2nd trip this year to Minnesota -- I went back to Minnesota for five days in July, mainly to catch up with my long-time friend Gary Brown, who was visiting from Germany with his daughter Jennifer. He and I played guitar several times and brought his daughter to see some local sights such as the Como Zoo and downtown Minneapolis. Other than that, I had some time for my mother, playing cribbage with Ben and fast walking around Phalen Lake with my brother Dale, and around Como Lake with my sister-in-law Lynn.
My nephew's visit to Washington -- Nephew Joshua and I kept quite occupied for five days here in August. We checked out the full course of museums, did some bicycling, and spent a day sightseeing and hanging out in Baltimore. Click here for three photos (some patience required).
This season's demonstrations -- Summer tends to be a slower time for political demonstrations here in Washington, usually because it's so damn hot. As it turned out, though, this was just about the mildest summer on record, and it would have been a great time to raise a ruckus, were there something about which anybody cared enough. I attended the following events:
-- March for Tibet -- This event was better attended than I'd seen for past such events. Several thousand marched from the White House to the Chinese Embassy, as well as around the World Bank, which was considering financial support for a Chinese government program for involuntary relocation of Tibetans, something the demonstrators vehemently opposed. Perhaps our demonstration made a difference. The World Bank changed their position later that week and voted down the relocation plan. Many Tibetan dissidents were present, who had endured torture and the loss of family members. Actor Richard Gere also spoke. On the following day, the Dalai Lama himself gave a speach on the Mall to perhaps 50,000 people. Click here for two photos (some patience required).
-- Annual Smoke-In for Reform of Marijuana Laws -- I attended, but didn't inhale. This is an annual event in front of the White House on the Fourth of July. Perhaps 400 people were present for the rally, but thousands were present for the concerts later in the afternoon and evening. Click here for four photos (some patience required).
-- Redeem the Dream Rally -- This recognized the 27th anniversary of the Civil Rights March on Washington, where Martin Luther King gave his most famous speech "I have a Dream". The rally's principle agenda was to advocate an end to the discriminatory practice of racial profiling by government law enforcement agencies. Speeches were given by King's children and his widow, Corretta Scott King, as well as many other long-time civil rights activists. Tens of thousands were in attendance near the Lincoln Memorial, although unfortunately, there was a very small turnout by white people (probably less than one-tenth of one percent of the demonstrators). Click here for two photos (some patience required).
Summer concerts: I really date myself by talking about the concerts I attended this summer, each of which involved some old timers in their 60s who've been around for 40 years or more -- the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and the Everly Brothers. I enjoyed the first two, but the Everly Brothers was the most special event of the three concerts. They're still quite capable of delivering their trademark goosepimple harmonies, and it was great to see and hear them from about 15 feet away.
COMING UP NEXT QUARTER:
Yet another trip to Minnesota (the third this year) for my 25th year
high school reunion, and a trip to Colorado for sightseeing and friend
Tim Malloy's wedding.
Check in and let me know what's up with you.
You can contact me by clicking on this E-mail address:
doman@tidalwave.net.
Review previous newsletters:
Spring
00 -- Dean's News Vol 3, No. 4, 06/01/00 -- Eurailing in Europe, and Minnesota
Winter
00 -- Dean's News Vol 3, No. 3, 03/01/00 -- Jamaica, Arizona and the Millennium
Fall
99 -- Dean's News Vol 3, No. 2, 12/01/99 -- The Middle East and Minnesota
Summer
99 -- Dean's News Vol 3, No. 1, 09/01/99 -- Minnesota
Spring
99 -- Dean's News Vol 2, No. 4, 06/01/99 -- Pacific Northwest
Winter
99 -- Dean's News Vol. 2, No. 3, 03/01/99 -- Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Fall
98 -- Dean's News Vol. 2, No. 2, 12/01/98 -- Germany, Poland and Czech
Republic
Summer
98 -- Dean's News Vol. 2, No. 1, 09/01/98 -- A summer romance
Spring
98 -- Dean's News Vol. 1, No. 4, 06/01/98 -- New York City and Minnesota
trips
Winter
98 -- Dean's News Vol. 1, No. 3, 03/01/98 -- Arizona and Colorado trip
Fall
97 -- Dean's News Vol. 1, No. 2, 12/01/97 -- Venezuela and Trinidad
Summer
97 -- Dean's News Vol. 1, No. 1, 09/01/97 -- Toronto and Niagara Falls
Best wishes to all,
Deano