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By Eliza Berkon, Lynn Norusis, Rachael Keeney and Stefanie Gans
Traveling back in time—but really to Mount Vernon
Rather than spending my Presidents Day relaxing/catching up on things around the house, I’m going to brave the Mount Vernon masses and check out George and Martha Washington’s sprawling estate—free admission on Monday! I was already able to visit the new Be Washington exhibit, but I didn’t get around to watching the Revolutionary War 4-D Theater’s film, taking a tour of the estate or honoring Black History Month by visiting the Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon exhibit—listed in our roundup of Black History Month events. –RK
The legacy of Trayvon Martin
Monday afternoon, Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late Trayvon Martin, will speak at George Mason University about her book, Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin. About a month after 17-year-old Martin was killed in 2012, my vocal group re-recorded our arrangement of Sam Cooke’s “Change is Gonna Come,” dedicating it to his memory. More than 50 years after Cooke’s original release, in a sociopolitical climate charged with violence and marked by intolerance, the song remains eerily resonant. –EB // 4400 University Drive, Fairfax
Brewery Buzz with Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery
Feb. 20, 5-7 p.m.
Is there anything better than free tastes of beer at the grocery store? My daughter and I were at MOM’s in Del Ray when I was offered samples of Lickinghole Creek’s beer. The two reps gave my daughter a sticker (swag for toddlers) to play with and the adults mocked the dwindling hype and outrageous price of Bell’s Brewery Hopslam Ale ($21.99 for a six-pack). Anyway, face-to-face marketing obviously works because, one, I bought my husband a six of the 9 Mile Goodwater IPA and, two, I’m writing about the Goochland brewery’s takeover of Barrel & Bushel in Tysons Corner tomorrow. –SG // 7901 Tysons One Place, Tysons Corner
Supporting our own
Feb. 25, 6 p.m.
This Sunday one of our freelancers, Helen Mondloch, will be giving an author talk on her book An American Breeze at Busboys and Poets. She’ll be joined by some performers to enact a few excerpts, including Mike Hall, the Mark Twain impersonator. Pull up a seat, order some grub and learn a little history. –LN // 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington