Thank you to everyone who voted for me in Washington City Paper’s Best Local Influencer. I got 4th place, which is INCREDIBLE to me because I had no idea people would vote for me! People just thought of me when they were voting? Unreal! Thank you thank you thank you!

I’m treating it like I won 1st place, essentially.

Valerie

Things to Know in DC

It’s peach season! After having the worst peach OF MY LIFE from Whole Foods last week, I went on a mission this weekend to find the perfect peach. Here are the pros and cons of the different peaches I sampled:

Kuhn Farms at Petworth Farmer’s Market​

Pros: delicious, juicy, perfectly ripe. Larger peaches.

Cons: PRICE. Each peach was about $2, and a half bushel was $54 (fifty four American dollars).

Peaches from Yes! Organic Market​

Pros: Delicious, ripe, local peaches. Yes does a pretty good job of getting local produce when in season for a good price. More affordable, I got 7 (smaller) peaches for $7.

Cons: While ripe, not super flavorful. The smaller size can be a con, because it does mean a higher pit to flesh ratio when considering price.

Peaches from Zang’s Farm Stand​

Pros: Delicious local peaches with the pink inside around the pit (I just love seeing that). Directly from their farm. Large like Kuhn’s, got probably 12 for $12. Half bushels are $35.

Cons: Need to drive 45 minutes, and they were 2 days from being perfectly ripe, so had to wait to get the full wow factor.

I didn’t go, but F.T. Valley Farm let’s you pick your own, or buy them without doing the work. I picked apples there last year, but not peaches. $25 for a half bushel, but further away (like 1.5 hours minimum). Good spot to hit if you’re going to Old Rag though.

Bottom line: all peaches are good peaches this time of year if you’re sourcing them from a farm and not a big box grocery store like Whole Foods or Safeway. Take the extra time and enjoy some peaches!

ICYMI

Things to Eat in DC

Summer Restaurant Week is happening August 12-18, with over 300 restaurants participating.

This year, lunch and brunch will run you $25 or $35 with dinner will be $40, $55, or $65.Restaurants are able to choose a tier to offer their specials. Check the RAMW website to see participating restaurants and their price points.

Some restaurants, like Micheline-starred restaurant Bresca, are offering an extended restaurant week period. Bresca is running theirs from July 31-September 1, meaning that you can still get a table and try their award winning food (with a different menu each week).

Restaurant Week is a great chance to try that restaurant you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t gotten around to it yet. For me, I think that will be Bronze.

Things to Do in DC: Next 4 Weeks

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This Week

• ​Missy Elliott, Ciara, Busta Rhymes, and Timbaland make my middle school dreams come true with their concert at Capitol One arena, with Missy as the headliner. Thursday 8/8. $60+.
• The floating wetlands exhibit at the National Aquarium opens this Friday! This is a super cool project that they’ve been working towards for a decade and which recreates a salt marsh habitat, like the one that used to be in Baltimore’s harbor before industrialization. I can’t wait to see it. Friday 8/9. Free.
• Pop into this pop up books session to learn about the history of pop up books and their engineering while making your own. Saturday 8/10. $22.
• DC Rawhides is a same-sex country western dancing event held every other week at Eastern Market. Catch the last events of the summer on Saturday 8/10 & 8/24. Free (donation suggested).

Next Week

• Enjoy yoga and a drink at DC’s best summertime bar, Island Time. Island Yoga features vinyasas overlooking the marina and a tiki drink. Wednesday 8/14. $25
• You can soon watch films, webseries, and television content by and/or about people of African descent at the 2024 DC Black Film Festival. 8/15 - 8/25. $15+.
• The 10th Annual Chuck Brown Day features a festival in Fort Dupont Park celebrating the city’s living musical legacy: Go-go. Saturday 8/17. Free.
• ​Uncorked Wine Festival is coming to Nats Park, letting you taste over 100 wines and non-wine beverages. Saturday 8/17. $75+.
• If you’re a fan of the Spanish heavy metal band Angeles del Infierno, check you The Rising cover band performing at Simple Bar and Grill. Saturday 8/17. $20.
• Love a red wine but looking for something cooler in the summer? Check out the chillable reds wine tasting at The Roost to find your new favorite. Sunday 8/18. $45.
• ​Survivor Rock Creek’s next game is coming up on September 7, and you can apply to join the cast through August 17.

Further Out

• Watch the world-class MMA action at the 2024 Professional Fighters League (PFL) Playoffs. You can catch a match at The Anthem. Friday 8/23. $24 - $610.
• The National Book Festival is back, including James Patterson, Rebecca Yarros (Fourth Wing), Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone). Saturday 8/24. Free.
• Arrive early to the Nats Park for Opera in the Outfield where you’re allowed to sit in the literal outfield while enjoying a broadcast of the Washington National Opera’s recent performance of Turandot. Saturday 8/24. Free.
• More sweet music coming your way for Women’s Equality Day Power Up Concert at the Kennedy Center featuring Marina Arsenijevic, Betty, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Sunday 8/25. $50.00 – $150.00.
• Put your game face on for the Nova Open Tabletop Wargaming Convention. They have a whole slew of everything gamers would enjoy from some of the world's largest miniatures tournaments to casual learn-to-play events, to charity painting classes, and much more. expanded 8/28-9/1. $67.
• ​DC Jazz Fest is coming up on Labor Day Weekend. Wednesday 8/28-Sunday 9/1
• Support your favorite wrestler or just come for the summer action at New Japan Pro-Wrestling. 8/28 - 9/1. $12.00 – $395.00
• Go on an exhilarating ride through political absurdity at Soft Power musical, a faceoff between Chinese and American exceptionalism. Daily until 9/11. $69 - $105.
• Celebrate the holiday weekend with the ultimate party experience - The R&B Bar Crawl Labor Day Weekend. 8/31. $10+.
• The DC State Fair highlights the city’s agricultural, culinary, and artistic talents. You can compete in categories like best chicken egg, best honey, best homebrew, and pie eating. Register for contests by 8/16. Event is Saturday 9/7. Free.