Demonstrators Take to the Streets in Chinatown, Demanding Justice for Michael Brown (photos)
• August 28, 2014

A large crowd, demanding justice for slain teenager Michael Brown, marched from Mount Vernon Square in Washington D.C. to the commercial district surrounding Chinatown on Aug. 23, temporarily stopping traffic at the intersections of 7th & H Streets, NW, under the Chinatown Arch, and 7th and F Streets, NW, near the Verizon Center. Speakers at the rally included ANSWER Coaltion activist Eugene Puryear, the Statehood Green Party candidate for an at-large District Council seat, Salim Adofo of the National Black United Front, Kymone Freeman from We Act Radio, Rev. George C. Gilbert, Jr., of the Holy Trinity United Baptist Church and Ayanna Gregory, daughter of social activist Dick Gregory. The protest, which took place in the early evening hours, was peaceful.

Protests have erupted nationwide since a white police officer fatally shot the unarmed 18 year old African-American Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Aug. 9. To chants of “Hands Up! Don’t Shoot!” and “Shut Down Chinatown,” the demonstrators at this march demanded the arrest of the police officer, the demilitarization of police departments and the addition of video cameras to police uniforms to monitor their activity.

View our photos of the demonstration in Chinatown by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)
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Tennis Action at the Citi Open (photos)
• August 4, 2014

Tennis enthusiasts enjoyed near perfect weather as the Citi Open got underway with qualifying matches July 26, followed with first-round action the following Monday at the FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park. The Citi Open, formerly the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, has been a Washington tradition since 1969. A strong men’s field featured top seed Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic), currently ranked number 5 in the world. Joining him on the card were No. 7 Milos Raonic (Canada) and Kei Nishikori of Japan. The field boasted seven players in the top 25. The No. 1 ranked doubles duo, Bob and Mike Bryan, are also making an appearance at this year’s event. Local favorite Riverdale Park native Francis Tiafoe made his first ATP main draw in the day one feature match. The 16-year-old has been as high as No.2 in the world in the ITF Junior rankings and earned a wild card draw for the Citi Open. In 2002, the event incorporated a WTA International Level tournament, featuring top woman professionals from around the world.

The Citi Open concludes with Men’s and Women’s finals matches on Sunday, Aug. 3.

View our courtside photos of early tournament action by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet).

[gallery ids="101822,139566,139570,139574,139579,139583,139588,139592,139596,139607,139621,139639,139611,139616,139637,139624,139628,139560,139552,139557,139528,139522,139478,139484,139490,139494,139498,139504,139509,139513,139518,139532,139536,139540,139602,139546,139632" nav="thumbs"]

Hundreds Protest Proposed Dominion Cove Point Natural Gas Export Terminal in Md.
• July 17, 2014

Close to a thousand demonstrators rallied near the U.S. Capitol, before marching to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission headquarters on July 13 to urge FERC to reject a permit for Dominion Resources’ proposed LNG export facility at Cove Point, Md., 50 miles from the White House on the Chesapeake Bay, claiming it would pose a major threat to the environment. Cove Point is one of about two dozen projects that include plans to ship a growing bounty of domestic natural gas to countries in Asia and Europe.

View our photos of the protest against the Cove Point gas export facility by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101803,140088,140082,140076,140071,140067,140061,140056,140050,140094,140100,140142,140137,140131,140126,140120,140115,140110,140105,140044,140038,139994,139989,139985,139980,139974,139969,139956,139965,140000,140018,140033,140028,140024,140152,140157,140006,140159,140012,140147" nav="thumbs"]

Paul Bakery and Café Hosts 4th Annual Baguette Relay Race in Penn Quarter
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Paul Bakery and Café celebrated Bastille Day, July 14, by hosting its 4th Annual Baguette Relay Race in front of its flagship restaurant at 801 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, at the U.S. Navy Memorial in the Penn Quarter. There were two separate races, one for kids and another for adults. Contesting teams of 5 racers “quick-walked” one lap around the circle of the U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza, handing off French baguettes instead of traditional batons. Members of the winning teams each won a $25 gift certificate to Paul Bakery. Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place 225 years ago on July 14, 1789, and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Paul began operations as a family-owned company in Northern France 100 years later in 1889. It now runs more than 500 establishments worldwide in 30 countries including five in the D.C. area. In the Fall, Paul Bakery will open a sixth local restaurant at F and 13th Streets, NW, near the National Press Club Building.

View our photos of the Paul 4th Annual Baguette Relay Race by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="116298,116273,116266,116259,116252,116244,116237,116229,116221,116215,116207,116200,116192,116185,116177,116169,116287,116281,116291" nav="thumbs"]

A Spectacular Fourth — in Photos
• July 14, 2014

D.C. is definitely the most patriotic place to celebrate the Fourth of July. This year’s Independence Day festivities took place under clear skies and moderate temperatures, all ending with a spectacular fireworks display over our national monuments.

View our photos of the National Independence Day Parade; the ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives; the Capitol Fourth Concert on the Capitol West Lawn featuring Frankie Valli, Patti Labelle and the Muppets; and, of course, the Fireworks Extravaganza – just by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="140691,140603,140598,140592,140588,140583,140578,140647,140636,140572,140566,140560,140554,140609,140614,140620,140687,140682,140676,140670,140665,140661,140695,140656,140641,140651,140630,140625,140548,140542,140459,140454,140449,140445,140440,140435,140430,140425,140420,140411,140416,140472,140463,140468,140476,140532,140528,140522,140510,140505,140501,140496,140491,140487,140482,140516,140537,101800" nav="thumbs"]

Lasting Images of the 2014 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
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The 2014 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the 48th annual edition celebrating cultural traditions from around the world, took place June 25 to 29 and July 2 to 6 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The themes were “China: Tradition and the Art of Living,” and “Kenya: Mambo Poa!” This year’s event left us with many memorable images which can be viewed by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet). [gallery ids="140388,140324,140320,140315,140310,140306,140301,140296,140291,140287,140282,140330,140335,140383,140378,140373,140369,140364,140359,140354,140349,140344,140339,140278,140391,140213,140207,140202,140196,140190,140185,140162,140181,140173,140167,140217,140222,140273,140268,140263,140259,140254,140250,140245,140239,140234,140228,101802" nav="thumbs"]

Huge Crowd Gathers at Freedom Plaza to Cheer Team USA (photos)
• July 7, 2014

The red, white and blue were ubiquitous as thousands of spirited soccer fans turned out in sweltering heat on Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., July 1 to root for Team USA against Belgium. Mayor Vincent Gray’s administration joined 94.7 Fresh FM to organize the World Cup viewing party. Also co-hosting the event were D.C. United along with Akridge, a developer that stands to benefit if the city agrees to build a new stadium for the Major League Soccer franchise. Other sponsors included Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District, Events D.C. and Pepco. The game was viewed on a 17-foot screen. D.C. United provided free water and a misting-tent to keep everybody cool as the thermometer reached 95 degrees midway into the contest. However many fans hung onto the bitter end as Belgium won 2-1 in the game which was extended by 30 minutes of extra time after regulation ended in a 0-0 tie.

View our photos from the viewing party at Freedom Plaza by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101789,140845,140848,140865,140869,140874,140879,140884,140888,140900,140905,140917,140925,140922,140840,140834,140831,140894,140854,140860,140780,140786,140792,140797,140801,140806,140811,140815,140820,140826,140912" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Honors Greatest Generation at D-Day and Midway Anniversaries (Photos)
• June 27, 2014

Members of the “Greatest Generation” were honored this week in Washington D.C., on the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Midway on June 4 at the United States Navy Memorial, and on the 70th anniversary of D-Day on June 6 at the World War II Memorial.

Many of those who participated in these seminal battles, almost all now in their 90s, were on hand to participate in the commemoration ceremonies. Journalist Tom Brokaw coined the term “Greatest Generation” to describe those brave individuals who were called upon to defend America and the West from Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.

The Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, just six months after Pearl Harbor, saw the complete destruction of a large task force of the Imperial Japanese Navy, including the sinking of four Japanese aircraft carriers. Midway was considered a turning point in the Pacific Theater of the war and ranks as one of the major naval battles in history. The ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial was marked by a commemorative wreath-laying by Admiral Mark Ferguson, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey, Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, U.S. Marine Corps. Six original participants of the Battle of Midway were present on the occasion.

The Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy marked a major turning point for the war in Europe. Combined Allied forces assaulted five beaches, code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Hitler’s vaunted “Atlantic Wall” was breached in a day at a cost of 10,000 American, British and Canadian casualties, The ceremony was highlighted by commemorative wreath layings, representing the embassies of each of the European Allies who participated in the landings, as well as speeches by Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Elliot ‘Toby’ Roosevelt III, the great-grandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They were joined by representatives of 14 countries and several dozen veterans of the battle. Eisenhower read the D-Day order that her grandfather sent to the troops and a letter the future president prepared in case the invasion failed. Roosevelt read FDR’s D-Day prayer.

View our images from the D-Day and Midway anniversary commemorations by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101764,141373,141378,141383,141388,141394,141398,141402,141408,141414,141418,141422,141427,141368,141362,141431,141316,141321,141311,141326,141331,141335,141340,141344,141348,141353,141357,141435" nav="thumbs"]

Smithsonian Salutes the Flag in Style on the 200th Anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner (photos)
• June 19, 2014

On Flag Day, June 14, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., hosted “Raise It Up! Anthem for America”, a celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner. The concert spectacular on the museum plaza featured the United States Air Force Concert Band, and the official chorus of the U.S. Air Force, the Singing Sergeants; guitarist Kristen Capolino; local blues band Little Bit a Blues; singer-songwriter Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter Cash; and members of the Smithsonian Jazz Quintet. And, of course, the real Star-Spangled Banner flag. An estimated 400-person choir, ranging in age from 9 to 81 and representing diverse ethnic, geographic and musical backgrounds, performed “America the Beautiful”. They were organized by Classical Movements in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Chorus America. The orchestra and combined choirs were led sequentially by MacArthur ‘genius’ Fellow Francisco J. Núñez, Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre and Air Force Col. Larry Lang. Wayne Clough, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution and the Hon. Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland delivered keynote speeches.

The original manuscript of “The Star-Spangled Banner” lyrics has just been installed for a special short-term display, uniting it with the flag Francis Scott Key saw at the “dawn’s early light.” The manuscript is on loan from the Maryland Historical Society, presented at the event by Burt Kummerow, president of the Society, during a special ribbon cutting ceremony with Governor O’Malley and top officials of the Smithsonian. Visitors were entertained by the The Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps wearing period uniforms.

To highlight the festivities, people around the world united to sing our National Anthem at 4:00 PM EDT, kicking-off a Star-Spangled summer. The event was broadcast and video streamed around the world by CSPAN.

View our photos of this Star-Spangled event by clicking on the photo icons below. (all photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="101769,141277,141271,141267,141262,141257,141253,141248,141243,141237,141233,141228,141224,141220,141216,141203,141212,141207,141275" nav="thumbs"]

Asian Culture on Display in ‘Faces of Fiesta Asia’ at Reagan Building Photo Show
• June 9, 2014

A new exhibit of Jeff Malet photographs, titled “Faces of Fiesta Asia: One face, one story, one smile, one culture” is on display at the Ronald Reagan Building concourse through May 31 in conjunction with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The exhibit showcases 40 images taken from “Fiesta Asia,” the Washington D.C. celebration of Asian culture, entering its 9th year with a scheduled street fair along Pennsylvania Ave., NW, between 3rd and 6th streets, Saturday, May 17. There is no admission charge.

Fiesta Asia was conceived in 2006 by Wuiping Yap, founder of the Asia Heritage Foundation “to celebrate and promote Asian culture through arts, traditions, education, cuisine and way of life.” Saturday’s street fair features continuous live performances, a wide assortment of Pan-Asian cuisine, a multicultural marketplace and interactive activities for people of all ages. Three performance stages will showcase Asian folk dancers, martial arts demonstrations, belly dancers, Bollywood, lion dancers and more. “We bring culture to you” says Wuiping Yap.

The “Faces of Fiesta Asia” photo exhibit is sponsored and co-presented by Trade Center Management Associates, the manager of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Visit www.fiestaasia.com for details about the street fair and to learn more about the Asia Heritage Foundation. “Faces of Fiesta Asia” focuses your attention not just on the faces of the performers but on their magnificent costumes and traditions. Visit the exhibit through May 31 on the Concourse Level (near the Metro) in the Ronald Reagan Building. You can preview the exhibit by clicking on the photo icons below.

(Washington photographer Jeff Malet has been a frequent contributor to the Georgetowner and the Downtowner. His work is featured in the long-running D.C. Scene photo feature.) [gallery ids="101733,142086,142077,142072,142066,142063,142058,142052,142046,142041,142035,142030,142023,142090,142082" nav="thumbs"]