Fat Thumb artist, Michele Hirata, aka. the Fat Thumb Chick, designs and makes one-of-a-kind Fat Thumb beanies knitted from 100% jersey fabric (t-shirt material). She donates about two dozen beanies a month to individuals, cancer centers, hospitals and non-profit organizations worldwide, free of charge. Her fun, fashionable designs always attract a lot of attention and each funky piece is sure to make you smile. Do you know someone who could use a Fat Thumb, a smile? Please write and tell Michele your story, she'd love to hear from you.
Crepes de Pouce Gras wins WTOP's top food truck
Kathy Stewart, wtop.com
WASHINGTON - By an overwhelming margin, Crepes de Pouce Gras has been named the best food truck in WTOP's Top 10 contest.
Owner Michele Hirata has been serving up fresh crepes for a year and a half.
"The most popular crepe is definitely the Greek. It's rotisserie chicken with feta cheese and fresh tomatoes," Hirata says.
Hirata and her truck can be found Sunday mornings at the Dale City Farmers Market, where she whips up her savory crepes.
But the crepes aren't only tasty, they're also food for the soul. The money made helps fund Hirata's hat business, and the hats are made for cancer patients.
"I send them out free of charge," says Hirata. "I even pay for shipping and handling and I send them out worldwide."
Making the hats also has been a way for Hirata to get through her own grieving process.
"Eight years ago, I lost my mom to breast cancer," Hirata says. "She fought the disease for 17 years."
During her battle with cancer, Hirata's mom hated wearing wigs or hats because they were too itchy. Hirata's hats are cool and comfortable and made from a jersey knit.
Crepes de Pouce Gras means "crepes of fat thumb." Hirata is known as the "Fat Thumb Chick" and has been using those thumbs to knit her hats for the past eight years.
She says she's grateful for her customers who come out every week.
"We're like family now. And I just appreciate, I just love my customers. They're my family," Hirata says.
At times, Hirata says she gets frustrated or tired or her fingers hurt, and then she receives a beautiful letter from someone who needs a hat.
And she keeps on knitting.
"It makes me happy," she says. "It makes me cry."
Those who need a hat or know of someone who does can contact Hirata at michelle@fatthumb.com or head to her website fatthumb.com.