Finding Your Manners Among DC's Founding Farmers

While this city might house its share of civil society builders, basic interpersonal relations often seem far less than civil. With this societal trend in mind, James Henry II, a native Washingtonian, has embarked upon a trilogy of books that endeavor to return us to our roots of civility.

For his first book launch event, Henry set us back to our Founding Farmers, the new Foggy Bottom restaurant that Greg's List-DC has already had the pleasure of reviewing. There, on this President Washington's birthday weekend, Culturally Conscious Publishing celebrated the arrival of Henry's first work, "Mind Your Manners." Basing the illustrated gift book on rules penned by founding father George Washington, Henry updates these maxims with illustration and translation to our own time.

Sample Henry's rules and illustrations at www.rulesofcivility.com. From the book site, one can send a cultured, well-illustrated and -- perhaps most importantly -- anonymous, email reminder to those who appear to have let civility fall by the wayside.

Mr. Henry is currently researching the second work in the triad, this time focusing on courtship and gallantry. Henry has, no doubt, his work cut out for him on this topic, especially if he is considering bringing any of the President's timeless recommendations in sync with the ubiquitous DC online dating scene. Nevertheless, GLDC Culture Editor applauds Henry's efforts to codify some minimum standards of conduct and eagerly anticipates Henry's next book launch event.