Concert, Santarchy, and Festivities

Busy weekend for holiday fun! Full disclosure, I did not run to the concert, but everything else was captured on foot.

My mom was in the choir and did a fantastic job at their Christmas by Candlelight 2014 concert. My favorite part was the candlelight carols. It was also so nice to meet my mom's "widow group"--a bunch of sweeties.

On my run, I had the pleasure to witness the start of the Santarchy event at Farragut Square. We have seen the trek of Santas every year and wondered, where are they all going??? Now I know. They walk to the White House and then take a group photo. DC has some really fun events.

The next stop on my run was the Downtown Holiday Market. You should go; there are a lot of vendors, some of the usual stuff like jewelry and chocolate, but also some unique scarves and clothing. On F Street, between 8th and 9th Streets, every day until Dec. 23, noon - 8pm. It totally beats the Christmas Market and Winterfest at Tysons Corner. I stopped by before the concert on Friday--taking the Silver line out to Tysons is AWESOME--and was very disappointed. There were not that many vendors (don't trust the list on the Web site). Go to the Downtown Holiday Market instead.


Georgetown Glow, a new winter event celebrating the holiday season, featured a public art exhibit along Wisconsin (Book Hill), M Street, and the Washington Harbour. There were great window displays by many of the stores and restaurants too.

Old Ebbit Grill and White House Christmas Tree

I love the classic nutcrackers outside of the Old Ebbitt Grill. Take a look at the White House Christmas tree. Thank goodness for the outside wiring structure--otherwise it would appear the tree comes up a bit short. I love Christmas.

November 22: Last Glover Park Farmers Market

Even last week, it seemed a bit unnatural to have the Farmer's Market...too cold. However, since it is the last weekend--come take advantage of it! Saturday, 9am - 1pm, with great vendors including Walnut Organics, Whisked, Kuhn Orchards, Bonaparte Breads, Heirloom Kitchen, Spriggs Farm, Fiber Arts Festival, Heritage honey, Midtrees Farm, and more. The Big Cheese food truck will be there too! The market is located across from Safeway, in the Hardy School parking lot, at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and 35th Street NW.

Swany Toaster and Merino Wool - New Favs

DC is finally coming out from the deep-freeze weather! Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were unbelievably un-fall-like. After minor wimpers on Monday to Steven about frozen fingers and toes, he went to REI and bought their merino wool expedition socks (two pairs!) and Swany Toaster mittens. If you unzip the mitten, there is an inner glove with touch screen compatible fingertip and thumb. Good gear, matters. I so appreciate Steven getting the right stuff. Huge difference. Bring on winter, I'm ready.

Theodore Roosevelt (Treasure) Island

Theodore Roosevelt Island is a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt, 26^th president, and his passion for nature and preservation. The Swamp Trail around the outside of the island is 1.3 miles—half boardwalk over the wetlands and half trail—with many smaller paths to explore. Next time, I’ll venture to the center and get a picture of Roosevelt’s statue and I’ll probably do at least two laps. It was a nice break from running on the sidewalk. There were other walkers, dogs, and some runners, but the majority of time I was running alone in this beautiful setting with the faint hum of the city in the background. I highly recommend this island; I think it tops even my favorite run around the mall.

Stinkgo-berries, Decorations, and More in the Hood

Fall has arrived and the ginkgo berries are falling everywhere. These trees unfortunately tolerate heat, air pollution, acidic soils, alkaline soils, and resist oak root fungus. If you happen to have a tree outside your house, please--please!--help reduce the odor by cleaning up the fallen fruit before it begins to rot (sweep into a bag and put in trash). Georgetown Visitation is advertising their Georgetown Christmas, November 7 and 8. Almost, 'tis the season.

Sunrise looking at Capitol Building

Washington Prayer Gathering at Lincoln Memorial

Yesterday, churches gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the Washington Prayer Gathering. There were quite a lot of people, somewhat organized via geography. The music was great.

DC Red Dress Run

Over my shoulder shot

On my run this afternoon, I spotted a bunch of people wearing red on 14th Street and my first thought was… an Ohio State University event! Since Julia is at OSU, any and everything red = OSU. So I purposely ran up 14th to check it out and noticed a huge group of men and women all wearing bright red dresses. I had no idea about the DC Red Dress Run and I'll have to get better pictures next year. The best was this guy in a red, very ornate ball gown. I was too chicken to snap his photo; I don't know how he could possibly run in it. I'm glad the rain cleared up for their event.

E pluribus unum: Out of Many, One

"Out of Many, One," is the English translation of E pluribus unum. The Washington Post wrote a great article (with a great aerial picture) about this landscape portrait, by Cuban American urban artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada. It is on display until October 31, stretching six acres near the World War II memorial. I should have taken a picture of the workers--it was the oddest thing--grouped together putting stakes in the ground. Now it makes more sense; although, from the ground it is not much to look at and they weren't allowing anyone to walk through it.

National Coffee Day--Thanks D&D!

I still had my usual pumpkin/vanilla coffee at Bruegger's this morning. However, at lunch, I went to Dunkin Donuts for a free cup of coffee in honor of National Coffee Day! It was delicious.

In NYC, I had blueberry coffee at D&D every morning...so good. Maybe I can convince Bruegger's to offer flavor shots.

43rd Latino Festival

Beautiful weather, perfect for running and festivals! I ran into the Latino Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue. There was a parade, lots of food options, and vendors.

Congrats Navy-Air Force Half-Marathon Runners

Potomac River Fish T-H-I-S Big!

Yesterday morning, I stopped dead in my tracks along the Potomac River when I saw this fish--literally right in front of me. I asked if I could take a picture and the very nice man said, "Sure, you should take a video--wait, get me in the picture for some perspective." He went on to say that this one was small and that he has gotten much bigger fish out of the Potomac. Well now, that is good news; glad that real, living things are surviving in that water. :)

Corcoran Closing End of September 2014

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is closing for renovation. My favorite piece is Loop, which was created in 2000 by Jennifer Steinkamp and Jimmy Johnson to celebrate the museum's 46th Biennial Exhibition Media/Metaphor. It was created specifically for the museum's neoclassical-style rotunda (40 feet in diameter, 30 feet floor to ceiling). You must check it out; it is interesting and interactive--become part of the art by casting your shadow! (Vera did, but I couldn't snap a pic fast enough.)

I run by this beautiful building on 17th Street frequently--hope the renovation goes quick and does William Wilson Corcoran proud.

DC Triathlon--Thank You for the Road Closures

Congrats to all of the DC Triathlon racers today. I am not being sarcastic; I really enjoy running when there are a ton of road closures. Less fumes, less stress, less noise. Love it. This event has caused issues in the past when we've tried to go to church in Alexandria, Va.; however, now we go to National Presbyterian (in DC, no where near race route)--so no issues. 

2000 K Street Block Shut Down for Suspicious Package

21st Street and K Street

This caused quite a mess around lunchtime today. The hoopla started with a call to DC Police regarding a suspicious package at 10:18 a.m., and snowballed from there. The entire 2000 block of K Street NW was shut down in both East/West directions. One police officer stated that the 2300 K Street building was evacuated. Haven't heard any updates yet...

22nd Street and K Street

Protests and Christine Lagarde at Starbucks

There is always something interesting going on around Washington, DC. Yesterday, I saw Christine Lagarde sitting outside the Starbucks at 22nd and K Street NW, around 11:30am. I wanted to take a picture, but it would have been way too obvious. She was chatting with a man; I didn't recognize him.

Some pictures of the latest protests around town. One little boy asked his dad while pointing at the black RV, "Why is that lady standing on top of there?" The father responded, "Because she is absolutely crazy!"

"House of Cards" Films in DC--where? where?

Police cars lined up along Pennsylvania Avenue near 15th St.

Did you catch the fake motorcade? I ran down Pennsylvania, Constitution, and Independence yesterday late morning and was hoping to see someone setting up something, with no luck. Supposedly, they filmed at various locations (see below or go to DC site), but did not require any road, lane, or sidewalk closures. Bummer--this would have helped. I snapped a picture of police cars lined up along Pennsylvania Avenue near 15th Street NW; is this normal?

Locations:
3rd St NW btw Independence and Pennsylvania Ave
7th St NW btw Independence and Pennsylvania Ave
9th St NW btw Independence and Pennsylvania Ave
15th St NW btw Pennsylvania and Constitution Ave
Pennsylvania Ave NW btw 3rd and 15th St
Constitution Ave NW btw 15th and 3rd St
Independence Ave SW btw 3rd and 14th St

US-Africa Summit = Road Closures

Constitution Avenue NW

Today is the last day of the 2014 US-Africa Summit; road closures were bountiful. Runners/walkers were not restricted and it was nice to have less traffic.

Peaceful Protesters and More Things You Don't See E-v-e-r-y-d-a-y in DC

The best thing I saw running Friday morning was a former colleague from the IMF on a unicycle. Really, I'm not kidding. If I hadn't been so shocked to see him riding in downtown DC on a unicycle, I would have snapped a picture. Now, I'm on the look out for him...

Wow--look at that long hair?!?!

Protesting outside the State Department

Outside of the State Department

Dutch TV crew in front of the White House; reporter is standing on a box.

Protesters made their way over to the Main Complex World Bank building.