The folks at BYT tell us:

The Flugtag will launch in five cities across the country, including National Harbor’s Southpointe Waterfront, on September 21.

The requirements are simple: each team has one pilot and four people to aid in the takeoff. The craft must weigh no more than 400 lbs. (including the pilot) nor exceed a 28 ft. wingspan. Judges are looking for craftsmanship, creativity, and showmanship.

It’s free to enter, just fill out an online form and post sketch of your flying design.

From DC United:

The special DC Brau craft beer will be a unique, one-of-a-kind brew, crafted specifically for D.C. United and its fans to enjoy. One thousand gallons of the beer will be produced and will be made available exclusively at participating D.C. United official bar partners and at the DC Brau Brewing Company.

While the beer is currently without a name, the two have partnered to launch a contest giving D.C. United fans the opportunity to name the new brew. Fans can submit their suggestions online.

The brew is planned to become available for order on June 11.

Beer Specifications

Classification: Ale
Approx. ABV: 4.5-5.0%
IBU’s: 15
Hops: U.S. Fuggle, U.S. Cascade
Malts: Pale, CaraPils

“Dear PoPville,

For those of us who are boxing fans, there’s a big fight (Mayweather-Guerrero) on Saturday. I’m curious what bars in the city are showing it, what their cover is, etc?”

I know Buffalo Billiards is showing it in Dupont for a $10 cover. Anyone else know who’s showing the fight?

From a press release:

Washington National Opera celebrates its fifth season of free opera simulcasts at Nationals Park with the M&M’S® Opera in the Outfield performance of the American classic Show Boat on Saturday, May 18. Gates open at 5 p.m. for “pregame” activities for the entire family. Show Boat will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the high-definition screen at the ballpark at 7 p.m. Free seating will be available on the outfield grass and in the stands. Registration, including a chance to win prizes, is now open at OperaintheOutfield.org

From a press release:

Ten new members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame will be honored prior to the Washington Nationals series finale against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, April 28 at Nationals Park. This year, the renowned sports club will enshrine the following inductees:

o Elgin Baylor – Former NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer
o Bobby Beathard – Former General Manager, Washington Redskins
o Dave Bing – Former NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer
o *Maurice “Maus” Collins – Former Head Football Coach, Archbishop Carroll & Gonzaga High Schools
o Mike Gartner – Former Player, Washington Capitals
o Phil Hochberg – Former Stadium Announcer, Washington Senators & Washington Redskins
o *George Michael – Celebrated WRC Sportscaster
o *Sam Rice – Former Player, Washington Senators
o Bob Wolff – Sports Broadcasting Pioneer
o Willie Wood – Former Green Bay Packer and Pro Football Hall of Famer

* Inducted Posthumously

These honorees were selected based on their outstanding contributions to the world of sports, thereby bringing honor and recognition to the Nation’s Capital while furthering the high standards of athletics in the Greater Washington community. They will join a select group of Washington-area standout athletes and sports personalities, including Sammy Baugh, James Brown, Dominique Dawes, Josh Gibson, Walter Johnson, Sonny Jurgensen, Morgan Wootten and many others, already in the DC Sports Hall of Fame.

Each new inductee will receive a Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame plaque commemorating their induction during the pregame ceremony, and their names will be added to the large Hall of Fame display at Nationals Park, located on the side of Garage B facing the field.

A couple weeks ago we learned about this awesome gift. The groundbreaking is tomorrow:

Children and Adams Morgan community members will celebrate the ground breaking of the new UAE- Manchester City Field in the heart of the Adams Morgan along with senior diplomats from the UAE and the US, and local senior DC government officials.

The field will be a gift to the community by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Washington, and English Premier League Champions Manchester City Football Club’s City Soccer in the Community program.

For those interested in attending the event starts at 18th Street, NW & Wyoming Avenue, NW; 3:30pm on April 2nd.

From Mt. Pleasant. I’m just about recovered from last year. Let’s go Nats – this is our year!

Over the past few months (and years really) there have been lots of discussions about the controversy over the use of the name Redskins. Most recently a few folks sent me links to the article Bill in Congress challenges Redskins trademark:

Legislation was introduced Wednesday that would cancel the NFL team’s trademark of the term “redskin.” The bipartisan bill comes as a federal trademark panel considers a petition brought by a group of young American Indians who say the Washington football team should not be allowed to trademark its name because it is offensive.

Friends of mine know that I’ve been wrestling with this question for a few years now. But it seems to me that it is no longer a matter of if, rather, it has simply become a matter of when the name will be dropped. Back in the good old 90s I attended Miami University of Ohio. At that time our nickname was the Miami Redskins. My senior year the student body was polled to see if we wanted to keep the name or drop it. I think 98% voted to keep the name. Nevertheless the next year 1997 the name was switched to the Miami Redhawks. There was no student uprising as result. None of my fellow alumni friends think any less of the school because of the name change. We all still root for the Redhawks. Damn you Boston University…

Looking back it now seems obvious that the university made the right decision unilaterally changing the name. I think when the Washington Redskins one day change their name, we will also look back and say it was the right thing to do. Most people I talk with feel the same way.

So for today’s FQotD – when do you think it will actually happen? Will it only happen when the courts/Congress make them change it? Realistically how many years away do you think it will be?

Well this is pretty awesome. Thanks to a reader for sending from the Friends of Marie Reed School & Park:

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, and the English Premier League soccer club Manchester City, have agreed to build a new soccer pitch in the park adjacent to Marie Reed Elementary School. The work will be done through Manchester City Football Club’s US-based non-for-profit City Soccer in the Community. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend a 10-15 minute presentation at 7PM on March 27th inside Marie Reed Elementary School. Work will begin on the field on April 2nd.

The Marie Reed field is located behind the tennis courts at 18th Street and Wyoming Avenue, NW.

Congrats to Robert Griffin III for winning the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award!