Holday Gift Suggestion #2: FDNY Firefighters 2008 Calendar of Heroes

My first holiday gift suggestion was the official 2007 National Cherry Blossom T-Shirt. Four which I received in the mail yesterday. My second is the FDNY Firefighters 2008 Calendar of Heroes which, along with many other items, is available online at the FDNY Fire Zone - the OFFICIAL store run by the FDNY Foundation, a non-profit foundation that supports the Fire Department of New York to serve the public and save lives through fire safety education and other joint projects.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 14 December 2007

Come Experience Equinox: A Fredericksburg Rock Band

Writings on the Wall . 14th & Church Street, NW, WDC

Monday morning, 10 December 2007

2007 Friday Photos of the Week

Manny - Victor - Junior to spin at NYC New Year's "Circuit Events'

Thanks to Mark Nelson Events here is the low down pertaining to New Year's Day "circuit events" in NYC.

Moments after the New Year's Eve Ball descends from the flagpole atop One Times Square, the Saint At Large will ring in the New Year with an After the Ball - New Years Party at the Nokia Theater at 1515 Broadway and 44th Street in Times Square from 12:30 am until 8 am, featuring DJ Manny Lehman.

The music of Victor Calderone will get you through the day at the 9 am until 9 pm New Years Day Party at Pacha New York at 618 West 46th Street. DJ Boris will preceed Calderone from 9 pm until 9am.

And the New Year's Event w/ Junior Vasquez will get you through the night at Sol NYC at 609 West 29th Street, from 9 pm until 4 am.

Winter Music Conference / Miami Beach . 25 - 29 March 2008

Issue 2 of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams' online "Comfort mag.net" is NOW AVAILABLE

In celebration of the holiday season, issue 2 of Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams' online magazine "Comfort mag.net" focuses on Entertainment Ideas, New Year & New Looks, and Chef Sean's Holiday Recipes.

Issue #1, in celebration of Valentines Day 2007, featured an interview of Eve Ensler and an article on second homes.

Click photo to view my ongoing Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams - Logan Circle - 14th Street NW WDC store and Windows / Logan Circle - 14th Street photo sets.

'Chocolate City' Has Two New Faces IN Town

Local artist and chocolate connoisseur Eric Nelson of Artfully Chocolate in Del Ray has teamed up with chocolatier Robert Kingsbury of Kingsbury Chocolates in Alexandria VA to open the much 'talked about' chocolate cafe Artfully Chocolate featuring Kingsbury Confections (ACKC) Cocoa Gallery on 14th Street in the Logan Circle area of NW WDC.

When Eric Nelson opened his Artfully Chocolate store in the Del Ray neighborhood in July/August 2006, creating a space where he and his domestic partner, orchid enthusiast Edward Hart, tie together a passion for art, chocolate and orchids ... Kingsbury Chocolates which had been in business since December 2002 was one of his then two local suppliers.

Both companies have grown leaps and bounds since.

As America celebrates a recent chocolate cafe trend, the newly opened ACKC Cocoa Gallery at the Matrix Condo Complex on 14th Street in NW WDC will afford Nelson and Kingsbury the opportunity to expand in the respective directions that they each which to explore.

The artwork displayed at ACKC, including the painted bistro tables as well as the cocoa cups and t-shirts - all of which are for sale - are the work of Eric Nelson.

In addiction to confections, packaged items, wedding and corporate gifts, the ACKC Cocoa Gallery & Cafe will feature the orchids of Eric's domestic partner, Eric Hart.

As the first chocolate cafe to open in WDC, Eric Nelson and Robert Kingsbury represent two new progressive faces in 'chocolate city'.

Artfully Chocolate featuring Kingsbury Confections Cocoa Gallery & Cafe (ACKC) is located in the Matrix Condos Complex at 1529C 14th Street in NW WDC.

Hours are as follows:

Monday & Tuesday - 7:30 am until 8 pm
Wednesday - 7:30 am until 9 pm
Thursday - 7:30 am until 10 pm
Friday & Saturday - 7:30 am until 11 pm
Sunday - 9 am until 7 pm

For more info or confirmation of hours telephone 202.387.COCO.

Click the above photo to view my ACKC Cocoa Gallery and ongoing Logan Circle and 14th Street Historic District photo sets.

Steve Penley's "Reinventing The American Icon" at Fine Art & Artists Gallery in Georgetown

Since visiting Georgetown on Friday evening for the Georgetown BIDness Holiday Party that in the process of my ongoing Georgetown Windows and Windows of the World projects that I'd capture the windows of the Fine Arts & Artists Gallery at 2920 M Street, NW, Steve Penley's current exhibition "Reinventing the American Icon" has been on my mind.

The new collection of WDC inspired works by Atlanta based artist Steve Penley opened with a Saturday, 17 November 2007 reception and will be on display through Saturday, 22 December.

Five percent of all art sales made at the gallery from 17 November through the end of the year will be donated to the Duke Ellington School for the Arts. Here is the PDF document.

Located in Georgetown at 2920 M Street, NW, WDC, hours for the Fine Art & Artists Gallery are Tuesday through Saturdays from 11 am until 5 pm. For appointment and inquiries call 202-965-0780 or email info@faagallery.com.

Click the above photo to view my Fine Art & Artists Gallery photo set which features images from the Steve Penley "Reinventing the American Icon" exhibition.

Since my visit to Georgetown on Friday evening, Steve Penley's exhibit at Fine Art & Artists Gallery has been on my mind. Here is an excellent blog posting at Mother Pie entitled Rising from The South: Artist Steve Penley... that explains why.

And, so has the racism that I experienced in Georgetown on Friday evening ... been on my mind, as well. Which is why it took me a day or so more ... to write this blog posting.

I Gorman & One in Ten Holiday Party tomorrow evening

Join One In Ten and I Gorman Jewelers for an Holiday Party tomorrrow evening, Tuesday 11 December 2007 from 6:30 until 8:30 pm, at the I Gorman's new store - a modern and elegant design that uses the best of ”green” technology and gem-inspired materials.

Enjoy holiday cocktails, gourment food, and perhaps find that perfect gift for loved ones, friends and family.

Proceeds from the party support One in Ten's programming and operations for 2008.

I Gorman is located at 1133 20th Street, NW, between L and M Streets in WDC.

To RSVP, please email mmurray@oneinten.org

Holiday Gift Suggestion: Official 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival T-Shirt on 'Holiday Sale'

The official 2007 National Cherry Blossom T-Shirt which usually goes for $15, is currently on sale online at $7, in celebration of the holiday season. Another gift idea may also be the official 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival poster at $10.

While I do not have them all in frames, I have a collection of the National Cherry Blossom Festival posters that date back to the 80's. And, in recent years, have made a point to purchase a t-shirt or two during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Here are the official store and store index links. As well as the National Cherry Blossom Festival website.

Click the image to purchase the 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival t-shirt at the $7 holiday sale price.

Tickets Are Selling Fast for Jenifer Lewis & Keith Boykin Saturday Night Special Screening of "Dirty Laundry"

The 7:45 showtime of "Dirty Laundry" that Keith Boykin is hosting tonight, Friday, 07 December is already SOLD OUT!

Since many could not make it tonight, Boykin is happy to announce that he and cast member Jenifer Lewis will be hosting a special Saturday screening of the movie at 7:45 pm at the Clearview's Chelsea Theater at 260 West 23rd Street.

This time you have to move quickly to get your tickets because they will probably sell out early. But if you can't get tickets for that show either, never fear. Tickets are still available for the other showtimes.

A New York Times review of the movie today says the "cast spins ... comic gold."

3rd Annual Downtown Holiday Market opens TODAY at 12 noon

Beginning at 12 noon today, the Downtown DC BID and Diverse Markets Management will kick-off is 3rd annual Downtown Holiday Market.

For 17 exciting days from Noon to 8:00 pm, at Penn Quarter, the sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 8th in front of the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture will be transformed into a marketplace of local artisans selling a diverse array of goods including: art, crafts, jewelry, textiles, photography, pottery, clothing, prepared food and other high quality gift items. Enjoy live entertainment and refreshing food and beverages while you shop.

Each year, the event gets better and better.

All-weather large-screen monitors running continuous, looped programming with sound are a new and exciting addition to this year’s Market. Additionally, several food and beverage vendors will offer a variety of interesting savory, sweet and seasonal treats.

Taken during the 2006 Downtown Holiday Market the above image is in included in my December 2006 Photographs Never Before Seen (December 2007) project and Downtown Holiday Market 2006 collection. And here are images from the 2005 event.

Opening at 12 noon TODAY which is Friday, 07 December 2007, the event will take place every day, from 12 noon until 8 pm, thru Sunday 23 December.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 07 December 2007

Man Reading the News Paper . L'Enfant Plaza WMATA Station

SW WDC . Thursday evening, 06 December 2007

2007 Friday's Photo of the Week

Artist Robin Carol Blum 'Makes A Bold Statement'

By trade a newspaper artist with a master’s degree in illustration, Robin Carol Blum’s vibrant collection utilizes photos converted onto acrylic film, while everyday objects such as leaves, mesh, wire & fabric are intertwined.

The introduction of found street objects such as license plates & red light switch plates generate a bold urban composition. The smaller pieces are collages created with original cover letters & stamps from across history & the world.

All of the artist’s one-of-a-kind art will liven up your home & are perfect for small city walls. Your own photographs can be added to make the art more personal.

On 01 November 2007, the Zack's Taverna Art Gallery introduced the unique artwork of Capitol Hill resident Robin Carol Blum with a 5:30 - 8 pm opening reception. Located at 305 Pennsylvania Avenue in SE WDC, a second special viewing and reception will be held on 20 December 2007, from 7 until 10 pm.

Formerly the Taverna The Greek Islands, Zack's Taverna, serves Greek and mediterranean food and is a popular restaurant/bar for the Capitol Hill crowd.

Should you visit Zack's Taverna for lunch or dinner before the 20th December event, be sure to take the time to view Robin Carol Blum's 'Bold Statement' exhibition. Zack's Taverna is opened from 11 am until 11 pm, daily. Telephone at 202-547-8360.

Contact Robin Carol Blum at 202-547-1942 or Blum50@comcast.net .

Saint At Large & Masterbeat 2008's 'After The Ball' New Year's Eve Party

For its 8th year, Masterbeat New Year's Eve will become a global celebration. Host cities, Los Angeles and Miami promise multiple spectacular events over the weekend.

Get tickets here for the Masterbeat 2008 event happening in a city near you.

On New Year's Eve, Masterbeat will introduce you to the Future of Dance! Celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of 2008 at the largest New Year's event in the world!

In NYC, the 'Saint At Large' & Masterbeat 2008 will host an "After The Ball New Year's Eve Circuit Party at the The Nokia Theatre in Times Square. Featuring DJ Manny Lehman and special guests Les Go-Go Bleu de Montreal, the celebration will began at 12:30 am and will last until 8 am.

WDC Ranked #1 In Walkability

A Brookings Institution survey ranks the 30 biggest metropolitan areas according to the number of "walkable urban places" relative to the area's population. The WDC area is ranked as #1.

As one who, over the years, has embarked photo walks I could not agree more.

Click photo to view my Pedestrian 2007 and ongoing pedestrians project.

One of the reasons that I have always enjoyed WDC and NYC is due to their walkability.

WORK Holiday Party (NYC) - 8 December 2007

Georgetown BID's Holiday Open House . Friday, 7 December 2007 . 4:30 - 7:30 pm

The Georgetown BID will host its 3-hour Holiday Open House on Friday evening, 7 December 2007 from 4:30 until 7:30 pm at 1055 Thomas Jefferson Street, Suite L-11.

RSVP at jbell@georgetowndc.com or telephone 202.298.9222.

Here is a larger version of the flyer.

Here is my ongoing Georgetown flickr photo set and recent Downtown DC BID 10th Anniversary Celebration blog posting.

AT&T to Disconnect Pay-Phone Business After 129 Years

Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- AT&T Inc., the biggest U.S. phone company, plans to leave the pay-phone business after 129 years as more people use wireless handsets to make calls on the go.

The first pay phone, installed in 1878, had an attendant who took callers' money, AT&T spokesman Michael Coe said. Inventor William Gray set up the first coin-operated phone in 1889 at a bank in Hartford, Connecticut. Both devices were operated by AT&T predecessor companies.

Verizon Communications Inc., the second-biggest U.S. carrier, still operates about 250,000 pay phones and has no plans to exit the business, spokesman Jim Smith said. The company will shut down an unprofitable line unless the location pays a fee to keep it operating, he said.

"There are people who still need them, and so we still sell them,'' Smith said.

To contact the reporter of this story, email Crayton Harrison in Dallas at tharrison5@bloomberg.net.

Click the above 3 December 2007 photo of AT&T service technician Larry Wimberley working on a pay phone in Chicago IL by photographer Tim Boyle/Bloomberg News to read the complete article.

As a result of the increasing use of cell phones, in recent years, and not unlike my interest in call boxes, I have embarked on several ongoing pay phone and phone booth projects. So when searching the internet for information pertaining to this blog posting I was delighted to learn of the Pay Phone Project.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 30 November 2007

Fort Lauderdale Drawbridge . Las Olas Riverfront

Railroad Crossing . Old Fort Lauderdale . FL

Wednesday afternoon, 21 November 2007

Georgetown's 2nd Annual Tree Lighting - 2 December

Georgetown's 2nd annul holiday tree lighting kicks-off the holiday season with free photos with Santa, cookie decorating, snowflake making, and hot cocoa from Starbucks! Free and open to the public the event will take place on Sunday evening, 2 December 2007, from 4 till 6 pm at the Georgetown' Washington Harbour at 3000 K Street, NW, WDC