First Lady Michelle Obama, home from a vacation in London and Paris, on Monday kicks off a White House music series, hosting students who will get playing tips from jazz greats, including Wynton, Branford and Ellis Marsalis.

After spending some of Sunday wrestling vegetables into the ground at my place, I realize how far behind I am in the planting season, because on Tuesday the First Lady will preside over the harvesting of some of her fresh veggies at the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn. Earlier that day she will speak at a philanthropy summit focused on the needs of the Washington area.

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PD toolbar!Mrs. Obama was spotted by a pool reporter walking Bo the dog at 7:47 p.m. Sunday at the White House, as President Obama was returning from 18 holes of golf at Ft. Belvoir. She arrived back in the USA on Thursday with daughters Malia and Sasha and her mother, Marian Robinson, after a six-day visit to London and Paris.

There are three events on Mrs. Obama's public schedule so far this week, all on her "issues" program: opening up the White House to kids who might otherwise never get to visit, via a music event; the volunteerism speech, and highlighting healthy eating through the garden harvest.

The "jazz studio" on Monday afternoon will be followed by country and classical music events later this year.

Some 150 youngsters -- most from the Washington area -- have been invited to the White House for classes led by the Marsalis family, among others.

Semonti Mustaphi, a spokesman for the First Lady, told me the White House East, Diplomatic and State Dining rooms will be used for jazz workshops. After that, all will listen to a concert featuring Cuban-born clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera and teenage pianist Tony Madruga with his ensemble.


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