Get Out! The Events Colulmn, December 13 - 19, 2019

Traffic Box Art on Georgia Avenue NW

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 14,500+ 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, December 13 at 12:15 PM, Art Bites Gallery Talk: Blue Balls. Take a lunch break and join SAAM’s research fellows and curators as they share their new discoveries about artworks from the collection. In this installment, Postdoctoral Fellow Elizabeth Buhe speaks about Sam Francis’s abstract painting Blue Balls. Free. At the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) - meet in the G Street Lobby (8th & F Streets NW). More info: https://s.si.edu/2P9t2OE

Friday, December 13 at 1300 hours, The Last Friday the 13th of the Decade: I’m Not ‘Fraid of That Date! Here’s your last chance before we ring in the decade of the '20s to reject superstition and take a stand for rational thought and scientific reasoning. No better way to do that than at this public affirmation of the Scientific Method, set for Friday the Thirteenth - the last one of the Twenty-Teens. After we all take the pledge to be rational in all things, we will walk under ladders, open umbrellas indoors, step on cracks as a black cat crosses our path, light three things with the same match, and for the grand finale, we will smash a giant mirror (safety goggles will be provided). Disclaimer: We would do all these things if this were a real event instead of The Weekly Fake Event. 

Saturday, December 14 at 10 AM, Holly Follies - Holiday Puppet Show. Come with us to the North Pole where Holly the Elf is hosting a talent show. Frosty the Snowman, singing sled dogs, an ice-skating teddy bear and others stand by ready to get you into the holiday spirit. And don't miss the sing along with Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Join us in this holiday extravaganza that is guaranteed to enchant audiences of all ages. FREE. At 1733 16th St. NW. Free Parking in the back of the building. More info: https://scottishrite.org/our-museum/the-childrens-hour/

Saturday, December 14 from 11 AM - 3 PM, EdFest - the District’s annual public school fair by My School DC. Come and explore the city’s many public school options (PK3 - grade 12) for your child, and meet with representatives from each of your DCPS and public charter schools. With the launch of the public school lottery application on December 16, 2019 for the 2020-21 school year, EdFEST is a timely event to help you make informed choices. You can also count on the following free services at EdFEST: Kids eat free! Free boxed lunches for children and youth up to age 18 provided by DC Central Kitchen (while supplies last) from 11am-1pm. Get your flu shot at EdFEST! Key educational information, including a section dedicated to “Special Education in the District” where families can speak with representatives from agencies that support students with disabilities. Meet WordGirl and learn about all the creative and educational programming WETA TV offers! And much more! Interpretation in American Sign Language, Spanish, Amharic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and French available throughout the day. Admission and parking are free. Learn more at www.myschooldc.org/events/edfest. Register at http://bit.ly/2PwuhX9. At DC Armory, 2001 East Capitol Street SE.

Saturday, December 14 at 1 PM, Film Screening: Why We Cycle. The Netherlands is regarded as the best country on earth for cycling. But the Dutch rarely think about their country as a cycling paradise; they just get on their bikes and go about their daily business. The film "Why We Cycle" explores some of the obvious and not-so-obvious effects of cycling on people, communities and cities. Join us as we screen this insightful and thought-provoking film that brings together cutting edge scholarly research with ordinary lived experiences of cycling and mobility, followed by a discussion about the state of cycling in the District, what we can learn from the Dutch, and much more! RSVP on Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/2rA3pNJ. Free. Space is limited. At the Northeast Library, 330 7th St. NE. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65879   

Saturday, December 14 from 4 to 7 PM, Winter's Eve at Glen Echo Park. Winter's Eve is is the Glen Echo Park Partnership's annual holiday-themed event. It's open to the public, and visitors of all ages are invited to the Park to explore the arts through hands-on crafts, holiday music and sing-alongs, a hot chocolate bar, holiday shopping, and more! Most activities are FREE. The event schedule may be picked up in the Arcade Building lobby. (That’s the building that has a giant neon “Popcorn” sign on it!) More info: www.glenechopark.org/winterseve. Glen Echo Park is at 7300 Macarthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD

Sunday, December 15 at 1 PM, It’s a Small World After All: Art Wraps on Historic Georgia Avenue. This is the final event in a series that explores DC history, public art and storytelling. Ready to work on your own project? Community historian Peter Stebbins and Matt McFarland of Georgia Avenue Thrive will provide a how-to-guide on organizing, installing, and preserving public art in DC. Also, a visit from DC Public Library's Memory Lab. This event is recommended for ages 18+. Free. At the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW.  More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65388

Monday, December 16 at 7 PM, WAPAVA Presents The Ghosts of Christmas Past: A History of Ford’s Theatre's A Christmas Carol. Washington Area Performing Arts Video Archive (WAPAVA) presents "The Ghosts of Christmas Past: A History of Ford’s Theatre's A Christmas Carol." Join WAPAVA's Executive Director Bridget Grace Sheaff and Artistic Programming Manager Erika Scott to discuss and explore Ford's Theatre holiday favorite A Christmas Carol. With clips from the 2015 and 2018 productions, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens’s Yuletide classic. Come get into the holiday spirit and learn about this family favorite. Free. At the  Chevy Chase Library, 5625 Connecticut Ave. NW. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65885

Tuesday, December 17 at 4 PM, Lantern Making Workshop. Keep the winter chill away with a lantern. We’ll be making different types of lanterns and nibbling wintry snacks during this workshop. At 5:15pm., we’ll go behind the library to light our lanterns and enjoy some hot chocolate. This free program is for all ages. At Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65743

Tuesday, December 17 from 6 - 8 PM, 40 Thieves, Irish folk rock. Evenings at the Garden are magical! Come hear festive seasonal music while exploring Season’s Greenings: America’s Gardens. 40 Thieves have established themselves as one of the best loved Irish bands in the Metro DC area. From the cozy confines of the DC area's best Irish pubs to the wide-open stages of the festival circuit, this rocking ensemble has wowed the crowds by wedding old fashioned and newfangled Irish music with straight ahead rock and roll. Please note: Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. At the Conservatory Garden Court of the United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW. Free, no pre-registration required. More info: http://bit.ly/2PdxsnH

Wednesday, December 18 from 6 - 7 PM, Light Up Southwest. The Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) has partnered with the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) for a little friendly competition + a neighborhood holiday celebration! SW neighborhood residents have been invited to decorate their windows this holiday season and bring a little more light and joy to the SW neighborhood. Photos may be displayed via social media using the hashtag #LightUpSouthwest. The competition will feature 3 residential categories: best window, balcony, and house - as well as a new category for best retail. Winners will be announced at the neighborhood gathering where you can enjoy hot cocoa, holiday crafts, and music. All are welcome. At the Southwest Duck Pond - map here: https://goo.gl/maps/BMpiAWNLbQdNBHGi7

Thursday, December 19 from 6 - 7:30 PM, Vision Board Party. Ready for the New Year? Join us as we dare to envision a 2020 full of glitz, glue and intention at Petworth's Vision Board Party!  Vision board making is the collection and expression of your goals and dreams in visual form. It can serve as a great art piece, or motivational reminder throughout the year. Art supplies will be provided, however feel free to bring your own images, inspirational quotes and other materials. This event is recommended for ages 13+. Free. At the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65756

Thursday, December 19 from 6 - 8 PM, Lox & Vodka - Seasonal Music at the Garden. Evenings at the Garden are magical! Come hear festive seasonal music while exploring Season’s Greenings: America’s Gardens. Lox & Vodka performs rousing klezmer, Jewish, and spiritually enriching music that spans the ages. Join them as they sing in different languages, dance, and enjoy the warmth of the holiday together. Please note: Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. At the Conservatory Garden Court of the United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW. Free, no pre-registration required. More info: http://bit.ly/2Py7vhy    

Still Life with Robin: What Was Good about 2019?

 by Peggy Robin

It’s the first week of December and it’s already started….those end-of-the-year reviews. Best books of 2019. Best movies, TV shows, music. The year in pictures. The year in memes. And not far behind -- the year in CP Listserv highlights. While I do keep a running list all year long of memorable posts, it’s always good to do an “Ask the Audience” for their nominations for the outstanding posts of the year.

In the past, I’ve set out a few fixed categories: “Best Animal Story,” “Most Helpful Advice,” and “Best For-Sale or Giveaway Item”  are a few examples. This year I think I won’t try to push people into these boxes but will leave it open-ended. If there’s anything you think should be on our 2019 Highlights Reel, let me know at moderator @ cleveland-park dot com.

This year we’re tremendously aided by having actual working archives again. You can search through all the messages of 2019 with the simple and effective search tools available at Groups.io. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Start at the homepage,https://groups.io/g/clevelandpark
2. On the left sidebar, click on “Messages”
3. Click on the little gray box labeled “Search” (it's the one with magnifying glass icon).
4. Enter the search word or phrase you want to find. A few search tips: If looking for a phrase of two words or more, put the words inside quotation marks to pull up just those exact words in that order – e.g, “lost cat”. If looking for words or phrases that will be in a message but not necessarily together, enter the words inside quotation marks separated by AND – e.g., "restaurant" and "quiet". 
5. Use the tools provided to narrow and refine your search. After you’ve searched for a word or phrase, you will see a little gray box labeled “Tools.” Click on it and you will be able to narrow the time-frame of your search to the past hour, day, week, month, year, or between any particular dates you choose. Look to the far right side of your screen and you will see “Relevance” and “Date” to allow you to set the search priority based on how well your search terms can be matched (“relevance”) or bring up the search results from most recent back to oldest, or vice versa. 
6. Avoid using search words that will be likely to show up in thousands of messages. Try to think of a particular name, place, or term that would be in the message your seeking but is unlikely to be used in other messages, and make that your search term. 

Also, the year is not over till it's over! There are three more weeks to post a message that could be a contender for the Cleveland Park Listrserv Post of the Year!

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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, December 6 - 12, 2019

Nutcracker Family Day at Smilthsonian American Art Museum

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 14,500+ 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, December 6 from 11 AM – 6:30 PM, The Second Annual Holiday Book Fair by the White House Historical Association. Since 1962, the White House Historical Association has produced award-winning books on many subjects related to the history of the President's House—from its architecture, gardens, fine and decorative arts to the presidents and first ladies who lived there over the years. We are pleased to invite you to meet the authors of these award-winning books at our Holiday Book Fair on Friday. Special features include: Thomas Jefferson portrayed by Bill Barker; drawing lessons with artist John Hutton; enter a raffle with the chance to win an original Hutton drawing; and special musical performances on a reproduction of President Theodore Roosevelt's #100,000 Steinway piano! For questions, contact books @ whha dot org. Free. More information at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-book-fair-tickets-75688370955 

Friday, December 6 at 5:30 PM, Holidays through History - Open Houses at 3 Historic House Museums. Celebrate the holidays at three historic houses -- Anderson House, Dumbarton House, and Woodrow Wilson House — at this annual yuletide pilgrimage. Stroll through the three festively decorated mansions and learn about historical Christmas traditions. Each site will feature a cocktail inspired by their period, as well as crafts and light refreshments. Reservations suggested. Tickets: $30 per person in advance; $35 at the door, available online at https://dumbartonhouse.ticketleap.com/hth-2019/. Dumbarton House is at 2715 Q St NW, Anderson House is at 2118 Massachusetts Ave NW, and the Woodrow Wilson House is at 2340 St St NW. More information: https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public

Friday December 6 from  6 - 8 PM, Annual Tree Lighting at Cathedral Commons. Gather with friends and neighbors and enjoy a flurry of activities from 6 PM until the tree lighting at 8 PM. Cathedral Commons is creating a winter wonderland of fun during its 5th annual Holiday Tree Lighting event! Merry into the season with festive performances and food and drink from local restaurants. Roast s’mores, participate in crafts, and greet holiday characters as they roam throughout the night. Santa will also be joining us for free photos (pets too!). Free. At 3710 Newark St NW. More info: http://bit.ly/2sKcOmj 

Saturday December 7 from 8:30 - 10:30 AM, “Breakfast with Santa.” The Metropolitan Police Department (Second District) invites you to join us for "Breakfast with Santa" at the Second District Station (Community Room), 3320 Idaho Avenue NW. Come out and enjoy a free, hot delicious breakfast with Santa and your Second District Police Officers. Seating is limited; you must RSVP: kyi.branch @ dc dot gov. 

Saturday December 7 at 9:30 AM, “Capital Crisis: The Civil War Defenses of Washington, July-August 1862,” presented The Rock Creek Civil War Roundtable (RCCWRT). National Park Service Ranger, Historian, and Military History Scholar Steve T. Phan will present a lecture on the evolution of the Defenses of Washington in response to the military situation pressing the Federal high command, War Department, and Lincoln Administration during the summer of 1862. A military history scholar of the Civil War era, Steve T. Phan has focused his research on military occupation, operational command, fortifications, and the Western Theater during the Civil War. Come join us and bring a friend. These presentations each month are free and open to the public. After each presentation, there is a most stimulating Q & A session. For additional information or inclement weather, you may call: Dana M. Dierkes, Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Outreach, National Park Service, Rock Creek Park, 202-895-6222 (office) 202-497-8526 (cell) or Patricia A. Tyson, RCCWRT Convener, 202-577-6956. At the Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW

Saturday, December 7 at 10 AM, Oral History Collaborative Coffee Chat. Join us, along with Humanities DC and The Historical Society of DC, for a Saturday morning coffee chat and tell us your idea for an oral history project! Funding available for oral history projects or for public humanities projects that use existing oral history collections. This session will provide information on: eligibility and how to apply. Prospective applicants can come to the workshop to discuss potential project designs or to simply gather information. The session is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.dcoralhistories.org. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65864

Saturday, December 7 from 10 AM - 7 PM, Opening Day of ‘AURORA: The Spirit of Northern Lights. ARTECHOUSE brings the northern lights and the aurora borealis to the nation’s capital for this special holiday installation. The immersive exhibit will let you shape light and frost, accessing your winter superpowers as you encounter dancing skies and magical illuminations. Visitors will also learn of the technology behind this wonderful experience, which includes its own narrative featuring a stylized northern forest. When purchasing your tickets, make sure to use the code “AEF10” for 10% off your admission. This promotion benefits local students through the American Experience Foundation. Tickets Adult: $16 online ($20 onsite), Students, Seniors (65+) & Military ID-holders: $13 online ($15 onsite) Daytime Session Only, Children (Ages 2-14): $8 online ($10 onsite). Online tickets available at: https://www.dc.artechouse.com/aurora. The exhibit is on through Jan. 5, 2020 at ARTECHOUSE, 128 Maryland Avenue SW. More information: https://washington.org/event/aurora-spirit-northern-lights

Saturday, December 7 from 11:30 AM - 3 PM, The Nutcracker Ballet Family Day. Celebrate the holidays with SAAM and the Washington Ballet! Join acclaimed Artistic Director Julie Kent as she shares behind-the-scenes stories about how the ballet company puts on their annual performance of The Nutcracker, then enjoy watching dancers perform highlights from this charming Christmas classic. Get in the festive spirit by creating winter-themed crafts or going on a scavenger hunt, and indulge in a hot chocolate bar and other tasty treats for purchase from the Courtyard Café. Free. At Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), Kogod Courtyard, 8th and F Street NW. More info: https://s.si.edu/380jOLU 

Saturday, December 7 from 6 - 9 PM, District Holiday Boat Parade. Each year, dozens of dazzling boats traverse the Potomac River from the waterfront in Alexandria, VA to the The Wharf. You can observe free of charge, and there are even holiday festivities on both sides of the river to enjoy beforehand for this year's parade. Prizes will be awarded to the most beautiful vessels, which begin their journey at 6 PM, and fireworks will cap off the parade at 8 PM. Free admission. The Wharf, 1100 Maine Avenue SW. More info: http://bit.ly/2DMlWJ6

Sunday, December 8 from 1 - 5 PM, Winter Show at Studio 4903. Meet local and guest artists and artisans at this annual event in a at Studio 4903, a fantastic art studio space between Tenleytown and Friendship Heights. This year we've got painters, potters, photographers, mixed media folks, jewelers and fab felt bags. Everything is hand made -- most of it in the studio.So come have some have a nibble and take this opportunity to meet and support local artists in a wonderful creative space. Free. Studio 4903 is at 4903 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 2nd Floor. No need to rsvp but if you would like to visit another time, please email Gayle Friedman, gaylefriedman1 @ gmail dot com for other hours when you can come by..

Sunday, December 8 at 4 PM, Holiday Vocals. Join us for music celebrating the holiday season performed by Jacqueline Neimat, an American lyric soprano. The concert will last approximately one hour. This is the final date in the fall American Music Series at Anderson House, which celebrates the history and variety of American music genres. Free. Anderson House (Society of the Cincinnati) is at Anderson House is at 2118 Massachusetts Ave NW. More information: https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public   

Sunday, December 8 at 4 PM, Holiday Concert at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church. The featured work will be "Das Neugeborne Kindelein" (the newborn child) by Dieterich Buxtehude. Buxtehude was a 17th Century Danish-German organist and composer. He is considered one of the most important composers in Germany of the mid-Baroque. His piece will include chorus, strings, and harpsichord. Other choral pieces will be presented, bells will ring, and the audience will have the opportunity to participate in choral singing. Free admission, no RSVPs needed, and a reception will follow the performance. At One Chevy Chase Circle NW.

Sunday, December 8 at 6 PM, Handel's "Messiah." All in the community are invited to hear the National Presbyterian Church Festival Choir, Soloists, and Orchestra perform Handel's "Messiah." This concert is open to the public and no tickets are required! A voluntary offering will be collected during the performance. There is ample free onsite parking for the concert and complimentary childcare for children under 4 with advanced RSVP to childcare @ nationalpres dot org. National Presbyterian Church is located at 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW, about a 10-minute walk from the AU/Tenleytown metro stop on the red line. More info: www.nationalpres.org

Monday, December 9 at 12 noon, George Washington and His World. Students of professor Denver Brunsman, GW's Department of History, will share their findings after a semester of in-depth research about George Washington at Mount Vernon. Free; no reservations required. Bring your lunch and enjoy a cup of coffee on us. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21 Street, NW. More info: https://museum.gwu.edu/student-presentations-george-washington-and-his-world 

Monday, December 9 at 5 PM, 2019 DC Statehood Holiday Party at the Wilson Building. Join Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and the Council of the District of Columbia for the John A. Wilson Building Holiday Reception. Celebrate the holidays in the 51st State! The John Wilson Building is at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Register for free tickets at http://bit.ly/2YevRAJ     

Tuesday, December 10 from 5:30 PM, Handi-hour. Looking for holiday gift ideas? Craft your own at our December Handi-hour. Choose from a variety of crafts, like cork photo holders and miniature wreaths. Enjoy beer from Denizens Brewing and live music from Mink’s Miracle Medicine while you get crafty. Tickets ($25) include two beers, a souvenir glass, crafting supplies, and light snacks - available for purchase at https://s.si.edu/2RkYScI. Must be 21 or older to attend and present a valid ID at the door for entry. At the Renwick Gallery, Rubenstein Grand Salon, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW.

Tuesday December 10 at 7 PM, “ You Are What Your Grandparents Ate” - Author Talk by Judith Finlayson. Join us for a discussion with Judith Finlayson, who will discuss her book You Are What Your Grandparents Ate, a new exploration of nutrition, chronic disease and epigenetics. Finlayson will appear in conversation with Dr. Kent Thornburg, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Developmental Health at the Knight Cardiovascular Institute, and Director of the Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Books will be available for signing at the event. Free. At the Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65104   

Wednesday, December 11 at 7 PM, “Warriors with Words: How the Black Press and the Freedom Narratives Helped End Slavery.” Join author and lecturer C.R. Gibbs for a  presentation on “Warriors with Words: How the Black Press and the Freedom Narratives Helped End Slavery.” Free. At the Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/61266  

Wednesday, December 11 at 7 PM, The Amazing, Eco-Friendly Tree Lighting. If you have ever secretly thought it’s a shame to cut down a live tree and haul it to a public plaza, where it’s stuck in a base and then festooned with lights, plastic baubles, tinsel, and tchotchkes, you will love this eco-friendly alternative! Come to the spot in Rock Creek Park where there’s a tall, stately evergreen growing in its native soil There’s nothing artificial dangling from its branches and yet you will see it transformed into the most spectacularly decorated Christmas tree ever. Through the use of image-projecting technology, when the switch is thrown at 7 PM, the tree will suddenly appear to be clothed from top to bottom in shimmering lights, glittering ornaments, and garlands of berries and beads, ribbons, bells, and bows. Yet nothing is actually touching the tree -- it’s all holographic artistry created on a computer: a spectacular 360 degree light and image show projected onto all the surfaces of the tree. And the images are not static but will change every ten minutes! Watch as the tree goes from its opening design of red, gold, blue and silver to a traditional Scottish Christmas tartan design in greens, yellows, and reds. Then watch it change again to a cool blue and white “Frozen” theme, followed by nine other creatively color-coordinated designs to complete the Twelve Trees of Christmas show. The tree lighting and show is free….but you must attend in your imagination, as this is the Weekly Fake Event.

Thursday, December 12 from 6 - 7:30 PM, Greetings From Outer Space. Explore the cosmos with us! Celebrate the 20th anniversary launch of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Guest speakers from Astronomy on Tap DC will share Chandra's amazing origins and discoveries. Stick around for games, spectrum demonstrations and stargazing courtesy of the Phoebe Waterman Haas Observatory (telescopes included). Free. This event is recommended for ages 13+. At the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65755       

Still Life with Robin: It Was 20 Years Ago Today

Photo by Bill Adler

by Peggy Robin

It was 20 years ago today

The Cleveland Park Listserv came to stay

It’s been keeping up with all the styles

And sometimes it will make you smile

So may I (re)introduce to you

The List you’ve known for all these years…..

The Cleveland Park Listserv now at Groups.io!

http://groups.io/g/clevelandpark !!

(with apologies to Lennon/McCartney)

Twenty years….and I almost let it slip by unremarked. We’ve been consumed (understandably, I hope) with the move from our 19-years+11-months host, Yahoogroups, over to our new web/email host, Groups,io, and have barely had time to catch a breath! We did call attention to the one-month anniversary at Groups.io – which was just last Saturday  -- and you can find that column here:  http://bit.ly/2q2BBkm.

If you’ve ever wondered what was in that first message on that first day, November 30, 1999, here it is:

(I have added a few footnotes, numbered in parentheses.)

11/30/1999  

Message #2 (1)

https://groups.io/g/clevelandpark/message/2

Welcome to Cleveland Park

Hi,

Welcome to the Cleveland Park email list. Here's a place where you can exchange news about the neighborhood including -- new stores, street construction, city services, traffic, parking, stuff for sale, places for rent, where to eat, schools, and more. (2)

Need a recommendation for a roofer? A place to take out of town relatives to eat? Want to let everyone know about your yard sale?  Do you want to get the message out about a street that's blocked off because of construction? Or do you want to let your neighbors know about a nearby magnolia tree that's in full bloom? That's what the Cleveland Park list is all about. 

Cleveland-park@egroups.com (3) is for Cleveland Parkers who want to know what's happening in their neighborhood. 

Cheers,

Bill Adler

cleveland-park@egroups.com

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Footnotes:

(1) Message #2. Why isn’t this labeled Message #1? My best guess is that there was a typo or a mistake in the first message, which was sent out to just the the two members of the group at the time -- Bill and me -- and so Bill deleted it and re-sent it, making it message #2

(2) One striking thing: Twenty years on, the subject matter listed in that first paragraph is still spot-on. The listserv was and remains the place to discuss new stores, street constructions, city services, etc., etc. Now more than ever!

(3) Egroups.com was the original host. Then it turned into OneList, and then it was taken over by Yahoogroups. The Egroups/OneList period was short, maybe less than two years. It was Yahoogroups up until October 23, 2019.

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Now here we are at the two-decade mark, and we’re at Message  #152,278. If you like to look at the numbers and statistics, go to the Cleveland Park home page at http://groups.io/g/clevelandpark and scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the 20-year posting record of the group, with monthly message totals from now today back to Day One. 

Gratitude on this Thanksgiving weekend is due to Groups.io and its founder and show-runner, Mark Fletcher, for making it possible for  so many neighborhood listservs to depart the sinking Yahoogroups ship, with all our archives, files, history, and statistics intact.

And now let us just sing you out with another part of our (badly adapted Sgt. Pepper) Cleveland Park Listserv Anniversary Song:

It's wonderful to be here,

It's certainly a thrill

You're such a lovely audience,

We're glad you’re on the list with us, we love to have you here!

I don't really want to stop the show....but this is where I end this column.

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

Get Out! The Events Column, November 29 - December 5, 2019

Photo by Smithsonian National Zoo 

We wanted to share some events and activities that list members might be interested in. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 14,500+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, email us at events @ fastmail dot net.

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

Friday, November 29 from 10 AM – 4 PM Native American Heritage Day: Family Fun Day. The National Museum of the American Indian’s unique family celebration of Native American Heritage Day showcases Native culture through interactive dancing, games, storytelling, hands-on activities and make-and-takes, as well as music and dance presentations. Join us in recognizing the many contributions of Native Americans to all aspects of life in the United States. The program features the Dineh Tah Navajo Dancers throughout the day. Free. At the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, 4th St and Independence Ave SW, https://s.si.edu/34ld1u4 

Friday, November 30 from 5 - 9 PM, Opening Night of ZooLights! A free event, ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland! New this year: enjoy dozens of large, glowing animal lanterns and stroll through thousands of reflecting lights as part of the interactive ⁠— and highly Instagrammable — art exhibit called "Entre Les Rangs." More info: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights. At the National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW. On through January 1 (except Dec. 24, 25 & 31)

Saturday, November 30 from 12 - 5 PM, Shop Arts Saturday at Glen Echo Park. Browse art studios and galleries in search of unique, handmade gifts. See demonstrations of resident artists at work and try your hand at a few techniques. Fine arts and crafts for sale include glass, ceramics, photography, jewelry, painting and drawing, plus a variety of works in our annual Holiday Art Show & Sale. Take a break from your shopping and enjoy complimentary hot cider and music by the Washington Conservatory of Music. Free admission. Remember to #ShopSmall and #ShopArts for this year's Small Business Saturday. Glen Echo Park is at 7300 Macarthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD. More info: http://bit.ly/33mOFi9 

Saturday November 30 from 6 - 8 PM, Light Up the Wharf. Kick off the holiday season at The Wharf as we officially light our Christmas tree and transform the waterfront into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights. Free. At District Square, District Pier, The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave SW. More info: http://bit.ly/35COD7p

Sunday, December 1 from 12 noon - 7 PM, Holiday Festivities at Belair Mansion in Bowie, MD. For over 50 years, the Bowie community has come together in early December to sing holiday songs and celebrate the lighting of Bowie's Christmas tree. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will make a special visit, courtesy of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department, to meet all of the children on Sunday. So please join us at Belair Mansion, 12207 Tulip Grove Drive in Bowie. Tree lighting at 7 PM. This event is free, no reservations needed. Come early and take a tour of this historic mansion which has been festively decorated and has musical entertainment and cider and cookies. Tours are from 12 - 6 PM. More information: http://bit.ly/2XTWzhZ

Sunday, December 1 at 3 PM, Tales with Tails. Share your favorite tale with a P.A.L. dog. Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library and People.Animals.Love are inviting children ages 4-12 to read aloud to a certified therapy P.A.L. dog. Children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW,  https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65372

Monday, December 2 at 12 noon, Book Talk: "St. Elizabeth’s in Washington, DC: Architecture of an Asylum." National Building Museum Curator Sarah Leavitt traces the architectural evolution of St. Elizabeth's, a mental health hospital since 1852, and the way its specialized architecture and landscape served the mentally ill. Free, no reservation needed. The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21 Street, NW. More info: https://museum.gwu.edu/st-elizabeths

Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30 PM, Author talk: Jenny Masur. Local author Jenny Masur will discuss her book Heroes of the Underground Railroad Around Washington, DC. A book sale and signing will follow. For more information and questions, please call the Shepherd Park Library Information Desk at 202-541-6100. Free. The Shepherd Park (Juanita E. Thornton) Library is at 7420 Georgia Ave. NW. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65771

Wednesday, December 4, all day, It’s “Get Me Off This Email List” Wednesday! Yesterday was Giving Tuesday, and after giving the matter some careful consideration you picked some wonderful charities and you donated as generously as you could. In addition to your payment, you also gave them your email address. And now are you sorry! Each charity you favored has added you to their daily plea for more money, and you’re already swamped with appeals. On GMOTEL Wednesday, it’s time to stop the flood! Today, you sit down and unsubscribe yourself from every organization that has added you to their mass-blast list. You will need patience to open each and every email and scroll far down the page to find the teeny-tiny “unsubscribe” link and click on it. But that may not be enough. You will likely be asked to answer some nosy questions about why you want to take your name off the list. Worse still, they may require you to tell them the email address you want removed, and if you have several, you may not remember which one you used when you signed up. It’s a hassle. But on this special “Get Me Off This Email List” Wednesday, we are pleased to offer you our own custom-designed shortcut to email control: one convenient “Unsubscribe from ALL” link that will undo all those pesky sign-ups with a single click. Go to: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent

Thursday, December 5 at 7 PM, Author Talk: Kathleen Day and "Broken Bargain." Author and veteran business journalist, Kathleen Day will discuss her book, Broken Bargain: Bankers, Bailouts, and the Struggle to Tame Wall Street Day is a frequent Washington Post contributor and professor of financial crises at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She is now also a professor of financial crises at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. In her book Broken Bargain, Day examines in plain English the history of financial regulation and of government oversight of corporations—which is intertwined with banking and goes back to the founding fathers and the famous arguments between Jefferson and Hamilton. She explains that we have lost sight of the fact that to have a corporation—especially an incorporated bank—is a privilege bequeathed by the government, one that requires oversight to ensure against abuse. She shows how the current oversight system was created as a result of the great stock market crash of 1929, a time when the public's view of the federal government’s role in the economy shifted, and people began to look MORE to Washington for oversight of Wall Street and of their savings. This event is free and open to the public. Copies of Broken Bargain will be available for purchase. Book signing will take place after the event.  FREE | Adults | First Come, First Served. In the first floor meeting room at the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65528      

Still Life with Robin: Happy One-Month-A-Versary

Photo by Arnhold Reinhold, via Creative Commons

by Peggy Robin

It’s been exactly one month since the Cleveland Park Listserv moved to its new home at Groups.io – http://groups.io/g/clevelandpark. We’re fully moved in but still not completely at home. For example, it’s not entirely clear how the algorithm that compiles the digest works to set the order of the twelve messages in each digest. And what’s the deal with those hashtags? There’s a whole learning curve to understand what that’s all about. Then there are photos: this new service seems to handle them well. But we’re still not sure how many can be included in a message, and what different image formats will work, and how large they can be. Yes, there’s a lot of explanatory material available on the web, and it's not hard to find --it’s just going to take a while to go through everything.

I’m coming to feel that it’s like the first few weeks in a new place, after moving out of an old, crumbling homestead. The shiny new apartment in the big complex of buildings is fine – but so different! There’s a lot to figure out. The appliances in the kitchen are bright and gleaming – but with so many buttons to push and instructions to read! And the light switches! It’s not just on and off anymore - there are dimmers and color-filters, and who know what else? So you work on learning the basic operations of your own living space before you go off exploring the other parts of the complex. We’ll get to that rec room in the basement later. And find out the rules for picking up from the package room. Later still,  we’ll get to know some of the other tenants who may tell us about the finer points of living in the complex.

For now, it’s enough to have found a place where the mail actually gets delivered on time and the elevators don’t break down, and you don’t get locked out at odd hours because your key stops working. Even nicer to know that if you do have a problem, you can call the management and they will actually answer the phone. Well, no need for that yet -- but that’s what I’ve heard.

It's such a change from the old place, Yahoogroups. I still go back there, multiple times a day. I have to: there are always a few people each day who would like to join the Cleveland Park Listserv but they arrive at the old address. I need to redirect them to the right place. And a few of our long-time members are not sure how to post a message here at our new place. They still send their messages to the old address (which is boarded up!) and it bounces back to them. I need to let them know the new posting address, which is clevelandpark@groups.io. (Please make a note of it, if you haven’t already done so, and add it to your “trusted sender” list or email address book, so that messages from the CP Listserv won’t end up in your trash. You can go ahead and permanently delete the old address, cleveland-park@yahoogroups.com so that you don’t send a message there by mistake.

Eventually, I’ll stop these daily checks of the old space – and that will be a relief. I have not a speck of nostalgia for the fading, failing, old  platform that Verizon took over a few years ago and now has decided to abandon. (It will delete all old content from its site on December 14, 2019.) It was in bad shape when Verizon bought it and they did nothing at all to to improve it. The last couple of years, there have been random outages, lost messages, and frequent appearances of the dreaded purple error bar – bearing the grim message, “Sorry, there was an error uploading content.” And never any tech support to let you know what was wrong or how to fix it.

Just last night I went back to the old site to see if any would-be new members were there…..and couldn’t get the site to open. It wasn't just the old Cleveland Park Yahoogroup….the entire Yahoogroups system was down. Not sure how long this most recent outage went on, but I can tell you, when I saw that “Oops, there’s something wrong” error message pop up on the screen, I was feeling....well, let me be honest ... pleased with myself. Because I no longer had to worry about it. I'd done the right thing at the right time, and got this group out, all in one piece. 

Now it's up to other group moderators to save their own groups, in the little time that's left. I do hope they succeed. And if they make it over to our shiny new digs at Groups.io, I'll be here to welcome them. It's a fine new place and there's plenty of room for all!

(Next Saturday – It’s the 20th anniversary of the Cleveland Park Listserv!)

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Clevleand ParkListserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

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

Thanksgiving Postcard 1900 (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 14,500+ 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, November 22 at 6 PM, Free Folger Friday: Mozart vs. Salieri. Classical WETA’s James Jacobs explores the history of the “Mozart vs. Salieri” myth, providing historical context for the action of Peter Shaffer’s play. How does mediocrity stack up to genius? Did Salieri really poison Mozart? While these composers did and wrote much to create this historical fantasy, they were helped along by two centuries of pop culture; their rivalry depicted in opera, film, and literary adaptations. Despite all of this, a recently-unearthed cantata believed to be co-written by Mozart and Salieri hints at a professional understanding that may have existed after all. After this Free Folger Friday, join us for the 8pm performance of Amadeus. Reserve your free tickets online http://bit.ly/2Qu26Kx or call the Box Office at 202.544.7077. The Folger Shakespeare Library is at 201 East Capitol Street SE.

Saturday, November 23 from 10 AM - 1 PM, Thanksgiving Gleaning at Firebird Farm - by UDC Causes. The end of the outdoor growing season is here! UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CUAGE), will host a Thanksgiving Gleaning Day, free and open to the public. Join us as we harvest all of the plants in the fields. Participants will be instructed by a UDC staff member on harvesting techniques for gleaning fall produce such as kale, collard greens, cauliflower, cabbage, and sweet potatoes. The produce will be donated to organizations that provide hunger relief support to the underserved and homeless communities in the District. Volunteers who help with the harvest will be able to take home one FREE bag of produce. Participants can also tour the aquaponics and hydroponics systems. Register: http://bit.ly/2KAqmqw. Firebird Research Farm is at 12001 Old Baltimore Pike, Beltsville, MD 20705. Questions? Contact Matthew Gardine, matthew.gardine @ udc dot edu.

Saturday, November 23 at 1 PM, Film Screening and Discussion: The Invalid Corps. Join the Center for Accessibility in celebrating Veteran’s Day with a film screening of The Invalid Corps, followed by a discussion with Executive Producer, Day Al-Mohamed. Film synopsis: It is July 1864 and Confederate General Jubal Early is at the gates of Washington, DC. The city is in panic. Almost every able-bodied soldier from the Union has already been sent south with General Grant for the siege of Petersburg. The only defenders remaining are clerks, government officials, and the Invalid Corps. Created in 1863, the Invalid Corps was made up of men who had been “disabled by wounds or by disease contracted in the line of duty” – men missing limbs, and eyes, those with rheumatism, epilepsy, bullet injuries, those with what we would now call PTSD, and many others. These men, these invalids, were to serve as guards in cities, escort prisoners of war, provide security for railroads and supply depots freeing up able-bodied men to fight at the front. And now these “invalids” are all that stand between General Early’s 15,000 fighting men, and Washington City.... This is the story of men with disabilities, of men with honor, and of men whose place in history shouldn’t be forgotten. We are proud to tell you of the Invalid Corps and the men who served in it. Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65637

Sunday, November 24 from 2 - 5 PM, “Art Works Now” exhibit and free shelter building class from A Cat's Life Rescue, https://www.acatsliferescue.org/. Come to help your outdoor kitties with a winter cat-shelter building class, complete with the supplies to build and decorate your own cat shelter to take home. We will bring the supplies and snacks—you bring the compassion for the outdoor cats in your community. Location: “Art Works Now,” 4800 Rhode Island Avenue, Suite 1, Hyattsville, MD, 20781 Questions? Email info @ acatsliferescue dot org.

Sunday, November 24 at 3 PM, Passing: Crossing the (so called) Racial Boundaries. Join the Bethel Dukes Branch of  the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and the Woodridge Neighborhood Library for a presentation by Linda White on passing. With DNA tests, many of those who identify as white are discovering African ancestry. How could that be? Maybe it’s because some of their black ancestors "passed" as white. Linda Crichlow White discusses some of the literature about passing and illustrates some people in her family who crossed the color line, while discussing some of the implications for everyone -- those  who are discovering new ancestors; health matters; social histories and connecting with your DNA cousins. Free. At the Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65686

Sunday November 24 from 3 - 5 PM, Sandy Spring Museum Jam. Bring your stringed instrument and join a bluegrass jam at the Museum. Whether you are a relative newbie to jamming or a seasoned musician, you will enjoy the camaraderie as we share favorite songs and learn from one another. All ages are welcome. Listeners welcome, too.  Hosted by Mary Burdette of Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and Bruce Evans of the Fire Hazards.This is a free event! Sandy Spring Museum is at 17901 Bentley Rd., Sandy Spring, MD. Register: http://bit.ly/2qwALwA   

Monday, November 25 at 12 noon, Lecture: History of the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Join U.S. Marine Corps musician and librarian Charles Paul for a unique history of the President’s Own, America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Free, no RSVP needed. At the George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum, 701 21st Street NW. More info: https://museum.gwu.edu/marine-corps-band   

Monday, November 25 at 4 PM, Workshop: 1001 Ways to Make a Turkey for a Preschool Class. Do you have a preschooler or a toddler in daycare? Has this happened to you? Your small child comes home from daycare or preschool with a note that says, on the last day of class before Thanksgiving, please send a turkey in with your child. No, they don’t mean a real frozen bird - they mean you are supposed to send one of the following things: a “hand turkey” traced from your toddler’s hand and decorated with feathers and brown and red and orange glitter; or a tin foil turkey that you have shaped from aluminum foil, possibly embellished with crepe paper or construction paper, and/or buttons and yarn; or it could be a turkey sculpted from tuna salad and decorated with carrot slivers and celery sticks. Who knows what your instructions will be? You only know you have never done this before and you don’t want your kid to be the only one coming in that day without the required Thanksgiving Object. You need this workshop! We will cover every type of fake turkey your preschool teacher could possibly throw at you! Five hours. Cost: $225 plus $60 materials fee. It will be totally worth it! Sign up here: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent   

Tuesday, November 26 at 3:45 PM, Have Your Art Featured In The New Martin Luther King Jr. Library: Protest Button Art Workshop. Teens are invited to join an art workshop inspired by protest buttons from the DC Public Library’s collections and design a button about an issue that matters to you. Your button will become part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library's new entryway designed by DC artist Nekisha Durrett. Free. At the Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65558

Wednesday, November 27 from 12 - 12:30 PM, Express Lunchtime Talk: NMWA Director of Education and Interpretation Deborah Gaston discusses a sampling of works in Live Dangerously exhibition. About the exhibition: Live Dangerously features fierce, dreamy, and witty images of the female figure integrated into Earth’s terrain. Photographs by 12 artists depict women claiming their natural environments, illuminating the planet’s surface as a stage for human drama. Free, no reservations needed. Meet by the 2nd-floor elevators at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave NW. More info: http://bit.ly/2XvakTY

Thursday, November 28 at 10 AM, Opening of the Holiday Display Exhibit at the US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW. More info: http://bit.ly/33apL5v   

Still Life with Robin: Pranks for the Thought

James McNellis via Creative Commons

by Peggy Robin

If you wait long enough, the craziest parodies can come true….

That’s the lesson of our annual April Fool’s jokes. In 2015 the crazy idea was an H2O bar – a bar that sells only high-end bottled water – and we didn’t need to wait long at all before we were sent reports of actual places doing exactly what we were making fun of. Always ahead of the curve, trendy Los Angeles already had a place that offered up over 40 different varieties, served by water sommeliers (see: https://lat.ms/2Owxzcv for the story). But it wasn’t just a Coolifornia thing – we later learned there was one opening up in the great American heartland – this one in Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2qnNnG6. And then in July of this year, the satire turned into a site right here in DC, when a water bar -- creatively named “Water Bar”  -- set up shop in Columbia Heights (2822 Georgia Ave NW) . Our April Fool had come back to the source! (DCist had the story: http://bit.ly/33W11yT.

And now it’s happening again! Another April Fool has bubbled up as a Serious Thing. This time it’s the naming rights to Metro stations – the subject of our 2018 April Fool’s prank. You can read all about it here: http://bit.ly/33VXUa6. Just imagine coming out of the Red Line in our neighborhood to see you’re at Target-Cleveland Park. And then when you go downtown and come up the escalator at what used to be Federal Triangle, now it’s The Trump International Make Metro Great Again Station. A year or two later, after Amazon opens their big, new HQII in Northern Virginia, the Station Formerly Known As Crystal City will become Amazon National Landing. Well, that’s the part that wasn’t in the parody piece – and it’s what could very well become reality, according to an article that appeared in the Washingtonian online earlier this week: See http://bit.ly/32SiRS9 .  

As Dave Barry used to say, whenever he found a news article that was nuttier than anything he could come up with on his own, “I am NOT making this up!”

Of course, it hasn’t yet come to pass, and maybe, if enough people treat it as a joke, the Metro Board will realize that it is one. Maybe not quite so funny, if it happens In Real Life. Or perhaps they will stop to consider the trenchant question posed by the Washingtonian: “What could go wrong?”

Read the article for some possible answers: http://bit.ly/32SiRS9 .

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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, November 15 - 21, 2019

Pocahantas - Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian

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 14,500+ 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, November 15 at 12 noon, 3 D's: Dining, Documentary, Discussion. DC Public Library in partnership with Guy Mason Recreation Center and the Interactivity Foundation present the program series 3Ds – Dining, Documentary, and Discussion. The documentary and discussion are on how we use technology today.Attendees will Before the film screening attendees will enjoy a free lunch! Please register at guymasonevents @ gmail dot com. Free. At Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert NW.

Friday, November 15 at 12:30 PM, Lecture: A Pensioner of the Revolution. Join Deputy Director and Curator Emily Schulz Parsons for a discussion of the oil portrait, “A Pensioner of the Revolution,” painted in 1830 by John Neagle (1796-1865), and its role in the struggle for federal pensions for Revolutionary War veterans. This somber and arresting view of a poor, elderly man hints at the financial struggles many soldiers of the Revolution faced after the war. According to the artist, the portrait depicts Joseph Winter, a German-born veteran who was living on the streets of Philadelphia when Neagle met him. Moved by the story of this “lone wanderer in a world evincing but little feeling or sympathy for him,” Neagle painted Winter’s portrait and arranged for it to be published as a mezzotint, in the hopes that it would bring attention to the need for comprehensive pension legislation for the men who fought for American freedom. The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes with time afterwards for up-close viewing of the painting, which is featured in the exhibition America’s First Veterans. Free. At the Society of the Cincinnati at Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue NW. More info: https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public

Friday, November 15 at 7 PM, An Evening of Music for the Cello. The Guy Mason Community Music Program presents a recital by cellist Vasily Popov and his cello studio. Music by classical and contemporary composers will be performed. A reception to meet the artists will follow. If you plan to attend, please reply to guymasonevents @ gmail dot com or call 202 727 7527. Free. At Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert NW.

Friday, November 15 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, November 16 at 2:30 and 7:30 PM, Wilson HS Theater Presents Matilda! Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book of the same name, Matilda follows Matilda Wormwood, a bright little girl who immerses herself in books. Matilda is discarded and belittled by her dimwitted parents—her father insists on calling her a boy and harps on her “stupidity” for preferring reading to watching the telly—and her hostile headmistress, the outrageous and wicked Miss Trunchbull. Reclusive, but with an ever-growing imagination and sharp mind, and with a caring protector in her teacher Miss Honey, Matilda dreams of a better life, daring to take a stand against unjust forces and to grasp her destiny in her own, tiny hands. You don't want to miss the high energy dances and catchy songs of this entertaining musical performance! Tickets: Adults: $15 ($10 for the Saturday matinee); Child/Student: $5 all performances. Buy tickets online: https://squareup.com/store/wilson-drama. Cash/checks only at the door. Wilson High School Theater is at 3950 Chesapeake Street NW. More info: www.wilsondrama.com

Saturday, November 16 at 2 PM, A Right To The City Author Talk Series: Join us for a discussion with Susan Schaller about her book Business Improvement Districts and the Contradictions of Placemaking: BID Urbanism in Washington, DC. The “livable city,” the “creative city,” and more recently the “pop-up city” have become pervasive monikers that identify a new type of urbanism that has sprung up globally, produced and managed by the business improvement district and known colloquially by its acronym, BID. With this case study, Schaller draws on more than fifteen years of research to present a direct, focused engagement with both the planning history that shaped Washington, DC’s landscape and the intricacies of everyday life, politics, and planning practice as they relate to BIDs. Schaller is an assistant professor in urban studies, administration, and planning at the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education at the City College of New York. Free. At the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 3160 Sixteenth Street, NW. Register: http://bit.ly/2CF4sxM. Registration does not guarantee a seat. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

Saturday, November 16 at 4 PM, Musical Conversations with WETA and Levine: “Transfigured Night.” Join Classical WETA host James Jacobs and Levine faculty artists in a broad-ranging lecture and conversation on the upcoming Levine Presents Concert, Transfigured Night: Stories of Love and Longing. Excerpts from the January 25 concert will be performed, including works by Alexander Borodin, Samuel Barber, and Arnold Schoenberg. Free with RSVP:  https://www.levinemusic.org/performance/events-calendar/event/1957. At Levine Music, 2801 Upton Street NW.

Sunday, November 17 from 12 - 4 PM, Key School’s Harvest Festival, featuring live music, face painters, a moon bounce, slide, popcorn, prizes, games, and the best haunted house you have been through, complete with Stranger Things. Key School is at 5001 Dana Place NW

Sunday, November 17 at 4 PM, “Votes for Women: How the Battle Was Waged and Won,” an illustrated talk. One hundred years after the 1919 passage of the Constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote, the Chevy Chase Historical Society invites local residents to an illustrated talk byDr. Elizabeth Griffith, an authority on women’s history and author of the definitive biography of suffrage leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton, will present the program. Griffith’s book was named “one of the best books of the century” by editors of The New York Times and inspired Ken Burns’ PBS documentary, Not for Ourselves Alone. Griffith will describe the 80-year fight by an array of courageous women to secure the right to vote.  A reception with light refreshments will follow the program. No reservations are necessary. Questions may be directed to Chevy Chase Historical Society at 301-656-6141 or info @chevychasehistory dot org. Free. At the Jane Lawton Community Center, 4301 Willow Lane in the Town of Chevy Chase, MD

Sunday, November 17 at 4 PM, Apollo Orchestra Concert at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church. The principal cellist since 1996 of the New York Philharmonic, Carter Brey, will perform the Haydn Cello Concerto. The Apollo Orchestra, under the direction of Stephen Czarkowski, will also perform works by Respighi (Ancient Aires and Dance) and Schumann (Symphony No. 4). The free concert is at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, One Chevy Chase Circle NW.  A reception to meet the artists will follow the concert. RSVPs are not necessary.

Monday, November 18, at  12:00 PM, Masculinity in the Civil War - GWU Museum & Textile Museum Panel Discussion with Richard Stott, GW professor of History, and James Broomall, director, Shepherd University's George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War. Join two acclaimed scholars and authors to explore which aspects of masculinity were celebrated and shamed during the mid-nineteenth century. Free; no reservations required. Bring your lunch and enjoy a cup of coffee on us. At The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21 Street, NW. More info: https://museum.gwu.edu/masculinity

Monday,  November 18 at 6:30 PM, Jazz in the Basement Lecture Series: The Life and Music of Duke Pearson. DC Public Library’s new Jazz in the Basement Lecture Series brings to you The Life and Music of Duke Pearson hosted by vocalist and scholar, Integriti Reeves, with local curator, Bertrand Uberall. The program will include audio and visual examples and an audience Q&A to follow.  Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65511 

Tuesday, November 19, 2 – 3 PM, Pocahontas: Her Place in the Emerging Atlantic World and Nascent United States. Pocahontas lived and died not only in the maelstrom of the English-Powhatan encounter in the early seventeenth century, but at a singular moment in world history. She participated in the newly emerging Atlantic world. Her legacy helped shape Europeans’ conception of that world and the United States’ conception of itself for centuries. Why and how so? Cécile R. Ganteaume explores what history records about Pocahontas and her impact on European and American thought. About the Speaker: Cécile R. Ganteaume is a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. Ganteaume writes on American Indian art, culture, and history. She is co-curator of the award-winning exhibition Americans, on view at the museum on the National Mall through 2022. For further information visit https://s.si.edu/2qNkOls. Free. At the National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street & Independence Ave.SW

Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 PM, Celebrate Dinovember!: Meet a Paleontologist. Yes, dinosaurs once roamed the DC area and Peter Kranz, Ph.D., will visit Tenley-Friendship Library to teach us more. Dr. Kranz is the chief paleontologist at the Dinosaur Park in Laurel, MD, where visitors can help dig up dinosaur fossils. He is also the president of the Dinosaur Fund. Dr. Kranz will share dinosaur fossils and educate participants on local dinosaurs and the work of a paleontologist. Free. At the Tenley-Friendship Library 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65427

Tuesday, November 19, from 6:30 – 8 PM, Tudor Place Landmark Lecture: Bound by Fortune and Fortitude - The Calverts of Riversdale and Peters of Tudor Place, presented by Kristi Gross, Education Assistant & Researcher at Riversdale House Museum.  In June 1803, Rosalie Stier Calvert of Riversdale wrote of her niece, Martha Custis Peter: “Mrs Peeter [Peter] was with me [at my husband’s plantation]… which was a diversion, and making exertions to amuse her lifted my spirits.” Rosalie, a Flemish aristocrat who married Martha’s maternal uncle, was a friend, rival, and keen observer of the mistress of Tudor Place. This lecture by Kristi Gross, Education Assistant & Researcher at Riversdale House Museum, will examine the connections between the Calverts of Riversdale and the Peters of Tudor Place. Archival letters and images will illuminate a relationship that linked the high society of Georgetown and Maryland and reveal a rich portrait of nineteenth-century feminine gentility, spiced with tongue-in-cheek commentary from witty Rosalie. Explore how two families navigated both international and intimate crises, including the War of 1812 and Rosalie’s death at age 42, with her devoted niece Martha at her bedside. FREE/Pay what you can. At Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st Street NW. More info: http://bit.ly/2QfCGQA       

Wednesday, November 20 at 7 PM, Book Hill Talks - Film Screening of “Suppressed: The Fight to Vote.” 2018 was a contentious year featuring a high stakes mid-term election with several marquee races making news globally. Filmmaker Robert Greenwald examines that year's voter suppression efforts through the eyes of the Georgia voters affected by changes in voter access policies. Free. At the Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW. More info: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65444

Wednesday, November 20 from 7 - 8:30 PM, Andrew Evans and The Black Penguin. On assignment for National Geographic, Andrew Evans traveled 12,000 miles by bus from Washington, DC to South America’s southernmost tip before crossing by ship to Antarctica. Per his assignment, all of this was documented, in real time, on Twitter, but also in video, blog form and a printed feature - The Black Penguin. Evans became a viral hit as National Geographic's "Digital Nomad" writer - the author charts a parallel journey in his book, that of a Mormon man coming to terms with his religion and his identity as a gay man. Come hear Andrew discuss his adventure. Free. At the Northeast Library, 330 7th Street NE. More info: http://bit.ly/2rJuCgZ and https://www.dclibrary.org/node/64738

Wednesday, November 20 at 7 PM, Workshop: Build the Cleveland Park of Your Dreams. At this free public workshop you will be given the opportunity to create your fantasy Cleveland Park streetscape, working on a computer program that will be familiar to anyone who has built a fantasy sports team online. Each participant will have a workstation and will be instructed how to use the program that lets you assemble each element of your desired Cleveland Park streetscape, selecting from a lineup of both historical and fantasy components. Participants can fill in buildings lots from menus showing what once existed in Cleveland Park, including: the Piggly Wiggly, the Cleveland Park Bookshop, a plumbing showroom of vintage 1930s designs, a rock quarry (yes, that was right on the corner of Newark and Connecticut Avenue), a People’s Drugstore with a lunch counter serving food at 1962 prices! -- and more. Or you may prefer to go for fantasy picks like a multi-story all-underground parking garage, or a unique hardware store/luxury spa combination, and/or a gracious public square with a chocolate fountain that runs all day long. This meeting will be held at the Cleveland Park Library but not the one that’s there now; this meeting will take place at the old Cleveland Park Library that was torn down. To get the password that unlocks the hidden doorway to the fantasy Cleveland Park meeting, go to: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent

Thursday, November 21 from 4 - 5 PM, 100 Years of Women Voting. Library of Congress’ Assistant Deputy Librarian Colleen Shogan will lead a panel discussion featuring two leading scholars on women and voting, University of Southern California’s Jane Junn, and University of Notre Dame’s Christina Wolbrecht. The conversation will focus on the 100 years of women voting in the United States since the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. The event will highlight the recently opened LOC exhibit, “Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote.” Free. At the Library Of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First Street SE. Register: http://bit.ly/2OnJJnZ 

Thursday, November 21, 5–7 PM, Take 5! with Wayne Wilentz. Join multi-talented pianist, keyboardist, vocalist, composer, and arranger Wayne Wilentz and his band as they fill the dazzling Kogod Courtyard with tunes from the “Brazil Recordings” of legendary jazz artist Duke Pearson. In the Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Streets, NW. Tickets: Free. More info: https://s.si.edu/2OdRQmD 

Still Life with Robin: Eleven Eleven Nineteen

DC's World War I Memorial
Photo by Tim Evanson via Creative Commons

by Peggy Robin

This Monday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Having the holiday on a Monday this year is just a one-in-seven chance; it’s not one of those federally-mandated three-day holiday weekends.

Once upon a time – that time being the 8-year period from 1971 to 1978 -- Veterans Day was indeed one of those holidays that would bounce to the nearest Monday. But after some sustained and effective lobbying by the very moving and very, very elderly veterans of World War I, Congress resolved to put the holiday back on its original historic date, November 11, Armistice Day, marking the end of The Great War, as it was called by those who lived through it. They also called it “The War to End All Wars.” Now it’s hard to imagine anyone saying that and thinking it could be true. It certainly didn’t take all that long for another war to come along that would make The Great War seem more like a prequel to The Big One. 

This November 11th is the 100 year centenary of the celebration of Armistice Day. Yes, it was in 1918 – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – that the war came to an end. But the holiday of Armistice Day was declared by President Wilson one year later, on 11/11/1919….and we’re one hundred years on from that first proclamation.

So how did Armistice Day turn into Veterans Day?

A few years after the end of World War II there were various proposals floating around to create a holiday to honor those who served in that war. But what should be the date? There was V-E Day, and V-J Day; still, they couldn’t both be made holidays. The idea of turning Armistice Day into a catchall day to honor all who served in all wars had a certain efficiency to it – although most World War I veterans very much resented having their historic victory turned into something far more generic. But they were outnumbered. Even so, it took quite a while for the movement to build steam. It wasn’t until 1954 that Congress voted to rename and refocus the holiday, creating Veterans Day on November 11.

So, from 1954 to 1971, Veterans Day was on a fixed date, 11/11. Then we had eight years of the second Monday in November serving that function. And from 1979 to present, we’ve had another 40 years of Veterans Day stuck on November 11.

It’s been eight years since the last American veteran of World War I passed away: Frank Buckles, who died at age 110 on February 27, 2011, was the last one. (If you would like to know who was the last surviving veteran of World War I anywhere in the world, then it’s Florence Green, a British girl who enlisted in the Royal Air Force at the age of 17 and worked in the officer’s mess. She died on February 4, 2012, a few days short of her 111th birthday.)

Now that there are no more World War I vets left to object, I think it’s time to consider the nearest-Monday thing again. Almost everyone can do more with a three-day weekend than a day off in the middle of the work week. I would bet if you took a poll of veterans and their families, you’d find it wins by a large margin.

Here's another proposal that might be even better: Move the Veterans Day federal holiday to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November – that is, Election Day. That way, millions would get an official federal holiday, which would make voting much easier for those who don’t have time to stand in line to vote on a work day. This has especially been a problem in states that have reduced the number of polling places and cut back on or disallowed early voting. A federal holiday, combining Veterans Day and Election Day, would do a lot to expand access to the polls. What better way to honor the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedoms?

Of course, the chance of getting Congress to agree on a simple thing like moving a holiday, is, in the present climate, close to nil. But on this Veterans Day 2019, 100 years after the first one, it’s a good time to fight for a change!

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Still Life with Robin is usually published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays, but I saved this one for the Veterans Day holiday on Monday.  

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

Wilson HS Theater Presents Matilda the Musical

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 14,500+ 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, November 8 at 4 PM, Dino Discovery. Learn about the science of excavation and participate in our very own dinosaur dig! This program is great for dinosaur lovers between the ages of 4 and 8. This event is part of our Di-November celebration here at the Cleveland Park Library. All month long come in to see our "roar-some" decorations and participate in dino activities. Free. The Cleveland Park Library is at 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65468

Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9 (various times), Smithsonian Food History Festival. The Food History Festival is two days of free, hands-on learning, live demonstrations, talks, and stories exploring how women are building, saving, and empowering communities through food. Talented chefs, local organizations, experts, community activists, museum curators, entrepreneurs, and more will be on hand to spark conversation, lead activities, and dig into food history with museum visitors of all ages. View the full schedule here: https://s.si.edu/2riNzH1. Register for free tickets here: http://bit.ly/2CczOvJ - but don’t delay - many of the sessions are already sold out! At the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave NW.

Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9 at 7 PM, Wilson HS Theater Presents Matilda! Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book of the same name, Matilda follows Matilda Wormwood, a bright little girl who immerses herself in books. Matilda is discarded and belittled by her dimwitted parents—her father insists on calling her a boy and harps on her “stupidity” for preferring reading to watching the telly—and her hostile headmistress, the outrageous and wicked Miss Trunchbull. Reclusive, but with an ever-growing imagination and sharp mind, and with a caring protector in her teacher Miss Honey, Matilda dreams of a better life, daring to take a stand against unjust forces and to grasp her destiny in her own, tiny hands. You don't want to miss the high energy dances and catchy songs of this entertaining musical performance! Tickets: Adults: $15 ($10 for the matinee on Saturday, 11/16); Child/Student: $5 all performances. Online ticket purchase ended Nov 6. Cash/checks only at the door. Can’t go this Friday or Saturday? There are 3 more performances next week: Friday 11/15 and Saturday 11/16 at 7 PM and a Saturday matinee on the 16th at 2:30 PM. Wilson High School Theater is at 3950 Chesapeake Street NW. More info: www.wilsondrama.com

Saturday, November 9 from 9:30 AM - 7 PM, Conference: 1989: Commemorating the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the End of the Cold War. The end of the Cold War, the resulting geopolitical tensions, and the narrative of "The End of History" have had direct consequences and present political challenges to the United States and Europe. What lessons can we learn from 1989, and how can we use these lessons to combat right-wing populism in Germany, Europe, and the United States? Among contemporary political actors, social movements and political organizations, can any of them have comparable power to the Peaceful Revolution of 1989? These questions are not only timely at the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, but also of vital importance in our current crises of international order. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the BMW Center for German and European Studies at Georgetown University are pleased to host this free, day-long conference at the Copley Formal Lounge at Georgetown University, 3700 O Street NW. A light reception from 5:30 -7:00 PM will follow the conclusion of the conference. See the full agenda of the conference and register for programs at: http://bit.ly/36B32SN.

Saturday, November 9 at 1 PM, The Evening Star: The Rise and Fall of a Great Washington Newspaper - An Author Talk with Faye Haskins. The Washington Evening Star was among the top ten newspapers in the country, starting before the Civil War and ending its run during the Reagan presidency. Learn about what went on behind the scenes of this historic paper from Faye Haskins, former Archivist and Photo Librarian at DC Public Library Special Collections. Haskins' book, The Evening Star: the Rise and Fall of a Great American Newsaper, includes insight on the editorial decisions behind the coverage, including controversial decisions on race relations, D.C. politics and 129 years of national politics. This free talk will be held in the Peabody Room on the top floor of the Georgetown Library. You can read from the Washington Evening Star online with a DC Public Library card, or visit Washingtoniana to view books and our archival collection on the Washington Evening Star. Learn more on how to use these resources at Research 101 on Nov. 20. Free. At the Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65328 

Saturday, November 9 from 12 noon - 4 PM, Thank You, Veterans: A Celebration for the Veterans. Join us for a "Celebration for the Veterans," as we commemorate and honor Veterans in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. PLEASE NOTE:You must be a Veteran to participate and must provide proof of Veteran status at the door. Veterans can bring one (1) guest. The event will include remarks by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials, encouraging stories from Veterans, a buffet meal, information tables staffed by various VA services units, and other great activities to demonstrate to Veterans that VA CAREs! Registration is required: http://bit.ly/2Clu17a. Participants must show ticket at the door to gain entry. Veterans must provide proof of Veterans status (e.g., VA Identification Card, DD214, etc.). At Washington DC VA Medical Center, 50 Irving Street NW. 

Saturday, November 9 at 1 PM, It’s a Small World After All: Art Wraps on Historic Georgia Avenue. This is the second event in a series that explores DC history, public art and storytelling. (No need to have attended previous session to go to this one.) Delve further into Petworth neighborhood history via the Pilgrim Foundation archives and DC Public Library resources. Community historian Peter Stebbins will talk about the Lebanese, African and Caribbean diaspora, plus community-based archiving. Share and record your stories with the Humanities Truck!  This event is recommended for ages 18+. In partnership with the Lily and Earle M. Pilgrim Art Foundation and Georgia Avenue Thrive. Free. At the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65387

Saturday, November 9 from 5 - 6 PM, Gallery Talk: Fair is Foul & Foul Is Fair. Explore themes of foulness and fairness in this gallery talk focused on works by collaborating Irish artists Aideen Barry and Alice Maher. Featuring a vocal performance by Ceara Conway of a poem by Doireann Ní Ghríofa, specially created for this exhibition. Free and open to all. You do not need to print your Eventbrite ticket - register here: http://bit.ly/2CkpDoS. The exhibition “Fair is foul and foul is fair,” curated by Dr. Tina Kinsellais, is on view November 9 - December 15, 2019. Free. At American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW.

Sunday, November 10 from 3 - 5 PM, British & Commonwealth Remembrance Ceremony - a ceremony to commemorate to centenary of the conclusion of the Great War and the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. Presented by by DC Expats. Free. Register http://bit.ly/34Cnote. At St. Monica & St. James Episcopal Church, 222 8th St NE

Sunday , November 10 at 4 PM, Concert: The Beau Soir Ensemble, a flute, viola, and harp trio dedicated to the performance of standard and contemporary repertoire, plays works by American composers, both classical and contemporary. The concert will last approximately one hour. This is the third date in the fall American Music Series, which celebrates the history and variety of American music genres. Free and open to the public. At the Society of the Cincinnati, Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. More info: https://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/events/public

Sunday, November 10 at 5 PM, Concert: Czech folk group Spirituál Kvintet. The Embassy of the Czech Republic presents the Czech folk group Spirituál Kvintet. The group performed at demonstrations during the Velvet Revolution as well as for former Czech President Václav Havel and US Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. The group's repertoire includes original compositions as well as renaissance, folk, and spiritual music. Relish in an afternoon with these Czech founders of folk. The group is returning for the second time to the United States. Its first visit was in 1993 to New York, Chicago and Washington. During the thirty years under the totalitarian regime, songs from America inspired the band as songs of freedom. Next year in 2020, the Spirituál Kvintet will celebrate its 60th year and will disband. The event is part of the Embassy's Mutual Inspirations Festival as well as celebrations leading up to the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. At the Embassy of the Czech Republic, 3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW. Admission is free. RSVP required: https://spiritualquintet.eventbrite.com. Embassy Security Policy: For entrance, all guests will be subject to security screening. Photo ID is required. Bags and suitcases are not allowed. Only small purses are permitted but must be opened for inspection. Coat check is not available. Parking: Non-metered parking is available on Spring of Freedom Street and Tilden Street.

Monday, November 11 from 9 AM - 2 PM, Bye Bye Bei Bei! This Monday kicks off a ten-day series of public farewell events and special treat sessions for Bei Bei the panda, before he ships off to his ancestral homeland of China. Much of the schedule for Monday is repeated daily. From 9 AM to 2 PM: Postcard Station (next to Bei Bei’s outdoor habitat) Write a postcard with your well-wishes for Bei Bei! All postcards will be sent with Bei Bei to China. 9 AM: Daily Treats: Earth Optimism. Watch in person or tune in to Panda Cam1 to see the panda team give Bei Bei a special Smithsonian-themed enrichment, hand-painted by a panda keeper, that represents the Zoo’s global cooperation to save species. 11:00-11:20 AM: Panda Keeper Q&A. Meet one of Bei Bei’s keepers and ask all your giant panda questions. Check the board at the giant panda exhibit, or along Asia Trail, to find out the exact location of today's demonstration. 1:30 PM: Daily Treats: Gimme Some Sugar. Watch in person or tune in to Panda Cam1 to watch as Bei Bei receives one of his all time favorite treats - sugar cane! The full schedule of all events during the ten-day farewell period can be found at:: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/bye-bye-bei-bei. All events are free; some are limited to Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ). The Smithsonian National Zoo is at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW.

Monday, November 11 at 6:30 PM, Veterans Day program at The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati. For Veterans Day the Institute presents an examination of the experiences of American veterans since the revolutionary generation, held in conjunction with the exhibition America’s First Veterans. The program opens with remarks from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert L. Wilkie, Jr., followed by a panel discussion moderated by the Institute’s executive director, Jack Warren. Our panel of specialists includes Brian Matthew Jordan (assistant professor of history at Sam Houston State University), Stephen R. Ortiz (associate professor of history at Binghamton University) and Miranda Summers Lowe (curator in the Division of Political and Military History at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History). The panel discussion will last approximately one hour followed by light refreshments. The Institute’s headquarters are located at Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20008. Visitors are welcome to tour the mansion and view our current special exhibition Revolutionary Reflections: French Memories of the War for America. Free. For more information and reservations (encouraged but not required), visit www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org or call 202.785..2040.

Monday, November 11, all day. It’s Singles Day! This date is written: one-one-one-one - and if you have ever lived in China or any community with a significant Chinese population then you already know that it’s Singles Day - a tradition that Chinese retailers have cherished ever since they dreamed up this single’s shopping extravaganza in 1993. In much of Asia,11/11 is a counterpoint to Valentine’s Day, a holiday dedicated to love (of self), expressed by buying expensive gifts...for yourself. And it’s become the biggest shopping day of the year. Time to bring it to America! You can read about Singles Day here: http://bit.ly/2NRn034. And no, this is NOT the weekly fake event. But with an amazing holiday like Singles Day occurring this week, we don’t need to make anything up. This real one is just too good! Learn more about Singles Day here: http://bit.ly/36HxPgG

Tuesday, November 12 at 4 PM, Protest Button Art Workshop. Have your art featured in the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library! Join an art workshop inspired by protest buttons from the DC Public Library's collections and design a button about an issue that matters to you. Your button will become part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library's new entryway designed by DC artist Nekisha Durrett. Free. At the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65527

Tuesday, November 12 at 7 PM, Honest to God. In this installment of the “Honest to God” discussion series, Michael Gerson of the Washington Post leads a conversation with Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health, and Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, Astronomer, and Program Director of the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Tickets: general admission $15; students $10, available online at: https://tix.cathedral.org/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=21362. The Washington National Cathedral is at 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW.

Wednesday, November 13 at 7 PM, Author Talk: Battle for the Marble Palace, by Michael Bobelian. Join us for a discussion with Michael Bobelian who will discuss his book Battle for the Marble Palace. The book explores President Johnson's nomination of Abe Fortas to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and how it changed the identity of the court. Free. At the Southeast Library, 403 7th St SE, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65103 

Wednesday November 13 at 7 PM, Thanksgiving Cooking Demo with Chef Jonathan Bardzik. Join local chef and author Jonathan Bardzik for a pre-Thanksgiving cooking demo. Jonathan will focus on seasonal side dishes that you can easily integrate into your Thanksgiving holiday meal celebration. Get inspired, and grow your culinary skillset. Free. At the Northeast Library, 330 7th St. NE, RSVP on Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/2qwKuCx

Thursday, November 14 at 6 PM, National Novel Writing Month Write-In. Come work on your novel with us! We know you need to get those 1,667 words per day in, so come do them with us. The second floor conference room will be a quiet space for writing and stress-googling, so stop by and spend some of your NaNoWriMo with us at the library. Free. At the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/65530