Friday, July 24, 2020

It was good to see the re-opening of the zoo today.


It was good to see the re-opening of the zoo today......

....as I left my apartment right-next-door to see happy, masked families leaving the metro, gaily walking to the zoo. As I spoke with several, I felt I was seeing a broad segment of the area population getting a chance to enjoy what is “ours” in this lovely area.
As I learned  that metro service was being added, I was gratified to hear reports of proper masking and reasonable efforts to social distance.  

And I felt relief that area merchants might begin to return to some normalcy as restaurants and other stores increased their business in this “best season of the year” for them. At the zoo itself I was pleased to see how well organized things were at the entrance. and the patrons I spoke to assured me that this was the case inside.  

Perhaps above all I felt re-assured that we have local leadership attempting to make difficult, wise decisions to move us forward in this critical period. What a remarkable contrast with the national level where all I see fear fear and loathing in America.

Ron Lehker

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Some may call it socialism, but......

.......I call it good government!

That's what I felt when the owner of Cleveland Park's

Transcendence-Perfection-Bliss of the Beyond - Toy Store

told me that one of the contributing factors to her being able to endure the trauma of the Covid scourge was the D. C. Small Business Micro Grant that she, along with 7,000 other small business owners, received. What a marvelous example of the type of service that a caring government can provide.

Bliss” as it is affectionately known in the Cleveland Park neighborhood has for many years, made it possible for area residents to conveniently purchase fine quality toys, cards and other gift items. How grateful we should be that government leaders have helped keep small, serving businesses like hers alive.

How important it is that we get beyond labels and look to leaders who will work to solve problems rather than cast blame.



Sunday, July 5, 2020

Chautauqua for everyone




Chautauqua: Previous attendees or those possibly newly interested

The pandemic has brought a new look to the summer programming in New York State that has been available to residents only in the summer since 1874.

Your computer enables YOU to participate from home for the whole 9 weeks of outstanding lectures, discussions and musical performances. Free trials – and the whole summer - are available at :



The themes for this summer are

Week One • June 27–July 4 | Climate Change: Prioritizing Our Global and Local Response
After two years of attending. I am totally committed to their offerings to people of all religious faiths. Present world conditions are providing a new approach both now and in the future. I find it fascinating, however, that history is repeating itself in that many years ago the Washington area GLEN ECHO was the site of one of more than 150 Chautauqua throughout the nation. And now it is available throughout the world.

Ron