OK, well here's another digression, BUT VERY VERY IMPORTANT! It comes to me via Chris Connoly of the Velvet Lounge. The following text is off his mailing list

"coming soon: new DC laws and regulations governing restaraunts and music.
velvet is above the fray with a tavern license and a parking waiver, but
current laws would close almost every other small venue in town. the new laws
are a big improvement, but not enough of an improvement that some hard
working venue owners would not wind up getting their places shut down. of
particular concern, it has been recommended that the 45% food sales
requirement be lowered, but only to 40% or $1,500 per seat of capacity per
year. it needs to lowered further or many places will be closed.

please come testify on dec 4 (location tba, ask the liquor board) that people
who support nightlife are the majority and the liquor board and the council
should protect their interests against the small minority of citizens who
routinely protest all liquor licenses and aspire to control the city's
commerical corridors as if they were their own living rooms rather than vital
public resources. oddly, despite a couple handfuls of the same protestors
coming in over and over constantly repeating the refrain 1,000s of nightlife
consumers are bothering me, the council and the board seem to forget this is
a democractic society and there are 1,000s of us that like to go out at
night, even if the sidewalks get crowded and even if a couple 100 people
would rather we stayed home. if you work at a restaraunt please encourage
the owner to contact me (Chris at the Velvet Lounge)
regarding the new laws and regulations and our trade association: dc licensed
beverage association."

Thank you Chris. I hope posting this here helps. And remember consumers DECEMBER 4 - TESTIFY that small business and LEGITIMATE business at night is RIGHT and good for a city!!!!! AMEN