8.20 - it is what it is
what’s new in washington d.c.?
We’re reaching the end of summer, and if you haven’t yet, now’s a great chance to enjoy the water surrounding the district. Washingtonian rounded up 20 options for getting out there, including the ever-popular Potomac kayaking or nearby tubing options, but also some lesser known ideas, such as seeing sunken ships in Maryland or day trips to more secluded locales.
Curious about what cultural locations have reopened? Washington Post is cataloging attractions in the d.c. area and their reopening statuses. Places that have reopened of note: Glenstone, a contemporary art and sculpture museum/garden in Potomac; the International Spy Museum if you’re itching to pretend to be a spy or just check out their new space; and the National Museum of Women in the Arts which reopens this Saturday.
let’s talk food
More restaurant pop-ups to be excited about! Fight Club in Capitol Hill is serving sandwiches and snacks, Summer Rental at The Dabney in Shaw is serving casual fare, and Pier 1354 is popping up a crab shack on H St.
Watch horses and other farm animals while drinking a beer at one of these fourteen farm breweries in Maryland and Virginia.
I’m breaking my own rule of only including things open this weekend, but I was just too excited to not include this one. New York City bakery Levain, makers of the most bomb gooey cookies I’ve ever had, is opening in Georgetown mid-September (in the old Johnny Rockets space).
what’s on our minds?
The pandemic is tough on the fitness industry. One thing that doesn’t help on top of that? National publications reporting on a pervasive toxic and harassing culture perpetuated by your CEO. But, just as the fitness industry is getting back on its feet, one of d.c.’s best known boutique workouts (and the first workout class that got me excited about fitness classes!), [solidcore], is facing severe allegations of perpetuating an extremely problematic corporate work environment at the hands of its CEO, Anne Malhum. A group of ex-[solidcore] employees are organizing via Solidcore United - initially to raise awareness regarding their perception of a lack of safety measures in place when studios reopened this summer and now to call for Malhum’s workout.
Amidst national efforts to restrict vote by mail (I’m looking at you, President Trump and Postmaster General), the district is facing some voter registration issues of its own. The app, Vote4DC, which ostensibly allowed anyone to register or update their voter information, was recently pulled by the D.C. Board of Elections. While there are documented issues with the app, the larger issue remains that there is now no way for voters to register/update information online during a pandemic (one of less than 10 states that doesn’t have this capability) - and there won’t be before the November 3 election.
Quick links to other weekly #goodreads:
GaryVee Is Still Preaching the Hustle Gospel in the Middle of a Pandemic- per Marker, “Now, as the unemployment rate hits historic highs, small business owners are fighting for survival, and Americans are settling into an uncertain, pandemic-driven recession, the call to hustle and grind our way through it seems even more seductive. Is that the mantra people should be following right now — or a toxic, illusory promise?”
Gone Phising - per Rest of World, “Obinwanne Okeke was supposed to be a rags-to-riches Nigerian success story. Then the feds followed the money.”
The Most Tremendous Reelection Campaign in American History Ever - per New York Magazine, “Inside the chaotic, desperate, last-minute Trump 2020 reboot”
Meatpacking Companies Dismissed Years of Warnings but Now Say Nobody Could Have Prepared for COVID-19 - per ProPublica, “In documents dating to 2006, government officials predicted that a pandemic would threaten critical businesses and warned them to prepare. Meatpacking companies largely ignored them, and now nearly every one of the predictions has come true.”
what are we watching/reading?
Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. I’ve been lucky to spend the last week with my parents and one night, as my dad and I were struggling to find something, anything!, to watch, we stumbled on a show about a lower-tier American football coach who gets a job coaching a Premier League soccer team - despite zero experience. It sounded … not good.. so, we decided to watch Ted Lasso - as a joke! to see how bad it would be! And then we loved it? The Ringer sums it up well with this headline, “How on Earth Is ‘Ted Lasso’ Actually Good?” It’s laugh out loud funny and sweet and may even be my new favorite show of summer!
The Amazing Race on Amazon Prime. In a similar vein to above, with a touch of wanderlust, my dad and I also breezed through an older season (we’re talking the style and camera work of 2007) of The Amazing Race. Previous seasons are on Amazon Prime and there’s something particularly nostalgic about seeing contestants run through airports searching for the best flight, get lost in taxis, and try to navigate some onerous challenges. If you’re bored (as we all are at some point this summer?), I highly recommend getting sucked in to an old season.
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‘til next time -courtney