Which DC e-bike is best?

What's CITY Talking About?

Healthy Homes Act Passes

Yesterday, the DC Council voted unanimously to pass the Healthy Homes Act, which will retrofit 30,000 low and middle-income homes with electric stoves. The hope is it will help D.C. residents stabilize utility bills and breathe cleaner air. The bill now requires just one more vote before being implemented. [Beyond Gas DC]

Donald J. Trump International Airport?

A group of rabble-rousing House Republicans introduced a bill that would rename Dulles Airport as ‘Donald J. Trump International Airport’. Opposing House Democrats called the effort a “ridiculous” attempt to “suck up” to the former president. [NBC News]

Ted Gets Tax Break in Arena Deal

City council unanimously passed a bill to keep the Caps and Wizards at Capital One Arena until 2050 on Tuesday. The bill includes an exemption that absolves owner Ted Leonsis from any taxes benefitting another local sports franchise and $515 million to renovate the ‘Arena District’ by expanding the stadium into Gallery Place and creating a more walkable downtown. [Axios, WTOP]

• Related: These provisions sweetened the deal that convinced Leonsis to keep the teams in D.C., potentially saving his reputation amongst Washingtonians. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Urban Almanac: How To View The Solar Eclipse In DC

On Monday, April 8, a wide swath of North America will plunge into darkness for a few minutes in mid-afternoon. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking out our precious sunlight for a few rare minutes. The next full solar eclipse won’t occur until 2044, in another 20 years.

More than 30 million people live in the “path of totality,” meaning they’ve got a front-row seat to the astronomical event. D.C. is sadly not in the path, but we will see a partial eclipse at 3:20 p.m., when the sun will be 88% covered by the moon.

What To Expect

If the sky is clear, viewers will be able to see a “diamond ring” effect when the moon passes over the sun. You may also feel a drop in temperature, a shift in the wind, and a quieting of wildlife. The farther away you are from the path of totality, the less dramatic this effect will be.

Interestingly, colors with shorter wavelengths (green, blue) will appear brighter during the eclipse than those with long wavelengths (red, orange). So wear something green or blue to take advantage of this “Purkinje effect”!

How To Watch

Do not stare at the sun with your bare eyes! There, we said it. Regular sunglasses are not strong enough, so you’ll want to snag a pair of eclipse glasses.

You can pick up a free pair at any D.C, Public Library location until April 8. The Air and Space Museum and the Udvar-Hazy Center are also giving away free glasses before the big event. Or you can buy a pair at Staples, Walmart, Wegmans, or REI.

Where To Watch

In Your Own Backyard: If you are watching the eclipse from your own backyard, the National Air & Space Museum has many suggestions for how to make the most of it, from making solar eclipse art to multi-sensory observation activity guides.

Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall: This giant celebration will have many activity stations to view the sun in a variety of safe telescopes, as well as vendors and activities for kids.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: This space center in Maryland is the real deal. Activities will include viewings of the sun, an art project, a Sunspotter demonstration, and presentations by solar scientists.

Gateway Park: Head to this park in Rosslyn for live music, lawn games, and eclipse viewing stations. They are also giving away free viewing glasses!

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: The museum will provide safe solar telescopes and projection viewers to help you watch the moon slowly block most of the sun.

Food & Drink: New Restaurant Openings

Here is all that is new and tasty in the District this month!

Namak (Adam’s Morgan)

This Mediterranean restaurant just opened in the former Mintwood Place space. Chef Tolgahan of Zaytinya is bringing lesser-known Persian and Turkish specialties along with classic mezze like borani laboo, a beetroot, yogurt and feta dip, and walnut labneh.

UPSIDE On Moore (Rosslyn)

The DMV’s newest food hall UPSIDE on Moore has nine local food vendors – including two original concepts – tons of seating, an outdoor patio, and great wifi. Our favorite dish we tried was the pulehu chicken from Kam and 46.

Beresovsky’s Deli (Navy Yard)

This deli opened up across from Nats Park on April 1 with massive meaty sammies between grilled challah or marbled rye. It will also serve matzo ball soup, potato latkes and pierogies with homemade applesauce, and toasted bagels. Yum.

Zooz (The Wharf)

Another nightlife option just landed at The Wharf. This upscale cocktail bar by the owners of Urban Roast brings the feel of Dubai to D.C. with nightly live DJs, free snacks, and elaborate bottle service.

New Nats Park Concessions (Navy Yard)

The Nats Park food scene has been completely revamped, with tons of new concessions. Some standouts include Los Cinco Tacos, Eli’s Crepes, and Ssongs Korean Hot Dogs. The stadium also now sells beer from 12 different local breweries.

Bar Japonais (14th Street)

From the people behind Bar Chinois in Penn Quarter, Bar Japonais is opening later this month with Japanese fusion dishes and a swanky late-night vibe.

Soupy Dumpling & Boba (Logan Circle)

For all your soup, dumpling, and soup dumpling needs, this small spot on 14th Street NW has traditional dumplings, beef noodle soups, and an impressive milk tea selection.

What To Do

Today on City Cast

D.C.'s Best (and Worst) E-Bikes

From now ‘til April 15, D.C. residents can apply to get up to $2000 to buy an e-bike. But funds are limited, so we tested out the next best thing, rental e-bikes. City Cast Producer Ashe Durban tested every e-bike brand in D.C. – from CaBi to Lime – to determine the ultimate best rental e-bike.