On a holiday visit to Washington, DC on Saturday, strolling in and out of cafes, walking by Christmas displays in and around shops, enjoying the cold air in my face... Not thinking about where in DC we were, we suddenly turned a corner and ran into a memorial. It was a recent memorial. It was the impromptu memorial for the West Virginia National Guard member who was killed in an ambush less than two weeks earlier. 

There were few reminders of the Trump Administration’s deployment of the National Guard to Washington that day, and I had completely forgotten how close we were to the location of the shooting, near Farragut Square Park, just a few blocks from The White House. However, there it was... a large, wreath-framed photo of the slain U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, along with more photos of her and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was also shot but did not die. There were many, many other flowers and United States flags too.

Ironically, President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard, was in response to crime being “out of control” in Washington, but this shooting was one of the worst and most visible murders in the District, especially since it was one that obviously targeted National Guard members, stationed near a near subway station.

Baltimore's Artscape is one of the nation’s largest free outdoor arts festival, and I have had opportunity to experience the event from multiple perspectives during the past 40 years: visitor, board member, president and board chair (including a few months as Interim CEO), and now visitor again.

Updated: Seen here are a few additional images of the 2024 festival. Sadly, rain hampered main stage entertainment and other outdoor activities. The annual inside exhibition of Sondheim Art Prize semifinalists at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) provided a dry haven for many visitors during showers and thunderstorms.

Yes. Papyrus, the upscale greeting card, stationery and gift chain, recently announced its bankruptcy and closing. For those of us who still appreciate fancy writing paper and beautiful greeting cards, the news was sad but not too surprising. With the ever-rising popularity of electronic media, more shopping online and not going to malls, and the priciness of much of their merchandise, the 2009 economic crisis had forced a restructuring, but their fate seemed inevitable. I have to admit I frequented the store in my mall more regularly only after the Hallmark Gold Crown store closed.

However, that restructuring may keep the brand alive, if not the stores. Reportedly, American Greetings has been the supplier of the brand since the two companies were connected under the same owner almost 11 years ago, and word has it that Papyrus cards, along with the distinctive hummingbird logo, will still be available in other American Greetings venues.

Photos are of the Papyrus store at Union Station, Washington, DC