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City Cast DC

We ask local movers and shakers the essential questions.

Deciding to welcome a pet into your life comes with many important considerations. Luckily, modern living already accepts dogs, cats, birds, and other pets. But imagine deciding to bring a mini potbelly pig into your city life!

The City Cast DC team spoke with Lindsay Bartell about 

living life with her Instagram-famous piggy, Lucy

. Here’s a preview of that conversation:

Are pigs suited for Washington, DC city living? Does Lucy like living in Navy Yard?

“They actually make great city pets because they don't like to be outside for too long.

“She is very spoiled and is very comfortable in our environment here. She is very familiar with the area and she really likes people, and people are good for pigs. It helps them stay social [...] and they don’t live quite as long without that social interaction.”

How have other people and pets reacted to Lucy?

“Most people are very surprised. They don't really understand what they're seeing when they see her for the first time, especially when we roll by in a stroller. But, she brings a lot of joy to the neighborhood and to everyone that she meets, which we love seeing.

“She's very familiar with dogs, loves to hang out with them. Her best friend in the world is a pit bull.”

Have you ever had problems with neighbors or with the city over Lucy?

“A little bit with the city. When we first got Lucy, we had to jump through quite a few hoops for her, and we had to put up a big legal battle at the beginning. But, we're happy that we have her now.

“I think our building management likes to use her a little bit as an entertainment value for future leasers. They do like showing her off, and she's very well-known to everyone in the building.”

🎧 Plus, Lindsay’s advice for future pig parents

3 Questions About Lucy the DC Pig, Navy Yard’s Unofficial Mascot

What DC celebrities, public figures and key citizens have to say about living here.

3 Questions With DC Public Figures

3 Questions With

So you’ve finished that DIY project (and may I just say, that Ikea shelf looks magnificent), but now you’re stuck with smelly paint cans in your studio apartment. You can’t keep them there, but you know throwing them away is horrible for the environment. So how

you get rid of it? We chatted with paint recycling expert Brett Rodgers from 

“The best thing is to use the old waste slogan ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.’ First, try and buy the exact right amount. Then, if there's any opportunity to reuse it or give it to a neighbor or community group, do that. If you can't reuse it, that's where recycling comes in and Paintcare makes that really easy.”

“Recycling paint keeps harmful chemicals out of streams and landfills, protecting our environment and communities. It also removes the burden of managing leftover paint waste from community trash or household hazardous waste services.”

How can people find somewhere to drop off their old paint?

“Paintcare has year-round locations where you can take unwanted paint, stain, varnish, and other accepted products for reuse or recycling. Find a drop-off site near you with the 

. Households and businesses with at least 100 gallons can ask for a direct pickup any time.”

Find Your Nearest Paint Drop-Off Location

How can you get rid of old paint in the DMV? We chatted with paint recycling expert Brett Rodgers from Paintcare to find out.

How to Recycle Paint In the DMV

We chatted with Alliance Française, a local non-profit providing D.C. residents with all the expertise on French culture, from wine and food to fashion.


“So, Alliance Française is an independent non-profit. So we're not affiliated with the French government. We offer French classes of all levels and cultural events. We also partner with French-speaking embassies like Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, or Madagascar to host cultural events. And sometimes we even offer trips!”


Right, so Alliance Française is taking some Washingtonians on a fashion trip to Paris next April 21-28. What is that all about?


“Yes! We will be meeting fashion designers. We will have dinner one night with a few fashion designers and go to their workshops. We’ll have a welcoming and closing dinner, a perfume masterclass, and perfume making. We will visit some locations of fashion history including museums. The trip price is around $5,000, not including airfare, and includes breakfast, the room, and all activities. The deadline to sign up is in March.”

If one doesn’t have the budget or time to go to Paris, how else can one participate?

“Our cultural offerings are not only focused on fashion. We have French author readings. The next one will be in November with Giuliano d'Ampoli. We also have lecturers who can come to discuss everything from climate change to the French influence in D.C. During the evenings, we have wine tastings and music and film festivals.”

Sign me up!

What It's Like To Travel With DC's Alliance Française

I recently chatted with Urban Pace Sales Director Jennifer Felix about 

 in Cleveland Park. Jennifer shares some of her favorite features of these new luxury townhomes, new retail, and the Cleveland Park neighborhood. Here’s a preview of the conversation:

“Loggia Townes is a collection of four townhomes. They're all a little bit different as far as their size and their layout. It also encompasses retail, which is always important to the neighborhood. And it's also got this really cool pedestrian park to it. So it's beyond just the townhomes; it's also about the enhancement of what Loggia is going to bring to the very well-established neighborhood of Cleveland Park.”

Do the Loggia Townes homes have any special features?

“Going into Cleveland Park, we had to work with the Historic Preservation Review Board. So Loggia Townes and the retail strip were kind of mimicking this very cool Art Deco structure. They're all going to be three stories, but they're going to range [in size]. One thing that's really cool about it is the ceiling height … which always makes that space feel bigger and really, really nice. They also did a really cool job with the windows. I know it sounds funny to talk about windows, but I'm a little obsessed with them.”

What's your favorite aspect of Cleveland Park?

“The thing about Cleveland Park, which I don't think a lot of people have realized, is you literally can eat the world. You have Duke's, so you've got a great hamburger. You've got the Cracked Eggery, so you can get eggs. You also have Sababa, which is Israeli food. You've got 3321 Bistro DC, which is Tex Mex. To be honest, my favorite is going to be Little Blackbird, I love the playful pairings. Who doesn't love drinking wine with some junk food?”

These new luxury townhomes bring new high-end housing to the Cleveland Park neighborhood.

What to Know About DC's New Loggia Townes Development

I hopped on the phone with developer Jonathon Quince to 

learn more about Kite House, a new condo building in Takoma, D.C.

 Kite House is situated on the original site of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center that is now within The Parks community.

How does The Parks community pay tribute to Walter Reed’s history?

“Honoring the history of the site was probably our core design philosophy. It drove every decision that we made before we even commenced designing any of the buildings that were on site. This philosophy extends through to the use of open space to maintain the views of the historic buildings that we’re honoring as the landmarks that they are in the city.”

What are some of the benefits to living in The Parks community?

“The campus is unique in D.C. The Great Lawn, in particular, is a historic element that has survived from the original hospital, and we have really lent that as our event space. There’s year-round programming, including concerts, theatrical performances and holiday celebrations, and smaller-scale events like our complimentary yoga classes offered spring through the fall. We’re only half a mile from Takoma and the Takoma Metro station and the fantastic downtown that is Takoma.

“We have a bunch of really exciting restaurants coming to the campus. I particularly love ramen. I’m very excited for when Junior opens. Then, of course, nothing beats the convenience of having a Whole Foods at your front door.”

Aside from the cool neighborhood, why should City Cast DC listeners choose to buy at Kite House?

“All the residences have particular sophisticated finishes. We have herringbone backsplashes, Bosch appliances, wide-plan flooring. The design element I particularly enjoy is the abundance of natural light. Within the residences we have lofty 6-foot windows, and then most of the residences have either a private terrace or a private balcony.

“Within the building, there's a hospitality-inspired lobby with a separate coworking space. There's a premium fitness studio with a separate yoga and meditation room. There's a club room that's outfitted with some soft seating, cafe tables, library. That club room actually opens up onto our outdoor entertaining terrace, which has its own dining area, grill stations, lounge seating, and a great location for hosting an outdoor party.”

Start here to learn more about Kite House

🎧 And why he's so proud of the garage

Developer Jonathon Quince discusses Kite House, a new condo building in Takoma, D.C. Kite House is situated on the original site of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center that is now within The Parks community.

DC Developer Takes Us Inside Kite House at The Parks

A DC Developer Takes Us Inside Kite House at The Parks

After being in the works for almost a decade, D.C. is finally getting 

, and it’s going to be just as organic and celebratory as the genre itself. The museum will be located on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Anacostia, but will also have a touring go-go bus. Senior curator Natalie Hopkinson tells us what to expect.

“Right now, they are putting the finishing touches on the mobile museum – a retrofitted metro bus with interactive exhibits inside and room on top for a go-go band to perform. The bus will pop up at different community events, festivals, and demonstrations. For the museum itself, we are shooting for next February.”

“The first one is the royal packet which traces the go-go beat from West Africa to D.C. and around the world. I am working on a collab with Howard University to document the roots of the go-go band Experience Unlimited. We talked to over 150 people who had been part of the band and created an oral history to display. We also have some interactive exhibits that look at the visual language of go-go through glow posters.”

Besides the exhibit, what else will the museum offer?

“The go-go museum will be nothing like other D.C. museums. There will be live music and a recording studio where community members can learn the technical aspects of go-go. There will be space for people to talk about community issues and a café with African and Caribbean food. I think of it as a shrine where people can get the history, but also partake in the living culture that is gogo.”

While you’re waiting for the museum to open, learn a little more about go-go on our 

After being in the works for almost a decade, D.C. is finally getting a go-go museum, and it’s going to be just as organic and celebratory as the genre itself. Senior curator Natalie Hopkinson tells us what to expect.

The Inside Scoop on DC’s New Go-go Museum

This fall, D.C. will open its first new neighborhood high school in decades. Harold McCray, the new principal of MacArthur High School in Ward 3, shared how you set up a new school — from the traditions to the courses.

How do you choose the mascot and colors for a new school?

“When I first got started, I went on a promotional tour to different students. I would always ask them, what [do] you want as a school mascot and for your school colors. Then, we put those answers into a survey and sent it out to students and families. So the official colors are navy blue and teal, and they have chosen the mammoth as a mascot.”

Will the curriculum be different from other D.C. high schools?

“I wanted to cater towards the community and the needs of the students to make sure that they were not only going to get into college, but prepare them to actually get through college and graduate. So, something that is different is we have no general education courses. Everything will either be an honors course, a pre-AP course, or an advanced placement course.”

What are the pros and cons you see for students starting at MacArthur?

“I do see the distance as a con for students who don't live within walking distance. Having a 40 to 50-minute bus ride can be daunting. But I also see it as an opportunity because you're actually getting to go to a high school that's unique.

"A pro is that we’re starting from the ground up. It's offering the highest set of courses that you can offer in a much smaller setting. They actually have the opportunity to develop some of the clubs and activities. Also, the traditions that would already be in place at other high schools, these kids get to start here.”

What Goes Into Building a New DC High School

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a top D.C. chef? Danny Lledó is the chef and owner of Xiquet in Glover Park which just won the 

. He grew up in Silver Spring, and his food blends traditional Spanish cuisine with Chesapeake Bay ingredients. He tells us what makes the D.C. restaurant scene special and what it’s REALLY like to be a top chef.

What do you think makes the D.C. culinary scene unique?

“Being the capital means D.C. brings in a lot of people internationally. It’s a nice melting pot of different cultures. There is something for everyone here, from Michelin-starred joints to everyday restaurants. The scene has transformed in the last 10 - 20 years from a gastronomical perspective. More restaurants are focusing on the quality of the products, and there are simply more dining options.”

“We want to take traditional flavors and present them in the best way possible. Sometimes, things get deconstructed or repositioned, but the original flavor is there. So, if your grandma came and ate it, she would love it and say ‘wow that was fancy’.”

You grew up in Silver Spring and live in Georgetown. How did that influence your culinary work?

“It influences our menu quite a bit. We had Maryland blue crab on our menu last season. It was a rice dish where we married paella and blue crab. During the summer, we’ll use local produce and what’s in season. For example, right now, we have a nice grilled eggplant dish with grilled local peaches and almonds to go with it.”

Besides your own, what are your favorite restaurants in D.C.?

“For special occasions, my favorite restaurants are Bresca and Fiola Mare. For something more casual, like a date night, I’d go to Jônt or Sushi Nakazawa.”

What’s your day-to-day routine like as a chef/owner?

“You’d think I’d have more opportunity to cook and prep, but most of the time, I’m behind a laptop running the business. You get full control, but you don’t always get to do the cooking. I save the mornings for administration and the afternoon for cooking. I love being a part of service.”

What advice would you give someone starting in the DC culinary scene?

“Do what you love, do your research, and have a good market perspective. Really, the biggest focus for me is to do what makes you happy. Come into the restaurant with passion. That’s where the true talent comes out. Stay on course in terms of what you want to do. Whether it is a specific style or cuisine, learn as much as you can about it. Then, see how it can become part of the community.”

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a top D.C. chef? Danny Lledó, the chef and owner of Xiquet in Glover Park, tells us what makes the D.C. restaurant scene special and what it’s REALLY like to be a top chef.

The Man Behind DC’s Finest Dining

The first-ever Kids World is coming to Franklin Square this weekend with an array of food, installations, and activities meant for kids 3 -15. Though I’m hoping they won’t turn me away at the stuff-your-own-bear station.

The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. today through Sunday. We asked Melanie Nwosu, DowntownDC BID’s Director of Events how to make the most of it.

What are the must-see exhibits at Kids World?

“There are too many to number, but we hope everyone has the chance to read along with, and meet, our special guests: the Lorax, Curious George, or the Cat in the Hat. There’s also an engineering and building activation with our friends from the National Children’s Museum. Don’t forget to get in a workout with Black Panther, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, or Supergirl.”

What inspired the city to start this new festival?

“Kids! We have so many festivals in the District geared toward adults and almost none like this, dedicated solely to children. We wanted to do the same for them, but better! More exciting, more learning, more fun — and did we mention the cotton candy?”

What are some great year-round sites for kids in DC?

“Planet Word, right next to Franklin Park, is a must! Other fantastic places include the National Children’s Museum, the Museum of Illusions, the National Building Museum, and the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden.”

The first-ever Kids World is coming to Franklin Square this weekend with an array of food, installations, and activities meant for kids 3 -15.

Everything You Need To Know About Kids World

From 1971 to 1972, a serial killer who called themselves the Freeway Phantom killed at least six Black girls in D.C. and terrorized their communities. They were never caught, but journalist Celeste Headlee thinks someone out there knows something. 

Why do you think so few people have heard of the Freeway Phantom?

“There are so many movies about other serial killers who have killed fewer victims and yet no one’s heard about the Freeway Phantom. Why? Firstly, we are talking about a period of time that was pretty chaotic. It was about the same time the Vietnam War protests were beginning. But, mainly, it's because these were young Black girls, and they were lower in socioeconomic status.”

Was there anything that connected the victims?

“They were all young Black girls, many were in a school uniform, they were all petite, they were all from the same lower-middle class area of D.C. Also, several of them had a green fiber on their bodies somewhere. The police ended up thinking it may have come from the person's trunk. So, there are quite a few things that connect them, it just took them a long time to realize that they were all killed by the same person.”

“One of the biggest suspects was Robert Atkins who ended up dying in detention. But there were a lot of assumptions made about the Freeway Phantom that ended up being inaccurate when we got an actual scientific profiler to take a look. I think there's somebody else out there. I know there is still somebody alive who knows something, and they may not realize they know something. I think we could solve this, and I think we could bring some justice to these families.”