Faves and raves by Bob Lamb
Lamb is the executive director of Friends of the National Zoo, partner to the Smithsonian gem in Woodley Park, and a former senior adviser in the U.S. Department of the Interior, most recently in the Office of the Secretary. PERSONAL STATS
AGE: 66
NUMBER OF YEARS IN D.C. AREA: 40
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bethesda
- Lisa Gartner 1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT
Our local shopping center's Starbucks, a gathering place for our neighbors and friends. I was the store's first espresso customer when it opened years ago, and have been hooked ever since! It's our neighborhood "Cheers"!
2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
Long walks, especially with my wife and our dogs
3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT
Race for the Cure. The event combines all levels of athletes from our community working for a great cause while exercising in a competition where everyone is a winner.
4. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
It's a tie between the Kennedy Center and Strathmore for its wide range of music in a beautiful setting.
5. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS
Showing off the National Mall with both museums and monuments adjacent to our Capitol and close to the restaurants at Gallery Place
6. FAVORITE MUSEUM
The National Gallery and all the Smithsonian Museums -- what an opportunity for exploration!
7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT
The grounds of the National Cathedral, where my wife, Amy, and I were married 37 years ago
8. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY
Spending time with our energetic granddaughter (age 5) and grandson (age 2). This is not very lazy, but very invigorating.
9. BEN'S CHILI BOWL, OLD EBBITT GRILL OR CAFE MILANO?
Neither -- go for ZooFari, FONZ's annual May celebration of fantastic food from 90 of the area's best restaurants, with great wines, and fun at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
10. BEST RETREAT OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY
Sugarloaf Mountain with the view and sense of place that it provides (locally). Further outside the Beltway, the city of Los Angeles, where our son, daughter-in-law and grandson reside. With family, beaches, mountains and great restaurants, what could be better?
11. BEST RETREAT INSIDE THE BELTWAY
The animals, grounds and dedicated staff of the Smithsonian's National Zoo, of course. There's always something new, different and lively happening in a beautiful, parklike setting right in D.C.
12. BEST PLACE FOR LATE-NIGHT EATS
Any frozen tart yogurt store that I can find that's still open after 10 p.m. I became addicted in L.A. to Pinkberry, the original creator of this refreshing dessert.
13. PROUDEST PART OF LIVING IN THE D.C. AREA
Living in a beautiful city, where the seat of the government for the leader of the free world exists. It awes me that within a single square mile, there are the buildings from which our nation is governed, the Smithsonian -- where the history and contributions of our nation can be viewed -- and the incredible monuments on the National Mall that pay tribute to our forefathers and those who have defended our nation's ideals. On a personal level, I am proud to have had the opportunity in my previous career to serve in our government here in Washington and to have had a hand in preserving and protecting millions of acres of our national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands for enjoyment and inspiration of future generations.
14. EMBARRASSING PART OF LIVING IN D.C. AREA
Traffic jams and political gridlock!