7

SUNDAY

I grew up in a Victorian apartment house occupied by various GS-ers, ladies of dubious employment, macramé-crafting students, carpenters, and filmmakers. We lived, of course, in Takoma Park. When the Fourth of July parade passed our porch, we’d cheer equally for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the “No Nukes” float. Legionnaires, Yippies, banjo pickers, and lunch ladies would clasp hands in the middle of Maple Avenue and sing “God Bless America” in four-part harmony. OK, I made that last part up. But my hometown had something for everyone. So, although I’ve forsaken Maryland for Virginia, it warms my bleeding heart to see that the Takoma Park Street Festival advertises “Vegetarians and carnivores welcome.” How tolerant. How Takoma. The festival, two blocks from the Metro station, features more than 150 booths, music from the likes of the Hula Monsters and Marge Calhoun & Ron Holloway, and meat—or no meat. No pressure, man. At 10 a.m. on Carroll and Laurel Avenues, Takoma Park. Free. (301) 270-4507. (Pamela Murray Winters)