Tag Archives: 2020

December 8, 2020 · 7:44 am

Five Things for Today: December 8, 2020

See Stars at Light Yards

1. The Yards in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood is making the season brighter once again as its annual Light Yards returns. This year’s installation features “Stars,” larger-than-life illuminated star sculptures constructed from metallic mesh that twinkle with dancing lights and festive music. While it’s not interactive like most previous installations, it’s a nice, easy way to experience some socially-distanced holiday cheer and a bright start to 2021 — it will be lit nightly 6-10pm through January 10. If it’s not too cold, you can pick up take-out from one of the many eateries at The Yards and enjoy dinner al fresco amid the Stars and sparkling Sundeck or pair your visit with outdoor dining at one of the nearby restaurants. A couple of take-out recs: Takorean and Sweetgreen. Restaurants with heated outdoor seating: Agua 301, Blue Jacket, Osteria Morini, Nandos, and All Purpose Pizzeria and Salt Line are a short walk away by Nationals Park. (PS: Find more holiday lights around the area in the KFDC holiday guide.)

2. Families are invited to join The Boro at Tysons for their virtual Crafting with Paper Source series. A $10 ticket buys you the craft supply kit, access to the online workshop, and a $10 gift card to Paper Source. Supplies will be available for pick-up at Paper Source at The Boro in Tysons ahead of the workshops that take place tomorrow, December 9, and next Wednesday, December 16. Follow the link above to purchase your ticket.

3. Shlagel Farms, who many of us know best for their PYO strawberry fields, is doing something really nice this week — they are offering a Giving Box for purchase. And for every box sold, they will donate $10 to a local charity that they have researched and chosen. Additionally, Russ and Eileen Shlagel will personally match that donation dollar for dollar. If you purchase from Cheverly Community Market, donations will go to St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families. In Waldorf, they’ll donate proceeds to The Arnold House (order via email or DM them on Facebook). And for orders through the Del Ray Farmers’ Market, they will donate to ALIVE.

4. Chanukah recipes, both traditional and modern, to help prep for the holiday starting Thursday evening!

5. What’s your One Reason? 💛

PS: We’re ready for the holidays!

Five Things for Today: December 7, 2020

1. Even in these socially distanced times, you can still get an up close look at the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. There are two entrances to access it at the bottom of the West Lawn (next to the road that runs at the top of the Reflecting Pool). It’s lovely to view both during the day and in the evening, so plan two visits if you can swing it. While you’re in the area, see more holiday decor and lights at the U.S. Botanic Garden, both in the front area and across the street at Bartholdi Park (which is also part of the USBG). If you want to grab a bite before or after your visit, just head down Independence Ave. toward the Capitol Hill neighborhood where it turns into Pennsylvania Ave. Spike Mendelsohn’s trio of restaurants, We the Pizza, Good Stuff Eatery, and Santa Rosa Taqueria are located right by 3rd & Penn, have outdoor seating, and are all good bets for feeding the fam. (And for more holiday activities in the area, check out the KFDC holiday guide.)

2. Explore the world and do some holiday shopping today. Winternational, the annual festival that usually takes place at the Ronald Reagan Building is turning into a virtual marketplace this year. The new online platform will offer a curated online shopping experience — you’ll find visual arts, food, apparel, décor and more from participating countries — along with a celebration of international culture.

3. The 10 best podcasts of 2020 according to Time Magazine.

4. Milk Bar, the bakery that makes my very favorite Birthday Cake, has some special holiday offerings available for in store pickup and online for delivery.

5. The Social Life of Forests – A really interesting NYT feature about how trees interact and communicate; you can also listen to it on The Daily. (If you read The Overstory, you know this concept. One of the main characters in the book is based on the scientist featured in the article.)

Five Things for Today: December 3, 2020

Enjoy the views — and a nice hike — at Sugarloaf Mountain

1. Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, MD, just south Frederick, is a great place to go for a family hike. You can start at the base and opt for a 7-mile loop or drive farther up the mountain for a shorter hike — there are a bunch of trails to hop on close to the parking area. A couple of good ones are the white trail, which winds around and ascends gradually to the summit, and the orange trail that is a steeper, more direct climb up. However you go, you’re guaranteed great views on the way and at the top. Afterward, plan a stop at the Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard or The Comus Inn, both just down the road. The latter is a family-friendly restaurant with a great outdoor dining area, plus shuffleboard, corn hole, and ping pong — all of it surrounded by gorgeous scenery. Get a glimpse of our recent outing to Sugarloaf and Comus in my IG highlights.

2. The National Christmas Tree Lighting is this evening. It’s not a public event this year, but you can watch it online along with a lineup of holiday performances. After that, you can visit the tree and Pathway of Peace at President’s Park on the Ellipse. The tree will be lit from sundown until 10pm Sunday-Thursday, and until 11pm Friday and Saturday through New Year’s Day.

3. Deck the Yards to ring in the holiday season! The Yards community in the Capitol Riverfront is offering a box full of treats and fun for the whole family. The goodies include 4 pre-packaged cookies and hot cocoa to-go, a wreath making kit, a hand painted ornament, a letter to Santa package, and a $20 gift card to any restaurant at The Yards. The estimated value of everything is close to $120 — and tickets for a box are just $50. Pick up is this Saturday, December 5 — reserve a box and time to get it here.

4. The Washington Post’s guide to this year’s holiday movies. (FWIW, I couldn’t get through Holidate, but really enjoyed Happiest Season.)

5. This letter to poet Kate Baer from her 2nd grade teacher… 💜😭