The Live Big® Chronicles

Those new to the phrase “Live Big” may interpret it as meaning “spend big”, “live large”, or a recommendation to some other form of overindulgence. However those familiar with Yeske Buie know that to us, it’s about the size of your life, not the size of your wallet. We believe that everyone is entitled to a limitless vision for their life and living big will look different from one individual to another. With the help of our Clients, friends, and family, we compiled creative and dynamic lists of ways individuals can have rich, Live Big experiences without spending a lot of money. We have shared these lists on several occasions and welcome additions from anyone who would like to participate; we call these the Live Big List and the Live Big Chronicles.

Inspired by the upcoming Spring season, we share ideas for you to Live Big in the Washington DC area, San Francisco Bay area, and a few cities in between while spending little to no money at all. Of course, this list only scratches the surface of all the outings you may consider exploring as you Live Big this Spring. Please feel free to share your ideas with us and we will be happy to add them to our lists.

Live Big Around the Country

With Yeske Buie offices on both coasts of the country, we like to work in a way that feels like we are one office with a really long hallway (a ~2,400 mile long hallway, that is!). We “shorten” this hallway by utilizing technology to connect with our team members and Clients and by being intentional about the look, feel, and operation of the two offices. With this in mind, we’ve found a few Spring activities that you may explore in all parts of the country!

• Music with a View
  • The Netherlands Carillon
    • Squared away near Arlington National Cemetery, the Netherlands Carillon is an open steel tower with 50 bells that play automated concerts each day at noon and 6 pm. Surrounding the tower is a peaceful setting of floral libraries and sculpted lions; the perfect place to listen to the music of the bells. You can also catch a live concert featuring a guest artist each Saturday in June, July and August from 6 pm to 8 pm. Pack yourself a picnic and enjoy the day with sweeping views of Washington DC and vibrant music.
  • The Wave Organ
    • Part of San Francisco’s Exploratorium, the Wave Organ is a wave-activated, acoustic sculpture constructed on the shore of San Francisco Bay. A wonderful assortment of carved granite and marble, the installation includes 25 PVC and concrete organ pipes at various elevations that create sound from the impact of the wave against the pipe ends and the movement of the water. Make your way to the end of the Golden Gate Yacht Club for panoramic views of San Francisco and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of nature.
• Bloom Watch
  • Washington DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival and San Francisco’s Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival are the two largest cherry blossom festivals in the country. The festivals promise remarkable sights, traditional ceremonies, and fun activities and are celebrated to honor the lasting friendship and the continued close relationship between the United States and Japan. If you’re not local to DC or San Francisco, you can still participate in other cherry blossom festivals across the country; Philadelphia, Nashville, Denver, and several other cities  are also home to beautiful displays and fun festivals!
• National Park Week
  • Each Spring, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite everyone to celebrate National Park Week. This year’s National Park Week will be held from April 18th through April 26th. During this week, all of the country’s more than 400 national parks will be free for all to discover. Find a park near you and enjoy all the wildlife, landscapes, culture, and history of our national parks.

Live Big in Washington DC

• The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
  • Every evening at 6 pm, the Kennedy Center features a free performance on their Millennium Stage as part of the “Performing Arts for Everyone” initiative. The shows feature local, national, and international artists showcasing their talents in music, dance, theater, and more. No tickets are required to attend the performances and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also watch a live stream of the performances each day on their website or check out the schedule to find a show that interests you!
• Arlington Cemetery’s Changing of the Guard
  • Considered by many to be the most sacred area of Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded for every second of every day since 1937 and the changing of the guard ceremony is very special experience. The guard is changed every hour from October through March and every thirty minutes from April through September. Witnessing the ceremony live proves to be the most powerful experience, but if you can’t watch the ceremony in person, details of the changing of the guard rituals are listed on Arlington National Cemetery’s website.
• Passport DC
  • Passport DC is a month-long celebration that takes visitors on journey around the world, highlighting DC’s thriving international diplomatic community and its lively and varied culture. This year’s program will take place from May 1^st through 31^st and offers something for everyone as it invites visitors to experience a global journey without leaving the city. This year’s program features a Flower Mart at Washington National Cathedral, an Around the World Embassy Tour of more than 45 embassies, and more.

Live Big in San Francisco

• Watch the Bay Lights
  • After a short period of darkness, the Bay Bridge is once again illuminated with a new, iconic light sculpture that shines every night from dusk until dawn. This public art display is the largest LED light sculpture and features a dazzling presentation that never repeats. Some of the best viewing spots include Embarcadero Promenade, Bridgeway Promenade in Sausalito, or various restaurants along the Embarcadero. If you find your self awing at the display one evening, keep an eye out for the light on cable #270, level #67 which is dedicated by Yeske Buie to those who Live Big.
• Yoga on the Labyrinth
  • Whether you are an experienced yogi or are just starting your practice, Grace Cathedral offers a gentle and nurturing yoga practice for all each Tuesday evening at 6:15 pm. Historic Grace Cathedral holds the Yoga on the Labyrinth practice as a great way to improve your health, open the heart, quiet the mind, and balance the body. The class is guided by a well-respected instructor and his assistants, and live music from the harp, singing bowl, or didgeridoo help bring students to a deeper state of meditation. Plan to arrive at least twenty minutes early as the class is quite popular. The class is donation-based: a $10-20 donation is encouraged but not required.
• Market to Table Demonstration
  • Looking to spice up your dinner menu this Spring? Ignite your culinary curiosity by exploring the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture’s (CUESA’s) Market to Table demonstration in the CUESA Classroom at the Ferry Plaza’s Farmers Market. Each Saturday at 10:30 am, a local chef demos a recipe featuring seasonal items from the Farmer’s Market. The demos are free to the public and provide recipes and samples for all. A full list of upcoming demos can be found on the Ferry Plaza’s website.