The DC Traveler

In just under one year, on January 20th, 2009, failing a coup, revolution or a major legal battle over hanging chads, a new president will be taking the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
Thomas Jefferson was the first president to take the oath in Washington. And Andrew Jackson the first to use the steps of the Capitol Building for the ceremony.
Following the inauguration parade, higher level campaign workers, movers & shakers, fund raisers, fat-cat politicos, Hollywood types, and deep-pocket supporters of the winning candidate, get to attend one of formal inauguration balls …read more

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When you think of the best in American comedy, one name that must be included on the list is The Three Stooges. Whether you remember watching their slap-stick TV program on Sunday mornings or seeing their silly and often violent physical comedy in one of their movies on late-late-night television, they are an American treasure.  But no matter how hard they punched, smacked, poked or slapped their fellow Stooge, the pain magically and instantly disappeared.

Who can’t remember the classic eye-poke or the double face slap? Or a few of their classic lines lines heard over and over — “Nyuk Nyuk …read more

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Twentieth-century designer and architect Marcel Breuer (1902-1981) changed modern architecture and interiors. He even influenced “modern” furniture with several now classic designs.
His innovative aluminum and leather strap chair, designed in 1925, was very popular but not called the “Wassily” chain (named after the Italian manufacturer) until its re-release in the 1960s and again was exceptionally popular.  The chair is considered a modern classic.  The Cesca chair was probably copied more than any other chair in the 1970s and 80s, showing up in kitchens and dining rooms across America.
But designing buildings, homes, university buildings, corporate offices, churches, and museums …read more

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Celebrate La Saint-Valentin Day with your lover dancing the night away at the French Embassy,. Enjoy a sampling of bubbly French champagnes, wines and cognacs, exquisite pastries and a rich chocolate fountain.
Bid on special silent auction items from Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Jimmy Choo, Van Cleef and Moulin Rouge.  You’ll also have a chance to win a trip for two to Paris. Music spun by a DJ from DC’s Fly Lounge.
La Saint Valentin at the Embassy of FranceLa Maison Française 4101 Reservoir Road, NWWashington, DC 20007 (map it)
Date and Time - Thursday, Feb.14th, 2008  - 8:00 p.m. to Midnight
Tickets - …read more

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While it’s not a monument, it is a monument to words.  I like to think of the Library of Congress as the ultimate main branch library.

With more than 30 million books and one of the most extensive rare book collections, it was established as the congressional library in 1800. Its collections also includes over 5 million maps, a million government publications and more than a million newspapers covering America’s history for the past 300 years.
For the comic book fan, there’s even 6,000 comic books. For the book historian, a copy of the original Gutenberg Bible. And for the …read more

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On the heels of this week’s devastating local transportation announcement that the $5 billion, 23-mile Metro subway extension connecting Dulles Airport to the rest of Washington’s Metro system was unfit for federal funding; all three of Washington’s airports made the short list of top airports to experience the longest flight delays, the Washington Post reported.
This news will not sit well with frequent Dulles travelers, as Dulles Airport just opened an additional 15 gates, adding capacity to handle additional flights.
Dulles was listed as third worst airport for delays in the nation, behind only chronically delay-plagued Newark and New York’s JFK.  …read more

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If you are visiting Washington, DC and want to read something local, here’s a list of some of the more notable newspapers covering the DC area.
The Washington Post - Dating back to 1877, the Post is probably most noted for breaking the Watergate story which led to President Nixon’s resignation in 1974. With average daily circulation over 700,000, it’s DC’s and one of the nation’s most read and quoted daily papers. It is more left leaning then it’s smaller rival The Washington Times, but also presents the conservative side of many stories.  For travelers, the Friday Weekend section covers …read more

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The Disney movie, High School Musical was a mega hit. Now, its on the road with a live musical based on the movie.
Two high school kids, the super-smart Gabriella and Troy, the big man on campus and captain of the b-ball team meet at a ski lodge during Christmas break. During a karaoke contest, they a share a song and develop some chemistry. Soon afterwards, Gabriella transfers to Troy’s school. Detention, shyness, peer pressure, audition for the big school musical, teen awkwardness, social cliques, the big game and some home-baked cookies all eventually lead the two into each other’s …read more

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Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, (originally called Ten Little Indians) is considered the world’s best selling whodunit mystery, having sold over 100 million copies since 1939.
The story opens with ten visitors being invited to and visiting their unknown guest’s home on a remote island. Upon arriving, each person realizes they were tricked into coming, but have no way to return to the mainland.
After a couple guests are murdered, they realize that the murderer is one of them, dispensing their own form of sadistic justice.
Scotland Yard investigates but finds all ten guests dead, and must try to …read more

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In 1912, a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo was presented to the people of Washington, DC. Since then, the annual cherry blossom festival has been a reminder of the bond with Japan.
For two weeks at the Kennedy Center, you can enjoy Japan Culture + Hypreculture as it explodes with over 40 performances, 450 artists, lectures, cultural events, music and dance performances, anime and more. Plus, many of the events are free.
Some of the free events include:

Robots, robots and more robots at Robotopia Rising - Feb. 7–17, Mon. – Fri. 12:30–7:30, Sat. & Sun. 10–7:30. Free, …read more

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