City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🤖 Bowser embraces AI
February 12, 2024
Hey neighbor, D.C. dive bar Whitlow’s is taking to the Potomac. The enclosed barge will sail from Georgetown and Navy Yard with 48 passengers. Sorry, Lorde, no swimming allowed.
What's CITY Talking About?
Hogan’s Return
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced Friday that he’ll be running for Senate. If elected, Hogan would be the first Republican Maryland Senator in 37 years. [NBC 4]
Bowser Bows to AI
On Thursday, Mayor Bowser signed an order that paves the way for AI to become a part of D.C.’s government. She listed employment services and talent acquisition as possible areas where the technology could be used. So, get ready to talk to some robots! [Washington Post 🔒]
Your Package Is In Jail
To curb package theft, two more police stations will have Amazon lockers. Shoppers will have the option to ship their package to one of four lockers located in police stations throughout D.C. It’s part of the Amazon Lockers program, founded after a spike in “porch pirate” incidents. [WTOP]
- Related: Property crime is on the rise in D.C. – so much that it’s become a viral trend. [City Cast DC 🎧]
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Where Is It?
Alright, D.C. it’s time for this week's “Where Is It” challenge, where I show you a picture of a local spot, and you tell me where it is (without looking it up online!).
Submit your own “Where Is It” photos here!
First, where was last week’s photo?
This was taken in the Eden Center mall at Falls Church. This magnificent strip mall is the largest Vietnamese commercial center on the East Coast. The outside is underwhelming but take time to wander into the back halls of the mall, and you’ll be met with dozens of Vietnamese bakeries, deli’s, billiards clubs, and pho joints.
In the 80s, Vietnamese merchants moved here after being displaced from the "Little Saigon" area in Clarendon due to Metro construction. It has since grown and become the go-to spot for Vietnamese food and groceries.
You told us your favorite spots to eat there, the top four were:
- Rice Paper
- Huong Viet
- Happy Lamb Mongolian Hot Pot
- Pho Ga Vang
🏅Nice work, Susan W., Germano C., Edythe C. for guessing correctly first!
Now, onto this week’s challenge:
Can you tell me where this is? Bonus points if you share any tidbits about it.
What To Do
Monday, Feb. 12
- 🎵 Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band | 7 p.m. | $47 | U St. Corridor
- 🎤 Profs & Pints: The Love Lecture | 6 p.m. | $14 | Penn Quarter
- 🧧 Lost Generation Lunar New Year | 7:30 p.m. | $48 | Eckington
Tuesday, Feb. 13
- 📚 Author Talk: Asking for a Friend | 7 p.m. | $15+ | Mt. Vernon
- 🏠 Healthy Homes Advocacy Day | 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Free | Downtown
- 🖼️ Lino Print Workshop | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | $95 | Georgetown
- 🎉 Mardi Gras Party | 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. | Free | Dupont
Wednesday, Feb. 14
- 💗 Cupid’s Ball: Art Studio Party | 8 p.m. | $50 | Union Market
- 💀 Storytelling Night: Worst Date Ever | 7:30 p.m. | $35 | Shaw
- 👯 Galentine Card Making | 6 p.m. | $55 | Georgetown
- 💋 Metrobar: Kiss & Ride | 6:30 p.m. | $65 | Edgewood
- 💟 V-Day Crafting Pop Up | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Free | Pentagon City
- 💉 Valentine’s Flash Tattoos | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Free | Union Market
Today on City Cast
The Billionaire Vs. The Busker
Could a street musician have driven D.C.’s hockey and basketball teams out of town? That’s the takeaway from a wild Washington Post piece by Erik Wemple. Erik is here to tell us all about the feud.
Thanks for reading! Maybe treat yourself to breakfast at a local diner this week. There’s almost nothing eggs and hash can’t fix.
🍳 Kaela
Today’s newsletter was edited by Julia Karron. News was written by Ashe Durban.
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