CarolJoynt.com

Christmas in New Orleans

This pic is from the "Christmas Without Tears" show produced and hosted by my pals Harry Shearer and Judith Owen (he in the red&green, she in the white), which happened 12/23 at Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans, the last show of a tour that included New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. All the shows are great, but the NOLA edition takes on special meaning because Harry and Judith are transplanted New Orleanians. They bring together a fine group of talented artists who call NOLA home full time or part time. This year they included, most of them in the pic: Tom McDermott, Debbie Davis, Matt Perrine, John Boutte, Bryan Batt, Aurora Nealand, Nigel Hall, Evan Christopher, Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony, Helen Gillet, Phil deGruy, John Goodman,  with David Torkanowsky on piano, John Singleton on bass, and Pedro Segundo handling percussion. It was a swinging show, just one of many high points in 8 days and nights in The Big Easy. 

ChiChie's Canine Design, Grooming Spa for Dogs, At New Location in Georgetown

I stopped by to see ChiChie -- and Paris, both of them posing here -- at her new location for ChiChie's Canine Design and Grooming Spa, now at 1742 Wisconsin Avenue, a few doors between Bistro Lepic and Collins Animal Hospital. Still all the same wonderful services for your precious canines, and in an inviting and stylish setting. There's street parking right outside her door and also across the street on S Street. For an appointment, call 202-333-3575. ChiChie has taken loving care of 4 dogs for me over more than 30 years. 

Diane Rehm, TODAY At The Q&A Cafe

Today we welcome Diane Rehm to The Q&A Cafe, taping at 1pm at The George Town Club. She recently announced her retirement from hosting her daily The Diane Rehm Show, after the 2016 election. We'll have lots to discuss about her retirement, her career, her life, her craft, as well as her new book, On My Own.

We're starting later than usual due to her broadcast schedule. Audience seating will begin at 12:30, the show at 1pm. Lunch will be served. The fee is $35. To make last minute reservation, please call the George Town Club directly at 202-333-9330. The GTC address is 1530 Wisconsin Avenue NW, at Volta. 

Here's the cover of her new book:

Coming To The Q&A Cafe: Katharine Weymouth & Cathy Merrill Williams

Book a seat today for our first Q&A Cafe of 2016 -- a conversation with two Washington media scions, Washingtonian publisher Cathy Merrill Williams and Graham Holdings board member and former Washington Post publisher Katharine Weymouth. They are friends, too. The date is Thursday, January 28. We'll tape at lunchtime, with seating at 11:45. The fee is $35 and lunch is served. For reservations please call the George Town Club directly: 202-333-9330. 

On New York Social Diary Today: Holiday Spirit, Bob Woodward, Kennedy Center Honors

On New York Social Diary today, charitable gathering of Santas and Elves on behalf of Toys for Tots, sponsored by members of the U.S. Army Special Forces.The transported a sleigh filled with toys from Montrose Park to the Lincoln Memorial!Also, a recap of Bob Woodward's appearance at The Q&A Cafe last week, and a whole lot of photos from the Kennedy Center Honors. Check it all out here. 

Attention Citronelle Fans, Angel and Jacob Now Are At Fiola

There are few bar duos as popular as Jacob and Angel were at Citronelle, in Citronelle's heyday. They ran the upstairs bar, which was a clubhouse of sorts for Georgetowners and foodies who loved a good bar. When it closed, the duo split. Angel, for the past couple of years, was at Capella on 31st Street. 

Now they are reunited at Fabio and Maria Trabocchi's mothership, the elegant Fiola, at 6th and Indiana, NW, adjacent to the DC Superior Court and DC Police headquarters. Go to say hello. Go to have great drinks. Go to have a delicious dinner. 

John Lennon Forever

On the sad/awful 35th anniversary of John Lennon's death, one of my favorite Lennon songs. It is tough to pick just one, but it is a treasure:

IN MY LIFE

There are places I remember
all my life, though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better.
And some have gone, and some remain.

All these places have their moments
with lovers and friends I still can't recall.
Some are dead and some are living.
In my life I love them all.

But of all these friends and lovers,
there is no one compares with you.
And these memories lose their meaning
when I think of love as something new.

Though I know I'll never ever lose affection
for people and things that went before,
I know I'll often stop and think about them.
In my life I love you more.

Though I know I'll never ever lose affection
for people and things that went before,
I know I'll often stop and think of them.
But in my life I loved you more.
I love you more.
I love you more.

A First Look at Georgetown's Rebooted Via Umbria, Post Pop-Up

Many of us in Georgetown think of Via Umbria as that fun pop-up that landed on Wisconsin Avenue for a little while, specializing in table top items and some dry goods such as pasta, biscuits and crackers. What a difference a reboot makes. Via Umbria has reopened in the same location at 1525 Wisconsin Avenue NW, but its now so much more: butcher shop, cheeserie,  wine purveyor, bread shop, deli, coffee shop, cafe, as well as all the previous staples of pasta, biscuits, crackers and table top items, and classes and travel.  We so needed this to happen and we need more like it!!

When it comes to having an abundance of quality markets and restaurants in Georgetown, we who live here should patronize the fine businesses we have, but not be satisfied. Joining Via Umbria, we have Stachowskis, Poupon, Baked & Wired, Leopold, Georgetown Cupcake and Dean & Deluca, but we could use more indigenous crafted food. I visit Union Market often and wish we had our own Georgetown version. (btw, in the 70s we did)  It is a need and a mission that is not being met, but it could be. Create a position to recruit markets, restaurants, bistros, cafes and bars for a neighborhood that was once food-vibrant, and to market the appeal of being here to potential owners; in other words, a business-centric food czar.   Until then, Via Umbria is a promising step. 

Here are some photos from the weekend:

 

Through A Kennedy Center Lens, Some Washington Facts of Life

It may look calm and peaceful in this photo, but board room drama at the Kennedy Center has been the talk of the town  for about the last year, as the organization transitions from one era to the next of the annual Kennedy Center Honors, which happen this weekend. Here's my view on New York Social Diary today.