Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia #DMV

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Renowned Film Director Shyam Bengal will be at DC South Asian Film Festival June 1-3 2012

This article was fisrt published in my Examiner column on Sunday 27th May 2012)

The weekend of June 1 to June 3rd promises to be a treat to South Asian movie fans with the DC South Asian Film Festival opening at the Universites of Shady Grove Rockville.

Growing up in India , I was very much in awe of director Shyam Benegal and still remember the scenes of Ankur one of the great films I have seen. The good news is that he will be in Rockville MD next weekend ( June 1-3rd) at the DC South Asian Film Festival. Several Bollywood greats are exepected to be there including Deepti Naval, Dev Anand's son Suneil Anand. The DCSAFF.com website has more info :

Ketan Mehta(Director of Mangal Pandey, Mirch Masala, Maya), Deepti Naval (Memories in March, Firaaq, Shakti), Rajit Kapur (Guzaarish, Well Done Abba!, Zubeidaa) and Raima Sen (Memories in March, The Japanese Wife, Teen Patti). We also have a number of prominent artists who are working to promote South Asians here in the American film industry, including Ajay Naidu (Office Space, Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler), and Samrat Chakrabarti (Deepa Mehta's upcoming Midnigh Children, NBC's 30 Rock, HBO's In Treatment).

I am really excited that local Dc area resident Manan Singh Katohora’s award-winning film 9 Eleven is being screened. This movie was made entirely in the Washington DC area. Deepti Naval’s debut film as a director Do Paise ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane ki Baarish is also being screened. See the full schedule here http://www.dcsaff.com/schedule

Tickets to the individual films are $10 and workshop -The Art of Filmmaking - By Shyam Benegal ~~$75.00~~ $60.00 per person (Limited to the first 50 Seats). Ticket info is herehttp://www.dcsaff.com/tickets

Definitely expect a lof of participation from Bollywood buffs in the East Coast. If you go to the First Annual Washington DC South Asian Film Festival do let us know your experience by commenting here.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Tomorrow Gaithersburg National Book Festival

Jennifer Abernathy at the Gaithersburg Book Festival 2011 #GBurgBookFest

[PHOTO] Jennifer Abernethy Author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Social Media Marketing, 2nd Edition" at the Gaithersburg Book Festival in 2011.

2012 Gaithersburg Book Festival 2012

When:
SATURDAY: MAY 19, 2012 10AM - 6PM

Where:
GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL GROUNDS FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING

Check out the author's who will be there http://gaithersburgbookfestival.org/featured-authors-2/featured-authors

More details http://gaithersburgbookfestival.org/

Post brought to you by:
Shashi Bellamkonda (Mr.) | Adjunct Professor Georgetown University
Featured :
Washington Business Journal | Washingtonian Magazine Tech Titan 2009 & 2011 | Small Business Influencer 2011 Champion | Winner of the 2012 Minority Business Leader Awards| AmEx Open Forum | Featured in 10 Books
Content : SmallBizTrends | SmallBizTechnology | Food & Restaurants | Technology & Social | Network Solutions Blog | Digital Thoughts | DC Happenings | Examiner | GrowSmartBusiness

Friday, May 4, 2012

Wings-of-Fancy Live Butterfly Exhibit at Brookside Gardens Starting May 5th - Sept 16

Wings-of-Fancy Live Butterfly Exhibit
Saturday, May 5 through Sunday, September 16
10:00am-4:00pm daily
Fees: $6 adults; $4 ages 3-12
Brookside Gardens South Conservatory
Groups of 15 or more by appointment only, call 301-962-1467 for reservations. We regret that we are unable to accommodate strollers in the Butterfly Exhibit. Wings of Fancy Hotline: 301-962-1453

Event Details: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/events_calendar.shtm

1800 Glenallan Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
301-962-1400

Hours:
Gardens: sunrise - sunset
Visitors Center: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Conservatories: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Post by: Shashi Bellamkonda (Mr.) | Adjunct Professor Georgetown University
Twitter: @ShashiB | Google+ | Facebook | Linkedin | Flickr | Pinterest
Featured :
Washington Business Journal | Washingtonian Magazine Tech Titan 2009 & 2011 | Small Business Influencer 2011 Champion | Winner of the 2012 Minority Business Leader Awards| AmEx Open Forum | Featured in 10 Books
Content : SmallBizTrends | SmallBizTechnology | Food & Restaurants | Technology & Social | Network Solutions Blog | Digital Thoughts | DC Happenings | Examiner | GrowSmartBusiness

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

[EVENT] Travilah Quarry Earth Day on Saturday, May 5, 2012

On May 5th the Quarry on Piney Meetinghouse road will hold a Earth Day event that is open to the public from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. The quarry is located at 13900 Piney Meeting House Road in North Potomac.
It is fun for family and kids and we enjoyed the event with out kids in previous years.
From the organizers:

As in years past, the event is open to the public and is free of charge. Activities include a 20 minute narrated bus tour into the quarry pit which ends with a drive through the truck wash – line up early!
There will be large trucks on display so that visitors can get up close and take advantage of a great photo opportunity. Aggregate Industries US will be serving up pulled chicken sandwiches, popcorn, and cotton candy.
In addition to all of the fun and games, we invite you to stop by the information tables and learn about quarrying, rocks and minerals, and much more.

Details at http://quarryearthday.com

View Larger Map Driving Directions

Monday, April 30, 2012

ProductCamp DC- Saturday, May 5, 2012 at  CustomInk in Tyson’s #pcampdc

The first Product Camp DC was held at the offices of Network Solutions in 2010. It is a unconference and it is FREE. The way Product Camp and pretty much all unconferences work - Attendees and speakers arrive at the conference and add topics they want to talk about or want speakers to talk about. All attendees then get to vote real-time and the organizers create the agenda and the conference begins.

If you are scared to speak in public, going to conferences like this will help you gain confidence. Hope you will consider attending.

When: Saturday, May 5, 2012, 8:30 AM

Where: CustomInk, LLC

7902 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA

Please register at http://www.meetup.com/ProductCampDC/events/48130972/. More details of the event at http://www.productcampdc.org/

Post by:
Shashi Bellamkonda (Mr.) | Adjunct Professor Georgetown University
Featured :
Washington Business Journal | Washingtonian Magazine Tech Titan 2009 & 2011 | Small Business Influencer 2011 Champion | Winner of the 2012 Minority Business Leader Awards| AmEx Open Forum | Featured in 10 Books
Content : SmallBizTrends | SmallBizTechnology | Food & Restaurants | Technology & Social | Network Solutions Blog | Digital Thoughts | DC Happenings | Examiner | GrowSmartBusiness

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Men's Night at Paabo April 30th 6 to 9 p.m.

Men's Night at PAABO to Honor Heroes.
Here is the event information. ( Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/293615324051359/)

On April 30th from 6pm-9pm you are invited to join us for a special evening honoring our community's firefighters. Come out and join us to meet and say thank you to our local heroes.
****In honor of the heroes in our area we will be offering complimentary haircuts to our fellow firemen.****

Our Special Event will include:

*Several raffles including: Washington Nationals *Tickets and a $100 cash door prize donated by Johnny & Mary Holiday, Hair by Paabo salon services, and other special secret prizes!
*Complimentary haircuts to our Bethesda Firefighters
*Complimentary coffee donated by Caribou coffee
*Complimentary hair and beauty consultations by Hair by Paabo staff
*Complimentary Dermatological consultations
*Specials on Eufora Hero Men hair products and other Hair by Paabo retail items

To RSVP please call: 301-654-5538
Hair by Paabo | 7000-G Wisconsin Ave | Bethesda | MD | 20814

Our Special Event will include:
*Several raffles including: Washington Nationals *Tickets and a $100 cash door prize donated by Johnny & Mary Holiday, Hair by Paabo salon services, and other special secret prizes!*Complimentary haircuts to our Bethesda Firefighters*Complimentary coffee donated by Caribou coffee*Complimentary hair and beauty consultations by Hair by Paabo staff*Complimentary Dermatological consultations*Specials on Eufora Hero Men hair products and other Hair by Paabo retail items
To RSVP please call: 301-654-5538 Hair by Paabo | 7000-G Wisconsin Ave | Bethesda | MD | 20814
Special Guest
Book Signing with Honi Borden , author of "The Day I Became a Superhero" inspiring you to your own inner Light & Superpower. Honi is an inspirational speaker, intuitive healer, a spiritual mentor, a modern meditation teacher as well as a Holistic Wellness Eco-Beauty Expert. A portion from each book purchased, will be donated to Eufora Event forhttp://www.ChildHelp.Org/ To learn more about Honi Borden & her Holistic Wellness and Healing Services, please visit her website http://www.HoniBorden.com/

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

“Fishmonger Face-Off” at Whole Foods Market Rockville @ 1 PM April 13th

On April 13 Whole Foods Market’s expert fishmongers will go head-to-head in our first ever “Fishmonger Face-Off” at Whole Foods Market Rockville @ 1 PM.

WHAT: Whole Foods Market’s expert fishmongers will go head-to-head in our first-ever “Fishmonger Face-Off” at Whole Foods Market Rockville. Ten of Whole Foods Market’s top fishmongers from Mid-Atlantic have taken the bait to show off their sharp knives and sharp minds. Who will flounder and who will get battered? The fishmongers will battle it out to de-scale, de-bone, and fillet different varieties of fish in a series of quick-fire challenges and test their “sea-mollier savvy” on sustainable seafood options, recipes, and expert cooking tips. The Whole Foods Market fishmonger who makes the biggest splash will represent Mid-Atlantic at the national Fishmonger Face-Off finals at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic in June. Friday’s sub-region competition is the final round of three-part series to find the Mid-Atlantic’s regions best fish monger.
WHEN: Friday, April, 13, 1 PM
WHERE: Whole Foods Market Rockville, 11355 Woodglen Drive Rockville, MD
WHY: Whole Foods Market’s passionate fishmongers are great at helping our shoppers navigate their selections to make the best environmental choices that support healthy oceans and rivers. Our stores feature wild seafood that is certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). For wild seafood not MSC-certified, we rely on the color-coded rating system of our partners, Blue Ocean Institute and Monterey Bay Aquarium. This contest gives team members a chance to show off their sharp knives and sharp minds.
WHO: Whole Foods Market expert fish mongers showing off their knife skills while filleting and creating yummy seafood dishes. Mongers on the block include:

· Dan Johnson of Bethesda

· Elton Briggs of Friendship Heights

· Lama Chewang of Rockville

· Malek Sudol of Charlottesville

· Union Mills of Fair Lakes

· Miloud Harboussi of Old Town

· Jay Coleman of Springfield

· Anna Gracia of Tysons Corner

· Nick Jackson of Vienna

· Harley Morris of Georgetown

Friday, April 6, 2012

Feather Mob tomorrow at the National Mall April 7th 1.30 p.m : Cameras and Pillows needed

Tomorrow is the International Pillow Fight Day and DC area pillow fight lovers can gather tomorrow on the The National Mall for 15 minutes at 1.30 P.m and at Dupont Circle from 3 p.m. The organizers want a "feather mob" to gather at the National Mall outside.

The action then moves to Dupont circle for Pillow Zombie Tag, Capture the Pillow Case and the 1 on 1 Pillow Fight Challenge!

More details at the event Facebook Page :https://www.facebook.com/events/261599400585047/

No "Down pillows" as they want to keep the Mall clean
Keep glasses off to avoid them being broken by hurtling pilows
Don'tbionk people with cameras "unless they specifically ask you to"

Planning on going?

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Namita Ghokale to speak at Georgetown University Library

I read the novel Paro: Dreams of Passion, when I lived in India. I was excited today to see that
Namita Gokhale is going to be in DC on March 15th in an event held in conjunction with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Date(s):

March 15, 2012

Time:

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location:

Copley Formal Lounge, Copley Hall

Contact Information:

libraryassociates@georgetown.edu

RSVP by:

Monday, March 12, 2012

RSVP link:

Click HERE to RSVP

More details :http://www.library.georgetown.edu/event/2012-03-15/singular-pluralities-examining-indian-literatures

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Whole Foods Host 5% Days in Support of the Whole Planet Foundation on Feb 22

#WholeHeart2012 Meetup at Whole Foods Foggy Bottom

Several times a year, Whole Foods Market stores holds community-giving days (otherwise known as “5% Days”) where five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization.

This Wednesday, February 22, Whole Foods Market stores in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) will kick-off the 5% Days fundraiser in support of the Whole Planet Foundation. The foundation has the goal of raising $4.1 million to fund poverty alleviation projects across the globe and right here in the U.S.

The following DC/MD/VA stores are holding the 5% Days:

· Georgetown (DC)

· Foggy Bottom (DC)

· P Street (DC)

· Bethesda (MD)

· Friendship Heights (MD)

· Charlottesville (VA)

· Fair Lakes (VA)

· Kentlands (MD)

· Silver Spring (MD)

· Old Town Alexandria (VA)

· Rockville (MD)

· Springfield (VA)

Shoppers can enjoy many fundraising opportunities at Whole Foods Market locations nationwide or make donations at store checkouts and online at wholeplanetfoundation.org.

This post brought to you by Shashi Bellamkonda: Featured in the Washington Business Journal: http://bit.ly/wbjshashi Washington Tech Titans list : http://bit.ly/ttshashi Blogs: http://www.carryoncurry.com | http://www.shashi.name | Facebook: http://fb.shashi.name | Linkedin: http://linkedin.shashi.name Examiner Column : http://bit.ly/dcexaminer What I am reading: http://shashib.amplify.com

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Where is the MegaBus Stop in Frederick

I had trouble searching for the exact location for the Mega Bus stop in Frederick so I hope this post helps you if you are going to it. MegaBus is also an alternative to get to Washington DC from Frederick by bus. From Frederick you can take the MegaBus to Pittsburg. The Washington DC to Pittsburg MegaBus stops at Frederick.

If you live in the Frederick, Urbana, Clarksville, Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Potomac are and are expecting folks coming from Pittsburgh it is easier to ask them to get off at Megabus Frederick stop and pick them up from there.
The Mega Bus stops at the Monocacy MARC Station at 7800 Genstar Drive behind the Target.
Parking at the Mega Bus Stop in Frederick seems easy with over 900 parking spots.
To get the Frederick Mega Bus Stop

Take 270N Take exit 31A to merge onto MD-85 N/Buckeystown Pike toward Market St
Turn right on Spectrum drive and keep going till you reach a traffic circle
Make a left on the traffic circle and continue on Genstar Drive across the traffic light for 355

If it is winter the folks can wait inside the MARC station enclosed area till you come.
The MegaBus description for the bus stop will probably be " Monocacy MARC Park and Ride Frederick"

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Great News! : ICC SET TO OPEN TO I-95 NOVEMBER 22

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced that the State will open the next 10.35 miles of Maryland’s Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200 by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. With this opening, the ICC will connect Montgomery and Prince George’s counties from I-270/I-370 at Shady Grove to I-95 at Laurel.

I am hoping to use this road to go to BWi and to College Park. I am not sure which exit will be the best to go to UMD College Park .

Dateline for the ICC Opening:

• Tuesday, Nov. 22, by 6:00 a.m.: ICC opens to I-95 (weather permitting).
• Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Sunday, Dec. 4 at midnight: Test-drive period -- no tolls will be collected on the entire roadway from I-370 to I-95.
• Monday, Dec. 5, 12:01 a.m.: Toll collection begins on the entire roadway from I-370 to I-95.

To travel the entire ICC one way between I-95 and I-370, drivers of cars and light trucks with E-ZPass will pay $4 in Peak hours, $3.20 Off-peak and $1.60 Overnight

Exits and Connections

I-270/I-370 at Shady Grove
MD 97 (Georgia Avenue)
MD 182 (Layhill Road)
MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue)
US 29 (Columbia Pike)
Briggs Chaney Road (Briggs Chaney to eastbound ICC and westbound ICC to Briggs Chaney)
I-95 in Laurel.