Off the Beaten Path is your weekly source for the most interesting things to do and places to go in the DC, MD, and VA area. From festivals to pillow fights, Off the Beaten Path provides a weekly list of worthwhile adventures. Published every Sunday by MetroMontage.com.
Welcome to Issue #2 of Off the Beaten Path. This weeks issue includes the Pentagon, hon’s, stars, sustainable fare, and multi-media art. Feel free to share this issue with family, friends, or co-workers by using the “Share/Save” button at the bottom of this page.
Have a suggestion for a future issue of Off the Beaten Path? You can submit your suggestions by clicking here.
The Pentagon is the work place for nearly 23,000 people. Completed on January 15, 1943, it took only 16 months to build at the cost of $83 million. The land that it was built on was a combination of wasteland, swamps, and dumps. 41, 492 piles of concrete and 5.5 million cubic yards of earth helped make the foundation of the building, and 680,000 tons of sand and gravel from the Potomac River was made into concrete and molded into the Pentagon form.
Those interested in seeing and finding out more information about the Pentagon can schedule a guided tour of the building via their website or by contacting their Congressional or Senate Representative. The tour last for about one hour and is 1 1/2 miles in length. Read up on the Security Information before attempting to schedule your tour. Tours are only available by reservation only.
When: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are not conducted on weekends or federal holidays.
Where: Army Navy Dr & Fern St, Arlington, VA 22202
Website: http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/
Cost: Free
“Hi, Hon!”, the famous Baltimore term of endearment has been celebrated in the form of a festival dating back to 1994. Honfest 2010 includes a variety of activities and musical acts, but the highlight of the festival is Baltimore’s Best Hon Contest. Ladies dress up in their brightest dresses and beehives in attempt to be crowned Baltimore’s Best Hon 2010. The festival officially kicks off on Friday, June 11 with a free concert at Roosevelt Park.
When: Saturday, June 12 & Sunday, June 13
Where: 36th St. Hampden neighborhood
Website: http://www.honfest.net
Cost: Free
Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area has seven miles of marked trails that are open to the public and their pets. In addition to being a great place to go for a hike, the Natural Environmental Area also has a Scales & Tales Aviary, a visitors center with exhibits, and they offer various programs throughout the year.
One of the upcoming programs is in association with the Westminster Astronomical Society, Inc. Soldiers Delight Star Gazing, will give participants the chance to take “a journey through the night sky”. If you do not own your own telescope it is not a problem, volunteers from the Westminster Astronomical Society will have telescopes on hand for participants to use.
When: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area, 5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills MD 21117
Website: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/event-view.cfm?Event_ID=19143
Cost: Free, pre-registration required
Phone Number: 877-794-0606
Woodberry Kitchen is one of Baltimore’s hidden treasures. Located in the historic Clipper Mill section of Baltimore, originally the home to the factories that made the sailing cloth for clipper ships, the Woodberry Kitchen is known for its focus on sustainable fare. The restaurant uses local produce and organic meats to create an eclectic menu that includes gluten free options. The restaurant is truly off the beaten path so be sure to follow the directions that the restaurant provides on their website. Also, reservations are encouraged.
When: Monday – Thursday 5 pm – 10 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 pm – 11 pm, Sunday Brunch 10 am – 2 pm, Sunday Supper 5 pm – 9 pm
Where: 2010 Clipper Park Road, Baltimore, MD 21211-1498
Website: www.woodberrykitchen.com
Fondo Del Sol Visual Arts Center is a non-profit multi-media museum that was founded in 1973 in memory of the painting “Dos De Mayo” by Francisco De Goya. The painting depicts the Spanish uprising against the French occupation of the city of Madrid on the second of May in 1808.
The museum is also bi-lingual and community-based which means it is owned by its members. The collective group of artist, filmmakers, and educators at the museum dedicate themselves “to the art and cultural heritage of the people of the Americas and to the great American Diaspora.”
Current exhibitions include Dino Aranda’s – A Majestic Voice of Inner Torment, Agustin Victor Casasol’s – Shadows of the Revolution– a tribute to Juan Boza and the Abaqua, Latina USA – An overview of major contemporary Latina women artists living and working in the US from 1971 – 2006, Under the Curtains of Heaven – a collection of works telling Jamaica’s history and culture through painting and sculpture, In Search for A Lost Iberia– a collection of work by two artist from the country Georgia and two artist of Iberian descent, and The Fall of the Soviet Empire – Works by V. Kandelaki, T. Nalaresko, and A. Schnurov
When: Wed. – Sat.; 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., closed Sun. – Thur.
Where: 2112 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Website: www.fondodelsol.org
Cost: Free, Donations welcomed.
Off the Beaten Path is published every Sunday by MetroMontage.com, a photography site that features the most intriguing events, people, and places in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area, and on rare occasions other metro areas. Presented by freelance photographer Anthony Washington. Want to know more about MetroMontage.com? Visit www.metromontage.com/about.
You must be logged in to post a comment.