Washington DC: Friends & Foodies

For the last four years, I have been able to attend some of the most intellectually stimulating conferences around the country because the church I work at (and community I am a part of) values the continuing of my education. I have been able to learn about economics and how to be a better grassroots organizer in our nation's capital, studied adolescent development in Sacramento with fellow youth workers, and learned about immigration in Tijuana while staying with recently deported migrants. This year, I attended Sojourners' Mobilization to End Poverty (M2EP) in Washington DC. I am a firm believer that a good conference experience includes three components: education, experience, and fun. The following entries are from my trip at the end of April 2009.

Fun is an important component to any conference experience. Listening to amazing speakers, while inspiring, can leave you feeling quite saturated with information and inspiration....unless you plan moments of escape along the way. For the second year, I stayed with my good friend from high school in Phoenix- Chris Perry (CP). Chris, Heather, and Zaid (CP's roomies) showed me an amazing time. Many thanks to them! Here are some snaps from our culinary and sporty adventures.

Ben's Chili Bowl

This classic, much-talked about DC spot was founded in 1958. CP and I had both wanted to visit the jaunt made famous by Bill Cosby and most recently President Obama (who visited when campaigning with Mayor Fenty). We both had the "half-smoke" and shared some chili cheese fries. Washing it down with red drink- I found myself set for the evening! Cool historical fact about Ben's...
In 1968, the assassination of Dr. King lit a fuse of rage. Riots ensued. Most of the city closed down; Ben’s remained open. Stokely Carmichael of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was located across the street, obtained special police permission to allow Ben’s to stay open after curfew to provide food and shelter for activists, firefighters and public servants desperately trying to restore order. After the riots, the area was in shambles. Businesses shut down. But there was some glimmer of hope in the neighborhood as the concept of "Black is Beautiful" emerged. Ben’s continued to serve an eclectic crowd of Regulars. You can read more about the history of Ben's Here.

Founding Farmers & Post-Peace Corps BBQ

My oldest friend (born six weeks apart/grew up next door to each other) Jean came down from New York to hang for the day. After we met up at the Lincoln Memorial, we began our hunt for a good breakfast. We stumbled upon a place called Founding Farmers because it was heavily guarded by police...we later found out that the cops were actually guarding the IMF from potential violent demonstrators.
Founding Farmers believes that everyone benefits by knowing more about the source of the food they eat. They understand the journey of their products from seed to harvest, and from Farm-to-Table. Owned by a collective of American family farmers, Founding Farmers exists to promote the products and services of family farms, ranches, and fisheries. They celebrate and share the long-standing connection between farmers - the first to lead the “green” movement - and their historic stewardship of natural resources (adapted from welcome statement).
The food was as good as we had hoped! I went for the Skillet House Hash with Sausage and a coffee; Jean opted for the Benedict with an Arnold Palmer. Later in the day, I re-met up with Jean at a house party thrown by one of her friends in the Howard University area. The bbq was great and filled with loads of folks who had spent time in the Peace Corps (Jean spent two years in Peru with the corps). It was great hearing stories from around the world before I began the trek back to Arlington/CP's for the night.

Rocket Bar for Game 7 of Washington Capitals vs. NY Rangers Playoff series

I have never been a big Hockey fan, but who can resist a Caps comeback from a series at 3-1? Not I. I joined CP and all of his friends at Rocketbar, a space age lounge that boasts many tv's, pool tables, and a great locale for the occasion (it was across the street from the game). Decked in Red and White, I quickly learned to chant C-A-P-S...forgoing my New York roots in favor of the underdog. It was a blast to say the least...plus they had Anchor Steam from SF on tap!Many thanks again to CP, Heather, and Zaid for hosting me! It was great to hang with you all- I look forward to my next time on the East Coast with you all!

Washington DC: Running with Rage

For the last four years, I have been able to attend some of the most intellectually stimulating conferences around the country because the church I work at (and community I am a part of) values the continuing of my education. I have been able to learn about economics and how to be a better grassroots organizer in our nation's capital, studied adolescent development in Sacramento with fellow youth workers, and learned about immigration in Tijuana while staying with recently deported migrants. This year, I attended Sojourners' Mobilization to End Poverty (M2EP) in Washington DC. I am a firm believer that a good conference experience includes three components: education, experience, and fun. The following entries are from my trip at the end of April 2009.

For the last few weeks I have been training for the infamous Bend area Pole Pedal Paddle competition. The race takes place on may 16th and is a relay of sorts that starts off with a downhill ski to cross country ski to bike to 10K run to paddle on the river to sprint. To see a more detailed description of the race check out my teammate Nole's blog here. I will be running the 10K, hopping in a canoe with Nole to paddle, and closing out the race by jumping out of the canoe and sprinting to the finish.

Since I am in DC for 5 days, I have to make sure to continue with my training while here. The other morning I went for an incredible run from the Smithsonian to the Washington Monument, around the National Mall and finished with a dramatic climb up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Running in DC is incredible.

Reason #1: Elevation
I felt like a superhero because my lungs are used to running at 3,600 feet above sea level...therefore I ran a lot longer than ever before.

Reason #2: Sights
With so much to look at- monuments, people, cherry blossoms, etc...one cannot help but be distracted from the task at hand. I am a firm believer that the sport of running is 90% psychological...in other words, I'll take all of the dirstractions I can get!

Reason #3: Musical Reflection
While running along the Reflection Pool, I couldn't help but think of all of the great protests that have taken place on the very ground I stepped on. I decided it fitting to listen to Rage Against the Machine's first album while I ran.

+Notable moments included listening to the words "all of which are American dreams," from the song Know Your Enemy while staring down the Monument dedicated to our founding father George Washington.

+ Listening to Wake Up while catching a breather and walking by the Vietnam Memorial...the words of Zack de la Rocha ringing in my ear...

"Movements come and movements go Leaders speak, movements cease When their heads are flown 'Cause all these punks Got bullets in their heads Departments of police, the judges, the feds Networks at work, keepin' people calm You know they went after King When he spoke out on Vietnam He turned the power to the have-nots And then came the shot"
+and finally, climbing the steps of the Lincoln Memorial drenched in sweat while hearing the chorus of the album's final track Freedom. When I got to the top my eyes met President Lincoln's for the second verse...I turned around walked down a few steps, looked out upon the reflection pool and saw the following at my feet- "I Have a Dream." Engraved in the marble, the words of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr...delivered here over 40 years ago.

I stood there out of breath and full of emotion. Freedom indeed.

Washington DC: Mobilization to End Poverty

For the last four years, I have been able to attend some of the most intellectually stimulating conferences around the country because the church I work at (and community I am a part of) values the continuing of my education. I have been able to learn about economics and how to be a better grassroots organizer in our nation's capital, studied adolescent development in Sacramento with fellow youth workers, and learned about immigration in Tijuana while staying with recently deported migrants. This year, I attended Sojourners' Mobilization to End Poverty (M2EP) in Washington DC. I am a firm believer that a good conference experience includes three components: education, experience, and fun. The following entries are from my trip at the end of April 2009.
The three-day event held at the Convention Center played host to 1100 attendees from all over the country interested in the intersection between faith and poverty. It was great to hear presentations from people that I have long respected- Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren, Bishop Mark Hanson, Jeffrey Sachs, Glen Stassen, Vincent Harding, Alexia Salvatierra, Van Jones and many others.
The conference by the numbers...
1153 people attended The Mobilization to End Poverty, representing 44 states (and The District of Columbia) and 6 countries ( Australia, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Madagascar, UK).

82 Senators and 210 Representatives received visits from Mobilization attendees during Capitol Hill Day.

353 voicemails were left on Congressional office message machines to plan all those visits.

90 volunteers served more than 540 hours to make The Mobilization to End Poverty a success.

24 denominations were represented by Mobilization attendees.

60 speakers attended The Mobilization.

15 workshops and training sessions were available at The Mobilization.

750 AIDS caregiver kits were created by Mobilization attendees through World Vision.

7 sponsors and 41 outreach partners joined with Sojourners to make The Mobilization happen.

645 tweets about The Mobilization hit the twittersphere during The Mobilization.

5 members of congress and 2 staffers spoke at the Congressional Rally.

67 news articles about The Mobilization were published.

1 Presidential Address to the conference.....click here to see President Obama's Message to the faith-based community

I look forward to posting more from my time in DC soon- it was a great experience filled with many memorable moments, new friends, and much-needed inspiration.