Eckington

From Pops Bagels (1625 Eckington Place, NE):

“Pops Bagels in Eckington doing free bagels tomorrow (Friday) to every customer to celebrate the start of summer.

Customers Can

– Come in and ask for a free bagel
– Or we will discount the price of bagel from the order.”


museum


photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution

From the Smithsonian:

“As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Smithsonian will reopen two of its most iconic and historic buildings, inviting visitors to reconnect with familiar spaces and explore new stories about the American experience.

This summer, the Arts and Industries Building will reopen for regular public hours for the first time since 2004, marking a new chapter after years of use for special and temporary exhibitions and events. The Smithsonian Castle will also reopen to visitors following a closure for major renovations that began in 2023. These milestones build on the permanent return of the Smithsonian National Carousel, which resumed operation Friday, April 24, after an extensive restoration.

Together, these reopenings are part of “Our Shared Future: 250,” the Smithsonian’s multi‑year initiative commemorating the nation’s Semiquincentennial through exhibitions, programs and experiences that encourage reflection on America’s past and imagination of its future.

Smithsonian Castle (more…)


bus


photo by Adam Fagen

From Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689:

“Today, ATU Local 689 condemned the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager Randy Clarke for his despicable and callous decision to force bus operators to quote the bus fare at all passengers, including fare evaders, reversing a long-standing policy that has drastically reduced bus operator assaults. In place since 2017, the current policy is supported by data and has been reinforced by WMATA’s ‘Safety Risk Reduction Plan’ from last year. Fare disputes are one of the largest causes of operator assaults, something that WMATA routinely acknowledges. Once again, Randy Clarke disregards the facts and turns a blind eye to the safety risks and workers’ concerns. (more…)


Golf

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum shared today: “Excited to unveil the design for the East Potomac Golf Links renovation from Fazio Design.

Like iconic public courses of Bethpage Black & Torrey Pines, East Potomac will offer locals—of the National Capital Region—championship-quality golf at affordable, highly discounted rates.”

National Links Trust shares: (more…)


Event

18th Street Singers presents Out of Many, One, a concert exploring the complexity, challenges, and possibilities of the American experience through a rich tapestry of choral music. Centered around Randall Thompson’s The Peaceable Kingdom, the program features music that reflects the breadth of the American experience, drawing from spirituals, folk traditions, and choral masterworks alongside contemporary voices redefining the genre today.

In this 250th anniversary year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Out of Many, One reflects on the many voices, stories, and identities that shape our nation and invites audiences to imagine a more just, inclusive, and compassionate future.


music


photos by Refice’s friend Josh aka 10oz J.

Wild I totally missed this:

“Wednesday May 13
**SOLD OUT**

FLEA AND THE HONORA BAND
Doors at 7:00

Honora, Flea’s kaleidoscopic, bracingly forward-looking, and defiantly colorful solo debut. The album features Flea on his original instrument, the trumpet, as well as on electric bass. He is joined by some of the most fearless improvising artists currently active—drummer Deantoni Parks, bassist Anna Butterss, guitarist Jeff Parker, and saxophonist/producer Josh Johnson, and will tour as Flea and the Honora Band.”

Pretty sweet! (more…)


Restaurants

Check out their menu here.

From a press release:

“Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks is continuing its rapid rise from breakout regional favorite to national fast casual contender with the announcement of its first Washington, D.C. franchise deal; further accelerating the brand’s East Coast expansion strategy. The new franchise entity, BIG DMV, is operated by a group of successful restaurant operators based in the Washington, D.C. market and will lead the development and operation of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks throughout the region. The deal marks another major milestone under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Shawna Snyder, whose focused and disciplined growth strategy continues driving the brand into key markets nationwide.

The latest expansion marks another step in Big Dave’s accelerating national rise, (more…)


DDOT

From a press release:

“US Ignite, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) are thrilled to announce plans to launch an Autonomous Vehicle Observation (AVO) Zone Challenge in June 2026, a pivotal step toward understanding autonomous vehicle activity on public streets in dense urban environments.

The AVO Zone Challenge is designed to (more…)