The DC Traveler

There’s so much hullabaloo and disaster mongering going on about the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The list of potential things that “might” happen is getting longer by the day.
If half a million people show up, the infrastructure should be okay, except for major issues such as transportation and dining near the mall. But if a couple million people converge on the Mall, the infrastructure, along with the food service industries will be pushed to their limits.
So here’s a few of the potential “disasters” that might occur due to massive crowds attending the inauguration celebration, and my estimation of …read more

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Nine cities, nine city-themed rooms, and a couple thousand people celebrating New Year’s Eve in Washington, DC.
City themes include music and food representing:

New York City - hip and trends DJs keep the vibe live, and enjoy one of the local food items, Manhattan Clam Chowder.
Chicago in the Roaring 1920s - No Prohibition here, with a fun swing band and of course pizza.
Miami and Havana - a live Salsa band and a Cuban menu fills this room.
Spirit of the Caribbean delivers the island feel with Reggae and Calypso.
Boston boasts a live Irish band and New England Clam Chowder.
Become a star at …read more

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The entertaining comedy and magic show put on by The Great Zucchini is considered Washington DC’s most magically entertaining shows for preschool and kindergarten children.
A big hit at birthday parties, The Great Zucchini has entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll and the National Zoo. He bring his interactive show, especially for the toddler-set, to both of the Washington, DC’s area Cinema & Drafthouses in Arlington and Montgomery.
The Great Zucchini’s magic tricks may not be all that amazing to an adult, but his interaction with his pre-school audience, making himself the brunt of every joke, is what makes …read more

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The U.S. Capitol Police just posted the list of items that can not be brought to the inauguration in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2009.  These items seem to apply only if you have reserved tickets, inside the security perimeter.  The DC Traveler is attempting to get clarification from the Capitol Police.
If you are not inside the security perimeter, these rules will most likely not apply.
Note that strollers and chairs are on the list, so ATTENTION PARENTS with small children and people who may need to sit during the long wait.
Prohibited items at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration …read more

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Model railroad layouts and displays, along with model railroad workshops and demonstrations make up the annual Greenberg Train & Toy Expo this weekend in Chantilly, Virginia, about 40 minutes west of Washington, DC.
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 …read more

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Enjoy a wonderful Chanukah celebration of the diversity of today’s Jewish music by Washington, DC artists. Tomorrow night, at Strathmore in North Bethesda, musicians from around the DC area are staging a live version of the Strathmore Music Center-produced CD, A Chanukah Feast.
From klezmer bands to hip hop, hard rock and honky tonk; this should be a concert for the whole family to enjoy.  It’s a unique collection of some of the best of the annual Jewish holiday celebration songs.
With classics (and not so classics), like O Khanuke, O Khanuke, (I have a little) Dreydl, Honky Tonk Hanukkah and …read more

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A Merry Christmas to one and all from The DC Traveler.

Image - from personal collection - ©2008, Jon Rochetti _______________________________________________________________

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Images - from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

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If you have a hundred grand (or four) to spend on a hotel package to attend President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, DC, here’s a few of the “Fat Cat” Presidential suite packages and some of the highlights of what’s included.
One might make the perfect last minute stocking suffer.

The most expensive inauguration package I found was the Omni Shoreham Hotel’s staggering $440,000 Commander-in-Chief package. Located near the near the National Zoo, it includes a $44,000 jewelry shopping extravaganza, and a private in-room dinner with a performance by well-known political satirist, Mark Russell. Get to and from Washington, DC on …read more

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District of Columbia city officials, Metro officials, and the national news media are all changing their estimates as to the number of people who are expected to attend President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20th, in Washington, DC.
I’ve seem estimates ranging from about a million to over 5 million.
So what do you think?  Take the latest poll and tell us…
How many people will attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009?

Less than 500,000
500,000 to 1 million
1 to 2 million
2 to 3 million
3 to 4 million
4 to 5 million
over 5 million

For some …read more

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