Stories by Alexandra Jaffe:
Oct. 24, 2011
For the staff at Backstage, the last costume shop in the District, it’s not about making a profit. It’s about offering folks their expertise to help them find a costume that works.
Sept. 12, 2011
One of Rep. Steve Cohen’s first elections might have been his toughest, but he prevailed. In 1969, he was elected by his peers to be Vanderbilt University’s mascot: Mr. Commodore.
Sept. 7, 2011
As September weather hopefully brings lower temperatures, Washington will be entertained with some short films. Now in its eighth year, the D.C. Shorts Film Festival will showcase 145 films from 23 different countries Sept. 8-18.
Sept. 4, 2011
Every week, HOH gets to know a Member of Congress better through a series of five fun questions. This week, we sat down with Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.) and talked about hunting, fishing and some luscious pudding.
Sept. 2, 2011
Many of the Capitol Police officers who weren't stationed on the Hill on Sept. 11, 2001, were in training, preparing for an upcoming rating and certification evaluation and the impending International Monetary Fund demonstrations.
Sept. 2, 2011
Cathy Travis came into the office about 9 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, ready to prep her boss, then-Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas), for a news conference with the seemingly mundane title "Is America Prepared for Future Threats?"
Sept. 2, 2011
In sharing their memories of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Members and staff recall the dueling senses of terror and togetherness that framed the day.
Aug. 12, 2011
Every Friday during the summer, the Marine Corps holds a parade at its barracks at Eighth and I streets Southeast. As the sun begins to drop, a few Marines walk onto the parade decks, a symmetrical grassy field enclosed within the Marine Barracks where the performance will take place.
Aug. 4, 2011
Former Rep. Clarence E. Miller died early Tuesday of complications from pneumonia in his hometown of Lancaster, Ohio. He was 93.
Aug. 3, 2011
Political offspring, from Jon Huntsman's daughters to Meghan McCain, use the social media platform to reach out to the public.
Aug. 1, 2011
America Eats is restaurateur Jose Andrés’ take on the history of American cuisine, with a menu featuring dishes that date as far back as 1607.
July 27, 2011
The scene at the Be With Me Playseum was chaos. A heat wave had struck Washington, and after only a week of operation, the Capitol Hill location was already receiving crowds.
July 26, 2011
Congress isn’t known for expressions of raw emotion or pain. But today, the blues — a musical tradition known for its gritty, mournful lyrics and sound — will take over the Hill at the 8th Annual Congressional Blues Festival.
July 20, 2011
The man to your left on the Metro this morning, the one reading a spy novel? That could’ve been Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), who rides the red and blue or orange lines every morning that Congress is in session.
July 13, 2011
Members have shattered arms and cracked skulls from playing in the annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game.
July 12, 2011
Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) is a freshman on the House floor, but on the baseball field, he’s a veteran.
July 12, 2011
Some staffers bring cupcakes into the office for their co-workers’ birthdays. Others because they’re gunning for a promotion. But on Thursday, 14 staffers will bring cupcakes to the Hill for the Congressional Cupcake War.
July 12, 2011
Harry Potter has staked a claim on Capitol Hill. As the eighth and final movie of the British wizarding series opens in theaters, the Hill has become increasingly crazy about Harry.
July 12, 2011
A man stabbed another man in the neck with a pen in front of the Rayburn House Office Building around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the U.S. Capitol Police confirmed.
July 6, 2011
After the 9/11 attacks, security concerns required President’s Park South to change from an inviting space to merely an area secured by concrete barriers. Now, the Secret Service and the National Capital Planning Commission are hoping to beautify the space.
July 5, 2011
Before he became one of the nation’s most prominent Hispanic politicians and before his 18 years of experience in Congress and his successful run for Chicago City Council, Luis Gutierrez drove a cab, on and off, for eight years during the 1970s and ’80s.
June 29, 2011
The National Mall might offer an iconic backdrop for the Fourth of July fireworks display, but it’s hard to be patriotic when you’re surrounded by thousands of people vying for a comfortable spot to watch.
June 28, 2011
Noah Dan grew up in Israel but spent every summer with family in Italy, visiting the same gelateria all summer long: Zampoli’s. This quality gelato is what he strives to serve at both of his current Pitango shops and what he plans to offer at his new branch in Eastern Market, opening next week.
June 27, 2011
Play clocks and playbooks, teamwork and time management, the stamina to walk miles through the Capitol complex: All of these necessities for Members of Congress are skills that Reps. Jon Runyan and Heath Shuler, the two current Members who once played professional football, cultivated during their previous careers.
June 24, 2011
Mark Underwood spent the past three years eating frozen yogurt. He visited more than 20 shops in and around his previous home of Atlanta, studying flavors, customer service and even décor. And finally, after tasting countless cups of the stuff, he's getting ready to open a shop and sell a few cups of his own.
