Restaurants celebrate National Cherry Blossom Festival
with "Cherry Picks"
SOUTHWEST -- As the nation’s capital
celebrates the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Mar. 31-Apr. 15,
cherry-infused dishes will take center stage at dozens of the city’s
restaurants. From sumptuous entrees to decadent desserts, Cherry Picks
show off the creativity of Washington, DC’s culinary community, from
world-renowned fine dining restaurants to neighborhood gathering places.
Such themed dishes are featured this year at The Oceanaire Seafood Room,
where Executive Chef Rob Klink serves up a sublime Crisp King Salmon
with braised cabbage and cherry butter. At the Roof Terrace Restaurant
at the Kennedy Center, blossom watchers can sample the Duck Paté studded
with dried cherries served with bourbon-cherry compote and toasted
brioche.
At Bangkok Joe’s Dumpling Bar and Cafe on the Georgetown waterfront,
Executive Chef Aulie Bunyarataphan treats diners to a cherry-inspired
three-course dinner including Asian chips with spicy cherry salsa,
followed by Roasted Quail with foie gras, tamarind-shallot sweet cherry
compote, trio of grains and asparagus, topped off with a Cherry Napoleon
with sour cherry and cherry coulis for dessert. As an extra treat, order
a Frozen Cherry Bellini – a tasty blend of champagne, Bing cherries,
cream sherry and lime juice. These items are also offered a la carte.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, Executive Chef Russel Cunningham of Dupont
Grille in Jurys Washington Hotel has created a Sun-dried Cherry Crème
Brûlée, available exclusively during cherry blossom season.
Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar, located in the artsy Hotel Palomar in
Dupont Circle, is featuring The Urbana Bing Cherry Italian Soda, a tasty
blend of brandy, Armagnac, ten cane rum and Bing cherries, garnished
with whipped cream and served with a cherry on top. Or, head to Morton’s
Steakhouse for the Heavenly Cherrypolitan, a blend of Three Olives brand
cherry vodka, Gran Marnier and cranberry and lime juices.
Even trendy music club Dark Asgard is getting in on the action, with
"Cherry Bomb" shooters for the month of April. The bartender won't
reveal any secrets but it is rumored to contain Kirsch, organic Limeaid
and a secret ingredient related to the retro candy, "Pop Rocks."
The Cherry Picks restaurant promotion is supported by the Washington, DC
Convention & Tourism Corporation and the Restaurant Association
Metropolitan Washington. Visitors to the city and area residents can
learn how to make some of the dishes at home by visiting
www.washington.org/cherryblossom.
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT GWU TO HONOR VICTIMS OF VIRGINA TECH
SHOOTINGS
NORTHWEST
-- A GW vigil was held tonight at 7:30
p.m. in Marc C. Abrahms Great Hall in the Marvin Center followed
immediately by a candlelight processional to Kogan Plaza.
The entire GW community is invited to offer
support to the students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech during this
time of tragedy. The vigil also will serve as an opportunity for our
community to reflect and share
thoughts and feelings on the recent events.
Students, faculty, and staff received commemorative ribbons and signed a
banner in the Great Hall Tuesday afternoon between 1-3 p.m. The GW
community also is encouraged to wear the Virginia Tech colors of maroon
and orange tomorrow as we keep the entire Virginia Tech community in our
thoughts and prayers
It’s Easy Being Green in DC
MIDTOWN -- Earth Day 2007 is just around the corner, but environmental
responsibility is a year-round interest for businesses and residents in
the nation’s capital. It’s fitting to find such an interest in
environmentalism in Washington, DC; there are 234,000 acres of parkland
in the metro area, with more than 70 percent of land in the District
itself controlled by the National Park Service.
Green Building in Washington, DC
In late 2006, City Council passed an initiative making the nation’s
capital the first major city to require developers to adhere to
guidelines established by the U.S. Green Building Council. In fact, the
new Washington Nationals ballpark will be the country’s first
green-certified stadium when it opens in 2008.
These efforts don’t come as much of a surprise in Washington, DC. The
city serves as headquarters for some of the most prominent eco-friendly
organizations in the world, like the National Geographic Society and the
Environmental Protection Agency. You’ll also find the headquarters
building for the American Society of Landscape Architecture, whose Green
Roof-topped building in the heart of downtown has served as an example
for other organizations looking to implement green practices.
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'Knight' Loses Joust With Officers' Stun Gun
Michigan Man Charged With Assault
ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- Officers used a
stun gun to take a Michigan man into custody after he attempted to fight
them off with medieval weaponry, according to police.
Police said Robert McClain sped away from the scene of a car crash in
Royal Oak Wednesday night. When officers went to his home, McClain was
apparently in the basement and prepared to keep officers at bay with a
4-foot sword and a large mallet.
"One of the statements that he made is that, 'I got 1,000 years of
power. Come and get me,'" said Deputy Chief Chris Jahnke, of the Royal
Oak Police Department. "And they looked down and he has this metal chain
(and a) mesh guard (or) vest on, along with these leather gauntlets on
his arms."
After dodging swords, chains and the mallet -- which were being thrown
up from the basement -- officers used a stun gun to subdue McClain and
arrest him, reported Detroit TV station WDIV.
McClain was charged Thursday with assault.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NZ pest blamed for hermit crab
boom
Tasmanian
scientists are blaming an introduced marine pest for an
explosion in hermit crab numbers on the east coast.
Dead shells from the New Zealand screwshell are
forming layers up to 10 centimetres thick in the state's eastern
coastal waters.
Craig Johnson, from the University of Tasmania,
says the shells are providing homes for hermit crabs, and some
areas are supporting hundreds of the crabs per square metre.
He says he is now trying to find out how the
unprecedented population explosion will affect the wider
ecosystem.
"Hermit crabs are scavengers and predators," he
said.
"They have to make a living and eat as well and
even though these animals aren't huge crabs, they're nonetheless
a reasonable size and that hundreds of them will eat quite a
lot."
ENTERTAINMENT
NEWS:
Entertainment and
Gossip
From regular columnist
Kitty Whittier
Good day, gentle readers!
"Ask and ye shall receive," isn't that how
it works? Well, your fearless leader prayed for rain and the skies
opened up.
We all know that our favorite Tragic Child,
Loki, is a generous man, and it is a pity that he can't get a tax
write-off for his latest charitable donation, an entire column of things
for kitty to scratch! Bless you, Sir.
Seen recently in the downstairs den of
iniquity at Dark Asgard, were the Trickster Prince and not one, but two
lovely ladies, neither of whom were the mousy law student he had been
seen chatting up at that peculiar curio shop in Southwest.
Sources say that our
lovely-even-with-her-clothes-on Miz Nouveau was seen lurking in the
invite-only areas, soon after which scurried up in a huffy hurry a new
player on the scene, as yet unidentified. The second young lady was a
striking exotic diva who seemed to be fresh off the Bollywood boat,
rumors have it. Definitely up to par with the bevy of hangers-on he
usually commands. The diva then huffs back downstairs, and is soon
followed down there by an also as yet unnamed smaller Hispanic man with
a somewhat hyper demeanor. Far as our invisible eyes know, the three of
them were in the Cool Kids Club for several hours after that, leaving
Miz Nouveau to commandeer the dance floor. She does this very well, but
we are fascinated why she continues to haunt a setting more fitting for
some of her patients. Perhaps this is all in the name of scientific
research. Carry on, Doc!
Whatever happened that night though must
have gnawed at the heart of our hero, as he was seen a week or so later
chatting up his bookstore barista babe like nothing was wrong, and came
bearing gifts for atonement; a lovely new slinky thing for his friend to
accompany him to repast in.
On a more professional note, we do hear that
Monsieur Loki has a new album nearly finished, while on break from the
Clockwork Orange musical. End of April the tour hits Los Angeles, then
Las Vegas.
Alas, we shall not be in attendance, but at
home stoking the campfires.
Until next time, my pretties. Ciao, ciao,
ciao!
ADVICE COLUMN:
Monica Garrett
Dear Monica,
I am a 35 yr old woman who's dating a very sexually abusive
man, and have been for 3 years now. I would leave him except
he controls every aspect of my life; my bank account, my
income, even when I sleep and eat. I was foolish enough to
get into this relationship in the beginning; he was my boss.
But now I really want out. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Trapped!
Dear Trapped,
Being in a controlling relationship is difficult! But you
really must try to escape this man before something horrible
happens to you. This sounds more like a case for the local
authorities if you cannot do it on your own. Forget the
money, the job, and the lifestyle he might be affording you;
no abuse is worth that! Get away from that man now before
it's too late. If you have nowhere else to go, check into a
local woman's shelter; they can help you.
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