As the weather gets colder, it’s nice to remember that Spring is hopefully just around the corner.
Photo taken at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC. __________________________________________________________
The Smithsonian’s Asian and Eastern art museum, The Sackler Gallery on the National Mall, is hosting an exhibit of some of the oldest Bible artifacts in existence inan exhibit called In the Beginning: Bibles before the Year 1000.
Over the centuries, the iconic Bible as it’s known today has changed and evolved to what we know it to be today. But it’s original form included stories and teaching that over the ages have been modified or completely eliminated.
Some of the examples on display are from the period when “books” (bound or covered manuscripts) first started replacing scrolls. Fragments of some of …read more
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Tis the season for Bond…James Bond.
This New Year’s Eve Euronet International is hosting an all Bond international New Years Eve 007 License to Thrill party for “sophisticated singles, couples and groups alike”.
This black tie party has, obviously, a 007 theme. Attendees “travel” around the globe Bond-style, to party rooms featuring a different country’s food, drink and music. From a mock Casino Royale with Roulette, Craps and Black Jack to a unique ‘shaken not stirred’ Icelandic-themed Ice Bar, partiers can span the missions of 007.
Other themes include the Caribbean (can’t be a Bond party with out some calypso music …read more
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This weekend, I heard that one of my (and DC’s) favorite restaurants, The Red Sage, will be closing its doors on Friday, after 15 years serving Washington.
For most of that time, this upscale Santa Fe / Southwestern favorite, just blocks from the White House, (605 14th St. NW), was one of the tougher dinner reservations to get. It served modern American dishes with a unique Southwestern spin.
Its casual Boarder Grill upstairs was great for a post-work cocktail and snack. While the southwestern catacomb-like “Market” downstairs was an intimate and romantic place to celebrate life’s special occasions.
I will miss my favorite …read more
To Catholics, as well as many other Christians and Jews, the areas in the Middle East commonly called the Holy Land, are considered some of the most religiously significant historical areas in the world.
The Holy Land includes locations such as The Holy City – Jerusalem; the city where Jesus was born, Bethlehem on the West Bank; Nazareth, the city where Jesus grew up; and Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
About 700 years ago, the Roman Catholic Church assigned the responsibility and keeping of the Holy Land and its many shrines and religious sites to the Order of St. …read more
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Medieval French heroine and Roman Catholic saint, Joan of Arc, at the young age of only 17, overcame dismissal and indifference from French commanders and managed to lead French troops against the English to end the 6-month siege at Orléans in only 9 days. However, within 2 years, at just 19, she was burned at the stake for heresy. Yet her legacy lived on through stories, plays, paintings, music and even today, in modern film.
Joan of Arc, at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, covers 500 years and over 200 French and Amercian works including paintings, sculpture, books, textiles and popular Joan …read more
On the Potomac River waterfront in suburban Alexandria is The Torpedo Factory Art Center. The center is, yes, a former torpedo factory.
The day after World War I ended (1918), the U.S. Navy began construction on the U.S. Naval torpedo station in suburban Alexandria, VA. Designed to build torpedoes launched from both submarines and aircraft, the factory housed torpedo manufacturing facilities for five years after World War I. During the next 18 years of peace, the factory was used as munitions storage depot. (Can you imagine munitions being stored like that today, so close to a major metropolitan area?)
After the start …read more
If you enjoy holiday light displays, there are several magical displays in nearby suburban Maryland and Virginia that will delight kids of all ages. Most require a car, but one is a garden walk.
The Winter Lights Festival in suburban Gaithersburg, MD lets you drive through the 3½ mile Seneca Creek State Park holiday light display. With 380 illuminated displays along with 60 animated scenes, there’s bound to be something to delight everyone. Some of the themes include Teddy Bear Land, a Victorian Village, and of course, the North Pole.
Hours – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. daily, and until 10:00 p.m Fridays and Saturdays
Through …read more
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Imagine traveling back in time to the Christmas season during America’s Revolutionary period. At The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, see what the Christmas season for Americans was celebrated adn how homes were decorated before there were strings of multi-colored LED lights, fake Christmas trees and electricity.
Museum staff will lead 45 minute two words of the museum period rooms decorated for a revolutionary Christmas.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
1776 D Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20006
Dates – Thursdays, December 14th and 21st at 1:00 p.m. (1 hour tour) in the lobby
Admission – free
Regular 45-minute docent-led tours of the DAR museum period rooms …read more
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With just 12 shopping days left before Christmas, people on the East Coast are heading to New York to shop, check out the retailer’s holiday windows and perhaps see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the world-famous Rockettes.
But getting to New York can be a challenge. First you need to gas up the car, fight DC, Baltimore, Philly and New York City traffic, pay a few tolls along the way and find parking in Manhattan.
But there is an easy way to get to New York City. You can leave the driving to someone else. About a half a dozen bus companies, working …read more
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