• Parade of Trabants at the International Spy Museum, Saturday, November 7, 2009; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  Where were you when the Berlin Wall fell? Head over to the Spy Museum to celebrate the twentieth anniversary with 20 Trabants, vintage cars that have come to symbolize East Germany and the fall of Communism. The Trabarnts will be parked in front of the Museum on F Street, NW, and don't forget to enter an opportunity to win one. While the cars are on display, experts will be on hand to answer questions about Trabants, the Cold War, and Communism, while the Blaskapelle Alte Kameraden German Band provides festive music.
  
  

• On Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. enjoy a Champagne Tasting at La Maison Francaise (4101 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-944-6090). Sip on some of finest bubbly from the best Champagne houses: Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Nicolas Feuillatte, Laurent-Perrier, Pol Roger, Ruinart, Janisson, Pommery, Krug, J. de Telmont, Louis Roederer, Taittinger and more. Admission is $125 and dress is cocktail attire, black-tie optional. Tickets can be purchased at www.instantseats.com
  
  
• SpongeBob Squarepants at the National Aquarium. On Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the National Aquarium (14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW) in Washington, D.C. Kids can meet and have a free photo taken with their favorite Nickelodeon TV star, SpongeBob Squarepants. This event is free with Aquarium Admission (Adults $7, Children ages 2 - 10 $3, Children under 2 free.
  
  
• On Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. ahead over to the National Gallery of Art for a free concert performed by pianist Yakov Kasman. Concert takes place in the West Building Main Floor, West Garden Court. Kasman will perform music by Prokofiev, Schumann, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky.

FotoWeek DC 2009 celebrates the power of photography through inspirational and riveting international exhibitions, thought provoking lectures and workshops, and the chance to have your own portfolio critiqued by experts. This is the second year this week-long photo festival will grace DC.

From November 7th - 14th see photos throughout Washington, DC. From museums and institutions to embassies, cutting edge galleries, and even public schools, there are opportunities throughout the District to see some compelling photography that reaffirms the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words." read more

Outdoor ice skating in Washington, DC is back baby! Yes, the cool weather is starting to usher in some of our favorite winter sporting activities. Make plans to go skating with family and friends at one of these DC Metro area ice skating rinks.

Ah Halloween candy, what to do with all those leftovers you hoarded from the trick-or-treaters? Equinox Restaurant in DC has the solution: Halloween inspired cocktails. Think Lemondrop Limoncello or Jolly Rancher Martini. This Happy Hour will take place Monday - Friday, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., November 2, 2009 through November 6, 2009.

On Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. head over to The George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium (730 21st Street, NW/Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro Stop) to hear Former Vice President Al Gore read from his upcoming book Our Choice. A question and answer session will follow the lecture. This event is sponsored by Politics & Prose. Admission is $10 or receive two free tickets with the purchase of a book. Tickets can be purchased online.

Weekend Highlights for October 30, 2009-November 1, 2009:

• Friday, October 30, 2009 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Celebrate Halloween at the annual Hilloween. This Capitol Hill event features hayrides with a horse and buggy around the Eastern Market building, carousel rides, a moon bounce, balloon twisting, and other fun activities. Costumes are encouraged and you can take the kids trick-or-treating around the community. 7th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from North Carolina Avenue to C Street.
  
  
• On October 31, 2009 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. head over to the Spy Museum (800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC) for CLUE: Secrets & Spies Edition game demos and giveaways will also take place. Special Halloween treats including pumpkin cookies, spiced cup cakes and fall cider will be available in the Spy Cafe. As part of the CLUE: Secrets & Spies Edition festivities a professional make-up artist will be on hand to teach the tools-of-the-trade necessary to transform guests in preparation for a night of tricks and treats. A costume contest will be held in the Spy Store at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday evening with prizes awarded to the most imaginative costumes. And if you do show-up in costume, there's a 50% discount off admission.
  
  
• On October 31, 2009 take a walking tour of The Most Haunted Houses in Washington DC. Your guide will take you to the most haunted sights in the city - all concentrated around the seven acres surrounding Lafayette Park. The walk begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs $10 per person.
  
  
• November 1, 2009 at 2 p.m. Reading of "The Fisherwoman" by Toni Morrison from Robert Bergman's A Kind of Rapture in the East Building Concourse, Auditorium at the National Gallery of Art. Author Toni Morrison and Robert F. Goheen Professor in the Humanities, Emeritus; special consultant to the director of the Princeton Atelier; and lecturer with the rank of professor in the Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton University will present a reading of "The Fisherwoman". This is in conjunction with the Robert Bergman: Portraits, 1986-1995 exhibition on view October 11, 2009-January 10, 2010.
  
  
• On November 1, 2009 from noon to 5 p.m. admission to the National Museum of the Women in the Arts is free.
  
  
• On November 1, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. head over to the West Building Main Floor, West Garden Court of the National Gallery of Art to hear pianist Till Fellne play Beethoven: Sonatas nos. 4, 15, 24, 25, and 27.

Tickets for the 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be distributed using a new lottery system. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Wednesday, November 4th, individuals can register online by visiting www.thenationaltree.org to complete a lottery application for a chance to win tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Additionally, those wishing to win tickets can call (877) 444-6777 and register via phone. A total of 2,800 ticketed seats and 7,000 standing room tickets will be given out. Lottery winners will be notified by email if you registered via computer or U.S. Mail if you registered via phone. You can check your lottery status beginning November 9, 2009 and tickets will be mailed to winners by November 15, 2009. While admission is free, a ticket is required for each person wishing to attend.

The 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 5 p.m.

The National Gallery of Art is one of my favorite museums, not just because of the incredible art on display, but because of the rich lectures and free concerts they offer every month. November 2009 kicks off with an impressive line-up of lectures including a reading of "The Fisherwoman" by Toni Morrison. So mark your calendar:

• November 1, 2009 at 2 p.m. Reading of "The Fisherwoman" by Toni Morrison from Robert Bergman's A Kind of Rapture in the East Building Concourse, Auditorium. Author Toni Morrison and Robert F. Goheen Professor in the Humanities, Emeritus; special consultant to the director of the Princeton Atelier; and lecturer with the rank of professor in the Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton University will present a reading of "The Fisherwoman". This is in conjunction with the Robert Bergman: Portraits, 1986-1995 exhibition on view October 11, 2009-January 10, 2010.
  
  
• November 15, 2009 at 2 p.m. The American Leonardo: Experts, Dealers, and the Art Market in the Twentieth Century. Hear John Brewer, the Eli and Eyde Broad Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences at California Institute of Technology discuss his book The American Leonardo: A Tale of Obsession, Art and Money. Book signing to follow. Lecture takes place in the East Building Concourse Auditorium.
  
  
• On November 29, 2009 at 2 p.m. listen to Steven F. Ostrow, professor and chair of the department of art history at the University of Minnesota discuss The Angels of Caravaggio. Lecture takes place in East Building Concourse, Auditorium.

Rainy Washington, DC days, such as today and tomorrow, offer visitors an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the many museums along the National Mall. If you have young children, I highly recommend the Air & Space Museum or the National Museum of Natural History. Both have exhibits that will fascinate the kids. From ant farms to ocean wonders to the Spirit of St. Louis and space exploration, the two museums will turn a rainy day into an adventure. If you are sans kids, I would hit the National Gallery of Art and spend the day surrounded by the beautiful creations of Degas, Monet, Renoir. Check the NGA calendar and listen to a lecture before having tea or coffee at their garden cafe. Or walk down to the National Museum of American History and get your fill of American culture.

Even if you can't make it to The Library of Congress, the LOC has some wonderful online programs that you and your children can enjoy. One such program is The Exquisite Corpse Adventure. An Exquisite Corpse Adventure may sound menacing, but it is an old game that will delight both young and old. The game works like this: one person writes a phrase on a sheet of paper, folds it over to conceal part of it and passes it on to the next player to do the same. The game ends when someone finishes the story, which is then read aloud. . . read more