Wake to Washington

throwback thursday, us style

The new International Spy Museum is now open!

Step into the shoes of a spy at the completely reimagined and totally immersive Spy Museum, now at L’Enfant Plaza. Get advance tickets online.

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Comprehensive Plan...as briefly as possible

• More than a year after the 13-hour long hearing that laid bare a lot of the schisms around development in DC, Chairman Mendelson finally brought the Comprehensive Plan Framework (the document that guides the future of development in DC) to a vote, which was passed by the Council.

• Phil Mendelson, DC’s self-identified Nitpicker-in-Chief, made a lot of little tweaks and walked back some of the Office of Planning’s ideas. But the new language (which requires one more vote) does include more emphasis on affordable housing, displacement, and fair housing. Approval would likely resolve the issue of a lot of housing developments getting sued and stuck in court — and would emphasize affordability as a high priority in those projects.

• Nadeau also introduced an amendment on Tuesday that requires the Office of Planning to report back later this year on options for eliminating exclusive single-family zoning, a policy that’s starting to catch on across the country. The Director of Planning reacted somewhat favorably.

• Coincidentally, the McMillan development, which was one of the projects that started this whole ruckus in the first place, was just given the final green light by the court after almost a decade in limbo. 

Trump’s 4th of July bankrupted our security fund

The DC government is out $1.7M after Trump’s flyover-filled 4th - which means that the special fund meant to secure the city against terrorist attacks and provide security at rallies is bankrupt. Bowser is calling on the White House to reimburse them (not to mention the $7.3M from inauguration they never paid) - lest DC tax payers foot the bill for federal security needs.

Ballparks and the city

Through the lens of an architectural critic, what do we make of the American baseball stadium? According to Paul Goldberger, it depends on the decade. In his new book, Ballpark: Baseball in the American City, Goldberger describes his love for wooden stadiums of the late 1800s, the handsome structures of the 20th century, and ended up spending an entire chapter on the Camden Yards in Baltimore, constructed in 1992 to replace Memorial Stadium.

• Fun fact for your upcoming trivia night: Abe Lincoln and his successor Andrew Johnson were big fans of baseball, while Cleveland thought it a waste of time. The first POTUS to actually pitch a game was Taft.

An aural oral experience

If you love podcasts and food and live here, you’re in luck. WAMU is producing a new DC foods podcast, set to debut in September, called Dish City. Follow them on twitter for all your fun food content needs.

Also || new Southeast Asian eatery opening in Logan Circle | harshest historical diplomat burns | Republic Restoratives invites USWNT for a party; PLZ PLZ make this happen | a history of how the White House was slowly closed off to the people | Bombay Club still serves damn good food | photographic look of the badass women of DC’s punk history | Seth Rich conspiracy theory came from Russia

Everyone loves a good rooftop

And the Kennedy Center has a great one. Their putting on another rooftop happy hour, complete with tastings from local breweries, a vinyl immigrant sounds dance party and amaaaazing views. (5-8pm) 

Calling all sneakerheads

The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience is a music / food / arts combo celebrating hip hop culture and memorabilia, all run out of an oyster bar. They’re opening a new installation today, all about sneakers and the DJ Clark Kent. Stay late for a classic hip hop dance party. (3-11:30pm)

Go forth, young interns, and drink

DCist came out with a list of the 10 best bars for interns - or the top 10 bars for everyone else to avoid. It’s filled with old stalwarts: Dan’s Cafe, Codmother, Tortilla Coast and Madhatter. But DON’T you take our Wonderland!

Reminders from the Weekly Scheduler

• Attend a hearing to designate and preserve Barry Farm as a historic DC landmark during lunchtime. (12:30pm)

• In the evening, argue against the closing of UMC, the only hospital in Wards 7 and 8, planned for shutdown in 2023. (6pm)

• Food is sustenance, culture, politics, and connection. Lapop is hosting speakers from some of DC’s most notable restaurants including minibar, Purple Patch, and Bombay Street Food, spoken word performers, and comedians who will share their experiences and stories at the intersection of food and immigration. (6:30pm)

• Editor Lily (hi yes hello) is leading a beginner watercolor workshop on summer roses at Pitango Gelato. Stick it to the New York Times by enjoying an aperol spritz while you paint. (6pm)

Also || 4848 Fest out in West Virginia | theater: ANN (through Aug 11) | hip hop orchestra @ the national arboretum | twilight National Cathedral tour | tunes: bodega @ DC9 | a BUNCH of fringe fest shows | nude drawing night | dance cumbia @ Bossa