City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🧐 How Trump is tightening his grip on DC
August 8, 2025 · — Natalia Aldana
Hungry? Same, always. Luckily a few new spots are opening around D.C. that should get you nice and full:
- 🇵🇭 Paolo Dungca of Bad Saint (RIP in sisig heaven) just opened Kayu in Dupont Circle, serving up Filipino food with a cocktail menu from Tiki on 18th’s Jo-Jo Valenzuela.
- 🥯 Fan of Call Your Mother bagels? Now it looks like it’ll be even closer to you … if you live in Adams Morgan.
- 🥝 Stay tuned: Homegrown boutique grocery Streets Market has leased the former Orangetheory Fitness space on The Wharf — and applied for a license to sell beer and wine at a forthcoming Hill East location. Opening dates tbd!
What's CITY Talking About?
Trump’s Culture War on DC
Washingtonian’s Andrew Beaujon is on today’s City Cast DC to chat about Trump's continued culture war on D.C. and his latest threats to take over the District. Plus, we’re talking about dolphins in the Potomac, an event in Chevy Chase and a new D.C. auditor’s report on housing and getting folks back on their feet. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Northeast Development Advances
D.C.’s long-delayed McMillan Reservoir District development is finally moving forward, but with a smaller grocery store, downsizing from 55,000 to 22,500 square feet. Despite delays from NIMBYism folks and lawsuits, 146 townhouses were completed in June, and plans include 500 apartments, retail space, and a health care facility on the historic site. [Axios]
Your Quiet Car Gets an Upgrade
In more news that makes us say finally, Amtrak’s new Acela trains will launch Aug. 28 in the Northeast Corridor after years of delays. These upgraded Acelas can reach 160 mph and can accommodate more passengers. But it wasn't cheap — they cost $2.5 billion to build. Amtrak is planning to have even more new trains on the East Coast next year. [Washington Post 🔒]
USDA Provides Aid to Tackle Invasive Catfish
Tilghman Island Seafood on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is hard at work processing blue catfish, an invasive species endangering Maryland’s beloved crab population. With around a billion pounds of these invaders in the Chesapeake Bay, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced a $2 million buy to send the catfish to food banks. USDA also announced a $6 million grant to help automate production. [ABC 7]
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DC Insider Trivia
Welcome back to another week of proving just how smart we all are! Every Friday, we ask a D.C.-related trivia question ⁉️ Click the button below to answer the question and see if you got it right!
What To Do
Friday, Aug. 8
- 📚 Book Sale at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library (Tenleytown)
- 🐉 Dungeons N' Drafts DC at Atlas Brew Works (Ivy City)
- 🍿 Drive-In Movie: “Monsters, Inc.” (Union Market)
- 🪩 Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party at Black Cat (14th Street Corridor)
- 🤗 Friends in DC: Connection Night at Eaton House (K Street)
- 🎣 Friday Night Fishing at Diamond Teague Park (Navy Yard)
- 🎤 Lena Seikaly "Ella Sings Duke" at Creative Cauldron (Falls Church)
Saturday, Aug. 9
- ⚱️ Pottery Workshop at Atlas Brew Works (Ivy City)
- 😻 International Cat Day at the National Zoo (Northwest)
- 🧶 Intro to Macraweave at Shop Made In DC (Union Market)
- 📚 Used Book Sale at Northeast Neighborhood Library (Capitol Hill)
- 🧙 Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Scavenger Hunt at the National Gallery of Art
- 🧑🎨 Summer Saturday: Art History at Tudor Place (Georgetown)
- 🚲 Trail Riding Basics at the Bridge District (Southeast)
- 🎸 The Rock-a-Sonics at Creative Cauldron (Falls Church)
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Chevy Chase comes alive this August with Sips & Snacks — a staycation-style food and drink crawl through neighborhood favorites like Little Beast, Opal, and Parthenon. Enjoy live music, snacks, cocktails, and good vibes all in walkable Chevy Chase, DC. August 16, 4–7PM. Tickets $40 — early birds get free merch!
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