Private New Year's Eve For President Obama

Kailua, Hawaii: President Obama did not leave his rented vacation compound the entire day on Saturday, and marked New Year's Eve in private with his family. After dismissing the press pool shortly before 4:00 PM, the White House did not release details of how President Obama bid 2011 farewell. The First Family usually has an impromptu talent show on New Year's Eve, with skits and songs.

Early on Saturday, the President signed the controversial H.R. 1540, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012," having it sent to Hawaii so he could sign it personally rather than by auto pen, according to aides. The President immediately issued a 13-paragraph statement about provisions he objected to, and vowed to "interpret" the measure.

The vacation has been relatively quiet, and included a visit to Pearl Harbor to lay a wreath at the Memorial. There have been two dinner excursions in Honolulu: The President dined at Alan Wong's Restaurant, and at Morimoto restaurant the night he arrived, on Dec. 23. There was an annual pilgrimage to Island Snow for shave ice; four rounds of Presidential golf, daily workouts, and plenty of beach and tourist time for the President and First Family. Christmas was the President's only major 'public' outing; after celebrating with his family, he visited troops and families at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Mrs. Obama brought daughters Malia and Sasha to MA'O Organic Farms for a pizza party with Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass and local chef Ed Kenney at the beginning of the vacation.

The President's final weekly address for 2011:



The President is scheduled to return to Washington on Jan. 2, 2012.

Final Push For "Dinner with Barack and Michelle"

President Obama, staff send e-mails & tweets as contest & finance quarter end at midnight...
UPDATE, Jan. 6, 2012: Second "Dinner with Barack" contest turns into lunch
The final push for 2011 Campaign donations was on Saturday, with tweets and e-mails from President Obama and OFA staff as the midnight deadline loomed for the fund raising quarter in general and the "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" contest in particular.

On vacation in Hawaii, the President sent a brief e-mail to supporters: "About the deadline tonight: It matters," he wrote. $3 got auto-entry into the dinner contest, the third time the President has raffled himself off as a dinner date. Deputy Campaign Manager Julianna Smoot also sent an e-mail about the dinner for eight.

"If you're interested in potentially sitting across from the President and First Lady for a meal sometime soon, this is your very last chance to throw your name in the hat," Smoot wrote.

The Campaign introduced a way to donate directly off cell phones on Saturday, and National Finance Director Rufus Gifford also sent an e-mail, with the subject headline "I know, I know, I know," since OFA is aware they are in overkill mode.

"Trust me: Nobody here wants to be a bother. But we're counting on everyone..." he wrote.

The First Lady e-mailed supporters on Friday. Former Obama aide Reggie Love is the latest from the President's inner circle to promote the dinner.

The President dined with the four winners of the first dinner contest in October at The Liberty Tavern, but has yet to dine with the four winners of the second contest. OFA recently released a new video of the Eater in Chief talking about the first dinner, which followed five previously released videos. Entries don't require a donation, and the assigned retail value of the dinner, $1,600, which includes airfare and a one-night hotel stay, is taxable to the winners.

The President's e-mail had the subject line "Hey."

The text:

XXXX --

About the deadline tonight: It matters.

If you can, please give $3 or more today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Midnight

To 2012,

Barack
###

Smoot's e-mail had the subject line "Enter by midnight tonight."

The text:

XXXX --

Today, the last day before 2012, we want to make sure you take the chance to be part of something special.

Before midnight tonight, donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered to have dinner with the President and First Lady sometime soon.

And, don't forget -- if you're one of the winners, you'll get to bring a guest along with you.

So, if you're interested in potentially sitting across from the President and First Lady for a meal sometime soon, this is your very last chance to throw your name in the hat.

Donate $3 to be automatically entered to have dinner with Barack and Michelle:

https://donate.barackobama.com/By-Midnight

Good luck, and happy new year.

-Julianna

Julianna Smoot
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America
###

President Obama's Last Weekly Address 2011

Transcript & video...
On vacation in Hawaii, President Obama on Saturday wished Americans a "Happy New Year" as he made his last address of 2011 from his rental compound in Kailua. He called on Congress to finish its job with economic legislation in 2012, and vowed to protect the middle class.



The transcript:

Hello, everybody. As 2011 comes to an end and we look ahead to 2012, I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

The last year has been a time of great challenge and great progress for our country. We ended one war and began to wind down another. We dealt a crippling blow to al-Qaeda and made America more secure. We stood by our friends and allies around the world through natural disasters and revolutions. And we began to see signs of economic recovery here at home, even as too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead.

There’s no doubt that 2012 will bring even more change. And as we head into the New Year, I’m hopeful that we have what it takes to face that change and come out even stronger – to grow our economy, create more jobs, and strengthen the middle class.

I’m hopeful because of what we saw right before Christmas, when Members of Congress came together to prevent a tax hike for 160 million Americans – saving a typical family about $40 in every paycheck. They also made sure Americans looking for work won’t see their unemployment insurance cut off. And I expect Congress to finish the job by extending these provisions through the end of 2012.

It was good to see Members of Congress do the right thing for millions of working Americans. But it was only possible because you added your voices to the debate. Through email and Twitter and over the phone, you let your representatives know what was at stake. Your lives. Your families. Your well-being. You had the courage to believe that your voices could make a difference. And at the end of the day, they made all the difference.

More than anything else, you are the ones who make me hopeful about 2012. Because we’ve got some difficult debates and some tough fights to come. As I’ve said before, we are at a make-or-break moment for the middle class. And in many ways, the actions we take in the months ahead will help determine what kind of country we want to be, and what kind of world we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in.

As President, I promise to do everything I can to make America a place where hard work and responsibility are rewarded – one where everyone has a fair shot and everyone does their fair share. That’s the America I believe in. That’s the America we’ve always known. And I’m confident that if we work together, and if you keep reminding folks in Washington what’s at stake, then we will move this country forward and guarantee every American the opportunities they deserve.

Thanks for watching, and from Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo and myself, Happy New Year.

###

2011: Steak Has A White House Winning Streak

A Top White House Food Story for 2011: Beef becomes the default entree for Presidential dinners. Will Barack Obama be remembered as President Obeef?...
Glorious cuts of beef were the entree for every major dinner that President Obama and First Lady Obama hosted in 2011, some with guest lists of hundreds. That stands in contrast to dinner tables across America, where beef consumption has plummeted 25% in the last thirty years, due to a combination of health and high-price concerns, according to the Department of Agriculture. Wagyus, Rib Eyes, Tenderloins, Petite Filets: The Obama dinner menus in 2011 read like a mash note to America's cattle ranchers, because the beef served at the White House is always raised domestically. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama with their counterparts at the South Korea State Dinner, which featured Texas Wagyu Rib Eye)

Past Presidents have offered entrees ranging from buffalo to venison to duck to fish to lamb at their high-profile dinners. Not so President Obama. 2011's beefstravaganza included three State Dinners, the Governors' Dinner, the Passover Seder, the President's 50th birthday party, the Bipartisan Dinner, and the Combatant Commanders Dinner. Outside the White House, it was the same story: The President's Return State Dinner in London for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the APEC Leaders Dinner in Hawaii had beef as the entree, too.

The heady cuts of beef served at the White House are rich and juicy, and range in price, depending on where and how the cattle were raised, but all are expensive. Wagyu often sells for upwards of $150 per pound, and is prized for rich fat marbling and thus intense flavor. The White House releases few details about sourcing, except for occasionally noting locations of cattle herds, such as "local" or "Nebraska" or "Oregon."

And in between the big-deal dinners, rare roast beef was served at White House receptions, including the holiday receptions, and at picnics for thousands, in the form of burgers. The President, well known for burger runs early in his Administration, went on steak runs in 2011. (Above: White House roast beef, served on a reception buffet)

"I love steak," Mrs. Obama declared in November during a Let's Move! event at an organic vegetable farm.

Indeed. It is neither an accident nor a coincidence that steak is on a White House winning streak: It is part of the First Lady's job description to be the final decision maker for important menus, after a complicated vetting process that includes tasting sessions with her chefs and Social Office staff. Sometimes the tastings even include her mother, Mrs. Marian Robinson. Most dinner menus also included an additional course with some kind of seafood--but never as the main course.

When queried, Assistant Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass (l) could give no reason for why the White House, America's culinary showcase, has become a high-end version of Outback Steakhouse, given Mrs. Obama's national campaign, Let's Move!, to promote healthy eating. And given that the federal 2010 Dietary Guidelines discourage high levels of red meat consumption. Kass did offer a fairly obvious observation, however.

"The White House cooks a great steak," said Kass.

Healthy eating has stolen the headlines for the most high-profile White House dinners: On publicly released menus, it was noted that the vegetables that accompanied the beef entrees were plucked from the First Lady's own backyard Kitchen Garden, credited with being the inspiration for Let's Move!. The Germany State Dinner, which starred Petite Filet, was dubbed "A Spring Harvest Dinner," while the Korea State Dinner, which starred Texas Wagyu Beef, was dubbed a "Fall Harvest Dinner."

Former White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib III, who led the kitchen for two Presidents between 1994-2005, and launched current Executive Chef Cris Comerford's career at the White House, had a bit more to say about the Obama love affair with beef.

"It's counter to the healthy eating message Mrs. Obama is putting out," said Scheib.

Still, Scheib was hesitant to criticize Mrs. Obama: Social affairs don't have to be about messaging, he said. And beef has broad appeal when dinner is for hundreds of guests who may have arrived from the far points of the globe.

"Steak for better or worse is an American thing," Scheib said. "It just may be something they [the Obamas] think represents the best of American cuisine."

Scheib said he cooked everything from Arctic Char to lamb for important dinners when he led the White House Kitchen, but there was plenty of beef on his menus, though not with the Obama exclusivity. Scheib worked for President George W. Bush, after all, who is from the big beef state of Texas.

The menus...and the Obama steak runs...
The Obama State Dinners, the pinnacle of Presidential entertaining, had delirious beef choices, though it should be noted that the portion sizes are always small. For China's President Hu Jintao in January, the entree was Dry Aged Rib Eye. The dinner was dubbed "quintessentially American," and steak--with Double Stuffed Potatoes and a finish of Apple Pie--was served at the request of the Chinese Delegation, according to the East Wing. For Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in June, the entree was Petite Filet. South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak was treated to Texas Wagyu Rib Eye in October. Each dinner had more than 200 guests. (Above: The President toasts with President Hu at the China State Dinner)

Lee and Merkel both had private steak dinners with the President the evening before their State Dinners. The President and Lee dined on a traditional Korean Rib Eye, Bulgogi, prepared with "a secret marinade" at Woo Lae Oak restaurant in suburban Virginia (the beef was American, according to the restaurant). At Georgetown's 1789 restaurant, Merkel and the President talked policy over organic Beef Tenderloin from cattle raised in Virginia, accompanied by a heady Bordelaise.

Mrs. Obama, as a side note, had her own series of dinners this year at DC's BLT Steak restaurant, as part of her "incognito" jaunts around town. "Outed" as a regular when hockey star Alex Ovechkin tweeted a photo of himself with an arm wrapped around Mrs. Obama in a BLT booth last April, East Wing aides admitted the First Lady had made multiple visits to the eatery. It's just three blocks from the White House.

America's Governors are feted with a black-tie dinner every February, and in 2011 they enjoyed “Surf and Turf,” Local Black Angus Beef with a tiny portion of Blue Crab. The State Executives have always enjoyed steak at the Obama dinners: In 2010, the entree was Rib Eye Roast with Shrimp Scampi. In 2009, it was Nebraska Wagyu Beef and Nantucket Scallops.

Last May in London, the President and Mrs. Obama hosted a very formal dinner the White House dubbed the "Return State Dinner" for The Queen, held at the home of the US Ambassador. Her Majesty and a guest list that included David Beckham, Tom Hanks, and Colin Firth enjoyed Griddled Filet of Aged Highlands Beef, served with Red Wine Jus. At November's APEC Leaders Dinner in Hawaii at the Hale Koa hotel, the entree was Twice Cooked Soy Braised Short Ribs with Ko Choo Jang Sauce. It was chosen, according to chef Alan Wong, because it's President Obama's favorite entree at Wong's eponymous Honolulu restaurant. Currently in Hawaii, the President and Mrs. Obama dined at Wong's on Thursday. (Above: The President, Her Majesty, and Tom Hanks toast at the return State Dinner)

For the President's 2011 Passover Seder, a traditional beef brisket was served. Brisket was, of course, the centerpiece for the Presidential Seders in 2009 and 2010, too.

2011's most important closed-press dinners at the White House ensured beef's boffo year. At the President's landmark 50th birthday party, grilled steak and ribs were on the menu, guests who were exhausted from hours of dancing told Obama Foodorama. For the President's "Bipartisan Dinner" in April, with a guest list of Congressional leaders that included House Speaker John Boehner, and for a March dinner for the US Combatant Commanders, the White House released no official menus. But aides said that steak was served at both events.

The Obamas have hosted five State Dinners in total, and the second of the Administration, for Mexico's President Felipe Calderón in 2010, also had beef as the entree: Oregon Wagyu Beef in Oaxacan Black Mole. Only the first State Dinner, in 2009, was beef free--and that was because the honored guest, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is a pesco-vegetarian. Guests chose between a shrimp entree and a vegetarian entree.

The President and Mrs. Obama have made White House culinary history in many ways: They're the first to have a chef doubling as a Senior Policy Advisor, they're the first to have chefs who homebrew beer, the first to have a Kitchen Garden in decades, the first to ever have a beehive on the grounds...the list is now very long. Having beef as their default entree is one more entry on the Obama history list.

So how does the President like his steak?

"I'm a medium-well guy," Mr. Obama said, the very first time he cooked in public as President, at a Father's Day event in June of 2009.

His shirtsleeves rolled up, and clad in an apron embroidered with the Presidential seal, Mr. Obama hovered over a hot barbecue on the South Lawn. He was grilling steaks, of course.

CLICK HERE for all posts about the 2011 White House Year in Food.

In this video, Comerford describes the Korea State Dinner menu, which shows Texas Wagyu Beef being cooked:


*Dinner photos by Pete Souza/White House; others by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

White House Chefs Are Still Homebrewing Beer

A Top White House Food Story for 2011: Obama chefs are first in history to homebrew beer at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...
President Obama's home beer brewing operation at the White House made global headlines in 2011, after it was first reported here on Obama Foodorama that the White House chefs are the only ones in history to try their hand at hopping Presidential brews. There were more headlines when the President shared homebrew with Medal of Honor awardee Dakota Meyer in September, during a get together on the evening before the ceremony. (Above: The President and Meyer toasting on the patio outside of the Oval Office)

"We're continuing to make beer," Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass told Obama Foodorama.

To date, there have been three kinds of White House beer brewed, all using honey from the White House Beehive, the first to ever be on the grounds: White House Honey Ale was first served at the President's 2011 Super Bowl Party, when 90-100 12-ounce bottles were made using about a pound of honey. Meyer was served a different version of homebrew, White House Honey Blonde Ale. There's also been White House Honey Porter brewed, which was " unbelievably good," according to Kass.

Still, Kass said he doesn't *really* want to discuss the White House homebrewing operation.

"We're not going to talk about it all that much," said Kass, but gave no explanation for why.

There are no plans to release the White House beer recipe any time soon, either, said Kass, if ever. Which is a different story than when the beer operation first started, and there was talk of not only releasing a recipe, but also of perhaps planting hops in the ravingly diverse Kitchen Garden. That didn't happen, either.

The beer brewing equipment was paid for by the Obamas themselves, who spent about $200 for the set up. Above: A close-up of the label from the Honey Ale, from one of the few photos that have been released of the homebrew. It reads "Brewed with White House Honey," and was created by the White House.

CLICK HERE for all posts about the 2011 White House Year in Food.

*Photos by Pete Souza/White House

2011 White House Slideshow: President Obama, First Lady Obama, And Dinner

These images are taken from the White House Flickr, and include photos of President Obama and First Lady Obama, as well as guests and staff, during various dinners in 2011. The photos are from events held at the White House and outside. They were taken by President Obama's chief photographer Pete Souza, as well as Chuck Kennedy, Samantha Appleton, and Lawrence Jackson. A couple of non-dinner photos are included, because the photo was taken either before or after a Presidential dinner.

Click here for Pete Souza's 2011 Year in Photos Flickr set.

First Lady E-Mails About "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" Contest

No pomp and circumstance, no b*llsh*t at the intimate dinner with the First Eaters...
The end is near: Obama for America's "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" fund raising contest ends tomorrow at midnight. President Obama e-mailed donors on Wednesday, and First Lady Obama e-mailed donors today, asking for $3 while promising "warm conversation" at the "intimate" dinner for eight, with "no pomp and circumstance." The First Couple "cherishes" the same things as every American family, Mrs. Obama said.

Including dinners that raise funds for a massive re-election war chest, which Campaign Manager Jim Messina is insisting will not be $1 billion. That figure is "bullshit," Messina said in an OFA video released on Thursday, showing electoral college pathways to an Obama win in 2012. The word was partially bleeped, but it's in the video. Messina's colorful political analysis comes at 2:52 in the video.



The subject heading for the First Lady's e-mail was "Hope to Meet You Soon"

The text:

XXXX--

At the end of a long day, Barack and I cherish the same things most American families cherish: togetherness, warm conversation, and the simple pleasure of one another's company.

That's what this upcoming dinner is going to be all about. It's just going to be a couple of us -- me, Barack, supporters like you and your guests -- sitting around a table, sharing stories.

No handshaking lines, no pomp and circumstance.

We'd love for you to be a part of it. Donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Me-and-Barack

We hope to meet you soon,

Michelle
##

"Dinner with Barack and Michelle" is the President's third time raffling himself off as a dinner date. He dined with the four winners of the first dinner contest in October at The Liberty Tavern, but has yet to dine with the four winners of the second contest. OFA recently released a new video of the Eater in Chief talking about the first dinner, which followed five previously released videos.

Entries don't require a donation, and the assigned retail value of "Dinner with Barack and Michelle," $1,600, includes airfare and a one-night hotel stay, and is taxable to the winners.

The First Lady today also sent a second e-mail to supporters, with the subject heading "I want to be able to say."

The text:

Friend --

This holiday has felt a bit like one last long, deep breath before we plunge into 2012.

This time next year, I don't want us to have any regrets. I want to be able to say we rose to the task, and got it done. We've all got some work to do right now.

Over the next 11 months we've got an organization to grow, voters to register, and people to get fired up.

I hope you'll close out this year by donating $3 or more now to help make sure we're ready for the next one:

https://donate.barackobama.com/No-Regrets

Thank you so much, and happy new year,

Michelle

P.S. -- Also, when you donate today, you are automatically entered for a chance to be one of three supporters to have dinner with Barack and me.
##

Shave Ice Run: President Obama Visits Island Snow In Kailua

The President loves the frozen treat, and the store's logo t-shirt, too...
President Obama's Christmas vacations in Hawaii are a series of deja vu outings: He visits the same places each year. Last night, with the First Lady and a group of family and friends, the President dined at Alan Wong's Restaurant in Honolulu, as he's done each year of his presidency. Today, he brought the First Family for their annual pilgrimage to Island Snow, a surf shop that serves the best shave ice on Oahu. It's located in a small shopping mall in Kailua, close to the Presidential vacation compound. (Above: Last year, the White House released this photo of the President's Island Snow run on Dec. 27, with daughters Malia and Sasha and friends)

Mr. Obama wore a Chicago White Sox cap and sunglasses as he entered the store with a party of about fifteen after arriving at 3:35 PM. They spent about twenty minutes browsing and ordering shave ice, which is like a sno cone, but with crushed, fine ice, doused with fresh tropical juices. It's also served topped with sweetened condensed milk, called a "snow cap," or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The President doesn't like such additions, however.

"I'm a plain shave ice guy," he announced during last year's visit. His "favorite" combo is cherry and lemon-lime.

The visit came after the President spent four hours at Pyramid Rock Beach on Marine Corps Base Hawaii with his family and friends. Mrs. Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha visited Island Snow earlier in the vacation, before the President arrived.

A mob of about 60 gathered in the parking lot and on the sidewalk in front of a row of shops next to Island Snow, armed with cell phone cameras held over their heads to try to get a photo of the President. (Above: The President wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the store's name on Wednesday afternoon during a visit to Sea Life Park with Malia and Sasha).

While on island, Mr. Obama has remained out of public view--and out of the press pool's view--for most of his vacation, and there was no hand shaking with the crowd as he returned to the motorcade after the shave ice run. He departed at 3:58 p.m. Christmas was the exception to the privacy rule: After celebrating with his family, the President had a mess hall meet n' greet with troops and their families at the Marine Base.

The motorcade had more than a dozen vehicles, including nine Chevrolet Suburbans, pool noted. (Above: The President waves from the motorcade)

Other food outings: Last Friday, the President dined with family and friends at Morimoto restaurant in Honolulu. Mrs. Obama brought daughters Malia and Sasha to MA'O Organic Farms for a pizza party with Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass and local chef Ed Kenney at the beginning of the vacation.

The President has played three rounds of golf since arriving on island, and worked out at the Marine Base daily. He has no public events scheduled, and is due to return to Washington after Jan. 1.

Information: Island Snow is located at 130 Kailua Road, #115, Kailua, HI. Phone: (808) 263-6339.

*Top photo by Pete Souza/White House; second by AP pool

Most Viewed White House Photos, 2011

This photo of the First Family enjoying snacks while watching the womens' World Cup soccer game between the U.S. and Japan is one of the ten most-viewed photos of 2011 from the official Flickr, according to the White House. It was taken in the Treaty Room office in the residence of the White House. The US lost the dramatic match.

Members of the US team subsequently visited the White House for a Let's Move! soccer clinic with First Lady Obama.

Click here to view the other most-viewed photos of 2011, which are not in ranked order.

*Photo by Pete Souza/White House

MyPlate Video Challenge Winners

Secretary Vilsack unveils grand prize winners for USDA contest...
More than 140 amateur foodie filmmakers entered a USDA contest to create videos about the MyPlate message of filling half the plate at mealtimes with fruit and vegetables, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has unveiled the winners. Launched in September, the contest offered prizes totaling $9,000 for three categories, with three winners and a Popular Choice selection in each: Tips For Kids, Tips When Eating At Home, and Tips When Eating Away From Home. Entries came from schools, community groups, and families, and USDA also named 5 honorable mentions. The super cute video above, "The Fruit and Veggie Pokey!" is the Popular Choice winner in the Tips For Kids category. View all the submissions here.

The 1st prize winner for Tips for Eating at Home is The Wrap Rap:



MyPlate was unveiled last June by USDA and First Lady Michelle Obama to support the Let's Move! campaign, and encourages citizens to eat according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. USDA is in the midst of highlighting the second in a series of themed consumer messages supporting the MyPlate graphic icon – "Enjoy Your Food, But Eat Less." It is being promoted for the next three months in conjunction with more than 5,000 organizations participating in the MyPlate Nutrition Communicators Network. A Spanish language edition, MiPlato, has also been launched.

More info on the campaign and the winners is at ChooseMyPlate.gov, and at LetsMove.gov.

Honolulu: President Obama, First Lady Dine At Alan Wong's Restaurant

Special Chef's Tasting Menu: A three-hour dinner with friends and family at a favorite island haunt...
A long day of Hawaiian golf on Wednesday gave President Obama an appetite for dinner at what is regarded as his favorite island fine dining establishment: Alan Wong's Restaurant in Honolulu. The chef himself told Obama Foodorama last month that he was expecting a visit from the President and First Lady Obama during their Christmas vacation. (Above: The President arriving at Wong's last year for dinner; it is an annual vacation tradition)

"They're adventurous eaters," Wong said of the Obamas. The acclaimed chef, who sources locally and sustainably for his modern Hawaiian cuisine, cooked the special APEC Leaders Dinner the President and Mrs. Obama hosted in late November at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu.

The President was personally greeted by Wong when he arrived with Mrs. Obama at the restaurant at 8:00 PM, and they dined on a special five-course Chef's Tasting Menu, for a party that lasted almost three hours. The First Couple were seated with ten friends and family at their "usual" table in the main dining room, what Wong describes as the "feng shui" table. Mr. Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, who lives on island, was in the party.

Everyone enjoyed the special 5-course tasting menu. Wong typically offers tasting menus at the restaurant, but this one was specially created for the President: "The tasting menu normally offered to regular diners is not being offered tonight due to demands on the kitchen," pool reported. The Presidential tasting menu featured the "Sassey Salad" and bacon-wrapped pork loin. There was also an appetizer of 3 kinds of special butter, sourced from 3 different local dairies. The tasting menu was priced at $75 per person, or $105 with wine pairings.

The President's favorite entree at the restaurant, according to Wong, is Twice Cooked Soy Braised Short Ribs with Ko Choo Jang Sauce. His favorite dessert is called "The Coconut," and is Haupia Sorbet in a Chocolate Shell fashioned to look like a coconut, with Tropical Fruits and Lilikoi Sauce (passion fruit). Wong served both at the APEC Leaders Dinner.

Other patrons were also in the dining room as the Obama party enjoyed their evening. The restaurant is on the third floor of an office building, and offers no views of the ocean--but it is highly secure. Attempts by fellow diners to take Presidential photos were discouraged by White House aides. The President and Mrs. Obama departed after 11:00 PM to return to their island rental home in Kailua, about a half hour's drive across the island from Wong's restaurant, which is located near the apartment President Obama lived as a boy.

Wong has guest-cheffed at the White House, cooking for a huge South Lawn luau the President and Mrs. Obama hosted in 2009. A post about the President's visit to Alan Wong's in 2009 IS HERE.

The dinner outing is the President's second of the vacation: Last Friday he dined with family and friends at Morimoto restaurant in Honolulu. Mrs. Obama brought daughters Malia and Sasha to MA'O Organic Farms for a pizza party with Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass and local chef Ed Kenney at the beginning of the vacation.

The President's partners earlier in the day for a 7 1/2-hour game at at Ko'olau Golf Club in Kaneohe were island friends Mike Ramos, Greg Orme, and Bobby Titcomb. The President has played two other games of golf during his vacation, at the Klipper Course at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

CNN reporter Peter Morris happened to be dining at Alan Wong's on Wednesday, and gave insider details as the President's press pool was held outside the restaurant for the entire time, "enjoying" the humid Honolulu evening from their location by local fast food joint Zippy's, up the block from Wong's: "Pool did not see POTUS leave the restaurant and was not close enough to even make an attempt."

Information: Alan Wong's is located at 1857 King Street, Honolulu, HI, 96826. Phone: 808-949-1939.

Kass On The Healthy Food Financing Initiative: Lack Of Funds Won't Stop Food Desert Fight

A Top White House Food Story, 2011: Congress funds key component of Let's Move! campaign, but at $298 million below Obama Administration's request...
In a year when reducing the federal budget was a months-long battle in Washington, it is almost a miracle that the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) got funded at all. A crucial component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign, which she has been promoting for almost two years, the HFFI is an inter-agency project from the Treasury, Health and Human Services, and USDA that will provide things like grants, low-interest loans and new market tax credits for grocery stores and other projects to be built in food deserts. It was created to help achieve Mrs. Obama's goal of eradicating America's thousands of food deserts by 2017, and will bring "critical resources to communities that really need it most, where it's actually connecting the needs of people and businesses," said Sam Kass, Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives (above).

President Obama's budget for FY 2012 asked for $330 million for the HFFI. But Congress allocated just $32 million in the "megabus" appropriations bill the President signed on Dec. 23rd, though the HFFI is "a key component of the Administration's efforts to combat childhood obesity," according to the White House. USDA estimates that 23.5 million* people, including 6.5 million children, live in about 6,500 food deserts in the continental US, urban and rural areas where there is no or very low access to fresh fruit and vegetables and other healthy foods. The national childhood obesity rate is about 17%.

Despite not getting $298 million in requested funding, the $32 million is a win for Mrs. Obama: Congress declined to fund the HFFI at all for FY 2011. In October, Kass said he "firmly believed" the First Lady's goal of eradicating food deserts will be achieved. But five years and 6,500 food deserts breaks down to more than 1,300 projects that must be created each year to meet the 2017 deadline. (Above: Mrs. Obama announcing private sector food desert commitments)

Will the loss of $298 million in hoped-for funding derail the plan?

It's going to make the rapid push "very difficult," Kass admitted.

"But it doesn't mean we're going to give up on working to solve this problem," he said.

Kass pointed to the major private-sector pledges Mrs. Obama got for the Let's Move! campaign this year, when corporations including Walmart, Walgreens, SuperValu and regional outlets committed to build or transform grocery stores in food deserts, with as many as 1,500 projects being completed in the next five years. The pledges are a huge achievement for the Let's Move! campaign, he said.

"Obviously the more resources to solve this challenge the better," Kass said. "But we didn't need that [federal] financing for a lot of companies to step up and make the commitments."

None of the major corporations in the Let's Move! partnership are receiving HFFI funding, according to the White House. Walmart has already opened 20 of the 275-300 markets it has promised, according to Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs Leslie Dach. Walgreens has unveiled some of its revamped outlets, which now offer healthy foods.

Kass said that there'll be more Let's Move! work on eliminating food deserts in 2012, but declined to give details, other than saying that the Treasury will be awarding more grants for the HFFI. In September, Treasury awarded its first funding for the HFFI for FY 2011, $25 million in grants for projects to twelve Community Development Financial Institutions in nine states. This was the first financial activity for the HFFI, since Mrs. Obama unveiled it in February of 2010. The award profiles are here. Other regional food desert commitments from the private sector were announced in October.

There will be more corporate partnerships for the Let's Move! campaign in 2012; that's the goal of Partnership for a Healthier America, the non-profit foundation created to continue Mrs. Obama's work. She's the honorary chair, and PHA manages and monitors such initiatives.

"There's a lot of ways that we can solve this," Kass said about eradicating food deserts.

From the FY 2012 megabus, $22 million of the HFFI funding will be through the Treasury Department, and $10 million through the Department of Health and Human Services, as part of the Community Economic Development Program. USDA could allocate more funds from various programs to HFFI projects, too.

The White House regards building super markets in food deserts as a job-creating project that revitalizes communities; "thousands of jobs" will be created by the private sector commitments to build in food deserts, numerous White House aides said during the Walmart/Walgreens/SuperValu announcement. The HFFI is modeled on a state-level project in Pennsylvania, and will, in theory, "leverage" millions more dollars than the actual funding into local economies.

In October, the First Lady and Kass, along with other Administration officials, traveled to Chicago for the first-ever Let's Move! Food Desert Summit, where Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the President's former Chief of Staff, brought together Mayors from across the US to discuss ways to eliminate food deserts and boost community involvement in Let's Move!.

USDA's original "implementation plan" laying out the framework for the HFFI IS HERE {PDF}.
________________________

*USDA has two different ways of calculating what constitutes a food desert, and one method cites 13.5 million as the number of people living without access to healthy food. For both calculations, USDA says that 6.5 million children live in food deserts. Mrs. Obama, Kass, and all other White House officials use the higher population number when discussing food desert initiatives.

"How USDA defines food deserts is obviously a challenge and a work in progress and I think we're going to continue to evolve that tool," Kass said when asked about the variation in food desert population numbers.

"What's important here is that the country is coming together to solve that issue."

Related: Read this pocket guide to the Let's Move! campaign, which explains the five pillars that constitute the Administration's childhood obesity effort. Download the full White House Childhood Obesity Task Force Report [PDF]. In 2011, Congress showed itself more likely to protect the interests of business rather than child health, as the recent forays into potato and tomato regulation for school lunches indicate.

*Photos by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

Progress Report: Let's Move!-Walmart Partnership

One year in: Update on a Top White House Food Story, 2011...
First Lady Michelle Obama declared "victory for folks all across this country" when she joined Walmart executives last January to unveil the company's Nutrition Charter, a series of pledges to support the Let's Move! childhood obesity campaign. Efforts to fulfill the pledges are now well under way, according to Leslie Dach, Walmart's Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs. Consumers are already seeing changes in stores, Dach said.

The company is Mrs. Obama's largest private partner, and Dach joined Mrs. Obama in Washington, DC to unveil the five-year plan that includes pledges to build markets in food deserts, work with suppliers to reformulate thousands of food products, reduce the price point for fruit and vegetables, and create a front-of-pack nutrition label for food products. (At top: Mrs. Obama speaking during the launch event)

"It’s a victory for parents. It’s a victory for families. But most of all, it’s a victory for our children," Mrs. Obama said.

Walmart is the world's largest grocer with more than 140 million American shoppers weekly, and controls about 33% of the US grocery sector. Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), the foundation that supports the Let's Move! campaign, is monitoring the commitments from Walmart and all other corporate partners, which sign Memos of Understanding detailing their pledges. To date, PHA has released no formal report on Walmart's progress, but Dach announced Walmart's achievements for 2011 when he spoke at PHA's inaugural national childhood obesity summit. (Dach, above)

"We pledged to work with our suppliers to reformulate thousands of everyday foods, to reduce sodium and added sugars, and to remove all industrially produced trans fats," Dach said. By 2015, that means reducing sodium content by 25%, and sugar by 10% in national food brands and Walmart's Great Value private label brand in "key product categories."

"Our customers are already seeing those changes reflected in the products they can buy on our shelves," Dach said.

Empowering parents to make informed choices about food is one of the five pillars of Mrs. Obama's childhood obesity campaign, but federal agencies have failed to create a uniform front-of-pack nutritional labeling standard. So Walmart has pushed ahead with its own project, as have many major food and beverage corporations and many grocery chains. Walmart's front-of-pack "healthful seal" will "roll early next year," Dach said.

"We've been having conversations across the spectrum of the nutrition community...about what the criteria for a healthful seal should look like," Dach said. "We're running options through those criteria right now, to make sure they work in the real world and that all the products that eventually carry that seal deserve it."

"We believe that this tool will help our customers put affordable healthy food on their kitchen tables and in their kids' lunch boxes."

Walmart's efforts to drop its price point on fruit and vegetables has already started, Dach said.

"We committed to save our customers a billion dollars every year on fresh fruits and vegetables," Dach said. "We are well on track to meet that goal."

The company has announced that it will be purchasing from "local" farmers for some of its stores, in theory saving millions of dollars in handling and transportation costs. Other details on how that billion-dollar savings will be enacted remain murky.

In July, Dach joined Mrs. Obama at the White House to re-announce that the company will open 275 to 300 stores in food deserts by 2016, helping to meet the First Lady's goal of eliminating all US food deserts by 2017. More than half of Walmart's food desert stores will be new, with the remainder being "expansions or re-locations."

"We've opened twenty of those stores already," Dach said.

In September, Walmart's foundation arm awarded a $1 million grant to Milwaukee's Growing Power, to help fund urban farming projects and education efforts in an effort to eradicate food deserts.

As he gave his update, Dach also revealed a very interesting statistic.

"A very significant percentage of all SNAP dollars are spent in Walmart stores, in some states up to fifty percent," Dach said.

The government spent $75.3 billion on SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits for more than 46.3 million recipients in FY 2011, the US Department of Agriculture announced this month.

"One of the challenges we all share is to help people put their SNAP dollars to a better and more nutritious use whenever they can," Dach said. "Even on the tightest budget, we can encourage healthier options."

The SNAP program allows recipients to purchase cakes, cookies, ice cream, chips, soda, and other less-than-healthy foods with benefits.

Dach ended his update by praising Mrs. Obama for inspiring Walmart to step up its efforts to offer "Walmart moms" the best scenario for feeding their families healthy foods.

"The First Lady has taken on an issue that many people said was too complicated or too politically charged to make a difference," Dach said. "But she put it front and center and she has gotten business and government and civil society to work together with new urgency and a new sense of purpose."

"It's an honor to be working alongside her."

Supermarket News this year named Mrs. Obama to its 2011 "Power 50" list thanks to the massive outpouring of support she's gotten from private sector grocers. The Packer, a produce industry media outlet, this week named Mrs. Obama the top newsmaker for produce for 2011.

Dach also praised Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initatives Sam Kass, the point man for the Walmart partnership, for his leadership.

"Sam provides optimism, passion, and a charming relentlessness to cause everyone he works with to dig deeper and accomplish more," Dach said.

In May, Kass was named to Fast Company magazine's 2011 list of the "100 Most Creative People in Business" thanks to the White House Walmart partnership. He is #11 on the list of genius executives, impresarios and artisans who are transforming the world.

Though corporations partnering with the Let's Move! campaign sign Memos of Understanding with PHA, there are no legal ramifications if they fail to fulfill their pledges.

Related: Read this pocket guide to the Let's Move! campaign, which explains the five pillars that constitute the Administration's childhood obesity initiatives. Download the full White House Childhood Obesity Task Force Report [PDF]

*Photos by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

President Obama's New E-Mail About "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" Fundraiser

"Michelle and I are hosting"...
In a new email sent today to encourage supporters to drop just $3 to enter the "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" campaign fund raising contest, President Obama chafes at the constraints of being Commander in Chief, unable to leave the White House and dine out whenever he'd like.

"It's not all that often that Michelle and I get to host a casual meal with friends," laments Mr. Obama, who happens to be the modern record holder for Presidential dining excursions outside the White House.

The Obama dinners with pals tend to happen during vacations: This summer, there were three "casual dinners" with friends during the vacation on Martha's Vineyard. Last Friday, the President and Mrs. Obama dined with friends at Morimoto in Honolulu. And no one except those inside the White House know how many "casual dinners" the President and First Lady host in the private residence. But at least the First Lady can't complain about missing casual dinners: Mrs. Obama--and East Wing aides--have admitted that she sneaks out of the White House, incognito, for private dinners with friends.

Still, the upcoming campaign dinner is special, since Mrs. Obama is included, too.

"It's the first one we've ever done like this together, and we'd love to have you and whoever you choose to join us," President Obama wrote.

Three winners will be selected, and each is allowed to bring a guest, a change from the two other Dinner with Barack contests, when four winners were selected for each dinner. The contest closes on Dec. 31, and is part of the crucial year-end fundraising push for the campaign. Deputy Campaign Manager Julianna Smoot sent the same e-mail twice in the past week, including the seating chart for the dinner. Former Obama aide Reggie Love is the latest from the President's inner circle to promote the dinner.

"Dinner with Barack and Michelle" is the President's third time raffling himself off as a dinner date. He dined with the four winners of the first dinner contest in October at The Liberty Tavern, but has yet to dine with the four winners of the second contest. OFA recently released a new video of the Eater in Chief talking about the first dinner, which followed five previously released videos.

Entries don't require a donation, and the assigned retail value of the dinner, $1,600, which includes airfare and a one-night hotel stay, is taxable to the winners.

The subject heading for today's e-mail was "Michelle and I are hosting."

The text:

XXXX --

It's not all that often that Michelle and I get to host a casual meal with friends.

That's one of the reasons we're both excited about the upcoming dinner with three supporters and your guests.

It's the first one we've ever done like this together, and we'd love to have you and whoever you choose to join us.

Chip in $3 or whatever you can today -- and you'll automatically be entered to be one of our dinner guests.

I enjoy these dinners not just because they're a way to connect with supporters across the country.

They also say a lot about what kind of campaign we're running.

We don't take a dime from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs -- never have and never will. Instead, we believe in the kind of politics that gives everyone a seat at the table -- so we're literally offering these seats at dinner to folks who are willing to step forward and be a part of it.

There are just a few days left to add your name for a chance to be one of our guests at the next dinner, and help build this campaign before 2012 finally arrives.

Make a donation of $3 or whatever you can today -- and automatically enter to be there:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Me-and-Michelle

Thanks,

Barack

Supporters also got a second e-mail from the President, with the dinner mentioned in a PS:

XXXX --

Here's a question as we head into the new year: Will 2012 be the last year we get?

The answer depends on more than just me -- it depends on you.

How big this campaign grows in 2012 -- and how strong our position is to create lasting change in a second term -- will be determined by the resources we have to work with on January 1st.

We've done some big things together. But there's so much more we need to do.

So if you're in, I'm asking to you step up right now and show it.

Donate $3 or more for 2012 today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/End-of-Year

Thanks,

Barack

P.S. -- Michelle and I are looking forward to the upcoming dinner with three supporters like you and your guests. Any donation you make today automatically enters you to win two seats at the table.

The Obama Martini Glass Set...Yours For $30

Perfect for toasting with dirty Stoli Martinis, the President and First Lady's cocktail of choice...
Obama for America has long been selling family friendly logo'd foodie gear to raise funds for President Obama's 2012 re-election effort, but the Campaign has now moved into decidedly chic adult territory. Newly on offer are these Martini glasses featuring the 2012 campaign logo. A set of two sells for $30. They're made in the USA and "must be hand washed. " A decided bargain at $10 less than the $40 that 160 million Americans will now have in their paychecks, thanks to the President's pre-Christmas battle with House Republicans.

"Toast to victory in 2012 with our 8 oz logo-imprinted martini glasses," suggests OFA. Or toast to bipartisanship the next time the President is dealing with a stonewalling Congress.

Mr. Obama and First Lady Obama often enjoy dirty Martinis when dining out, typically made with Stolichnaya vodka, Obama Foodorama writer Marian Burros reported this year. Perhaps the First Eaters will indulge when they dine with the winners of the "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" contest, a fundraiser that closes on Dec. 31. Obama aide Reggie Love is the latest from the President's inner circle to promote the dinner. The seating chart for the Obamas and six guests is here; it's apparently such a showstopper that Deputy Campaign Manager Julianna Smoot has twice sent the graphic via e-mail to supporters: "I thought you should see it."

Another new bit of foodie swag OFA is selling is perfect for mixing up Margaritas: $50 gets this logo imprinted glass pitcher, also made in the good ol' USA.

"Serve your friends a drink and some 2012 pride," says OFA.

OFA is also selling the "Fired Up Ready To Grill" apron ($35), and a logo'd grill spatula ($40). Logo'd drink coasters ($10 for a set of six) were unveiled in October, as was a Biden Can Holder ($10). The grilling apron and spatula are now being sold together as a "Tailgate Pack" for $65, a discount of $10 from when purchased separately.

*Photos from OFA

President Obama's Message For Kwanzaa 2011

"Blessings for a happy and healthy new year"...
From his holiday vacation in Hawaii, President Obama today issued a statement sending "our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa" on behalf of himself and First Lady Obama. Apparently the First Family is marking the African American holiday, which begins today.

"We celebrate Kwanzaa at a time when many African Americans and all Americans reflect on our many blessings and memories over the past year and our aspirations for the year to come," President Obama said.

He noted that though many Americans are suffering right now, challenges can be overcome through "the spirit of unity, or Umoja."

"As families across America and around the world light the red, black, and green candles of the Kinara this week, our family sends our well wishes and blessings for a happy and healthy new year," President Obama said.

The President worked out this morning in the gym at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, before taking his family and friends on a hiking excursion through the hills above Kailua Bay, on the Lanikai Pillbox Hike. After, he returned to the Base to play golf with companions. A post about the Presidential Christmas celebration is here.

The President's full Kwanzaa statement:

"Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. Today marks the beginning of the week-long celebration honoring African American heritage and culture through the seven principles of Kwanzaa -- unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

We celebrate Kwanzaa at a time when many African Americans and all Americans reflect on our many blessings and memories over the past year and our aspirations for the year to come. And even as there is much to be thankful for, we know that there are still too many Americans going through enormous challenges and trying to make ends meet. But we also know that in the spirit of unity, or Umoja, we can overcome those challenges together.

As families across America and around the world light the red, black, and green candles of the Kinara this week, our family sends our well wishes and blessings for a happy and healthy new year."
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CLICK HERE for all 2011 White House holiday posts. CLICK HERE for all Holiday Photos of the Day.

History Of The 2011 White House Menorah

While President Obama celebrated Christmas in Hawaii, the White House did not forget that it's still Hanukkah, which ends on Dec. 28th. This new video, released today, gives the background on the special menorah that was used for the President's Hanukkah reception, held in the Grand Foyer on Dec. 8th before Hanukkah began.

The menorah is dedicated to General Joseph T. McNarney, who served as the Commander in Chief of United States Forces in the European Theatre from November 1945 to March 1947. It was created in a displaced persons’ camp after World War II, the White House said, and loaned to for use by The Jewish Museum, New York.

The Presidential Hanukkah reception featured a kosher menu with very different dishes than were served at all other Presidential holiday receptions, and last week, the White House released a video showing the kitchen being koshered for the event. The President's Hanukkah greeting is here.

CLICK HERE for all 2011 White House holiday posts. CLICK HERE for all Holiday Photos of the Day.