These are shit times.

OK. So it’s not all doom and gloom. There are still little joys. For this week’s cover story, City Paper’s Kayla Randall explores what’s making people smile these days, if even for just a moment. Because there were no limitations, people living across the region got creative with what brings them joy and how they chose to write about it. 

“There is joy in the stars, and joy in a frog pond. There is joy in nature, and joy right at home, joy in concepts, in objects, and each other. Whether wistful or wonderful, I felt the joy while reading, and I hope you do, too,” writes Randall. 

Give it a read now or bookmark it for later. 

Thanks for spending your days reading District Line Daily. We appreciate you. We’re off tomorrow for the holiday. Plan to hear from us Monday. 

—Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • As of July 2, D.C. reported one additional death related to COVID-19 and 25 new positive cases, bringing the total numbers to 554 and 10,390, respectively. D.C. is inching its way to meeting Phase 3 metrics, but DC Health Director LaQuandra Nesbittsaid during a recent press conference her department will be looking to see if cases are sporadic before advising more reopenings. [EOM] 

  • DC Public Schools and teachers are at odds over reopening schools. The latest tension is over a letter asking teachers to say whether they can return to in-person learning. The teacher’s union believes saying “no” might place teachers on leave. [Post] 

  • The Council’s health committee approves a bill for the new Southeast hospital that’ll replace United Medical Center. [BizJournal] 

  • A new Department of Housing and Urban Development rule could allow anti-trans discrimination in homeless shelters. [StreetSense]

  • As Richmond’s Confederate statues go down, Charlottesville’s remain standing. [WTOP] 

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

LL is on vacation. He’ll return next week. 

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Local entrepreneurs fight to keep their products in the freezer aisle as the popularity of frozen food skyrockets during the pandemic. [WCP]

  • The owner of Kaz Sushi Bistro is fundraising for an employee he says was a victim of a racist attack. [WCP]

  • Primrose’s Sebastian Zutant is teaming up with the former owners of Menchie’s to open a “weird stuff” wine bar. [WCP]

  • Little Beast is adding a Glover Park location. [WBJ]

  • Why one of the country’s top food critics won’t dine out. [Eater]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Local tattoo artists reflect on the pandemic and prepare to get back to work. [WCP]

  • Smithsonian curator Debra Diamond talks about the beauty of art and how the pandemic has changed her work. [WCP]

  • D.C.’s live music venues are assessing their futures. [WAMU]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Now that Minor League Baseball is officially canceled for the season, what will the players do this summer? City Paper spoke to several within the Nationals organization to find out. [WCP]

  • Bradley Beal, who remains undecided on whether or not he’ll return to play this season, details the time a police officer pulled him over and searched his car a few years ago—just because he had tinted windows. [USA Today]

  • The Washington Spirit dropped to a 1-1 record in the NWSL Challenge Cup after a 2-0 loss to the North Carolina Courage. [Black and Red United]

  • Unless Dan Snyderchanges his team’s racist name, the RFK Stadium site is a “non-starter,” say local and federal officials.[Post]

 

CITY LIGHTS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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