Still Life with Robin: Are your eyes burning? Does the air smell smoky? This website may be helpful

by Peggy Robin

It will be a few more days before we get some real relief from this dangerously bad air that's hanging over our region. In the meantime, follow the health recommendations of the American Lung Association:

On days when the air quality is orange, red, purple or maroon:

• Reduce the time you spend outdoors when the AQI value is high. Also, reduce the intensity of outdoor activity. According to the EPA, the chances of being affected by unhealthy levels of air pollution increase the longer a person is active outdoors and the more strenuous the activity.
• If you must go outdoors, consider wearing a mask. “Unfortunately, not all masks provide adequate protection against particle pollution. Cloth or dust masks, for instance, may not effectively filter out fine particles. However, well-fitted N95 or KN95 masks have better filtration capabilities and may be beneficial on days when the AQI level of concern is high.
• Keep your air indoors healthy by keeping the windows and doors closed. Run air conditioning on the recirculate setting, use a portable HEPA air cleaner or, if it is difficult to maintain clean air in your entire house, create a clean room.
  

Need more science-based advice? Sorry, I'm not the person to ask. (No science classes beyond high school chem.) However, I do have one useful tip which I hope you will find worthwhile. No, it's not a medical or environmental website; it's a vocabulary site. While we're sitting around indoors, complaining, we grow frustrated (or at least I do) by having to use the same old words to talk about our bad air: e.g., smoky, hazy, polluted, code red (or code purple, maroon, or, if things improve, orange)

Merriam-Webster's dictionary site to the rescue! Here are a few fresh descriptors for the air we breathe this weekend -- and to use again next time....and the next, and the next....

Fuliginous

Miasmic

Acrid

Sooty

Image by Merriam-Webster @MerriamWebster, posting on SiForkasTwit
(the site formerly known as Twitter)

I learn something every day from this site. You can follow it here: 

https://x.com/MerriamWebster 

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Still LIfe with Robin is an occasional feature of the Cleveland Park Listserv and the All Life Is Local blog - usually appearing on Saturdays.

Get Out! It's National 7-Eleven Day on Saturday, July 11 (7/11...Duh!)

by Peggy Robin

Saturday, July 11, 2026 is National 7 Eleven Day! Free Slurpees for all! (Between 11am and 7pm)

Click on this National Day link to view a short video on the history of the Slurpee and Free Slurpee Day: https://nationaltoday.com/free-slurpee-day/

Click on this link for more info about getting your free Slurpee:

https://mashable.com/life/free-slurpee-day-2026 or go to the 7-Eleven website at https://www.7-eleven.com/

The Cleveland Park 7 Eleven is at 3433 Connecticut Ave NW

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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: Happy 250th Birthday, America! And to all who celebrate -- stay safe & stay cool!

 Dear Listserv Friends,

 

I hope you are all celebrating America's 250th birthday -- also known as our Semiquincentennial. Or our Sestercentennial or Bisesquicentennial. Or (my favorite) our Quarter-Millennium. 

 

Please stay out of the dangerous sun and heat today. Many planned celebrations have already been cancelled or postponed. WJLA posted this update:

https://wjla.com/news/local/fourth-of-july-heat-changes-whats-canceled-delayed-and-modified-across-the-dmv-holiday-firework-extreme-severe-weather-leesburg-fairfax 

 

As a safe alternative to parades, BBQs, and fireworks, you can find tributes to America's 250th birthday all over the internet.

 

...like this drone light show in Texas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFVe2vKhwRw

Or this one in Philadelphia:

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaV8NBKIpAL/

 

Across the Atlantic, Paris put on a light show on the Eiffel Tower to celebrate. Here's a short clip: 

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/shorts/eiffel-tower-lights-up-for-america-s-250th-anniversary-266152517527

and another: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1037843151951924  

 

And the same team of French lighting engineers have staged a light show on the Statue of Liberty:

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaTuRmHhgll/  

 

You don't need to sit on the Mall to watch the full 17-minute light show now playing on the Washington Monument. It's available on C-Span at:

https://www.c-span.org/clip/america-250/full-washington-monument-freedom-250-light-show/5187286 [Note: The show is a Triumphalist vision of American history, stressing God, Manifest Destiny, American ingenuity, and the defeat of Communism -- but visually stunning. If you watch it, I recommend doing so on full-screen mode on a large monitor or TV screen.]

 

I've saved my most enthusiastic rec for this Robin Williams routine on the American Flag (4:42 min, 1982):

https://x.com/Todd_Spence/status/2073286992608088412 

 

And to cap it all off - a performance of our National Anthem...played by a maestro of the RubberChickenSpiel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C45U9k0L_pw

 

Happy B-day, America...and many more!

 

-Peggy Robin

CP Listserv Moderator

clevelandparklistservmoderator@gmail.com [clevelandparklistservmoderator @ gmail dot com]

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

Get Out! The Freedom Fest on Sat June 27 Is Your DC Alternative to Trumpified Events to Celebrate America's 250th Independence Day

by Peggy Robin

DC Freedomfest

Saturday, June 27  •  2 PM - 4:30 PM

Sat, Jun 27 • 2 PM

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial 540 Independence Avenue SW

Freedom and fun!

Join us for FreedomFest, a celebration of DC’s culture, community, and our ongoing fight for equality.

 

As people from across the country gather in DC to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re creating space to celebrate something deeper: the people who live here, our culture, and our vision for the future.

 

FreedomFest brings together music, art, and community in the heart of DC. Expect live performances, local organizers, and cultural expression that reflects what makes this city powerful.

 

This is a space to come together and reflect on the gap between America’s promise and the reality experienced by the people who live in its capital.

 

Whether you’re a DC resident or visiting the District, you’re invited. Free and Family Friendly!

 

This event is part of our DC Summer of Freedom campaign.

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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.

Celebrate Pride Month at the Wharf with Pride on the Pier

 by Peggy Robin

Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail.

More details at prideonthepierdc.com.

Pride on the Pier 2026

Saturday, June 13 (4PM-9PM)

The Wharf - District & Transit Pier

101 District Square SW

The Washington Blade in partnership with The Wharf are excited to announce the 7th Annual Pride on the Pier.

Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment.

The District Pier will offer a DJ, dancing and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience for the duration of the event. Purchase tickets now at www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.

Family fun for all ages.

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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.

Get Out! This Sunday, June 7, Is CLEVELAND PARK DAY!

 by Peggy Robin

I'm sorry I'll have to miss this year's Cleveland Park Day. I'm in Philadelphia for most of this month, working hard at my second job, being granny/nanny to my 9 month old grandson. The sacrifices I make for this kid! (But soooo worth it!)

But just look at what I'm missing!

Go HERE for the Music Lineup

Go HERE for info on the Line Dancing and the Free Blood Pressure Screening

Go HERE for some great Kids' Activities.

⏰ When – Sunday, June 7, 2026, 12-5pm

 📍 Where – Sam's Park and Shop, Cleveland Park & Cleveland Park Promenade

 🧐 Who – Hosted by District Bridges & Cleveland Park Main Street

 🎉 What – Tie dye, Talent show, Balloon Sculpting, Bouncy Castle, Face painting, Vendor Market, Live music, 18 participating small businesses

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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 Beauty of Flowing Water

by Peggy Robin

 

I have been to Meridian Hill Park more times than I can count. I think I was first there in 1967 but I can't recall whether the grand cascading fountain was working back then. I think not. It's such an impressive sight, I feel sure I would have rememberd it. 

 

I heard on the news that the fountain, after being dry for the last seven years, had been restored and reopened. Here's the report from WTOP:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1528639238805691  

 

Unfortunately, my only memories of the fountain are of it as a series of long, concrete steps, all dry and broken and filled only with debris.

 

But even without water, you could imagine how magnificent it woutd be if restored.

 

Now you don't need to use your imagination. The fountain in all its cascading glory reopened on May 14, 2026. 

 

I visited today. The weather was perfect and although the park was crowded, it was still peaceful and serene. The water is loud....but the people are quietly enjoying the scene. 

 

This is going to be one of my go-to places to show off the city to out-of-town guests....at least as long as the water keeps flowing. I wish I had a sunnier take on this, but when it comes to keeping a good thing working right, there's this little cynical voice in my head that I just can't ignore, telling me this is just too large and complex a piece of aquatic engineering to keep operating without a hitch for any length of time. So see it now, while the weather is warm....and it still works! (I have never wanted so badly to be wrong about anything.)

 

Here's the Park Service photo, followed by four of my own pictures.

See the whole album HERE.

 

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

Still Life with Robin: For Mothers & Mother Figures & Everyone Who Has or Had a Mother on Mother's Day

by Peggy Robin

I thought it would be a good idea to show a few photos of loving moms and babies to start your Mother's Day.

First, one of DC's most celebrated moms, Mei Xiang, with her growing cub, Tai Shan (formerly known familiarly as "Butterstick"):

Next, from the far-flung California coast (Monterey Bay) -- a sea otter mom cuddling her baby:

And now to Africa, where the fearsome rhino is a tenderly protective parent:

...and home again to DC, on Capitol Hill where we find this Mama Duck sheltering her duckling:

You might also enjoy this brief video of a different Mama Duck and her brood, who had hatched on a balcony near the Secret Service headquarters. The agents in charge of protecting people in power took the time to protect this little family by moving them down to the Capitol Reflecting Pool.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/secret-service-escorts-mama-duck-and-ducklings-to-us-capitol-reflecting-pool 

And (being a Robin myself) I have to end with this Mama Robin feeding her chicks.

Happy Mother's Day to all on the Cleveland Park Listserv, whether you are a mother, a stepmother, a grandmother, or a great-grandmother, and also to all the children of mothers, which is to say, everyone.

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

Get Out! Saturday Is European Union Open House Day!

 by Peggy Robin

On the xxth anniversary of the formation of the European Union, you are invited to an Open House -- FREE! -- at each of the embassies of the xx member states. Here is your invitation:

European Union Open House

Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

💸 FREE

Our flagship 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.

The European Union Delegation and 20+ European Union member country embassies in Washington, D.C. 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!

And this year, we are celebrating 250 years of shared history, ideas, and achievements between Europe and the United States. Come and experience the past, present, and future of our relationship through the bonds that unite both sides of the Atlantic. 

Click on THIS LINK to see all of the participating Member State embassies and what they're offering at this year's Open House!

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, so bring some form of payment.
• Always carry official ID with you, as some embassy security requires it before entering their premises.
• Avoid bringing large bags or backpacks, as some embassies have security screenings that require cumbersome bag checks.
• Not all embassies have disability access or stroller parking. In general we discourage bringing large strollers due to the tight spaces inside the buildings.
• Driving and parking is strongly discouraged due to many embassy locations. We encourage participants to take the Metro, bus, scooter, rideshare, or walk.
• For some embassies, you can expect to wait in line. Consider arriving to your favorite embassies earlier in the day.

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

Still Life with Robin: And the Bloom Goes On...

 by Peggy Robin

I'm slowly developing some seasonal features for the Still Life with Robin column. Last winter I opened up a public photo album for Snowfall pictures and continued it this year. I'll also be keeping up and adding to the Halloween album that I started two years ago (Halloween 2024). But the biggest and most popular one so far is Spring Flowers.

I just added twenty new photos, all taken on recent walks around the neighborhood.

Here are a few samples.

Click on the album to see the whole collection and enjoy the blooms in a pollen-free way!

And by all means, feel free to add your own photos. Upload instructions:

1. Go to the PHOTOS section of the Listserv and click on "Spring Flowers" (the 9th album in the section).
2. Click on the green "+ADD PHOTOS" button.
3. Drag and drop each photo you want to add, one by one, or hit "click to choose photos".
4. (Optional) Write a brief description of each photo. Useful info: When and where the photo was taken.
5. Hit "Upload"
6. Do NOT check "notify members".  The correct way to let readers know that you've added your photos(s) to the album is to write a message to clevelandpark@groups.io about the photos you have added to a Listserv album. Copy and paste into your message the link to access each photo. That way, readers get to choose whether or not they want to view your photos. (If you click the "notify members" button, everyone gets a notification, whether they want to view your photos or not -- and the moderator will be very annoyed at you. If I knew how to disable this feature in Groups.io photo albums, I would.)

As we approach vacation season, I am contemplating starting a VACATION PHOTOS album so that we can vicariously enjoy all the exotic, far-flung places our readers have seen in their travels (plus many nearby popular spots, as all your vacation places, near and far, will be welcome!)

Enjoy the blooms!

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays (well, usually....but not always)

Get Out! It's the Flower Mart at the Cathedral on Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd

 by Peggy Robin

I go to the Flower Mart at the National Cathedral every year without fail. It never gets old. When my children were little, they always rode the carousel and went down the slide and bounced in the bouncy castle. When they outgrew the kiddie rides, they liked to check out the variety of vendors. They drank fresh-made lemonade and went inside to see the stained glass windows and the embassy floral displays. You can never see it all. Each time you return, you notice something you never saw before.

So it's back for the 87th year.

FRI., MAY 1 and  SAT., MAY 2 

Friday  10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. 

Saturday  10:00 A.M. -  5:00 P.M.

Washington National Cathedral Rain or shine 

Sponsored by All Hallows Guild ~ Our 87th Annual Benefit for the National  Cathedral Gardens and Grounds

For all the information, visit allhallowsguild.org  

Flower Mart 2026 at a Glance 

Around the World in Embassy Flowers -  in the Cathedrals nave ~ FREE both days.

Our FLOWER DISTRICT will include booths selling herbs, perennials, annuals, and more. Buy a fresh-cut flower bouquet at the All Hallows Guild tent.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

For children: rides, games, an antique carousel, and more.

Flower Mart's puppeteers, back this year with an all-new show!

Free entertainment on stage in front of the Cathedral throughout Flower Mart.

Best view in  town: climb the Cathedral Tower.

SHOPPING ~ Over 60 booths selling gifts for everyone.

Bargains and treasures at Flower Mart's White Elephant Sale.

A huge book sale including children's, young adult, cooking, and gardening books.

FOOD

Tasty local and international specialties and great festival food.

The not-to-be-missed Episcopal Church Women's  Baked Goods booth.

During Flower Mart, there is no parking on the streets of the Cathedral; however, there is underground parking in the Cathedral garage. The Cathedral is well-connected by Metrobus. Consult WMATA Trip Planner for routes and schedules.

For information and inquiries, contact: flowermart@allhallowsguild.org  

The All Hallows Guild 

of the Washington National Cathedral

ahg@allhallowsguild.org

3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

https://allhallowsguild.org/programs/flower-mart/

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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.