The International Food Sample Festival is coming back to PTO and we have tickets! Where can you get them? You can go by Gary Hollinden’s office (REM4C76) in the mornings, or Edward Hart at RAN8B21, if you’re in Madison, visit Yaira Resto at MDE 4D64. You can also come by Coffee Break on Tuesday Jul 12 at 2:30 and buy your tickets as well. So many options! This special pricing is for Affinity Group members only, and it ends on July 15th while supplies last, get yours now!
A minute of silence for Orlando
Join us on Tuesday June 14th at 2:45 PM on the front steps of the Madison Building, as we observe a minute of silence to remember the victims of the Orlando shooting and their families. Bismarck Myrick, Director of EEOD and Jim Alstrum-Acevedo, Vice-President of SHPE join us in support. We will follow by a reading of names and singing the National Anthem together. The event will also be streamed live online for those not present on campus.
Capital Pride Celebration June 1-12 in DC!
If you go to one event this June, don’t miss Capital Pride. This year’s theme, “Make the Magic Happen” speaks to the power we have as a community to effect change that strengthens the LBGTA movement locally, regionally, and nationally. The desire to be a part of this change is a spark that inspires us to avidly pursue equality at every level and work to preserve the victories that we have secured.
The parade on June 11th is expected to last three hours with the last contingent passing 14th and R at 7:30pm. Music and entertainment begins at the announcement stand and review stand at 3:30pm. Then there’s the festival on June 12 and many other events throughout June around the Capital City.
For more information, go to capitalpride.org
Around DC: Monthly Federal Globe Happy Hour
Please join Federal GLOBE for its monthly Networking Happy Hour on Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Cobalt.
This event offers a great opportunity to network and socialize with other LGBT Federal employees. Please help us spread the word; tell your colleagues or bring a friend.
Cobalt is conveniently located in Washington DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood at the corner of 17th and R Streets, NW.
Raising Children in a Diverse World coming May 24
The Office of Human Resources Benefits and Worklife Branch, in partnership with LifeCare, will present a “Raising Children in a Diverse World” webinar from 1-2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 24. Register at WorkLife4You and use USPTO as the registration code if you’re not already registered on the LifeCare website.
Teaching children about diversity and tolerance is a critical part of parenting today. This seminar will provide information to teach children about diversity.
Join LifeCare Consultant, Ron Precourt as he discusses the following:
- Helping children to be proud of their heritage
- Introducing children to other cultures, religions and races
- Answering tough questions
- Protecting your child from discrimination
- How to be a good role model.
All seminars are open to USPTO employees and their family members.
For inquiries related to the “Raising Children in a Diverse World” webinar or other USPTO Wellness events, contact the Compensation and Benefits Division. To view program details visit the USPTO Worksite Wellness online site and select calendar of events.
Learn to Tango!
Intro to Argentine Tango + Practica
Monday May 16th, 2016 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
USPTO Madison Auditorium
Curious about tango? Think you can’t dance? If you can walk, you can tango. Come check out a free tango lesson where you learn from one of DC’s most sought after dancers-Gabriel Medeiros of Tango Mercurio. No partner is required as exercises are group based. Also find out the best (and free) places to discover the Argentine Tango scene in the DC metro area. Snacks will be provided!
Argentine Tango has a special history of usurping the traditional dance roles of ‘leader’ and ‘follower’ and their corresponding gender associations. Even from its early days in the salons in Buenos Aires, men spent most of their time practicing as ‘followers’ with other men before they earned the rare privilege to dance with women. Today, top tango stars include acclaimed same-sex dance couple Martin Maldonado and Maurizio Ghella, who tour internationally as teachers and performers, and whose mastery of the dance and commitment to improvisation leaves traditional lead/follow role restrictions in the dust. Many dance communities offer classes that encourage gender neutral ‘open roles’ in which students work on both leading and following roles. For example local school Tango Mercurio offers a ‘Leading Ladies’ workshop which teaches women how to lead the dance, and an ‘Abrozo’ workshop which teaches men follower techniques. These classes ensure people can experience all areas of the dance outside of traditional gender role restrictions and serve a practical purpose in expanding one’s options for potential partners at any given milonga, or dance.
5:00-5:30pm Welcome and Intro – Tango Origins & Modern Tango. Buenos Aires: Tango Orchestras and the Golden Age. Tango Nuevo/Alternative tango. Brief Demo, Modern Tango Structure & Etiquette. Cabeceo, line of dance, improvisation, leading/following: invite/accept. Tango in our Area: Capital Tangueros Google Calendar, terminology: practica vs. milonga; festivals. Beginner-friendly local tango events: MLK library Practica (free), Eastern Market, Pablo’s Practica, Tango Mercurio.
5:30-6:30pm Beginner’s Lesson: The Walking Dance – Walking with the music, partner weight changes, moving in the line of dance, pausing techniques, walking to the cross.
6:30-8:30pm Practica: Open to all dancing to DJ’d music for anyone who wants to practice, with instructors available for guidance; asking and assisting others is encouraged.
Around Town: 2nd Annual LGBT Memorial Day Celebration
Honoring our LGBT Veterans, Inner Light Ministries will hold the 2nd Annual LGBT Memorial Day Celebration on the following dates:
Friday, May 27th 2016: In Remembrance Services
1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20004
1PM to 4PM at the John Wilson Building Room G-9
Saturday, May 28 2016: Celebration Party
Inner Light Ministries Veterans Programs & Services
The Home of MS. Barbara Peoples
1252 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington DC 20001
4 PM, BYOB. Tickets $15, proceeds to benefit homeless vets
Call JoAnn, (240)305-5516 or Josette (240)492-8096
Sunday May 29 2016: Inner Light Ministries Memorial Day Service
The Anacostia Arts Center
1231 Good Hope Road SE, Washington DC 20020
10:45AM to 1PM Join us for Brunch following service at Art-Drenaline Restaurant
Community Day: Call for Talent
The Entertainment Committee for the 19th Annual USPTO Community Day is currently seeking talent acts to perform during this year’s festivities. The event will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 11:00am – 2:00pm. This year’s theme is “Diversity: Coast to Coast.” This call for participants is open to USPTO employees, as well as their family and friends. If you are interested, please email Sesha Moon by March 31, 2016. Each act shall not exceed 10 minutes and please be prepared to furnish audio and/or visuals on a USB drive, as well as a written script of any lyrics that will be performed for approval.
Around Campus: Bengali New Year Celebration
The Bangladeshi-American Intellectual Property Organization (BAIPO) is celebrating its Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, on April 22nd (Friday) from 7.00PM-10.30PM @ Madison Auditorium. The event features cultural program, fashion show and dinner. Last year a number of Affinity Group Leaders joined us in the celebration. We are sincerely requesting the same support from you this year.
Tickets are on sale now (cutoff date 04/18/2016). See flyer for more details.
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Save the Date: Lambda PTO Pride 2016
On June the 2nd, Lambda will host its annual Pride Event at 2PM. Our speaker this year, Chai Feldblum has been the Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since 2010 and a great LGBT rights activist. More details to come… stay tuned!
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