January in the Neighborhood: Solo shows for local photographers; Sing to and free the trees; Fort DeRussy hikes

Forest Hills-based photographers have shows opening this month. Today through February, selected photos by Scott Lassman, a “lens-based artist,” are on display at the IA&A at Hillyer Gallery in Dupont Circle. Hillyer is also hosting a conversation with Lassman on January 10th at 1 p.m.

Of his 2025 “RESIST” series, Scott Lassman tells Forest Hills Connection: “I’ve been particularly struck by the diversity of the crowds and both the joy and determination they bring to the resistance movement…. I hope my photography is not just a celebration of this resistance but also a call to action that encourages others to join the fight.”

One year ago this month, neighbor and wildlife photographer David Jonathan Cohen traveled to eight of the 13 Galapagos Islands. We’re invited to join his journey through his solo show, beginning January 8th at the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitor Center (10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708) and ending January 31st. We’re also invited to attend the meet-the-artist reception on January 24th at 2 p.m.

A blue-footed booby in the Galapagos. Says photographer David Jonathan Cohen of the other subjects on display: “the only lizard that feeds in the sea; the only flightless cormorant, a bird that dives for fish; and the only penguin that lives north of the Equator.”

Join an ancient English tradition. The Winter Wassail at the Peirce Mill orchard on January 10th (rain date is January 11th) is open to Friends of Peirce Mill supporters (donate here) who are willing to belt out a tune to awaken the trees. They’ll be rewarded with cider and mead from Silver Spring’s Silver Wheel Cellars, and if the fruit trees are sufficiently roused from slumber, a bountiful harvest.

Help free the trees. January is a great time to tame nonnative, invasive weeds threatening to overtake trees and other plants our wildlife needs for food and shelter. So Forest Hills Park’s Good Clean Fun initiative is inviting volunteers for another invasive species cleanup on January 10th. From 1 to 3 p.m., they’ll be tackling more of the overgrown patch between the baseball field and Brandywine Street. Volunteers will be working under the guidance of Mary Farrah, the District’s invasive plant management coordinator, and NPS-certified Weed Warrior John Burwell. Tools will be provided to participants, who must be over 18 and must register here.

And every weekend this month: We can spend a couple of hours Saturday mornings removing invasive plants from the parkland behind Politics and Prose (aka “Broad Branch on the Rock Creek Conservancy events calendar), or assist on Sunday mornings with the same work at Reservation 630 West. Weed Warrior Kathy Sykes is leading these cleanups.

Bundle up for ranger-led hikes from the Rock Creek Nature Center. Every Saturday this month, Park Service rangers are leading history-focused hikes to Fort DeRussy, a Civil War defense site.

Last chance to visit Hillwood until February: Hillwood Museum and Gardens closes on January 5th for its annual spring cleaning, and will reopens on February 3rd. In the meantime, we’re invited to explore Hillwood from home.