Hey everyone! Here is a selection of news from all over January, for your catching-up and perusal enjoyment.
Yesterday afternoon, a cracked rail caused smoke and delays all over the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. It also appears there was a delay in when help was deployed. DC News Now
By the way, Sunday may bring Snowzilla 2: Electric Boogaloo to our area. Check out the forecast from the National Weather Service here. You may want to bookmark this page.
Big news that happened right after I finished last week’s Hill Buzz: Kenyan McDuffie announced he’d be running for Mayor. WTOP has an interview with the former Councilmember, who will be focusing on his bid going forward.
By the way, Doni Crawford will be replacing McDuffie on the dais. She has been working in McDuffie’s office for the past four years. NBC Washington
Axios takes a first look at the new handroll bar coming into the old My Cupcake Theory Space.
New Commanders Stadium renderings dropped, babe–– and they reveal a beautiful design calling back both old RFK stadium and the monumental character of the DC quadrangle, PLUS SURPRISE PARKING DECKS which might bum people out because tailgating?? Okay, I’m sorry…. can someone explain to me what is so amazing about tailgating? I think I’m missing a gene. WUSA-9
A vitriol- and nickname-free account of the marches across DC and other cities from yesterday from the New York Post. Yeah, I know.
Welp. Driver spotted driving on the MBT. This is why we can’t have nice things. WJLA
Upstairs from Taqueria Sol, Casita de Bebidas is opening and it looks pretty great. Check out this preview. H Street Beat on Instagram
And just opened along Massachusetts Avenue NE, The Second Address! THIH on Instagram
Oooh and Chiboo is open at Union Station! THIH on Instagram
And squee! The James Beard semifinalists have just been announced and we are so excited to see so many wonderful local names! Scott Drewno and Danny Lee, Matt Adler–– best chef!!!––, and I know her restaurant is not on the Hill, but oh, I love Centrolina so much! We have so many wonderful places around town in this incredible list– how lucky we are.
According to PoPville, the Harris Teeter has finally (you know, four years later) terminated their lease officially. So, now what?
An interview with RenRiot, an up-and-coming local punk band you may have seen at the Pie Shop. Love their energy, would stay up past my bedtime to watch this trio tear it up. (Alas, their show was this past weekend but they have another coming on 2/7.) Check them out on Spotify too. The DC Line
Upstairs from Taqueria Sol, Casita de Bebidas is opening and it looks pretty great. Check out this preview. H Street Beat on Instagram
I’m sorry if I opted for crawling underneath some blankets when January 6 rolled around. That’s a tough date for the neighborhood. But you know what else is tough? Knowing that this day happened and that it was HORRIBLE and there was supposed to be a plaque erected to commemorate the officers who bravely defended democracy that day THAT HAS NEVER SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY. It’s the least thing we can do for people who have been demonized by this absolutely awful and cowardly Congress, starting with Speaker Mike Johnson. What the actual? A plaque is the least we can have to commemorate such a violent, violating, upsetting day. Make any of this make sense. FOX-5
It may be almost February, but I bet you want to see what your zip code complained the most about this year. Check out 311 Wrapped.
Oh yeah, Larry over at Capitol Hill Corner shares that Wingstop is coming to Barracks Row and I, for one, welcome our new juicily winged overlords. Sure, it seems like Barracks Row has nothing but fast-food options, but wings are a perfect food and I have no quibble. (On the other hand, you don’t fool me with your delicious scents, Popeye. We remember all too well.)
In yet another assault toward DC’s history and autonomy, the National Links Trust has had their 50-year lease terminated by the Trump administration. And why would the administration want to take over our public golf courses, you may ask yourself? Well, golf architecture blog The Fried Egg examines the for-profit opportunities that it could bring to the area (read: $$$). Obviously. Volunteers with the non-profit were still out there cleaning and maintaining the courses on MLK Day of Service and…. sigh. NBC Washington
Bonus: I really enjoy this Substack and this take on Waymo is… well, it’s sobering. Take from it what you will. Uncharted Territories