Get Out! - The Events Column, March 21 - 28, 2019

Photo by Thomas S. Mann

We wanted to share some events and activities that we thought would be of interest to list members. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 18,100+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, please email us at events @ fastmail dot net.

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler
Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv
www.cleveland-park.com       

Thursday  March 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Immigration/Assimilation: Art on the ART Bus, by Gail Rebhan. Collecting stories and artifacts representing the immigration, forced migration, and assimilation of a broad spectrum of Arlington residents, artist Gail Rebhan has created powerful photo collages for the 23rd bus of Arlington Arts' Art on the ART Bus program. These digitally assembled collages highlight that – save for Native Americans – we are a country of immigrants and promotes tolerance and understanding within our community. The subjects for the project were identified with assistance from the Arlington County Department of Human Services. Their stories are varied and fascinating: from a Dominican who went from being a health club laundress to a Business Systems Analyst; to a family journey from indentured servitude in London, to plantation owners, to sharecropping, to real estate wealth. A free opening reception and artists’ talk will be held in the lobby of the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center at 2100 Clarendon Blvd in Arlington. While en route as the #41 bus, the Art on the ART bus will make a slightly prolonged stop just outside at 6:39pm. RSVP is not required, but strongly preferred. More info: http://bit.ly/2T2doD8   

Thursday, March 21 at 6 PM, “The Value of Equinox.” At this lecture, World Scrabble champion Jaxon Zelquark will regale the audience with a seasonally appropriate tale of the time he played the word “equinox” as his last move of the game, hitting the triple word score, with the Q on the double letter score,which, given the 50-point bonus for a “bingo,” brought him a total of 149 points on that single play. That word won him the game and the tournament, played, felicitously, on last year’s spring equinox. He will also talk about other high-point-scoring, printempsical Scrabble words, including jonquil (73 points), jasmine (66 points), zinnias (66 points), and bouquet (68 points). Free - but please reserve your place by registering at this link: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent.

Friday, March 22 at 12 noon, The Morehouse College Glee Club & Quartet, one of the longest-standing, all-male collegiate choral groups, will perform a free concert of repertoire ranging from African American heritage compositions to arrangements of modern popular music. For over 40 years, this exceptional choral group has been performing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, inviting Morehouse alumni and the Washington, DC community to attend. During the MLK modernization, this annual concert will take place next door at the First Congregational United Church of Christ at 945 G St. NW. DC. FREE | All Ages | Accessible Venue | Seating is first come, first served. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62846   

Friday, March 22 from 1:30 - 2:30 PM. Lecture: Mervin Richard on Conservation. A painted terra-cotta bust that showed signs of its five-century provenance emerged from the prestigious National Gallery of Art Conservation Division in 2006 in splendor. The likeness had been conclusively identified as Lorenzo de’Medici, the head of a wealthy banking family that ruled the city-state of Florence in the Renaissance. The bust portrays him as a Florentine citizen wearing a simple draped headdress instead of the learned and ruthless de facto prince he was. Lorenzo’s identification and restoration is an example of the work of a 50-scientist conservation staff at the National Gallery of Art. Mervin Richard is the chief of conservation at the National Gallery of Art, where he has worked since 1984. Free. Register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/olli-at-au-conservation-tickets-56642770050. This program is a presentation of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at American University, 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Room A (1st floor).   

Saturday, March 23 at 2 PM, "Brookland Fights the Freeway" Presentation. Please come to see and learn about the “A Right to the City: Brookland - Fight the Freeways” exhibition currently at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library. Jeremiah Montague, Jr, a local historian, will deliver a special presentation on this proposed Freeway Project and the impact it could have had on what we know as the Brookland neighborhood today. Without the longer-term positive influences of the community, the outcome of the Brookland neighborhood and surrounding areas would have been very different. Participate in the discussion and share your stories. This program is being hosted by the Friends of the Woodridge Library and the Library Staff. Preserving local history and community stories is one of the goals of the DC Public Library. Free. Woodridge Library is at 1801 Hamlin Street NE, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63284      

Saturday, March 23 from 11:30 AM - 3 PM, Cherry Blossom Family Festival. Join SAAM and the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a celebration of Japanese culture. Kick off the day with a taiko drumming performance outside of the museum at the F Street entrance. Enjoy face painting, make cherry blossom crafts, listen to Japanese music, and go on a spring-themed scavenger hunt through the museum’s galleries. Free. At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard, 8th and F Streets NW. More info: https://s.si.edu/2TQ7R40    

Saturday, March 23 at 1 PM, Beyond the Studio: Simon Bull. Gain valuable insight from Simon Bull, the official artist of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Bull shares highlights from his experience as a local practicing artist then instructs guests on how to create their own artwork.  Sharpen your creative skills with hands-on activities related to Bull’s expertise, and take home your very own creation. At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center (third floor), 8th and F Streets NW. Tickets: $10; Register online at https://s.si.edu/2DIvc0x   

Sunday, March 24 from 2 - 4 PM, Book Swap. Spring cleaning season is here! Getting rid of books you'll (probably) never read again is a great way to welcome the warmer weather. But if you're interested in removing old books, AND getting new ones, visit Mt. Pleasant Library to participate in a Sunday Book Swap. Put a quick note about its virtues into a book you're saying "good-bye" to, and drop it off to become someone else's new favorite. Coffee will be provided. Free. At the Mt. Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St. NW, entrance on Lamont St., https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63052

Sunday, March 24 from 2 - 7 PM, The 42nd annual Bach Marathon. Some of the area's finest organists will perform on the magnificent 3 manual, 50 rank, 2500 pipe, glass-encased Rieger tracker organ, built in 1975. The theme this year is the set of 6 chorale preludes, BWV 645-650, which came to be known as the "Schubler Chorales" after they were published in 1747-1748 by Johann Georg Schubler. Every half hour, a different organist will perform. Free will donations are encouraged to help defray expenses of the concert series. At 7 PM a catered German dinner will be available for $15. "Come when you can, leave when you must." At the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, One Chevy Chase Circle NW.

Monday, March 25 at 12 noon, The 6821 Quintet Celebrates the Cherry Blossom Festival. Join The 6821 Quintet to celebrate spring! By bringing disparate cultures together, this group of international musicians collaborate every year to premiere a new work commissioned for the opening ceremonies of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Brought together by the Ryuji Ueno Foundation and named after the approximate distance between Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, this group consists of musicians Eric Silberger (violin), Shizuka Inoue (violin), Andrew Gonzalez (viola), Clancy Newman (cello), and Ryo Yanagitani (piano). Free. At the Renwick Gallery, Rubenstein Grand Salon (17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW). More info: https://s.si.edu/2TSuWTs     

Monday March 25 at 12 noon, Lecture: Foodways in Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve, presented by Claudia Kousoulas and Ellen Letourneau, authors of Bread & Beauty: A Year in Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve. Just as the force and flow of ancient glaciers deposited soil and shaped hills, our decisions about property, policy, family, and food also shape the landscape. So much of what we value—a clean environment, local food, a diverse landscape, and a varied economy—comes together in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. Join the authors of Bread & Beauty: A Year in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve as they trace the reserve's history, as well as the contemporary challenges faced by family farms trying to establish a new generation, new farmers seeking land and markets, and the shared community efforts required to preserve this special place. Free; no reservations required. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street, NW, https://museum.gwu.edu/montgomery-county

Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 PM, Screening of the movie The Public, followed by a community conversation featuring writer / director / producer Emilio Estevez with Thrive DC Executive Director Alicia Horton. See trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eZtMGM6ya8. The event is free and open to the public and is expected to reach maximum capacity. Reserve your spot through Eventbrite at http://bit.ly/2ueDIQA and be prepared to show your general admission ticket either printed or from your mobile device. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at 6 PM and the screening will begin at 6:30 PM. Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63254

Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 PM, Free Landmark Lecture: Children of the Pater Patriae: George Washington's Step-Grandchildren and the Power of Family, presented by Cassandra Good, Assistant Professor of History, Marymount University. No family better displayed the enduring value of family ancestry in the new republic than the next generation of George Washington’s family. His step-grandchildren, the Custises, may not have shared a last name with the first president, but they readily invoked their family connections as a source of prestige and political legitimacy. Martha Custis Peter and her three siblings all lived and built homes in the DC area, where they positioned themselves as Washington's heirs. They prominently displayed their Washington lineage with Washington furniture and relics in their houses (and even on their bodies) to bolster their social and political status. Decades into the 19th century, they continued to give small gifts of objects associated with Washington to reinforce their membership in the illustrious president’s family. Through these means, Martha and her siblings gained high social standing and access to political leaders. Masking their somewhat aristocratic pretensions behind a screen of affectionate attachment, the Custises paved the way for family to serve as a source of power in America. Admission is free/pay what you can, with donations welcome. Doors open at 6 PM, lecture begins at 6:30 PM. At Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW, https://www.tudorplace.org/programs/183/free-landmark-lecture-the-power-of-family/ 

Wednesday, March 27, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Derek Hyra: Gentrification and the Great Recession. This talk by Derek Hyra, Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University, is the next in the Urban Speaker Series presented by The Metropolitan Policy Center (MPC) at American University. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, click here: http://bit.ly/2UN7zLG. The Metropolitan Policy Center is in the AU School of Public Affairs, East Quad Building, Room 103, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW.

Wednesday March 27 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Printmaking Workshop by Washingtoniana. Three local artists -- Jamila Felton, Beat of Blossoms; Brian Kelley, Washington Studio School; and
Clare Winslow, Pyramid Atlantic -- will demonstrate printmaking techniques and teach participants how to create their own prints. Try your hand at making screen prints, relief prints and monoprints! This workshop is part of a series of art programs at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library honoring renowned local artist Lou Stovall and the donation of three of his works to the branch. Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW,. Free - please register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/printmaking-workshop-tickets-57642464162. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63131   

Wednesday, March 27 at 7 PM, Book Hill Talks - The Last Ghost: Agent Orange and The Vietnam War. Although the Vietnam War ended officially with the Paris Peace Treaty of 1973 and more definitively with the fall of Saigon in 1975, both the United States and Vietnam continue to struggle with the impact of dioxin, the lethal chemical in Agent Orange, the defoliant sprayed for a decade during the war. The impact of dioxin on human health is seen now in a third generation of Americans and Vietnamese, while it continues to contaminate soil and water in Vietnam. Free. At the Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62901     

Thursday, March 28 at 12 noon, Lecture: "The Monument Quilt" Blankets the National Mall, presented by Hannah Brancato and Shanti Flagg, artists. Brancato and Flagg will talk about the artist/activist collective FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture and their work creating public art projects to foster difficult and honest conversations around the realities of sexual and domestic violence. After forty-seven displays across the U.S. and in Mexico, FORCE is bringing over 3,000 stories from survivors in the form of The Monument Quilt for a culminating display and survivor convening on the National Mall in spring 2019. Free. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street NW, https://museum.gwu.edu/monument-quilt 

Still Life with Robin: Vote for Cleveland Park!

Photo by Bill Adler

by Peggy Robin

I know most of you want to help support our neighborhood businesses. How to do that effectively is a perennial topic on the CP Listserv. But you have to admit, it’s not always as easy to shop “down the block” as it is to order up stuff from Amazon. And when you’re looking for someplace to gather a crowd for dinner, it’s often tempting to drive out to the ‘burbs, where restaurants may have their own parking lots, or you can all find space in a municipal lot. But if you had a quick and painless way to give a boost to your favorite neighborhood eateries and other businesses, wouldn't you do it? Well, here’s your chance! Washingtonian Magazine is running its annual “Best of Washington” poll, and all you have to do is go online and vote for the Cleveland Park businesses you like best.

You don’t need to be a Washingtonian subscriber. You don’t even need to be a magazine reader. And nobody’s going to ask you for your voter ID! Just go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019BESTOF and start voting. There are 112 categories, and you can vote in as many or as few as you like. (I think I voted in 11 or 12, at most.) You might want to take a survey tour through the whole shebang before filling in any answers. Scribble down your nominees on paper, and then come back later and after you’ve had enough time to study on it, fill in your final ballot online. Once you hit “submit,” that’s it – you can’t vote again from the same computer.

You have until 11:59 PM on April 1 to get your completed ballot in.

Happy voting, and best of luck to all our neighborhood bagel makers, pizzerias, steak houses, ice cream parlors, brunch-serving places, outdoor cafes, salons, gym…

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! - The Events Column, March 14 - 21, 2019

Lou Stovall - Roses XI

We wanted to share some events and activities that we thought would be of interest to list members. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 18,100+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, please email us at events @ fastmail dot net.

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler
Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv
www.cleveland-park.com   

Thursday, March 14 and Saturday, March 16, both performances at 7:30 PM, The Colour of Music Festival Petit. The Colour of Music is a world-renowned orchestra showcasing talented musicians of African ancestry from around the US, Canada, Russia, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Europe. The Colour of Music Festival will make its Washington, DC debut with two concerts in the newly-renovated Duke Ellington School of the Arts, 3500 R Street NW. On Thursday, March 14 the Colour of Music Virtuosi (all-female) Chamber Orchestra will perform, highlighting the contributions of black female composers and presented in honor of our Co-Founder, Peggy Cooper Cafritz. The grand performance on Saturday, March 16, 2019 will include Dvorak’s New World Symphony, performed by the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Orchestra and Mozart’s Requiem performed by the Colour of Music Chamber Orchestra, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Orchestra, and the Ellington Chorale. Tickets: $30, with reduced prices for students and seniors - more info and ticket purchase at: http://www.ellingtonschool.org/events/colour-of-music-festival-petit/

Friday, March 15 from 9 AM - 5:30 PM, Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965–1975. The Smithsonian American Art Museum presents its newest exhibition, Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965–1975, opening with a day of discussions and lectures on topics related to the exhibition. A group of distinguished scholars provide insight into how artists of the Vietnam War era sought to engage with their current moment, the public sphere, and politics. In the afternoon, six artists whose work is featured in the exhibition reflect on their experience of the Vietnam War as creators and, in many cases, as activists. At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium, 8th and F Streets NW. Tickets: Free; Walk in welcome, but registration is recommended at https://s.si.edu/2UZlkqc

Saturday, March 16 at 9:30 AM, Tregaron Conservancy Volunteer Day of Service. Calling all green thumbs - and aspiring green thumbs! We will be preparing for spring by clearing storm damage, improving our trails, and removing invasive vines. A team from Starbucks NW DC will be joining us and generously providing refreshments. Registration is required: http://bit.ly/2u4OkkQ 

Saturday, March 16 from 11 AM - 2 PM, Kids in the Castle - program at the Heurich House Museum. It's the kids turn to step back in time with free, kid-friendly, self-guided tours at the Heurich House Museum! Kids can explore the ornate details of the Heurich family home. Children and parents are invited to wander through the house at their own pace and complete a photo scavenger hunt to win prizes. Once visitors have finished their tour, they can relax and play games in the museum’s Castle Garden (weather permitting). This German influenced family home provides visitors a glimpse of the past, and exposes children to a different time in DC’s history. Children can let their imaginations wander as they take in three floors of this ornate mansion, while also learning about history in a fun and engaging environment. Guests may arrive at the museum anytime between 11am and 2pm. Touring through the house will take between 30 minutes and 1 hour. There will be two levels of hunting to accommodate all ages! This event is free, but registration is suggested - http://bit.ly/2Hd8WQL. The Heurich House Museum is at 1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW.

Saturday, March 16 at 1 PM, A Conversation with Lou Stovall. Lou Stovall is a world renowned printmaker and artist. He founded Workshop, Inc., an art studio known for its work in the community that is still in operation today. Stovall's work is in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, Phillips Collection and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Three of Stovall's works were recently donated to Cleveland Park Library. Stovall will be in conversation with Ray Barker, Archivist at the DC Public Library. Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63074

Saturday, March 16 at 2 PM, Plant Swap. Bring your plants, cuttings and seeds to share, and take some new ones home. Introduce your plant to its new parent by labeling them with information like its name, light, soil and water preferences. Click on http://bit.ly/2TzNU5z for our plant information template.Need help keeping your plants happy? Swap tips with other plant parents and check out a plant care book. At 2 PM plant drop-off starts; at 2:30 PM swapping starts. Free. At the Mount Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St. NW, entrance is on Lamont Street. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63020

Saturday, March 16 at 2 PM, Going Green for St. Patrick's Day. Have you heard? According to NBC Washington (http://bit.ly/2TD2ubD), the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown DC has been canceled for 2019 due to security and road closure costs. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by making a green craft (leprechauns and shamrocks) at the library. For school age children and those young at heart. Free. At the Palisades Library, 4901 V Street NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63038

Sunday March 17 at 2 PM, Virtual St. Patrick’s Day Parade -- and you are invited to be part of it! The IRL (in-real-life) St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of downtown DC has been cancelled but we’re happy to report that there will be a Virtual Reality Parade (VRP) in cyberspace instead. And anyone who wishes to be in it can choose a role and play it to the hilt. Upload your photograph onto our Virtual Reality Irish-in-ator Program - available at the link -  http://tinyurl.com/oq24h94 - where you can outfit yourself in your choice of virtual costume. Turn yourself into a leprechaun, a step dancer, a piper, or King Brian Boru, or Queen Maeve of Connaught! And with a few clicks of the mouse, you can make your Irish avatar twirl, leap, croon “Oh Danny Boy,” play the harp or the fiddle, and of course, speak with the brogue of a Lucky Charms cartoon! Free. Green face makeup, sprouting shamrocks, and other special effects available for a small fee. Or you can simply watch the parade online, without inserting your own image into the festivities. For full details go to: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent

Sunday, March 17 at 5 PM, Washington Conservatory Orchestra Free Concert, presented by The Washington Conservatory Community Orchestra, conducted by Jovan Zivkovic and featuring Village volunteer Susan Quainton on double bass. The program will include pieces by Beethoven, Schubert, and more. Donations in any amount are welcome at the door, and a reception will follow the concert. At Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, 1 Westmoreland Circle NW, Bethesda, MD (Accessible Facility).

Monday, March 18 at 12 noon, Lecture: Spies in Washington. Vince Houghton, curator at the International Spy Museum, will discuss the presence and actions of spies in Washington, DC during World War II. This program relates to the exhibition Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms. Free; no reservations required. At the George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum, 701 21st Street NW. More info: https://museum.gwu.edu/washington-spies 

Tuesday, March 19 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Two Holidays on One Date: Annual Purim & Nowruz Lecture & Concert. Please join us at GWU on March 19th to celebrate the two distinct holidays that fall on the same day—Persian New Year and the Jewish festival of Purim—for a joint celebration of Persian and Iranic diversity and expression. Ariel Sabar, the award-winning author of 'My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for his Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq' to deliver this year's lecture. Other highlights to include live celebratory music from the Azeri, Kurdish, Turkish & Arabic traditions, photo exhibit 'Paradise at the Crossroads', and holiday sweets and drinks. Cost: $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Free for GWU affiliates who register online and SHIN DC members. Register here: http://www.shindc.org/reg/purimnowruz2019/. At the GWU Elliott School of International Affairs, Lindner Commons - Suite 602, 1957 E Street NW.

Tuesday, March 19 at 7 PM, Tuesday Talks: A Conversation with Ann Mah and Amy Henderson. Ann Mah will discuss her latest novel, A Lost Vintage, set in burgundy, and describe her experience living and eating in France. She will be interviewed by Amy Henderson, historian emerita of The National Portrait Gallery. The evening is free and open to the public. This series is co-presented by the Cleveland & Woodley Park Village, the Cleveland Park Business Association, and the Cleveland Park Library. Please RSVP to 202-615-5853 or info @ ClevelandWoodleyParkVillage.org or click on http://bit.ly/2TzMCXV  to reserve your seat. The Cleveland Park Library is at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Macomb St NW. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62482. More info about the series here: https://cpbiz.org/speakers/

Tuesday, March 19  from 7 - 8:30 PM, “Golda Meir: A Life in Politics” - Amos Perlmutter Memorial Lecture with Francine Klagsbrun. Author Francine Klagsbrun will discuss Golda Meir and her legacy. Klagsbrun’s book, “Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel,” a biography of the fourth prime minister of Israel, won the 2017 Jewish National Book Award. The annual lecture is in memory of SPA Professor Amos Perlmutter, who taught at the university for nearly thirty years, and was a world-renowned scholar of political leadership in the Middle East. A reception with book sale and signing will follow the discussion. Admission is free with RSVP: http://bit.ly/2F7epWS. At American University East Campus, Constitution Hall, 3501 Nebraska Ave NW. 

Wednesday March 20 at 10:30 AM, Happy Birthday Dorothy Height! Women's History Month Celebration. Celebrate the birth and legacy of local civil rights hero Dorothy Height with a concert by DC Strings Workshop spotlighting the work of female composers, followed by birthday cake and juice. After the concert kids can make a special paper hat in celebration of Ms. Height's iconic look.  Dorothy I Height (March 24, 1912 – April 20, 2010) was an American administrator and educator who worked as a civil rights and women's rights activist, specifically focused on the issues of African American women, including unemployment, illiteracy and voter awareness. Free. At the Deanwood Library, 1350 49th St. NE, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63164

Wednesday, March 20 from 5:30 - 8 PM, Old & New: Sustainability in Historic Buildings. Tudor Place in partnership with Rock Creek Conservancy present Old & New: Sustainability in Historic Buildings. Structures of the past can contribute to the sustainability of the future. Hear from experts about how historic buildings can adopt stormwater management practices. Tudor Place Historic House & Garden and Rock Creek Conservancy provide insight into adapting older houses to environmentally-friendly and sustainable homes. Homeowners and institutions are invited to attend. Panelists include engineer Matt McComas, urban conservationist Kahlil Kettering, and Rock Creek Conservancy Director Jeanne Braha. Free. At Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW. Rgister: http://bit.ly/2CgDGMH

Thursday, March 21 from  5 - 7 PM, Take 5! With Shannon Gun. Join the Washington City Paper’s “D.C.’s Best Trombonist (2015)” Shannon Gun for a special performance at Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). A dedicated local trombonist and composer, Gunn performs every Tuesday at Columbia Station with her band the Firebird Organ Trio. She also leads the all-women jazz orchestra Shannon Gunn and the Bullettes, which has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Goethe Institute, and Bohemian Caverns. Be sure to pick up a board game for added fun during the concert. Free. At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard, 8th and F Streets NW, more info: https://s.si.edu/2SA8li5 

Thursday  March 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Immigration/Assimilation: Art on the ART Bus, by Gail Rebhan. Collecting stories and artifacts representing the immigration, forced migration, and assimilation of a broad spectrum of Arlington residents, artist Gail Rebhan has created powerful photo collages for the 23rd bus of Arlington Arts' Art on the ART Bus program. These digitally assembled collages highlight that – save for Native Americans – we are a country of immigrants and promotes tolerance and understanding within our community. The subjects for the project were identified with assistance from the Arlington County Department of Human Services. Their stories are varied and fascinating: from a Dominican who went from being a health club laundress to a Business Systems Analyst; to a family journey from indentured servitude in London, to plantation owners, to sharecropping, to real estate wealth. A free opening reception and artists’ talk will be held in the lobby of the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center at 2100 Clarendon Blvd in Arlington. While en route as the #41 bus, the Art on the ART bus will make a slightly prolonged stop just outside at 6:39pm. RSVP is not required, but strongly preferred. More info: http://bit.ly/2T2doD8

Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 PM, Dumbarton at Dusk. Come see Dumbarton House in a whole new light. Enjoy free admission, live music, cash bar, light refreshments, pop up exhibits, and the ambiance of Dumbarton at Dusk. Dumbarton House is at 2715 Q Street, NW. For free tickets go to  https://dumbartonhouse.ticketleap.com/march-dumbarton-at-dusk-2019/details       

Still Life with Robin: As Long As We Keep Springin’ Along

Photo by Joe Haupt via Wikimedia Creative Commons

by Peggy Robin

I opened the print version of the Washington Post this morning and was pleased to read the case against Daylight Saving Time spelled out in clear and cogent language:

"Daylight Saving Time Is Obsolete, Confusing, and Unhealthy" (https://wapo.st/2TF6kRt)  

But seeing this logical conclusion drawn in black-and-white on the page will not help us now; nothing can save us from the waste of our time on Sunday as we go running around the house, resetting clocks and springing our watches forward. And that’s all on top of the hour we lose as we jump from 2am to 3am in the dead of a winter's night.

Every year I wish for Congress to save us from this temporal throwback to the attitudes and efficiency notions formed around the time of our entry into the first World War. But every year, even as more and more scientists, economists, dogwalkers, farmers, and parents of young children add more fuel to the fight against DST, I realize, yet again to my dismay, this won’t be the year for reform.

So we turn our attention to the practical problem of figuring out how to implement the change in all our clocks, watches and other time-keeping devices. Our phones and computer clocks will take care of themselves, it’s true, but that still leaves most of us with a scattered collection of digital watches, clock-radios, appliance clocks, car clocks, and timers that control on-off cycles of things like sprinklers and water softeners. (See http://bit.ly/2F0sPIy to find out what, if anything, you may have missed.) Are you one of those keepers of an ancient technology, like a VCR with a clock? And does it still keep time? Or have you surrendered to its mysteries and will just let it blink 12:00 until the end of time?

Do you save the instruction manuals for each timekeeping device and haul out a folder of them, to match up each clock up with its own set of directions? Or do you wing it, relying on a kinda-sorta-guess-it-works-this-way knowledge of what to do in what order, aided by a little trial and error, for every device you own? Or do you just let the complicated ones alone and then mentally add an hour until you reach that point in the fall when the displayed time will be correct again?

I’ve gone with all three strategies. They’re all dissatisfying in their own annoying ways.

Here’s another one that you might find worth trying. Ask Google. For any digital watch or clock you know longer recall how to reset, go to Google and type in the question: For example, “How to reset Armitron Pro-Sport MD0699 digital watch?” Google will helpfully point you to the link to the online version of the paper manual that came with that watch. With certain appliances that have a digital clock, you may be lucky enough to discover a YouYube video that gives you a visual tour of the process. I hope this tip will help to make your Sunday time-change a bit less frustrating.

And I will be back on November 3, 2019 to walk through this process in reverse. That is, unless Congress acts and rescues us all from the twice-a-year Great Clock Switcheroo! But don’t hold your breath!

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.  

Get Out! The Events Column, March 8 - 14, 2019

Cleveland Park Library

We wanted to share some events and activities that we thought would be of interest to list members. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 18,100+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, please email us at events @ fastmail dot net.

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler
Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv
www.cleveland-park.com     

Friday, March 8 from 6:30 - 10 PM, Women in the Arts DC Pop-Up for International Women’s Day. Celebrate International Women’s Day and Female Artists and Entrepreneurs changing the world, with four hours of art, music, shopping, cocktails at L2 lounge in Georgetown. This day is not only a call to action for gender equality but also a celebration of women, all women! L2 Lounge & Events Venue, 3315 Cady's Alley NW. Must be 21+ to access the lounge. Free admission - register at http://bit.ly/2tS7b2F     

Friday, March 8 from 6:30 - 10 PM, Luce Unplugged: Community Showcase. Luce Unplugged showcases up and coming local bands surrounded by beautiful artworks in the Luce Foundation Center. In this installment, enjoy the slowly unfolding compositions of Jax Deluca and the brooding melodies of Knife Wife. Free beer tastings (ages 21+) provided by a local craft brewery. Additional beverages and small snacks available for purchase. Free tickets or just walk in:  https://s.si.edu/2TQYmSb  At Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center (third floor), 8th and F Streets, NW.

Friday, March 8 at 7:30 PM, Chamber Music Concert. Olivier Messiaen’s rarely-heard Quartet for the End of Time (Quatuor pour la fin du Temps) is the focus of a chamber-music program at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. This landmark 20th-century work for clarinet, violin, cello and piano was composed and first performed in 1941 at the Stalag VIII-A prisoner-of-war camp in Görlitz, Germany, where Messiaen, three other professional musicians he found, and thousands more French soldiers were interned. It is music “heavenly to analyze and devilishly difficult to play” per music critic Alex Ross. The concert will begin with John Williams's Air and Simple Gifts, scored for the same instruments, which was commissioned for President Barack Obama’s first inaugural on January 20, 2009. $15 suggested goodwill donation. At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4900 Connecticut Avenue NW (at 36th & Everett Sts NW)

Saturday, March 9 at 1 PM, All the Rage: Washington and Impeachment. Jamie Stiehm, a Creators Syndicate columnist, discusses how in 1868 impeachment was center stage and the presidency was in crisis. Free. At Georgetown Branch Library, 3260 R Street NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63057

Saturday, March 9 from 2 – 4 PM, Fashion and Function Showcase: Exhibits and Demonstrations for Adaptive Living. A common challenge many older adults face is the act of getting dressed and undressed by themselves. This can be the result of a physical disability, chronic conditions, and/or other restrictions that may come with age. Dupont Circle Village is hosting this free Fashion and Function Showcase. Come learn about some functional clothing and accessories available from vendors. Free. At All Souls Episcopal Church Annex, 2300 Cathedral Avenue NW (Accessible Facility) RSVP to Dupont Circle Village at 202-436-5252 or register here: https://dcv.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=4008&club_id=161481&item_id=948403 

Sunday, March 10, 10:30 AM - 3 PM, Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon: Feminism and the Arts. Think women artists deserve more recognition? This is your chance to correct the historical record! Join SAAM and Art+Feminism and learn how to edit and create new articles about female artists. A special tour of remarkable women artists in SAAM’s collection kicks off the program at 10:30 AM.  All levels of technological proficiency welcome. Tickets: Free; RSVP to SAAMPrograms @ si dot edu. At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, MacMillan Education Center,  8th and F Streets NW. Event Link: https://s.si.edu/2T02Ng2

Sunday, March 10 from 12 - 1 PM, Clocksetter Assistance Workshop. It’s the first day of Daylight Saving Time, and that means “Spring Ahead.” At this very practical clock resetting help session, you can bring in your digital watches, alarm clocks, grandfather clocks, and even your ancient VCRs, and receive expert help in resetting the time ahead one hour. No manual, no problem! We can help you reset any timepiece, no matter when, where or how it was made. No fee, either! It’s just too bad this is the weekly fake event (http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent) -- it really could be useful for a lot of people!

Sunday March 10 at 1 PM, It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story - A Jazz in the Basement: Blue Note Celebration with The Chris Ziemba Quintet. The Goethe-Institut Washington and WPFW-FM join DC Public Library to present a special Jazz in the Basement honoring the 80th anniversary of Blue Note Records. Featuring a screening of Eric Friedler‘s documentary IT MUST SCHWING! - The Blue Note Story (2018) and a live performance with the Chris Ziemba Quintet, we will spend the afternoon celebrating the jazz label founded by two German-Jewish immigrants in 1939. Joining Ziemba (piano) will be Luke Brandon (trumpet), Mike Cemprola, (saxophone), Nathan Kawaller (bass), Kevin McDonald (drums). Schedule: 1-3 PM Screening of IT MUST SCHWING! – The Blue Note Story (2018); 3-3:30 PM Discussion of IT MUST SCHWING! facilitated by DC-based jazz expert Rusty Hassan; 3:30-4:30 PM Break; 4:30-6:30 PM Live performance by the Chris Ziemba Quintet. Free. At the Goethe-Institut Washington located at 1990 K St. NW (enter on 20th St.) Open to the public, first come, first served, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62972

Sunday, March 10 from 2 - 3 PM, James Renwick Alliance Distinguished Artist Lecture with Tim Harding. In describing his work, fiber artist Tim Harding uses words more applicable to painting and photography. He speaks about pixels, light and shadow, figure and ground, and references the Pointillists or Hockney and Rothko. Harding brings together elements of fine art and applied art to create textile pieces that defy categorization and allow them to be considered for their intrinsic beauty. This lecture is part of the James Renwick Alliance’s Distinguished Artist Lecture Series. Free and open to all, no RSVP required. To register for Harding’s accompanying workshop, click on https://www.jra.org/distinguished-artist-series-2019 . At the American University Katzen Art Center, northeast corner of Massachusetts and Nebraska Avenues at Ward Circle.

Monday, March 11 at 12 PM, Lecture: Enslaved Laborers at Georgetown University, 1792–1862. Elsa Mendoza examines slavery's role in the operation of Georgetown University through primary sources, includes diaries, letters, and other records. Free; no reservations required. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street NW.
https://museum.gwu.edu/georgetown-enslaved-laborers 

Tuesday, March 12 at 2 PM, Lessons from Lives? The Harvard Study of Adult Development.  The Harvard Study of Adult Development began in 1938 with 268 healthy college sophomores. It followed them through their lives. Under only its fourth director, it continues today with their descendants. What does the Study tell us about health, longevity, life satisfaction, and our roles for our families? This free talk will be presented by David Cohen, a volunteer and former Board member with Northwest Neighbors Village, who is working on a book about life choices using data from longitudinal studies and other scientific research. Its working title is A Life You Want. His book draws on, among other sources, the Harvard Study of Adult Development and his July interview with its director. RSVP to 202-615-5853 or info @ ClevelandWoodleyParkVillage dot org. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW, https://tinyurl.com/y5b4kxub

Wednesday, March 13 from 7 - 8 PM, “Trip of a Lifetime: Walking the Jordan Trail.” Join Andrew Evans as he describes his experience hiking the full length of the Jordan Trail in 2017. The Jordan Trail Thru-Hike is a long distance hiking trail in Jordan connecting the length of Jordan from Um Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south. With more than 650 kilometers of trail it travels through 52 villages and towns on its way. The trail traverses the diverse landscapes and vistas of the country, from the rolling wooded hills of the north, the rugged wadis and cliffs overlooking the Jordan Rift Valley, the rose rock of Petra, the dramatic sands and towering mountains in Wadi Rum, to the crystal waters of the Red Sea. This talk is the part of the “Trips of a Lifetime” series. Free. In the meeting room at the Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 7th Street NE. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-the-jordan-trail-tickets-56526820241

Thursday, March 14 from 6:30 - 9:30 PM, “Story Time” Gala and Reception. The DC Public Library Foundation (DCPLF) will host its 4th annual “Story Time” gala reception to benefit the DC Public Library’s children’s programs. This event will take place in the beautiful new Cleveland Park Library, which will be transformed into a forest of knowledge and enchantment and a celebration of reading and STEM learning at the DC Public Library. DCPLF gala organizers have planned a delicious evening of food, drink and discovery, taking full creative advantage of all that International Pi Day has to offer. Tickets available at https://tinyurl.com/yxacqzb4. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW, https://www.storytimegala.org/

Thursday, March 14 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Tudor Nights: Raise a Glass to Prohibition! Get a unique look at Prohibition through the eyes of the Peter family at Tudor Place. This special salute to the Prohibition era features an exclusive look at objects and ephemeral from 1920-1933 in the Tudor Place archive and collection. The special exhibition is followed by cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres at the Victorian-style Dower House. Tudor Place is at 1644 31st Street NW.  For ages 21+. Free for Tudor Place Members, Non-Members: $15. Reservations: https://tinyurl.com/y5kaatsb 

Thursday, March 14 from 6 - 9 PM, Wonder Women. Who runs the world? Girls! Evenings at the Edge returns with a tribute to the trailblazing women who have created and inspired masterpieces of art from the last century. Discover their stories with pop-up talks, craft your own fierce female superhero, and get into formation with performances from the internationally renowned, all-female tap sensation Syncopated Ladies.Free. This program is part of the “Evenings at the Edge” After Hours at the National Gallery of Art series, East Building, Constitution Avenue at 4th Street NW. Register:  Register https://tinyurl.com/y2ef2448    

Still Life with Robin: House of Found Objects

by Peggy Robin

Left behind: 
Phone charger
Power cord
Contact lenses
Earrings
Umbrellas
Flip-flops
Scarves
Gloves
Hats
Sweaters
Socks
Books
and….
Toiletries galore

This is by no means a comprehensive list of items I have found in my house after houseguests have departed. Because I have such a large and far-flung extended family, I find myself hosting relatives for overnight or longer stays on a fairly regular basis. They may come in from any of the following locations around the globe:

Paris
London
New York
Clontarff (near Sydney, Australia)
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Philadelphia
Tuscaloosa, AL
Montreal
Boston
Oakland
Decorah, IA

I do my best to get my guests to check around for anything of theirs as they’re packing up. I don’t know why it’s so common for someone to forget something nonetheless. 

That leads to the question, how (or whether?) to get the item back to its owner. Most of the small stuff left behind – the travel tube of toothpaste, the shampoo bottle, the lip balm – I throw away. The cheap little travel umbrella I will keep and use, as karmic repayment for my own umbrella left at my host’s house on the other side of the planet. A pair of socks may be laundered and stuck in an envelope and returned to their owner for the price of a couple of stamps. 

Other things call for consultation and perhaps some balancing of interests: How old are those flip-flops anyway? How needed are they? Does it cost more to mail them than to buy a new pair? Is that book any damn good? Is the person still reading it? Does that woolly scarf have any sentimental value? And of course, is there any chance that another relative from the same point of origin (let’s say, the mother of the grad student who left the item behind on her trip to DC to do research at the Library of Congress) will be swinging through here soon and can pick it up and bring it back to the forgetful packer? Of course, in the mysterious working of the universe, if the mother arrives and if I remember to give her the gloves her daughter left here, that all but guarantees that she herself will leave behind something even more valuable.

But then there’s a reason I need to travel to Paris….to return a knitted hat!
--------------------------
Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays. 

Get Out! The Events Column, March 1 - 7, 2019

Tulane University (via Wikimedia Creative Commons)

We wanted to share some events and activities that we thought would be of interest to list members. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 18,100+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, please email us at events @ fastmail dot net.

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler
Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv
www.cleveland-park.com       

Friday, March 1 at 10:30 AM, Read Across America Day at the Anacostia Neighborhood Library. Here’s the beginning of a Dr. Seuss-like poem inviting you to this event: Sending a very special whooty who / To all who’s and Cindy Lou’s / No matter how small / This is your call! / The time is now / To celebrate Read Across America / The Anacostia Library will show you how! For the rest of the poem, go to: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62786. Your passport to Seussville will include an afternoon of music, wacky crafts, and a reader’s theater of some silly Seuss tales. This free event is open to children of all ages. The Anacostia Neighborhood Library is at 1800 Good Hope Road SE. For more about Read Across America Day, visit: http://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/read-across-america-day/ (This special day is actually on March 2, Dr. Seuss’s birthday.)

Saturday, March 2 from 2 - 4 PM, Music & Art Mini-Workshops at Sandy Spring Museum. Henna. Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Dance. Traditional Chinese Theater. South Indian Classical Dance. Persian Music. Not sure if you want to commit? Give it a test run! On Saturday, Cultura Plenera, Beauty of Beijing Opera, Kalanidhi Dance, Amtul’s Henna Body Art, and Persian Arts and Culture Communities will let you sample the workshops for FREE. Stop by to join in bomba dance from Puerto Rico, learn a classical Indian dance stop, say a line from Chinese Opera, learn about Persian musical instruments, or try a henna design on your hand. You’ll have an opportunity to sign-up for their workshop on the spot. Try one, or try them all – you may find that you have a hidden talent! Reserve your spot: http://bit.ly/2tH40uM. At Sandy Spring Museum, 17901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring, MD, 301-774-0022.

Saturday,  March 2 at 2 PM, Read Across America Day at the Palisades Library. March 2 is Read Across America Day! We love Dr. Seuss! It's his birthday. Come hear some Seuss stories (Green Eggs and Ham, The Sneetches, and Yertle the Turtle) and make a silly craft. For school age children or those still young at heart. Free. Palisades Library is at 4901 V Street, NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63037 

Saturday, March 2 at 2:30 PM, Petworth Library Tango! Celebrate the sultry, hypnotic Argentine dance with Tango Practica! Open to adults with all levels of experience. Free. No registration required. Petworth Library is at 4200 Kansas Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62002 

Sunday, March 3 from 9 AM – 7:30 PM, Mardi Gras Pancake Party, by the St. Matthew's Cathedral Young Adults. Join the Cathedral Young Adults beginning at 9 AM for breakfast, brunch, (or dinner) after each service. Meal will include pancakes, sausage patties, fruit, juice, and coffee! Tickets will be offered for a suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family, available at the door. Email stmattsyam @ gmail  dot com with any questions or for more information. At the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW, http://bit.ly/2ElS5aF

Sunday, March 3 at 1 PM, Frankenstein - A Retelling by Pure Expressions Theater Company. A unique experience and retelling of Frankenstein exploring his world through a series of extraordinary objects. At the Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62898

Sunday, March 3 at 3 PM, Her Voice: A Concert In Honor of Women's History Month. Pershing’s Own Chamber Players present a program of works by contemporary American female composers, including Libby Larsen’s trio for flute, clarinet, and mallet percussion titled Downwind of Roses in Maine; Valerie Coleman’s woodwind quintet Tzigane; Joan Tower's Wings for solo clarinet, Katherine Hoover’s Summer Night scored for flute, horn, and piano; and Jennifer Higdon's Zaka for violin, cello, flute, clarinet, piano, and percussion. Also on the program is the world premiere of a new piece for trumpet quartet, Skybound, by SFC Brooke Stevens of The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. Free admission. At Grace Chapel, National Cathedral School, 3612 Woodley Road NW. More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2307328959543444/ 

Monday, March 4 at 12 noon, Lecture: Winston in Washington, by Lee Pollock, interim executive director, International Churchill Society. In early December 1900, a twenty-six-year-old British politician, newly elected to Parliament and in the midst of an extended tour of the United States, arrived by train in Washington, DC. The visitor, Winston Spencer Churchill, was half-American, and his relationship with the country he called “The Great Republic” and its capital were critical to his career as Britain’s greatest Prime Minister. In sixty years in public life, he met presidents from William McKinley to John Kennedy, and developed deep relationships with some of the United States' most famous leaders, including Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower. Churchill’s extended sojourns in the White House during the Second World War were legendary, and he was the first foreign leader to address Congress three times, most famously in December 1941, in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Free; no reservations required. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street NW, https://museum.gwu.edu/winston-in-washington

Tuesday March 5 at 12 noon, Panel Discussion: No More “Mardi Gras” - It’s Time to Call This Holiday by a More Large-Size-Positive Name. Did you know that Mardi Gras literally means “Fat Tuesday”? Is it really acceptable in this day and age to label a holiday with a size-ist slur? Our panelists today will lay out the case to abandon the judginess implicit in this old holiday’s name and rebrand it in a way that shows acceptance of all sizes of days. Fat Tuesday can become Plus-Sized Tuesday, or Zaftig Tuesday (Mardi Dodu, if we are sticking with the French) or Voluptuous Tuesday. Before you go out to any Mardi Gras parties later today, spend an hour hearing out our distinguished panel of historians, linguists, and self-esteem gurus to learn why it’s time to stop using the demeaning term “Mardi Gras.” Very filling refreshments will be served! Location: IHOP. Please register in advance so we can be sure to have enough food for all: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent 

Tuesday, March 5 at 4 PM, Mardis Gras: Let the Good Times Roll. Laissez les bon temps rouler! On Fat Tuesday, come celebrate Mardi Gras. We will make masks, wear beads, enjoy music and eat King Cake. Best for ages 4-12. Free. At the Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62898

Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 PM, Waddy B. Wood: Rediscovering Wood’s Legacy in Twentieth Century Washington, by Emily Eig, hosted by the Cleveland Park Historical Society. Waddy Butler Wood was one of the architects hired by the Cleveland Park Company to design distinctive houses for their new development in the 1890s. This talk will present an overview of Wood’s career, introducing numerous examples of his work within the context of Washington’s stylistic development and the architects who shared these times. Behind his many commissions is the story of the blossoming of Washington’s professional architectural community in the early years of the twentieth century. About the speaker: Emily Hotaling Eig is the founder and president of EHT Traceries, a Washington, DC-based research and consulting firm specializing in historic preservation. At the Cleveland Park Congregational Church, 3400 Lowell Street NW. The talk is free and open to the public but we are asking attendees to register so we can be sure we have enough seating. Reserve your space at https://waddywood.eventbrite.com.

Wednesday, March 6 at 2 PM, Author Talk: Joe Strupp - Killing Journalism: How Greed, Laziness, (and Donald Trump) are Destroying News and How We Can Save It. Joe Strupp will discuss his latest book, which takes an in-depth look at the real problems with today's news media, and the impact of Donald Trump's constant war on the press and false claims of "fake news." PBS NewsHour legend Jim Lehrer calls it "a book for anyone who cares about the past, present and future of a free press in our democratic society." The event is free. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. At the West End Library in the Large Meeting Room, 2301 L St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63078 

Wednesday, March 6 at 7 PM, Raising America’s Zoo: How Two Wild Gorillas Helped Transform the National Zoo, by Kara Arundel. In 1955, a young former Marine ventured to the Belgian Congo on a month-long safari to view Africa’s wildlife. When Arthur “Nick” Arundel boarded a commercial airliner for home, he carried a baby gorilla in each arm. Their destination was the National Zoo in Washington, DC, known as "America's Zoo." The wild apes arrived at an antiquated zoo, where staffers knew little about how to raise wild apes. It was the beginning of dramatic changes for the National Zoo, which would evolve from a menagerie-type animal park to an internationally respected center focused on conservation of both captive and wild species. Raising America's Zoo tells the story of these first-generation zoo gorillas and their caregivers who worked tirelessly to make the gorillas’ lives better. The book also chronicles the personal story of Nick Arundel (the author’s father-in-law). At first, he celebrated his capture of the two baby gorillas. He later grew to regret his gorilla hunting tale, and spent the rest of his life as an advocate for animal conservation efforts at the National Zoo and in the wild in Africa. As gorillas move closer to becoming extinct in the wild due to habitat destruction, disease, and poaching, the zoo community's mission to save gorillas may be more important now than ever before. Space is limited; come early to get a good seat. Book sale and author signing to follow event. Free. At the Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62779

Thursday, March 7 at 7 PM, Author Talk: Julie Berry and "Lovely War." In partnership with Politics & Prose, DC Public Library welcomes author, Julie Berry, who will discuss her new book Lovely War. With a little bit of something for everyone, this book brings together Greek mythology, histories of World War I and II, the African American experience through the lens of an early ragtime musician and the enduring power of love. Copies of Lovely War and other Julie Berry titles will be available for purchase. Book signing will take place after the event. Free. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Seating is first come, first served. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62806       

Still Life with Robin: Florida Dreamin' (On Such a Winter's Day)

by Peggy Robin

What a week it’s been – snow on Wednesday – not so deep but it was wet, heavy stuff, a bit of a chore to shovel, and quite enough to make anyone wish to be someplace else, preferably with warm ocean breezes. Then the very next day we hit the 60 degree mark, causing a massive melt-off, leaving cracked drainpipes and mud puddles everywhere you looked. Then back to a damp chill, mid-40s yesterday. What a pleasure it was on these past few gray days to come home to the Cleveland Park Listserv and read message after message describing what it would be like to be in Florida right now!

The discussion began on Tuesday, February 19 with a query from a list member interested in a quick but relaxing getaway. List members with Florida experience readily rose to the challenge. Twelve messages so far, and all soooo tempting:

First off was from a poster telling us about Anna Maria Island. Just take a look:
https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/anna-maria-island.html

On Wednesday, we learned about beaches around Tampa-St. Pete and Bradenton and Sarasota. We got some pros and cons for Longboat Key. These posts were answered by fans of the Atlantic coast side – Palm Beach, Jupiter, Ft. Lauderdale, and environs.

On Thursday the beckoning breezes wafted in from Delray Beach, Vero Beach, and Fort Pierce.

On Friday, the sirens called from Sanibel and Captiva on the Gulf Coast. One poster recommended a visit to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. I should have added the link, but forgot to do so. Let me make up for that now: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling/ -- or for a more animated view of the birdlife at the refuge, take a look at this Youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzEfZyU7sNs.

And today, for those looking for more urban pleasures of dining, shopping, theater, art galleries and museums, and as well as a great botanical garden, plus proximity to white sand beaches with shelling -- the place to be is Sarasota: https://www.visitsarasota.com/

Thank you all for this lovely, vicarious vacation!
--------------------------------
Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.   

Get Out! The Events Column, February 22 - 28, 2019

Bei Bei in the Snow [Smithsonian National Zoo]

We wanted to share some events and activities that we thought would be of interest to list members. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 18,100+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, please email us at events @ fastmail dot net.

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler
Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv
www.cleveland-park.com       

Friday, February 22 from 10:30 AM - 12 PM, Aquatic Amore Family Discovery Day. Join DOEE fish & wildlife biologists for Aquatic Amore to enjoy family-friendly Valentine-themed activities at the Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) in Anacostia Park. Aquatic Amore will feature a Swimming Sweethearts aquarium tour with feedings, Looking for Love aquatic animal presentation, and Art from the Heart themed crafts and activities. Come discover how aquatic animals communicate…and “date”! Please note that advanced registration is required and that participants must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Acquire a ticket for each family member planning to attend. This program series is geared towards school aged children and their families and information is presented at an elementary school level. FREE, but space is limited. To register go to: http://bit.ly/2DUVsVO. The Aquatic Resources Education Center is located in Anacostia Park, 1900 Anacostia Drive SE, next to the Skating Pavilion. Questions may be directed to doee.arec @ dc.gov or 202-727-7400.

Friday, February 22 from 6:30 - 8 PM, Prohibition in Washington, DC. In 1929, right in your own back yard, it was estimated that every week bootleggers brought 22,000 gallons of whiskey, moonshine and other spirits to Washington, DC’s 3,000 speakeasies. Twin Valley Distillers’ Garrett Peck will you back to this iconic time in American history...where publicly teetotaling congressmen could get a stiff drink behind House office doors and the African American community of U Street was humming with a new sound called jazz. You’ll sample: The Scofflaw; Between the Sheets; French 75; *Three additional prohibition style cocktails will be available for purchase. Advanced ticket sales end at noon on 2/22. All guests are $25 at the door. Tickets: $20 for Sandy Spring Museum members, $25 for non-members available at https://sandyspringmuseum.salsalabs.org/prohibition/index.html. The Sandy Spring Museum is at 17901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring, MD

Saturday, February 23 from 9 AM - 2 PM, Giant Panda Housewarming Party. The new visitor exhibit in the panda house is finished and we would love for everyone to come visit and see it. After a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 AM, the housewarming party will begin! The day will be filled with fun activities for pandas and panda enthusiasts alike. The giant and red pandas will receive special frozen treats throughout the day. Bei Bei and the red pandas, Asa and Jackie, will receive their treats in their yards at 9:30 AM. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian will receive their baskets at 1 PM. Guests will be able to sample dumplings courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China until 11 AM. Free hot chocolate will be available until 2 PM, courtesy of sponsor Airbnb. Panda fans will be able to talk with panda scientists and keepers throughout the day. While supplies last, guests who visit the Zoo’s Panda Plaza gift shop can take home a very special commemorative print, courtesy of Friends of the National Zoo. The print is a copy of a painting created by Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Bei Bei. The numbered prints will be available one-per-family while the 5,000 copies last. No purchase is necessary. At the Panda Pavilion of the National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW. More info:  https://s.si.edu/2T5IhL9   

Saturday, February 23 from 9 AM - 4 PM,  Rooting DC, a free, all-day urban gardening forum, provides education about urban agriculture and food systems, cultivates health and protection of the environment, and builds community. The program includes dozens of interactive workshops, cooking and food preservation demonstrations, as well as panel discussions focusing on youth gardening, nutrition, sustainable growing techniques, and healthy food access. The event also hosts 60+ green businesses and nonprofits from throughout the region at an information fair. The full list of workshops will be posted on the event website, www.rootingdc.org. At Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, 4800 Meade St NE. Register at http://bit.ly/2tvC3WA   

Saturday February 23 at 2 PM, Black History Month Author Talk with Sonja D. Williams, Howard University professor of Media, Journalism and Film. She has worked as a broadcast journalist and media trainer in the Caribbean, Africa and throughout the United States. In her incisive and in-depth biography, "Word Warrior," Prof. Williams tells the story of  Richard Durham, who was a tireless champion of African American freedom, equality, and justice during an epoch that forever changed a nation. More information: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62655. Free. At the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW

Saturday, February 23 at 4:30 PM, Stories and Songs of Hope - a concert in support of refugees seeking asylum in the US. Our choir and guest musicians will perform musical selections on the theme of “sanctuary,” with several asylum seekers sharing their stories. Admission is free with donations encouraged for the Asylum Seekers Assistance Project, www.asylumprojectdc.org. Reception following. At Cleveland Park Congregational UCC, 3400 Lowell St. NW, www.cpcchurch.org 

Sunday February 24 at 2 PM, Jazz in the Basement: Liz Prince and the Stage Dog Trio. Enjoy an afternoon of jazz chamber music inspired by the Penguin Cafe. Jazz in the Basement is a monthly concert series featuring local artists, coordinated with the assistance of volunteers Bertrand Uberall and John Cook. The concerts are intended to highlight young artists, new composers, or unique jazz sounds to broaden the listening landscape of our Washington, D.C. audiences. Stage Dog Trio is Liz Prince (tuba), Jon Birkholz (guitar), and John Dierker (bass clarinet and reeds). This concert is located at the Goethe-Institut Washington at 1990 K St. NW (use the 20th Street entrance).  Free and open to the public. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62793 

Sunday, February 24 from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM, North American Premiere: Saltzman - A Choral Symphony: Halevi. The combined forces of the AU Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and Chamber Singers are joined by the Strathmore Children’s Chorus and guest soloists Janice Meyerson and Rob McGinness to perform the North American premiere of Arnold Saltzman’s A Choral Symphony: Halevi. For tickets,$5-$15, go to http://bit.ly/2V7Vkcm. At the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW.

Monday, February 25 at 12 noon, Book Talk: "Lipstick Brigade" with Cindy Gueli, author. You’ve heard of Rosie the Riveter, but do you know about Washington’s Government Girls? Almost a quarter of a million adventurous young women swarmed the nation’s capital to help America fight World War II. Cindy Gueli will discuss the captivating, surprising, and moving first-person stories she collected for Lipstick Brigade, her book about how these incredible women triumphed over the challenges of war and the chaotic, frustrating, and often deadly capital boomtown. This program relates to the exhibition "Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms." Free; no reservations required.At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street NW, https://museum.gwu.edu/lipstick-brigade 

Tuesday, February 26 at 7 PM, Library Facilities Master Plan Community Meeting. Help shape the future of Library services in DC. Join your friends and neighbors for a meeting about the Library Facilities Master Plan, which will help guide the next 10 years of planning across the city. Learn about the Plan's objectives and goals; review current Library usage and facility condition data; share your thoughts on current and future Library needs in DC. The Library is hosting four community meetings across the city. Visit https://www.dclibrary.org/dclibraryfuture to learn more and see the dates/locations of the other meetings. Free. The community meeting for Ward 3 is at the Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62649

Wednesday, February 27 from 8:30 AM - 6 PM, DC Statehood Congressional Education Day, organized by DC Vote. We'll be meeting with the new members of the House and Senate and their staff to introduce them to DC Statehood, DC Home Rule and Voting Rights for DC. This is a great opportunity for you to come talk to the decision makers about why DC Equality matters to you. There will be two shifts available from 8 AM-1 PM or 12-5 PM - choose one or both. We will provide training and breakfast and/or lunch. You'll be teamed up with leaders of the Statehood movement who will help lead the meetings and make sure you have a successful day. If you've never done advocacy or if you are a long-time citizen lobbyist, we will make sure you are set up for success! Free. Location: Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Avenue SW. Register  http://bit.ly/2SwKQX2   

Wednesday February 27 at 4 PM, Art Attack: Jean-Michel Basquiat. Learn about the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat in honor of Black History Month and create an art project in the style of his bold colors and jazz inspired art. Free. At Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW,  https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62805 

Wednesday, February 27 at 7 PM, Forest bathing talk - no bathing suit required. The benefits of spending time in nature are being proven by more and more recent scientific studies. These benefits include physical and mental health. Here’s an opportunity to get these benefits for yourself. Chevy Chase resident Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest therapy guide, will discuss her latest book, The Joy of Forest Bathing. It’s a guide for reconnecting with wild places and being present in nature. Come and enjoy dessert, discussion, and a chance to win a copy of Melanie’s book! Free admission. In the Chevy Chase Town Hall, 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase, MD. RSVP to 301-654-7144 or townoffice @ townofchevychase dot org.

Thursday, February 28, 12 noon, Rally to Demand a February 29th on the Calendar EVERY YEAR! Three out of every four years, those unfortunate enough to be born on February 29, Leap Day, are left without a recognized date to celebrate their birthday. And people make cruel jokes out of their predicament, telling a 12-year old, for example, they’re really only 3, or a 16-year-old that they’re 4. Time for all “Leaplings” (as they are known) to demand an end to this birthday stress! Even if you are not a leapling, you can still add your voice to their plea not to be erased by the calendar in non-leap-years. We will rally in front of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in charge of timekeeping/calendar-standards for the US) at 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD, where we will present a petition for the calendar to be altered and this day to be officially designated “February 28/29” in all non-leap-years; only in a leap year when there is a separate February 29th will there be a February 28 without the slash-29. If you can’t attend, please add your name to the online petition, at this link: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent

Thursday February 28 at 6 PM, AfroLatinas in Washington, DC. In celebration of Black History Month, Mt. Pleasant Library is honored to host a panel discussion on AfroLatinas in DC. This panel discussion will focus on contributions and efforts from AfroLatinas, using Casilda Luna as a reference point to what has been accomplished, and the needs and opportunities for AfroLatinas. We are looking to specifically emphasize areas of public health, representation, gender inequalities and intersectional AfroLatina issues in the diaspora. Speakers/Panelists: Tonija Hope Navas, Director of Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center; Dr. Aisha Cort, Assistant Professor of Spanish at Howard University; Alicia Sanchez Gill, Executive Director at Collective Action for Safe Spaces; Johanna Figuera, History and Math Teacher at Washington Latin Public Charter School; Evette Hernandez, Director of Midwifery at Mary’s Center; Moderated by Rosalyn Lake Montero, Spanish Teacher at Seed School of Washington and Johanna Figueroa Camilo, History and Math Teacher at Washington Latin Public Charter School. Free. At the Mt. Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St. NW (entrance on Lamont St), https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62852   

Thursday, February 28 at 6 PM, Washingtoniana: Saving Family Treasures: Personal Archiving Workshop. Are you interested in preserving family treasures? Special Collections staff will lead a workshop on preserving digital and physical personal archives, including photos, letters, newspapers and other material objects. Participants will receive information that will help them maintain their family records. Free. Washingtoniana is at 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW. More info:  https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62505   

Thursday February 28 at 7 PM, E. J. Dionne of The Washington Post Speaks on Freedom of the Press in the Age of Trump. Since President Donald Trump has called the media “the enemy of the people,” and the public has witnessed the administration’s pulling of a CNN reporter’s White House press credential, as well as the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Americans are beginning to wonder about some of their basic freedoms, especially the right to participate in governance by being informed by a free and independent press.This presentation is the first of a free, three-part public affairs series hosted by Church of the Pilgrims called “What’s Going On?” (WGO). Church of the Pilgrims is located near DuPont Circle at 2201 P St. NW. Please visit https://www.churchofthepilgrims.org/ for more information.

Thursday, February 28 at 7 PM, African American Migration to Washington, DC During the 19th and 20th Century. In honor of Black History Month, George Derek Musgrove, co-author of Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation’s Capital, will deliver a presentation on African American migration to Washington, DC. Dr. Musgrove is currently an Assistant Professor of history at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. At the Juanita E.Thornton/Shepherd Park Library, 7420 Georgia Ave. NW, 2nd floor meeting room. This event is free and open to the public. It is suitable for ages 13 and up. https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62651       

Still Life with Robin: The Scam Call Is Coming from INSIDE the house!

by Peggy Robin

I have written before about my pledge to stop picking up the phone unless the caller ID shows it’s from someone I know (see http://bit.ly/2DLKl1m and http://bit.ly/2BEFcYF). I would like to let ALL such calls go straight to voicemail. But there are a couple of good reasons why I can’t consistently obey that simple rule. First, I do business with all kinds of people, and there are those who might decide to call me rather than email for a first contact. Yes, I know I could wait until they leave me a message and then call them right back. But I think that might annoy them. I know it would annoy me if I called a number to do business with someone and they never, ever picked up their phone. And second, I have an elderly mother, and it’s always possible that someone who’s taking care of her would call me from a number I don’t have in my contacts list. So if I see a number on the caller ID that shows a 202, 301, or 703 area code and a local prefix, I tend to pick up.

Nine times out of ten, I’m sorry I’ve done that. Nine times out of ten, I hear noises on the line, like the background chatter of many voices in a boiler-room – often before anyone on my line says a word. Or I’ll hear that uncanny, oddly bright and chipper but somehow artificial note in a voice that signals it’s a recording of someone acting out a sales pitch. Either way, I know I should not have answered. The instant I realize it’s not a legitimate caller, I hang up – usually without even saying, “Hello.” That’s because I’ve heard it’s dangerous to speak a word to scammers on the phone. They can record your voice – especially if you have spoken the word “yes” – to make it appear as if you have agreed to buy something they’re selling.

The first thing I do after hanging up the phone is use the tools provided by my phone system to block that caller from ever getting through to my number again. I know it’s largely a futile gesture, as most scammers hide behind stolen local numbers. By blocking a scam call coming from 202-363-XXXX, I am likely only preventing some innocent local resident, who has no idea their number’s been spoofed, from calling me about some perfectly legitimate neighborhood event.

Defenses against scammers only tend to make them seek more ingenious, more devilish ways to break through. But now I think they finally have gone too far. They have now spoofed my own landline to try to reach me. For several days running this has happened: My landline rings. I look at the caller ID and it says the call is coming from my own number! I let it ring until the voicemail picks up. Of course, no one leaves a message.

I can’t block that number, because that would mean I would never be able to call from line one to line two at home – something I occasionally need to do to test the phone system. So whoever this scammer is who has stolen my number can just keep on calling me, day after day, and I have to put up with it. Not a thing I can do about it. Well, that’s not quite true. I suppose I could change my number. But who’s to say they wouldn’t start calling me from that number, too? Or I could just give up my landline altogether. But that seems the coward’s way out. No, I’m not going to be scared into giving up a number I’ve had for decades and decades – a number that feels like a part of me.

And yet, now that it’s out there, put to use by some nefarious person to harm to others, perhaps it's time to face the truth. My poor old number will never be the same as it was, before it was corrupted. It’s lost its innocence, those ten familiar digits. And yet I’m not ready to let it go. And even if I did, that wouldn’t do anything to stop the person who’s using it with ill intent. So what is the solution, the right thing to do? I’m afraid there isn’t one. All I can do is see my own number come up on the caller ID and turn away, hoping this will be the last time. With no reason to suppose it will be. Sigh.
-----------------------
Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! The Events Column, Feb 15 - 21, 2019

Lincoln in stovepipe hat
[public domain]

We wanted to share some events and activities that we thought would be of interest to list members. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 18,100+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, please email us at events @ fastmail dot net.

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler

Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv

www.cleveland-park.com       

Friday, February 15 at 12:30 PM, Lunch Bites: Edward Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Anderson House Library intern Kris Stinson presents an eighteenth-century set of Edward Gibbon’s "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" and discusses the influence of classical ideas and literature on Revolutionary War participants. The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes with time afterwards for up-close viewing of the books. Free. At the Society of the Cincinnati, Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. More info:  https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public     

Saturday, February 16 at 2 PM, The Legacy of Harriet Tubman: A One-Woman Performance by Cortenia Smith. This one-woman performance reveals the true spirit of Harriet Tubman, a legendary former slave, abolitionist and hero who defined courage and strength. Drawn from the pages of history and passionately retold by Smith, it tells a story of survival, endurance and faith. Smith has been studying and working on the life of Tubman since 2009 and continues to keep the dream and Tubman’s legacy alive with her one-woman performance. This is a great event for the entire family. Free. At the Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Library, 115 Atlantic St. SW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62099     

Saturday, February 16 at 10 AM, Curator Tour: "Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms." Gather with fellow museum members for a special tour of “Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms” with Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett. Norman Rockwell’s masterpieces make their way to Washington as part of a major international traveling exhibition on the Four Freedoms famously outlined by Franklin D. Roosevelt: freedom of speech; freedom of worship; freedom from want; and freedom from fear. In Enduring Ideals, Rockwell’s iconic paintings and works by other artists capture expressions of freedom from World War II to today. Free, but reservations are required. Register online at http://bit.ly/2GIQePN or contact Danielle Tyson with questions at 202-994-5579 or email  tysond @ gwu . edu. For information on becoming a member of the museum, go to https://museum.gwu.edu/membership. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street, NW. More info: https://museum.gwu.edu/curator-tour-sat 

Saturday, February 16 at 2:30 PM, Black History Month Film: Let Freedom Sing, How Music Inspired the Civil Rights Movement. One of the most powerful movements in American history is told through the singers and songwriters who fought for change with their music. Highlights include the influence of WDIA radio in Memphis and the influence of Harry Belafonte, Phil Ochs and other performers. The film is 102 minutes in duration. Free. At the Takoma Park Library, 416 Cedar St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62883    

Sunday, February 17 from 3 - 5 PM, Love Songs of US Presidents - A Cappella Presentation by the Dan Meyer Choir. The Dan Meyer Choir (https://www.danmeyerchoir.com/) will present a series of a cappella (singing without instruments) songs from the writings of several presidents Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, J.Q. Adams, Tyler, Buchanan, Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Harding, Hoover, L.B. Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and G.W. Bush, that provide amazing insights. Please join us for this free event at the Georgetown Public Library, 3260 R Street NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62850 

Monday, February 18 from 10:15 AM - 3:15 PM, Make your own stovepipe hat - just like Abraham Lincoln! A Presidents Day Kids’ Activity at Lincoln Cottage. In honor of President’s Day, President Lincoln’s Cottage is offering an opportunity for children and their families to answer the question, “What do you do with a chance?” As President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln took many chances in the hopes of unifying the country. At times, Lincoln felt his ideas were just out of his reach and worried that he might fail. With some courage and support, he developed his brave ideas by taking notes and keeping them safe in his signature stovepipe hat. This interactive program (45 minutes) will be about taking chances and you will have a chance to create your own Lincoln hat to hold your brave ideas. Program includes a group reading of “What Do You Do with a Chance?” written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom. Hands-on activity creating Lincoln stove-pipe hats that you can take home! Admission Note: Any child* participating in the program needs a ticket. Adults or other children not participating in the program do not need to purchase tickets. *Program was developed for ages 4-9, but children of all ages are welcome to participate. One ticket ($5) covers the cost of supplies for one Lincoln hat - purchase at http://bit.ly/2DCNznK. Check-in at the Museum Store located in the Robert H. Visitor Education Center on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW. 

Monday, February 18 at 6 PM, President’s’ Day: That Darned Apostrophe! High time we stopped dancing around this sensitive and controversial question: Is there or isn’t there an apostrophe in this national holiday? And if so, where does it go? Is it the Day of THE President, therefore “President’s Day”? Or is it the day of ALL the Presidents, therefore “Presidents’ Day”? Or does “Presidents” refer to the subject matter of the day (like Flag Day) and thus the noun is not a possessive and needs NO apostrophe. A distinguished panel including a grammarian, a copy editor, and a presidential historian (names TBA) will discuss this important but sadly overlooked matter on this very appropriate day. At the Library of Congress (and that leads to another question: Why don’t we call it Congress’s Library? Or maybe “Congress’ Library”? Well, we will have to leave that one for another panel on another day…. And by the way, aren’t you glad it’s not taking place in Prince Georges County? Please reserve your free tickets at http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent   

Tuesday, February 19 at 7 PM, Jake Sherman and Matt Wuerker of Politico - one of the Tuesday Talk series brought to you by the Cleveland Park Business Association and the Cleveland and Woodley Park Village. Politico’s Pulitzer-Prize winning political cartoonist Matt Wuerker and Senior Writer Jake Sherman will share stories about what it’s like to cover Washington in the Trump era, how they do it, and why it matters. The evening is free and open to the public. RSVP to 202-615-5853 or info @ ClevelandWoodleyParkVillage.org. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave NW (Accessible Facility).

Wednesday, February 20 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM, "Reporter" – A Conversation with Seymour Hersh, followed by a reception and book signing. This event is first come, first seated. Priority admission will be given to ticket holders. Tickets do not guarantee a seat. Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and best-selling author Seymour Hersh joins Investigative Reporting Workshop Executive Editor Charles Lewis to talk about his 50-year career uncovering some of the US government’s biggest secrets - from the Vietnam War My Lai massacre to Watergate abuses of power to the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal. The free program includes a reception and book-signing by the author of "Reporter: A Memoir." Co-sponsored by the Investigative Reporting Workshop, AU's Entertainment and Media Alumni Alliance and the School of Communication. Reserve your seats at https://IRWSeymourHersh.eventbrite.com. In the Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman Theater, American University, McKinley Building, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW.   

Wednesday, February 20 at 6:30 PM, The Swords of George Washington. Whether in the role of militia officer, commander of the Continental Army, or president of the United States, a sword frequently hung by George Washington’s side. Nine of his swords are known to exist today, and each has a fascinating history not just as a functional weapon but as a symbol of the iconic American founder and the birth of the nation itself. Commemorate the 237th anniversary of Washington’s birth with an exploration of these swords and their significance, presented by Erik Goldstein, senior curator of mechanical arts and numismatics at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes. Free. At The Society of the Cincinnati, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. More info: https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public   

Wednesday, February 20 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Fight the Fungus: Saving Hawaii’s Forests from Extinction. The future of the ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha), a culturally significant and ecologically valuable tree, is in doubt. The ʻōhiʻa is being threatened by microscopic fungi (Ceratocystis huliohia and Ceratocystis lukuohia) that recently invaded the islands of Kaua'i and Hawai'i. If unstopped, these invaders could irreversibly change Hawaii's ecosystems and culture by eliminating the beloved ʻōhi'a. Join specialists from Conservation X Labs, the Department of the Interior, and the US Botanic Garden, for the Washington D.C. premiere of a new short documentary about Hawaii's sacred tree, Saving 'Ōhi'a. Following the documentary screening, a panel of diverse experts will discuss the global impact of fungal pathogens like those causing ROD, and explore the solutions needed to combat the fungal pathogens. Please note: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Program will begin at 7 p.m. Prior to the screening, attendees are encouraged to visit the Hawaii room of the Conservatory to learn about the native Hawaiian plants in the U.S. Botanic Garden's collection. Small bites will be served. To learn more about The 'Ōhiʻa Challenge, visit www.savetheohia.org. Register for this free program at: http://bit.ly/2N3qQVZ. At the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, (202) 225-8333  

Wednesday February 20 at 7 PM, Icons of Black Music and Politics. Come to listen and enjoy a lecture by Mr. Donnie Gooden as he gives an oral history and arts exhibit in color prints of the giants in Jazz and Politics. Light refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to the public in the Large Meeting Room on the lower level of the Benning (Dorothy I. Height) Library, 3935 Benning Road NE. Rain/Snow date is Wednesday, Feb.27 at 7pm. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62438   

Thursday February 21 at 5 PM, Washingtoniana Transcribe-a-thon: Mary Church Terrell Letters. Learn about a hometown hero as you help make her legacy discoverable by generations to come! Gain skills in reading and transcribing historic materials as we work together to make the legacy of Mary Church Terrell, Civil Rights and Women’s Rights pioneer, discoverable for generations to come. By The People invites you to explore, transcribe and tag digitized Library collections. Library of Congress staff will lead a workshop on their new virtual volunteer program. DC Public Library staff will also share items related to Terrell’s life and impact on DC and the nation. Bring a laptop if you have one -- limited number of library devices available. No transcription experience required! This workshop will last two hours. Free. Location: Washingtoniana, 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW, wash.dcpl @ dc.gov, 202-727-1213, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62594 

Thursday, February 21 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Free Parking: Michael B. Platt and Carol A. Beane by Alper Initiative for Washington Art. Carol Beane will discuss her collaboration with Michael Platt (1948-2019), and their exploration of non-Western aesthetics, imagery, and verse. Carol will read from some of her poems and discuss Platt’s multi-layered digital images derived from explorations of aboriginal Australian culture. Free and open to all. Please RSVP: https://www.tinyurl.com/AlperTickets. At the AU Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW.