The DC Traveler

In the summer of 1987, Ray Manzo, Corporal U.S.M.C., wanted to try to show the country and the world that abandoned or unaccounted for American soldiers in Vietnam still mattered.
While walking near the Reflecting Pool near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he approached some veterans and asked them for help in hosting a motorcycle run on the National Mall to raise awareness and money for POW/MIA causes and to assist the families of veterans who were killed or were still missing in action.

The first Rolling Thunder® rally in 1988 drew 2,500 riders. This year, the annual event is expected …read more

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For the past 40 years, before each Memorial Day, army soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) honor America’s servicemen killed or wounded in action that are buried at Arlington National Cemetery by placing an American flag on each gravestone.
This tradition, called “flags in ” has been an annual activity since 1948. Flags are placed on more than 260,000 gravesites at Arlington for Memorial Day. After the three-day weekend, the flags are removed.
At the Tomb of the Unknowns you can watch one of the most dramatic and moving military ceremonies, the Changing of the Guard . Guards or …read more

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The Princeton Review has released its annual ”Best 361 Colleges” rankings. Based on a survey of 115,000 college students, in categories such as best party school, best professors, stuident life and acedecs, it lists the “best” schools in a variety of categories. And and
Several local universities made into the top five of various categories, but some categories are obviously better than others:

American University was voted #1 in the Most Politically Active category.
George Mason University was #2 in Diverse Student Population.
U.S. Naval Academy was #2 in Don’t Inhale (lowest marijuana use).
George Washington University was #5 in Most Politically Active.
Howard …read more

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Chicago’s legendary comedy theatre The Second City visits DC for what should be a hysterical comedy review. Start with some topical sketches, add some edgy improve, a dash of satire, and then stir things up by taking shots at everything sacred and anyone in public eye, and you’re sure to have a great laugh.
Performing since 1959, Chicago’s renowned comedy and improve group has been the training ground for some of America’s best comics, such as John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, George Wendt, Martin Short, John Candy, Chris Farley, Mike Myers and the list goes on.
When I lived …read more

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The U.S. Capitol Building, looking it’s best.

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Rodeo in DC? Well not actually in DC, but pretty darn close.
Experience the excitement of the real rodeo and watch 30 professional bull riders risk their life atop bucking bulls at the j Bar W Ranch. With bulls named Shock & Awe and Demolition Man, you’ll see why bull riding is often called the most terrifying eight seconds in sports.

Bull riding is considered the most dangerous extreme sport and riders experience serious injury more often than any other sport. Not only do rider need to stay on the back of a bucking bull for eight seconds to qualify, riders are …read more

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Beginning Feb. 1, 2008, smoking in any bar or restaurant throughout the state of Maryland will be illegal. DC banned smoking in all restaurants and bars beginning January 2nd of this year.
The Virginia legislature has continually refuse to pass a non-smoking bill for bars and restaurants in Virginia. And since Virginia’s is a Dillon Rule state, local counties and municipalities do not have the authority to ban smoking and must wait for Richmond and the Governor to pass any anti-smoking legislation. But with Virginia being the nation’s fourth largest producer of tobacco, it may be a while.
More than half of …read more

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Neo-Burlesque is a flashbaclk to the days of classic burlesque fating back to the first half of the 20th century. It’s a hodge-podge of bawdy humor, caberet, racy burlesque dancers (suggestive but non-nude striptease), side show performers such as fire eaters, sword sallowers, singers, jugglers, contortionists tied in with some audience participation — all in one show.
Le Scandal Burlesque is a New York-based group of performers that New York’s Village Voice asks the question, “One wonders why there isn’t a year-long waiting list to get a piece of this action.” At times bizarre and risqué at others funny and freaky. …read more

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In a recent survey of 2,500 drivers from 25 metropolitan cities who regularly commute were asked to rate rude drivers and the frequency of road rage in their city.
The Washington, DC metro area came in the number five spot, behind Miami, New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. I hate to agree, but we do have some drivers with “anger issues”. It seems driving in the DC region can be a bit competitive at times. I’m not sure why some drivers believe when they are stuck in total gridlock and moving at less than 3 mph, that driving aggressively will get them …read more

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With a twist on the classic Shakespeare version, the scene is India in the 1960s, and the Maharishi convinces three of his friends that they should give up all worldly pleasures for a period of three years in order to become more enlightened. Worldly pleasures also include the company of women.
Shortly after taking their pledge, an all-woman American rock band arrives in India to meet with the Maharishi. The men become enamored with the women and after much debate, decide to start courting them. The men realize that life without love is meaningless. Yet the strong and savvy women rebuffed the …read more

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