Jaybird's Jottings

The African-American Civil War Museum

For over a decade, the African-American Civil War Museum resided on U Street in DC’s Shaw neighborhood.    Several months ago, a CVS drug store replaced it.  Normally, this kind of a move would prompt arguments over the pros and cons of gentrification (Excellent set of posts on the subject at Greater Greater Washington).

Fortunately, in this case, the Museum moved just down the street and set up in a larger building at 1925 Vermont (near the corner with U).  

I paid a visit today.  They’ve done a wonderful job, adding tall sepia-toned photos, exhibits, interactive screens and room for about 100 chairs for speakers.    The docent told me the building used to be the gym for Grimke School.

Took these photos.   Admission is free but donations accepted.   

 

 

 

 

 

Our Visit to a Hmong Family

I have one other note to add about our trip to San Francisco.   On Thursday we left the cooler temps of the Bay Area for the hour and a half drive to a hot Sacramento (our temp gauge showed a change from 64 to 103).   My wife's aunt has relatives there in the sprawling capital city.   The extended family is part of the Hmong people (According to wiki, “There is debate about usage of this term, especially amongst Hmong living in the West, as it is believed by some to be derogatory, although Hmong living in China still call themselves by this name.”)

We sat down in their home and began talking.  Toua, the forty-some son, came from Laos to Sacramento in the late 70s.   

Hmong men who assisted the U.S. in the Secret War in Laos migrated to America in 1975.   In 1997, our government finally acknowledged US involvement in the covert campaigns against the North Viet Cong in Laos.  In May of that year, the veterans of these battles received medals, congressional recognition and a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

I went to Arlington Cemetery last week and found the commemorative plaque.   If you want to see it, walk out of the Visitors Center, continue up Roosevelt Drive, turn left on Grant Avenue, and it’s the third plaque on the right in Section Two.   

 

The Kastles Are King

For fans of the Washington Kastles, there was good news and bad news earlier this week.   On Sunday night, the team defeated the St Louis Aces 23 to 19 in overtime to take the World Team Tennis title, capping off a 16 and 0 season. (The geniuses at WTT have their championship match played on a neutral site).

The trophy was their second in three years and the Kastles became the first team in WTT history (36 years) to record a perfect season.

Unfortunately, their story joins a long list of others that got knocked off the front page by something even bigger.  In this case, with the signing of the labor deal, the NFL came roaring back. 

Of course, in today’s world, it’s no longer the zero sum game of the front page of the newspapers.   Fans can turn to the web and their regional sports broadcast.   Here in Washington, that would be Comcast Sports who does a nice job of covering the local teams. 

On Monday morning, I waited for the highlights and interviews on CSN.     The NFL news came first, then the Nationals and then the Orioles.  No problem there, completely understandable.   But then they showed highlights of the Yankees game.   Oh yea, because we love the Yankees here.

Next they showed the Phillies highlights.   Gee, I had it all wrong.   We love the Phillies too.

Then they showed a boxing match.   Yea, you can’t get enough of pugilism and this match was certainly more of a story than what the Kastles achieved.

Finally, at nine minutes after the hour (an eternity when you’re impatient and got one foot out the door), CSN showed the Kastles highlights and interviews.

Look, I get it.  Team tennis is real low on the sports food chain, and the CSN editors make their decisions commensurate with those ratings.   But I think they should realize there are exceptions and the Kastles’ perfect season qualifies as such.

So here’s to the Kastles for their extraordinary achievement.

Go DC teams, and our new partners, the Yankees and Phillies!!  

 

 

Fasten Your C-Belt

Let’s see, Giants’ outfielders with a healthy OPS+ and good speed.

Yep, we’ve had our share of those type players and we can now add Carlos Beltran to the club.

Losing Wheeler stings, but I’ll take this, the obvious reason of needing wood, and although it is a stretch, getting Beltran feels like some kind of cosmic comeback for July 1993 when the Braves got Fred McGriff as part of the Padres’ fire sale.

Anyway, bienvenidos Carlos! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harper at Bowie

In June, Don and I drove to Hagerstown to see Bryce Harper at Hagerstown.  On Tuesday night, a much shorter drive, 30 minutes to Bowie to see the Nationals Number One 2010 draft pick.   Paid attendance was 7,268, easily the most we’ve seen at this stadium which holds 10,000.

Right in front of me, a lady spoke with and hugged the Senators Bill Rinehart.   He had just been notified of being traded to the Reds.  I asked another player if he knew who the Nats got in return.  He didn’t know.   Later, we learned it was the Gnomes trade.    

In addition to a walk, Harper hit the ball hard all three times, a ground out and a line out and reached on an error.  

Harrisburg lost 5 to 2 but won yesterday 6 to 3.   Harper hit his first AA home run.  The Senators are one and a one-half game ahead of Bowie and red-hot Richmond in the playoff race.    

SF Photos - Cable Cars and Chinatown

 Whenever we visit San Francisco, we use the MUNI bus system to get around.   Once in a while, however, we get the urge to play tourist and take a cable car.   Would never do so starting from Fisherman’s Wharf, but on Friday we needed to get from Market Street to Nob Hill, so we took the California Street Line (Car 54 where are you?).

The route passes by Chinatown, which is a must see if you visit San Francisco.  Good Dim Sum can be found in the burbs, but this is the chance for authentic and scenic surroundings.  

 

Well folks, that’s a wrap on our visit to the City by the Bay.   In closing, I’d like to thank J.R. Conlin, a tech savvy gent who I sat next to on the flight.   We were both wearing SF hats, so I broke the ice with him by saying, “This must be the row for Giants fans.”

JR thanks for the conversation, and I enjoyed reading some of your blog – “Inked Stained Bananas.”   

 

 

 

 

SF Trip Photos - The Game

I know it’s a schmaltzy way of thinking, but for me, I still say the best games are National League teams, day game, played on grass.  But of course, my feelings of the game we went to on Wednesday go far beyond that marker.   Although we lost 1-0 to the Dodgers, I count my blessings.   As I wrote last week, the weather was perfect, we got to see Lincecum, our seats were excellent, tight game, the crowd produced the 47^th straight sell out, and sharing it with our friends Joe and Dana.

The pre-game experience was also fun to soak up.   Momo’s and a few others used to be the main players, but now the area has filled in nicely with plenty of options.  We found Paragon and Ironside enjoyable on Second Street.   

 

SF Trip Photos - Ballpark Tour

One of the highlights of our stay was a tour of AT&T Park.  I took it, oh, ten years ago, but knew the Giants had added some things.   One addition is their Wall of Fame (September 2008), nicely done and easy to take in as you walk along the north side of the ballpark on King Street.    

Another is the large black and white photographs along the upper deck concourse.    Judging from the group’s reaction, they were most attracted to the Crazy Crab, a brief fling with silliness the team had in 1984.    Of course, like many things in life, Crazy Crab was misunderstood.

On my previous trips to Giants games, I’d always seen the retired numbers.  But not close up like this and they added Monte Irvin in 2010.

So, can you name them all?  (Note:  Irvin has not been added at the Giants official site).

If you want to take the ballpark tour, don't delay in buying tickets and check the days and timing.  This photo makes it seem like not many took it, but it (10:30) was sold out (50).   We broke off into two groups of 25.  

By the way, nice job by the guide.

SF Trip Photos - Berkeley

The better half is a graduate of Berkeley, which means she is way smarter than me.  Of course, I’m the one who can drive a stick shift, so after a brief tour of the campus, up the western slope of the Berkeley hills we went.   

Millions have seen the stunning view of San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge.  This one, while not as spectacular, is worth the effort of getting there.

 

Our Trip to San Francisco

We had a real good time on our vacation to San Francisco and the Bay Area.    Nice to see family and friends, and we thank them all for their generous hospitality.

Great to be back home, sweet home.    Certainly hot, but nothing like slipping into shorts and your own bed.   

Ok, it’s show and tell time.   So I can get some things done, I’m going to do one photo per post.

Enjoy! 

 

Dulles has always been my favorite piece of architecture, but with security crammed into the upper floor, the plodding people movers, and the dull gray paint, well, inside left a lot to be desired.  Now, with security downstairs, the new tram system, and the cosmetic touches, the whole experience is excellent. 

There is still one thing that needs improvement, a small one for sure, but worth mentioning.  Upon landing, the steward announced, “Welcome to Loudoun County.”

Say what?

Come on guys, get real and bring back “Welcome To Washington Dulles.”   The last first impression visitors need is an example of our petty provincialism. (To say nothing of the fact that the Fairfax County line runs through the airport property too!)

Otherwise, great job.