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Tuskegee Airmen Witness the Inauguration of Barack H. Obama

After so many years of being overlooked and left out of our nation's accounting of WWII history, the Tuskegee Airmen finally received the recognition of our government when awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2006.  For the Inauguration of America's 44th President, Barack H. Obama, the Tuskegee Airmen were invited to attend the swearing in ceremony as special guests.  These war and civil rights heros rode through the streets of DC with a police escort to witness the historic event, which was made possible, due in large part, to their sacrifices and service all those years ago.

Here are a few pictures from my photo album -- from police escort to the ceremony.  My grandfather, Woodrow W. Crockett, Sr. (Lt. Col. USAF Ret.) is sporting the ultra cool shades and green jacket.  You might also notice Don King's signature white shock of hair. He stopped by and got the crowd cheering for the Airmen.  And, even though we had great seats, we were lucky enough to be right near a jumbo tron.  Even these much younger eyes had trouble seeing our new president.

Gaea Honeycutt
blog@weirdingword.com 

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2007-2009 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

We Are One Inauguration Concert

If you missed We Are One, see the entire concert on the 2009 Inaugural Committee's channel on YouTube.



Gaea Honeycutt
blog@weirdingword.com

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2007-2009 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

Gaea's DC: A Guide to Food, Fun and Debauchery During the 2009 Inauguration - C'est Fini!

Yes, I know you're sad to see the end, but this is the last part in Gaea's DC: A Guide to Food, Fun and Debauchery During the 2009 Inauguration. In Part 1 we went over some visitor basics. Part 2 listed places to chow down. In this, the third and final part, we review places to go for fun and debauchery. The later really doesn't apply to me, but I have a reputation to maintain.

When you visit DC and the surrounding area, there are all the obvious spots -- any Smithsonian Institution, the Capitol, the monuments (including the Kennedy Center), the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court . . . I'm starting to feel somber. However, I recommend the following:

• George Washington (GW) Memorial Parkway: Take a walk on the bike path, drive the entire route from Mount Vernon all the way up to 495 at the VA/MD border near I-270, or have a barbecue (with lots of outerwear). All along the road you'll find historic sites, marinas and great views of the DC and MD skylines. At the end of the Parkway, you'll find Mount Vernon, George Washington's home. From there follow Mt. Vernon Parkway to Woodlawn Plantation, the home of George Washington's nephew, where it intersects with Route 1/Richmond Highway.


• Arlington, VA: Both a county and a city, Arlington brings together the best of urban and suburban lifestyles, with several great restaurants (no less great because they didn't make my list in Part 2), shops, monuments and memorials. Want great wine and good food, try Tallula or Harry's Tap Room. The Crystal City Underground has played host to thousands of Federal employees over the past few decades, with everything a community needs from restaurants to dry cleaners to shops. And the Ballston and Clarendon areas feature unique restaurants, small shops and bustling streets. End the day with a little salsa dancing at Caribbean Breeze restaurant.


• Old Town Alexandria, VA: People often visit the Lyceum, the GW Masonic Memorial and other well-publicized locations, but did you know that there's a Black History Museum at Wythe and Alfred streets, or a slavery museum at the headquarters of the Northern Virginia Urban League on Duke Street. And Old Town splits up the GW Parkway, so the bike path continues along the waterfront. There are several restaurants and shops along King Street, historic homes, and other notable places off the beaten path. Catch some jazz at The Carlyle Club on John Carlyle Street just off Duke Street. Need a quiet moment? Try any number of independent coffee shops, including Cameron Perks Coffeehouse in the Cameron Station area (about 10 minutes west of Old Town off Duke Street).


• Dupont Circle: Restuarants, shops and small art galleries fill Dupont Circle. It's a great place to people watch and is filled with activity at night as the clubs open. My favorite place is Kramerbooks & Afterwards, where you can get a great read and sit down with it for brunch in the cafe. There's also the restaurant and bar at the Jurys Hotel. Ben & Jerry's is just down the street from Krispy Kreme. The National Geographic Museum is located at 17th and M streets. And you can head to the other end of Dupont Circle to visit L. Ron Hubbard's Founding Chuch of Scientology.


• U Street Corridor: This area is reviving economically, but still retains much of the old neighborhood. Several restaurants, night clubs and historic sites pepper the area. Take the Heritage Trail, visit The Thurgood Marshall Center or the African American Civil War Museum, and be sure to stop at Ben's Chili Bowl for a half smoke. Currently, my two favorite places are Station 9 and Busboys & Poets.




Gaea Honeycutt
blog@weirdingword.com



Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2008-2009 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

Gaea's DC: A Guide to Food, Fun and Debauchery During the 2009 Inauguration - Part Deux

Sorry for the "Part Deux". Too many action films during my formative years. Okay, I'm not really sorry.

Back to Gaea's DC: A Guide to Food, Fun and Debauchery During the 2009 Inauguration. In the first part, we went over a few key points about the area. And, some not so key points that I just needed to get off my chest. Now, we get to the restaurants. I have food allergies, so those allergic to wheat (gluten), nuts and/or soy should take comfort in this list. I'll also make notes for other allergens if I know or it applies.

My favorite places to eat in no particular order:

• Rustico on Slaters Lane on the edge of Old Town Alexandria (VA). They have a chick pea crust pizza that I almost never pass up. There is also a seasonal grits special. If you're lucky, they'll still be serving sweat potato grits during the Inauguration. They can also accommodate dairy allergies. Across the street, you may want to try their sister coffee shop, Buzz, which has gluten-free (not necessarily nut- or soy-free) cupcakes. I eat their creme breule. It's tasty.


• I understand that Cake Love makes gluten-free cakes, but I never go in there because it's a waste of time for me. However, whether in the original store in DC or the newer locations in Shirlington Village (Arlington, VA), Tysons (McLean, VA) or over the bridge in the new National Harbor in MD, you're sure to find a treat.


• The Juice Joint (on Vermont between K and L streets) was a delightful find. They're friendly, they'll make a smoothy for you from a freshly cleaned blender, and they've got turkey burgers without fillers. Absolutely heaven sent.


• The Bombay Club (Connecticut between H and I streets), which is closed for a private party, is a fabulous Indian restaurant that always makes me feel welcome the minute I step through the door. Everyone on the staff is gracious, the food is good, and the decor is soothing, warm and welcoming.


• Station 9 (U Street between 14th and 15th streets) is the newest restaurant on my list. The chef makes food from simple, flavorful, natural ingredients. DC 4 Obama will be holding an all-day watch party there on Inauguration Day for volunteers and others. Admission is $10.


• Both the Austin Grill and Mike's American have gluten-free menus. Austin Grill is in Silver Spring (MD), Springfield (VA), Old Town Alexandria (VA) at King and Columbus, DC in the Penn Quarter and a couple of other locations. Mike's is in Springfield (VA).


• Teaism is located on the North Side of Dupont Circle and in two other locations. Choose from a wide selection of teas as well as light food items.


• Krispy Kreme . . . oh, how I miss it. Nice one with a drive through just south of 95/495 on Route 1 (Richmond Hwy) in South Alexandria, VA. Is there really anything else to say?


• Whole Foods, the grocery full of natural and organic foods, has a humongous prepared food section in the Old Town Alexandria (VA) store on Duke Street, with plenty of seats. It's really the best one I've every been to and that's saying something.


• A quick shout out to MOM's (My Organic Market). Great prices and good selection. There are several in MD, but I visit the one on Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Arlandria neighborhood between the Glebe roads (Alexandria, VA).


• Clydes in DC (Gallery Place), and several other locations, is incredibly helpful to people with dietary issues. Special shout-out to the bar staff in DC that makes every visit pleasant and relaxing. If you get there during happy hour, try the oysters. I hear great things about them.


• Now, all I can eat here is plain grilled chicken, rice and mashed potatoes, but I am very fond of Busboys and Poets at V and 14th streets in DC. Great tea, fabulous drinks (one of my girlfriends orders DC Tap Water every time), poetry slams, and interesting atmosphere. They'll be serving brunch all day Saturday-Tuesday. Other locations at 5th and K streets (DC) and in Shirlington Village (Arlington, VA).


• The Hotel Monaco's Poste Modern Brasserie (DC) is fabulous, but not inexpensive. Nice dining, fantastic atmosphere, but not particularly good for those with allergies. Go anyways. Have some pomme frites for me.


• Ever had a bison burger? Try Ted's Montana Grill, which has Virginia locations in Alexandria on Eisenhower Avenue and in Arlington in the Ballston, Crystal City and Rosslyn areas. They are revising their special diets menu, but make every effort to accommodate allergies.


• Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street in DC. Pre-allergy, I was hooked on the coconut cake. If you want a half-smoke or chili burger, or you just want to visit the spot that Obama visited yesterday, or you just want to see the place that serves Bill Cosby for free, this is the place to be. People from the neighborhood and all over the region visit Ben's. Just don't get in line unless you know what you want. That backs up the line.


• Silver Diner in Springfield (VA), Woodbridge (VA), Rockville (MD), McLean (VA), Greenbelt (MD), Arlington (VA), BWI Airport and several other locations. They offer classic American diner food with a twist. Unfortunately, they went with soybean oil a year or so ago (that whole transfat thing), so I can hardly eat safely in there. But, they have a strong following and something like 20 locations.


• Speaking of dangerous places, if you're allergic to peanuts, stay as far away from Five Guys Burgers as possible. People who are extremely sensitive to peanuts might actually die by just standing in the doorway (I wish I was kidding). If you're not allergic, I hear nothing but good things about this joint that uses peanut oil. Locations in South Alexandria (VA) on Richmond Highway, Old Town Alexandria, and several other places.


• Need some stick-to-your-ribs soul food, then try Georgie Porgie just over the bridge in Temple Hills, MD. They've got burgers, they've got fries, they've got peach cobler, they've got sweet potato pie . . . anything guaranteed to add 2 inches to your waste. And it's all good.

Now, I'm sure I forgot someone, but this list is long enough. Friends are welcome to post comments on their favorite places, too.

Next post: Places to Visit!

Gaea Honeycutt
blog@weirdingword.com

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2008-2009 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

Gaea's DC: A Guide to Food, Fun and Debauchery During the 2009 Inauguration

I am positively vibrating with joy, anticipation and excitement -- for both this moment of hope and the opportunity to share all that is the fabulosity of the DC Metro Area.

At the same time, I must overcome the fear I've developed over the past few weeks. Reports about the number of visitors/tourists/world citizens expected to attend the Inauguration are staggering. I may not leave the house until the 22nd just to be sure. Yet, I face my fear boldly by sharing.

And, so, it's with a touch of apprehension, yet a lot of pride, that I welcome you to our wonderful region. Enjoy DC, Virginia and Maryland.

First a few important points:

• Don't eat on the Metro trains. I know Boston's T let's you eat (at least when I was there). I think Chicago's L lets you eat, too, but I never rode it much. Here, they will arrest you. Keep it in your bag until you reach freedom above ground. Besides, there won't be any elbow room.


• Please stand to the right on escalators (particularly Metro escalators) if you won't be climbing all the way to the top or walking to the bottom.


• National Airport is in Arlington, VA, not DC.


• The Pentagon is in Arlington, VA, not DC.


• Do not stand in the middle of the sidewalk, hallway, lobby, etc. while you try to figure out where you are or your next destination. Okay, that's just my universal pet peeve for just about any place. What's more, it's not necessary for groups of people to walk down the street shoulder-to-shoulder, 5-wide like I encountered Friday on L Street. That's just plain rude.


• As far as I know, all bridges from Virginia except the Wilson Bridge will be closed on Inauguration Day. (I think it's payback for being stingy when we were supposed to give DC some land back in the day.) Visit the Secret Service website for more details on traffic access and the perimeter. (Yes, it scares me to type that, but it's the place to go.)


• If you're still looking for an inaugural ball or gala, visit the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce Community Calendar for a list of parties and uploads of pretty comprehensive guides to official and unofficial events.


• If you happen to be looking for Inauguration sponsorship opportunities, I do know a nice, legitimate gentleman who can help guide you through. Just shoot me a quick message at blog@weirdingword.com and I'll be happy to forward.

Wow, this is getting long. Next post: restaurants!

Gaea Honeycutt
blog@weirdingword.com

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2008-2009 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.