It’s Fun to Stay Healthy at the NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo (photos)

January 23, 2014

Thousands gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Jan. 11 and 12 to take advantage of free health screenings and participate in a variety of fun activities designed to promote fitness. Now in its 20th year, the NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo is held each January, providing free information and instruction to keep residents of the Washington area healthy and happy.

View our photos from the 2014 NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101596,147366,147370,147374,147379,147382,147387,147391,147395,147405,147399,147362,147358,147353,147313,147318,147323,147308,147328,147331,147336,147340,147344,147349,147403" nav="thumbs"]

Holiday Season Kicks Off with Tree Lighting Ceremonies at the Capitol and Union Station (photos)

January 16, 2014

The D.C. holiday season kicked off in high gear with tree lighting ceremonies at both the Capitol and Union Station on Dec. 3.

At the Capitol, House Speaker John Boehner was on hand to light up the tree, assisted by Giovanni Philip Gaynor, a first grader from Colville, Washington. The 88-foot-tall Englemann spruce arrived at the Capitol last week. Participating in the ceremony were Stephen T. Ayers, Architect of the Capitol and members of the Washington Congressional delegation, USDA Forest Service and Capitol Police, with musical entertainment from “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and the “noteBusters” Children’s Choir of Washington, D.C. The Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit nightly from dusk to 11 p.m. throughout the holiday season.

At Union Station, the Embassy of Norway presented a Christmas tree for the 16th year. This year’s tree is decorated with ornaments depicting Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” to mark the 150th anniversary of the Norwegian artist’s birth. Hundreds of ornaments, depicting “The Scream,” decorated the tree along with American and Norwegian flags. It will be on display through December, a symbol of the friendship between Norway and the United States, and a token of thanks from Norway to the U.S. during World War II. The ceremony included performances by New York Opera stars Andrew Bidlack and Rosa Betancourt, and the Carolers of Greater Washington. The United States Marine Corps helped out with Toys for Tots. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus handed out gifts to the children.

View our photos of both tree lighting ceremonies by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="148971,148911,148906,148888,148883,148902,148897,148893,148873,148869,148916,148921,148925,148974,148966,148961,148956,148951,148946,148941,148936,148930,148865,148861,148804,148799,148794,148790,148785,148771,148781,148777,148879,148807,148812,148815,148856,148851,148848,148843,148838,148834,148829,148825,148821,101558" nav="thumbs"]

‘Tis the Season 2013 – Holiday Photos from the Nation’s Capital

January 9, 2014

The Holiday Season is always a busy one and this year was no exception in the D.C. Metro Area. We’ve assembled our images from some of the main events that in many ways characterize Washington’s position as the Nation’s Capital.

View all the images by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="147866,147759,147815,147767,147763,147747,147744,147739,147734,147729,147725,147711,147705,147701,147697,147772,147777,147855,147847,147841,147835,147830,147825,147808,147861,147821,147804,147798,147793,147787,147781,147753,147685,147602,147607,147597,147592,147588,147582,147577,147573,147568,147563,147542,147559,147553,147548,147679,147632,147719,147691,147714,147673,147654,147649,147667,147637,147660,147625,147621,147616,147612,147643,101583" nav="thumbs"]

National Menorah Lights Up for Hanukkah (photos)

January 6, 2014

A special lighting ceremony took place for the National Hanukkah Menorah, the world’s largest, on the Ellipse, just across from the White House on the first night of the eight-day Jewish holiday. The Jewish calendar follows the course of the moon. This year, the first day of Chanukah fell on Thanksgiving, an event so rare it is not scheduled to happen again for thousands of years. Despite the holiday’s occurrence in November, the weather was very winter-like — cold, wet and windy.

The first candle on the National Menorah was lit on Wednesday, Nov. 27, by special guest, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. The United States Air Force Band, award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari and “The Three Cantors” performed. The national menorah lighting dates to 1979 when Jimmy Carter was president. Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish Maccabees’ military victory over Greek-Syrian oppression more than 2,000 years ago. A candle is lit each night of the eight-day celebration, commemorating the miracle of one day’s supply of oil lasting a full eight days in the lamp following the re dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Following the ceremony, those in attendance were treated to hot traditional Hanukkah latkes (potato pancakes), donuts and cookies. The annual free event is sponsored by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), represented by Rabbi Levi Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov.

View all our photos by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101555,149258,149263,149314,149304,149309,149269,149273,149278,149284,149291,149254,149250,149209,149204,149213,149218,149223,149227,149232,149235,149242,149246,149297" nav="thumbs"]

Hoyas Defeat Lipscomb at Verizon Center


The Georgetown Hoyas defeated the Nashville, Tenn.-based Lipscomb Bisons 70-49 at the Verizon Center Nov. 30. The Hoyas had led at halftime by only a single point 27-26 but pulled away early in the second half with 13 consecutive points. Georgetown sophomore D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera led the Hoyas in scoring (17 points), rebounding (eight) and assists (seven). Joshua Smith, the 6-10, 350-pound center, contributed 14 points plus 5 rebounds and received a standing ovation after fouling out with a minute to go. With the win, the basketball Hoyas improved their record to 4-2.

View our photos from courtside by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101556,149133,149138,149144,149149,149154,149158,149165,149170,149175,149179,149185,149190,149199,149128,149123,149087,149068,149072,149062,149077,149091,149193,149082,149102,149107,149097,149111,149118,149201" nav="thumbs"]

Wreaths Across America Honors Our Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery (photos)

December 19, 2013

More than 140,000 wreaths, donated by Wreaths Across America, were laid at Arlington National Cemetery Dec. 14 for the 22nd annual event. Thousands of volunteers braved frigid weather to place the wreaths throughout the cemetery. Morrill Worcester, president of Worcester Wreath Company, based in Harrington, Maine, started this annual event in 1992 to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. The stated mission of the organization — “Remember, Honor, Teach” — is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington as well as veterans’ cemeteries in all 50 states, at sea and 24 cemeteries on foreign soil. This year, Wreaths Across America had expected to ship 470,000 to 500,000 wreaths to decorate graves in more than 900 locations.

View our photos from Arlington National Cemetery by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="148297,148228,148223,148217,148213,148208,148203,148198,148194,148189,148186,148181,148233,148238,148293,148288,148283,148277,148273,148268,148263,148259,148253,148248,148243,148175,148169,148166,148097,148093,148087,148083,148079,148073,148069,148064,148310,148308,148303,148101,148107,148160,148155,148150,148146,148141,148135,148130,148126,148121,148115,148111,101576" nav="thumbs"]

National Christmas Tree Lighting with President Obama and the First Family in Photos

December 12, 2013

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters officially lit the National Christmas Tree on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in Washington D.C., just south of the White House in President’s Park. There were performances by Train, Aretha Franklin, Forte, Janelle Monae, Joshua Bell, Prince Royce, Renee Fleming, the Avett Bros., Arturo Sandoval and Mariah Carey. “Glee” star Jane Lynch emceed the event. Thousands attended despite cold, rainy conditions. This year’s ceremony marked the 91st annual National Christmas Tree Lighting, an American holiday tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923. It was the fifth time that the event has been hosted by the Obama family, since its first year at the White House for Christmas in 2009.

View our photos of the National Tree Lighting Ceremony by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101570,148526,148522,148518,148514,148509,148504,148500,148534,148477,148495,148489,148471,148467,148462,148455,148483,148531" nav="thumbs"]

Remembering Pearl Harbor at the U.S. Navy Memorial (photos)


This past Saturday marked the 72nd anniversary of the surprise attack against U.S. Navy installations at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by the armed forces of Imperial Japan. War was declared the next day. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and more than 1,200 wounded on Dec. 7, 1941.

On the anniversary of that “Day of Infamy,” ceremonies were held across the United States to honor those who perished. Here in Washington, a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was held at the U.S. Navy Memorial. Among the participants at the solemn ceremony were two Pearl Harbor survivors, Marine Major Albert Grasselli, who was stationed at Ewa Beach Marine Airfield; and Navy veteran STC (SS) Howard Snell who was stationed at the submarine base. Both men were also present at the Battle of Midway which later marked the turning point in the war in the Pacific. Ms. “Lou” Large, the National President of the Sons & Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors delivered the keynote address. Ms. Large and Rear Adm. Mark Rich, Commandant of Naval District Washington, laid a commemorative wreath at the Lone Sailor Stature. The famous Stanley Bleifeld 1987 bronze sculpture is a tribute to all personnel of the sea services.

The United States Navy Memorial is located at 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, in Washington D.C. near the Archives/Navy Memorial Metro stop. The Navy Memorial welcomes visitors between 9:30am-5pm everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s.

View our photos of the ceremony at the Navy Memorial by clicking on the photo icons below.
[gallery ids="101571,148387,148401,148407,148412,148415,148421,148427,148433,148439,148444,148382,148378,148397,148373,148345,148351,148339,148355,148359,148364,148367,148450,148392,148452" nav="thumbs"]

Book Lovers Attend 36th National Press Club Book Fair and Authors Night (photos)

December 5, 2013

Dozens of nationally known authors attended the National Press Club’s 36th Book Fair and Authors’ Night on Nov. 19 in partnership with Politics & Prose Bookstore. The book fair is a fundraiser for the National Press Club Journalism Institute, which provides scholarships and training for the next generation of journalists. The Georgetowner on this night was hosted by John P. Cosgrove, the senior past president of the National Press Club, who personally presented President John F. Kennedy with his club membership card in 1961.

View our photos from the book fair by clicking on the photo icons below.
[gallery ids="101544,149691,149685,149682,149677,149673,149669,149663,149707,149705,149659,149700,149695" nav="thumbs"]

Capitol Christmas Tree Arrives in Washington (photos)

December 2, 2013

The 2013 Capitol Christmas, an 88-foot-tall Engelmann spruce from Colville National Forest in northeastern Washington State, arrived in Washington, D.C., Nov. 25. The tree spent several weeks on the road visiting 22 communities across the country before arriving at the U.S. Capitol in time for Thanksgiving. It will be decorated by more than 5,000 handmade ornaments, handcrafted by Washingtonians to reflect this year’s theme, “Sharing Washington’s Good Nature.” It will be lit in a ceremony by House Speaker John Boehner, 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, on the Capitol’s West Front lawn. Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, will serve as master of ceremonies. After the lighting ceremony, the Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit nightly from dusk to 11 p.m. throughout the holiday season. The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964.

View our photos of the arrival by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101552,149396,149385,149379,149374,149368,149362,149357,149394,149388" nav="thumbs"]