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By Katie Bianco, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Stefanie Gans and Jennifer Zeleski
Life on the farm
While I am paid to eat everything when working, I rarely eat meat when not reviewing restaurants. It’s for a lot of reasons, including my health and the health of the planet, but it’s also because animals can be so poorly treated in factory farms. Eating animals is a sensitive subject, of course, and Gene Baur is coming to Busboys and Poets in Shirlington to talk about his Farm Sanctuary, a protection organization for farm animals. He’s the co-author of Forks Over Knives and Living the Farm Sanctuary Life. -SG // Busboys & Poets: 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington; July 2, 6:30 p.m.; free
Floatin’ is all I wanna do
If I ever win the lottery, there are two things I will do: pay off all my student loans and then go buy a boat. OK, realistically, I’d just pay off the loans, but in my fantasy world, I own a boat. I’ve always loved being on boats and I hop on board one anytime I get the chance. Luckily for me, family friends of mine own a sailboat in Alexandria. We have our whole Fourth of July planned out: Brunch, followed by cruising around (with our eyes peeled for the recently arrived Providence ship at the city marina), soaking up the sun and drinking beer like good Americans do. Afterward, we’ll put aloe vera on our definitely-going-to-be-burnt skin and then head into DC to watch the fireworks happening on the National Mall. Need Fourth of July plans? Here are more ways to celebrate the holiday across the region. -HG // Alexandria City Marina: 0 Cameron St., Alexandria
New neighborhood, new fireworks
We recently moved to McLean and, although I grew up in NoVA (hi, Arlington!), this is a new neighborhood for me and we’re still exploring. With that in mind, I’m excited to trade in the DC fireworks this year for something a bit more local. On the Fourth, my family and I will be heading to Langley High School to celebrate. Put on by the McLean Community Center, the celebration includes a local DJ spinning tunes and plenty of food trucks to purchase dinner before the pyrotechnics at 6:30 p.m. We’ll spread out our blanket, stuff ourselves silly and enjoy our new neighborhood on this patriotic night. Check out even more NoVA fireworks options here. -KB // Langley High School: 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean; free; shuttle buses will run from McLean Community Center, St. John’s Episcopal Church and St. Luke Catholic Church and School
The wizarding world of Wolf Trap
In all honesty, I didn’t read the Harry Potter book series, or watch the movies for that matter, until I was an adult. I know, tragic, isn’t it? Not really. I brought it on to myself as a kid, being terrified of the growling three-headed dog, the ghastly dementors and the fact that Ron threw up slugs for a good portion of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Yes, I still close my eyes at that part, it’s gross.) led me to avoid the series altogether. But a few summers ago, I decided it was time to embark on a journey to the world of Hogwarts, and man was I missing out. Luckily, I can relive all of the fantastical fun that I could have had growing up at Wolf Trap when I go to see the National Symphony Orchestra play the live score of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the film airs on the big screen. Get your wands ready; it’s going to be a great show. From, a fellow Ravenclaw. -JZ // Wolf Trap Filene Center: 1551 Trap Road, Vienna; July 5-6, 8:30-11 p.m.; $35-$65
Old is the new, new
I have always had a fascination for material objects that tell a story. (Shocking that I became a journalist, right?) As a kid, I collected snow globes from every place my family and I traveled to, because I loved the idea of a little world within the glass. Then throughout my teenage years, I refused to shop for clothing anywhere other than the local thrift store and would often come up with absurd tales in my head about who once wore the item before I did. And now, I have turned to purchasing antique furniture and other knick knacks that continue to bring joy to storytellers like me. This weekend, I will head to The Old Lucketts Store to check out Visit Loudoun’s Summer of Love event, featuring vintage treasures unlike any other. Looks like my new apartment won’t feel so new, after all. -JF // The Old Lucketts Store: 42350 Lucketts Road, Leesburg; July 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free entry
