Celebrating CAL's 50th Anniversary

Hotel Monaco

I went to a marvelous reception this evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Center for Applied Linguistics. It was held in the Paris Ballroom of the Monaco Hotel at 7th and F Street NW, just across the street from the Verizon Center.

It offered a wonderful opportunity to see old friends.

Joy, Shelley, and Christine

An opportunity for delicious food as well!

Shelley helps herself. Christine abstained since it is Lent.

St. Patrick's Parade in Old Towne

Andrea and I took the boys to the St. Patrick's Parade. It was a marvelous local event. The parade went down King Street for 12 blocks. I especially liked the bagpipers. Christian liked the sheriff and the Fairfax County police motorcyclists. Colin loved all of the dogs, especially the littlest ones. We all found the Irish wolfhounds very impressive (they looked like ponies!).

The weather was perfect. Can you believe 74 F on March 8th in DC? Wow! Below is a photo I took of our house four days ago!

Arianna's Lebanese Restaurant

Chas, Rosemary, Christine, Andrea

Andrea and I went out to dinner with friends Chas and Rosemary. We dined at a new neighborhood restaurant called Arianna's that is located in Bradlick Shopping Center in Annandale. It was my kind of restaurant. I would highly recommend it!

We began our meal sharing two appetizers, falafels and sambosas.

Chas and I had the vegetable platter which included eggplant, pumpkin, spinach, and rice with lots of afghan bread. It was all delicious!

Rosemary had the chicken platter that included large pieces of chicken, eggplant, and rice.

Andrea had lamb and rice. It was not interesting enough to photograph! And he complained that there was too much rice and too little lamb.

Morandi at the Phillips Collection

George and Andrea at the entrance

Andrea and I met our friend George at the Phillips Collection to visit the Morandi exhibit. It was quite a remarkable exhibit. Morandi is an Italian artist who specialized in still lifes. I will provide more information about Morandi soon.

George and Christine at the entrance