July 11, 2008 - Around Town

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

AROUND Town

Memorial Day begins the season at the beach so by July 3rd things are in full swing. But this day before the craziness begins is one of my favorite days. The new restaurants have opened and the changes have occurred but Rehoboth thankfully remains the same.

I am fortunate because I have a house at the beach and can leave DC early on the day before a holiday and avoid the traffic. My friends will tell you that I always go back early Sunday morning and avoid traffic on the return trip as well, and get a weekend day in DC to boot.

I arrived in Rehoboth at about 11 a.m. It was a relaxing drive, I had my good friend Brad in the passenger seat and we talked politics and boys for the 2 1/2 hour drive. Both topics of supreme interest to me. By the time we got halfway across the Bay Bridge, about 45 minutes out of DC, I was able to open the window, take a deep breath of fresh air, and my body just seemed to slow down as it always does when I cross the bridge heading east.

The first stop was the house and we unloaded our luggage. I had my computer and a little overnight bag and he had a steamer trunk, or so it seemed. But then he is still young and clothing and how one looks to the other boys is still so important. Next we both checked our office emails to see if anyone needed us.

Then it was off to town to make the rounds. I park behind the fire station because I am lazy and rent a parking space there. We head to Aqua Grill to say hi, see if Bill is there, and to check which cute waiter is working. They are all so cute and sweet that I know Bill will soon get an award from some human resource organization for his hiring skills. We are surprised to see that Aqua is now doing breakfast and it looks like a great place for morning coffee, a bagel and reading the paper. Then it was on to the Philip Morton Gallery to say hi before going to Lori's Cafe and the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard to have lunch with my sister and her better half Elva. We see Ward who is setting up a new show in his Ward Ellinger Gallery and say hi to Steve Elkins who walks by and to Kathy who is stocking more copies of Letters in the paper box. I then need to make a stop at Elegant Slumming to say hello to Philip and pick up a ring I had left to be repaired. After that a quick stop at the Seafood Shack to say hi to Stef and see if Brian or David is there before I leave Baltimore Avenue.

From there it is across First Street to see Steve at Gidget's Gadgets and then past the Purple Parrot to see if Hugh and Troy are working. I know that would be unusual but you never know. Anyway it's always fun to say hi there because Brent, Chris, David, and the rest of the staff are so cute. Then a quick stop-in to say hi to Ed Major at Major Hair Salon and it's a nice surprise to see Joyce Felton who is having her hair done. She looks great! Then after a stop at Critter Beach to see Tracy it's back to the car. By this time I have gotten a full report on new rumors and gossip, enough to last the weekend. Enough to start every other conversation with, "Did you hear?"

Speaking of changes, it's great to hear that Steve Webster is back in town and helping manage Eden on Baltimore Avenue. And, from what I hear, the changes at Wings to Go are that the kids, Asia and Frank, are growing a mile a minute. Stop in and see them.

Then suddenly it's nearly 5 p.m. and time to begin to get ready for the evening. My evenings in Rehoboth are nearly always the same and that's what I like about Rehoboth and what makes i so relaxing.

I will go back into town about 6 p.m., park the car and head to Aqua Grill for my favorite time of the day, happy hour. I rarely go to a bar when I am in DC but in Rehoboth I rarely miss a night. I am not much of a drinker but the waiters at Aqua and for that matter at the Blue Moon or most other bars in town, know to ask when I walk in, "White wine?" So I begin with my first glass of Pinot Grigio and the evening is underway. It is rare that I have more than two glasses of wine but I can make those last as I walk the deck and sandbox of Aqua and chat with everyone. The conversation goes from what's new in Rehoboth, who is seeing who, wow aren't these waiters really hot and shame they are all straight, to politics and solving the world's problems. Amazing how after a couple of glasses of wine the world's problems are easier to solve.

After a couple of hours of chitchat it's time to figure out where to go for dinner. I usually join friends and we either stay at Aqua or do something easy like Dos Locos or if we are up for something fancier maybe Zebra that first night. Then we will make reservations for later in the weekend for something fancier like the Blue Moon or the Back Porch.

Then suddenly it's 10 p.m. and I'm getting ready to head back to the house after a really enjoyable day. I no longer hit the late hot spots like dancing at Cloud 9. I leave that to the younger crowd and to Marvin, Dan and Tony.

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 09 July 11, 2008