Back In Four

Its been just over a month since inaugural insanity gripped Washington, DC. The happy feeling was tangible for days before and after, and it was so exciting to see so many people come together in celebration of a common cause in my adopted hometown. For now the celebrations have subsided, and more serious matters are once again the focus of the nation’s capitol. But for me and many others, the feeling that sprang from this year’s inauguration hasn’t completely left us–people are volunteering to help others, paying more attention to politics, and doing more than ever to be a part of the solution to whatever our problems are. I personally will spend the next few years doing the same, until its time for the inaugural insanity to start all over again.

Luda and Dionne Dis DC?

Perhaps it was the pricey tickets or the weird combination of legends like Dionne Warwick and rappers like Ludacris, but apparently their much hyped American Music inaugural balls scheduled to happen Jan. 20th never took place, according to the folks over at BizBash. Not enough people hankering to party with either of them for $400 is my guess at what did the event in… Oh well, they have four years to get it together for next time.

Pissed Off Purple Ticket Holder?

Fox 5 News in DC reported today that inaugural ticketholders who were turned away from the big event on Tuesday will be eligible for a special token to make up for the drama they experienced:

Thousands of people trying to get to the inauguration are left stranded in the 3rd Street Tunnel under the National Mall on January 20, 2009 (photo submitted by Anna Della Subin to the "Survivors of the Purple Tunnel of Doom" Facebook group page)

WASHINGTON — The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies says ticket holders who were blocked from entering the swearing-in ceremony will receive commemorative inaugural items.

Thousands of ticket holders were kept waiting in a tunnel below the National Mall on Tuesday. Others say access to the U.S. Capitol grounds was cut off.

Committee spokeswoman Carole Florman says those with blue, silver and purple tickets who didn’t make it in will receive copies of the swearing-in invitation and program; photos of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden; and a color print of the ceremony.

She says people should check the committee’s Web site early next week for instructions on how to claim their items.

Authorities say they are reviewing what happened.

Woman Rescued from Metro Tracks Tuesday Morning

Usually hearing someone came in contact with Metro tracks doesn’t end in good news, but on Tuesday a Houston police officer gave one woman a happy ending after she fell onto the tracks at Gallery Place/Chinatown.

From Metro’s press release:

Houston officer makes inaugural rescue

An officer from the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (Houston Metro) helped rescue a woman who had fallen onto the tracks at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station earlier today (January 20).

While patrolling the Red Line platform at the station around 9:15 a.m., Officer Eliot Swainson, a 15-year veteran of the Houston Metro Police Department, heard people yelling that a person was on the tracks. “I turned around and saw a lady standing in the track area,” Swainson said.

He rushed to the woman and with the assistance of a Metro rider, they reached down to try to pull her up from the tracks, but were unable to as a Red Line train heading toward Glenmont was pulling into the station. “The train was coming in closer,” Swainson said. At that point, “I pushed her down and got her tucked down under the platform.” He directed the woman to remain in the crawl space beneath the granite platform edge for safety.

“Due to Officer Swainson’s quick response, the woman was not seriously injured,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn. “He did exactly what was expected, and we are enormously grateful for his actions.”

The 68-year-old Nashville woman was not hit by the approaching train. An emergency response crew pulled her out from under the platform and took her to an area hospital with injuries that were not believed to be serious.

Officers from 18 transit properties across the country joined the Metro Transit Police today to help provide security for the Metro riders on Inauguration Day. After being deputized to police in Washington area on Monday, Jan. 19, the officers received a safety briefing from the Metro Transit Police about what to expect and what to do in emergency situations.

During the morning incident, Red Line riders faced major delays. Normal service resumed around 10:15 a.m.

To view an interview with Officer Swainson, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EtrA3bYaas

Mambo for Obama Discount Tix Available

The fine folks putting on the Mambo for Obama have added a new cheaper ticket price for the Sunday night event:

We now offer a fourth ticket option. It’s for those on a little tighter budget or those who are attending other balls or galas that want a place to party when that event ends (we will be open to 4:00am). To view and purchase that ticket OR one of the other options, please visit  http://www.mamboforobama.eventbrite.com

$50
-Admission after 11pm or with ticket from another ball or gala
-Complimentary Wine and Champagne until 12am
-Performance by Orquesta La Leyenda
-Dancing until 4am with DJ Bruno

Obama That One Discount Tix Available!

I’ve gotten this email a few times in the last 24 hours. If you want to hit what sounds like a fun event at 50% off, here are the details:

50% off on all ticket levels, JUST FOR YOU, to make sure you are all there to celebrate history in the making!

Come out and celebrate “Obama: That One!” with me this Sunday, January 18th at Newseum, the world’s most interactive, state-of-the-art news museum and THE HOTTEST VENUE in Washington D.C.  We have put together an incredible evening of entertainment hosted by Broadway’s own Omar Edwards and honoring the Who’s Who and tastemakers of this amazing era – Hill Harper, Beverly Bond, John Rhea, Senator Roland Burris and Kimatni Rawlins.

Once the awards are over, be prepared to party the night away with Beverly Bonds as she takes command of the stage to bring you the hottest music as we celebrate President-elect Obama, the Change Movement and the New Year!  Go to ObamaThatOne.com to purchase tickets – use Coupon Code life4obama and Host Code 41899.  I look forward to seeing all of you on Sunday!

Map and Ticket Information for Swearing-in Ceremonies

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets for next week’s swearing in, new information on where to go and what to do on Tuesday is available courtesy of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

A few key changes: security gates will now be open at 8am rather than 9am to ensure everyone the 240,000 ticketed guests can get to their seats, and when you pick up your tickets, take note of the color and check out the map to find your entrance.

Inauguration of the President: JCCIC Releases Map and Ticket Information for Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremonies.

I stopped by the Capitol last night to check out the status of the construction, and just take it all in before the big events happen next week. There was definitely some sort of energy there–if its possible for something to feel historic, I think that was it! Of course, it would have been great if we were at the other end of the Mall to see the Obamas pay a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, or at Ben’s Chili Bowl when PEBO got a half smoke with Mayor Fenty.

Two Days Left to Win Free Inaugural Trip

A few weeks ago I posted information about the Case Foundation’s Change Begins With Me contest, giving an awesome prize package to a lucky winner who takes the time to share ideas about creating change in their community. With the inauguration only 10 days away there is still time to enter. It really couldn’t be easier–in 250 characters, explain what you can do to help your community. Seriously, there is no reason NOT to enter. I did and I live in Washington DC! Its a chance to do more than win a prize. Seriously, there is no reason NOT to enter. I did and I live in Washington DC! Its a chance to do more than win a prize, although its a pretty good one. The winner receives:

* two tickets to the Inaugural Ceremony & the Hawaii Inaugural Ball
* volunteer opportunities on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Washington,
* three-nights hotel stay
* airfare for you and a guest to the Nation’s Capitol
* a Flip video camera

The entries are online, and there seem to be only about 250 at this point. Here’s a few samples from the site to give you an idea of the scope of issues close to people’s hearts:

Andrea J. wrote: Always actively participating in my government. And staying fluent on the concerns of other people world wide.

Amir I. wrote: Find the solution to the problem between Israel and Palestine. I would do this by asking everyone on the internet to post their solution to the problem. I know there is a solution.We are all creatures created by one God.

and

Devin M. wrote: improve my community by making it safer for everyone! I commit to making the generation beneath me more intelligent and ready to be respectful, responsible teenagers. I also commit to making all youth be heard in my community, in the world.

See how easy it is? Your turn!

Celebrating on a Budget? Start Here.

Apparently presidential inaugurations are completely recession-proof. Despite our country’s current economic state, prices for most things connected to the 56th Inauguration aren’t dropping one bit. Hotel prices are across the region are sky high and ball tickets are through roof. This is a pricey endeavor, specially if you’re planning to roll with the black tie crowd. But fear not: there are more thanenough free or cheap things to do–Obama related or not–that you can still have a fantastic time.

First off, if you haven’t taken advantage of the not one but two opportunities to win a free trip for two to the inauguration with all the trimmings, start there. If you win the only thing you’ll have to worry about is who to take with you and what to wear!

On Sunday afternoon, a welcome event at the Lincoln Memorial marks the official kickoff of the inauguration festivities. Start your day there, then head over to the FDR Memorial and back around to the WWII Memorial to take in some of the sights with the rest of the crowds. 

On Monday, the day before Obama’s swearing in will be a busy one across town, as people take part in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. If you’re traveling with a group from another city, consider signing up for a service project while you’re in town.

Monday will also feature two free concerts in different parts of town. The Kennedy Center, in partnership with Georgetown University (Hoya Saxa!) will present the “Let Freedom Ring” concert featuring Aretha Franklin, Nuttin but Stringz, and the Let Freedom Ring Choir. Starting at 4pm, one ticket per person will be distributed outside the concert hall, and the concert starts at 6pm. I imagine the line will start to form early–to get there, catch the Blue/Orange line train to Foggy Bottom and look for the red Kennedy Center shuttle or take the 15 minute walk.

Also on Monday, a free kids concert hosted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee is planned at the Verizon Center. Details on performers, time, etc. haven’t been announced yet, but tickets will be required.

Several other low cost performance events are planned for Monday night, including the Big Shoulders Inauguration Ball at the Black Cat on 14th St NW, for $50 per person, featuring artists and activists from Chicago. At the Harman Center for the Arts in Chinatown, $25 gets you tickets to A Celebration of Change: From Emancipation to Presidency, featuring the Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra.

Tuesday is the big day when millions are expected to fill the National Mall and downtown DC streets to view the parade and swearing in ceremony for President-elect Obama and Vice-President elect Biden. If you have tickets for the swearing in, plan to be in your seat as close to 9am as possible, when the gates open. For others planning to watch via Jumbotron on other parts of the Mall, get there early too, and don’t bring anything!

On Tuesday night ball gowns and tuxedos will fill the city’s hotels, museums and other fancy spaces, but budget partiers have some options. Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights is hosting the Common Man’s Inaugural Ball, where $69 gets all you can drink from 9pm-4am, a commemorative poster and a t-shirt. On your way there, stop by Red Rocks Pizzeria a block away for some great pizza before the party. For those a little less hipster, Soccer Moms for Obama is hosting a celebration at the Women’s Club of Chevy Chase for $60 per person. Entertainment and hors d’Oeurves are included, but drinks are not. 

This is just a taste of some of the free and low cost things to do during this inauguration weekend. For more ideas, check out the DC’s convention and tourism bureau’s list of 44 free things to do around town, and check back for more budget friendly posts. If you are hosting or going to an event that should be included, share!

Another Free Trip to the Inauguration

Today the Obama/Biden Inauguration Committee announced a chance to win a trip for two to the inauguration, complete with hotel, in exchange for a donation to support the inauguration. Even if you aren’t willing or able to give, you can still enter to win just by signing up.

According to the email “you could be one of 10 selected to join us in Washington for all Inaugural events. Any donation you make between now and January 8th counts — whatever you can afford.” It’s not quite clear what all inaugural events means exactly, but since this is straight from the O/B committee its safe to say it will probably be worth your while.