Tonight

Fundraiser for (against?) land mines at Potter’s House. 7-10. Ethiopian food. $15 suggested donation.

First Friday in Dupont. WaPo says, “There's Molly Bingham's photographs from Iraq on R Street, Kari Minnick's blend of glass and drawing at Hillyer and William T. Wiley's large-scale works at Marsha Mateyka.” http://www.artline.com/plus/organ/dupont/map.html

Happy hour at Café Asia. It’s every night from 4:30-7:30. Pieces of nigiri are a buck each (that’s a slice of fish on rice), sushi rolls are about $4 and Sapporo is $2.

Question

While it’s definitely a step in the right direction (meter pricing and lights to signify availability), does anyone have any thoughts about whether drivers will still pass me up when they don’t feel like going to my neighborhood? Will drivers still keep the back doors of the cabs locked until they’ve decided they will drive me? Obviously, being on meters will help keep the price fair but that doesn’t mean that drivers will want to take me to NE on a Monday night where they won’t be able to pick up another fare like they would on a Adams Morgan to Foggy Bottom trip.

For the love of chairs...

Tomorrow night features the opening reception of “Mindless Pleasures” by James Huckenpahler and “Furnishing the Self: Upholstering the Soul” by The Love of My Life (oops I mean David Byrne). It’s from 6:30-8:30 tomorrow at Hemphill Fine Arts. David Byrne’s work is an installation of chairs, photographs of chair, and chair drawings. I love chairs just like David Byrne; we have so much in common. I could sit or not sit in a chair all day long. It’s meant to be.

Hemphill Fine Arts
1515 14th St. NW

DC learning

The Washington Studies Conference started yesterday. It features 29 different events and for free!
Register here…http://www.historydc.org/2007Conference/form.asp

There are some pretty cool looking sessions tomorrow:

Film Room: DC Screenings
* This is Duckpin Country
* Fine Food, Fine Pastries, Open 6 to 9
* From Here to Obscurity: The “Best” of Travesty Films
* George Merriken Home Movies
* Theatre Dark
* DC Treasures from the National Archives: 1968-1970 Local Newscasts thanks to Richard Nixon
Jeff Krulik, Coordinator

Civil Rights, Home Rule, and the Struggle for Political Automy in D.C.
Presenters:
Sam Smith, Progressive Review
Rebecca Kingsley, Filmmaker
Michael Fauntroy, Assistant Professor, George Mason University
MODERATOR: Courtland Milloy, Washington Post

C Style: A Salute to the Reporters Who Chronicled Real Washington Society and Fashion
Moderator:
Rosemary Reed

34th Annual Washington Studies Conference
November 1 - 3, 2007
Hosted by The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
The Carnegie at Mount Vernon Square, 801 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

DC Big Flea

If you have a car, you can go to the DC Big Flea. It’s at the Dulles Expo & Convention Center from 9am-6pm both Saturday and Sunday. It’s $6 to get in, but with over 1,000 vendors you will probably find something fairly awesome to get compliments on. I tried to use the trip planner on wmata.com to see if I had any options to get out there, but there doesn’t appear to be. Using Zipcar to get there would probably be pricey as well if you plan to do some serious shopping.

4368 Chantilly Center

Craftiness

Seriously, time to Christmas/Holiday shop? Is it really November? I did the majority of mine the 23rd of December last year so I probably need to go to THIS:



DC Craft Mafia is proud to present
The UNusual Suspects Arts & Crafts Festival
The Anastasi Room
5020 Battery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
Saturday, November 3, 2007
12pm to 8pm
50+ Amazing Vendors
Donate $1 to The Washington Humane Society
and get one doorprize ticket!

Located at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Battery Lane:

5020 Battery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814

2 blocks from Bethesda Metro Station.

Night O' Free Hennessy

Free cocktails at Tapatini’s at 10pm tonight. Hennessy is the sponsor this week so drink away while supplies last. Just remember to leave a nice tip for the hard-working bartenders.

From the wikipedia entry on Hennessy: (please read, it’s amusing and I'll be ordering Crunk Juice tonight)

Cocktail recipes have also been popularized, such as combining Hennessy with Red Bull energy drink to form Crunk Juice, a cocktail popularized by crunk-artists Lil Jon, the Eastside Boyz, and the Ying Yang Twins. A drink called Sin, made popular by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, includes equal proportions of Hennessy and gin. Rappers Xzibit, DMX, 2Pac, Nas, 50 Cent, Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, The Game, P.Diddy and Kanye West also frequently talk of drinking straight Hennessy in their lyrics, as does the group Digital Underground in its song "The Humpty Dance". In the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Bond, rescued by a St. Bernard in Switzerland, curtly dismisses the dog and tells him to bring Five Star Hennessy. It is also commonly mixed with Hpnotiq to form a popular drink called Incredible Hulk.

Tapatini’s
711 8th St SE

Skip Happy Hour, Get Free Bike Light

If you are one of my fine biking friends, for your own personal safety go to 18th & Columbia tomorrow straight away (EXIT WORK, SAY NO TO THE BEER). You’ll be in line for free front and rear bike lights thanks to Washington Area Bicyclist Association and DDOT. 5-7pm in the SunTrust Plaza.

National Christmas Tree

Okay. The Lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Blah. I went five years ago and nearly froze to death. They took my Clementine oranges because they could be used as weapons. I was cold and fruitless. If you still want to go, line up on Saturday at 8am at the Ellipse Visitor Center (clarification- it is the South West corner of 15th & E in case it wasn't clear...15th & E NW). Four tickets per person. I will go if you get me a ticket but I will not line up.

Technically speaking, you'll want to be there earlier than 8am. People CAMP to get these tickets.

Ice Cream for a buck and free coffee

Wayan over at DC Metblogs reports that until Monday you can score free hazelnut coffee (my favorite coffee!) and Hershey’s Ice Cream for $1. This deal is at Beveragemania (I wonder how many beverages they could possibly have?) in the Upshur Street commercial strip of Petworth.

New restaurant for me...

There’s a new restaurant in my (recently new) neck of the woods- Silver Spring. It sounds pretty exciting and you know that this is much needed in the land of Macaroni Grill and Red Lobster. (And Eggspectation- what’s the deal with that name? It sounds like a fertility clinic. For real, I still haven’t been able to stomach eating there.) Nicaro is brought to you by the Executive Chef from Tabard Inn. The direction is local, seasonal products and will be changed regularly. Thumbs Up: using local sustainable farms and eating seasonally are great ways to preserve our food system.

Nicaro
8229 Georgia Ave
Silver Spring

Documentary Tonight

There’s a free film screening tonight:

DC OUTFront and Amnesty International are showing “Rainbow’s End” at the Foundry United Methodist Church. The movie is from 7-9pm and there will be light refreshments. “Rainbow’s End” deals with LGBT issues in Eastern Europe.

Foundry United Methodist Church
16th & P NW

Palace of Wonders Does Halloween...

...and I have no doubt it would be spectacular.

ONCE AGAIN HOSTED BY THE LOVELY ERIN HOLLOWAY AND PRISSY PISTOL, PALACE WILL BE GIVING AWAY PRIZES, BAR TABS, FOOD, SHOTS, CANDY, BEER, POPCORN,AND MORE!

NO COVER!
COSTUME CONTEST
ZOMBIE ARM WRESTLING
BLOODY BOBBING FOR APPLES
SPIDER RING TOSS
SCARY MOVIES
SEXY BARTENDERS (MATT MOUER AND MEGAN0)

AND THEY PLAN LISTENING TO THE MISFITS, ALL FUCKEN NIGHT LONG!

HAPPY FREAKIN HALLOWEEN FROM THE PALACE!!

Also of note, Rock and Roll Hotel is having The Bravery After Party. Info here:

FREE SHUTTLE! Need a ride from Union Station? Call Clem at 301-751-1802 for HALLOWEEN shuttle service from 830pm-230am

CALL 1-800-200-TAXI for WRAP's 2007 Halloween SoberRide program - FREE CAB RIDES from 8pm-4am

Doors | 830pm
$10 w/9:30 Club Bravery ticket stub, $12 w/ costume (any kind) & $15 w/out

*All paid attendees will receive a Rock and Roll Hotel ticket for free admission to any future show!

Best bets for tonight

In my oh so wise opinion, the following are probably the best places to go tonight:

Asylum- $200 for best costume, cheap drinks anyway but free drinks, bar tabs, giveaways for whatever the staff decides

Cafe Citron- two for one drinks from 4-7 and $200 for best costume

My Brother's Place- this place is hard to find so google map it before you leave. Costumer contest winner get happy hour for 10 friends with free draft beer and $1 rails.

There are many more options, so check out the Washington Post for more ideas.

Free Cab Rides Tonight

I had a lovely conversation with my cab driver last night about the strike and the zones vs. meters situation. He was very understanding when I told him of the numerous, numerous terrible experiences I’ve had with DC cabs and why I was looking forward to the meter system. Nonetheless he is striking today. For him, it is less about moving to meters but the threat it has in losing the private, small business aspect of the DC cab industry. Don’t quote me on that because I’d been out drinking for a number of hours. Anyway, since the strike is happening today, this info should be helpful. SoberRide is offering FREE taxi rides (up to $50) from 8pm to 1 am. Call 1-800-200-TAXI to get a ride. Granted, who knows how long you might have to wait for a taxi to actually come, but it’s not a bad idea to have the number with you and certainly not a bad idea to give the number a call to get an estimate on how long the wait will be.

Update: Other sources say the taxi service goes until 4am. So there.

Celebrate Day of the Dead at Oyamel

It’s a good time to head over to Oyamel to celebrate the Day of the Dead. There is a daily “hora feliz” with $4 drink specials and $1 antojitos. Today there will be a tequila tasting from 5-7pm. The celebration run through the 3rd of November.

Oyamel is soooo tasty.

401 7th St NW

Fun Volunteer Option

If you’ve got four spare hours this weekend, the Washington Wine Academy is looking for volunteers to work at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show. Paula Deen will be there as will some of DC's best chefs. Info Below-


Saturday, November 3rd and Sunday, November 4th , 2007

WWA Needs - Volunteers to Pour Wine in Wine Area.

See below for more details on shifts...etc. Shifts are setup in half day increments and you are encouraged to visit the show on your off time. Show admission of $ 20 is waived for all volunteers.

Happy Halloween Everyone! We know your thoughts are on the big hunt for chocolate and candy tonight with your friends and family...but ours are on our event this weekend. We need more folks to help us with the Beer, Wine and Spirits area. Even if you have never volunteered for the Washington Wine Academy before...now is a great time to start. Hope to see you this weekend...Jim

The Washington Wine Academy is hosting the Beer, Wine & Spirits section of the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show taking place this coming weekend at Washington DC Convention Center (Metro accessible.)

We are seeking the assistance of a lot of folks for this event. We really need your support for this event in order for us to be successful.

What do you get? For working a four hour shift you will have a chance to taste up to 125 wines (now you understand why we had you spit in class!). Here is your chance to try a ton of wines from all around the World in one setting. A Washington Wine Academy tee shirt with the Top 10 Reasons to attend a WWA event. Attendance into the show floor ($20 value). And, you will receive our undying gratitude! Now is the time we could really use your support.

To sign up - email me back (jimbarker@washingtonwineacademy.org) with your choice of times(s) and day(s) below: If you are available for more than one shift, please let me know.

Visit the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show Site for more on this show at: http://www.metrocooking.com


The schedule for the Beer, Wine & Spirits area include: (Note - You must be 21 to work in this area).

Saturday - 11 AM to 4 PM
Saturday - 3 PM to 7 PM

Sunday - 11 AM to 3 PM
Sunday - 2 PM to 5 PM

I will email you back with specific details on the event after I receive your reply.

Cheers and we look forward to hearing from you on this soon.

Jim Barker, Washington Wine Academy

Local Artist preview

Check out local artist and style guru Ayanna Greaves’ new art collection. Wine, paintings, and jewlery. Nice. More info here:

http://www.studioayanna.com/previewnight.htm

6-8pm
926 N St NW

Let's Hug It Out Bitches

By now you have probably heard about the gay couple who were kicked out of Rite Aid at 13th and U for hugging. In response, a "hug-in" is planned for tonight. Meet at Nellie’s between 6 and 6:30 to organize and head over to the Rite Aid.

Nellie’s
U & 9th

Derrrrrr

Obvi you’ll be heading to the high heel drag races tonight BUT first you must go to the Big Hunt to drink for the children. “Come treat yourself to drink specials and support UNICEF in its mission to feed, immunize, and educate children through out the world. Afterwards follow me to the best drag races you will ever see (the kind that involves queens and high heels) at the starting line for the High Heel Races at P and 17th.” The $5 cover goes 100% to UNICEF. Hooray!


$5 Cover (100% goes to UNICEF)

From 5pm to 7pm enjoy:
1 OFF ALL DRINKS
$3 RAIL DRINKS
$2.50 HOUSE DRAFTS
THEN FROM 7-11 IT'S 15 CENT WING NIGHT!

The Chair of the Youth and Education Committee of the UNA-NCA Young Professionals for International Cooperation is hosting the event.

Last minute: Bill Bryson Tonight

Bill Bryson is at the Folger tonight at 7:30 to discuss his book “Shakespeare: The World as Stage.”

http://www.folger.edu/wordsonwill

Tickets are $12.

Make your reservations today

If you want to score a spot on the roof of Charlie Palmer’s on Thursday nights, you’ll need a reservation now. The happy hour is this- You can hang out on the roof (with an amazing view of the Capitol), eat free food, but buy somewhat pricey drinks. Call 202-547-8100 to reserve a spot for you and a friend and *both of you will be in business casual attire when you attend. It runs from 5-9.

101 Constitution NW

Don’t pack your lunch tomorrow

The Taco Bell Promotion “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco” is finally paying off. Since Jacony Ellsbury stole a base last week in the World Series, we all get a FREE taco (a whopping $.79 value!). Tomorrow from 2-5pm you can pick up the taco at your nearest Taco Bell. Oh and it’s a beef taco, so you if you don’t eat beef, it’s seems you are out of luck- which stinks.

Taco Bell locations:

220 Riggs Rd NE
Washington, DC

4221 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC

2020 WILSON BLVD
Arlington, VA 22201

4021 Bladensburg Rd
Colmar Manor, MD 20722

3500 E WEST HWY
Hyattsville, MD 20782

Movie Monday

Set during the Thirty Years’ War, Mother Courage and Her Children related the life of a woman and her three children. It’s a long movie (151 minutes) and in German (with English subtitles) so I wouldn’t recommend going if you’ve had a long day at work. It’s at the Goethe-Institut at 6:30pm. $6.

Goethe-Institut
812 7th St, NW

Mystery Beer

It’s Mystery Beer Night. For $25 you get 10 unlabeled beer tastings and dinner at the Hard Time Café in Bethesda. The game is to match the beer you’ve tasted to the official description provided. If you win, you get a prize. You should have reservations to attend. Call 301 951 3300.

4920 Delray Ave

Ms. Sandra

Tonight you can hear Sandra Day O’Connor at the Portrait Gallery. She’ll be sharing how she became the first female appointed to the Supreme Court. It’s free and starts at 7pm, but definitely plan on getting there when the doors open at 6:30pm.