Fat and Jolly Santa?…Why Thank You Thomas Nast

I’m going to venture a guess that most Americans would describe Santa in the exact same way. Fat. Jolly. Red-cheeked. But I also feel pretty confident that most people have no idea where that image came from. Or, how about the political donkey and elephant cartoons associated with our political parties? Probably not sure there either.

Well, during this time of holiday joy and political excitement surrounding the most recent elections, I’m toasting my hot toddy to Thomas Nast, cartoon image creator of our modern-day Santa, beloved political donkey and elephant, and Uncle Sam.

Nast first drew our chubby, jolly friend Santa Claus for the 1862 Christmas season Harper’s Weekly cover. I reiterate my thanks because before Nast’s cartoon, Santa was depicted as a tall, thin, seriously creepy looking dude. Now, to be fair, Nast didn’t invent the idea of a jolly St. Nick with a round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. We can attribute that to Clement Moore’s infamous 1823 poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Just like we couldn’t imagine the holidays without the image of a fat, jolly man named Santa, what would an election season be without the donkey and elephant? We would have missed such tremendous opportunities as seeing the Democrats debut, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Mordecai, a live donkey, giving new meaning to the term “political animal.” Nast’s first cartoon images are cemented in history as chubby old white men and satirical donkeys and elephants. So, the next time you see happy Santa, thank our dear German-friend Thomas Nast. 


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Cloture Girl’s Weekend Review – October 12

Playball

Friday, Oct. 12, 8:30 p.m.

Nationals Park

Thanks to Jayson Werth’s walk-off home run last night, the Nationals will face the St. Louis Cardinals for game five of the post-season playoff series. Tickets may be hard to come by at Nats Park, but there are plenty of great bars in the city to sport your red and catch the game: 51^st State Tavern, District 2 Bar and Grille, Molly Malone’s, Redline Pub, Ventnor Sports Café, Hill Country BBQ, and Iron Horse Taproom.

Oktoberfest in the City

Saturday, Oct. 13, Noon – 5 p.m.

The Yards Park

Third and Water Streets, SE

$25 – $50 ($5 donation to get you in the door, plus drink and food tickets)

150 craft beers to tantalize your taste buds, good food, live music and more. If this sounds like the perfect way to spend your weekend, then head on over to Yards Park for Snallygaster. Named for the fearsome and mythical dragon-like creature said to have terrorized the region at the turn of the century, this craft beer festival will delight the beer enthusiast in you. Expect the best in Oktoberfest beers – German style, autumn seasonal, with international rarities. Also prepare for some of the best food D.C. has to offer from Rustico, ChurchKey, Birch & Barley, plus sweets from Buzz Bakery and Dolcezza. You’ll also be treated to live music, corn hole, bocce, and a kid-friendly area. Autumn fun for the whole family!

D.C. Blues Battle of the Bands

Saturday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.

American Legion Post 268

11225 Fern St.

Wheaton, MD

$13 in advance, $15 at the door

If you’re a blues fan, this is the event for you. Head on up to Maryland for the annual D.C. Blues Society Battle of the Bands. You’ll be treated to a mix of well known songs and originals from up-and-coming blues bands that are competing for a spot at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next year.

Fun on the Farm

Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Summers Farm

5614 Butterfly Lane

Frederick, MD

$10 for adults, $6 for seniors, free for kids 2 and under

Corn Maze at Summers Farm

One of my favorite fall activities is getting lost in a corn maze, and since there are only 25 days until the election, it shouldn’t surprise you that even our corn mazes can’t escape the grips of the election. If you head out to Summers Farm in Frederick, MD, kids of all ages can navigate through rows of corn stalks that make up an image of both candidates holding the American flag.

French Underground

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 & 13, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Embassy of France

4101 Reservoir Rd. NW

$20 in advance, $25 at the door, $35 for both nights

Maybe it’s because I’m half French, but the French Embassy has some of the best events in D.C. This weekend take advantage of this and head on over to the House of France for two nights of music, art, short films, French cuisine and beer.

POTUS Among Us

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13, 8 p.m.

Washington Improv Theater

1835 14th St. NW

$15 – $30

After last night’s Vice Presidential debate, you might be ready to hit snooze until November 6. But spend the evening with five new candidates vying for the presidency in Washington Improv Theater’s POTUS Among Us, and you might just perk up a bit. The candidates will let theatergoers decide which issues are the most important, which contenders make the primary, and in the end which candidate wins the whole shebang. Prepare for shenanigans and some creative improve that will make Joe Biden jealous.

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Cloture Girl’s: The Weekend Review

Hello DC Weekenders! As we all know Washington DC Restaurant Week 2012 is in full swing through the 19th and Washingtonian’s everywhere are running out to scarf up those great deals through the end of the week. For those of you full to the brim with good eats and great drinks, here are some events to break through the eating binge.

Brews, Bikes and Golf

Head on out to the H Street Country Club on Friday the 17th from 4-8 as new Belgium takes over all over the Country Club’s taps at a special happy hour. AND make sure you practice your putting: A limited-edition Fat Tire cruiser bike is up for grabs during a special hole-in-one challenge.

Chocolate City Anniversary Party

Come on out to Penn Social on E St. NW where the Brookland-based brewery marks its first year in business at Penn Social, a cavernous new bar that’s home to 40 taps and numerous games. Entertainment includes Skee-ball, shuffleboard and giant Jenga and the anniversary party features four Chocolate City beers for $5 each, including the El Segundo Saison. DJ Benny C provides dance tunes all night to keep you moving even when you’re not indulging in games or the pursuit of happiness through beer.

Chuck Brown Day Concert

Head on out to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this Saturday starting at 4pm and you’re sure not to be disappointed. The late Chuck Brown’s annual birthday concerts at the 9:30 Club were epic. The hours-long shows featured Brown, of course, but also a cavalcade of go-go stars performing to pay homage to the Godfather. This concert should be epic for DC in a similar fashion. In addition to Brown’s longtime backing band, the Original Soul Searchers, the bill includes a who’s who of go-go groups: Trouble Funk, Hot Cold Sweat, E.U., Backyard Band, Junkyard Bard and Suttle Thoughts. Brown’s daughter KK is among the hosts.

A Lovely Victorian Tea

The Weems-Botts Museum puts on a lovely event from 1:30-3:00 this Saturday for the Victorian lover in us all. Children and their favorite stuffed animal or doll are invited to a tea complete with a story called “Language of the Fans.” It promises to be fun through the ages.

Get Your Soccer Fix

DC United meets Philadelphia Union at RFK Stadium at 5pm Sunday the 19th. Don’t forget to buy your tickets early and catch one of the remaining games!

Redskins Rides

Make the trip to Redskins Park from 12-5pm this Sunday for a car show sponsored by the Redskins, with autograph signing and other entertainment. Admission goes for $15 a piece, $10 for children, or $50 for family of four. Get your Sunday football mix as early as they come!

This Weekend’s Must-Try Dining Experience: The Hamilton

600 14th St., NW Washington, DC 20005

Not only a wonderful dining experience, the Hamilton is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even late-night dining, it also offers a great concert experience. The Hamilton offers local, national and international musicians the unique opportunity to entertain a city that is never short on opinions, accompanied by the two level, five bar, four dining room layout of this glorious building in the heart of downtown DC.

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Cloture Girl’s: The Weekend Review

Hello there DC Weekenders! This weekend we’re looking at a regular cold snap- temperatures are going to make it down into the 80′s for what promises to be a tolerable weekend. Here’s some activities for you to enjoy while August gives us a little bit of relief.

Arlington County Fair

Let’s face it, we all like to channel our inner kid every once in awhile, why not do it at the Fair? Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Fair promises all the contests and exhibits as well as the amazingly bad for you Fair foods and carnival rides you just can’t seem to resist. Just remember rides come before overindulging in treats, we all remember what happened last time…

Peach Pit

Wanna shake it like it’s 1999 all over again? Peach pit makes it’s return this Saturday starting at 10pm. Head out to DC9 for this popular ’90s dance party complete with professional sound system, rooftop deck and multiple bars to chose from. Soup Dragons, Pet Shop Boys, Deee-Lite and all your other pop favorites will be there, why not you?

Cold War

Eight 12-foot-high sections of the original wall form the centerpiece of the Newseum’s gallery dedicated to the struggle to get information in and out of a closed society. The colorfully defaced concrete panels, which make up the largest display of unaltered sections outside Germany, are on view near a three-story East German guard tower that once watched over Checkpoint Charlie. Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Rooftop’s with a Perk

Rooftop bars and cold drinks always sound like a good idea- until the summer starts to heat up your good time. In this case, check out those bars which have convenient misting fans overhead to keep you and your good time going as long as you wish. Bars with misting fans include: The Argonaut, 1433 H St. NE. Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill 2424 Wilson Blvd, Arlington. Biergarten Haus, 1355 H St. NE. Whitlow’s on Wilson, 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington.

Safe Swimming

Consider Frederick County’s Cunningham Falls your go-to destination for the last bit of summer. In addition to its man-made lake meant for swimming, the cool, shady park has a 78-foot waterfall that you can scramble up to. To make a day of it, get there before noon, and check out the park’s renovated Manor picnic area with grills. 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd., Thurmont. Lake open for swimming, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. through Labor Day. Park hours: 8 a.m.-sunset through October. $3-$5 Monday-Friday; $5-$7 Saturday-Sunday.

This Weekend’s Must-Try Dining Experience: Johnny’s Half Shell

400 N. Capitol St. NW

Opened in 1999, and chosen by Gourmet Magazine in 2000 as one of ‘America’s Best Restaurants,’ Johnny’s Half Shell relocated to its present Capitol Hill location in September 2006. Said Washingtonian Magazine, ‘The capitol dome shines in the background, a reminder of the new, more serious-minded neighbors who come here. But Johnny’s still feels like home.’ In September 2007, New York Times dubbed the new venue a ‘Capital Gain’ for Washington, DC.

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