Christmas Trees & Wreaths Sale to Benefit Ross School

Sat. & Sun., Dec. 12 & 13 (10am-5pm): This will be the second weekend of the annual CHRISTMAS TREE SALE on the Ross Elementary School playground in the 1700 block of R Street. The third and final sale weekend will be 19th and 20th, also between 10 am and 5 pm. Free delivery for neighborhood residents provided. All proceeds are donated to the school for use at the school.

Prices for the Fraser Firs range from $35 for a four-foot tree to $95 for a nine-foot tree; for the Douglas Firs, $50 for a seven-foot tree and $90 for a nine-foot tree. In addition, $35 table top trees, $20 wreaths, and $25 stands are also available.

Historic Personage to be Commemorated by Historical Society

Sat., Dec. 19 (6pm): The 134th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Carter G. Woodson will be commemorated at the Historical Society of Washington, located in the historic former Carnegie Library building in Mt. Vernon Square. Dr. John Fleming, president of the Association for the Study of African Life and History (ASALH), and officials from the National Park Service which, by Act of Congress in 2003, was given responsibility to restore and administer the house at 1538 9th Street, NW where Dr. Woodson resided between 1915 and 1950.The program is open to the public at no charge, and no advance reservations required. A holiday reception will follow. For more info, call (202) 673-2402.

Carter G. Woodson was born to emancipated slaves in Buckingham County, Virginia in 1875.  Woodson worked  as a farm laborer, sharecropper, and coal miner.  He believed that education could transform society and uplift the lower classes.  He obtained two Bachelor of Science degrees, a Master of Science degree, and in 1912, he became the second African American to graduate from Harvard University with a Ph.D. in history.  Dr. Woodson was the founder of Black History Week that evolved into the annual Black History month observance. In 1915, Dr. Woodson founded ASALH.

In authorizing the transfer of the house to the federal government as a National Historic Site, the Congress authorized the Park Service to “preserve, protect and interpret for the benefit, education and inspiration of present and future generations.” At this time, however, the property has not yet been developed as a house museum suitable to receive visitors.

Special Kwanzaa Performances Set by Dance Instititute of Washington

Mon. & Tue., Dec. 21 & 22 (7pm; on the 21st, 3pm matinée also): The Dance Institute of Washington, located in Columbia Heights, will present its annual offering to the public in observance of KWANZAA, commemorating African heritage and culture. This year it is to be The Magic Kente Cloth, combining music and diverse dance styles to tell the story of four young sisters’ journey through a colorful landscape of imagination to obtain the magic Kente cloth.

Directed by the Institute’s founder and artistic director, Fabian Barnes, along with Ralph Glenmore, the Institute’s rehearsal director and a former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the performances will feature the Institute’s Youth Repertory Ensemble, dance students, and the Washington Reflections Dance Company. All performances will take place at Gala Hispanic Theater’s stage in the beautifully restored former Tivoli Theater at 14th Street and Park Road, just two blocks north of the Metro station. Tickets available on-line by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com/event/90005. For more info., call (202) 371-9656.

Lambda Rising Bookstore Closing at End of Year

Sat., Dec. 26 (10am-10pm): After 35 years of serving the GLBT community from its renowned book store in Dupont Circle, Lambda Rising (1625 Conn. Ave.) is closing, starting with its LIQUIDATION SALE the day after Christmas and through the 31st. Its building, owned by founder and co-owner Deacon has been sold. As for future plans, Maccubbin told The InTowner that he and spouse Jim Bennett plan to remain in DC and may start a new venture in the area next year.

In the meantime, Maccubbin promises that the holiday spirit will be continuing at the store: “We’ve already brought in our popular line of glbt holiday cards, and we’ve got a wonderful new line of campy Christmas tree ornaments.” Further, he noted, “we want to give DC one more great Christmas window display.” To that end, co-owner Bennett, who installed this year’s holiday display window, said, “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed and I know so many customers get a kick out of our campy, kicky holiday displays, so we’re going to pull out the stops for this year’s,” adding, “I spent 20 years working in Lambda Rising and it was a marvelous experience. The store has touched the lives of so many people — it was never just a bookstore, but always so much more. Every day I went to work there, I knew I was doing something that made a difference.”