This ridiculously cool album cover comes from Som Records, of course.

So remember to take lots of photos and enter the PoP inauguration photo contest. You can email me photos directly to princeofpetworth@gmail.com or tag them in flickr with “popobamaweekcontest”.

I can’t wait to hear your stories tomorrow!

Well, this was pretty cool. I attended an MLK Day/Call to Service at Oyster-Adams Bilingual Elementary School this morning. I can see why so many folks want to send their children here. We probably waited an hour and a half (some folks even longer) for the main attraction to arrive and the children were incredibly well behaved and patient sitting in the auditorium.

There were many songs (of course in English and Spanish) and everybody genuinely seemed to be having a good time. There were also student presentations about what it means to be an American (in English and Spanish) that was also quite nice. And then, try to imagine 100+ elementary school students screaming at Shakira’s arrival. Quite a scene, man. I nearly fainted. Of course that may have more to do with the bars being open until 4am and not eating enough… Anyway, the unbelievably good looking Shakira said a few words and then read a children’s story. The event had another nice touch:

“Shakira, Oyster Principal Monica Liang-Aguirre and the students will also announce a sister-school relationship with a Colombian elementary school, Escuela Gabriel García Márquez, located outside of Bogota. Shakira’s Barefoot Foundation works with the school, which is largely attended by children who have been displaced by Colombian civil war.

For a little background, Shakira founded the Barefoot Foundation in 1995 at age 18 and is devoted to universal education and early childhood development around the world. Shakira is the Chair of the Global Campaign for Education and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.”

DSCN5791, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

(Photo above from the window of a hair salon on H Street, NE)  I hope folks have a great MLK Day of Service. For those who are looking for something really interesting – check this program (in Bethesda) honoring the Tuskegee Airmen:

Open to All Ages! Public Welcome, with special invitation to Youth!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Inspirational Speaker

COME HEAR & CHAT WITH

Tuskegee Airman Joseph Gomer

Congressional Gold Medal recipient

About the role of the Tuskegee Airmen,

their influence and Joe’s life-long work for civil rights,

and his hopeful message for America’s youth

Monday, January 19, 2009

5:00 – 6:00 pm

Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church

9601 Cedar Lane

Bethesda, MD 20814

301-493-8300

(3/4 mile east of Wisconsin Avenue & NIH-Medical Center Metro)

Please bring a canned or dry-goods food donation

for Manna Food Center
In March 2007, President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal, America’s highest civilian award, to the elite Tuskegee Airmen group for their valor, exceptional skill, and patriotism as U.S. Air Force fighter pilots during World War II. Retired Air Force Major Joseph Gomer was among the Airmen present at the ceremony. For the Airmen, the Congressional honor came more than 60 years after the height of their military service to our country, during which they endured prejudice and segregation even as they and all African-Americans fought for their civil rights at home. After his military service, Joe Gomer continued his distinguished and passionate service to America as a Federal employee working for civil rights. Now in retirement – with wit, purpose, and enlightening historical recall – Joe Gomer educates and mentors America’s youth about the role of the Tuskegee Airmen, their contribution to American freedoms, and his inspirational message of the human spirit.

DSCN6006, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Not sure how many folks made it to the concert. I originally intended to go down to the concert at 10:00 am but after closing the previous evening at Ben’s Next Door at 4:00 am that didn’t happen. So a few friends and I decided to cruise down at 1:30 and see if we could still get a spot. Amazingly we did! And I’m so glad we went. It was insanely crowded but filled with good vibes and of course good music. My favorite was U2 though I really enjoyed Jamie Foxx’s speech as well.  And let me say I never thought I’d be rocking out to Garth Brooks singing Shout…

For those who went who was your favorite performer? Anyone have any problems getting in?

IMG_5615, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Red Derby (3718 14th St. NW) is having a brunch on Monday (MLK Day) and on inauguration day itself (Tuesday) they’ll be having an all day event where you can watch the inauguration and parade on the big screen. Plus they’ll be having a documentary film crew filming the scene so you’ll be immortalized!

Domku (821 Upshur Street, NW) ” WILL OPERATE ON SATURDAY HOURS FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, FROM 10AM-3PM. WE WILL CLOSE FROM 3PM-6PM AND BEGIN DINNER SERVICE AT 6PM.”

US Capitol ready for Obama, originally uploaded by ekai.

You can find an updated list of Inauguration Options here. Don’t forget to dress warm and take some photos for the PoP Inauguration Photo Contest.

I love this one. It is from a coffee shop on H Street, NE. This scene inside looked super cool as well. Anyone been there? If so how’s the coffee?

Thanks to a reader for sending. Though, I’m sensing a trend here. The Festivus Kiosk was super popular. Now you can post a message to Obama. My guess is that if you hold out for a few more weeks you’ll be able to send a message to God or maybe Jimi Hendrix? Who would you like to send a message to? I think it would be a far more interesting read if they solicited messages to President Bush…

You can read the first entry here. Entry two is from Robert:

“SHAWARMA KING
Some of the better shawarma I’ve had in DC. Although shawarma is often billed as fast food in the Middle East, here it took a little longer to prepare, but my patience paid off. One nice feature of Shawarma King was the option to have the shawarma made on pita or on a larger wrap – same price, which is $5.95. I went with the wrap because it allows you to take better advantage of the a la carte servings (I piled them on). There are 16 different toppings to choose from – all looking reasonably fresh, which included, Lebanese hot sauce, pickled peppers, pickled eggplant, a cucumber/yogurt sauce (similar to a tzatziki sauce), as well as hummus and a delicious sliced fried cauliflower. I’m assuming Shawarma King is Lebanese-owned and operated, because in preparing my wrap they also offered to tinfoil it and throw it on a panini-style grill (normally done over a flame, but this wasn’t an outdoor cart). The result was an incredible Shawarma that is definitely worthy of carry-out.

SHAWARMA SPOT

One of the biggest highlights of Shawarma Spot – or at least I was first sold on it from their suggestive declarative statement on their menu – was their fresh brick oven baked pita. Beyond that, I thought the shawarmas were standard fair. I was disappointed that the toppings bar only had 12 options (three of which were very pedestrian toppings for a shawarma spot: sliced tomatoes, old looking sliced lettuce, and mayo) and was not self-serve (I like to have some portion control… or lack thereof). Also, hummus and baba were not even options in the toppings bar – you have to specially request baba on your shawarma. Shawarma Spot does have a greater variety of menu options, such as salads (fatouch, tabbouleh) and manakeesh (bread topped with jebna, lahma bi’ajeen, or zaatar). But there were no falafel options whatsoever!

THE DECISION

In this shawarmoff, the winner is Shawarma King. You get the most value for your dollar with the King (the Spot’s chicken shawarma runs around $7.50 with tax included) and you have the ability to dish out as much of any of the 16 diverse toppings that you wish. Shawarma Spot’s space also seemed a bit cramped, and the messiness award would also go to the Spot – I had to resort to fork and knife… what an embarrassment.”

Entry 3 by Jeannie after the jump. (more…)

This home is located at 428 Taylor Street, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Lots of potential. One of the upstairs bedrooms has attached sitting room/den. Eat-in kitchen. Front porch. Two-car garage. Bank owned. NOT a short sale. Quick response. Preapproval by Wells Fargo a must. EMD must be held by Long & Foster. Toilets removed and radiators not attached. As is.”

More info but no photos found here.

Well, there is no debate about this home it is clearly going to need work. But at least the purchase price is not astronomical. How do you think it will cost to fix up a house of this size? This home is on the market for $240,000? If you factor in the work needed does this sound reasonable?

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every Monday and Friday. So anything good happen to you this week?

Ed. Note: Robyn’s post on the defense of Ruby Tuesday’s Salad Bar got a really interesting debate going and it has sparked a new series. You know in DC sometimes we tend to be reflexively negative about certain things. I find myself doing it too from time to time. Like I hate Georgetown. And in reality the last few times I’ve went to Georgetown, I’ve loved it. I love the old homes, the waterfront, etc. But I feel like I said “I hate Georgetown” so often it just became automatic. And not at all true. So with that in mind Robyn has come up with the idea to debunk some of the automatic negative stereotypes about certain things in DC. Thus a new series is born.

Ever heard the soundtrack to Adams Morgan at 3AM on a Saturday? It goes a little like this – to the tune of Beethoven’s 9th.

“Yeah bra!” (high five) “That chick let me touch her boob!”

“Dude, don’t step there. Someone puked up their Jumbo slice, haha!”

Thud. Squish. (sound of inebriated human passing out spontaneously on pavement on top of their own Amsterdam falafel)

Yes, I know. The thought of venturing to Adams Morgan on the weekend seems like buying a one way ticket to an underage college frat party. The abundance of cheesy bars, keg-stand record holders, and flush-faced twenty-somethings who act like teen-somethings after they just pounded a bottle of Boones Farm does not paint a pretty picture for the 18th street strip. Yet, I find something very endearing about Adams Morgan. If you get past the jack and coke chaos cover, there’s a warm, welcoming center to the strip that’s full of culture and cool people. My motto when I go to Adams Morgan? If you can’t beat them, join them.

Reasons why Adams Morgan isn’t so bad: Vegan bar food + 50 cent High Life countdown at Asylum. 4 shots + 4 beers for $12 at Tom Toms on Thursdays. Live music at Bossa. A good bourbon recommendation at Bourbon. Frou frou Felix martinis. Dance # 145 of the night and I’m still not tired at Habana Village. Lying about being in college, and doing a shot with a student because you have the same Finite Math teacher. Who cares if it’s top #40 music? Rooftop deck at the Reef. The crowd at Bedrock Billiards. Ok, Jumbo slice isn’t ALL that bad, especially after 3AM. The chill-pill effect at Pharmacy Bar. OMG! Your (insert accessory) is sooo cute. Let’s be friends. – overheard in line for bathroom at Madams Organ. DJ nights at Napolean.

And last but not least – cheap beer and make-your-own liquor drinks at Dans Café. Pure danger.

What did I forget? Any closeted Adams Morgan lovers out there?

Well, you knew it was coming. A PoP Inauguration photo contest of course! I’m interested in all types of photos – photos of the inauguration itself, the parade, parties, concerts, and what I think may be super interesting – just random shots from the week that somehow capture the celebratory spirit. Photos will be accepted all week. Winner and numerous honorable mentions will all get PoP t-shirts. I’m really psyched to see what you guys see. You can send me a flickr link or attach the image directly to an email at princeofpetworth@gmail.com

US Capitol ready for Obama, originally uploaded by ekai.

Ok, I’ll admit it – I’ve got inauguration fever. So while this is a predictable question – I feel it still must be asked. What are you most looking forward to? I’ve got to be honest, since I was unable to get Beastie Boys tickets, I’m most looking forward to the concert with U2, Bruce Springsteen and others. Of course I’m looking forward to the inauguration itself but the prospect of “seeing” the Boss and U2 even if only briefly is beyond cool to me.

A side question – do you think everything’s gonna go smoothly or will the projected 2 million visitors be too much to handle?

Once again some great entries this week. I’m guessing this week’s winner will not be a surprise to many.

The winner is from Ian:

“Knowing full well the local blogger’s fetish for commercial signage, Karim came up with an ingenious plan to attract increased attention to his fledgling phone card business.”

Please email me directly so I can get you a t-shirt.