Really Cool Stuff: City Guide...

And now, some 'Really Cool Stuff' for the Fall Season (the short list):

The fall season has a lot going on & there is more than ample opportunity for social diversion or event-based activity. With so much happening (& since it was such a great hit over the spring), I thought I'd thus revisit my edition of "Really Cool Stuff" for the fall. But rather than to give you a personal list of places to go & things to do, I thought this time I'd give you the ultimate list of regional resources & let you find your own little excursions - something more attune to your own individual taste & personal desire.

Many of the great spots & city secrets that I listed in the spring however, still bear out in the Fall. For that, if you'd like a copy of my Spring Newsletter then please just contact me via. Email & I'll send you a copy.

First & foremost, I always tell people that there are a few regional 'must have guides' to the area. Between these you'll have a complete overview of the city, the scene, & a clear idea for what's going on…  

• The Washingtonian Magazine (& its counterpart, Baltimore Magazine) - particularly the 'when & where' section which offers great insight into coming events, hot tickets, & current happenings. Available at magazine stands & bookstores anywhere in the city, or online at: www.washingtonian.com   It also offers its own section of "cool stuff" as presented by Washingtonians (Hey, they stole my idea! Those rat bastards): www.washingtonian.com/inwashington/cool.htm
• Where Magazine - Written specifically for the city's tourist trade, it offers a fantastic outlay of the city neighborhood by neighborhood. It's also a great resource for shopping, galleries, parks, restaurants, shows, & events. You can pick up a copy in the lobby of most hotels throughout the city. 
• The Weekend Guide of the Washington Post (in the Friday Issue) - Everything from festivals to shows & concerts. If it's happening over the weekend then you'll probably find it the weekend guide.
• The City Paper - DC's premier alternative newspaper & THE resource for nightlife entertainment. A free weekly found in hotspot locations & is readily available throughout the city.  Check it out online at: www.washingtoncitypaper.com
• On Tap Magazine - Carries a direct focus on the pub & bar crowd, & is a great resource for happy hours, entertainment, & special events in the DC bar scene. Available all over: www.ontaponline.com 
• Bar DC (online) - Offers a very comprehensive listing of the city's clubs, bars, lounges, dives, cafes, coffeehouses, & restaurants; listed by region or venue: http://bardc.com
• DC Nightlife & Entertainment (online) - Online guide to DC nightlife: www.dcnites.com

Secondly, I'd to offer my personal top pics of area clubs, groups, & organizations (each which organizes various functions & events throughout the year). DC gets a bad rap for its social venue. The truth is however, that there's a lot to do & some wonderful people in this town, you just need to get out there & find 'em…

 

Professional Network Organizations (Socially Based):

• Professionals in the City - www.prosinthecity.com - With membership of over 50,000 it offers over 500 local events each year (ages range from 25-40). Events run from wine tastings to sporting events to embassy galas, as well as a broad range of lectures & seminars.
• Toastmasters - www.toastmasters.org (for their national directory): they strive to help professionals work on their skills in public speaking & open communication.
• Washington Network Group - www.washingtonnetworkgroup.com - “An organization of Washington’s next Insiders.” Its mission is to provide a forum that brings together professionals in business, finance, & government affairs. Ranked as one of the area’s 20 best network associations by Washingtonian Magazine.
• Washington Independent Writers - www.washwriter.org - Regional Association for professional freelance writers. Its focus is to serve as an educational forum & a professional network group.

Event-Based Organizations:

• Meet in DC - www.MEETinDC.org - A comprehensive list of events that are not cost prohibitive. Events are varied & the people that attend are friendly, unpretentious, & diverse (usually up for anything).
• Things to Do - www.thingstodo.com - A “premier organization for socializing & networking with fellow young professionals.” It sponsors everything from black tie galas to nightclub parties or wine tastings to weekend getaways.
• The Sociables - www.sociables.org - An expansive network of individuals & professionals in & around the DC area who host events, gatherings, & galas to meet like minded individuals for social interaction. Not specifically a singles group but rather an open social forum for fun folks. Ages range from 20-60.
• Learning Escapes - www.learningescapes.com - Events & trips for singles in the DC area. Events vary tremendously & it’s my experience that these go better with a friend or two. Things can be fun but people tend to be rather inhibited depending on the event & the type of crowd it draws.

Cultural Organizations:

• 1869 Corcoran Society - www.corcoran.org/1869 - The society hosts 2 gala events, 2 on-site cocktail parties, 2 exhibit preview/receptions, quarterly new member brunches, & cultural events throughout the year (trips, tours, lectures, etc.). Membership starts at $105 & membership in the Corcoran is required before you can join. 
• Young Benefactors of the Smithsonian - www.youngbenefactors.org - The organization is focused essentially on the fundraising & support of the Smithsonian Institute. Ages range from 25-45 & cultural events are held regularly throughout the year. The core of social contact however is to become an active ‘committee member.’
• Culture Vultures - www.wpas.org - Their motto reads: "Go Artsy, Be a Foodie, Meet People." This is essentially the Washington Performing Art's Society group for the 20 & 30 something crowd. Members are offered discount tickets to the society's most popular shows, & hosts an after-party with cocktails & appetizers ($10). Membership is free. 
• Other Groups Include: The Camelot Circle of The Kennedy Center & The Phillips Contemporaries (Thursday night "Artful Evenings" are kinda cool)..

Culinary Organizations:

• Washington Wine Academy - www.washingtonwineacademy.org - hosts public & private wine tastings & educational forums (Will Shore of the wine brats have since merged w/ the wine academy). Events include a wine & Jazz series. This is a great venue in my experience for a casual date or an evening w/ friends.
• Dinner in the City - www.dinnerinthecity.com - They host “unique upscale events paired w/ great food & networking opportunities - all with a stylish flair & sense of fun.” Events range from small intimate dinners & member’s only cocktail parties to large galas & elegant evenings of wine tasting.
• Taste DC - www.tasteDC.com - The group essentially organizes culinary & food-related events throughout the DC area. Popular events include theme-based embassy dinners & wine tastings. Prices range from $55-$125.   

Sports Organizations:

• Washington Ski Club (SCWDC) - www.scwdc.org - The organization sponsors over 40 ski trips each year but the club is not specific to just skiing. Events are held year round & range from hiking & biking to volleyball & sailing (sports however is a general focus).
• Living 4 Adventure - www.living4adventure.com - Hosts adrenaline pumped adventures such as kayaking, rafting, & skydiving around the metro region.  And what's more cool that skydiving?
• Capital Hiking Club - www.capitalhikingclub.org - Hosts 1 or more hikes each week (& you don’t have to be a member to go). All Saturday hikes depart from 16^th & I St. NW @ 8am. Fees are $18. They also have a monthly moonlight hike. 
• Potomac Pedalers - www.bikepptc.org  - The largest cycling club in the area. They host more than 1,000 planned weekend rides / year: nightly after-work trips in the summer, overnight excursions, an annual Colonial Williamsburg weekend, etc.  

For Something a Bit More Upscale:

• Cosmos Club (2121 Mass. Ave.): www.cosmos-club.org - In operation since1878, it was formed for the "advancement of its members in science, literature, & art." Indeed, it is a hub of intellectual thought for the DC area offering members lectures, forums, concerts, & author dinners as well as socially based events. Annual dues range from $800-$1,800. 
• University Club of Washington DC (1135 16^th St.): www.universityclubdc.com - With 2,400 members, the club hosts a very active social calendar (w/ affairs such as rooftop happy hours). The historic location also maintains an array of amenities: exercise room, racquetball, billiards, & several dinning / club rooms.   

Other Misc. Organizations:

• Spiritual Singles of Washington DC - www.spiritualsingles.org - Several groups meet around the area for an open forum discussion on spirituality & social events for those of like mind in heart & spirit. Personally, I get the feeling they’re perhaps a bit funky as a group, but aren’t made up of zealots either. That's just an opinion…
• The Higher Achievement Program - www.higherachievement.org - Individuals volunteer to mentor young men & women around the metro region.

So that's it!  I hope you've enjoyed what I have to offer. I trust your summer was good & that you'll have a great fall season. If my team or I can be of assistance in any regard then please don't hesitate to call…

Rick~