A DC area reader wants to do a Balloon Juice inauguration meet-up. Maybe in the city but maybe in Northern VA since the city will be such a zoo.
Anyone interested?
(On a related note, I’ll be in Arlington, VA in mid-February and would be up for a DC meet-up…would probably have to be in Arlington though, as I won’t have that much time to get around.)
trollhattan
Three time zones west, but I’ll be with you in spirit(s).
For preparation, you can read Onion Joe’s new autobiography!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1W7QC6
eemom
Thanks to Doug for posting. I’m the reader. Open to suggestions re time — Sunday or Monday, late afternoon/early evening? — and place.
Certified Mutant Enemy
Who is Doug Galt?
eemom
oh, and that is a lovely Jimmy Buffet tune, also too.
andrewtna
I live in the area and would like to attend. I’m a regular reader and occasional commenter.
ranchandsyrup
EAST COAST BIAS!
Chris
I live in London now, but was a long time dc’er in Arlington and Adams Morgan. I suggest you meet up at Iota in Clarendon if that bar is still as I remember it
Tone in DC
@ranchandsyrup:
Hey!
You want the humidity?
You can’t HANDLE the humidity!
divF
Arlington, eh ? I just departed 4201 Wilson Blvd. and am heading home to a much warmer NorCal.
ET
I live on the Hill and am open. I would make it near a Metro station -particularly Monday because the inauguration and parade are going to shut so many streets down.
I am too old to know of cool, but less hipster-y places and as I live on the Hill beyond these environs am a little less familiar.
clone12
Sunday. I’m guessing Monday will be a zoo even in NoVa…
ranchandsyrup
@Tone in DC: Heh. I can’t handle the humidity. sadface.
I spend a week out there each year in March for pointless lobbying and the humidity is fo’ real.
Roger Moore
@ranchandsyrup:
Damn straight. Why can’t we ever get a Los Angeles meet-up?
ranchandsyrup
@Roger Moore: I would make the trip to anywhere in the greater LA environs. Or, let’s have it in Pacific Beach down in SD and invite Tbogg.
ET
A previous comment seem to end up in moderation ….
I am on the Hill and am open. Just make it at/near a Metro stop – between the inauguration, luncheon, and the all-day parade this will consume most of the day and many streets/bridges are closed for most of the day.
LGRooney
Where in Arlington? Crystal/Pentagon City or Ballston/Rosslyn corridor? I’m in Arlington and would be interested but need to know where and, of course, do the whole family coordination thing.
Elie
I’d be up for it. I live in Alexandria so could do Arlington or DC. Monday will be a zoo in DC, but maybe a location around the Metro wouldn’t be bad or in Arlington, etc…
Cool
Madeleine
Just moved here, so this seems like a great idea. Count me in. (I submitted a couple of Cat Rescue Blegs back in San Diego, but don’t comment regularly.)
CorbinDallasMultipass
i vote we meet by the reason magazines offices near dupont
elmo
Make it NoVa, as far west as you can. Reston?
eemom
Jayzus, y’all SoCalers…..get your shit together on yer own damn thread.
Ahem.
So, it is sounding like Sunday in Arlington would be the consensus. Some place rec’s near Metro stops plz? I am out in the Fairfax sticks and never go much of anywhere.
elmo
If people are up for the drive to Leesburg, the Lightfoot is a fantastic place for a meetup.
Roger Moore
@CorbinDallasMultipass:
Are you going to bring torches and pitchforks?
Valdivia
I am up for the mid feb meet up in Arlington, Monday will be crazy for me to get out of the district. If I can make it I will join whatever you guys plan.
eemom
@elmo:
You ARE shitting me, right?
Elizabelle
I’m up for it. Thanks for suggesting, eemom.
AND: If you’re in the Virginia area: Helen Dragas’ reappointment to the UVA Board of Rectors has apparently sailed through a Virginia Senate panel, although it’s not
come up for full vote yet.
You will remember Dragas for leading a backdoor coup to oust UVA President Theresa Sullivan, which failed. Dragas did this without ever calling a full meeting of the Board of Rectors, has never given an explanation for why she wanted to fire Sullivan (who was returned after massive student and faculty protests), and the accreditation board is now looking really closely at UVa after the debacle.
The UVA board is full of politically connected business leaders; not as diverse as other major universities.
Mark Warner, Democratic US Senator, is supporting Dragas, who has been a font of donations to Democrats. (Warner DC office: 202 224 2023)
Call his office, and call your state Senator and state delegate to vote against reappointing Dragas.
Governor Transvaginal Bob McDonnell reappointed Dragas; this is looking like a loyalty vote for Republicans, who control the General Assembly, and for the business oligarchy in Virginia. (Dragas is a Virginia Beach real estate developer.)
From Charlottesville’s alternative weekly, The Hook: Dragas just a tool in right wing reform
http://www.readthehook.com/107391/uva-june-dragas-just-tool-right-wing-reform
Xantar
I’m in Baltimore but will be in DC tha weekend. I’m working the day of the inauguration and I’m going to a ball the Sunday evening before.
ranchandsyrup
I vote y’all have dinner with yglesias at chez mcsuderman. Maybe you’ll meet some blah people in her neighborhood that are psyched that glibertarian fuckstix like the mcsudes are gentrifying it.
DCLaw1
Yes, please.
LGRooney
There isn’t much that isn’t generic in terms of Arlington bars, esp. near metro stops. IOTA seems to have the best food (looking at menus) which usually accompanies better drinks – not being a bar person, I am out of my element. Not sure about the noise level, however. Sunday evening is definitely a better fit.
DCLaw1
Anywhere in Arlington but Clarendon.
melissa
I grew up in Northern Virginia (Fairfax and Alexandria). but can’t join you. Live in Saskatchewan now. Life is full of surprises.
Woodrowfan
Ballston? Falls Church?
Elroy's Lunch
In my neighborhood. I’m up for it. If you want funky there’s always the Galaxy Hut. Size issues though…
the Conster
@Xantar:
Well, whooped de doo. ;)
Steeplejack
Family bidness makes me a 95% no-show, but here’s my input:
The best location would be somewhere around the Clarendon or Ballston Metro stops in Arlington. Both those areas are (relatively) convenient by car. Reston is too far out for D.C. people, and I believe that Leesburg is technically in West Virginia, although that fact is suppressed.
Around Clarendon, La Tasca is an excellent tapas bar 0.1 mile from the Metro station down Wilson Boulevard. Great food and lots of space. I would be willing to call and see what kind of arrangement could be made for a group and relay the information. I know they have an upper room that would probably be ideal, but I’ve never been up there.
Around Ballston, there is Bailey’s Pub in the Ballston Common Mall. It’s a sports bar–no more, no less–but it has pretty good bar food, the beers are cold, and it has tons of room for a big group.
Sorry I’m going to miss this one, although I am still trying to weasel out of my other commitment.
As alternatives to the above, I would suggest people concentrate on Clarendon. That is a heavy restaurant area–Cheesecake Factory, lots of specialty places–so there must be something around there that people could agree on.
ETA: I see DCLaw1 doesn’t like Clarendon, so I would say to look for someplace in Ballston Common Mall or in that vicinity.
Steeplejack
@Woodrowfan:
Neither of the Falls Church Metro stations are convenient to anything.
eemom
@DCLaw1:
Why no Clarendon?
RSA
I don’t travel much to VA, but I thought I’d drop into the thread to say that I am typing this comment, this very moment, from a motel in Morgantown, WV. (Visiting friends in a neighboring town.) I can almost feel the Cole vibes here! (Well, no, I just made that up.)
Elie
@Steeplejack:
Your ideas sound good to me!
eemom
@Steeplejack:
Thanks so much, that is very helpful. Will keep moving this along and really hope you’ll be able to join us.
Elie
@melissa:
I hear THAT. I was living in Northwest WA state a year and a half ago (have a home there still and want to go back). You just never know…
eemom
@RSA:
fixed.
Jussayinzall.
Sayne
I have to work on Inauguration Day. Contractors don’t get the day off.
wesindc
Saturday or Sunday would be best. Dupont is probably the place to go since you can access it easily via Red-Orange-Blue line on the metro. Oh and I live there so the least amount of time I have to travel the better :-) Let us know would like to see other BJ’s (giggle like Cole) in the area.
Zapruder F. Mashtots, D.D.S. (Mumphrey, et al.)
I’d like to do both days (next week and Feb.). I don’t go to bars any more, not since graduate school, so I’ve forgotten which ones are good. I’m hoing they don’t let anybody smoke in bars any longer…
Valdivia
@Steeplejack:
ha ha I went on a date at that La Tasca. I am ashamed to say it took me a few minutes to remember the guy’s name!
in general: I am probably going to have to pass on Inauguration Day but maybe we can begin coordinating for the Feb meet up with time so all the locals can clear their calendars and attend. Hopefully :)
DCLaw1
I retract my objection to Clarendon, not a big deal. Might not be able to make it anyway.
Steeplejack (phone)
@Valdivia:
As a “wise Latina,” did you like La Tasca? I’ve been there twice and like it. You can nibble or eat a lot, vegetarians have no problem, etc. Would need to check ahead, because it’s not a place where you can just walk in and start pushing tables together.
Everonn
Long-time reader, never-time commenter here. About a 40/60 chance I could join the fun on Sunday (depending on whether wife is interested) and 50/50 chance on Monday if it’s late enough in the day (but it looks like it’s not leaning that way). Anything along the orange line in NoVA works for me. Reston would be even better, but I understand why that isn’t as practical.
eemom
How about Bailey’s Pub at Ballston Commons Sunday at 5?
Seems the simplest and best fit based on all the foregoing.
CorbinDallasMultipass
Did this have an end result?
CorbinDallasMultipass
@CorbinDallasMultipass: I see now the results, guess I had an old page loaded.
Woodrowfan
Rock Bottom has better food than Bailey’s but Bailey’s will do…
EconWatcher
@eemom:
I have two young kids, but I might be able to make it (spouse willing) if it’s in Ballston on Sunday evening.
Valdivia
@Steeplejack (phone):
for some reason the one I went to in Virginia seemed pretty good. The one in Chinatown is not. It’s supposed to be the same chain but somehow the downtown one is not up to par (the wines by the glass are not the best).
There’s a couple of new ones in the district which are great. Boqueria which I know from nyc which can be on the pricey side but they have a truly great selection of wines by the glass and bottles that are spectacular for prices comparable to others in the city. And I highly recommend Hora Feliz at Oyamel. Best mexican food I’ve had on the East Coast.
Valdivia
@eemom:
and thank you eemom for organizing it! I am going to try to come but let’s make sure we coordinate for the Feb one with more time and see if DougJ will join us.
SmallAxe
bummed I’m going to be out of town. Have fun, do something I would do.
Cheryl from Maryland
This Sunday afternoon? That’s for football! Oh well, have fun. Saturday or Monday, I would be there.
Elizabelle
I’m really happy you guys are putting this together, and hope it works out. Would be fun to see some of you in non-virtual life.
Pink Snapdragon
I will plan on being there as well. For those not familiar with Arlington, Ballston Commons is a block from the Ballston Metro stop (Orange Line) and there is parking in the Mall’s garage.
Uncle Cosmo
I’d be happy to tool down from Baltimore but not on Sunday night–no self-respecting football fan from Charm City will be anywhere but by a TV with like-minded folk from 7 PM till whatever.
Monday evening would work for me but I gather that ship has sailed. Oh well, I will await word on mid-February. Yinz have fun now…
LGRooney
@eemom: Got a BJ flag so we know where to go? I’ll definitely try to make it since it is only 2 miles from home.
eemom
@LGRooney:
I’m working on that….stay tuned, I will report back. Might bring a green balloon or something.
phil
dearest dougj, I fucking love you. ill be there, wherever ‘there’ is,
sincerely, a DC resident
phil
dearest dougj, I fucking love you. ill be there, wherever ‘there’ is, sincerely, a DC resident
phil
dearest dougj, I fucking love you
phil
dearest dougj, I fking love you
phil
Moderators plz fix this I’m drunk..
handsmile
Well look at this: evidently it is possible to herd cat fanciers, if not cats.
@eemom:
Thanks both for proposing this occasion and organizing it so swiftly. Not that that should come as any real surprise: your happy disposition and love for humankind shines brightly through all your commentary here. :)
@Valdivia:
It would be wonderful if you were able to make it; we have conversations to continue!
@Steeplejack:
Regret that other obligations will likely keep you away. Yours is among the “nyms” here that I would most look forward to replacing with a name.
Meeting at 5:00pm on Sunday somewhat complicates my being able to join you all (a little earlier would help), but will follow arrangements here and do my utmost to attend.
Uncle Cosmo
@handsmile:
I give you Jim Hightower’s immortal retort: Anyone who says you can’t herd cats never heard of a can opener.
Judge Crater
Cafe Asia. Rosslyn, Court House. Sushi, sake, decent drinks and food. Monday. Sunday is for football.
Elie
So what is the plan?
Steeplejack
@Elie:
Eemom is running this thing, so this appears to be the plan.
handsmile
Regretfully, as I am a guest of others this weekend, it now appears unlikely that I will be able to attend this (first-ever?) DC/VA meet-up. I’m posting this comment now because last night I had requested an earlier starting time on Sunday if possible.
Should circumstances change, I’ll do my best to be there. If it’s anything like the NYC meet-ups, it should be great fun. Cheers!
eemom
@handsmile:
So sorry to hear that….I was particularly looking forward to your acquaintance. : (
Let me know, however, if an earlier starting time would help…..I can’t do too much earlier as I need to take eegrandmom to the train station first, but I could do 4:30.
John Dillinger
I might have the opportunity to stop by, but my fear is I’ll never be able to find the group. I like Bailey’s but it can get packed, and I imagine championship Sunday the night before a holiday it will be. I’ll work on finding a place with a separate room for Doug J’s visit.
Steeplejack
If eemom stops back by here, I think she needs to reconfigure the D.C. meet-up this afternoon. Currently it’s scheduled for 5:00 at Bailey’s Pub at Ballston Common. I was the one who suggested the venue on Friday, but it completely slipped my mind then that this is a huge NFL Sunday–conference title games–and Bailey’s will likely be packed with rowdy football fans. Oops!
There are a lot of places near the Ballston Metro station, but I don’t know a lot of them. Rock Bottom is also at Ballston Common, and it is good, but I can’t remember how much of a “sports bar” it is and whether it’s likely to be crowded.
Note: I am not running this show and will be unable to attend, but I wanted to head off a potential fiasco.