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.

Get Out! Allons-Y! The French Market in Georgetown is on Fri-Sat-Sun, 11am-5pm all 3 days

 by Peggy Robin

A. It's the FRENCH MARKET, on the streets of Georgetown, every spring for the past 22 years!

Q. What's like shopping in Paris without the 20% VAT?

Here's the what, when, and where for French Market 2025:

LIVE MUSIC

Front patio of Georgetown Lutheran Church, 1556 Wisconsin Ave

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

• 12 – 2 pm / Amis 3 / Hot club jazz and French musette music with a pop of flair  
• 2:15 – 4pm / Bitter Dose / French jazz and swing 

SUNDAY, APRIL 27
12 - 3pm / soufflé / European jazz

FAMILY FUN

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

• 12 – 2 pm / Catch them if you can! Look out for a French unicyclist riding up and down Wisconsin Avenue, in addition to a strolling mime.  
• 12 – 2 pm / Face painting, a balloon twister, and outdoor patio games (Back patio of Georgetown Neighborhood Library - 3260 R St NW)    

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

• 12 – 2 pm / Catch them if you can! Look out for a French unicyclist riding up and down Wisconsin Avenue, in addition to a strolling mime. 
• 12 – 2 pm / Balloon twister, caricature artist, and outdoor patio games (Back patio of Georgetown Neighborhood Library - 3260 R St NW)  

POP UP BOOK SALES

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

• 11 am – 5 pm / Browse thousands of books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records at a Carpe Librum pop-up sale in the Chase Bank lot (3217 P St NW), all benefiting Turning the Page - a non-profit linking public schools, families, and our community to ensure students receive valuable resources and a high-quality public education.  
• 11 am – 4 pm / Georgetown Library Friends is selling hundreds of paperbacks for $1 each at the corner of Wisconsin & Reservoir Rd. Then, head up the hill to Georgetown Neighborhood Library for an even bigger sale of donated books.
• 12 – 5 pm / The Carpe Librum pop-up sale continues.  
• 1 – 3 pm / Georgetown Library Friends and Georgetown Neighborhood Library sales continue. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

• 12 – 5 pm / The Carpe Librum pop-up sale continues.  
• 1 – 3 pm / Georgetown Library Friends and Georgetown Neighborhood Library sales continue. 

Street Market Map and List of Participating Restaurants and Stores at:

https://www.georgetownfrenchmarketdc.com/participating-shops-cafes 

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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: Montgomery County Public Schools at the Supreme Court, April 22

 by Peggy Robin

As a graduate of the Montgomery County Public School System (B-CC class of '71), I am the grateful recipient of a free, first-class public education. Now I've learned there's something else that MCPS has done, much more recently, to earn my gratitude: They are vigorously defending their policy of allowing teachers and school libraries to teach using books with LGBTQ characters, against the wishes of parents who claim a right to advance notification so that they can pull their children from class to prevent them from being exposed to any material they deem offensive to their religious views.

One of the books at issue in this particular case is Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson, illustrations by Julie McLaughlin. You can look at it here: https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Puppy-Robin-Stevenson/dp/1459837428/ref=asc_df_1459837428

The case is Mahmoud v. Taylor, and it's being argued in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 22.

A coaltion of educators, librarians, parents, and supporters of the GLBTQ+ community have planned a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court in support of the Montgomery Country Schools' side of the case  on Tuesday morning. 

DC Area Educators for Social Justice (one of the organizers of the rally) describes its purpose in these words:

As the nation’s highest court hears arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a pivotal case centered on the fundamental right to inclusive education and representation, human rights advocates, educators, students, families, artists, and faith leaders will unite in a bold and joyful demonstration of support for inclusive education.

This is not just about one lawsuit or one school system—it's about the soul of public education in the United States. The rally calls attention to rising efforts to ban books, erase diverse identities from curricula and classrooms; threatening the civil liberties of marginalized students and their families. 

If you would like to attend this event, here are the details:

Rally for Inclusive Education at the Supreme Court

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

8:00 AM  2:00 PM

U.S. Supreme Court (1 First Street NE)

Registration (not required) at https://www.dcareaeducators4socialjustice.org/events/rally-for-inclusive-education-at-the-supreme-court or scan the QR code in the flyer shown below.

I hope to see you there!

I hope to see you there!

 

p.s. The last time I went down to the US Supreme Court on the day of orgal arguments was for Roe v. Wade. My mother, then Executive Director of the National Capital Area ACLU, had a ticket to attend but did not want to use it, and so gave it to me (I was a college student at the time). Things went well that day, I thought -- but am anxious to find out how things will go this time around, in front of a very different set of justices....

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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! The Easter Bunny Is Coming to Rosedale on Sunday, April 20th, 8:30am

Easter Egg Hunt

April 20 @ 8:30 – 9:30 am

Please join us for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Rosedale on Easter morning, Sunday, April 20th.

Meet at the Newark Street gate (35th & Newark St) at 8:30am sharp.

Please no pre-hunting early birds.

Bring your own basket, and please leave your four-footed friends at home.

Come see what the Easter Bunny has hidden!

[NOTE: This is NOT the Easter Bunny - it's a location scout

checking out some good hiding places a few days in advance.]

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

Rosedale Conservancy

35th and Newark Streets NW

Washington, District of Columbia 20016

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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 Twelve Seasons

 by Peggy Robin

I'm in a Facebook group called Real DC Memories - it's got 47.9K members and can easily have a hundred posts a day -- so I usually will quickly scroll by whatever turns up in my newsfeed. But I had to click the👍button for the post by group member Traci Jones, giving this list of the 12 seasons of DC. 

Allow me to add a few more - including some significant seasonal dates:

• Deserted DC Summer
• Ragweed Fall
• Final Xmas Tree Pickup of Winter
• And of course, my favorite: First Robin of Spring

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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! The Cherry Blossom Parade is happening on Saturday, April 12, 10am-12:30pm

 by Peggy Robin

The Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin have flowered and leafed out but the Kwanzan cherry trees (double blossoms!) are just two days past peak, according to the National Park Service.

And it's time for the big parade that marks the end of the Cherry Blossom Festival!

Cherry Blossom Parade 2025

Saturday, April 12 

10 AM - 12:30 PM

Constitution Avenue from 7th - 17th Street NW

This year the Grand Marshall is America's Nerd Idol Ken Jennings (host and GOAT of Jeopardy!). Photo: https://groups.io/g/clevelandpark/photo/298538/3904776 

If you go to the Cherry Blossom Parade website, it may leave you with the impression that you need to buy seats in the stands to watch the Cherry Blossom Parade. Not true! You can watch for free standing anywhere along the parade route other than the ticketed seating areas. Bring a lightweight folding camp chair (like this one available at Walmart for just $9 and you can sit in comfort, just like the toffs who paid $40 apiece for the privilege.

Parade Route: The parade route runs for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue NW, starting at Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 17th Streets, proceeding west on Constitution Avenue to 17th Street, ending at Virginia Avenue, 19th Street, and Constitution Avenue.

Here are the ticketed seating areas: 

Telecast (East End) Seating – $40 (+$5.00 per ticket fee)

Located between 7th and 9th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the National Archives

Finale (West End) – Performance Zone Seating – $30 (+$4.00 per ticket fee)

Located between 16th and 17th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the Washington Monument

Finale (West End) – Seating – $25 (+$3.00 per ticket fee)

Located between 16th and 17th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the Washington Monument

Purchase tickets at https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.saffire.com/p/tickets

There's also free viewing from the comfort of your couch: Stream the full two-hour Parade on the Festival's YouTube page (@CherryBlossFest) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeYqy4jl0vy9XK52FGHKTJw 

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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.