Tina Fey Live at Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Award
• July 26, 2011

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts became a “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” annex, Tuesday, Nov. 9, as Tina Fey was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Many of Fey’s comedic friends were there to celebrate her award—the 13th Mark Twain Prize and the third for a woman—and, of course, her friendship and career, from Second City Comedy to SNL, and other comedy connections.

The wisecracking love fest included lots of TV clips and featured a dozen of Fey’s favorites on stage: Fred Armisen, Steve Carell, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Krakowski, Steve Martin, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, Tracy Morgan, Amy Poehler and Betty White.

Steve Martin, a Mark Twain awardee, opened the show: “Every year, Washington, D.C., becomes a comedy Mecca. And we know how funny Mecca is.” Via video, Fey’s “30 Rock”co-star Alec Baldwin appeared as Mark Twain himself, talking to the future, and befuddled that a women will receive a humor award. Amy Poehler, looking up to the balcony level, where Fey sat with husband Jeff Richmond and her parents, said, “You got that ‘Evita theme working.”

Lorne Michaels, another Twain awardee, praised the group of “talented performers with low ratings.” Betty White confessed: “I’m the only one here who actually dated Mark Twain. And I can tell you they didn’t call him Samuel Longhorne Clemens for nothing.”

Accepting her award, the night’s honored guest took to stage of the Kennedy Center, saying that it would soon be known as “The Tea Party Bowling Alley and Rifle Range.” Fey joked that she thought the award was for “Austrian humor” and that, in the future, people will say of her jokes: “Wow, that is racist.” She thanked Lorne Michaels, who hired her on SNL. Acknowledging her famed Sarah Palin impressions, Fey recalled the 2004 Life magazine cover of her and Sen. John McCain, foretelling the look of the 2008 McCain-Palin campaign. Later, Fey and her cohorts were seen hanging out at the Four Seasons.

“Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Award” will air on PBS nationwide, Nov. 14 (WETA locally). [gallery ids="99548,104495,104484,104491,104488" nav="thumbs"]

the Kennedy Legacy: JFK’s Inauguration Anniversary & remembering Sargent Shriver
•

 

-For a while this month, you were forgiven if you saw the banners and towers of Camelot appear out of a frigid mist again, or perhaps Excalibur rising out of the icy waters of the Potomac, accompanied by the music of Yo-Yo Ma or Bono.

On Thursday of last week, the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts began a month-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy as the 35th President of the United States. On this particularly dry and wintry day, you could see the living breaths of great men in Washington.

Grand stories and occasions were once again fondly recalled the brash, idealistic beginnings of the Kennedy era, Washington’s own Camelot. However, it collided—and then folded into—the loss of one of the last of this era’s remaining giants, Sargent Shriver.

The Kennedy Center kicked off its series of special events with a gala concert that, if reports are correct, had the feel of an actual inauguration, with the presence of the sitting president, world-class singers, musicians, conductors, movie stars and performers in attendance alongside a flock of city mayors and politicians.

Only a day later, at the nearby Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, a wake was held for Sargent Shriver, a Kennedy by marriage to the late Eunice Shriver, JFK’s sister. Shriver embodied the knightly quality of the Kennedy clan, if not in name than in the best of spirits: its call to service, and to use power for the betterment of others.

His long and useful life of legacy was recalled by his children, presidents, governors, and by the remnants of the family that bears the Kennedy name.

Shriver’s many grandchildren are generations removed from the occasion 50 years ago when the youthful president laid down a mission for the country to: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Everything seemed possible with this president.

In the course of the passing years, Shriver and his wife answered that call. Sarge was called to take up the leadership of the Peace Corps. Then, unable to withstand the importuning of Lyndon Baynes Johnson, he led the War On Poverty. Eunice Shriver would create the Special Olympics.

A refined cultural heritage, full of virtuoso artists playing at the White House (itself redecorated with whispery flair by Jackie Kennedy) was one of the hallmarks of the Camelot years. Its members were remembered and marketed as highly intelligent, able, worldly, literate, and full of confidence and talent: an army of book-schooled and war-formed soldiers and their companions. Introducing his cabinet in the White House, JFK said that there had never been such an assemblage of talent there since Thomas Jefferson dined there alone.

This was a week when folks remembered all the brothers, but especially JFK and the army of celebrities that rushed to Washington in the middle of a snowstorm, Frank Sinatra among them. They remembered Jackie and John, who only months before lived in Georgetown.

Their daughter Caroline, thin as her late mother, was in recently in town to speak at the National Archives’ unveiling of the Online Archive of the Collection of the JFK Library. Writers got a chance to see some of the trove of material now available with a push of a button. It was strange seeing her with her husband, watching clips of her small, young self, playing with her father. “All my life,” she said, “people have told me that my father changed their lives. They decided to give back to their community or serve our country because, for the first time, someone asked them to. President Kennedy inspired a generation, and that is why, 50 years later, his legacy still resonates.”

Sargent Shriver certainly lived out that call to service in the flesh and in the deed.

But politics and power often tend to make men falter and fall to temptation, and the Kennedy histories suffered twin blows of tragedy and scandal. Shriver too took some glancing blows: the ignominious defeat as George McGovern’s second-choice running mate, and a half-hearted attempt at a presidential run.

But these were small setbacks when compared to the tragic deaths of the JFK, Robert, and John Jr, and revelations and scandals that seemed to plague the family as chronicled by historians.

The Kennedy family, and the trinity of brothers, seemed to have incandescence, a magnet-like charisma and lore that enabled the legend to survive and overcome raffish and rough detail. A spotlight occasion like the 50th anniversary of the JFK Inauguration revives the legend from a time when we had no hint of what the future held, and a little less of the savory details from the past. Poetry, music, hope and challenge were in the air that day, and romance and glitter were on display that night at the gala balls; a restless president walked the streets of Georgetown.

Shriver burned with his own light in the service of his family, but foremost of his countrymen. “My God, Sarge was such a good man,” Bill Clinton said at his funeral, almost unable to contain himself. “Can you believe how good he was? My God, nobody’s that good. You listen to the story of his life and you feel eight inches tall.” Everybody laughed, as they should at some point in an Irish funeral.

At the Kennedy Center, Yo-Yo Ma played, and the NSO played a work of newly minted music, and Caroline Kennedy’s children recited the poem that Robert Frost had written for JFK’s inaugural, titled “The Gift Outright.”

At the Shriver funeral in Potomac, his sons and daughter carried the coffin alongside son-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger, who probably could have carried it himself. There were clips of a frail Shriver, who had suffered from Alzheimer’s, waving goodbye to the car carrying the coffin of his wife who died last year.
People made music here too—people like Bono and Vanessa Williams.

The times of January were a wisp. A wind of Camelot days and Camelot lives. We remembered everything of our youth in a flash, when they were right here among us, demanding us to think and dream and do great things for mankind. We thought we could, and sometimes we did.

For sure, Sargent Shriver did.

For details and information about the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Center’s “The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: a 50th Anniversary Celebration,” visit the Kennedy Center online

Metro Holiday Schedule, 2010
•

The ANC 2E has released the announcement of Metro’s holiday schedules.

Metrorail will stay open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Christmas Eve (Friday, Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Saturday, Dec. 25), New Year’s Eve (Friday, Dec. 31), and New Year’s Day (Saturday, Jan. 1) with a Sunday schedule slated each day.

Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule from Dec. 24 to 26, and Dec. 31 to Jan. 2, 2011, and a modified weekday schedule from Dec. 27 to 30.

MetroAccess will cancel all subscription trips on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. All trips during that timeframe must be reserved separately.

Christmas Day ridership in the rail system historically has been extremely light. Last year about 64,000 people rode the Metrorail system, compared to an average Saturday weekday ridership of 350,000. New Year’s Day ridership is likewise traditionally light. Last year only about 167,000 people rode the Metrorail system on Jan. 1.

Capital Bikeshare Launches “Winter Weather Warrior” Contest
•

 

-To encourage bike riders to stay environmentally friendly, despite the environment being particularly unfriendly during these harsh winter months, Capital Bikeshare has launched a biking competition for annual and monthly members, to last from January 1 until the end of February. Members are invited to compete for who can take the most trips within the two-month time frame. The winner will be crowned “Winter Weather Warrior” and will receive a free three-year extension of their membership, two free annual memberships to give out to friends or family, $100 to Hudson Trail Outfitters, and $25 to Starbucks.

Capital Bikeshare will also be hosting a “Long Haul Rider” contest, which awards the contestant who has the most rides over three miles in distance. The “Most Saddle Time” contest awards the rider with the most time spent on a Capital Bikeshare bike. Several smaller contests will also be held throughout the two-month period at random, including prize drawings, which will be announced via Facebook and Twitter the day before the contest.

Speaking with Jaylee Mead
•

We last spoke to Jaylee Mead in June 2006. Players Jaylee and husband Gil Mead were then thrilled their $35 million gift to the Arena Stage – the largest donation ever to a regional theater – would be announced in less than a week. The retired NASA scientists inspired us with their deep commitment to the arts, and to each other.

Jaylee Mead was widowed in May 2007 when Gil Mead died. But she has plunged forward with her trademark enthusiasm and smarts. She expanded her contribution to a theater scene second only to New York.

The 2.5-year renovation of the Arena Stage has finished. Possibly the Meads greatest legacy, it has added a beautiful glass wave to the waterfront as three spaces (including the new Mead Center for American Theater) have been integrated in architect Bing Thom’s acclaimed design. A three-year, live-in writer program and an expanded schedule promise an even deeper artistic impact.

The Arena opened with Oklahoma! This highest grossing play, which has drawn rave reviews, is another Mead contribution—the two inspired Arena Artistic Director Molly Smith to embrace the musical genre.

But Oklahoma! is just one offering in a season that takes on contemporary social and cultural issues through riveting drama: plays about war-torn Congo (Ruined) domestic dysfunction (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), and homophobia (The Laramie Project) all play in 2010-2011.

Jaylee believes this range is important. “You expand your own outreach or horizons, and being exposed to different kinds of theater helps you do that,” she says. The Meads have supported numerous spaces, establishing themselves as a top contributor to DC’s artistic transformation.

Helen Hayes award founder Victor Shargai has known her for decades. He accompanied her to the interview and now the two go to many shows together.

“She can be seen at almost every theater in city,” said Shargai. “Whatever she’s doing, she wants to be involved. She doesn’t want to just give money.”

Mead serves on the boards of the Arena Stage, the Studio Theatre, and the Helen Hayes committee. She helped pick David Muse to replace Joy Zinoman and is very active in selecting the top players in DC theater.

But her artistic involvement has sprung from humbler origins.

Mead became the first woman to join NASA Goddard after she earned a mathematics degree from the University of North Carolina. “I had a lot to learn because most of the men had been to places like Harvard or MIT so they had very strong training,” she remembers. “My background was less strong, I’d say, but you make up for it by doing more reading and more talking to people.”

She also went back to school, earning a PhD in astronomy from Georgetown University. She established the Goddard Astronomical Data Center to study stars and galaxies, ultimately earning the Women in Aerospace Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1986 NASA Medal for Scientific Leadership.

NASA was also important personally. There she discovered deep, abiding loves of theater and of Gil Mead. She joined the theater group Music and Drama productions, often being directed by him. Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Vera Charles in Mame are two of her favorite roles.

The couple wanted to see how professionals handled every aspect of shows, so they went to the Signature Theatre, a space that showed several musicals each year. Sometimes they organized their cast of 50 to attend.

The two soon became deeply enmeshed in the Signature. They sponsored shows and underwrote a scholarship for three high school students to attend an intense two-week musical theater camp with Broadway actors.

Their Signature involvement led to the pioneering Arena Stage. One of the first regional theaters and theaters in the round, it was also the first locally to integrate. And Gil Mead soon achieved his dream to sit on the board.

Beyond their artistic contribution, theaters have helped transform neighborhoods. The Signature in Shirlington is a cultural anchor that draws in restaurants and retail for show audiences. And the Shakespeare Theater has been cited as a reason for the Verizon Center’s development in Penn Quarter.

“I’m very pleased whenever I see a theater help develop the neighborhood. For example the Studio Theater on 14th has made a big difference up there with the kind of businesses that have moved in, the people it brings to the neighborhood,” says Mead. “That’s what I hope will happen down at the waterfront.”

The Meads invited casts of different productions to their Watergate apartment, hosting dinner parties that turned into impromptu sing-a-longs. The cast of Oklahoma! has been invited over later this month.

“Nothing makes her happier than sitting around the piano just singing show tunes,” says Shargai.

She is equally comfortable in front of audiences and is one of the few people without notes at the local awards ceremony.

“When she gets on stage and presents the tribute award for the Helen Hayes, she absolutely sparkles,” says Shargai.

Her participation is appreciated by theaters that experiment with new mediums and formats.

“She always finds good in anything,” says Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, who has known her for 15 years. “It is great for us artists because someone is supporting our efforts.”

Mead often sits in the front row, immersed in and encouraging the production. Seeing her close by is an incomparable experience for actors, says Schaeffer, one of her many great creative fans. “She’s always giving back. She does it from the audience and she does it through her philanthropy,” he says. “She has this great spirit which is so enthusiastic.” [gallery ids="99583,104905,104903" nav="thumbs"]

Gray Responds to Fiery Postal Package
•

 

-On January 7 the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a flaring package at the United States Postal Service on V Street NE. Two similar packages had been opened the day before in Maryland state government facilities. No one was injured; however, the facility was evacuated out of caution. Mayor Vincent Gray later stated, “Whoever committed this cowardly, dastardly act must be brought to justice quickly. Gray commended both the postal workers and the law enforcement units for their quick action and collaboration.

Mailrooms across DC were then shut down to receive a full inspection by officials. Later the Protective Services Police Department requested that all suspicious packages and activity be reported immediately to officials due to recent events.

DC Water Wants to Help Congress Cut Budget
•

 

-John Boehner, new Speaker of the House, recently announced plans to cut the U.S. House of Representatives office budgets in hopes of helping reduce the U.S. budget deficit. After the announcement, D.C. Water announced its own plans to help.

In the first quarter of 2010 alone, the House spent $190,000 on bottled water. D.C. Water’s General Manager George S. Hawkins heard this and had ten sample reusable water bottles sent to Boehner’s office along with a letter of support and an offer to supply each Congressman with a reusable bottle. The letter advocated the elimination of bottled water for both financial and environmental reasons.

The production and transportation of bottled water uses enough oil each year to fuel about 1.5 million cars, and nearly 2.5 millions tons of plastic bottles were thrown away in 2008, having a noticeably damaging impact upon the environment.

First Car Charging Station Opens in the District
•

 

-The first residential car charging station in the District recently opened in the residences of 425 Mass, an apartment complex on Massachusetts Avenue. Electric cars allow for reduced fuel cost and lower fuel consumption, and support the idea of and energy-independent America. Many policymakers have become strong advocates of this new technology. They have been supporting the use of electric vehicles by offering tax credits and other financial incentives to potential buyers. 425 Mass also partnered with Car Charging Group, Inc. to encourage the new technology.

Cherry Blossom Festival Events
•

As the dreary winter weather bids Washington its final adieu, the Cherry Blossom Festival lifts the spirits of residents and visitors who come to enjoy the official bloom of spring.

The first day of the festival, March 26, features a number of events and celebrations around town.

Go on a three-mile Cherry Chit-Chat Run around the mall, starting at the Washington Monument, 8 a.m.

Family Day at the National Building Museum is a festival in itself for “kids of all ages.” A number of hands-on activities as well as live music will celebrate and explore Japanese arts and design.

Taking sail at three times throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, Cherry Blossom River Teas features a full service English ‘high tea’ aboard a classic yacht while cruising by the blossoms. Serving soups, tea sandwiches, scones and teas, the cruise sets off at Washington Maria.

Hear the music of spring floating through the air at Eastern Market as the sounds of springtime jazz, world-beat, Americana, classical, and spoken word accompany Eastern Market’s foods, arts and crafts.

From Eastern Market, jump on the metro and head over to the Smithsonian for the Blossoms Secrets Stroll taking place from 2 – 4 p.m. The walking tour recounts the story and sites of how the Japanese cherry trees came to Washington.

The Opening Ceremony, officially kicking off the Festival, will take place at the Building Museum immediately following Family Day at 4 p.m. A number of performances, including Takehiro Ueyama’s TAKE dance company will start the 16-day citywide celebration.

Monuments-by-Moonlight River Cruises close out the opening day celebrations from the Washington Marina at 7:30 – 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 – 11:15 p.m.

But the Festival continues. Travel to Japan Saturday and Sunday at the Freer Gallery of Art and learn about the art’s importance in Japanese culture past and present. 1 p.m.

The Blossom Kite Festival on the Washington Monument Grounds takes flight March 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Enjoy the cool spring air at night with a Lantern Walk guided by the light of festive lanterns as rangers guide an evening stroll around the Tidal Basin. The walks take place Saturday and Sunday from 8 – 10 p.m. at the Paddle Boat Station.

Starting on the 26 and continuing through the end of the festival, a number of farms and gardens open their doors for visitors to encounter the beauty of nature in full bloom. River Farm and Green Spring Garden in Alexandria along with Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna all welcome Festival visitors with a free memento.

An array of diverse talent takes the stage at Sylvan Theater throughout the Festival. Varied genres of music and dance, martial arts exhibitions and marching bands will be featured from 12 – 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 12 – 6 p.m. on the weekends.

Macy’s Metro Center Cherry Blossom Show will host two weeks of in-store special events, including musical and dance performances, fashion presentations and cooking demonstrations.

The Hillwood Museum Estate and Gardens hosts Paul MacLardy, co-author of “Kimono, Vanishing Tradition” and owner of Arise Bazaar, as he presents a brief overview of Japanese kimono traditions, history, textiles, and symbolism. Followed by a trunk show in Hillwood’s Museum Shop. April 2, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Silver Springs’s Big Cherry Block Party, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. in downtown Silver Spring features a number of art and craft booths, entertainment, food and karaoke.

If you cant make it to Silver Spring, hang around the Potomac and Anacostia rivers for DISC Cherry Blossom Regatta. The sailboat races can be viewed from the water aboard the M/V Patriot II, which will be offering a Cherry Blossom Regatta cruise.

Head down to Gangplank Marina at 2 and 4 p.m. everyday throughout the Festival for a relaxing cruise down the Potomac around Hains Point for a fantastic view of the trees. Then on April 2 jump on board for a dinner cruise where you can catch the fireworks.

The Festival Fireworks Show will light up the sky on April 2 from Waterfront Park. Best viewing of the show can be found at Southwest Waterfront promenade or East Potomac Park. 8:30 – 9 p.m.

The Parade, which runs down Constitution Ave from 7th to 17th Streets, closes out the festival April 9, 10 a.m. – noon. Catch a glimpse of lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands and performers as they make their way down the route.

With a number of other events going on throughout the festival (March 26 – April 10 in its entirety) it is hard to not catch the blossom bug.

Visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org for more information on all the festivities.
[gallery ids="99622,105124" nav="thumbs"]

Japan Relief in Washington: Get Involved
•

Washington’s relationship with Japan is exemplified in the National Cherry Blossom Festival. With the recent Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami devastating Japan, Washington is offering support to the country that planted the seeds for the festival, and the culture that is honored throughout the celebration. Below is a list of things you can do around town to help out and donate to Japan relief efforts.

Red Cross Online Donation
The Festival has joined the Red Cross in supporting the nation of Japan. Online donations can be made at NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org.

Stand With Japan
March 24 6:30 p.m.
Beginning at the Sylvan Theater, walkers will make their way to the Tidal Basin. All donations received during the fundraising effort will go to the National Cherry Blossom Red Cross Online Donation Site.

The walk around the tidal basin will be a time of reflection in midst of the Cherry Blossom trees gifted to Washington by the Japanese in 1912. The evening of hope and perseverance inaugurates the Festival, celebrating the friendship between the two countries.

Online Auction
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Online Auction is open through March 27. Proceeds from the auction will be split between the Red Cross and the Festival’s year-round programs. Items in the auction include, two tickets to OpenSkies Business Airlines to Paris, dining certificate for Buddha Bar, a Weekend Getaway to the Normandy Hotel, dining certificate to II Canale, Georgetown and a number of others.

DC Help Japan Now Auction
A number of DC restaurants are joining the cause in an eBay auction with proceeds benefiting Red Cross. Restaurants include KAZ Sushi Bistro, Perry’s, The Tabard Inn, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, Passion Food, Masa 14, The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Restaurant Nora, Peacock Café, Marcels, Brasserie Beck/Mussel Bar, and Café Atlantico. More restaurants are joining in to support so check eBay frequently.

Kaz Sushi Bistro Raises Funds
In addition to the eBay Auction, Kaz is supporting Japan with various fundraising events. The restaurant is currently holding a raffle through April 16. Kaz is located between 19th and 20th on I Street NW.

Capital Hearts for Japan
Capital Hearts for Japan will be holding a fundraising night at The Park at Fourteenth (920 14th St. NW) March 26. Doors open at 6 p.m. The night will include a silent auction, performances from local artists and drink specials. All donations will be given to Save the Children, an international aid organization that provides emergency relief for children affected by disaster and devastation. The Park is donating $3 per person that comes to the event. Capital Hearts for Japan is a coalition of diverse organizations in the DC metro area and was formed to help provide immediate and long-term relief for Japan.