Free Language Classes!

Ever wonder how much fun it would be to tell your boss to "shove it" in a foreign language?!

The Global Language Network is here to help! A student org that started at GWU, they host language immersion and language survival classes in over 20 languages...for FREE! Anyone is welcome to join; they just require a $100 deposit to make sure the instructors/organizers don't waste their time setting up a class no one goes too. Registration is open now for the Fall season until October 6th.

Feel free to comment here with fun new phrases you've learned!

Mountains of Femininity

Pop Quiz: What do Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keefe have in common?

Answer: Same thing they have in common with me - A love of the picturesque Southwest landscape.



Both of these artists lived and worked in the American Southwest and were, in fact, pals. They kicked it at Georgia's ranch in New Mexico and stared at the same red rocks together. The current exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum compares their photos and paintings. It runs through Jan '09. And of course, it's a Smithsonian so it's free.

So get to the gallery and stand in get inspired...and maybe a little aroused.

Peter, are you sure it was a book?

For the bibliophiles out there, the National Book Festival is this weekend. I normally try to avoid anything Laura Bush is involved in, but hey, Tiki Barber will be there too, so it can't be all bad. Schedules for the author pavilions and book signings are on the website.

And for those who enjoy imbibing responsibly to make McCain more palatable, here are just two of the Presidential Debate Drinking Games I've found on that crazy thing we call the Internet.

Green Hump Day

So Bethesda is out of the District technically, but it's still on the Metro. So ride over to the launch of Bethesda Green, a new environmental non-profit.

Check out this swanky little networking opp at the Hyatt Regency Wed September 24th! There's going to be sweet jams from 94.7 the Globe (the self-proclaimed green radio station of DC) who plays some kickin' classic rock. There will also be some free nibbles from Organic to Go and a cash bar (come on that doesn't need a link!).

Make your humps green and get to Bethesda.

If you missed Restaurant Week...

...Ceiba is celebrating its fifth anniversary this week by offering $5 mojitos/margaritas and lunch/dinner food specials until Sept 20th. Sounds delicious!

U-Street Shenanigans

According to random sources and fliers, every third Thursday selected U-street neighborhood shops hold a "Shopper Social". Now, while I don't encourage shopping or generally buying things you don't need, I do encourage socializing.

So go meet some vendors, check out their wares and eat their free hors d'ouerves this Thursday, September 18th. Or any other third Thursday for that matter!

Walking/Bike Tours

Cultural Tourism DC is hosting 80 free walking/biking tours around DC this weekend (Sept 20-21). Check the schedule out here.

A Kick in the Arts

You thought summer festivals were over? No way.

The Arts on Foot is having an outdoor festival in Chinatown and it's sponsored by Wines of Argentina. How exciting is that? So there will be wine and restaurant sampling, music, arts, and crafts. If you have kids, I guess you could bring them, but keep them away from the "World Market Wine Area", k?

All over Penn Quarter there will be all kinds of exhibits from film screenings to museum open houses.

So while this freevoliter is on crutches, will some of you PLEASE take advantage fleeting late summer weather?

Rock out at the KC

The Kennedy Center's Open House Arts Festival is this Saturday, September 13. From noon and 11PM, there will be free performances in the various performances spaces. Artists range from a step group, "junk jams," clowning, and storytellers to a marching band, a beatbox flutist, and ballet troupes. If you want a real DC experience, stay late for the go-go groups and dance lessons (especially if you think go-go means exotic dancing).

More Festival Fun

Only two days left till the DC Shorts film festival! There are nine showcases scheduled throughout the week from September 11-18, playing mostly at the E street theater. Each viewing costs about the same as a regular movie, but there are 4 free events at noon next week (hour long viewings of family, animated, arab/israeli, or latin shorts) and a few screenplay readings also.

More transportation fun!

Now that you've enjoyed your solar cab ride, be prepared to ditch your car completely. September 22nd is Car Free Day. The goal is to give everyone a glimpse of what our neighborhoods would be like with less cars moving around. Even if you don't own a car, take the pledge and show your support...

...then five days later, break out the old cruiser and take a ride with WABA for Bike DC (on September 27th for the math deficient). It's a meandering 17 mile ride (not race), touching on a number of interesting places in the city and will be car free. Sure it's $35, but is a great way to support local biking and sweat off the Friday night hangover.

Not a Kareoke Cab, But Pretty Cool!

So the energy crisis is a little disheartening. I know some of you would prefer I didn't call it a crisis, but let's just put that aside and put a little sunshine in our lives.

The Swiss are ingenious (think Ikea and hot cocoa). One of theirs (or should I say ours - yes- I'm part Swiss!) is cruising across the world for the last year giving people rides in his Solar Taxi.

You can find him, and Carmen Sandiego in these spots this week:

George Washington University
Wed. Sep. 3: 11 am - 2 pm, 21st & H St NW

Woodrow Wilson Building
Wed. Sep. 3: 3-4 pm , 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Capitol Hill
Thur. Sep. 4: 11 am -1 pm, Maryland and 1st St SW
(Garfield Circle, betw. U.S. Botanic Garden & Capitol Reflecting Pool)

Ride On!