A few of the model railroad layouts include themed displays including a huge 40 foot by 50 foot display, along with close to a dozen other major displays  from Washington, DC area model railroad clubs, representing all kinds of different themes. 

Plus, there’ll be an interactive slot car track and a train layout made exclusively out of Legos. 

For the smaller children, take them on the Train on Time, a riding train just for kids.

And if you didn’t find that special model railroad gift you were hoping for this Christmas, expect many vendors selling all kinds of model railroad gear.

The Greenberg Train & Toy Expo
Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Center
Chantilly, VA  (map it)

Dates and Times – Saturday and Sunday, December 27-28, 2008.  10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily.

Tickets – Adults – $7.00,  children 11 and under free. Admission is good for both days. Tickets are available at the door. 

Parking – Free.

Images – Flickr – station, Santa Fe

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Here’s the second part of the listings of official and unofficial Inaugural Balls in Washington, DC, that will be celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United State, Barak Obama.

Here’s the list for January 20, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the first list of inaugural balls, (on January 19), was posted on The DC Traveler, yesterday. Click here to link to the other post.

Again, the availability of tickets may change daily.  Even if inaugural balls are sold out, waiting list or returned tickets may be available.

• American Indian Inaugural Ball   
  Hyatt Regency Crystal City
  2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
  Arlington, VA 22202
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 -7:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $110
• The George Washington University Inaugural Ball
  Omni Shoreham Hotel
  2500 Calvert Street, NW at Connecticut Ave.
  Washington, DC 20008
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $100 (SOLD OUT)
• Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball
  Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  1330 Maryland Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC 20024
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $200 (SOLD OUT) 
• New Jersey Inaugural Ball
  Washington Court Hotel
  525 New Jersey Ave., NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $100
• Pennsylvania State Society Inaugural Gala   
  Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC
  1150 22nd Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20037
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $150
• State Society of Arizona Inaugural Ball   
  Historical Society of Washington, DC
  1307 New Hampshire Ave NW
  Washington, DC 20036
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009, 9:00 p.m.
  Tickets: $175, $300 per couple

Images – Flickr – sign, ball gown
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Post from: The DC Traveler

So many, that I am splitting up the information I have been able to find into two post, one for January 19, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the second (tomorrow) for Inaugural Balls on January 20th.

Ticket availability changes by the day.  Some ball tickets will be available online from the inaugural ball committee.  Other inaugural balls are sold out, but check the ball sites as they may have a waiting list or returned tickets.  To find tickets to sold out balls, check with reputable ticket brokers and sites such as Craigslist for tickets.  But be careful of scalpers and con-artists selling fake inaugural ball tickets.

Most balls are formal black tie events, with live music and dancing.

Let’s start with what is expected to be the most attended balls, the most expensive and one that we have to assume President Obama will spend more time at than any other ball, the ball of his home state, the Illinois Inaugural Gala.

• The Illinois Inaugural Gala  
  Renaissance Washington DC
  999 9th Street, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $500 dinner, reception and gala ball, $400 ball only

There’s another group of official inaugural balls, that include the Commander-in-Chief Ball, Constitution Ball, Democracy Ball, Freedom Ball, Independence Ball, Liberty Ball, Patriot Ball, Stars and Stripes Ball, and the Texas Wyoming Ball.

Here’s a list of some of the unofficial state society balls.

• Arkansas State Society Inaugural Gala
  Washington Court Hotel
  525 New Jersey Ave, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – e-mail or call C. Glen Mahone at 202-329-6711 or C.Glenn.Mahone@aerojet.com
• Pearl Presidential Inaugural Gala
  Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  1330 Maryland Ave., SW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets- $250 (SOLD OUT)
• North Carolina Society Inaugural Ball
  Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
  2660 Woodley Road, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $150
• Kentucky Society Bluegrass Ball   
  Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
  2660 Woodley Rd, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 6:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $191

Images – band, Obama
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Post from: The DC Traveler

According to the Talmud, after a large-scale revolt and victory of the Jews over the Hellenistic empire (about 165 BC), the alter at the Temple in the old city of Jerusalem was rededicated. On that day, there was enough holy oil to keep the eternal flame burning for just one day. But the flame burned for eight days and nights, enough to produce a new batch of holy oil.

An eight day festival was declared to commemorate the miracle.

The event on the National Mall includes music by the Three Cantors.  Hot Latkes and doughnuts will also be served.

Nation Menorah Lighting Ceremony
The Ellipse
1600 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC‎  (map it)

Dates and Times – Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

Admission - FREE, but tickets are required.

Nearest Metro Subway Stations – Metro Center, Federal Triangle and McPherson Square, than a short walk to the Ellipse, or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Limited street parking is available, especially during rush hour.

Image – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

With multiple city/national themes, including London, Austria, Mexico City, Rio, San Juan, and even Amsterdam’s Red Light District (no, not what you might be thinking… actually it’s an R-rated comedy show), this New Year’s Eve party, complete with with 3,000 guests, features all kinds of fun music and activities, including:

• Open Bar and Buffet
• Nine Themed Party Areas
• Multiple Dance Floors , including DC’s Largest Ballroom
• Midnight Balloon Drop
• Live Orchestra, Swing Band, Salsa Band and Mariachis, plus DJs
• Salsa, Meringue, Ballroom and Swing Dance Lessons
• Late Night Comedy Show
• Caricaturists
• Karaoke

And if you are attending the party without a date, there’s also four minute dating sessions for singles. Plus, and here’s a great idea — to identify your relationship status, guests wear different colored bracelets, one color for single people, a different color for couples. 

I wonder how many people will start the night wearing a “couples” colored bracelet and ring in the New Year wearing a “single” bracelet, and visa versa.

Passport to the World Gala – Cities of Virtue and Vice
The Hilton Washington
Dupont Circle
1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington DC, 20009  (map it)

Date and Time – December 31, 2008, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Tickets – Prices started at $99.00 but go up as the date gets closer.  Tickets are available online or by phone at 202-686-5990.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Dupont Circle – Red line, then a 5-block walk.

Parking – $15.00

Image – Flickr – champagne  _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Enjoy a traditional colonial plantation holiday dinner at Gunston Hall, the home of founding father, George Mason.

Dine tavern-style, by candlelight, on items such as traditional   turkey and dressing, Virginia ham, dressing, and of course, home made pie.

For more about Gunston Hall, check out my Oct. 12, 2007 post.

Plantation Christmas Yuletide Dinner at Gunston Hall
Gunston Hall Plantation
10709 Gunston Road 
Mason Neck, Virginia 22079  (map it)
703-550-9220

Dates and Times – Friday, December 12, 2008 at 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 13  at 4:30, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Tickets – Adults – $39.95 , children 10 and under – $19.95. Beer and wine is extra. Dinner includes admission to Plantation Christmas. Call 703-550-9220 for reservations. Parties of ten may reserve a private table.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Franconia-Springfield – Blue line, then a 12 mile cab ride.

Parking – Free parking is available.

Image – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

He’s released a couple funny Grammy-nominated CDs, an autobiography entitled “Why You Crying?”, which hit the NY Times Bestseller top 20 list, and has also appeared in a dozen movies.  

He’s also had a couple rather public controversies with Jay Leno and Carlos Mencia.

George Lopez
Warner Theatre
513 13th Street, NW, between E & F St.
Washington, D.C., 20004 (map it)

Dates and Times – Friday – Sunday, October 3-5 , 8:00 p.m.

Tickets – $55.00 and are available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Metro Center – Red, Orange and Blue lines, then a one-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Metered street and garage parking is available in the area.

Image – Flickr

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Next weekend, enjoy over 30 FREE music, dance and artistic performances at Washington, DC’s premiere center for the arts, The Kennedy Center and their annual Open House.

The range of entertainment of as varied as the number of performers.

Here’s just a sampling of the many free performances:

• The Kennedy Center’s own Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Suzanne Ferrell  who was one of one of George Balanchine’s most celebrated ballerinas.
• Washington’s own, National Symphony Orchestra
• Children’s Musical Album Grammy winners – Dan Zanes and Friends
• Dance under the stars outside on the patio with the Godfather of Go-Go – Chuck Brown
• Folk singer Lila Downs, will perform her Academy Award nominated song "Burn it Blue" form the film Frida.

And if you bring the children, take them to the hands-on NSO Instrument "Petting Zoo", where they can all learn all about the instruments of the symphony orchestra.

Plus, you can wander the center and enjoy it’s great architecture and stunning views of the Potomac River, Georgetown, the Watergate complex  and the National Mall.

Click here for the most updated schedule of performers and performances.

The Kennedy Center 24th Annual Open House
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F Street, NW
Washington DC. 20566 (map it)

Date and Time – Saturday, September 13, 2008.  Noon – 11:00 p.m.

Tickets – FREE, no tickets required.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Foggy Bottom/George Washington University station (23rd and I St.) – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk.

Take Metro and use the free Kennedy Center shuttle on Saturday. It runs 10:00 a.m. – Midnight.

Parking - limited parking is available at the Kennedy Center for $15.00, but expect it to be full early.

 Images – from personal collection; ©2008, Jon Rochetti

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Learn about you cat or the many breeds at the annual National Capital Cat Show in suburban Chantilly, Virginia.

Again this years, over 500 cats compete at the Cat Fanciers’ Association Debutante’s Ball in various competitions.

And remember, dogs have owners…cats simply have staffs.

There’s several categories of contacts including a cat agility competition. There’s also no cat swimming contest, but I suspect if so, this scuba diving Calico named Hawkeye, would have taken that prize.

National Capital Cat Show
Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Center
Chantilly, VA  (map it)

Dates and Times – Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 & 7, 2008.  Doors open at 9:30 a.m. , and close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets – Adults – $8.00, Seniors and children under 12 – $5.00. A family ticket pack gets a family of 4 in for $24.00. Tickets are available at the door.  Click here for a $1.00 off coupon. 

Parking – Free parking is available.

Image

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Post from: The DC Traveler

For 50 years, AARP has been representing the interests of people as they age gracefully. And another person turns 50 every 7 seconds in America.  Now that AARP has turned 50, it’s time for a party!!

Besides over 300 exhibits, attendees can enjoy concerts and dancing events, movies, educational sessions with a wide range of topics, such as senior lifestyle, travel, family relationships, health and health care, managing your finances, retirement, entertainment and sex and love and more.

Celebrities in attendance include:

• Natalie Cole and Chaka Khan in concert.
• Regis Philbin, the host of "Live with Regis and Kelly".
• MSNBC’s news show host, Tucker Carlson
• Actors Shirley MacLaine and Ricardo Antonio (Carlos Solis) from the ABC hit show Desperate Housewives.
• Legendary folk signer, Judy Collins
• Composer and music producer, Quincy Jones
• Fashion expert from TLCs What Not to Wear, Clinton Kelly.
• Sports superstars “Magic” Johnson, Martina Navratilova and Cal Ripken
• KISS base player, Gene Simmons

AARP’S Life@50+ National Event & Expo
Washington D.C. Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001 (map it)

Dates and Times – Thursday – Saturday, September 4-6, 2008.

Tickets – $30 non-members, $20  AARP members, online or by phone at 800-882-2794.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Mt. Vernon Square/7th St./ Convention Center, Yellow and Green line.  The Metro stop is located in the Convention Center.

Parking – Paid garage parking is available, and metered street parking will be limited.

Image

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Post from: The DC Traveler