All Life Is Local

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Get Out! The Events Column, May 24 - May 30, 2019

National Memorial Day Parade

Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 PM, The Road to Charleston: Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution. Historian John Buchanan discusses and signs copies of his long-awaited sequel to The Road to Guilford Courthouse that brings the story of the war in the South to its dramatic conclusion. Greene’s Southern Campaign was the most difficult of the war. With a supply line stretching hundreds of miles northward, it revealed much about the crucial military art of provision and transport. Greene’s attempt to incorporate black regiments into his army was angrily rejected by the South Carolina legislature and a bloody civil war between rebels and Tories was wreaking havoc in the South. Correspondence between Greene and Thomas Jefferson during the campaign shows Greene was also bedeviled by the conflict between war and the rights of the people, and the question of how to set constraints under which a free society wages war. The talk will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by a book signing and refreshments. Copies of the book will be available to purchase at the event. Free. At the Society of the Cincinnati, Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Still Life with Robin: More Name Games

Bottlenose dolphins swim with their calves in the Potomac River
NMFS Permit No. 19403

by Peggy Robin

It’s another naming contest!

Last month we were given the chance to name the Ward 3 homeless shelter. (See http://bit.ly/2JPcBVpe.) You no longer have the ability to suggest names from scratch; at this stage you are being asked to choose from the three top contenders selected by the DC government:

1. The Prospect
2. The Oasis
3. The Vision

You can vote at this link: https://jenna100.typeform.com/to/NtlOir - deadline is May 30.

Once you’ve done that, you can turn your attention from a building that needs a name to make it seem welcoming to the families who will be staying there, to wandering sea creatures – a pair of dolphins -- who have no need of names at all. It's just something for the humans to bestow on them to make them seem more like individuals to us.

The pair, now known only as D1 and D2, have been seen swimming in the Potomac River., and the Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project has invited the public to come up with something to call them. And no, “Flipper” is not allowed! Neither is “Dolphy McDolphin.”

You can read more about these two dolphins, and more about dolphins in the Polomac and the Chesapeake Bay, in this Washington Post article: https://wapo.st/2Qdsaal. There’s a link to the naming contest in the article, but here’s a direct link:
https://potomac.org/name-potomac-dolphins

We don’t know the sex of the dolphins, so try to pick something that will sound good for either males or females.

We don’t know the ages – just that they are “mature adults” – so nothing too childish, please!

A few more restrictions. A name will not be considered if:

* it is a trademark;
* Potomac Conservancy and Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project deem it offensive, obscene, or inappropriate; or
* it has already been assigned to a Potomac dolphin. Review the list of current dolphin names here: http://bit.ly/2EikA9X

I would add: Remember, these are intelligent beings! So no demeaning names. Think of something dignified….well, something sounding of high porpoise! (Sorry, just couldn’t stop myself!)

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

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Get Out! The Events Column, May 17 - 23, 2019

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 18,200+ 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, May 17 at 12 noon, World Baking Day Author Talk by Bryan Noyes. In celebration of World Baking Day, please join the West End Neighborhood Library and renowned baker and cookbook author Brian Noyes as he discusses his latest work, The Red Truck Bakery Cookbook. Samples provided will also highlight Mr. Noyes's expertise and passion for all things related to baking. About the Author: While the art director of the Washington Post and Smithsonian magazine, Brian Noyes baked pies and breads on weekends in his Virginia Piedmont farmhouse and sold them out of an old red truck he bought from designer Tommy Hilfiger. When a New York Times story sent 57,000 people to his fledgling website in one day, he left publishing behind to launch the Red Truck Bakery in a 1921 Esso filling station in Warrenton, Virginia. The bakery now has two locations, ships thousands of baked goods nationwide, and has earned accolades from Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama and many national publications. Free. At the West End Library, 2301 L St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63869

Friday, May 17 at 12:30 PM, Lunch Bites Lecture and Exhibit: The First Society of the Cincinnati Eagle Insignias. The first examples of the iconic Society of the Cincinnati insignia, known as the Eagle, were made in Paris in January 1784 for French members of the Society, who had served the American cause as either soldiers of their king or volunteers commissioned in the Continental forces. The Eagle was designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant and first made by Parisian craftsmen Nicolas Jean Francastel and Claude Jean Autran Duval, to be suspended from a light blue-and-white silk ribbon symbolizing the French-American alliance. The gold-and-enamel badges were first distributed by the Marquis de Lafayette, at whose Paris home the first meeting of the Société des Cincinnati de France took place. Join Deputy Director and Curator Emily Schulz Parsons for a discussion of these rare insignias and a look at two examples in the Institute’s collections, which are featured in the exhibition “Revolutionary Reflections: French Memories of the War for America” (through October 27, 2019). The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes with time afterwards for up-close viewing of the objects. Free. At the Society of the Cincinnati at Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave NW, https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public

Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18, and Sunday May 19, ACLU - Celebrating 100 Years. See the website http://bit.ly/2vZaLsH for the schedule of events taking place over the 3-day celebration, and register to attend. All events are free and open to the public - ACLU membership not required to attend. Here is one of the panel discussions: “When the Only Tool is a Hammer: Retooling and Rethinking Our Criminal Legal System” - Panelists will address the failures of the current system, and then discuss how alternatives to incarceration are being applied both nationally and here in the District. Here’s another: "The Power of the First Amendment in the Fight for Justice" - Activists Rev. Grayland Hagler and Alexis McKenney along with First Amendment expert Lee Rowland explore our right to advocate for civil rights in the District. There will be live musical performances, workshops, student group meetings, interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities, and much more. Plus complimentary Ben & Jerry’s ice cream! ACLU100 DC takes place at the Hotel Monaco, 700 F Street. Wheelchair accessible. A sign language interpreter will be available. To request other accommodations, please contact media @ aclu dot org

Saturday, May 18, all day, 1st Annual Cleveland Park Scholastic Chess Championships at the Cleveland Park Library. Free and open to grades Pre-K through 12. Limited to 100 participants. Register at https://metrochess.org/. Registration closes on May 16 at 5 PM. For more information, please email vaughn_bennett @ yahoo dot com. Check in for Sections: K-1, K-3, K-6, K-8, K-12 from 9:30 - 9:55 AM. 1st round begins at 10 AM. Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63424

Saturday, May 18 from 10 AM - 6 PM, Gaithersburg Book Festival. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Gaithersburg Book Festival, an annual event that has become a literary highlight of spring in the region. As it has for the past decade, the festival this year will bring scores of authors to a park-like setting in Gaithersburg’s historic center to talk about their works and sign copies.The book fair offers writing workshops, literary exhibitors, and lots of fun programming for kids in a Children’s Village. Food trucks will abound, and live entertainment will be offered at the Brew and Vine Café. Free. At Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, http://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/

Saturday, May 18 from 11 AM - 3 PM, Fete Champetre at Maret School. Come with friends and family to celebrate the pleasure of spring at Maret’s 66th Annual Fête Champêtre. This festive tradition combines the amusements and treats of the boardwalk with the charm and delights of a country fair. Enjoy all your favorite games and foods. Relax while browsing among the flea market or try your hand at some carnival games. This is a "rain or shine" event. On the front lawn of Maret School, 3000 Cathedral Avenue NW, https://www.maret.org/support-maret/fete

Saturday, May 18 from 11 AM - 7 PM, Fiesta Asia Street Festival. The 13th annual National Asian Heritage Festival, or the Fiesta Asia Street Fair, makes its return to Pennsylvania Avenue. This festival will bring heritage, tradition, and culture to the District. The festival will feature more than 1,000 performers, the perfect visuals to see throughout your Saturday. While the Asian heritage makes up many cultures, the fair will showcase 20 cultures for eight hours. A fun experience for all families, the fair will include dancers, martial arts, Pan-Asian food, Bollywood dancing, and crafts. Free admission. On Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 6th Streets NW. More info: http://bit.ly/2Ypt2f8

Saturday May 18 at 11:30 AM, Family Mural Art Workshop with Luis Peralta del Valle. Join celebrated Washington, DC artist Luis Peralta del Valle as he guides workshop participants in creating a communal mural that honors the rich tapestry of DC history and culture. The workshop is being offered in conjunction with the exhibition, A Right to the City, and uses the themes of communal engagement and cultural activism as foundations in creating a group inspired artwork. All workshop materials will be provided. This workshop is suitable for ages 6 and above, and adults. About the artist: Born in Nicaragua, Del Valle has garnered substantial praise and honors for his artwork and contributions to the DC arts scene. In 2013 he won the East of the River Distinguished Artist Award and is also the recipient of the 2015 National Museum of Catholic Art and Library Portrait Award. This is part II of the workshop but if you missed the first one you have a second chance so please join us (limit of 40 participants). Register here http://bit.ly/2EcXXn6 (free). At Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Good Hope Road SE. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63051

Saturday, May 18 from 12 - 4 PM, Taste of Dupont. This is the 12th annual Taste of Dupont, organized by Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets. Dupont Circle restaurants will open their doors to showcase their signature appetizers, entrées, drinks, and desserts. This progressive lunch encourages patrons to walk from restaurant to tavern with a master ticket to discover new places to try- master ticket is $25 in advance, $40 on the day of the event and will give you access to all 10 or more Taste locations. Pick up Will Call tickets at 9 Dupont Circle, NW on the west side of Dupont Circle starting at 12:45 PM (one-story brick building). Visit www.tasteofdupont.org/ for more info and to buy tickets.

Sunday May 19 at 4 PM, Bluegrass Concert. An ensemble from the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition performs both traditional and contemporary bluegrass sounds in a combination of electrifying picking, soulful singing, and eclectic arrangements. Free. At the Society of the Cincinnati at Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave NW, https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public

Sunday, May 19 starting at 1 PM (gather at 12:30 PM), Tour de DCPL X. Library staff discovered a great way to explore the facilities, ongoing transformations and expansive resources at DC Public Libraries - by bike! The Tour de DCPL was born in 2010 as a free, community bike ride that visits several of our 26 DC Public Library locations. Register for the 10th Annual Tour de DCPL at http://bit.ly/2W9Uv6S. The ride will stop at Tenley-Friendship, Washingtoniana, Cleveland Park, Mt. Pleasant, Petworth, the Fab Test Lab & Passport Acceptance Office, Watha T. Daniel/Shaw and end at Northwest One. The ride will also explore the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum's "A Right to the City" exhibit, which has satellite installations at five DC Public Library locations through 2019. Check out the planned route, approximately 10 miles, on this Google Map (this route is subject to change): http://bit.ly/2LKaBjR. Tour de DCPL is a NO DROP RIDE and designated bike marshals will ensure the group sticks together. Please arrive at the Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library, 4450 Wisconsin Avenue NW, by 12:30 PM to check-in and sign a waiver. Participants under 18 years old will need a parent/guardian signature. Snacks and water will be provided along the route. All riders must provide their own helmet. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/62938

Sunday, May 19 at 2 PM, Garden Concert Series: The Gliders. Join us for an afternoon of music in the beautiful garden area beside Northeast Library. Bring a chair, sit back and enjoy the sounds of The Gliders. A long-time fixture within the Capitol Hill neighborhood, The Gliders are an acoustic four-piece band featuring roots music from blues to rockabilly to soul to country. Founding member Bro Larkin plays guitar and hails from Silver Spring, MD. Marbury Weathered is Greenbelt, MD’s most famous harmonica player, and he is also a lead vocalist. Janet and Bill Gilmore are Capitol Hill residents and active users of Northeast Library—Bill laying down the rhythm on upright bass and Janet providing lead vocals, harmonies and some great ukulele strumming. Janet is well known around the Hill as a music educator both from a private piano studio and as the first music teacher at Two Rivers PCS. All four members are retired and enjoy getting together to play. Please note: In the event of inclement weather, concerts are held inside the library. Free. The Northeast Library is at 330 7th St. NE, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63643

Sunday, May 19 from 2 - 4 PM, T1D Sports Day – Making Sports Fun and Easy for Kids with T1 Diabetes. Evan, Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Varsity Athlete, wants to share how he manages sports and his blood sugar. Come join Evan and his team of friends for food, sports, arts & crafts and giveaways! JDRF and Children's Hospital representatives will be there too! Rain or Shine (Event moves into gym if it's raining.) RSVP: http://bit.ly/2Y4h0Yx. Free. At Landon School, Prindle Field, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD.

Sunday, May 19 from 4 - 5 PM, Chamber Music Concert "Homage," a free, all-ages chamber music event, performed by three master soloists in a thrilling program featuring Suliman Tekalli, Top Prize winner of the 2015 Seoul International Competition and New York based violinist of the Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect, Aaron Ludwig cellist of the U.S. Army “Pershing’s Own” and Pilgrim Lutheran Director of Music and pianist Jamila Tekalli. The program features the works Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin, Debussy's Cello Sonata, and Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor, a work rooted in the composer's distinctive precocious and youthful musical style, bursting with brilliance and virtuosity. A reception follows concert. Free on-site parking. At Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 5500 Massachusetts Ave. Bethesda, MD 20816. Video Sample: Prelude, Le Tombeau de Couperin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76R5L8hdv0M&. For more information on the concert series: http://pilgrimbethesda.org/concert-series

Monday May 20 at 7 PM, Book Hill Talk: Aquinas’s Philosophy of the Angels. Gregory T. Doolan, associate professor of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America will lead discussion on Saint Thomas Aquinas’ philosophy on the existence of angels. Free. At the Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/64015

Monday, May 20 at 7 PM, Ask a Harry Potter Scholar. Did you know that there are people who study the Harry Potter series as an academic venture, giving papers at conferences and publishing journal articles and whole books on the saga of The Boy Who Lived? More importantly, would you like to meet one? Join Tolonda Henderson, who has been featured as a pre-performance lecturer for the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap, for an evening exploring their career as a Harry Potter scholar. Topics will include how they got into the field, what strategies they use to apply an academic lens to the text, and glimpses into their various projects over the last several years. There will be plenty of time for questions, so be sure to bring yours. Tolonda Henderson is an MA/PhD student in the English Department at the University of Connecticut. Their specialization in Children's Literature was inspired by their work as a Harry Potter scholar. Mx. Henderson has recently published an essay on the series from the perspective of fat studies. Free. At Southeast Library, 403 7th St SE, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/60887

Tuesday, May 21 from 10 - 11 AM, “Ethical Diplomacy” presented by Charles A. Ray. What is ethical diplomacy, and why is it so important? Is ethical diplomacy even possible in the current political environment? How does this atmosphere impact our ability to carry out effective diplomacy? What is happening in the State Department and how will this affect the nation in 2020 and beyond? Charles A. Ray served as ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2012 and to Cambodia from 2002 to 2005. He has been Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and is the author of more than 100 fiction and non-fiction books. Ambassador Ray retired from the military with the rank of major in 1982, after serving two tours in Vietnam, and serving in Germany, Okinawa, and South Korea. He holds two Bronze Stars and the Armed Forces Humanitarian Service Medal. Free, but registration is required: http://bit.ly/2EdpJQm. This event is a presentation of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at American University, 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Room A (1st floor)

Tuesday, May 21 at 3 PM, Celebrating Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month Through Fish Eyes: Indian Classical Dance. Through Fish Eyes, a work that combines art and science, is a unique performance that utilizes the classical Indian dance form Bharata Natyam to create awareness about the world's dwindling marine ecosystems. The ocean comes to life, telling tales of how man and nature co-existed in harmony. The abundant and thriving ocean has now been ravaged by humankind, leaving it in a critical state. We are the hand that has destroyed it. Can we now be the hand of change, or is it too late? This is a work in progress by Prakriti Dance [https://www.prakritidance.com/about.html], who will be performing at the Kennedy Center on May 25.For more information, please contact Jay at 202-727-0241. Free. At Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63989

Tuesday, May 21 at 4 PM, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Haiku and Origami. Join us for collaborative poetry writing and paper folding to mark Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This program is aimed at tweens ages 10 to 14. Free. At the Palisades Library, 4901 V Street, NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/64013

Tuesday, May 21 from 7 - 8:30 PM, Tuesday Talks: Harry Cooper and Mark Leithauser. Enjoy an inside look at the process of renovating, expanding, and reinstalling the East Building galleries, which reopened to the public in October of 2016 after three years of behind-the-scenes work. Mark Leithauser will focus on issues of gallery and exhibition design and Harry Cooper will talk about matters relating to the art itself, including the permanent collection, and the changes he implemented. Their complementary perspectives will combine to provide a rich picture of “what all the fuss was about.” This is the 5th talk in the 6-part monthly series presented in partnership with the Cleveland Park Business Association and the Cleveland and Woodley Park Village. This event is open to the public and admission is free, but please register at http://bit.ly/2Hmx81Z to reserve your seat. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW.

Wednesday, May 22 from 7 - 9:30 AM, Bike-to-Work Day for Those Who Work At Home. Why should those with home offices miss out on events such as Bike-to-Work Day or Take Our Kids to Work Day, or any other events planned around workplaces at some distance from home? If you did not get to ride anywhere with a group in the 2019 Bike-to-Work Day (Friday, May 18 - see http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/ for details of DC group rides), this special Home Office Bike-to-Work Day is for you! Please note that you will need some specialized home equipment - an internet-monitor-equipped stationary bike - in order to participate. Then, any time on Wednesday morning between 7 and 9:30, hop on your stationary bike and enter in the URL of the “Bike-to-Work Day for Those Who Work At Home” program (B2W4TWWatHome) and start pedaling. You will enjoy the experience of being able to commune with your fellow work-at-homers while you ride, just as if you were in an IRL biking group, all traveling together towards a workplace. You can click on the program here: http://bit.ly/B2W4TWWatHome. Free (except of course for the $1499-$2,999 pricetag of a “smartbike” with internet programs).

Thursday, May 23 from 10 - 11 AM, - 10:00-11:00 AM, Bringing Bread to Washington - A Talk by Mark Furstenberg. How did he pull it off, this outstanding baker of the United States, so honored with a James Beard medal? Mark Furstenberg has been a White House aide, a manufacturer of copper tubing, a criminal justice consultant, an anti-poverty worker, TV assistant, Washington Post writer and bankrupt merchant. He’s gone from macro to micro. Mark Furstenberg is the owner of Bread Furst, a neighborhood bakery in DC. When he opened Marvelous Market in 1990, he introduced European-style baking to a Wonder Bread city. Customers waited in line to buy the maximum two loaves each was allowed. He expanded, then he failed. He soon opened a sandwich shop near the White House. Then it became too hard. Now his bakery is just right. He was honored with the James Beard award as America’s Outstanding Baker in 2017. Free, but registration is required: http://bit.ly/2LLY7s0. OLLI at American University, 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Room A (1st floor).

Thursday, May 23 at 6 PM, SAAM Fellows Lecture: Returns, Refugees, and Refusal: Art, War Memory, and the Politics of Representation with Viêt Lê. Join critically acclaimed artist and writer Viêt Lê as he responds to SAAM’s exhibition Tiffany Chung: Vietnam, Past Is Prologue. Lê speaks about themes of representation and memory which inform his perspective on contemporary art and the legacy of the Vietnam War. Free. At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium, 8th and F Streets, NW, https://s.si.edu/30quaAK

Thursday, May 23 at 6:30 PM, Maritime Archaeology of the Betsy: A Merchant Ship at War. Underwater archaeologist John D. Broadwater discusses his work as the principal investigator for the Yorktown Shipwreck Archaeological Project, conducted 1978-1989, that located and examined British supply ships sunk off Yorktown, Virginia, during the climactic campaign of the Revolutionary War. The talk will last approximately 45 minutes. Free. At the Society of the Cincinnati at Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave NW, https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Still Life with Robin: It`s Not Me...Despite What It Says on Your Caller ID

Don't Pick Up The Phone!

by Peggy Robin

The hot topic on the Cleveland Park Listserv over the past few days has been the unrelenting toll of phone spam on our mobiles and our landlines. Eighteen messages have been posted on this problem over the past three days. Some people report getting four or five calls a day, all from someone supposedly named Jason, whose unwanted calls display a different spoofed number each time. Some people have found relief in call blocking apps and screening programs. Others let all calls from unrecognized numbers go straight to voicemail. Or they use the call blocking features built into their phones or their carrier’s system. There are ways to combat this problem.

But that's not the problem I have. The one I have -- I can't think of a way around it. My problem is that I’ve been cast unwittingly in the “Jason” role. My phone number has been spoofed by the spammers. It's bad enough that they call me a dozen times a day -- but I don't have to pick up, so I don't. What's worse is that they’re calling others, thousands, maybe millions of times, and for some of those times, they are making people think it's me. So now people all over the area are blocking my number, as if I were the culprit. And I have no way to defend my phone honor.

Yesterday, I got a call from someone who received a spam call that displayed my number. She dealt with it by calling the number she thought was responsible. I told her what I thought had happened to my number, and she was very understanding. But that means nothing to the thousands of other random strangers who must be seeing my number come up on a spam call. I can't explain to every one of them what's gone wrong.

A good portion of them will deal with the problem by blocking my number. No harm done if they remain strangers. But what if one of them is a Cleveland Park listserv member? And what if that member has a lost dog and needs my help in getting a post on the listserv ASAP? I could get an urgent message in such a situation, but be blocked from calling back. I can think of any number of other not-so-far-fetched scenarios that could end badly, all because my number has been misused by phone scammers – and all without any consequences for them for what they've done.

Of all the posts made on the listserv so far, the one I found most interesting was this one, from a list member from Austria, who observed that while in Austria “I get no spam calls, pay $24 for a month of mobile phone with full roaming in all of Europe and get a months' worth of high-speed internet access for $35.” He went on to say, “It's not a technical problem, it's a regulatory problem, and if we don't demand better of our politicians we won't get better service.”

Ah, so there's my solution! I can move to Austria. Because there's no solution for the American phone system coming from our political leaders any time soon.

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

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Get Out! The Events Column, May 10 - 16, 2019

DC's Annual Funk Parade and Festival

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler

Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv

www.cleveland-park.com

Friday, May 10 at 7:30 - 9:30 AM, The Book Bike: WABA Trail Ranger Coffee Hour. Library on the Go-Go will join Washington Area Bicycle Association for the Friday Trail Ranger Coffee Hour this month on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Check out or return library materials, learn about our GoDigital Resources and chat with staff about the library's Facilities Master Plan (available at: https://www.dclibrary.org/dclibraryfuture). Free coffee provided by Qualia Coffee. Come and say hi on your ride to work, school or play! Meet at 4th and S St. NE on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. More info at https://www.dclibrary.org/node/61843.

Friday, May 10 at 8 PM, Concert: NYU in Washington, DC - One World Suite with Saxophonist Tom Scott & Combo Nuvo Band. NYU DC and the John Brademas Center of New York University will co-host One World Suite, plus the music of legendary saxophonist Tom Scott and Combo Nuvo, which will include bassist Mike Richmond, guitarist Brad Shepik and oboist Mary Gatchell. This evening's performance will also include opportunities for audience participation. Prior to the concert, starting at 6 PM, Dave Schroeder will host a harmonica workshop and provide those in attendance with free harmonicas to use later on for the audience participation portion of the event. Tickets are $10, and include the harmonica workshop and a reception. For tickets and more information, visit: http://bit.ly/2Vkv82Q. Cleveland Park Listserv members can reserve FREE tickets at this link: https://events.nyu.edu/#!view/event/event_id/235976. At the Abramson Family Auditorium, 1307 L Street NW. Questions? Contact Polly Terzian, Polly.terzian @ nyu dot edu

Saturday, May 11 from 10 AM - 1 PM, Acton Children's Business Fair. Please join us for the 4th annual Acton Children's Business Fair of Washington, DC, featuring 100+ young entrepreneurs selling original board games, origami pandas, fairy lights, handmade cards, milk carton piggy banks, and more. Free and fun for the whole family. Outside 3400 Connecticut Ave. NW. More info: http://dcchildrensbusinessfair.org/business-fair

Saturday, May 11 from 10 AM - 3 PM, Day of the Dog at Congressional Cemetery - annual festival in celebration of man's best friend! On this day, the cemetery is open to all dogs, not just K-9 Corps members. Events include: "Where the Bones are Buried" Tour, offered at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM; The 2nd Annual Wiener Waddle (11 AM), inviting all dachshunds to traverse a necessarily short course with fellow short-legged souls - pre-registration - http://bit.ly/2V99bPp - for participants is appreciated but not required (and all are welcome to spectate!); “Cemetery Doga” at 12 Noon, a free, one-hour yoga class (bring your mat and your dog); and a raffle at 2 PM. Free admission. Congressional Cemetery is at 1801 E Street, SE. For complete schedule and registration links to all events, go to: https://hccemetery.wixsite.com/dayofthedog/day-of-the-dog-2018

Saturday May 11 from 10 AM - 4 PM, European Union Open House Day. The Delegation of the European Union to the United States and the Embassies of 28 EU Member States to the United States will open their doors to the Washington public during the EU Embassies’ Open House Day, offering the public a rare look inside the buildings. The day will provide a unique opportunity to experience the country’s cultural heritage and national traditions. More info on participating countries: https://events.euintheus.org/landing_page/euopenhouse/. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page to view a 3-minute video preview of this event. Free - no reservations. Brochure PDF with walking map available here: http://bit.ly/2PQI2iV .

Saturday, May 11 from 10 - 10:15 AM, Eurexit Open House Preview Tour. If you are planning to go to European Union Open House Day (see above), you may notice that the UK is still participating (see http://bit.ly/2VN9WC3 for details) - but this could be its swan song if Brexit comes to pass! Have you been wondering what would happen to the annual European Union Open House Day if Brexit is followed by the 27 other countries of the EU opting out, one by one? (Grexit, Hungrexit, Portugexit, Polexit, Finlexit….you get the picture.) Once the dominoes start falling (or could it be that they are in fact being pushed by some weird combination of Russian plus far-right/far left trolls working different angles?), the EU might end with nobody home! You can see what that would look like on this first-ever Eurexit Open House Preview Tour. We will gather at 10 AM in front of the European Union Delegation office at 2175 K Street NW, and then will mill about aimlessly for 15 minutes, before realizing there's nowhere to go, so we disband; that's what would happen if the European Union fell apart -- although the lack of an EU Open House Day would be the very least of our problems. But you won’t have to worry about this (well, not this year!) - because this is the Weekly Fake Event: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent

Saturday, May 11 from 1 PM to Midnight, DC Funk Festival, Parade and Music Showcase - a one-of-a-kind fair, parade and music festival, celebrating Washington DC's vibrant music and arts, dance and culture, taking place along the historic U Street Corridor. The festival is made up of the mighty Funk Parade itself that winds through the neighborhood, with outdoor stages hosting over 50 performers throughout the day. Funk Parade is a celebration for everyone: all ages, races, cultural backgrounds, sexual identities and walks of life. Funk is the subatomic particle of love that makes you want to move and enjoy the company of all humans. Festival Stages throughout the U St Corridor from 10th to 14th St!. Funk Parade is also mostly free and affordable to all. Schedule: Festival from 1-7 PM; Parade starts at 5 PM; Night Music Fest from 7 PM to Midnight. The featured showcase ($10 wristband gives access to 15 venues) begins at 8 PM. Details available at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/official-funk-parade-2019-tickets-59856907622. Night Fest venues age restrictions are 18 or 21 and up, depending on venue policy.

Saturday May 11 at 1 PM, Greetings from Hometown Washington, DC - Vintage Postcards from the Washingtoniana Collection. Jerry A. McCoy, special collections librarian at the DC Public Library’s Peabody Room and Washingtoniana, shares unusual vintage postcards of Washington, DC and the stories behind the local sites they depict. Free. At Georgetown Library,

3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63740

Saturday May 11 at 2 PM, Chinese Calligraphy for Mother's Day! Join us and learn how to write beautiful Chinese calligraphy on a special card for your mom. A certified Mandarin instructor will be teaching our young patrons about special Chinese characters related to Mother's Day and also creating gifts. Free. Ages 5 to 12.At Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63988

Saturday, May 11 at 7 PM, Bob Levey at the Chevy Chase Library (Maryland). Retired Washington Post reporter Bob Levey will give a talk about his experience at The Post for 37 years as well as his new novel, "Larry Felder, Candidate". Free, but registration required in advance at http://bit.ly/2LFd52G. The Chevy Chase Library is located at 8005 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, MD.

Saturday, May 11 from 10 AM - 6 PM and Sunday, May 12 from 10 AM - 5 PM, Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, featuring 130+ booths of contemporary fine arts and fine craft, jewelry and furniture, along with live music and food from Bethesda’s finest restaurants.Located in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle, along Norfolk, Auburn and Del Ray Avenues. Admission to the festival is free and free parking is available in the public parking garage on Auburn Avenue. This event is held rain or shine. More info: https://www.bethesda.org/arts/artsfestival.htm

Sunday, May 13 at 8 AM, The 5th Annual Tricia Davis 5k Mother’s Day Walk/Run for Sinai House.You'll be home in time to take Mom out for brunch, but you can also nosh on Bullfrog Bagels after the race. The race starts at Picnic Grove #24 in Rock Creek Park. There is ample, free parking at Carter Barron Parking Lot. Enter from Colorado Avenue off 16th Street. Strollers and dogs on non-extendible 3ft leashes are welcome, but line up toward the back at the start of the race. There will be a bag drop, a 1-mile Fun Run and an award ceremony following the race. Please register at https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/sinaihousedc5K. This event raises money for Sinai House, which makes it possible for families to move from homelessness to independence by providing safe and affordable housing, comprehensive social services and financial support.

Monday, May 13 at 7 PM, Author Talk: "Washington DC Jazz." This talk by Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale will focus on the history of straight-ahead jazz, using oral histories, materials from the William P. Gottlieb Collection at the Library of Congress, the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives at the University of the District of Columbia, and Smithsonian Jazz. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale has been involved in music for more than 40 years as a DC Historian and Music Historian. She is Principal/Curator of the Emma Mae Gallery in Washington DC, founding member of the DC Historic Music Association and founder of the DC Legendary Musicians, Inc. Dr. Butler-Truesdale has worked for several musicians, among them the late Ray Charles and James Brown, and she is the Co-Host of Don't Forget the Blues Show on WPFW FM radio. Free and open to the public. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63277

Tuesday May 14 at 6:30 PM, Tudor Place Landmark Lecture: The Peter Family and the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, presented by Grant Quertermous, Curator, Tudor Place Historic House & Garden. In August of 1893, Britannia W. Kennon, the 78-year-old owner of Tudor Place, traveled by train from Washington to Chicago to experience the World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the White City because of the gleaming white facades of the fair’s neoclassical buildings. Accompanied by two of her grandchildren, Britannia spent a week at the fair exploring the exhibition buildings and even appearing as a guest of honor at the Virginia Building—an exact replica of Mount Vernon—since she was the only living great-grandchild of Martha Washington. Curator Grant Quertermous will discuss the family’s experiences during the trip as well as the significance of the Columbian Exposition to American history and culture. Admission is free/pay what you can, with donations welcome. Doors open at 6, lecture begins at 6:30 PM. Tudor Place is at 1644 31st Street NW. Register: http://bit.ly/2VoovfH

Wednesday May 15 at 1:30 PM, American Art History 1900 - 1950, presented by Lois Steinitz and Donna McKee from the Phillips Collection. American art, from the time of the founding of the republic, was derivative of the art of Europeans. Towards the end of the 19th century the Newtonian world was replaced by the relativity of Einstein (and Planck) and the art world responded with radical new forms and approaches. Some American artists tentatively began adopting these new forms, while others employed traditional realistic styles to comment on American life. Modernism and Realism both ran through the history of American art through the first half of the 20th century, ending with the art world explosive innovation around 1950 of Abstract Expressionism and the development of an international Modernist movement centered in New York City. Some of the movements and artists covered in this course will be the Eight and the Ashcan School, Alfred Steiglitz and Georgia O'Keeffe and the Steiglitz Circle; Edward Hopper and the realist artists, Stuart Davis and abstract art, the Social Realists and Abstract Expressionism. This course began in November 2018 and 4 sessions were completed; the next 5 sessions will continue on Wednesdays in May. No prior attendance or registration needed to attend this or any of the subsequent session. Free. At the Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63733

Wednesday May 15 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Mapping Segregation in Washington, DC: Restrictive Covenants, Racial Steering, and the Fight for Fair Housing. Join Mara Cherkasky and Sarah Shoenfeld of Prologue DC to explore the long history of displacement, race and real estate in DC. The legal segregation of housing, schools and public space led to disinvestment and white flight in the 1950s and 60s. Learn about the demands of black homeseekers, civil rights attorneys and fair housing advocates, and the legacy of their efforts. This program is part of the People's University seminar series. Register at http://bit.ly/2DY30HZ. Free. At the Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63929

Thursday, May 16 from 1-2 PM, Lecture: The Shocking Impacts of Climate Change in DC. Chronic flooding on a daily basis around the tidal basin as a result of rising sea levels is putting the iconic cherry blossoms at risk and requiring new infrastructure and sea walls. This is only one sign of fundamental changes under way in the city and suburbs. Old species no longer flourish, new invasives move in. Beaches disappear, Chesapeake Islands are threatened. What can we do? Turns out: A lot. Mike Tidwell is founder and director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington.Tidwell has been featured on NBC’s Meet the Press, NPR, as well as in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Politico, and The Washington Post. Free, presented by The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at American University. Reservations required - go to http://bit.ly/2VnqaCx. The lecture hall holds 105 people. Your name must be on the list of registrants in order to enter the lecture and you must be in your seat five minutes before the lecture starts to guarantee your seat. In the Spring Valley Building of American University, Room A, 4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW.

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Still Life with Robin: Where to Go Merrily Around

by Peggy Robin

The Cathedral Flower Mart has come and gone for the year, and with it, the chance for kids (and their accompanying adults!) to ride the antique carousel that is one of its star attractions of the fair. If you missed it this year – or even if you never miss it and simply want to get more out of the experience – you can enjoy this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuW2S4Tfu4o - with a quick history and some fun facts about the carousel. Did you know there are 22 animals on the carousel, including horses, reindeer, camels, an elephant, a zebra named Coco, a goat named Billy, and a lion named King? There are also two painted chariots for those who prefer to be seated in a conveyance with feet flat on the floor, rather than on the back of a “jumper” (that’s the term for a carousel animal that moves up and down as it goes round and round).

The once-a-year nature of the Cathedral carousel makes it special, but carousel fans need not wait until the first weekend in May of 2020 to ride to the sound of a calliope. Not far from the DC/Maryland border at Glen Echo Park, there’s the historic Dentzel Carousel, which opened on the last weekend in April. Normally it stays open through September, but this year it will be shutting down in July for a full restoration. In 2021 the carousel will turn 100! This is a large carousel with 40 horses – 28 of them jumpers – two chariots, and 12 menagerie animals: one giraffe, one lion, one tiger, one deer, four ostriches, and four rabbits. See it in action here:

https://glenechopark.org/carousel

If you’ve got out-of-town guests with young children, as I do from time to time, you will of course have to take them to the Zoo and to the museums on the National Mall. You can fit in a carousel ride on either outing. The one at the Mall is a classic carousel with 57 jumping horses, one dragon, two chariots and one circular, swirling tub. It’s across from the Smithsonian Arts and Industries building and it’s open all year round, 10am – 6 pm (until 5pm in winter). See it in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw-W7fAa43o (skip ahead to 1:38 to get right to the carousel action).

The one at the Smithsonian National Zoo is the newest of the carousels, installed in 2012 – and one of the few in the world that’s solar powered. And quite possibly the only one in the world where you can ride a naked mole rat! Or a poison dart frog or an anteater. Take at look at the video and see how many different species you can identify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4c2ny_3kc0. Become a member of Friends of the National Zoo and you can get tickets for free!

If you are inclined to make a full tour of all the carousels in the DC Metro area, you’ll want to consult this excellent online guide:

http://redtri.com/dc/local-carousels-for-kids/

One final note: If you have always wondered what’s the difference between a carousel and a merry-go-round (IS there a difference?), here’s a five-minute discourse on the subject by the “Way with Words” podcast; it tells you everything you could possibly want to know on that score:

https://www.waywordradio.org/carousel-vs-merry-go-round/

(Now if you want to know the difference between a calliope and a caliola – well, you’re just going to have to google that one for yourself!)

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv usually on Saturdays but occasionally (like today) on Sundays.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Get Out! The Events Column - May 3 - 9, 2019

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 May 3 at 7 PM, Sandbox Percussion in Concert. Lauded by The Washington Post as "revitalizing the world of contemporary music" with "jawdropping virtuosity," Sandbox Percussion has established themselves as a leading proponent in this generation of contemporary percussion chamber music. Brought together by their love of chamber music and the simple joy of playing together, Sandbox Percussion captivates audiences with performances that are both visually and aurally stunning. Through compelling collaborations with composers and performers, Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum and Terry Sweeney seek to engage a wider audience for classical music. Free and open to the public. At Levine Music, Lang Recital Hall, 2801 Upton Street, NW, http://www.levinemusic.org/upcoming-events/event/1833

Friday, May 3 from 10 AM - 6 PM and Saturday, May 4 from 10 AM - 5 PM, Flower Mart at Washington National Cathedral. An irresistible array of festival foods, children’s rides, artisanal and boutique gifts and, of course, herbs and flowers, once again fill the nave and grounds of the Cathedral at this year’s Flower Mart. The highlight will be on efforts to promote natural pollination in the Cathedral’s gardens – including the creation of a new pollinator garden on the Cathedral Close. Free admission. Tickets needed for all rides, the tower climb, games, etc. Washington Revels will be performing at 3 PM on Friday and 4 PM on Saturday. Schedules and reservations available at https://allhallowsguild.org/programs/flower-mart/. The Cathedral is at Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues NW.

Saturday, May 4 from 9 AM - 4 PM, Around the World Embassy Open House. More than 40 embassies will open their doors to DC visitors and residents, who can travel around the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, and music of different countries - and meet lots of interesting people. This event is open to the public and no tickets are required. You are also welcome to visit the embassies with members of Washington, DC History & Culture, a non-profit community organization. The advantage of coming with us is that we’ve participated in this event for the past several years and can guide you through the crowds to visit the best locations. We’ll also hand out our Meetup name stickers so you can meet people, tell who is in our group, and remember the names of your fellow embassy travelers. Guests are free to come along with us in a “buffet-style” event, visiting the embassies we select or venture off on their own, since there will be over 40 embassies open. Participants are also free to arrive and depart whenever they like. More info: http://bit.ly/2GW6tc8. For list of participating embassies and a link to the smartphone app, go to: https://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/signature-events

Saturday, May 4 from 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Star Wars Day / Free Comic Book Day. The Chevy Chase DC Library hosts not one, but two events! Free Comic Book Day and May the Fourth (be with you) -- also known as Star Wars Day -- are happening together this year! Come pick up your free comic (while they last) and either watch a film, or draw your own comic. Maybe even do both! Star Wars movies shown at 11 AM: The Force Awakens, and 2 PM: The Last Jedi. Refreshments will be served during the movie. Free. Chevy Chase Library is at 5625 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63610

Saturday, May 4, 9:30 AM Opening Ceremony; 10 AM start of The 21st Annual Kinetic Sculpture Race, presented by the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. This quirky Charm City tradition is less of a race and more of a parade featuring cobbled-together, intricately engineered, and absurdly decorated “human-powered works of art.” Spectators can follow the Frankenstein’s-monster-like creations as they travel the 15-mile course around town on any number of wheels, including obstacle routes through mud, sand, and the Inner Harbor. Race course and spectator viewing details at: http://avam.org/kinetic-sculpture-race/. The race begins and ends at AVAM, 800 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD. Free!

Saturday, May 4 from 11:30 AM - 2 PM, Star Wars Day at Tenley-Friendship Library. May the 4th be with you! Calling all young Jedis, Wookies, Ewoks, Stormtroopers and other friends: Come celebrate all things Star Wars! Costumes are welcome. This is a drop-in activity for children of all ages. Free. At the Tenley Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Avenue NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63458

Saturday May 4 from 1 - 5 PM, The Running of the Chihuahuas. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with a Chihuahua race! The 8th annual Running of the Chihuahuas is great fun to watch on the SW Waterfront Wharf – where you’ll also find food, drinks, and everything is family-friendly. Kid-friendly activities include oversized games to mini golf and boat rentals. The highlight of the afternoon: 128 Chihuahuas racing for fame and fun! It’s DC’s funniest Cinco de Mayo celebration! Free admission. On District Pier at the DC Wharf, 101 District Square SW. Rain Date: Sunday, May 5th. More info: www.cincodc.com and https://www.wharfdc.com/upcoming-events/2019-05-04-running-of-the-chihuahuas/

Saturday, May 4 from 12 - 7 PM, Derby Day Watch Party at Laurel Park. Come out for a day of fun at the races! Enjoy live music and live racing with Kentucky-themed food and drinks including Mint Juleps, Bourbon and Whiskey flights and more! The Kentucky Derby will be showing on our giant TVs throughout the track so you don't miss a minute of the action. Family fun activities include: Yard games including corn hole, giant Jenga and connect four, horseshoes; Pony Rides; Face Painting; Petting Zoo; Live music; Cigar Roller. Admission is FREE. This event will take place rain or shine. Hats and derby attire are encouraged but not required. Children’s activities will take place between 12-5 PM. No dogs except service animals allowed. (We love your furry friends, but they are sadly not allowed near the track for safety reasons.) Food and drink are not included in free ticket; cash and cards will be accepted at all concessions. The Kentucky Derby Party at Laurel Park will take place under the Apron Tent and in the Laurel Park conference center, 198 Laurel Race Track Road. Register: http://bit.ly/2J6Hxjv

Saturday, May 4 at 5 PM, Derby Fourth de Mayo. You don’t need to attend multiple events to celebrate Kentucky Derby Day, Star Wars Day, AND Cinco de Mayo! With this one-stop mash-up event you can enjoy all three celebrations at the same time. First, we’ll have a great race with our costumed riders, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, each mounted on a life-size pinata horse, modeled after the Derby favorites, Roadster, Omaha Beach, and Game Winner. After the race we’ll smash the pinatas with light-sabers. For refreshments, come to our Star Wars Kentucky-Mexican Cantina, where you can enjoy traditional margaritas and mint juleps, topped off with kooky Spaceball garnishes. Come in costume (Derby duds, Fiesta finery, Jedi robes, or any combination of these) and you may win a prize for your creative attire. The prize is a classic comic book, because it’s also Free Comic Book Day! To register and get the location of our Pop-up Star Wars Kentucky Mexican Cantina, go to: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent. To get your free comic book for Comic Book Day, go to http://bit.ly/2WoYLwx - and no, this is not part of the Weekly Fake Event - this part is for real!

Sunday, May 5 from 10 AM - 2 PM, International Family Equality Day at the Zoo. Celebrate the beauty and importance of family diversity at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Family-focused activities include field games with prizes, special animal enrichment demonstrations and live entertainment. For the schedule of animal demonstrations and activities, go to: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/international-family-equality-day-zoo. The National Zoo is at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW. Free.

Sunday, May 5 from 12 - 5 PM, Chevy Chase Art Walk. Twenty artists working in all media will take part in the inaugural Chevy Chase Art Walk in Chevy Chase DC and Chevy Chase MD, welcoming visitors to their homes and studios in this 10-site self-guided event. Participating artists will display contemporary and traditional work in painting, pottery, ceramics, photography, jewelry, prints, sculpture and fiber arts. Refreshments will be served. Art Walk maps are available from business sponsors in the Chevy Chase community—and can be viewed or printed from the Chevy Chase Art Walk Facebook page at http://bit.ly/2ZQQROC or on the Art Walk website at https://www.chevychaseart.org/all-exhibitions/first-annual-art-walk.

Sunday, May 5 from 2 - 4 PM, Cinco de Mayo with the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs. The Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) along with the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture will host a Cinco de Mayo Mixer for all ages. The Mixer will bring together the Latino community from across the District to celebrate Mexican Heritage, appreciate Latin American culture and artists in the District of Columbia and network. At El Tamarindo, 1785 Florida Ave NW, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinco-de-mayo-tickets-59720338139?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sunday, May 5 at 2 PM, Cinco de Mayo at Palisades Library. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Come join us. for an afternoon of books, music and crafts. This program is for ages 5 to 12.
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! El 5 de Mayo a las 2, ven con nosotros para celebrar una tarde de libros, música y artesania. Este programa es para niños de entre 5 y 12 años. Free. Palisades Library is at 4901 V Street NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63593

Sunday, May 5 at 3:30 PM, Meet a Ballet Dancer at Tenley-Friendship Library. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a ballet dancer? Come and meet two Washington Ballet dancers at this fun demonstration. For ages 2-12 with their caregivers. Free. At Tenley-Friendship Library,
4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63460

Monday, May 6 at 12 PM, Lecture: Harry Wardman’s Washington presented by Sally Berk, former director, DC Preservation League. Sally Berk will share her expertise on early twentieth-century residential developer Harry Wardman. In addition to institutionalizing the front-porch row house, Wardman developed and constructed every residential building type in Washington, DC, significantly influencing the look and feel of our city's residential neighborhoods. Free, no reservations required. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street NW, https://museum.gwu.edu/wardman

Tuesday, May 7 from 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Mihran Mesrobian, Architect - A Free Talk by Caroline Mesrobian. Armenian-American architect Mihran Mesrobian (1889-1975) was chief architect both to the Ottoman Sultan and Washington developer Harry Wardman. His works in DC include the Hay-Adams Hotel, Wardman Tower, the Dupont Circle Building, and Cleveland Park's Sedgwick Gardens, among many others. Come learn about his remarkable life and career in this free talk. About the speaker: Caroline Mesrobian Hickman, PhD, teaches the History of American Architecture in the School of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Historic Preservation at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research interests focus on the architecture of Washington, DC, during the first half of the 20th century. Her current book project, The Architecture of Mihran Mesrobian, traces the career of that prominent architect in Ottoman Turkey and Washington, DC. She has successfully landmarked a number of Mesrobian’s buildings and curated exhibitions on historic Washington architecture. Free. If you are coming, please let us know by registering so we can be sure we have enough seating - go to: http://bit.ly/2WjS7a. Everybody is welcome! At Cleveland Park Congregational Church, 3400 Lowell Street, NW

Wednesday, May 8 at 7 PM, Author Talk: Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson. Washington Post senior editor Steve Luxenberg will discuss his book Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation, which covers the events leading up to the infamous “separate but equal” Plessy v. Ferguson decision, ushering in decades of the system of racial inequality known as Jim Crow. The 1896 decision is widely considered to be one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in American history. It legitimized the many state laws re-establishing racial segregation that had been passed in the American South after the end of the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877). The reverberations of Plessy v. Ferguson are still felt today. Luxenberg tells the story of Plessy v. Ferguson through the eyes of the people caught up in the case. They include members of the Citizens’ Committee of New Orleans, descendants of the city’s prewar mixed-race free black community, who organized a legal challenge to Louisiana’s Separate Car Act of 1890, which mandated separate accommodations for black and white railroad passengers. Steve Luxenberg is a senior editor at the Washington Post. During his forty years as a newspaper editor and reporter, he has overseen reporting that has earned many national honors, including two Pulitzer Prizes.Free. At Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63455

Thursday, May 9 from 6:30 - 8:30 Tudor Nights: Here Come the Royals. Tudor Place presents an exclusive opportunity to see rarely displayed objects and ephemera from the Tudor Place archives and collection relating to British royalty. Come wearing your hat or fascinator in honor of British traditions and Royal Ascot! This special event is followed by cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres at the Victorian-style, Dower House. For ages 21+. Free for Members; Non-Members $15 tickets at https://www.tudorplace.org/programs/190/tudor-nights-here-come-the-royals/. Tudor Place is at 1644 31st Street NW.

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Still Life with Robin: Too Bad You Can't Be in 15 Places at Once!

National Arboretum

by Peggy Robin

Today’s column, featuring a panoply of events on in DC this Saturday, is a supplement and a “look what got left out” listing/follow-up to the Get Out! Events column posted on Thursday, April 25.The Saturday entries in that column showed just six happenings, which I’ll recap here:

Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM – 1 PM, Site of Imagination: The Park ‘n’ Shop in Cleveland Park - A Humanities Truck Interactive Exhibit. A neighborhood landmark, the Park ‘n’ Shop is viewed as innovative by some and outdated by others. Join the Humanities Truck to learn about the history of the Park ‘n’ Shop and development in Cleveland Park. Reflect with invested Cleveland Park residents on the past, present, and future of this neighborhood. Free admission. Look for the Humanities Truck on the west side of Connecticut between Newark and the Uptown Theater.

Saturday, April 27 from 10 AM – 5 PM, French Market, Book Hill in Georgetown. Free. Dust off your berets for the 16th Annual Georgetown French Market, as the charming Book Hill neighborhood of Georgetown will transform into a Parisian-inspired open-air market along Wisconsin Avenue from O Street to Reservoir Road! Free admission. For times of performances, info about giveaways and children’s activities, go to: https://www.georgetownfrenchmarketdc.com/ and click on “Schedule of Events” at the top of the page. (Also on Sunday from 12 - 5 PM)

Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM - 12 noon, Community Cleanup and Spring Beautification at Turtle Park. The Friends of Friendship Park will host a community cleanup and spring beautification day at the park, located on the corner of 45th and Van Ness Streets. Help pick up trash, collect broken toys, clean up the landscaping and replace mulch and sand where necessary. Please bring your own rake! Coffee and bagels will be provided to volunteers. Stick around after the clean up ends at noon to enjoy some ice cream, provided by Friends of Friendship Park (noon to 2 PM). More info: http://turtlepark.org/events/#event7

Saturday, April 27 from 10 AM - 5 PM, DC Public Library Author Festival. Local writers and authors are invited to attend the DC Author Festival at the Library of Congress James Madison Memorial Building located at 101 Independence Ave. SE. Enjoy workshops, discussions, social activities and professional development. The DC Author Festival is presented in partnership with the Library of Congress. Featured Speaker (1:30 PM): Michael Twitty, James Beard award-winning author of The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-American Culinary History in the Old South (in the Mumford Room). More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/dcauthorfest

Saturday, April 27 at 1 PM, The Lincoln Conspiracy and the Trial that Made History. Jamie Stiehm, a Creators Syndicate columnist, discusses how the plot to assassinate President Lincoln - and others - was conceived in Mary Surratt’s boarding house - known as “The Nest in Which the Egg was Hatched.” Free. At Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63426

Saturday April 27 at 2 PM, Lecture: Shakespearean Music, presented by Carl Yaffe, Lecturer in Music Theory and History at the Levine School of Music in DC. You will learn about the music during Shakespeare’s time and the music inspired by his writings. Participants will also listen to several samples of such music. Followed by Q&A. Free. At Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R Street NW. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63376

Now I see I should have added NINE more events to that column. So I’m doing that now. So many significant holidays. Like Arbor Day (two important events on that theme). And Independent Bookstore Day. And Finding Reno (the lost community, not the winding road!) And the Georgetown House Tour. And books and cats and a whole lot more! Let’s take them in alphabetical order:

Anti-Racist Book Fest at American University is the first and only book festival that brings together, showcases, and celebrates the nation’s leading antiracist writers and helps to prepare the writers of tomorrow. This year's festival, from 9 AM – 5 PM, primarily features authors of anti-Black racism and its intersections. Panels are topically organized with two authors and a moderator, and are followed by book signings. There is also a course of workshops for writers with leading book editors and literary agents. Free workshops will be held for educators and youth, and on photography and self-care. The National Antiracist Book Festival is a ticketed event – tickets for sessions range from free to up to $250. All proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. Get tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-antiracist-book-festival-tickets-58283302928. At American University Washington College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Avenue NW. From 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. More info: https://www.american.edu/centers/antiracism/book-fair/

Arbor Day at Oxon Run Park. The free, family-friendly event organized by the DC Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Division will celebrate the existing trees in DC’s largest city-maintained park and provide opportunities to plant new trees. The day also features tree climbing, do-it-yourself birdhouse workshops, nature walks and bike rides hosted by Capital Bikeshare and Washington Area Bicyclist Association. The local jazz and go-go band JoGo Project will perform at noon. Participation in activities is first come, first served, with sign-up sheets at the Welcome Booth. All ages are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs since seating is limited. Children 5 to 18 may climb trees, after parents sign a waiver. On from 10 AM – 3 PM at Oxon Run Park, 13th Street and Valley Avenue SE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arbor-day-festival-tickets-55278571696?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Arbor Day Plant Sale and Garden Fair at the National Arboretum. At this Arbor Day event you can buy a tree (well, a shrub or some other potted plants) and take it home with you. Free admission for all from 12 noon to 4 PM (there’s a members only time from 9 AM – 12 noon for Friends of the National Arboretum). Experts will be available to help buyers find the best plants for their garden, and the Washington Revels Gallery Voices perform madrigals and other songs as they rove the grounds from 11 AM – 2 PM. Proceeds go to the Arboretum. If you can’t make it on Saturday, the event is also open on Sunday from 9 AM – 4 PM. The National Arboretum is at 3501 New York Avenue, NE. More info: https://www.fona.org/gardenfair/

Family Fun Day at Katzen Arts Center at American University. Fun for all ages! All activities are free and inspired by current exhibitions. Create hands-on art projects, explore art with a scavenger hunt, take a tour with one of our guides, listen and participate in storytelling and music-making, and more. Free, please register in advance and check-in at the door. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-day-at-the-american-university-museum-tickets-57426684760. From 11 AM – 3 PM. American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW.

Finding Reno (& The People Who Called It Home). Hosted by Humanities Truck – free and open to the public. Tenleytown’s Fort Reno Park was once home to Reno City, a thriving African American community. Finding Reno explores the story of Reno City and the daily lives of its residents. The public is invited to participate in the remembrance of the community by investigating historic images from the town and contributing to a conversation about the history and legacy of Reno City. Neil Flanagan will be giving a tour at 6 PM. At Fort Reno Park, Chesapeake Ave and Fort Drive NW.

Georgetown House Tour, http://www.georgetownhousetour.com/ is here to make you jealous of all those gorgeous elegant historic homes….until you consider the hordes of visitors jockeying for the tour, gaping at stuff, clogging the narrow sidewalks, and parking their oversized SUVs wherever they can find a spot, legal or not -- and then you are glad you don’t actually own one of these homes. But well worth the ticket price of $40 to $55 to do the looky-loo thing! And it benefits charity of course. Tickets are available for purchase (or pickup after online registration and payment) starting at 11 AM at St. John’s Church, 3240 O St. NW, and the price includes admission to a Parish Tea (between 2 – 5 PM) and a panel discussion with designers and architects. The discussion about the neighborhood’s residential design with four well-known Georgetown architects and interior designers starts at 3 PM at the church.

Independent Bookstore Day – and the first ever DC Bookstore Crawl! Bookshops across the city will be featuring limited-edition merchandise, discounts and other festivities. Politics and Prose, Busboys and Poets, Bridge Street Books, East City Bookshop, The Potter’s House, Wall of Books, Capitol Hill Books, Solid State Books, Loyalty Bookstore and Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe are all participating. Get all the details here: https://www.dcbookstoreday.com/ and here: https://www.facebook.com/DCBookstoreDay/. One free drink at Peregrine Espresso, too. Check participating bookstores for hours.

Meow DC Day – the first event of its kind in DC! From 10 AM – 5 PM, come to Dock 5 at Union Market, 1309 5th St NE for cats, cats, and more cats. Through exhibitor booths and adoptable animals and expert speakers to demonstrations and free giveaways, guests will walk away from the event feeling fulfilled about their love for cats. Tickets $45 at the door – benefit the Humane Rescue Allliance. More info: http://www.humanerescuealliance.org/MeowDC

Spring Open House at DC Art Glass Studio. Free and open to all from 11 AM to 5 PM, at , 1322 Corcoran St. NW. DC glass artist Robert Wiener began making art in 2002 after taking his first art glass class at the Millennium Art Center in DC. He eventually left his day job in accounting and finance to pursue art. The Open House also continues on Sunday from 11 AM – 5 PM. More info at: https://www.facebook.com/midcityartists/posts/new-work-at-mca-member-robert-wieners-art-glass-studio-stop-by-his-spring-open-s/10157517076887176/

Thanks to the very informative DC Line daily e-newsletter for the alerts to a number of the items in this list - https://thedcline.org/2019/04/25/the-dc-lineup-for-this-weekend-indie-books-arbor-day-and-heaps-of-history%EF%BB%BF/

If all of the foregoing does not make you grateful to live in DC, then please, get out of town!

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