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.