sports

DC United’s New Home Has a Name – Audi Field, opening in 2018

By Prince Of Petworth

rendering
via DC United

From DC United:

“D.C. United announced Audi of America will be the naming partner of the new soccer-specific stadium in Southwest D.C., now officially named Audi Field.

“We are thrilled to partner with such an incredible brand that is not only recognized in North America, but throughout the world,” Jason Levien, United Managing General Partner, said. “Audi has transcended the automobile industry and fully embraced the culture of soccer, especially in MLS. We couldn’t think of a better partner to name our stadium and we look forward to forging extraordinary memories for years to come at Audi Field.” (more…)

“I wanted to give the Wizards a shout out”

By Prince Of Petworth

wizards
Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to give the Wizards a shout out here. They have been balling lately, and last night was an absolute thriller against the Cavaliers, defending world champions. The Wiz ultimately lost in overtime, breaking their streak of 17 straight home wins, but the atmosphere was electric and basketball fans around the country are starting to take notice of them being one of the top teams in the league.

The Wizards are largely overlooked in DC compared to the other three major sports teams, but if anyone is looking to join the bandwagon, now is the time. Tickets are generally cheap as long as they aren’t playing an elite team, and it’s a great escape for a few hours from everything else going on. Go Wiz.”

Watch the Super Bowl at Walters where 20% of Sales is Going to the ACLU

By Prince Of Petworth

walters

Ed. Note: Via email I’m told 20% of sales from Walters (3632 Georgia Ave, NW just south of the Petworth metro) will be donated to ACLU.

Also of note, from our friends at Red Derby:

“On Sunday, Feb. 5th we’ll be showing the Big Game on all three of the Derby’s big screens (downstairs and on deck!)

$6 Basket of Wings

Happy Hour from 5 – 8pm

and

a Can 4 a Can:
(during the first half of the game, bring a non-perishable can of food to be donated to DASH (District Alliance for Safe Housing — dashdc.org), and enjoy a Narragansett Lager donated by Narragansett Brewing Co.)”

red-derby
14th and Quincy Street, NW

The Debate – Where’s the Best Spot to Watch on Monday?

By Prince Of Petworth

debate
Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

Suggestions for best bars to watch the debate next Monday?”

Ed. Note: OP has some concerns that Monday Night Football could take precedence over the debate [for the record Meridian Pint will be showing the debate with sound.] Now I like football a lot but I would not miss this debate for anything short of the Superbowl. I’m sure most bars realize this too. So, for those going out, where will you watch?

“if we can’t raise $250,000 by December, the golf course will close”

By Prince Of Petworth

soldiers golf
courtesy AFRH Golf

Ed. Note: We had an interesting discussion about the golf course back in 2009.

“Dear PoPville,

The DOD pulled funding on the golf course on the Armed Forces Retirement Home and told its veteran residents and associate members that if we can’t raise $250,000 by December 2016, the golf course will close.

A group of veteran residents and associate members have banned together to try to raise the funds. Our hope is if we can reach this $250,000 goal in December we can open the course up to more members next season.”

The Washington Post reported:

“But the 128-acre oasis is losing money and senior Defense Department officials are debating whether to stop funding it, according to Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman.”

The new AFRH Golf website says:

“Until last year (2015), Golf Course maintenance operations were funded by the AFRH Trust Fund. This is no longer possible. By law, the AFRH, as a government entity, cannot solicit donation… But WE can!

Therefore, we Residents and associated members, through our AFRH-W Golf Club, are seeking donations to continue golf operations throughout the 2017 season while a permanent solution is in the process of being formulated. Without sufficient funds to guarantee the maintenance contract for the 2017 season, our golf course will close permanently after September 30, 2016- terminating our working plans and new membership drives that can support the golf course for the future.

We must produce at least $250,000 by December 15, 2016 to ensure the 2017 golf season.

Your contributions will directly impact all the men and women veterans of our Home, and will be deeply appreciated.”

“DC Embassies Weigh in on the UEFA Euro 2016 Championship”

By Prince Of Petworth

euro
Photo by PoPville flickr user Pablo Raw

Washington, DC Embassies Weigh in on the UEFA Euro 2016 Championship
By Christopher Teed of DC Embassy Events

The UEFA European Championship returns June 10th this year at venues across France. For those not familiar with the soccer tournament, it is hosted every 4 years in between World Cups, and currently features 24 teams who qualified from across Europe. This will be the third time France has hosted the event, hosting the inaugural event in 1960, and again in 1984. Spain, the current champions from 2012, has had the most success in the history of the tournament, winning 3 times, the same amount of titles as Germany. Having won the tournament the last time they hosted in 1984, France is the favorite this year, along with a strong German team.

This is also the first year that the UEFA European Championship has expanded from sixteen to twenty four teams, giving many more fans across Europe the chance to watch their beloved home sides. While there are some perennial favorites in the tournament, this season’s English Premier League champion Leicester City is evidence that anyone can win, however long the odds. We went to the foreign embassy staff here in Washington to get some insight into why they think their team can win the tournament this year.

Ambassador of Austria, HE Wolfgang A. Waldner: “Having competed numerous times in the FIFA world cup, it may come as a surprise that Austria has qualified for a EURO tournament for the first time ever! And what a resounding qualification it has been: With a commanding series of nine wins and one draw, Austria qualified without a single defeat in a very strong group. Furthermore, Austrian players were also hugely successful with their respective clubs: David Alaba won his fourth German Bundesliga title in a row with Bayern Munich, our team captain Christian Fuchs rose to fame with the unexpected English Premier League champion Leicester City, and Marc Janko and Aleksandar Dragovic won their leagues with Swiss FC Basel and Ukrainian Dynamo Kiev. These successes make Austria proud and prove how far we have come in recent years: From the modest FIFA ranking number 94 in 2007, Austria has risen like a Phoenix to the eleventh best team in the world today! Besides, not less than six players in Austria’s starting eleven have an immigrant background: With family roots in Angola, Bosnia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Serbia or Turkey, all our players grew up and flourished in Austria, serving as a perfect illustration of modern Austria: A multitude of religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds forming one pluralistic society. And this summer, we will grow even closer together with our shared goal: Winning the EURO 2016!”

Economic Information Officer, Embassy of Belgium, Bart Deelen: “Belgium can not only win Euro2016, they should be considered one of the favorites to do so. The current Belgian team is known as Belgium’s Golden Generation. And for good reason: with few exceptions, many of the players are stars with some of Europe’s top teams. (more…)

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