D.C. community calendar Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, 2012

Thursday, OCt. 25

Fall color in Olmsted Woods, cathedral horticulture manager Deanne Eversmeyer leads a walk focusing on autumn in the woods and the importance of native trees and shrubs. 10 a.m., meet at the George Washington statue, Pilgrim Road off Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. Free. 202-537-2319 or www.nationalcathedral.org.

Behind the scenes cathedral tour, for age 11 and older, see gargoyles and stained-glass windows, and climb a lot of stairs to view the city from high, take a camera. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. most weekdays, Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. $15. 202-537-6200 or www.nationalcathedral.org.

Garden sculpture safari, for children 2-5 with an adult, an exploration of a garden, an art project, songs and more. 10:30-11:15 a.m., Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. $30. 202-686-5807 or www.hillwoodmuseum.org.

“Freedom Betrayed: Herbert Hoover’s Secret History of the Second World War and Its Aftermath,” a presentation of the manuscript that was the culmination of the literary project launched by Hoover during World War II. Noon, National Archives, McGowan Theater, Constitution Avenue and Ninth Street NW. Free. 202-357-5000.

Renwick Sit ’n’ Stitch, for all abilities, specialists teach different types of stitching. 12:30 p.m., Renwick Gallery, Palm Court, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Free. 202-633-1000 or http://americanart.si.edu.

Mother Teresa artwork dedication, with music by the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. 5:30 p.m., Washington National Cathedral, Human Rights Porch, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. Free. 202-537-6200 or www.nationalcathedral.org.

Suzanne Farrell Ballet, performance of works scheduled for the coming season. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

“Open Studio,” artists Shanti Norris and Darien Reece paint, do collage and experiment alongside new and experienced artists. 6-8:30 p.m., Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St. NW. $25. 202-483-8600 or www.smithcenter.org.

Secret White House tapes and Cuban Missile Crisis, “The Fourteenth Day, JFK and the Aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis: The Secret White House Tapes,” a panel discusses President Kennedy’s White House recordings; opening remarks by Caroline Kennedy. 7 p.m., National Archives, McGowan Theater, Constitution Avenue and Ninth Street NW. Free. 202-357-5000.

Does Ecumenism Have a Future? panel discussion, Friedrich Wilhelm Graf of the University of Munich talks with Michael Root of Catholic University and others about Ecumenism, presented by German Research Foundation and the Goethe-Institut. 7 p.m., Theological Consortium, 487 Michigan Ave. NE. Free. 202-289-1200.

Paul Huang, classical violinist, performance of works by Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Ysaye, Messiaen, Ravel, Debussy and Waxman; sponsored by Washington Performing Arts Society. 7:30 p.m., Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, 2700 F St. NW. $35. 202-785-9727 or www.wpas.org.

Friday, OCt. 26

Used Book Sale, most books $1 each; $10/bag on Saturday; bargain books $.25 each; $3/bag both days; proceeds earmark equipment fund for Palisades branch. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday/Saturday, Palisades Library, 4901 V St. NW. Free. 202-282-3139 or FriendsOfPalisadesLibrary@gmail.com.