Get Ready for a BBQ Battle

Image courtesy Pixabay

One of the best aspects of summertime living is definitely cooking on the grill. If you enjoy indulging in all meats smothered in barbecue sauce or dry rubs, then you will not want to miss the Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle 2015! In fact, the National Capital Barbecue Battle has been named a "Top 10 BBQ Event" by both the Travel Channel and Discovery.com. This annual competition among both local and national barbecue artists takes place this weekend, June 27-28, in downtown Washington DC.

Even if you aren't exactly obsessed with barbecue, there is a variety of ways to enjoy this event. Visitors will not only be able to enjoy samples and food demonstrations, but also live entertainment from more than 30 bands. Some of the bands providing music stylings include The Morrison Brothers Band, The Exclusives, X-Factor, Chuck Brown Band, Be'la Dona, and more. There are also areas for BBQ-related merchandise, book signings and even an NBA exhibit.

Now back to the main event - the barbecue. Throughout the weekend, 7 different competitions will be held: Safeway's National Barbecue Championship, The National Pork BBQ Championship, Open Nature All Natural Lamb Contest, Safeway USDA Choice Best Beef Contest, Safeway Select Extra Meaty Rib Contest, America's Best Sauce Contest and Military Chefs Cook-Off. The winners of these contests will be awarded cash prizes and/or trophies.

Is your mouth watering in anticipation? The festival will take place off of Pennsylvania Ave., behind the Ronald Reagan Building, between 9th and 14th Streets. Festival hours are from 11 AM to 9 PM on Saturday, and from 11 AM to 7:30 PM on Sunday. Tickets, which range from $12 - $75, may be purchased online.

From your apartment home at The Louis at 14, this event is easily accessible via Metro. The closest stops to the event are at Federal Triangle, Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter, and Metro Center.

Enjoy one of the most popular summer events in Washington DC by joining in on the barbecue festivities! Your taste buds will be glad that you did! Have you attended the Barbecue Battle in pervious years? Do you plan to partake this weekend? Share your thoughts with us on The Louis' Facebook and Twitter pages! Pro-tip: Keep the napkins handy!

Additional sources consulted:
About Travel

Beat the DC Heat

Picture courtesy The Louis Photo Gallery

If you have lived in Washington DC for a while, you know how serious the summer heat and humidity gets in the city, especially when you're underground waiting for the Metro. Since we are currently in the midst of a heat wave, there is no better or more necessary time for us to explore the options of how to say cool and beat the summer heat!

Smithsonian Museums
When was the last time you had the chance to explore DC as a tourist? Take advantage of the free air conditioning provided at the Smithsonian Museums, primarily along the National Mall, and see the newest exhibits! Most of the museums are open daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, with the exception of The American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery, which operates from 11:30 AM to 7 PM. Explore new exhibits like the "Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze" at The National Portrait Gallery or "National Geographic Into Africa: The Photography of Frans Lanting" at The Natural History Museum.

Get Out on the Water
Pack the sunscreen and enjoy DC from on or alongside the Potomac River! Thompson Boat Center, located in Georgetown, offers boat rentals through October. Rentals include kayaks, canoes and rowing shells (to certified patrons) that range in price from hourly rates to daylong rates. If you're not feeling quite as sporty, rent a paddle boat at the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial. Please note, Tidal Basin rentals are not permitted on July 4 for security reasons.

Lounge at The Louis
There's no place like home, right? For those times when you desire a lazy weekend, head up to the rooftop and The Louis' gorgeous pool and lounge area! When you have had enough of the sun, continue to relax in the air conditioning of your apartment home or in our resident lounge. You could even have a little barbecue and crack open some ice cold drinks! You could also take a short walk to one of the U Street Corridor's nearby restaurants for a refreshing beverage!

As the temperatures rise, residents of The Louis can stay cool both at home or by visiting one of the city's attractions. What are your favorite ways to beat the summertime heat? Share your thoughts on The Louis' Facebook and Twitter pages! Stay cool!

Additional sources consulted:
Examiner

Capital Pride 2015

June is national LGBT Pride Month and the District has been celebrating it for 40 years! Each year, Capital Pride produces nearly two weeks of LGBT events aimed toward educating, celebrating and entertaining the metropolitan DC area. While DC's Pride events began on June 3, this weekend is the culmination of Pride - the Pride Fest and Parade!

Pride Parade

This year's Pride Parade takes place this Saturday, June 13 at 4:30 PM. The parade route begins at 22nd & P Streets and ends in The Louis at 14th's neighborhood at 14th & S Streets. The parade route is 1.5 miles total and travels through DC's Dupont Circle and Logan Circle neighborhoods. The parade is expected to wrap up at 7:30 PM. The theme of this year's parade is Flashback. E!'s Ross Matthews will officiate a wedding on top of the Marriott float on the corner of P & 15th Streets.

Pride Festival

The 40th Annual Pride Festival is on Sunday, June 14 from noon to 7 PM. Pride Fest will be along Pennsylvania Ave. between 3rd and 7th Streets. While the festival closes at 7 PM, the concert will continue through 9 PM. In addition to the entertainment, the festival features more than 300 exhibitors, ranging from community organizations to  The festival is family-friendly and free to attend. However, it is recommended that pets stay at home. There will be kid's areas, including one with an inflatable water slide and face painters. For the adults, a few beverage gardens will be scattered throughout the festival areas.

Performers at the Pride Concert reflect this year's theme, incorporating artists from the 80s, 90s and today. The lineup includes Carly Rae Jepson, Wilson Phillips, En Vogue, Katy Tiz and Amber. The concerts begin at 1PM.

While these are a couple of Pride's biggest events, there are events going on daily through Sunday! To view a full schedule of events, visit the Capital Pride website.

With the Pride Parade taking place right in your apartment home's backyard, will you be attending? What other Pride activities have you been looking forward to? Share your thoughts with us on The Louis' Facebook and Twitter pages!

Additional sources consulted:

Metro Weekly

Bites Around the Block

Life at The Louis at 14 apartment homes offers some of the best dining options not only in the area, but dare we say it, in all of Washington DC! With so many restaurants to choose from in our city, there is nothing better this time of the year than being able to walk to and from a enjoyable evening out. We have highlighted just a few of the restaurants that are within walking distance of The Louis at 14 below. So instead of sweltering underground while waiting for the Metro the next time you dine out, try one of these eateries instead:

Tico | 1926 14th St. NW
While we're sure you have walked past Tico (it's literally downstairs), if you have yet to try their dishes inspired by Spanish, Mexican and South American cuisines, you definitely need to make a date on your calendar to do so! Tired from a long day at work? Stop by Tico's Happy Hour, which features $4 tacos, $5 small plates, beer and cocktails! Tico also features quite an extensive tequila menu, with more than 140 types to choose from.

Lupo Verde | 1401 T St. NW
Around the corner on T Street lies Lupo Verde, an authentic, rustic Italian eatery that has delicious charcuteries and cheese plates! There is a wide variety of cheeses from which to build your plate, including hard, semi-hard, semi-soft, soft and blue. Current prices allow guests to choose 3 cheeses for $16 or 5 for $26. The same pricing applies to the salumi selection too, which ranges from prosciutto to duck sausage. Lupo Verde is also a popular local brunch spot.

Ted's Bulletin | 1818 14th St. NW
Walk one block south and enter Ted's Bulletin, which is known as one of the best restaurants in DC. Known for their boozy milkshakes and tarts, Ted's Bulletin serves up comfort foods of all types, from fried chicken to meatloaf. Hungry for a big breakfast? Ted's is the place to go!

Busboys & Poets | 2021 14th St. NW
Busboys & Poets is an eclectic, artsy hangout just north of The Louis. Named in homage to American poet Langston Hughes, Busboys & Poets not only sells books, but regularly hosts poetry readings. Their menu offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and their bar even has a vegan and gluten-free wine. It's a coffee-house meets poetry house, and it's perfectly cozy on a rainy day!

Where are your favorite 14 & U Street restaurants? What dishes would you recommend? Share them with us on The Louis' Facebook and Twitter pages!

Day Trip: Louden County Wine Country

Did you know that within 25 miles of Washington DC sits one of the area's finest wine countries? Louden County, Virginia is home to more than 40 wineries! If you're itching to escape city life for an afternoon or weekend, consider sipping your way through Louden County. Here are just a few highlights - to learn more about Louden County wineries, visit Visit Louden.

Doukenie Winery

Voted the "Favorite Tasting Room in Virginia" in 2013 and 2014, Doukenie Winery's tastings are a bargain at only $10 per person. Tastings include two reds, four whites and a dessert wine. Doukenie Winery is located in Purcellville.

Fabbioli Cellars

Located in Leesburg, Fabbioli Cellars has been in business since the late 80s, but didn't move to Virginia until 2000. Their standard tasting consists of 7 wines and small bites, and costs between $15-$20, depending on the number of people in your party. 

Stone Tower Winery

Stone Tower Winery is located on a farm on Hogback Mountain in Leesburg. While a new tasting room is currently under construction, you can still attend tastings on the property Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 6 PM, and Tuesday and Wednesdays by appointment.

Sunset Hills Vineyard

Sunset Hills Vineyard is set on a 140 year old farm and is dedicated to using solar power to run their machinery. Their regular events series include Late Night Fridays, "Welcome Spring" Weekends and Wine Club Parties. You can visit their tasting room in Purcellville Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 PM, and Friday through Sunday from noon to 6 PM. 

The drive to Louden County is a little over an hour from your apartment home at The Louis at 14, making it an easily accessible weekend trip! Some of these wineries even allow dogs, though they're required to be on a leash and are not permitted in the tasting rooms (please visit each winery's website for more information). Have you visited any of these or any other Louden County wineries? Which would you recommend? Share your favorites on The Louis at 14 Facebook and Twitter pages! Cheers!

Additional sources consulted:

Thrillist

Memorial Day Weekend in DC

When it comes to patriotic national holidays, Washington DC is the city you want to be in. As our country pauses to take time to honor the soldiers who lost their lives in battle for our country on Monday, we also have the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the freedoms that were gained in those battles. From patriotic concerts to parades, this weekend offers many opportunities to celebrate!

National Memorial Day Concert
The National Memorial Day Concert takes place on the West Lawn of the US Capitol on Sunday, May 24 at 8 PM. This year's concert hosts are actors Gary Sinese and Joe Mantegna. The 26th annual concert will feature performances from Gloria Estefan, the National Symphony Orchestra and appearances by Laura Benanti, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) and Laurence Fishburne. American Idol winner Nick Fradiani will be performing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The concert will be broadcasted live on PBS if you do not have the opportunity to make it to the Mall. Viewers may also post messages and stories on the Wall of Remembrance. The concert is free to attend, but will be broadcasted live on PBS if you do not have the opportunity to make it to the Mall. From your home at The Louis at 14 to the West Lawn is about a 30-minute Metro ride.

National Memorial Day Parade
The American Veterans Center's National Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 25 at 2 PM. The parade begins at Constitution Ave. and 7th St. and runs along Constitution to 17th St. The parade began in 2005 and started being broadcasted to soldiers around the world in 2008. Participants include Memorial Day Concert hosts Gary Sinese and Joe Mantegna, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, Food Network chef Robert Irvine, The Smashing Pumpkins and American Idol winner Caleb Johnson. The parade's Grand Marshals are dozens of surviving World War II Veterans. This event is also easily accessible via Metro. It's about a 15-minute ride from The Louis to the the Archives station.

These events are some of the largest not only in the DC-area, but in the nation. Have you attended either of these events in the past? If not, it is a wonderful way to honor those who lost their lives defending our country and to enjoy our beautiful city. Do you plan to attend this year's events or do you have other plans? Share how you will be spending Memorial Day weekend on The Louis at 14's Facebook and Twitter pages!

Live a Balanced Life at The Louis

If eating a well-balanced and organic diet, and healthy living habits are something you value, look no further than The Louis at 14 apartment homes. It can be difficult to remain focused on your diet and exercise regimen when you're busy with work and a social life. However, The Louis' close proximity to healthy restaurants and grocery stores, in combination with The Louis' healthy-living amenities allow you to stay (or become) fit and healthy!

Healthy Restaurants & Grocery Stores
Sweetgreen: This fresh salad eatery sources local and organic food. You'll find plenty of veggies, grains and good fats in each meal. Sweetgreen's signature salad is the Rad Thai, which is made up of arugula, cabbage, sunflower seeds, shrimp and other veggies for a filling and healthy meal. To view Sweetgreen's full menu, click here. Sweetgreen is at 14th & W, just a 5-minute walk away from The Louis.

Trader Joe's: This grocery is located literally at your feet, below The Louis! Trader Joe's buys directly from suppliers to offer shoppers a lower price, and offers an array of organic, gluten-free, kosher, vegetarian and vegan options to shoppers.

Whole Foods: Soon, The Louis will be within half a mile of TWO Whole Foods markets! According to The Washington Post, the supermarket chain is constructing a new Shaw location, which will be 40,000 square feet in size. Currently open is the Whole Foods P Street Location in Logan Circle.

Yes! Organic: This locally-owned, family-operated market is a member of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association. Located along 14th Street, Yes! Organic is committed to offering fresh, organic, natural food options.

Amenities at The Louis
At The Louis at 14, residents have a number of options at their disposal to maintain or better their fitness. Our group exercise room offers the space and equipment necessary to squeeze in a quick 20-minutes on the treadmill or spend an hour getting in a high-quality cardio workout. The Louis Yoga Studio offers a more relaxing environment for practicing poses and flow, and our free weights area is where our residents go to get toned and complement their cardio.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge, but at The Louis at 14, residents have the tools at their disposal to not only make a healthy diet and exercise regimen possible, but enjoyable! What are your favorite area locations for healthy dining and shopping? What are your favorite spaces at The Louis to work out? Share your thoughts with us on The Louis Facebook and Twitter pages!