The DC Traveler

When you mention a Parade of Lights to a pleasure boater, they know what exactly you mean.  You decorate your boat with lights and holiday decorations and take a slow harbor cruise so people can watch the brightly decorated crafts sail by.
This year, more than 50 power and sail boats should participate in annual Parade of Lights in suburban Alexandria, Virginia. Watch the floating parade along the Potomac River at the city’s historic waterfront.
Festivities also include pictures with Santa for small children. 
Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Alexandria’s Historic Waterfront at the foot of …read more

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Holiday shoppers dreaming of snow can find snow falling inside, yes…inside, Tysons Galleria shopping mall in Tysons Corner, Virginia, every day through Christmas Eve. 
In one of the areas “coolest” promotions to attract shoppers, from November 22 until Christmas Eve, “snow” will actually fall from the ceiling, inside the upscale shopping and dining mall.
The first “snow show” will begin daily at 11:00 a.m., falling from the top level and descend through all three levels of the mall. 
Santa is also on hand for kids to tell him what they want to see under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.
And …read more

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Any good spy makes plans… And now is the time to plan to attend the annual New Year’s Eve gala – James Bond 007 Around The World party. It looks to be another great event to ring in the New Year.
Selected by Playboy as one of the top five parties for New Year’s Eve in the country, and with an estimated 1,600 guests, this party  attracts singles, couples and groups of friends alike.
While most New Year’s Eve parties simply offer a band and cocktails, the 007 Around The World party offers multiple country themes rooms, where you can pretend you …read more

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The internationally known Lipizzaner Stallions perform the highest level of dressage with their intricate ballet-like marching, jumping and prancing.  Choreographed to classical music by the masters, the dozen all white horses entertain horse fans across the globe with their lively performances.  

Read more about their history here.
The Lipizzaner Stallions Patriot Center 4500 Patriot Circle Fairfax, VA 22030 (map it)
Dates and Times – Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets – Adults – $25.50, $33.50 …read more

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A little late this month, but November delivers some great live music around the Washington, DC area.
At The Birchmere:

Powerhouse singer Susan Tedeschi – Sunday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 – $35.00
Christmas with Aaron Neville & His Quintet – Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 at 7:30 – $45.00

The Birchmere 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, Virginia 22305 (map it)
At the State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia

Los Enanitos Verdes from Argentina – Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:00 – $30.00
The Radiators with their New Orleans funky Rock & Roll sound …read more

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I again visited a couple polling places in Northern Virginia, including my own, just after 9:00 a.m.  The initial long lines were gone and the waiting time to vote was under 10 minutes. 
Both polling places, along with the regular electronic voting machines, had several paper ballot stations, there to accommodate the high number of expected voters. 
Personally, I waited under a minute to check in, and less than three minutes to vote on one of the three electronic machines. All of the 6 paper ballot booths were open during my visit.
Poll workers commented on “very high” or “record” voter …read more

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This morning, during the pre-work voting rush, I witnessed huge crowds queuing up to vote.
I visited three polling places near my home in Northern Virginia before 7:00 a.m.,  and at two locations, the line s were at least double in the two most recent presidential elections in both 2004 and 2000. 
The lines at these two polling places ranged from 150 voters waiting to over 250 people lining up outside of the building, plus additional people indoors.
Strangely, at one other polling place just a mile away, there was no outside line and only 30 or so people inside …read more

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Former punk rock icon and hardcore Black Flag front man, Henry Rollins is hitting the road with a his new election-time ‘Recountdown Tour’ talking tour.
You’ll be sure to hear lots of Bush bashing, anti-war, anti-establishment, anti-government, and straight talking (and at times angry) social commentary on subjects ranging from music and culture to society and celebrities.
The host of the IFC one-on-one interview program The Henry Rollins Show, Henry grew up in Washington, DC where he sang for a couple punk bands, before joining Black Flag. He was considered one of the most intense and aggressive punk performers on the scene.  …read more

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Looking for some last minute ideas of things to do tomorrow on Halloween?
Here’s a recap of some of the posts on The DC Traveler of some interesting things to do both with the family and for a night of ghoulish pleasure with the adults.

Check out the always wild Nightmare on M Street and other parties for the over 21 crowd.
Shoot off some steam (and pumpkins) at the Pumpkin Cannon in Thurmont, Maryland
Take the kids to see haunted forests, spooky trails and ghoul filled forests.

Halloween not your thing? 

Check out the Gem & Jewelry Show in Timonium, Maryland
Enjoy …read more

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Besides a three corn mazes spread out over 14 acres and over 6 miles of trails, Lawyer’s Winterbrook Farms, in suburban Maryland, offers something unique…a pumpkin cannon.
Using highly compressed air, the pumpkin cannon can project a pumpkin 100 yards at a target across a field. If you prefer something a little less deadly?  Try their double-barreled apple, small gourd and corn cannon.
And if you are looking for a few other Halloween ideas, check out some of my other family-friendly recommendations for Halloween, including a 9-acre corn maze in Midland, Virginia.

Lawyer’s Winterbrook Farms 13001 …read more

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