This week, Michelin released their updated Michelin Guide, and there were some changes to the Michelin Stars and Bib Gourmands!

New Additions & Upgrades

• Mita: One Star
• Omakase at Barracks Row: One Star
• Oyster Oyster: Green Star (in addition to it's existing One Star)
• Amparo Fondita: Bib Gourmand
• L’Ardente: Bib Gourmand

Removals & Downgrades

• Pineapple & Pearls: from Two Stars to One Star
• Maydan: lost its One Star
• China Chilcano: lost its Bib Gourmand
• Honeymoon Chicken: lost its Bib Gourmand
• Kaliwa: lost its Bib Gourmand
• Sfoglina: lost its Bib Gourmand

More dropped this year than were added. The question for the Bib Gourmands is, did they drop because the quality went down or because the prices went up and they are no longer as good of a deal?

Valerie

Give Back This Holiday Season 💖

In addition to the volunteer opportunity this Saturday, you can help give back to the community this holiday season.

I'm participating in a fundraiser for Capital Area Food Bank, and would welcome any donations (or teammates!) to help raise funds to keep people fed in 2025. Demand for food assistance continues to grow, and we want to feed as many as possible.

Historic Photo of the Week

Bird’s-eye view of Washington DC in 1873. You can see the wetlands filled with wild rice along the Anacostia River, and the wide Potomac before they created Hains Point, Tidal Basin, and the Potomac Parks where the monuments are today.

Things to Do in DC: Next 4 Weeks

I'm continuing with highlighting more events that are put on regularly to help you not only meet new people but have a regular space for you to hang out.

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!
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This Week

Today

• Come to Kennedy Street for a free evening of world-class Jazz from The Abe Mamet Trio. Wednesday 12/11. Free.

Thursday

• If you love meteors, astronomy, and all things universe-related, you can go with other geeks from Geek Nite Out on an engaging astronomy talk plus a dinner option if you're interested. Thursday 12/12. Free.
• This week's discussion on popular books on TikTok will feature The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Thursday 12/12. Free.
• The DMV D&D Group will end the year with table-top roleplaying games and mingling with board game lovers. Thursday 12/12. Free.
• ​Craft your own scented candle for the winter holidays on Thursday 12/12. Free.
• ​Stroll around the National Mall with the Northern Virginia Hiking Club from the Garden, and Gallery to Lincoln Memorial, then stop for coffee and ice skating fun. Thursday 12/12. Free.

Friday

• Give your dog some treats and paw-some holiday pictures with Santa himself. Giveaways and welcome cider available. Friday 12/13. $30.
• If you love Talking Heads, the Start Making Sense tribute band will be back in the area to put on a really fun show. Friday 12/13. $20.
• ​Go ice skating at this rooftop bar in Baltimore with an option to rent a cabana with s'mores. Available now until Sunday 3/16/25. $35 for 90 minutes of ice skating.

Saturday

• Go on a holiday painting session and a hot drink of cocoa with Art to Go-Go. Art supplies provided. Saturday 12/14. Free.
• After their holiday market, join in on the Cleveland Park Santa Bar Crawl. Costumes/ugly sweaters encouraged. Saturday 12/14.
• Choose and shop from one of the 8 displays of French and Italian wines at this special wine tasting event at Bacchus Wine Cellar. Saturday 12/14. $20.
• This artifact sketching workshop with Bilbeisi lets you draw an artifact from the National Museum's new exhibition, Visible Vault. Saturday 12/14. $20.
• Haven't shopped for the holidays yet? Catch this Procrastinator's Holiday Market for last-minute gift shopping + free holiday train rides and raffles! Saturday 12/14. Free.
• Closet too full or boring? Swap your clothes, shoes, or accessories for gently used ones with Zen Swap. Saturday 12/14. Free.
• ​The Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park is now open on weekends with some new holiday specials: market, themed characters, and carolers. Saturday 12/14 to Sunday 12/15. Free.
• Shop some holiday classics, gifts, and trendy pieces from your favorite DMV vintage vendors at the holiday market this Saturday 12/14. Free.
• Hangout with some fellow witchcraft lovers at this full moon ritual and howl session with The Firefly House: The Washington DC Witchcraft. Saturday 12/14. Free.
• The cookies are baked! Come join this neighborhood cookie party to eat cookies and drink hot ciders with your fellow neighbors at Mr. Henry's. It's a surprise, but Santa might come to taste one too. Saturday 12/14. $5.

Sunday

• Anacostia is inviting all residents to sing Christmas carols and celebrate the holiday cheers with refreshments. Sunday 12/15. Free.
• Shop with girls from The Comfy Connection for local and international holiday gifts and treats at the holiday market. Sunday 12/15. Free.
• Embrace the sounds of the holiday season as the talented DC Strings performs a Holiday Concert at the Congressional Cemetery Chapel. Sunday 12/15. Free.
• Off the Mall Tours has a 1.5-hour hotel walking tour that lets you walk through downtown DC hotels and learn their history. Sunday 12/15. $30.
• Experience a blend of indie rock and performance art as DC's own Edward Hopper-inspired rock band, Night Hawk, takes the stage with some of the DMV's brightest indie acts. Sunday 12/15. $15.
• If you're eyeing some local holiday shopping, reserve your spot at this farm market for handcrafted goods from DC artists. Sunday 12/15. Free.

Next Week

• The Brief Encounters Book Club committed to reading three books by the same author over a season for the whole of 2024, and this month's Play It as It Lays from Joan Didion will be the last session. Monday 12/16. Free.
• ​Create memory ornaments by writing your 2024 memories on a clear bulb ball. Monday 12/16. Free.
• Have a unique indoor winter fun as the National Building Museum turns to an ice skating rink this holiday season. Monday 12/16-1/4.
• The Social, a unique weekly dance from New Columbia Swing is open for beginner classes on Tuesday 12/17 with special live music from Craig Gildner. $15.
• If you love to connect with other writers, add this writer's happy hour to your many lists of holiday fun on Tuesday 12/17. Free.
• Make snowglobes, paint ornaments, build a macrame christmas tree, or create a gingerbread house doormat at the Holiday Crafts Night.Tuesday 12/17 to Wednesday 12/18 and Friday 12/20. Free to join, $10+ for featured crafts.
• Have drinks and connect with people who care about the environment from the Green Drinks DC community. Thursday 12/19. Donation.
• Join the Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club for a 5-mile hike around Penn Ave as you enjoy the sights of Christmas trees around DC. Thursday 12/19. Free.
• Six local restaurants in the neighborhood are mixing up their most creative seasonal drinks just for you. Stop by each one of them for a taste of a full-sized cocktail. Thursday 12/19. $25.
• ​Annie Costia Beat Ya Feet is a holiday stage play that features music, friendship, and high-energy performance. Friday 12/20 to Sunday 12/22. $60+.
• ​Check out Cafe Unido in DC with coffee enthusiasts from the Espresso community, then go for beers at a brewery. Saturday 12/21. Free.
• End the year with a holiday skate party at Winter Wonderland. You can make crafts for winter gifts and cards, then take some with you. Saturday 12/21. Free.

Further Out

• ​The Bagel Ball lets you meet and hang with other Jews on Christmas Eve with DJ beats, drink specials, and bagel snacks served all night long. Tuesday 12/24. $18+.
• ​Paint art while sipping wine from Grand Cata and an expert artist guide your every strokes. Monday 12/30. $55.
• Relive old Paris on New Year's Eve at the Boudoir Bohéme Masquerade Ball and meet the most infamous figures at the time. Tuesday 12/31. $60.
• Welcome the year with a productive hike along Georgetown together with hikers from Sierra Club. Great to shake off the cozy holiday mood and start your year productive! Wednesday 1/1. Free.
• For New Year's Day, join Mayor Bowser's 11th Annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K for a fun fitness activity. Run, walk, or cheer - whatever fits your pace. Wednesday 1/1. Free.
• ​DC Reads will feature three DMV authors and their latest works through virtual book clubs, author meet and greet, and a grand panel at the Library. Best to get your copies in advance! Starts January. Free.
• Join Anacostia Community Museum as they design Anacostia's 2025 goals on a vision board. Saturday 1/4. Free.
• What's your new goal this 2025? Share your resolutions and the exciting things you're bringing into your life next year with the Thinkers and Drinkers International community. Tuesday 1/7. Free.
• Get your early bird tickets for the whole weekend of Mindful Drinking Fest. Expect a community of mindful drinkers and healthy non-alcoholic cocktails to enjoy, perfect for Dry January. Friday 1/10-Sunday 1/12. $50.
• ​Watch 5 ballet dancers bring the story of Sleeping Beauty to life through traditional ballet and a glow-in-the-dark show. Friday 1/10. $48+
• ​Rebel with a Clause is a new film and documentary created by a grammar expert featuring fun and myth-busting grammar habits on Friday 1/10. $10.
• ​Kelsea Ballerini is coming to DC for a live concert along with Maisie Peters and Marynn Taylor. Saturday 2/15. $55+.
• A John Waters Christmas is sold out, but if you want an irreverent celebration of love, check out A Date With John Waters on Valentine's Day in his home town of Baltimore. Friday 2/14.

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Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!