Get Out! This weekend Anacostia Community Museum hosts 2 free arts programs to honor Dr. King

 Join the Anacostia Community Museum for a weekend of events celebrating Dr. King.

https://anacostiabid.org/news/jan-19-20-celebrating-mlk-day-at-the-anacostia-museum

All programs are free and open to the public

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Saturday, January 18 | 12 – 2pm

Messages to Dr. King: Plate Art with Rain Young

On Saturday January 18 join us and local artist and arts educator Rain Young in a creative, hands-on workshop dedicated to expressing personal messages to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through art.

Using oversized plastic plates as our canvas, we’ll explore ways to share messages of unity, hope, and dreams for a better world. This experience is for all ages and skill levels, providing an opportunity for self-expression while learning from Rain's unique artistic style and vision. Each participant leaves with a personal message plate in honor of Dr. King. Supplies are provided.

Venue: Anacostia Community Museum

Event Location: 1901 Fort Place SE

Cost: Free

Get Tickets/Register: www.eventbrite.com…

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Sunday, January 19 · 10am - 4pm 

Stitching Together a Movement

On Sunday January 19, join neighbors and community members as we create a community art piece imagining your hopes and dreams for where you live, work, and play.

Visitors are also encouraged to leave time to explore the museum's current exhibition "A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, DC, 1900-2000”.

Venue: Anacostia Community Museum

Event Location: 1901 Fort Place SE

Cost: Free

Get Tickets/Register: www.eventbrite.com…

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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: Snow Pix

by Peggy Robin

The first significant snowfall in 3 years gave us some beautiful scenes. The first four are from Cleveland Park and the next one is of Dupont Circle. The two fox photos are from Northern Virginia. And the last one is the Yayoi Kusama "Pumpkin" sculpture in the Hirschhorn Museum's garden.

There are a few more in the Snowfall of January 2025 album.

Want to share your snow pix with the Listserv? Just go to the CP Listserv home page at  https://groups.io/g/clevelandpark, then click on "Photos" and then click on "Snowfall of January 2025" and click "add" to contribute to the album.

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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! Be inspired by MLK's words at DCPL events on Jan 14 & 15 at the library named in his honor

 by Peggy Robin  

King's Words Find New Life in Stories, Song, and Memory

Fifty-seven years after Dr. King asked 'Where Do We Go From Here?', his question still demands answers. Next week at DC Public Library, two evenings offer fresh responses: from Martin Luther King III's intimate family stories to AfroBlue's jazz interpretations of Dr. King's words.

What is My Legacy? Author Talk

Realizing a New Dream of Connection, Love and Fulfillment

Tuesday, January 14 from 7-8 PM

https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/12649067

In honor of MLK Week, join us for a compelling conversation with Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, moderated by Laura Coates, CNN senior legal analyst and host of “Laura Coates Live.”

About What is My Legacy

To heal a world in crisis, we must rethink “legacy”- and commit to something bigger than ourselves

From the time he was born, Martin Luther King III has carried the weight of his father’s legacy-and his dream of a Beloved Community built on justice, love and equal rights for all. Today in a world burdened by histories of violence, oppression, racism, poverty, fear and disconnectedness, that dream seems more remote than ever.

In answer to these challenges, Martin has teamed up with his wife and fellow activist Arndrea Waters King and legacy architects Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger to find a new way forward. Drawing on breakthroughs in neuroscience, psychology, epigenetics and their own lived experiences, they have created a groundbreaking new framework called Living Legacy. 

It’s based on the simple but profound recognition that our small day-to-day actions create legacies that have the power to transform, uplift and unite us all. It’s time to reevaluate, recognize, and reclaim those legacies. Living Legacy invites us to live our best lives and live larger than ourselves - and in doing so, discover the most sought after yet elusive state of being fulfilled.

In conjunction with the Realize the Dream Campaign, What is My Legacy? Kicks off an essential conversation on how to best refocus our individual stories to achieve collective change Featuring never-been-told stories from the King family and contributions from celebrity and though leaders-including His Holiness the Dali Lama, Jay Shetty, Julia Roberts, Yara Shahidi, Reverend Al Sharpton and Dr. Sanjay Gupta - it’s an extraordinary road map for finding genuine connection, bringing us closer to Dr. King’s dream of a Beloved Community.

From four visionary leaders who have dedicated their lives to making a difference. Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielbirger and Craig Kielburger comes a reimagined framework for legacy, one that builds connection, love and fulfillment by living your legacy every day.

Register for free tickets.

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MLK Holiday Concert featuring AfroBlue Vocal Jazz Ensemble

An Evening of Music, Inspiration, and Reflection

Wednesday, January 15 from 7:00pm - 8:15pm

https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/12679567

You are invited to MLK Library for a profound celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and enduring legacy, inspired by his seminal work, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community.”

This evening will explore Dr. King’s urgent question and vision, inviting reflection and recommitment to the ideals of justice, unity, and hope.

The program will include performances by AFROBLUE, Howard University’s celebrated vocal jazz ensemble. With their soulful blend of jazz, gospel, and contemporary music, AFROBLUE will bring Dr. King’s transformative vision to life through music that inspires and unites.

Reserve your seat today for an evening of music, inspiration, and community in a setting that honors the life and legacy of Dr. King.

Register for free tickets.

For reasonable accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCPLaccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation, please allow at least seven (7) days notice.

ABOUT AFRO BLUE

Afro Blue, the premier vocal jazz ensemble of Howard University, embodies the pinnacle of artistry and innovation in vocal music. Since its founding in 2002 by Connaitre Miller, this extraordinary group has redefined the boundaries of vocal jazz, seamlessly blending elements of traditional jazz, R&B, gospel, and contemporary music. With their lush harmonies, masterful arrangements, and unparalleled versatility, AFROBLUE stands as a luminous testament to the transformative power of music.

AFROBLUE is not merely a vocal ensemble; they are a movement, a sound, and a beacon of what is possible when talent meets purpose. Their contributions continue to inspire, educate, and uplift, securing their place as one of the most dynamic and influential vocal groups of our time.

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Location for both events: 
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library - Auditorium

901 G Street Northwest, DC, 20001

Phone: (202) 727-0321

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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: In the Year 2525....minus 500

 by Peggy Robin

Remember this hit song? In the Year 2525 [Zager & Evans, 1969]-- now there are only 500 years to go!

Want to know a useless fact about the year? Skip over the next paragraph if your answer is no; if it's yes, read the social media post below from retired Harvard law professor Lawrence Tribe (‪@tribelaw.bsky.social‬]: 

Happy 2025 = 45², the first “square” year since 1936, the next being 2116. Notably, its digit sum is also a square: 2+0+2+5 = 9 = 3². This last happened in 1681 and next occurs in 2304. And, to top that, it’s the first year since 900 whose digit sum (9) and product (100) are both squares. QED. 👀🎉😁

Want even more news you can't use? Then take a look at the list of palindrome dates in 2025. These are dates that are the same, read forwards and backwards. This list comes from UK mathematics blogger Matthew Scroggs, who has invented the portmanteau term, "palindates"

Date	Format
2 February 2025	YYYYMDD
5 February 2025	DMYY
21 May 2025	MDDYY
22 May 2025	MDDYY
23 May 2025	MDDYY
24 May 2025	MDDYY
25 May 2025	MDDYY
26 May 2025	MDDYY
27 May 2025	MDDYY
28 May 2025	MDDYY
29 May 2025	MDDYY

There's one date that works in two different palindromic formats:

Date	Formats
20 May 2025	MDDYYYY;MDDYY

https://www.mscroggs.co.uk/palindates

https://www.mscroggs.co.uk/blog/

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In 2025, here is what you will find when you look to the night sky...

Full moons and supermoons and a red moon, oh my!

Full moons of 2025: Names, dates and everything you need to know

By Jamie Carter  published January 1, 2025 in Live Science

In 2025, you'll have the chance to see 12 full moons, including three supermoons and two lunar eclipses. Although experienced moon gazers know that the night of the full moon is not the best for observing the lunar surface (even with a good pair of binoculars), the full moon rising as an orb at dusk is a celestial view that's hard to beat.

Each full moon has a unique name that reflects its agricultural past. Besides the usual collection of full moons in 2025, there will also be three supermoons (when the moon's monthly perigee, or closest point to Earth, coincides with its full phase) and two total lunar eclipses, the first since 2022.

[snip]  

Lunar eclipses 2025

The two lunar eclipses in 2025 will be hugely impressive events. The first, on March 13 to 14, will be a total lunar eclipse, during which the full Worm Moon will drift through Earth’s inner umbral shadow and turn a reddish-orange color for 65 minutes from 2:26 to 3:31 a.m. EDT, according to Timeanddate.com. It will be best seen from North and South America.

The second, on Sept. 7 to 8, will be another total lunar eclipse, during which the Harvest Moon will enter Earth’s inner umbral shadow and turn a reddish-orange color for 82 minutes from 1:30 to 2:52 a.m. EDT, according to Timeanddate.com. It will be best seen from Asia and Australia.

The complete article is available at: https://www.livescience.com/space/the-moon/full-moons-of-2025-names-dates-and-everything-you-need-to-know

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Planets in a Line-up - January 21 (6 in a row) and March 8 (7 in a row)

See A ‘Planetary Parade’ Tonight — With Must-See Dates For 2025

by Jamie Carter, Senior Contributor to Forbes.

Jamie Carter is an award-winning reporter who covers the night sky.

[snip]

Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn will be visible together in January 2025, with Jan. 21 being a good time to look in the evening. That's when the moon reaches its Last Quarter phase, rising at midnight.

Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune and Saturn will be joined by Mercury in the first week of March 2025, with Mar. 8 a good night to look — though you should be in position as soon as it gets dark. Mercury, between Saturn and Venus, will sink quickly after. A view of a crescent moon nearby will also be possible that night.

[snip]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/12/26/see-a-planetary-parade-tonight---with-must-see-dates-for-2025/

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Friday the 13th comes just once this year, on June 13, one week before the summer solstice on Friday, June 20.

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Anniversaries of Historic Events in 2025

2025 will mark 80 years since the end of World War II (V-E Day, May 8, 1945; V-J Day, August 15, 1945)

A trio of 100-year anniversaries of note:

The Scopes "Monkey Trial." In July 1925 John T. Scopes, a high school science teacher, was put on trial in Dayton, Tennessee, for teaching evolution in violation of state law. The trial ended on July 21, 1925 when Scopes was convicted and fined $100.

On October 1, 1925, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was dedicated in South Dakota 

On October 2, 1925 a TV screen flickered on for the first time in history, as John Logie Baird successfully transmitted the first television pictures with a greyscale image in London.

It's the 200-year anniversary of the Erie Canal: On October 26, 1825, the Erie Canal opened, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

And it's been 200 years since the Panic of 1825, which Yahoo Finance calls, " the first example of an economic crisis that wasn't triggered by an external event, such as a war or other geopolitical development." The website tell us that "British speculators were borrowing massive amounts of money to trade in mining operations and commodities, particularly in South America. Once the market began to turn, the banks that extended the credit for these speculations were in trouble. The crisis came to a head on Dec. 14, 1825 when London bank Pole & Co. failed, triggering a wave of 40 other bank failures. The resulting panic and bank run sent the London stock market tumbling 80 percent and nearly brought down the Bank of England."

Happy 250th birthday, Jane Austen - December 16, 1775. Though you lived just 41 short years, you produced six splendid novels that may never go out of print!

And now, going back 1,100 years ago, there's an event that led in a long and tortuous path to the present King of England, Charles III. On September 4 in the year 925, Aethelstan was crowned King of the Anglo Saxons by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Kingston upon Thames. You can trace the kings and queens of English on their family tree at:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_tree_of_British_monarchs

May this year be peaceful and productive for all posters and readers of the Cleveland Park Listserv!

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

Sunday, Jan 5: FIESTA DE LOS REYES MAGOS - Three Kings Day Parade & Show - FREE at GALA Theatre

by Peggy Robin

FREE! | ¡GRATIS!

Sunday, January 5, 2025 | Domingo, 5 de enero de 2025

2 pm: Show inside the theatre | Espectáculo dentro del teatro

1:30 pm: Parade with the Kings and live animals around the block | Desfile con los magos y los animales alreador de la cuadra

Join us for our annual Three Kings Day Celebration! This festive end to the holiday season features the timeless story of the Magi, performances by local musicians and dance troupes, a street parade, and free gifts for children.

Acompáñanos a celebrar esta tradición anual que trae la cultura latinoamericana a las calles de DC con grupos de música y baile locales, la historia de los Reyes Magos y regalos para todos los niños.

HOW TO GET TICKETS | CÓMO OBTENER BOLETOS

• Only one adult allowed for every three children. Every family will be given up to four tickets for the event. | Solo se permite un adulto por cada tres niños. Cada familia recibirá un máximo de cuatro boletos para el evento.
  
• No RSVP necessary. Tickets must be picked up at the Box Office on January 5 between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm. | No se requiere confirmar asistencia. Los boletos deben ser retirados en la taquilla del teatro el 5 de enero entre 12:30 pm y 1:30 pm.

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GALA Hispanic Theatre

3333 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20010

Box Office:202-234-7174

General Inquiries: info@galatheatre.org [info @ galatheatre dot org]

https://www.galatheatre.org/post/threekingsday 

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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.

And now....the envelopes, please! Presenting the winners of the 2024 Cleveland Park Listies!

 by Peggy Robin

The long wait is over, the votes are in, and the people have spoken!

The winner of the Listy for BEST GIVEAWAY goes to...

The Piano! by Stephen S, Message #217005 on August 28 -- a clear favorite over the 4 other worthy contenders. The giveaway eclipse glasses were a distant second, and the remaining three nominees (the dollhouse with furniture & people, the Barbie Dream House, and the four free tomato cages) each got a sprinkling of votes.

In the category of BEST ANIMAL STORY, we had another runaway winner (both in terms of the vote and according to the story line of the fugitive parakeet), with the Listy going to Pam H. for her 3 posts telling the saga of Nico the parakeet -- reported lost on January 28 in Message #210056, then found in Message #210109 on Jan 30., and then there was a sweet follow-up message (#210239) on Feb 3 to reassure usabout how well little Nico was doing back at home. That message included a link to a video clip of Nico, plus a list of lost pet resources. Voters also showed some love (in descending order of number of vote) to: the acrobat racoon, the nesting doves, the coyote encounter, and coyotes with mange. 

Our 5 nominees for a Listy for the BEST QUERY revealed a readership most intrigued by the Mystery Object described and pictured by Sharon C. in Message #217014 on August 28, A close runner-up was the request for help in assembling a donated bike for a little girl from a refugee family, followed by "Sheets for orangutans," then "Reptile needs a ride," and finally, "ISO info about stained glass".

When it comes to BEST RESPONSE TO A QUERY, what could be better than success in reuniting the query-writer, Anthony, with his stolen bike? After Anthony asked Listserv members for any news of his Yuba Boda Boda Electric Cargo Bike (Message #217808 on Sept 17), he was gratified by the offers to help -- and absolutely thrilled when Bill P. found it and arranged for Anthony to pick it up from the fire station (Message  #217860, Sept 19). It's a double listy winner, as both Bill and Anthony reported on the way the Listserv helped to bring about a happy ending for man and bike.

 

The first runner-up was the message about all the multiple experienced Paris train travelers who answered Sharon C.'s "long-shot" question on finding the elevator in a particular Paris RER station. Travel advice took third place with Lisette's tips about getting around Amsterday by bus, rail, bike, and on foot; while  Samantha K.'s ttips to help protect nesting birds came in fourth, closedly followed by Kate M.'s message providing links to get free, expert planting advice.

The Art Critics of Cleveland Park (initiated by Ana E. in Message#215723) on July 14) takes our Listy for BEST LONG DISCUSSION THREAD. While it was neither the longest discussion thread -- only three days, compared to 20 days for Ranked Choice Voting) nor did it generate the most messages (43 messages vs. 63 for RCV), there's no doubt that it was the most impactful discussion this year, and arguably the most impactful in the Listserv's 25-year history. Before the discussion started, ANC 3C semed sure to support a proposal for a two-sided mural on the 7-11 building at Connecticut & Ordway. By the time the ANC meeting, a mere two days later --after so many residents wrote eloquently about value of preserving the sandstone building facade, with its oval windows and its limestone Art Deco details -- sentiment has shifted and the vote was 6-2 not to support a mural at that location.

The mural discussion just nosed out "Going Carless in DC." Third place went to "We Should Put Up a Statue to...." Only a couple of votes separated fourth place, "Ranked Choice Voting" from the fifth place finisher, "Deadly Driving Continues." 

PHOTO OF THE YEAR goes to "Our Own Stumpy." Congratulations to the little tree and to Susan B., who took the winning picture. "Aurora at the National Cathedral" and "Juvenile Cardinal" tied for second place, with Bald Eagle" taking third (almost making a three-way tie for second, but just a few votes shy,) and "Pink View of the Castle" coming in fourth.

And now for the most eagerly anticipated Listy, the final one, POST OF THE YEAR. It's CANDY vs. POTATOES by Henry D. Who'd have expected that any kid would go for two potatoes over a piece of candy? And who'd have expected that voters would vote for a quirky little Halloween experiment over these other four worthy contenders:  1) A charming holiday reminiscence; 2) a heartwarming story of a bike accident victim & the witness made sure he was OK; 3) an essay contest that segued into a tale of how the audio book of Moby Dick can still thrill listeners today; and 4) a lyrical report on a hillside in bloom, backed by a soundtrack of songbirds. All five taken together display the breadth of Listserv subject matter, the expressiveness of the posters, the creativity of their ideas, and how a simple Listserv message can entertain and enlighten ....but someone's gotta win, and in this case, the voters have spoken and the word of the year is POTATOES!!

Interestingly, in every category each nominee got at least a couple of votes; no one was totally shut out - a testament to the high quality of all the nominated posts this year.

If you are the winner of a 2024 Listy, I will be in touch to make arrangements to get your Listy to you. Or if, like Henry D., you decline to receive a little golden statuette made of plastic, you can choose either a paper certificate suitable for framing or a vitual certificate, suitable for use as your screen saver.

Before we close, a couple of  reminders: Our Poster of the Year, who consistently posted lively, helpful, and eminently Listworthy messages all year round, went to Meghan K.; that award was given last week, December 21, in Message #220839.

We've already started collecting messages that seem worthy of a nomination for the 2025 Listies. We encourage every interested listserv member to make a note of any message, on any topic, you'd like to see considered for an award. Just note the message number, poster's name/email address, posting date, subject line -- whatever is sufficient to allow us to look up the post, and send it in before before December 27, 2025. Of course, you don't need to wait for the end of the year to send a nomination. I keep a running file - just email me directly at clevelandparklistservmoderator@gmail.com.

Farida W., your message about the hijacked Amazon gift cards is already in the running for the Listies in 2025!

Thanks to all the posters, nominated or not, and all the readers who made 2024 a banner year for good Listserv posts -- even as the year may have left many of us sorely disappointed in other respects. 

We wish you all good things and good messaging in the New Year 2025!

- Peggy Robin 

and the MAP (Moderator's Advisory Panel, made up of a few family members, some friends & neighbors, plus a couple of randos that got roped into this gig)

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The Cleveland Park Listies are posted annually on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local over the last 4 Saturdays in December.

Get Out! It's Noon Year's Eve for Kids on Dec 31 at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library

 by Peggy Robin

Noon Year's Eve

A Daytime Party for Children and Families

Tuesday, December 31

11:30am - 12:30pm

Georgetown Neighborhood Library

Meeting Room 1 (10-80 Person Capacity)

AGE GROUP: | 5 - 12 Years Old |

https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/12426153

 

Ring in the New Year at the library with crafts, treats, and a countdown to Noon.

 

Celebrate the New Year in style! We will host a party and countdown to 12pm (NOON) at 11:59am. Between 11:30-12:30, we will have crafts, a resolution station, games, and treats. This is a drop in party, so come any time. We will wrap up at 12:30pm. This party is recommended for ages 3 and up since there will be noise makers and loud music. Not suitable for babies. Caregivers and parents and welcome and required to stay with children under nine years old.

 

The library will be open from 9:30am-3:30pm on December 31, 2024.

 

Georgetown Neigborhood Library

3260 R St. NW

Washington, DC 20007

georgetownlibrary@dc.gov

Phone: 202-727-0232

https://www.dclibrary.org/plan-visit/georgetown-library

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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.