Category: Politics

Toast to the First Amendment: Freedom to Speak, Eat & Drink (WHCD)

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April 27, 2018 I had an exclusive invite to cover the second annual Toast to the First Amendment, sponsored by the National Restaurant Association, Real Clear Politics, The Beer Institute, and The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

The Toast to the First Amendment is held at the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) swanky office which is beset with multiple bars, an outdoor veranda, a picture booth area, and multiple food stations fit for even the most discerning food critic.

Activities started around 6:00 p.m with  rousing speeches made by Real Clear Politics co-founder Tom Bevan, National Restaurant Association’s executive vice president of public affairs; Cicely Simpson; and The Beer Institute’s CEO and president Jim McGreevey.

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Various journalists, PR execs, media personalities, food industry movers and shakers came together on the eve of the White House Correspondence Party. Attendees had the privilege of sampling an array of rare and unique beers, bourbons, scotch, malts, rum, and various other liquors.

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Really cool ladies who work at National Restaurant Association. I had a great time conversing about the party with them.

I came around the time people were relaxed and simply lounged on the outdoor veranda, and inside by cushion-y seats along the major liquor and beer tasting areas. I took a Lyft from the Mayflower Hotel (1 mile) and got there at a decent time. I wore my Kay Unger, green velvet, floral embroidered blazer and a White House Black Market dress. I was having so many issues with my hair that day that not even dry shampoo or an Instagram filter could save the way it looked.

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Before I took the elevator up, I was greeted by the sweetest people ever! Naturally, they work for Real Clear Politics (RCP) so I am not surprised by their genuine nature.

One of the RCP employees told me that Sean Spicer as well as other notable political figures made an appearance at this party. I asked how the crowd took him, and I was told that despite how he is viewed on the media, he’s a very cordial and friendly guy. He was around taking pictures and making all sorts of conversation with attendees. Politics aside, I regretted not getting to this party on time!

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Had a wonderful conversation with this trio on small businesses, non profit work, and on what’s the best drink to get at this party! 

I was also told to try the burgers, they were legit made medium rare and that’s an uncommon thing when you go to a food-oriented party.  Once I came to the right floor, I took a picture, sampled a few limited edition beers (oh my goodness, I am still remembering this really nice pale ale I drank), and scoured the floor for the best bites to munch on.

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As a major foodie, I have to report on what I ate (or better yet, pigged out on).

I made a short but memorable trip to the chicken lollipop station and tried the following chicken lollipops:  buffalo chicken, korean bbq. chimichurri, corn flake, and thai flavors. My personal favorites were the chimichurri and the korean bbq.

After I ate enough at the first station, I went to the second savory station and gobbled a medium rare cheeseburger slider, and later tried the pork bao buns (kohirabi, cucumber, bean sprout, cabbage slaw, spicy gochuchang mayo) and sampled the Hawaiian Chicken Sliders ( pineapple, chili, lime relish).  I did pair these savory bites with beers from Cape May Brewing, and Great Lakes Brewing.

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New friends I made! The sweetest ladies ever!!

I made a long trip (not a quick trip since I love tacos) to the Taco station and ate Branzino Tacos (cilantro pesto), Braised Pork Belly Taquitos (charred onions, shishito peppers),  and Beef Empanadas. I paired these savory treats with tequila, rum, and really nice bourbon shots.

For dessert, I had a pistachio ice cream pop with a white chocolate coating and snacked on a few carrot cake pops. My diet was thrown out the window that day because the NRA is reputable for crafting memorable bites. I was as equally impressed this year as I was last year.  Here’s last year’s recap, so click here!

Along with eating enough food to feed a small village, I noticed a lot of fan fare made for local and national media celebrities. Three ladies circled this handsome, tall, analyst from Fox News and stayed with him for my entire duration at this party. A few CNN employees were drinking white wine, chilling on the comfy chairs outside, and laughing. Some of the ladies wore the cutest, color-blocked, dresses I have seen that night.

Overall, I had a wonderful night. I also think the media guests had a spectacular time given the laughter and jovial conversation I heard all around.

About The National Restaurant Association

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) is the largest foodservice trade association in the world*—supporting over 500,000 restaurant businesses. In partnership with our state restaurant associations, we work every day to empower all restaurant owners and operators to achieve more than they thought possible.

About Real Clear Politics

Founded in 2000 by two news junkies from their Chicago apartment, RealClearPolitics grew out of a passion for combing the internet for the most interesting political stories of the day. Tom Bevan and John McIntyre wanted a site that contained the most pivotal information on the day’s need-to-know issues. It wasn’t long before they discovered they weren’t the only ones with this desire. Today, RealClearPolitics has grown from an intelligent aggregator into a comprehensive media company – RealClear Media Group (RCMG) – encompassing 14 specialty areas of coverage, original reporting from our staff of seasoned reporters, live events, the well-known RCP Poll Average, and original video.

 

About The Beer Institute 

The Beer Institute, based in Washington, D.C., represents the $350 billion beer industry – an industry that includes over 5,000 brewers and more than 2.2 million American jobs. The Beer Institute is a national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing both large and small brewers, as well as importers and industry suppliers. Our organization, founded in 1862 as the U.S. Brewers Association and reorganized as the Beer Institute in 1986, represents the beer industry before Congress, state legislatures and public forums across the country.

 

About Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

The Distilled Spirits Council is the national trade association representing the leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits in the United States. The Council guards the sector against higher taxes and works diligently to reduce trade barriers across the globe, while supporting policies that increase adult market access for spirits products, provide greater convenience and choices for adult consumers, and encourage responsible and moderate consumption. The Council is a go-to resource for sector data, changes in public policy, cultural acceptance programs, U.S. spirits exports to foreign markets, and alcohol and science.

by Sherryn G

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Praises UMBC Men’s Basketball Team in Annapolis

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March 26, 2018,  Sharing the Details had the exclusive privilege to cover the UMBC Retrievers first with a reception at Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s Annapolis Mansion and, later, witnessing wide-spread recognition on the senate floor from key state politicians.

University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) made NCAA tournament history on March 16, 2018, when the Retrievers became the first No.16 seed to beat a No.1 with a 74-54 win against the Cavaliers (University of Virginia, UVA) in Charlotte, Virginia.  No one, except the Governor of Maryland, predicted this win.

The day before the game, the governor tweeted his bracket, boldly stating that UMBC will not only beat No.1 seed Virginia but could also make history and take the national title.

Through grit, determination, and with Coach Ryan Odom’s leadership, UMBC, a school joked as nothing more than a “commuter school” became a national treasure. The team even sported the front page of Sport’s Illustrated! This glory came to a brief cessation when the Retrievers lost their next game against Kansas State, with a score of 50-43. However, that doesn’t change the historical context. This game changed March madness—forever.

It’s also a good thing that Coach Odom will continue to stay with the team for future seasons. There was talk before about the possibility of him leaving but he did declare at this event that he will stay committed to the team.

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Of course my eyes would be closed when I meet First Lady of Maryland, Yumi Hogan at the Governor’s Mansion.

So an event of this grandeur could only mean that I leave the office before rush hour traffic. I was lucky to find street parking just a few blocks down which is rare since parking tends to be a hassle in the state capital. Moreover, there was no way I was going to be a second late!

I was ill-prepared, fashion wise, for this historical event. What I wore at the office was a black Calvin Klein dress I had since forever,  red Michael Kors shoes, and Italian made sterling silver earrings. I didn’t even have time to dab on any make up. I was so au naturale that even R&B singer, Alicia Keys would be proud.

As soon as I parked my car, I ran to the press area. The UMBC bus rolled in with players queuing out, in a dapper style.

Last but not least was the fun, adorable, spirited Chesapeake Retriever mascot who had the crowd laughing with his hilarious antics. Did you know that the Maryland state dog is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? Did you also know that these dogs are characterized as being loyal, versatile and having great endurance?

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I regret not taking enough videos of the mascot. He had me and even the Governor laughing so hard!

This momentous occasion was also the first time I ever went inside the Governor’s home, let alone the Maryland State House. The Government house is actually across the street from the state house, and has been home to several Maryland governors for 145 years.  This Georgian style home was built in 1870, of the style of the Victorian era, with majestic doors carved with the Maryland Coat of Arms.

Guests, press, and political figures piled into the home and was warmly greeted by the Governor and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford (whom I met before at the Black History Month Awards Ceremony). The spiraling staircase, in the Entrance Hall, and portraits of Queen Henrietta Maria (whom Maryland was named), and Cecil Calvert (founder of the state) added an extra allure to this visit.

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Gov. Larry Hogan with Pres. of UMBC, Freeman A. Hrabowski III, and UMBC players pictured at the bottom.  On the top right, the Governor is speaking with Coach Odom and his wife.

Half the guests towered over me, since they were basketball players after all.  Attendees mingled and networked inside the library, where a newly minted painting of Frederick Douglas was hung in commemoration of Black History month this year. Finger foods that were served in the dining hall were vegetable empanadas w/ chipotle aioli; chilled shrimp platter; skirt steak bruschetta; baked brie w/honey & almonds; chicken, caramelized onion & gruyere tarts, and peanut butter mouse cups. I ate these delicious morsels on dainty china with golden forks and spoons.

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UMBC Retrievers, Pres. of UMBC, Freeman A. Hrabowski III, Coach Ryan Odom, Gov. Larry Hogan, and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford.

Chatter died down and all eyes were on the Governor.  He remarked that he heard about the win when he was in his “man cave”. He was jumping up and down and was overjoyed by the news.  No one could expect a No.16 seed defeating a No.1 seed.

“All the analysts,pundits and experts were saying that they didn’t really give you guys much of a chance. Well, nobody except me believed in this win. My bracket had you going all the way.”

The Governor later went into how the players played with “true heart” and firm “grit in this immense game. His pride in the team emanated through the inflection of his voice, his smile, and through his soaring speech on embracing the underdog spirit.

Towards the end of the ceremony, the Governor presented the Retrievers with a plaque recognizing their accomplishments and handed out a governor’s coin to each player. The players honored the Governor and later, the Senate, by awarding copies of the Sports Illustrated issue with an image of the team’s win.

After the ceremony, players lined up inside the Maryland State house where senators, teachers, parents, players, and press gave the team a standing ovation. It was a long night, and after the standing ovation, players left to trek back home. However, not without taking the cutest pictures with young fans aged five years through nine.

According to WaPo, Senior Jairus Lyles, who played high school basketball nationally, wont be returning next season. However, starting forward Joe Sherburne, along with 12 players are set to return next season.

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Inside and outside the Maryland State House.

The 2018 Final Four is underway. Tune in April 2, 2018 for Monday’s national title game. 

 

 

by Sherryn G

Politico Playbook Holiday Party: A Fun n’ Fancy Affair

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Last Thursday, I had an exclusive invite to the Political Playbook Holiday Party sponsored by the National Restaurant Association in Washington D.C. I was lucky enough to find a parking garage right across from the location that only charged $5 for the rest of the evening (2100 M St. NW, Washington, DC, 20037).

This was a business casual affair so I donned on a gray striped Calvin Klein dress and paired that with Kate Spade patterned stalkings and Italian leather boots. As soon as I walked through the doors, I was floored by the arrangements. There were several tables laid out with high-end finger foods, a dessert table intricately lined with an eclectic array of desserts, wait staff serving mini beef wellingtons, and a kitschy photo corner where guests wore Christmas and New Years props for goofy pictures.

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Pictures courtesy of Jessi Kim

Not only was I pleased with the complimentary coat check (an uncommon thing in D.C) but the food made my taste buds go wild. For the savory side, guests sampled maple and ale glazed ham, beef rosette on pumpkin risotto cake, gravlax, cashew chicken, individual corn souffles, upside down wild mushroom tart, tomato & basil french toast, mini thrice baked potato provencal, brie with cranberry compote, and artichoke dip with pita rusks.  I paired this meal with delicious cognac courtesy of Hennessy! There were too many liquors and craft beers to choose from but for this holiday meal, I only wanted the best liquor in my book.

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Pictures courtesy of Jessi Kim

For the sweet side, guests savored delicately designed sugar cookies, petite fours full of gingerbread, raspberry mousse squares, chocolate mice, bon bons, italian custards, and various other desserts that have European-centric roots.  There was a coffee and tea stand adjacent to the dessert section. Although I have a well known sweet tooth, I had to pair my chocolate mice with rich, creamy, coffee.

In between snacking, I mingled with journalists from Politico, The Washington Post, CNN, Hill staffers, and the World Bank. So this party is where journalists and top-notch communication professionals hob nob during the holidays. I also saw White House staffers, the FCC, and other notables mingle, drink, and be merry with the rest of the darkly clad D.C. folk. Wearing black is not always a New York thing, it’s definitely a D.C fashion statement for professionals.

Conversation was ripe, and of the times. Again, I won’t spill but am happy to confess that the banter I heard between so many different parties is worth retweets, Facebook likes, and emoji-based replies.

A parting gift from the evening was a cozy, red, politico handbook winter hat and a complimentary picture from the photo booth. My friend and I dressed as a magician and a rabbit. We had fun concocting silly poses within a 5-6 second time frame for each shot.

This was definitely a classy affair catered to the D.C communications crowd. As many know, Communications professionals are ardent food and fine liquor lovers, so, naturally, this holiday party is the right touch to conclude the year with.

by Sherryn G