City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🏠 Why Zuckerberg bought a DC mansion
April 4, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Hey, neighbor! Heads up, the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler on Sunday means road closures around the National Mall and Tidal Basin, including Memorial Bridge and part of Rock Creek Parkway.
🌸 Also, there’s a new “Stumpy” at the Tidal Basin, closely resembling the original tiny, beloved cherry tree cut down last year. But they could never make me forget the original. RIP.
What's CITY Talking About?
DC Eateries Make James Beard Finals
The James Beard Awards — a.k.a the Oscars of the food world — announced their 2025 finalists. Mita is up for Best New Restaurant. Chef Henji Cheung of Queen's English and Causa's Carlos Delgado are both finalists for the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic award. More D.C. finalists here. [James Beard Foundation]
Federal Buyouts 2.0
Another wave of buyouts was sent to federal workers at several agencies, including the Transportation, GSA, and Housing departments. Offers are being initiated at an agency level and decision deadlines range between April 7-15. [Axios]
- Here’s some food for thought, if you’re considering taking the buyout. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Welcome Your New Neighbor: Mark Zuckerberg
After a month of speculation, it turns out Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg is the mystery buyer of the $23 million mansion in D.C.’s Woodland Normanstone neighborhood. The sale was the third-most expensive in city history and is being called the tech giant’s “personal embassy” in Trump’s Washington. [City Cast DC 🎧]
New Plans For Rock Creek Park Roadway
The National Park Service is considering ending reversible lanes in Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway to improve safety and minimize congestion. Residents are encouraged to send their thoughts during the public comment period open until May 2. [National Park Service]
DC Going All In On Compost
D.C. is looking to expand its residential compost pick-up program to 60,000 homes in the next 4-5 years. The popular program started as a pilot in 2023 and has picked up 1,400 tons of compost from 9,000 homes. [@maustermuhle/X]
- D.C. also set up food waste drop-off bins across the city last month. Here’s how to get started if you’re new to composting. [City Cast DC 🎧]
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What To Do
Friday, April 4
- 🎥 Bethesda Film Fest | 7 p.m. | $15 | Bethesda
- 🎛️ Tunes: Felix Cartal | 6 - 10 p.m | $22+ | Shaw
- 🧵 Embroidery for Beginners | 6 p.m. | $50 | Takoma Park
- 🌷 Books & Blossoms Sale | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Free | Glover Park
- 🎥 Movie Screening: “Conclave” | 1 p.m. | Free | Waterfront
- 🪩 DC9 Bimbo Night | 11 p.m. | $20 | Shaw
Saturday, April 5
- 🎉 Awesome Con | 10:00 a.m. - 7 p.m. | $20 | Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- 🎞️ Bethesda Film Fest | 7:00pm | $15 | Bethesda
- 🪧 Hands Off Rally | 12 p.m. | Free | National Mall
- 🌸 Cherry blossom & Coffee Festival | 2 - 6 p.m. | Free | Metrobar
- 🌲 Forest Bathing | 1:00 p.m. | $12 | Arlington
- 🌱 Planning the Growing Season Workshop | 10:00 a.m. | Free | Anacostia Community Museum
- 🌼 Move & Bloom Free Fitness Workshop | 9:00am | Free | Anacostia
- 🪘 Reggae Bash World Maryland | 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. | $18 | Wheaton
- 🎨 Slow Art Day | 1 p.m. | Free with Admission | National Museum of Women in the Arts
- 🇯🇵 Japanese Culture Day | 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Free | Library of Congress
Sunday, April 6
- 🎉 Awesome Con | 10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $20.00 | Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- 🖼️ Free Community Day | All Day | Free | National Museum of Women in the Arts
- 🌵 House Plant Swap | 3:00 p.m. | Free | Arlington
- 🎵 Tunes: Midnight North | 8:00 p.m. | $20+ | Downtown
🎵 DC Is Getting A New Music Festival
D.C. punk band Ekko Astral announced a new music fest called Liberation Weekend, coming to Black Cat this spring. The lineup includes Ted Leo, Bartees Strange, Speedy Ortiz, and D.C.’s own Pretty Bitter.
Free · 5 days a week