H Street NE

“The Not So Grand Prix: DC’s Unofficial Infield Party”

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“As race weekend returns to the nation’s capital, Gallery O on H is inviting Washingtonians to celebrate from a different kind of infield.

On Saturday, August 22, Gallery O on H will host the Not So Grand Prix, a playful, race-inspired event that trades high-performance cars for toy car races, themed cocktails, retro games, and neighborhood revelry.

Beginning at 5:00 PM, guests can compete in the Gallery O Cup: (more…)

Mount Pleasant

“Is Everything OK at Bold Fork Books?”

By Prince Of Petworth

3064 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Something strange is going on at Bold Fork Books, the beloved cookbook bookstore in Mount Pleasant — on a recent visit, their stock of new books seemed to have diminished by 60-70%. Many shelves had only a few new books on them, and the covers of several remaining books were turned to face outward to cover the obvious gaps. An employee said they were “selling down” their stock of new books, and had added two full shelves of “vintage” cookbooks with yellowing dust jackets, which their sandwich board out on the sidewalk also advertised. When I asked if they were going to stop selling new books altogether, (more…)

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It’s okay to not be okay—and it’s also okay to ask for help

By Sponsor
Image from It’s okay to not be okay—and it’s also okay to ask for help

You’re doing fine. You’re handling it. Everything’s under control.

Until it’s not.

Maybe it sneaks up on you slowly—the weight getting heavier, the smile getting harder to find, the things you used to enjoy feeling empty. Maybe it hits all at once. Either way, that moment when you realize you can’t do this alone is not a moment of weakness. It’s a moment of clarity.

Mental health is the part of wellness we whisper about.

We post highlight reels but hide the breakdowns. We say “I’m good” when we’re drowning. We wait until we’re in crisis to ask for help because we’ve been taught that struggling means failing. That’s a lie.

The truth is:

  • Everyone struggles. The person next to you at work. Your best friend. Your family. The colleague who always seems put-together. Mental health doesn’t discriminate.
  • Struggling doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human. It means you’ve been carrying something heavy. And it’s time to set it down.
  • You deserve support. Not someday. Not when it gets worse. Now. Today. Whatever you’re feeling right now—it’s worth getting help for.
  • Taking care of your mental health is taking care of your life. Therapy. Medication. Talking to someone. Rest. Boundaries. These aren’t luxuries. They’re necessities.
  • Recovery is possible. Healing isn’t linear, but it’s real. People get better. Feelings change. You can feel better.

If you’re struggling today:

  • 988 Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Local DC mental health services: https://dcmhca.org/

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Reach out. To a friend, a family member, a counselor, a hotline. The hardest part is asking. The rest gets easier.

Your mental health matters. You matter.

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