Word on the Hill: Celebrate the New Year Again

By Alex Gangitano

Posted March 9, 2017 at 12:01am

A celebration of “Nowruz,” the Iranian new year, which also marks the beginning of spring, will be hosted today on Capitol Hill by the Organization of Iranian American Communities.

This year, Nowruz falls on March 21, but the group is getting started early with a Persian dinner and pastries for guests.

Check it out in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer at 5:30 p.m.

Coin for boys school

Boys Town, the Omaha, Nebraska, nonprofit once known as “Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home,” which has provided 100 years of support for at-risk children, will receive a Centennial Commemorative Coin today from Congress at an event attended by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb.

The Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act was passed last year and authorized the U.S. Mint to strike three different 2017 commemorative coins: a $5 gold, a silver dollar, and a clad half dollar. The coins can be ordered after release from the Mint via catalog.usmint.gov.

The event takes place at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel (415 New Jersey Ave. NW) at 2 p.m.

Staffer shuffle

Eric Schmutz is now a principal at the government affairs firm, Chamber Hill Strategies. He was previously legislative director and deputy chief of staff for Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan.

D.C. cultural event of the day

A special opening of “Intelligence” at Arena Stage (1101 Sixth St. SW) is at 8 p.m. The play was inspired by real-life events related to protecting the national security of the United States after 9/11. Watch for HOH’s coverage of this political thriller.