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Hello Washington! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A digital air-traffic leap at Reagan National, Awesome Con, and a rare greenhouse open house + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Aviation modernization milestone arrives: Reagan National has replaced paper flight strips with a real-time digital system, part of the FAA’s $12.5 billion upgrade, promising smoother ground operations and safety gains for DC travelers — see what changed at DCA.
County spending priorities shift: Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz proposed an FY27 budget with $10.6 million in cuts and a 1.5-cent real estate tax hike, keeping spending slightly lower while prioritizing housing and schools — see what’s in the budget.
Boost for regional water health: Over $44 million has been awarded for Chesapeake Bay restoration, with NFWF and EPA funding watershed projects, including $744,675 for Elizabeth River stormwater and habitat work important to DC-area waterways — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas without the fuss: When you want shareable plates, real paella, and a round of sangría, Jaleo delivers a weeknight upgrade with Spanish tapas, stellar cheeses and cured meats, plus lively Penn Quarter energy that makes dinner feel like plans… even when you had none.
Fly-fishing fix: District Angling stocks rods, reels, and a wall of fly-tying goodies, plus genuinely useful local intel for chasing shad, bass, or snakehead in the District’s tidal waters, or sneaking off to nearby trout streams. A friendly spot to dial in your setup before that next cast.
A neighborhood cinema fix: Whether you’re chasing a new release or a delightfully offbeat gem, The Avalon Theatre keeps moviegoing low-key with curated lineups, cozy seats, and none of the megaplex chaos. Perfect for a midweek reset or low-stakes date night, all without straying far from your corner of the city.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🚶 CDTC Community Hike @ Theodore Roosevelt Island Parking, Washington, DC 20001 | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – If dodging tourists on the Mall is your cardio, upgrade to a three-mile hike on Roosevelt Island. We’ll loop twice with CDTC, swap stories, nerd out about the Continental Divide Trail, and peek at three National Historic Trails plus a National Scenic Trail. Register ahead.
🌿 USBG Production Facility Open House @ US Botanic Garden Production Facility | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – The Garden is cracking open its greenhouse doors for a rare peek at orchids, carnivorous oddballs, and other off-display divas. Free with registration, plus actual gardeners to quiz. Bring curiosity, comfy shoes, and transit, unless you’re dying to pay 25 bucks to park.
🌱 Families Together: Farming and Gardening @ National Museum of American History | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether you can keep a basil plant alive or rely on Safeway, bring the crew for a Smithsonian hands-dirty class on planting, harvesting, shovels, and tractors. It kicks off in the American History Museum, includes a wander through the exhibits, and explains where dinner starts.
📚 Library Swap @ Northeast Branch Library | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from doomscrolling and swing by DC NE Library for a jigsaw puzzle swap, rescheduled for March 7 at 10 a.m. Bring those 1,000-piece monsters, trade for something friendlier, and come early, the edge pieces go fast.
🏀 The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour @ Capital One Arena | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Trade your Saturday chores for a 100-year celebration as the Harlem Globetrotters turn physics into a suggestion. Expect ridiculous handles, gravity-defying dunks, and kid-hyping antics, plus that shiny Golden Basketball, pre-game fun, and post-game high-fives. Bring the grandkids, or borrow some.
🎤 34th Annual Sing Out for Shelter Concert @ National United Methodist Church – Metropolitan Memorial Campus | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 PM – If you’ve been itching for tight harmonies and a clear conscience, Sing Out for Shelter delivers. The Augmented Eight hosts GQ, Yorktown A Cappella, and the Gentlemen of the College, with Jim Sciutto emceeing. No Auto-Tune, voices and funds for Washington neighbors in need.
🌍 Camp United Nations for Girls 2026 @ citizenM Washington DC Capitol | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Got a future diplomat at home? Drop her at Camp United Nations for Girls, where ages 9 to 17 learn UN basics, take a delegate seat, and haggle over resolutions, with Girl Scout or Guide badge credit, while you enjoy coffee and sweet silence.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Washington report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 53°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 65%
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Northeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 69%
Rain likely before 7am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
A new-build by Akseizer Residential in Spring Valley, this architectural statement pairs classical symmetry with modern systems. Mahogany doors, Quaker windows, and rift-and-quartersawn white oak floors set a refined tone. Chef’s kitchen with Calacatta stone, Wolf and Sub-Zero, plus a scullery opens to a screened-in porch. Highlights include private elevator, Lutron RA3, Sonos, and a covered loggia with outdoor fireplace.
Take a peek inside →
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