Daily Archives: 01/18/2009

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Arrived 5ish yesterday afternoon with friends Suzanne Deal Booth, Sofia Wolpert, Steve Adler & Diane Land. Wasn’t too bad getting into town from Dulles and other than a few detours because roads between the White House & the Capitol seem to be closed, we made it just fine. Dropped off Suzanne & Sofia first, Diane & Steve next, then me to the convention center to pick up credentials. Guy Selden & Adrienne Donato were there working – quite the understatement. Guy tells me he’s put in minimum 14 hour days the last several days, 21 the day prior. Great to see them and as they’ve always done, they exceeded expectations and helped me obtain tickets for several folks who wouldn’t be able to attend the swearing in, Lincoln Memorial concert and inauguration balls otherwise. Secretary Cisneros arriving to pick up his credentials just behind me.

Quick metro ride to Takoma Park and picked up at the station by Reid Cramer. Dinner at home with Reid, Sonya, Dio (11yo) and Gabel (9yo). Long conversations about Reid’s work at the New America Foundation, the Cramers’ 2008, travel, the kids, expectations for America, the economy and the new Robert Frank exhibit which Sonya’s daddy, John Cohen, was in to help open. A perfect night in.

The five of us are Lincoln Memorial bound this morning. Fortunately, enough tickets for us all so we don’t have to queue up quite so early. Breaking news 🙂 – Sonya’s uncle, Pete Seeger, flew in with Bruce Springstein last night and rumors he’ll join the Boss on stage. After, we’ll split. I’ll pull a batman change, then off to some parties/receptions including the Barnes/Rapoport Welcome, a dinner hosted by friends of Houston Mayor Bill White and an NFC party hosted by Penny Pritzker.

My impressions – it is colder than a witches tit, but it’ll be fine if we avoid rain/snow. The traffic seemed quite manageable yesterday, is it simply too early? They are recommending arriving at the swearing in at 8am, it takes place at 11:30. Projected high on Tuesday 34F and Steve & Diane want to have breakfast at 6 – I’ll let ST make the call.

Lots and lots of friends in for the festivities, in addition to those who flew up together: Rudys, Merediths, Winkelmans, Kirk Rice (arriving today), MaryLou Adams & family, Jordan & David, Ian & Amy, Juan & Teresa (arriving this evening), JD Gins, Ken Flippin, Wesners, Thorntons, Kleins, the Kevins, gosh others but I’m spacing just now.