National Menorah is Lit for Hanukkah (photos)

December 30, 2011

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 first candle was lit on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by special guest, Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew. “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, 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 Syrian oppression more than two-thousand 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 rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This annual event is sponsored by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). View all our photos by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="100446,114854,114767,114845,114777,114836,114787,114797,114807,114817,114757,114863,114717,114908,114899,114727,114890,114881,114737,114872,114747,114827" nav="thumbs"]

Santarchy Invades DC (photos)

December 22, 2011

If you saw dozens of Santas parading around the District on Saturday, Dec. 17, you probably were witness to Santarchy. This is an annual Christmas event held in major cities around the world where thousands of Santas visit major sites and spread their holiday cheer. Organizers describe Santarchy as “a non-profit, non-political, non-religious & non-sensical celebration of holiday cheer, goodwill, and fun.” They are also quick to add that they are not protestors. and will not be occupying anyting except the North Pole. As of last count, no Santas have been arrested. We caught up with them as they gathered near the National Mall Carousel. View our pictures by clicking on the photo icon’s below. [gallery ids="100442,114457,114476,114447,114485,114494,114437,114503,114512,114427,114521,114530,114417,114539,114548,114467" nav="thumbs"]

Caroling in the National Art Gallery Rotunda (photos)


Caroling in the Rotunda, surrounded by seasonal blossoms, has become a favorite family activity at the National Gallery of Art during the holidays. Guest choirs perform their own music as well as lead the audience in standard Chistmas Carols. View our photos of performances that took place on December 17 and 18 by the Annapolis Area Christian School Madrigal Singers (Leia Bennett, director); and the Central Bucks High School West Chamber Choir of Doylestown PA (Joseph Ohrt, director) by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="100443,114557,114696,114567,114577,114587,114597,114607,114617,114627,114637,114647,114657,114667,114677,114705,114547,114477,114768,114487,114759,114497,114750,114507,114741,114517,114732,114527,114723,114537,114714,114687" nav="thumbs"]

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

December 19, 2011

Wreaths Across America volunteers laid over 90,000 wreaths on Saturday, December 10, 2011 to honor veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Founded in 1992 by wreath-maker Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine, the event helps communities recognize and remember the sacrifices of those who have served in America’s armed forces. Organizers said 15,000 people joined the effort at Arlington.
View our photos by clicking on the photo icons below.
View additional photos by clicking here.
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Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony (photos)


The 47th Capitol Christmas tree was lit up in a ceremony on the West Lawn of the US Capitol on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. The 63 foot Sierra white fir from California’s Stanislaus National Forest was decorated with more than 10,000 LED lights and some 2,000 handmade ornaments from the State of California.
View our photos by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="100425,114027,114124,114037,114115,114047,114106,114057,114067,114077,114087,114133,114017,113967,114178,113977,114169,113987,114160,113997,114151,114007,114142,114097" nav="thumbs"]

Hoyas Defeat IUPUI in Men’s Basketball (photos)

December 15, 2011

The Georgetown Hoyas Men’s Basketball team improved their record to 5 wins against only one loss with a victory over the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Jaguars (IUPUI) at the Verizon Center on Monday, November 28, 2011. The game was far closer than the final score of 81-58 would indicate. The Hoyas led by only a single point after the first half. Junior forward Hollis Thompson of the Hoyas finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore forward Nate Lubick set a career high with 14 rebounds. The Jaguars’ record fell to 2-5.

Click on the icons below for out photos from the Verizon Center. [gallery ids="100398,113047,113136,113057,113067,113077,113087,113097,113107,113117,113145,113154,113037,113007,113208,113199,113017,113190,113181,113027,113172,113163,113127" nav="thumbs"]

Botanic Garden Opens Holiday Exhibit Featuring Model Trains and Incredible Replicas (photos)

December 1, 2011

During the holiday season, the U.S. Botanic Garden presents “Season’s Greenings”, a unique exhibit featuring model trains and incredible replicas of Washington, DC’s most famous buildings and monuments. The garden railway was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination in Alexandria, Kentucky. The exhibit is truly amazing with all of the buildings made of real plant materials! Adults and children will be fascinated by this special Christmas-time treat in the nation’s capital. Explore “Who Lives Here?” and see all kinds of delightful dwellings, from an opossum house and a critter condo to model American presidential homes. Don’t miss this popular exhibit, including one of the largest indoor decorated trees in Washington, D.C., and the capital’s landmark buildings in the Garden Court.

Get into the holiday spirit by coming to the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in December for extended viewing hours, when the Conservatory will be open until 8 p.m., featuring live seasonal music in the Garden Court. All performances are free. No advance reservation necessary.

This special holiday treat will close on January 2. The U.S. Botanic Garden is located next to the U.S. Capitol at First St., NW. Washington, DC.

View our photos from the exhibit’s opening day on Saturday, Nov. 25 by clicking on the icons below. [gallery ids="100396,112877,112975,112887,112966,112897,112907,112917,112927,112937,112947,112984,112867,113038,112827,113029,113020,112837,113011,112847,113002,112857,112993,112957" nav="thumbs"]

Photo Highlights from the Washington International Horse Show

November 29, 2011

The Washington International Horse Show concluded on Sunday, October 30. Great Britain’s Nick Skelton was the star of the show, winning both of the two major events, Friday night’s $25,000 Puissance class and Saturday night’s $100,000 President’s Cup grand prix. In the Puissance, Skelton guided his horse Unique over a 7 foot wall.

View our photo highlights from the entire show by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

View additional photos by clicking here.
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Hoyas Defeat Fordham on Senior Day, 30-10 (photos)

November 28, 2011

The Georgetown Hoyas Football team won its 5th straight game by defeating the Fordham Rams 30-10 for its 8th win against only 2 losses for the season. If the Hoyas win next week at Lehigh they will win the school’s first league title and a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. It is a major accomplishment for a team that did not win a single game in 2009. View our photos of the game by clicking on the icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="100372,110722,110727,110732,110737,110742,110747,110752,110757,110762,110767,110717,110712,110682,110788,110687,110784,110692,110780,110697,110776,110702,110707,110772" nav="thumbs"]

Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery (photos)


View our photos of Veterans Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery by clicking on the small icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

View additional photos by clicking here.
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