Kiki Ryan

Portrait Gallery bleeding Dodger blue

Remember that scene in “Fletch” where Chevy Chase’s character says, “I hate Tommy Lasorda!” as he punches a photo of the great Dodger manager on the wall? Well, Fletch would likely be unwelcome in the National Portrait Gallery come next week, when Lasorda’s portrait is hung. The date: Sept. 22, Lasorda’s 82nd birthday. The life-sized painting, by Everett Raymond Kinstler, will join portraits of Dodgers stars Don Drysdale, Leo Durocher, Sandy Koufax and Jackie Robinson, among others in the museum. “I have been honored many times in the past, and am appreciative of them all,” said Lasorda in a statement, “but to be included in...

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Fenty, Rhee documentary in the works?

Wednesday evening saw the local premiere of the Sundance Channel's docu-series "Brick City," about gangs and crime fighting in Newark, N.J. But at the pre-screening reception at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association offices, director-producers Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin had their sights on their next project. "We want your superintendent of schools [Michelle Rhee]," Benjamin told Mayor Adrian Fenty. "We want her, we want you. And we're looking for a D.C. policeman." If "Brick City" is any indication, it would mean plenty of screen time for Fenty, because Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a longtime Fenty pal, figures prominently in the...

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JLo and Marc: Talk about a birthday!

Marc Anthony not only celebrated his lifetime achievement award at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) 32nd Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, but his 41st birthday (hardly a “lifetime”) which featured some very A-list stops, fetes and food. Anthony, along with wife Jennifer Lopez, had a full day supporting several political causes, but somehow managed to make the time to celebrate his big day. Their day in Washington started off meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi to discuss education for Latino youth and college affordability. Later that afternoon, the Latino power couple met with Washington’s top power couple – President Obama and Michelle...

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Media Mix: Wale

Local rapper Wale is performing on Friday as part of the Kia Soul Collective Tour. Also performing at the weekend-long event at 3300 New York Ave., NE, are MGMT, Dan Deacon and the Creepers. Wale gave us his Media Mix via email. Q: What are you reading? "ESPN The Magazine" Q: Whats the last movie you saw? "The Hangover" Q: Whats your favorite TV show? "Entourage" Q: Whats new on your iPod? Young Dro Mixtape Q: What Web sites do you visit in the morning? Twitter rapradar Photo: John Dragonette/Courtesy Interscope...

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President Obama (fake) stabs a man

President Obama playfully stabs Tim Morehouse, who won a silver medal in the saber at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The demonstration was part of a White House event to promote Chicago's bid for the 2016 Games. Photo courtesy Tim...

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Bad timing for Serena’s ‘Solid Character’ nomination

In sports, timing is everything. So, too, in sports awards. Tuesday night brought the sixth annual Greater Washington Sports Alliance “Sneakerball” fundraiser to the National Building Museum, and with it the organization’s slate of awards for local sports figures. And wouldn’t you know it, there in the program was Serena Williams, nominated for the “Solid Character” award. (Williams was the Washington Kastles’ marquee player for a portion of their summer season.) Williams, you may recall, was defaulted out of her U.S. Open semifinal match and fined $10,000 for telling a line judge that she felt like “taking this [expletive] ball and...

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Rep. Crowley’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Penn Quarter got its own version of the Cavern Club on Tuesday night as pols and other VIPs turned out for the local release party for the “The Beatles: Rock Band” video game at Gibson Guitar’s Showroom. Taking up the mantle of John, Paul, George and Ringo were Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., who did a take of “Come Together,” and Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., who ran through “I Saw Her Standing There” and “I’m Looking Through You” with Erik Huey of the Entertainment Software Association. “Crowley and I had the harmony thing going,” Huey said. Also on hand: Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., Marsha...

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For trafficked persons, Liu is an ‘Angel’

She kicked butt in “Charlie’s Angels” and “Kill Bill,” but now actress Lucy Liu is looking to take out human trafficking. As a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, Lui was in town Wednesday as the keynote speaker at an anti-trafficking conference hosted by USAID. Liu passionately addressed the mainly women-filled ballroom at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel about the atrocious acts of trafficking young women across the world, including right here in our own backyard. Liu explained how she first learned about this “modern-day slavery” while doing work with UNICEF, but furthered her involvement in the cause when she joined on to star in the MTV...

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Paul Simon back to stump for health care

Paul Simon was back on the Hill on Wednesday to stump for his pet issue: health insurance for kids. “Paul Simon is a man, we’ve learned, that can be very passionate in his words and music,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., before making several bad puns based on Simon’s music and professing his as well as his wife’s love for the singer. Reid said Simon was instrumental in creating the current child health care laws, crediting his passion and way with words. Simon, who is the co-founder of the Children’s Health Fund, said that if he were in Washington to sing about children’s health care, he would sing, “Poor kids can’t...

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Speakeasy: Mike Pence

"I told him he should have worn a white coat. I was only half kidding. Put a little pocket protector in it and fill it with pens." -House Republican Conference Chair Mike Pence, R-Ind., recalling what he told Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., before Boustany, a physician, gave the GOP response to President Obama's address to Congress last...

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Late night with President Obama

Next Monday night is going to be a late one for President Obama, but not because of presidential matters in Washington, D.C. Instead, Obama will be the sole guest on David Letterman’s “Late Show” — his latest effort to push his health care plan. Obama will make late night show history for the second time this year, becoming the only sitting president to sit on Letterman’s couch in the history of his 16 years as host of the show. And it’s not a first time the men have met — Monday night will mark the sixth time. It took Obama only two months to be the first sitting president to chat it up on late night television, granting Jay Leno the honor of...

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It’s no lie: Rep. Wilson has serious credit card debt

No wonder he’s a little stressed out. Rep. Joe Wilson’s, R-S.C., outburst last week on the house floor during President’s Obama's joint session speech on health care legislation has become the interruption heard around the world this week (Kanye West’s outburst at MTV’s Video Music Awards notwithstanding). But documents filed at the end of last year could point to one explanation — he’s in some major credit card debt. Documents obtained by watchdog group OpenSecrets.org show that the congressman has a minimum credit card debt balance of $30,002 between his American Express credit card and Bank of America credit card. And that’s the...

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As Brown’s book is release, Masons tell real story

As Dan Brown’s book “The Lost Symbol” is being picked up this week by thousands across the country, a lesser publicized book is hoping to prove the inaccuracies of what is to be expected in the “The DaVinci Code” author’s book on the Masonic secrets in Washington. Author James Wasserman was in Washington Tuesday to discuss his book “The Secrets of Masonic Washington,” a guidebook of sorts full of pictures of the “signs, symbols, and ceremonies” that our nation was founded upon. Joined by Mason Akram Elias, the two men traced the history of our country through the traditions set in place by the father of our country and Mason,...

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Kilmer spotted at Il Mulino

A day after Presidents Obama and Clinton dined at Il Mulino in New York, our own outpost of the Italian eatery had its own VIP for lunch — though, we concede, this one was a little more B-list than A-list. Val Kilmer, the actor-turned-potential candidate for governor of New Mexico, was spotted Tuesday at Il Mulino on Vermont Avenue. Sources say he went largely unrecognized, due mostly to the extra weight he was carrying and his “greasy blond hair.” Like a good aspiring New Mexico pol, Kilmer sported a bolo tie and a cowboy hat....

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Bush: Obama wasn't 'remotely qualified'

The latest tell-all from a Bush administration aide, speechwriter Matt Latimer's long-awaited "Speech-Less," hits stores next week. Byron York teased the book's content on Tuesday, and now GQ is out with the first actual excerpts. In it, President George W. Bush weighs in, according to Latimer's recollections, on several of the players in the 2008 elections, and does so scathingly. After Barack Obama blasted his administration in a speech, Bush spouted off in the West Wing: "This is a dangerous world, and this cat isn't remotely qualified to handle it. This guy has no clue, I promise you." Vice President Joe Biden didn't escape Bush's candid assessment, either....

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Albright’s jewels focus of book, museum exhibit

Madeleine Albright is telling a story about her pins that told a story. That’s the premise of her upcoming book, “Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box,” which traces the meaning and history of the former secretary of state’s large collection of brooches she used as diplomatic, political and social tools. “Former President George H.W. Bush had been known for saying ‘Read my lips.’ I began urging colleagues and reporters to ‘Read my pins,’ ” Albright writes explaining how she began to portray messages through her jewelry. Some of her collection includes a “Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil”...

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Billy Crystal sups at Proof

And on his 701st Sunday, Billy Crystal was spotted having dinner at Proof, the wine-centric restaurant in Penn Quarter. In town for his one-man show at the National Theatre, “700 Sundays,” the comic and his wife, Janice Goldfinger, shared some Prosecco and sparkling water, eggplant salad and panzanella, hanger steak, duck breast and a side of rapini. And on Monday, Crystal was spotted outside the Willard Hotel, signing autographs for fans. (Photo: Mark...

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Goodbye Real World, enter Real Housewives

As "The Real World: DC" winds down its weeks of taping in the nation's capital, another "Real" show is on the way, as the "Real Housewives of D.C." is set to begin taping locally later this week. A spokeswoman for the Bravo network, which airs the "Real Housewives" series, would not confirm a start date, but we hear from numerous sources familiar with the show that is set to begin filming on Friday. Josh Friedman of the DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development said the show has been in touch with his office, but has yet to file any specific permit applications. Among the stars of the show are McLean socialite/supermom Mary Amons...

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Perez Hilton tries his best to be political in DC

From blogging to music, gay rights to health care, Perez Hilton certainly is expanding his influence beyond the title of "Queen of all Gossip." Writer of the self-proclaimed "most feared" Web site in Hollywood, blogger Hilton (nee Mario Lavandeira) was in Washington on Saturday night for his latest venture, a music tour. The 9:30 Club hosted Perez and his four independent music acts, which - given the city he was in - Perez used as a forum for his latest political cause, stumping for health care reform. As many will remember, it was Perez's question about gay marriage to then-Miss California Carrie Prejean that stirred up huge controversy. Proving he's focused on...

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Women behind the Hill's power honored for work

Most people don't recognize their names, but 37 of the most powerful women in Washington united Thursday evening for an event in their honor as the Hill's female chiefs of staffs. Held at the the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, which serves as the headquarters of the National Woman's Party, hundreds of women (and some men) fetted the accomplishments of these chiefs of staffs under a tent in the backyard of the historic home on the HIll. "Women make decisions differently than men," said Women's Campaign Forum CEO Sam Bennett, sounding all Sonia Sotomayor-ish....

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Big night out for the Holders

Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife, Dr. Sharon Malone, were spotted having a date night at Teatro Goldoni Saturday. Arriving around 9, Holder started off with a Caesar salad while his wife had the artichoke hearts carpaccio. For their main dish, both opted for the power-spot's signature dish of lobster risotto....

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Study: Yuppies multiplying in D.C.

No, you're not imagining things when you walk around Georgetown, Logan Circle or Clarendon these days: there really are more affluent young adults zipping around in their BMWs and dropping $50 on brunch. A new county-by-county study by Nielsen Claritas shows that D.C. has a larger percentage of the young and wealthy (those 25-34 making $100,000-plus) than any other metropolitan area in the country. In fact, sixteen of the top 50 "young and wealthy" counties are in the D.C. area — including the No. 1 and 2 counties: Loudoun and Arlington. “In 1990 you had a lot more concentration of this demographic in the heartland and in Texas, likely driven by the oil economy,...

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Diminutive actress tackles hugely important issue

While Capitol Hill was preparing to hear President Obama’s speech on health care, across town actress Christina Ricci was hosting an event concerning an issue that will surely be affected by changes in the medical field. People packed the sleek and modern offices of the strategic communications firm Navigators Global Wednesday night to listen to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) spokeswoman Ricci, who spoke along with Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., about the importance of both physical and mental services for victims of sexual abuse. Harman, who dashed in for a moment before Obama’s speech, read off some statistics she found “appalling and...

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Actress, mother Garner wants to ‘save the children’ with education

Congress is back in session, which means back to celebrity sightings on the Hill. Wednesday brought us actress Jennifer Garner, who as an ambassador for Save the Children was there to introduce the Full Service Community Schools Act. In the Capitol building, she greeted Save the Children Vice President Mark Shriver, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., who kicked off his introduction of the actress like an avid reader of gossip rags. “I know you’re here to see ‘Bennifer.’ I’m not that ‘Ben,’ ” Nelson joked, referring to the uni-name given to Garner and her husband, actor Ben Affleck. “That...

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Reichs gets down to the bare ‘bones’ at discussion

One of the first questions people ask Kathy Reichs is whether or not real bones are used on the set of Fox’s hit series “Bones.” “I don’t think Emily (Deschanel) or David (Boreanaz) would stick around for five seasons if we made them work with real dead bodies,” Reichs said. Reichs is a producer for the show, which is loosely based on her book series about Dr. Temperance Brennan, was in town on Wednesday as a speaker at the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program to discuss her newest book “206 Bones.” There are several differences between “TV Tempe” and “Book Tempe,” as she affectionately calls them, but this...

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50 Cent: You can find him in da non-fiction section

Howard U students flocked to see Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson on campus Wednesday, but it wasn't to hear him rap. The crowd, most back on campus after summer break, were there to hear he and co-author Robert Greene discuss their recent book, “The 50th Law.” Greene started the evening by explaining his and Fiddy's “weird connection,” which became painfully clear throughout the evening as Greene struggled to connect with a crowd that was clearly there to see to see the popular rapper. Jackson had been a fan of Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power – a book that distills takes three thousand years of the history of power down to 48 laws — and in...

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Speakeasy: Dan Brown

“I’m fascinated by power, especially veiled power. Shadow power. The National Security Agency. The National Reconnaissance Office. Opus Dei. The idea that everything happens for reasons we’re not quite seeing. It reminds me of religion a little. The power that religion has is that you think nothing is random.” — Author Dan Brown, speaking about his long-anticipated, Washington-centric book, “The Lost Symbol,” in this weekend’s issue of Parade...

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‘Arab Trump’ has green on his mind

They call him the "Arab Trump." The only difference is when Sulaiman al Fahim thinks green, he’s not dreaming of money. He already has a long list of titles before him — real estate developer, owner of the Portsmouth soccer club in England’s Premier League, reality show creator, philanthropist and world chess champion — but al Fahim hopes to add green housing entrepreneur to his resume. The American University alumnus is back in Washington this week, meeting with some senior members of Congress — including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid — to discuss his plans to provide green sustainability to low- and middle-income families. “You...

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Media Mix: Michael Voltaggio

Michael Voltaggio, a native of Frederick, Md., is one of three contestants on this season’s “Top Chef” with local ties (the others are his brother, Bryan Voltaggio, and Mike Isabella). Continuing our series, we asked Michael for his Media Mix. Q: What book are you reading? “The Big Fat Duck Cookbook” Q: What’s the last movie you saw? “The Hangover” Q: What’s your favorite TV show? “Entourage” Q: What’s new on your iPod? Matisyahu, Citizen Cope, the new Eminem Q: What Web sites do you visit in the morning? mylastbite.wordpress.com, kevineats.com, latimes.com...

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Meghan McCain moves her ‘view’ to TV

Meghan McCain set the record straight Wednesday as a co-host on “The View” –not about her edgy statements on the Republican party or her remarks about the media scrutiny on her – but about her having kids. “Last time I was here I got into trouble,” McCain opened her remarks at the table, referring to her time as co-host last March, when she said she didn’t want to have kids, something that upset her pregnant friends. She Clarified it once and for all, but kept the chances seemingly low, saying she might take the plunge “maybe when I’m 50.” Hey, her dad had her at 46. McCain, who is a columnist for The Daily Beast Web site,...

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Blonde Charity Mafia fixed with a 2010 debut?

The long-awaited reality show “Blonde Charity Mafia” is making you wait even longer. The show, which follows three Georgeotown “alpha gals,” was initially due to air in spring 2009 but got pushed back to an "official" premier date of July 7. But then in early June, it was announced the show was again moving, airing sometime "midseason" with sources at the CW saying mid-October. Now, once again, the show finds itself with an ambiguous premiere date. When Yahoo’s telelvision Web site announced fall lineups last week, it curiously stated that the show “Premieres in 2010 on The CW.” Co-star Katherine Kennedy couldn’t...

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Jennifer Garner: Supermom

Jennifer Garner accompanies Mark Shriver on the Hill Wednesday, as they help to introduce the Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2009. Photos: Mark...

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Springsteen, DeNiro lead list of KenCen honorees

And the envelope, please: this year's Kennedy Center Honorees are Bruce Springsteen, Mel Brooks, Robert DeNiro, jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry. This year's ceremony will take place Dec. 6 at the Kennedy Center, and recorded for broadcast on CBS on Dec. 29. Producing, as he has since he created the Honors 32 years ago, will be George Stevens, Jr. "With his hilarious movies and musicals, Mel Brooks has created comedic gems that will keep us laughing for years to come,” said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. “Dave Brubeck's genius has dazzled us for six decades and has helped to define an American art form. Grace Bumbry helped to break...

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Former first lady talks about Michelle Obama’s decorating touches

Though out of the White House former first lady Laura Bush finds herself with something in common with current one— decorating new homes. Mrs. Bush weighed in on Michelle Obama Monday while in Paris for a United Nations meeting to promote global literacy, telling CNN’s Zain Verjee that she “thinks she’s doing great” and discussing their similar experiences. “I know what she is doing. And you know, it’s what every woman who moves there does, and that’s try to make it a home, both for her husband, who is the president, and for her children,” she added before telling about her own remodeling job. “We’re enjoying our home in...

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Tipper Gore: Back to Washington politics as an endorser

A candidate for local D.C. Council member At-Large has received an endorsement from a former resident of a home reserved for one of our nation’s top political positions. It was announced Tuesday that former second lady Tipper Gore has thrown her support behind a local race, holding the first fundraiser for candidate Clark Ray’s campaign for a spot in the District’s government. Tipper’s work in helping Ray raise funds is a turning of the tables of sorts. Ray has a long history supporting the Gore family. During then-Vice President Gore’s presidential race in 2000, Clark served as Tipper Gore’s deputy campaign manager and chief of staff. Prior to that,...

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Freshman members’ schooling could provide senior rank

It’s back-to-school time, which also means back in session for Congress. But instead of science, math and history, the House of Representative’s freshman class will need to be schooled on health care and the economy. And we’ve noticed that their college experiences might come in handy this term. William Cassidy, R-La., and Phil Roe, R-Tenn, both attended medical school, so they no doubt can provide some insight into the world of doctors. While Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., may not have practiced medicine on humans, they did earn degrees in animal science and veterinary medicine. The economic state of America may get a bit better consideration as...

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Barack, Michelle flex for health mag covers

President Obama’s health care bill is all anyone is talking about. But the president and his wife, Michelle, are speaking out about their own family’s health, each appearing next month on the cover of two health magazines. Men’s Health and Women’s Health both scored interviews with the first family of fitness and are starring each one individually in their sex-specific magazines. In Men’s Health — Barack Obama’s second appearance in the fitness glossy — the president weighs in on a variety of issues, including: * The bowls of apples in the Oval Office are the “first step toward health reform.” * Perhaps believing his job...

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Speakeasy: Dinner guests

“Gandhi … Dr. [Martin Luther] King ... and Cesar Chavez.” The three people President Obama said he would like to have dinner with “dead or alive” in response to a Wakefield High School student’s question Tuesday in...

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Speakeasy: Robert Gibbs

"It's a sad state of affairs that many in this country politically would rather start an "Animal House" food fight rather than inspire kids to stay in school." White House press secretary Robert Gibbs discussing President Obama's back-to-school speech aboard Air Force One Monday en route to Cincinnatti, Ohio where the president's gave a speech at the AFL-CIO Labor Council's annual Labor Day picnic....

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Mash-up of rappers and 'the boss' in Washington

Several big-name singers picked Washington as the city to spend their final weekend of the summer. The boss over of all our musical sightings this past weekend goes to Bruce Springsteen, who was spotted checking into the Four Season Hotel in Georgetown on Saturday. Putting to rest rumors of marriage trouble, we heard the singer looked happy to be spending a few weeks off from his U.S. concert tour alongside his wife Patti Scialfa. Later that evening, Jamaican-born Sean Kingston was seen partying it up at Stir Lounge in the Chinatown area. While Springsteen kept a low-profile while in town, the reggae rapper sure knew how to drew all eyes on him. Arriving around 1a.m., Kingston pulled...

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Speaker Pelosi’s kryptonite is her hair?

She’s the most powerful woman in politics, but when it comes to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's hair, she finds herself lacking any power to veto a bad hair day. "Nancy said that in her next life, she would like to be able to style her own hair," said Gary Croteau, stylist at Salon Mario Russo in Boston, Mass. Not too surprisingly, as for years, Pelosi has made the salon at the Four Seasons in Georgetown her first stop every morning. Croteau counts Sen. Ted Kennedy as a client, so in sort of homage to the senator, Pelosi choose him to primp her hair prior to his memorial service. And it sounds like although Pelosi depends on a hair professional, she still expects the perfection....

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By the Numbers: Obama's book

156 Number of weeks President Barack Obama's "Dreams from My Father" has been on the New York Times' best-seller list, beating literary agent Robert Barnett's former longest running client, William Bennett's 'The Book of Virtues.' 344 Rank in popularity of the president's book on...

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Whitney Houston has a fan in bin Laden

Whitney Houston — Bin Laden’s ‘Greatest Love of All?’ According to a new novel by Sudanese author Kola Boof, Osama bin Laden is obsessed with singer Whitney Houston. Boof claims that when she was held as a sex slave for the terrorist for four months in a Moroccan hotel room, he couldn’t stop talking about the legendary singer. “He told me Whitney Houston was the most beautiful woman he’d seen,” she writes in “Diary of a Lost Girl,” excerpted in next month’s Harpers’ Bazaar. Boof adds that he constantly spoke of “how beautiful she was, what a nice smile she has, and how truly Islamic she is but is just...

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Levi Johnston on Sarah Palin ... again

Two weeks ago, his mother was arrested and charged with six felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled subject. Yet not surprisingly, Levi Johnston found no trouble in bashing another mother — the grandmother of his baby boy, Sarah Palin. In excerpts from Vanity Fair released online, Johnston claims Sarah was a bad mother, making her children do all the chores, cooking and their homework without any help. He claims following the news of her daughter’s pregnancy, she had a crazy plan to keep it hidden. “Sarah told me she had a great idea: We would keep it a secret — nobody would know that Bristol was pregnant. She told me that once Bristol had the baby...

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Biden prepares her fall lesson plans

Fall means back to school for students — but don’t forget about the teachers. And in Washington, that includes the wife of Vice President Biden, Jill. With her Ph.D. in hand, Biden headed back to the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College Aug. 24, reports Lynn Sweet on her Daily Flotus blog. This will be her second semester teaching there, after starting last January after arriving in Washington. Sounding like a possible White House speechwriter, Biden is teaching “Preparing for College Writing” and “Critical Reading and Study...

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Tweeteasy: Meghan McCain

"When I was little I wanted to run away and join the circus, I kinda feel like thats exactly what I did, just the elephants are different :-)" -Meghan McCain recalling her childhood dreams on her twitter feed Wednesday night....

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First lady tapping a new favorite designer?

She is to fashion designers what Oprah is to authors. Michelle Obama made Maria Pinta, Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo some of the most sought-after fashions for boutiques across the country after she wore them on the campaign trail. And it’s safe to say fashionistas may want to get their hands on the creations from her new favorite, Maison Martin Margiela. The Web has been buzzing about the first lady’s avant-garde sandals by the Belgian designer ever since she stepped off Marine One on Sunday after returning from Martha’s Vineyard. But unlike her penchant in affordable items — such as the blue Crocs she wore a few days earlier on the island — the asymmetrical,...

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Kastles' summer grand slam

The Washington Kastles are officially big-time. Last week the team was presented with the key to the city and now Washington's championship World Team Tennis (WTT) team found itself honored on primetime television. Following the 7 p.m. match at the U.S. Open Wednesday night, the Kastles became the first WTT winning team to be honored at the famous tennis tournament. The team, along with owner Mark Ein and coach Murphy Jensen, was presented the King Trophy by tennis legend Billie Jean King at a ceremony on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court....

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By the Numbers: Kennedy's memoir

12 23 The rank of Sen. Edward Kennedy’s posthumous memoir “True Compass” on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com presale lists, respectively, as of Wednesday afternoon. The book will not be released until Sept. 14....

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Fenty apologizes to writer, poet Angelou in 140 characters or less

Tweeting means never having to say you’re sorry. Or, at least that’s what D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty might think after missing a meeting with poet Maya Angelou and civil rights leader Dorothy Height. “Missed meeting with Dr. Maya Angelou & Dorothy Height was due to scheduling conflicts and not disrespect :-)” Fenty posted on Twitter early Tuesday. He didn’t post, however, that this wasn’t the first meeting with the pair he has missed, sources report. The women were hoping to meet with Fenty about the sudden eviction of the Recreation Wish List Committee from the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Congress Heights. The committee, coincidentally,...

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Obama staffers make yet another list

They’ve been included on People’s “Most Beautiful,” Forbes’ “Most Powerful,” and Vogue’s “Best Dressed,” but now White House staffers are finding themselves on yet another list. Vanity Fair released its 2009 “New Establishment: The Vanity Fair 100” Tuesday — due out in the October issue — and it includes five members of the Obama administration. Topped by Goldman Sachs’ Lloyd Blankfein, the Obama staffers fall under the magazine’s definition of being “taste-makers and trendsetters, opinion formers and agenda creators, not to mention empire builders.” Tying at No. 15 are White...

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President’s city attracting governors’ kids

Awkward teens with suitcases, crying mothers and packs of students crowding the sidewalks can mean only one thing: move-in day for local universities. And some gubernatorial offspring are among those in the current mix. Georgetown University welcomes two children this fall from the family of two states’ highest leaders. The daughter of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christina, moved across the country this fall to follow in her mother Maria Shriver’s footsteps in attending the Jesuit university. Maybe she’ll become friends with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s daughter, Grace, who also started her freshman year in Hoyaland. Word is they both attended...

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Palin’s finally getting some foreign experience

She likely couldn’t see Russia from her front porch, but former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will get the chance to see Asia in person this month. Palin will take her first visit to Hong Kong on Sept. 21-25 for the CLSA Investors’ Forum, where she’s scheduled to be a keynote speaker. Former keynote speakers at the forum include former President Bill Clinton and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. “Our keynote speakers are always notable luminaries, and they usually address subjects that go beyond finance, such as geopolitics,” CLSA spokeswoman Simone Wheeler said in a statement. “Our goal is to provide investors a diversity of...

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New White House film reveals more on Michelle’s garden

It’s a secret garden no more. The White House is kicking off an “Inside the White House” video series on Whitehouse.gov, with the first one featuring first lady Michelle Obama and White House chef Sam Kass sharing some unknown bits about the first White House garden since Eleanor Roosevelt’s “Victory Gardens.” To get that perfect soil, Kass said crab meal adds calcium and nitrogen to the dirt. And, of course, the locavore-loving chef added the crabs are from the Chesapeake. The seeds they planted — arrow peas, prickly spinach and tennis ball lettuce among other veggies — are from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello garden. Did you know...

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Watchdog group will ‘hammer’ DeLay’s dancing

Will the group behind the demise of Tom DeLay support him strutting his stuff on “Dancing with the Stars” just to see him continue on the show? Many cite the actions of the the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) as the reason for Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s indictment, but will the group put the past behind them and throw their support behind the former pol’s appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” just for entertainment’s sake? We’ll find out the night of the Sept. 21 premiere as the watchdog group hosts a viewing party at Top of the Hill for the ABC ballroom-dancing show. But after speaking with the...

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Speakeasy: Chelsea Clinton wedding

“That buzzy Martha’s Vineyard wedding in [The New York Post’s] Page Six this morning isn’t Chelsea Clinton’s — it’s my best friend’s cousin’s! Wish I could go.” A posting on twitter Monday giving some some proof that Chelsea’s Clinton’s wedding is not on Chappaquiddick Island this weekend....

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Economy makes Henry Paulson vomit?

The state of the economy made those in charge sick to their stomachs, literally. In an interview in the upcoming October issue of Vanity Fair, then-Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson could not keep his lunch down while interviewing with the article’s author Todd Purdum in February 2008. Right as Paulson explains his relationship with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her role in passing the $168 billion economic stimulus package, he is quoted making half-statements that add up to him saying he’s about to get sick from a “stomach problem.” “And with that, Paulson ducked into the private bathroom adjoining his office, closed the big paneled door, and...

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First family returns to Washington after buying Island treats

The first family’s trip in Martha’s Vineyard is over, ending on a more melancholy tone than it began. Rather than spending his final night in town on a fancy date night with his wife Michelle, President Barack Obama and the first lady traveled back from the funeral of Sen. Edward Kennedy. Matching the mood, they returned to torrential rain from Tropical Storm Danny. The cloudy and rainy weather that continued Sunday led to some indoor activities like taking his daughters Malia, Sasha and their cousin Suhalia Ng to do some souvenir shopping at Alley’s General Store in the village of West Tisby near their vacation home. He left with some astronaut ice cream and Nerds...

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Smithsonian displays Kennedy pic

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is among Washington institutions mourning the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who was laid to rest during the weekend at Arlington National Cemetary. The gallery has installed a portrait of the late senator in a first-floor remembrance gallery at the museum. The black-and-white silk screen was painted by pop artist Andy Warhol in 1980 to raise money for Kennedy's presidential run. It "plays off the colors of the American flag and suggests the glamour of politics by enhancing the candidate's features with thin red and blue lines and diamond dust," according to the Gallery. The work is on display indefinitely....

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Media Mix: Bryan Voltaggio

Maryland born Byran Voltaggio is the chef and partner of the three-star fine dining restaurant Volt in his native Federicksburg. You can find him taking his award-winning cooking skills to the small screen as a contestant on the newest season of "Top Chef." Q: What book are you reading? Next vacation I'll pick one up. I have no time right now. Q: What's the last movie you saw? "Superbad" Q: What's your favorite TV show? "Top Chef: Season 6" season premier, the newest "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" episode. Parents will understand Q: What's new on your iPod? Kings of Leon Q: What Web sites do you visit in the morning? New York Times, Washington post,...

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First daughter Jenna Hager's 180 with the media

And you thought she hated the media. President George W. Bush daughter Jenna Hager made headlines sticking out her tounge to reporters as first daughter, but now she's becoming one of them, joining on as the new correspondent for NBC's "Today." The Baltimore resident, Hager will be a contributing reporter for the early-morning show, but will not be covering the home she once lived in. Instead the schoolteacher and children's book writer said she will not be covering the White House, instead focus on "education, urban education, women and children's issues and literacy." "It wasn't something I'd always dreamed to do," Hager said. "But I think one of...

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Drescher recalls Kennedy's role in her cancer-advocacy

As Sen. Edward Kennedy was being laid to rest Saturday at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River, actress Fran Drescher was recalling her time with the man so influential in helping her in succeed in cancer advocacy. At a dinner Saturday evening at Teatro Goldoni, Drescher recalled to Yeas & Nays her greatest memory of the late Senator in helping the uterine cancer survivor get funds for development of a national gynecologic cancer awareness campaign. “He was instrumental in helping me pass the bill by unanimous consent,” Fran began in recalling his role in her success passage of The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act. While in Washington in...

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Johnson, Mason shoot and score in helping our community

Thursday was all about NBA ballers shooting to help their communities. First up was legend Magic Johnson, who acted as the keynote speaker in support of the Minority Business Development Agency. Speaking to a crowd at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Thursday morning, he brought his magic to the room, sharing with minority business owners the best ways to equip themselves in developing a successful enterprise. Drawing off lessons he’s learned as chief executive officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, the former Laker taught attendees how to develop a mission and use their talents, and also how to better listen and serve customers. Magic then went to a White House reception in the Old...

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Hey, Mr. President! Where’s your helmet?

Do as I say, not as I do. On Thursday, President Barack Obama took a bike ride with his family in Aquinnah. The first family cruised along Lobsterville Beach on a gorgeous, sunny day, but there was one glaring omission in an otherwise picture perfect tableau — the president was not wearing a bike helmet. White House spokesman Bill Burton said he did not know why the president was not wearing a helmet because he generally does. “He supports the wearing of bicycle helmets,” Burton said. (AP Photo/Alex...

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Key-sponsored team given key to the city

“I thought it might be a Kastle key” was a most appropriate way for the Kastles tennis team’s founder and owner, Mark Ein, to open his remarks Thursday. After all, he was being presented with the key to the city. Mayor Adrian Fenty was on hand to give Ein what he called “city’s highest honor” in recognition of Ein’s World Team Tennis team, the Washington Kastles’, successful year. “People didn’t know what team tennis was, but one man did,” Fenty said, acknowledging Ein for tennis team’s presence in Washington. Quite impressively, Fenty noted, after only two seasons — the most recent one kicked off to a 0-4...

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Fashion movie viewed by fashion-first females.

It was a Wednesday night, and it was a screening in a movie theater, but that didn’t prevent women from donning their most fashionable duds for the Washington showing of “The September Issue.” In what was probably the first time the carpet of the Landmark Theater was treaded upon by a combined 50 feet of high-heel inches, women packed the theater for the documentary that follows the making of Vogue magazine’s yearly “bible” — the 800-plus-page September issue. It was a intimate portrayal of Vogue editor Anna Wintour unlike many have seen before — interacting with her daughter, talking about her family, mentioning then-on-the-rise designer...

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Ants attack Obama vacationland

Though you can be sure the Secret Service has worked hard this week to rid Martha’s Vineyard of any unwanted pests, they seem to be outnumbered one relentless group of attackers. Ants. “It’s the worst I’ve seen since the ant explosion of 1997,” exterminator Dan Simski told The Boston Herald. He said his company has received dozens of calls from homeowners around The Rock in recent weeks. The certified bug-killer said the “explosion” is likely the result of a wet spring and summer. Also, “some years, there are just more ants,” he said. With any luck, the six-legged island vacationers aren’t enough to bug the president too much....

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Media Mix: Mike Isabella

Zaytinya chef turned “Top Chef” contestant Mike Isabella is already a favorite on this season’s cooking show for the fire he brings in and out of the kitchen. We caught up with the local chef, who shared with us his media favorites. Q: What book are you reading? “Garlic & Sapphires,” by Ruth Reichl Q: What’s the last movie you saw? “Slumdog Millionaire” Q: What’s your favorite TV show? “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” Q: What’s new on your iPod? “Purple Rain” by Prince Q: What Web sites do you visit in the morning? Metrocurean, Facebook,...

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Party to secure D.C.'s place in fashion world

The Estelle music the DJ spun from the backyard of Jaci and Morris Reid’s home was a sneak peek of what to expect this fall as BGR Group, Elle magazine and Louis Vuitton are set to host the preeminent party clashing politics, fashion and, yes, hip-hop. Morris Reid, who is managing director for BGR Group, and his wife hosted a fashion-forward cocktail party Tuesday night for special guests, Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine Robbie Myers and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communication for Louis Vuitton North America Heather Vandenberghe. But what many in attendance didn’t realize — as they were content with washing down their sushi and Georgetown cupcakes with...

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Brown sentenced to wash cars in Va.

The pop singer who beat his girlfriend Rihanna in a car is now being ordered by a judge to wash them. Virginia native Chris Brown was sentenced Tuesday by a Los Angeles judge to five years’ probation and 1,400 hours of “labor-oriented service” in his home state and to stay away from his former girlfriend during that time. Rather than having him perform community service such as mentoring young children, the judge ensured Brown would serve his time doing physical labor, consisting of washing cars and removing graffiti. Anyone who wants to see the R&B singer and assailant clean his or her car can travel to the Richmond area during the next six months. As the...

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Madoff mistress cashing in with book

When some women get dumped, they take to spending their nights face down in a bowl of ice cream. Or they write a tell-all. Sheryl Weinstein, the mistress of jailed Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff, was on Good Morning America to promote her book, “Madoff’s Other Secret: Love, Money, Bernie and Me.” The former paramour dished about her 21-year relationship with the money man and said the reason for breaking her silence about the relationship was, well, financial. “I don’t have any art, I don’t have any jewelry,” she said. “What I have to sell is my story.” She lost millions in investments to her former lover — not just her own,...

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White House secretaries ‘communicate’ over lunch

We’re guessing they could’ve talked for hours. After all, it is their profession. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was spotted having lunch Tuesday at Georgia Brown’s with the man who held his post under our last Democratic president, former press secretary Mike McCurry. Gibbs managed to escape for a leisurely lunch, as deputy secretary Bill Burton is with President Barack Obama in Martha’s Vineyard. We’re betting McCurry, who was at the helm during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, certainly was able to dish — over dishes of Southern food — some advice to Gibbs. And though most senior aides are taking some time off, Gibbs was spotted back at...

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Obama is safe for online surfers

He’s all about Internet transparency, but good thing that doesn’t mean hackers are able to wreak havoc with President Barack Obama. Anti-virus software company McAfee released its list of most dangerous celebrity search names Tuesday, ranking Obama and first lady Michelle Obama the “safer” ratings of 34 and 39, respectively. This — fortunately or unfortunately, depending on which party you support — allows for one to spend hours on the Web following Obama’s speeches or Michelle’s fashion choices. A representative with the company explained the factors going into the rankings — downloading videos, creating computer wallpaper from...

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Farmer takes protest of Obama to 10,000 feet

One Texas farmer is going to the extreme to protest President Barack Obama, creating a sign that spans several acres — but you’ll have to be in the sky to see it. Sam Bates, of Lubbock, took out his aggression on his farm’s weeds, spelling out in the ground with his plow, “Say no to Obama.” He explained he did not mean to be partisan, but rather was just fed up with everything in Washington. “I thought, maybe some pilots from Dallas would get a good chuckle,” he said to a local news site. And though plowing the empty lake basin behind his house is an annual chore, this year’s explanation matches what many Hill staffers find in August:...

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Golf makes an honest man out of Obama

Every golfer in the world’s familiar with taking a mulligan, right? Not President Barack Obama. According to the Cape Cod Times, the golfer in chief never takes a mulligan — that is, hitting a bad shot over, typically on the first tee. He is also meticulous about recording his score, and he absolutely refuses to cheat. And sounds like after this trip, there will be plenty of players to confirm this with. Minutes after appointing Ben Bernanke to a second term as Federal Reserve chairman, Obama hit the links at Mink Meadows golf club for nine holes with White House trip director Marvin Nicholson, Michael Ruemmler from the presidential advance team and White House chef Sam...

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Where's Jeff?

The Washington Examiner's Jacque Bland will be filing in for Jeff Dufour until September 7, as he gets some much-deserved rest and relaxation – not to mention finalizing details – before his upcoming nuptials....

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By The Numbers: Booking good

5 The number of books President Barack Obama is reported to have taken along for pleasure reading to Martha’s Vineyard. 2,320 The total number of pages contained in the five selections. 725 The number of pages in David McCullough’s “John Adams,” which is, by far, the most ambitious of the selections 332 The approximate number of pages Obama would have to read on each of the seven days to complete every book on the list. Better hold off on that extra round of golf, Mr....

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Martha’s Vineyard restaurants embrace first family with new menu items

Sharkey’s Cantina in Oak Bluffs is welcoming the first family with some south-of-the-border flair: The restaurant has added the “Barack-O-Taco” and the “Obamarita” to the menu. According to the blog Obama Foodorama, the tacos are made of, “coconut-breaded shrimp, topped with pineapple cilantro vanilla-infused salsa and served atop refried beans, on a soft taco.” The Obamarita is made with “freshly crushed mandarin oranges with pineapple, triple sec and tequila.” This drink, no doubt, is far more signature than the margarita he downed in Phoenix last week, which was crafted with Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila, Presidente Brandy...

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Nick Jonas: Latest appearance is further training for his presidential dreams

Perhaps Nick Jonas thought appearing at the National Press Club would be the same as when he testified in June at a Senate hearing — same town, same issue of juvenile diabetes. But one difference that was clear on Monday: Questions from Senators are vastly different than those from teenage girls. But no bother for the youngest Jonas, who has dreams of one day being president (“2040 to be exact,” he clarified) — he proves he knows how to handle any crowd and keep them in his corner. Dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit complete the with a flag lapel pin, Jonas ignored a play out of our current president’s book and was composed as he spoke clearly...

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Baldwin stays in shape for the kids

Washington’s most known officer and gentleman Andy Baldwin spent his Sunday in Hawaii competing in the inaugural “Tag the World” triathlon, a nonprofit that raises money for several causes. The sold-out swim, run and bike competition drew many other bold-facers including “True Blood” star Mehcad Brooks and former “Baywatch” star Jeremy Jackson. Baldwin said there were about 50 foster teens participating who had never done a triathlon before. “These children have been dealt a tough hand, and today they felt a confidence they had not known before,” he wrote in an e-mail to Yeas & Nays. “It was one of the most rewarding...

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Marijuana growers may be adversely affected by Obama’s ‘private’ visit

The residents of Martha’s Vineyard are not unfamiliar with high-profile visitors. In fact, most residents of the small New England island are welcoming President Barack Obama and the economic boost his family’s visit is expected to generate. But one cottage industry isn’t so happy about it — the island’s small cadre of marijuana farmers. “The word was that some of the island marijuana growers actually had to get their crops in early,” said Mike Seccombe, a senior writer for the Vineyard Gazette, in an NPR interview Sunday morning. “They thought the helicopters scoping the place out for the president may have had something to do with drug...

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Media Mix: Jen Corey

Crowned Washington’s newest Miss D.C. only a few weeks after graduating from American University, Jen Corey is already in the thick of things here in the District. She took a break from her busy schedule to share with us her current media favorites. Q: What’s the last movie you saw? I just saw “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” Although I thought it was adorable, I felt bad for all the guys that had been dragged there on a date. Q: What’s your favorite TV show? My favorite show is “Cops” and “The Colbert Report.” “Cops” is ALWAYS on some channel. And “The Colbert Report” just reminds me that there is some humor...

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Reality gets real as new home gets built

A reality show filmed this weekend in Washington that followed "real" people in their "real" homes, and we are not talking about "The Real World." "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" surprised one lucky family this weekend with news that would change their lives – a new home. Host Ty Pennington, along with his design team and a slew of cameras, arrived to the Hyattsville home of Nikema and Tamara Tripp on Saturday with the news that they are getting a new home. Hundreds of volunteers – including special guest volunteer, actor and producer Tyler Perry – will work 24 hours a day to finish the home in one week. In addition, The Fishing...

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Beckham draws more excitement on street than on field

For female soccer fans, Washington has been the place of late to spot their favorite footballers. First it was Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. But this weekend the District moved up a notch with a visit from the game’s most famous sex symbol and, arguably, its most famous player — David Beckham. Beckham was at the center of a frenzy of fans and paparazzi from the moment he touched down at Washington Dulles International Airport on Friday for his Los Angeles Galaxy’s weekend game against our own D.C. United. But since for most women it’s mostly his looks, his wife, Victoria (or “Posh”), and his sexy underwear ads that come to mind more so than...

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Hemingway a would-be Soviet spy?

During the 1940s, when Ernest Hemingway was writing as a war correspondent and working on the book that would become “The Old Man and the Sea,” he also was being recruited as a Russian spy by the KGB. So say authors John Earl Haynes and Harvey Klehr, whose recent book, “Spies: The Rise and Fall of the KGB in America,” relies on never-before-seen Soviet records transcribed by KGB agent Alexander Vassiliev. “Hemingway met several times with KGB agents,” Klehr said, speaking with Haynes at the International Spy Museum on Thursday. “He agreed to be helpful, but never provided any information, despite several attempts by the KGB.” In the book,...

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Tweens' favorite singers take on Washington

With two young girl’s now living in the White House, it seems as if Washington is being overrun with tween stars. This time, the newest guest to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Wednesday was Disney darling Demi Lovato. The singer spent the afternoon taking a tour of the White House, twittering online that she was “just chillen’ [sic] in the white house,” joking, “ndb [no big deal].” She uploaded a picture from the steps of the Obama family and remarked it was very “surreal.” Lovato was in town to join another teen favorite from a different successful television music factory — “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta. The two of...

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Speakeasy: Barbra Streisand

“It’s interesting that a Paul Newman or Robert Redford wouldn’t get attacked for being interested in politics, the environment. It’s a double standard, but women are changing.” — Barbra Streisand, arguing in the upcoming edition of Parade that women celebrities who speak out on politics are subject to a double...

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Obama turns the White House over to Republicans

There's a car on the White House lawn. What will the neighbors think? Wednesday was NASCAR day at the White House, as President Barack Obama welcomed Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson and several of his competitors to the South Lawn. And Johnson brought along his favorite toy, the No. 48 car. "You know, it is not every day that we have a championship stock car parked out on the South Lawn," said the president. "Fortunately, we got Jimmie to agree not to do any burnouts or tear up my backyard. I also suggested to Jimmie that, in exchange for free parking, he should let me take the 48 out for a few laps. He said that was fine -- but Secret Service didn't think it was...

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Vineyarders playing it cool as Obama visit nears

Although President Barack Obama will be staying in the remote town of Chilmark when he visits Martha’s Vineyard next week, it is the residents of Oak Bluffs — long a summer haven for wealthy African-Americans on the opposite corner of the island — who seem to be most excited. “Oak Bluffs in particular, and the people that summer here, are incredibly excited,” said Gina Patti, a teacher and former assistant principal at Oak Bluffs School. “Every single storefront has an Obama T-shirt or some sign welcoming the first family to Oak Bluffs.” Even her school is prepping for the prez. The school will serve as the filing center for the media next...

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No time for swine, says PETA

People for the Ethical Treament of Animals wheeled out some fake pigs to protest factory farming of pork Wednesday as a conference on swine flu got underway at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. Photos: Andrew Harnik/The...

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Gore hosting gory ‘Basterds’

He’s going from “An Inconvenient Truth” to “Inglourious Basterds.” Yes, Al Gore is supporting Quentin Tarantino’s newest blood-drenched film about a group of Nazi-killers by hosting a premiere of the movie Thursday night in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. But it’s not totally random: The gory film is produced by Lawrence Bender, the man with whom Gore won an Academy Award with for their work together on the environmental documentary. Bender is the main person responsible for all of Tarantino’s films and is close friend of the director, so clearly he was skilled at going from humans killing humans to humans killing the Earth. In...

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Jarrett: Reading turns to solo singing

Oh, say can you … sing? When Senior White House Adviser Valerie Jarrett agreed to participate in the Department of Education’s Read to the Top program, she definitely wasn’t planning on having to sing a solo. But that’s exactly what ended up happening while she read “America Is” to local elementary school students outside the DOE building Tuesday. Jarrett — who was joined by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in reading to the children — kept the simple book exciting but engaging the kids while she read. When Jarrett arrived to one point in the children’s book that has “The Pledge of Allegiance” printed in its...

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Speakeasy: Jenny Sanford

“Everybody would like to escape sometimes. I’d like somebody 5,000 miles away I could e-mail. It’s not exclusive to men, but I know that isn’t realistic.” - Jenny Sanford, wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, talking about her husband’s infidelities in the September issue of Vogue magazine....

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Top Dems already arriving on Vineyard

President Barack Obama doesn’t arrive for his much-anticipated trip to Martha’s Vineyard until Sunday, but the Democratic glitterati already are arriving to the tony island. President Bill Clinton himself arrived Monday. The Martha’s Vineyard Times reports he took a stroll around the town of Vineyard Haven before playing a round of golf in Oak Bluffs with his Washington pal Vernon Jordan. Yeas & Nays sources on the island said Clinton has left, but they expect him to return later in the week, fueling speculation that his daughter, Chelsea, is planning an ultrasecret wedding there later this month. But so far, the buzz around Vineyard residents in the know has...

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By the Numbers: Tom DeLay on 'DWTS'

64 Percentage increase in Twitter followers, as of Tuesday afternoon, of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, since ABC announced he’d be competing on “Dancing with the Stars” next month 3,000 Percentage increase of Web traffic that included “Tom DeLay” from Monday to Tuesday 4,000 Approximate number of hits on DeLay’s new Web site, tomdelay.com, between midnight and noon...

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Identity of Obama-Joker artist revealed

When trying to guess the artist responsible for the controversial poster portraying President Barack Obama as the Joker – which began appearing all over the streets of Los Angeles a few weeks back – it’s safe to say that few people would have imagined a liberal Chicago college student. But that is exactly who it turned out to be. As the Los Angeles Times reported Monday, 20-year-old Firas Alkhateeb created the now infamous image while playing around in January with Adobe Photoshop software. Taking an image from an old Time Magazine cover of Obama, Alkhateeb found a program online that allowed an image to be “Jokerized.” After painting the picture of Obama...

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Egyptian President Mubarak: First comes steak, then comes Obama

Bush kept him away, but our red meat has brought him back. Days after telling Charlie Rose that his displeasure with Bush administration is “why I did not visit the United States since the year 2004,” Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was back in America Sunday. But despite his animosity toward Bush, it seems Mubarak’s first meal on American soil was decidedly Texan — a steak dinner. Mubarak and five men were spotted Sunday night at Morton’s Steakhouse in Georgetown shortly after arriving in town for his meeting today President Barack Obama today. The men all enjoyed a juicy steak, but they had to wait to take their first bite until after sunset for...

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Hot singer, ‘cool’ appearance

Singer Rob Thomas’ event at the Gibson Guitar Lounge started out on a hot note — a throng of girls waited in a small room without air conditioning before going upstairs to see him. Meanwhile, the Matchbox 20 singer tried to cool off from the 90-degree weather with a Corona on the outside patio. A huge billboard of fire advertising “G.I. Joe” loomed appropriately in the background. But once things got started, Thomas quickly cooled things down. After making all the young fans wait a bit longer for a trip to the bathroom, Thomas’ acoustic set was cool and mellow, singing and playing three of his biggest hits. Tommy McFly of Mix 107.3, which sponsored the...

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McMahon to put smackdown on Sen. Dodd?

The chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment is gearing up to challenge Connecticut’s Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd in a battle outside the ring — on the campaign trail. Linda McMahon released a statement on her company’s corporate Web site that confirms “she is considering a run for the United States Senate.” If she does decide to run, “she would step down as CEO and [husband and WWE chairman] Vince McMahon would assume the duties of CEO,” reads the statement. McMahon is no stranger to the political world. In the past two election seasons, she was an important part in her company’s Smackdown Your Vote campaign. Earlier this year,...

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Dancing DeLay: Don't bet against him

By now, everyone with a political pulse knows that former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, will be a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars," when the popular ABC reality show comes back for its new season on Sept. 21. But how should we handicap "The Hammer"? And can he top the showing of another conservative boldfaced name, Tucker Carlson, who famously bombed in his "DWTS" debut? Yes, say members of his longtime inner circle, who say his advantages are three-fold: -Dancing ability: "He's a really good dancer," says Jonathan Grella, a political consultant and former DeLay spokesman. "The first time I saw him my jaw dropped."...

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Walsh: Too 'Private' for politics?

Add the name Kate Walsh to the roster of celebs who may run for office one day. "I think there’s a little part of me that fantasizes about serving in public office," says the "Private Practice" star in the current issue of Capitol File magazine, which hits newsstands today. When pressed on whether she'd ever run for Senate, Walsh replied, "Ha! Maybe Senator Addison Montgomery!" referring to her character on the show. Walsh, who campaigned for President Barack Obama last year, also confessed that she thinks Washington is now sexy: "I think Washington is a very exciting, sexy place... can I say sexy? Yeah, I just decided: sexy. So many of the most...

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By the Numbers: Poe, Reid are the top talkers

93 Number of times Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, spoke on the House floor this year before Congress adjourned, the most of any member 67 Number of times Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, spoke, the most of any Democrat 117 Number of times Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., spoke from the Senate floor, more than any of his colleagues 96 Number of times Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., spoke, the most of any Republican Data courtesy of...

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The first family and the great outdoors

Town hall meetings and outdoor adventures — we’re betting the Obama family trip to Martha’s Vineyard next week will be a bit more relaxing. Upon arrival to Belgrade, Mont., on Friday, the first family got right to taking advantage of all things in the great outdoors. While President Barack Obama dealt with a raucous crowd at his town hall meeting, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha took to the raucous Gallatin River for a whitewater rafting trip (interestingly enough, after picking peaches) which seemed to be more rough than usual, as the weather was rain and hail. The president was also able to enjoy the river later that day, finally getting the...

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Speakeasy: Mike Ross and Aaron Schock

"I will never vote for a bill to kill old people, period." -Rep. Mike Ross, a Blue Dog Democrat from Arkansas, on CNN's "State of the Union with John King" Sunday “[A]t the White House picnic that I was invited to, Michelle was there, first lady Michelle Obama, with a sleeveless shirt on, and she was looking pretty buff…I actually complimented her on her arms. She's got it together.” -Rep. Aaron Shock, R-Ohio, who's known for his own six-pack abs, recalling to NPR's Peter Sagal Saturday about an exchange with first lady Michelle Obama....

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LeBron: I'd hire Vick

LeBron James is the forgiving type. Or maybe he's just not a dog lover. In an appearance in D.C. on Friday, the NBA star said he's happy that embattled NFL quarterback Michael Vick is getting another chance to play, and that if he could, he'd even be the one to give him that chance. "I was excited to see Michael Vick get resigned," said James, who added that he loved watching Vick play. "If we owned a franchise, I would have signed him right away," he said. King James' comments came during an afternoon-long festival at Kastles Stadium, sponsored by Nike and Lionsgate films, to promote "More than a Game," the documentary about his high school team. The...

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McCotter invokes Beatles in slamming Obama

With the congressional band the Second Amendments now broken up, their guitar player, Republican Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., apparently needed another way to scratch his rock and roll itch. Hence, a column he penned for the Big Hollywood blog, in which he likens President Barack Obama’s health care plan to ... the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper” album. Performed by “President Obama’s Lefty Health Club Band,” the track listing for McCotter’s tribute album is as follows: With a Little Help from the Feds, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Marx, Lyndon in the Sky on Steroids, Digging a Hole and the closing medley Good Moaning, Good...

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Town hall-like scene at Dean health care discussion

These days when you say the words, “health care,” you may as well throw in “town hall”, because it seems that no matter where or how you talk about the issue, passionate people will turn out. That was the scene Thursday afternoon at Howard Dean’s discussion on his newest book, “Howard Dean’s Prescription on Real Health Care.” Upon entering Politics and Prose, you were lucky to get a view of the former Democratic presidential nominee as people were packed between the book aisles and an overflow room had a televised Dean. People clapped, booed and even yelled at each other, just like every good town hall we’ve seen of late. When one...

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Special treatment in the air for Rosie?

“It is 8:22, my plane landed 17 minutes ago,” said Rosie O’Donnell from the 9:30 Club stage Wednesday night, explaining why she was 20 minutes late for her scheduled 8 p.m. “I got out of the car and walked right on stage.” According to O’Donnell, she might not have even made it to her double-billed appearance with Cyndi Lauper, were it not for an accommodating pilot on her Delta Shuttle flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport. She told the several hundred fans assembled that she said to the pilot she’d only get on if he promised the flight would land somewhere around 8. “The pilot says, ‘I’ve seen the [True Colors] show...

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The Medal of Freedom ceremony in photos

President Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to British physicist Stephen Hawking. Kara Kenendy with Obama. Kennedy accepted the medal on behalf of her father, Sen. Edward Kennedy. Billie Jean King receives the medal. The president struggles a bit to get around the headdress of Joseph Medicine Crow. Sandra Day O'Connor Sidney Poitier Photos (c) Carrie...

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Speakeasy: Bill Clinton

“[President Bill] Clinton would sing along, cry when things onstage were sad — he would react so dramatically. And he was keenly aware when the camera was on him.” – Hollywood producer Don Mischer, who produced President Barack Obama’s inaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center Honors, quoted in Jason Killian Meath’s new photographic anthology, “Hollywood on the...

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Ann Hand to close Georgetown shop

Ann Hand, whose patriotic- and campaign-themed pins have made her the jeweler to official Washington for 20-plus years, is shutting down her Georgetown location. “We’re losing our lease at the end of the year,” Hand told Yeas & Nays. “I couldn’t face moving over Christmas and New Year’s, so we’re doing it now. We decided to relocate everything back to our flagship store on MacArthur Boulevard in the Palisades. Plus, we have parking here. That was always a problem in Georgetown.” Hand began making and selling jewelry out of her home in 1988. She opened the Palisades shop in 2001, followed by the Georgetown store in 2005. Hand, the...

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Glover and Weiss: no strangers to lawsuits

GOP lobbyists Juleanna Glover and Jeffrey Weiss have spent more than a year together in court battling during their divorce and current custody battle. But now they can be sure to spend a lot more time together there thanks to not just one, but two cases the one-time social power couple have pending against each other. As Bloomberg reported last week, Global Policy Partners — a firm where Weiss serves as chief operating officer — filed suit Aug. 5 against Glover for “unlawful surveillance” of the company’s computer to “obtain a competitive advantage for [Glover] and her company.” Court documents obtained by Yeas & Nays show Glover filed her...

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Poitier preps for the prez

Actor Sidney Poitier arrives at Dulles on Tuesday in advance of him receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom today. The Oscar winner received the award along with Sen. Edward Kennedy, physicist Stephen Hawking, tennis icon Billie Jean King, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and ten others. Photos: Mark...

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Media Mix: Rob Dibble

Rob Dibble, a 1990 World Series champion with the Cincinnati Reds, served as co-host of “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” and a baseball analyst with ESPN and Fox Sports before becoming the ever-so-colorful color commentator for MASN’s Washington Nationals broadcasts. Q: What’s the last movie you saw? “I Love You Man.” Q: What book are you reading? “Munson: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain” by Marty Appel. Q: What’s your favorite TV show? “The First 48” on A&E. Q: What Web sites do you check first thing in the morning? Dibblebaseball.com to see how my wife’s new clothing line is doing, and then MASNsports....

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Al Qaeda: Think Hannibal Lecter

“Matthew Alexander” (not his real name), a former Air Force interrogator in Iraq, was responsible for the intelligence that led to al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Speaking at a Spy Museum event Monday night, he explained that Abu Khader, the man who gave him Zarqawi, might be familiar to American moviegoers. Khader was “the Hannibal Lecter of al Qaeda,” explained Alexander, who co-wrote the book “How to Break a Terrorist.” “If you can picture Anthony Hopkins, you can picture this guy. He was very smart, he was very manipulative, very intellectual.” And as for himself, Alexander said he “played the male version of Jodie...

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From angel to Joker, Fairey’s art back in headlines

Artist Shepard Fairey, who created the iconic HOPE and CHANGE poster of President Barack Obama’s campaign, is back in the spotlight this week with a new image of the president — and the popping-up of its antithesis. His newest depiction of Obama, appearing on the cover of the Aug. 20 Rolling Stone, shows Obama from more of a profile, his face wrought with determination in Fairey’s signature blue and red style found in the poster that now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. The presidential seal has been added, creating what appears to be a halolike ring of stars around his head. The headline — “Will he take bold action or compromise too...

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Speakeasy: Meghan McCain

“[Michelle] Malkin has the No. 1 book on the New York Times best-seller hardcover nonfiction list, but I have nearly twice as many Twitter followers as she does.” — Meghan McCain, using her Daily Beast column to fire back at columnist Michelle Malkin, who suggested (Meghan) McCain should leave the GOP....

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By the Numbers: Obama's Album

352,414 Amazon.com sales rank, as of Monday afternoon, of the CD “Barack Obama: Days of Hope,” a collection of the president’s recorded speeches 0 Number of customer reviews submitted since the disc came out more than a month...

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Cousteau screens Oscar hopeful in D.C.

Environmental activist Philippe Cousteau lent his famous last name to promote a film Friday night that is sure to make his grandfather proud. The grandson of the late Jacques Cousteau held a screening and Q & A discussion Friday night for the documentary “The Cove” — a sad, and at times disturbing, film that follows a high-tech dive team on a mission to discover the truth about the dolphin capture trade practiced in Taiji, Japan. But it wasn’t just only Cousteau’s name that led to the sold-out crowd at Landmark’s E Street Theater. “The Cove” has won dozens of film festival awards, is said to be a front-runner for being nominated in...

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Air and Space ‘Sparks’ his interest

That was comic Hal Sparks, taking in the National Air and Space Museum Saturday. The “Queer as Folk” and “Talk Soup” alum was in town to play the Arlington Cinema n’ Drafthouse. Meanwhile, Mos Def knows where to hang his hip-hop hat. The rapper/actor was spotted checking into the new W Hotel over the weekend, in prep for his 9:30 Club show. And Ruben Studdard, in town to play DAR Constitution Hall, was seen strolling around Georgetown Sunday. Photos: Mark...

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Emanuel reads children's book like only he can (curse words excluded)

We can guarantee the children's book “Duck for President” has never been read before in the style Rahm Emanuel showcased for a group of kids Monday as part of the Department of Education's “Read to the Top” program. Seated under some trees outside the department's building, Emanuel kicked off the book about a duck who tries to get off the farm in the hopes of becoming president by asking the kids, “Have you seen the other one? 'Duck Runs for Congress.' It's a good book….I think they have the movie rights for that one.” With every page, Emanuel threw in some jokes about elections and the White House. After reading about how animals lined with...

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Speakeasy: Ann Coulter

"He cemented his reputation as the first hip president by going on TV and making a cutting-edge joke about the Special Olympics. You think he'd be more sensitive to that with Joe Biden as his vice president." -Conservative bomb thrower Ann Coulter Friday night at the Young America's Foundation dinner banquet....

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Darrell Green: 'Hooked on' Julia Child

Smithsonian exhibits, feature films: Julia Child is all the rage these days. Even among the unlikeliest of people. Take Redskins Hall of Famer Darrell Green, for instance. While cooling his heels at his hotel in Canton, Ohio, this weekend during the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, Green found time to check out some reruns of Child on TV. "Sitting in the hotel room watching Julia Child beat up a chicken," he Twittered. And later: "I'm hooked on Julia. Never done anything on the rotisserie but next week you'll be smelling Julia-inspired chicken from my backyard." Other highlights from Green's weekend with football royalty: "Standing out in 85 degree...

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Soccer teams share camaraderie before Sunday match

In keeping with their "friendly" meeting Sunday, D.C. United and Real Madrid kept it friendly Saturday night. Both teams gathered on the rooftop of the W Hotel to let off some steam before playing in the steam Sunday. "I'd say the players' wives were probably more interested in photo taking with the Real Madrid players than the DCU players were," one observer joked. Meanwhile, Larry Stefanki, who coaches tennis star Andy Roddick , had a unique D.C. experience earlier this week. As he told ESPN's Darren Cahill, he went to the National Archives to check out the Declaration of Independence. But just before he arrived, someone pulled this fire alarm and the...

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Woodstock producer: Roy Rogers, not Hendrix, could have closed

Jimi Hendrix famously closed the Woodstock Music & Art Fair at 8:30 a.m., the morning of Monday, August 18, long after most attendees had left. But to hear Michael Lang, the festival's executive producer, tell it, things could have been far different if he had his way. Speaking at the Newseum Sunday afternoon to promote his new book, "The Road to Woodstock," Lang said Hendrix wasn't his first choice to close the festival. Roy Rogers, "The Singing Cowboy," was. "Roy Rogers had turned me down," he said. "I wanted 'Happy Trails' to close the festival. We all grew up with Roy Rogers." Insisting on closing all along, Hendrix did the honors in...

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Obama aides watch themselvs star on big screen

Movie tickets: $12.50. Train ticket from DC to NYC: $220. Seeing yourself on the big screen: priceless. Apparently that was how several Obama aides valued traveling to New York City for the weekend to watch themselves play themselves in the documentary "By The People: The Election of Barack Obama." Although it is set to premiere on HBO this November, speechwriter Jon Favreau and assistant White House press secretary Tommy Vietor were a couple of the aides to make a trip up to the big apple - one city in addition to Los Angeles showing the film for a one-week preview- to see how they looked 10 feet tall. Filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams' feature the young staffers while...

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Local director tracks down legendary drummer

What is it with Washingtonians and rock docs all of a sudden? First we have Davis Guggenheim, blowing it up this month with “It Might Get Loud,” the guitar-focused film about Jimmy Page, Jack White and The Edge. Now comes word that local boy Jay Bulger is working on a film that focuses on the drums. Bulger, a 2000 graduate of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, has been an Armani model, boxer, actor, director and writer. But for his latest project, he ventured to Africa to seek out Ginger Baker, the legendary British drummer who played with Eric Clapton in Cream and Blind Faith. “I always thought he was the best drummer in contemporary music,” said Bulger, who now...

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Barry: Vista Hotel will be atop my obit

When asked if where his arrest for drug possession at the Vista Hotel in 1990 might appear in his obituary, D.C. Councilman and former Mayor Marion Barry conceded it could be at the top. “It will probably be at the top if it’s written by other people who don’t know me,” he said. “It’s not the way I should be remembered.” Barry spoke to DC50’s Chris Core for an interview that airs at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. “These other things people read about is just a sliver,” said Barry, referring to the controversy that has dogged him throughout much of his public life. “Out of 50-something years, that’s three days probably. Five...

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Joan Rivers roast boosts D.C.-bred comic

Whitney Cummings is a regular in the comedy clubs of Los Angeles. She’s a fixture on “Chelsea Lately” and has appeared on MTV’s “Punk’d.” She’s been in indie films like “7-10 Split,” “Grizzly Park,” and “Made of Honor” and is one of the brains behind Showtime’s “Live! Nude! Comedy!” But it’s the roast of Joan Rivers on Comedy Central, airing Sunday night, that might launch the local girl into the stratosphere. While she had written for Comedy Central roasts before, this is the first time she was invited to be on camera — with the likes of Don Rickles, Tom Arnold, Robin...

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From children’s health to burgers for her children

Everything is OK in moderation. That seems to be the mentality of first lady Michelle Obama. Although is a strong advocate for the well-being of kids, she lets her daughters pig-out from time to time. Last week, Obama — who has graced the covers of Vogue and O Magazine — went less mainstream, proving her dedication to children’s health issues by posing for the cover of the premiere issue of Children’s Health. Obama posed along alongside 10 children from Washington’s Bancroft school for the magazine that encourages healthy living and increased activity for young kids. (And Yeas & Nays heard those in attendance may have witness a bit of a diva behavior...

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Holtz says he doesn't want to run

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz told an Indiana television station on Wednesday that he doesn't plan to run for Congress. "I'm working for ESPN [as an analyst]. I don't want to run for Congress," Holtz said at a golf outing in Michigan. The comments were reported by WNDU-TV in South Bend, Ind., and later picked up by ESPN.com. "All I'm going to do is fulfill the commitment to ESPN," he said. "I'm prepared for it and then we'll go from there." While not exactly a Sherman-esque statement, Holtz's comments should serve to turn down the volume of the chatter that's resulted this week after a Florida Republican strategist said the former coach might...

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Speakeasy: Chuck Grassley

“Sur Taxalot is no dragon slayer.” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, using “King Arthur” metaphors while debating the health care reform bill on the Senate floor last week, calling the “rising costs of health care a massive fire-breathing debt and deficit...

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Decker staying away, but Foster here to see Haas

There have been no signs yet of Andy Roddick’s new wife (model Brooklyn Decker) around town to watch him play the Legg Mason (we’re still holding out hope). But tennis fans got a little star power Tuesday night, as “90210” actress Sara Foster was on hand to watch her fiance, Tommy Haas. A source told us Foster was “very casual” in spandex running pants, Converse sneakers and a black tank top. Speaking of Roddick, he’s been spotted at the Four Seasons this week. Other stars have hung their hats at the Donovan House on Thomas Circle, including the stars of “American Idol” Season 8, who played at the Verizon Center on Tuesday, and Sheila...

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Prayer group preps ‘Citrus Juice Summit’

The Pray at the Pump Movement, which gained notoriety for their pray-ins at area gas stations, has announced its own take on President Barack Obama’s “Beer Summit.” Claiming the president’s discussion over a beer sends the wrong message, organizers of the “Citrus Juice Summit” will have a “juice toast” in front of the White House today at noon. Rocky Twyman, founder of PAPM, who confirmed he and many people in his movement voted for Obama, said in a release, “we do not want our youth and nation to believe that serious problems such as racial profiling can be solved over a glass of beer.” They also plan to offer prayers that...

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Campaign like a champion today: Handicapping Holtz

Campaign like a champion today: Handicapping Holtz "If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today." Thus reads one of college football coaching legend and ESPN analyst Lou Holtz's many famous motivational sayings — and a phrasing that's taken on new meaning of late as Holtz mulls a run for the Florida congressional seat currently held by Democrat Suzanne Kosmas. After all, if former Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne could do it, then why not Notre Dame's own Holtz? Well, for starters, being associated with the Irish may be a mixed blessing, especially in a football-crazy state like Florida. "Mr. Holtz clearly has incredible name ID, a fat...

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Hilton helps A-listers get to the loo

Sometimes it’s the small changes that make the biggest difference. Out of the $140 million renovations taking place at the Hilton Washington — including a new, 30,000-square-foot meeting room, a remodeled and raised outdoor patio area overlooking the city and a new pool deck — the thing that may most excite women at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner is ... the bathrooms. At a media tour Wednesday morning, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing Steve Passanante said in past years, women had to exit the presidential clearance area to go to the facilities, causing them to wait to pass through security to get back in. But thanks to two additional...

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Sheila E., Gaynor speak out for Plant, Krauss

Grammy-winning disco diva Gloria Gaynor and 1980s pop princess Sheila E. were the latest artists to appear on Capitol Hill on behalf of the Performance Rights Act, which would require radio stations to compensate the artists and musicians whose songs they play. “We believe that being paid for one’s work is a basic American right,” said Sheila E., who’s been nominated for multiple Grammys. Marian Leighton Levy, co-founder of Rounder Records, discussed this year’s multiple-Grammy winners Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. The duo’s album, “Raising Sand,” she said, “won a Grammy for Album of the Year while receiving almost NO commercial...

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‘Idol’ finalists paint the town on eve of Verizon show

Six of the “American Idol” Season 8 finalists who were in town for Tuesday night’s show at Verizon Center blew off some steam Monday night at The Source, Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant in the Newseum. Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy and Lil Rounds led an entourage of almost 40 people for dinner. A restaurant spokeswoman says the group feasted on tuna cones, short ribs and “many mojitos.” Desai actually left the formal dining room upstairs to dine on pizzas in the lounge with two female friends. Iraheta, we hear, attracted the most attention, thanks to her little black dress and “sky-high, patent leather Christian...

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Obama's birthday, more fun for everyone else

About 48 years after witnessing Marilyn Monroe famously serenade President John F. Kennedy for his birthday during her first White House assignment, Helen Thomas was on the receiving end Tuesday, serenaded by the president who shares her birthday. President Obama surprised Thomas prior to a press conference Tuesday, bringing the longtime White House journalist a plate of cupcakes from Baked and Wired while leading the press corps in singing “Happy Birthday” for her 89th birthday. And reportedly Obama opted for a Pecan Pie from the same Georgetown bakery for himself to enjoy later. As for the president, he seemed to have done most of his own birthday celebrating this past...

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Obama joins wife on fashion list

We know almost every little detail about first lady Michelle Obama’s style, but now thanks to the addition of President Barack Obama to this year’s Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed list, we get a better look into what is about the man that got him on the same list as his fashionable wife. His “notable purchase” of 2009 that seemingly got him on the magzine's list (sure wasn’t his jean selection) WAS his $1,500 Hart Schaffner Marx suit. He opted for the Chicago tailor’s Gold Trumpeter collection – a two-button, single-vent jacket (complete with a pocket inside that reads “Made Exclusively for Barack Obama”) and cuffed trousers....

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Roddick meets Bo

At a press conference on Monday, American tennis stud Andy Roddick said that although he has the day off from the Legg Mason Classic today, he didn't expect to be bored. After all, he said, "there’s a lot worse places to worry about filling a day" than D.C. Because you can, oh, tour the White House? Early this afternoon, Roddick got a grand tour, which included the East Wing and the executive residence, according to a White House spokeswoman. She said that Roddick's people reached out to the Visitors Office, who set up the visit. Roddick exulted via Twitter that "this is so cool." And finally, "Just met the president's dog! So cute." No word on...

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Turner in town, prepping to play Ivins

That was Kathleen Turner spotted at the Bar at Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons on Sunday night. The raspy-voiced leading lady (“Body Heat,” “War of the Roses”) has been in town for a private, one-night development reading at Arena Stage of a new play entitled “Red Hot Patriot.” An Arena Stage spokeswoman tells us the one-woman play is about the late Texas journalist Molly Ivins....

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Gates still bleeds maroon

Robert Gates is going on three years as Secretary of Defense, but he still keeps plenty of ties to his last job as president of Texas A&M University. A recent poster to the Texags.com Web site linked to an AP item about Gates visiting Talil, Iraq, and other posters began to wonder if he still clicks on the site, as he did regularly as president. He soon responded, still using the handle “Ranger 65”: “I do drop in from time to time to keep grounded with the ‘real’ world — as much as Texags is the real world! Not. But I very much did notice the Texas A&M flag flying at Talil in southern Iraq yesterday morning as I drove by. Made me feel very...

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Media Mix: Justin Jones

A native of Rawley Springs, Va., and a D.C. resident, roots rocker Justin Jones fronts Justin Jones & the Driving Rain. He and the band are readying to releae their third disc together. They will appear as part of the bill on the Route 29 Revue Aug. 16 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Q: What’s your favorite TV show? “True Blood” Q: What’s the last movie you saw? “Revolutionary Road” Q: What book are you reading? “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac Q: What Web sites do you visit in the morning? E-mail is about it for me. Q: What’s new on your iPod? Levon Helm, “Electric Dirt” Conrado Bokoles, Justin Jones, Hunter...

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Roddick: Media tried to make me into Zac Efron

Ah, the phases of celebrity. After 10 years in the spotlight, Andy Roddick feels like he’s endured them all. “I feel like I’m on the defensive quite a bit,” said Roddick at a news conference Monday, when asked about his treatment by the media. “Coming up, I was the young, eager one. Then they tried to turn me into Zac Efron. Then you’re the punk. Then you’re the has-been. All the while, the meat and potatoes of who I am hasn’t changed.” Then Roddick, who plays his first match at the Legg Mason Classic Wednesday, showed a bit of his media savvy as he answered (or deflected) some other questions. Asked how his recent marriage to model...

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By the Numbers: Sarah and Todd

2:1 Odds, offered by Bookmaker.com, that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, will divorce in 2009....

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Despite tabloid headlines, Diamond packs ‘em in at Arlington club

Where was “Saved by the Bell” alumnus Dustin Diamond this weekend, while all sorts of bad news was breaking about him? Why, in our fair city, of course. Diamond, who played the lovable nerd Screech before going on to make an adult film in recent years, played two sets each on Friday and Saturday night at the All Stars Comedy Club in Arlington. “He sold a lot of tickets,” said Dave Tullis, the owner of the club and a comic himself. “The crowd was 25-35ish.” And as for his material? “He references the show and how people perceive him,” said Tullis, who added that though Diamond was a “little bitter” about the show,...

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Scurry leads soccer stars at opening ceremonies

The Washington Freedom's Briana Scurry, the former U.S. National Team goalkeeper who became the hero of the 1999 Women's World Cup, was one of the guests of honor as D.C. opened the 2009 Street Soccer USA Cup Tournament at Kastles Stadium. Also in the house: Jamaican Ambassador Anthony Johnson, DC United players Clyde Simms and Boyzee Khumalo, Maria Cuomo Cole (wife of designer Kenneth Cole), Kastles owner Mark Ein and Mayor Adrian Fenty, who rolled out the first ball. The top players from the tournament will go on to represent the United States in the Homeless World Cup in Italy next month. And on Saturday, Hudson Bar & Lounge hosted the first annual Sport for Social Change...

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Romer: Summers, Geithner 'do like to talk'

"I do sometimes have to interrupt them because they do both like to talk." -Dr. Christina Romer, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, speaking about her colleagues Larry Summers and Timothy Geithner on CNN's "State of the Union with John King"...

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G.I. Joes: Where's our beer, Barack?

The president has created a monster. After Thursday's "beer summit" with Sgt. James Crowley and Professor Henry Louis Gates, everyone's going to want to sip some suds on the White House lawn. Especially the celebrities who come to town. "I want a beer on the White House lawn!" actor Marlon Wayans told us at a screening of his new film, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," Friday night at Andrews Air Force Base. "Whassup Barack?" he pleaded. "I can have a vodka and tonic; it doesn't have to be a beer." His co-star, Channing Tatum, agreed. He said he told Wayans, who attended Howard University and supported the president’s campaign,...

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Chicago celebrated again, this time for sports

Score another one for President hometown. A large group of Olympians, politicians and kids gathered behind the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday to show their support for Chicago being chosen as the Olympic site in 2016 and to inspire kids to find their favorite sport and get fit. Three-time Olympian speedskater Nathaniel Mills yelled, “You ready to roll?” and skated around the park with a large group of kids in tow, practicing the all-important art of passing the baton. Tim Morehouse — silver medal winner in fencing at last summer’s Olympics in Beijing — taught a group of kids swordsmanship with foam sabers. He even took some time to challenge a...

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Happy Hour at the White House

“Mug it out,” “Audacity of Hops” — whatever you liked to call it has come and gone without any of the controversy that kicked it off in the first place. President Barack Obama finally sat down for the much-publicized drink Thursday night with Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., Cambridge police Sgt. James Crowley and surprise guest Vice President Joe Biden. The men sat at a round, white table and drank from clear glass mugs while snacking on standard bar fare of peanuts and pretzels. Obama and Crowley stuck with their planned beers, a Bud Light for the president and a Blue Moon for the police officer. Gates, however, ended up with a Sam Adams Light...

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Kerry: Springsteen was there for me after '04 race

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said after he lost the 2004 presidential race, one of his first visitors was none other than Bruce Springsteen, who supported him on the Vote for Change Tour leading up to the election. As part of a Springsteen profile in the current AARP magazine, Kerry says, "What you might not know is that in the aftermath of that bruising race, when I was pretty bruised myself, long after the crowds had gone away, Bruce was one of the first to visit me, and he brought that guitar I'd listened to on the campaign trail. And you know that guitar he gave me remains my proudest possession of the whole campaign. In good times and bad, he had my back, and that's all the honor...

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Speakeasy: Barbra Streisand

"I have a confession to make. I'm completely hooked on supporting the Clinton Foundation." -Barbra Streisand, perhaps sounding more suggestive than she needs to in a fundraising pitch for the former president's...

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McCain birthday an occasion to raise cash

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., turns 73 on Aug. 29, and his wife, Cindy, is already using the occasion to make a pitch for cash. In an e-mail to supporters she sent Tuesday, Mrs. McCain writes: “I hope you’ll join me in celebrating John’s birthday by signing the online birthday card we’ve put together for him. ... After you’ve signed the card, I hope you’ll make a generous contribution to John’s re-election campaign, so he can continue his service to our country. A contribution of $25, $50, $73 (one dollar for each year) or more will be a big help.” She goes on to say, “I know I’m a bit biased, but I believe we need my husband as...

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Water: The Vineyard an upgrade from Lake Michigan?

It’s a good thing President Barack Obama got away from Lake Michigan when he did. The Natural Resources Defense Council released its 2008 study on beach cleanliness Tuesday, naming Lake Michigan — which provides Chicago with its only beaches — as one of the country’s most polluted bodies of water. The group tested water quality (mainly its content of human and animal waste) as well as the beaches’ testing frequency and advisory system. It turns out the rich and powerful really do know where to play, as the beaches in their favorite East Coast vacation spots (Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, the Outer Banks and the Hamptons) all received high ratings on the...

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‘Real World’ cast takes in show at 9:30 Club

And here you thought all they did on “The Real World” was drink and argue. T he cast of “The Real World D.C.” stepped out Tuesday night at the 9:30 Club to take in the show by The Cab and support band My Favorite Highway. Three MTV camera crews followed them around the club as they bopped to the music and scarfed down 9:30’s signature cupcakes. The Cab, out of Las Vegas, even invited one cast member — whom we hear is named “Erica” — up onstage to assist with vocal duties for one song....

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‘Beautiful’ Clinton has a fan in China

Not all members of Asian diplomatic corps have harsh words for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Hot off the heels of a member of the North Korean Foreign Ministry saying “sometimes [Clinton] looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going shopping” comes Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo to make things all right. Clinton, Bingguo and Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner joined together Tuesday night for a annual dinner that joins together the senior economic and foreign policy leaders of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies. But things got off-track when the remarks by her counterpart would cause a woman of any age blush. A...

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Capitol Hill: Animal Planet

Bo Derek was back on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to speak out on behalf of animals — something at which she’s becoming quite adept. The model and actress has been an active lobbyist against horse slaughter, but this week her topic was illegal trafficking in wildlife. Testifying before a House Resources subcommittee, she made it clear she was speaking as a board member of WildAid, not as a special envoy to the secretary of state for wildlife trafficking, a position she's held since the last administration. Derek, a well-known Republican, also emphasized “conservation knows no political borders; it is absolutely a bipartisan issue with passionate advocates from both...

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‘Loud’ and proud for Washington

And here director Davis Guggenheim thought he was venturing into an area totally unconnected to Washington. The man responsible for “An Inconvenient Truth” takes a different direction with his newest documentary, “It Might Get Loud,” focusing on the lives of Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White, as opposed to dying trees and melting icecaps. As he explained at a screening Monday, Guggenheim hoped to answer the question: “What would happen if one generation smashes up against the next one?” But thanks to a guest at Cleveland Park’s Avalon Theater, the native Washingtonian learned that while filming Page in London, he was in fact connected back to...

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A beer menu for Gates and Crowley

On Thursday, President Barack Obama, Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates and Cambridge Sgt. James Crowley will attempt to talk things out over a beer. According to reports, Gates prefers Beck's or Red Stripe, Crowley seems to be a Blue Moon man, and the president likes a Budweiser. But what brand should they drink? We scoured the lists of American beers to find a brew with that perfect message. How about a Democracy Pale Ale by Jefferson State Brewery in California? Or a Populist Porter by Free State Brewing Co. in Kansas? But what about the emotion of the moment? Love Stout by Yards Brewing Co. in Pennsylvania could be just the pour, as could White Buffalo Peace Ale by Crested Butte...

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Rahm does dessert

Sweets before bedtime are OK in the Emanuel household. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and his three kids were spotted Sunday night at Something Sweet, the new dessert shop on upper Wisconsin Avenue owned by Bo and Meghan Blair, the brains behind Smith Point, Rookery and Surfside. And on Monday, a source spotted D.C.’s own Dave Chappelle at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown. We hear he’s been back in town for a few days....

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Millionaire Pitt wants money from the gov

We doubt when President Barack Obama released more than $787 billion in stimulus funds he expected a star who makes about $20 million a movie to tap into its funds. But that’s what Brad Pitt’s The Make It Right Foundation just did. As first reported by Variety, the foundation is applying as “part of a consortium” for federal stimulus funds to build new “green” homes in areas of New Orleans that were decimated by Hurricane Katrina. “The stimulus money would be seed funding for an expansion of Make It Right,” said Trevor Neilson, Pitt’s philanthropic and political adviser, referring to new building projects in Newark, N.J. Some...

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Speakeasy: Bill Burton

“I have an account that I follow on my personal BlackBerry, but I don’t actually Twitter myself. It’s more to keep track of what Diddy and Perez Hilton are up to all day.” — White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton responding to reports Monday that Twitter was blocked on White House...

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Frank: What's wrong with partisanship?

"I do not understand why 'partisan' has always been a bad word," declared Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., the iconoclastic chairman of the House Financial Services Committee on Monday. Speaking at a National Press Club Luncheon, Frank opened by making his case that "political parties are necessary for democracy." The parties "are not sides picked randomly for color war at camp. They are not 1s and 2s," but rather groups of people who believe fundamentally different things. Frank then dated himself by using a Lone Ranger reference in making a point about opponents of financial regulations. "They want to return to the thrilling days of yesteryear when the...

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Speakeasy: Rush Limbaugh

"I have shown you get ratings on radio [by] being positive, respecting the audience, being inspiring and motivational at times, when it’s necessary." -Rush Limbaugh explaining the key to his 21-year longevity on the air with Fox New's Greta Van Susteren Friday night....

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Actress Goodwin shows support for 'little hairy family members'

Ginnifer Goodwin's "Just Not That Into" animal cruelty. That point was clear Saturday night, as Goodwin served as keynote speaker at the Humane Society of the United States' biggest summer soiree, "Taking Action for Animals" held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. "I am absolutely a happier person," PETA's "hottest vegetarian" began her remarks, a comparison to a life that wasn't so animal friendly until she "tragically lost" her dog. "It took me thirty years to have that moment of enlightenment," Goodwin told the organization's President and CEO Wayne Pacelle following her speech. "It was something...

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Michael Kors comes between first lady and her Calvins

Although not her most-donned fashion designer, nothing was going to come between first lady Michelle Obama and her Calvins – except maybe Michael Kors. Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa was awarded the National Design Award for fashion – the industry equivalent of the Academy Awards – by Mrs. Obama in a White House ceremony on Friday, marking a decade since innovators in architecture, fashion, interior design, landscaping, communications and product design were first celebrated annually by the President and first lady. To the surprise of many in attendance, Obama – who has worn Kors on numerous public occasions, ranging from his black sheath in her first...

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Asst Treasury Secretary is king of the court

Journalists, pols and other VIPs met in a celebrity tennis showdown Sunday in advance of the Washington Kastles' league championship match -- but it was a lesser-known Washingtonian who dominated. Alan Krueger, assistant secretary for economic policy at Treasury, was the topic of the postgame chatter, thanks to his reliable forehand and fearsome serve. "Sen. [Evan] Bayh played well, but man, Alan Krueger and that serve," exclaimed Fox News' Bret Baier, who partnered with Bayh. "Can we get a drug test on the Treasury guy?" asked Bayh. Only escalating their inter-network rivalry, CNN's Ed Henry, who was also part of the losing side, blamed Baier. "The...

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By the Numbers: Obamas in the Vineyard

By the Numbers 28.5 Size, in acreage, of Blue Heron Farm on Martha’s Vineyard, where President Barack Obama and his family will spend their summer vacation, according to the Vineyard Gazette 3 Number of separate leases being negotiated for the property — one for the family, one for Secret Service and a third for the Obamas’ “entourage” $35-50,000 Average lease rates, per week, of properties similar to Blue Heron...

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Michelle Obama's shortened hair style:Leave it to the pros

Earlier this week there was much buzz around first lady Michelle Obama’s hair – did she or didn’t she chop off her locks? Her hair stylist Johnny Wright solved the mystery saying that, no he hadn’t, but his amusing and confusing explanation of how the 'do is done ensures that no one will be able to create the shortened style at home. He tells urbanbeautycollective.com: "No, I didn’t cut her hair. There are two things I do. The UP-TUCK, like you are tucking something in. Then I do a TUCK-UP. The UP-TUCK is when I position a small ponytail somewhere on the head, and then I tuck the rest of the hair up under that ponytail. Then a TUCK-UP is when I take...

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Pitt's foundation applies for stimulus cash

The Make It Right Foundation, founded by Brad Pitt to build new, green homes in areas of New Orleans that were decimated by Hurricane Katrina, is "part of a consortium applying for federal stimulus funds," the Wilshire and Washington blog reports. "The stimulus money would be seed funding for an expansion of Make It Right," said Trevor Neilson, Pitt's philanthropic and political adviser. The money would allow for an expansion of the foundation's efforts in New Orleans, and also begin a new program in Newark, N.J. Pitt came to Washington in March to tout the program, meeting with President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Energy Secretary Steven Chu....

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Tom Joyner treats committee room like radio booth

Tom Joyner can’t seem to stop being a disk jockey. The syndicated radio host came to the Capitol on Wednesday for a hearing on engaging the electorate and just couldn’t seem to shed his radio hosting habits. Although Joyner was the first to speak on the issue of voters’ problems in the last election, he kept his mic on for quite some time after he finished. After some instruction from House Committee on House Administration Chairman Robert Brady, he said sheepishly, “Oh,” as the crowd burst into laughter. He kept saying, “I’m just a DJ,” while explaining his positions, and when he “signed off,” he seemed to forget he was in...

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Wasserman Schultz’s troubled times traversing the Hill

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., learned the hard way that success in the Capitol might not be learning how to skillfully maneuver through the political process, but just being able to get into the building in the first place. After breaking her leg last week during the congressional softball game, which left her hobbling around Capitol Hill on crutches and a scooter, Wasserman Schultz voiced her concern about visitors dealing with similar challenges. “It’s really an issue. … It didn’t even occur to me,” Wasserman Schultz said at a House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the new visitor’s center describing her experiences getting around...

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Speakeasy: Chris Matthews

“It’s great if you go around midnight.” - Chris Matthews, listing the Lincoln Memorial as one of his favorite date spots from when he used to date “100 years ago,” in an address to Destination D.C. on Thursday. He said he also took dates to “The Exorcist” steps in Georgetown because they were a real...

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Washington Ballet’s Webre prepping for a return to stage

It’s been 16 years since Septime Webre, the artistic director of the Washington Ballet, has taken to the stage as a dancer. “I retired at age 30 with pleasure,” he told Yeas & Nays last week. “And while I love the physicality of dancing, it’s really tough to be a dancer and do anything else.” For Webre, that “anything else” involved becoming a nationally renowned choreographer, director and artistic leader in American dance. But in February, he’s planning on bringing his career full circle as he returns to the stage. “I’m trying to get in shape for the first time in 16 years,” he said. Not that he’s...

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Wounded vet busts out the poker pros

Sgt. Bret Chevalier’s not only a hero. He’s also a heckuva poker player. Chevalier bested 150 other players Tuesday night at a Poker Players Alliance tournament to benefit USO Metro and injured soldiers at Walter Reed. Along the way, he busted Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event champion. As he does every time someone busts him out, Raymer gave Chevalier a signed fossil, as well as a pair of his signature lizard eye sunglasses. Chevalier also outlasted pros Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch and Dennis Phillips, TV host Montel Williams and musician Ivan Neville, who sang the national anthem. Chevalier won two round-trip tickets...

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‘Philanthropist’ creator: I’m bad with titles

Who knew philanthropy could be controversial? Only when it’s on TV, apparently. The Hudson Institute sponsored a panel Tuesday to discuss whether NBC’s new show “The Philanthropist” is really all that philanthropic. Co-creator Tom Fontana called it “a show about a crazy man running around the world trying to do good.” That crazy man is the Richard Branson-esque Teddy Risk, played by James Purefoy. The main complaint? The show’s title. Steve Gunderson, of the Council on Foundations, said there is a fine line between philanthropy and charity, and the show’s title could confuse people. He said he wished it were named “The Good Samaritan....

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Rudy are you running?

It’s never too early to start campaigning for 2012. That seemed to be the mind-set of Rudy Giuliani Wednesday, traveling down to Washington to speak at what event host American Enterprise Institute called a discussion on capitalism. Giuliani, though, seemed to seize it as a chance to practice a future primary speech filled with one-liners aimed at the current president. The former mayor of New York City started out taking shots at President Barack Obama’s economic plans, calling the stimulus a “disaster” and claimed he “defined the problem we had incorrectly.” “I’m afraid we’re embracing social democracy. … Oh, because,...

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Sightings: Gehry: Buildings on the Mall are ‘OK’

Architect and cultural icon Frank Gehry was on Capitol Hill Tuesday night for a meeting of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, which selected him to design the memorial. Staff handed out buttons that read “I Still Like Ike” to the crowd that included Ike’s grandchildren, David and Susan Eisenhower, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. When he took the microphone, Gehry even got off a one-liner about the buildings on the National Mall, where the commission hopes to site its project. “The buildings around it are, in my humble opinion ... OK,” he said. Also spotted: House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., celebrating his 69th birthday...

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Speakeasy: Jack Morris

“The best hot dogs are not at ballparks.” – Legendary baseball pitcher Jack Morris, at the American Meat Institute’s annual Hot Dog Lunch on Capitol Hill on...

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First grandma feeling 'left out' in new home

The first grandma of the United States is having a hard time letting go of granddaughters Sasha and Malia Obama. “They are at the age where they read and play with each other so Grandma is beginning to feel left out,” Marian Robinson admitted to an audience of young children Wednesday who participated in the Department of Education 's “Read to the Top” program. No doubt the “very big and very beautiful” White House and the girls’ around-the-world trip with their parents doesn’t help getting in that extra bonding time. She shared that the time they do spend together is hardly in front of a television — she allows her granddaughters...

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White House goes a little bit country

Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss grace the White House for its "Evening of Country Music" event on Tuesday night. Photos: Carrie...

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Speakeasy: Jack Morris

"The best hot dogs are not at ball parks." - Legendary pitcher Jack Morris at the American Meat Industry's annual hot dog lunch on Capitol Hill Wednesday. As for his preferred dog, Morris said, "Mustard and onions. I'm not a relish guy. I like sauerkraut too, but that's a different kind of...

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House to honor Heisman, oil

What do oil wells and college football legend John Heisman have in common? Titusville, Pa., it turns out. Let us explain. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., has introduced a bill, expected to be approved this week, that would recognize the historical and national significance of the many contributions of John William Heisman to the sport of football. Wait, didn’t Heisman, in whose honor the Heisman Trophy is named, die in 1936? Well, yes. But Thompson’s Western Pennsylvania district is celebrating “Oil 150,” the 150th anniversary of the region producing the world’s first commercial oil well. This occurred in — wait for it — Heisman’s hometown of...

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John Warner: Elder statesman

Former Sen. John Warner, R-Va., testified before his ex-colleagues John Kerry, D-Mass., and Dick Lugar, R-Ind., Tuesday at the Foreign Relations Committee hearing on climate change, and there was nothing but love for the silvery Virginian. Kerry even told the story of the day they met, when Warner presented him with a Silver Star for his time in Vietnam and that he gave Navy men a binnacle. “None of us could ask for a better guide than Sen. Warner’s own words and his life of service,” Kerry said with a smile. In his remarks, Warner said he felt that after hearing their opening statements he could ease back in his chair and not say as much as he initially...

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‘The Bachelor’ Baldwin gets a promotion

He’ll be an admiral before we know it. Yeas & Nays has learned that local resident Andy Baldwin, who starred in “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman,” has been promoted from lieutenant to lieutenant commander. We caught up with Baldwin before Tuesday night’s Washington Kastles match, where he was bringing a cadre of service members for Military Family Appreciation Night. (The team gave a portion of ticket sales to the Got Your Back Network, which serves military families.) The promotion “happened earlier than expected,” said Baldwin, who just returned from a two-month medical humanitarian aid mission to Central and South America. Yes, he said,...

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Barton: Committees better than condoms

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, doesn’t just oppose the Democrats’ health care bill. He thinks it’s a turnoff. Monday night, as the committee was debating the measure, Barton said, with a nod to Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif.: “I think I have the perect antidote, Mr. Chairman, to teenage pregnancy. Require every teenager to sit through one of these markups. If that doesn’t put you in a nonsexual, noninteractive mood, nothing will.” “I didn’t think it was that funny,” Barton added, after the room exploded into laughter. Teenage abstinence was a theme during the markup, as...

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Aldrin: I peed my pants on the moon

Photo: Carrie Devorah Neil Armstrong may be the first man to walk on the moon but second man Buzz Aldrin also placed first in a different category: first man to pee on the moon. “It’s lonely as hell out there. I peed in my pants,” Aldrin told an audience at the Newseum Monday, the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing. Aldrin also joined other former astronauts from the Apollo missions at NASA’s Headquarters, where they came to a consensus that sending a crew to Mars should be the next big space adventure. “America to Mars is what it ought to be, not America back to the moon,” Aldrin said. Others at the event included Eugene Cernan of...

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Bar-hopping Cooper could get a 'Hangover'

Bradley Cooper sure knows where to hang out when he comes to town. The star of “The Hangover” concluded a USO tour overseas with Hall-of-Fame football coach Don Shula and running back Warrick Dunn, among others, and he was primed to hit the town. After landing at Andrews Air Force Base, Cooper headed to (where else?) Cafe Milano. Then it was off to the rooftop at the W hotel, the new hard-to-get-into hot spot. Finally, he concluded his night at L2 in Georgetown. No word on what his hangover remedy is....

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Gingrich: Book smart

Newt Gingrich sure knows his literature — including his own. The former House speaker took the podium at the Heritage Foundation Monday morning to discuss the need for a more robust national security. Throughout his address, Gingrich, who’s submitted scores of book reviews on Amazon.com, couldn’t resist name-dropping a few titles of his favorite books and movies, two books of which were his. He named Tom Clancy’s novel “Debt of Honor” and the Kurt Russell movie “Executive Decision” to show Sept. 11 wasn’t too difficult to imagine and said there “wasn’t a failure to imagine the possibility, just a failure to adopt public...

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Local chef to be knighted in his native Belgium

We’ll have yet another knight in our midst after Sept. 6 when Bart Vandaele, the chef at Belga Cafe on Capitol Hill, returns from his native Belgium. That weekend, Vandaele will be knighted by La Chevalerie du Fourquet des Brasseurs, or the Knighthood of the Brewers’ Mashstaffs, descendants of Belgium’s ancient brewers’ guild. “I’m very excited,” Vandaele told us last week. “It came as a little bit of a surprise.” “It’s kind of a reward,” he added, noting he’s been to Belgium to visit the breweries multiple times and has been an unabashed promoter of their products here in Washington. Vandaele’s Labor...

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By the Numbers

30 Number of times Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele used the word “experiment,” or a variation of the word, during his address about the Democrats’ health care plan Monday morning at the National Press Club. He even unveiled a new Web site, BarackObamaExperiment.com. 62 Number of signers, as of Monday afternoon, of the “Pledge to Read,” a promise by House Republicans to read the health care bill before voting on it....

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Would-be nominee Estrada ‘excited’ about a Court with Sotomayor

No hard feelings for Miguel Estrada, as he sees another Hispanic about to become the first confirmed to the Supreme Court. George W. Bush nominated Estrada nominated Estrada to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2001 — widely viewed as a precursor to a Supreme Court nomination — but Senate Democrats filibustered his confirmation in 2003. Estrada joined a panel at the Heritage Foundation on Friday to discuss the Court’s recently concluded term. Estrada didn’t show any sour grapes, saying that despite the past, he looks forward to the 2009-2010 Supreme Court year, which most likely will include the first Latina justice, Sonia Sotomayor. “I’m...

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Speakeasy: Buzz Aldrin

“[What] I want to remember most is the glance between Neil [Armstrong] and myself, with the engine shut off, just those seconds after we touched down, because we had just completed the most critical door opening for exploration in — in all of humanity.” -Apollo 11 astronaut Col. Buzz Aldrin, on "Fox News...

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Gregory Brothers: Which pol is best 'unintentional singer'?

You know the Gregory Brothers have made it big when they're not just using C-SPAN for raw material, but rather appearing on the political junkies' favorite network. The brothers for the uninitiated, have created a web sensation with their remixed, mashed-up videos of politicians and talking heads, called "Auto Tune in the News." "We had a feeling that if Paris Hilton had a recording contract, then why couldn't our nation's leaders, Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner, have their own recording contracts and pop careers?" asked Evan Gregory, as he appeared on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" on Friday. He explained how he, his wife and his two brothers mine C-SPAN...

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Axelrod: Obama's a real fan, Rahm's not

President Barack Obama isn't just going through the motions when it comes to backing his home-town Chicago White Sox, says top aide David Axelrod. "I think he regularly checks [the Sox scores] on 'SportsCenter' at night," Axelrod told the Chicago Tribune. "He keeps up on [the Sox], in between health care reform and arms control and all the other stuff he has to do. He keeps up on, not just baseball, but obviously on basketball, football. ... He's a big college football fan. So he's a good sports fan." That fandom even caused the president to clash with Major League Baseball offiicals when he threw out the first pitch in last week's All-Star Game. "There was a...

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Newly Christian Dylan lost a fan in President Carter

President Jimmy Carter preferred the music of a drug-loving, bed-hopping Bob Dylan, for once the rock icon gave up that life and became a Christian, Carter turned him off. That’s the claim in “What the Heck Are You Up To, Mr. President,” a new book on the former president out this week from Bloomsbury. While the book covers Carter’s famous “malaise speech” — the book’s title is taken from a July 4, 1978, New York Post headline after the speech — author Kevin Mattson discusses Carter’s changing love for singer Bob Dylan. Mattson writes that the president was a big fan of Dylan as the 1960s activist folk singer, but when he...

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GOP: The message, or the marketing?

Before getting elected, Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., was a marketing professional. So his critique of the Republican Party at an American Spectator lunch on Thursday wasn’t all that surprising. “What was on the package was not inside,” said DeMint, in explaining how the GOP didn’t live up to its promises when it controlled Congress. “The quickest way to kill a bad product is to advertise it.” And as for that product, he conceded that the GOP’s philosophy made for a tougher sell than that of the Democrats. “Democrats are giving away free Twinkies, and the Republicans are trying to sell health food,” he said....

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McCain blames bad grades on ‘immaturity’

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., got grilled by high schoolers Thursday, and he liked it. McCain spoke to the Junior Statesmen, an organization of politically aware high school students, about human rights Thursday morning. However, all he got in return was strict, harsh questions and a mug as a gift. After a long speech about the intentions of the Founding Fathers, our “national character” and a little bit on Iran, McCain opened the stage to questions from his young audience. And boy did he get them. The students questioned him on everything from the state of the Republican Party to Guantanamo Bay and torture to human rights violations in West China. One even asked the senator...

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Nixon: Why do they need to look at the moon again?

Apollo 11 took off 40 years ago Thursday, and official Washington was in full celebration mode. NASA commemorated the event at its headquarters with a discussion called “Apollo: History and Legacy.” The takeaway: 6 percent of Americans still believe the moon landing was staged. Craig Nelson, author of “Rocket Men: The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon,” had something to say about that. “My favorite Armstrong quote is: ‘It’s so much easier to go there than to fake it,’" he said. The National Archives did its part as well, screening the grainy 1970 film “Moonwalk One.” They opened the event with a lecture about...

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Keep your congressman out of the cockpit

This should go without saying, but don’t let a congressman fly your plane. That was the lesson from a Capitol Hill event Wednesday, as Reps. Randy Forbes, R-Va., and Bobby Scott, D-Va., partnered to fly a simulated jumbo jet airplane as part of the third annual Capitol Hill Modeling and Simulation Expo. The pair didn’t last more than a few minutes before they crashed and burned — literally. “Never let him fly a plane … we crashed,” Forbes said. The high-tech simulations included demonstrations from medical, defense and engineering fields for industry training purposes to eliminate casual common mistakes. Scott dubbed Forbes the “congressional...

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Chef summit with Jean-Georges

Talk about a tough reservation. Celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose JG Steakhouse anchors the dining options at the new W Hotel, hosted some of D.C.’s top toques Monday night for a 10-course feast. Joining Vongerichten were Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s and Beck, Brian McBride of Blue Duck Tavern, Todd and Ellen Gray of Equinox, Ris Lacoste, R.J. Cooper of Vidalia, Scott Drewno of the Source and Patrick O’Connell of the Inn at Little Washington. Jose Andres joined the group later after celebrating his 40th birthday at Jaleo, even throwing on an apron to cook up a late-night snack alongside Jean-Georges while the chefs drank on the rooftop late into the...

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Speakeasy: Barbara Boxer

“This debate is about global warming. It’s going to get heated. It’s going to get hot.” — Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chairing a hearing of the Environment and Public Works Committee Tuesday...

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Showing a little skin, all for the animals

Vegetarianism never seemed so sexy. Playboy Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole and Cyber Playmate of the Year Jo Garcia joined People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to host National Veggie Dog Day on Capitol Hill today. The girls stood in fake lettuce bikinis (real lettuce wilts, of course) and handed out free veggie dogs to Hill staffers as a way to counteract the American Meat Institute’s annual Hot Dog Month and their annual National Hot Dog Day, which will take place later this month. There was a line down the street to see the ladies, and the girls took their time handing out dogs, smiling and posing for photos while dishing out compliments (“You could totally be...

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Grisham: ‘I’m not good at being accurate’

Since releasing “Innocent Man” in 2006, best-selling author John Grisham has turned his focus on exposing the perils inherent in the criminal justice system, even penning some nonfiction. But that’s not always easy. Grisham said he can “knock off a novel in six months,” but with nonfiction, “you have to be accurate. And I’m not good at being accurate.” Grisham appeared at the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project luncheon at the Grand Hyatt Wednesday, where the author and the subjects of “Innocent Man” told their tales of being wrongfully convicted of the crimes of murder, rape and robbery. A group of seven men and women of all ages...

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Congressional softball team goes down to defeat in its first game

Not content to let their male colleagues have all the fun in the annual Congressional Baseball Game, the congressional gals on Tuesday night played their first ever softball game. They didn't have enough players to do the whole Republicans vs. Democrats thing like the men, however, so their bipartisan squad took on a team of staff from the National Republican Congressional Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee, all to raise money for the Young Survival Coalition. Despite the fact that organizers Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., and Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., had the members out at 7 a.m. to...

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Forget North Korea: Animal rights stirs concern for South

Lately we’ve all been worried about North Korea and its dictator with nuclear power. But now one animal defense group is trying to give us a reason to be concerned about South Korea: its people’s alleged eating habits. Protesters from In Defense of Animals planted themselves outside the Korean Embassy on Tuesday to demonstrate against the torture and butchering of cats and dogs for food in South Korea. They waived posters that asked “Companions or Cuisine?,” flashed peace signs at anyone they saw in the windows of the embassy and pushed pamphlets at anyone who walked by or came out. The group could use some more supporters, however — it was made up of only...

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Obama steals another Fenty staffer

Look no farther than your own (new) backyard. That could be the advice President Barack Obama remembers when nominating people to his administration. In a nod to Mayor Adrian Fenty, Obama successfully got a second person from the D.C. mayor’s office to pack up and move across Pershing Park to the White House as a top official. The Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing Tuesday on the nomination of former City Administrator and Deputy Mayor Daniel Tangherlini to be assistant secretary for financial management and chief financial officer under Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. With family present at the hearing, Tangherlini spoke about his long tradition of public...

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Brad Paisley includes fans at Lincoln Memorial video shoot

Tourists lucky enough to visit the Lincoln Memorial Monday night got quite a surprise, as they found themselves backing Brad Paisley in a new video. The guitar-pickin’ country star, on a short break in his current tour, stopped by the Lincoln Memorial with a film crew in tow late Monday afternoon to film a scene for a new music video. After signing plenty of autographs and posing for numerous pictures, he invited the fans who had hastily assembled around him to be a part of the production, and they gathered behind him as he sang (or at least lip synched). Paisley comes back to the D.C. area next week to play Nissan Pavilion....

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Speakeasy: Chuck Grassley

"People always say I have the ability to turn people on." -Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, after a protester interrupted his questioning of Judge Sonia Sotomayor on...

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Jonas Brothers: baseball pros by day, musicians by night

They’re clearly are passionate about their music — selling out concerts, topping the charts and bringing in bank at the box office. But after catching the Jonas Brothers Monday at a softball game in Virginia, it’s clear they have another intense passion — baseball. To let loose while on the road, the brothers formed the team “Road Dogs,” which takes on locals at various stops along the nationwide tour. Monday marked a stop in Dulles where the boys took on the AOL Allstars — the event host and partners with Marquis Jets that fly the boys — to benefit their charity, Change for the Children. It soon became clear to the hundreds in...

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Miss D.C.: Washington, without the scandal

Beauty pageant news coverage during the last year has been like never before, thanks largely to the political controversies surrounding former pageant contestants such as soon-to-be former Alaska Gov. Alaska Sarah Palin or former Miss California Carrie Prejean. But Sunday night’s Miss D.C. pageant lacked that sort of drama. Recent American University graduate Jennifer Corey was crowned Miss D.C. 2009, and her win probably wasn’t a shock to anyone in attendance at the Lincoln Theatre. Before the announcement of the new title-holder, Corey won the top award for outstanding talent, bathing suit competition and evening gown. The tall, thin blonde will compete for the title of...

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Nike gives Serena D.C. duds

Wimbledon champ Serena Williams plays her first (and only) home match for the Washington Kastles tonight. And, as she is wont to do, she’ll be making a fashion statement when she takes the court. Kastles owner Mark Ein asked Nike to create a special uniform for Williams. Nike came back with an adaptation of the outfit she wore when she won the Wimbledon doubles title with her sister, Venus. Rather than white, this one will be a mix of blue and red, with shorter sleeves than the three-quarter top she wore in England. “We always want to make sure Serena looks fabulous,” said Nike’s Suzanne Pond, who added that Serena will wear the outfit until the U.S. Open...

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Three area chefs vie for ‘Top Chef’

Bravo is firing up the competition again with its latest season of “Top Chef,” which premieres next month. The D.C. area finds itself dominating the show with three “cheftestants” competing, proof the local culinary scene is on the rise. The sixth season of the hit show will feature a little sibling rivalry with two brothers from Frederick, Md., Michael and Bryan Voltaggio. Though Michael headed for work in Los Angeles, Bryan remains in the area as the chef/owner of VOLT Restaurant, a three-star fine dining restaurant in his hometown. Bryan received his training at the Culinary Institute of America and was an apprentice to famous chef Charlie Palmer. The third...

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Speakeasy: Lindsey Graham

“Unless you have a complete meltdown, you are going to get confirmed.” — Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Monday in his opening statement at the first day of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings....

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Nationals Stadium keeps it national at concert

A new music venue in Washington means one more great spot for Congressman to take advantage of holding great fundraising opportunities. Case in point: Saturday night at Nationals Stadium, which was hosting its first concert since opening in 2008. Reps. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, and John Shimkus, R-Ill., both thought Elton John and Billy Joel were big-ticket items – so they offered access for $2,000 and $1,500, respectively. And the political action committee Leadership for America's Future - with Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. -offered tickets to a night with the representative, the piano man, and the Sir for a couple thousand dollars. After John ran off stage in a fit when his piano...

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Speakeasy: Obama in Africa

"I like this....I think Congress needs one of these horns. That sounds pretty good. Sounds like Louis Armstrong back there." President Barack Obama referring to the trumpet that played before he gave his remarks to the Ghananian president in Accra, Ghana on Saturday....

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Speakeasy: John Boehner

“It’s nice having many of you further away from me.” — House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, at his daily briefing that took place for the first time Thursday in the much larger briefing room at the Capitol Visitors Center....

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After helping Obama to White House, Wilco gets a tour

If anyone wondered why alt-country band Wilco was at the White House on Thursday, let us count the ways. Hailing from the same hometown as President Barack Obama, the Chicagoans who make up Wilco are longtime supporters. The bandmates met the then-senator in 2005 when he introduced them onstage at the 20th anniversary Farm Aid concert. They again appeared together the next year on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” when O’Brien broadcast live from the Windy City. In 2007, they were the headlining act for the “Change Rocks” fundraiser that benefited the Obama campaign. White House spokesman Josh Earnest confirmed to us the bandmates and some of their...

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A new kind of 'W'

A cross section of Washington stopped by 15th and E streets on Wednesday night, as the W Hotel officially opened its doors. Spotted hanging out at the P.O.V. Bar on the rooftop: Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau; Air America host Ana Marie Cox; Yosi Sargent of the National Endowment for the Arts; White House staffers Jon Favreau, David Washington and James Greenspun; local R&B singer Mya; former House Majority Leader Dick Armey; Channel 4 sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak; and Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who's overseeing the hotel's cuisine. One White House staffer was overheard saying that the best part about the W is that they can come over without ever really stepping outdoors —...

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Anna's rock on display, even if her forehand isn't

Anna Kournikova wasn't shielding the massive rock on her finger Wednesday night as her St. Louis Aces played the Washington Kastles. The ring has been the subject of rumors that she's engaged to her longtime boyfriend, singer Enrique Iglesias. She refused to comment on the matter. (Photo: Carrie...

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Oliver gives pols humor envy

Everyone wants to be John Oliver, but all John Oliver wants is to stay in the U.S. with Jon Stewart. Oliver, joined by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Bill Clinton, spoke at the Campus Progress National Convention Wednesday night, and all the “big ticket” names were jealous of his humor. Oliver opened the show by saying that he hopes to stay on “The Daily Show” as long as they — and immigration services — will allow. He said he thought his time was up in three days and that he’s applying for a green card so he doesn’t get carted away. He also touched on the topic of his boss, Stewart, when asked if there were any quirks...

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Numbers: Martin's Tavern

15, 35 and 80 The price, in cents, of french fries, clam chowder and meat loaf, respectively, at Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown on Tuesday night, where the famous restaurant celebrated its 75th anniversary by offering the menu from the year it opened, 1934....

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Reciprocal love between Franken, the working class

Only one day in office and already Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., is getting special treatment — special treatment from special interests groups. Labor union AFL-CIO was the first group to cozy up to the new senator, hosting a party in his honor Tuesday evening at the union’s headquarters, only steps from the White House. And it soon became clear Franken is ready to give the love right back. He told the crowd of AFL-CIO and Working America supporters — who were joined by his new colleagues, fellow Minnesotan Amy Klobuchar and Jon Tester of Montana — that his long-debated election win was because of them. “It’s completely accurate to say that I...

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Waxman: Back in health, back on the Hill

Before he can tackle health care reform, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., has to convince everyone that he himself is healthy. Waxman fainted in his Los Angeles district office a week ago, and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for tests. But back from the Independence Day recess this week, Waxman assured a breakfast crowd he was OK. “I’m healthy and ready to go into health care reform,” Waxman said at a breakfast hosted Wednesday by the National Journal Group. He also got some plugs in for his new book, “The Waxman Report,” which is based on his 35 years in the House. “There are a lot of things that Congress does that nobody pays attention...

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Joel Madden: ‘I’m a very poor speller’

Apparently Joel Madden has caught the Twitter bug, though he’s using it for a different reason than most. Madden, of Good Charlotte (and Nicole Richie) fame, joined John Prendergast of the Enough Project Wednesday and urged people to be active … digitally. As Madden took the stage at the Campus Progress national conference (after Twittering himself backstage, according to Prendergast), the first thing he asked was “You guys Twittering right now?” He and Prendergast went on to explain the goals of their project: to break down barriers and stop violence in central Africa. They talked about conflict minerals in the Congo, which are used for electronics, and the...

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Summers drops the ball

White House National Economic Council Director Larry Summers knows a thing or two about tennis. Back in 2003, he told the Harvard Crimson he was on a "low-carb, high-tennis" diet, and he's been known to throw down on court with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Let's hope his racket is better than his hands. During Monday's World TeamTennis matches, a ball went up into the stands and right at Summers — who promptly fumbled it. Also spotted in the crowd: Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife, Michelle, Redskin legend Darrell Green, the Wizards' Caron Butler and Javaris Crittenton and the recently traded Oleksiy Pecherov, DC Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos, former Senator (and...

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Phife Dawg begins ‘Quest’ for health care

That was Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor of A Tribe Called Quest appearing Wednesday at a health care forum at the Service Employees International Union headquarters. Taylor spoke about J Dilla, a rising hip-hop producer whose life was cut short by lupus. “Normally, I found it kind of odd being apart of things like this.” Taylor said at the "Health Care Remix" discussion. He also spoke about his own struggle with diabetes and kidney trouble. In 1999, Taylor found out that his kidneys were severely damaged and eventually had to go on dialysis. “It was rough,” Taylor said as he explained how his conditions worsened in 2006. Fortunately,...

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Allen goes deep with a new tome about ... football

When he was governor and then senator from Virginia, George Allen grew notorious for employing one rhetorical device over and over: the sports analogy. It seemed like a rare speech from the former University of Virginia quarterback and son of Redskins coach George Herbert Allen that didn’t refer to “pushing the ball over the goal line” or some similar construction. He even threw a ceremonial final football during his concession speech after losing to Sen. Jim Webb in 2006. Well, Regnery Publishing announced Tuesday that Allen has signed a contract for a book, due out in 2010. And why not write what you know, right, Senator? The book’s title says it all: “The...

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Hatch takes on college football

Nearly six months into the 111th Congress, senators finally are addressing the real issues — like the postseason system in college football. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, held a hearing Tuesday on that very matter, continuing a long congressional tradition of members making like sports commissioners. Why is Hatch so exercised about the Bowl Championship Series system? Because his beloved Utah Utes, despite being the country’s only undefeated team in 2008, were denied a chance to play for the championship. In his opening statement at the hearing, which explored the antitrust implications of the BCS system, Hatch said, “Clearly, the BCS bowl games exist in a category all...

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EPA agrees with Inhofe’s global warming claim

The senator who once called global warming the “greatest hoax perpetrated on the American people” just got a bit of a boost, and by a member of President Barack Obama’s administration, no less. Ranking member Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., got just the ammunition he’ll need to fight the Markey-Waxman bill at Tuesday’s Senate hearing — the first one following the House’s successful passage of the energy bill — when Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, agreed with the Republican’s claim that the United States alone could not affect the levels of carbon dioxide, even if the bill passed in the...

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Venus: Wimbledon is my warmup

Appearing at a press conference before her WorldTeam Tennis match against the Washington Kastles here on Monday night, Venus Williams was asked how she prepares for the team season every year. "My prep for team tennis every year is Wimbledon," she deadpanned. Indeed, after losing her her sister, Serena, in the finals on Saturday, Venus flew directly from London to D.C. on Sunday. Her matches for the Philadelphia Freedoms were her first since that tough loss. "I love World TeamTennis, so it's a no brainer to be here," she said, citing the fact that she can "get a couple of laughs in" and "enjoy the atmosphere," which is hard to do on the pro...

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Manilow takes in 'Color Purple'

Fresh off his performance at the Capitol Fourth concert on Saturday, legendary songster Barry Manilow became a fan on Sunday night, as he took in "The Color Purple" at the Kennedy Center. Manilow had good seats in the orchestra section, and after the show, he went backstage to meet the star, "American Idol" winner Fantasia....

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PETA seeks rights to Jakco's tune about rat

Somehow PETA is able to take any sort of event and spin it into a plea for kindness to animals. Michael Jackson’s death is no exception. PETA is currently seeking the rights not to Jackson’s “Beat It” (an ode to kicking your meat habit?) or “Bad” (to educate about the horrors of animal torture?), but to “Ben,” one of Jackson’s lesser-known songs from 1972, about a boy and his pet rat. In a release sent out last week, the organization states that the song by the recently deceased King of Pop, whose memorial is taking place today in Los Angeles, is a “moving testament to the power of empathy for animals” and believes...

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Legendary G'Town watering hole to close Sunday

Last week, Carol Joynt, the proprietor of Nathans restaurant, sent out an invitation asking her friends to join her at the Georgetown institution to celebrate her birthday this coming Sunday. But now, that occasion will be more bitter than sweet, as she's announced that Sunday will be Nathans' last day in business. "After 40 years of serving millions of happy and loyal customers, and opening its doors 365 days of every year, Nathans will close at last call on Sunday, July 12," Joynt wrote in an email to friends and supporters on Monday. "We hope over the next week you will find the time to come in and enjoy a last drink and meal with us. We wish we could give it away, but...

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Speakeasy: Cool Obama

"You are very, very famous as a very cool man." -A Russian television journalist, interviewing President Barack Obama before he left for Russia this weekend...

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Media Mix: Steven Ward

Media Mix: Steven Ward Master matchmaker and host of Vh1’s “Tough Love” Steven Ward is coming to Washington this week to host a crash course seminar on today’s dating world at the Ritz-Carlton July 8th and 9th. Q: What’s the last movie you saw? "He’s Just Not That Into You." Q: What’s your favorite TV show? "Tough Love" on VH1, "SportsCenter." Q: What book are you reading? "Journey of Souls" by Dr. Michael Newton, "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" by Steve Harvey, "The Complete Kama Sutra." Q: What Web sites do you visit every morning? Mastermatchmakers.com,...

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Sightings: Braves and Real World

Fans turn out at Braves' hotel The Atlanta Braves stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City for their Fourth of July weekend series against the Nationals and their fans knew it. Sources tell us a couple dozen Braves fans had staked out some ground in front of the hotel. Police were called, after which the Friends of Chipper, et al, were allowed to stay on the sidewalk, but had to remain off of hotel property. And speaking of attracting attention, the cast of "Real World D.C." has been here only a few days and is already receiving plenty of it. They were spotted with camera crews in tow drinking at Chi Cha lounge Thursday night on U Street and Lucky Bar near Dupont Circle on...

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White House celebrates nation, Malia’s birthday

Her sister may have been spoiled a bit for her 8th birthday, spending the day in London with the cast of the “Harry Potter” movies, but Malia Obama got to spend her 11th under the sky of a hundred fireworks. Malia Obama was fetted Saturday night in addition to the county’s independence, born 11 years ago the same day as the nation did 233 years back. President Barack Obama told the crowd at the Independence Day party on the South Lawn how the day holds a special significance to their family and recalled that when Malia was little her use to tell her the fireworks each year were for her. “I’m not sure she buys that [any more],” he joked about his...

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Obama goes to Disney World, will stay forever

While Sarah Palin quit Alaska, President Barack Obama escaped to Walt Disney World. Or at least his futuristic animatronic, and somewhat creepy, twin did. The Florida amusement park unveiled on July 4th the newest addition to the “Hall of Presidents” exhibit– an Obama robot. The robot appears onstage with 42 other presidents and, naturally, is featured standing next to his highly publicized hero, President Abraham Lincoln. The “imagineers” at Disney stated they studied hours of campaign film and his speeches at the convention and inauguration to master all his subtle mannerisms and facial expressions. Obama even got involved first-hand, recording a...

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Saylor hosts a July Fourth spring break

For most people, the Fourth of July marks a day of simple pleasure — backyard barbecues, family picnics and fireworks on the Mall. For others, well, it can be a debaucherous afternoon spent at a million-dollar penthouse on the Potomac getting hosed down with dozens of other twentysomethings. That’s what MicroStrategy Chief Executive Officer and billionaire Michael Saylor has in mind, hosting a “Red, White and Blue Beach Bash” Saturday at two top-floor apartments on Washington Harbor. But the party seems to owe more to college spring break than to the founding of our country, or so depicts an e-mail sent Wednesday in response to the “dozens of questions...

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By the Numbers: Fourth of July

$193 million The value of fireworks imported in 2008 from China, our leading fireworks importer $3 million The dollar value of American flags imported in 2008 from China, our leading flag importer 24 million The number of cases of beer sold at supermarkets across the country during the July 4 holiday period in 2008. Very little of that was from...

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Independence Day arcana

Independence Day arcana Members of Congress don’t just get a long weekend this year. They get a whole long week, thanks to the congressional recess. So we canvassed the Hill and asked how they’ll be spending their time Saturday as America celebrates its 233rd birthday. The most common Independence Day activity of the enterprising elected official? Parades. Nearly every House member we spoke with will be marching in some parade or other. Our favorite? The annual Ancients and Horribles Parade in Chepachet, R.I., where Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will march. (The name stems from Rhode Islanders making fun of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts,...

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Sightings: Bedingfield has some Art with her Soul

Natasha Bedingfield, one of the singers performing at Saturday's "A Capitol Fourth" concert on the Mall, landed in town on Thursday. The British chanteuse had lunch at Art and Soul with her sister. She was wearing a low-cut, V-neck black dress with a gold fringe necklace and sunglasses on her head, she asked to be seated by the window and dined on a crabcake appetizer and rockfish with Chesapeake jumbalaya. And the cast members of "Real World D.C." officially moved in today. Their first stop in their new city: the liquor store....

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Washington Post sells access, White House denies involvement

The Washington Post has long prided itself on its access to the capital's elite. Now, it appears, the paper is willing to sell that access. In a flier circulated to Beltway lobbyists, the Post touted a "salon" program which gives "exclusive access" to "Obama administration officials, Congress members, business leaders, advocacy leaders and other select minds" for between $25,000 and $250,000. (View an image of the flier.) White House officials said privately Thursday that the administration had no idea that the Post was peddling access to its officials. The first event, entitled "Health-Care Reform: Better or Worse for Americans" is scheduled for...

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Bar fight won’t affect Kournikova’s tennis

Anna Kournikova always seems to make things interesting before she arrives in D.C. As reported by the New York Post, the tennis star got into a fracas Saturday night in Las Vegas after a woman threw a drink at her. After attending a table tennis tournament, Kournikova & Co. were partying at the Lavo nightclub, when the offending drink was tossed. Kournikova began shoving the woman, according to the Post, resulting in a “big fight,” and leaving some scratch marks on the blond bombshell. Kournikova is set to play for the St. Louis Aces against the Washington Kastles here July 8. A spokeswoman for the Kastles says the World Team Tennis League says she’s fine and...

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God to ‘Joe the Plumber’: Stick to your day job

Maybe there is a God. That’s sure to be in the minds of some people after hearing from Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher — aka “Joe the Plumber” — that he does not intend to run for public office. “You know, I talked to God about that and He was like, ‘No,’ ” Wurzelbacher said in a new interview with WorldNetDaily this week about his intentions to become a politician. Last year at the height of his fame following his starring role in the presidential debates, the former plumber said “[he]’d be up for [running].” There was even a “Draft Joe the Plumber” Web site started by some fans. But alas, Wurzelbacher...

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With Tiger, Boehner tries to keep bogeys at bay

How well can you prepare for a round of golf with Tiger Woods if you're the minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives? Not that well, to hear Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, tell it. Boehner played in Wednesday's AT&T National Pro-Am with Woods and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Normally one of Congress's top talents on the links, Boehner struggled a bit, even from an easier set of tees than Woods and Romo played. "I played yesterday in L.A.," Boehner told us from the 6th tee — his only round this week in preparation. "Too much to do." He said after "two years of back problems and sciatic nerve problems," he's back down to a 9...

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New book tells stories of the higher-ups getting high

Ah, the 70s. Stagflation, disco and presidential aides getting high with Hunter S. Thompson. That and many other drug-induced escapades fill the pages of “This Is Your Country on Drugs," the new history by journalist’s Ryan Grim. Case in point: President Jimmy Carter and the drug advisors he surrounded himself with during the late 70s. Grim, reading a chapter at Busboys and Poets on Monday night, told the story of how Keith Stroup, a pro-pot lobbyist and founder of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws devised Carter's on marijuana policy over a joint. Turns out, according to Grim, Carter's speechwriter Griffin Smith was a friend of the green herb and...

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Jodie Foster: Not a vegetarian

Proving that celebs will, in fact, come to town while Congress is out of session, Jodie Foster was spotted having lunch at The Source on Tuesday. No vegetarian, the Academy Award winner dined on the Kobe beef burger. Following lunch with a female friend and two children, the group didn't travel far - they spent their afternoon at the Newseum. Sources say they spent at least two hours checking out the museum, spending a lot of time at the Berlin Wall exhibit. Also in town is singer/actress Jessica Simpson. Simpson is here to watch her beau, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo, play today with Tiger Wood in the Pro-Am group of Woods' AT&T National Tournament at Congressional Country...

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Jim Moran: Paper or plastic?

Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., took an hourlong stint bagging groceries at a Safeway in Alexandria Tuesday afternoon. No, he isn't trying to earn a few extra quid; his efforts were part of Safeway’s annual prostate cancer fundraising and awareness campaign. Moran was on hand to raise awareness and encourage giving. Courtesy...

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Overheard at the Aspen Ideas Festival Tuesday

"I'm Sandy O'Connor. I'm just an unemployed cowgirl." -former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor "Speaking of things going on in Congress, if the vote had gone the other way on Friday, I would be here in sack cloth and ashes." -White House Science Advisor John Holdren “Remember the 1990s, when the mere mention of Dan Quayle brought mirth and joy to the conversation? … Like a fine wine, Dan Quayle has no shelf life.” -- Atlantic Media President David Bradley “In 1999, I thought, ‘I’m going to be dead soon, why not tell the truth? ... Of course the joke is: I’m not dead.’” -The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan “There...

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Palin: Are there any friends left?

Writing in this month’s Vanity Fair, Todd Purdum catalogs just how rapidly Sarah Palin has burned through friends and confidantes. Walter Hickel, the former Alaska governor who chaired Palin’s gubernatorial campaign in 2006, told Purdum, “I don’t give a damn what she does.” And John Bitney, a junior-high school friend and former legislative liaison for Palin, said, “I find it’s frustrating dealing with Sarah, because it seems we’re always dealing with emotional crap, and we never seem to be able to focus on the business at hand. Check my feet for horseshoes if I have to sit there and listen to another talk show.” Purdum also...

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By the Numbers: Chinese food

4 Number of area Chinese restaurants to make it into the “Top 100 Chinese Restaurants” in the USA Dining Guide 2009. 0 Number of those restaurants located in D.C.’s Chinatown. (All, in fact, are in the Virginia...

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Media Mix: Stacy Keach

Stacy Keach has taken a break from his stage portrayal of Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon” to return to the Shakespeare Theatre. Keach plays the title role in “King Lear” through July 19, and he gave us his Media Mix via e-mail last week. Q: What’s the last movie you saw? “Transformers” (the new one). Q: What book are you reading? Michael J. Fox’s “Always Looking Up” Q: What’s new on your iPod? I don’t use an iPod. Q: What’s your favorite TV show? “American Greed” [Keach narrates the show.] Q: What Web sites do you visit in the morning? I visited Greenbrier’s Web site this...

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Owen Wilson does Gene Kelly

In one of their final scenes in Washingto for "How Do You Know?", Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon shield themselves from some fake rain during filming Friday in Georgetown. Photo: Brandon...

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Hodgman bests Obama online

John Hodgman’s routine at the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association dinner last weekend got mixed reviews from the Washington elite — but not by YouTube viewers. As of Sunday afternoon, Hodgman’s standup bit from the weekend prior had garnered 380,884 hits on the video-sharing site. Contrast that to President Barack Obama’s remarks, which had earned less than half of that, at 153,115. In fact, Hodgman’s performance topped Obama’s remarks at May’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner (302,349 hits) and Wanda Sykes’ standup routine there as well (190,674). Perhaps those “nerds” that he professed...

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Archives lecture focuses on ‘gender-bending’ soldiers

Chopping off their hair, changing their names and dressing like men — that’s how some 250 women managed to fight in the Civil War. The National Archives’ Christine Blackerby spoke about one of these courageous women Friday at a lecture on the stories behind the documents of Congress. An application for a Discharged Soldier for Arrears of Pay from March 24, 1882, marked one of the “gender-bending soldiers,” Pvt. Franklin Thompson, aka Sarah Emma Edmonds. Disguised as a man, Edmonds joined the Union Army at 19 years old because it allowed her more economic, legal and social opportunities. In April of 1865, Edmonds came down with malaria and fled the army to...

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By the Numbers:Luau

84, 650, 600 — Pounds of macadamia nuts, pork and red snapper, respectively, prepared for Thursday night’s luau-themed picnic for Congress at the White House....

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Rooney: He better get used to rubgy

Which is better: Winning the Super Bowl or having President Obama nominate you to be ambassador to Ireland? This question stumped Pittsburgh Steelers Owner Daniel Rooney as he responded, “I don’t think I could answer that.” Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, Rooney said he would respectfully sever ties with the football team if the Senate confirmed his nomination. Same goes with Sen. Edward Kaufman, D-Del., who as chair opened saying he was grew up in Philadelphia making him a “lifelong Eagles fan,” but admitted that wouldn’t hold him back from acknowledging the accolades of Rooney’s team. “I will not...

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Even as a 'dirtbag,' he's Pure and easy

James Purefoy, the English actor whom American audiences got to know as Marc Antony in HBO's "Rome," was at the Landmark E Street Cinema Wednesday with a gaggle of NBC execs for the world premiere of his new prime time series "The Philanthropist." His billionaire character spends the show running around, all Richard Branson-like, doing good deeds in third world countries. But at the after-party at CoCo Sala, one fan focused on his character's other tendencies. "You're all about the ladies," she told him. "You're kind of a dirtbag." Afterward, Purefoy and company ate at the Old Ebbitt Grille, while they watched the premiere on NBC, thanks to the...

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Celeb activism beats frivolity, selfishness

Actresses Kristen Bell and AnnaLynne McCord showed their humanitarian colors when they came to Washington on Tuesday for the How It Ends lobby day, which partnered with Invisible Children, Resolve Uganda and the Enough Project. The mission of the day: Persuade Congress to take action and work to end a 23-year-old war in Uganda that results in children being forced into the roles of sex slaves and soldiers. Bell (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) said working with Invisible Children makes her feel less jaded. “Sometimes I feel very frivolous about my career in general, and I don’t often feel like I have a purpose,” she said. She got involved after her...

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Nick Jonas: Pop star today, president in 2040

Don’t be surprised if you see Nick Jonas’ name on the ballot in 2040 — that’s the year he’s planning to run for president. Yes, the youngest member of the Jonas Brothers is still too young to vote, but he already has his sights set on the highest office in the nation. “It feels good, it feels right,” Jonas told Yeas & Nays about his time in Washington, specially referencing his trip Tuesday to the White House where he met with President Barack Obama. Jonas’ official merchandise Web site sells bumper stickers that read “Jonas 2040,” and he told us that he spends a lot of time reading up on the presidents....

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Red Sox movie gains some Nationals fans

The timing of Monday night’s premiere of “The Lost Son of Havana” could not have been more perfect. The day before Nationals fans filled the stadium Tuesday night for a historic game against the Boston Red Sox — the first time they’ve played a regular-season game since 1971 — viewers got to watch a film about the star pitcher of those ’71 Sox, Luis Tiant. Tiant is the focus of the newest documentary from Bobby Farrelly, one half of the Farrelly brothers. Best known for “Dumb & Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary,” Farrelly took a new route in his newest film, following the heartwrenching story of the...

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Stacy Keach: From Nixon to Lear

Stacy Keach sure loves playing those controversial heads of state. Monday marked opening night for his run as King Lear at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Artistic Director Michael Kahn noted the legendary actor had to take a hiatus from playing Richard Nixon in the highly successful touring production of “Frost/Nixon” so he could come to Washington and play Lear. It’s not the first favor he’s ever done for the theater, Kahn added. Back in 1990, Kahn asked Keach to play Richard III when its plays were still staged at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Keach agreed, and “it really put the Shakespeare Theatre on the map,” Kahn said. Kahn remembers...

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Andres draws more inspiration from National Gallery

“What does a chef have to do with an art exhibition?” asked D.C.’s own celebrity chef Jose Andres at the National Gallery of Art’s preview of its newest exhibit, The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain. Well, this TV chef has a lot to do with the National Gallery of Art. With the gallery’s opening of two Spanish exhibits this summer, Andres created a menu for its Garden Cafe España, exclusive to the National Gallery of Art. But his connection runs even deeper. While visiting the gallery years ago, a painting by John Singer Sargent, “El Jaleo,” depicting southern Spain, inspired Andres to name his first restaurant...

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Nick Jonas: typical teen in Georgetown

Spotted in Georgetown: Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers, doing some shopping Tuesday afternoon. After stopping into Barneys CO-OP and Rugby — and being mobbed on one corner by young fans — the youngest brother got some pizza at Pizzeria Uno on M Street. This would be his last free time while here in town. Jonas took a White House tour and met with President Barack Obama for a few minutes, before heading up to Capitol Hill. There, he took a Capitol tour along with Mary Tyler Moore, and met with Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., to discuss juvenile diabetes (he suffers from the disease). Jonas, Moore and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard are set to testify on diabetes at a Capitol Hill...

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Day off from filming, but not from sightings

Even more “How Do You Know?” sightings early this week, occurring on what seems to be a break from filming the James L. Brooks rom-com. Physical activity was the apparent choice of two of the cast members. While Reese Witherspoon and beau Jake Gyllenhaal opted for a jog around Georgetown on Monday, Owen Wilson was spotted biking down N Street toward the Georgetown University Campus. Later that evening, Witherspoon and Gyllenhaal — along with co-star Paul Rudd — took a private tour of Ford’s Theatre. Following their visit to the site of Lincoln’s assassination, they all walked around the corner for a dinner at Oyamel. Jack Nicholson and other crew...

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FBI’s X-rated investigation of “Deep Throat”

We all know the FBI was on to “Deep Throat,” though it turns out that was true in more ways than one. Papers recently released to The Associated Press show that while "Deep Throat" the informant was helping to bring down Richard Nixon, the bureau was leading a full-fledged investigation into the notorious 1972 porn film of the same name. According to the 498 pages from director Gerard Damiano’s file – released after his death in October of last year — agents of the highest level in the FBI were on the case. Agents were sent out all across the U.S. to seize copies of the X-rated film in an attempt to have the movie banned. They analyzed negatives...

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Rumsfeld: Tears for his father

Well it’s true; Donald Rumsfeld does have a soft side. Bradley Graham’s biography “By His Own Rules,” released this week, contrasts Rumsfeld’s infamous habit of being one to “interrupt, berate and nitpick” his employees with a more sensitive side. Graham tells the story of Rumsfeld’s aborted interview by CNN correspondent Barbara Starr in the aftermath of Ronald Reagan’s death. Rumsfeld confessed to Starr his father had died of Alzheimer’s, the same disease Reagan had suffered from. Rumsfeld agreed to discuss it on camera, but he broke down only a few sentences into the interview and, tears in his eyes, asked for cameras to be...

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Tiki Barber picks books over football for today’s kids

One way to get kids to read? Have an NFL player to tell them to. An even better way? Have them read a book written by one. But by far the best? Get two-in-one with Tiki Barber. That was the idea behind Monday’s National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Conference at the Washington Convention Center. Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber addressed teachers, administrators and students on the importance of getting kids to read. Barber, who is the author of five children’s books, focused his talk on the success of Harlem Village Academy. As the top public school in New York, the academy should act as a model for President Barack Obama’s vision on public...

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National Archives: bigger and better on screen

From the Miss National Archives contest in the 1960s to the filming of Nicolas Cage’s “National Treasure,” the National Archives’ Rick Blondo attempted to unpack some of the building’s history in a lecture Friday. But top of mind for the audience was the movies. Turns out, Blondo said, when Nicolas Cage came to D.C. to film “National Treasure,” the Archives would not permit filming inside the building. So Cage took to walking its halls in order to familiarize himself with the layout. Not sure how much good that did. Blondo joked that, in portraying extra statues and rooms, “National Treasure” depicted the building to be much bigger...

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Reese and Jake: Lovebirds in Georgetown

What's better than one celebrity in Georgetown? Two celebrities in Georgetown, holding hands to boot. Witness Hollywood lovebirds Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal, taking a stroll on Monday morning. Jake arrived this weekend to be with his love interest, currently shooting "How Do You Know?" around town. Also spotted in Georgetown on Monday: her co-star, Owen Wilson, riding his bike. Photos: Gene...

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Reese and Rudd, back on set

Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon, filming Saturday outside the Bowen building on 15th Street. Photos: Gene...

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Barry: Bigger than LeBron?

The Silverdocs Film Festival opened in Silver Spring last Monday to overflow crowds, thanks to the presence of LeBron James. On Saturday night, the festival closed to even bigger throngs, thanks to ... Marion Barry. Saturday was the premiere of "The Nine Lives of Marion Barry," and you just knew the Ward 8 Councilman and "Mayor for Life" would be in attendance. By our approximation, the ticket-holders' line stretched began forming more than an hour before the movie, and grew to some 270 feet. The standby line, for those without tickets, itself stretrched about 150 feet. Hundreds were turned away, more than came to see LeBron. Also, added a Silverdocs spokeswoman,...

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Rogers: Crashers now welcome at White House

The Obama White House is such a popular destination, said Social Secretary Desirée Rogers, that keeping the crashers out of parties is a losing battle. At events, said Rogers, "We've decided to put in [an extra row or table] in the back for people who we've said no to, but they show up anyway." "We give up," she added jokingly. Rogers was the guest of honor at the Creative Coalition's annual meeting in New York on Thursday night, and in an interview with actress Dana Delany, she opened up about her job and life at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. She said she and her staff have organized more than 150 events so far, although she admitted that the emphasis has not...

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Jack Nicholson joins the cast in Washington

Add Jack Nicholson to the Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd sightings we can expect over the next few weeks – he has officially joined the cast of James L. Brooks' newest film. Nicholson was spotted Friday afternoon filming outside La Tomate restaurant on Connecticut Ave. just off Dupont Circle. He will play the father to Rudd's character. The actor and the director were golden (in the version of a little man named Oscar) with their teaming on "As Good as It Gets" and "Terms of Endearment," so sounds to us like this movie is shaping up to be a hit! (Photo: Mark Wilkins) Jack Nicholson showing "No Fear" Friday night as he leaves...

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Members start a spirited new caucus

The days of tipsy congressmen staggering around the House floor during late-night votes may be over, but members still love their whiskey. Reps. John Yarmuth and Brett Guthrie, both of Kentucky, announced Wednesday they would be chairmen of the newly formed Congressional Bourbon Caucus. The mission of the caucus is to maintain and strengthen the bourbon industry in the United States and educate other members on the issues affecting the industry. According to a news release, the industry is extremely important to the state of its two founding members, as more than 95 percent of the world’s bourbon is distilled and aged in Kentucky and liquor provides for more than $3 billion of the...

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Speakeasy: Sen. John Ensign

"Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates the American Constitution and the founding of our nation.” -Self-admitted adulterer Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., debating the Federal Marriage Amendment on July 13, 2004. How soon he forgets! Shame,...

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Getting Hitched: Something borrowed

Recessionistas spend less green on white As most brides will say, the wedding dress is the most important part of their day — aside from getting married, of course. But with the recession, what are local Washington women doing to adjust to the tough economic times? We chatted with a few area brides and the stores they shop in to find out the recent trends and how, any if, the economy is making for unique changes in planning a girl’s dream day. Apparently, ladies these days are not only light with their pocketbooks, but also with the material they select for their dresses — opting for chiffon, crepe, tulle and georgette as opposed to the usual thicker, heavier satin,...

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Angelina Jolie isn’t just a pretty face for an ugly reality

A broken elbow kept Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from attending, a “bad hair day” was the joke about why emcee Anderson Cooper was replaced last minute by NBC’s Ann Curry, but we bet it didn’t matter to most in attendance at the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) event Thursday – the clear star of the panel was actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie. Jolie, who has been working on helping displaced refugees since 2001, moved the crowd with her emotional speech at the National Geographic Museum in honor of World Refugee Day, serving as a model for other celeb-activists “I am here today to talk about millions of...

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Even in Mudville, there's no joy for the GOP

It definitely is the year of the Democrats. The 48th Annual Roll Call Congressional baseball game had a something of a surprise ending at Nationals Park last night, with the Democrats beating the Republicans for the first time in eight years, 15-10. Youth was served by the Dems, who were also the beneficiaries of a larger talent pool than in recent years, thanks to two consecutive romps at the ballot box. For evidence, look no further than Rep. John Boccieri, D-Ohio, who just wouldn’t stop stealing bases and sliding on his stomach. Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a stop in to watch the game behind home plate, posed for pictures and signed autographs. The game is a standing bipartisan...

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Reese's Wednesday stroll

Reese Witherspoon by the National Archives on Wednesday, shooting another scene for her new movie, which is now officially being referred to as "How Do You...

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Dawes lobbies for women, but won't comment on her man

Olympic Gold Medalist and area resident Dominique Dawes was on the Hill Tuesday to push for a cause near and dear to her: equal athletic opportunities for high school girls. Dawes appeared alongside Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., who introduced the High School Athletics Accountability Act of 2009. That legislation would require high schools to report basic data, including the numbers of females and males participating in student athletic. One topic that was off-limits, however: the status of her relationship with another local celeb, Andy Baldwin, the star of "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman." As you my remember, we spotted the two of them getting close to one another at...

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Plain White Ts love our subs, Fahey gets 'Lost'

President Barack Obama may crave Ben's Chilli Bowl, but for his fellow Chicagoans, The Plain White T's, it's all about Potbelly sandwiches. Playing at what could be Washington's most intimate music venue, the Gibson Guitar loft in Chinatown, the T's (they of "Hey There Delilah" fame) munched on pork belly sliders from Commonwealth restaurant before an acoustic show hosted by MIX 107.3 personality Tommy McFly. But they admitted to Yeas & Nays that beyond the politics and the monuments this city's top offering has to be the Potbelly sandwich. "We love the 9:30 Club and we love Potbellys," Tom Higgenson told us of their stops in town. Oh and of course President...

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Julianne asks for ‘Moore’ preparedness with kids

Julianne Moore wants to save your children from the next natural or manmade disaster. No, she has not been tapped as a superhero for her next role, but has joined on as the U.S. Artist Ambassador for Save the Children. Moore came to Washington to speak about the organization’s latest report that exposes the fact that “only seven states are prepared to protect children” were a disaster to occur, and as a mother of two children, she was able to discuss firsthand her experience as a New York parent during the Sept. 11 attacks. Speaking with Mark Shriver at the Mazique Parent Child Center on 13th Street Wednesday morning, Moore suggested that kids wear laminated emergency...

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Slash is a (guitar) hero for bay's swans

Don't let his name fool you — legendary guitar player Slash wants none of that happening to the mute swans of the Chesapeake Bay. The hard-rocking animal lover sent Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley a letter on Monday urging him to halt the killing of the animals. Earlier this decade, the state Department of Natural Resources began to blame the swans for pollution in the bay, and recently began exterminating them. Only about 500 survive, according to the Humane Society of the United States. "A number of my fans are very concerned about this," Slash writes. "You have the authority to call off the brutal killings and I really hope you will. ... I hope you will consider...

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Reese's run

On the National Mall Tuesday, Reese Witherspoon breaks a sweat as she films a scene from her new movie, the as-yet-untitled romantic comedy with Owen Wilson. (Photo: Gene...

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Michelle Obama awarded by fashion elites

The first lady of fashion didn’t get that name for nothing, but now she can boast an award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America to any doubters. Michelle Obama was given the Board of Directors’ Special Tribute on Monday night at the annual who’s-who in the fashion world gala at Lincoln Center in New York. For those unfamiliar with the event — marking it as a true honor for the fashion-forward first lady — celebs such as Blake Lively, Ashley Olsen, Claire Danes and Heidi Klum all took a backseat to honor top designers like Marc Jacobs and Rodante. And although Obama was unable to attend the event, her presence was felt. Not only did a taped...

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Justice Alito’s Supremely cute marriage

With all the talk of the single status of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, it was nice to be reminded that you can be happily married while on the bench of the top court in the nation. Justice Samuel Alito and his wife, Martha, were the antithesis of the typically dour Supreme Court, spending a lively Monday across town from the court at a closing-night event for the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. The conservative justice was more than happy to chat (under the watchful eye of several bodyguards), telling us that yes, he loves jazz, “but I’m really here for my wife, she’s a big fan.” Martha cited Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday as some of her...

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A red carpet for King James

"A festival, like a basketball team, is never the work of one person," said Sky Sitney, artistic director of the Silverdocs Film Festival, as she opened the weeklong event on Monday night. True, but one person can make both of those things a whole lot bigger. That's why flashbulbs popped, red carpets rolled out, a band marched and police closed off streets in downtown Silver Spring, largely due to the presence of one man: LeBron James, whose high school team was the subject of the festival's opening film, "More Than a Game" (he also ended up executive producing it). And afterwards, he and his former teammates took to the stage for a Q&A with NPR's Michele...

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Sen. Gillibrand asks Dartmouth alums for funds

Be true to your school. That’s the motto Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., hopes will work on her Dartmouth classmates this upcoming weekend at the 20th anniversary for the class of 1989. She’s hosting a fundraiser. The appointed senator is sending out e-mails to her classmates in the weeks leading up to the reunion asking them to join her at a party in Hanover for $125 per head. Despite that she’s running for office in New York while campaigning in New Hampshire, we’re sure there are some alumni who love to brag about being classmates with a U.S. senator....

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Jarrett adviser to ‘cool’ Obama

Take it from his adviser: President Barack Obama is officially a “cool guy.” And as senior adviser to the president, Valerie Jarrett should know. Jarrett welcomed “many great women and a few great men” to the National Partnership for Women and Families luncheon at the Hilton Washington Monday, where she was honored for her work with improving the lives of women. However, most of her short speech was dedicated to one man — the president. She claimed after growing up with a single mother, marrying a strong woman and having two daughters, Obama knows what he is doing around women. She then told of an encounter Obama had with a woman in Green Bay, Wis. and how...

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It's a surprise for Hoyer's 70th

Local congressman and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., turned 70 on Sunday, so his staff threw him an early birthday party in his Capitol office on Friday. We hear that a group of reporters followed Hoyer up to the back door of his office after the final series of floor votes. And once the door was closed, they heard Hoyer's staff erupt with a "surprise!" The only legislator who outranks Hoyer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, follows Hoyer into her eighth decade in March of next year....

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McCain’s new ride

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has chosen a new set of wheels. “Time to get a new car — decided on the Ford Fusion Hybrid,” the 2008 Republican presidential nominee Twittered Monday. A source close to the senator said he “believes Ford Motor Co. is doing some remarkable things in the ever-changing energy environment. ... McCain took the Fusion for a test drive and was sold from the start — especially when he found out it gets 700 miles per tank.” By our count, McCain’s choice allows him to check off three boxes: - Green? Check. - Domestic? Check. - Frugal in a time of economic peril? Check. (The car, which retails for about $27,000 base,...

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Oh, to be a diva

Who belongs to that mane of blonde hair? Why it's RuPaul, the country's most famous drag queen, proving that even a cross-dressing diva can be camera shy. Here she is returning to the Madison Hotel after her performance on the National Mall on Sunday. Below, RuPaul performs on the Mall as part of the Capital Pride Festival. Photos: Mark...

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Speakeasy: Orrin Hatch and Mike Pence

"Don't you believe that B.S." -Normally mild-mannered Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, at the Utah Republican Convention on Saturday, "after some delegates applauded as a way of blaming national Republicans, himself included, for the deficit and other problems of the Bush years." (Source: Deseret News) "The government competes in the private sector the way an alligator competes with a duck." -Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., going all zoological on us Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union with John...

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Sen. Olympia Snowe thinks gluten-free is top dog

For anyone concerned their dog just isn’t eating enough gluten-free food, Sen. Olympia Snow has the answer. Snowe took her time in Senate Wednesday to commend Barkwheats Dog Biscuits – a business run in her home state that focuses on selling all-natural dog biscuits. She explained that the biscuits are made in two varieties, with sea vegetables and chamomile or ginger and parsley (to get rid of that nasty doggy breath.) She was also happy to announce that they provide a gluten-free option for dog-owners. Good thing she mentioned that these biscuits were “one of a kind.”...

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Speakeasy: This week in Congress

"These dinky cars are too small for people like me. The government is going to force us to drive small, battery-powered unsfae vehicles but they will be cute. -Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, speaking last week on fuel-efficient cars. "Too often we should be careful about being cute here on the House floor. So cute means the reference with regard to lettuce...Do you realize if you were to take that lettuce, dry it, and roll it and smoke it...Do you realize that you are going to end up with the same problems than if you were smoking tobacco. It's not the nicotine that kills. It's the smoke that kills." -Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Illl., on the floor Friday morning debating...

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Rep. Pascrell should get to know the CIA

Talk about intelligence! Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., didn't seem to have gotten the full briefing before he introduced none other than Central Intelligence Agency director Leon Panetta ... or was it John? Rep. Pascrell called the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency "John," not once, not twice, but three times during his introduction at a National Italian American Federation luncheon Thursday on Capitol Hill. And it didn't stop there. Following Panetta's remarks that focused on the need for more CIA agents educated in Islamic studies, Pascrell once again called him "John" while praising his works. This time Panetta politely corrected him....

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Moore's (or YouTube's) latest film stunts

Michael Moore is up to his latest stunts, surprising unsuspecting movie go-ers (and some pre-alerted media) in Washington Friday night with an unusual sneak peak to his latest film on the financial bailout. But Yeas & Nays wonders if the renegade documentarian is losing his revolutionary edge, getting beaten out by the creative minds posting to YouTube. Friday night, movie-goers in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and here at Loews Georgetown were surprised to see the lights in the theater come on right before the start of their feature film. They had Moore to thank, who came on the screen asking them to “join [him] in helping our fellow Americans” and donate to “save...

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Wilson stops by weed party, natch

He looks the part of the quintessential California surfer, he’s got the saying “dude” down to an art form in every film and he’s best buds with hemp-loving Woody Harrelson. So who more appropriate than actor Owen Wilson to stumble into a book party for “Weed Man: The Remarkable Journey of Jimmy Divine”? Wilson wandered past Tackle Box in Georgetown on Wednesday night, where friends were feting columnist-turned-radio-host John McCaslin for his new book on a legendary dope dealer. Wilson noticed the books displayed in the window (the dust covers of which just happen to be made from rolling paper) and strolled right in, clearly intrigued. Inside, he...

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Speakeasy: Gen. James Conway

"I would look a mother in the eye and say, 'Don't worry. The safest place in the world is inside a battalion of Marines.'" -Gen. James Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, when asked at the National Press Club on Thursday what he would tell the mother of an 18-year-old who wanted to...

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No ‘Jive Talkin’ ’ by Gibb on copyright

We half expected that Robin Gibb would deliver his speech Wednesday to the World Copyright Summit in a high falsetto. But the Bee Gee instead stammered his way through it, looking nervous as he read his remarks on the importance of copyright off of a wrinkled sheet of paper. “To every cow its calf, so to every book his copy,” Gibb said, quoting a sixth-century Irish high king in what is the first copyright case ever reported. Despite his concern with royalties and copyright, Gibb seemed to use other authors’ words quite often, later quoting a song by Tom Lehrer. Gibb recited a good portion of the song, yelling, “So don’t shade your eyes, But plagiarize,...

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Turiaf: Doctors more nerve-racking than playoffs

“I feel more comfortable chasing the basketball than talking to hundreds of physicians,” said Golden State Warriors forward Ronny Turiaf, after addressing the American Society of Echocardiography on Tuesday. “I was a little nervous,” he told us by phone afterward. “I was able to shake off my nervousness and open up to them.” Turiaf, who’s also a member of the French national basketball team, was on hand to discuss the open-heart surgery he endured after being drafted out of Gonzaga University by the Los Angeles Lakers. “I was in the best shape of my life,” he said. Nevertheless, a physical revealed an enlarged aortic root. After six...

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Bachmann: Taking on water

In discussing the growing national debt in a late-night special order speech on Tuesday, the always entertaining Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., declared that the president's plan is the "kind of plan we could have watched last weekend on TNT." How's that? Well, explained Bachmann, she was watching the movie "Titanic" last weekend with her family. And boy, she thought, was it ever an apt analogy for the president's economic policy. "As the ice ripped that hole in the Titanic, water started being taken on, and the engineer came out and brought the blueprint blueprint of the Titanic," Bachmann said. "Water came into the first chamber, spilled onto the...

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Redford joins Jolie, Wilson in town

Spotted: Owen Wilson at the bar at Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons on Monday night. He didn’t last long there, however: After being approached by one too many fans, he got management to move him into the dining room. Wilson is spending time in town to film his as-yet-untitled baseball-themed romantic comedy with Reese Witherspoon. Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie (with hubby Brad Pitt in tow) and Liev Schreiber are back in town for more filming of the spy thriller “Salt.” Cast and crew have been spending time at DAR Constitution Hall this week. Not too far away, Angie’s father, Jon Voight, was spotted at the Willard Hotel on Tuesday morning, after calling President...

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Union draws on life experience with testimony

It is common for celebrities to visit the Hill to testify on issues they care about, but rarer to hear ones speak on experiences they personally suffered. That was the case with actress Gabrielle Union, who, as a rape victim, testified Wednesday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee about the importance of the Violence Against Women Act. “When I was 19, I had a summer job,” she said, and “one night during the course of a robbery a man raped me.” Sounding like a fictional character from one of her many films, Union explained how she picked up his gun and attempted her “best ‘Starsky and Hutch,’ fell on [her] back popped the clip in and...

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O'Rourke: We owe our existence to the back seat

“Most people owe their very existence to the car, or at least to its back seat,” satirical writer P.J. O’Rourke began his discussion at Cato on Tuesday, where he argued that lawmakers are destroying the American car — and the fantasy it creates — as we know it. “There was no premarital sex in America before the invention of the internal combustion engine,” O’Rourke continued. “You couldn’t sneak a girl into the rec room of your house because your mom and dad were unable to commute so they were home all day working on the farm.” Although he spoke with his characteristically amusing style, one that lands him in the top...

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Media Mix: DeAnna Pappas

“Bachelorette” DeAnna Pappas was in town June, and as the new co-host of “Get Married" she hosted a “Pre-Wedding” wedding party event at Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase. Q: What’s the last movie you saw? “17 Again.” It was really cute! Q: What book are you reading? “Breaking Dawn” by Stephenie Meyer. I am in love with Edward. Q: What Web sites do you visit every morning? Mine, deanna-pappas.com; Perez Hilton; and Twitter. Q: What’s your favorite TV show? “Friends” and “Sex and the City.” Q: What’s new on your iPod? Gavin DeGraw’s new album. (Courtesy...

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By the Numbers: Beyoncé

3 Number of publicized political fundraisers, so far, scheduled to take place at the Beyoncé concert at Verizon Center June 24 $2,500 The top price per ticket, as charged by Reps. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., and G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C. Source: Sunlight...

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'Real World D.C.': MTV makes it official

After weeks of speculation, MTV made it official this afternoon: "The Real World" is filming its 23rd season in Washington this summer. The show will premiere in 2010, after the current season of "Real World: Cancun" fades into memory. Eight young adults will move into a house at 20th and S streets near Dupont Circle, which is currently under construction, as it is transformed into a 24-hour TV set. In recent days, photos of the construction have been posted on several local blogs and Web sites. "The charged atmosphere of Washington D.C., the center of our country's social and political change, will provide an electric setting for this next season of ‘The...

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Willard Scott relives his crazy times at Martin’s 75th

He’s got a few years to go before announcing his own hundredth birthday on a jar of Smucker’s jam, but Washington media staple and NBC weatherman Willard Scott still has plenty of stories about his times at Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown. Scott showed up on a rare night out Tuesday to celebrate the local pub’s 75th anniversary, and being that the spot is as old as he is, we were sure to get some juicy tidbits on the place. Instead, we learned more about his own salacious times at the spot he dubbed the place where people “got engaged and got lucky.” So did he know from experience? “I got lucky here with a bartender once,” Scott confessed,...

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McAuliffe follows Obama into Hell (Burger)

Call it the Obama effect: Where the president dines, other Democrats will follow. Last month, you may remember, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington to curb their burger craving. On Virginia’s election day Tuesday, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe followed suit, hoping that some of the Obama-Biden luck would rub off. Arriving around noon with his family and staff, McAuliffe found a line of diners going out the door. While his wife and campaign manager stood in line and ordered burgers, McAuliffe made the rounds, talking to each diner in the restaurant and urging them to come out and vote...

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White House no, State Dept. yes

Is the red carpet for celebs being rolled up at the White House? This week, another slew of bold-facers — Russell Simmons, Terrence Howard, David Archuleta, Gabrielle Union — has arrived in D.C., this time to support an organization called Children Uniting Nations. But, they said, there was no White House tour on the agenda. We caught up with them at a private dinner at Teatro Goldoni on Monday night, on the eve of Tuesday’s news conferences, panel discussions and a State Department dinner for the organization’s luminaries. The common belief was now that President Barack Obama was where they wanted him, it was back to the issues. “I saw Barack more as a...

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Bush 41 to skydive with news anchor

How does President George H. W. Bush plan to spend his 85th birthday? By jumping out of a plane with not only a parachute strapped to his back, but also CNN HLN anchor Robin Meade. On Friday, the former president will jump with Meade above Kennebunkport, Maine, as part of his weekend birthday celebrations. Joining him in the sky will be the Army’s Golden Knights. Bush 41 is no stranger to parachute jumps, with Friday marking his seventh attempt. His first jump was as a Navy Pilot in 1944 when his plane was shot down in World War II. He similarly marked his 75th and 80th birthdays with the same...

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Donovan mingles with locals in movie shoot

With film crews buzzing around downtown D.C. on a regular basis these days, Alexandria got in on the action this weekend, hosting two days’ worth of filming for a new political satire. Starting at 6 a.m., cast and crew filmed all day Saturday at the offices of Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, partner Craig Shirley tells us. On the scene were the film’s star, Tate Donovan from “Damages,” and director Dave Fraunces, who portrayed RFK in “Bobby.” Then Sunday, Restaurant Eve in Old Town Alexandria took center stage for a “power lunch” scene featuring Kip Purdue ("Remember the Titans"). Shirley and his wife, Zorine, acted as...

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Dupont home fixing up for ‘Real World’?

The reality show that started it all is allegedly going to become the umpteenth reality show to film in D.C. Last week, reports came out that MTV’s “The Real World” has tapped Washington as its next neighborhood to house seven strangers, while the network documents their every move. No confirmation yet from MTV, and Bunim & Murray producer Jim Johnston told us he knew no information on it and was only working on their next season in Cancun, but the busy activity around 2000 S St. NW near Dupont Circle makes it seem very likely. Seen parked outside the large three-story brick home are several white work vans and a police squad car — the only cars allowed to...

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Simon tries to keep his ‘pottymouth’ in check

David Simon, the Baltimore Sun reporter-turned-writer of “Homicide” and “The Wire,” has found a home on cable in the HBO network. Which is fine with him, because as he conceded at an appearance at the National Press Club on Monday, he has trouble keeping the four-letter words out of his speech or his scripts. Discussing the future of journalism, Simon nearly let a colorful word or two slip early on, before catching himself. “I’m on C-SPAN,” he reasoned. “It’s cable, but it’s not my cable.” But his restraint didn’t last long. Only a few minutes later, he let the word “a*****e” slip out while he discussed...

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Don’t judge judge by cast: There’s no stopping her

A fractured ankle, a plane flight, a hospital visit and meetings with six senators all before the day’s over? That was Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s Monday, which started with her tripping and fracturing her ankle at New York’s La Guardia Airport en route to Washington to make her scheduled appointments on the Hill. And apparently she didn’t let the pain stop her from boarding the plane — she didn’t seek medical attention until landing in the District. After spending “less than two hours” at George Washington University hospital, the Supreme Court nominee was released with a “small fracture in her right ankle,” per a White House...

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Pro athletes take over the town

Professional athletes showcased their skills on the basketball court Saturday night at Trinity University for local disc jockey Big Tigger’s 8th Annual Celebrity Classic. The all-star charity game was the highlight of a three-day event to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. The teams were evenly matched, with coaches Caron Butler of the Washington Wizards and Roger Mason, a Maryland native who left the Wizards for the San Antonio Spurs in 2008, facing off. Another Wizard, Andre Blatche, joined the game. Washington, D.C.,’s own Shawne Merriman, a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, proved his athletic abilities extend beyond football. Other DJs from WPGC went...

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Post colleagues share underwear

What was everyone sure to be talking about Sunday morning following a long night at Washington Post editorial cartoonist Tom Toles’ summer bash? Had to be the Post wiseguy Dana Milbank running around with a pair of tighty-whities over his jeans while waving a pair overhead on the dance floor. But even better is where said briefs came from — Toles’ own bedroom! Milbank apparently ran upstairs and raided the Pulitzer Prize-winning drawer’s drawers drawer. Toles said this was a common practice of his colleague, telling us that last year Milbank stole every single pair of his underwear and “draped them all over [his] office” a week later. Let’s...

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Reality can wait: ‘Blonde’ roots starting to show?

The D.C.-based reality show “Blonde Charity Mafia” has been pushed back from its originally scheduled debut. The show, which follows three young Georgetown socialites, was set to air July 7, but the CW network announced Friday it would instead debut on an unknown date in the fall. Some media outlets cite the move as a “promotion,” but the long history of the yet-to-air show seems to cast doubt on that idea. One network source told us in May that the show was “terrible.” Other industry insiders told us they were puzzled why they would need to cook up a marketing campaign if the pilot was so good. “If it’s so good, why do they need a...

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Four parties for Folkman as show debuts

Local chef Teddy Folkman shared the love on Sunday night, holding four simultaneous viewing parties for the debut of "The Next Food Network Star," on which he is a contestant. Folkman's peeps partied at Capitol Lounge, where he just took over as executive chef, the Argonaut in Northeast, Enology in Northwest and his own favorite watering hole, the Reynolds Street Bar & Grill in Alexandria. "The experience was amazing," Folkman told us last week. "A lot of kids dream of Disney World; I dream of going to the Food Network studios." His favorite moment? Meeting "Iron Chef" star Morimoto. "Any guy who wears pajamas 24/7 has got to be a fun...

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Cap. Hill experts handicap Belmont Stakes

When members of Congress and Hill staffers need advice on horse racing, there are two people they turn to: Amy Steinmann, a Republican staffer for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Christian Fjeld, a Democrat who’s in the process of moving from the House Commerce Committee to the Senate Commerce Committee. Experts on a sport that’s no longer top of mind for many Americans — save for three weekends each spring — Steinmann and Fjeld are known for sending out detailed handicapping sheets for each of the Triple Crown races, giving their less-obsessed colleagues a chance to make a winning bet. Steinmann and Fjeld approach the ponies from two...

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Joe Wilson becomes Heather Wilson

The House television feed not only called Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., a female representative, but to add insult to injury, it was one who’s no longer even in the House. While speaking from the House floor Wednesday on the nomination of Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., to be secretary of the Army, Wilson was identified by the House’s internal television network as former Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. Yes they are both Republicans with the last name Wilson, but isn’t anyone watching to see that Wilson doesn’t look like a “Heather?” The current Wilson’s office laughed it off. “Rep. Wilson takes it with a grain of salt and has a lot of respect for...

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Sonia Sotomayor: By the Numbers

9 Days it took Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor to complete the Senate Judiciary Committee’s questionnaire — the “swiftest questionnaire completion in recent history,” according to the White House 13, 15, 30 Days it took Justices John Roberts, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Samuel Alito, respectively, to complete their...

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Conservatives: All about the empathy

"I assume I'm getting this award for a long career of empathy." That's how Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol accepted his award at the Bradley Prizes on Wednesday night, needling the administration in the process. Another of the awards, bestowed annually by the Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation, went to the leaders and founders of the conservative Federalist Society. And emcee George Will was properly attired. Will chose his Federalist Society tie, emblazoned with the bust of James Madison, for the occasion. "When I wear this tie on TV it is a signal to sleeper cells ... to rise in defense of the Constitution," he said. Also receiving the prizes: Historian Sir...

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Free Botox an upside to job loss?

One company is going to the extreme to fix the frowns of the newly unemployed — free Botox injections. In exchange for your pink slip, D.C.-based medical group Reveal will fill in your worry lines, crow’s feet or furrows for free to the first 50 people at its Pentagon City location Friday. Along with proof of termination, Reveal is also asking you to bring a resume to give to recruiters they’ll have on site. Though we’re not sure how great an interview you’d give immediately following a Botox procedure (think watery eyes, zero facial expression). So why, exactly, is Reveal doing this? The company says that looking good and a job interview go hand in...

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Media Mix: Korto Momolu

“Project Runway’s” season five finalist Korto Momolu was in town last weekend as a judge at the African Designer and Models Competition. She is a frequent visitor to the area and sees D.C. as the newest fashion capital. Q: What’s the last movie you saw? “Miracle at St. Anna.” It’s a Spike Lee joint. Pretty good but so sad. Q: What book are you reading? “The Other Side of Midnight” by Sidney Sheldon for the umpteenth time. Q: What Web sites do you visit every morning? AOL, Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, kortomomolu.com, then I Google myself to see what people are saying. Q: What’s your favorite TV show? I love “Law and Order:...

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Funniest Fed coming back for more laughs

They crack wise, they spend the taxpayers’ money and this September they’ll compete again for the title of Funniest Fed. The five-week contest among federal employees who fancy themselves funny will return to the Arlington Cinema n’ Drafthouse this fall, after a successful debut in 2007. Founder Naomi Johnson says 34 applicants already have signed on, and she said she hoped this year’s contest would be even more popular than the first. In 2007, comedy veteran and Federal Aviation Administration engineer Freddi Vernell took first prize. Her success led to numerous local media appearances, a holiday segment for BET and a finals appearance in the Black Bay Area...

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Speakeasy: Salvador Dali

“Artiste, Painter. ... Business indefinite.” — Legendary “artiste” Salvador Dali, describing his business in government immigration records that are being released to the National Archives this year. When asked on another document in 1951 if he was a member of any political group, Dali replied: “I belong to the artistic union for theatrical decorations. This is a professional union, not a political one.” Dali’s files, which were on display at an Archives ceremony Wednesday, are among hundreds of thousands that will be transferred later this year....

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Glover’s talk turns to Tenenbaums