National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.

by Jamie Rhein on

There are 3,700 cherry trees along the Tidal Basin, the partially man-made inlet along the Potomac River between the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. Thanks to an initiative that started back in 1912 with a gift of cherry trees from Japan to the U.S., this stretch of the capitol is awash in pink for a two weeks each year.

The National Park Service Website outlines the history of how cherry trees have become such a prominent feature of D.C. each spring. The first cherry tree planting ceremony included First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador to the United States. Each of them planted one of the trees that still bloom.

According to the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s official website, the blossoms will be at their peak April 1-April 4, and the festival will continue through April 12. There are several festival related activities that accompany the blooming.

For example, the National Park Service is offering the following programs throughout the festival.

  • Ranger Guided Nature Lantern Walks–From 8 to 10 p.m, during these two-hour guided lantern walks, rangers talk about the history of the cherry trees as visitors enjoy the blossoms.
  • Interpretive Cherry Blossom Talks- Even if you come to each of these talks, you’ll get a different story. Different park rangers offer a variety of stories connected to the cherry trees.
  • Ranger-led Bike Tours: These are three-hour bike trips that go from Hains Point to beyond the Washington Monument.

For details about any of these National Park Service activities, check out the programs page.

The Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival is next Saturday, April 4. The festival includes: five stages featuring a variety of performances from singing to dance; food booths; Japanese crafts and art; and children’s activities. For performance schedule, click here.

For more activities that run throughout the week, click on a particular day on the calendar featured on the Cherry Blossom Festival home page. The parade is also next Saturday.

Ford’s Theater where Lincoln was shot has reopened

by Jamie Rhein on

The Ford’s Theater reopened this week after 18 months of renovation. The first play being performed in the gussied up gem, “The Heavens Hung in Black” by playwright James Still has a run through March 8. The play is about the period between the death of his son Willie and the delivery of the Emancipation Proclamation.

If you do go to the theater, know that the chair Lincoln was sitting in is at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, but there is a reproduction in its place. You can still see the nicked picture frame of the portrait of Washington above where Lincoln sat the night John Wilkes Booth shot him in the back of the head. One of Booth’s spurs caught the frame’s edge when he jumped over the railing onto the stage. American flags are draped just like they were the night Lincoln and his wife Mary were enjoying their evening out before it came to an end.

Also on view is the original couch where Major Henry Rathbone was sitting nearby. Rathbone attempted to foil Booth’s escape and was cut by Booth’s knife for his efforts.

Later this spring, an exhibit about Lincoln’s presidency will open in the basement of the theater. In his New York Times article “When a Comedy Turned to Tragedy” Edward Rothstein ponders why the Ford’s Theater has such a hold on our consciousness. It begs the question, I think, about why we are drawn to places where history happened, although our emotional attachment may not be there. Or what makes a place one where we feel a stirring of something bigger than ourselves?

Here is a link to a virtual tour of the theater.

National Hanukkah Menorah and where to find other public displays

by Jamie Rhein on

Yesterday the National Hanukkah Menorah in Washington, D.C. was lit to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah the Jewish holiday that commemorates the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Syrians who had oppressed them. In a miracle, the oil that was only enough to burn for light for one day lasted for eight.

Although the main lighting of the National Hanukkah Menorah festivities happened yesterday, the menorah, located at the Ellipse near the White House grounds, will be lit each night during Hanukkah.

There are many other public menorahs on display around the world. Here’s a link to the page on Chabad.org that features many of them. Last year, when I came across this link, I was impressed by the scope of where these menorahs are located.

For the largest menorah in the world, head to New York City. It’s on 59th St. and 5th Ave. I don’t think you can miss it. It’s a 32 feet-tall candelabra.

Where to pee in D.C.: a guide for Inauguration Day

by Jamie Rhein on

You’ve been there. You’re in the middle of a day of site-seeing and you have to go. As in, RIGHT NOW! Unfortunately, you’re hard pressed to find a public restroom. With the crowds expected to gather in Washington, D.C. for Inauguration Day, finding a toilet when nature calls could be a problem.

Thinking ahead, Jennifer Lynn has come up with an insiders guide for where to pee in D.C. Her down-loadable brochure is called “Where To Pee in DC: The Insider’s Guide on Where to Go” and is for sale on E-Bay.

Jaunted did a write up of this useful gem and highlighted a few of Lynn’s suggestions.

For example, head to the east wing of the National Gallery of Art. The advantage of Lynn’s method, I think, is not only will you find relief, you’ll find culture as well. Although, you might be in a hurry when you pass by some of the artwork on your way to the john, take time to browse on your way out.

Here’s the link to the down-loadable book. It costs $2.50. If you are going to D.C. for the Inauguration, this might be the best money you’ve spent. According to the statistics, there is one toilet for every 6,849 people.

Get thee to the White House!

by Annie Scott on

Planning a trip for Obama’s Inauguration? Expedia will help you.

Expedia has set up a whole host of tools to get you to D.C. and into a hotel, car, tours (don’t miss the FBI!), or whatever you need with as little hassle as possible.

The Expedia 56th Presidential Inauguration Site features travel tips like which airports are nearby, what suburbs to stay in if the city’s booked, and all kinds of activities to try, including a list of great free activities like the Inaugural Parade!

It’s going to be a momentous occasion in Washington D.C. and all over the country. Don’t you want to tell your grandchildren you were there?

The best advice I can give you? Book now. Like, today. Everything’s gonna fill up fast.