By Lani Gering
It has been a way hot summer in and around the DMV and not in a good way! Much of the normally “summertime” green areas took on a dry khaki hue and the plants in the pots in front of our building almost stroked out even with regular watering. Participating in outdoor activities was an invitation to heat stroke and dining al fresco was kind of a joke. In any case (full disclosure, I haven’t checked the Farmer’s Almanac), I am counting on this month being a really nice segway into a full-blown temperate fall. You know the kind where you still have the option to wear shorts during the day but you need a sweater or sweatshirt at night during these next couple of weeks. As the month goes on, it gets cool enough to bring out the jeans and ditch the sandals and flip flops and don “real” shoes or maybe even a pair of boots. This also means sitting by a firepit with a beverage in hand and maybe a ‘smore’s kit nearby.
As summer makes its way out, so do some of the events and activities that aren’t conducive to cooler weather. Make plans to take advantage of them while they are still happening.
Still running through the 30th of the month, are the FREE weekly fitness classes – Monday Boot Camp, Tuesday Dance Fitness and Saturday Yoga. All of these “get in/stay in shape” classes take place at the foot of the Plaza Stage. Boot Camp and Dance run from 7-8 pm and Yoga is a 10-11 am event. They are all weather dependent so you might need to consult the Harbor website to see if there are cancellations. www.nationalharbor.com
The weekly live entertainment is also coming to an end this month. The Salute to Sunset Saturday Evenings winds up the season with only two performances this month. The Navy Concert Band performs on the 7th on the Plaza and the Navy Band “Country Current” ends the season with a grand send off on the 11th performing in Spirit Park. You are welcome you to bring a folding chair for the concert on the plaza. Seating is available at Spirit Park. All performances start at 7 pm.
One of the most popular summertime happenings that is coming to an end are the Movies on the Potomac. Date Night on Thursdays and Family Night on Sundays officially ends this month but we are betting that there will be a few movies on the big screen as we go into holiday mode next month. I’m hoping they show “Hocus Pocus 2” again on Halloween this year or maybe…Beetlejuice!
September Schedule
1st – Parent Trap
5th – Now You See Me
8th – Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
12th – Top Gun
15th – Dora & the Lost City
19th – Top Gun: Maverick
22nd – A Million Miles Away
26th – Inside Out 2
29th – My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
Our regular readers know that one of my very favorite activities in the Harbor is having an adult beverage on the Flight Deck under the Capital Wheel. I haven’t been out there much this summer mainly because of the heat so I am really excited to make up for lost time this month. If the weather cooperates, I may even be able to score some time around one of their gas fire features with one of those aforementioned adult beverages in hand – there are always some interesting concoctions going on behind that little bar. They begin fall hours this month after Labor Day on the 2nd. Starting on Friday the 6th, they will be open Fridays from 4pm-10 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 Noon-10pm. Be sure to check out their website and social media pages for specials running through the month. www.capitalwheel.com
September is a good month to take a mid-week break from working from home and/or dropping off and picking up kids to do something for yourself. There is plenty of parking (yes, it isn’t cheap, but it is plentiful and you are treating yourself). You can pretty much walk the entire Harbor in under an hour but I suggest you take your time to do some recon of the shops and restaurants and go back to the one(s) that caught your eye. Lots of dining options in the Harbor both on and off of the beaten path aka waterfront. My favorites are Bond 45 and Fiorella but we have been known to spread the love around on many occasions.
In the meantime, as we await cooler temps, let’s not jump on the pumpkin spice wagon! It is still margarita and cold beer season and you have plenty of time to show off your summer glow!