Lockjaw....

There also many who thought/believed Trump "would change" once elected.

They hoped/wished he would become "Presidential" once elected.

How did that work out for those voters?

You may be correct. I missed that. NT

A Pro-Trump woman in England stabbed the blimp and it deflated during the protests

there.
I suppose it was repairable and likely has been made usable again.

I think displaying during whatever Trump plans on July 4 would be terrific, but wouldn't be surprised if it's disallowed.
However, there's likely a nearby venue where the Trump blimp could soar again, and that would be most appropriate.

How about the ones that want to refund "your money"?

Is it "Microsoft Service" calling on that one?
I get so many I do lose track.
I did just buy a set of 5 phones with call blocking, on QVC or HSN - can't remember which- which I used quite liberally when I first got it.
The phones are said to be made by AT&T. - there again I suppose some entity, likely Asian, bought those naming rights.
But the phones do work well enough

LOL

Realize that the dinner comes with a sales presentation, and making a sale

is the intent of those who invited you.
They are not interested in the pleasure of your company.
The dinner will likely be in a private room (if there is one) of the main establishment, rather than the main dining room
Even if you do not bite (figuratively) during their presentation, you can expect to hear from them into the future.

If you go, I hope you enjoy the dinner.

I am a fan of Robert Costa, in fact,

I have a mini-crush on him, despite being a very senior person.

He's done a fine job on PBS's "Washington Journal", and I believe his reporting is rather straightforward & down the middle.

Weird but not uncommon, unfortunately, especially

in Main municipal libraries.
I'm a retired public librarian, but worked in the branches of a large library system, so I wasn't present for such incidents.
But stories of what goes on in Main Libraries of large cities is well-known to those employed there.

A new movie, "The Public", filmed in the downtown library of the Cincinnati system, tells the story of a homeless population taking over the building. The film has just been released in the last month or two.

I'm envious...

both of the gorgeous food, as well as the idea of being in Paris.
Lucky you!