WDCSA NEWSLETTER
January 2015
DC Book Club Discussion
Sunday, January 11 5 pm
Bethesda, MD
The book group will meet at the home of Perry Seiffert to discuss Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. The February book is the novel The Elephant Keeper’s Children by Hoeg. The March book is the nonfiction book The Boys in the Boat by Brown. New readers are welcome.
For general information about the group, email Alison Westfall at alisoncolew@hotmail.com.
Baltimore Book Club Discussion
Tuesday, January 20 7:30 pm
Mother’s Federal Hill Grille,
1113 S. Charles St.,
Baltimore, MD
The January selection is Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Copying Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh. This New York Times bestseller is a 2013 Goodreads choice award winner in the humor category. This book is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by over two thousand Amazon readers. The March selection is The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.
Questions/RSVP: Helene Myers, Ph.D., P’14, at cedarhouse@comcast.net or at (301)655-5871
Wreaths Across America Clean-up
Saturday, January 24 8:30 am
Arlington Cemetery,
Arlington, VA
WDCSA and the Stanford Military Service Network (SMSN) are coordinating a family-friendly community service opportunity. On January 24, we will be picking up the wreaths laid at grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery during the Wreaths Across America event. Additional event details can be found on the website: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/events/arlington/.
Please contact Jack Smith, MS ’14, at jbsmith2004@alumni.stanford.edu and RSVP to volunteer and receive additional details regarding our group’s participation.
Parents Connection Social
Saturday, January 31 2-4 pm
5607 Wood Way.
Bethesda MD
Please join the Stanford Parents Connection for an afternoon social for fellowship, to trade stories, and to eat chocolate.
Questions/RSVP: Helene Myers, Ph.D., P’14, at cedarhouse@comcast.net or at (301)655-5871
Boomers to Busters Vintage Game Night
Wednesday, February 4 5:30-8 pm
Woodrow Wilson House,
2340 S St NW,
Washington, DC
Boomers to Busters is teaming up again with the Woodrow Wilson House to host Vintage Game Night! Enjoy a unique game night experience with all-you-can-play vintage board games, gaming munchies, and two drinks.
After serving as the twenty-eighth President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson moved to S Street
to reflect on his career as educator, president, and world statesman. The house gives a special glimpse into the private life of President Wilson and has authentic 1920s furniture. It is a 15-minute walk
from the Dupont Circle Metro’s north exit and the closest parking garages. Street parking is limited but the N2, N4 and N6 buses go along “Embassy Row.”
To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.uchicagodc.org/boomerstobusters. Tickets will be sold at the door but guests are encouraged to register in advance.
Stanford at the Opera
Friday, March 13 7:30 pm performance
Kennedy Center Opera House,
Washington, DC
In March, we sail with Wagner’s ‘Flying Dutchman’ preceded by a back stage tour. In Richard Wagner’s retelling of the nautical legend, formidable bass-baritone Grammy Award winner Eric Owens—one of the most in-demand American opera stars of our day—returns to the Washington National Opera to make his staged debut as the Flying Dutchman, condemned to wander the seas on a ship of ghosts. He can only venture ashore once every seven years to seek his salvation: a woman’s unconditional love.
All Stanford ticket holders are invited to a “backstage tour” before the opera. Prime Orchestra tickets are $152; Second Tier Prime tickets are $103. For tickets – send a check payable to WDCSA to Betty Byrne, 1822 Ingleside Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20010.. Contact Betty at 202-483-4048 or bettybyrne@stanfordalumni.org. Performance Timing: One Act Only – 2-1/2 hours.This production does NOT include an intermission.
In May, join us for a FREE ‘Opera in the Outfield’ at National’s Park of Rossini’s ‘Cinderalla.’ There will be a reserved Stanford section.
Get Involved
WDCSA Elections
- After many years at the helm, John Smithson is stepping down as WDCSA President. If you’re interested in learning more about the position and/or are interested in running to be the new WDCSA President, please email Risa Shimoda at risa@theshimodagroup.com. Elections will be held in March or April 2015.
Housing Needed for Alternative Spring Break Group
- This upcoming spring break, seniors Nick Ahamed (Political Science) and Eric Mattson (Human Biology) are leading an Alternative Spring Break trip to Washington DC. Their class is titled "Activating Democracy: Campaigns, Elections, and Voting" and hopes to inspire future leaders on campus to become active and engaged members of the democratic process. By exploring topics ranging from the foundations of the United States government to campaign finance and primary politics to voter suppression, this Alternative Spring
Break will be a boot-camp immersing students in all the components of an election in the United States.The course culminates in a week-long trip to DC to meet with various national organizations and leaders, as well as to better delve into the topics covered throughout the course. The opportunity to be in the heart of national politics and speak with a truly special line-up of speakers will push students to think critically about the importance of elections and voting as an American citizen, and also equip participants with the tools to further inspire others. Nick and Eric would like to talk with any alumni in the D.C.-area interested in helping host several students during the time of the trip, currently set for March 21-28, 2015. While it would be ideal to host all 14 of the trip’s participants in one home, Nick and Eric are eager
to chat with alumni who would be happy housing a smaller group of students. If interested, please contact Eric Mattson via email at mattson@stanford.edu, or feel free to give him a call at (402) 560-5594.
JANUARY 2015
EVENT SPOTLIGHT:
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
On December 13th, WDCSA and the Stanford Military Service Network (SMSN) teamed up to coordinate a family-friendly community service opportunity with the Wreaths Across America organization. The group of 22 alumni, family, and friends honored veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery by laying wreaths at their grave sites. Participants thoroughly enjoyed both the honor of laying wreaths and the conversations throughout the morning.
Stanford In the News
- The Cardinal topped Maryland 45-21 in the Foster Farms Bowl on December 30th in a cold and blustery Levi’s Stadium.
- Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine say they have developed a safe and effective skin patch to deliver a drug that enhances the healing of diabetes-related ulcers. The patch, which they tested in mice, may also serve as a way to prevent ulcer formation.
This month’s newsletter is available for download in PDF format.