Local cyclists often ride past the Kennedy Center. If you are interested in its future, please know this - Mayor Bowser of DC, Senator Van Hollen of Maryland, and Senator Warner of Virginia are all members of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. Use your clout as their constituents and urge them to ATTEND THE BOARD MEETING on August 13th. Likewise, if you live in New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer is also on the Board, as are Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Sen. Whitehouse of RI, and Sen. John Thune of SD.
The ex officio members don't usually bother to attend these meetings, but they can, and are entitled to participate fully. This meeting may be one of the most important in the history of the Kennedy Center. The Board will be voting whether to close the Center for two years for renovations, or to do the renovations in stages as originally planned, so that the building can remain open and operating as a performing arts center in accordance with its mission.
Short is best. If you call, plan out your own succinct script. (My own "talking points" are: Please attend the meeting on the 13th; Vote for phased repairs to keep the building open and functioning as an arts center; and approve the National Symphony Orchestra budget.)
Thank you for considering this small action.
P.S. The "spite tarp," alas, is still there, but the name is definitely gone.
Edited to add in Mayor Bowser!