Tag Archives: Washington

Day 121: Ed, Brian, Jena, Aprill, Sam, Tyler and others

121-2I’ve become a huge fan of Paper Source – especially my local store here in Georgetown. It’s been a lifesaver for the Year of Letters. I don’t know of any other paper retailer with the level of quality and variety as Paper Source that beats their reasonable price point. And the staff is extremely helpful.

I’ve become a pretty regular face in the store since starting my letter-writing project – enough so I guess that they kindly invited me to a workshop that they had recently to teach cardmaking and giftmaking techniques. It was great – and they even had some snacks and wine for everyone.

I probably should have incorporated some of the new techniques I learned into this letter to them, but stay tuned, you’ll see some new things in my cards in the coming days and weeks.

 

I used one of Paper Source's bags to make a liner for the envelope.

I used one of Paper Source’s bags to make a liner for the envelope.

Ed, Brian, Jena, Aprill, Sam, Tyler and others,

121-3Thank you very much for your kind invitation to attend Crafter’s Night Out last evening led by Aprill and Sam. I learned several new techniques – like how to apply gilded edges, use washi tape and even make my own gift bags. Your entire team is exceptional and it is always a pleasure to be in your store.

Thanks again,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. I also bought the marbling set…keep a look out on YearOfLetters.com for some marbling!

Day 111: Gary Fish, Deschutes Brewery

My favorite brewery is 2,690 miles from my home in Bend, Oregon. I figured they should make their way into my 365 letters, right? Cheers!

Day 111

Dear Gary,

We met briefly back in June of 2011 here in Washington, DC at SAVOR Craft Beer festival because I won free tickets after I wrote a letter to the Washington Post requesting free tickets based on the fact that it would be the only place I would find Deschutes here in DC.

Day 111-2That was then. Now Deschutes is starting to pop up here in Washington….at RFD’s, Nando’s Peri Peri, Founding Farmers, Arrowine, Lost & Found – even Whole Foods. This is making my life better and I wanted you to know that we here in D.C. appreciate it very much!

If there is ever anything I can do to help you and Deschutes here in DC, please let me know.

Cheers,
Reed

 P.S. I’m planning a big party in January of 2016 – I’d love for you to join us and have lots of Deschutes on tap!

Day 95: Teddy

A photo of Teddy that I captured at Opening Day 2014. He had a tremendous lead, but failed to cross the finish line first. Photo: Reed Sandridge

A photo of Teddy that I captured at Opening Day 2014. He had a tremendous lead, but failed to cross the finish line first. Photo: Reed Sandridge

I have become a huge Washington Nationals fan. I try to get to a few games each year and have somehow managed to make it to every home opener since the Nationals came to Washington a decade ago.

For those of you who haven’t been to a Nationals baseball game, during the fourth inning five 10-foot mascots dressed as former presidents race around the inside of the ballpark. Why do they race you ask? Who cares…it’s just fun to watch.

Teddy and some of Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

Teddy having a good belly laugh during a pre race meeting. Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

 

Teddy (T. Roosevelt) is joined by George (Washington), Abe (Lincoln), Tom (Jefferson) and newcomer Bill (Taft). I’m not sure why they added Bill back in 2013 – I liked that all four original commander in chiefs were featured of Mount Rushmore. Bill just seems like a 5th wheel.

Teddy was the best gimmick in baseball for nearly seven years. No matter how far of a lead he had in the race he would never win. That was until the last game of the regular season in 2012, which I was at, when Teddy finally won. In a way I thought it was hilarious that he never won and think they should have kept it going. There were social media campaigns to #LetTeddyWin. He was the talk of the town.

With all the attention on the Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer – who Washington picked up during the off-season for something like $1.3 billion – I thought I would drop Teddy a note so he wouldn’t feel left out of all the hype and excitement surrounding today.

See you at the game!

Day 95

Dear Teddy,

Opening Day – I imagine this is a big day for you. I’ve been to all 10 Nationals home openers and I’ll be there today. I come to watch you my friend. You’re a star, a legend, a nonconformist, even a bit of a rule-bender. I like that.

Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

I was at the game the 2012 game when you won your first race – frankly I was disappointed about that. Your inability to win a race was pure genius. But I still love you and remain your fan even though if it weren’t for the newcomer Taft you’d be in last place with your unflattering 6.82 win percentage.

I would love to come visit you some day – hang out, help you prepare for the race, lend a hand (literally) answering some fan mail, grab a post race beer…whatever. Would that be possible? I’ve got skills and am willing to do just about anything.

Your fan,
Reed

P.S. Stay focused today…don’t listen to the Scherzer hype…it’s all about you my man!

 

Day 66: Michele


You may recall that on Day 50 I wrote a letter to Anthony – a friend that I met five years ago. Anthony has had a difficult life and worked hard to get off the street and into housing. This July – he will celebrate two years of being housed as well as his 58th birthday..so I am trying to organize a little surprise for him. Keep your fingers crossed!

Photo of Anthony and me by CBN Videographer Denis Pacuraru.

Photo of Anthony and me by CBN Videographer Denis Pacuraru.

Dear Michele,

Thank you so much for taking time to speak with me on Thursday about creating something special for my friend Anthony. He is truly the mayor of the area in DC called the Golden Triangle – everyone that walks by his corner at 19th and M knows him – and if you didn’t know better you’d think you were blocks away from Heinz field given all of his Steeler swag! I look forward to circling back with you in July to see where things stand – actually that timing is perfect as his birthday is July 29th and if we can work something out then I will present this to him for his birthday. Until then – enjoy your spring.

Thanks again,
Reed

Day 64: Josh Levin, West End Cinema


When I first moved to Dupont I was very excited that there were a couple of theaters with character. There was the one just south of the circle that had a column or two and sprinklers that obstructed the view – I think it’s now a CVS. And there was another one on Florida Avenue that showed independent films – that closed the day I moved in I think.

Anyway, when the West End Cinema opened up in the lower level of an office building on the corner of 23rd and M, I was stoked. I met the owner the week before it opened – he wouldn’t remember me, but I remember that day and how excited I was that it was opening. I’ve seen lots of great films there – Josh gets a lot of independent films and has also managed to attract some of the big Oscar winning flicks.

The theater landscape in DC is shifting though – new screens are opening up off of U Street and over in NoMA. There’s even a pop-up theater at Union Market.

If you have a great independent theater near you – go out and support them. You never know when they may be gone.

YearOfLetters-2

 

 

Josh,

YearOfLetters-3I was sad to learn this week that the West End Cinema will be closing at the end of this month. Living and working next to the theater, I’ve enjoyed seeing wonderful films in your cozy and welcoming space. The last one I saw there was Citizenfour which was phenomenal – very deserving of the Oscar it won. I will pay my tributes by seeing at least one more film there in the remaining days.

Thank you for bringing quality films to our neighborhood for the past 5 years. Best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors.

Reed