Still Life with Robin: What's Sauce for the Greek Is Sauce for the Brit

 by Peggy Robin

 

If you watched the new Gordon Ramsay show Secret Service (first aired May 22, 2025 on Fox), you'll know that the celebrity chef-British restaurateur-kitchen tyrant-cum-food-critic TV star recently hosted an episode in which he took on The Parthenon, a beloved neighborhood fixture of Greek cuisine in Chevy Chase, found it seriously wanting (synonym: disgusting) -- and ordered a complete makeover.

The Ramsay-approved version is now open for business, and at least one list member has dined there ... and was not terribly impressed (see Message  #225698).

 

Washingtontonian Magazine has now done its own version of a "secret service" undercover look ....turning the tables to check up on three Gordon Ramsay owned-and-operated restaurants in DC.

 

Here's the executive summary:

 

Hell's Kitchen: DC Dept of Health inspection in April 2025 uncovered 11 violations

Street Pizza: DC Dept of Health inspection in February 2025 found 2 violations, including improper food storage

Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips: DC Dept of Health inspection in September 2024 found 1 violation, improperly stored wiping cloths

 

Note: All violations were corrected within the allotted time.

 

But don't go by my little scorecard; read the whole article.

 

Want to check things out for yourself IRL?

Make reservations here:

The Parthenon: https://parthenondc.com/page/reservations

Hell's Kitchen: https://www.opentable.com/r/gordon-ramsay-hells-kitchen-washington-dc-washington 

Street Pizza: https://www.opentable.com/r/gordon-ramsay-street-pizza-washington-dc-washington

Fish & Chips: "Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips is a fast-casual restaurant, so we don't accept bookings or reservations."

 

Not grossed out by the thought of rats in restaurants? Stay home, dine in, and watch Ratatouille!

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Still Life with Robin in posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! Stand Up for fREADom to Read - May 31 at 5pm at MLK Library

by Peggy Robin 

FREADOM Town Hall Rally

Saturday, May 31
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library

901 G St, NW - in the Auditorium 

Authors, Educators, Parents, and Artists including Kwame Alexander, Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds, will gather to stand-up for creative expression, access to all books, and the freedom to learn.

HEY. C’MON. COME OUT. WHEREVER YOU ARE. WE NEED TO HAVE THIS MEETING… Authors, Educators, Parents, and Artists including Kwame Alexander, Ibram X. Kendi, Amanda Jones, Meg Medina, Jason Reynolds, and more will gather at a Town Hall Rally to stand up for creative expression, access to all books, and the freedom to learn. 

There has never been a more important time to peacefully organize, mobilize, and continue to fight against actions and policies that will have a real and lasting harm on students, libraries, schools, and our democracy. As Robert Frost wrote, Freedom lies in being bold. Let us be bold and lift our voices…Together. 

This event is part of the Zinn Education Project's Teach Truth Day of Action  and will also be streamed live on DC Public Library's YouTube Channel.

More information: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/13750113  

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: Look to the Heavens

 by Peggy Robin

Whatever is going wrong in your life, in the city, in the country, or in the world, we will always have the beauty and the wonder of the night sky to behold.

If you were up in the wee hours of the morning, you may have witnessed a lovely astonomical event, Moon Meets the Morning Star." 

May 24 – Moon Meets the 'Morning Star'

On this special morning, the crescent Moon will align beautifully with Venus, often called the Morning Star. This celestial pairing will be visible just before sunrise—don't miss the chance to witness this tranquil and rare sight in the early dawn sky.

A perfect moment for early risers, skywatchers, and nature lovers

From: The beauty of the earthtsdSepronog 9Mg0t81i 715:3t074m41425 4MPaayu61i2gm5ag830tl3   · 

Missed it? Then mark your calendars for the Full Strawberry Moon on June 11.

Strawberry Moon 2025: When and How to See June's Sweetest Full Moon

Get ready for a celestial treat as the Full Strawberry Moon lights up the night sky on June 11, 2025. Learn why it's called the Strawberry Moon, the best viewing times, and what makes this lunar event so special. Mark your calendars—on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Full Strawberry Moon will reach peak illumination..

From: https://www.cozumgazetesi.com/strawberry-moon-2025-when-and-how-to-see-june-s-sweetest-full-moon/520/

June 21 is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year (in hours of sunlight). For a good primer on the summer solstice, go to: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-june-solstice/

August 12 gives you TWO good reasons to skywatch:

1. It's the time to lie out in a meadow and make wishes on the falling stars in the Perseid Meteor Shower. "The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year. The shower is active from mid-July until late August and will peak on the night of Aug. 12, before dawn on Aug. 13, 2025.  Viewers should start observing around 11 p.m. local time when the rates of shooting stars increase and can watch the sky until dawn. Unfortunately, the peak occurs just three days after a full moon, so moonlight may wash out fainter meteors.: Source: https://www.space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html

2. You can see Jupiter and Venus together, without a telescope:  "...[T]he pair will...share the same right ascension – called a conjunction.They will be a little too widely separated to fit comfortably within the field of view of a telescope, but will be visible to the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars." Source: https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20250812_15_100

September 7: Total Lunar Eclipse of the Full Corn Moon 

On the night of Sept. 7-8, 2025, a total lunar eclipse will be visible from Earth. Asia and western Australia will be in the prime positions, offering views of the entire total lunar eclipse. Glimpses of some phases will also be possible from Europe, Africa, eastern Australia and New Zealand.

This event will not be observable from the Americas.

Lunar eclipses happen when Earth is between the sun and a full moon. During the event, the moon moves through Earth's umbra, the dark center of its shadow.

Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/total-lunar-eclipse-september-7-2025/ where-to-see-the-blood-moon-lunar-eclipse

Can't jump on a plane to Perth in September to get the best view of the full lunar eclipse? You don't have to miss it -- you can watch it live-streaming on the Time & Date YouTube channel.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1070638404932231

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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! And Get 300+ Views of DC at the Exposed DC Photography Collection at the MLK Library, Sat, 5/24, 10:am-5:30pm

by Peggy Robin

Photos in the Exposed DC Photography Collection taken by Ben Crosbie, Marcos Huerta, 

Carol Jean Stalun, Joseph Gruber, and Richard Barnhill

Join us for an all-day celebration on the day we launch the Exposed DC Photography Collection at the DC Public Library! This celebration of local photography will showcase more than 300 stunning images throughout the day on the MLK Library 5th floor and its incredible rooftop garden.

Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10am - 5:30pm

Reception from 5:30pm - 9pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 5th floor & Rooftop Garden 

901 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

https://www.dclibrary.org/plan-visit/martin-luther-king-jr-memorial-library

Schedule of Activities 

10am – Celebration begins. Join us on the 5th floor for ongoing and special activities through the day. 

All day – Projections and displays of the Exposed DC Photography Collection, including:

An ongoing site-specific projection installation by D.C. multimedia artist Robin Bell, with special live remix performances at 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. transforming archival images into a dynamic visual experience.

All day – Make your own Artist File. Photographers and other artists are invited to bring items to create an Artist File at the DC Public Library. This is a way to preserve your history and help future researchers learn about our region’s art scene. You can donate exhibition postcards, artist CVs, brochures and catalogs, correspondence, and other ephemera.

11 a.m. – Workshop – Care of Digital Files. Join The People’s Archive staff for an overview of how to care for your digital files. Learn simple strategies for organizing, storing, and extending the life of your digital files. Meet on the 5th floor. (1 hour)

1 p.m. – Guided tour of Memory Lab. Join The People’s Archive staff for a tour of the Memory Lab at The Labs. Learn about resources available for personal archiving of documents, home movies, and photographs. Meet on the 5th floor. (30 minutes)

2 p.m. – Robin Bell – Live Remix. Watch a dynamic presentation of the Exposed DC Photography Collection and other cultural images. (30 minutes)

3 p.m. – Guided tour of People’s Archive. Join The People’s Archive staff for a special tour of The People’s Archive. View treasures from the collection and learn more about services and resources available in the DC Public Library’s local history department. Meet on the 5th floor. (45 minutes)

5:30 – 9 p.m. – Evening Reception. Join us on the 5th floor and the rooftop garden to celebrate two decades of photography featured in the Exposed DC Photography Collection.

Free but registration required (donation suggested), as capacity of the space is limited. 

• 6 p.m. Robin Bell performs a live remix of Exposed DC images (30 minutes)
• 7 p.m. Champagne toast (15 minutes)
• 7:15 p.m. Robin Bell performs his final live remix of the evening.
• Music by DJ Sequoia and v:shal
• Registered attendees receive one drink ticket with more available for donation on site. Non-alcoholic beverages and limited snacks included. 

The collection is also available at https://digdc.dclibrary.org 

More information: https://exposeddc.com/2025/05/23/the-exposed-dc-photography-collection-is-live/

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local usually on Thursdays, but this week, it was delayed until Friday 

Still Life with Robin: One more for the Murphy's Law & Corollaries Compendium

 by Peggy Robin

A few days ago -- on the coldest day in May* -- I had my spring A/C checkup (twice yearly, part of my annual HVAC service contract). I had to drop the thermostat down to 64°F to get the AC to kick on. Fortunately, the system checked out OK and so the tech guy only had to run it for 20 minutes or so.

The exact opposite thing happened last fall. The AC tech guy came out on the hottest day in October and had to turn on the heat. 

It seems to me this has been the situation, fall and spring, for at least the last five years. I'm prepared to declare there's a Murphy's Law Corollary at work here: "The day you schedule your fall heating check will turn out to be the hottest day of the month while the day you schedule your spring AC check will turn out to be the coldest day of the month." 

Call it Robin's Law of Inverse HVAC System Checks

Not quite as memorable and concise as the many other observations in the Murphy's Law canon, but still admissible on the merits, I'd say.

Now for trivia buffs who may be interested, here's the history of the original Murphy's Law (Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong):

https://www.military.com/history/real-life-murphy-and-how-murphys-law-came-be.html

Interested in the corollaries and variations? You may spend more time perusing these lists than the number of chuckles elicited (another possible Murphy's Law corollary?), but be my guest:

https://heartontheleft.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/murphys-law-and-its-various-variations/

http://bluebox.ippt.pan.pl/~vkoval/vk_files/funny/Murphy.pdf 

https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~fgandon/miscellaneous/murphy/

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* That would be Friday, May 9, when it was 51°F in the wee hours of the morning and 61°F when the AC tech showed up around 10am

https://www.extremeweatherwatch.com/cities/washington-dc/year-2025  

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

Get Out 2 Ways! Sat, May 17: Stay in the Neighborhood for the Rosedale Field Day or Go to the River for the Anacostia River Festival

 by Peggy Robin

Want an event close to home? Want the kiddies to have some fun and exericse? Then it's the Rosedale Field Day for you!

Field Day for kids at the Rosedale Conservancy

May 17 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Bring the kids for an afternoon of fun at Field Day!

We are so excited to host a Field Day again (the last one was pre-pandemic). Sack races, relays, bubbles, tug-o-war, limbo, hula hoops and lots of fun. If it’s warm, water will probably be involved.

Suitable for ages 5-13. Parents of younger ones need to stay on site.

This event is free but has a limited number of participants and pre-registration is required, use this form.

Led by Raoul Johnson of Ultimate Fun & Games. Not sure what to expect? Click here for pictures of the previous field day»

No pets please.

Questions? events@rosedaleconservancy.org [events @ rosedaleconservancy dot org]

Rosedale Conservancy

35th & Newark Streets NW

Washington DC 20016

info@rosedaleconservancy.org

https://www.rosedaleconservancy.org/

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Saturday: The Anacostia River Festival at Anacostia Park

The National Park Service and Building Bridges Community Organization invite you to join us for the 11th Annual Anacostia River Festival!

Saturday, May 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

FREE!

Celebrate community, culture and connection with us at Anacostia Park! Enjoy live music, interactive activities and a marketplace. Bring your family and friends for a day filled with fun and discovery!

Don’t miss out on this wonderful celebration! Be sure to visit bridgepark.org/arf for more info!

Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anacostia-river-festival-2025-tickets-1092406881389

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The Get Out! event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: Federal employees, here's your chance to defend your work, your rights....and sound government for us ALL

 by Peggy Robin

Today's column is addressed to current and former federal employees. If you're reading this and you are not one of them, by all means pass along this information to friends and family who fit the category. Also, this column is not by me -- it's not even from a Cleveland Park Listserv member; it's by Linda McIntyre, a member of the Chevy Chase Community Listserv, and it is reproduced here with the author's permission (well, more like her enthusiastic encouragement. She writes: "Yes, please do [send out this message]! I'm trying to share this as widely as possible...."

Do you work in the Federal government, or know people who do (or did)? Are you worried about what's happening to the historically stable, nonpartisan career civil service?  Here's an opportunity to take constructive action by taking a few minutes to comment on a proposed rule that would significantly change the nature of that institution.

 

From a good governance newsletter I subscribe to:

 

Why should you do this?

• The proposed rule seeks to reinstate Schedule F, the administration’s never implemented plan to institutionalize political control and loyalty tests for the career bureaucracy by turning 50,000 or more career civil servants into political appointees.

• Federal comments really do matter. By law, they must be read by the administration, and substantive comments require a response. Failure to do so can see the rule tossed out by courts.

• It’s easy: Enter a comment here. No log in. Just click on the “submit a public comment” button. You can enter text, or upload a document.

• The volume of opposing comments matters, so writing something short and sweet is great. You don’t need to read the rule in depth or be an expert. The proposed rule is bad and protecting nonpartisan civil servants is good. See more details below or take a look at the comments people have already posted.

• More detailed and informed comments are even better. One thing that is different from the first time Schedule F was introduced is that we now have a track record showing how the much more politicized mismanagement of the federal government is having negative effects, and handing over more power would be a disaster. I am especially appealing to people with deep knowledge of policies and management to explain how Schedule F would hurt their domain of expertise. Please, please, please weigh in to provide actual information about how providing protections for career officials will protect against political abuses. If a bunch of people with real and credible experience comment, it becomes harder for the administration and judges to ignore us.
  

 

The deadline is May 23rd.

Source: Dan Moynihan's Substack article June 20, 2024: 
The Public Opposes Trump's Plans to Politicize Public Services 
And John Oliver provides a Project 2025 explainer for you to share
 

Linda McIntyre

Linda.McIntyre@gmail.com [Linda.McIntyre @ gmail dot com]

Devonshire Place NW

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

Get Out! EU OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, May 10, 10am-4pm - FREE!

 About EU Open House

This event falls every year on the first Saturday after Europe Day on May 9. This date marks the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, which established the European Coal and Steel Community, a multinational entity that would eventually become the European Union as we know it today.

We celebrate Europe Day by opening our doors to the public so that Americans can catch a glimpse of the European cultures that make up the European Union. Normally you have to cross the Atlantic to visit the EU, but at Open House, you just have to cross the street!

See you on Saturday, May 10, from 10 AM to 4 PM!

Plan Your Day 

Click here to view an interactive Google Map of the participating embassies; descriptions of what to expect can be found below! More updates will come soon.

COUNTRY	ADDRESS	ACTIVITY
Austria	3524 International Court NW	Austria celebrates the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss, the 60th anniversary of the movie "Sound of Music," and 30 years of Austria in the EU.
Bulgaria	1621 22nd St NW	At the Embassy of Bulgaria, you will experience the rich culture and traditions of our country through music, dance, crafts, and authentic cuisine.
Croatia	2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW	Join us at the Embassy of Croatia for a festive celebration filled with Croatian music, culture, sweet treats, and fun!
Cyprus	2211 R Street NW	Discover Cyprus! An island rich in history and culture, and full of wonderful experiences just waiting to be enjoyed. Head to the Cyprus Embassy to experience a day of knowledge, culture, fun and hospitality!
Czech Republic	3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW	Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and learn about how the United States liberated the Pilsen region of Czechia, with authentic broadcast recordings, period jeeps, trucks, and military tents, and even a video game about Czech resistance! Also enjoy live music, parachute fashion, an exhibition, and a crime-fighting canine demonstration, as well as Czech food and the world's original Pilsner lager-style beer.
Denmark	3200 Whitehaven Street NW	Learn about Danish design and architecture while touring the Ambassador’s Residence, ask our colleagues about their work enhancing Danish green solutions in the United States, learn about our defence collaboration, Danish culture, language and democracy – and taste delicious Danish beer and food!
Estonia	2132 Massachusetts Avenue NW	Welcome to Estonia! Visit our newly renovated 120-year-old building on Embassy Row that combines authentic American architecture with modern, light-filled Nordic interiors. Whether your interest lies in history, architecture, language, traditional crafts, or music, we are happy to share what Estonia has to offer.
EU Delegation, Belgium, Malta, Latvia	2175 K Street NW	It's a 3-for-1 special! At the EU Delegation, learn about the bonds that connect Europe and the United States through food, education, and exchange. We'll have free food, interactive experiences, and a photo booth! Belgium: Belgium’s capital, Brussels, is the beating heart of Europe. Visit our comic book exhibition, hug our Smurfs, enjoy a freshly baked waffle, and snap a selfie with the iconic Atomium! Malta: Where sun meets stone and legends linger — discover Malta! Join us at our stand to learn about Maltese culture, traditions, cuisine, and more. Latvia: From the sea to the forest, discover Latvian culture, history, and traditions!
Finland	3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW	Visit Finland! Celebrate our 30th anniversary of membership in the EU. Discover the beauty of Finnish design and enjoy a taste of Finland by sampling authentic food and drinks. And why not bring the whole family? Our kids’ corner features beloved Moomin characters! And don’t miss your chance to win a flight to the Happiest Country in the World.
France and Germany	4645 Reservoir Road NW	Discover all that Germany and France have to offer in just a single stop.
Greece	2217 Massachusetts Avenue NW	Join us for a day of Greek culture, food, music, and more!
Hungary	3910 Shoemaker Street NW	Join us at the Embassy of Hungary! Taste Hungarian food, listen and dance to folk music, meet Vizsla and Puli dogs, drink Hungarian wine, visit the kids corner, and experience culture like never before.
Ireland	2221 30th Street NW	Fáilte go hÉirinn! Welcome to Ireland! Join us at the official Residence of Ireland for Irish dance, music, and much more. Meet the Irish Embassy team and experience the best of Ireland through our interactive stands focusing on Irish community, culture, language, and sport.
Italy	3000 Whitehaven Street NW	The Embassy of Italy will present the exhibition “Golden Doors to Infinity” by Bill Adair, Italian food, and cultural activities.
Lithuania	2622 16th Street NW	Delve into Čiurlionis‘ wonderland as we mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, one of Europe’s most extraordinary yet overlooked artists, whose vision was deeply rooted in philosophy, cosmology, and nature. Join us and get to know Lithuania – colorful, modern, and happy.
Luxembourg	2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW	Did you know that Luxembourg played a key role in shaping science fiction and even McDonald’s? Discover how Luxembourgers made their mark on the world while meandering through Luxembourg’s Urban Gardens. Follow the journey of emigrants to the United States and uncover their lasting impact on American history.
Netherlands	2347 S Street NW	Join us at the historic Residence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for an exclusive timed group tour (pre-registered visitors only). Get a rare glimpse inside this impressive building, located in the picturesque Kalorama neighborhood. Immerse yourself and be in awe of the exquisite artwork of old Dutch masters and newer Dutch talent. Meet diplomats and learn more about their work, the longstanding ties between the Kingdom and the United States, and the rich history, economy, and culture of the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curaçao. As you leave the Residence, you’ll be treated to a small gift. Limited timeslots are available, so book here.
Poland	2640 16th Street NW	At the Embassy of Poland, we'll take you on a journey to the glamorous 1920s and the era of Tamara de Lempicka.
Portugal	2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW	Enjoy a unique experience with folk dancing, fado music guitars, a new photo exhibit, and delicious food and drink — all while trying your luck to win a free trip to Portugal. Portugal is art!
Romania	3003 Massachusetts Avenue NW	Ever wanted to visit Romania? Now’s your chance! Come explore our traditions and culture at the Romanian Ambassador’s Residence through a special exhibition. Enjoy exciting performances of Romanian folk dances and songs throughout the day.
Slovakia	3523 International Court NW	Experience the Slovak cultural heritage through dance, art, gastronomy, and crafts.
Slovenia	2410 California Street	Visit the Embassy of Slovenia and snap a selfie with Kurenti, Slovenia’s iconic carnival mascots, while enjoying lively Slovenian accordion music. Savor the delicious Carniolan sausage (Kranjska klobasa) and indulge in the sweet delight of walnut potica!
Spain	2801 16th Street NW	Join us at the Spanish Cultural Center to enjoy Spanish food and drinks, as well as learn bout the upcoming NFL game in Madrid, enter a chance to win 35.000 avios from Iberia, buy soccer jerseys from your favorite Spanish teams, and discover more about the Camino de Santiago, Hispanic theatre, Spanish arts and culture, and much more.
Ukraine House	2134 Kalorama Road NW	Experience everything Ukraine has to offer, from music, dance, food, and tradition. Visit the Ukraine House and learn to make traditional Ukrainian Holubtsi, Motanka dolls, and Petrykivka art.

Important Details

Before visiting the EU Delegation and most of the participating embassies, please take note of these helpful guidelines.

• Entrance to the participating buildings is always FREE, but some may be selling food or other items on their premises.
• Always carry official ID with you, as some embassy security requires it before entering.
• Avoid bringing large bags or backpacks, as some embassies have security screenings that require cumbersome bag checks.
• Driving and parking is strongly discouraged due to many embassy locations. We encourage participants to take the Metro, bus, scooter, rideshare, or walk.
• Not all embassies have disability access or stroller parking.
• For some embassies, you can expect to wait in line. Consider arriving to your favorite embassies earlier in the day.

More info: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/united-states-america/eu-open-house-2025_en 

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The "Get Out" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: The White Flower (Part II). Whatever it is, it's NOT a White Lotus

by Peggy Robin

This column is a sequel to the sequel. In my Still Life with Robin column last Saturday (April 26), I devoted half the column to a sequel to the column I posted on April 5th, showing photos of spring flowers in the neighborhood. My sequel consisted mainly of photos of some later-blooming spring flowers. I posted many of them in a photo album accessible on the Cleveland park Listserv at SPRING FLOWERS, but I included photos of two of them in the column itself. I couldn't identify those two flowers and so put up their pictures -- here and here -- and asked Listserv members for help 

Wow, you came through! Over the next two days, list members used their flower knowledge to ID the flowers. For the yellow flowers, there was clear consensus: They're begonias -- either Reiger's begonias or double begonias, but whatever....begonias.

For the white flower, at first I thought there was consensus. Half a dozen posters told me that was a white camellia. There was one vote for primrose, though. Then, on Monday, April 28, the notorious PP of DC (that's the "Phantom Planter of DC," a/k/a Henry Docter) weighed in with a the voice of authority (just kidding -- I am pretty sure he would like us all to Question Authority): He said that flower is not a white camellia, it's a white gardenia. 

I was prepared to accept that verdict (as stated in my editor's note appended to Henry's message). But someone else wrote in and advised me to turn to The Google -- specifically, the Google Lens App, which uses Artificial Intelligence to identify things just from a photo. So that's what I did.

Here's the result:

Now who do I trust? Henry Docter, a performance artist, flower planter, lawyer, and free spirit? Or AI - a product developed by a nefarious bunch of billionaire tech bros, all of whom seem to be competing for the top prize in the Dr. Evil Lookalike contest? And none of whom seems to have watched 2001: A Space Odyssey. No, I take that back. Yes, they certainly must have seen it, and maybe multiple times -- but they were rooting for HAL.) 

Some other posters have suggested that I go back in the evening to the original bush upon which I found the white flower and smell it to see if it's fragrant. If it smells nice, that means it's a gardenia. If it lacks the telltale floral scent, it's most likely a camellia. But that's not definitive, as there are relatively new varieties of camellia that have been specifically bred for a pleasant smell.  

Well, I haven't done that. I have a very poor sense of smell, anyway, and on top of that, I photographed so many flowers around the neighborhood, I don't remember where that white flower was found.

So I just ask myself (using my own NI (natural intelligence): "Is Google's AI better than a real life, experienced human gardener?" I tend to think the human brain will always be superior in any sort of creative endeavor, but when it comes to performing a mechnical function, such as comparing vast numbers of images of plants against a photo to ,atch it to a particular species, I'm gonna go with the machine. 

On the other hand, AI is still in its infancy, and infants, as we all know, are prone to mess up. Anyone who's ever had Google Maps show their car in the water as they're driving over a bridge can tell you that.

Yesterday, while walking home from the Flower Mart, I stopped multiple times to take photos of flowers, mostly along Newark Street and Highland Place. The photos are all in the SPRING FLOWERS photo album. I labeled the pansies and azaleas based on my admittedly limited knowledge of flowers, but used AI for the ones I didn't know. If you spot any mistakes, please reply-all to me (peggyrobin@gmail.com) and to clevelandpark@groups.io to tell us what you think AI got wrong. 

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

Get Out! It's the Flower Mart on Fri, May 2 & Sat May 3❣️ 🌺🪻💐🌼

 by Peggy Robin

Don't think I'm biased -- the National Cathedral's annual Flower Mart IS DC's BEST FREE EVENT OF THE YEAR

Friday from 10 am-6 pm

Saturday from 10 am-5

Rain or Shine!

It's got it all!

Inside the Cathedral:

• Check out the International Floral Display that highlights national and cultural heritage
• Explore the Cathedral LEGO® exhibit 
• See the new Now and Forever windows
• Special touring opportunities & Tower Climb (tickets required)

Outside the Cathedral:

• Explore booths with garden plants, flowers, antiques, books, artisan-crafted merchandise, and more
• Browse the Flower District and speak with expert Cathedral horticulture staff
• Ride the family-favorite antique carousel and enjoy a dedicated Children’s Area with games and carnival rides (ride/game tickets can be purchased at nearby ticket booth)
• Enjoy free entertainment – talented singers, dancers, musicians, and choral groups – on the Main Stage (west front steps)
• Eat fantastic food – everything from barbecue and smoothies to funnel cakes, crepes, artisan pizza and more

Click here for the Flower Mart Map: https://allhallowsguild.org/programs/flower-mart/map-of-flower-mart/

Additional info and photos at:

https://www.facebook.com/NationalCathedralFlowerMart/ 

Hosted by:

The All Hallows Guild of the National Cathedral

3101 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington, DC 20016

(202) 537-2937

ahg@allhallowsguild.org

https://allhallowsguild.org/ 

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: Sequels

 by Peggy Robin

This week's column features two follow-ups to previous columns.

1.. Still Life with Robin: Montgomery County Public Schools at the Supreme Court, April 22 (Message #224456, April 19)

Last Saturday I wrote about the rally in front of the US Supreme Court to support the Montgomery County (MD) Public School System in its bid to allow teachers to read books with gay and trans characters (like "Pride Puppy") in the classroom without giving parents advance notice to let them keep their kids out of class, avoiding exposure to LGBTQ characters.

Although reporters inside the courtroom, who heard the two-and-a-half-hour oral arguments, say it's expected that Pride Puppy will lose, there was still an upbeat and enthusiastic crowd there to cheer him on. Here are two photos from the day -- and you can see nine more at the Rally For... photo album.

2. Still Life with Robin: Blooming Flowers, Booming Voices (Message #224008    , April 5)

Three Saturdays ago, I devoted the first half of the Still Life with Robin column to photos of SPRING FLOWERS seen around the neighborhood. I posted a few photos of red & yellow striped tulips, black tulips, purple hyacinths, mixed tulips and daffodils, and forsythia. Those flowers have faded, but now is prime time for azaleas, irises, plus some random yellow flowers that I captured digitially but can't identify (see below). I'm a bit of a flower dunce, so if you can tell me what they are -- and what that white one is, below.... a white rose??) I'd appreciate the information!

Both photo albums -- Rally for..... and Spring Flowers -- are open to list members to upload their own photos. Here are the upload instructions.

1. Go to the PHOTOS section of the CP Listserv.
2. Click on the album you would like to add your photos to - for example: Spring Flowers or Rally for.....
3. Look for the green +Add Photos button and click on it.
4. You will see an option to "drop and drag" or "browse," allowing you to choose how you would like to locate your photos on your computer and add them to the album. Pull up each photo you want to add to the album, write a description in the "description" box, and then click "Add."

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