The DC Traveler

 It’s April 15th…and that means tax day.
Etched into the facade of the IRS Building at 1111 Constitution Avenue is a quote from former Justice of the Supreme Court, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr…
 ”Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society.”

Formed during the Civil War, the the Bureau of Internal Revenue was enacted to collect income taxes to help pay war expenses. At that time, a 3% federal tax was levied on all people earning an annual income of between $800 and $10,000 per year. Today, that income would equate to between $15,000 and $200,000. A 5% tax rate …read more

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Today in 1865, just 5 days after the end of the Civil War, around 8:00 in the evening, President Abraham Lincoln his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln along with Major and Mrs. Henry Rathbone, visited Ford’s Theatre for a lively performance of the comedy, Our American Cousin.
Just after 10:00, during the third act, the well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth, entered the theatre and walked to the rear of the Presidential box. With only one body guard, who had wandered off, he easily peered through a small hole in door of the box that he had drilled the …read more

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He was a leader of millions, but had no employees, no direct reports, no staffer nor any hired help.  But he led a nation through a peaceful revolution - Mohandas “Mahatma” K. Gandhi.
He was the pioneer of Satyagraha, mass resistance to government oppression through peaceful, non-violent civil disobedience and non-cooperation. His leadership led to India’s independence from colonial British rule in 1947.  But within six months of India’s independence, he would be dead.
Gandhi’s live principles included simplicity, faith, nonviolence, truth, being a vegetarian, and Brahmacharya - self realization and actualization through spiritual and physical purity (celibacy).
As a …read more

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Earth Day is the one day each year that millions of people around the globe call attention to the health and well-being of our fragile planet.
This year’s theme for action against global warming is Call for Climate. The eight major U.S. events, along with smaller events around the country are attempting to generate one million phone calls to Congress to urge action on global warming.
The National Mall in Washington, DC will hold the flagship U.S. event and one of the largest Earth Day gatherings in history.  Dozens of smaller events are planned in the area and across …read more

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One of most enjoyable things for many people to do on a beautiful spring evening is to listen to live music and enjoy a nice glass of wine while relaxing on a beautiful lawn.
And the annual Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Estate is once such event.
The gardens at Mt. Vernon will be in full bloom and the views of the Potomac River from the lawn, accompanied by live jazz, should make for a perfect evening of relaxation.
An evening Candlelit Mansion tour is also available and includes a visit to the rarely-visited basement cellar. The …read more

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A pond in Northern Virginia with a beautiful tree in full bloom.

Image - from personal collection - © 2008 - Jon Rochetti
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College teams compete at all kinds of sports and intellectual pursuits, a comedy?
Yes, at humor.
And here’s your chance to see some of the funniest college students from eight universities around the Washington, DC area.  Since the beginning of year, The DC Improv comedy club, has been hosting stand-up comedy competitions at several universities around the area.
The competitions allowed eight to ten wanna-be comedians to compete by performing  a five minute original comedy routine, in front of a panel of judges and their peers.
One or two students per school was selected to compete in the finals, and now …read more

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Grab the gal pals and hit what’s becoming a great shopping party, Shecky’s Girls Night Out in Washington, DC.
With 50+ designers and other fashion vendors, complimentary cocktails, free product samples, big discounts and an overstuffed goodie bag filled with all kinds of samples, it should be a memorable girl’s night out. 
Shecky’s Girls Night Out DAR Constitution Hall1776 D Street, NW - between 17th & 18th Streets, NWWashington, DC (map it)
Date and Time -  Tuesday - Thursday, , April 15-17, 5:00 p.m. until around 10:00 p.m.
Tickets - General Admission - $10.00 or $25.00 which includes admission and Shecky’s …read more

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Perrys restaurant is a 20+ year dining institution in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. It’s an American bistro and Asian-fusion sushi bar with a very popular rooftop garden in the summer, making it a popular late night single scene as well. But on Sunday’s, it get a bit wild with their Sunday Drag Brunch.
The drag queens gender-bending entertainers flaunt their stuff during 30-minute shows, telling jokes, perhaps singing a fun song, interacting… harassing perhaps teasing is the right word, the more straight-looking and uber-masculine men and get involved in a bit of double entendre humor. The show …read more

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My buddy Sheila, at Family Travel is hosting this week’s Carnival of Cities. And there are some great posts from around the globe.
A couple of the highlights include:

Big Sports Stadiums Around the World from Andy at ProTraveller. And Yes, the Washington Redskins FedEx Field made the list.
Beth at traveling Mamas tell us about some places for Cheap Eats in Las Vegas.
At Studio 747, Maria writes about a favorite park of mine, San Diego’s Balboa Park.

There’s more, so check them all out.
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