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.
There hasn’t been a more ambitious crossover event than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez meeting the stars of Queer Eye. Four of the Fab 5 headed to Capitol Hill yesterday, the day after they spoke at the Library of Congress, which led to this moment:
.@QueerEye: feel free to let us know when you want @RepAOC & me to fill in next. #Fab5 pic.twitter.com/THjnPSCFcR
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) April 4, 2019
Karamo Brown wasn’t on this trip, but last year he partnered with the Obama Foundation to teach about “connecting across difference”—an extension of his role on the hit Netflix show. Brown met with Karen Pence‘s team back in April to discuss arts advocacy and LGBT causes, which stirred a little controversy. He also linked up with Casa Ruby, a local LGBT nonprofit and resource center, during last year’s Pride celebrations.
Hello! It’s me, Brittany Shepherd. Email me at bshepherd@washingtonian.com and follow me on Twitter. Kaila Philo (kphilo@washingtonian.com) contributed reporting today. If you subscribe to this newsletter, I will tell you what member of the Fab 5 you are. (I’m a Tan.)
Tomorrow I’ll don my cowboy boots and dance to honky-tonk at Taste of the South, an annual celebration of Southern culture and food. Okay, I might skip the boots, but I can promise a little boogie. Back in 1996, Taste of the South added a Congressional Host Committee comprised of legislators from all around the South. It’s unclear exactly which members of Congress will be revving up the fryers tomorrow, but if last year’s list is any indication, it’s sure to be a packed house. Follow along on Twitter and tune into Monday’s newsletter for highlights.
Ann Limpert will chat with readers today at 11 AM. Ann’s weekly food and dining chats are so fun—here are some highlights from last week’s discussion. You can leave a question in advance now.
It turns out that DC residents can’t vote on term limits for elected officials—at least, not yet. The DC Board of Elections ruled that a ballot initiative, led by former longshot mayoral candidate James Butler, can’t legally be voted on. The initiative proposes for the mayor, attorney general, and DC councilmembers to be limited to two terms, but this would require amending the DC charter, and voters can’t initiate that process.
What we have cooking at Washingtonian:
• A new book may challenge you to reconsider Greenbelt.
• It’s the time of year when farmers markets return; here’s a list of opening dates.
• It’s also crab season! Celebrate with an all-you-can-eat crab cruise on Saturday.
• CityCenterDC’s new Tiffany store is currently displaying several pieces of presidential memorabilia. Finally, an excuse for me to snoop around at Tiffany’s.
• It’s gorgeous outside. Now you can find me sitting at the Wharf’s TikiTNT sipping rum until the Water Taxi pulls me away. But there are a ton of places to get blitzed outdoors, and we’ve conveniently put a list together for you. You’re welcome.
• A ton—we mean it—of chihuahuas are about to be available for adoption in Washington. I’ll take ten, please!
• How do photographers get the perfect cherry blossom engagement shots? In part, by arriving very, very early.
Our pick for things to do around town:
GAMING George Mason is hosting an all-day gaming convention, GAMEmason, at its Center for the Arts. Watch all-day Overwatch and Super Smash Bros. tournaments, check out panels and Q&As, and meet folks in the gaming industry like voice actor David Hayter and game developer John Romero. $20 for General Admission or $40 for VIP, 11:15 AM.
Good reads:
• Ava DuVernay interviews Ilhan Omar. (Interview)
• Ben Terris investigates: What does Steve King do all day? (The Washington Post)
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.
