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By Katie Bianco, Alice Levitt, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Michele Kettner and Jennifer Zeleski
Happy to help
I’ll go ahead and preface this for my dad, who raised me as a die-hard Philadelphia Flyers fan from birth: Despite living in the DMV, I am not an all-in fan of the Washington Capitals. But hear me out, readers! There’s no reason for a fight. This weekend, I am eager to help out the team’s effort at Tysons Corner Center for a local blood drive supporting INOVA Hospitals. I recently found out I meet the minimum weight requirement (after not meeting it for my entire life and being turned away from donating blood, platelets and plasma), and am looking forward to bolstering our hospital’s continued efforts in some way in this critical time of need. I may not need the Washington Capitals bobblehead or T-shirt (any takers?), but at least I’ll know I continued to support our community, and maybe gave someone what they needed to keep fighting. -Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant // Saturday, July 18, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Former Lord & Taylor location, Tysons Corner Center: 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons Corner; Appointments can be made here
Mic drop
I’ve always felt that the DMV, compared to other states and regions I’ve lived in, has a degree of intelligence to it that I haven’t found elsewhere. Take, for example, that Virginia ranked as the sixth most educated state in the country earlier this year. With all that schooling comes some pretty nerdy hobbies. Case in point: People in this area go nuts over TED Talks, myself included, which is why I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s excited about TEDxPearlStreet’s inaugural, DC-based event happening this Saturday, featuring speakers like former Kith/Kin chef Kwame Onwuachi, who my colleague recently spoke to about the event. Find out more here. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor // Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Virtual; $25-$75
Bringing the outside in
When I first moved into my Arlington town house last August, the first thing I purchased was three green, hanging planters and plants to go with them. My previous apartment had very little light, so I was determined to fill this new room with bright plants that would bring peace to my space, and match my all-green interior. Unfortunately though, when the coronavirus hit and I moved back to Massachusetts for a bit, my three beautiful house plants died after nearly eight months of me miraculously keeping them alive. So, now that I am moving into yet another new space in the coming weeks, I am setting my sites on some new snake plants and fiddle leaf figs to add to my aesthetic, as recommended by DMV-based high-end interior plant designer Nikki Norton. For those also considering adding life to the home, check out my colleague’s conversation with Norton on the importance of indoor plants. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant
Everything out of the house
At the beginning of 2020 (which now feels like it was approximately 27 years ago), I had made a weekly New Year’s resolution. My plan was to declutter slowly by getting rid of at least one thing every single week. And I was totally on track! Between trips to Goodwill, a women’s consignment shop I frequent, Little Lords & Ladies (a 2019 Best of NoVA winner) for kids consigning and a few eBay sales, I was on a roll. But then the pandemic hit. I dropped some things off one time at Goodwill before it temporarily closed, no doubt overflowing with donations from everyone doing the same thing I was during quarantine. Thankfully, it appears the one near me is accepting donations once again, but my colleague also put together this handy guide of plenty of other local places taking donations and consignments. My plan for this weekend is to get back on track with clearing my clutter. Want to join me? Check out this interview we did at the beginning of 2020 about organizing for the new year … before we realized we’d all be spending our free time at home. –Katie Bianco, Editor
Not throwing away my shot
I have a confession to make … I have never seen Hamilton. I haven’t gone to the play or listened to the music, so I wasn’t obsessed with it like all of my theater friends, who can quote it on the spot. After this week, I will no longer be able to say any of that because after months of debate I have finally decided to sign up for Disney+. Which means this weekend will be filled with Pixar, Marvel and, most importantly, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. I have always had an interest in history and I love musicals, so I’m sure by next week I’ll know all of the lyrics and be streaming the soundtrack every day on my way to work. -Michele Kettner, Editorial Assistant
Eating an uncommon cuisine
We are so lucky to have more than one Uyghur restaurant in our region. That’s why, despite my busy feeding schedule, I’m making time to return to Mim’s Food. You’ve probably heard about the plight of the Turkic ethnic minority in China, but anyone who hasn’t tasted Uyghur food is likely to be missing a favorite cuisine. If I could sup on da pan ji every day, I would. Regular visits to Mim’s are definitely in the cards for me. -Alice Levitt, Food Editor/Critic