Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Upcoming Events 12/9-12/12

JMU Washington Semester Reception
-Sponsored by JMU Politicos and the JMU Political Science Department
-At the Longworth House Office Building, Room 1300 on Capitol Hill
-5:30-7:30 on Friday, 12/9
-Please RSVP to POSC@jmu.edu or 540-568-6149

Caroling in the National Gallery of Art
-The Mandoleers perform seasonal music and lead the audience in familiar Christmas carols.
-At the National Gallery of Art (4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW)
-Cost: Free
-1:30 pm and 2:30 pm performances on Saturday, 12/10

Gingerbread Workshop
-At the National Building Museum (401 F St. NW)
-Cost: $65 per house. Registration required.
-10 a.m.-12 p.m., 2:00-4 p.m. on Saturday, 12/10

13th Annual Santa Stumble
-Dress like Santa and hit Georgetown nightspots during this bar crawl, which has become a D.C. holiday tradition.
-At The Third Edition (1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW)
-Cost: Free, but charitable donations accepted.
-4 p.m. on Saturday, 12/10

Heurich House Museum Candlelight Tours
-Celebrate the holidays at a Victorian house. Performances of traditional German Christmas music at 7pm and 8pm, German Christmas cookies and cider and a special appearance by Father Christmas.
-At the Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW)
-Cost: $15, children $5
-6:00-9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, 12/9-12/10

Jingle All the Way 8K
-Celebrate the season with a run through the streets of the nation's capital. Many run in costume.
-At Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 13th and 14th streets)
-Cost: $30-$40
-9 a.m. on Sunday, 12/11

Friday, December 2, 2011

Lunch with Senator Warner, Representative Goodlatte and Representative Wolf!



On Wednesday, November 30, JMU faculty and alumni joined the Washington Semester students for a luncheon event entitled, “Crossing the Aisle in a Polarized Political Environment.” Guest speakers Senator Mark Warner, Congressman Frank Wolf and Congressman Bob Goodlatte gave us insight on what it’s like to work in congress at a time when so many Americans are frustrated with their politicians’ lack of effort to compromise and come to an agreement on the tough issues that face the country. Congressman Frank Wolf spoke about a congressional culture that has long since been lost, where those elected to congress used to move their families to live in Washington, D.C. He talked about the difficulties in trying to create policies with people you don’t know, that it was hard to trust other congressional members “when you don’t break bread together.”


All three agreed that American citizens need to tell their representatives that failing to work together and do their job to get the U.S. back on sound economic ground won’t be tolerated anymore. Senator Warner said we all need to do our part. Congress needs to do the job the American people sent them to Washington to do, and Americans need to actively engage in political participation in order to hold our government accountable. And what if congress doesn’t do its part? Senator Warner suggested citizens should “fire us all.” But that’s how the democratic process is supposed to work, right? Citizens should hold their representatives accountable, expecting political leaders to do exactly what they said they would at the time of their election.

This event was definitely a success and a rare opportunity to get the first-hand opinions of three congressmen who represent districts where many of the Washington Semester students reside. The students are thankful to Senator Mark Warner and Representatives Frank Wolf and Bob Goodlatte for taking time out of their busy schedules to speak with us. We are also thankful to the JMU Politicos alumni group, JMU Washington Semester program and JMU Department of Political Science for organizing this event!










Monday, November 28, 2011

Exclusive 11/28 Event

-The U.S. Air Force "Airmen of Note" Saxaphones will perform on Monday, 11/28 at The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F Street NW)

-From 6:00- 7:00pm

-Cost: Free!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Intern Spotlight: Tiffany Taylor

TIFFANY TAYLOR

Tiffany is the Marketing and Outreach Intern at Women for Women International, a non-profit international organization that provides financial and emotional support to women survivors of war. She has a wide range of duties, all of which require strong writing and research skills. Tiffany is currently working on the fall Newsletter, writing the various e-mails for support of their many campaigns and also edits various things for all members of the marketing department. She has also been involved in workplace giving events for the "Combined Federal Campaign" where she has helped to raise awareness among federal employees, enabling them to donate in conjunction with their employers. Tiffany was also responsible for writing the script for a promotional video. She is really enjoying her internship and finds her work very fulfilling. She is gaining invaluable skills that will hopefully help her to obtain a full-time job in the near future!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Upcoming Events 11/14-11/20

1. Political Calculus, Political Times: Nate Silver and Matt Bai

-The New York Times journalists talk with editor Megan Liberman about the current political climate. Cost: $25
-11/14 at 6:30 pm
-At the George Washington University Jack Morton Auditorium (805 21st St. NW Washington, DC)
-For info call: 1-888-698-1870

2. Beaujolais Nouveau Party
- A Beaujolais Nouveau party with French music, cocktails and unlimited wine after midnight. Cost: $10
- At the 1905 club (1905 9th St. NW Washington, DC)
- 11/16, doors open at 9:30 p.m.

3. Drinking for a Cause at The Pug
-Drink pint of DC Brau at the Pug on Nov. 17, and every cent of the proceeds will go towards the U.S.O. and the Wounded Warrior Project. Cost: Free
- At The Pug (1234 H St. NE Washington, DC)
-11/17 from 5 pm-2 am

4. "US Air Force Band: Jazz Heritage Series"
-11/18 at 8:00pm. Cost: Free
-http://www.usafband.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123272764
-At Lisner Auditorium - at GWU (730 21st Street, NW on the corner of 21st & H St)

5. Fall 2011 Law Day Open House
- Prospective law students can sit in on a law class, tour the school's facilities and speak with current students and faculty. At the David A. Clarke School of Law.
-Cost: Free, but registration required
-11/19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
-University of the District of Columbia (4200 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC)

6. "Georgetown Cupcake" Book Signing
-Katherine Kallinis and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, owners of Georgetown Cupcake (and the stars of the TLC television program "DC Cupcakes"), discuss and sign their new book, "The Cupcake Diaries: Recipes and Memories from the Sisters of Georgetown Cupcake."
- At Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Rd. McLean, VA)
-11/19 at 2 p.m.

7. Sculpture Garden Ice Rink Opens
-Weather permitting, the rink opens for the season opening 11/ 19 at 10 a.m.
-Two-hour session: $8, $7 for ages 50 and older, ages 12 and younger and students. Skate rental: $3.
-At the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and Ice Skating Rink (700 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC)

8. African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting
-A collection of 112 objects that represent ten years of work toward building a permanent collection.
-At the National Museum of African Art (950 Independence Ave. SW Washington, DC)
-Nov. 19 through Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily
-http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/mosaic/index.html

9. Hope for America
-Drawing from personal papers, public appearances, and films of Bob Hope and other entertainers, the exhibit explores politics and entertainment in American public life throughout the 20th century and its consequences for the nation's political culture. Cost: Free
-At the Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Bldg. (10 First St. SE Washington, DC)
-Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
-More info: 202-707-4606

10. 30 Americans Exhibit
- The exhibit showcases works by many of the most important African American artists of the last three decades. This provocative exhibition focuses on issues of racial, sexual, and historical identity in contemporary culture while exploring the powerful influence of artistic legacy and community across generations. Cost: Free
-October 1-February 12
-More info: http://www2.corcoran.org/30americans/

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Upcoming Events 11/3-11/6

1. 90th Birthday Bash
-The Phillips Collection celebrates its 90th birthday by offering free admission, live ballet and music, a cash bar and hands-on art projects. Cost: Free
-At the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St. NW Washington, DC)
-10:00 am Saturday, 11/5

2. NightVisions
-This late-night photo safari invites shutterbugs to roam the region armed with cameras or cell phones, then end the night by submitting the night's photos for a real-time competition judged by photo editors and curators. Cost: $10
-At FotoSpace (1838 Columbia Rd. NW Washington, DC)
-8:00 pm-4:00 am Saturday, 11/5
-http://www.fotoweekdc.org/

3. The Vices That Made Virginia
-A festival of regional foods, wines, bourbon, beer and bluegrass. Cost: $125
-At the Woodlawn Plantation (9000 Richmond Hwy. Alexandria, VA)
-4:00-8:00 pm Saturday, 11/5
-http://woodlawn1805.org/

4. World Series of Flip Cup
-Flip Cup tournament. Cost: $40 per person, $240 per team, register online.
-Embassy Suites (900 10th St Nw, Washington, DC)
-1:00 pm Saturday, 11/5
-202-739-2001

5. DC Reads
-Kurt Schmocke, a former mayor of Baltimore and currently dean of the Howard University Law School, leads a discussion of the bestselling memoir "The Other Wes Moore" (a chronicle by one Wes Moore of his own life -- Rhodes Scholar, White House fellow, combat veteran -- and that of another Wes Moore from a similar background, now in prison for murder). Schmocke's special guests will be the mother of the author Wes Moore and the sister of the "other" Wes Moore. The book is this year's selection of the one-book, one-city program DC Reads, sponsored by the D.C. Public Library. Cost: Free
-202-364-1919
-5:00 pm Sunday, 11/6
-At Politics & Prose Bookstore (5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC)

6. Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show
-Includes appearances by celebrity chefs Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Fieri and Jacques Pepin, 400 specialty food exhibitors, Cookbook authors and more. Cost: $12.50-$27, free children younger than 4
-At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place Washington, DC)
-10:00 am-6:00 pm Saturday, 11/5
-10:00 am-5:00 pm Sunday, 11/6
-202-249-3400

7. Ghost Tours
-Discover the National Building Museum's "haunted" history. Cost: $12, registration required.
-At the National Building Museum (401 F St. NW Washington, DC)
-8:00 pm, 11/ 6
-http://www.nbm.org/

8. FotoWeek at the Corcoran
- The museum goes free for eight days, including the days it is usually closed, as part of its partnership with FotoWeek DC. On display: Exhibitions including "Hank Willis Thomas: Strange Fruit," "Gordon Parks: Photographs from the Collection," "Selections from the Indie Photobook Library" and "Prix Pictet: Growth." Cost: Free
-At the Corcoran Gallery of Art (500 17th St. NW Washington, DC)
-10:00 am-5:00 pm 11/5-12
-http://www.corcoran.org/fotoweekdc/index.php

*Also, be sure to read this Washington Post article on finding the best places in D.C. to meet up:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/one-week-of-meetups/2011/09/27/gIQAFUUNhL_story.html

Monday, October 31, 2011

American Enterprise Institute event


Left, Right & Christ: Evangelical Faith in Politics

On Friday after our trip to the Washington Post, several of us went to an event sponsored by AEI. This luncheon discussed the role of faith in politics, and addressed the topic with two speakers who held vastly different opinions . The speakers were: D.C Innes, a Professor at King's College and Lisa Sharon Harper, a director at Sojourners.They each spoke and offered their opinions on the role that religion and evangelicalism should play within politics. Once they finished there was a brief Q&A session followed by a delicious lunch of Salmon and salad. It was a great experience and those of us who went learned a lot, and of course appreciated the free lunch!

Washington Post



Friday October 28th our group went to the Washington Post. We were taken on a tour and got to see several different departments and areas. We were also able to see where the live interviews take place and got to speak briefly with several employees, which gave us insight into the work that goes on to produce the newspaper. After our tour, we met with Lori
Montgomery, a reporter who covers U.S economic policy, the Federal budget and more recently debt. We had a Q&A session with her, where we were able to get her perspective on our current economic situation while also learning more about the "Super committee." Our group was very interactive and had great questions, and it was great to get her "insider" perspective .

Friday, October 28, 2011

Ben Bradlee

That was Ben Bradlee who walked past us in the lobby of The Washington Post today.  In my opinion, Bradlee was the most important newspaper editor of the late 20th century.  As Executive Editor, he (on the right) supervised Bob Woodward (left) and Carl Bernstein (center) when they wrote the slowly evolving series of articles on the Watergate scandal, which eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon and won a Pulitzer Prize.  Bradlee's role was crucial: he pushed "Woodstein" (that's what he called Woodward and Bernstein) to tighten their reporting and write better stories, then he backed them up when doubts emerged about their investigation.  Bradlee, Woodward and Bernstein were the only three people who knew the identity of the story's most important source, "Deep Throat" -- the most famous anonymous source in the history of modern journalism -- until former FBI Associate Director Mark Felt outed himself in 2005.

If you're interested, I highly recommend reading Bradlee's memoir, A Good Life.  For more on Watergate, you can't beat All the President's Men -- either the original book by Woodward and Bernstein and/or the movie, which stars Robert Redford (Woodward), Dustin Hoffman (Bernstein) and Jason Robards (Bradlee).  I think Robards won an Oscar for his portrayal of Bradlee. 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Upcoming Events 10/27-10/31

1.Halloween Bar/Pub Crawl
-http://canights.com/event/district-of-columbia/the-bier-baron-tavern/1029-halloweekend-pub-crawl-washington-dc
-http://www.bierbarondc.com/
-Starting at Bier Baron (1523 22nd St. NW Washington, DC) in Dupont Circle
-Register on 10/29 between 12pm to 7pm


2. Are You a Pumpkin Fan?
-Check out these pumpkin-themed events including pumpkin carvings and tastings of Pumpkin flavored drinks and food.
-http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/best-bets/pumpkin-events,99007.html


3. Story League Halloween Mini-Show and Mixer
-Washington writers, poets, comics and Average Joes tell true first-person stories about Halloween. Stop by to hear an hour of Halloween-related stories, then hang around for a meet-and-greet fueled by $5 Absolut cocktails. Because of the theme, costumes are encouraged, but not required.
-At Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC)
-7 p.m. Thursday, 10/ 27


4. Nightmare on M Street Bar Crawl
-The 12th annual Nightmare on M Street is the biggest one yet, with 17 bars offering $2 Coors Light, $3 Blue Moon, $4 Bacardi drinks and other food and drink deals. Register between 5 and 10 at McFadden's, the Front Page or Mackey's, then get crawling. Among the participants: Public Bar, Sign of the Whale, the Madhatter, BlackFinn, the Mighty Pint, James Hoban's and Dirty Martini.
-Starting at McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon (2401 Pennstlvania Ave. NW)
-5:00 pm-1:00 am Saturday, 10/29
-$17.50 in advance; more at the door.


5. Town Tavern Halloween Party
-Saturday, 10/29
-Town Tavern's party starts with an optional $10 open bar from 8 to 10. Stick around for a costume contest, where $100 prizes will go to the "sexiest, funniest, and most creative costumes."


6. Want a Falafel Sandwich at Amsterdam Falafelshop (in Adams Morgan) for $1?


-Coupon here: https://sowhatsthedeal.com/promotions/1-falafel-sanwich-amsterdam-falafel?utm_source=freeindc&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=freeindc_post