Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu
In 2010 it was awesome. Looks like viewing the World Cup at Dupont Circle is coming back for 2014 (knock wood, knock wood) – @AaronDeNu tweets:
“Officially announced intentions to bring World Cup Soccer to Dupont Circle @ #ANC2B. FIFA paperwork submitted & NPS arrangements underway…”
Ed. Note: USA! USA! and if USA doesn’t advance – Allez Les Bleus!!
Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99
From a press release:
“The Washington Nationals are looking for outgoing and energetic personalities to be a part of the team’s entertainment crew for the 2014 season. Beginning this week, the Nationals are accepting applications for the NatPack, the Racing Presidents and the Ball Girl squad. Fans across the Nation’s Capital have until Friday, January 3, 2014 to apply for these seasonal positions by visiting the Job Opportunities section on nationals.com or checking out www.teamworkonline.com.
NATPACK
The NatPack is a quintessential part of the Nationals fan experience at the ballpark and around the District. NatPack duties include interacting with fans, distributing promotional items, motivating the crowd, facilitating entertainment with live, on-screen interactive features, and other duties as assigned. Qualified candidates must:
· Have prior experience performing in front of and entertaining large crowds
· Have strong interpersonal skills with a positive, energetic personality
· Be available to work all Nationals home games and outside appearances as needed, including days, nights, weekends and holidays
RACING PRESIDENTS
Fans with presidential aspirations are encouraged to audition to fill the shoes of George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and Bill. Beyond participating in the traditional GEICO Presidents Race, the Presidents interact with fans by posing for photos, signing autographs and appearing at select events across the region. Qualified candidates must:
· Be between 5’7″ and 6’6″ in height
· Be able to run while wearing costume weighing approximately 45 lbs
· Be able to run from right field to home plate (approximately 200 yards)
· Be available to work roughly 40 percent of the Nationals home games
The Racing Presidents application process is threefold: in addition to applying online, candidates must answer a short questionnaire before select applicants are invited to take part in a live audition in January. Tryouts will take place regardless of weather conditions and additional details will be released in the coming weeks.
BALL GIRLS
This position necessitates a strong knowledge of baseball, as candidates are required to field both fair and foul balls and know the difference between the two, among other assigned duties. In addition, qualified candidates must:
· Have strong interpersonal skills with a positive, energetic personality
· Have strong communication and public relations skills
· Be athletic (softball experience a plus)
· Be punctual and reliable, and available to work days, nights, weekends and holidays
· Be at least 18 and a resident of the Greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area”
18th Street, NW and Wyoming Avenue, NW
UPDATE:
“We’ve had one scheduling change that I wanted to share. Unfortunately, John Harkes is no longer able to attend, but we’ll have three players from DC United joining the field dedication – Conor Shanosky, Ethan White, and Jared Jeffrey.”
From an email:
“NOVEMBER 7 [10:00 AM event starts]: ADAMS MORGAN COMMUNITY SCORES BIG WITH NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SOCCER FIELD AT MARIE REED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MAYOR VINCENT GRAY AND 250 LOCAL KIDS TO DEDICATE THE FIELD, A GIFT FROM THE UAE EMBASSY AND CITY SOCCER IN THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM
FORMER US MENS NATIONAL TEAM SOCCER CAPTAIN JOHN HARKES AND LOCAL SOCCER PARTNERS TO PROVIDE KIDS CLINIC
WHAT
Dedication and opening event for kids of Marie Reed Elementary School and the Adams Morgan community who will receive a brand new, all-season state-of-the-art soccer field and other site amenities.
Local children and members of the Washington, DC community, along with senior diplomats from the UAE and key DC government officials, will celebrate the opening of the new approximately $1.5 million field located in the heart of the Adams Morgan.
Following the dedication ceremony, students will participate in a soccer clinic led by coaches from City Soccer in the Community and players and coaches from area soccer programs, including both youth clubs and local universities.
Washington, DC will be the fifth US city to receive the gift of a soccer field and coaching from the UAE Embassy and City Soccer in the Community. Fields have also been built in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Hass Park neighborhood of Chicago, East Los Angeles and Miami. An ongoing youth coaching program at the new field will also be provided.
WHO
· His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US
· Vincent C. Gray, Mayor, District of Columbia
Principal Eugene Pinkard, Marie Reed Elementary School
John Harkes, Former US Men’s National Soccer Team Captain
Brian Hanlon, Director of Department of General Services
· 250+ Students of Marie Reed
· Players and coaches from Georgetown University, American University, U-DC Men’s Soccer programs
· Washington, DC area kids and parents”
From an email:
“The DCCX cyclocross bike race takes place this Sunday, October 20th at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (Rock Creek Church Road at Upshur St, NW). With over 700 racers already registered, DCCX will once again be one of the biggest cyclocross races in the country.
The day of racing begins at 8:15am and concludes with a “Rookie” race at 5:15pm. The course is centered around the fish pond on the lower grounds of the Soldier’s Home. It is a great course for spectators as racers are visible from almost any point on the course. There will also be a kids race course available throughout the day.
Come on out and enjoy food from Baja Fresh, PORC mobile, the DC Dutch Club as well as fresh coffee from Petworth’s own Qualia Coffee. Staples Corner Liquors, based in Crofton, Md., will be on site serving beer from Oskar Blues brewery.
Raleigh bicycles has donated a pro level Raleigh RXC Pro Disc cyclocross frameset (MSRP $2,000) which will be raffled off in the afternoon. Raffle tickets will be $5 and can be purchased at the race. Proceeds from the raffle and from DCCX will be donated to Friends of the Soldier’s Home, a neighborhood group that works to bring the Soldier’s Home residents together with the surrounding community.
Families and dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed. Free parking is available, but will be limited. Walking or biking onto the grounds is recommended. The weather looks to be sunny and in the mid-60s. Should be a beautiful day of bike racing and fun.
DCCX is organized by DCMTB, Washington DC’s only mountain bike team. We hope to see you on Sunday.”
Following is the full letter from Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder emailed to season ticket holders yesterday:
“To Everyone in our Washington Redskins Nation:
As loyal fans, you deserve to know that everyone in the Washington Redskins organization – our players, coaches and staff – are truly privileged to represent this team and everything it stands for. We are relentlessly committed to our fans and to the sustained long-term success of this franchise.
That’s why I want to reach out to you – our fans – about a topic I wish to address directly: the team name, “Washington Redskins.” While our focus is firmly on the playing field, it is important that you hear straight from me on this issue. As the owner of the Redskins and a lifelong fan of the team, here is what I believe … and why I believe it.
Like so many of you, I was born a fan of the Washington Redskins. I still remember my first Redskins game. Most people do. I was only six, but I remember coming through the tunnel into the stands at RFK with my father, and immediately being struck by the enormity of the stadium and the passion of the fans all around me.
I remember how quiet it got when the Redskins had the ball, and then how deafening it was when we scored. The ground beneath me seemed to move and shake, and I reached up to grab my father’s hand. The smile on his face as he sang that song … he’s been gone for 10 years now, but that smile, and his pride, are still with me every day.
That tradition – the song, the cheer – it mattered so much to me as a child, and I know it matters to every other Redskins fan in the D.C. area and across the nation.
Our past isn’t just where we came from—it’s who we are. (more…)
The new soccer field by Marie Reed at 18th Street, NW and California Avenue, NW is starting to take shape. Looks like it’ll be artifical turf:
Here’s how it looked in April:
Well, never thought I’d be quoting TMZ but this is crazy:
“Our sources say a stripper named Sweet Pea is the one who hit Jacoby [Jones] with a gigantic Ace of Spades bottle and this may have triggered the brawl.”
The story says the fight took place on a party bus outside Opera Ultra Lounge at 1400 I Street, NW.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Paul Sirajuddin
From USAToday:
“Washington D.C. knows a little about elections and this time it thinks it has a winning bid. On Tuesday, the organizing committee formally announced its intention to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.
DC 2024 estimates that the cost of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games will be between $4 and 6 billion using existing stadiums in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.”
Anyone know how much of the $4-$6 billion DC would be accountable for? But for today’s Friday Question of the Day – do you think DC/MD/VA would be a good host for the Summer Olympics?
Great news this morning from ESPN:
“Quarterback Robert Griffin III will start the Washington Redskins’ opener on “Monday Night Football” Sept. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles, sources close to the quarterback said Wednesday.
Griffin has practiced the past two weeks without any setbacks to his surgically repaired knee and is coming off his best week of work yet.”
Thanks to a reader for sending. The soccer field is located across from Powell Elementary on Upshur Street between 13th and 14th.