A great time was had by all. (Sitting at Einstein statue at National Science Foundation)

Travel notes from Jullia  April 27, DC

The USC Washington Center is in a beautiful building on Pennsylvania Ave. The security was tight...after passing a check point, we were sent in our elevator directly to the correct floor ONLY...no getting off on another level! The large conference room was lovely and offered a simple breakfast. David Brown is an executive with the Office of Federal Relations who said that USC efforts were for Democracy: conversation and advocacy. Government relations, research and development, and grant production all require interaction with Federal agencies. USC receives $880 million from the government for education, research, health (most funds are from the National Institute of Health for studies such as brain mapping and Alzheimer’s), Defense involvement includes active duty situations, the VA, therapy and training (including virtual reality films) for the military. These multi-faceted concerns require frequent interaction with “the Hill” where discussions are held with Senators and Representatives who can assist in the execution and support of the proposals. Concerns from USC go straight to the leaders in Washington, DC. USC gives $300 million for student financial aid and for including diversity and accountability on campus. We hear that the default on loans rate is only 1.3% which is far lower than the national average of about 13%. An issue that continues is the Institute for Creative Technology which is working for both defense and non-defense development. Funding continues to be complex, especially when mandated support is needed for such as Medicare and Social Security. Our next speaker was Joe Wagner of Fenton Communications which works for social change. The areas of concern include human rights, and the environment. Theyproduce videos, provide training, and develop web sites, and communication strategies. Clients are selected within the firm’s ideology and they work to initiate 1)behavior change...awareness to change culture 2) Organizational building, branding, partnership, fundraising and messaging 3)advocacy which seeks to inspire and change public policy and 4) storytelling in which heart or emotion can lead to active ideas. Examples of campaigns made by the company include the ideas of no nukes, Amber Alerts, labor rights, health issues, sweatshop concerns, anti-Iraq war movement community colleges and gun control (including awareness of the Sandy Hook tragedy). To meet the needs of the clients, the company uses several avenues, first of which is research and analysis. Advertising by digital social media or through traditional channels is supported by fund-raising and partnership development. Challenges should be met by exploration and research which should deliver ideas and action. Sounds like a good approach to life!!

The National Archives Building is a beautiful building with a 70 foot high rotunda. A darkened, somewhat crowded room housed original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights among thousands of other documents. Huge murals adorned the upper walls which portrayed serious life-sized historical figures...don’t know whom but they were impressive. Other displays included genealogy, and letters of all sorts from historical periods. The growth of constitutional rights started with the Magna Carta and there it was!! I was particularly impressed. An interactive panel showed the “tree” of it and what inspired our Founding Fathers. Documents of the Civil Rights Movements and others were housed in countless shelves of gray archival boxes. I can’t imagine cataloging those thousands of papers. A special exhibit showed documents and artifacts that led to policies about alcohol and spirits. There was even a copper “kettle” for making moonshine which brought to mind the song that I’ve sung for decades...”never more you’ll toil...you just lay there by the juniper, while the moon is bright...” The Newseum is a spectacular six story building which greets you with displays (in front), hundreds of front page newspapers from all over the world. Fascinating! Today, the headlines were about the terrible earthquake in Nepal. (I am SO sorry, I probably have photos of some of the buildings that collapsed.) There were exhibits about 9/11 which included a radio tower, crushed and twisted that had stood on top of one of the buildings. A section of a lunch counter from the Civil Rights Movement sit-ins is there. Many huge pieces of the Berlin Wall loomed with the bright colors belying the grim purpose. The exhibit that intrigued me the most was the Pulitzer Prize gallery. The iconic photos are moments in time, many of which I remember. They are heartbreaking: Vietnam, Kent State, famine in Africa, Boston Massacre and, of course, 9/11. In the Newseum, journalists are honored, as they should be. Etched panels greet the light outside. The exhibit on the FBI was fascinating...remember Waco? I missed the presentation of the Boomers and Presidents and their dogs...DARN!! I’ll have to g back and spend a day there!! ) A highlight, pun intended, was stepping onto the roof which overlooks Pennsylvania Ave. with the Capital (regrettably swathed in scaffolding in the near distance. One can imagine the Inaugural Presidential parade passing below. What a view!! We have lucked out with no rain during our outing today. A glorious, cloud adorned sunset beckoned from the distance as we left dinner. Soft pale orange and pinkish hues blended and reflected on the shapely clouds. As we arrived at our hotel, a light sprinkle was descending with a cold, invigorating breeze accompanying it. We stepped by the waving tulips at our feet and entered our hotel with satisfied weariness. April 27, 2015 JAC Writer’s note...my computer will not let me organize my third paragraph correctly. Sigh

April 28th notes

April 28, DC After a lovely breakfast, we caravanned to the National Gallery of Art. Gail and I lined up with a group tour for which we had headed, facing the guide holding up the

number four. She explained that we could join her high school group but the museum
tour was beyond in the wonderful rotunda. Washington seems to have a lot of
rotundas!! The “correct” guide had us tell from whence we came and one lovely young
woman was from Mongolia! How thrilled she was when I told her how much I’d enjoyed
my trip to her country and that the Nadan (a pow-wow sort of gathering with
competitions) was on my birthday. The guide was absolutely brilliant, articulate and
enthusiastic. She pointed out that the ceiling of the dome was the same design as the
roof of the Pantheon in Rome except this opening was covered with glass. The water
that could fall was represented with a fountain with a god poised to fly to the heavens.

We saw a very old icon painting on wood from about the 12th century and our guide

pointed out the interesting perspective, lines, and proportions of Mary and baby (in the
shape of a man) Jesus. A Leonardo de Vinci was next, showing a personality of a pale
young woman, possibly about 15 years old to be married. Her face was contemplative
and sad...since she may have been the “currency” to join a powerful family.
Interestingly, it appears that the bottom of this painting may have been damaged and
then shortened. Scholars think it might once have had the hands sketched by the artist
and that would be similar to the hands of the Mona Lisa. The next painting showed the
martyrdom of St. Bartholomew...about to be slashed with a knife. His face was uplifted,
in prayer, and light shone on his face; his bound arms were diagonally placed to form
the shape of a cross with the executioner beside him. The powerful painting had a
soldier in the background, which alluded to the Spanish religious turmoil. A Dutch
painting with a windmill had scenes of everyday life yet referenced the church with the
blades of the mill in the shape of a cross. A still life showed, with symbolism, the
transitory nature of life by using flowers, insects, stalks of wheat and a vase reflecting a
window which happened to be in the shape of a cross. These items symbolized
Christian tenets but only those “in the know” would realize the messages. All this was
so interesting...who would know there was SO much to see in the art. We were so
lucky!

After lunch by the cascading waterfall in the museum, we walked through part of the

arboretum which had ponds, bridges, blossoms in trees and beautiful flowering
plants...again, so many tulips too. Amazing colors and in perfect bloom. We also
peeked at the Native American Museum landscape with was meant to look wild and
natural.

The Cannon House Office Building was up the hill and many steps. There, we went

through security and met Karen Bass of the 37th Congressional District. I was very
impressed with her poise and warm personality. She is intelligent and thoughtful and
relayed how the many different needs of her district are challenging. Since her region
covers South Central LA and the Wilshire Blvd, Miracle Mile areas, you can imagine the
contrast. She enjoys town meetings which some representatives do not. She said she
goes prepared with information and ideas about what to propose. Sounds like good
thinking to me! Reminds me of yesterday’s talk when we were told that research and
strategizing is important before taking action. A young intern (from Orange County) was our guide for the US Capitol. We walked through the utilitarian underground tunnels, heating and plumbing pipes running
alongside, and overhead. Gray cement floors clattered with the footsteps of tourists and
government looking types. The walls were hung with hundreds of paintings and
drawings from high school senior artists from every district which added some color and
interest to the drabness. We entered the “Emancipation Hall” a more modern, light and
groups-of-people filled. A chunk of sandstone anchors a corner to honor the slaves who
worked in the quarries and worked on much of the Capitol.

We progressed to another rotunda, was elegant and had been the original Congress. Elegant columns and life sized statues were displayed. The acoustics were

such that the cacophony of voices: guides and tourists, was amazing. Apparently, a
whisper can be heard across the room which allowed a long ago member to overhear
gossip.

Onward to the House of Representatives chambers. Again, we went through

security and had to leave ALL our purses and brochures (!) in a large case. “Quiet” said
signs everywhere though the room was empty, unfortunately. However, it was
interesting to see and imagine the history made there. Votes are now registered
electronically and the green wallpaper panels rise to show the tally as it is being
recorded.

The “Old Hall” of the House of Representatives was dimly lit as it originally had been

lit by whale lamps at the time it was used until 1857 when wings were added to the
Capitol to accommodate the larger numbers of representatives and senators. Over the
clock, Justice was painted with her scale raised. Without a blindfold, she presided over
 Congress presumably to see unhidden transactions. An early nod to transparency in
government. Unfortunately, time was short, feet were aching and attention was dimming so we were unable to see the Senate which was a disappointment for me but others in the
group wished to depart and we had to stay together. Undaunted, some of us forged
onward to the Library of Congress in the Thomas Jefferson Building. It certainly rivals
the palaces and grand structures in Europe. Marble columns, steps and walls, friezes,
paintings, and shiny brass railings adorn the huge spaces under the soaring ceilings.

The names of classical authors are etched under their faces in Wedgewood style

 portraits. Sage passages that value reading and wisdom are etched into surfaces to
 encourage contemplation. The Great Hall has 75 foot ceilings and stained glass windows. The signs of the zodiac are on the marble floor; symbols of trades and hobbies are carved on the railings of the marble stairways. The main reading room has a 160 foot domed ceiling and alcoves contain shelves of books. The floor provides desks for readers whose light
comes from the stained glass windows. What a glorious place in which one can read!!

Another exhibit was that of Thomas Jefferson’s library, shelved in an encased semicircular

presentation which is supposed to be like his original arrangement. The many
leather books on countless topics were bought by Congress and displayed in the
Capitol. Some were burned by the British in 1814 there and others in a fire. They have
been replaced and collections which had grown are now housed in the newer building
which is what we saw and is thus called the Thomas Jefferson Building.
The impressive outdoor levels and steps provided beautiful views of the park and the
Capitol building so we rested at a wooden table and enjoyed the balmy breezes and the
peace of the late afternoon.

After dinner on a patio outside, how the weather has warmed, we went to the Arena

Stage for a performance of a play. Called “Blood Quilt” it was an intense story with
intense acting by five black actors whose conflicts were in the aftermath of a mother’s
death. The sisters’ drama concerned the making of a new quilt and the provenance of
generations of previous creations. The set was gorgeous with colorful quilts hanging
over the primitive house, set on an island in the Carolinas. Some of the dialect was
 difficult to follow as were some of the “black” jokes. An interesting exposure for me. However, I enjoyed being in the theater and experiencing small theater in DC.

Another long but interesting day. Kudos to David and Marlene for not only planning

these events, but also for shepherding our free flowing group to our destinations without

losing anyone! April 28, 2015 JAC Washington, DC

Lincoln's Box. Fords Theatre 

Balcony

Where we are seeing play looking at box where pres Was shot. 

A performance at the Ford Theater about the assassination of Lincoln