What: A typical Saturday night at Tabaq Bistro—with the exception of a few NHL stars roaming the dance floors. The Washington Capitals and District Trust Charities sponsored the party, with proceeds benefiting Children’s National Medical Center.

A six-foot-two defenseman from Calgary, Canada, Mike Green was drafted by the Capitals in the first round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Where: Tabaq Bistro, 1336 U St., NW.

When: Saturday, November 3, 10 PM to 2 AM.

Who: Less than 24 hours after falling to the Philadelphia Flyers by one goal, the Washington Capitals were in a very celebratory mood. Center Brooks Laich, who said he was still feeling inspired by the team’s visit to Children’s on October 15, arrived at Tabaq with defensemen Mike Green and Steve Eminger at 9:30.

“When we went to the hospital three weeks ago, it really hit home, just talking to the families and seeing how everyone perseveres,” Laich said. “It’s awesome being able to help out and meet some people involved behind the scenes who don’t get enough credit.”

Food: The kitchen was closed at this Mediterranean restaurant.

Drink: Bartenders kept busy in three locations: on the main level, in the more intimate basement, and on the glass-enclosed terrace. An open bar was located in the VIP lounge, but a $100 wristband was required for access.

Pickup line of the night: “Are you Christie’s boyfriend?” “No, I’m not.” “Oh, well, you’re much cuter than him anyway.”

Scene: Laich, Green, and Eminger were quite approachable, posing for pictures and schmoozing with partygoers throughout the night. The three converged on the main level at midnight with District Trust Charities president Brendan Shields and Children’s coordinator of special events Grace Easby-Smith and an hour later took off for their Ballston homes.

“I don’t go out to party much in this area,” Eminger said, “but it’s a really cool bar and a really great atmosphere.”

So what do three NHL players in their early twenties drink on a boys’ night out? When asked, Capitals director of community relations Elizabeth Wodatch quickly stepped in, squinched her face as if anxiously awaiting major test results, and said, “Can you write ‘water’?” Of course, Liz, but only because this was a charitable event.

In total, more than $8,000 was raised for the Children’s National Medical Center and its Kids Care Fund.

“Anytime you can help out kids, it’s great—whether at schools or hospitals or community centers,” Green said. “I’m in the position to help out and give back, and it’s a great feeling.”

Ratings (out of 5):

Boldface names: 2
Swankiness: 2
Food and drink: 1
Exclusivity: 1
Total score (out of 20): 6

In a city focused on team sports, individual athletes can often be overlooked. For every Redskin, Wizard, or Capital who comes to Washington from out of town, there’s a professional runner, swimmer, or triathlete already here. Great Falls resident Susannah Kvasnicka may not have begun competitive running until years after her Langley High School and George Mason University days, but the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon winner is making her mark, one step at a time, on Washington and the world. She was recently the first female to cross the line in the June 2007 Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K (17:33) and the second woman home in the October 2007 Army Ten Miler (59:11). She will increase her distance in April 2008, when she heads to Boston for the Olympic Marathon Trials.

How did you get into competitive running?

I got into competitive running at the age of 29. I always knew as a child that I had some running talent, but other than running one season of high-school track, I didn’t pursue it. After the birth of my first son, I decided I wanted to run a marathon. I picked up a running book that a friend had given me, and I loosely followed a schedule. I completed the marathon and enjoyed it but didn’t decide to run another one until three years later, after the birth of my second son. Unfortunately, I tore a calf muscle during my second marathon. I decided to see a chiropractor who treated sports injuries. That chiropractor, Dr. Ronald Kulik, turned out to be a runner himself and a coach. After several weeks of treatment, he convinced me to train with him. After five months of training with him, I took 45 minutes off my marathon time. I have been training and racing competitively ever since.

What is your preferred race distance?

My favorite race distance is the marathon. I enjoy doing the long runs in training, and I love the challenge of racing 26.2 miles. I have two marathons that I would call my favorites. One is the Marine Corps Marathon. I have run it twice, and it holds special meaning to me because it was where I won my first marathon. The other is the Chicago Marathon. It is a fast course and has the best energy of any race I have experienced. The spectators are awesome!

What is your biggest achievement to date?

I have two achievements that are special to me. One was winning the Marine Corps Marathon, and the other was qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon. [Kvasnicka’s time in the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon was 2:47:07. She qualified for the Olympic Trials at the 2006 Steamtown Marathon (2:45:06).]

What do you eat the night and morning before a big race?

Usually the night before a race, I eat a pretty simple dinner. I usually will have chicken and rice or pasta and maybe a salad. If I am running a marathon, I make sure to get in extra carbohydrates. The morning of every race, I eat a banana and toast and drink grape Gatorade.

Where do you do your long runs around here?

I try and stay off pavement for most of my long runs, so I run either at Burke Lake Park or on the C&O Towpath.

What advice do you have for people who hope to run a marathon someday?

The advice I would give to someone planning to run their first marathon is to find a reputable training plan and follow it as closely as possible. I would also recommend finding a training group or partner you could run with. A marathon is a long distance, and you need to do the proper training to be able to accomplish your goals and to avoid injury. Also, if this is your first race of any distance, I would recommend starting with a 10K or half marathon.

What are your personal goals for the future?

I am now training for the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon, which is in Boston on April 20, 2008. All of my training at this point is building up for that race. I do plan on running several shorter races leading into that race, but the trials is my main focus.

How have you combined your running life and your family life?

Balancing my family life and running life can be challenging. Fortunately, my family is extremely supportive of what I do. I do most of my training while my kids are in school, and I choose out-of-town races sparingly.

What’s special about Northern Virginia?

I have lived in Northern Virginia my entire life and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. My entire family is here, and that certainly is one factor that keeps me here, but I also find that Northern Virginia has so much to offer. We are right outside a great city, and we are close to both beaches and mountains. We get to experience all four seasons and have beautiful areas to enjoy them.

What is your favorite spot in Washington?

My favorite place in the Washington area is Great Falls Park. Although I grew up here and have been there more times than I can remember, it is still such a special place. Every time I go and see the falls, I am amazed. There are great trails around the park and great scenery. In DC specifically, I love all of the monuments. I just ran in DC a couple of weekends ago and did my own running tour of several of the monuments. I was reminded of what a great city we have.

Dan Snyder’s reign as the owner of the Redskins began on May 25, 1999.

He took over too late to have much impact that year, and the team seemed to be going in the right direction. It won a playoff game that first season and came close to making the NFC title game.

Then Snyder went into full “I am the boss” mode. In the next seven years, the Redskins posted one winning season.

Two F-18 fighter jets roared overhead, fireworks exploded, and a giant flag that surpassed the size of the outfield was unrolled to celebrate the Washington Nationals opening day. New DC Mayor Adrian Fenty joined the new manager of the Nationals, Manny Acta, and several former Washington Senators and relatives of baseball greats to throw out the first pitches. The crowd was large, but not sold out, and was filled with DC celebrities like reporters David Gregory and Al Hunt, most of whom donned the complimentary red “W” hats given out to mark the occasion.

Unfortunately Acta, the second manager in the history of the club, couldn't deliver a victory for his home debut. The Florida Marlins dominated the play of the game and defeated the Nationals 9-2. Starting pitcher John Patterson only lasted three full innings; Brian Schneider and Dmitri Young drove Austin Kearns and Ryan Zimmerman home and were responsible for the Nationals' only two runs. Even more sad for a team that, most sports pundits agree, faces a tough season ahead, the Nationals saw two injuries in the game: Center Fielder Nook Logan left the game after a spectacular fly ball catch and shortstop Christian Guzman departed with a left hamstring injury. No word yet on the severity of those injuries and what it means for the team this season.

Most notably absent was the other “W,” President George W. Bush. His spokeswoman explained to the Post this morning that he had too many meetings today to make the occasion, and judging from the intense Blackberry activity of many attendees, he wasn't the only one with a busy schedule.

Is it possible that Dan Snyder and his losing football team are starting to lose the loyal Redskin fan base? Did the stands at FedEx Field yesterday look like Swiss cheese, with holes of empty seats punched into the stadium from top to bottom and all the way around?

And why did 15,000 Eagles fans (by my estimate), sporting green jerseys and painted faces, show more spirit and than the Redskins fans?

FedEx Field, the biggest in the National Football League, holds 91,665 fans. The official attendance yesterday was 84,164. That leaves 7,501 empty seats. But from my vantage point from club section seats at the 40 yard line, there were far fewer fans in the stands.

I’m sure Redskins owner Dan Snyder doesn’t care who buys the tickets, but if you figure that 15,000 Eagles fans showed up at FedEx Field, the Redskins fan base was whittled down to about 70,000.

Even by the Redskins official records, yesterday’s game drew the season’s smallest crowd. The numbers have been tailing off all season, like a Mark Brunell pass fluttering in the breeze. The biggest crowd—90,608— came on opening night of September 11, to see Minnesota beat the Redskins. The team says 90,250 came a few weeks later to see the Dallas game. Drop that to 85,450 to see Carolina. Attendance for yesterday’s Eagles game was the lowest of the season.

With the Redskins 4-9 and out of contention, it may not be a big surprise that some fans stay home on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

But these are the Redskins! The day was sunny and warm—a pefect football day. The Burgundy and Gold was playing the hated Eagles from up the road in Philly.

Yet more and more fans chose to leave their seats empty. Even the tail gate parties in the parking lot seemed desultory.

Up in my section, a few Redskins fans mustered up some good-natured heckling of the many Eagles fans. The Redskins fans cheered first downs and field goals; the Eagles fans got to cheer touchdowns.

The enduring image was a guy in a Donavan McNabb jersey on the front row of Section 321 turning around during the last two minutes of the game and flapping his arms slowly at the the Redskins fans, who were quiet and glum.

Since Snyder bought the Redskins in 1999, the team has floundered. If you look at the past five years, the team’s won-loss record averages out to 6-10.

Snyder thinks he’s done everything a shrewd businessman and loyal fan can do. He’s enlarged FedEx Field. He’s resurrected Joe Gibbs, the legendary coach who last brought the Redskins to the Promised Land of Super Bowl victories.

But the fans at FedEx Field are turning against Snyder. Fans pay high prices for seats and for food. Frisked on the way in, my 15-year-old daughter was relieved of two granola bars and a bottle of water. Fans endure awful traffic getting to and from the stadium. Then they try and root for a team that kills a scoring drive by fielding 12 players, taking a five-yard penalty and settling for a field goal.

Sonny Jurgensen, legendary Redskin quarterback and now a commentator on radio and TV, told his audience yesterday that the Redskins seem to be playing in the “National Field Goal League.”

That got a laugh from fans, but even Sonny—maybe the great Redskin of the past 50 years—seems to be losing his patience.