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“Parks and Recreation” heroine Leslie Knope would love to see this mural study from an Indiana post office on her visit to DC. Clearing the Right of Way by Joe Cox, 1938.

Five Things Leslie Knope Should See at the Smithsonian

As NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” prepares to shoot its season five in D.C., we offer up five must-sees for the newest city councilmember of Pawnee, Indiana

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The End of Swimsuit Design Innovation

Wurman describes TED as the conference of the 20th century. He says WWW will be the conference of the 21st century.

Why TED Founder Richard Saul Wurman Thinks TED Is So Last Century

The creator of the popular speaker series spent Friday at the Smithsonian talking about the next step in his prolific design career

A map of Chicago, Illinois, imprinted in 1913 from the United States Geographical Survey’s historical topographic map collection.

A Treasure Trove of Old Maps at Your Fingertips

Soon, all of the United States Geographical Survey’s old topographical maps will be available online

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Sahelanthropus tchadensis: Ten Years After the Disocvery

A decade ago, scientists unearthed what may be the oldest hominid ever found

Computers predict a city’s crime hot spots.

Can Computers Predict Crimes?

A lot of police departments hope so. They’re starting to invest in software that uses algorithms to forecast where crimes are most likely to happen

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Should Pluto’s Planet Status Be Reinstated? Not Yet

Discovery of a fifth moon circling Pluto has some questioning where the “dwarf planet” category still applies to this faraway member of the Solar System

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Dino Beatdown is Boring

Even though Dino Beatdown delivers on the jetpacks and Velociraptor, that’s not enough to make it a fun game

The covered Kogod Courtyard provides the perfect setting for Thursday’s jazz concert with the Freddie Redd-Butch Warren Quintet celebrating the legacy of Thelonius Monk.

Events July 17-19: Virtual Caving, Air Force Strings and a Tribute to Thelonius Monk

This week at the Smithsonian: take a virtual tour beneath the earth’s surface, see the Air Force Strings perform and honor the genius of Thelonius Monk

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WWII Navy Corpsman Collected Birds Between Pacific Theater Battles

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Remembering Bloomingdale’s Chairman, the Dearly Departed Martin Traub, 1925-2012

The department store chain’s visionary executive beat the competition in exotic fashion flair

One of the snow leopard cubs discovered in Mongolia’s Tost Mountains.

First Ever Video of Wild Snow Leopard Mother and Cubs

Researchers came upon a wild snow leopard den in the Tost Mountains of Mongolia and captured a mother with cub on camera for the first time

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Photo Op: Arts and Industries Crew Make History

Ironworkers paused to recreate a historic photograph while working on Arts and Industries building. The renovation is expected to be complete March 2013

Cognoscenti Coffee pop-up at the Hotel Normandie

An Architect-Turned-Barista Draws a Fine Line Between Brewing and Design

As the finale to our coffee series, we talk with Yeekai Lim, an entrepreneur from Los Angeles, about coffee, design, and the common ground(s) they share

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Round 1 of the Dinosaurs vs Aliens Throwdown

Does the first issue of Dinosaurs vs Aliens live up to the hype?

A new study indicates the direction we look while speaking has nothing to do with whether we’re telling the truth.

Myth Busted: Looking Left or Right Doesn’t Indicate If You’re Lying

A psychological study has debunked the idea that the direction of a speaker’s eyes indicate lying or telling the truth

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Return of the King Salmon

In the ocean waters just off California’s Central Coast, the fish are swarming this summer like they haven’t in years

Taizo the robot gets seniors to exercise.

10 Ways Tech Makes Old Age Easier

With their populations aging rapidly in coming decades, many countries, including the U.S., will rely heavily on technology to take care of seniors

Contemporary artist Gavin Jantjes’s untitled work is a part of the “African Cosmos: Stellar Arts,” exhibit on display through December 9.

Events July 13-15: After Hours at the Museum of African Art, Cranes and Clouds, “Don Juan” Screening

This weekend, hit up the Museum of African Art after hours, create Korean art and view a screening of “Don Juan”

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Packing List Series, Part 1: Joan Didion

In 1979, “The White Album” gave smart women a straightforward guide to what to bring on a trip

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