Obama Watch: Week of Jan. 17

Check out the Obamas' week through photos!

MLK Service Project - As part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first family took part in a service event at a local Washington, D.C. middle school. Shortly after their arrival to the school, other volunteers sang “Happy Birthday” to first lady Michelle Obama who was celebrating her 47th birthday.

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MLK Service Project - As part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first family took part in a service event at a local Washington, D.C. middle school. Shortly after their arrival to the school, other volunteers sang “Happy Birthday” to first lady Michelle Obama who was celebrating her 47th birthday.

“Let’s Get to Work” - After the singing, the family watched mentors and mentees from a variety of programs paint “dancing fruit” on pillars. The activity was meant to encourage students to eat healthy.

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“Let’s Get to Work” - After the singing, the family watched mentors and mentees from a variety of programs paint “dancing fruit” on pillars. The activity was meant to encourage students to eat healthy.

Birthday Dinner - Following their day of service, President Obama took the first lady out to dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s The Source restaurant for her birthday.

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Birthday Dinner - Following their day of service, President Obama took the first lady out to dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s The Source restaurant for her birthday.

Meetings, then Dinner with Hu - On Tuesday, the president will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in the Oval Office. Then, later that evening, he’ll host a dinner for visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Old Family Dining Room.

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Meetings, then Dinner with Hu - On Tuesday, the president will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in the Oval Office. Then, later that evening, he’ll host a dinner for visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Old Family Dining Room.

Agency Visit - First Lady Michelle Obama will continue her tour of federal agencies with a visit to the Department of Justice on Wednesday. She will be joined by Attorney General Eric Holder and will thank employees for their efforts.

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Howard University Visit - On Wednesday morning, Mrs. Obama gave a speech in front of high school and college students at Howard University about the Chinese president’s visit and the importance of studying abroad. Student panelists at the event elaborated on their experiences while visiting China. The discussion supported the president’s “100,000 Strong” initiative, a nationwide effort to get American students to study abroad in China, preparing a new crop of global leaders who will support diplomatic ties.

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Big Announcement - On Thursday, first lady Michelle Obama joined Wal-Mart to announce a comprehensive effort to provide healthier and more affordable food choices for customers.

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Big Announcement - On Thursday, first lady Michelle Obama joined Wal-Mart to announce a comprehensive effort to provide healthier and more affordable food choices for customers.

Hu’s State Visit - Wednesday morning, President Obama will host a State Arrival Ceremony to welcome the Chinese leader to the White House. This event will be followed by a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference. Then, to cap off the visit, the Obamas will host a State Dinner in Hu’s honor.

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Hu’s State Visit - Wednesday morning, President Obama will host a State Arrival Ceremony to welcome the Chinese leader to the White House. This event will be followed by a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference. Then, to cap off the visit, the Obamas will host a State Dinner in Hu’s honor.

Waiting for Hu - To start the evening's activities, the President and Mrs. Obama walk out of the White House to wait for Chinese President Hu Jintao at the North Portico.

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Waiting for Hu - To start the evening's activities, the President and Mrs. Obama walk out of the White House to wait for Chinese President Hu Jintao at the North Portico.

Before the Main Event - Prior to the start of the State Dinner, the president and Mrs. Obama welcomed China’s President Hu Jintao to the North Portico of the White House.

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Before the Main Event - Prior to the start of the State Dinner, the president and Mrs. Obama welcomed China’s President Hu Jintao to the North Portico of the White House.

On the Menu... - A menu featuring the evening’s courses is pictures here on a place setting for the State Dinner in honor of Chinese leader Hu Jintao. The food served include D’Anjou Pear Salad, poached Maine lobster, lemon sorbet, stuffed potatoes, dry aged rib eye and good old fashioned American apple pie.

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On the Menu... - A menu featuring the evening’s courses is pictures here on a place setting for the State Dinner in honor of Chinese leader Hu Jintao. The food served include D’Anjou Pear Salad, poached Maine lobster, lemon sorbet, stuffed potatoes, dry aged rib eye and good old fashioned American apple pie.

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Arrival - The president enters the White House’s State Dining Room for the dinner.

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Arrival - The president enters the White House’s State Dining Room for the dinner.

Greeting Clinton - State Dinner guest and former President Bill Clinton greets President Obama as he arrives at the State Dinner.

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Greeting Clinton - State Dinner guest and former President Bill Clinton greets President Obama as he arrives at the State Dinner.

Performance - Singer Herbie Hancock enters the State Dining Room of the White House to perform for State Dinner guests.

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Performance - Singer Herbie Hancock enters the State Dining Room of the White House to perform for State Dinner guests.

White House Meetings - The President will hold meetings at the White House on Friday.

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Meetings - Obama will attend White House meetings on Thursday.

A Toast - The president toasts to stronger ties between China and the United States in front of State Dinner attendees in the East Room of the White House.

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A Toast - The president toasts to stronger ties between China and the United States in front of State Dinner attendees in the East Room of the White House.

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"60 Minutes" - Could cable news cycles be to blame for the angry outbursts at last month’s town hall meetings? In a “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday, the president said, “The truth of the matter is that there has been, I think, a coarsening of our political dialogue … I will also say that in the era of 24-hour cable news cycles, that the loudest, shrillest voices get the most attention. And so one of the things that I’m trying to figure out is: How can we make sure that civility is interesting?”

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Meeting Mayors - On Friday, President Obama will welcome mayors from across the country to the White House for a reception. Afterward, he’ll head to Schenectady, New York to visit the site of General Electric’s original plant, which is where the company’s biggest energy division resides. While there, he’ll tour the facility with CEO Jeffrey Immelt and speak about the importance of investing in clean energy.

Bi-partisan Meeting - The president will meet with a group of Republican and Democratic senators to discuss energy and climate legislation on Tuesday.

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Conference - After his trip to New York, the president will go to the Democratic Issues Conference in Maryland.