Hundreds of D.C.-area residents braved the wet weather Sunday and gathered in Chinatown to watch lion dances, live music and firecrackers in the annual Chinese Lunar New Year Parade.
Denise Yan, who won second runner up in the 2023 Pacific Miss Asian American Pageant, rode through the parade in the back of a white horse-drawn carriage wearing her sash and crown.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Spectators lined the streets surrounding the D.C. Chinatown arch with umbrellas in hand, waving to and cheering on parade marchers and performers.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Lily Moy is participating in the parade with the Moy Family Association, an organization which provides education and assistance to primarily Chinese individuals and families.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Marching alongside a bright yellow banner reading “Year of the Horse,” Moy performed a traditional fan dance.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Lion dancers of all ages moved fluidly through the procession to the music of drums and cymbals. Traditionally they’re meant to bring good luck, happiness and prosperity for the year ahead.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Hundreds of D.C.-area residents braved the wet weather on Sunday and gathered in Chinatown to watch lion dances, live music and firecrackers in the annual Chinese Lunar New Year Parade.
“It’s not a great day weather wise, but it’s a wonderful celebration,” spectator Jeanette Preniczky said. “I mean to see all the festivities, the dragons. I’m a sucker for pomp and circumstance.”
Spectators lined the streets surrounding the D.C. Chinatown arch with umbrellas in hand, waving to and cheering on parade marchers and performers.
Lily Moy is participating in the parade with the Moy Family Association, an organization which provides education and assistance to primarily Chinese individuals and families. Marching alongside a bright yellow banner reading “Year of the Horse,” Moy performed a traditional fan dance.
“We hope to showcase our culture and our dance and bring everyone together,” Moy said. “It means a lot. It means that we’re one community, and even though we have diverse backgrounds, we celebrate diversity and we celebrate each other.”
Lion dancers of all ages moved fluidly through the procession to the music of drums and cymbals. Traditionally they’re meant to bring good luck, happiness and prosperity for the year ahead.
Denise Yan, who won second runner up in the 2023 Pacific Miss Asian American Pageant, rode through the parade in the back of a white horse-drawn carriage wearing her sash and crown.
“I’m gonna be having a fun time on this horse carriage, waving to the people of D.C., spreading culture, spreading luck,” Yan said. “The young kids in D.C., they’re very excited when we wave to them. It’s very heart warming.”
Autumn Nachman has lived in the D.C. area for two years and came to watch the parade with her sister. Nachman says despite the rainy weather, it’s important for community members to show up for each other.
“I figured like, if you want a good community, you’ve got to have a good community,” Nachman said. “You got to show up. Even when it’s tricky and it’s hard and it’s cold and wet and rainy. So we’re here because that’s just how you build that village,” Nachman said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Hundreds of community members gathered Tuesday afternoon at the Eden Center in Falls Church, Virginia, to welcome the Lunar New Year and pay homage to Vietnam.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
Falls Church community members celebrate Lunar New Year at Eden Center
Hundreds of community members gathered Tuesday afternoon at the Eden Center in Falls Church, Virginia, to welcome the Lunar New Year and pay homage to Vietnam.
The Eden Center is a bustling Vietnamese shopping center that’s home to over 120 family-owned restaurants and shops. Sitting atop the center is an exact replica of a clock tower that can be found in downtown Saigon.
There was plenty of culture to immerse yourself in. Organizers held a traditional Vietnamese flag-raising ceremony under a banner reading “Chúc mừng năm mới,” which translates to “Happy Lunar New Year.”
Community members watched in glee at traditional lion dance performances and firecracker displays. Children were offered lì xì, or “lucky money,” in small red envelopes. Many children then fed that money to the dancing lions for good luck.
“For kids who are born in the United States or overseas, events like this at the community centers to celebrate Lunar New Year is really important because that’s how they are able to learn about the culture,” Thuylan Phan said.
Phan attended the event with her family, including her two young children and her father, who she said immigrated to the United States after the end of the Vietnam War.
“(This) is what my dad grew up with when he was back in Vietnam. And now we live here, and this is our home now, and it’s very nice to be able to witness and understand how my dad used to celebrate his Lunar New Year,” Phan said.
Many of the lion dancers helping to celebrate the first day of the Year of the Horse were local high-schoolers.
Minh Pham, an organizer with the Eden Center and a Falls Church community member, said involving youth with the event is a great way to help immerse them in Vietnamese culture.
Kenneth Tang, 17, is a drummer and lead coordinator for his lion dance troupe. Speaking just moments after completing a dance performed over firecrackers, drums and cymbals, Tang was filled with excitement and said his ears were ringing.
“It’s very tiring, but I believe it is very important for our culture, and it’s really fun,” Tang said. “We want to spread this culture throughout years, and I just hope that everybody gets to enjoy this tradition for years to come.”
In addition to performances, community members had the opportunity to peruse the shops and restaurants that make up the Eden Center. Many came dressed in traditional Vietnamese garments called áo dài, or “long dress.”
Calvin Dao, who was walking around with a group of friends, said his Vietnamese-American family has lived in the Falls Church area since before he was born.
“To be able to be back in this area and celebrate my culture with my friends and my family, it’s an amazing experience, and it’s very dear to my heart,” Dao said.
Pham said the Eden Center is planning an event for May that will highlight store and restaurant owners in the Year of the Horse.
“When they come in here, they get to learn a little bit about the history, and then also they know what to eat. So we’ll share some recommendations from each of the stores,” Pham said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
A 37-year-old is charged with kidnapping in relation to the disappearance of Wynter Wagoner. The 13-year old went missing in October and was found inside a Silver Spring home on Saturday.
The man arrested after a 13-year-old Kentucky girl who had been missing since October was found in Montgomery County will have his first court appearance Monday.
Christian Alexander Delgado, 37, is charged with kidnapping in relation to the disappearance of Wynter Wagoner, who went missing from Rockcastle County, Kentucky, on Oct. 14.
Officials said Wagoner was picked up early from school by her foster parents and when her parents went to check on her, they discovered she was gone.
Montgomery County police put out a release Saturday announcing Wagoner had been found with Delgado inside of a Silver Spring home in the 12000 block of Dalewood Drive after receiving a tip she might be in the area.
They said Wagoner was taken to an area hospital for evaluation, but did not provide details on her condition.
Her father, Dusty Wagoner, had pleaded for her to reach out in the weeks leading up to her discovery. The family offered a $5,000 reward for any information leading to her safe return.
Police said Delgado is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he’s awaiting extradition to Kentucky. According to Maryland Court Records, Delgado has a bond review scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. in Montgomery County.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Victims of road traffic crashes, their loved ones and community advocates gathered Sunday outside The George Washington University Hospital ahead of a walk to the Lincoln Memorial in honor of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Victims of road traffic crashes, their loved ones and community advocates gathered Sunday outside The George Washington University Hospital ahead of a walk to the Lincoln Memorial.
The gathering, organized by D.C.’s Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and D.C. Families For Safe Streets, was in honor of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Organizer Jessica Hart lost her five-year-old daughter Allie in 2021 when she was struck and killed by the driver of a passenger transport van. Hart read the names and stories of other local traffic crash victims through a megaphone as organizers handed out yellow carnations for event goers to carry on their walk.
“I helped organize the event trying to bring people together, build the community, and show that there are a lot of us who really care about safe streets,” Hart said. “I think it’s really important that people know that you’re not alone in this.”
Crash survivor Julie Henning said Sunday’s event hit her heart immensely. She recalled the day in 2020 that her life changed forever.
“I got up on a Saturday morning, went for a bicycle ride when there wasn’t a lot of traffic. Was in a bike lane, was wearing a helmet, thankfully, and I was hit by the garbage truck. I spent over a month in the hospital. Still to this day, have severe injuries — physically, mentally and emotionally,” Henning said.
Like Hart, Henning said she wants others to know they’re not alone.
“It’s not just the individual. It’s the families, it’s the friends, it’s the network of that individual (that are impacted),” Henning said.
Jonathan Ward attended Sunday’s walk in honor of his sister, who was killed in a traffic accident in 1996, and for his friend Sarah Debbink Langenkamp, who was killed in 2022 while riding her bike on River Road in Bethesda.
In response to Langenkamp’s death, officials are widening bike lanes on the road where she died.
Ward said he didn’t know anyone in attendance at the event before Sunday.
“But I’m talking to people. It’s a really friendly group. So I’m meeting like-minded individuals. You know, that’s going to make my efforts much easier when I’m working with people that are already working on the issues here in the area,” Ward said.
Some of those issues include the passing of a bill that would increase car insurance minimums in the District to help crash victims afford medical care.
“If you’re injured in D.C., you get pennies, and it doesn’t really make a dent in your medical bills,” Hart said, “And if someone is killed, then … it’s a drop in the bucket for any family who’s lost somebody.”
“From my experience, it’s really about awareness and getting people to take a step back and think, get off their phone, and realize that one small little mistake that they make can have a huge impact on others,” Henning said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Concerned residents joined the line outside the West End Neighborhood Library in D.C. on Sunday to pick up a banned book.
For Mary Jane Webb, the Banned Wagon’s visit was just another opportunity to learn more about a topic she’s been passionate about for a while.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Penguin Random House’s Banned Wagon tour is officially underway.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Penguin Random House chose 30 challenged titles to carry on The Banned Wagon for its third year on the road.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
According to the American Library Association’s book ban data, there were 821 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2024.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
A line formed outside the West End Neighborhood Library in D.C. on Sunday — and not because people were there to check out books.
Instead, concerned residents joined the line, one by one, waiting for their turn to pick up a free copy of a banned book from Penguin Random House’s Banned Wagon. The orange truck, decorated with images of famous banned book titles and the words “Save Our Stories,” sat outside the library as volunteers handed out free copies of books.
“In addition to the free banned books, there’s lots of resources on the table to learn more about either the books themselves or to engage in more activism for fighting against book bans,” said Alyssa Taylor, the director of brand marketing for Penguin Random House.
According to the American Library Association’s book ban data, there were 821 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2024. In those cases, 2,452 unique titles were challenged — that’s the third-highest number of book challenges recorded since tracking began in 1990.
Among the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 are titles featuring LGBTQ+ content, sexually explicit content, depictions of sexual assault and drug use.
“We really believe in engaging with different viewpoints and perspectives, because we publish books from all different perspectives, people of all identities and backgrounds. And so it’s really important to us to be able to bring those books to the community, and be able to make sure that people have access to the books that they’re looking for,” said Maya Livingstone, director of brand communications and social impact for Penguin Random House.
Penguin Random House chose 30 challenged titles to carry on its Banned Wagon tour for its third year on the road. “The Kite Runner,” “The 1619 Project,” “The Fault in Our Stars” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” are among the highlighted works.
Harry Gruenspecht waited in line alongside his wife and two young children.
“Being able to learn about the world as it actually is, and not some kind of sanitized version of the world is important to us,” Gruenspecht said.
“As a kid, I was allowed to read anything I wanted to read. So I can’t imagine anything else for my kids.”
For Mary Jane Webb, the Banned Wagon’s visit was just another opportunity to learn more about a topic she’s been passionate about for a while.
For the second year, Webb is working on a project to display banned books in the library of her old school, Murch Elementary. She says students are often surprised by some of the titles they find in the display.
“Kids can specifically look at those books and check them out and everything. And they’re really interested in it. And they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, this book’s banned? Why is this one banned?’” Webb said.
“(I want them to) know that it’s OK to read the books and that it’s not hurting them or changing, it’s not doing anything to them. It’s helping.”
The Banned Wagon will be at Solid State Books on 600 H Street NE on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
A University of Virginia professor uncovers the hidden, long-term economic impacts that come with a government shutdown.
There are obvious economic impacts that come with a government shutdown. Everything from local businesses to the travel industry face uncertainty amid the lapse in funding.
But what about the less obvious, long-term economic impacts? That’s what Christoph Herpfer, assistant professor of finance at University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, is trying to make clear in a recent report.
“Underneath the surface, there’s a much bigger thing going on that costs the government and the taxpayer, by extension, a lot more money in the long run than these initial, immediate consequences,” Herpfer said.
The government often relies on federal employees being intrinsically motivated by the belief a job with the federal government is stable and predictable, according to Herpfer.
“The shutdown kind of destroys both of these ideas,” Herpfer said. “What we find is that after the shutdown is over, the employees go back to their desks, they do their job, and they fire up LinkedIn, and look for a new job. And within about six to 12 months, you have a massive outflow of talent and human capital out of the government.”
According to the report, Herpfer found the likelihood that furloughed employees leave their job within one year of the shutdown is one-third higher than employees who were not furloughed. That’s something, he said, that translates into tens of thousands of highly qualified workers leaving the government for the private sector.
Herpfer was also able to quantify the shock to federal employees’ morale, finding the shock felt by workers furloughed during a shutdown is equivalent to as if their salaries were cut by 10%.
He said these were the same underlying mechanisms in place during the federal shutdown in 2018. But, this time, our region is especially vulnerable.
Government cutbacks from earlier this year eliminated 18,000 federal jobs. In addition to that, the D.C. region has seen a recent decline of 8,500 jobs in professional and business services and a sluggish tourism sector.
But, Herpfer said, it’s possible federal cuts from earlier this year could actually mean we see less furloughed employees leave after the shutdown ends.
“Because everybody who was on the fence, everybody who was kind of unhappy in the first place, they took the buyout way back in April and May. So maybe the people who are left are the true believers that really want to stick it out, and this time, there won’t be this exodus of people,” Herpfer said.
“On the other hand, it could be that a lot of these people are on the edge already, and they’re kind of tired from the actions of the last year, which could mean that this could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and even more people leave the government,” he added.
Herpfer emphasized that at the end of the day, the government shutdown is a bipartisan issue. He said even if you consider the government bloated, the way to cut down is not a shutdown or pushing employees out.
“These permanent federal employees will be replaced by employees in the so-called ‘shadow government’ by outside contractors,” Herpfer said. “And what we find is that the cost for these outside contractors actually is two-and-a-half times as high as the savings and payroll from the federal employees who quit.”
Herpfer aims for his research to support bipartisan efforts running through both the House and the Senate to replace shutdowns with a mechanism that will automatically continue funding the government if leaders cannot come to a stopgap resolution.
“While this is often played up a lot by the media as a short-term story, the long-term consequences are hidden, and they’re much worse than the short-term consequences,” Herpfer said. “We all benefit from an efficient and competent administration.”
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
When the government shuts down, certain limitations are placed on D.C.’s courts. Here’s a list of what to know about court operations.
When the government shuts down, certain limitations are placed on D.C.’s courts. Here’s a list of what to know about court operations:
Litigation
According to a contingency plan posted to the U.S. Department of Justice’s website, criminal litigation will continue without interruption. That’s because criminal litigation is considered an activity essential to the safety of human life and the protection of property.
Alternatively, civil litigation will be postponed “to the extent that this can be done without compromising to a significant degree the safety of human life or the protection of property,” the plan states. Under this rule, litigators must make a request to the courts that active cases be postponed until funding becomes available. The court has the power to deny those requests.
Receipt of summonses, pleadings and motions by mail may also be delayed during the shutdown.
Immigration
Due to President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency citing the threat to the national security and economy of the U.S. caused by illegal immigration, staff with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review are listed in the DOJ’s contingency plan as excepted from furloughs during the shutdown. According to the DOJ, “EOIR currently has a backlog approaching four million cases which would be greatly exacerbated during a shutdown absent excepted activities.”
Executive Office for Immigration Review court staff include administrative oversight and support staff, who are needed to process immigration cases and appeals involving detained respondents
According to the American Immigration Council, immigrant application interviews, naturalization ceremonies, biometrics processing and similar parts of the legal immigration system should remain unchanged during a shutdown. That’s because U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is almost entirely funded by fees paid by immigrants, U.S. citizens and employers paying for applications.
Marriage
A message on the D.C. Courts website states that the issuing of marriage licenses and performing marriage ceremonies will cease during the lapse, but staff will continue to issue certified copies of vital records, including marriage certificates.
During the last government shutdown, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the “Let Our Vows Endure Emergency Act of 2019” or the LOVE act, a bill introduced by the D.C. Council that gave the mayor authority to issue marriage licenses and authorize officiants. That act has since expired, but in an email to WTOP, Bowser’s office confirmed she would sign it again if the council passes a similar act during this shutdown.
Jury duty and juvenile probation services
Jury duty is still on! Also, according to the D.C. Courts website, during the government shutdown, all jurors should report to court according to their jurors summons. This is because D.C. Courts will continue case resolution activities in all divisions and in the Family Court of the Superior Court and appeals in the Court of Appeals. Additionally, juvenile probation services provided by the Social Services Division will continue during the shutdown.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
A man who police say was caught shoplifting from a Northwest D.C. Safeway has been arrested and accused of slashing an employee with an ax during an attack on Friday.
A man who police say was caught shoplifting from a Northwest D.C. Safeway has been arrested and accused of slashing an employee with an ax during an attack on Friday.
Police responded to the Safeway grocery store at 6500 Piney Branch Road NW for reports of shoplifting and assault just before 10 p.m. Friday, according to a police report.
The man, identified as 37-year-old Andrew Spielman, reportedly began to put items in his backpack when a store employee approached him. The two engaged in a physical altercation, leading to Spielman slashing the employee with a hatchet, police said.
Police said the store employee was taken to a hospital with significant injuries.
The contents Spielman attempted to steal include strawberry ice cream, lemon bread, brisket, milk and other grocery items totaling over $100.
Spielman was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and shoplifting.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Spectators of all ages from all over the country gathered in the District to cheer on loved ones running the annual Army Ten-Miler on Sunday morning.
Spectators of all ages from all over the country gathered in the District to cheer on loved ones running the annual Army Ten-Miler on Sunday morning.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Hundreds of spectators gathered with signs and bells in hand to cheer on the runners.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Spectators cheering on the Army Ten-Miler runners.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
A man riding his tricycle during the Army Ten-Miler.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
A woman, wearing a “Freedom Matters” shirt, with a poster saying “Mission Accomplished.”
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Spectators of all ages from all over the country gathered in the District to cheer on loved ones running the annual Army Ten-Miler on Sunday morning.
The race, which starts and ends near the Pentagon, includes a swath along Independence Avenue in Southwest D.C. That’s where hundreds of spectators gathered with signs and bells in hand to cheer on the runners.
Sitting on a curb outside the Hirshhorn Museum, Carla Pitsko said she’s there to cheer on her husband as he runs the race for his 17th time.
“We always meet here in front of this circle building, as we call it, and he comes to this side of the street, and he usually stops and gives hugs and high-fives, and then keeps going,” Pitsko said.
Brad Gavle, who arrived early to secure his spot along the race route, is cheering on his wife during her 13th race.
“She’ll hear me before she sees me, because I pretty much yell the whole time,” Gavle said. “Then we’ll link up afterwards and then drive home.”
Gavle said although he’s on cheerleader duty this year, he’s run the race himself in the past.
“It’s a beautiful route,” Gavle said. “The people are great. You get motivated by the wounded warriors that lead it out. It’s like a giant family coming together. Everybody’s cheering everybody on for success, and that’s why I’m here to help cheer everybody on.”
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Volunteer pilots from across the D.C. area are gathering at Leesburg Executive Airport to bring supplies to Hurricane Helene victims as a part of a nationwide effort called Operation AirDrop.
Volunteer pilots from across the D.C. area are gathering at Leesburg Executive Airport in Loudoun County, Virginia, to help bring supplies to hurricane-devastated areas in the south as a part of a nationwide effort called Operation AirDrop.
A hangar at Leesburg Airport owned by Kuhn Aviation was transformed into a staging area to drop off supplies. Khun Aviation operations VP Jon Rooney says he came up with the idea to join the effort on Sunday.
“I was watching TV and watching the news, we just cleared out a hanger space. We had a bit of room available. And I said, ‘We could definitely coordinate something and get some bodies together,’” Rooney said.
Using only social media and word of mouth, Rooney and his team recruited around 50 volunteers and several pilots to help out. They have small aircrafts coming from all over Virginia and Maryland including Gaithersburg and Hagerstown.
Donations can be dropped off at Leesburg airport. Rooney says they’ve completed around 20 helicopter trips and nearly 25 plane flights transporting supplies all over Western North Carolina. They plan to have around 50 round-trips completed by the end of the week.
Jonathan Loveless is Chief Pilot at Khun Aviation. He’s done six trips so far.
“A lot of these small towns are down in valleys or up on plateaus. And all of the bridges to access these towns have been washed out. So literally, the only way we can get supplies to them is via airplane,” Loveless said.
Rooney says there’s tons of coordination that goes into the project, but it’s still a very fluid operation.
“We’ve had folks that have reached out directly and it’s unimaginable what they’ve gone through,” Rooney said. “Whenever we hear of someone with a certain need, we’ll send [supplies] directly to that location.”
They plan to run the operation through noon on Sunday, but say that could change based on demand.
Water, food, feminine products, baby products, generators and medical supplies are just some of the donations being accepted to fly over. Rooney says waterproof blankets remain at the top of their list as they’ve seen many people in affected areas sleeping outside.
“Local businesses have been super supportive. FedEx just helped us load a 757 [plane] for Asheville,” he said. “I’ve seen people bring over $1,000 of goods from Costco just drop off, say thank you, and go on their way. It’s unbelievable.”
Any pilots interested in joining the effort can contact Leesburg Executive Airport.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
It is now officially fall. But if you’re looking forward to seeing some vibrant Autumn colors this season, Maryland may not be your best bet.
Sunday marks the official start to fall. But if you’re looking forward to seeing some vibrant autumn colors this season, Maryland may not be your best bet.
Many of the state’s trees are changing color earlier than usual this year due to drought, according to the state’s 2024 Fall Foliage Preview. Marylanders should expect to see more yellow and gold tones, and fewer reds and purples.
Western counties such as Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll will see leaves change two weeks ahead of schedule due to extreme drought in the area.
“While we will still have a fall color display, I anticipate it may peak earlier than normal and we will see more muted colors and more yellow to golden tones as opposed to vibrant colors, again due to lack of moisture,” forester Melissa Nash in Garrett County says.
A forecast predicting Maryland’s fall foliage in 2024. (Courtesy Maryland Department of Natural Resources)
If you are desperate to see those fall colors, officials said you might not be completely out of luck. Vibrant native flowers such as aster and goldenrods can be found this time of year. Forester Bob Schwartz described those flowers as “truly belles of the fall ball.”
“These species groups are highly important for pollinators working to provision their eggs for winter and come in all shapes and sizes,” Schwartz says. “The purple of New England aster strikingly complements the golden hues from their frequent cohabitating goldenrods, directing more pollinators to each other.”
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Joe Nail, 28, saw all 50 states this summer — because he ran a marathon in each one. Project 1310, named for the amount of miles Nail ran, came to a close Sunday in D.C.
Joe Nail completed his 1,310th mile Sunday in D.C. on the National Mall.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Nail ran a marathon in each of 50 states.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Nail even knocked out the file 50 push ups.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Joe Nail, 28, saw all 50 states this summer — because he ran a marathon in each one. Project 1310, named for the amount of miles Nail ran, came to a close Sunday in D.C.
In addition to running, Nail challenged himself to do 1,000 push ups in each state: a total of 50,000 push ups.
“Every state, wake up, run a marathon, do 1,000 push ups, and then go to the next state,” Nail said.
The Army officer, veteran advocate and CEO of Lead for America, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money and support for veterans, began the journey in June with his first marathon in Denali, Alaska.
Three months later, a crowd gathered on the National Mall in D.C. to watch as Nail completed his 1,310th mile.
He ran 13.1 miles on his own earlier Sunday, then joined runners in the D.C. Half marathon to finish up. Nail ran to West Potomac Park where friends, family and supporters carrying state flags joined him to walk the last mile ending at the World War II memorial.
He also completed his last 50 pushups on the memorial grounds.
“More important than the physical challenge, though, was the cause behind it. I’m an Army officer. I was first inspired to join the military after going to my great uncle’s funeral in Arlington National Cemetery,” Nail said. “In the time since, every time I’ve gone to military training, I’ve come back inspired and felt like we need more of that spirit of service and sacrifice across our entire country.”
Project 1310 was used to raise money and awareness for Lead for America’s new Veterans Fellowship program — which helps one veteran in each state return to their home and continue serving and leading every year. Veterans are placed in a governor’s or mayor’s office and given the chance to work with their local community.
“The whole goal is to get people who have served our country to be able to have leadership positions when they come back home,” Nail said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
On Sunday, the Washington Commanders hosted around 300 kids from across the D.C. area as part of Kids Day at their training camp in Ashburn, Virginia.
Students from a handful of D.C. high schools and other community youth groups got the chance to see the team in action at the facility in Ashburn.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
The Griffin family at Commanders training camp.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Bobby Hutton with his 4-year-old son Lil’ Bobby.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
Kids and their families observing Commanders training camp.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
The Commanders team on the practice field.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
“We’re considered a VIP today, and this has been an amazing experience thus far,” Pruitt said. “Even though we’ve only been here a short time it has been great. These kids are loving it.”
The Children’s Inn provides residential services for families whose children are getting clinical care at NIH. They stay free of charge and get to go on field trips like Sunday’s to give them a chance to get out in public and enjoy a day away from NIH.
One of the children there, named Landon, said it was his first time seeing the Commanders team in person.
“It’s a pretty cool experience, but they definitely are a lot bigger in person,” Landon said.
Bobby Hutton, who was there with his 4-year-old son Lil’ Bobby, said he’s had trouble securing tickets for training camp in the past. But they were lucky on Sunday.
“I kept asking around for tickets for him, because I want to make sure he gets that experience at least once a year until he starts getting older and going to games,” Hutton said. “And someone came onto Instagram and said, ‘Hey, I got two tickets for Sunday.’ So we’re here and I’m really excited to have him here.”
Some local youth football players also got the chance to see their idols in action. Landon Martin plays for the Williamsburg High School football team.
“Getting to see the players, getting to see how they practice versus how we practice, getting to see the different drills they do and things like that. It’s exciting,” Martin said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Kelaine Conochan of D.C. said growing up, elementary school field day was like her Super Bowl.
Kelaine Conochan completed the ultramarathon race for the first time in 2021.
(Courtesy Kelaine Conochan)
Courtesy Kelaine Conochan
Kelaine Conochan jogging in the dark.
(Courtesy Kelaine Conochan)
Courtesy Kelaine Conochan
Kelaine Conochan with a Badwater 135 sign.
(Courtesy Kelaine Conochan)
Courtesy Kelaine Conochan
Kelaine Conochan crossing the finish line.
(Courtesy Kelaine Conochan)
Courtesy Kelaine Conochan
Kelaine Conochan of D.C. said growing up, elementary school field day was like her Super Bowl.
“I’ve always been one of the fast kids. I always tried so hard during the National Physical Fitness Test,” Conochan said. “During the mile, I wanted to be first.”
That love followed her into adulthood. Now, at 41 years old, Conochan has completed what’s known as the world’s toughest footrace not once, but twice.
Badwater 135 is a 135-mile ultramarathon through Death Valley, California, which is known to be the hottest place on earth in the summer.
Conochan completed the race for the first time in 2021. After two years of recovery and training, she went back for round two.
“Even when you’re checking in at Badwater, you have the race volunteers who are like, ‘Oh, this is your first time? No, it’s your second time. You came back. Why did you do that?’”
For her, the answer is simple: She never wants to stop seeing what her body could accomplish. Conochan said neither her time nor position improved the second time around, but she still feels like she learned a lot about herself as a runner.
“I did not struggle [this year] from a mileage perspective. But what’s hilarious to me is that what was more difficult was just keeping my freaking eyes open,” she said. “I was running down the side of the road … and I was like, the same way that a dad would fall asleep in a recliner with the like head nod. I was doing that while running, like nodding off while running and it was just hard.”
The race
Conochan started the race around 9 p.m. on July 22 at Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America. Participants climb and descend thousands of feet throughout the course of the race. The mid-July temperatures peaked as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 100 degrees at night.
“This time, it was like a combination of rainstorm and heat. And so, for those of us in D.C., I’m not scared of a little humidity. But you know, for others that was really taxing and really difficult,” Conochan said.
They don’t do it alone. Each runner has a crew of three to four people following them in a van. Conochan said her team was made up of four people: Ricky Haro, Jimmie Wilbourn, Sean Glynn and Clay Skipper.
The van would stay in front of her, and every two or three miles the crew pulled over to give her water, food or help with cooling strategies, according to Conochan.
She said following the first 42 miles of the race, the sun begins to rise, and participants move into an entirely uphill 15-mile section.
“It’s just hot and fairly flat. But it’s deceptive, you think you can run it, but you are cooking, it’s an oven,” Conochan said. “And then after that point, there’s an 8-and-a-half mile climb back out to about 5,000 feet. So that stretch of the race is like ‘beat down alley,’ it is rough.”
She said during that section, her crew would follow alongside her — spraying her down with ice water. Conochan wore a wet long-sleeve T-shirt and a cooling towel and would squeeze sponges filled with ice water over her head to cool down.
Conochan said unless someone is a “completely elite athlete” a good amount of walking goes into completing the race. During uphill sections, she said it felt more like a power hike. She took occasional breaks to nap in the van tallying up to 40 minutes overall.
The last 50 miles are the most mentally taxing, according to Conochan. The runners are back in the dark after the sun sets and the last 13 miles are all uphill.
“They call it the hardest half marathon in the world because it’s all uphill until you get to the portal of Mount Whitney, which is the finish line,” Conochan said.
She finished the race in 46th place out of 74 finishers with a time of 39:57:33.
Her motivation
Conochan said her late mother’s motto growing up was “no wimpy women in this house.” Her and her sister were often discouraged from whining and instead motivated to solve problems.
“I’m going to grind and it’s going to be so hard. And I’m going to be in pain. And I’m going to be chafing, and my muscles are going to be sore, and I’m going to be sleepy, but I’m going to figure it out one way or another,” she said. “Because I think that’s just the way that we were raised.”
A supportive community
When asked about her favorite part of the race, Conochan said it’s not geographic, but rather the community it allows her to build.
“The fact that I’m out there with four people that I hand selected, my crew, hearing them laughing in the van and having a great time,” she said. “It is truly such an honor to have people commit to your mission and your success like that. And knowing that they had fun along the way.”
Conochan said ultramarathons foster a different kind of community compared to regular marathons or other foot races.
“I was out there 39 hours … that’s a full workweek,” Conochan said. “And so being able to meet people and get there and like, experience their energy, and share stories. That’s such a key part of what makes this special.”
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
One person was injured after a boat crash on the Potomac River Saturday afternoon, according to D.C. Fire and EMS.
One person was injured after a boat crash on the Potomac River Saturday afternoon, according to D.C. Fire and EMS.
Shortly before 3 p.m., D.C. Fire and EMS said the department received reports of a collision between a 24-foot private vessel, which was carrying two passengers, and a water taxi, which had 40 people onboard.
The crash happened in the area of the river between the 14th Street Bridge and the George Mason and Rochambeau memorial bridges.
The body of a woman was found floating in the waters of Lake Anna on Saturday around 2:15 p.m.
View of Lake Anna on a sunny summer day(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Aschen)
View of Lake Anna on a sunny summer day(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Aschen)
Another deceased body pulled from Lake Anna on Saturday brings the total count to three in less than two months.
In a news release, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said the body of a woman was found floating in the waters of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in the main part of Lake Anna on Saturday around 2:15 p.m.
The body has been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the identification and cause of death. Police are investigating if the body recovered is related to that of a woman who went missing in the area last month.
Maya Olivia Smith was last seen renting a boat from a Lake Anna business in Spotsylvania County on May 11. The next day, police discovered an abandoned boat that matched the description of the one Smith rented stuck on a sandbar around the area of Bear Castle Drive.
A news release on that case said several personal belongings of Smith were found on board the boat. Foul play is not suspected.
Officials had earlier used sonar to search underwater in the area where the boat was discovered, but didn’t find anything. It’s unclear at this time if the body discovered on Saturday is Smith’s.
Over Memorial Day weekend, a father and son drowned in Lake Anna in the area of Carrs Bridge Road.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation commended Maryland Gov. Wes Moore for his executive order last week requiring state agencies submit plans to address climate change.
On Tuesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order requiring state agencies to submit a plan to help address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden commended Moore for his action. She said there’s significant overlap between actions that are taken to mitigate climate change and those that will help improve the water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay.
“We have these ambitious goals in Maryland for reducing our climate emissions by 60% by 2031 and achieving net zero by 2045. And they have really important implications for the Chesapeake Bay, as well,” Colden said. “But they’re only as good as their implementation. So, it’s absolutely critical that these are implemented in an accountable and transparent way.”
As for the actions she would like to see taken in the climate plans: there’s protecting and conserving marshes and streams, with things such as riparian buffers or conserving forests and improving soil health by planting trees.
“These are the same practices that we’ve been prescribing for years to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay,” Colden said. “If we achieve our goals with respect to reducing climate emissions, we’re also going to have the co-benefits of helping to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, as well.”
She said CBF serves as a watchdog, ensuring that all the climate plans part of Moore’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan are enforced and carried out.
Aside from conserving the environment, she said the plan has direct economic, social and ecological benefits to Marylanders.
The action prioritizes implementing practices that help to reduce climate emissions. But Colden said its doing it “in a way that is equitable and helps to write those historic injustices that we know exist in Maryland and have been extremely challenging to the communities as well as, you know, our ecological health in certain areas around the state.”
“One of the communities that we have worked with is Turner Station in Dundalk … they’re experiencing this consistent flooding, and there’s concerns about legacy toxic contaminants associated in the sediments that are included in that flooding,” Colden said.
“So there is an example of an impact that has been produced by climate change, leading to increases in nuisance flooding in a community that has been impacted for decades from these industrial activities.”
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
The Catholic University of America, along with Rockville-based solar energy company Standard Solar, unveiled the city’s largest, brand new 25-acre solar array located on the university’s West Campus on Monday.
Scott Wiater and Catholic University President Peter Kirpatrick at the solar array’s unveiling ceremony.(WTOP/Grace Newton)
Scott Wiater and Catholic University President Peter Kirpatrick at the solar array’s unveiling ceremony.(WTOP/Grace Newton)
The Catholic University of America, along with Rockville-based solar energy company Standard Solar, unveiled the city’s largest, brand-new, 25-acre solar array located on the university’s West Campus on Monday.
At the solar array’s unveiling ceremony, representatives from Catholic, Standard Solar and the Department of Energy spoke to community members.
“What’s unique about this array is the university gets to benefit from it, but also the community can subscribe,” Standard Solar President and CEO Scott Wiater said.
“We own the solar and we’re going to own and operate the solar for the long term. The university gets some of the electricity, and then some of the community members can subscribe and get the electricity at a discount to what they’d otherwise pay to the utility,” he added.
The previously undeveloped land will now hold 13,800 solar panels.
Wiater said the 42 rows of panels will produce 7.5 megawatts, which is equivalent to taking 1,500 cars off the road. They expect the solar array to be able to support around 1,200 households in the Northeast D.C. area.
Catholic University Executive Vice President Rob Spector said the project has been in the works for about four years. He said the university was looking for a way to make good and productive use of its West Campus area.
“It’s a tremendous amount of power generation. And it will help keep our costs down here at the university for energy, make productive use of this space and also keep this land in our possession for the long term, so that when we’re ready to expand the campus, we’ll have the opportunity to do so at our leisure,” Spector said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Along the main route in D.C., Tim Chambers, a retired Marine veteran who refers to himself as the “Saluting Marine,” said that Memorial Day events like Rolling to Remember began as a demonstration to remind people of those soldiers who went missing in action, those who succumbed to their injuries, PTSD and other tragic outcomes from their service to the nation.
“We need to mourn a little bit more as a society, because there’s a lot of families that are hurting, there’s a lot of families that were destroyed, there’s a lot of families that don’t know what happened to their loved one, and we didn’t get them the accountability or closure that they deserve,” Chambers said. “Veteran suicide, that’s still happening. It’s so out of sight out of mind, and then you need to be reminded that it’s happening.”
April Lamie, who came up from North Carolina with a group called TAPS (Tragedy Assistant Programs for Survivors), lost her husband nine years ago. This is the sixth year she has been coming to D.C. for Memorial Day.
“It’s just in the sound of the bikes. It’s very inspiring,” Lamie said. “It has such depth and meaning and you can literally feel the vibrations of the caring and the thoughtfulness and the support as they as they roll by you.”
Asked what she wanted people to remember about the holiday, she said, “Their lives are not to be mourn but to be celebrated because they are all someone we loved.”
Tom Kreutzer’s uncle was killed in World War II. He’s an employee with the Department of State and has worked with military commands in the past. He said this ride is a small way to show his appreciation for the people who sacrifice their lives.
“There’s usually a really good community, especially with Harley riders,” Kreutzer said. “Generally, when I’ve been with Harley guys, they’re a certain kind of person and I respect that. So, they’re good to hang around with.”
John De Pasquale has been riding in the event for about 20 years. He said this year in particular is special for him because it’s the first year his son Mike is riding alongside. Mike, the grandson of a World War II veteran, says he’s most excited “to actually be in it, not standing on the side of the road waving at everybody.”
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Fitness classes focused on people of varying levels of physical or mental ability are now being offered in Virginia.
SPIRIT Club trainer works with young student. (Courtesy SPIRIT Club)
SPIRIT Club trainer works with young student. (Courtesy SPIRIT Club)
A Maryland-based gym that offers accessible fitness classes and facilities to people of all abilities, is expanding into Northern Virginia.
SPIRIT Club founder Jared Ciner said many gyms aren’t designed in a way that allow people of varying levels of physical or mental ability to participate comfortably.
“It could be anything from the environment itself — the culture of the gym might not be one that is welcoming,” Ciner said.
“Classes might be designed in a way where … a person with an intellectual disability might not be able to follow the instructions … or physically, there might not be modifications offered in the exercises that are taught for someone in a wheelchair.”
“Our goal is to build up enough programs in the area where we can have our own gym space similar to what we do in Kensington and Columbia and create that vision of this inclusive, integrated fitness facility in Northern Virginia as well,” Ciner said.
Ciner started the company in 2013 and opened its first facility in Kensington, Maryland, in 2015. About a year ago, Ciner opened a second location in Columbia, and he said they’re in the early stages of developing another site in Baltimore.
SPIRIT Club trainers work with students of varying levels of physical or mental ability. (Courtesy SPIRIT Club)
With a background as a personal trainer, Ciner founded SPIRIT Club after working as a support counselor for adults with developmental disabilities.
SPIRIT Club offers more than just a universal design for fitness, but also a chance to build community, he said.
“I realized that using fitness as a tool to help people — not just with their physical health — but also with building social connections, working on mental and emotional well-being, confidence and mood,” Ciner said. “Those things are really directly tied to exercise and physical activity.”
Much of the staff at SPIRIT Club, whether it be trainers or administrators, are people who have a disability or some type of lived experience, according to Ciner. He said it builds a sense of belonging for everyone involved.
SPIRIT Club is offering personal training and group exercises with its own instructors in Northern Virginia. (Courtesy SPIRIT Club)
In 2015, Ciner along with others launched the Spirit Club Foundation, which provides financial assistance to people with disabilities so they can access programs to achieve their fitness goals. He said the foundation is working on a new initiative to help transport people to gyms.
“For people who want to exercise at a gym but don’t have transportation, [we’re] trying to help supplement those costs or find resources for that,” Ciner said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
