City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
Star chef leaves Ukrainian restaurant Ruta
October 30, 2023
Hey, neighbor! What Halloween candy are you planning on handing out tomorrow? And, uh, in what neighborhood? For research purposes only 😉
What's CITY Talking About?
Opioid Crisis Is Worse Than Ever
More than a dozen residents, doctors, and public health professionals are demanding that Mayor Muriel Bowser declare a public health emergency for the city’s opioid crisis. D.C. is on track to have its sixth consecutive year of record-high overdose fatalities. The opioid epidemic killed 296 people in the first seven months of this year, a 17% increase from the same period in 2022. [DCist]
- Related: Unlike the rest of the country, the communities bearing the brunt of the opioid crisis in D.C. are predominantly older Black men.[City Cast DC 🎧]
Police Overtime Costing Millions
D.C. police officers are working so much overtime that Mayor Muriel Bowser needs more than $16 million in funding to cover their budget. Many officers work over 12-hour days and their overtime pay gives them salaries far over the mayor’s salary. Be sure to tune into our podcast episode tomorrow where we break down this issue. [Axios, City Cast DC 🎧]
Star Chef Leaves Capitol Hill’s Ruta
Ukrainian Chef Dima Martseniuk has left D.C.’s first full-service Ukrainian restaurant Ruta. Martseniuk, known as the “Ambassador of Borscht,” says he is grateful for his time at Ruta, but that he had “some misunderstandings” with the restaurant’s Ukrainian investors. The chef says his next venture will be focused on varenyky, pierogi-like Ukrainian dumplings, and borscht. [Washingtonian]
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Where Is It?
This one was hard, but a few of you persevered. This is Halcyon House in Georgetown! It was previously owned by Albert Clemens, a nephew of Mark Twain. Reader Ed M. informs me that “Albert believed by adding fake windows and stairways to nowhere, he would add years to his life, and live forever.”
He also had a crypt in his basement (rumored to have been part of the underground railroad) and was terrified of being buried alive. Many claim that Clemens still haunts the property today and he’s been sighted on more than one tour.
Nice detective work, Christina I., Judith B., and Barbara for being the first three people to guess correctly. 🕵️♀️
Next up, can you guess where this strange park is? No hints, I’ve said too much already. But bonus points if you can tell me what any of the buildings there are used for.
What To Do
🧟 Horror As Queer | Monday | 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Look at the influence and depiction of queerness in horror films with May Santiago, professor of film studies at George Mason University. [$15, Penn Quarter]
🕷️ Cult Classic Halloween Party | Tuesday | 7:30 p.m.
This cult classic-inspired Halloween party includes Hocus Pocus-themed drinks, a tarot circle, retro DJ sets, and interactive activations/performances. [$45, Union Market]
🎃 Halloween At Calico | Tuesday | 4 - 10 p.m.
Head to Calico for Halloween-themed trivia and trick-or-treating in Blagden Alley. [Free, Shaw]
📺 Survivor Watch Party | Wednesday | 8 p.m.
Watch the latest episode of Survivor with fellow fans on DC9's roof deck. [Free, Shaw]
Today on City Cast
Here’s How DC Is Trying To Save Local News
There’s an interesting bill winding its way through the D.C. council right now. How would you, a taxpayer, feel about getting to decide which local news sources get government funding? Washington City Paper’s Alex Koma is here to break down the details.
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💍 D.C.’s spy network has reported that Love Is Blind has been filming in the District. Local Madison Allen says she was out to eat at Urban Roast when she saw the film crew and confirmed it was for real!
Kaela
Today’s newsletter was edited by Priyanka Tilve. News was written by Susannah Broun.
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