In these tough times, the uncertainty around the speed and reliability of the USPS and current and planned changes to it have many people worried. Living in D.C., we get to see both local and Federal postal operations, so here are some of the components of the service that we appreciate:
Category Archives: General
Smithsonian Gardens: An Oasis in the Heart of the City
Smithsonian Gardens, which include 13 horticultural delights sprinkled around the Mall, are perfect places to get away from it all in the heart of the city.
John Lewis, in memoriam
John Lewis’s life and legacy was both mourned and celebrated this week in D.C.
The Zoo Reopens to the Public
During the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve missed being able to visit our friends at the Zoo. Thankfully, as of July 24, the Zoo is once again open to visitors!
Complicated lives, complicated statues
The current Black Lives Matter protests have caused a nationwide rethinking of what types of statues belong on public display as representatives of our history and culture. If we decide to replace some statues with new ones, then even more complex decisions have to be made on who to honor and how to portray them…. Continue reading
Cedar Hill on July 4th
Fireworks and concerts on the mall and neighborhood fireworks displays are annual traditions in Washington, DC but there is another tradition that acknowledges that independence was not accorded to all citizens on the July 4, 1776. Each year before the current pandemic one at the Frederick Douglass’ Cedar Hill home in Anacostia, there is a program that includes the reading of Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
D.C. – The 51st State
Today the House of Representatives is voting on making D.C. the 51st state. While this bill is likely to pass the House, it’s unlikely to succeed in the Senate. But it is an historic event, the first vote on statehood in the past 25 years, and brings the possibility of D.C. statehood closer. Statehood is… Continue reading
Pride 2020
June is Pride Month, which normally means a massive parade through the Dupont Circle area, a street festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, and many other events that are celebratory or mark important events in the progress of LGBTQ rights. This year is different both because of the pandemic, and because of the importance of the Black… Continue reading
Essential workers
We are very grateful to all the essential workers who have kept D.C. functional and safe during these difficult times. They’ve put themselves at potential risk to benefit all of us in all kinds of ways.
Photographing while social distancing, part 4
Isolation presents a challenge for photographers. We are distant from many of the people who inspire us, or who are often the subjects of our photos. Faces are masked. The streets seem sparse, unfamiliar, or even otherworldly. But this isolation also presents opportunities to view our neighborhoods in new ways, experiment with different styles or… Continue reading