Shop Tax-Free This Holiday Season in the Golden Triangle

Avoid crowded suburban shopping malls, use your lunch time wisely, and do your holiday shopping tax free in the Golden Triangle! The District-wide Sales Tax Holiday takes place Friday, November 23 through Sunday, December 2. No sales tax will be charged on clothing, shoes, or accessories, each priced at $100 or less. Find out more at www.otr.cfo.dc.gov or call 202.727.4829.

Pick Up Your Copy of ShopGolden

Those tax-free dollars will go even further if you pick up the Golden Triangle BID’s holiday shopping guide this November. Beginning November 19, look for the guide to be distributed by ambassadors outside the BID’s three metro stations: Farragut North, Farragut West, and Dupont Circle South. The guide is chock-full of specials and holiday promotions from BID businesses to make your holiday shopping quick and convenient. Feel free to ask any friendly ambassador on the street for your copy of ShopGolden!

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks, Dressed in Holiday Style

Your ShopGolden experience will be even more special with the Golden Triangle’s holiday lights! A string of stars will adorn lightpoles on street corners beginning November 19. This year, even more holiday lights will be shining: find them on Connecticut Avenue, K Street, M Street, parts of Pennsylvania Avenue, and around Farragut Park! The Golden Triangle is the place to do your holiday shopping with tax-free, discounted shopping amid festive city streets. In the air, there’s a feeling…

Ambassador of the Month: Diamantina Dixon

Ms. Diamantina Dixon has been an ambassador for nine months, and has already earned accolades for her outstanding work. She began as a member of the hospitality team, greeting visitors to the Golden Triangle and providing directions and general assistance. She then became one of the BID’s dispatchers, communicating over the radio with the ambassadors on the street to answer questions or dispatch help when needed.

Ms. Dixon transitioned well into her new role. She took her experience as a hospitality ambassador and began an initiative within the program to track the activity of bike couriers. The Metropolitan Police Department now more heavily enforces regulations preventing bike couriers from gathering on streets and being disruptive to passersby as a result – something she takes great pride in. Her supervisor, Ms. Terri Pratt says, “She is a great asset to the team. She takes initiative, and is a definite team player.”

Ms. Dixon came from Cambridge, Massachusetts, three years ago, and lives in the District with her husband and her three children. Her children keep her busy in her free time, and she is expecting her fourth child in February. Her husband also works in the Golden Triangle, as a cook at Hudson Restaurant & Lounge.

Ms. Dixon’s passion for her job is evident when speaking with her. She truly enjoys it, and finds it very rewarding. She has received several notes of thanks from those she has helped, including one from the mother of a nine-year-old girl found lost on the street. She, along with a small team of ambassadors, reunited this young girl with her mother. She says, “The sense of family among our team, and also in the community as a whole, is what I love best about being an ambassador.” The ambassadors work closely every day to achieve the collective goal of making the Golden Triangle clean and safe. It is with people like Diamantina Dixon that this neighborhood truly becomes such a place.

Meet Your Neighbor: Alan Popovsky – Hudson Restaurant & Lounge (2030 M Street, NW)

Alan Popovsky joined the Golden Triangle as owner of the newest hot spot, Hudson Restaurant & Lounge. He recently sold his restaurant, Felix, and decided to bring his energy and expertise to this thriving, vibrant neighborhood. He says, “It’s cleaner, safer, and we think this is a great area.”

Hudson Restaurant & Lounge is a comfortable yet chic place to wine and dine. A unique business offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Saturday and Sunday brunch, there’s something for everyone at Hudson. Whether you’re looking for a brick-oven pizza or grilled fish, there’s something to satisfy your taste buds. The restaurant is also open late-night until 1:00 am Monday through Thursday and 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, so stop in for a cocktail or grab a breakfast smoothie on the way in to work!

Named after the 17th century explorer, Hudson is a new adventure for Popovsky. In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Popovsky says he feels “liberated” to be in this new space. He looks forward to the future and the potential that this new location offers. Stop in to explore Hudson for yourself at 2030 M Street, NW, or call 202.872.8700 for more information.

Peacock Grand Café Opens on K Street

Hudson isn’t the only new kid on the block. Peacock Grand Café will open its doors in one short month, bringing its Georgetown expertise to K Street – and kicking it up a notch. Peacock Grand Café, owned by brothers Shahab and Maziar Farivar, will offer casual yet refined dining with innovative dishes that are fresh and simple. Stop in to 2020 K Street, for lunch, brunch, and dinner, or enjoy their expansive bar and lounge space during happy hour. Call 202.530.2020 or visit www.peacockgrandcafe.com for more information.

Taberna del Alabardero’s Menu is Simply Seafood in November

In Spain, November is the peak of fishing season, and Taberna del Alabardero will celebrate the fresh, wild caught seafood Spain has to offer. Throughout the entire month, the seafood menu will replace the regular menu, but guests can still request beef, poultry, and vegetarian dishes. Menu items will include such selections as: traditional basque tuna and potato stew, seared scallops with smoked potato cream puree and little neck clams with a garlic-parsley broth.

General Manager Paco Pena says, “We are always looking for new ways to share our love of the Spanish culture and cuisine, which is why we have decided to showcase the natural abundance of seafood that Spain has to offer throughout the month of November.”

Also in November, Taberna del Alabardero will host a wine tasting dinner priced at $125 per person. For more information on all of these events call 202.429.2200 or visit www.alabardero.com.

McCormick & Schmick’s Honors Veterans on November 11

Washington, DC, area McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurants will host their annual Veterans Appreciation event on November 11. They will offer all retired U.S. military veterans a free entrée in appreciation for their service to our country.

“McCormick & Schmick's is proud to continue our tradition of showing appreciation for the military veterans who have served our nation with such dedication,” said Doug Schmick, co-founder of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants. “We are expressing our gratitude to these service men and women by providing them with the opportunity to enjoy quality time with their loved ones in a place that offers a lively atmosphere and exquisite food for the entire family.”

Stop in to 1652 K Street, NW, or call 202.861.2233 for more information.

November Events at Borders

Stop in to Borders Books & Music, located at 1801 K Street, NW, for these events during the month of November:

• Peter Schmidt discusses and signs his book “Color and Money” on November 19 at 12:30 pm
  
• Ron Kessler discusses and signs his book “Terrorist Watch” on November 19 at 6:30 pm
  
• Michael Gerson discusses and signs his book “Heroic Conservatism” on November 20 at 6:30 pm
  
• Darren Coleman reads from his book “A Taste of Honey” on November 27 at 6:30 pm
  
• Panel discussion and signing of the book “Peter Jennings: A Reporter’s Life” with Cokie Roberts, Lynn Sherr, Sam Donaldson, and Kayce Jennings on November 28 at 7:00 pm

For more information on any of these events, stop in to Borders at 18th & L, or call 202.466.4999.

Shoes by Lara

‘Tis the season of boots, and Shoes By Lara has your feet covered! All boots are 20-50% off in November. Stop in to either of their two locations in the BID this month. Shoes By Lara is located at 913 19th Street, NW, and 1139 18th Street, NW.

Feel Like You’re in Spain at Café Citron

Add a little spice to your Mondays and come in to Café Citron. Every Monday enjoy a flamenco show beginning at 8:00 pm with a vocalist, guitarist, and dancers. Also, get a free glass of wine or sangria with one of their fabulous Spanish dishes!