01.14 - what's your favorite scary movie
what’s going on in d.c.
“Rock the Rink” at The Wharf tomorrow from 2-5 pm, with a Capitals-inspired skate session with the ability to watch the Caps game on a large jumbotron while skating.
Wildlife photographer Julie Gould leads a photography session at the National Zoo on Sunday morning. Participants will journey through the zoo, taking photos of zebras, cheetahs, gorillas, elephants, and more. The class is $99 for 2+ hours.
MLK Day is Monday and there are a number of area events to mark the holiday - the National Museum of African American History and Culture will be open from 10-5:30 and the annual Peace Walk begins at 10 a.m. at the Frederick Douglass Bridge. On Sunday, the newly opened Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building hosts a “We Dream” Family Day in honor of the holiday.
looking ahead: lot of announcements about what will open with the Wharf’s second phase (expected in October 2022). Announced restaurants include Phillippe Chow, Lucky Buns, and Bartaco.
let’s talk food and drinks
my weekly best bite: tofu coconut noodle bowl from BKK Cookshop (perfect delivery option)
Restaurant week is back on Monday, with 200+ restaurants participating and offering lunch/brunch for $25 and dinner for $40 or $50. There’s a complimentary restaurant week to go program that offers takeout dinner options as well.
Eater updated their list of the “38 essential restaurants around D.C.” Among my favs are Thip Khao, Maydan, Ellē, and Rose Ave Bakery.
a reminder: as of tomorrow, proof of vaccination is required to enter D.C.’s restaurants, bars, gyms, and indoor events. DCist notes that COVID-19 verification apps such as MyIR, VaxYes, Clear, or Excelsior will also be accepted in lieu of the physical card and/or photograph.
what’s on our minds?
D.C. is allocating $1.5M to a pilot program that will give low-income new parents in Wards 5, 7, and 8 up to $900/month for a year. The program, Strong Families, Strong Future D.C., will focus on expectant/new parents earning up to 250% of the federal poverty line and the communities most disproportionately affected by negative maternal health outcomes. The program will begin in February and operated by Martha’s Table. Unconditional cash transfer/guaranteed income programs are increasingly popular, with a number of pilots announced across the country via COVID-19 relief funding.
COVID cases may peak in the D.C. area within the next week, with D.C. officials noting that preliminary evidence indicates D.C. may have already reached its peak.
Quick links to other weekly #goodreads:
A Tinder Revenge Story - per NY Mag, “The revolutionary dating app made a lot of people rich. Co-founder Sean Rad didn’t feel rich enough.”
The Nonprofit College That Spends More on Marketing Than Financial Aid - per ProPublica, “Baker College promises students a better life. But few ever graduate, and even those who do often leave with crushing debt and useless degrees. No one — not the board, nor the accreditors, nor the federal government — has intervened.”
After the Beanie Baby bubble burst - per Vox, “What happens when the frenzy ends and the world doesn’t value your valuables?” (HBO Max also released a documentary, Beanie Mania, on the 90s phenomenon if you’re feeling nostalgic)
what are we watching/reading?
Scream in theaters. The fifth edition of Wes Craven’s well-known slasher series opened last night in theaters. The movie is extremely self-referential, so to get the most out of it, I would highly recommend watching the initial movies first (or at least #1). The latest edition fits well into the series, with a level of laughs, jump scares, and twists that you would expect from the Scream franchise.
Cheer on Netflix. Season 2 of the surprise hit docuseries focused on cheerleaders at national powerhouse Navarro Junior College dropped on Wednesday. The second iteration loses the innocence/mystique of the first season (and how could it not - the initial show was such a hit that many of its main players became massive celebrities and most consequentially, a breakout star, Jerry Harris, was arrested for serious child sex abuse allegations). But, strong directorship still makes the show a fascinating look into a highly complicated environment full of extreme talent and high levels of vulnerability.