Monthly Archives: August 2011

MLK Memorial

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have seen it. It is a very moving experience. The Memorial is quite impressive and takes it’s place along the Mall as a “must see” area.

The mall played such a central role in MLK’s narrative and this is truly a fitting tribute to a great man.

Here is a powerful film- “Man of Peace In Time Of War” that shows MLK’s life and times! On SnagFilms.com. Watch, learn and pay tribute. Go see this wonderful Memorial. Thank you.

Is That All You Got?

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A 5.9 earthquake in DC.

A category 3 hurricane a coming.

Mother nature-Mother-earth. Rocking and rolling; here in our community.

I was on the 7th floor of a big glass building in Arlington; it swayed and creaked. We all walked down the 7 flights to hang out next to the bridge going into Georgetown; no cell service and we couldn’t get online. No injuries; but everyone outside these buildings felt fortunate there were no injuries and no real damage. We ducked a bullet it seemed.

Kettler Capitals Iceplex was steadfast; no damage.

Verizon Center stood strong too. No damage.

We feel blessed. We are puny in the true measure of our environment.

Earth can be violent.

Here is a National Geographic film that reminds us of the power of earth quakes and hurricanes. We are not immune.

Kudos to someone at AOL!

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So – I read this article at Mashable. It is about voice recognition and software.

I smile; as I remember that we created and launched AOL By Phone more than a decade ago.

I created it to be a hyper local content engine. A precursor to Foursquare. As an example, as you were driving past a street the phone could call you or text you and tell you what was available. Sales available, and you could make reservations via an interactive 411 info service. Open Table before Open Table; real time voice alerts. Very cool stuff.

But it also had a very cool read and respond to email feature.

I used it all of the time while I was driving. I could hear my email; I could respond; I could delete. All via voice. The technology was provided by Quack; a company we acquired to make it all work for us.

The service was launched as a subscription service at $5.00 per month. We reached almost 1 million subscribers and we competed in a way with TellMe. I was very proud of this service. It was ahead of it’s time. It was our first voice oriented service. The people in the sight challenged community loved the service as well; It made mail accessible to all.

I loved the service. But we reorged the company. The service went to another division; There were numerous cut backs and reorganizations and I lost track of AOLByPhone after I left the company.

The company I believed killed the service.

But today I went online and found this site. It is back and usable. And it is from 2011; kudos; I am impressed. Thank you. Check it out.

True Story – Britney Spears

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Last week I was in Chicago attending a board meeting.

After a board dinner, I left the restaurant and traveled back to my hotel with a business associate.

We got out of the car and we talked for a few moments before I headed into the hotel; and he walked to his apartment a few blocks away. While we were chatting; an SUV pulled up and a woman; an older woman and 3 burly men got out of the SUV and walked past us. I glanced over and said to my associate, “I think that was Britney Spears”.

He said “No way! wonder what she is doing in Chicago?”.

We talked some more and then I walked to the elevator that goes to the lobby. I went to the lobby and walked through it to the elevator bank that takes you to you room.

As I turned the corner, I saw this same group of people huddling and then elevator arrived the door opened and we all walked in.

So now it is me, a younger woman, an older woman and 3 body guard types in the elevator.

I press my button.12th floor.

The elevator heads up.

I turn to the side to look for a moment to see this huddled group of people. It is Britney Spears. She is wearing a hoody sweat shirt and sweat pants.

It is a bit uncomfortable; uncomfortable silence. I eventually say “Hello Britney – excuse me for saying this but I own the Verizon Center in DC. You played a concert there last month and my family enjoyed the show very much – thank you”.

I immediately feel like a geek for saying a word.

Britney doesn’t respond. Doesn’t acknowledge that something has been said – doesn’t move – doesn’t say anything. Has a blank stare on her face. She is far away. A body guard slowly moves right in front of me; is at eye level with me and doesn’t say a word. Just stands right in front of me. Passive. But he is there. Silent. Looking into my eyes.

My floor is reached 10 seconds later. I step outside and the elevator continues upward.

I walk off and laugh to myself.

And think. “Yikes”. THAT was weird.

Thumbs Up for Graffiato

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A new fun dining establishment is open across the street from Verizon Center on the 6th street side. It is called Graffiato and it is led by celeb chef Mike Isabella.

My family dined there this weekend. The place was buzzing at 6:30 pm. The bar downstairs was packed – in a good way – and the dining tables upstairs were also booked solid. A great sign!

The place is polished and casual. The plates are small. The Caesar salad was fantastic and the pizzas were to die for – thin real crust and great ingredients. Fresh and innovative.

The place will be rocking game nights before and after the games.

I am so pleased to see the 6th Street side of the arena start to come alive. Check it out. These folks are big fans of our teams as well. Show them some support. Thank you.