Preparations for the First Lady's Visit

Starting at 11pm tonight, Monday, the entire parking lot will close to accommodate for the First Lady's book signing.  Modern Times Coffeehouse and Politics and Prose Bookstore will remain closed until 2pm on Tuesday.  We will see you then!
We're all excited to welcome such an honored guest.  Hope you were able to get your ticket last week!

You Did it, NERDS! AND HOW!

Well done, Notorious F.S.G you rocked the party - you're the nerdliest of the NERDS this month!

Get your calendars, iPhones, moleskins, blackberries, blueberries, pies....(mmmm food).... Date books out: our next Trivia Night will by May 25 7-9pm.

And for those who couldn't make it - see how you might have done below

ROUND 1

1. The German/Jewish occupational surname Schneider referred to what sort of Tradesman?

2. The ‘Whirlo-Way’ or ‘Pluto Platter’ were the names thrown about in the 1940s and 1950’s for what ultimately became this generic/brand name?

3. Which is the only bird that can fly backwards?

4. Which country with a land mass of 9.6 million square kilometers has just one official time zone?

5. Which month of the year derives its name from the Latin “to open”?

6. Gamophobia is the fear of what?

7. In the 3rd Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, each of these made an appearance as the philosophical ‘Cleric Domains’. When taken together, Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Justice, Temperance, and Prudence are more commonly known as what?

8. Who composed the music to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”?

9. What connects the words Parliament, Murder, Exaltation, and Unkindness?

10. Why is the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn referred to as the Bean Belt?

ROUND TWO: Six Degrees of Separation 

(The strange connections between celebrities, writers, and, of course, some questions on Kevin Bacon).

1. This film, released in 2000 and based on a Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same name, received a mix reception of praise and scorn by critics--and was also protested by many feminist groups, including the National Organization for Women. In an ironic twist, Gloria Steinem, one of the organization's leaders at the time the film was released, was the stepmother of the film's star. (Name the film for one point, and the leading actor for a second point)

2. The actor Jared Leto--who has a minor role in the film referenced in the previous question--had a supporting role in the 1999 film "Fight Club," which also starred Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. "Fight Club" is based on a novel of the same name by what American author?

3. The author of “Fight Club” lives in Oregon and Washington state, where he is in a writing group with, among others, Cheryl Strayed, whose memoir "Wild" was selected as the first pick of Oprah's Book Club 2.0. The only other book thus far selected for Oprah's rebooted book club is a debut novel about the matriarch of a black family of the Great Migration and her children and grandchildren. (Name the book for one point; and the author for a second point).

4. Cheryl Strayed received an MFA in fiction writing from Syracuse University. One of Strayed’s mentors at Syracuse is a novelist and short story writer known for her way of matter-of-factly including many "taboo" subjects such as prostitution, addiction, and sado-masochism as major themes in her work, which include the novels "Two Girls, Fat and Thin" and "Veronica." The author says that she herself had worked as a stripper and call girl. Name the author.

5. The author referenced in the previous question also wrote the short story collection "Bad Behavior." A story from this collection was the inspiration for the 2002 film "Secretary", a black comedy that explores the relationship between a sexually dominant man and his submissive secretary, and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal as the secretary.

For one point, spell Maggie's last name correctly.

6. Maggie Gyllenhaal is the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal co-starred in "Brokeback Mountain" with this Australian actor, who died in 2008 at the age of 28 from a prescription drug overdose, and who was posthusmouly awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film "The Dark Knight."

7. The inspiration for "Brokeback Mountain"'s film poster was this 1997 film, also about star-crossed lovers, directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

8. Leonardo DiCaprio has starred in several films based on literature, including "Romeo + Juliet," "Revolutionary Road," and this 2003 film based on a novel by mystery writer Dennis Lehane, that also stars--who else?--Kevin Bacon. Name the 2003 film.

9. The Bacon Index is a measurement of every actor's "Bacon Number," or the degree of separation an actor has to Kevin Bacon. Good news! You know longer have to figure out an actor's Bacon Number on your own, because this popular search engine will do it for you. Just type the actor's name followed by the words "Bacon Number." What is the search engine?

10. Politics & Prose's Bacon Number is 3, thanks to two different but equally major celebrities. The first one--a comedian, political satirist, and author--was born in Washington, DC but moved to South Carolina at an early age, where his sister is currently running for office. The second, a British stage actress, singer, and director, can tell you exactly how to make the medicine go down. Both stars have signed their books at Politics & Prose. Name BOTH celebrities for ONE point. 

ROUND 3: VISUAL ROUND: Name the Title and Author

ROUND 4: MUSIC

1. Birdhouse in Your Soul – They Might Be Giants

2. Shake Your Tail Feather – The Five Du-Tones

3. Flight of the Bumblebee – Rachmaninov

4. I Second That Emotion – Smokey Robinson

5. When Doves Cry – Prince

6. Turn! Turn! Turn! – The Byrds

7. Mr. Jones – Counting Crows

8. King of Carrot Flowers – Neutral Milk Hotel

9. I’ll Fly Away – Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss

10. Like a Virgin – Madonna

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ROUND 1 - 10 POSSIBLE POINTS

1. TAILOR (old German sniden means to cut)

2. FRISBEE (named in 1957 after coincidental similar use by youngsters of pie tin lids of the Frisbie Pie Company in Newport, Connecticut)

3. HUMMINGBIRD

4. CHINA (5 time zones were first set up and made official in 1912, but were abolished after the Chinese Civil War.  In 1949, the People’s Republic of China established a single time zone for the entirety of its claimed territories).

5. APRIL (Derived from the Latin name Aprilis, from the verb ‘to open’ in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to open)

6. MARRIAGE, COMMITMENT

7. THE SEVEN HEAVENLY VIRTUES

8. MOZART (The lyrics are from an early 19th-century English poem, "The Star" by Jane Taylor, first published in 1806, and set to Mozart’s Variations thought to be originally composed in 1778)

9. BIRDS (collective terms for groups of birds  - Owls, Crows, Larks, and Ravens respectively)

10. THE LATITUDE WHERE ALL COFFEE PLANTS ARE GROWN.

ROUND TWO - 12 POSSIBLE POINTS

1.  AMERICAN PYSCHO, CHRISTIAN BALE (1 point each)

2. CHUCK PALAHNIUK

3. TWELVE TRIBES OF HATTIE, AYANA MATHIS (1 point each)

4. MARY GAITSKILL

5. GYLLENHAAL

6. HEATH LEDGER

7. TITANIC

8. MYSTIC RIVER

9. GOOGLE

10. STEPHEN COLBERT AND JULIE ANDREWS (1 point total--must name both correctly)

ROUND THREE- VISUAL ROUND - 20 POSSIBLE POINTS

1. Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon

2. The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkein

3. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeline L’Engle

4. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - Ken Kesey

5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

6. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

7. Cat’s Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut

8. Moby-Dick - Herman Melville

9. The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kudera

10. Interview With the Vampire - Anne Rice

City Skin 4.16-5.30.2013

MTC is proud to present Gordana Gerskovic's Photo Exhibit

"Snorkeling with my camera through the city, looking for undiscovered beauty. I just swim, observe and find treasures. Images appear behind every corner and pose only for me. I do not question, I trust them and they become my beautiful art captured forever. I am in the flow."
- Gordana Gerskovic

 

Help us inaugurate City Skin with a reception on April 27, 7-9pm in the cafe.

Join the event here: http://gordanaphoto-exhibit.eventbrite.com

 

NERDS, ASSEMBLE!

Our April NERDS Trivia Night is set - be sure to join in the fun APRIL 13, 8pm.

Check-in will be in the Coffeehouse beginning at 7pm: get your answer-sheets and give us your team name. As always, NERDS come in all ages; Teams are limited to 5 players, and PRIZES for the winners.

Don't forget: Grilled Cheese Special 7-9pm.

UPCOMING TRIVIA DATES:
May 25
June 29

REMINDER: keep your valuables close.

Please don't leave your things, whether big or small, unattended or out of your sight (especially purses! Don't hang them on the back of your chair; keep them on the floor in front of you). This includes walking away to grab a napkin, setting your stuff down to save a seat, ducking into the area by the bathrooms to take a phone call (yes, we all do it). Several folks, including employees, have had items stolen within a matter of 30 seconds of turning around.  These guys are experts and only by being personally responsible for your items, vigilant and talking to each other will we be able to stop them.  
Most of you come here enough to recognize a strange person hanging around.  If you see something, report it to anybody behind the counter; they'll be sure to call the police.  

Suspicious behavior to watch out for:
- hats or sunglasses indoors
- large bags or bulky jackets
- pacing/scanning
- people not purchasing/consuming anything
- hanging out by the Remainder section by the bathrooms (perfect spot to scan the entire coffeehouse and Remainder room)
- hanging out by the publications table by the door to parking lot 

Any other tips you might have about this or other incidents let us know in the comments or email javier(at)moderntimescoffeehouse.com 

Theft and Pickpocket Prevention Tips from MPDC

March NERDS Scorecard

The results are in! With a crowd of 150 players, Nerd Night is going strong.  If you missed the quiz on March 23rd, here are the questions, and a list of the teams - see how well you can do.

Join us for the next TRIVIA NIGHT on APRIL 13 at 8pm.

And a big Congratulations to Ann Rand Paul and Ringo for bringing home the win!

QUESTIONS
Round 1:
1) Lucille Fay LeSueur was born on the 82nd day of 1904 (March 23) in San Antonio, Texas. This 'Mommie Dearest' rose to fame - and possible infamy - under what name?

2) How many rings were forged by Sauron in J.R.R. Tolkein's Middle Earth?

3) This Republic's name is an acronym derived from the 5 regions that make up its geographical boundary and literally means "the land of the pure". What is the name of the country?

4) What is the name of the creature that Beowulf epically battles?

5) There is only one Royal Palace in the United States historically occupied by a reigning monarch. Where is this residence (extra point if you can name the palace)?

6) On March 27, 1912, Helen Herron Taft (then First Lady) and the Viscountess Chinda (wife of the Japanese Ambassador) planted the first two cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. This ceremony had been delayed 2 years - originally planned for 1910 - because the original gift of 2000 trees was burned after inspection. For what reason did the inspectors require the trees be burned?

7) At 12:01am on August 1, 1981 the first ever music video aired on MTV; The song holding this honor was later listed on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80's, despite the fact that it was actually recorded in 1979. What was the song?

8) What famous Beat Generation manuscript was written on a single scroll of paper?

9) In Morse Code what does 'short-short-short-long-long-long-short-short-short' spell out?

10) Excluding monuments, what is the tallest building in Washington DC?


Round 2: Midwest is Best
1) According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Midwest is composed of which 12 U.S. states? (1pt for each state) Indicate the state name that is the most populous of these states for an extra point.

2) in 1825, the opening of this transportation system created a direct shipping route from the Midwest to the eastern seaboard. It runs approximately 363 miles and at the time was faster than animal-pulled carts, more direct than the Mississippi River, did not require portage, and cut transportation costs by 95%.

3) Widely known for its agricultural fertility, this Midwestern State is home to actress Donna Reed, actor John Wayne, orchestra leader Glenn Miller, and President Herbert Hoover.

4) Located on the 45th parallel, a city in this Midwestern State claims to be the "Lutefisk Capital of the World." (Bonus point for naming the ethnic/national origins of Lutefisk).

5) This Midwest city, whose name could be considered a metonym for the American auto industry, was the fifth-largest in the U.S. in 1950; by 2010, its population had declined by 60%.

6) Named after a Native American tribe, this Midwestern State is home to the Annheuser-Busch brewery, the largest brewery in the United States.

7) Opened in 1992 on the site where the Minnesota Vikings and Twins formerly played, this structure, which is located just outside of the Twin Cities, receives more than 40 million visitors annually, a number that is roughly eight times the population of the entire state of Minnesota. 

8) Once considered part of the 'Great American Desert,' this Midwestern State claims to have more miles of river than any other state AND has more underground water reserves than any other state in the continental United States.

9) This Midwestern State is home to the first land grant university, which served as the prototype for the 69 land grant institutions later established under the Morrill Act of 1862. (Bonus point for the name of the University).

10) The Great Minnesota Get-Together, otherwise known as the Minnesota State Fair, will this year host what unique film festival as part of its grandstand events? Even though this film festival is only in its second year, it drew more than 10,000 people for its first year. All film submissions were crowd sourced (most likely from people procrastinating on Facebook while at work) and the top prize for the festival went to a film titled "Henri 2: Paw de Deux." What is the film festival?

Round 3: Visual Round
Fill in the words corresponding to the letters. When spoken, each forms a familiar phrase.

1) 4 H of the A
2) 12 T on a M S
3) 7 DS
4) 7 W of the AW
5) 12 I in a F
6) 28 D in F (except in a LY)
7) 50 S in the U
8) 52 C in a D
9) 88 K on a P
10) 4 S and 7 Y A...
11) BONUS POINT: "50 W to L your L"

Round 4: Music (St. Patrick's Day/Zombie Apocalypse)
1) Pride (In the Name of Love), U2
2) Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O'Connor
3) Volcano, Damien Rice
4) Whiskey in the Jar, The Pogues with the Dubliners
5) Zombie, The Cranberries
6) Thriller, Michael Jackson
7) We Didn't Start the Fire, Billy Joel
8) It's the End of the World As We Know It, R.E.M.
9) My City of Ruins, Bruce Springsteen
10) All I Want for Christmas is You, Mariah Carey/Justin Bieber

ANSWERS BELOW!

TEAM NAMES:
42 Feet, 626 Young Wild and Free, A.A.R.R.H. Ahaa! Ann Rand Paul & Ringo, Around the World in 10 Years, Baby Boy Team Name, Chicken Street, Country Line Bilge Water, Encoders of the Arbitrary Outset, Fenwick, Florida's Gulf Coast, Georgetown Lost and the Goosey Boots, Goldilocks and the Normally Disturbed Bears, I Bet It All on Georgetown, Jumpin Spiders, Leaving Early, Mahvelous Mavens, Man Bear Penguin, Megan Needs to Break up with Her Boyfriend, More Like Politics and Doze, Nora's 23rd Birthday, Oh I didn't know Cell Phones Were Allowed... Old But Not Yankees Old, Politics and Bros, Politics and Ho's (nee bros), Private Book Groups, Reince Preibus is a Genius, Sequestration: Things Fall Apart, Shooting the Moon, The Griswold's Vacation in DC, The Kodachromes, Things Fall Apart; Two Spies and an Artist, Ulysses' Little Rascals

Answers: Round 1
1) Joan Crawford
2) 20 (9 for mortal men, 7 for the dwarf-lords, 3 for the elven-kings, 1 to rule them all)
3) Pakistan (Punjab, NW Frontier Province [Afghan Provence], Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan). There Republic Day is celebrated annually on March 23
4) Grendel
5) Honolulu, Hawaii; 'Iolani Palace
6) Insects and Nematodes (worms). They were found by the Dept. of Agriculture to be infested and diseased and the original 2000 trees were burned to protect the local growers.
7) Video Killed the Radio Star, by the Buggles
8) On the Road, Jack Kerouac
9) SOS
10) The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (319ft). Followed by the Old Post Office Building (315ft), the Washington National Cathedral (301ft), and the Capitol Building (289ft). There is a misconception that buildings in DC are not allowed to be taller than the Capitol. In fact they are regulated by the 1910 Height of Buildings Act, which limits a building's height to the width of the right-of-way of the street or avenue on which a building fronts.

Answers: Round 2
1)Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, NOrth Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
2) The Erie Canal
3) Iowa
4) Minnesota (Scandinavian)
5) Detroit
6) MIssouri
7) The Mall of America or MoA
8) Nebraska
9) Michigan - Michigan State University
10) The Internet Cat Video Festival

Answers: Round 3
1) 4 Horsemen of the Apocolypse
2) 12 Tones on a Musical Scale
3) 7 Deadly Sins
4) 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
5) 12 Inches in a Foot
6) 28 Days in February (except in a Leap Year)
7) 50 States in the Union
8) 52 Cards in a Deck
9) 88 Keys on a Piano
10) 4 Score and 7 Years Ago...
11) BONUS POINT: "50 Ways to Leave your Lover"

CHECKMATE

We are pleased to offer a CHESS BOARD for public use.

Checking out the board is free with the purchase of an item, and will be available during the same hours as our wi-fi. Check here for time limitations.

You'll need to leave a photo ID with the baristas to check out the board, which will be returned to you when you bring the board and all its pieces back.

Unlock the inner Bobby Fischer hidden beneath the surface.

Nerd Night Returns

Yet again MTC will be co-hosting Trivia with Politics & Prose, Saturday, March 23 @ 8pm.

To accommodate the large numbers from last time, we will be having trivia upstairs this month - so be sure to come early enough to get a grilled cheese, which will be on special starting at 7pm.

Come show us what you've got, NERDS!

UPDATE

To accommodate those of you who need to use online services during weekend mornings, we have added two hours of wireless service to Saturdays and Sundays. Our router will automatically shut down as follows:  

MON - FRI: between 11a - 3p
SAT & SUN: between 10a - 5p

Thank you for your comments and for helping us create a more inclusive, welcoming atmosphere.

Little Theatres; 2.28-3.14.2013

MTC is proud to present a new show by J. Ford Huffman.

Please also be sure to join us for a reception to celebrate the opening of Little Theaters on Saturday, March 3. 2013, 7-9pm in the cafe.

"Wall-hanging sculptures in the form of assemblage shadow boxes," says Washington's Art Registry gallery. 

Each box is a proscenium arch, the Registry says, and "what happens inside (the box) is the artistic production directed by Huffman."

In the ArtSee Preview of this exhibit Roxanne Goldberg says the "typically playful, sometimes provocative, and always clever little theaters take the viewer on a delightful journey into a tiny, magical world beyond (Huffman's) own."