A new exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fairfax County, Virginia, hopes to immerse visitors into the American Revolution through augmented reality.

鈥淎merican Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition鈥� is now open to all visitors and takes them to the vital moments in the war from The Battle of Bunker Hill to the Siege of Yorktown.

French technology company, Histovery, produced the exhibit that allows visitors to walk around with a tablet scanning various portals that are labeled throughout.

Once scanned, the tablet takes viewers to that pivotal moment in Revolutionary history, with a 360-degree view, allowing them to hear from key figures that were present and learn details behind the soldiers鈥� lives. It also has a built-in 鈥淭ime Portal鈥� that shows that area in modern times.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just not about Washington and Hamilton and the notable figures we all know about,” Museum Director Paul Morando told 草莓传媒. “It gets into the everyday soldiers who served, and that’s important because it captures the mission of this museum, which focuses on the American soldier and their experience.”

One depicted in detail is the Noble Train of Artillery, where Gen. Henry Knox and teams of soldiers faced a logistical challenge of moving heavy cannon from Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York all the way to Boston in the winter of 1775-76.

鈥淚 think it’s a story that a lot of people don’t know about,” Morando said. “Coming to experience that, they’ll come away with learning more about the Revolutionary War and about the soldiers involved.鈥�

While the exhibit looks at the triumphs of the Continental Army at Boston and Trenton, it also allows visitors to plunge into the defeats and blunders made during the war.

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鈥淵ou start with the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was a defeat, although significant for the soldiers at that time, because it proved to the British that we were ready to fight and we were going to be a tough opponent,鈥� Morando said. 鈥淎nd then you go to the Battle of Long Island, where the entire army could have been lost and, in fact, the Revolution could have been lost.鈥�

Morando shared more about Gen. George Washington at the Battle of New York, 鈥淗e was outmanned, outmaneuvered, and just basically, out 鈥榞eneraled鈥�. So, instead of staying and fighting, knowing that he would lose, he figured out a way to escape.”

Morando said these immersive technology exhibits pair well with the artifact-driven exhibits at the museum.

鈥淚t gives visitors another way to learn about the Revolutionary War in an interactive and fun way, but it’s also extremely educational. Lot of research content development was put into this experience,鈥� Morando said.

The exhibit, which opened last weekend, now pairs with the museum’s other temporary exhibit, 鈥淐all to Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War,鈥� which features stunning artifacts including a leopard-skinned saddle from a New Hampshire officer, a French cannon from the Siege of Yorktown as well as the sword surrendered by British Gen. Charles Cornwallis 鈥� something that has never before been displayed in the U.S.

鈥淚t’s a once in a lifetime, you know, artifact that probably won’t be on display in the United States ever again,鈥� Morando said.

Wednesday is the last day to see Cornwallis’ sword.聽

鈥溾�� is free with admission to the museum and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

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The carousel at the National Mall has finally returned from being refurbished. After nearly three years away, it will welcome visitors back beginning Friday morning.

“The carousel was in quite disrepair, and we took the step to have it fully refurbished, sent it out to a wonderful company in Ohio called Carousels and Carvings, and they spent many years restoring this beautiful carousel, and it has just been reinstalled on the Mall,” Denise Elliott, acting president of Smithsonian Enterprises, told 草莓传媒.

The goal was to return the carousel before America鈥檚 250th birthday celebrations in the nation鈥檚 capital.

They held a grand reopening of the carousel Thursday morning, during which kids and adults alike got a chance to ride the nearly 80-year-old merry-go-round.

鈥淚 first rode on a regular horse, then he rode on a blue horse,鈥� 8-year-old Vivian Wolly told 草莓传媒.

When asked how many times she would be taking a spin, she said, 鈥渁s many times as I’m allowed.鈥�

鈥淚 thought it was cool. It was worth the wait,” said 12-year-old Jackson Hayle. “I rode a normal horse, but I wanted to ride the seahorse one. It was the coolest one.鈥�

The carousel was removed from the National Mall in November of 2023 for refurbishment, but Elliott said they were careful to restore, rather than change anything.

鈥淲e restored it back to how it was. We didn’t add anything new to it. Smithsonian’s a historical organization. We weren’t going to modify the history of the carousel,鈥� Elliott said.

Riders got a chance to hop on horses that represent different U.S. states (not all 50, however, are on the carousel, according to Elliott), as well as a vibrant 鈥淪ea Dragon鈥� and even a tusked pig.

鈥淚 do think my personal favorite is the pig that has the boar tusks,鈥� Elliott said.

This particular carousel was built in 1947 by the Allan Herschell Company and installed in Gwynn Oak Park near Baltimore, Maryland. It was then relocated in 1981 to the National Mall, replacing a previous carousel.

The Smithsonian purchased the carousel in 2022 from its previous owner.

The carousel is located in front of the Smithsonian鈥檚 Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall.

It is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Tickets are $6.

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The roughly 6,000 feet of sea wall between the Jefferson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials has been fenced off for nearly two years. Crews began working on the Tidal Basin sea wall restoration project in the summer of 2024, raising those walls to prevent the frequent flooding.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.

In a statement, Burgum said, 鈥渢his historic area is stronger, safer, and ready to welcome record visitors for America鈥檚 250th anniversary and the generations to follow.鈥�

Runners, school groups and even fishing enthusiasts have now been able to walk along that end of the water. Lucas Ball was casting his line Thursday morning.

鈥淚鈥檇 say it鈥檚 actually nice looking to me. It’s appealing. I like what they’re doing, repairing stuff, making it a lot nicer and safer for everybody. I would say they didn’t do that bad of a job on it,鈥� he said between casts.

John Morris was enjoying a morning walk and told 草莓传媒, 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to walking along the water again near the Jefferson Memorial.鈥�

鈥淚t’s been a bummer that it’s been closed off, but it was also a bummer when areas were flooded before then and you can’t walk there anyway,鈥� he continued.

When visitors walk along the Tidal Basin, they will notice the change in elevation and the new pathway just after the FDR Memorial.

The National Park Service also planted 546 new trees, 353 of them are cherry trees, around the Tidal Basin and along sections of the Potomac River.

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The D.C. area has been waiting two and a half months to see her, and on Wednesday, they finally were able to meet the Smithsonian National Zoo’s newest Asian elephant calf.

Visitors lined up early Wednesday morning to be some of the first to get a glimpse at 2-month-old Linh Mai, the cutest quarter ton thing you鈥檒l probably ever see.

鈥淲e’ve been big Linh Mai enthusiasts ever since she was born, and we’ve been tracking her progress,” said D.C. resident Benji Gering. “We’re excited to finally get to come and say hello.”

The bundle of joy now weighs in at nearly 500 pounds, and is able to chug a half gallon of formula in about three minutes. Visitors got to see one of these bottle feedings as soon as the doors opened.

鈥淚 find elephants to be so majestic. I’ve loved elephants since I was little,鈥� said Thomas Cole, who drove to the zoo at 4 a.m. up from Norfolk, Virginia.

鈥淪he seemed very playful, very curious. Just like a big puppy. We want to bring her home! Security might have to check in with us before we leave. If it looks like I’ve gained about 400 pounds, you might want to check in,鈥� Cole added.

Nora Wagner came from Boston, Massachusetts, with her mother to see the calf.

鈥淚t’s a baby elephant. What’s not to like? It’s a baby, it’s an elephant. It’s a baby elephant!鈥� Wagner emphasized.

You can catch Linh Mai at the National Zoo in D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood or online at the

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There are few greater gifts someone can give another than themselves, but that is just what one woman did for a Virginia Navy friend that she hadn’t seen in four decades. The two reconnected on Facebook and just months later both went under the knife.

鈥淜idney disease has been in my family for at least five generations that we know of. And before that, I think they were just undiagnosed,鈥� Debbie Winkfield, who lives in the northern Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, told 草莓传媒. 鈥淚 found out about 20 years ago that I would need a transplant.鈥�

Now, in April, which is National Donate Life Month, Winkfield decided to share her story to help others because her donor match turned out to be quite a surprise. And not only that, her surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital marked a milestone use of new technology at the hospital.

‘A true hero’

Winkfield said she was doing well until last spring, when doctors told her that they’d need to conduct a serious search to find her a kidney, whether it be through a family member or friend or someone on the transplant list.

Last March, she started a new Facebook group, updating friends and loved ones about her situation and asking for help to find a new kidney. Only 19 people were linked to the page.

鈥淚 reached out to some folks that I knew may qualify and may be willing to donate, and I really didn’t know if anyone would be willing or even consider it. It was just a chance I took,鈥� Winkfield said.

Last May, MedStar Georgetown contacted her to say someone had come forward offering their kidney.

鈥淚 was very humbled and a little bit in shock because I wasn’t sure that anyone would be willing to do that,鈥� Winkfield said.

The donor, however, was kept anonymous at first as the volunteer underwent a month of tests to see if they were a qualified match. Winkfield was not sure who was making the sacrifice to save her life.

After four weeks of testing, the anonymous donor turned out to be a match.

MedStar Georgetown’s transplant coordinator told Winkfield the donor would contact soon.

An old friend from her Navy days, Lora Booher, called her just two days later.

鈥淭he true hero in this story is Lora,” Winkfield said. “Lora did something that she didn’t have to do.鈥�

Groundbreaking female sailors

Booher and Winkfield both served aboard the U.S.S. Sierra 鈥� in 1984 they were among some of the first female sailors let aboard ships, and, according to Booher, 鈥渁pparently both of us were a little crazy, because we’re like, ‘send me.’鈥�

Both said they developed a personal bond on that ship.

鈥淭here were several situations, and Debbie and I had each other’s back, and that was a big bond between us, that we took care of each other,鈥� Booher said.

After Booher, a Dayton, Ohio, native, left the ship after a year, the two lost contact until they became Facebook friends years later, keeping an eye on each other from afar, Booher in Ohio and Winkfield in Virginia. Then one day, Booher stumbled upon Winfield鈥檚 kidney donation page.

鈥淚 think this is meant for me. I got to do this, to help out my shipmate here,鈥� Booher said.

While undergoing tests to make sure her kidney would match, Booher said she was frustrated that she couldn鈥檛 talk to her friend just a few states away.

鈥淚t was just amazing to me, how it all just worked out perfectly, and I don’t know what made me do it,鈥� Booher said. 鈥淚’ve been doing some soul searching, and I haven’t said this out loud, but it was kind of like a reason to live for a while.鈥�

She and Winfield met in D.C. on the night before the surgery and had dinner. Their conversation flowed like they had just seen each other just days ago instead of 40 years ago.

Dr. Talal Al-Qaoud was the surgeon at MedStar Georgetown who completed the kidney transplant surgery last September.

鈥淚 believe this is the only field in medicine where it really takes one human being to cure another human being,鈥� Dr. Al-Qaoud told 草莓传媒.

Minimally invasive surgery

Winkfield’s surgery was the first kidney transplant performed at that hospital using a surgical robot.

鈥淭he whole point of this was really to kind of benefit Debbie from the recovery standpoint,鈥� Al-Qaoud said.

Usually, a kidney transplant requires a large incision in the back, but with the robot, it’s a much more minimally invasive procedure, according to Al-Qaoud, and Winkfield said she had relatively no pain due to the small incision.

Months later, both women are healthy and are encouraging others to look into becoming organ donors this National Donate Life Month.

鈥淚 don’t think there’s any more gratification you can get out of any gift you can give to somebody. It’s priceless,鈥� Al-Qaoud said.

“People are always amazed or thankful or just in awe that I would do something like that, and I’m like, ‘You too, can do this.’ Help somebody out. You never know,鈥� Booher said.

鈥淚t’s hard to describe the feeling, because there really are no words for someone to think enough of me, care enough for me, and to sacrifice themselves to go through this surgery,” Winkfield said with emotion in her voice. “To offer an organ is just a feeling you can’t describe. I just don’t have the words. I thank her so much.鈥�

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They started in Leonardtown, Maryland, and finished in Baltimore, stopping at MedStar locations along the way. The 170-mile journey wasn鈥檛 made by car, bus or cycle.

Two MedStar employees and a professional ultramarathon runner completed the trek on foot over four days last week, aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle through running and movement.

鈥淭he more you can move your body, the better you’re going to feel, the more you’re going to want to do it,鈥� professional ultramarathoner Michael Wardian told 草莓传媒. “It’s like a virtuous cycle.”

He was joined by Chris Wilde, lead physician assistant at MedStar Harbor Hospital’s emergency department and Chris Heydrick, a physical therapist and running program specialist for MedStar’s northern region.

The group set out for MedStar St. Mary鈥檚 Hospital last Monday, logging dozens of miles each day.

While all three have previous experience with long-distance running, the challenge still evoked comparisons to Pheidippides, the legendary messenger known for covering great distances in ancient Greece to deliver a message. Along the route, that message was simple: movement is medicine.

鈥淢y first question was, 鈥業s this a stage race or 200 straight? Because I don鈥檛 want to do 200 straight,鈥欌�� Wilde joked.

The runners made stops at 10 hospitals across the MedStar system, including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in D.C. The four-day run ended Thursday at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.

Wilde said the effort mirrored the kind of problem-solving he does on the job.

“Running 200 miles isn鈥檛 that complicated. It’s about problem鈥憇olving along the way,鈥� he told 草莓传媒.

For Heydrick, the challenge was a natural extension of his career working in running medicine and supporting races across the D.C. region.

鈥淚 really am grateful to have running as part of what I do for work every day, and when your company puts on an event like this, it’s really hard to say no to that,鈥� Heydrick told 草莓传媒. 鈥淎nd I love a route with a why.”

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At each stop, the group encouraged patients and staff to move more, emphasizing that the effort does not need to be extreme.

鈥淚t doesn’t need to be 200 miles by any means,鈥� Heydrick said.

He suggested simple options like walking around the neighborhood, yoga or even table tennis.

鈥淔ind something that jives and stick with it,鈥� he said.

Wilde said regular movement can bring broader health benefits, “With movement comes weight loss. With weight loss comes decreased stresses on the body. And statistics show that when you do some behavior modifications 鈥� you start getting off high blood pressure medicine. Not in every case, but there’s a good chance.鈥�

Heydrick added that prioritizing movement earlier in life can help preserve independence later on.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not very glamorous, but being able to get off the toilet is a huge virtue,鈥� he said.

The runners said even a small impact would make the challenge worthwhile.

鈥淚f one or two people change their lives because of it, that鈥檚 a win,鈥� Heydrick said. 鈥淭hen they might show friends, and you start to see that butterfly effect.鈥�

鈥淚f we can make it small and make it make it meaningful, that’s all we need,鈥� he said.

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For the past three years, the Fairfax County Police Department has been running a first of its kind recruiting and training program to immerse new recruits into the lifestyle of being a law enforcement officer before they enter the academy.

草莓传媒 was invited to get a behind the scenes look.

The Pre-Academy Recruit Program, or PARS, is up to 12 weeks long, giving recruits preparation that they need to succeed while building resilience and the 鈥渕ental and physical grit that it takes to do the job,鈥� Capt. Dean Tran said.

Rachel Scott, a recruit for Fairfax County police, has been flowing through the program.

On Wednesday afternoon she hustled through a physical training gauntlet. She ran to do burpees after doing farmer鈥檚 carries and battle ropes. She completed the workout gauntlet with dozens of teammates at her side.

鈥淥nce you’re thrown into the academy, it’s a lot of go, go, go, and you don’t really get time to get to know the people around you. They have developed this program to really get to know the people that are going to be your academy classmates,鈥� Scott told 草莓传媒.

Scott is one of 39 in this rotation for PARS. She and the others will be going into the academy Friday.

During her days as a PARS recruit, she is getting physically prepared with strength and conditioning training daily.

鈥淚t’s more like a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) program, where it really focuses on every single body part,鈥� Scott said.

Officer Caitlin Rodriguez, a recent graduate of both the PARS program and police academy, said about the importance of physical training for the job, 鈥淚t鈥檚 so physically demanding. I want to put the best version of myself out on the streets for other people, because you’re meeting people at the worst stage in their life, or at some incident where you want to be able to physically be able to handle whatever’s thrown at you.鈥�

Travis Lipscomb is the strength and conditioning coach for the Fairfax County Police Department and said they do similar physical training four times a week.

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鈥淥ur goal is to prepare them physically for the academy and then the career they’re going to be going into afterward,鈥� Lipscomb said.

鈥淭he movements will develop skills, and that will be very useful in the job and injury preventive.鈥�

His favorite exercise to put the recruits through: 鈥淚 will say I enjoy loading up a front squat and seeing what these guys and gals can do.鈥�

Strength and conditioning are not the only preparation these recruits are getting; recruits, officer and senior command agreed that it was a time to change your mindset and develop the mental grit that it takes to do the job.

Scott told 草莓传媒 that they also go through very basic law enforcement course such as search warrant exceptions, arrest procedures and court systems.

Different specialties such as crime scene investigation, homicide detective, fugitive squad and even SWAT make presentations to the new recruits, showing their options after they get experience on patrol.

鈥淚 want to take my time in patrol, because you really need to get that experience and the only way you can get that experience is by doing it and being out on the streets,” Scott said. “But eventually I would like to do supplemental search and rescue, as well as I want to be a detective and crime scene and Major Crimes bureau.鈥�

She was drawn to join the department because of her desire to help others.

Scott said, 鈥淭hat’s the cliche, but it is true.鈥�

She thought about joining the military, but decided to join Fairfax County police because it was a little closer to her parents.

Fairfax County now puts every new recruit through PARS before they head to the academy with an emphasis on comradery with their fellow classmates.

Scott described one bonding exercise: 鈥淓very week we have different partners that we’re assigned to that we have to talk about the writing prompt. That makes it so that there’s no, cliques forming and you get to talk to everyone, and it’s just really a big team environment.鈥�

鈥淓very time I see them at the jail, it’s kind of like a little family reunion,鈥� Rodriguez agreed. 鈥淚t’s one community and it’s one family. I feel that way with my academy class.鈥�

Scott鈥檚 class is the ninth to go through PARS since it started in 2023.

鈥淭he program is the first of its kind in this metropolitan area, and I would argue, on this side of the country, and we’re proud of it,鈥� Tran said.

鈥淚t has changed our hiring system for the better. We’ve seen drastic results in the ability to go after the most viable recruits.鈥�

Tran also said 41% of this class are women.

鈥淭hat is astronomical in the field of law enforcement,鈥� Tran said where she said female officers are underrepresented.

They are recruiting for their next cohort which begins in August.

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One of the newest additions to the Smithsonian鈥檚 National Zoo is about to make her public debut next week. 草莓传媒 got a sneak peek of the cutest 464 pounds you鈥檝e ever seen.

Linh Mai, the latest Asian elephant calf born at the National Zoo in D.C., is a very punctual young lady, demanding her bottle every two hours.

鈥淪he’ll start to bellow and roar as that time approaches if she hasn’t gotten the bottle yet, and then she’s quickly satiated and then goes into play time,鈥� said Tony Barthel, the director of animal care at the National Zoo.

After some initial scares with her digestive system that required a fecal transplant, Barthel said she has been leading an extremely healthy life.

Robbie Clark, the acting curator and elephant manager, said Linh Mai is currently gaining 25 to 30 pounds per week and could reach 1,000 pounds by her first birthday.

鈥淪he’s already participating in the beginning stages of our training program here at the zoo, so she recognizes her name,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淪he’s stationing and targeting, which allows us to move her throughout the facility, make her stand still and hang out with us.鈥�

草莓传媒 observed her running around her indoor habitat playing with large balls, inflatable buoys and darting around exploring the area often looking for her bottle.

When she did finally get that formula from a staff member, she downed a half gallon in under five minutes.

One of her absolute favorite things right now is bath time, according to Clark. Her beauty regiment is enviable.

鈥淓very day she gets a chance to interact in a baby pool with different hoses. She spends about an hour a day doing self-care in the water,鈥� Clark said.

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Linh Mai鈥檚 mother, Nhi Linh, has not been very maternal, and staff thought she may actually be a danger to the young calf. But she has connected with an older female, Swarna.

鈥淪warna showed us behavior that says ‘Hey I know what that is. I want to hang out with her.’ And that was an indication to open the door, and Swarna immediately went into a maternal role,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淪he’s been nothing but patient and resilient with Linh Mai. One of my favorite things is when Linh decides to sleep and Swarna is tired, she’ll go lay down and if she wakes up and realizes Linh hasn’t moved, she’ll get up, walk over to check on her and then go lay back down herself.鈥�

Clark said Swarna is teaching Linh Mai how to be an elephant and to not rely on zoo staff for everything.

Linh Mai is the first Asian elephant calf in D.C. in 25 years, and Clark has called it a big win for the team.

鈥淔or the greater Asian elephant population here in North America, every baby elephant counts, and so we’re really excited for our herd to grow,鈥� Clark said.

Linh Mai will be out in the large elephant habitat for the first time on Apr. 22.

鈥淪he’ll start to realize that there’s a great big world out there. There’s a lot of exciting things outside and should be a lot of fun,鈥� Clark said.

The National Zoo will also turn the elephant cam back on next Wednesday so you can watch her from home.

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As the weather improves and your family (dogs included) start to go outside for long walks and hikes, Alexandria Health Department officials said they want you to check yourself for common parasites that can cling to your body and transmit serious diseases.

Since 2020, Alexandria has seen an increase in Lyme disease, according to the local health department. The bacterial infection is transmitted through the bite of a blacklegged deer tick. Lyme disease can cause fever, fatigue, a characteristic 鈥渂ullseye鈥� shaped rash, joint stiffness and muscle aches. If left untreated, it can cause irregular heartbeats and pains in joints and muscles.

Amanda Coletti, environmental health specialist with the Alexandria Health Department, said these ticks in their 鈥渘ymph鈥� stage of the life cycle usually start to appear in the early summer months.

Alpha-gal syndrome, which is transmitted by lone star ticks and can cause an allergy to red meat, is now also a reportable disease in Virginia.

Ticks attach themselves by 鈥渜uesting,鈥� or clinging onto you as you walk by tall grass, small trees or even dead leaves.

The Alexandria Health Department has launched its 鈥淒on’t Let Ticks Stick” campaign this month to educate the public about the risks associated with the arachnids.

鈥淧art of our campaign is we want people to have the confidence and the security to go out and still enjoy beautiful Virginia,鈥� Coletti told 草莓传媒.

Alexandria will have numerous signs at its parks encouraging visitors to complete tick checks after they leave.

鈥淚t literally takes less than five minutes,鈥� Coletti said. 鈥淵ou just check around, feel around, make sure, visually check and use your fingers to check anything.鈥�

Common spots where the little bugs can hide are your belt line, hairline, armpits, behind the knee and other 鈥渘ooks and crannies.鈥�

But look closely, some of the smaller nymphs are tiny, appearing almost like a black sesame seed.

While it can take up to 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease, Coletti said to remove the tick as quickly as possible. The Alexandria Health Department is even offering a free, credit card-sized tool to help with tick removal.

Coletti said a QR code on that card also lets you send in a 鈥渢ick pic” to experts to help identify and track tick activity in the area.

The free tools are available for pickup at the Alexandria Health Department. They will also be available at educational events across the city.

These 鈥渢ick talks,鈥� hosted by Coletti and other self-described 鈥渢ick chicks,鈥� will be spread across the city:

• Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at William Ramsay Recreation Center
• April 25, 9 a.m. to noon at the 鈥淎nimals in the Park鈥� event in Windmill Hill Park
• May 30, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center
• June 27, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Charles Houston Recreation Center

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On Saturday, the name of the individual responsible for the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, was found spray-painted on a campus fence.

The Sandy Hook shooting claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.

Crews removed the graffiti over the weekend, and officials turned over surveillance video to police, who are investigating.

In a letter to Bradley Hills Elementary parents, Montgomery County Public Schools Chief of Schools Peter Moran said the graffiti “can only be interpreted as an act intended to intimidate and cause fear within the Bradley Hills School community, and the broader neighborhood and community, too.”

Calling it a “despicable act,” Moran added that it “will be met with a substantial and uniform response from multiple divisions of MCPS and the Montgomery County Police Department.鈥�

The graffiti incident follows a separate case of vandalism last week, when an outdoor storage shed on school grounds was intentionally set on fire. Officials said it is not yet clear whether the two incidents are connected.

Police cruisers were seen circling Bradley Hills Elementary School as parents and school buses dropped off students Monday morning, and Montgomery County Public Schools said additional security measures are in place as students return.

Anyone with information related to the vandalism is asked to contact the Montgomery County police non-emergency line at 301-279-8000. Tips also can be submitted anonymously through the Maryland Safe Schools Tip Line at 1-833-632-7233 or .

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Ducks will have to find a new place to tread water for the foreseeable future. The Reflecting Pool has been emptied for a deep cleaning.

A large scrubber could be seen sweeping down the length of the Reflecting Pool, scrubbing out 鈥渁lgae and goose poop,鈥� according to the National Park Service. Officials said by the end of the week vacuum trucks will be on site to collect that slurry of muck and grime.

It has been almost completely drained as crews are scrubbing it out. The Department of the Interior told 草莓传媒 it is for the upcoming festivities for America鈥檚 250th birthday, during which millions of visitors are expected to visit the nation鈥檚 capital.

Earlier this week fencing with privacy screens went up around the reflecting pool during the cleaning.

It is not exactly clear when they will wrap up cleaning and refill the pool.

In the meantime, the park service is asking visitors to not walk in the drained pool.

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A tentative ceasefire deal with Iran is in place and it has caused the price of crude oil to drop this week, but that drop is not reflected in the prices you pay at the pump yet.

According to Gas Buddy, the earliest drivers could see relief at the pump is this weekend because of how often gas stations purchase fuel. Even then, the drops will likely only be a few cents.

Long-term relief will likely only come if the Strait of Hormuz is re-opened and the ceasefire holds.

In a news release, GasBuddy said price reports on Sunday showed the cheapest station in D.C. was $3.89 per gallon, while the most expensive was $5.09 per gallon, a difference of $1.20.

Here’s a breakdown of the average prices on April 6, over the past five years, per GasBuddy:

• $3.20 per gallon in 2025
• $3.72 per gallon in 2024
• $3.55 per gallon in 2023
• $4.27 per gallon in 2022
• $2.95 per gallon in 2021

鈥淕asoline prices are poised for another jolt this week, with many inland states鈥攊ncluding the Plains, Great Lakes, and parts of the Rockies鈥� likely to see sharp increases as last week鈥檚 surge in wholesale costs has yet to be fully passed through to consumers,鈥� said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a release.

“In addition, some price-cycling markets could also see another round of increases. As a result, the national average could rise by double digits, potentially reaching the $4.20 to $4.35 per gallon range in the days ahead.”

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They are the sons of stumpy, or, better yet, clones of stumpy, and they are growing right now in D.C., readying to be replanted at the Tidal Basin.

The progeny of the gnarled yet beloved cherry tree, which was removed from the Tidal Basin during sea wall restoration, are now growing at the National Arboretum.

鈥淭he National Park Service reached out to the National Arboretum and asked if we could help them propagate Stumpy so that Stumpy鈥檚 spirit would live on, and, as you can see, that was successful,鈥� Piper Zettel, horticulturist at the National Arboretum told 草莓传媒, as she pointed to the three small Yoshino cherry trees that have grown to be about three feet tall.

The National Arboretum is a public garden, but it’s also serves as a gene bank and a research facility for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. They house plant genetic material from all over the world as a safeguard.

To keep the name of Stumpy living on, Zettel and other horticulturists at the National Arboretum performed vegetative propagation. This means they are less Frankenstein鈥檚 monster Stumpies and rather clone Stumpies, because they are genetically identical.

They took springtime growth from Stumpy in 2024 and put it in a substrate with good drainage. Arboretum scientists then housed that cutting in a greenhouse where temperature and humidity is controlled to allow for perfect growth conditions.

Zettel said Stumpy’s cuttings had nice root formations within eight weeks and they have grown extraordinarily well during their time at the arboretum, blooming beautifully earlier this year.

And even though they are genetically identical to Stumpy, they will likely not have the same Stumpy look of a hollowed-out tree barely surviving.

鈥淚t was inundated by tidal surges twice a day, and as a result, kind of developed this odd, atypical growth habit for our Yoshino cherry tree. So, it ended up being this hollowed out specimen,鈥� Zettel said.

Stumpy鈥檚 descendants will be much healthier looking but keep that Stumpy spirit of survival.

While the Stumpy triplets are thriving, they are not yet scheduled to return to the Tidal Basin.

鈥淭hey’re not quite ready to be planted out in a national park that sees, that receives over a million visitors annually,鈥� Zettel said.

The Arboretum team will work with foresters at the National Park Service about when and where these new Stumpies will be placed for visitors to enjoy.

Courtesy National Arboretum

Courtesy National Arboretum

Courtesy National Arboretum

Courtesy National Arboretum

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Dozens of people diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 are turning to cycling to help manage symptoms and stay active. Many attend free classes at area YMCAs, where they connect with others living with the disease.

鈥淚t must be helping. I was diagnosed 10 years ago, and I’m still doing very well,鈥� Margaret Doty told 草莓传媒 during a water break at her cycling class at the YMCA Silver Spring.

Doty and others pedaled through varying levels of intensity, stretching and chatting as they rode. The group shared laughs throughout the class, including a moment of confusion when one participant mentioned a new hobby, baking, which others misheard over the loud music as spanking.

鈥淓verybody gets along and has fun and jokes and has a good time,鈥� Doty said.

Doty, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a decade ago, said regular exercise has helped her manage the disease. Her diagnosis anniversary also falls during Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

鈥淚t’s the only way to delay the disease and I think I’m a pretty good example,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 take more medication than I used to, but most people usually can’t tell I have Parkinson鈥檚.鈥�

Michael Slott also attends the weekly cycling class and told 草莓传媒 the activity provides both physical and emotional benefits as the disease progresses.

“It helps me keep functioning a little better when the disease progresses to another stage and also psychologically, I really enjoy being with other people that have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I don’t feel so alone,鈥� Slott said.

鈥淚 love to see the camaraderie that they have with each other. They encourage each other in different ways,鈥� Cherry Hunsaker-Clark, a Pedaling for Parkinson’s instructor, told 草莓传媒. 鈥淚t’s a disease that’s kind of isolating. For them to have a community of people who have, who have similar symptoms, I think it’s really valuable to see that.鈥�

free of charge through the YMCA Metropolitan Washington with the support of the Davis Phinney Foundation, a nonprofit focused on helping people with Parkinson鈥檚 live better lives.

According to the foundation, research shows individuals who cycle three times a week may reduce their symptoms by as much as 35%.

Kym Porter, wellness director at the YMCA Silver Spring, told 草莓传媒 the cycling class stands out as a highlight of her day.

鈥淭his is my personal favorite hour of the day, because my office is on the other side of this wall, and I can hear them the entire hour, the joy, the laughter. I know sometimes the instructors can’t instruct because the participants are so engaged in their discussions that it’s hard to get on top of it. It’s a joyful hour.鈥�

She added, 鈥淥ne of the reasons cycling is particularly beneficial is because it’s an alternating side movement, which is great for the neuromuscular system.鈥�

Porter said cycling is also a safer activity for people with Parkinson鈥檚 because balance is less of a concern once riders are on stationary bikes, allowing them to focus on building leg strength and endurance.

鈥淭here’s no wobbling back and forth. You can always have your hands on the handlebars. The instructors may say, take them off if you feel comfortable. But everything is optional,鈥� she said.

The YMCA offers Pedaling for Parkinson鈥檚 classes in partnership with the Davis Phinney Foundation at multiple locations, including the Anthony Bowen YMCA in Northwest D.C., YMCA Fairfax County in Reston, YMCA Alexandria, YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and YMCA Silver Spring.

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Last year, the race swelled from just over 25,000 participants to around 40,000 runners. Organizers plan to keep it that large this year.

鈥淲e’re hoping to keep with it, because we also want to hold on to our title as the third largest marathon in the United States,鈥� said Amber Traunero, marketing manager for the Marine Corps Marathon.

鈥淩egistration is never a guarantee 鈥� we will sell out. I know in my heart of hearts, we will. Last year it took us about a month,鈥� Traunero said.

A few new additions will be coming to this year鈥檚 race, including possible corral starts, rather than every racer starting at the same time.

鈥淪eparating them by a couple of minutes. That way it’s a little bit more of a staggered approach versus everybody going out all at one time,鈥� she said.

The race expo this year will also change venues, moving to the National Building Museum.

鈥淲e鈥檙e actually going to do it across four days instead of two,” Traunero said. “That way we can accommodate everybody, especially the size of race we are. We want to make sure that everybody has a chance to get in.鈥�

She said the course attracts folks running their first 26.2-mile race and keeps veteran runners coming back.

鈥淭he People鈥檚 Marathon鈥� is often a choice for first-time runners because of its relatively flat course, iconic views of D.C. and Northern Virginia landmarks as well as the Marines who cheer along the way.

鈥淵ou have 26 miles where these are your very best friends in the whole wide world that are going to be there for you, no matter what, to give you water, your food and your medal at the end of the day,鈥� Traunero said.

The 51st Marine Corps Marathon will be held Oct. 25. .

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