Fall Reunion!!

Bing and I welcomed our good friends that flew in from Cincinatti, Chicago and Orlando for a fun filled weekend of catching up, great food and lots of laughs. They had fun at their retro themed room at Hotel Helix with leopard robes and bunk beds!

We spent time in Dupont Circle, Hotel Helix, Logan Station, great dinner at Georgia Browns, Eastern Market, brunch at Banana Cafe, breakfast at Trio's in Dupont Circle, light brunch on Sunday at Left Bank in Adams Morgan and lots of laughs!

http://www.hotelhelix.com/

http://www.gbrowns.com/

http://www.bananacafedc.com/

http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/information2550/information.htm?area=2522

http://www.easternmarketdc.com/

Paws for a Cause!

We had a nice walk in Montrose Park, the beautiful park in Georgetown -- full of beautiful trees, roses and views!!

http://www.georgetowndc.com/go/montrose-park

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc11.htm





PawFest 2008
The Washington Animal Rescue League’s Annual Open House
October 25 & 26, 2008

PawFest is an excellent opportunity to visit one of the most active and innovative animal rehabilitation and adoption centers in the country. Bring your family out for a weekend of fun and find out why the League is considered one of the most humane animal shelters in the world.
The weekend-long celebration begins with a low-cost ($10) vaccination and free microchip clinic on Saturday, October 25, from 9:30a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (made possible through the generosity of Bayer HealthCare — Animal Health). No appointment is necessary, but cats must be in carriers and dogs must be on leashes.
Come back for the main event on Sunday, October 26 from12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Visit our vendor partners--Big Bad Woof, Dog Centric, and Happy Paws--stop by our pet training booth, walk your animal through the Haunted Shelter, or dress up your pet companion to compete in the annual pet costume contest!
Throughout the day, three-time Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Carol Guzy will be holding professional pet portrait photo sessions in the Medical Center lobby. Each session costs $200.00 for a photo CD of pictures of your pet. 100% of pet portrait sales will be donated to the League. Pre-registration is required. To reserve your 20-minute time slot, please contact spease@oai-usa.com.
Pet owners curious about the makeup of their lovable mixed breed pups can visit MetaMorphix, Inc.’s DNA Swab-a-thon™ booth to have their dog’s DNA analyzed. Kits will be sold for $120.00, $30.00 of which will go directly to support the League. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but not required. Please contact spease@oai-usa.com for more information or to pre-register.
Other family fun activities on Sunday include face painting, pet boutique shopping, pumpkin sales, and plenty of refreshments. Please bring friends, family and of course, dogs (on leashes)! Admission is free.

Autumn weather--at last!!

Yesterday I went South to the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia for brunch with my Mother and Sister. This photo is an early cool Autumnal shot of the upper pond complete with mallard ducks going in for their first swim of the day.

http://www.boarsheadinn.com/

Check out other great things to do in the Charlottesville Area, only about a two plus hour drive from Washington, DC.

http://www.10best.com/Charlottesville,VA/locationDetails.html

Washingtonian Magazine's article highlighting best vineyards in Virginia & Maryland

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/9580.html

Bing's pick of the week:

PawFest 2008The Washington Animal Rescue League’s annual open house.

October 25, 2008 to October 26, 2008 WARL 71 Oglethorpe Street, NW Washington, DC 20011
Visit one of the largest, most active and innovative animal rehabilitation and adoption centers in the country. Low-cost vaccine and microchip clinic on Saturday, October 25, 9:30 - 12:00. Shelter open house with Haunted Shelter, fun activities, light refreshments, animal portraits on Sunday, October 26, 12:00 - 4:00. Bring friends and family. Dogs welcome, too! Admission is free.

http://warl.org/about/

Basic Guide & Resource for First Time Home Buyers

http://homes.longandfoster.com/Buyers-Guide/Buyers-Guide.aspx

Over the River and Through the Woods.....

Bing and I enjoyed a nice weekend in Lynchburg, Virginia, yes at Grandma's house!

Celebrating Mom's 74th Birthday!



Lynchburg is a nice day trip from DC, just go out I66 and go South on Route 29.

You can visit Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello in Charlottesville and his summer home Poplar Forest outside of Lynchburg in Forest, Virgnia



http://www.monticello.org/


http://www.poplarforest.org/


Today's Events

Exhibition: Whales Tohorâ Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Location: National Geographic Museum at Explorers HallExplore the dramatic undersea world of whales in this breathtaking exhibition - alive with stories, intriguing objects, and interactive science. See a sperm whale hunt giant squid, hear whale voices, crawl through a model blue whale heart, and more!

Walking Tour - Environmental Studies: Dr. George Washington Carver Nature Trail Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:30 AM - 12:00 noon Location: Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and CultureLearn about Dr. George Washington Carver and how the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa relate to natural recycling, the insect community, medicinal plants, and other outdoor offerings.

Dance - Happenings at the Harman: The Washington Ballet Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:00 noon - 1:00 PM Location: Sidney Harman HallSee the Washington Ballet in a special performance at Happenings.

Discussion: Suffragist Scrapbook Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:00 noon - 1:00 PM Location: The Library of CongressRosemary Plakas of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division discusses the Library's Suffragist Scrapbook Collection in the Creating the United States exhibition.

Gallery Talk - A Movable Feast: The Book as Art with Krystyna Wasserman, Curator of Book Arts Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:00 noon - 12:30 PM Location: National Museum of Women in the ArtsJoin NMWA educators, curators, and administrators as they offer short gallery talks in conjunction with NMWA's fall special exhibitions. Today's topic: A Movable Feast: The Book as Art with Krystyna Wasserman, Curator of Book Arts.

Music: Francesc de Paula Soler Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:00 noon - 1:00 PM Location: The Library of CongressGuitarist Francesc de Paula Soler performs classical guitar works in a program sponsored by the Hispanic Division.

Noontime Lecture Series and Book Signing - The Assassin's Accomplice: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:00 noon Location: U.S. National Archives and Records AdministrationKate Clifford Larson tells the story of Mary Surratt, a little-known participant in the plot to kill Abraham Lincoln, and the first woman ever to be executed by the Federal Government.

Music - Wednesday Jazz: Joe Natale Trio Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:30 PM Location: Corcoran Gallery of ArtJazz up your lunch time as the Corcoran Gallery of Art presents its free jazz concert series. Today enjoy performance by the Joe Natale Trio.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial 17th Annual Wreathlaying Day Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:00 PM Location: National Law Enforcement Officers MemorialWith the laying of a wreath, top federal and law enforcement leaders will join surviving family members and colleagues of local officers who have died during the past year to mark the 17th anniversary of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Noontime Lecture Series and Book Signing - The Last Lincoln Conspirator: John Surratt's Flight from the Gallows Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:30 PM Location: U.S. National Archives and Records AdministrationDespite all that has been written about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the story of John Surratt - the only conspirator who got away - remains untold and largely unknown. Andrew Jampoler tells what happened to that last conspirator.

Author Lecture, Discussion, and Book Signing - Vine Deloria, Jr. Native Writers Series: Ofelia Zepeda Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:30 PM Location: National Museum of the American Indian

Music: Martin Taylor Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:30 PM Location: IDB Cultural CenterAward-winning guitarist Martin Taylor has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing.

Curator Lecture - Out of Sight: Life and Work of Slaves and Servants in a Georgetown Home Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:45 PM Location: Tudor PlaceJoin Tudor Place for an informative lecture of the community of domestic workers, enslaved and free, that lived and worked at Tudor Place. This lecture explores domestic service in Georgetown and DC from the early 1800s through modern day.

Film - Reel Portraits: On the Waterfront Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:00 PM Location: National Portrait GalleryMarlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint star in this 1954 drama about violence and corruption on the docks of New York.

Walking Tour: The Most Haunted Houses Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Lafayette Square"With the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit," wrote Edgar Allan Poe, describing the home of Roderick Usher. Imagine the observations Mr. Poe might have penned about the homes encountered on this walk and their owners.

Music: Tribute to Maestro Rostropovich! Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:30 PM Location: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtsThe Rostropovich Foundation presents a concert of classical masterpieces performed by Rostropovich Commemorative Scholarship Winners, honoring Maestro Rostropovich's passionate devotion and commitment to aspiring young talent.

Performance: Kahurangi Mâori Dance Theatre Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:30 PM Location: National Geographic Live!The Kahurangi Māori Dance Theatre has introduced audiences around the world to the vibrant culture of the native Māori people of New Zealand with chants in honor of ancestors, martial arts demonstrations, and powerful songs of Māori pride.

Films at the Avalon - French Cinémathèque: In Mom's Head / La Tête de Maman Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:00 PM Location: Avalon Theatre"Twenty years ago, a few years before I was born, mom loved a guy. Twenty years ago, they were forced apart and when the silly fool left, he took my mom’s smile with him. I’ve gotta find him, gotta bring him back for mom. Otherwise, I’ll die." - Lulu, 15 years old.

Poetry and Prose Reading: Faculty Benefit Reading Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:00 PM Location: The Katzen Arts Center at American UniversityThe annual reading of poetry and prose by American University’s creative writing faculty features Kyle Dargan, Andrew Holleran, David Keplinger, Richard McCann, Glenn Moomau, and Mary Kay Zuravleff.

Presentation - ReConstitution 2008: A Live Remix of the Presidential Debates Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:00 PM Location: Corcoran Gallery of ArtReConstitution is a live audiovisual remix of the 2008 presidential debates. The brainchild of Sosolimited, this nonpartisan hybrid of video art and performance exposes the themes, content, and structure behind the sound and images of the debate.

Social Event: Trivia Night Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:00 PM Location: Solly's U Street TavernTrivia Nights at Solly's are a blast and on Wednesday, October 15 all proceeds will benefit the Young Playwrights' Theater.



OPEN House- Sunday, October 19th, 2-4

Address: 3401-3420 38th Street, NW # 522

Lovely One Bedroom/One Bath with Large Balcony in Vaughan Place Towers

Price Reduced to $359.500.00

Great Cleveland Park location. You can walk to Starbucks and Giant and enjoy the many amenities, such as 24/7 Concierge, Pool, Fitness Center, On-site Property Management, and free shuttle to the Tenleytown Metro. Pet Friendly!

Check out my website for a host of useful resources!

http://www.kevincanada.lnfre.com/

Airedales, Bison & Bulldogs..Oh My!!!

Bing and I had a nice walk on Q Street across the Dumbarton Bridge (also known as the Bison Bridge) through Georgetown this morning. This is also the last original carriage bridge in the city--if you walk below the bridge you can see the beautiful details, which include Indian heads.

Featured Local Events:


Music: Patrick Bismuth and La Tempesta Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:30 PM Location: La Maison FrançaiseThis renowned French baroque ensemble is celebrated for its bold and enthusiastic interpretations.

Walking Tour: Return to the Philippines Friday, October 10, 2008 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: World War II MemorialIn the spring of 1942, General Douglas MacArthur made a promise to the Philippine people: “I shall return.” Many American military personnel that were left behind had to survive the infamous Bataan Death March. What was their story and how many survived?

Workshop for Kids: Making a Viewing Stone Display in a Tray Saturday, October 11, 2008 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon Location: U.S. National ArboretumThis workshop will be taught by Jim Greaves, a stone collector and master of viewing stone display. Participants will learn about stone appreciation and create their own display to take home.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Sunday, October 12, 2008 Location: Hillwood Estate, Museum & GardensParticipate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony guided by the Chado Urasenke DC Association. Or take advantage of the Sunday opening to relax and enjoy the fall foliage, which is breathtaking this time of year.

more information can be found at the Cultural Tourism DC website:

http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/calendar2532/calendar.htm

Taste of Georgetown
(M & Wisconsin Avenue, NW)

Saturday, October 11th, 11 am – 4 pm

The annual Taste of Georgetown showcases the spectacular cuisine of thirty of Washington, D.C.’s finest restaurants, highlighting Georgetown’s culinary personalities and featuring nearly sixty delectable dishes to sample, as well as wine pairings and the jazz talents of Blues Alley.As the fifteenth annual celebration of food, wine, and music, the Taste of Georgetown has become the premier food and wine festival of D.C.


All proceeds benefit the Georgetown Ministry Center’s Service to support the homeless.


http://tasteofgeorgetown.com/



HUD to Offer $50 million in Housing Counseling Grants

As part of an ongoing program to help families prepare for homeownership, HUD will offer housing counseling grants to assist families in becoming first-time homeowners and remaining homeowners after their purchase. HUD-approved counseling agencies not only provide homeownership counseling, but also offer financial literacy training to renters and homeless individuals and families. "These critical counseling grants not only help to put people into homes, but they help to keep them there as well," said Preston. "Housing counseling organizations will continue to help families make more informed choices before they purchase a home and counsel families facing foreclosure. Now, more than ever, it is critical that Americans better understand how to manage their money, navigate the homebuying process, and securing their financial future." Counseling agencies will use $4 million to help assist senior citizens seeking reverse mortgages or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).


http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm


DC Dog Parks

http://www.doggeek.com/Dog%20Parks/Washington%20DC.shtml

Historic Neighorhoods in DC

http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/homepage2549/index.htm

Pumpkins & Gardens

Today's walk with Bing found us going north on Wisconsin Avenue from Georgetown up past Glover Park and further north to(left on Porter Street) MClean Gardens Cleveland Park.

MClean Gardens is a lovely condominium community with handsome brick buildings situated on over 40 acres of tree lined streets, anchored by Wisconsin Avenue to the East and Archibold Glover Park to the West.

Here is their website for history and more information:

http://www.mcleangardens.com/outside_home.asp

Sunday Open House: MClean Gardens, October 5th, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Address: 3600 38th Street, NW, Unit #276

Description:

Immaculately maintained large one bedroom loft ,this light and airy top floor corner unit offers spacious bedrooms (1,290totsf)& open floor plan with two-story vaulted ceilings. Other features include spacious kitchen with ample cabinet & counter space, master suite on main level with dressing room, hardwood, fresh paint, washer/dryer,9 windows,3 skylights with three exposures. Amenities Include: Pool & Tennis courts. Pet Friendly! Move in Ready!