A historic sleepover at the National Archives

History, Heroes & Treasures: The National Archives Sleepover

Ever wanted to sleep with history? Well, maybe you can!

The National Archives is doing a "sleepover" for kids 8-12 years old to experience the museum at night and learn about history. It sounds cool. It comes at a price, though: $125 per person. At least you'll be able to say not only do you know the Constitution, but you've slept with it.

Have you ever wondered what happens in a museum after the building closes and the lights go out? Now’s your chance!

Join the National Archives for a special sleepover at the National Archives Museum in Washington DC, and spend the night next to America’s most precious treasures: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. (Cool, right?)

Throughout the night young explorers investigate  some of the greatest adventures of all time through music, chats with historical figures, games, and more. 

Have you ever wondered what happens in a museum after the building closes and the lights go out? Now's your chance! Join us for a special sleepover at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, and spend the night next to America's most precious treasures: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

When: July 25, 2015, 6:30pm Saturday until 8:30am Sunday
Where: National Archives Museum, Washington, DC
Price: $125 per attendee; $100 for Foundation members
Ages: Children 8-12 years old; Chaperones must be 21+

More information on the National Archives website. 

Or, jump right to the registration page.

CM Todd gets a birthday party & committee assignments

Two updates on our new Councilmember, Brandon Todd. 

First, he's celebrating his 32nd birthday tonight at 6:30pm-8:00pm at Sala Thai (3716 Georgia Ave NW) and is inviting the community to come join the party.

He also received his Council committee assignments:
- Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
- Education
- Transportation and the Environment

"I am looking forward to participating actively on these committees," said Councilmember Todd. "I will remain focused on my goals of ensuring government accountability, promoting business and economic development, and furthering our commitment to ensuring quality education for our children."

He also said he plans on attending the Petworth News Shindig on the 29th at Petworth Citizen. Hope you are too!

Free same day delivery for Amazon Prime members

If you're an Amazon Prime member, the company is now offering same day delivery for orders above $35 (if under that, it's $5.99) if you live in DC. That's pretty cool.

Learn more at Amazon.com

Video of WW2 plane's emergency landing at Reagan National

Did you watch the Arsenal of Democracy flyover on May 8th? If you did, then you saw one of the WW2 fighters, the TBM Avenger, peel off from formation as it was coming over the city and head south. The pilot of the TBM Avenger had to conduct an emergency landing at Reagan National airport due to a hydraulic fluid leak. He posted a video of the event on YouTube. It's pretty interesting.

In the video, you can see the pilot open the canopy wider as what appears to be smoke starts to fill his cockpit. The pilot thought his passenger had passed out (in fact, the passenger was looking at what he thought was a fire).

"A 1500 psi pinhole hydraulic leak vaporized in the cockpit, appeared like smoke, and prompted a decision to abort the flyover and land at Reagan DCA airport," text accompanying the video says

Use Pause for lessons learned. This is the Emergency Landing at DCA, Reagan National, of the Military Aviation Museum TBM Avenger during the 70th anniversary of VE Day, Arsenal of Democracy flyover. A 1500psi pinhole hydraulic leak vaporized in the cockpit, appeared like smoke, and prompted a decision to abort the flyover and land at Reagan DCA airport.

Memorial Day 2015

Thank you to those who served and sacrificed for freedom. Today is about remembering who gave their last full measure to protect and defend.

Summer may be hot, but winter should be cool

Even though we're headed into what will probably be a hot hot summer, there's good news for winter time fun.

The US House of Representatives has passed a measure that would allow sledding at the Capitol grounds again (it basically instructs the Capitol Police to ignore a provision of the law).

From the DCist.com article:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who lead the charge to allow sledding on Capitol Grounds, is stoked about the provision.

“Today the commonsense non-enforcement of the sledding ban on Capitol Hill, the way it has been for many years, is assured,” Norton said in a statement. “District of Columbia families can also pat themselves on the back for organizing strong community support for non-enforcement of the sledding ban. Now I will be working in the Senate to have them follow suit and ensure that our kids have a ball on America’s front lawn next snowfall.”

Source: DCist

Upshur Pool getting ready for the season

Looks like Upshur Pool is getting ready to open, as staff were giving the kid's pool a fresh coat of paint and filling up the larger pool. 

According to the DPR website, the Upshur pool (4300 Arkansas Ave) should open around May 23nd. Spray parks open on Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks to Colin for the head's up!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Happy Mom's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all my Petworth neighbors!

Get your own funny Mom Day ecard. 

Arsenal of Democracy Flyover

No, it's not World War 2 again... it's a massive flyover of vintage WW2 bombers and fighter.

If you're downtown near the National Mall or along the flightpath, go out around noon to see the "Arsenal of Democracy Flyover" dominate the DC skyline. (They should be over the Lincoln Memorial by 12:10pm, headed over the Mall and then left after the Capitol.)

You can check out the list of formations that you will see coming in over the city. And here is the official Arsenal of Democracy Flyover Fact Sheet (pdf).

And here's a cool Plane-Spotting Guide to help you identify the planes (over 70 are scheduled to participate). Considering these are all prop-planes, it should be LOUD and glorious.

Update -- now with far away pix!

Source: ww2flyover.org