The Austin Grill has an eye on the environment. This popular restaurant change was the only one in the nation to use 100% "Green Power" when it switched all six of its locations to wind-powered energy over the summer. On November 4, the restaurant was awarded the Green Power Leadership Purchaser Award by the EPA, recognizing their efforts to advance the development of renewable electricity sources. The restaurant chain was also recognized this past summer with the Albert Nunez Clean Energy Award for its Save the Bay efforts. The restaurant raised just over $30,000 in three months for the Chesapeake Bay restoration projects, and is the first business ever to receive that award.

Georgetown's Saveur Restaurant and fashion designer Natalie de Wolf teamed up to fight child abuse in late October, raising $10,000 at a gourmet and fashion show benefit. Hosting “Not Just Another Fundraiser,” the French restaurant served a six-course meal while guests viewed the black haute-couture dresses of Georgetown's newest boutique, N-Vintage. Proceeds went to benefit Prevent Child Abuse America, an organization that aims to prevent child abuse and neglect through education, family support networks and community awareness.

Presidential partisan politics are heating up. A panel of entertainment and political celebrities, including Moby, Jack Black, James Carville, Margaret Cho, Donna Brazile, Hector Elizondo, Eddie Vedder, and Janeane Garofalo , are will be among the judges deciding the winner of MoveOn.org Voter Fund's nationwide on-line contest. The competition is to find the creator of the best television advertisement detailing Bush administration policy failures. Visitors to the web site can rate the ads online from December 15 -30. MoveOn.org Voter Fund developed this contest to bring new talent and new advertising into an area traditionally run by Washington consultants. The winning ad will air in early 2004, during the week of the President's State of the Union Address.

Just in time to celebrate the100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight on December 15, the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum will open the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport. The center will display and preserve over 200 aircraft and 135 spacecraft and is named for International Lease Finance Corp. founder and chief executive officer, Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy , who donated $65 million towards the new facility. The aviation hanger in the new museum in Dulles will contain three levels of aircraft, two levels suspended from the ceiling and a third on the floor. Elevated walkways will give visitors the feeling of "soaring" with the aircraft. The center will also house the Wall of Honor, a memorial of thousands of individuals who have contributed to aviation and space exploration heritage. The museum estimates it will draw three million visitors per year.