Faves and raves by Sam Hale
Sam Hale is the founder of the Maryland Society of Patriots, a conservative activism group with roughly 1,500 members.
PERSONAL STATS
AGE: 25
NUMBER OF YEARS IN D.C. AREA: 25
NEIGHBORHOOD: Silver Spring/Burtonsville
– Hayley Peterson
1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT
In my neighborhood, Burtonsville, Looney’s Pub in Fulton is our favorite place to go on a slow Friday night.
2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
My Mustang. I can’t stand the Metro and avoid it at all costs.
3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT
I love the Redskins. But my favorite thing to do is to go to Laurel Racetrack and play the races. My dad and I used to go all the time when I was a kid. I don’t understand why more Marylanders don’t love horse racing. To me, it is the most exciting game out there; you’re personally involved in every race — via wagering — and you don’t have to wait until next year when you lose. There’s another race in 30 minutes.
4. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
Definitely Merriweather Post Pavilion. Had a great time seeing Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert there last summer. It is always oversold and crowded, but I always manage to have a great time. Much closer and easier to get to than Jiffy Lube Live for Montgomery County folks.
5. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS
The Capital Grille. Super classy and super Washington.
6. FAVORITE MUSEUM
I am not a guy who loves to go to museums. But I do like the Natural History museum. I was a kid who loved dinosaurs, and it has always been the most interesting to me.
7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT
I love Savage Mill in Savage, Md., outside of Laurel. I love to eat a late dinner at Rams Head and walk through the mall when most of the shops are closed. Sounds lame, but it does the trick.
8. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY
I love to drive, and love to drive through the country. My favorite thing to do on Sunday is to drive the scenic part of 650 through Damascus and into Frederick County. Eat too much at a late lunch, drink coffee and drive back.
9. BEN’S CHILI BOWL, OLD EBBITT GRILL OR CAFE MILANO?
Old Ebbitt.
10. BEST OUT-OF-TOWN RETREAT
I love all of Maryland and it’s all very different. And when working on the [gubernatorial candidate Brian] Murphy campaign I got to see it all. I think the most beautiful place to go is Southern Maryland across the Thomas Johnson Bridge into St. Mary’s. But the most fun place to go is Ocean City with old friends from college.
11. BEST INSIDE-THE-BELTWAY RETREAT
Bethesda. A ton of nice places to go and it is close to home.
12. FAVORITE MONUMENT
Jefferson. Being a Tea Party guy, I really admire Thomas Jefferson. It’s a beautifully done monument and one of my favorite things about Washington.
13. PROUDEST PART OF LIVING IN THE D.C. REGION
It’s the most powerful city in the world. I really appreciate the proximity to the people who are governing over the free world. Being a Tea Party guy, I love being able to travel 25 minutes for the incredible protests that many travel across the country for.
14. EMBARRASSING PART OF LIVING IN D.C. REGION
How incredibly liberal it is. The entire region is deeply in debt beyond its wildest dreams, and things seem to get worse for the area every year. But the people refuse to change the party or the politics in power.
15. BEST BREAKFAST SPOT
I hate going out for breakfast. It can always be done better at home. But I enjoy Marvin on 14th Street (2007 14th St. NW).
16. BEST COFFEE SHOP
My sister lives across the street from Buzz in Old Town (901 Slater Lane); and I’m glad I don’t or I would weigh 300 pounds.
