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By Katie Bianco, Alice Levitt, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Michele Kettner and Jennifer Zeleski
Country Tuesday
In our office, “Country Friday” is a big deal. Every Friday, country music is flowing right when I walk through the door through the rooms’ speakers. I’m not the biggest fan, but I’ll have to say it has grown on me. While there are a few artists that I listen to religiously (Maren Morris, Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift), my new country obsession over the last few months has been Tenille Townes. I came across her music while working on an assignment and I was hooked. This past weekend she released her first album The Lemonade Stand, an expansion of her EP “The Road to The Lemonade Stand.” It’s safe to say I have been blasting it throughout the house all weekend. Even though I will have to wait a few months until she performs in NoVA, I’m hoping to catch a few songs (and fangirl) at her Big Hearts for Big Kids virtual benefit concert to kick off the holiday week. -Michele Kettner, Editorial Assistant // Tuesday, June 30, 8 p.m.; free
A different type of Fourth
Usually, Fourth of July consists of big crowds dressed in red, white and blue outfits, with meat cooking on the grill, beer in hand and bright fireworks up in the sky. But, for obvious reasons, Fourth of July this year is not going to consist of the usual large gatherings. On one hand, that’s disappointing, but on the other, I think we’ve all been in this pandemic long enough to know that we have to make the most out of everything we can, including new ways of celebrating Fourth of July. Need ideas on how to do that? For starters, we rounded up five ways to enjoy the holiday from the comfort of your couch. Click here to see them all. Happy birthday, America! -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor
The start of something new
I’ve done something completely different to celebrate Fourth of July over the course of the past five years, which is odd for someone who typically relies on tradition. But, with summers away from home, adjusting to a new work schedule or moving being the norm this time of year for me, I’ve had a hard time finding consistency in the celebration. This year, I will change that by heading to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens for a pre-packed picnic with my roommates. We plan on picnicking annually on America’s birthday in the future, as an ode to this weird time in our lives. For those inspired by my low-key plans, consider one of these other local sites to enjoy your own picnic at, and read up on the latest updates from county parks to see what outdoor spaces will welcome you with open arms. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant
Everyday sweets
On every holiday, I bake something. My mom and I have a tradition of baking bread on Easter, and packing the freezer full of dozens of cookies for Christmas. But the Fourth of July? Well … it just depends on what I’m in the mood for. Since it will just be my partner and I celebrating this year (and reminiscing about our celebration last year, where we enjoyed our first Washington, DC fireworks show until the humidity clouded up the view), I’ve been stocking up on ingredients and looking for inspiration. One of the best places to find it has been Christina Tosi’s “Bake Club,” livestreamed on Instagram every day at 2 p.m., and I recently got to speak with her about what inspired her to bring baking into people’s homes during the pandemic. If you’re looking to make cookies filled with peanut butter and jelly, birthday cake truffles and more, tune into the show with me this week and you’ll have something ready to share for the holiday weekend. And, if you need a recipe stat, here’s one of recent my favorites: pan-banging chocolate chip cookies. My boyfriend and I ate the entire batch in three days, and when you make them, you’ll have fun releasing your frustration when you slam the cookie sheet on the counter, on purpose. -Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant
All the ice cream
Fourth of July actually feels like one summer tradition that will carry on as usual for my family this year. Last year, we invited a few friends over for grilling out and some sparklers. This year, we’ll do the same (albeit with our picnic tables set up to accommodate social distancing for each family). We’re all looking for comfort and familiarity right now, so I’m so glad to be able to have a bit of normalcy with our Independence Day celebration. Something else that brings comfort? Ice cream. That will definitely be on the menu at our backyard barbecue. I just need to decide which one of these cool ice cream products to add some pizzazz to dessert. Happy Fourth, friends! -Katie Bianco, Editor
Keeping cool
Between my dining engagements, I crave a cool treat as much as the next person. But over the weekend, I also like to do some food prep of my own, so I’ve got plans to try my hand at making mochi ice cream. But, if my clumsiness gets the best of me, I’ll have other options to revert to, including these 18 local ice cream shops. -Alice Levitt, Food Editor/Critic
