Summer eats, rookie feats, and rainy-day plans 🌧️

Good morning, DC. Trading sun for showers today. If you snuck out of town last weekend, hope the return trip was drama-free.

In today’s District Download:

• Nationals make #1 pick

• United watch party

• Olivia Dean @ 9:30 Club

Let’s get to it.

THE DIGEST

💰 DC Doubles Down on School Funding

DC is demonstrating a sustained commitment to its public school system, with the DC Council approving significant budget increases for both DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools. These investments include substantial funding for modernizing school facilities, replacing and upgrading technology, and implementing pay raises for teachers in both DCPS and public charter schools. The Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF), which determines how much money is allocated per student, has also seen increases.

⚾️ Nats Grab 17-yr-old Phenom Eli Willits at #1

In a somewhat unexpected move, the Washington Nationals selected 17-year-old high school shortstop Eli Willits with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. Willits, from Oklahoma, is the youngest true prospect in this year's draft class. Scouts say he’s the best hitter/fielder in the class.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Summer Restaurant Week Returns (August 18-24)

Get ready for a wallet-friendly week in DC. From August 18-24, the city's Summer Restaurant Week is here again. Food lovers can enjoy special deals on multi-course meals for brunch, lunch, and dinner. This year, there are even more choices, including a to-go options and drink pairings.

Yappy Hour Roll-call

Sip a ‘Puptail’ while your dog splashes—Dirty Habit’s pool party runs every Thursday all summer. Several other DC establishments are also hosting dog social "yappy hours" throughout the summer, providing an opportunity for both dogs and their owners to socialize and enjoy a relaxed, pet-friendly atmosphere. These events feature special treats for both humans and pups, with a portion of the proceeds from events benefiting local animal shelters.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Here’s what’s going on around DC this week:

Wednesday

📚 Family Story Time 10:30 AM. Join a fun and engaging story time packed with books and activities for all ages at the Takoma Park Neighborhood Library. Another session is available at the West End Neighborhood Library at 10:00 AM.

⚽️ United Game Watch Party 6:30 PM. Cheer on D.C. United as they debut their new jersey against Charlotte on a 14-foot jumbotron screen at The Wharf

Thursday

🪐 Big Bird’s Planetarium Show @ NASM 10:30 AM. oin Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky in this free planetarium show at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

🎬 Sunset Cinema at The Wharf: Moneyball 7:30 PM. Enjoy a free outdoor movie on Transit Pier at The Wharf.

Friday

🎣 Friday Night Fishing 5 PM. Join Anacostia Riverkeeper for their summer Friday fishing program at Diamond Teague Docks from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. All ages are welcome, and essentials like rods, reels, bait, and lessons are provided.

⚾️ San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals 6:45 PM. Catch a baseball game at Nationals Park as the Padres come to town. Tickets are available starting at $8.50.

WEATHER

Monday

86 🌡 73 | 🌧️ 50% | 💨 SW 6 mph

Tuesday

84 🌡 75 | 🌧️ 40% | 💨 SE 5 mph

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Monday

The Anthem | Total Tubular Festival | 6 PM

9:30 Club | Olivia Dean | 7 PM

Tuesday

Songbyrd Music House | Samantha Crain | 7 PM

Ciel Downtown | Tuesday Night Jazz | 6:30 PM

DC SPORTS

You Win Some and You Lose Some

The Nats concluded a series against the Milwaukee Brewers, losing both Saturday's game 6-5 and Sunday's game 8-1. Meanwhile, D.C. United faced a challenging road game against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, losing 2-1. Nats host the Padres through Sunday; D.C. United is back home July 26th.

Did You Know? On this day in 1872, ground was broken for the east wing of the State, War, and Navy Building (now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building).

Till next time,

District Download