Washington, DC

Cherry Blossom Parade, April 2008
Photographer: Kjersti Wasiak

While you may notice most Photo of the Day posts feature photos taken by me, I encourage others to submit their photos to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Day post. It does not matter if the photo is great, as long as it is not blurry, is related to D.C., and is otherwise appropriate then I will feature it. To submit a photo send me an e-mail at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net with the subject line of D.C. Photo. In the e-mail attach your photo and include your name, date of the photo (just month and year is necessary), website you want me to link to, and a description of the photo, especially including location of photo when it is not obvious.

Top 5 Photo of the Day Posts of 2007

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Underground Train by Mary Quattlebaum is a fun picture book for young kids. This book is told through the voice of a young girl and is her version of her experience riding on the Metro to visit her Grandma in Cleveland Park. Overall this is great telling of the Metro journey as a kid may see it, however I have one small issue with the book. It never shows her transferring trains. Sure, you can say she got on the red line and never needed to transfer thus it does not show it, however, the fact early in the book it mentions passing the Waterfront stop proves she has to be on the Green Line and at one point would have had to transfer to get to the red line and to Cleveland Park, which is obviously shown as her destination. Anyways that is just me wanting accuracy and thinking that transferring trains would be one of those moments a little kid would remember trying not to get separated from her mom as they transfer. Overall the book is well written and has some great analogies such as the doors being called silver drapes. The illustrations are also fun, especially with the girl daydreaming about what is going on in D.C. above as they travel below it on the Metro.

Basic Information About this Book:

ISBN #: 0-385-32204-6
Publisher: Doubleday
Year of Publication: 1997
Number of Pages: 27

If you have a suggestion of a D.C. related book that you would like to see featured in a future Book of the Week post, then please either comment on this post or e-mail me at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net

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Cherry Blossom Parade, April 2008
Photographer: Kjersti Wasiak

While you may notice most Photo of the Day posts feature photos taken by me, I encourage others to submit their photos to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Day post. It does not matter if the photo is great, as long as it is not blurry, is related to D.C., and is otherwise appropriate then I will feature it. To submit a photo send me an e-mail at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net with the subject line of D.C. Photo. In the e-mail attach your photo and include your name, date of the photo (just month and year is necessary), website you want me to link to, and a description of the photo, especially including location of photo when it is not obvious.

Top 5 Photo of the Day Posts of 2007

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Recently the Library of Congress opened a new exhibit displaying Thomas Jefferson’s Library. This exhibit displays the collection of books Jefferson sold to the Library of Congress after the Congressional Library was burned when the British burned parts of D.C. in 1814, as part of the War of 1812. This collection is not all original, as over the years some volumes have been destroyed/lost with many being destroyed in the 1851 fire at the Capitol. The original collection that restarted the Library of Congress and helped it begin to develop to become what it is today number 6,487 volumes.

This exhibit in one form or another represents all 6,487 volumes that made up the collection Jefferson sold to the Library of Congress in the early 1800s. The books are displayed in bookcases arranged in a circular pattern. The books are organized by themes that Jefferson himself organized his books. The collection contains about 2,000 books that are originals from the collection. Another 3,000 of the books on display are other copies of the volumes originally in the collection and came from other Library of Congress collections. Some volumes are represented by a box with the title on it. These are the ones that the Library of Congress does not have the original or copy of and is still searching to find the particular version of the book to make the collection more complete.

As you browse the spines of the books in the collection you will likely notice that some books have colored ribbons in them. The ones with green ribbons are originals to the collection. The ones with gold ribbons are recent acquisitions purchased to as part of the effort to make this collection complete. The ones without ribbons are books identical to the ones in the original collection, but have been taken out of other Library of Congress collections, such as the Benjamin Franklin and George Washington collections.

These small exhibit is actually quite fascinating to just browse the spines and discover old books. It is interesting just to read the titles of books Jefferson had in his collection even those in foreign languages that I could not decipher what it meant. The most fun is finding titles of books still known today.

Cherry Blossom Parade, April 2008
Photographer: Kjersti Wasiak

While you may notice most Photo of the Day posts feature photos taken by me, I encourage others to submit their photos to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Day post. It does not matter if the photo is great, as long as it is not blurry, is related to D.C., and is otherwise appropriate then I will feature it. To submit a photo send me an e-mail at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net with the subject line of D.C. Photo. In the e-mail attach your photo and include your name, date of the photo (just month and year is necessary), website you want me to link to, and a description of the photo, especially including location of photo when it is not obvious.

Top 5 Photo of the Day Posts of 2007

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Wrap Up of results from April 21 - April 27

D.C. United (MLS)

4/26 vs. Real Salt Lake Won 4-1

Washington Capitals (NHL):

4/21 @ Philadelphia Won 4-2
4/22 vs. Philadelphia Lost 2-3

Washington Nationals (MLB)
4/21 @ Atlanta Braves Lost 3-7
4/22 @ Atlanta Braves Won 6-0
4/23 vs. New York Mets Lost 2-7 *My Game Wrap Up here.
4/24 vs. New York Mets Won 10-5
4/25 vs. Chicago Cubs Won 5-3 *My Game Wrap Up here
4/26 vs. Chicago Cubs Lost 0-7 *My Game Wrap Up here
4/27 vs. Chicago Cubs Won 2-0 *My Game Wrap Up here

Washington Wizards (NBA):

4/21 @ Cleveland Lost 86-116
4/24 vs. Cleveland Won 108-72
4/27 vs. Cleveland Lost 97-100

Upcoming

D.C. United (MLS)

5/4 @ Colorado Rapids

Washington Nationals (MLB)
4/29 vs. Atlanta Braves
4/30 vs. Atlanta Braves
5/1 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
5/2 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
5/3 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
5/4 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Washington Wizards (NBA):

4/30 @ Cleveland
5/2 vs. Cleveland
5/4 @ Cleveland

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Today was the last game of the three game series of the Cubs at the Washington Nationals. The weather was cold and windy, but not as cold and miserable as Opening Night, however, if this had been a night game instead of an afternoon game it may have been almost as miserable. Like last night rain seemed possibly and at the end of the game it was misting, but nothing like how it rained right after last night’s game.

So, the weather was not as warm and enjoyable as the past two games, but I will take a cloudy cool afternoon game over the hot and humid ones to come this summer. Also, the game was more exciting to watch than last night’s. It was not that there were more good plays, but rather that the innings were mostly quick and there was not so many blunderous (if that is even a word) things going on. Basically it was a well played defensive game by both sides. Oh, and I love the red D.C. uniforms the Nats wear at Sunday home games, at least I think that is how that uniform works.

John Lannan was the starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals and he pitched yet another great outing. He kept the Cubs hitless until the 4th inning and in the end only allowed 4 hits, although he did walk four guys.

In the bottom of the second inning the Nationals took the lead 1-0 when Nick Johnson got on base with a single, got to second when Lastings Milledge hit a sacrifice bunt, and was then batted in on a single by Wily Mo Pena. Wily Mo Pena ended up on second as part of his hit because of the fielder’s choice to try to throw Nick Johnson out at the plate. Basically the same thing happened when Wil Nieves came up to batter next when he batted in Wily Mo Pena with a single and ended up on second as the Cubs tried to throw Wily Mo Pena out at home. The inning ended with John Lannan hitting a fly out to left field.

That was the end of the scoring for the game, as the Cubs only allowed one more hit by the Nats in the 6th and the Nats only allowed two hits in both the fifth and sixth. The Nats won the game 2-0 and finished the series with the Cubs with 2 out of 3 wins.

As for the President’s Race, I think Thomas Jefferson won. Again Teddy was in the lead coming in the final stretch, but he started running backwards and slipped on a banana. The banana was a person dressed up as one of the Bananas in Pajamas, which is an old kids show by the way.

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Cherry Blossom Parade, April 2008
Photographer: Kjersti Wasiak

While you may notice most Photo of the Day posts feature photos taken by me, I encourage others to submit their photos to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Day post. It does not matter if the photo is great, as long as it is not blurry, is related to D.C., and is otherwise appropriate then I will feature it. To submit a photo send me an e-mail at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net with the subject line of D.C. Photo. In the e-mail attach your photo and include your name, date of the photo (just month and year is necessary), website you want me to link to, and a description of the photo, especially including location of photo when it is not obvious.

Top 5 Photo of the Day Posts of 2007

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Tonight was the second game in the three game series of the Cubs at the Nationals. Last night was exciting with the game being close and then tied going into the bottom of the ninth and the Nats winning with a walk off two run homer. Tonight’s game, though, was boring, especially when compared to last nights excitement that included some great plays like the catch in center field up against the wall. Tonight there was never any closeness and there really were not any great memorable plays either. Not that it was not worth going to, as I still love going to see a baseball game and at least it did not start raining until right before I got into the cover of the Metro station after the game.

So, the biggest highlight to share from tonight is my Washington Monument sunset photo. Yeah, even that is not too spectacular with the ugly parking garage in front, but hey I really do love sitting in section 234 and seeing the Washington Monument as I watch the game. Too bad tomorrow night I am back in 224 in my season ticket seat for the last game of the series and my first day game at the Nats new ballpark.

I almost forgot that I should at least tell the score of the game (and who won!!!) before posting this. The final score was 7 to 0 with the Cubs winning. They took the lead in the first 3 to 0 with some singles and a walk. They scored two more in the second off a double by Derrek Lee. Two more scored off a double by Aramis Ramirez in the eighth and those two that scored were batters that reached based by a hit by pitch and a base on balls.

By the way Teddy was in the lead again to win the President’s race and this time he lost because he got tackled by some other costume character I do not recognize. That was way more exciting than the whole game, but then again the President’s Race is always one of the highlights of the game.

Flowers in Bloom near Archives/Navy Memorial Metro, April 2008
Photographer: Kjersti Wasiak

While you may notice most Photo of the Day posts feature photos taken by me, I encourage others to submit their photos to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Day post. It does not matter if the photo is great, as long as it is not blurry, is related to D.C., and is otherwise appropriate then I will feature it. To submit a photo send me an e-mail at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net with the subject line of D.C. Photo. In the e-mail attach your photo and include your name, date of the photo (just month and year is necessary), website you want me to link to, and a description of the photo, especially including location of photo when it is not obvious.

Top 5 Photo of the Day Posts of 2007

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The first game in the weekend series with the Cubs in town. I really did not know who to root for and sitting in a section heavily divided between Nats and Cubs fans I just stuck to scoring and did not root for anyone. I just wanted an exciting baseball game no matter the outcome and that I certainly got.

The first excitement came in the bottom of the first with Nick Johnson hitting a Home Run and batting in Zimmermann who had gotten on base with a walk. The Cubs came back with a run in the third and another in the 5th. In the sixth the Nats took the lead again with one run batted in. Then in the eighth the Nats tied it up by walking home a run for the Cubs.

So into the bottom of the 9th we go with the game tied at 3-3. And the ending is very similar to their first win of the season in their new ballpark. It is with a walk off home run by Wil Nieves with Austin Kearns on base with a single. Nats won 5 to 3.

So far the only two Nats wins I have seen in person have been walk off home run wins. Exciting games to see, but oh how I would love to see an extra innings game. Just not tomorrow, though, because I do not want a long night game before the Sunday day game. Also, please weather forecast be totally wrong and do not rain out my Cubs games this weekend.

In other news Teddy appeared to win the President’s race, but he was disqualified for cutting corners. The win for the race instead went to Abe, who came in behind Teddy. Poor Teddy loses yet again, but at least the Nats are starting to turn their losing ways around.

Newseum, April 2008
Photographer: Kjersti Wasiak

While you may notice most Photo of the Day posts feature photos taken by me, I encourage others to submit their photos to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Day post. It does not matter if the photo is great, as long as it is not blurry, is related to D.C., and is otherwise appropriate then I will feature it. To submit a photo send me an e-mail at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net with the subject line of D.C. Photo. In the e-mail attach your photo and include your name, date of the photo (just month and year is necessary), website you want me to link to, and a description of the photo, especially including location of photo when it is not obvious.

Top 5 Photo of the Day Posts of 2007

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Behind the Barley: An Insider’s Look at Craft Brewing: This Smithsonian workshop is on Saturday from 1pm to 4:30pm at R.F.D. near Gallery Place - Chinatown Metro Stop. Speakers on craft beer include Jim Koch (Boston Beer Co.), Paul Shipman (Redhook Ales), and Charles Finkel (Merchant du Vin and Seattle’s Pike Brewing Company). This event costs $65 for Smithsonian members and $82 for non-members.

Bird Fest 2008: This festival is on both Saturday and Sunday at the National Zoo. Activities include demonstrations on bird banding, live migratory birds, bird arts and crafts, The Great Migration Challenge, Bird Quest, and taste testing of bird friendly coffee. Also, there will be free posters, temporary tattoos, and more.

Draft Day Party at Fed Ex Field: This event is this Saturday at Fed Ex Field starting at noon. The event is free, but you will need to fill out the form here to get your free invitation to get in to the event. This event includes the NFL Draft being shown on the JumboTron, passing and kicking activities on the field, tour of Redskin Locker Room, take photo with Super Bowl trophies, and 2008 Washington Redskin cheerleaders making their debut.

Check out weekend sports playing in D.C. on the Sports Events Coming Up This Week post.

These are just few events this weekend. If you have any that you know about in the D.C. area this weekend that you would like to share, then please let us know in a comment to this post.

View from Newseum, April 2008
Photographer: Kjersti Wasiak

While you may notice most Photo of the Day posts feature photos taken by me, I encourage others to submit their photos to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Day post. It does not matter if the photo is great, as long as it is not blurry, is related to D.C., and is otherwise appropriate then I will feature it. To submit a photo send me an e-mail at kjersti.wasiak@451press.net with the subject line of D.C. Photo. In the e-mail attach your photo and include your name, date of the photo (just month and year is necessary), website you want me to link to, and a description of the photo, especially including location of photo when it is not obvious.

Top 5 Photo of the Day Posts of 2007

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Tonight was the first game of another long Nats homestand. Also, the first of four ballgames I am going to in five days (going to the whole Cubs series starting Friday!).

After the rainy and gloomy days of this past week it was a nice sunny and warm day for the start of the game, although, it did thankfully cool off as the sun set.

Here is a photo of the outfield showing that the grass has kind of recovered from the Papal Mass. See the photo of what it looked like when I took the ballpark tour to see that it was in a sadder looking state just four days ago.

Last week was the official Jackie Robinson Day (Nats were at the Mets that day), but tonight was the Nats home game in memory of Jackie Robinson. Thankfully that did not include the confusing thing of them all wearing 42, which all major league players wore on April 15. Well, there still were some 42 players, but it was only Lastings Milledge playing centerfield and Ray King who came into pitch in the 6th. I think it is great that the league pays tribute to Jackie Robinson, but I sure as heck do not want to try to keep track of who is at bat and such at a game with everyone on both teams being number 42. Thus I must make a mental note to avoid ballgames on April 15 or at least scoring an April 15 ballgame.

Speaking of keeping score I love how the free Nationals Inside Pitch magazine has a free score card. I grew up going to Diamondback games were you could buy an official program and scorecard (with baseball diamonds in the boxes!!!!) for just a $1. Until a couple years ago I thought that was typical, but have since learned programs are expensive and am glad that I can still score without forking over money for a program. I still get programs, but for times like this week when I am going to four games in the same homestand I sure would not want to buy the same program four times just for the scorecard, which is something I also did at Diamondback games.

Well, I guess I should say something about the actual game in this game wrap up post. It comes down to it being another loss. The Mets won 7 to 2, but I got to give props to the guy that batted in the Nats only runs. The two runs scored off a double hit by the last person one would expect, the pitcher Tim Redding. At the time it gave the Nats the lead 2 to 1. The Nats had plenty of hits in the early innings, but they just continue not get the batters around the bases. Oh, well, this weekend’s series against the Cubs is one that I cannot be disappointed from because I will be happy no matter who wins, but it would be nice to see the Nats get out of this slump.