T-minus 364 Days: Inauguration

Yes, I know it's way too early to be thinking about Inauguration. But, yesterday marked one year until we celebrate another peaceful transfer of power from one President to the next. A year form now, the 45th President will be embarking on their second day of work, and we'd be in the middle of what would probably be a three day weekend with Inauguration falling on a Friday in 2017 (January 20). Other dates to look forward to before then:

• February 1: The first presidential primary: Iowa Caucuses.
• March 1: Super Tuesday: Fifteen states have presidential primaries/caucuses on this day.
• March 12: District of Columbia Republican Caucus. FYI - This is on a Saturday. 
• June 14: District of Columbia Democratic primary. Yes, literally the last primary in the U.S.
• July 18-21: Republican Convention in Cleveland.
• July 25-28: Democratic Convention in Philadelphia.
• September 26: First presidential debate.
• October 4: Vice presidential debate.
• October 9: Second presidential debate. 
• October 19: Third presidential debate. 
• November 8: Election Day.
• December 19: Electoral College meets in each state to cast official votes for President & VP.
• January 6, 2017: Joint Congressional session to tally electoral votes.
• January 20, 2017: Inauguration of new President.

2013 Inauguration Preparations Underway

Swearing in platform under construction on the west front of the Capitol.

Happy New Year! I hope 2013 has been as good to you so far as it has been to me. Here's to a safe, productive, and fruitful year.

The 2013 Presidential Inauguration on January 21 will be the nation's 57th. This will be my third since living in the District. Regardless of party, I really enjoy the spectacle associated with Inauguration and always plan to witness some of it in person, if at all possible. How many Americans get to see the President (almost) up close and personal? Not as many as you think. Luckily, I have been able to personally meet President Obama and President Bush 43.

Yes, I've had my cynical rants about inauguration rentals, and that's fun. But all joking aside, every four years hundreds of thousands of people travel to the District to be a tiny part of American history. Media outlets are predicting smaller numbers than 2009, but any one-time event that attracts this many visitors will have an impact on those who live here full time. 

(The last thing I'll say about inauguration rentals is that there are plenty of hotels in DC with rooms available. So, if you're charging four figures for an air mattress and a shared bathroom, you're already being underbid by people who do this for a living.)

The 21st will feature of just a few official events, but they'll make up most of the day: the ceremonial swearing in at the Capitol, the inaugural parade, and the official Inaugural Balls (there appear to be just two this year).

Preparations are well underway. The Capitol platform for the ceremonial swearing-in is being constructed. It's quite large at 10,000 square foot and will hold 1,600 people on the day of inauguration.

Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 4th and 15th Streets is being prepped for the parade including re-striping and bleacher seating.

At least one ball location is public at this point (titled The Inaugural Ball) and it is being held at the Walter  E. Washington Convention Center. The Commander-in-Chief's Ball is apparently happening, but I haven't seen a location mentioned as of today will also be held at the Convention Center. 

Major cell phone companies have added temporary cell phone towers to handle any spike in data usage. 2009 (10 generations ago in smartphone years) saw jammed cell signals all over the Mall for much of the day. 

Metro has created a special page detailing their plans for the day. Most importantly, Metro Rail will open at 4:00AM Monday and run until 2:00AM Tuesday morning. Rush hour service (and fares) are planned from opening until 9:00PM. Mt. Vernon Square, Smithsonian and McPherson Square Stations will be closed on the 21st.

These are just a few of the many changes by federal and local agencies. And oh yeah, NO PURPLE TUNNEL OF DOOM. So, there's that.

The lead up does feel a bit muted, compared to 2009. I can't say how this stacks up to 2005 since I wasn't around for Inauguration 2001, but I suppose it is similar, because an incumbent prevailed each time. Still need to host events for supporters and donors (and yes, the general public!), but naturally the excitement has leveled relative to that of an election of a new President.

More info on Inauguration 2013 as the big day approaches.

Parade seating at Penn and 7th NW.

Temp cell towers at 3rd and Constitution NW.

First Pitch

Who Knew? Michelle Obama in Mount Pleasant

Yesterday First Lady Michelle Obama visited Mount Pleasant's own Bancroft Elementary School. Bancroft is located at Newton and 18th Sts NW. Obama had been working with the students on the White House's vegetable garden and decided to return the favor at the school's garden. Her remarks were quite nice and so was the gesture in general. A typical public school in the District with some pretty extraordinary students who had a really swell Friday. Pretty neat story. Hopefully the Prez and the First Lady keep up the DC public appearances. Oddly, this story was overshadowed by a near simultaneous visit by Barack Obama to Five Guys in Southeast.

Obamas Surpass Bush in DC Sightings Within Two Weeks

Well, that was fast. Michelle Obama was seen chomping on a burger at Dupont Circle's Five Guys (yes, on the 42 bus line) last Friday. Add that to their charter school reading session, playing basketball at Marie Reed and lunching at Ben's Chili Bowl, and there you go. They've already overtaken former President Bush's (both of them) count of being seen in DC for social activities. A low bar to jump over, but hey, bodes well for the rest of this Presidency.

National Building Museum Again Hosts Christmas in Washington

This is the last Christmas in Washington event for outgoing President George W. Bush and his wife Laura. This Christmas-themed, performance heavy, family entertainment show doubles as a benefit the Children's National Medical Center. I believe this is the 27th year of the annual show. Its held at the National Building Museum in Judiciary Square. Years ago it aired on NBC, but has been on the cable channel TNT recently.

The show is invitation only--sorry. You'll have to miss out on Dr. Phil as host, again. Actually co-hosting with his wife Robin. And, sadly you'll have to miss two performers who peaked in the mid-90s, Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish) and Raphael Saadiq (Tony! Toni! Toné!). I don't mean to say that they aren't great performers now, just that they peaked in popularity about a decade ago. You will also miss Counting Crows! Wait, no, sorry. That's Casting Crowns, the popular Christian group. Got excited there for a split second. The "headliner" if you will is actor and singer Kristin Chenoweth. You may know her from Pushing Daisies, The West Wing or a bunch of Broadway shows. Not sure if she's better or worse than last year's headliner, Ne-Yo.

Christmas in Washington airs on Wednesday, December 17 at 8:00pm on TNT.

Future President Should Live a Little; Try a Pupusa

Looks like DC got it right this time. DC Republicans chose Senator John McCain and the DC Democrats chose Senator Barack Obama during the party primaries in February. And low and behold, those two ended up winning their party's primary and are squaring off this summer and fall. What you don't know is that the real prize is not the Presidency itself. The real prize is being able to live right in downtown, cosmopolitan Washington, DC on a prime piece of real estate, right on the 42 bus line!

Hey Prez, need to shop for new linens? Take the 42 to Gallery Place and walk over to Bed Bath and Beyond. Need a quick bite and got tired of your personal White House Chef? Take the 42 up to Mount Pleasant and grab a pupusa. Want to get a hair cut (sorry McCain)? Why not hop off at the Hair Cuttery. Or splurge at Trim! Secretly hate that Starbucks crap they serve in the West Wing? Let me show you this place called Tryst. Yea, its on the 42. Heard about Secret Safeway? The 42 won't take you to the front door, but it will take you pretty close! We won't even mention the Soviet Safeway. Want to impress the Brazilian, Ethiopian, Indian, Ghanaian, French, or Italian diplomats? Send them on the 42 to Adams Morgan and suggest a place they can get some familiar food.

Look potential President, don't ignore this great city around you for the 4-8 years that you'll be in town. I ride by your house almost every time I get on the 42. Yea, we know you are going to be busy answering 3am phone calls Google-vetting your VP candidates, but don't forget about us, your neighbors. Maybe throw us a bone or two regarding that whole taxation without representation mess too. First coffee at Tryst is on me...