Get Out! - The Events Column

Deror Avi (via Wikimedia/Creative Commons)

We wanted to share some events and activities that list members might be interested in. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that the 16,500+ members of the Cleveland Park Listserv should know about, email us at events @ fastmail.net.

Peggy Robin and Bill Adler

Publishers, Cleveland Park Listserv

www.cleveland-park.com  

Thursday, December 22 at 4:30 PM, (Faux) Gingerbread House Craft. Ever dream of making your own gingerbread house? While beautiful, these fragile homes can be difficult to make. Instead, why don't you join us in a faux gingerbread house craft? It's lots less fuss and way more fun! For ages 5 and up. All supplies will be provided. Free. At the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue NW, http://www.dclibrary.org/node/55281

Friday, December 23 from 12 - 3 PM, Holiday Cookie Decorating Party, hosted by the Chevy Chase Citizens Association (rescheduled from December 17 due to icy conditions that day). The CCCA will provide the undecorated winter-themed sugar cookies and icings and sprinkles. In addition, crafts will be offered, include decorating Styrofoam gingerbread men and snow globe scenes and making holiday cards. This is a free event and all materials needed to decorate cookies, make cards, or for arts and crafts will be provided. Fun for all ages and all skill levels. At the Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Connecticut Avenue NW, http://www.chevychasecitizens.org/

Saturday, December 14 at 12 noon, Chevy Chase Community Caroling. Gather with fellow carolers at the Chevy Chase Starbucks, 5500 Connecticut Avenue NW, prepared to stroll the commercial strip, singing Christmas carols and some Hanukkah songs, too. Songbooks available. Dress festively! Shakers, bells, and some other simple instruments will be handed out, but feel free to bring your own. Free - all are welcome.

Saturday, December 24, film screenings at 12, 1, and 2 PM: “Pandas: The Journey Home.” National Geographic will present a 3D screening of the groundbreaking natural history film, a look at the highly endangered giant pandas living in Wolong National Nature Reserve in the People’s Republic of China. Tickets: $7. Grosvenor Auditorium, National Geographic, 1600 M St. NW, http://bit.ly/2hdXQwz   

Sunday, December 25, all day: D25: Annual Day of Service at the DCJCC -- it's the 30th anniversary of this event! Join over 1,000 volunteers at a social service agency in the metro-DC area to serve meals, sing carols, visit home-bound seniors, throw holiday parties, play bingo, and deliver holiday cheer to those in need. Many of the projects are family-friendly; please read the individual project descriptions (including age minimums and other requirements) at http://bit.ly/2hLCsPU. D25 registration is open but will close at midnight on December 22nd. Walk-ins on December 25th are welcome between 7:30 - 10:30 AM at the Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th Street NW.

Sunday, December 25 at 12 noon, Community Christmas Midday Dinner at St. Alban's Church. All are welcome to share in a delicious turkey meal with all the trimmings in a caring ecumenical community. St. Alban's Church is located at 3100 Wisconsin Ave NW, adjacent to the National Cathedral. Volunteers are welcome, too! Please email Asha Matthei or Warren Matthei at sa2016christmasdinner @ gmail dot com if you wish to volunteer.

Monday, December 26 at 8 PM, Boxing Day Event. You have probably heard of the English tradition of Boxing Day, occurring every December 26, celebrated by delivering boxed gifts to those who have given you good service over the past year. In this decidedly American variation, Boxing Day will be a reality-show-style series of competitive match-ups between mail carriers, UPS carriers, FedEx deliverers, and other delivery service employees, who will perform box-tossing feats at a far-removed target with corn-hole-style openings, sized for the various boxes that will serve as projectiles. Participants will compete to see who is able to score the most boxes thrown through the appropriate sized opening in the target. The distance will be increased each round. The final challenge will involve a large box containing poorly wrapped crystal stemware. The one who tosses the box into the target hole with the greatest number of broken glasses will be declared the winner and will receive a prize of 100 pounds of fully recyclable bubble wrap and flattened cardboard. For tickets to this year’s competition, go to Eventbrite-boxingday-2016. To view video of last year’s competition, go to: http://bit.ly/cpfakeevent.

Tuesday, December 27 at 2 PM, Kwanzaa Story Time & Crafts. We’ll tell a few exciting stories about the origin of Kwanzaa, and afterwards, we'll make fun Kwanzaa crafts! Free. At the Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, http://www.dclibrary.org/node/55396

Wednesday, December 28 at 10 AM, Ceremonial Laying of Wreath on President Wilson’s Tomb. Join representatives from the US military services on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of Wilson’s birth. Free. More information: http://bit.ly/2i5MoS1. At the Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues NW.

Wednesday, December 28  at 6:30 PM, The National Museum of American Jewish Military History invites you to its annual Hanukkah Party for latkes, jelly doughnuts, gelt, and song. Explore the museum and enjoy good food, play games, and sing. We’ll also look at the ways Jews in the American military have continued the tradition of the Maccabees. Speaker Rabbi Michael Bloom. Co-sponsored by Jewish Study Center. Advance registration required. This event is free - suggested donation $5.More info: http://bit.ly/2ijZnPp. The National Museum of American Jewish Military History is at 1811 R St NW.