Don't go it alone

In these troubled economic times, free movies and cheap beer alone will not bring you financial stability (although it may make it temporarily easier to forget about). There's a ton of advice flurrying around out there, but if you don't have plans to buy a house any time soon and you're decades from retirement a lot of it isn't terribly relevant. Ramit Sethi's Save $1000 in 30 Days Challenge on the other hand is geared towards trimming everyday expenses but does "not include [outdated term for learning disabled] suggestions like 'Start a garden' or 'Buy day-old food from bakeries.'" So far he's only gotten through 5 tips but I think number 4 is one of the most helpful for young people: "Involve Your Friends in Your Savings Challenge." It's easy enough to say you'll save money on going out, but if you're the only one you know trying to do so you'll be pretty lonely. On the other hand, trying to get your friends on board will make it a lot easier to socialize without drinking away your budget, and you might even get people to rethink the dreaded group birthday dinner.

Free Makeup Consultations

Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8: Tim Quinn, a well-known celebrity makeup artist with Giorgio Armani, will be holding free group technique classes and personal makeup consultations by appointment only at the Chevy Chase Saks Fifth Avenue. The group classes will be lightly catered with Champagne, fruit, and cheese. For appointments, call 240-497-5206.

(from the Washingtonian)

Rob Riggle at Sixth & I

If you can't get enough of Rob Riggle's muscular idiocy on the Daily Show, mark your calendars- he'll be at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on February 19. Tickets here.

Election Night (Part 2)

If you have a pulse and a TV, chances are you're either sick to death of hearing about the election for the past two years, or so nervous about the results that if you can't distract yourself, you may get an ulcer. For those who want to get through Tuesday night without seeing a single red and blue map, here's a few non-election related activities. We can't guarantee, however, that you won't overhear someone whispering about the numbers from Ohio while furiously tapping on their iPhone.

Adams Morgan First Tuesdays: Restaurants and retailers in AdMo offer discounts on the first Tuesday of every month. Hit up Bourbon, Grill from Ipanema, or one of many other participants (scroll down a ways) with someone who promises not to address you as "my friend", and the two of you could eat and drink for just $25.

Tonic: It is both Wine Night- get a free bottle of wine with the purchase of two entrees and an appetizer- and Taco Night- 50 Cent Tacos and $ 4.00 Sam Adams Seasonal Draft. Sounds like a pretty great night either way.

Free Starbucks for voters

Bring proof that you voted-does the sticker count?-to Starbucks on Tuesday and you'll get a free tall coffee. Also, check out the heated debate in the comments section of the post linked below about whether the offer constitutes an illegal incentive to vote under California law. Nice to see that discussions like that happen outside D.C.

Starbucks Gossip: Vote on Tuesday and get a free tall brewed coffee from Starbucks

Leftover Turkey class

Target is already carrying Christmas decorations, which means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Make the most of the leftovers you scavenge from your parents' house with this class at the Tenley Whole Foods:

Wednesday, November 12th

7:00-8:15 p.m. |

• Turkey Stuffed Potato Cutlets - potato cutlets stuffed with leftover turkey and spices and cooked on a griddle
• Turkey Dhansak - a Persian dish that contains lentil soup with turkey pieces along with spices
• Turkey Keema - ground turkey with spices and green peas
• Spiced Rice Pilaf - an accompaniment to the Turkey dishes, this spiced rice pilaf is made with basmati white rice and whole spices.

Election Night (Part 1)

It seems like everyone in this city has to have a plan for watching the results come in on Election Night. Even trying your hardest to ignore it is a plan, although we'll tackle that later in the week. If you're looking for a festive atmosphere in which to watch John King play with his fancy map and maybe take the edge of the suspense with a cold one, here's a few spots.

Good Stuff Eatery Election Party: For the past month or so, GSE's been tallying the popularity of their McCain Burger(Monteray Jack Cheese, Chipotle Mayo and Red Pepper Corn Salsa) and
Obama Burger (Blue Cheese, Apple-Wood Bacon, Onion Marmalade and Horseradish Mayo). I don't know what Spike Mendelsohn's politics are, but I pity any candidate who's up against bacon. Vote with your taste buds, enter to win nosh for 10 at the "farm table", and check out a few as-yet-unspecified menu additions from 5:30 on.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue: Watch the results on a big screen, hear commentary from local pundits (where'd they scare those up?), eat some "all-American food", partake in the cash bar, and the clincher- take your picture with cardboard cutouts of the candidates. It's free (aside from the booze), but RSVP is required.

Darlington House: Spots in this event, sponsored by Yelp!, will probably go fast. Watch the election on the Maker's Mark "War Room"; the "Lobbyist Lounge" with Canadian Club drinks, free shoe shines and the like; and the Imperia Vodka "Inaugural Ballroom". RSVP to dc@yelp.com by October 31.

Free Films at Bus Boys and Poets

In conjunction with Nomandsland, an organization which promotes "Films that Matter" Bus Boys and Poets on the occasional Sunday will exhibit engaging international films, and often followed by a Q&A with the director. All films screening are FREE, although patrons of the movie are expected to be patrons at Bus Boys - but with food like that, who can complain?!

Upcoming films include:

The Unbreakables (China)
Sunday October 12, 2008
8pm

Kabul Ping Pong (Afghanistan)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
7pm

Life is Drama (Austria)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
6:30pm

Bus Boys and Poets
2021 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

(please see Gone Out DC calendar for additional information on each film)

Ever thought: "Yeah, I might go to the wax museum, if it was free!!"

Well, you practically can!

The Washingtonian revealed that the ongoing birthday celebration at Madame Tussauds allows you to skip the normal $20 entry fee, and with a mere rendition of the "happy birthday" song, you can enter the museum for $1.

Check out the possibilities here: http://www.madametussauds.com/washington/

Taste of Georgetown

I have to admit my ventures into Georgetown usually consist of the movie theater, the Anthropologie sale section, alright, alright, all the sale sections...and a favorite gelato spot. Aside from a post Dean & Deluca post-shopping snack, I RARELY eat in Georgetown. Granted, Georgetown is filled with renowned restauarants, but most of the then are a little too eminent for my wallet.

If you are the same way, and even if you aren't a great way to check out the many fabulous Georgetown restaurants is the upcoming Taste of Georgetown. Five dollars gets you one tasting and a complementary wine. If you spend $20, you can five tasting (all for the price of 4!). Participating restaurants include:

o 1789
o Agraria
o Baked & Wired
o Bangkok Joe's
o Café Bonaparte
o Chadwick's
o Clyde's
o Fahrenheit Restaurant
o Filomena Ristorante
o Hook
o J Paul's
o La Chaumiere
o Los Cuates
o Martin's Tavern
o Mendocino Grille
o Mie N Yu
o Morton's the Steakhouse
o Neyla
o Nick's Riverside Grille
o Old Glory BBQ
o Paolo's
o Ristorante Piccolo
o Rugby
o Sea Catch Restaurant
o Tacklebox
o Third Edition
o Tony & Joe's

Taste of Georgetown
Saturday, October 11, 2008
11am - 4pm