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15th Annual Columbia Heights Day

By PoP Sponsor (a)
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Kick off the summer with us at the 15th Annual Columbia Heights Day!

Our one-day festival is a celebration of the diversity and community of Columbia Heights. What started in 2006 as a small grassroots festival celebrating the diverse, fun, and quirky neighborhood of Columbia Heights has grown into an annual tradition, beloved and anticipated by the community. 

When: Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Tubman Elementary and Columbia Heights Civic Plaza

The festival will feature two locations — the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza and Harriet Tubman Field. 

  • Tubman Field will showcase live music from Sol y Rumba at 2 p.m., DJ DinoVerse, face painting, airbrush tattoos, tie-dye station, caricature artists, stilt walkers, inflatables, local food options, carnival games, 30+ vendors, and more!
  • The Columbia Heights Civic Plaza will feature the FreshFarm Columbia Heights Farmers Market from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Salsa dancing at 3 p.m., and Zumba at 4 p.m.

If you’re interested in getting involved, check out our vendor, volunteer + donation opportunities!

Support local businesses with District Bridges’ Punch Card Program to win prizes at Columbia Heights Day. Starting Sunday, June 18, visit any participating business and receive a corresponding punch after purchasing a food item or drink. Collect at least 5 punches and bring your card to the information tent at Columbia Heights Day to redeem your 15th annual button or sticker.

Pick-up, Service, Return — Trusted Car Care With Free Valet Service

By PoP Sponsor (a)

We could tell you how great CarCare To Go is.

We could tell you about how they are transforming the way people care for their cars with free valet pick-up and return from home or will even meet you at work, how they combine the full service of a mechanic with flat-pricing on basic maintenance services, and a uniquely transparent way of working. We could even tell you about their $20.23 introductory synthetic oil change offer, or the Summer Getaway Giveaway for ALL service appointments booked & completed before July 3rd.

But rather than take our word for it, listen to what your neighbors are saying. (Oh, and you can see more reviews here.)

“Scheduled for repair of tail light and interior detailing. With information I provided they were able to order the part and did all the work in one day. Valet pickup in the morning, return in the afternoon with tracking. They keep in touch with progress reports via text or email. Very organized and helpful. — Elisabeth S.

“Excellent service. Their personnel came home and picked up the car. Same day I received a very detailed diagnostic report with pictures. Once I approved the service, they kept sending me estimates and progress [updates] on the job. Once finished, a payment link was sent to me and the vehicle was delivered home. Overall great service and had a pleasant experience. Compared to car dealers’ quote, CarCare To Go was at least  50 percent cheaper.” — Krishna B.

You’ll wonder why you ever took care of your car any other way. Learn more about CarCare To Go here.

Real Estate Fresh Finds: June 14

By PoP Sponsor (a)

Real Estate Fresh Finds is a weekly selection of newly-listed properties in the District, brought to you by RLAH Real Estate.

Featured Property of the Week: 1617 Marion Street NW

“This gorgeous Victorian home is nestled on one of Shaw’s most coveted streets. Leafy, historic and urban vibrations for the senses that come alive in this luxurious 4 BR/2.5 BA, 2200 sq. ft. residence lined with 5” oak flooring and the finest tiles. Enter into a beautiful living area with high ceilings, crown and chair molding and bursting with sunlight. Wind your way through to the entertainer’s dining room and kitchen leading out to a charming, screened porch — perfect for breakfast and afternoon reading. The upper two floors consist of 3 BR/1.5 BA, including a primary bedroom gracious in size as to keep a king bed as well as a separate seating area in the walkout bay with plenty of room to spare. To be outdone by a bathroom showcasing Turkish marble floors, and the finest in Kohler and Restoration Hardware fixtures. High ceilings greet you in the lower level with a front and rear entrance and connecting stairs to the opportunity for a separate 1 BR/1 BA in-law suite/AirBnB or a grand single family home on all three floors. The fully enclosed rear garden nods to mature plantings, including a Japanese Maple, a Weeping Cherry Tree and a Fig Tree. An eight foot tall rear privacy fence with rolling barn doors for convenient off street parking or private parties on cobblestone hardscape and driveway. Modern must-haves of Dual Zone HVAC systems, a commercial grade electrical heavy up, basement waterproofing with sub slab drainage system and sump pump, blown-in insulation in the attic, and a whole house Aquasana Water Filter. Topped off with a desirable East-West orientation for those that love shaded summer months and bright winter mornings. Located close to everything Shaw has to offer: Metro, Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library, 7th Street restaurants, retail and nightlife corridor. A stone’s throw from Blagden Alley, Logan Circle/14th Street, the U Street Corridor and Bloomingdale.”

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a 3 BR/3.5 BA south-facing luxury condo at the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown that boasts 2,600 sq. ft. and features “hardwood floors, high ceilings, elegant moldings, and high-end finishes throughout” as well as marble bathrooms, 1-car garage space and an epic 65’ private terrace with views of the Georgetown Waterfront, Kennedy Center and the Potomac River — all for $3.3M.
  • “Renovated 3 bedroom 2 bathroom row home in sought after Columbia Heights. Super location close to downtown, shopping, restaurants and major commuting routes. The home features beautiful hardwood floors on the living level, open kitchen w/SS appliances and updated bathroom on the top floor.”
  • “This stylish 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offers a perfect blend of modern updates and convenience. Located in a coveted location, it presents an incredible opportunity to experience the vibrant city lifestyle. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by an inviting atmosphere and an abundance of natural light that fills the open-concept living space.”
  • Your Bankruptcy Property of the Week is a 2 BR/1 BA unit in Dupont is the “first unit for sale in the stylish Morgan Place building in over 5 years.”

Capitalizing on Its Diversity: DC Veg Week Showcases More Than Just Tofu

By PoP Sponsor (a)
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Washington, D.C. held its second annual Veg Restaurant Week this spring, and it seems the event improves as it iterates — this year garnering broad support ranging from dozens of restaurants to a City Council member and Grammy-winning singer Mýa.

Sponsored in part by the Better Food Foundation (BFF), the weeklong festivities celebrate the merits of plant-based cuisine and encourage residents to indulge, enticing the vegan and veg-curious with discounts and giveaways at local restaurants. A total of thirty-five restaurants participated this year, including Pizza Loko, Fruitive, and television star Spike Mendelsohn’s PLNT Burger.

Mendolsohn co-hosted Veg Restaurant Week with D.C.’s House rep Oye Owolewa last year, and with public health icon Tracye McQuirter in 2023. D.C. native McQuirter is a best-selling author — The Potter’s House displayed her book The Ageless Vegan all week long, in tribute — as well as the founder of the 10 Million Black Vegan Women movement. McQuirter launched the non-profit public health intervention in the hopes of inspiring 1 Million Black Women to go vegan each year, for the next 10 years.

Eating vegan is a joy when you live in a city with so many mouthwatering options. Veg Restaurant Week always allows D.C.’s diverse foodscape to shine brightly, and this year delivered. Israeli, Indian, Georgian, and Afro-Caribbean cuisines all featured in the week’s restaurant specials, along with American classics like vegan salisbury steak from Ruby Reds.

Motherland Kitchen offered free fufu to anyone who purchased two veg dishes, while Cielo Rojo debuted a vegan flight: gordita, flauta, and quesadilla made with Vertage plant-based cheese. Teaism highlighted plant-rich entrees at the top of its menu after learning about DefaultVeg strategies. DC Harvest? They went all-in, undergoing a complete vegan takeover of the dinner menu, debuting new vegan brunch dishes, and resolving to use plant-based cooking oils in the kitchen in place of butter from here on out.

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An Important Step to Take After Last Week’s Wildfire Smoke in DC

By PoP Sponsor (a)
Photo via Ted Eytan/Flickr

Last week, the Canada wildfires triggered a Code Purple air quality advisory in D.C., indicating “very unhealthy levels for everyone” and “fine particle pollution.”

The air quality has since improved — but the aftermath could be lingering in your home.

“Even fine smoke particles eventually drop out of the air and settle on surfaces, including floors,” Wirecutter reported. “And after the smoke clears and the fires subside, clean everything…”

That’s where Well-Paid Maids can help. The living-wage cleaning company is known for paying cleaners at least $23 an hour and offers benefits, including PTO and insurance. But it also has more than 200 Google reviews with a 4.9 star average.

Plus, Well-Paid Maids carefully selects green cleaning products, eliminating the fear of introducing further pollution into your home.

Schedule your home cleaning online.

Sign Up Now: GWU is recruiting Teen Volunteers for an Mpox Vaccine Study

By PoP Sponsor (a)

Help advance science and get compensated! GWU needs teen vaccine participants.

Area teens ages 12 to 17 are welcome to enroll in a clinical trial to study the mpox vaccine (formerly known as monkeypox) in adolescents. This NIH-led mpox trial is recruiting at the George Washington University Vaccine Research Unit (VRU) as well as at 17 other sites across the country.

The researchers are attempting to gain FDA approval for the JYNNEOS vaccine in adolescents to prevent future outbreaks, such as the one that alarmed the world last year. Currently, the JYNNEOS vaccine is only approved for adults.

Parents are encouraged to enroll in the trial with their child. Participants will be compensated.

“We are excited to have launched the next stage of this clinical trial, which can help determine if this vaccine can be used to protect adolescents should there be another large outbreak in the United States or some other part of the world,” said David Diemert, clinical director of GWU’s Vaccine Research Unit. “Having a safe and effective vaccine at the ready would help prepare the United States and other countries for the next outbreak of this disease.”

Mpox is a rare zoonotic disease, with flu-like symptoms including rash, fever, headache, chills, and other ailments; the disease can be serious in many people, especially young children, adolescents, and those with weakened immune systems.

Study visits are conducted at the GW Medical Faculty Associates offices in Foggy Bottom, convenient to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station and several bus lines.

Sign up here to enroll in the study. More information about the study is at this media announcement.

DC Open House List for This Weekend

By PoP Sponsor (a)

The past few days have seen nearly apocalyptic skies but the air quality should be vastly improved by the time this weekend’s 350+ open houses are scheduled across the District. Hopefully, you can take a breath of fresh air and get back to your homebuying journey. Check out our favorite open houses below and to see the complete Open House List, click here.

  • 2004 3rd Street NE #203 — $320,000 — Eckington
    Open Sat. & Sun. 12-2 p.m. — Jason Lallis
    “Charming one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo in the heart of Eckington is the epitome of comfort and convenience! Step inside and be greeted by a cozy living space that radiates warmth and relaxation with southern exposure, while the modern bathroom with glass-enclosed shower adds a touch of elegance. The functional kitchen is equipped with all the essentials, including gas cooking, dishwasher, granite countertops, and solid wood cabinets, making meal preparation a breeze. Offering a seamless blend of modern luxury and city charm, this 600+ sq. ft. second floor condo in a boutique, pet-friendly building features solid cherry wood flooring throughout, in-unit washer and dryer, a generously sized bedroom with room for a king-size bed and home office, and a separate storage unit that conveys. This one checks all the boxes — even the ones that often go unnoticed — including a newly installed HVAC system (2021), a new hot water heater (2021), and double-pane energy efficient windows. With a convenient location that’s a short walk to two Metros (Rhode Island Ave and NoMa), Union Market, grocery, restaurants, and shops, you will enjoy easy access to everything the city has to offer.”
  • 3920 New Hampshire Avenue NW — $795,000 — Petworth
    Open Sat. 12-2 p.m. — Andres Serafini
    “This elegant [3 BR/2.5 BA Petworth] residence offers a perfect blend of classic architectural design and modern amenities, providing an ideal urban retreat for those seeking comfort, convenience, and style. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a warm and inviting living space adorned with hardwood floors, creating a seamless flow throughout the home.”
  • 45 Sutton Square SW #806 — $1,925,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sat. 12-2 p.m. — MJ Frazier
    “The epitome of luxury living at the Wharf — a stunning waterfront 2 bedroom plus den condo in the prestigious VIO building, one of only two condo buildings at the Wharf — and the most centrally-located one. This unit offers unparalleled views of the Washington Canal, the Jefferson Memorial, and the vibrant Wharf neighborhood.”
  • 2001 37th Street NW — $1,100,000 — Glover Park
    Open Sun. 12-2 p.m. — Molly Branson & Jocelyn Vas
    “Gorgeous Glover Park end unit rowhome featuring 2 bed and 2 full-baths with a den! Beautiful, solid hardwood maple flooring grace an open floor plan with abundant window light. Living room and dining room open to a wood burning fireplace.”
  • 256 15th Street SE #7 — $829,900 — Hill East
    Open Sun. 1-4 p.m. — Ned Malik
    “Welcome to the opportunity of luxury urban living in one of Capitol Hill’s newest boutique condo buildings! This two-level PENTHOUSE condo unit, built by the esteemed Green Building Group, features a PRIVATE ROOF DECK and an assigned PARKING spot available for purchase. This stunning 2+den, 3 bath condo, offering a multitude of living configurations to suit your lifestyle.”
  • 3502 16th Street NE — $560,000 — Brookland
    Open Sun. 1-4 p.m. — David Branch
    “Built in 1920, many of the old world charms still remain with transoms, wood trim, moldings, wood windows, a wood-burning fireplace and a French door or two. Of course there are high ceilings, reaching 9’ on the main level, plus hardwood floors. As currently figured it has a formal living room and formal dining room plus a den, but do I hear an edict for ‘open concept’?”

Discover Dinosaurs with National Geographic LIVE

By PoP Sponsor (a)
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How did T. rex become the iconic apex predator of dinosaurs 66 million years ago?

Join paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Lindsay Zanno for a fascinating look at the evolution of this prehistoric tyrant and its ancestors.

This special, one-night-only event will happen LIVE at the Lincoln Theatre on Tuesday, June 13.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Use code “POP15” to unlock 15% off your ticket purchase.

More information on this event:

Lindsay and her team have discovered many new species — including some of the earliest predecessors of T. rex. Hear all about it in this one-night only, live event. We’ll even have dinosaur teeth for you to hold!

Where: Lincoln Theater, 1215 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
When: Tuesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. ET
Ticket Pricing: Starting at $29.99 + taxes and fees (Unlock 15% off with code POP15)

Trouble unlocking your discount? Find instructions here.

Real Estate Fresh Finds: June 7

By PoP Sponsor (a)

Real Estate Fresh Finds is a weekly selection of newly-listed properties in the District, brought to you by RLAH Real Estate.

Featured Property of the Week: 615 Oglethorpe Street NW

“BRIGHTWOOD BEAUTY! Welcome to the oversized lot at 615 Oglethorpe St. NW, home to a wonderfully renovated, standalone, red-brick abode that exudes period charm and practical comfort in equal measure. Savor all that curb-appeal quality for a moment before enjoying the welcoming front porch. On a beautiful day, you might stop there, choosing to rock for an hour or two as you take in this pleasant Northwest D.C. neighborhood. Then again, you might be arriving by car, where an attached garage awaits. There’s plenty of parking with an adjacent pad with room for two vehicles. However you arrive, you won’t miss this home’s warm wood floors, or the living room fireplace. As you explore the three levels of this stalwart residence, you’ll surely be impressed by the space — nearly 2,500 square feet! Maybe you’d like a little more? Check out the attic! The renovation left all that extra space alone, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Another bedroom? Lofty lounge area? It’s all up to you! And once you’ve figured out how to configure 615 Oglethorpe to suit you perfectly, it’s time to get out an explore the neighborhood. After all, there’s so much here! When it comes to convenience, you’ve got a Walmart Supercenter just a half-mile away. The Takoma Metro Station is little more than a mile. This patch of Brightwood is also brimming with some of D.C.’s best, like Brightwood Pizza & Bottle and Simple Bar and Grill. If outdoor entertainment is more your speed, Fort Slocum Park is just four blocks away. City convenience plus so much space? Add in the best bits of Brightwood, and 615 Oglethorpe St. NW is the home you’ve been waiting for!”

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a 5 BR/4 FB/2 HB “stunning architectural masterpiece” in Kalorama with 9,200 square feet of high-end finishes and designs spread across 4 levels which features a curved staircase, a massive primary suite, 2 kitchens including a caterer’s kitchen, and a 9,600 bottle wine cellar — all for just under $10M.
  • “Nearly brand new Luxury Condo in hot Shephard Park. This unit is directly across the street from the Walter Reed redevelopment. This unit features a gourmet kitchen with high end stainless steel Bosch appliances, quartz countertops and undermount LED lighting.”
  • This “custom-crafted rowhome with sweeping monument views in Petworth” boasts 4 BR/3.5 BA and includes a lower level 1 BR rental as well as an electric car charger.
  • Your Auction Property of the Week is a fully renovated 4 BR/3 BA end-unit rowhome in Manor Park with bidding beginning at $500k on June 28th.

Meet Femly, a Maryland Brand Increasing Access to Organic Cotton Pads & Tampons in Restrooms

By PoP Sponsor (a)

With a first-of-its-kind wall-mounted dispenser for schools, businesses, and more, Femly is a game-changer!

How often have you or someone you love missed class, work, or an important event because of their period? Would having access to products at school or your office make a difference? We believe it would! Though “period poverty” is a real and serious concern for millions of women who cannot afford hygiene products, the restroom vending experience has not changed meaningfully.

Femly is a woman-owned, Maryland-based company with a first-of-its-kind smart touchless dispenser designed to increase free feminine care access in restrooms. While stainless steel dispensers in bathrooms around the country require money in exchange for hygiene products, Femly’s dispenser allows users to walk up and wave “hello” to receive Femly’s 100% organic cotton menstrual pads and tampons at no cost to the user.

“Selling period care online and providing our dispenser in schools and business goes beyond being thoughtful; it’s good for business and supports students, employees, and visitors in such a meaningful way,” says Arion Long, CEO of Femly. Long further shares, “…we are launching our dispensers at the perfect time with the implementation of the ‘Period Equity Righting an Injustice of District Residents (PERIOD) Act of 2022’ and ‘Expanding Student Access to Period Products Act of 2022’ both of which are calling for the expansion of dispensers and free organic cotton period products in public and school settings.”

One current Femly customer shares, “[m]y overall experience so far has been a complete 360 from store-bought feminine products. From the packaging to the careful love put into these products. I haven’t had any leaking, these pads have great hold, so comfy, and cover your entire bottom… I’m even more confident wearing gray and white while mother nature is here.”

Information about purchasing Femly’s dispensers, organic pads, and tampons for restrooms can be found here. Click here for a special discount for readers for retail orders of $15 or more.

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