January is off to a flavorful and festive start, with plenty of cozy comforts and clever moments to enjoy. From Bloody Marys to board games, sci-fi stories to tea time, this month brings a fun mix of treats, trivia, and thoughtful traditions. Thanks to Carla Besosa for sharing another creative roundup of days to discover in The Compass. Scroll through and find a new favorite way to kick off the year.
January 1: NATIONAL BLOODY MARY DAY - For a highly acclaimed Bloody Mary, venture to The Morrison House, Matt & Tony's, The Majestic, or Jula's on the Potomac.
January 2: NATIONAL SCIENCE FICTION DAY - Most popular sci-fi movies: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, and The Matrix. But my favorites are Minority Report, Interstellar, Contact, and Arrival. Two books also come to mind: Waiting in the Silence by Rosalyn W. Berne and Asking the Moon to Leave by Johnny Randolph Hunt. (Yes, my skeptical friends, I have read them!)
January 3: NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY - Just step away from the computer, and no one will get hurt!
January 4: NATIONAL TRIVIA DAY - Several Alexandria restaurants host a Trivia Night (Ramparts/Tuesdays, Hops N Shine/Wednesdays, T.J.Stone/Wednesdays, Del Ray Pizzeria/Mondays). For something different, try the DIY version: Each participant in your group brings a predetermined number of questions and you take turns asking and answering. Lots of learning and laughing!
January 5: MONOPOLY GAME DAY - Monopoly could easily be your source for trivia questions on January4!
January 6: THREE KINGS DAY - In true Puerto Rican fashion, the Three Kings always left a gift under my bed when I was growing up (the one Santa forgot).
January 7: NATIONAL TEMPURA DAY - Yelp suggests Zento, Kumo , and Momo Sushi.
January 12: NATIONAL HOT TEA DAY - If you want to be fancy, try Lady Camellia in Old Town. At IndoChen, you get your own lovely little pot. My favorite tea is Rooibos, a South African red bush tea; very smooth, with no bitter aftertaste - you’ll need to broaden your search for this one.
January 17: NATIONAL RYE WHISKEY DAY - There may be a Manhattan, Sazerac, or Old Fashioned with your name on it.
January 21: NATIONAL HUGGING DAY - Did you know that hugging has numerous benefits for both physical and mental health? Of course you did!
January 20: PENGUIN AWARENESS DAY - The tallest is the Emperor Penguin at 46+ inches. The Little Blue Penguin brings up the rear at 14+ inches. (Which continent has the most penguins? A great question for January 4!)
January 23: NATIONAL PIE DAY (Not to be confused with Pi Day on March 14) - Get a pie from Maribeth's Bakery on Colvin St. And maybe save a piece to enjoy on January 25.
January 25: NATIONAL IRISH COFFEE DAY - Your best bet is Murphy's or Daniel O'Connell's in Old Town. But Cameron Café’s version is delicious, too.
January 31: FRUITCAKE TOSS DAY - My first reaction is toss it out!
Carla Besosa has been a Cameron Station resident since 2000, and a Compass contributor for more than 20 years. She earned the title of "Cameron Station Foodie" for the many restaurant reviews she wrote for the newsletter, many of which can be found in The Compass archives on the community website, www.cameronstation.org. Carla is a huge supporter of Cameron Station and very tuned into the fun and delicious ways to enjoy life in and around our community.
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