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Richard Nixon's 100th Birthday Party

HARRY SHEARER AND ED NIXON

Only in Washington. Ed Nixon, Richard Nixon's younger brother, at the Mayflower Hotel bar with Harry Shearer, who portrays Nixon in a British television production, "Nixon's The One." Shot this after we attended Richard Nixon's 100th birthday party. A dear friend, Harry traveled to DC from Santa Monica to be my date for the occasion. It was a reunion of the Nixon Administration, or at least those who are still with us. Harry and I ended up in the Mayflower Bar with Nixon, Steve Bull, Steve's wife, former Navy Secretary John Lehman and others from that time. Oh, what a night. 

Fred Thompson and Harry Shearer, the only two professional actors at the dinner, "professional" being the relevant world. Fred's a long-time friend, and a sports fan, and so we talked RGIII. What he had to say will be on washingtonian.com tomorrow. 

Henry Kissinger at the pre-dinner cocktail party. Later, after he ended the conversation,  I asked him who he had been talking to. He said, "my former secretary." Kinda sweet. When I wanted to talk some more, he said, "walk with me." And I did, because it's one of the great "I'm in charge" lines. I then used it twice myself over the course of the evening. "Walk with me," and they did. 

Talking Inauguration 2013 on NewsChannel 8 Today

 

A good TV conversation with Natasha Barrett about the inaugural festivities that are just around the corner. Today is the first day in 6 weeks  that I have not felt the effects of a lingering cold or sinus infection. I still look under the weather, but don't feel it anymore. After many different remedies it was the Z-Pak that knocked it out. Hooray. 

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. 

Beloved Jack's Boathouse Gets The Boot From Federal Gov't (and here's what you can do!)

JACK'S BOATHOUSE SATURDAY MORNING, IT'S LEASE REVOKED

The Georgetowner newspaper broke an important and sad story Friday: the National Park Service has cancelled the lease of beloved Jack's Boathouse on the Potomac waterfront. But ever vigilant Topher Mathews, publisher of The Georgetown Metropolitan, tweeted what fans can do to protest the move: "If you like Jack's Boathouse and don't want to see it evicted, call NPS's Stephen Whitesell at 202-619-7000 and ask him to reconsider." I say do that, and ask your friends to do that, and ask your friends to ask their friends to do that ...

JACK'S ON A SUMMER EVENING

NPS has done good for Georgetown; the Georgetown Waterfront Park is a prime example. But it has also done bad; the demise of the C&O Canal Barge, and now Jack's. 

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.

Talking @Washingtonian on @LetsTalkLiveDC

 

I stopped in at the News Channel 8 studios today to talk about the November and December issues of The Washingtonian with Let's Talk Live co-host Natasha Barrett. I followed a food segment which made the studio smell so much better than the typical TV studio. TV shows should always have food segments -- for the sake of the staff and guests.

Watch the segment, but I'll give you a tease: the December issue of the magazine would make you think we can see into the future.

In one brief interview we discussed these topics: the Petraeus scandal, love affairs, love and marriage, how to stay married in this town, Cleveland Park, Palena Restaurant, the Uptown Theater, 2 Amy's, Hillwood museum, Cactus Cantina and more.  

Buon Anniversario to @CafeMilano on its 20th

LUNCHTIME AT CAFE MILANO TODAY, ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Wishing a Buon Anniversario to Cafe Milano today. It opened in Georgetown twenty years ago on this day, November 3rd. Midday the place was bustling. Not clear if many customers knew the specialness of the occasion, but that's okay. A good time at every table, under the exceptional, watchful eye of manager Laurent Menoud. I was with Hugh Jacobsen and Faya Causey  - for the pleasure of their company, of course, but also to celebrate Faya's new book, Amber, published by Getty. At an adjacent table was my colleague, Washingtonian food and restaurant writer, Anna Spiegel, with her parents, visiting from far off McLean. 

Two things about this occasion: the number 20 is huge in restaurant years; and every restaurant should be so fortunate to have a manager such as Laurent. 

Reserve a Seat Now to Hear Richard Haass Nov. 9 at The Q&A Cafe

What's the future for foreign policy in Barack Obama's second term? That's the focus of The Q&A Cafe for Friday, November 9 at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown. Our guest is Richard N. Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations. You know the group. Robert Rubin is a member of the board. So are David Rubenstein and Madeleine Albright. And Tom Brokaw, Colin Powell, Fred Smith, Pete Peterson, Martin Felstein and David Bradley. Angelina Jolie is a member, too. 

How can we not have loads to talk about? 

Please make a reservation today. The fee is only $35, and that's all inclusive of food, drinks, tax and tip. It's a deal. To make reservations please contact Esmaralda Prifold. Or phone 202.912.4110.

This will be our first post-election gathering. It will be timely, interesting and, as always, fun.

Here is a recent column Haass wrote for Huffington Post. 

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

Susan Rappaport's Apptastic Georgetown Halloween Party

FILMMAKER CATHERINE WYLER AND OUR HOST, SUSAN RAPPAPORT

Okay, so I went a little app-tastic tonight at Susan Rappaport's Halloween party at her Georgetown home. I played with a variety of iPhone apps. As I said to one guest after another, "just think of me as the party clown who makes balloon animals." Like many people I'm somewhat uncomfortable at parties. Taking photos is a form of conversation.

Since most of the guests were friends they played along but they did act incomprehensible when I said things like "i'm running this shot through Dynamic Light" or "I've hashtagged the party." High of the night was my colleague Sophie Gilbert tweeting to let me know she was proud of my "hashtagging." She knows I'm a remedial hashtagger.

The food was delicious, per usual chez Rappaport. A great big pot of homemade Texas style chili, accompanied by fixin's and corn bread and corn chips and salad. Plus a bartender and a full bar.

Playing to no stereotypes, please, it was a boffo party, and so what if some of the time people were speaking in French? It was Halloween. Georgetown can't overturn itself entirely, now, can it? Gosh, I hope not. But know this: even brainiac socialites can reveal their inner ghoul and howl for a night. And know this, too: in this era, call someone a socialite and they take out a contract on you. There aren't many authentics left, but they do dwell in caves in Georgetown. 

CAROLINE CROFT, MYRA MOFFETT AND NINA HERRICK

JULIE EARLE AND NINA HERRICK

COSTUMES HIDE IDENTITIES BUT THAT IS DIANA PRINCE ON THE RIGHT

KAREN TAYLOR AND RICHARD RYMLAND

FREDDY PRINCE, SUSAN RAPPAPORT AND RALPH EARLE

MYRA AND MARY MOFFETT WITH BABY CALDER

DAVID AARON

LE HALLOWEEN BUFFET OF HOMEMADE GHOULISH CHILI AND ALL THE FIXIN'S

THE ENTRANCE HALL TABLEAU: BOO!

JULIE EARLE AS THE GEORGETOWN DEVIL WOMAN

SUSAN RAPPAPORT'S FRONT DOOR

Photos From The Morning After #Sandy In Georgetown

THE GEORGETOWN WATERFRONT AT 9:15 AM, WITH THE POTOMAC INCHES AWAY FROM OVER WASHING THE DOCK

I went out this morning around 8:45 and walked for an hour. There were not many signs of significant tree damage in Georgetown. Most of what I found was general debris, some small to medium limbs, but no whole trees down, such as we had with the Durecho. Admittedly I covered only a mile or so. It seems to me the story in the village today is the waterfront, where at 9:15 am the Potomac looked close to bridging the Washington Harbor dock. High tide came at 9:33 am. Every single floodgate, large and small, was up, including at The House of Sweden. The Colonial Parking garage at K and 30th Streets had the sandbags and barriers out. The next high tide is this evening at 9:44.

THE COLONIAL PARKING GARAGE ON K STREET AT THE CORNER OF 30TH

The Washingtonian is collecting citizen storm photos for our website. Please send them to Tanya Pai at this link: SandyStormPhotos. We're also interested in learning what businesses are open or closed. 

THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE OF SANDY TREE DAMAGE I FOUND DURING A WALKABOUT

THE INTERSECTION OF M AND 29TH STREETS AT 8:50 TUESDAY MORNING

A MINI FLOODGATE AT THE HOUSE OF SWEDEN, WHICH FRONTS THE POTOMAC RIVER

TREE DEBRIS ON M STREET NEAR THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

LIMBS DOWN ON P STREET NEAR WISCONSIN

REASSURANCE, AT CVS ON WISCONSIN AVENUE

MOST LIKELY NO "TENNIS, ANYONE?" TODAY

Surviving The Storm, So Far, With Friends, Clyde's And Rum #Sandy

HOT BUTTERED RUM, WITH A VIEW OF THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

In dedicated pursuit of a totally chill Hurricane Sandy day away from the office, I convened with friends at Clyde's for a "hurricane lunch." From the looks of all the others who showed up we clearly weren't the only Georgetowners with this idea. With Nathans long closed, when it's weather I think "Clyde's." I'm of a generation that goes out when the wind blows or the snow falls. Maybe that's because I spent my formative years in Manhattan, or maybe because of sailing, but regardless: if it's safe,(and sometimes even if it is not) it's cool to go out and embrace the weather. Weather is one of the few elements we can experience that is timeless. Maybe that's why I've always loved sailing. It's timeless. Name the centurty and they had the same weather.

FAYA CAUSEY AT CLYDE'S

But back to today and lunch and drinking. After going out once in the morning and getting entirely soaked to the bone I pulled out my ancient foul weather gear and rallied some neighbors for another assault on what has been, so far, relatively moderate weather. At least in Georgetown. Winds gusting to maybe 20 at noon. That's not fierce weather. 

MY ACROSS THE STREET NEIGHBOR, DEBBIE WEIL, BEHAVING HERSELF

Has anyone ever told you we widows stick together, especially when an ill wind blows? Well, we do. So Faya Causey (head of Academic Programs at the National Gallery of Art) and I made a plan to have  a "hurricane lunch" at Clyde's and then we expanded it to include some actual married people, my good friends and across the street neighbors, Sam Harrington and Debbie Weil. Sam is an actual medical doctor and I have to commend him for keeping morning hours today, even though many patients canceled. Imagine if you were the patient who wanted to keep the appointment? Wouldn't you have been amazed and delighted that the doctor actually showed up? Exactly. 

WRAPPING AN ARM AROUND THE DOCTOR, SAM HARRINGTON, AT CLYDE'S

What did we have at Clyde's? Hmmm. To be honest, a few of us started with a bruised martini straight up with olives. Not the doctor, though. Sam and Debbie had grilled salmon, Faya had a huge and beautiful chopped salad, and I had steamed lobster, a deal at $18. 

We sat in the bar. I always sit in the bar. Even though I met my husband in the back room at an after hours party I still prefer the bar. I remember coming to that bar at age 14 in my cheerleader's uniform after being on "It's Academic" at Channel 4. My best girlfriend and I went totally rogue -- or so we thought -- and escaped the bus home to Mount Vernon to go wander in Georgetown. It never even occurred to us that we would stand out as peculiar wearing those short little pleated skirts and cropped jumper tops. (Oh, the fantasies of a dozen horny men at the bar, right?) 

What can I say at this point? Enjoy the storm to the extent that it's possible. Me? I wish I were on a mooring in a safe harbor. You've really never heard music until you've heard the sound of halyards slapping a mast. 

Clyde's manager, Dave Delbene, said they would close at 5pm this evening. Not for lack of customers but because staff have no way to get to work with Metro shut down. I think we'll hear that same story throughout the area over this next 24-48 hours of storm drama.

Important Hurricane Note to People Who Street Park in DC

THE MORNING AFTER THE DURECHO, ON O STREET IN GEORGETOWN

Long-time residents know this lesson well: if you park on the street in DC be sure in a storm to move your car so it is not under a big old beautiful tree. The fact is our beautiful trees don't have the root balls to support them in a storm with fierce winds. With every storm over the past dozen years I have taken a photo of one crushed car or another that had the misfortune of being parked under what appeared to be a healthy tree. It's an illusion. Lots of rain creates soft ground. Add to that the fact there are still leaves on the trees, making them top heavy. So, if your car is parked under a tall, and beautiful DC tree, move it now. 

Hey Georgetown, A Deal Has Been Done For a Second 7-11

FABLED GEORGETOWN CORNER, WHERE "DOC" DALINSKY HAD HIS PHARMACY, APPARENTLY WILL NOW BE 7-11

UPDATE ON WEDNESDAY OCT 31: "Carol, your note about 7-11 is correct…its unfortunate because it lacks vision and reflects the absence of a strategy by the owners of the properties around that intersection. While markets change and the quaintness of the past is replaced by mass-appeal commercial, it doesn’t have to be this bad. Will keep you posted on what else I hear, but this one gets chalked up to a lack of trying on behalf of the property owners…." - another golden source

(Note to whiners, I am not pissed of about this. I will buy lottery tickets there, hopefully one that wins.)

My source on this is golden and so I'm going with it: apparently the Donohue family has done a deal to lease their building at Wisconsin and O to the 7-11 chain. Work already has begun on the interior. Everyone seems to like to look for signs that Georgetown's charm is a thing of the past, and this latest development will probably be included on that list, along with reports of a TJ Maxx, Target and a bowling alley at Georgetown Park mall, and the new mega Nike store on M Street. But, the times they are a changin'. 

This building once was home to "Doc" Dalinsky's pharmacy, one of the most popular Georgetown hangouts of true Washington insiders: Ben Bradlee, David Brinkley, Joseph Alsop, Art Buchwald, to name a notable handful. They would come in for their morning papers, especially the Sunday papers, and dish and jive with "Doc," then amble down to Martin's Tavern for eggs benedict and a brew or a bloody. The building authentically represents a bygone era when unique "ma and pa" shops and chic and pricy boutiques lined Wisconson and M Streets and the side streets. Georgetown also was home to the city's best restaurants, cafes and bars. 

Those days are not coming back; that scene, in various iterations, has moved on to other parts of town, and it's debatable whether the reason is that Georgetown's leadership handed the village over to developers, or having no subway, maddening parking issues, or simply changing times. It's probably a combination. 

I've noticed this, though, over the last decade or so of massive change: most of the big chains don't last because the average consumer, the shopper who has to fill an SUV with necessary goods, would rather park in a lot at a mall than drive around cramped Georgetown streets for 30 minutes, looking for a parking space, only to return to the car to find a hefty pink parking ticket, which is DC's way of saying "thank you for your sales tax dollars." It doesn't compute. 

As for the 7-11, if what I was told is true, it will be the village's second, joining the established 7-11 on P Street at 27th, which is currently being doubled in size. But having two 7-11's in Georgetown is precedented: there was one at the corner of Wisconsin and Q that closed a few years ago. 

A Meal At Oyamel, Once Again, Transports

A SOUR WITH GRASSHOPPERS AT OYAMEL

YES, I SAID GRASSHOPPERS

Whenever I'm fortunate to be in Austin, and soon after I arrive, I hunt down a meal at one Mexcian or another -- Chuy's, Torchy's, La Condesa or Fonda San Miguel, to name only a small sample. Small because there's so much good Mexican food in Austin (good food in general, actually). But when I depart for home, for Washington, I always say, "at least we have Oyamel." That's because Oyamel comes as close to the real thing as anything we have in DC and possibly the Mid-Atlantic. Dinner tonight was another example of Oyamel getting it done.

DIVER SCALLOPS AT OYAMEL 

A friend and I had dinner plans. After last night's incredible feast at "Chefs for Equality"  my preference was something small and light. But since we share Austin as a passion it seemed only right to go to Oyamel. The drive across town in rush hour was a bitch matched only by the challenge to find parking, but once parked, once inside the restaurant, once in a booth, and with a Margarita in hand, all the stress slipped away. We were in an Austin kind of vibe. Of course we pigged out on salsa and chips and then the tableside guacamole -- extra spicy -- and a first course of ceviche. That was followed by black bean soup, grilled diver scallops, crisp pork belly tacos, chicken with green sauce and, one of my personal faves, the gazpacho salad. "This is so good," he said with each course. "I had no idea you could eat like this in Washington."

 THE GAZPACHO SALAD AT OYAMEL 

Along the way manager Michael Iglesias brought us a couple of tiny cocktails (really, in the prettiest little glasses) that he explained were Oaxaca Sours from their special "Day Of The Dead" menu, (and note, that "Day" is November 1). Floating in the foam on the top were tiny grasshoppers, which my friend crunched into with satisfaction. Call me a wimp. I just haven't gone there yet. 

DULCHE DE LECHE AT OYAMEL

I don't know how we had room for dessert, but we managed to find that centimeter of our stomachs that still had breathing room. It helped a lot that both desserts, Dulche de Leche and Flan, were relatively light and freshed by fruit.

In reviewing my photos, all shot with the iPhone 4s, I was reminded of a woman who stopped me on the street one day. She said she is a regular reader of this blog, "but I miss your photos with the other camera." Well, I do, too, but it's tough to carry around the Canon, which I call "the big boy" for a reason. Still, the iPhone 4s flash never does justice to food. Please allow for what these photos lack. The food looked as beautiful as it tasted.

I did wear my Old Gringo's to dinner, but I didn't need to. Oyamel transported me to Austin (and Mexico) regardless, as it does with every meal.

NOTE: Other Mex I like - Bandolero in Georgetown (ask to sit by the window, where it's quieter and brighter);  in Del Ray there are two, Los Tios Grill and Taqueria el Poblano; and recently at Rosa Mexicano near the Harman Center I had some very good guacamole and margaritas. 

My #Debate Twitter Feed, the #HorsesandBayonets Edition

Maybe you follow me on Twitter and then, again, maybe you don't. If you don't, you should. I tweet more than I post here or on FB. This is what it looked like tonight on my Twitter feed. I did get in a good 90 minute workout and now the debates are over until four years from now. What now, America?

--------

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

...and San Francisco is up by 7 in the 7th.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

I'm loath to use the word, but Max's expression is insipid. Plain and simple. He's lost the will to faux emote.

 

Kathy Griffin ‏@kathygriffin

Did I just catch Sgt. Brody in the audience texting Abu Nazir? Carrie?? Saul??

  Retweeted by caroljoynt

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Schieffer and Lehrer not up to it. Managing men in debate heat is clearly a woman skill. We do it all the time. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Obama is impressed with how well Max did his Pakistan homework.#debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Romney looking tired, wishing it was over, pained. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Romney's flag lapel pin is GOP version of "mine's bigger than yours." True patriots don't need 'em, and don't need big ones. Fail.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe funny. now #TeamWTOP is including Obama. hmmm

 

Gawker ‏@Gawker

RT @Deadspin: A reminder of just how Mitt Romney ran the Olympics: http://deadspin.com/5945741/ 

  Retweeted by caroljoynt

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Go, BO! #debate

John Heilemann ‏@jheil

Sheldon Adelson choking on a pretzel now.

 

Bill Maher ‏@billmaher

Mitt's entire debate strategy: What he just said, but from a white guy

 

Richard Lawson ‏@rilaws

Thank god everyone in the Middle East is asleep right now.

 

Richard Lawson ‏@rilaws

To be fair, Romney is right that we need more armed whirligigs stationed as close as possible to fearsome Siam.

 

Lydia DePillis ‏@lydiadepillis

Holy shit. Obama just dropped an aircraft carrier on romney's head.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Schieffer heard all of us and has responded accordingly. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

What we're learning tonight is only the women can control a presidential debate! #debate @candycrowley @martharaddatz

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Schieffer! Get it back on subject. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe the feed just more Romney than Obama. Hey, I'm#TeamWTOP, so I set a high bar for you guys.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Uh oh. We've gone from Mideast not to Eurozone but back to domestic policy. I guess that means sit ups! #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@JohnDonvan @gothamson1 john, you're not stupid

Ken Rudin ‏@kenrudin

I can't wait for the next debate, which is going to be about foreign policy.

  

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe i so know, but the debate feed feels skewed GOP. all 4 debates.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe hey ari

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

When did @WTOP go right? Is this wanting to be @WMAL? Don't. You're better.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

The @cnn graph is cheap. They could make it much better. Come into the new century.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Meanwhile, San Francisco ripping up the NL pennant race. Next year it will be @nationals

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

One guy looks like puffed wheat and the other looks incredulous.#debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

You can have your drinking games. I'm doing free weights w/ the Mideast. Will switch to yoga/pilates for the Eurozone. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

I have made a pact with myself: to work out for the entire debate. That will make it all okay.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Why isn't @JohnDonvan hosting this debate? They'll learn....

Italian American Love Fest Tonight In DC

This ballroom at the Washington Hilton soon filled up with an interesting mix of Italian Americans, and Americans and Italians at the annual National Italian American Foundation gala. Happily, not the usual suspects. Oh, yeah, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, but the Supremes are socially unbiquitous. These days it's pretty much not a party without at least one of them on the guest list, often there are two or three. I think it was Anthony Kennedy who I almost tripped over at the ball last night.

But tonight lots of real people, many of them in town from New York, New Jersey and Italia. At my table, photographer Kevin Allen and I were the only two from DC. We liked that. To my right was a man from Arlington, New Jersey, and to Kevin's left to men from Florence, Italy, though one of them lives and works in New York City. Here they are:

It's late now. Their party will go all night. I'll have more about all of it in my story on washingtonian.com on Monday. Tomorrow, alas, no galas. Only the Redskins game...it's own kind of gala.

Why Did I Get So High On The @Nationals? Here's Why.

THE NIGHT AT NATS PARK WHEN WE WON THE WILD CARD

Several times during this baseball season, and especially in the last month, I've been asked why I was so high on the Nats? Was I always a baseball fan? Here's the answer to those questions. First the last. I've always been a casual baseball fan. Grew up loving the Yankees; my husband and I had season tickets to the Orioles for a long time. (btw, he would have loved the Nats, too). We'd drive out to the old Memorial Stadium for a couple of games a week. We were at Orioles World Series in 1983. We were at the Yankees World Series, with our five year old son, in 1996. Damned sweet that we had that moment as a family. 

But why the Nats and why now? It's simple. They are fitter, leaner, hotter, more talented and more exciting than any other team in baseball. They are a 21st Century baseball team. They are rock stars. They aren't big ole blobby dudes. They have distinct personalities, and some are eccentric. But most of all it's the skills. They have wicked skills. They are fun to watch. They also have a groovy general manager in Davey Johnson. He's the coolest cat in town. I have some special favorites - Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth, Michael Morse, Bryce Harper, Danny Espinosa, Gio Gonzalez, Adam LaRoche, Mike DeRosa, Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Jordan Zimmerman - but I like them all. 

Yes, today has been somber, but I'm counting the days until Pitchers and Catchers and Spring Training. I also had a good conversation this evening with the MLB veteran Mike Piazza, a tall drink of water who has the swagger to qualify as a Nat, and he said something brilliant. I'm saving it for my Monday story on washingtonian.com. btw. I'm not sad anymore. The Redskins, hopefully, will lift my spirits tomorrow. 

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. 

Marion Barry's News-Making Interview at The Q&A Cafe on YouTube

Here is DC Council Member and former Mayor Marion Barry with me at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown Hotel after finishing our 45 minute interview. It aired tonight on DCN/Channel 16. It also made a lot of news when it was taped last week. So, please check it out. Here's the YouTube clib below:

 

Streetsense: This Week's Must Read

 WASHINGTON: HOME TO THE FUTURE OF VIBRANT URBAN LIVING

The theme of my week seems to have been the NEW DC. It started on Monday with a commentary for New York Social Diary about Washington becoming a sports town, among other grown up accomplishments (and some not), and ended the week with a story for The Washingtonian that focused on a Bethesda-based company that wants to shape DC's future everything. That company is Streetsense. I interviewed its CEO, Marc Ratner. My NYSD commentary and his vision are on the same bandwidth. Do take a moment to meet Marc and his company.

Washington Gets What It Craves

HE'S AMAZING: ROBERT GRIFFIN III

Yesterday's losses aside, Washington is at the threshold of something wonderful: becoming a legit sports town. It's all happening and will likely get better and better. It's the subject of a commentary I wrote for today's edition of New York Social Diary

The Most Lip-Smacking, Finger-Licking Good Magazine Cover Ever!

The moment I first saw this beautiful cover it gave me an overwhelming feeling of happiness, followed soon after by a craving for pancakes. THOSE pancakes. I'm told the photo was shot at Black Market Bistro. The photo is excellent but what takes the cover to the top is the overall composition, the use of white and blue, the quaint and chaming take-you-back-to-simpler-times details of font and graphic design. I look at it and I think it's a breakfast cook book, and it could be. Inside are dozens of breakfast stories that are well-timed for coming winter, when thoughts turn to a hearty morning meal.

Marion Barry Jr - At The Q&A Cafe TODAY at Noon

Who better to talk to about the state of political affairs in Washington, DC, than the city's most enduring, "been there, done that," politician, Council Member and former mayor Marion Barry Jr? He'll be the guest at The Q&A Cafe at noon TODAY. This will be a little more than a week after the council reconvenes for its fall legislative session. If you remember, when the Council met in the spring and chose Phil Mendelson to replace disgraced council chairman Kwame Brown, the meeting was contentious. Barry called DC "the laughingstock of the nation." At The Q&A Cafe, we'll discuss that and more, including what Barry sees as his "legacy."

The Q&A Cafe tapes at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown Hotel. For reservations please call 202.912.4110 or email Esmaralda Prifold Seating begins at noon, lunch is served and the all inclusive fee is $35.

Note: the program is broadcast on the District Cable Network (Channel 16) every Friday at 8 o'clock in the evening and at other times during the week. It is also on YouTube.

Fun Night at Nats vs Cubs, Including One Brawl, And Then Another (Video)

  

This is what it looked like from Row B on Thursday night when a brawl broke out between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs. There was a first brawl that subsided, and then just as it subsided, there was another brawl, which is what I recorded above.  According to Davey Johnson it was started when there were some words between the Cubs bench coach and the Nats 3rd base coach, Bo Porter. Note the ump that gets knocked over. If you look to the right you'll see Ryan Zimmerman keeping a hand on Bryce Harper, to hold him back from getting into the fray. It was like an older brother looking out for his younger, more volatile sibling. Two of my faves, Michael Morse and Jayson Werth, were right in the middle, ready to rumble. In it's own way, kinda adorable.

I went to the game with three of my Washingtonian colleagues, above, l-r, Harry Jaffe, Shane Harris and Luke Mullins. We had an absolute blast. Eating, drinking, cheering, jumping up and down, yelling, and repeat. A great night at the ball park. We won 9-2, which prompted some of the Cubs repressed frustration.

Bring on the play-offs and Go Nats. 

Oh, It Was A Ghoulish Day

This is not one of my colleagues, though we did intersect today in the course of doing my work. It will all be explained later. I definitely had some fun, lost quite a lot of weight in sweat and was slightly mauled by mosquitoes. Make sure to buy the October issue of The Washingtonian. 

This Is A DC Winner

P STREET IN GEORGETOWN

Something to do this weekend: come to Georgetown to see the beautiful work done on P and O Streets, west of Wisconsin Avenue, where the city has completed renovating and restoring the cobbled streets, keeping the old trolly tracks. Many people get credit for this project, but I particularly remember a decade or so ago, at an ANC meeting, hearing then DC Transportation chief Dan Tangherlini address the issue for the first time. The goals, he said, were to restore the streets and preserve the historic integrity of tracks. There were many debates that followed - about whether to keep the tracks or lose the tracks - but in Georgetown there's always a dedication to preserving what's been here. And it got done. 

A central player in the restoration project was Tim Downs, and recently Mayor Vincent Gray and other city leaders came to Georgetown to honor him - right outside his home. Bill and his wife, Barbara, are First Citizens of the village, caring and dedicated. Back at about the same time that Tangherlini was at DDot, Barbara Downs was chair of the Citizens Association of Georgetown. She is still one of the board's directors.

O STREET IN GEORGETOWN

Mayor Gray declared August 16th "Tim Downs Day."

I regret I don't have a photo of the mess O and P Streets were before the restoration. The cobblestones were horribly uneven, the tracks jutted up, real tire-busters, and a challenge for drivers. 

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony in the next month, I'm told ... but you don't need to wait for that. The streets are there to admire now. If only the whole village had these same handsome cobblestones ...