About Washingtonian Today
Washingtonian Today is not just another political news roundup. Instead, this daily morning brief provides local context on national news, catches you up on what’s happening at Washingtonian, points you toward super duper awesome things to do around town, and lets you in on some special events going on in-house. Sign up here to receive Washingtonian Today in your inbox every morning.
Jamal Khashoggi, the staff of Annapolis’s Capital Gazette, Maria Ressa, and Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have all been named Time’s Person of the Year under the grouping “The Guardians”—people who speak up and risk their lives to unearth facts, no matter the cost. “For taking great risks in pursuit of greater truths, for the imperfect but essential quest for facts that are central to civil discourse, for speaking up and for speaking out, the Guardians are TIME’s Person of the Year.”
Who is your Person of the Year? Tweet me at @blrshepherd or email me; if you’d like, I can share some of my favorite submissions later this week.
Mueller Fans Get Crafty: A fan of special counsel probes? Does the landing of a court filing ring like jingle bells in your ears? Devotional Democracy has you covered with eight-inch Robert Mueller-themed devotional candles. I’m not kidding. For just $12, you have your choice of pensive or smiling Bob. Worried that they’re not fancy enough for a holiday gift? You needn’t fear: Both are embellished with rhinestones.
Laugh factory: Funny or Die—that viral video site-cum-production company—is seeing some major changes to the DC bureau. Read the exclusive from Washingtonian on why one long-time Obama administration alum is leaving Funny or Die’s political arm.
Hi, good morning, I’m Brittany Shepherd, the author of this morning newsletter. How do you do? Feel free to contact me at bshepherd@washingtonian.com or find me on Twitter. Avoid both leaking and lying by signing up for this newsletter here.
What we have cooking at Washingtonian:
- Has Washington reached peak newsletter? (Except this one, of course.)
- DC’s “resistance hotel” is kicking off its “woke” twist on the storied Washington book talk series with Senator Cory Booker.
- The owner of Rasika is opening a Mediterranean restaurant called Olivia in the new year
- Hon hon hon, we’re getting more French food, mon ami! (How’s my accent?) The Hilton Brothers, responsible for Marvin and Chez Billy Sud, are opening a new Parisian bistro in the Mosaic District.
- Be still my Caribbean heart—a Trinidadian restaurant is coming to H Street, with all the oxtail and roti one could ever hope to eat.
Our pick for things to do around town:
YOGA VIDA Fitness is hosting “Chaturanga and Cocktails” at District Distillery as a fundraiser to benefit Thrive DC. For a donation of at least $5, spend an hour doing yoga with VIDA instructor Alexandra Chili. When it’s over, reward yourself by trying “skinny” versions of District Distillery cocktails. All funds raised will benefit Thrive DC, which provides clothing and supplies to DC’s homeless. Bring your own yoga mat. $5 (or more), 6 PM.
Good reads:
The Capital Gazette staff on their lives after five coworkers were killed in a newsroom shooting. (Time)
Big events from Washingtonian
Do you love your pet? Please take our pet-care survey.
Every year, Washingtonian hosts several photo contests, and we’re looking to you to help determine which contest we host in 2019. Vote for the photo contest you’d like to participate in.
Brittany Shepherd covers the societal and cultural scene in political Washington. Before joining Washingtonian as a staff writer in 2018, Brittany was a White House Correspondent for Independent Journal Review. While she has lived in DC for a number of years now, she still yearns for the fresh Long Island bagels of home. Find her on Twitter, often prattling on about Frasier.
