Jan 15, 2009 10:00 - By: Kim Tracy Prince
Next week people all over America will be celebrating just
how far we’ve come as a nation. Not ones to waste a 3-day weekend, Americans will celebrate
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (which is today) on Monday, January 19th. The inauguration of President Barack Obama takes place the next day.
In Los Angeles there is a 20-plus year tradition of people dancing in the streets for MLK day. While
celebratory and reflective events will
take place all weekend all over the area, the big main parade happens on the official holiday in Los Angeles. Although King’s birthday was officially designated a national holiday in 1983, this is only the 24th year of the parade.
courtesy of celesking.com
This year the parade will begin at 10:30 AM at the corner of Western Ave. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Los Angeles. The route goes west to Crenshaw and south to Vernon, and depending where you are on the route, the entire processional should last about two and a half hours. This year’s parade will feature 18 marching bands, floats, and celebrity guests including Tyler Perry, Tony Grant, and Orlando Brown.
Celesking Bail Bonds, sponsor of the parade this year, says that a visitor’s best bet for parking will be at the parade’s end near
Leimert Park, where an all-day
“Presidential Dreams” Fest and Gospel Celebration will be taking place with live music and food vendors. One great intention of the parade’s organizers that I hope will actually come true is the ban on vendors on the parade route between Degnan and Crenshaw. That’s the TV and judging area, so one might have to get there early for a spot on those two blocks, but it might be worth it. Anyone who’s ever taken a kid to a parade learns to dread those guys selling cheap trinkets on their rolling carts who seem to exist solely to block your view of the parade, start your children whining, and add to your collection of useless clutter.
Most people use this holiday to go on a short vacation. Why not join a celebration that actually has something to do with this special day, which is one of only three national holidays that celebrates an individual person. What a remarkable person, indeed.
Jan 14, 2009 11:36 - By: Sebastien Tobler
By Sebastien Tobler of Colliding Continents
For those of you who do not know DC very well, it is important to note that there are going to be a significant amount of road closures in the city. In fact all the major bridges coming in from Virginia will be closed inauguration day. Authorities are only allowing taxis and public transportation access on these bridges. That being said, here is a map of the Metro Rail system in Washington. It is very simple and you will get the hang of it after a couple of rides. Below is a copy of the Metro Rail Map.
Washington D.C. Metro Map
The Metro system will be very crowded, I used it this morning and police were already in place on the major stops controlling traffic. Please be mindful of this as it would impact your travel time. If you are lucky enough to be staying south of Dupont Circle I highly recommend you walk to the Capitol.
Taxi cabs are a great option but traffic is no doubt going to be especially congested within the Beltway (That is DC talk for Interstate 495 which circles the District). You should be happy to note, however, that DC cabs just recently switched from zone fare to metered fares (this is a great conversation starter amongst DC folks by the way as it was a heated issue). This is great because it is now cheaper to get around DC and you don’t feel like you are getting ‘taken for a ride’ – sorry, I had to.
Remember that the way the mall is structured, splitting DC’s North and South, and considering the sheer volume of people that are expected, try to stay on the side of the National Mall which you intend to exit from. Why? Well, simply because as soon as the inauguration is over there are going to be thousands of people exiting the area as fast as they can. If you are staying in the northern part of the city or need to drive back north towards Maryland try to stay on the north half of the mall (left of the Capitol when looking at the Capitol) and if you are headed back towards Virginia try to stay on the south/left side of the mall.
Please take a look at this Press Release detailing all the details regarding the bridge and street restrictions /closures.
Jan 14, 2009 10:34 - By: Sebastien Tobler
By Sebastien Tobler of Colliding Continents
Barack Obama & family
Inauguration insanity has slowly been closing in on the DC area over the past month and now it seems like its vice-like grip has taken full hold. Washington D.C. hotels within a 50 mile radius are all booked up (a great thing for hoteliers considering the economy). Bars have been given the green light to stay open until 5AM and for restaurants to serve food 24hrs a day from January 17th – 20th. Nothing says party town like 24hr food and late-late night beverages. For those of you headed in to DC and haven’t had a chance to taste the District life before, you may be missing out on a lot fun. Good thing I live in DC and am here to help you out.
U.S. Presidential Inauguration 2005
An Inauguration Ball… or Three
It is all about change this inaugural season so don’t fret if you didn’t get tickets to one of the ten official inauguration Balls, there are so many unofficial ones that are likely to be as fun, so change it up! Take The Art of Change Ball for example, held at the Warehouse Arts Complex, celebrating Barak Obama’s special day with performance art and DJs on 5 stages. Artomatic and Playa del Fuego come together to bring you this unique inauguration experience and the best thing is that it only costs $50.
If you are looking to be seen try and head over to the Be The Change Inaugural Ball hosted by MTV in celebration of the massive youth-voter turn out on election day. 24 million people between the ages of 18-29 voted in 2008, a fantastic reason to throw a ball at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
If you are looking for a completely different approach why not take the ball to the Potomac? The Spirit of Washington and Odyssey III will take you on a cruise on the Potomac before and during the inauguration! Enjoy great food and entertainment as Barak Obama takes the presidency.
Ben's Chili Bowl
DC Party Scene
Ok, so maybe you aren’t looking to go to such an organized party, maybe you are looking for something more…DC? You need to go to U St. otherwise known as Little Ethiopia. When Barak Obama was declared the next president of the United States U St. residents came rushing out to party on the streets forcing the local law enforcement to shut down the road completely. U St. provides rows upon rows of great restaurants and is also home to the very popular Ben’s Chili Bowl. Make sure to check out Marvin for great drinks, Café Saint Ex for their sweet potato fries and Bar Pillar for their killer tapas selection, and yes Saint Ex and Bar Pillar serve fantastic cocktails.
If you REALLY want to party and completely bypass the restaurant scene then Adam’s Morgan is for you. 18th St. is packed with rows upon rows of bars and clubs, given the extended “last call” combined with record numbers of visitors I highly recommend you to be careful!
Stay posted for more DC inauguration updates.
Nov 26, 2008 13:14 - By: Admin
As Inauguration day approaches the Washington metro area is preparing for the estimated four million or so visitors that will be attending the event. It’s going to be quite a celebration. After the celebration you may want to end your vacation in D.C. on a historic note. How about taking the family on a short road trip to learn about the first president of the United States?
The first inauguration at the Federal Hall in New York
George Washington gave our countries first inaugural address on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York on April 30, 1789. After serving two terms as president of the United States he returned to his home in Mount Vernon where he lived the final two years of his life. Mount Vernon is probably the most famous home of George Washington, but if you have ever wondered about the other places George Washington called home, here are two often overlooked nearby locations.
A quiet spot at Popes Creek Plantation
George Washington was born at Popes Creek Plantation in Westmoreland County Virginia. I’ve visited this location on several occasions and it’s a tranquil, slow moving kind of place. Of all the historic locations I’ve visited, this one feels the most authentic. It’s not as grand as Monticello and it’s not as forced as Colonial Williamsburg but it has charm. You can walk in the quiet along the river or through trails and imagine what was when our country was just beginning. The future paleontologist in the family will enjoy searching for fossilized sharks’ teeth in the sandy river shore. Future graffiti artists can use a stick to carve designs into the clay cliffs. Just be careful of the wildlife when you go. The squirrels at the picnic area will shamelessly steal your Cheetos and the turkeys are a little mean.
Ferry Farm, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Known as George Washington’s boyhood home, Ferry Farm isn’t a re-created historical site as much as an active learning location. They have a beautiful colonial style garden and some trails along the Rappahanock River but that’s not why we visit. We go for the fun, well thought out summer educational programs. In addition to the civil war workshops and gardening programs they can “Dig George” and become junior archaeologists or learn about the “First Virginians”, the Powhatan Indians. They have also created a touch box program that enables the blind and visually impaired to enjoy history with touchable artifacts, Braille maps and text, and large print brochures.
Ferry Farm is located just outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia about 50 minutes from Mount Vernon. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. George Washington’s birthplace is an easy 60 minute drive from Ferry Farm. Admission is $4 for adults and no fee for children. They’re both worth a visit.
Photo Credits : Federal Hall from the public domain. Popes Creek Plantation by Ken Lund
