Photo by PoPville flickr user Obvy09
Yesterday we learned about DC and today comes the good news for the feds. Tweeted by WTOP:
“BREAKING: Federal departments and agencies are closed Monday by Executive Order. All but essential employees are off.”
Festival
Photo by PoPville flickr user jennverr
Dear PoPville,
Does anyone have recommendations on good streets/neighborhoods, etc. with nice Christmas lights displays? We are planning on going to the zoo and the Bishop house, but just checking in case anyone knows of a good area in DC. Thank you!
From an email:
If you are trying to fight off the winter chill with a chilled beverage of your own and partake in a bit too much “mystery punch” or adult eggnog over the Holiday season, stay safe and call SoberRide!
Together with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) SoberRide initiative, AT&T is proud to provide free taxi rides (up to $30) to anyone over 21 in the greater Washington, DC area nightly from 10pm until 6am starting tomorrow, December 14th, through New Year’s Day.
AT&T customers can call #WRAP to get a safe, free ride home, while others can dial 800-200-8294 (TAXI).
For those who’ve had difficultly getting a cab through the SoberRide program – here’s another option from Drivers Incorporated:
Drivers Incorporated’s mission is to provide a great, fully vetted driver for anyone who would like to ride in the comfort of their own car. We know that our customers rely on us, day and night. Our dependable drivers are there for you when you need them, and are committed to providing a reliable and professional service for everyone. Let us be your Designated Driver.
Learn more about the program here.
Photo by PoPville flickr user ARealSidler
From DDOT:
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has provided the following information associated with the National Christmas Tree Lighting and Jingle All the Way 8K Race. In conjunction with these events, there will be several street closures and parking restrictions that motorists should take into consideration.
2012 National Christmas Tree Lighting
On Thursday, December 6, 2012, the ceremony for the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree is scheduled to take place from 4:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the Ellipse near the White House.
Road Closures:
Beginning at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2012, through the completion of the ceremonies there will be no northbound or southbound traffic allowed on the following streets:
15th Street, NW, between E Street/ Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, NW.
17th Street, NW, between Constitution Avenue and New York Avenue, NW.
Info on Jingle All The Way 8K Race after the jump. (more…)
From an email:
The lighting ceremony will be Saturday, December 1st at 6:30pm at the Civic Plaza with students caroling and hot beverages. This year in addition to the tree lighting ceremony our partner, Collaborate to Impact, and several local restaurants are organizing multi-site happy holiday hours to raise funds for three nonprofits serving our area. Tickets for the happy hours can be purchased ahead of time for $20 at participating restaurants, Latin American Youth Center or at CTI’s website. You can also purchase tickets at the ceremony for $25. For more information people can check out facebook.com/
chtreelighting or email us at [email protected].
Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80
The High Heel Race website says:
The High Heel Race is one of Washington, DC most unique events with a rich history of “Crossing The Line Since 1986”. On the Tuesday before Halloween, thousands of spectators pack the Dupont Circle Neighborhood to watch hundreds of costumed drag queens show off their extravagant outfits and race down Historic 17th Street, NW.
Location: 17th Street, between P and S Streets NW near Dupont CircleRace Time: Begins at 9 p.m. Participants and spectators gather as early as 6 p.m.
MPD shares road closures for the event:
The Metropolitan Police Department wishes to inform the public and members of the media about street closures that will be in affect in conjunction with the 26th Annual High Heel Race scheduled for Thursday November 1, 2012. The following streets will be closed beginning at 6:30 pm and are expected to reopen by 11:00 pm:
17th Street, NW – from P Street to S Street, NW
Q Street, NW – from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
R Street, NW – from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
Corcoran Street, NW – from 16th to 18th Street, NW
Church Street, NW – from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
Riggs Street, NW – from 16th Street to 17th Street, NW
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
From Columbia Heights Day:
More than 12,000 people are expected for this community festival featuring live music, food trucks and more than 60 local businesses and nonprofits. There is also a KidsZone activity area for families with a petting zoo, games, arts and crafts and special performances.
WHAT: 6th Annual Columbia Heights Day
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 am to 6 pm
WHERE: Tubman Elementary Field, 11th & Kenyon St. NWMain Stage:
10 am – QuietMind Yoga workshop
11:30 am – Tara Trinity
12:15 pm – Organized Disruption
1:15 pm – Dyverse City
2 pm – Cupcake eating contest.
3 pm – The Chariots
4 pm – Black MasalaKidsZone Stage:
1 pm – Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project
1:30 pm – DanceEthos Modern Dance Company
2 pm – BloomBars presents, Ella
2:30 pm – DancePlace presents, Youth Step Group
3 pm – School of Rock
11th and Park Rd, NW
From Meridian Pint:
I would like to welcome you all to Oktoberfest in Columbia Heights. As we approach the end of the 16 day celebration known around the world as Oktoberfest, Meridian Pint will be celebrating with our first annual Oktoberfest Neighborhood Festival. Traditionally ending on the first weekend of October, we have chosen October 6th to host this block party style event in conjunction with this years Columbia Heights Day Festival.
Included in this celebration will be The Edelweiss Band, a dog show, a moon bounce, face painters, several local farming vendors as well as a charity dunk tank. The charity dunk tank proceeds go to benefit the Harriet Tubman Elementary School and will provide an opportunity to dunk some of your favorite local business owners and managers. Additionally, Meridian Pint will host a large adults only outdoor beer garden featuring 6 German Oktoberfest beers while indoors we’ll have nearly 24 American Oktoberfest beers all paired with authentic bratwursts from our outdoor grill.
Enjoy a wonderful day of festivities up and down 11th Street while celebrating the tradition of Oktoberfest. 11th Street will be closed from Park Street to Monroe Street for this family friendly festival so be sure to come hungry and thirsty.
Event Date: Saturday, October 6
Event time: Noon to 6pm
Meridian Pint hours: Noon to 3am
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Jack Van Paepeghem works at Meridian Pint and is a Certified Cicerone® You can read his previous post about homebrewing here.
In America, Oktoberfest unfortunately resides in the category of celebrations like Saint Patrick’s Day or Cinco de Mayo where history falls to the wayside and the focus of the festivities is getting wasted on indiscriminate beer and booze while mocking traditional garb and customs. Fortunately I’m here to judge the beer found in those ridiculously massive and tacky boot glasses and not the people wielding them. In fact, Oktoberfest was originally dedicated to the celebration of the marriage of Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Bavaria in the year 1810. The celebration included horse races, brass bands, food aplenty, and beer, of course, in the expansive fairgrounds known as “die Wiesn.” The ceremonial tapping of the cask which kicks off the party has even historically determined the political attitudes toward the Mayor of Munich based on his success in letting the beer flow properly to the people. But the beer in the cask has not always been what we know as “Oktoberfest” beer.
You may remember the story of how the German Pilsner came to being by modeling itself after its slightly older Czech brother in the year 1842. Well, the evolution of German Oktoberfest beers begins just one year earlier in Vienna, Austria where brewer Anton Dreher had begun making toasty amber beer by using British-devised pale malting techniques and employing a clean bottom fermenting yeast which leaves some residual caramel sweetness. This was the birth of the style known as “Vienna Lager;” try the Devils Backbone version for a spot on interpretation of the style or Elliot Ness by Great Lakes Brewing Company for a hoppier and higher alcohol version. But here’s where it gets tricky. Dreher was working with Gabriel Sedlymayer of Munich’s Spaten brewery and the two decided to cold condition, or, lager, the beer in caves during summer months which would be ready to drink by late September to October. The beer was referred to as “Märzen” because it was brewed in March and contained a slightly higher alcohol content to preserve it through the summer months.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw
Thanks to all who uploaded so many great photos of Fiesta DC (and all the other great festivals) from over the weekend.
For fans of Fiesta DC – how did this year’s downtown compare to previous year’s in Mt. Pleasant?
Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu
Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi
Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi
From a press release:
Barracks Row Main Street Capitol Hill is hosting this year’s Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The festival now ten years old, opens at 11a.m. and closes at 5p.m. [8th Street, SE south from Pennsylvania Ave by Eastern Market Metro]
This year’s festival includes:
Military Chefs Cook-Off – all branches of the US armed forces, including the White House, compete for Top Chef trophy awarded by Commandant of the Marine Corps.
DC State Fair joins Barracks Row Fall Festival this year showcasing several competitions including Funkiest-looking Vegetable Grown in DC, Best Home Brew, Best Bike Accessory, Best Pie, etc.
Marines from the past – meet a dozen Marines dressed in uniforms from Revolutionary War to today’s desert camo. Let them tell you how those wars were fought!
For the kids – petting zoo, art, crafts, and contests – don’t miss the pumpkin seed spitting event! Cartoons at the renovated Meader Theater (National Community Church) run all day long.
Aerialists from The Trapeze School New York perform on yards of bright silk at tree top height.
At 1:30 p.m. 16 members of all-girl Island Band, Batala, drums up the spirit of the Caribbean.
At 2:00 pm meet the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders for autographs and photo-op!
At 2:30 p.m. at main stage swing band, Blue Sky brings back the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey; free dance instruction, too.
The Georgetown Chimes, arrive on stage at 3:30 p.m. for acapella concert.
The Home of the Commandant and Marine Barracks Washington open for docent- lead tours from noon until 4:00 p.m.