Pascual Cabaño is famous for his Rey Silo blanco and piquant rojo cheeses. (Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call)
Today is the final day of the Summer Fancy Food Show, which means miles and miles of mouthwatering snacks are, at least for the next few hours, no further than a frilly-topped toothpick away.
Well-fed observers on Monday spotted California Democratic Reps. Lois Capps and Lynn Woolsey rubbing elbows with constituent cheese mongers at their state’s corner of the American Cheese Society section at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. And Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco (R-Texas) was seen strolling down the food-lined aisles. Full story
A Florida blogger has lodged an official complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics against Rep. Connie Mack IV and describes the Florida Republican with one of the more creative insults we at HOH have seen — and we see a lot.
Timothy “Chaz” Stevens, a software engineer, burgeoning writer, political activist and the brain behind “My Acts of Sedition” blog, has a penchant for over-the-top rhetoric. Full story
If it’s Tuesday, it’s HOH’s Take Five, where we get to know a Member of Congress through five fun questions. This week, Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) talks about castrating pigs and other aspects of life on the farm. Full story
Prostitution, it seems, is one thing a divided electorate can rally around.
Look no further than Nevada, which has fast become the quintessential swing state, with Democrats and Republicans competing fiercely in the presidential, Senatorial and House races. The parties won’t agree on whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney should be president or whether Republican Sen. Dean Heller or Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley should be the Silver State’s Senator.
But one thing the parties both embrace by wide margins? Brothels.
According to a recent Public Policy Polling survey of 500 Nevada voters, “There is one thing Nevada voters across party lines can agree on: They love them some brothels.”Full story
Are Republicans unwitting conspirators in the efforts of alien mastermind Lord John Whorfin to do the unthinkable and steal the coveted oscillation overthruster?
Based on the names of some of their highest-profile leaders, one might suspect the GOP has been infiltrated by aliens from the eighth dimension — an us-against-them scenario advanced by the 1984 cult classic “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.” Full story
It happened last week, a sea change in how hirsute men are represented in Congress.
With the victory of Rep.-elect Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) in the special election to replace former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D), all of Southern Arizona is now represented by a man with facial hair.
From Yuma in the west to Douglas in the east, the people of the 7th and 8th Congressional districts in Arizona will see goatees on their elected representatives in Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D) and Barber. Full story
If the past decade has taught us anything, it’s that our political system is all about the cash money.
That’s what activist John Wellington Ennis divined during the course of directing his first film, the Bush-vs.-Gore-centric “Free for All,” and now during his dissection of Citizens United v. FEC in the unfinished flick, “Pay 2 Play.”
According to his latest Kickstarter campaign, Ennis still needs more than $45,000 to complete his treatise against money in elections.
And, just like in a real political campaign — “It’s always better to be wealthy than not,” as Citizens United counselor James Bopp so eloquently put it — big donors stand to reap some impressive rewards.
The first five people/groups to pony up $1,000 can have Ennis direct a customized promotional spot (not unlike the corporate-sponsored ones he’s railing about, we suspect).
Cough up $5,000, and you’re automatically in with the associate producing crowd.
Shell out $10,000, and soon you’ll be taking meetings with other fellow co-producers.
But don’t pack your bags for Hollywood just yet. Ennis’ fundraising push expires July 1.
HOH Sports Desk is often awash in sporty anecdotes. This week is a perfect example of some of the ridiculousness that crosses our desk.
Swim It if You Got It!
At 10:30 a.m. today, Virginia Rep. Jim Moran (D) kicked off the “world’s largest swimming lesson” at the Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington.
According to his office, the Congressman and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum took a dip as “part of a worldwide simultaneous event [that] educates children and their parents on the importance of water safety.”
Please send pictures of Moran in his bathing suit to HOH [at] RollCall.com. Many thanks! Full story
Xavier Cervera’s Pacifico Cantina just opened. (Courtesy Pacifico Cantina)
Capitol Hill hospitality mogul Xavier Cervera adds another feather to his cap today with the debut of Pacifico Cantina (514 Eighth St. SE), a Mexi-Cali hacienda replete with cool amenities (rooftop deck) and fiery libations (jalapeño-spiked everything).
The layout is reminiscent of many of Cervera’s neighboring properties, a roster that includes Molly Malone’s, Senart’s Oyster & Chop House, Lola’s Barracks Bar & Grill and the Chesapeake Room. The main floor is dominated by a long, central bar, and heavily lacquered woods surround you on all sides. Full story
Rachel Demaree is hoping to be crowned Miss District of Columbia 2012 this weekend.
The Senate staffer was born in the District but raised as a third-generation Indiana farm girl and has an interesting bit of pageant history. Full story
President Barack Obama huddled with local dads today at Kenny’s Smokehouse (732 Maryland Ave. NE), a Capitol Hill barbecue joint not unfamiliar to the first family.
The lunchtime meeting, one of POTUS’ many high-profile dining jaunts around town, lasted about an hour and included four other fathers — two military serviceman, U.S. Army Capt. Joubert Paulino and 1st Lt.William Edwards, and local barbers and “Fatherhood Buzz” mentors Otis “Big O” Gamble and Nurney Mason. Both barbers work at Mason’s Barber Shop (1010 H St. NE), while Mason also trims hair at the House of Representatives barber shop.
Staff told HOH that Obama feasted on pork ribs slathered with spicy barbecue sauce, collard greens and red beans and rice. A restaurant worker said Obama “loved the food” and thanked several workers personally with firm handshakes and generous praise. Although they declined the president’s offer to pay, the worker told HOH others in the group covered the entire tab.
With the election looming, entrepreneur Peter Forth must have figured he had a slam dunk on his hands.
The video game designer pieced together a politically incorrect strategy game, “Democrats vs. Republicans,” that deliberately “caters to the worst stereotypes from both sides of the political spectrum”:
“It’s so great to step outside the monster/alien/robot/elf rut and do something completely unique and different,” Forth asserts in his Kickstarter pitch.
Comedian Pauly Shore, whose ’90s-era stoner alter ego was lounging around MTV-supplied beach houses long before Snooki could even reach the top of a barstool, is in town this week preparing for a politically themed special scheduled to air on Showtime later this fall.
The Los Angeles native told HOH that during his last swing through the District, he scored a tour of the White House and briefly met President George W. Bush. Full story
Practices for the upcoming Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game on June 28 are in full swing, and it appears Members on the Democratic squad are having some fun on the field.
During team practices, the players launched the “Let Billy Hit” campaign, their effort to persuade their manager, Rep. Mike Doyle (Pa.), to let Rep. Bill Pascrell (N.J.), the team’s batting coach, step up to the plate. Full story
