Faves and raves by Lidia Soto-Harmon
Chief executive officer, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
AGE: 47
NUMBER OF YEARS IN D.C. AREA: 20
NEIGHBORHOOD: Fairfax
– Hayley Peterson
1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT
My favorite hangout is outside the city limits, it’s Girl Scout Camp Winona in Charles County, Md. There is a Trefoil Pond for kayaking, scenic hiking trails, a fire pit for roasting s’mores and during the hot, hot sticky Washington summers there is a fabulous pool. While it is usually a hangout for girls ages 5-17, in August about 30 powerful women executives from the Washington area attend Camp CEO (at Camp Winona), the best mentorship and leadership program for teenage Girl Scouts.
2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
To get around town and make it to meetings on time, of course the Metro. The Red Line, Van Ness stop, is right outside of our office on Connecticut Avenue.
3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT
Hooray for women’s sports! We have one of the best WNBA basketball teams — the Mystics.
4. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
Wait until June 2012 — the place for great live music will be the National Mall. Girl Scouts is hosting Girl Scouts Rock the Mall: 100th Anniversary Sing-Along. Over 200,000 Girl Scouts from across the country
are expected to attend and sing favorite Girl Scout songs.
5. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS
I love taking friends to the National Cathedral. It is a magnificent building with the best view of the city from the observation booth. You can’t leave without finding the Darth Vader gargoyle and the moon rock stained glass window.
6. FAVORITE MUSEUM
I love the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, visiting all the presidential portraits.
7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT
I would say Wolf Trap at a summer concert with the husband and a bottle of good wine. Oh, and a blanket, listening to Latin music and gazing at the stars.
8. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY
At soccer game of course, rooting for my favorite soccer player, my daughter. Go Fuego!
9. BEN’S CHILI BOWL, OLD EBBITT GRILL OR CAFE MILANO?
No question I love Ben’s Chili Bowl. Whenever I am on U Street, regardless of the hour, I stop by for a Ben’s Chili half smoke.
10. BEST RETREAT OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY
I love going to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water in rural Pennsylvania. The ride is beautiful and the architecture spectacular.
11. BEST RETREAT INSIDE THE BELTWAY
There are so many treasures in this region, but perhaps one of the best kept secrets is the National Arboretum — spectacular trails, bonsai garden, and there is always something new blooming.
12. FAVORITE MONUMENT
The Washington Monument because on June 2012 we will host Girl Scout Rock the Mall from that location with hundreds of thousands of Girl Scouts from across the country.
13. PROUDEST PART OF LIVING IN THE D.C. REGION
The occasional invitation to the White House!
14. EMBARRASSING PART OF LIVING IN D.C. REGION
I would be embarrassed if people knew that it takes me over an hour to commute to work every day! What a waste of time.
15. BEST BREAKFAST SPOT
The Mayflower Hotel has a fabulous menu and is a quiet and great place to hold morning meetings.
16. BEST COFFEE SHOP
Georgetown Cupcake on M Street. That’s because in April they are making a special Girl Scout Thin Mint Cupcake and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital.
