After nearly thirteen years of planning and construction, the beautiful bronze building on the National Mall will open for the first time. The long-awaited National Museum of African American History and Culture, which was authorized by Congress in 2003, will open September 24 with a three-day festival and a dedication …

FAMOUS FORECAST Summer is here to stay for the rest of August, that’s for sure! A high of 91 today with partly cloudy skies and some lovely humidity to make that commute home extra special. WEDNESDAY JAM Brought to you by Tazwell Jones of Bryant Row.  We don’t need to wait ’till Thursday …

Want to leave work early and jet to Europe or California? We bet. This week, you can! For free! Well, sort of… The 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival is here, and the six-day outdoor celebration on the National Mall will give DC a taste of Basque culture and a glimpse into the “Sounds …

Sometimes our beautiful city can get a little, shall we say, crowded- remember that time the Pope visited? So we sent our most anxiety-prone staffer to scout out the very worst times and places for socially anxious people. Enjoy (or hyperventilate) accordingly.  Oh jeez, oh man. Okay, you can do …

Take a walk on the wild side! On July 23rd, the National Zoo is hosting their 11th annual Brew at the Zoo! This year’s event is pouring a collection of over 70 craft beers for the tasting in support of animal conservation. Buy your tickets here!

Snow day brunch and other specials [here by PoPville] The MPD has your nudes [and shares them] Guy goes to DC police station, asks for his pot back [and gets it] “NO SELFIE STICKS ALLOWED” [-The Smithsonian museums]   rough commute in all this snow #snowwhat A photo posted by …

He’s thinking about it. Trust us. via

First they came for Rusty [then they came for the invertebrates] WWII Memorial pool dipping [adult swim] Will the Redskins no longer be the Redskins? [US Patent office denies trademarking] Apparently we’re terrible [Vice should know] Making it in this town [by this townies] Amazing photo by John Sonderman

The title pretty much says it all, but here’s what the National Zoo says is going on: Asian small-clawed otter paws fly across the keyboard as part of their #ZooEnrichment. The otters are given the choice to play the keyboard or just sit back and enjoy the show—engaging their sight, touch, and hearing senses.

Sloth mom eats two of her newborn cubs [zoo saves third] NPR doesn’t like the name of the DC football team [either] José Andrés will be GW’s commencement speaker [Students: “Eh”] A visual history of colleges [that used to be in DC] Please please please don’t give me a ticket [- this …