The DC Traveler

Sure, Washington, DC may be a bustling metropolis and the center of democracy, but just an hour or so north of town, in Timonium, Maryland,  you can enjoy all that local farmers and ranchers have to offer, at the Maryland State Fair.
There are so many things to do at the Fair, so here’s the short list:

Pig races
Rodeo complete with bull riding
Watch a chainsaw sculptor in action
Travis Tritt in concert (Aug. 29),
Walk around the animal pens and see thousands of animals from alpacas to dairy cattle, chickens to baby lambs
Decadent chocolate contest
Horse and dog …read more

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Washington, DC’s museum of the news, The Newseum, is offering free admission to children (3 kids get in free with each paid adult) for the rest of August.  That’s a $13.00 savings per child.
Newseum 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20001 (map it )
Dates and Times – Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tickets – Free admission for children through August 31, 2008.
Adults – $20.00, Seniors – $18.00 less, kids 7-13 $13.00, under 7 free.  Date and time specific tickets are available online, at the door or by calling 1-888-639-7386.   …read more

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Les Misérables, one of Broadway’s longest running shows and Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, is coming to Wolf Trap, in suburban Washington, DC.
Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, it tells the tale of Jean Valjean, a criminal by circumstance,  in pre-revolutionary Frances.. Sentenced to jail for stealing bread to feel his starving family, after 19 years on a chain gang, he is released on parole.
He breaks his parole after attempting to find honest work, and steals pieces of silver from church, only to be saved from the police by the priest he robbed.
The incident profoundly changes Valjean …read more

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I love donuts.  I think it’s a genetic thing.  I try to avoid them, but I have a weakness for them, a BIG weakness.
My father would start his day picking up fresh donuts just about every morning. If for some reason the shop was closed, or had run out of his favorites, his day was pretty much ruined.
Unlike most donut shops, the Fractured Prune Donut Shoppe lets you create your own.
You can select from 14 donut glazes including classics such as chocolate and maple, but some unique ones as well – banana, orange, raspberry, peanut butter, blueberry, mocha, and even …read more

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The National Building Museum is usually not on most visitor’s must see list, but I think it should be.  It’s worthy of a quick walk through, mostly for the building’s architecture and massive columns. Also, if you’ve dragged very young children from museum to museum who might need a bit of “playtime”, check out the Building Zone.
The museum has four main galleries.

A great retrospective of architect Eero Saarinen – designer of Dulles Airport terminal, the classic TWA Flight Center at New York’s JFK Airport and the St. Louis Arch (Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). Through Aug. 23, 2008.
Cityscapes Revealed – …read more

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Be prepared for long lines during the exceptionally popular lunch hour (at times, close to an hour) at The Italian Store in suburban Arlington, Virginia.
It’s a Mecca for hungry lunchtime diners who flock to this Italian sandwich deli landmark, that’s been serving lovers of authentic Italian sandwiches since 1980.
The small Italian market and sandwich shop does a booming lunchtime business, thanks to its dozen-plus Philly-style sub sandwiches ($ 6.19-$ 7.69).  The sandwiches come in two sizes and are served on soft or hard Italian style rolls, along with sweet or hot peppers, lettuce, onions, oregano, and their own special …read more

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America’s first President, George Washington, was a whiskey maker. 
During the American Revolution, run was the alcohol drink of choice. Around 90% of the alcohol consumed by the American colonies was British rum, imported from the West Indies.
In the 1790s, whiskey was quickly becoming the alcohol of choice for Americans, moving rum from the number one spot, mostly due to a higher cost for the British impost and, partly from a sense of nationalistic pride (whiskey was made locally, using American grain).
As a result in the change of taste,  thousands of distilleries were built  by 1800, but most were small operations …read more

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Labor leader Samuel Gompers was the president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), for 38 years, after he first founded the labor federation in 1886.
It consisted mostly of skilled labor craft unions. While active, the AFL fought for better pay, safer working conditions, and more worker or union control over jobs.
Early in its history, it help organize or fund new unions, including the United Brotherhood of Teamsters and American Federation of Musicians unions.
In 1955, the AFL merged with the CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations), to form the AFL-CIO.
A total of 61 major unions are part …read more

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The National Firearms Museum in suburban Fairfax, Virginia tells the history of firearms, from the earliest Match and Wheel Lock muskets, first introduced to the New World in the 17th century by the Spanish, to modern day hunting, target, military and collector’s weapons.
And America’s history is steeped in gun and firearms history.  The firearm played important roles throughout history, starting with the initial settlement of the New World.  Events such as the American Revolution, major wars and minor battles, the rise of organized crime in the 1920s, and law enforcement’s response would have never occurred.
The museum has one of …read more

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Join the good King Phillipe and his marry men for dinner and a jousting tournament at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in a medieval castle-like setting.
Besides a jousting tournament on a large, indoor field where the regally attired knights compete for the hand of the beautiful princess, watch and cheer for your favorite knight as they test their skills in swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and displays of horsemanship.
You dine on long tables while the Medieval Times knights joust and pummel each other with swords, maces, lances and the alabardas. But be prepared to eat with your hands, as no silverware is provided. 
The meal, …read more

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