Safekeeping

The National Archives of the United States is the repository of historical documents that range from the Declaration of Independence to transcripts from the Nuremberg Trials. This building does not, by itself, contain every single meaningful or historically significant document or artifact known to historians or Americans. In a warehouse system in suburban Maryland and in presidential libraries nationwide reside parchments and reliquaries of American history the likes of which the average American will likely never lay eyes on.

The Archives are open to the public and you can see, behind gas-filled, bulletproof glass in vaults that are raised each morning from their basement repose, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Magna Carta. On July 4th every year, the Founders of our nation gather on the steps of the Archives and there read to the assembled public the declaration that resulted in America's independence from the sovereign rule of England.

Zip: 20004

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M Kincaid, 07/07)

Colorful

I finally got sick and tired of my everyday dinnerware, so I bought new stuff. For those outside the U.S. (and maybe even those inside), this is Fiesta Ware. Purty, innit it? I'm still waiting for a place setting in "Sunflower" and I've got to pick a tenth color, but I can't decide whether to go with "Tangerine" or "Rose."

The colors here (from bottom to top): Cobalt, Peacock, Turquoise, Plum, Heather, Shamrock, Scarlet, and Persimmon.

The colorful bowl in the center sitting on the dinner plates is a piece I bought at Under One Roof in San Francisco several years ago. UOR is a non-profit that sells donated wares and gifts with all proceeds going to AIDS research. If you're ever in the Bay Area, check it out. The inventory is constantly changing.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)

Best Buns

Best Buns Bread Co., 4010 28th Street South, Arlington, VA

Inside Best Buns

Located minutes from downtown is the Arlington County neighborhood of Shirlington, Virginia. The area includes an arthouse cinema, numerous restaurants, retail, and apartment and condominium living. It is also home to WETA 90.1 FM. This morning, my brother called and asked if I'd like to go out at lunchtime to Best Buns Bread Co. I couldn't say no. This is the only bakery in the D.C. area I've found that makes a sourdough loaf comparable in crust, heft, and flavor to what can be found in San Francisco. They also make great scones, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, and sandwiches.

Best Buns is part of the Great American Restaurants' chain in the D.C. area that includes the Carlyle Grand, Mike's American Grill, the Sweetwater Tavern, and Coastal Flats. If you're in the mood for good food, any one of these will satisfy. And if you love key lime pie, Mike's, Sweetwater's, and Coastal's serve the best key lime pie I have ever eaten outside of Florida!

Zip: 22206

P.S. This one is for my friend, Zanne. We waited here for the Gunfighter one Sunday afternoon and the three of us had a lovely time!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)

Juxtaposition

The Watergate and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Located on the edge of the Potomac and just south of Georgetown is the Watergate Hotel and Condominiums (on the left) and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (on the right.) The Watergate was the location of a break-in on June 17, 1972 by operatives of then-President Richard M. Nixon into the offices of the Democratic National Committee. The break-in became the spark that lit the fuse that blew open the Nixon White House and resulted in Nixon resigning. This week, the Nixon Presidential Library in San Clemente, California, was handed over to the National Archives and it has been announced that information regarding Watergate will be updated and corrected to present it not as "a coup" but as a breach of executive privilege. (In light of today's arguments from the Bush-Cheney White House re: executive privilege, Nixon's pratfalls seem benign in comparison.)

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the premier center for arts and culture in Washington, D.C. President and Mrs. Kennedy were great patrons of the arts and President Kennedy was an ardent supporter of the establishment of the Center. The origins of the Kennedy Center actually precede President Kennedy, though. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill authorizing the creation of a National Cultural Center. It was only after President Kennedy's assassination in 1963 that construction was accelerated and the center was named in his honor. Patrons and visitors of the Center can enjoy concerts by the National Symphony Orchestra, opera, plays, contemporary concerts, readings, and much more.

Zip: 20566

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)

Next Stop... Kensington

This is the train station in Kensington, Maryland, on Antique Row--the older part of Kensington proper. The CSX Railroad runs through here, as does the MARC train. Otherwise, it's just a quiet little station with a limited number of parking spaces. Across the street, on Antique Row, though, there are some great shops that feature old books and vintage bathroom hardware and similar goods.

Zip: 20895

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)

American Art

One of the few redeeming factors in Washington, D.C., is its museums, especially those in the Smithsonian system and the National Gallery of Art (which is not a Smithsonian museum, but is often confused as one.) All of the public museums are free, the result of generous bequests on the part of James Smithson of Britain and Andrew Mellon of the United States, respectively.

Cape Cod Morning, Edward Hopper, 1950

On Friday, my brother and I met up during lunch and wandered over to the National Museum of American Art (SAAM) and the National Portrait Gallery. While we were there, we saw a number of pieces by known artists. We also had the opportunity to converse with the director of the SAAM, Dr. Elizabeth Broun. She suggested we see the works of Albert Pinkham Ryder and Nam June Paik, in addition to our interests in Andrew Wyeth, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran.

Achelous & Hercules, Thomas Hart Benton, 1947

The pieces contained here are from the permanent collection of the SAAM and are shared here for your viewing enjoyment. To see greater detail, simply click on each image and it will open in a larger version in a new window. To learn more about each of the pieces, click on their respective titles.

Golden Gate Bridge, Ray Strong, 1934

Currently, the SAAM is hosting an exhibit of photographs by Harry Benson, as well as works on loan from the National Portrait Gallery of London and an exhibit by William Christenberry. All worthwhile and worth seeing. If you're in D.C., stop in and spend a few hours.

Interception, Mark Tansey, 1996

The museum allows photography in most of the galleries, but not in the special exhibits. The artworks contained in this entry were photographed by me, but are the property of the museum.

Zip: 20004

Photo copyrights: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)

All art depicted in this entry is the property of the National Museum of American Art/Smithsonian American Art Museum. All rights reserved.

Oz

Mormon Temple at sunset from the Capital Beltway (I-495)
just north of Washington, D.C.

View from the parking lot of the Visitor's Center

Rising above the Capital Beltway just north of town is the Washington, D.C., Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I stopped and took some pictures the other day, then tweaked them a bit with my photo software.

The Washington Temple is the fifth largest temple in the church's system of temples. (The largest is in Salt Lake City.) Among other things, this is where Mormons go to be married not just 'til death do us part' but, as they believe, 'for time and all eternity.' Contrary to popular myth, being Mormon does not automatically mean you get to go into one of these buildings. Members are required to meet a stringent list of requirements that include adherence to a health code, payment of tithing, service to the church, and obedience to the church's leaders.

If you commute on the Beltway in D.C., you're bound to hear references in the traffic report to "congestion/smooth sailing around the Mormon Temple and Georgia Avenue." Most folks in the area jokingly and affectionately refer to this temple as "Oz" or "The Emerald City."

Zip: 20895

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)

Happy 4th!

I really need to read the little book that came with my Canon A630 to find out how to best use the "Fireworks" setting on my camera. In the meantime, though, here's a picture of the fireworks from the rooftop of a friend's apartment building down near Meridian Park. This year's fireworks on the National Mall were some of the best and most colorful I've seen in all the years I've lived here. Truly spectacular! I'm sorry my picture doesn't better reflect that. Just as a reference point: the Washington Monument is to the left of the "rocket's red glare."

To see some great pictures of this year's fireworks, go here.

Happy 4th, friends!

Foggy Bottom

Today was gorgeous. Moderate temperatures, blue skies, puffy white clouds, a gentle breeze. I decided to get out of the office during lunch and drove down to Thompson's Boat House on the Potomac to take this picture of Foggy Bottom. Granted, it isn't at all reflective of the reason for its moniker, but it's lovely nonetheless.

In the spring and fall, particularly, the fog settles in this bend of the river at the foot of Georgetown, thus giving the locale its name--Foggy Bottom. Perhaps I'll take and post a picture one day that actually shows it with its namesake fog.

Just a few comments about what you're seeing in this picture. The bridge straight ahead is Key Bridge and connects Virginia with the southwestern boundary of Georgetown. At one time, aqueduct bridges spanned the Potomac. This one replaced a bridge further up the river. The spires you see to the right of the bridge are Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic university in the United States. Just to the east of it in the foreground is the Washington Harbor Center. The center boasts flood gates that can be raised to protect the property when the river level breaches the wall that line this bend in the river. Kayaking is a popular repast on this stretch of the river and when the weather is particularly lovely, as it was this weekend, traffic can be quite steady. On July 4, kayakers and boaters alike paddle and motor down to an area just below the Lincoln Memorial and all across the Tidal Basin to watch the fireworks.

Photocopy right: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)

On Approach

My intention yesterday evening was to take a photo of Foggy Bottom in Georgetown and post it here for my friend Aitch Em in the Ewe Kay, but alas, the photos did not turn that well. I'm going to try again on Wednesday, when I have the day off and I can be up bright and early for picture taking. In the meantime, though, I give you this plane on approach to National Airport. All planes approaching DCA must fly along a path that follows the flow of the Potomac River which means if a flight approaches from the north flying south, you're in a series of turns and banks that you otherwise don't experience in other approaches anywhere else in the country. This is an airliner as it banks over Roosevelt Island, just south of Foggy Bottom and across from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 07/07)