was no exception, with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley enjoying a beer at the main bar on the ground floor. He was soon joined by a couple of members of The Steve Miller Band, who said they were in town for a private gig Friday night at the Reagan Building.

GOV. O'MALLEY WITH STEVE MILLER BAND MEMBERS JACOB PETERSEN AND KENNY LEE LEWIS

WHATEVER IT WAS...

The Governor hung out for as long as I was there - easily a half hour. In fact, he was still there when I left. He was relaxing and not minding the crowd at all. Having a chat. Posing for photos. Every now and then he glanced up at one of the TV screens broadcasing basketball. His two or three security guards kept a discreet distance. 

O'Malley said he made the trip into DC "just for this," the opening of Rí Rá. He won't be the first politician to find a nice warm glow by being in the proximity of a pub crowd and a good brew. 

When you get a chance, do check out Ri Ra. It's a happy and handsome addition to the M Street bar scene. I've only been once but look forward to going back. Gorgeous booths. Upstairs in the back, in what used to be a very dreary room, is a bizarrely charming  ode to Irish politicians, with photos of portraits of Bill Clinton, John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and others.

I Wanted To Do A Selfie With This Guy But His Nose Was Too Damned Big

I wanted to do a selfie with this guy but when I put my iPhone in position it was impossible to get in his nose and my face. Where did I meet him, you ask? Isn't it entirely logical? The opening night of the auto show, of course. Someone said he is their theme or mascot this year. What industry in the business of selling would align with a dinosaur? Even the fossil fuels angle doesn't work. Oh, well. He had a handler. I asked if there was a human inside or whether it was a robot. He said, "it has human elements." Okay, that means there was some dude inside. Seriously hoping the pay exceeds minimum wage. 

My closest friends say, "Carol, you could find a man but you're too picky." Well, yes, I have reason to be, a lucky encounter with my soulmate that became 20 years of happy marriage. Still. I'm open to possibilities. Meaning, maybe I should be less judgmental about dinosaurs?

Look, we're a cute couple and he liked me with winter hat hair, no make-up and dressed for sub-freezing temps. Maybe?

More about the auto show tomorrow on washingtonian.com.

Remember Nathans' Chef Paul Wahlberg? He's Got A TV Show: @Wahlburgers

PAUL WAHLBERG, ON THE LEFT, WITH BROTHER DONNIE

Nathans former chef, Paul Wahlberg, left DC to return to Massachusetts and open his own restaurant. He did that and much more. Tonight on A&E, he will co-star in a new reality show, Wahlburgers, about a burger joint he opened with brothers Mark and Donnie. We will be watching and wishing him lots of luck. 

Could A Black Widow Threat Happen in Washington?

 

ACCORDING TO REPORTS THESE PHOTOS SHOW THE SAME"BLACK WIDOW," RUZAN IBRAGIMOV, BUT WITH DIFFERENT LOOKS

With so much in the news this week about the "black widow" terror threat in Sochi,  I decided to look into whether it could ever be a threat here. I was referred to an authority, Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, and we talked about that and much more in regard to terror and the Olympics. The story is here on Washingtonian.  Among many other points, he said "there's nothing that makes women terrorists superior to men."

Hanging Out In A Storm With The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore

JIM CANTORE, IN DC IN THE EARLY MORNING BEFORE THE FIRST FLAKES

When I heard that Jim Cantore was coming to town I did what anyone would do, I tweeted him, asked for a DM, and then inquired whether we could hang out. Specifically I wanted to know whether I could come to his "live" location on Tuesday morning and observe him reporting on and preparing for the snowstorm that was forecast to hit. He replied, "sure, come on down."

As you will read in my story for Washingtonian, he was a little miffed about DC's slow-starting and potentially paltry storm. After all, the bigger storm translates as more air-time for Weather Channel stars.

I got up early, drank a cup of Austin coffee, and headed to 400 North Capitol, but when I arrived there was no sign of Jim or his crew. Only a camera on sticks, a lonely microphone, and lonelier coffee cup, juice and water bottles. Had The Weather Channel crew been kidnapped? No, they were doing what any smart weather team would do during a brief break on a cold morning - seek warmth. They'd been at the location since 3 a.m., after all. Jim was in his car. His cameraman, Mike Broleman, was zipped inside a tiny "warmth" tent. His producer, Steve Dresner, was, well, I don't know where Steve was, but he eventually appeared and couldn't have been nicer if he handed me his warm gloves. "Jim said you might show up." 

CANTORE CHECKS HIS PHONE BETWEEN LIVE SHOTS

What did I learn about his job, which I consider one of the world's great jobs? It's relentless. A lot of standing and staring at the sky, when not staring into the camera. Cold, very cold, at least in a winter storm. He's very good on his feet. Can talk for a minute or more without consulting notes. It's all in his head. 

Georgetown. Q Street. Eight Years. Three Murders.

What is it about Q Street in Georgetown? Is there some eery hex on the street? This weekend brought news of a murder in the 3300 block. That's the third murder on that street since 2006, when a young Capitol Hill intern was stabbed to death outside the Bowie-Sevier Mansion. A block over from that murder scene, is the home where a woman was beaten to death in 2011. 

Georgetown is a large neighborhood. It's bizarre for three murders to happen on one street in such a short period of time. 

UPDATE: On Monday, the murder suspect in the most recent murder died of heart attack. He was the victim's son.

A High Approval Rating For Michelle Obama; So Say I on ABC News

See more US News from ABC | World News

Cokie Roberts, Dan Kloeffler and I had a discussion on ABC News.com today about the subject of First Lady Michelle Obama and her 50th birthday. In the course of our talk I said I give her a high approval rating - as First Lady, and as a mother and wife. Also, she's been good to DC schools and students. The clip is about 12 minutes long and I hope you'll watch. Dan was the host in New York. Cokie and I were at the ABC News bureau downtown.

GETTING MADE CAMERA READY @ ABC NEWS. COKIE ROBERTS ON THE RIGHT.

A little behind the scenes. Live television comes in all forms. The best form is when you are actually sitting with other people, making eye contact. Like real life conversation, but in a studio before cameras. The other kind is being alone in a studio, staring into a camera, talking with people you don't see. In that mode sometimes there is  a camera operator and the camera or sometimes you are alone with the camera. Anything goes wrong, you're on your own. It's part of the fun. Today there was a camera operator with me. Nothing went wrong.

SITTING IN MY ROOM, TALKING INTO THE CAMERA TO DAN IN NEW YORK AND COKIE IN ANOTHER ROOM

Before today's interview at the ABC News bureau, Cokie and I sat together in the make-up room and  caught up -- we've known each other since 1980-something -- then went to separate rooms to talk to each other on live TV. A little bit disconcerting to me was that the camera reflected back at me my own face. In my eyes, I was talking to me. This is not what happens in most of these kinds of interviews. I'm nonplussed about talking into a camera, but talking into my own face is something else altogether. Disconcerting. I kept looking away. Wouldn't you? 

But that didn't change the content ... one bit. 

Social Life New Year's Resolutions 2014

The preview party of the Washington Winter show gave me an opportunity to consider some new year's resolutions for social life. Most are included in my weekly New York Social Diary column, the first for 2014. 

A Year of Excellent & Engaging White House Photos

If you enjoy good photography as much as I do, then take a moment to scroll through this year of images from the White House, shot by the talented Pete Souza. 

What Dan Snyder Sang In the Shower Thursday Morning

Will DC football fans cheer for the reported choice as new head coach, Jay Gruden? Here's what I imagine Dan Snyder sand in the shower Thursday morning after his meeting (and presumed job offer) with Gruden. Pure speculation, of course, but read (and enjoy) the lyrics.

 

FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN

Falling in love again
Never wanted to
What am I to do?
I can't help it

Love's always been my game
Play it how I may
I was made that way
I can't help it

Men cluster to me
Like moths around a flame
And if their wings burn
I know I'm not to blame

Falling in love again
Never wanted to
What am I to do?
I just can't help it

 ("Falling In Love Again" was written by Beckford, Jonathon Lesley / Coldwell, Terence Mark / Harvey, Brian Lee / Hendy, John Darren / Reid, Ivor Paul / Reid, Mark.

Read more: Marlene Dietrich - Falling In Love Again Lyrics | MetroLyrics)

Making A Ramos Gin Fizz

Shot this at the Capella bar Saturday afternoon. I'm told the drinks were delicious. Starring Angel, Kate and Spencer.

 

The Next Q&A Cafe Is With Kojo Nnamdi on January 31

Happy New Year. I'm delighted to announce our first Q&A Cafe of 2014 will be an interview with Kojo Nnamdi, host of WAMU's  The Kojo Nnamdi Show and all-round notable broadcaster, commentator, interviewer and Washingtonian. The date is Friday, January 31.

There are a few things you need to know about this show, especially if you are a regular member of the audience. Per usual, it will be at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown hotel (not West End). The start time, however, is delayed due to Kojo's radio schedule. We will begin seating at 2pm and start the program shortly after. The menu will be Charcuterie & Cupcakes. The price is $40, plus tax and tip. This is a change in price and structure requested by the hotel. It's a Friday - so come, eat, drink and have fun. I guarantee a good show.

Here's a little preview from a Washingtonian interview with Kojo. 

For reservations, please phone the hotel at 202.912.4100. You will want to make the reservation with Heather Foster. Or send her an email: Heather Foster. 

I'm hoping you'll be open to this change in time and price. I want to keep The Q&A Cafe going, and depend on your support to do that.

As always, I'm grateful to the Ritz for hosting us, to District of Columbia Network (DCN) for broadcasting the program, and to  Georgetown Cupcake for their continued sponsorship. 

The Q&A Cafe is in its 13th year.  In that time more than 300 notable individuals have been interviewed. You can watch a selection of past programs here. 

Christmas In New Orleans: A Scrapbook

We arrived in New Orleans on the Saturday evening  before Christmas,  in time for the annual festive and boisterous "Holiday Sing-Along" produced by our friends Judith Owen and Harry Shearer and performed at the Ogden Museum by them and their merry band of NoLa-based musicians. The irresistible cast included Leah Chase, Evan Christopher, Phil DeGruy, Matt Lemmler, Phillip Manuel, Tom McDermott, Matt Perrine, The Pfister Sisters and David Torkanowsky. Google every one of them. It's a privilege and delight to be able to go backstage with them, get to know them, to hear their stories. Spencer could have talked about life with Leah Chase all through the night. But the show had to begin. If I had to be stranded on a tropical island with someone, please make it Phil DeGruy. Not sure whether he can hunt or fish, but  a rescue team would hear me roaring with laughter at the genius, loopy and politically heat-seeking humor that comes from his mind. I'm confident he'd fashion some sticks and vines into a guitarp. (For now, we need him to croon from the Speaker's chair in the House chamber).THE CAST OF HARRY AND JUDITH'S "HOLIDARY SING-ALONG"

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION IS ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY WITH "THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS." HERE, THE GOLDEN RINGS.THE SING ALONG, UNDERWAY

The "Holiday Sing-Along" is performed each year in London, LA, Chicago, New York and New Orleans. So, if you live in any of those cities, be there next year.

Saturday rolled into Sunday and then Monday and on into Christmas Eve and Christmas. We were part of a holiday house party that included friends of Harry and Judith's from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Tim and Steve and Helen from New York. Dan from Chicago. Lee, Maureen, CJ and Toni from L.A. All of them talented and successful in different fields. We took most of our meals together, though Spencer and I slipped away for a ritual Mother-Son lunch at Galatoire's - one of the world's great restaurants, particularly at Christmas.

GALATOIRE'S AT LUNCH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

THIS IS GALATOIRE'S NEXT DOOR BAR, #33, AND SAINTS FANS WATCHING A LAST SECONDS LOSS
A GALATOIRE'S TABLE AFTER A FESTIVE CHRISTMAS LUNCH. IT'S ALWAYS A PARTY IN NOLA.
SPENCER, PIZZA AND BEER AT DOMENICA

COMPOSER AND ARRANGER CJ VANSTON DOING WHAT HE DOES SO WELL

ALL OF US AT CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AT AUGUST

LEE AND MAUREEN SKLAR AT CHRISTMAS DINNER

JUDITH, TIM, STEVE AND HELEN AT CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE WINDSOR COURT HOTEL
TONI AND CJ VANSTON AT CAFE AMELIE ON BOXING DAY
LEE, JUDITH AND ME (CHANNELING A NEW ORLEANS FRIEND)

When not gathering together, listening to (and the others playing) music, eating, shopping, touring or opening presents I wandered the Mississippi waterfront or the streets of the French Quarter. 

THE NATCHEZ
THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI
IN N.O., THEY LANDSCAPE THE CAR TRACKS
A VISIT TO THE NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART. HERE, THE SCULPTURE GARDEN
CROISSANT D'OR, ON URSULINES; A FAVORITE PLACE FOR CAFE AU LAIT
ONE VIEW OF THE INTIMATE CONDO COMPLEX WHERE WE BUNKED
BOURBON STREET ON CHRISTMAS MORNING. NO KIDDING.


ALSO CHRISTMAS MORNING

ALL OF US AFTER CHRISTMAS DINNER
AS AT THE TOP OF THIS POST, ANOTHER SHOT OF HIMSELF