Cajun: Hotter Than the Weather

Chef Schoborg

The only thing hotter than the weather last night was the Cajun Experience created by Executive Chef Thomas Schoborg. If authentic, spiced-up Louisiana Crawfish doesn't get your temperature rising, maybe the sausage and seasoned potatoes will.  Click on the video here: http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/124763604.html

Kastles Ace Search for ‘Home Court Advantage’ with New Stadium

Mark Ein

by contributor Brendan Kownacki


The crowd was beaming with anticipation as they christened the newly opened Kastles’ Stadium at the Wharf. With the Southwest Waterfront off in the distance, some compared the stadium to AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants—since both venues allow a stray ball to pop over the wall and into the nearby water. And the water is certainly one of the attractions for the new home to the Kastles. Kastles’ stadium is the first tennis stadium in the country to offer boat parking, a complimentary perk available for season ticket holders.
   
The crowd of supporters and friends of team owner Mark Ein attended the reception to officially kick off the 2011 season and toast the Kastles under a “Wimbledon on the Water” theme. Complete with British and tennis inspired cocktails, guests sported festive summer chic outfits and chatted about which players they were most looking forward to in the upcoming matches. Game-Set-MATCH.


We caught up with owner Mark Ein and he told us what he’s looking forward to…Watch the video here:
http://youtu.be/kVveAhfy8_s

Our man panel answers some tough questions (part II)

Brendan Kownacki, Hollywood on the Potomac contributor

Why don't men help plan weddings? Why don't they ever call when they say they will? Our Man Panel weighs in!  Watch TBD's Let's Talk Live video here: http://tbd.ly/lSjnL5

We're sure that every woman wants to know the answer to question number two!

Inside "The Gray Zone"

Daphna Ziman and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

Former Lieutenant Gov. of Maryland Kathleen Kennedy Townsend hosted a book party for first -time novelist Daphna Edwards Ziman at the home of Timothy Shriver. Ziman, a well-known fixture on the Hollywood social scene and long-time advocate for foster children, turned out a novel based on her own life experiences.  Watch the video here:  http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/The_Gray_Zone_Washington_DC-124422589.html

Rejoice and Shout

Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

"Rejoice & Shout" is a new film that traces the evolution of gospel music through its many musical incarnations.

From the early hymns to the harmony quartets, to the blending of rap and hip hop, there is no doubt that "plantation music," as it is sometimes referred to, is the root of all music.  Read full article and see the trailer here:  http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Rejoice-and-Shout-124218334.html

Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Countdown to Elisir..........

Stand Up for Heroes….this is the home of the brave.

ABC's Claire Shipman, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, Lynn and Wolff Blitzer

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

It’s hard to ignore the power of a man who can garner the attention of the Pentagon’s top brass, media’s most influential voices…and Elmo: Bob Woodruff is the man with that prowess.  Woodruff, who is an award winning television journalist, is perhaps most recently remembered for his trip to Iraq in 2006 to report from the war zone when he was critically injured by a roadside bomb. Woodruff explains that the experience forever changed him and that it was this feeling of comradery with soldiers who were injured similarly that drove him to start the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
  

Lee and Bob Woodruff

Woodruff and his wife Lee welcomed an inspiring crowd at the Reagan Building on Thursday evening that included dozens of service members, some of whom traveled directly from their beds at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval hospitals to attend the celebration.  Proceeds from the evening will help the Bob Woodruff Foundation in its efforts to ensure the nation’s injured service members return to a homefront ready to support them. 

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates with the Secret Service and The Brass

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who will soon retire, was treated to a heartfelt goodbye message from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Michael Mullen and it was clear from the response of all the men and women in uniform throughout the room that his service would be missed. 

Admiral Mullen and The Daily Show's Jon Stewart

The patriotic evening spun forward with an appearance by comedian and host of The Daily Show Jon Stewart and a rousing performance from Grammy award winning trio Train. Stewart spoke about his support of American troops and how he tries to visit recovering soldiers as often as he can. “It’s the very least I can do” he emphasized. Among the attendees for an evening was a soldier who Stewart saw admitted to the hospital years ago upon returning from the war, and it was an inspiring scene for all to see as they reunited.  

Coming home

Stewart joked about politics and religion, poking fun at the President and driving home a patriotic spirit that would have made Bob Hope proud from his earliest days on the USO tours. Being in Washington, Stewart couldn’t resist joking about embattled Congressman Anthony Weiner who had recently resigned.  “I wish everyone’s last name was an indicator of the thing that would get them in trouble” he laughed. When asked later if he would ever consider replacing Weiner in congress or would want to run for office, Stewart sheepishly looked around and responded “No, not even in the slightest.”    We can’t blame him. 

But think of all the great car service he'll be missing.

The Woodruffs Host Heroes Event

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and The Brass

Jon Stewart & Grammy Award-winning band Train performed at the Bob Woodruff Foundation's Stand Up For Heroes event at the Reagan Building. Lee and Bob Woodruff spoke out on brain trauma.

Watch the video here: http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/The_Woodruffs_Washington_DC-124091444.html

Washington Life July Issue: Pollywood: Hollywood on the Potomac

Peggy Noonan

The Week honors Peggy Noonan with columnist of the year award, Woody Harrelson makes an appearance at The Last Mountain premiere, and more…click on full page here:

http://tinyurl.com/45y3d4w

The Man Panel starring Brendan Kownacki

Brendan Kownacki

Watch Hollywood on the Potomac contributor Brendan Kownacki weigh in on the Weiner scandal. 

Click video on here:  http://bcove.me/28qbb10n

Farmageddon: Unseen War on American Family Farms

Protesters

“Every farmer I have met has that bond with their livelihood," Kristin Canty said. "It's their land, their home, their animals, their source of income and the way they sustain their family.  Why would the government spend time and money trying to take that away?”
Watch video here:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Farmageddon-The-Unseen-War-on-American-Family-Farms-123915399.html

Poetry 'Louder than a Bomb'

Director Jon Siskel

Director Jon Siskel calls it the world's largest youth slam, as four Chicago high school students form poetry teams. But this is not your everyday poetry. Siskel takes us inside the film now playing at the West End Cinema.  Watch video interview here: http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/123615844.html

Art and Soul Intros New Chef With Patio Party

WUSA's Angie Goff

WUSA's Angie Goff popped up at Art & Soul's patio party where Art Smith welcomed his new Exec Chef Wes Morton. Smith brought us up to date on his new ventures and Morton showed us a few culinary tricks of his trade.  View video here:  http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Art_and_Soul_Washington_DC-123433389.html

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Swings by E Street

IMPACT Arts + Film Fund held a private screening of "On the Shoulders of Giants" at E Street Cinema, followed by a private dinner at Lincoln where we caught up with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.). Jabbar talks about his early days with The Harlem Renaissance Big Five, his oft contentious relationship with the press and receiving the Lincoln Award.

Watch video here:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Kareem_Abdul_Jabbar_Washington_DC-123370003.html

FRESH FM's new Morning Host Tommy McFly celebrates his 25th birthday

Brendan Kownacki Andrea Szempruch and Nick Massella

Click on video here: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/hB8qI8PC

The Tommy Show will be moving to mornings on Fresh FM. Send coffee.

Friends of Tommy McFly at Lincoln Restaurant

Street Soccer USA: Fielding Awards

Troy Vincent  Sheila Johnson Lawrence Cann  Mark Ein

Guests at The 2011 annual Sports for Social Change Awards Ceremony at the French Embassy didn't seem to mind competing with the loud sound of hail crashing down on the rooftop Wednesday night. The event honored four leaders in the community for their dedication and service to SSUSA and others.  Click on video here: http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Street_Soccer_USA_Washington_DC-123040653.html

Change is the Name of the Game

Maria Cuomo Cole  Sheila Johnson  Susan Koch

By contributor Brendan Kownacki

While Washington is usually known as an advocacy town rather than a sporting one, Wednesday night’s Sport for Social Change Awards at the Embassy of France was the perfect occasion to meld the two.

An enthusiastic crowd gathered to toast honorees for this year's awards and support the benefiting causes, Street Soccer USA and Help USA.  The causes themselves pride themselves with a slogan that “ending homelessness is a team sport” and tries to use the practice of organizing team sports activity to lift people out of impoverished situations. Washington D.C. will play host to the Street Soccer USA National Cup later this month, with the winning team eventually heading to Paris for the world championship.

Honorees for the evening included Washington Kastle’s owner Mark Ein (receiving the Philanthropy through Sport award) and former Washington Redskins player Troy Vincent, honored for his leadership in Sports.

Former Trenton New Jersey (hometown of Vincent) Mayor Douglas Palmer was on hand to tout the young NFL star and praise his virtue and charisma when it came to sports. Mayor Palmer, who describes himself as a man who likes to use curse words said that talking with Vincent inspired him to “not want to swear” and in his presence he found himself using phrases like “oh shucks.”  It is that inspiring attitude toward change that drives people like Vincent and other attendees to support causes like Help USA and spur social evolution through sportsmanship.

For more information on Street Soccer USA visit http://www.streetsoccerusa.org/ and be sure to check out the National Cup on June 10-12 at Washington Kastle’s stadium.

The President's Lobster Pasta.

Chef Ferrll. Photo by Dannia Hakki

Serendipity 3's Executive Chef Jason Ferrell wouldn't reveal the secret ingredients of their famous Red Velvet sundae, but WAS willing to share the recipe to the President's Lobster Pasta. The new Georgetown location boasts an eight-foot fiberglass statue of Abraham Lincoln and other political decor.  http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Serendipity_3_opens_in_Georgetown_Washington_DC-122929713.html