Our Educational System: Trick or Treat?

November 16, 2011

Answer my history question and get a treat. Or miss it and get a treat. But learn a little along the way.

As Executive Director of a historic foundation, I was handing out treats in front of a 200-year-old building at a Halloween Fun Fest.

Hundreds of kids dressed like ghosts and Spider-mans and princesses stood in line a block long, holding out their pumpkins or bags saying, “Trick or Treat.” Like Santa Claus, I love talking to kids, so I’d ask, “How old are you?”

If younger than five or six, I’d say, “You’re right!” and give them a handful of treats.

But, at age eight or nine, the “trick” questions became more difficult. Mostly, I asked, “Who was the first President of the United States?” Behind me in the window of our shop was a life sized cut out of President Washington. And there I was, dressed like George Washington.

With my long blue coat, tan pants tucked into knee high black boots, a gold buttoned vest, a jabot – that white lace collar I’ll never wear again – and especially my snow white wig, I was the spitting image of our first president. Well, eight inches shorter and no wooden teeth. But close enough. It was Halloween.

When a child said, “I don’t know,” I’d say, “Oh, come on. Who do I look like?” or, “Who is that guy in the window?”

Some shrugged their shoulders, said “I don’t know,” and began to walk away. I chased them down and gave them some candy anyway.

Some kids said, “Lincoln?”

Lincoln? He was tall, slender, and had dark hair and a beard. I’m short with light grey hair and barely need to shave my blond whiskers daily.

Or “Ben Franklin?” OK, my coat looked a little like Ben’s. But I’m not bald.

Some turned to their parents with an expression begging, “Help me out.” Most parents whispered, “Washington,” but a few shocked me, “Don’t ask me. I don’t know.”

Occasionally when a child was excitedly right, I’d ask, “Who was the second President?” A few guessed “Lincoln?” but not one said “John Adams.”

The funniest answer was a nine-year old boy who proudly announced, “Garfield. I’m studying the Presidents.”

“Garfield was the first?” I asked. He corrected himself, “Oh, Washington.”

My daughter, dressed truly prehistorically as a dinosaur, was helping and estimated that 40% of the kids missed. She’s prone to exaggeration, but not much.
Occasionally, I asked, “Do you read every day?”
Some said they did, but too many said, “No,” looking at me with an expression that said, “Can I still have some candy?” They got their handful.

The answer that shook me out of my boots was a child who said, “I don’t need to. I’m home schooled.” That stumped me – surely that’s not indicative of home schooling – so I gave him a handful of candy and scooted him along.

I don’t know what’s wrong with our educational system, but something is. I wasn’t out to do a social experiment. Maybe the kids were just too excited to think. I expected everyone to indignantly blurt out “George Washington” without hesitating.

The canvas is larger than this Trick or Treat episode. It touches the core of what we are as a nation.

The country is agonizing over the loss of and the lack of jobs. One of the drumbeats out of Washington is that the “market” is the only engine of job growth. Markets are competitive. The US must have a smart economy to grow, and employers want smart employees. Twenty-five years ago, when I worked for a large consulting firm, we couldn’t find enough business students to fill our positions, so we decided to hire the smartest graduates from any field with the idea that we could train smart people to be good consultants.

Our national debate about immigration policy is missing the point. Immigrants are banging on the doors of our universities and most innovative companies. They want to live here and pay taxes, but we make it difficult for them to come here and difficult for companies to hire them. We invite foreign students to study here, provide them with our most valuable resource, and usher them out of the country. We, a country built on the work ethic of immigrants, limit legal immigration of the best and the smartest from other countries, people who start companies and create jobs. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have begged Congress for more immigrant permits. Congress said, “No,” so Microsoft and Apple built facilities in Asia.

We blame illegal immigrants for our national woes. Somehow, they seem to find work here while American can’t. Or won’t.

The cost of college educations is rising faster than inflation. Federal, state, and local governments are reducing spending on education. Performance is declining. The US education system, once the best in the world, is now far from it.

Something isn’t working.

Maybe knowing the first president or reading every day isn’t that important.

Call me old fashioned. I think it is.

Trick or Treat? These tricks are really bad.

In God We Trust…ROLL TIDE!


In a political pissing contest with President Obama, who recently mistakenly referred to “E Pluribus Unum” as the slogan for America (changed to “In God We Trust” in 1956), the Republican-led House of Representatives voted 396-9 to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the nation’s motto.

This waste of time and resources to prove a point, combined with recent and ongoing misbehavior throughout the government, has led me to justify a hopeless goal full of hopeful desires for America. If the national motto is up for debate, then I propose changing it to the rally chant from the University of Alabama: ROLL TIDE!

If you want to learn about the true Christian values we claim this country was built upon, then you have to go to a place where time passes slower and change in culture lags 10 to 20 years behind the rest of society. Travel deep enough into the farmland and you will find dial up Internet and, believe it or not, original Christian values: treat others as you want to be treated and let the Lord work.

When you look at the message behind the ROLL TIDE chant you get a better understanding of what it used to mean to be an American. Fight for what is right, never give up, never surrender, take pride in yourself, take pride in those who stand among you, and give the respect you expect from others…ROLL TIDE!

At least once in your life, spend a day at a BAMA game. In the parking lot you will find diehard fans in high-end and low-end motor home game-mobiles. You will see hairspray loving women holding those plastic-but-looks-like-porcelain plates sitting in a camouflaged folding chair in front of a red tent with a plastic chandelier hanging from the apex. Inevitably she’ll be yelling at her underage daughter, “Hay! Why are you drankin’ out of that Styrofoam cup? Put it in plastic and stop actin’ like you ain’t got no class!”

Extreme analogy, yes. But the fact of the matter is that ROLL TIDE isn’t about the win or the loss, or even the game of football itself. ROLL TIDE is about recognizing that we are all members of the same community, and that we ultimately all want the best for one another. ROLL TIDE means pushing yourself to exceed what you’re capable of because it is possible and not settling for anything less simply because you can get away with it.

I am not a fan of football, or Alabama for that matter, but I have spent enough time in the southern farmland and river swamps to know how to survive off of the land, and enough time in the city to know that there are differences in cultures and communities throughout the world.

I will own my bias. I was raised in the south and brought up with “core southern values.” But I have also traveled the country enough to know that the same rules that apply in Alabama do not apply in New York. Some laws in Nebraska are pointless in Florida. There are times when we are fifty states and there are times when we are one country, but that does not mean that we have to be a huge collective of societies and communities that all believe and support the same ideas and theologies. That itself would be a little anti-American!

Being isolated as a country has further hindered our ability to develop into a better civilization. Geographically speaking, America is like Europe, except instead of independent countries, America is composed of interlaced states. However, while European countries like Germany, Italy, France and England competed to be better than one another, our American states began as equals. We Americans never had to compete against one another to improve our cultural philosophies or further technology and standards of living.

I am not suggesting that the United States should dissolve its union or start trying to be like Europe. Instead, I am proposing that we Americans start living up to our own potential. I propose we pledge to live our own teachings, to hold ourselves accountable for our actions equal to that of our neighbors. We should strive to take pride in all that we do, speak with conviction and stand up for what is right for all people regardless of their station in life.

We are at a cultural crossroads where the differences between what Christians claim the Bible says is right and wrong and what modern society claims is acceptable or unjustifiable intersect. It is unfortunate that neither side seems willing to work towards an agreement that would allow both sides to live harmoniously together, but more so that neither side seems to remember that we are all on the same team to begin with.

Our fights as Americans, between the left and right, Christians and Gays, blacks and whites and Hispanics….these fights we have with one another are pointless. We are all AMERICANS! We are on the same team. And we need to be capable and willing to stand toe-to-toe and shoulder-to-shoulder with one another as countrymen in whatever fight or battle we find ourselves in order to make our country—our collective—a better place for all Americans. ROLL TIDE!

Bring Back Our Bus Route


On Nov. 9, the ANC2E Commissioners released a joint motion to reinstate two Circulator bus stops in Georgetown: the M St., NW stop between Wisconsin Ave. and 31st St., and the P St. stop on Wisconsin Ave., both northbound and southbound. District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has recently cut these stops to save time on its Circulator routes. To those of us in Georgetown, cutting a thirty-second bus stop does not amount to much time saved, and of greater concern is the tremendous benefits these stop afford local businesses and community members. The stop helps to draw shoppers to the area and encourages the use of public transportation in Georgetowners.

The P St. bus stop was a popular one for business along Wisconsin. As locals know and visitors quickly discover, the walk up and down Wisconsin can be a deterring one. Meanwhile, the P St. intersection is an oasis of small and local businesses, including The Phoenix clothing, The Lantern Bryn Mawr Bookstore, Marvelous Market, Thomas Sweet, Café Bonaparte and Wedding Creations & Anthony’s Tuxedo. A petition was signed at the beginning of the month by 30 small and local business owners around the area to reinstate the bus stops, as a noted decline in business has been noticed since their removals. It also poses an inconvenience to nearby residents that use public transportation, who have lost convenient access to the Circulator.

According to Ed Solomon, owner of Anthony’s Tuxedo’s, local residents have voiced their concerns to business owners in the area, and a few even spoke out in support of reinstating the bus stops at the Nov. 1 ANC meeting two weeks ago.

The M St. stop between Wisconsin Ave. and 31st St. is simply too much of a focal point to cut. It is the nucleus of Georgetown’s M Street territory and retail district, and its removal is confusing pedestrian traffic that much more by overcrowding the streets at the stops nearest by.

What DDOT and city officials really ought to focus on is evaluating alternate methods to expedite traffic in this area of town. We live in one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the country, and it houses the city’s most vibrant retail district. On an average day, it takes easily over 30 minutes to navigate the stretch of road between K St. and M St. Buses are a part of this congestion, but in an urban environment they are all but mundane inevitabilities, and decreasing the number of stops on a route by one cannot possibly have any significant impact on the efficiency of the bus route or the easing of surrounding traffic. Whether bus lanes at certain times of day should be in discussion, or alternate HOV restrictions applied to promote the use of public transportation, we are not here to say. What we are here to say is that the current solution is not the answer.

We greatly appreciate DDOT’s efforts in Georgetown, specifically their opening access to the harbor and movie theater on K St., and we hope they will reinstate these stops. At a previous ANC2E meeting this year, DDOT representatives said they would seriously consider input from the community since they changed the bus routes. If they want to address community concerns, now is their chance.

Jack Evans ReportNovember 16, 2011


I wanted to provide an update on the iGaming proposal that is currently under consideration by the Council and the District?s Lottery Board. The Lottery Modernization Amendment Act of 2010, which was a part of the ?Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010,? authorizes the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board to offer ?games of skill? and ?games of chance? via the Internet. Specifically, the proposal is to offer Internet games such as Texas Hold ?em Poker on computers in yet to be determined locations within the District.

In response to concerns from community members last spring, I asked the Lottery to schedule a number of community meetings to receive input on iGaming before moving forward with enabling these games in any neighborhoods. I subsequently requested that the Lottery move to further accommodate community members by postponing meetings originally scheduled for August to more convenient times in October and November, and am pleased that they have done so. My hope was that this change in schedule would allow more residents to return from out of town summer trips and be engaged in the community meeting process.

At this point, the Lottery has held at least 5 community meetings throughout the city ? meetings have been held in Wards 1, 4, 5, and 7, as well as an additional meeting held for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners. Staff members from my office have attended all these meetings to record community feedback, and I am also expecting a more formal report from the Lottery on these meetings to be given to my Committee.

Upcoming meetings are scheduled in Wards 3, 6, and 8, and most importantly, Ward 2. Our meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15 at the MLK Memorial Library (901 G Street NW). If you have thoughts on iGaming, please come to the meeting to share your views in person, or you may share thoughts or questions by emailing igamingdc@dc.gov. For more information, you can contact my office or visit the Lottery?s iGaming website at http://goo.gl/xe8hh.

Also, the Inspector General is conducting an investigation into the lottery and should have his findings available soon. After the conclusion of these community meetings, I intend to schedule a hearing to review the community input received and the Inspector General?s findings. I am reserving judgment at this point until all community feedback has been collected, so I look forward to hearing from you.

Business Ins & OutsNovember 16, 2011


IN: Oui: Paul Bakery and Caf? to Open Officially Nov. 21

Say “bonjour” to the new bakery-caf? near the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, as it may already be serving its famous breads, sandwiches, salads, sweets and tarts. Paul, the 120 year-old upscale authentic French bakery-caf?, boasts 500 stores in 25 countries — from Japan to Qatar and now in Georgetown. Its downtown D.C. shop opened in May.

While the eatery touts its tradition and history, the U.S. side of the firm is led by Philippe Sanchez, president and CEO of PAUL USA, Inc. Sanchez is a 20-year global marketing veteran of three of the world’s most recognizable brands, Starbucks, Nike and Disney, and is known as a visionary in digital imaging. He was also marketing VP for Getty Images. Prepare for a Napoleonic campaign of bakery victories across America.

“We?re very excited about the new location in a beautiful historic brick building that once was the kitchen to the historic City Tavern,” Sanchez said. “Built in 1889, our new Georgetown location shares the same birthday as Paul, which was founded in 1889 in Lille, France. We?ve customized the space by adding a large and glorious window to the top floor, which will serve as the dining area, accommodating 30-40 patrons in a cozy and beautiful Parisian caf? ambiance.”

Paul Georgetown Bakery and Caf?, 1078 Wisconsin Ave., N.W, (Located at the southwest corner of Wisconsin and M, between the Banana Republic and the entrance to the Georgetown Park parking garage.)

Tel: 202-524-4630 / 4631 / 4632 — Email: paulb03@paul-usa.com

OUT: Georgetown Inn and Hotel Monticello sold

The Georgetown Inn has sold for $34.6 million to a group of investors including former Best Western International Inc. chairman Nayan Patel, according to the Washington Business Journal. Georgetown Washington DC Inn LLC is planning a major renovation of the 1310 Wisconsin Avenue property, which traded for about $360,400 per room, Patel told the business newspaper. ?We?re really excited about this property, we think it has great potential, and I would like to take the property to the next level,? he said.

The newspaper also reported that Savills Hotel Group announced the sale of the Hotel Monticello at 1075 Thomas Jefferson St., NW, for an undisclosed price to Monticello Hotel Owners LLC. with plans for ?major renovations.?

The new owners of the Georgetown Inn do not plan to change the hotel’s name, as Patel told the Business Journal, “because of the worldwide recognition associated with Georgetown. D.C. continues to be a strong hotel market, nationally and internationally, and really Georgetown within that market is very hard to beat.?

IN: Cafe Tu-O-Tu Adds Second Georgetown Spot

Already at the eastern edge of town near the Four Seasons at 2816 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Cafe Tu-O-Tu, a eatery specializing in Mediterranean salads and sandwiches, is setting up shop on the west side on the 3400 block of M Street, next to Pie Sisters. (Its name derives from D.C.’s area code, didn’t you know?)

IN: Edible Arrangements Coming to Wisconsin Ave.

Edible Arrangements — creators and deliverers of fruit and chocolate gift baskets — will occupy the former 7-Eleven spot at 1600 Wisconsin Avenue and Q Street.

OUT: Safeway Closes its Gates

The Safeway in the Watergate office building will close Dec. 3, according to the Washington Business Journal. Safeway is focusing on closing its older stores and updating newer, larger locations.

Street, Metro Closures to Affect D.C. Residents This Weekend

November 10, 2011

Georgetown will see massive street closures and parking restrictions this weekend through Halloween. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, these restrictions are subject to change. On Sunday, the Marine Corp. Marathon will wind its way through Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. From 7:30 until about 10:45 a.m., the following roads will be closed:

GWMP from Spout Run to Key Bridge off ramp (one northbound lane will remain open)

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Canal Road NW from M Street NW to Reservoir Road NW

Reservoir Road NW from MacArthur Blvd. NW to Canal Road NW

MacArthur Blvd. NW from Foxhall Road NW to Reservoir Road NW

Foxhall Road NW from Canal Road NW to MacArthur Boulevard N

M Street NW from Canal Road NW to Wisconsin Avenue N

Wisconsin Avenue from M Street NW to K Street NW

K Street NW from Wisconsin Avenue NW to Rock Creek

On Halloween, parking restrictions will be in effect from 4 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The following roads will be affected:

K St, NW from 30th Street to Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Water Street, NW from 33rd Street to the Mouth of the Capital Crescent Trail

1000 – 1300 Blocks of Wisconsin Ave. NW

M Street NW, from 25th Street to the Key Bridge

1100 block of 26th Street NW

Thomas Jefferson St.– 1000 block (From the canal north to M Street)

Restrictions will be posted at least 72 hours in advance.

Beginning on Halloween at 6:30 p.m. and lasting until 4 a.m., the following streets will be closed to through traffic:

1000 block of Grace Street NW

1000 block of Thomas Jefferson Street NW

1000-1500 blocks of 29th Street NW

1000 -1500 blocks of 30th Street NW

1200-1300 blocks of Potomac Street NW

1200-1500 blocks of 27th Street NW

1200-1500 blocks of 28th Street NW

1200-1600 blocks of 33rd Street NW

1200-1700 blocks of 34th Street NW

1500 32nd Street NW

1600-1700 blocks of 35th Street NW

2600-3100 blocks of Dumbarton Street NW

2600-3100 blocks of P Street NW

2600-3600 blocks of O Street NW

2700-3600 blocks of N Street NW

2700 block of Poplar Lane NW

2700-2900 blocks of Olive Street NW

• 3100 Block of Blues Alley

• 3100 Block of Oak Alley NW

• 3100 Block of South Street NW

• 3200-3400 Q Street NW

• 3200 Block of Cecil Place NW

• 3200-3600 blocks of Prospect Street NW

• 3300-3400 blocks of Dent Place NW

• 3300 blocks of Cady’s Alley NW

• 900 Block30th Street NW

From 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Halloween, metal barricades will be erected along the sidewalks of 3100-3200 blocks of M Street, NW and 1000-1200 blocks of Wisconsin Avenue, NW.
The Metro has also scheduled major track work for the rail system this weekend. The Red Line will be reduced to a single track from Union Station to DuPont Circle. On the Green Line, the Metro will shut down the Waterfront, Navy Yard, Anacostia and Congressional Heights stations. The Orange Line will share one track between New Carrollton and Cheverly.

If you wish to brave the chaos, there will be several events to occupy your time. In addition to the Marathon, the Washington International Horse Show will run through Sunday at the Verizon Center. In Georgetown, L2 Lounge will celebrate the holiday with its L2 Air Halloween Party on Saturday at 9 p.m., and Tudor Place will host its Historic Halloween Spooktacular Trick or Treat on Monday. For more information on events and the best ways to avoid the crowds, go to the Georgetown BID website, GeorgetownDC.com.

Greatest Generation Japanese American WWII Veterans Receive Congressional Gold Medal

November 7, 2011

The U.S. Congress held a ceremony on Capitol Hill on November 2, 2011 to award the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest civilian honor, to more than 1,000 Japanese-American veterans, now in their 80s and 90s, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. Japanese-American contributions to the war are even more remarkable since their families were rounded up and confined by their own government. Many Japanese-Americans who fought in World War 2 were “Nisei”, Japanese Americans born in the U.S. Many of them and their families were placed in internment camps after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and they were also exempt from the draft. Nonetheless, about 19,000 Japanese-American soldiers volunteered for service.
The award was presented collectively to the Army’s three Japanese-American units that fought in the Mediterranean and European theatres – the 100th Infantry Battalion, nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion, the “Go for Broke” 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).

Fighting their way through Italy, southern France and Germany, and finally sent to the Pacific Theater to serve as part of the occupation force in Japan, members of the 442nd made the unit the most highly decorated regiment in Army history. All told, the 13,000 soldiers serving in the regiment, received 21 Medals of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars and 9,486 Purple Hearts. One of those distinguished Medal of Honor winners, Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) took part in the ceremony.

The 100th Battalion was absorbed by the 442nd , but initially was a separate unit. It was composed of men from Hawaii who were part of the National Guard.
There were 3,000 Army trained linguists that served in the Asia-Pacific theater part of the MIS. These men had a numerous duties which included translating enemy documents, interrogating prisoners of war, and persuading enemies forces to surrender. Because of the nature of their work, MIS achievements have been classified and are just now coming to light.

In 2010 Congress approved a special gold medal for the unit. President Obama signed the bill into law authorizing the award a year ago. A replica of the gold medal is given out to veterans, family members of deceased veterans, next of kin of soldiers killed in action and family members of veterans who took part in the ceremony.

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

View additional photos by clicking here.

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Weekend Roundup, Nov. 3, 2011


Friday, Nov. 4

St. Mark Orthodox Church Ethnic Food Festival & Bazaar

The Ethnic Food Festival serves homemade Russian food specialties such as piroghi, piroshky, halupki, blini, borscht, Chicken Kiev, kielbasa and side dishes. Candy desserts and drinks are available. Dine in or carry out. Shop for religious books, baked goods or Silpada jewelry. Visit the raffle and silent auction or take a church tour. Free admission and 10 percent discounts on meals for seniors. The festival is open Friday through Sunday at 11 a.m. Call 301-229-6300 for more information. St.
Mark Orthodox Church is located at 7124 River Road in Bethesda, Md. 20817.

Artist Reception: Sweet Tides Artworks by Alison Hall Cooley

A D.C. native, Alison Hall Cooley’s work depicts the natural world using overlapping techniques. Her show titled “Sweet Tides” is on view at Thos. Moser’s D.C. Showroom through December 31, 2011. She also has annual shows in Nantucket. Cooley studied at Sarah Lawrence College and continued at the Corcoran School of Art in D.C. She has also won several awards, including the Charles C. McDougall Award for Promising New Artists, and has been printed in several publications. The reception takes place at 6 p.m. at Thos. Moser’s D.C. Showroom, 3300 M St. NW. Call 202-965-4601 for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 5

The Vices that Made Virginia

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture presents an “outdoor celebration of the region’s finest farmers and food artisans.” The fundraiser will take place on the historic site of the Arcadia Farms Woodland. Enjoy and evening filled with the best commodities Virginia has to offer prepared by some of the best chefs in the business. The proceedings of this event will go to the Arcadia Center for Sustainable food & Agriculture and their continued work. The event begins at 4 p.m. at Arcadia at Woodlawn, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Va. 22309. Tickets are $125. Email info@arcadiafood.org for more information.

Fashion Show and After Party with Tim Gunn

Westfield Annapolis is hosting a fashion show and after party with Project Runway co-host Tim Gunn at the Nordstrom Court. Guests that have purchased a Lucky Brand product over $100 between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5 get the opportunity to be photographed with Tim Gunn and receive a signed copy of his NY Times best seller “Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work.” Nordstrom Court is located at 2002 Annapolis Mall, Annapolis, Md. 21401. The event begins at 1 p.m. and is free. Call 410-266-5432 for more information.

Sunday, Nov. 6

National Race to End Women’s Cancer 8K/1 Mile Walk

Did you know that D.C. has the highest ovarian cancer mortality rate in the nation? The National Race to End Women’s Cancer 8K/1Mile Walk on Sunday at 9 a.m. will raise awareness and crucial research funding to prevent, detect, tread and defeat these “below the belt” cancers – cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulval – that are not often talked about but that claim a woman’s live every 7 minutes. The race will begin at Freedom Plaza on 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Participation costs $40 for the 8/K and $30 for the 1 Mile Walk.

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Presents “Orchestral Brilliance”

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center presents the American Youth Philharmonic with Daniel Spalding, Music Director & Conductor. Jeffery Jacob, piano, appears as a guest artist. A pre-concert lecture will be held at 2:30 p.m. with Jacob. The program includes Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80, Jacob: Wanderer Fantasy for Piano and Large Orchestra (Symphony No. 4) and the world premiere of Kodlay: Hary Janos Suite. The event will take place at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Alexandria, Va. 22331 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Call 703-642-8051 for more information.

Arts on Foot Festival in Penn Quarter (photo gallery)

November 3, 2011

Click below for our photo gallery from last weekend’s Penn Quarter Arts on Foot Festival. This annual event is a visual and performing arts festival featuring Washington DC theaters, museums, and arts at a variety of venues in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, DC. The festival became an art walking tour with area restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, and more than 100 visual artists participating and dozens of Downtown attractions hosting visual art exhibits, performances, workshops, demonstrations, films, concerts and children’s activities. This year’s event also featured commemorative activities to honor the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 including The 9/11 Arts Project. (all photos by Jeff Malet). [gallery ids="99231,103634,103639,103644,103649,103654,103659,103664,103669,103674,103629,103624,103619,103594,103695,103691,103599,103687,103683,103604,103609,103614,103679" nav="thumbs"]

Navy SEALs Wreath Laying


Rear Admiral Edward K. Walker, Jr., USN (Ret) and the staff of the US Navy Memorial place a wreath at the statue of the Lone Sailor in Washington DC on Tuesday August 9, 2011, in honor of Navy SEALs Team Six killed in action. More than 20 Navy SEALs from SEAL Team Six were among those killed the previous Friday in a helicopter crash flown by a crew of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. SEAL Team Six was the unit that carried out the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in his Pakistan hideout. [gallery ids="100257,106909,106913" nav="thumbs"]