Tag Archives: books

December 22, 2024 · 10:06 pm

A Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

The Week Ahead…

There are no ANC or other community civic meetings scheduled for the week ahead.  Happy Holidays.

Some Photos from the Past Week

Union Station continues the tradition of erecting The Norwegian Christmas Tree – an annual gift from the people of Norway to the United States in thanks for assistance in WWII.  The tradition dates to 1997 and was proposed by then-Ambassador Tom Vraalsen.

The wreaths on the front of Union Station have become an iconic symbol of the season.

And here’s a reverse shot with the U.S. Capitol in the background.

At the Library of Congress, this year’s tree is on the balcony rather than on the main floor of the Great Hall.  Among the ornaments are small books which have the names of the states in their title. 

Around the base of the tree are books belonging to 14 of those who have served as Librarians of Congress.  Each book has been turned into a paper sculpture, with bundles of pages folded in a way that provides a surface upon which is displayed the names of the books’ owners.  Shown here are books owned by Librarians of Congress Boorstin and Billington.  The current Librarian is Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress. 

Attached to the books are examples of the liberty or Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom.  It recurs throughout the Library of Congress Great Hall Space.  (According to Wikipedia, the Phrygian cap is a soft conical cap with the apex bent over which came to signify freedom and liberty first in the American Revolution and then in the French Revolution.) For timed entry passes, go here:  https://www.loc.gov/visit/

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December 13, 2024 · 2:46 pm

Saturday Book Sale at NE Library – 10am – 3:00pm

Saturday:  Book Sale at NE Library – 10am – 3:00pm

Posted December 13, 2024

The Friends of the Southeast Library (FOSEL) together with the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) will hold a joint book sale this Saturday, December 14, 2024.  The sale will be at the Northeast Library at 7th & Maryland Avenues NE.

The sale begins when the library opens at 10:00 am. We begin to pack up around 2:45 pm and are done by 3:00 pm. The sale is on the lower level of the library.

Entrance to the sale is through the library (and down the stairs or elevator).

In general, we have new and mostly used books of all types, including children’s books, fiction, best sellers, non-fiction, cookbooks mysteries, science, science fiction, romance, religion, history, biography, self-help, classics, travel, etc.  

Proceeds benefit local libraries, especially the Southeast Library, the Northeast Library, and the DC Library.

And remember, NO text books, NO casebooks, NO magazines, NO foreign language books, NO outdated computer books, NO encyclopedias. We are no longer taking CDs or DVDs.

Got the ability to recirculate this message on other lists?  That would be much appreciated.

Questions? bob@bobgellman.com

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November 22, 2024 · 3:32 pm

Photo Essay – The Folger’s New Quill & Crumb Café Opens

Photo Essay – The Folger’s New Quill & Crumb Café Opens

by Larry Janezich

Posted November 22, 2024

Quill & Crumb – the new Folger Library Café – opened at 11:00am on Friday.  The café, located  in the Library’s Great Hall, is all about space and light.  Patrons will feel welcome despite being in a somewhat formal atmosphere with dark wood paneling, huge windows and a soaring ceiling.  The entrances to the café are through the east and west lower terrace entrances. 

The new café will offer lunch, baked goods, snacks, and savories alongside coffee and tea service.  A bar offering beer, wine, local cider, and assorted seasonal cocktails will also be a part of the menu.

Chief Financial Officer Ruth Taylor Kidd, who oversaw the project says, “Since we reopened the building in June, people have congregated in the Great Hall to work or meet with friends. We love seeing this, and we know the café will enhance how we welcome people to spend time at the Folger.”

Quill & Crumb will keep the same hours as the rest of the Folger Shakespeare Library.  The café will be open on Tuesday-Sunday beginning at 11:00am.  On Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, the café will close at 6pm.  On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday it will stay open until 9pm.  On evenings when there are performances in the theatre, the café will stay open through intermission.

Menu highlights include salads, tartines, shareable snacks, wines on draft, seasonal cocktails, and house-made lemonades and iced teas.  For more information about Quill & Crumb, including the latest menu, go here: https://www.folger.edu/visit/folger-cafe-quill-crumb/

The west entrance to Quilll & Crumb just off the theater lobby. Photo from circa 12:15pm on Friday.

Photo, walking from east to west through the Great Hall. This is the lounge area catering to socializing over drinks or a light bite before a performance in Folger Theatre.

The middle area with high-top tables for coffee or a quick snack.

Constellation Culinary Group will manage Quill & Crumb.

The company also manages a number of restaurants and eateries at cultural institutions in the U.S., including Merriweather Café at Hillwood Estate and Stir Restaurant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The menu features pastries like Lavender Blackberry Financiers and Pain Au Chocolat.

Approaching the east entrance to the cafe – tables and banquettes for leisurely lunches.

Space and light.

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