Local
Robert Larkin dies at 61
Noted antiques dealer, passport service worker
Robert Ashby Larkin (Photo courtesy Ken Ceccucci)
Robert Ashby Larkin, 61, died Jan. 18. He had been ill since spring 2014 with chronic conditions associated with congestive heart failure, according to friends.
A graveside memorial will be held at noon Saturday at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va.
An Arlington native, Larkin was born Dec. 26, 1953. An only child surrounded by close-knit family, he was loved and doted upon. Recalling his early years in the now-Tysons megaplex, he would cite the family’s farmhouse-like environment as the imprint to a lifelong interest for collecting antiques, a passion shared with his closest friends.
Following high school graduation, he began work as a bank teller at Columbia First Federal Savings and Loan, leaving as head of that department. He indulged his passion for antiques for a couple years at Ruff and Ready Furnishings in Washington. He later worked at Washington Passport and Visa Service in D.C. where he excelled at processing passports and visas and counseled travelers for 25 years. He took great professional pride in his work, finding it both challenging and rewarding. His was a voice many clients were happy to have at the other end of the line as he navigated them through tight deadlines and multiple destinations.
Larkin formed lasting relationships with several antique dealers who became close friends. He was a habituate of the Georgetown, Eastern Market and Civitan flea markets, sometimes as a vendor, sometimes a shopper. For several years at Eastern Market, he operated a regular booth, MerryMart, named for his mother, Mary.
Friends said Larkin loved nothing better than a road trip through Maryland and Pennsylvania. Alone or with friends, he pursued his passion for Old Paris porcelains, Cranberry glass, Jasper ware and his much-loved Flow Blue and Havilland china.
In later life, he particularly enjoyed being with close friends, sitting around a kitchen table sharing stories and laughter, or sometimes the impromptu dinner party capped off with an Irish Coffee at Mr. Henry’s on the Hill.
His friends and professional family will miss him greatly, among them Ken Ceccucci (Spencer Holland), Joe Munroe and Gary Riley as well as Bob Hincherick, and Hernan (JR) and Blanca Diaz. Flowers for his memorial may be delivered to National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
Rehoboth Beach
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance
Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.
Thursday (9/3)
Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.
After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Friday (9/4)
The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Saturday (9/5)
The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.
Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.
Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.
Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.
Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.
Sunday (9/6)
Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.
Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.
John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.
Monday (9/7)
The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.
Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.
Maryland
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Conservative groups challenged system’s policy
By JESSICA CALEFATI | Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff cannot use transgender students’ preferred names if their parents oppose it, according to an internal document reviewed by the Banner, a change that comes after conservative groups challenged the school system’s approach to gender identity.
Teachers union president Kristina Korona told members in an Aug. 20 email that the new guidance undermines district policy on acceptance and inclusivity and “will begin harming affected students immediately.”
Previously, the district didn’t require parental permission to use a high school student’s chosen name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, the internal document says. Now it does. The change comes as parents challenge the suburban school system’s gender identity policy and regulation in court and the Trump-Vance administration threatens the district’s funding.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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