Photo courtesy Wass/AP

As Americans all over will associate this year’s Black Friday with shopping, Wizards fans all over will certainly be a little more somber as Wizard’s owner Abe Pollin is laid to rest. 85 year old Pollin passed away this past Tuesday from  corticobasal degeneration, a rare neurological disease. In response to his passing, the team banded together and won one for Abe in a Tuesday night victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.

For those that will be in The District this today should note that there will be some street closings in NW where the funeral is taking place. According to the DC Police, Macomb Street will be closed to through traffic between Massachusetts and Idaho avenues, and 39th Street NW will be closed between Massachusetts Avenue and Newark Street NW. No parking will be permitted on those streets from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

In a statement, President Obama had kind words to say noting that, “Abe believed in Washington, D.C., when many others didn’t—putting his own fortune on the line to help revitalize the city he loved,” and that, “he was committed to the teams he guided, generous to those who needed it most, and as loyal to the people of D.C. as they were to him.”

There will be a public memorial service for Abe Pollin at the Verizon Center on December 8th.

President Obama experienced his first Presidential Turkey pardon, a tradition that he notes dates back to the JFK administration. The event was teased in a cheesy yet enjoyable video produced by the White House staff, and the ceremony which occurred yesterday was streamed live online and the video of the ceremony and his Thanksgiving remarks have been posted on YouTube.

The President was in a joking mood during the whole ordeal, noting that he was actually going to eat “the sucker” if it wasn’t for intervention from his daughters, Sash and Malia. He also says he wasn’t sure of exactly how to pardon the bird, waiving his hand in some sort of majestic fashion citing, “Courage you are hereby pardon, and you will live- in Disneyland.”

On behalf of all of us here at DC Metblogs I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, as your city captain I would like to say I’m thankful for having a great audience and I hope to continue to serve you guys well in this holiday season and beyond.

Obligatory cast photo on The National Mall.

Just in time for the holidays only a couple of months since The Real World DC cast left The District, MTV has already launched the website for the latest installment of their flagship reality series complete with trailer.

Of course when you are telling “The true story of eight roommates in DC” you need to get an obligatory shot of President Obama and of course that’s the first thing you see in the trailer. Lots of “Real World” obligatories are to come as most of us locals have heard various stories about the drama that’s gone on this summer, and if you haven’t the trailer pretty much covers all the bases. Everything from roommate hookups, relationship cheating, and partying in Dupont Circle can be expected after watching the trailer. It basically looks like what you expect The Real World to be with an occasional politician cameo or DC backdrop for the debauchery.

There is a glimmer of hope that past all the drama and scandal the show could return to it’s roots as a progressive show that tackled big issues. Living in Washington, DC naturally makes you more aware of causes both political and social. The whole, “we’re a generation that can change the world” could mean that the show is less fluff and more substance.

But then again it’s only a matter of months before these kids are fighting other MTV Alumni on The Ruins.

The Real World DC premieres on Wednesday December 30th at 10 PM ET/PT. If you can’t wait til then check out RWDC fanatic Elizabethany and the stalkers fans at Vevmo, who already know way too much about the show and cast.

Today I’m escaping The DC Metro area early for Thanksgiving. I’ll be flying out tonight but I know many others will be taking to the roads today and tomorrow for Turkey Day.

Those that want avoid the more popular (and congested) escape routes should check out the Washington Post’s article on alternate routes out of DC. As someone that always drives home to New England for Christmas, I wanted to see if my favorite alternate route was there: avoid The George Washington Bridge and taking the Tappan Zee instead.

The suggestion was indeed included along with a route to avoid Delaware, which come to think of it, is indeed a pain in the butt for the smallest state in the Union. The Post suggests this route to avoid the Delaware tolls:

From I-95 north, take Route 279 toward Newark, Del. Take the first right onto Iron Hill Road. At the end, turn left onto Chestnut Hill Road. Then turn right onto Route 896 (South College Avenue). I-95 will be a quarter-mile down the road.

The article also outlines routes for those heading South and offers some tips which I fully agree with such as enrolling in E-Z Pass, it’s a total time-saver and I have it in my car for the sole purpose of speeding through tolls on the way back home every year.

So I hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving this week and if anybody else is driving to Boston this holiday season, here’s the route I take to go home.

No Snow-Globes For You!

Are you one of those intrepid Thanksgiving travelers who’s planning to actually — gasp! — fly on a plane to your Turkey Day Destination?  If so, the Transportation Security Administration has some handy tips on what you should not try to bring through the security screening checkpoint with you when you’re at the airport:

-Cranberry sauce
-Creamy dips and spreads (cheeses, peanut butter, etc.)
-Gift baskets with food items (salsa, jams and salad dressings)
-Gravy
-Jams
-Jellies
-Maple syrup
-Oils and vinegars
-Salad dressing
-Salsa
-Sauces
-Soups
-Wine, liquor and beer

The good news is, anything you buy after you get through security can go on the plane, as usual; plus, pies are A-OK for boarding!

Oh, and here are a couple other holiday-type tips, in addition to the usual “3-1-1 Rule” basics.  If you’re planning to bring back some Black Friday purchases with you on your return this weekend, don’t pre-wrap.  The TSA might decide to unwrap your gifts if you’re selected for a random inspection.  Finally, don’t try bringing any snow-globes through security.  They contain an “indeterminate” amount of liquid, so they’ve got to be with checked luggage. My advice to you, dear traveler, is to ship your purchases home.  It’s easier than trying to bring them with you.

Edward Gero will play Ebenezer Scrooge in the Ford’s Theatre production of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, directed by Michael Baron. Photo by Scott Suchman

Now that I’m fresh off a show, I got theatre on the mind- so I thought I’d take a moment to see what’s going on in the DC Theatre scene this Holiday Season.

A Christmas Carol
Ford’s Theatre
November 23, 2009 – January 3, 2010

What doesn’t sum up the Holiday season more than the tale of Tiny Tim and Scrooge? Sure we know that Jim Carrey is starring the in Disney reboot of it in theatres but if you prefer live action rather than fancy CGI, The Ford’s Theatre is putting on a run of the classic show and is partnering with Bread for the City to not only provide an entertaining holiday show, but help out those less fortunate as well. Need another reason to consider checking out the show? Try cute kid actors on YouTube.

Annie
Toby’s Dinner Theatre
November 12, 2009 – January 24, 2010

Working on Rocky Horror this past fall I heard a lot about this dinner theatre in Columbia, MD. It maybe a trek for those in the Metro area but from what I’ve heard it’s a great destination when you wanna get out of the city; also it’s not only a show but dinner as well! For those that want to enjoy fine dining and fine entertainment can catch another classic as the story of a spunky Red-haired orphan and her dog comes to life and I’m very excited to see they casted a live dog to play Sandy (played by Belle the dog.) Toby’s also has a Baltimore location that is putting on Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Disney’s Mulan
Imagination Stage
November 25, 2009 – January 10, 2010

This ain’t Disney on Ice. The 1998 film is now available in musical theatre format over at the Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD. The show is only playing weekends during it’s run but that also includes an after Christmas show on December 26th.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Kennedy Center
November 24, 2009 -  November 29, 2009

The Pennsylvania Ballet performs George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.

The Pennsylvania Ballet puts on a new production of the Tchaikovsky classic. It’ll only be in the area for the week of Thanksgiving. If you happen to miss it’s short stay at the Kennedy Center, the upcoming production of Young Frankenstein looks promising as well.

It’s a Wonderful Life
Elden Street Players
December 11, 2009 – December 20, 2009

If you get sick of seeing James Stewart in black & white on TV, then head on out to Elden Street and catch their rendition of the Frank Carpa classic. Performances will be held Friday-Sunday with two shows on Saturdays and a Thursday show on December 17th.

Jersey Boys
National Theatre
Ends December 12, 2009

The Washington Post says that it’s a, “a smashing serenade of the muscular harmonies.” The Washingtonian calls it a, “sleek, seamless production.” The National Theatre is currently hosting the National Tour of Jersey Boys, the musical that depicts the story of  Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The show will be in DC until December 12th where it moves on to Detroit.

Plaid Tidings
Little Theatre of Alexandria
December 3, 2009  – December 20, 2009

If the above show doesn’t satisfy your classic rock hunger perhaps this show will. According to LTA’s site, “the charming plaid-clad quartet from Forever Plaid – are transported back from the cosmos to stage a nostalgic holiday party for world-weary Earth mortals.” Sounds like crooners are in this holiday season.

Watch out, Rent is going to invade DC Theatres for 2010.

Rent
Keegan Theatre
December 17, 2009 – January 17, 2009

The Broadway classic may not be a holiday show, but since the performance rights has opened up to local productions you are quickly going to see a lot of theatres taking on the show in 2010. Keegan is lucky enough to be one of the first theatres to put on the Tony award winning rock musical.

The Solid Gold Cadillac
Studio Theatre
December 2, 2009 – January 10, 2010

Amongst Holiday tales and Musical Theatre, I wanted to make sure that a good ol’ Farce was included and Studio Theatre’s production of Solid Gold Cadillac fulfills that requirement. The tales revolves around Mrs. Laura Partridge, a minor stockholder in a major corporation who takes on the board in a fairy tale wrapped-up as a comedy. Come to the show on December 5th and tickets are “pay what you can.”

Striking 12
Arena Stage
December 2, 2009 – December 13, 2009

The Arena stage maybe counting down the days til their new SW Waterfront facility is online but at it’s temporary space in Crystal City the show still goes on.  Striking 12 is combination of musical theatre and live concert, with the group GrooveLily performing a “concert-with-a-story” where the band plays the actors. Watching the YouTube clips of the performance, the show is definitely something different that the regular theatre fare.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Rexhammock

A lot of us will be taking to the airports this holiday season as we escape The District and go back to where ever it was that we came from (because nobody is really from DC right?)

Well if you happen to be flying out of BWI, you’ll be happy to find out that there will be free Wi-Fi for the duration of the holidays. I found out through Lifehacker, that Google will be providing free Wi-Fi at certain airports  now through January 15th. In some sort of Virgin America tie-in you will also have free Wi-Fi on every one of their flights too.

While I’m sad it doesn’t extend for Dulles and Reagan National, it’s certainly going to be a welcome perk for those that trek it up to BWI.

In celebration of Veteran’s Day pop singer Amy Grant could be spotted down the street from the White House at The Red Cross National Headquarters (you really can’t miss the 17th street building- it has a big red cross on it.)

Grant was in town to help kick off the Red Cross’ Holiday Mail for Heroes program, where you can take a moment to sign a card and send a message to those that are serving our country all over. If you missed your chance to sign a card with Amy Grant, you can still send a card to service members and their families through December 7th.

Send your cards to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Make sure you check the website for info on how you should make out your cards.

I used to remember when one would have to wake-up early in the morning and wait in line to see the Washington Monument. This past summer I was surprised when my friend LJ told me that you can now book the coveted tickets online. Now another popular Washington attraction is going online. Trying to obtain tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony would mean waiting outside in the cold- now you can vie for a spot amongst the 2,800 seats or 7,000 standing spots available.

Starting today you can register to enter a lottery for the free tickets needed to see the event in person. Registration for the lottery will last until 11:59 PM on Friday November 6th. Just head on down to the event website for more info.

The National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, scheduled for 5 p.m. Dec. 3 on the Ellipse, south of the White House.

Courtesy Flickr user Mrs. Gemstone

I almost forgot there was an election today until I saw a VP walking around with his “I Voted” sticker. Compared to last year when everybody toted stickers it was a complete turn-around in turnout. Today polls opened in Virginia (and a few other states) for election of state officials. In Virginia the big race is the state Gubernatorial battle between Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell. With the election coming on a non-Presidential election day, we could possibly see the colors change this fall: from blue back to red.

The Washington Post reports that the low turnout could help an energized Republican party take back the top seat in Virginia:

Turnout was light, and interviews with voters at several Northern Virginia precincts showed little sign of the blue tide that swept Virginia a year ago, when the state played a pivotal role in the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th president. Instead, many voters said they were distressed about the direction the country seemed to be taking under Obama’s leadership, and would vote for Republican candidates in part as a way to slow the pace of change.

I’ve long since lost interest in the local elections in my state, but I do believe in voicing my opinion- and you’ll see me step out of my office this afternoon to cast a vote, because if you don’t vote you can’t complain.

Polls statewide will be open til 7 P.M. today, to find your local polling station click here.

Photo courtesy Flickr user Scorpions and Centaurs

Two weeks ago I had to go on an impromptu business trip, but I was happy in knowing that I was able to book a flight out of Reagan National, my personal airport of choice when it comes to escaping The District.

I’m happy to hear I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Reagan National was recently recognized as the top airport in the Conde Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards. 1,700 business travelers were surveyed for the awards and asked to rate airports according to airport navigation and design to culinary options and amenities. Reagan scored a 52.7 out of 100 which was big enough to top Portland, Oregan airport for the top spot. The airport earned high marks in ease of access (which is why I love it compared to Dulles or BWI) and safety/security (I’d hope the airport closest to DC is safe and secure.)

To me it’s a no brainer, while Reagan isn’t as big as Heathrow, it’s been one of the most convenient airports to get to and fly in/out of. While I can’t always afford to use Reagan, if I had to choose a DC airport- Reagan wins.

In case Patrick’s thinly veiled plea to go see him on Saturday night doesn’t speak to you (or, the far more likely event is that so many of you rush to buy tickets that the show sells out) I’ll throw out another suggestion for Saturday night-The Washington Wizards open their season on Halloween night. 

Maybe its a testament to how scary last year’s basketball season was that the Washington Wizards are opening the Home season on Halloween.  Of course, with the return of Agent Zero Gilbert Arenas to the floor, The Wiz are already 1/19th of the way to matching last years total and are probably “dressing up” for Saturday as the team they used to be-a low seed playoff team and early first round exiter.  Of course, making the playoffs (or just being competitive) will be a huge step up for this team and attendance at basketball games should increase.  They’ve already shown their Western Conference underachieving counter part, the Dallas Mavericks, that they mean business handing them a home opening loss on Wednesday night. 

The Wiz should play a good game Saturday night, and even if they don’t they are encouraging costumes so you’ll be able to hide in shame-unlike certain other franchises that are run as if they are a small Central American dictatorship I could name.

Free Masks, Candy and Schedule Magnets for fans as well as a contest for best costume-which will win you season tickets, so nothing to sneeze at there.  What would be a wining idea for a costume?  I’m thinking a LOT of people will go as a, wait for it, WIZARD so if you go that route make sure yours is killer.  Also, tasteless stuff is probably not going to cut it, even though I’d give you style points, it is a family event. 

My suggestion is to tape a lot of fake money to your shirt and go as the Wizards first round draft choice-CASH.  (If you have a friend, they can be “Cash Considerations.”)

Whatever you do, dont’ be a ceiling fan.  Please.  For me.

Photo courtesy Alex Buckley

A disclosure so the FTC doesn’t go after me: this post is going to be 60% shameless plug.

I’ve spent the last few months stage managing for Kensington Arts Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. We opened last weekend to some wonderful audiences and this weekend we are pulling all the stops out for Halloween. Tonight we’ll have a performance at 8:00 PM but tomorrow night we’ll be having a special midnight performance for Halloween! What better way to celebrate the holiday than watching the show that’s been a horror cult classic for years.

The Rocky Horror Show tells the tale of Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple that are left stranded when their car breaks down in a rain storm, and seek the sheltered at the nearby castle of Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist who has a devilish plan in store for his new visitors.

For those that are Frankie fans, audience participation will be allowed and encouraged. If you are Rocky Horror virgin, you can find out what all the fuss is about here. Audience members will be free to shout out their favorite callbacks during the show, however keep your rice and pieces of toast at home. Props brought from home won’t be allowed due to safety reasons, however you can purchase all the props you need to shower the theatre with cards for sorrow and cards for pain.

To get complete details on the show check out KAT’s website- and if can’t catch it this weekend it’ll be running til November 14th.

If my shameless plug didn’t convince you to check out Rocky Horror then here’s a couple of other things you can do:

• The International Spy Museum will be holding a Spy Fright today and tomorrow. Besides a haunted Spy at Night event with cocktails, wearing a costume to the museum gets you discounts including 50% admission.  On Saturday the museum is also launching the latest Clue game: CLUE Secrets & Spies.
• The folks at Lindy Promotions are putting on the 10th Annual Nightmare on M Street, and if M Street two years ago means anything, it’ll be quite the show.
• From 6 PM – Midnight on Halloween stop by any Taco Bell for a free Black Jack Taco. No base stealing required.
• Instead of listing every single Saturday night Halloween party in town, just check out what The Washington Post, The Washingtonian, and BarDC have to say.

Come December, you'll see this confessional backdrop all over MTV

Remember this past summer when that crazy group of kids moved into Dupont Circle and caused chaos for DC and MTV? Well as most of us can get back with our lives now that they are gone, we can expect them back on our TV screens soon.

NBC 4 recently talked with Executive Producer Jim Johnston and says the show should premiere around December 30th- just in time to watch reruns while nursing that New Years hangover.

The Washignton Post’s Dan Zak also got the chance to visit the house and the castmates and saw it all from themed bedrooms to coached up message points given by the castmates:

They came. They saw. They got good at Jacuzzi sex. They had the time of their lives, they say, in the $5.7 million mansion at 2000 S St. NW. D.C. is sooo great, they say, so driven and electric. They use “driven” and “electric” often to describe themselves and Washingtonians. There is a faint, stale whiff of prepackaged buzzword, like they’ve been coached to brand the production before it airs Dec. 30.

Zak offers short takes on each of the cast members, reporting that castmate Mike Manning may return to DC, taking a liking to the city after his experience working with the Human Rights Campaign. Zak also notes that in a trite attempt to look “DC” the entire place is covered in eagles:

Bald eagles are everywhere. Eagle statues prop up a glass coffee table with their white, feathery crowns. Bronze and ceramic eagles swoop out from the wall, mid-attack. It’s Norman Bates, with a dash of John Ashcroft.

The related video reveals that cast felt like being on “The Real World” was really hard and difficult. I can imagine what months of drinks, drama, and parties can do to your life. No wonder most end up re-signing with the network for future shows (how long before they end up on The Ruins 2?)

Click the photo below to check out the Washington Post’s look inside The Real World DC House:

WP Video: D.C. cast members of 'The Real World' show off their house

The creator of PostSecret and friend of DC Metblogs Frank Warren has been busy lately.

Besides maintaining one of the web’s most visited blogs and holding numerous live events, he now has a new book out: PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God. For the 5th book he’s been busy doing various radio and television hits, including an appearance on the Today show. All of the buzz is well deserved, as his book debuted at #1 on the New York Times best seller list and still remains there two weeks later.

I was lucky enough to get the chance to chat with him and talk about what he’s been up to.

Since we first corresponded through e-mails back in January, Warren has expanded PostSecret’s online presence from it’s blog and online community with Facebook pages and a Twitter account. “PostSecret has been doing a lot of innovative stuff online- cutting edge stuff in the virtual world, social media,” says Warren and while his Twitter account is less than a year old he already has over 211,300 followers. He’s already become a Twitter pro, using his new iPhone to capture behind the scenes moments of his first national television interview. “I thought it was a cool juxtaposition because if somebody was following me on Twitter they could see it from my perspective then see it live on NBC like everybody else does- it’s like sharing the secrets behind the show.”

Frank has become a fan of Twitter and believes it is at the cusp of changing the way we communicate, “I think it’s a another unique communication tool that allows us to have new kinds of conversation I think eventually  it’s going to look nothing like it does now I think we are just at the beginning of how it evolves into something more significant.” Warren believes that Twitter still needs to work on ways to help users find the most interesting content easier, “Twitter is in desperate need of tools to raise the awareness of those that are sending the most interesting and experimental tweets.” Frank also came up with a new term for the many registered accounts that are relatively inactive:  Zombie Followers.

The idea for Confession on Life, Death, and God originally started as a PostSecret exhibit at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. Looking at the 300 postcards in the exhibit, Warren noticed how secrets sent into the project have become more spiritual- and it became the theme of his latest book. For the next two years Frank solicited and collected secrets for the book and spent a lot of time selecting and arranging what would be included. Frank shared with me some layouts that stuck out to him, for instance pages 120-127 share a theme with birds and cages (get the book and see if you can find it.) There’s another interesting comparison on page 142 & page 143- but I’ll let you figure that one out. You can see Frank certainly put together this book with a meticulous eye.

After reading the copy of the book he sent to me, I found the book to be as thought-inspiring and insightful as the secrets he posts on the blog or his Twitter account. It is definitely an interesting book to check-out if you are a fan of PostSecret, or if you’ve never even heard of the project.

You can pick-up copies of the book on Amazon, B&N, Borders, or any other fine retailer (except Wal-Mart, where he’s banned- but it isn’t slowing him down.)