Arts & Entertainment
Fast and fuel-friendly
Sometimes eco green is worth a little more wallet green
Lexus ES 300h
Finally, fuel-sippers can be fun, fast and fashionable cars. For a price.
Sure, hybrids cost much less now. And diesels offer plenty of bang for the buck, saving lots of pennies at the pump.
But luxury is still luxury. And sometimes being green is worth a bit of extra green — from your wallet, that is.
Lexus ES 300h
$40,000
Mpg: 40 city/39 highway
0-to-60 mph: 8.1 seconds
Cargo space: 15.2 cubic feet
No longer a gussied-up Camry, the ES is as large as Toyota’s flagship Avalon. That’s a good thing, because cargo room here is only average (thanks to the battery pack in the trunk). Yet this hybrid is only $3,000 more than the traditional gas model, and that won’t be hard to recoup if gas prices keep inching up. A “sport” mode adds zing to the plush ride and handling, eliminating any land-yacht feel (though you definitely won’t confuse this with a taut BMW). There are plenty of spiffy high-tech features, as well: lane-departure warning system, adaptive cruise control with pre-collision alert and blind-spot warning system with rear-traffic alert. Along with the iPod/USB interface, there’s also iTunes tagging. As one of the few hybrid sport sedans on the market, the ES is a good overall package, mixing fuel economy, reliability and luxe features with a very affordable price.
VW Touareg Hybrid
VW Touareg Hybrid
$62,000
Mpg: 20 city/24 highway
0-to-60 mph: 5.8 seconds
Cargo space: 64 cubic feet
The ill-fated Phaeton was VW’s dismal attempt to out-luxe the high-end automakers. Lately, the automaker has been blasted for going too far the other way, with too little content in its base models (to make them more affordable and increase market share). Yet VW’s sweet spot has always been the ability to churn out mid-priced, full-featured vehicles. Most have been fuel-efficient, especially the TDI diesels. And now VW is offering hybrids, such as the Touareg. It’s surprisingly quick, though the diesel model has more torque, gets better mileage and costs about $16,000 less. Still, the hybrid comes fully loaded, with a heated steering wheel, power liftgate, LED taillights, rear-parking sensors/camera, premium stereo and a large, eight-inch touchscreen nav system. There’s plenty of cargo space, too. And the fit and finish inside is top-notch — another reason why VWs are considered (in a very good way) the poor-man’s Audi.
Porsche Cayenne Diesel
Porsche Cayenne Diesel
$56,000
Mpg: 20 city/28 highway
0-to-60 mph: 7.4 seconds
Cargo space: 62.9 cubic feet
Why do fools fall in love? Because they test-drive a Porsche without looking at the sticker price. Sure, the base Cayenne Diesel — under $60,000! — seems like a bargain. The dark metallic paint is sparkly and stunning. And the stylish and form-fitting seats are like something out of a Bauhaus catalog — with plenty of legroom and headroom, even in back. Despite all the naysayers, this crossover accelerates, corners and brakes like a true racecar. Plus, the cabin is so soundproof and the audio system so pristine, it’s easy to feel like you’re in box seats at Lincoln Center. Even the ignition switch — located to the left of the steering wheel — is quirky-chic, not quirky-weird. But then comes reality. All those options (like heated/cooled seats, the height-adjustable chassis, even a nifty compass in the center of the dash) add another, gulp, $40,000 to the price. Expensive, yes. But for eco-conscious drivers with almost $100,000 to spare, the Cayenne Diesel is a seductive and enchanting ride.
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Friday, Feb. 20
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, Feb. 23
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam at [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, Feb. 26
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sports
US wins Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey
Team captain Hilary Knight proposed to girlfriend on Wednesday
The U.S. women’s hockey team on Thursday won a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. The game took place a day after Team USA captain Hilary Knight proposed to her girlfriend, Brittany Bowe, an Olympic speed skater.
Cayla Barnes and Alex Carpenter — Knight’s teammates — are also LGBTQ. They are among the more than 40 openly LGBTQ athletes who are competing in the games.
The Olympics will end on Sunday.
Sweat DC expands to Shaw
D.C. police arrest man for burglary at gay bar Spark Social House
Going for gold: Ford Bronco Sport vs. Toyota RAV4
How do we honor Renee Good, Alex Pretti?
Judge rescinds order against activist in Capital Pride lawsuit
LGBTQ groups question US health agreements with African countries
Trump falsely links trans people to terrorism
Fellow lawmakers praise Adam Ebbin after Va. Senate farewell address
LGBTQ activists mourn the Rev. Jesse Jackson
