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Win a Miami Condo for $100

South Beach is one of my true loves in life.  In fact, I was just there during Inaugural/MLK weekend, taking advantage of a rare 4-day weekend that everyone in Washington, DC enjoyed.   

Between swimming in the teal ocean, reading on the beach, and not wearing a jacket, we came to the conclusion that one day, we should all move there, rent a shack to put our stuff in, and basically live on the beach. (Maybe open a HotPads South Beach office, eh?)

Now, I'm sure we weren't the first group to be struck with the profound realization that beach living was nice, so I'm sure this charity raffle is of interest to many of you.

Veterans Retreat has organized a raffle for a 1 bedroom condo in Miami Beach in which a maximum of 7,000 tickets will be sold for $100 each.  Then one lucky person will win the condo highlighted in the video below.

The proceeds of this raffle go to help wounded veterans, so the cause couldn't be better.  More information about the Charity Raffle can be found on the Veterans Retreat website: here

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Inaugural Wrap-up

Well, things are finally winding down here in Washington, DC after a smooth Presidential Inauguration.  Keeping in line with the majority of the city, HotPads also took a rare day off of work yesterday to enjoy the inaugural festivities and witness history (and avoid the impossible commute to the heart of Georgetown). 

Since most of our readers were probably unable to make it to Washington, DC to witness the inauguration first hand, I thought I'd share the HotPads excursion via the photographic lens of Alisa Peters, the wife of one of our senior software engineers.

As many people living in Virginia can attest, the metros were crowded to say the least, so many decided to huff it across the bridges.  Here is a view of Doug Lewis making the trek over the Memorial Bridge on the way to the Mall.

 

It was prettttty cold outside: there was a layer of ice over the Potomac and everyone was bundled up.

But it was pretty amazing to be part of the huge crowds gathered along the mall.  The final HotPads location was "somewhere between the Capitol and the Washington Monument."

 

The huge megatrons were spread out over the Mall and visitors could read the subtitles for all of the speeches.

   

Overall, I've heard nothing but positive experiences, despite the bitter cold and long bathroom lines.  Today, most visitors are gone and the city is getting back to normal: Metros are running on time, cars are crossing bridges, and the viewing stands are being deconstructed, but all in all it was truly a weekend to remember.

(Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments!)

Inauguration Weekend Schedule

Not only are there extended bar hours and a great inaugural concert to look forward to, but there is a whole slew of events planned.  Here's just a selection of some of the great events in Washington, DC and beyond:

January 17

President-elect Obama is wrapping up his train tour to Washington, DC with stops in Philadelphia, PA at 10:05 am and Wilmington, DE at 1:00pm.  He will then make his final stop in Baltimore, Maryland where he will hold a public event at the War Memorial Plaza.  

January 18

The Lincoln Memorial Concert at 2:30 pm

(See the full list of performers)

January 19

Community Service Day

7:00 pm The Kids' Inaugural at the Verizon Center

This will be broadcast from 8-9:30pm on the Disney Channel

January 20

11:30 Swearing-in Ceremony

The President-elect will be sworn into office at the US Capitol.  The Mall will be open for visitors to gather and jumbo-trons will broadcast the ceremony.  

2:30 Inaugural Parade

The Inaugural Parade will follow the swearing-in ceremony around 2:30 pm, following Pennsylvania Ave from the Capitol to the White House.

January 21

8:30am National Prayer Service

President Obama and VP Biden will gather at the National Cathedral to join others for prayer and meetings.  

Here's the official weekend calender: Inaugural Weekend There is also a map that shows all of the inaugural events, or download a copy Download InauguralEvents .  

ps. Let us know how everything went!  I'm sad to be missing the festivities, but 4 day weekends only come so often and Miami Beach has my name written all over it...

Friday Funday: Obamauguration

As Washington, DC residents are surely aware of, the City Council voted for a later last call for bars in the District. Many bars applied for and were granted extended hours for this inauguration, after agreeing to pay $250 a night extra.  While generally bars close at the early, early time of 3am, visitors and residents alike can party at many of these places til 4 am.

Here is a partial list of bars* in Washington, DC neighborhoods that will stay open until 4 am. (The links are to the neighborhood on the map so you can compare where you are staying with what neighborhood you are in.  Check out the Post article for links to the bars.)

Adams Morgan

There was a lot of controversy amongst some of the residents in Adams Morgan, a vibrant neighborhood that boasts one of the most extensive strips of bars in the nation.  While bar and club owners clearly wanted extended hours during the inauguration, they were met with resistance from neighbors who pointed to their "voluntary agreements" that ensure peaceful relations between neighbors and businesses. Therefore, Adams Morgans (or "A-Mo" as the cool kids call it) bars have reached their own agreement:

Friday & Saturday: All bars close at 3 am (as normal)

Sunday & Monday: All bars close at 3 am (one hour later than normal)

Tuesday: All bars close at 4 am (rather than the usual 2 am)

Capitol Hill

The Dubliner

The Hawk and Dove

Kelly's Irish Times

My Brother's Place

Cleveland Park

Atomic Billiards

Nanny O'Briens

Ireland's Four Fields (the old 4 P's)

Downtown

The Black Rooster Pub

The Bottom Line

Old Ebbit Grill (Great food too, if you can get a reservation)

Josephine

Kstreet Lounge

Lotus

Recessions

Rumors

Dupont Circle

Buffalo Billiards (w/ darts, billiard tables and shuffle boards)

Cafe Citron 

Fly (re-live your flight out here by partying in a plane)

The Front Page

Gazuza (hookah bar)

MCCXXIII (don't be intimidated, that's just "1223", the address)

Madhatter (my fav)

Sign of the Whale

Foggy Bottom (very close to Georgetown bars too)

The 51st State 

The Rookery

Georgetown

Clyde's 

J. Paul's

Martin's Tavern

Nathans

The Tombs 

Glover Park

Bourbon

Gin and Tonic

Northeast

Fur

Ibiza

Love

Penn Quarter

Austin Grill

Bar Louie

Clyde's

Fado

Lux Lounge

Rocket Bar

U Street

Busboys and Poets

Chi-Cha Lounge

Local 16

Solly's 

Woodley Park

Murphy's of DC

For all those visitors already in Washington, DC: welcome!  For those of you on your way here: safe travels!  For those of you fleeing the District: get some sun!

*We don't have any relationship with any of these bars, the ones I have included are simply ones I have heard of and/or been to and/or know people who like them.

Washington, DC Granted Emergency Funding; Announce Bridge Closings

The White House answered Washington, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty's proposition for emergency aid yesterday to help with the growing tab of the Obama inauguration: roughly $47 million.  Neither Virginia nor Maryland has received similar funds, despite estimates that the influx of visitors and preparation for the inauguration will cost $16 million for Virginia and $12 million for Maryland.

While traditionally federal aid is provided in the event of natural disasters or weather, this funding is based on the enormous crowd projections and the equally enormous costs of preparing and providing for these visitors.

Bridge Closings

For all those planning on coming to DC for the inauguration, be aware that the Secret Service has decided to close many of the most-used bridges for crossing the Potomac to personal vehicles.  This includes the Roosevelt, Key, and Memorial Bridges, which will all be closed to incoming traffic from 2am to 7pm on Inauguration Day.  However, private charter buses, public transportation, and pedestrians will be allowed to cross into the district from Virginia.  (Note: outbound traffic will still be able to leave the district, but good luck with the traffic!  Driving through Georgetown on M street is a nightmare on Saturdays, I can't even imagine what it's going to be like during Inaugural weekend!)

Even for those who live or are staying in Washington, DC driving should be a last resort.  Parking is going to be minimal and traffic unbearable, so leave the cars at home and enjoy the beautiful (though cold) weather this inaugural weekend.   

(and if all else fails, you could brave the cold and just kayak across the river!)

Update: Apparently, the Coast Guard thought of that and will be patrolling the waters to ensure that nobody kayaks across.

Artists Announced for the Inaugural Celebration on Lincoln Memorial

The inauguration of Barack Obama has already reached unprecedented levels, so the announcement of a star-studded inaugural concert on the Lincoln Memorial wasn't shocking.  However, after reading through the list of A-list stars and artists who will be performing changed that- it is basically a who's-who of heavy hitters in the music industry.  

Now, I know a lot of Washington, DC residents are looking to get as far away as possible from the millions of expected visitors -opting instead for an "Inauguration Vacation"- but this lineup for "We Are One: The Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" may well change their minds:

• Bruce Springsteen (If you are like me, the Boss is reason enough to go)
• Beyonce
• Bono and U2
• Garth Brooks
• John Legend
• John Mellencamp
• Josh Groban
• Herbie Hancock
• James Taylor
• Heather Headley
• Mary J. Blige
• Renee Fleming
• Shakira
• Sheryl Crow
• Stevie Wonder
• Usher
• Will.I.am 

Not only are there going to be 20 huge stars from every genre of music performing, like so many things in Washington, DC... it's FREE!  This performance will entwine the past and the present, with historical speeches read by notable actors and historically significant Americans.  The concert will begin at 2pm on Sunday and will be broadcast later in the evening on HBO. 

Did this stellar line-up convince you to come to Washington, DC for the inauguration?  Don't worry, there's still time to find inaugural rental housing!

Search for Inaugural Housing

Inauguration Approaching Quickly- Have you secured housing?

Washington, DC is a flutter with the arrival of President-elect Obama.  With Sasha and Malia starting school yesterday at Sidwell Friends and Obama finally settling in, preparations for the January 20th presidential inauguration are well underway.

As the city gears up for the influx of expected visitors during the presidential inauguration, many are still scrambling to secure housing during inaugural weekend.  

Luckily, many residents in Washington, DC- even those hesitant at first- have decided to make their homes availbe to rent for the inauguration.

As inauguration weekend quickly approaches, it is extremely important for both inaugural renters and inaugural landlords to secure and finalize the arrangements for inaugural housing as soon as possible.  

If you have not yet found a place to rent for inauguration, you can conduct your search easily with our inaugural housing search.

Search for Inaugural Housing

If you have not yet found a tenant, make sure to list your inaugural rental on HotPads.  

List Your Inaugural Rental!