Faves and raves by Danielle Nierenberg

Co-director of the Worldwatch Institute's Nourishing the Planet project, which works out of D.C. to reduce hunger around the globe.

PERSONAL STATS

AGE: 37

NUMBER OF YEARS IN D.C. AREA: 10

NEIGHBORHOOD: Adams Morgan

- Lisa Gartner

1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT

The Dupont Circle Farmers Market is a great place to buy locally grown food, meet interesting and fun people, and get to know the neighborhood. My friend -- and surrogate father -- is a Maryland organic farmer who I've been working for and selling vegetables with for years.

2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

My own two feet. D.C. is a great city for pedestrians.

3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT

Nothing beats a Washington Caps games for people-watching.

4. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC

The Black Cat is a long-time favorite. I've seen so many amazing bands play, like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, before they were huge and playing big arenas.

5. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS

Every D.C. visitor -- and long-term resident for that matter -- should check out the cafeteria at the Museum of the American Indian. It is full of foods that are delicious and indigenous to the Americas.

6. FAVORITE MUSEUM

I love the National Museum of Natural History, specifically the Insect Zoo. They have a honeybee hive exhibit that is wonderful. I used to keep bees to help restore the bee population, which is suffering from a huge -- and mysterious -- decline. I think this issue really warrants more awareness in the U.S.

7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT

For me it would have to be the Portico and steps of the Carnegie Institution for Science. That is where I met my partner in crime. We talked for four hours on those steps, and for me they will always be one of the most special places in the city.

8. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY

There is nothing like spending the morning weeding at my friend's farm in Frederick, Md., and then helping make scones with his freshly picked blueberries.

9. BEN'S CHILI BOWL, OLD EBBITT GRILL OR CAFE MILANO?

Ben's Chili Bowl. Veggie chili. Need I say more?

10. BEST RETREAT OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY

Whitewater tubing along the Shenandoah River. Nothing like the river, a cold one and a tube to escape the hot, muggy, D.C. summer days.

11. BEST RETREAT INSIDE THE BELTWAY

The Botanical Gardens are a little mini-break from the city within the city. Grab a seat at the top of the canopy, take in the wonders of the world's plant life, makes you feel like you've just had a weeklong vacation in the tropics. Well, not quite that good. But, almost!

12. BEST PLACE FOR LATE-NIGHT EATS

Amsterdam Falafel in Adams Morgan, so many veggie toppings to choose from, and the peanut sauce. ... Oh, the peanut sauce!

13. PROUDEST PART OF LIVING IN THE D.C. AREA

The Washington, D.C., area has become a hub for local and regional food. People in this city are really starting to support their local farmers, enjoy their local produce, and put a local spin on their meals. Since moving here 10 years ago it's been so exciting to see the local markets, sustainable catering businesses and restaurants pop up all over the city. It's really amazing -- and delicious -- to be a part of it all.

14. EMBARRASSING PART OF LIVING IN D.C. AREA

It can be rough to know that I am living in our nation's capital and yet there are still many neighborhoods, like Anacostia, where there is very little fresh food and produce. There's a mismatched dichotomy in D.C., with a proliferation of healthy food in some areas and a total lack in the other. But, it's pretty great to see how that is quickly changing and the potential that lies in people's excitement about fixing the system. I look forward to how the city will grow in another 10 years!