Thomas Coen's Blog

10 More Publications Join Campus Progress' Publications Network

Thomas Coen — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:17:15 EDT

10 more progressive magazines and newspapers from across the country have joined the over 50 student publications that receive funding, journalism training, content support, and other forms of assistance from Campus Progress.

Campus Progress is proud to support the work of young journalists trying to get their voices heard and bring attention to issues that the mainstream press ignores.

This year, there are several new and exciting publications joining our network including:

*The Fine Print, a brand new publication at the University of Florida looking to break stories and talk about issues in-depth where the campus daily just doesn't cut it.
*The Bottom Line, a bi-weekly newspaper at UC Santa Barbara that serves as a critical voice for students from covering LGBT rallies to talking about race issues at the school.
*One World, a magazine focusing on human rights in the U.S. and around the world at Saint Louis University.
*Women Unite, a publication focusing on women's issues at Trinity College in Connecticut.
*The Collegiate Progressive, examining science policy questions in an accessible format at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.

Check out all the publications in our network here. It's also not too late to apply to join the network. Check out the online application here.

Covering Politics: Media and Election 08

Thomas Coen — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:51:37 EDT

In case you missed Campus Progress and The Nation's National Youth Journalism Conference this past July, fear not. One of the morning plenary panels on media and politics was featured in a recent episode of RadioNation with Laura Flanders. You can check out the podcast here featuring Michael Tomasky of The Guardian, Chris Hayes, Betsy Reed, and Amy Alexander of The Nation, and moderated by Daniella Leger of the Center for American Progress.

Seeing the Arts for Free

Thomas Coen — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:46:06 EDT

As Washingtonians flee the District in August, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the plethora of free museums and art galleries around town. But don’t just settle for Smithsonian museums, check out The Kennedy Center.

Opened in 1971 to commemorate the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy, The Kennedy Center brings some of the best performers from around the world to its state of the art facilities. While some of those events may be pricey, The Kennedy Center also has free nightly performances at 6PM on its Millennium Stage. No tickets are even required, just show up. For example, tonight acclaimed jazz pianist and vocalist Deanna Witkowski leads a trio blending Brazilian and Afro-Cuban jazz music.

If you’re not in the mood for sitting though a performance or can’t get there for the 6PM start time, I would still recommend checking out The Kennedy Center. It’s free to walk throughout the premises and its roof deck has some of the best views of anywhere in D.C. There’s even a café up there.

The easiest way to get to The Kennedy Center is either to walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro or hop on the 80 bus, which goes directly there. The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F St. NW with more info on getting there here.

Seymour Hersh at Campus Progress Journalism Conference

Thomas Coen — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:05:32 EDT

Award-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh was kind enough to speak at Campus Progress and The Nation's National Youth Journalism Conference last month in front of a packed crowd of 200 young journalists from across the country. Impressive as always, Mr. Hersh artfully explained some of the keys to becoming a great reporter as well as some amazing national security anecdotes. Some of his comments have been getting press over at ThinkProgress.

Mr. Hersh has also spoken at other Campus Progress events. Check out this great clip of him at our 2007 National Conference or this provocative interview he did a few years ago.

Checking out movies and their stars before anyone else does

Thomas Coen — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:57:37 EDT

DC offers many great free opportunities to young interns and workers but the availability of advance screenings of feature films and documentaries may be one of the best. Often, talent from the film is also present and the receptions at movie screenings are some of the tastiest around.

Campus Progress recently did a premier screening of Generation Kill with David Simon and Evan Wright and Reel Progress, part of the Center for American Progress, regularly does advance screenings, most recently featuring Kevin Costner and his new film Swing Vote.

Case in point, check out a free screening of Women of Liberia: Fighting for Peace at the E Street Cinema on Tuesday July 29th at 7PM. The documentary follows ex-child soldiers, detailing the different struggles they face in the disarmament process. Sponsored by Amnesty International, a discussion with some of the women featured in the film and the Academy award-winning director will follow the screening.

While I don’t think they’ll be any free food, the subject matter is incredibly important and the film is helping to rally support around the International Violence Against Women Act, a critical piece of legislation.

Winner of the Free Food-a-Thon

Thomas Coen — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:07:39 EDT

It was a wacky and crazy day yesterday in the halls of Campus Progress and throughout the nation’s capital as four wily competitors rose early to not only beat the heat but also each other to be crowned the 2008 Free Food-A-Thon champion.

Yet all Avarice Ashley’s 6:30AM wake-up call did was make her stomach rumble louder than an Orange Line train. She delighted in consuming the delectable nourishment of an English muffin with peanut butter and graciously bowed out of the final as her competitors came roaring through the starting gate.

Nick “Pastry” Pastan ran into some unexpected company, his opponent Chewing Chenwei, at the Federal Facilities Council’s conference: High-Performance Federal Buildings: Meeting EISA requirements through 2030 (no, I did not make that title up). Yet the Pastry’s patented ID problems didn’t stop him from weaseling in to mount the buffet and fill up on blueberry cake and bagels. And Pastry Pastan didn’t stop there: he swung by the Mariott to sneak some more juice and croissants before clocking into work at 9:04AM.

Chewing Chenwei remained composed the whole way. With her equanimity she had no problems strutting into the high-powered buildings breakfast. She was more concerned about the tone and appropriateness of flossing the city for free food than bellying up to one more breakfast buffet. The contest was getting heated, interns were taking sides, staff was being accused of favoritism, and it was still before noon!

Free Food-A-Thon: The Final Four is Set

Thomas Coen — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:10:51 EDT

With accusations of favoritism and preferential treatment flying, Chewing Chenwei Zhang devoured the competition faster than Kobayashi in a hot dog eating contest on day four of Campus Progress’s Free Food-A-Thon.

Chewing Chenwei guzzled juice and gobbled grapes at a healthy marriages panel before traversing over for a lecture on Coptic Christians in Egypt complete with a spread of veggie pitas.

Chenwei’s keen skills for finding the tastiest treats and most esoteric events, as well as her insightful documentations on Social Capital, made her victory a no-brainer.

Chewing Chenwei Zhang joins Hardeehar Aditi Hardikar, Nick “Pastry” Pastan, and Avarice Ashley Wiers in tomorrow’s free food-a-thon final battle royale. If you thought the qualifying rounds were intriguing, awkward, and delicious, then just wait until tomorrow. In the words of the Pastry Pastan, it’s on.

Free Food-A-Thon: Day 3 Winner

Thomas Coen — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:19:10 EDT

Day 3 of Campus Progress’s Free Food-A-Thon started off with all three contestants hitting the pavement hard even with a code red air quality warning. Lolloping Laura Perez used her hot new wheels to traverse the city’s cavernous road ways, but to no avail, proving the point that seeking free food without a plan merely leaves you famished.

A true battle was brewing, however, between Avarice Ashley Wiers and Nicholle “McManners” Manners. McManners came prepared with several costume changes to boot to get into every last high-powered conference, cocktail hour, and celebrity gala around. Remembering the lesson that conservatives always feed their own kind with lavish spreads and ostentatious displays, McManners grabbed a bountiful breakfast at The Heritage Foundation and was about to mosey to the exit when she accidentally ended up having a VIP breakfast at the Capital Hilton with the speakers from the event.

Avarice Ashley was slow out of the gate by the sickness of summer but still nabbed a bagel from the ritzy Ritz. She made up for it though with a 3-course luncheon at the National Press Club featuring “tender asparagus, steaming pea risotto, and herb-roasted chicken,” not to mention the most savory chocolate cake this side of the Potomac. McManners was foiled by Avarice’s punctual Press Club stop and decided it just wasn’t worth it anymore, stopping at McDonald’s to thoroughly enjoy a satisfying and cheap (though not free) lunch.

Nicholle may have the last laugh though with Avarice Ashley’s victory. The final now includes three compatriots who will have to fight for the last cheese Danish, plate of chicken fettuccine Alfredo, and slice of chocolate cheesecake in a rumble sure to break the bonds of friendship. One more contestant will join Avarice Ashley, Nick “Pastry” Pastan, and Hardeeharhar Aditi in Tuesday’s final. Stay tuned for today’s events…

Free Food-A-Thon: Day 2 Winner

Thomas Coen — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:55:05 EDT

Compared with day one, day two of Campus Progress’s Free Food-A-Thon was a tame spectacle. Two interns, Artair "I don’t care" Rogers and M.I.Aaron, decided to throw in the towel well before steaming DC hit its high of 92 degrees. Maybe it was Nick "Pastry" Pastan’s imposing stance or that nifty headband he sometimes wears. Whatever the case I guess they decided to ignore Michael Jordan’s maxim that, "I can accept failure, but I can’t accept not trying."

Yet the lack of competition did not deter Nick from gallivanting about the city in search of the freest and tastiest food around. First, the Pastry Pastan took advantage of his faux Hispanic heritage to enjoy a heart attack inducing heaping of bagels, cinnamon rolls, crème filled pastries, muffins, and scones at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Conference. After his inchoate Spanish skills resonated far beyond his beat red ears, Nick quickly headed for the exit.

Accompanied by Day 1 champion HardeeHarHar Aditi Hardikar, Nick’s uncomfortable display of journalistic posing at lunch left his belly grumbling, but he luckily had a back-up plan. The spread of sandwiches, salads, chips, and other goodies at the New Democracy Network event was enough to brighten up even this guy. But the Pastry Pastan didn’t end his lunch escapades there, he made a pit-stop at a ritzy DC hotel on his way back to the office to score a basketful of desserts to bribe the judges.

Although the competition was lighter than a Calista Flockhart lunch, Nick “Pastry” Pastan turned out a stellar performance. He joins HardeeHarHar Aditi in Tuesday’s final where friend turns into foe and anything goes.

Stay tuned to see what day three participants have up their sleeves…

Free Food-A-Thon: Day 1 Winner

Thomas Coen — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:37:38 EDT

It was a frantic first day for Campus Progress’s 4th annual Free Food-A-Thon. Saxon The Saxon set out to conquer the field by showing up to the National Press Club early, maybe too early, as he waltzed past the five old white guys in the room and bypassed the pastries and muffins to scarf down a bagel and fruit.

Yet, HardeeHarHar Aditi Hardikar was also ready for battle and not far behind. She showed up at the Press Club on time, stayed for some of the enthralling discussion of Islam in Turkey, and her lucid prose of the breakfast buffet made our stomachs rumble.

Zachaphone, on the other hand, just didn’t answer the call. After nabbing some free coffee from his building he succumbed to purchasing day-old, half-priced bagels. Half-price isn’t free and day-old is the quality of food we’re looking for either. Zachaphone quietly bowed out after his morning mishap, though we still salute his courage to participate.

With two contestants left on day one, lunch saw a surge of activity as each tried to take the lead. After taunting Saxon The Saxon for his early lunch return with nothing to show for it, he showed us all up by slithering his way into the national conference of the nation’s first black sorority that can now count Michelle Obama as one of its honorary members and feasting on a delicious spread of gastronomical gluttony.

The 4th Annual Free Food-A-Thon is about to begin

Thomas Coen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:45:56 EDT

That's right. Every year Campus Progress interns spend a week scouring DC for every last pig-in-blanket, mini-muffin, and embassy cocktail.

Each intern will compete to see who can unearth and consume the most delectable free cuisine from Hill receptions, think tank talks, embassy parties, and other events to which they were not invited. The aim is to shine a spotlight not only on the ruthlessness of starving interns but also on the opulence and abundance of food served across the political spectrum by and for Washington power players.

Beginning tomorrow, three interns a day will compete in qualifying rounds, documenting their trials and tribulations on Social Capital. All of their meals, snacks, and crumbs from the floor must be free (not previously bought by the eater or purchased immediately before by another party specifically for the eater).

Cameroon? Is that somewhere in West Virginia?

Thomas Coen — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:24:02 EDT

No, actually, it’s a central African country. The DC metro area is, however, home to one of the largest Cameroonian expatriate communities in the U.S. If you want to try something new and eat an amazing meal, then go to Roger Miller’s restaurant in Silver Spring. It’s the only Cameroonian restaurant I’ve been able to find in my many searches for the cuisine in the states (I studied abroad in Cameroon almost 3 years ago).

At Roger Miller’s you can try authentic, traditional dishes like Ndole –bitter greens cooked with meat – or my personal favorite Poisson Braissé (roasted fish), served with fried plantains and greens. Be careful with the small dose of side sauce they give you because it’s piment, an incredibly hot yet delectable hot sauce. Roger Miller’s features cuisine from across Central and West Africa too, so you’re not limited to just Cameroon. Once in awhile they even have Cameroonian beer such as Castel or 33 (though you can also find these sometimes at Ghana Café).

A rivalry greater than Yankees vs. Red Sox

Thomas Coen — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:30:47 EDT

Nothing says summertime in DC like softball. The nation’s capital is renowned for offices from non-profits to lobbying firms to Congress filling up the Mall and every other softball diamond inside the Beltway.

The Center for American Progress, of which Campus Progress is a part, is facing off this evening against our friends at The Heritage Foundation. CAP’s Leftfielders will be battling Heritage’s Capitalist Tools, led by their coach is Brian Darling. (Heritage actually has two teams, the other being the Supply Sliders). It’s a rivalry so intense words fail to describe it. If you’re interested in checking it out, just saunter down to 26th and P St. NW around 6:30PM tonight, but be wary: you never know what kind of sensible argument Heritage will make. Feel free to taunt Heritage too for advocating policies that have bankrupted America, bogged down our military, and made sure that even poor kids don’t have access to health care. Get pumped.

Finding a good book

Thomas Coen — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:15:13 EDT

While DC has its share of Barnes and Nobles, Borders, and other chain book stores, there are also some excellent local independent shops that you all should check out.

Kramerbooks is a popular Dupont Circle area bookstore and cafe. While small, they stock a lot of great titles, particualrly liberally minded ones. The large display tables throughout the store make browsing a treat. And if you want a real treat, just grab a seat at their Afterwords Cafe. While overpriced with only average food quality, the atmosphere is great and the desserts are priceless. Kramer's is also a great place to meet people, due to its central location and the endless browsing you can do throughout its stacks. It's bar area offers a happy hour during the week with some excellent draft beers.

John Edwards, Ryan Gosling, M-1, Adrienne Maree Brown: what else could you ask for?

Thomas Coen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:00:30 EDT

That's right. On July 8 in Washington DC over 1000 young people from across the U.S. will gather to organize, network, and learn from some of the country's top activists, artists, journalists, and policy makers.

Take it from me, if you only go to one conference, one event, this year, the Campus Progress National Conference is one to go to. Every year I'm more and more impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the attendees, the breadth and depth of the discussions led by the speakers, and just by the fun atmosphere (and great food). But don't take it from me, hear what John Edwards has to say:

Don't wait, spots are filling up fast, so apply today!

Eating Progressively

Thomas Coen — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:48:20 EDT

Washington D.C. is the capital of politics, which doesn’t die on your lunch break or post-work happy hour spot either. There are many excellent establishments in D.C. to show-off your progressive values and ideals.

If you want to support vegetarian and vegan establishments while eating some amazing food, there are several options available.

Java Green’s Asian-fusion fare offers unique sandwich wraps and noodle dishes. It’s all-vegetarian fare is complemented by using only biodegradable ware made from corn, sugar cane fiber, and potato starch for its take-out customers. The place is a bit pricey and you tend to want more than the servings they give you, but it’s still a treat now and then. It gets packed there at lunch and while dining outside is nice, there are too few tables to sit at. Their cookie sandwiches filled with cream are absolutely heavenly, if overpriced. Java Green is located in between Dupont and Faragut North and Faragut West at 1020 19th NW and is now open until 8:30 or 9 during the week if you’re in the mood for a quick dinner bite as well.

Get out of Northwest

Thomas Coen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:25:45 EDT

Too many interns and recent DC transplants never venture beyond the comfortable, commercial areas of Dupont, Adams Morgan, Georgetown, and U Street. Yet, DC has so much more to offer.

Chris already explained how the new Nationals ballpark has dramatically changed Southeast and Kevin’s neighborhood guide gives some clues about the great areas of Northeast from H Street to my personal stomping grounds, Brookland.

But don’t forget about Southwest DC.

Want to know what to do in DC? Social Capital is what you need!

Thomas Coen — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:13:29 EDT

Looking for fun after your first day on the Hill? Scavenging for free food to survive your low-pay or no-pay Beltway job? Seeking the loudest concerts and the coolest art shows? Curious about what really goes down at the Heritage dorms, Smith Point, and other right-wing hideaways? Social Capital is what you need.

Check out the newest part of CampusProgress.org!

Social Capital connects you with other young, progressive DC denizens looking for a good time. Whether your passion is breaking a sweat in a game of pick-up soccer on the Mall, going to shows at the Black Cat or 9:30 Club, hitting the wonky lecture circuit, or hunting down an open bar, Social Capital is your one-stop source for filling up your social calendar—and for up-to-the minute blogged accounts of intern snafus, random overheard chatter around DC, and interviews and portraits of some of DC’s most memorable characters, and more.

Check out Social Capital today!

Seymour Hersh to keynote National Youth Journalism Conference

Thomas Coen — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:29:39 EDT

Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, whose storied career includes award-winning reporting on war and the arrogance of power from Vietnam and Watergate to Abu Graib, will keynote Campus Progress and The Nation's National Youth Journalism Conference.

Sy has some amazing stories to tell and it's an honor to have him speak at our conference. Check out this amazing clip of him at last year's Campus Progress National Conference:

It's hot and I want to eat ice cream!

Thomas Coen — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:09:40 EDT

For those unaccustomed to DC’s unbearable humidity, welcome to the nation’s capital. For those that knew what was coming once we passed Memorial Day, you must also know that ice cream is essential to surviving the summer. What other delectable cold treat could satisfy you when walking outside feels like swimming through a swamp?

If you want the best ice cream in DC there’s really only one place to go: Larry’s Ice Cream at 1633 Connecticut Avenue NW, near Dupont Circle. The staff is pure New York –treating you with neither Southern grace nor Midwest niceness but old school attitude. They will get annoyed with you when you ask to sample different flavors (which you’ll want to do because there are so many good ones to choose from) and grow impatient as you debate how many scoops to enjoy. Yet, that’s part of the appeal of Larry’s and the ice cream is unbeatable in this city. You can tell from the consistency that they use only the highest quality ingredients and offer a variety of flavors to make everyone happy (including a delicious green tea).

If you’re further south and looking for custard, the best place to go is Dickey’s at 1710 I St. NW. It’s a small unassuming café next to the more well known Café Asia. Go for the real custard (not the fat free) and throw on some strawberries and hot sauce to get the real deal. You’ll thoroughly enjoy it and feel much cooler in muggy DC.