Pampered birds: This year, President Trump will pardon either a turkey named Peas or a turkey named Carrots during the annual White House Turkey Pardon. Washingtonian photographer Evy Mages got to spend some quality time with the lucky pair (see photo above) during their traditional luxurious stay at a hotel the night before, in this case the Willard Intercontinental. Both turkeys will live on at Virginia Tech’s “Gobblers Rest” after this afternoon’s event.
Something you may have missed: According to WAMU, Washington offered Amazon $1 billion and an “Amazon Ambassador” in order to sweeten the HQ2 deal. Alexa, play “thank u, next.”
Spotted: Former White House counsel Don McGahn speaking at William & Mary Law School.
And now for something completely different: Did you know that DC Metro stations have bathrooms? Here’s a map of the somewhat-hidden restrooms. Use them at your own risk.
Good morning folks, and happy Tuesday! I’m writing this newsletter fireside from Long Island, where I’ll be spending the Thanksgiving holiday with my folks. And yes, my family Christmas tree is already up. How are you celebrating the holiday? Send me a note and let me know. You can always contact me, Brittany Shepherd, at bshepherd@washingtonian.com or find me on Twitter. Sign your work spouse up for this newsletter here so you have something useful to chat about over the coffee maker.
What we have cooking at Washingtonian:
• NaYa (aka Navy Yard) is getting a restaurant and wine bar because it’s the best neighborhood in Washington. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.
•Worried about gaining too much weight after Thanksgiving? Check out how this personal trainer bounced back.
• This is how the film The Front Runner recreated the old Washington Post newsroom.
•How will HQ2 affect DC dating? We talked to people in Seattle to find out what we single folks should expect.
•DC’s Christmas bar is back, and this time they have panda decorations (in case the line wasn’t already too long).
Our pick for things to do around town:
THEATER The Shakespeare Theatre Company presents Stephen Daldry’s production of J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls. Priestley’s play, written in 1945 and set in 1912, follows an inspector who questions a well-to-do British family about the alleged suicide of a young woman. This iteration of the production will be Daldry’s 1992 revival, in which the story is set both in the original 1912 timeframe and in the post-war era in which it was written, and makes a harsh statement about the injustices in British society. Through December 23. $44-$125.
Good reads:
• Do you remember the great Virginia grape heist? Let Rene Chun explain. (The Atlantic)
Big events from Washingtonian
Every other dog but yours is ugly and you should prove it by submitting the pup for DC’s cutest dog contest.
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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.
