Latest News

Robert Devaney • April 16, 2012

“American Stories,” the newest signature exhibition at the National Museum of American History opened today and shows and tells the stories of Americans from the 1600s to the 2000s, beginning with wampum and a piece of Plymouth Rock to Apolo Ohmo’s ice skates and the 2008 presidential election.

At the show’s entrance visitors are greeted by Dorothy’s red ruby shoes from the movie, “The Wizard of Oz.” The show flows in a circle with interactive screens in the center near a video camera used by a French film crew at Sept. 11, 2001, in downtown Manhattan.

The historical objects tell “the tales from e pluribus unum,” said the museum’s interim director Marc Pachter at the preview opening. “There are millions of untold stories out there.”

There are items that belonged to Benjamin Franklin as well as a jacket worn by singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and Archie Bunker’s chair from the TV show, “All in the Family.” The profoundly historic mixes with the everyday and mythic. “The power of the ruby slippers is real,” Pachter said.

The 5,300-square-feet exhibition displays a fraction of the Smithsonian’s holding to “examine the manner in which culture, politics, economics, science, technology, and the peopling of the United States have shaped the country over the decades,” according to a museum statement. “Dedicated spaces throughout will regularly feature new acquisitions to give a more inclusive representation of the experiences of all Americans.”

Highlights include the following objects:

= a fragment of Plymouth Rock

= a section of the first transatlantic telegraph cable

= a sunstone capital from the Latter-day Saints temple at Nauvoo, Illinois

= the ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz”

= baseballs used by Babe Ruth and Sam Streeter

= a Kermit the Frog puppet

= clothing artifacts, including a “quinceañera” gown worn for a 15th-birthday celebration

= Apolo Ohno’s speed skates from the 2002 Winter Olympics [gallery ids="100731,121334,121285,121326,121295,121319,121304,121313" nav="thumbs"]

Marit Fosso •

Today is the 100th Anniversary of Clarissa ‘Clara’ Barton’s death, the woman who is best remembered for organizing the American Red Cross. This weekend there will be a series of events celebrating her life. The events will take place in Glen Echo Park, Md., where the National Historic site in Clara Barton’s name is located. Established in 1975 as part of the National Park Service, the site is located at the house where Barton spent the last 15 years of her life.

Apr. 13: Hourly tours will highlight Barton’s legacy and the period surrounding her death. The tours will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Apr. 14: Catch free performances at the Bumper Car Pavilion in Glen Echo Park, where actress Mary Ann Jung will portray Clara Barton. The performances will start at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. There will also be an Open House on Saturday, featuring Dr. Hubbell (James Perry), from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Apr. 15: A symposium on Clara Barton will be held in Glen Echo Park’s Spanish Ballroom Annex from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The symposium will feature Elizabeth Brown Pryor, author of Clara Barton Professional Angel, and George Washington University women’s history scholar, Bonnie Morris. Elizabeth Brown Pryor will also be book signing at an Open House from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Gary Tischler • April 12, 2012

Mike Wallace of CBS News had not done an interview for four years—Roger Clemens, the famed Boston Red Sox pitcher accused of using steroids got the honors for that last one—but all those living whom he interviewed for “60 Minutes” probably feel not enough time has passed for them not to get goose bumps just thinking about the experience.

Sadly, it’s goose bump time, because everyone in the media and the objects of their attention is thinking about Wallace. Wallace, whom some said was the most feared, if not loved, television journalist who ever donned a trench coat, was back on the air, in the form of tributes, news stories and fond remembrances by the people he worked with and by some who didn’t.

Wallace passed away at the age 93, and now politicians who’ve escaped the Wallace treatment—more like an interrogation some said, while others used the word inquisition—can breathe a little easier.

Wallace was the mainstay and star of “60 Minutes,” probably the best and most popular news magazines show ever on CBS, a show still going strong but without many of its most stellar reporters (Ed Bradley, Howard K. Smith, Andy Rooney) not to mention producer Don Hewitt, all of whom have passed away. And now: Mike Wallace.

As late as 2006, Wallace received an Emmy for an interview with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinjad. Years earlier, he had interviewed the Ayathollah Rubollah Khomeini, to whom he quoted Egyptian President Anwar Sadat calling him an “idiot.”

Right off, you could say he feared nothing, and if you encountered Wallace accidentally in a parking lot, with a microphone in his hand it was not accident and you were in trouble. While conservatives see mainstream television media as being liberal, you couldn’t say that about Wallace, who described himself as moderate in his politics, if not his temperament. He was an equal-opportunity investigator, interviewer and pursuer, going after such luminaries as Barbra Streisand and Malcolm X. He could be respectful and polite, but his forte was “finding the truth.” Almost every obituary you can run across will state in some form or another that the most feared words in a potential interviewee’s world were “Mike Wallace is here.”

Wallace was a man of many wives (four) and many jobs—he was an actor on radio and television, a quiz show host and a reporter and finally he was: Mike Wallace.

Although he attracted and created controversy, including an exhausting, dragged-out and complicated law suit and trial in which General William C. Westmoreland, who was the chief of U.S. forces in Viet Nam sued him and CBS for $120 million involving enemy troop estimates. The suit was settled out of court but haunted Wallace. Wallace would later admit that he suffered from depression and had even tried to kill himself with sleeping pills after the trial.

The Viet Nam piece and its results in the end showed that Wallace was human and not invincible.

His career—especially at “60 Minutes” since its beginnings in 1968—showed a stature that is hard to diminish. He made trench-coat journalism—he was often seen wearing one—chic but also respectable and honored. Those early “60 Minutes” reporters were the journalistic offspring of Edward R. Murrow, and it’s not hard to imagine Wallace alongside Murrow during the London Blitz, unruffled and solid.

In the age of the instant video, of “if it bleeds it leads,” of slap-dash, beat-the-other-guy-by-60 seconds journalism, of bloggers and reality television, which blurs reality, Mike Wallace still looks uncommonly real. Indeed, in “Heat and Light: Advice for the Next Generation of Journalists,” which he co-wrote with Beth Knobel, formerly with CBS News, he offers advice that young social media-imbued reporters should take to heart.

Upstairs, there’s a knock at a heavenly gate. “Mike Wallace is here,” the gatekeeper announces. “Should I be worried?” his boss asks. “Perhaps,” the gatekeeper says.

Gary Tischler •

Washington is a magnet for film festivals—we’ve got documentary film festivals, gay and lesbian film festivals, environmental film festivals, short film festivals. You name it, there’s a festival.

But before all that happened here, there was the grand-daddy of them all, the Washington International Film Festival. It’s back, now in its 26th year (going back to 1986).

This year’s festival—themed “The Lighter Side”—runs from April 12 to April 22 at a variety of venues all over town, with 80 films from more than 35 countries, making it a truly international film festival. The festival will feature comedies from France, Argentina, Italy and Japan.

Another focus of the festival will be “Caribbean Journeys,” which features new works from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Reggae music, of course, will figure strongly in films from the Caribbean, not least among them “Marley,” a D.C. premiere of an emotional documentary on the late, great Bob Marley, who in pioneering Reggae in star-power fashion, also transformed how we view the region and his beloved Jamaica. Along with that is “Calypso Rose” about the famed calypso singer and “Ras Ta: A Soul’s Journey,” featuring Marley’s granddaughter. Both films are American premieres.

“Starbuck,” the hit Canadian comedy about a beleaguered man who finds out he’s sired hundreds of children by way of his donated sperm, kicks off the festival at the Regal Cinemas, Thursday, April 12, at 7 p.m., hosted by long-time WJLA entertainment reporter Arch Campbell with a party at Bar Louie in Chinatown afterward.

Another special series will focus on justice, both the pursuit of and lack of, called “Justice Matters” with such films as “Granito: How to Nail a Dictator” from the United States, the Canadian film “Pink Ribbons, Inc.” and others.

The festival-closing film is the hugely popular French hit, “The Intouchables,” starring Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano is a class buddy film, about a handicapped, wheel-chair bound white millionaire and his Senegalese caretaker. The film broke all box-office records in France. There will be two screenings at the French Embassy with showings at 3 and 7 p.m. with a reception between showings

Venues for the festival films include the Avalon Theatre, the Embassy of France, the Goethe-Institut, Landmark’s E Street Cinema, the National Gallery of Art, the Naval Heritage Center and Regal Cinemas, Gallery Place.

For information on films, times and locations, visit filmfestdc@filmfestdc.org.

Michelle Kingston • April 9, 2012

More than 35,000 lucky guests, chosen by lottery, will flood the South Lawn of the White House on the morning of Easter Monday, April 9, for the 134th annual White House Easter Egg Roll. This year’s theme reflects First Lady Michelle Obama’s physical fitness campaign: “Let’s Go, Let’s Play, Let’s Move.”

In the 19th century, the event was held on Capitol Hill. Children were given a hard-boiled egg which they would push, drag, fling, propel or toss with a long-handled spoon as fast as they could to the finish line. Some in Congress grew tired of the ripped up grass and passed a law that prohibited egg rolling on U.S. Capitol grounds. President Rutherford Hayes was approached by young Americans to host the event in his backyard in 1878, and ever since, the roll has been held at the White House, continuing the tradition.

Year after year, memories are made, but some of the most notable include:

First Lady Grace Coolidge’s holding a pet raccoon named Rebecca, as she walked through the crowds.

First Lady Florence Harding wearing a girl scout uniform to the egg roll.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt showing the evolving sign of the times when she welcomed guests and addressed listeners across the country with the radio.

The first broadcast on the Internet was made by the Clinton administration at the event.

One hundred same-sex couples were accused of crashing when they stood outside with their children to show President George W. Bush that gay families do exist in the U.S.A.

Just a few years later, President Barack Obama welcomed gay families and even distributed tickets directly to gay rights organizations.

This year, the president and first lady have requested all natural and local food. Michelle Obama has even gathered top local chefs to teach children how to cook healthy meals in the White House gardens.

Other activities that will be taking place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue’s largest annual event include arts and crafts tables, storytelling sections, yoga classes and an egg hunt. A main stage is always reserved for pop music stars (Justin Bieber, Willow Smith and the Jonas Brothers are all previous performers), while athletes and celebrities walk around and say hello to the kids and even work the stations. A list of celebrity attendees will be announced on Friday, April 6, at www.WhiteHouse.gov.

Each guest is given a time slot for two hours on the south lawn and then will depart with one free Forest Stewardship Council-certified, U.S. hardwood egg with the president’s and first lady’s signatures (a tradition since 1981 when President Ronald Reagan hosted a hunt for eggs with signatures of famous people). An on-scene report from the Georgetowner on the White House Easter Egg Roll will be in the next Georgetowner newsletter on Monday.

Before heading to the Easter Egg Roll, check out Bo’s announcement of the 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll Lottery

Georgetowner •

2012 GW Rowing Invitational Launches

April 6th & 7th, 2012 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | mgustafson@nsl.org | Tel: (540) 687-6542 | Event Website

The George Washington Rowing Invitational, the largest collegiate rowing competition in the Washington metropolitan area, will take place this Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 on the Potomac River race course. Racing commences on Friday from 1-4 p.m. and resumes with two Saturday sessions from 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony. Marquee races are scheduled for Saturday afternoon between 2-4 p.m.

Address

Course begins near the Spout Run area of the Potomac River

with the finish line at Washington Harbour (3050 K Street, NW) in Georgetown

Scraps: British Sporting Drawings

April 6th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | mgustafson@nsl.org | Tel: (540) 687-6542

From the Paul Mellon Collection at the VMFA, Richmond, this exhibition takes its title from Henry Alken’s series of drawings and prints that depict varied and often-humorous episodes of sporting and country life.

Address

The National Sporting

Library and Museum

102 The Plains Road

Middleburg, Virginia 20118

Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival

April 7th, 2012 at 01:00 PM | Free and open to the public | Tel: 877.442.5666 | Event Website

Enjoy eight hours of free music, water-related activities, cultural experiences, live entertainment and delicious foods. At 8:30pm, fireworks will light up the Washington Channel.

Address

Kastles Stadium at The Wharf: a waterfront arena with multiple outdoor areas.

800 Water Street, SW.

Korean Culture Night

April 7th, 2012 at 07:30 PM | FREE | auksa.rules@gmail.com | Tel: 267-255-1685 | Event Website

American University’s Korean Student Association is hosting an event celebrating traditional and contemporary Korean culture. Participants will enjoy a food tasting of Korean cuisines, playing Korean games, try on traditional Korean costumes. There will also be performances showcasing the evolution of Korean performance entertainment featuring the Asian American Arts Center Drum and Dance, beat boxer Chip Han, and K-Pop cover group RAW Movement.

Address

American University

4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW

Mary Graydon Center The Tavern

UPPERVILLE GARDEN CLUB DAFFODIL SHOW AND TEA

April 10th, 2012 at 02:00 AM | Free Donations appreciated | jannamleepson@aol.com | Tel: 540-687-5192

This American Daffodil Society accredited horticulture competition will amaze you. View hundreds of daffodils of all sizes, colors and forms, posed and submitted by amateur daffodil growers. Learn about growing and showing these wonderful spring flowers. All amateur growers are invited to exhibit. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the beauty of the daffodils and join us for tea.

Address

Buchanan Hall

8549 John Mosby Hwy

Upperville, Va 20184

Michelle Kingston •

Whether you think they smell like diapers, spoiled meat or yesterday’s garbage, all Georgetown residents will agree that gingko trees may be beautiful with their fan-like leaves, but, oof, they sure can give off an awful stench.

Why?

The female trees are notorious for the strong odor their fruits give off as they begin growing this time of year. By the fall, the fruit has ripened, and by November, the wrinkly and yellow grapes drop to the sidewalk, leaving every opportunity for passerby to step on them, squeeze them or terrorize others with the rancid aroma.

Luckily, we can thank the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration for beginning to spray the trees in our neighborhood this evening. When the Shield-EC chemical hits the trees, it will prevent spreading the unpleasant scent of the fruit.

According to the DDOT, you do not need to move your cars. But be advised the spraying will begin on the following Georgetown streets:

R St between 27th and 31st Streets

Avon Place South of R Street

Cambridge Place

26th Street between East Place and O Street 27th Street from Poplar Street to Olive Street

Olive Street from 27th Street to 30th Street

Potomac Street from O Street to M Street

Prospect Street between 36th and 37th Streets

Georgetowner • April 5, 2012

Benetton Spring Fashion Show

Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 6 to 8 PM | Tel: 202-625-2183

A VIP Fashion Show at the United Colors of Benetton Store in Georgetown. See the new spring collections, enjoy refreshments and shop the spring/summer collection, enjoying a 20-percent discount.

Address

The United Colors of Benetton Store

1200 Wisconsin Ave., N.W,

Washington, D.C. 20007.

Michelle Kingston •

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has released a video tour by general manager Richard Sarles about the Metrorail’s new 7000-series rail car.

The video shows off several upgrades which were designed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company of Japan and built in Lincoln, Neb.

What makes these new cars so special?

1. More comfortable seats

2. More poles for straphangers

3. LCD screens detailing when the train arrives at a station and what can be found at that station

4. Overhead displays showing the location of the train in comparison to the rest of the line to help tourists and Metro newbies know just how many more stops they have until they arrive at their final destination

Keep an eye out during the video for a few errors in the car. The LCD display shows stops along the Red Line at “Farrabut North” and “Woodlley Park” (oops).

Fortunately, Metro has some time to fix the small stuff before passengers step on board. WMATA announced the new 7000 series will be on the rail sometime next year.

Georgetowner •

The Red Cross is synonymous with generosity, support and trust. They have been present to offer their assistance during almost every major tragedy of the last decades. And March is the month in which we honor the Red Cross, and the organization uses this opportunity to promote its services to the American public and for fundraising.

For the first quarter century of its existence, the Red Cross held no regular fund-raising drives. Since Clara Barton created the organization in 1881, it was largely dependent for publicity and funds on the spontaneous support of people who learned of catastrophic events and the Red Cross response to them—mainly through the newspapers and word of mouth.

This rather haphazard manner of operating changed abruptly in 1917, when the United States entered World War I. After declaring war, President Wilson ordered the American Red Cross to raise funds to support its aid to the military as mandated by the Red Cross Congressional charter. In response, the Red Cross held its first national war fund drive in June 1917 and set a goal of $100 million, an astoundingly large sum at the time. Under the circumstances, however, the public response was immediate and overwhelming. Within a few days more than $115 million was raised.

In 1943, amidst the turmoil of World War II, the Red Cross, along with its honorary chairman President Franklin Roosevelt, declared the month of March “Red Cross Month,” and set a fundraising goal of $125 million, the biggest amount ever asked for in one campaign by any American organization. Again, the response was overwhelming. It took less than six weeks to reach the target and by June 1943 donations totaled nearly $146 million. Roosevelt called it the “greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history.”

This success caused the Red Cross to repeat the March drive during the remaining years of the war and then to make it the occasion of its annual membership and fund-raising efforts ever since. (As a historical footnote, the last radio speech President Roosevelt gave, a few days before his death, was in support of the 1945 Red Cross campaign.) As part of the tradition, the President customarily issues a proclamation each year declaring March as Red Cross Month.

Over the years, the Red Cross has helped millions of individuals overcome the effects of natural disasters and emergencies worldwide by providing shelter, food and counseling. Today, we continue to celebrate Red Cross Month to fundraise, contribute and honor the organization that continues to save lives worldwide.

To donate and find blood drive locations, visit the American Red Cross website at RedCross.org.