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Hi Washington, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Legacy of a vanished trolley, Awesome Con, and evening at the Embassy of Iraq + plenty of reasons to put on real pants 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
Legacy of a vanished line: An electric trolley once linked Rosslyn and Nauck, now Green Valley, connecting rural crossroads to Washington. It helped shape Arlington’s streetcar suburbs, and traces of the route remain today — learn about its rise and fall.
Voices behind vital services: Arlington County Board has backed SPARC’s budget request to strengthen day programs for adults with severe disabilities, also supporting a budget amendment for community-integrated services operating outside Medicaid billing — read the full story.
Place-based innovation ecosystem unveiled: On February 20, VIPC and major partners announced the National Innovation Quarter in Arlington and Alexandria, promising year-round challenges, investor summits, and accelerators to connect industry, academia, and government — see the partners and programs.
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
Craving a proper burger: Duke’s Grocery brings smashy, juicy energy with the Proper Burger: double patties, melted gouda, house pickles, charred red onion, and a sweet-chili kick. Settle into cozy pub vibes with a pint or two, and consider your weeknight upgraded.
Lace up indoors: Kraken Kourts & Skates brings a smooth floor, DJ-led sessions, and laid-back roller-disco vibes, making rainy days and sunny ones glide by. Ideal for a light sweat or a goofy date, with backward glides and easy cruising to roll you into the week.
Make time for meaning: Haven’t visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture lately? A quiet weekday visit lets the storytelling, artifacts, and timely exhibitions unfold at an easy pace. It’s a grounding reset for your week, and a good reason to invite someone thoughtful.
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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📆 Washington for grown ups
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.
🇮 Evening at the Embassy of Iraq @ Embassy of Iraq in Washington, D.C. | Friday (3/6) at 6:30 PM – Embassy Row calls for an evening upgrade: meet Iraq’s diplomats, ask your big questions, then let an iftar buffet, live music, games, and art do the rest. It’s culture over 1,000 years in the making, generous on baklava, light on cocktails.
🍷 Food, Wine & Beauty: An Evening with Robert Pinsky @ Arts Club of Washington | Friday (3/6) at 7:30 PM – Swap Netflix for a fireside chat with former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, plus food, wine, and a mini craft lesson at the Arts Club. Part tribute to Alan Cheuse, part salon, all grown-up conversation. Think dinner party where the small talk got tenure.
🌿 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.
🐴 TAP-DC 2026 Lunar New Year Banquet @ Friends Meeting of Washington | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse with a banquet at historic Friends Meeting, Dupont. Expect the Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe, a Taiwanese and Chinese feast, drinks included, and lucky red encouraged. Tickets $75, space is tight, move faster than a Dupont parking officer.
🎤 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.
🍀 St. Patrick’s March @ Peace Monument | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Trade the green-beer chaos for a proper St. Paddy’s march by the Peace Monument, Capitol views included. It’s on-foot only, with dancers, dogs, and music, then a pub wind-down where your pup and speaker take a breather outside. Wear good shoes, bring good humor.
Live music & entertainment:
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: 63°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 29%
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 42%
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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
Set in Observatory Circle, this modern classic showcases European poise with clean lines, expansive glazing, and chevron-patterned French oak floors. A Boffi kitchen stars two 30-inch Gaggenau refrigerator columns, a Wolf range, and a veined marble island. Illuminated brass stair balusters, marble-clad baths, a full second kitchen, landscaped terraces, and a rooftop deck capture treetop and Cathedral views.
Take a peek inside →
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