Miscellaneous
Going local
The second installment of our five-part gift guide focuses on D.C.-area shops

Editorās note: This is the second of a five-part series on holiday gift giving. Next week: the seasonās best in books, DVDs and other media.
Buying online is fast and convenient but nothing says holiday shopping like hitting up local stores, having the item instantly in your hands and enjoying the sights and sounds of Washingtonās streets as you patronize local businesses. Here are a few good places to get you started.
CB2 (3307 M St., N.W.)
These holiday-themed appetizer plates will be a cute addition to any party and at only $2.95 each, they can be used as stocking stuffers or gift favors. There are even three non-holiday designs.
This large snow globe features a model of the Neville house, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, a ’50s style fireplace and more for $29.95.
For those old school music lovers, this $399, bright red, “pro-ject” turntable just might be the perfect gift. It plays LPs and 45s with true analog audio and features a USB connection to digitize all that vinyl.
Hill’s Kitchen (713 D St., S.E.)
Visitors and D.C. natives alike will enjoy these cookie cutters. The Washington Monument and Capitol cutters, $3.25 each, are custom made with stainless steel for the store. There’s also a D.C. cookie cutter for $1.75 and all the states, except Hawaii.
These pepper mills and salt shakers come in an array of colors, designs and sizes, like the small pawn shakers and the taller, 10-inch vase mill. They range from $29.95 to $79.95.
Miss Pixie’s (1626 14th St., N.W.)
Need more ornaments for the tree? These pieces, ranging from $1 to $5, come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Collected from auctions and other sources, some of these ornaments are antiques and some are new.
These nutcrackers just might be what’s needed to finish decorating the mantle, table or any other surface and with prices ranging from $8 to $55, there’s a good chance of finding the perfect one.
Stem (1412 U St., N.W.)
For the fashion-forward men and women on your list, donāt miss Stem, which features handmade collections of accessories and leather goods, like this sturdy and stylish leather bag.
Home Rule (1807 14th St., N.W.)
A solar-powered lantern, Dreamlights looks like fireflies in a jar. The LED lights can be set to come on at night or with a shake. At $29.95, this could be a great gift for a kid afraid of the dark or mood lighting on a date.
These coasters, with Middle Eastern-inspired designs, come in sets of two for $14.99 and six for $34.99.
Looking for a gift for the chef? These $20 onion goggles protect eyes from the vapors that case irritation and tears while chopping.
Pulp (1803 14th St., N.W.)
Want to spread a little Pride this holiday season? Try decorating the tree with these rainbow ornaments that come in a set of six for $12.95.
There’s also this rainbow disco ball for $5.99 that can be hung on the tree, rearview mirror or just about anywhere.
Need something to help get through time with the in-law? This D.C. flask for $14.95 is a great way to get that little bit of liquid courage.
Trohv (232 Carroll St., N.W.)
You could easily do all your holiday shopping in Takoma Park and one of the best places to start is Trohv. Itās filled with great gift ideas, from home accessories to furniture to kids toys, like these unique stuffed Blabla dolls knitted by Peruvian artisans.
American Plant (5258 and 7405 River Rd., Bethesda; 10106 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Va.)
From orchids and custom arrangements to pots and garden furniture, American Plantās three area locations offer great gift ideas for the gardener in your life. Youāll also find cut trees, garland and poinsettias to deck your own halls with maximum style.

When Lizzo sings “If I’m shinin,’ everybody gonna shine,ā in her hit song, “Juice,” she means it. Proof of that came this week on Instagram when the LGBTQ ally announced the first winner of her annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign is the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, a national nonprofit based in Richmond, Calif., dedicated to the protection and defense of Black transgender people.
And she did so in song: āOn the first day of Juneteenth, Lizzo gave to me,ā she sang in her video, posted Tuesday, as she revealed her $50,000 gift to MPJI.
āThatās right, we know who Marsha P. Johnson is. We know what Marsha P. Johnson has done for the LGBTQ, emphasis on that āT,ā Q community,ā said Lizzo to her 13.5 million followers. āThank you so much to the people at the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. You deserve this, and I hope this helps you so much as you help protect our Black trans family.ā
āWhat the Marsha P. Johnson Institute does is protects and defends the rights of Black transgender people. They do this by organizing community, advocating for the people, and creating an intentional healing community, developing transformative leadership and promoting collective power,ā she said.
āWe are overjoyed for the shoutout from Lizzo today, the generosity of her sharing her platform and the recognition of MPJI and its work,ā said Elle Moxley, MPJIās executive director. āThe resources from this campaign will ensure the protection and defense of Black transgender people continue at a time where it is so vitally needed. We are so grateful for the support of Lizzo and her fans.ā
As one of Time Magazineās Persons of the Year for 2019 and a 2023 Grammy winner, Lizzo is more than a pop star but an inspiration to millions of fans for her body-positive attitude, her self-confidence on stage and in her videos, her empowering music and her activism. Sheās also the founder of her own clothing line, Yitty. In 2021, she made headlines when she publicly corrected a paparazzo for using āshe/herā pronouns and misgendering Demi Levato.
As part of her campaign, now in its 4th year, Lizzo recognizes Black-led grassroots organizations and businesses and encourages her fans to join her in supporting each of the five organizations she highlights this week. Fans who take action by donating are entered into a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to see her perform at Fuji Rock in Japan later this year.
This weekās other nonprofits receiving gifts are: Black Girls Smile, Sphinx Music, the University of Houston and Save Our Sisters United.
Find out more about Lizzoās 4th annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign by clicking here.
Celebrity News
Anne Heche dies after removal from life support
Actress dated Ellen DeGeneres in late 1990s

Actress Anne Heche died after she was removed from life support on Sunday, nearly two weeks after her Mini-Cooper crashed through a two-story house in Los Angelesā Mar Vista neighborhood. Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department believe she was intoxicated at the time.
She sustained a severe anoxic brain injury along with severe burns and was being treated at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital, near Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley.
The 53-year-old actress who was a star of films likeĀ “Donnie Brasco,” the political satireĀ “Wag the Dog”Ā and the 1998 remake ofĀ “Psycho,” had been declared legally dead under California law on Friday, however, her family kept her alive long enough to be an organ donor.
In a statement Friday, the LAPD announced that: āAs of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case. Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case. When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.ā LAPD detectives had previously made public that investigators into the crash found narcotics in a blood sample taken from Heche.
The actress’s family released a statement on Friday:
“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact,” the statement added.
Heche was married to camera operator Coleman Laffoon from 2001 to 2009. The two had a son, Homer, together. She had another son, named Atlas, during a relationship with actor James Tupper, her co-star on the TV series āMen In Trees.ā
Laffoon left a moving tribute on an Instagram reel in which he also gave an update on how their 20-year-old son Homer Laffoon is coping with the loss of his mother.
“I loved her and I miss her, and I’m always going to,” he said adding: “Homer is okay. He’s grieving, of course, and it’s rough. It’s really rough, as probably anybody can imagine. But he’s surrounded by family and he’s strong, and he’s gonna be okay.”
“Rest In Peace, Mom, I love you, Homer,ā the actor’s 20-year-old son, Homer, said in a statement after Heche was declared legally dead on Friday.ā My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom,ā read the statement. āAfter six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom. Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me. I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.ā
Tupper, a Canadian actor who starred alongside Heche in “Men in Trees,” had a 13-year-old son,Ā Atlas, withĀ her. “Love you forever,” Tupper, 57, wrote on his Instagram post’s caption with a broken heart emoji, which shared an image of the actress from Men in Trees.
Between 1997 and 2000, Heche was also in a relationship with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
“This is a sad day,” DeGeneres posted on Twitter. “I’m sending Anne’s children, family and friends all of my love.” The year after her break-up with the comedian, in September 2001, Heche recounted in her memoir “Call Me Crazy,ā about her lifelong struggles with mental health and a childhood of abuse.
KTLA’s entertainment reporter Sam Rubin noted that over the past two decades, Hecheās career pivoted several times. In 2017, she hosted a weekly radio show on SiriusXM with Jason Ellis called āLove and Heche.ā
In 2020, Heche made her way into the podcast world. She launched āBetter Togetherā which she cohosted alongside Heather Duffy Boylston. The show was described as a way to celebrate friendship.
She also worked in smaller films, on Broadway, and on TV shows. She recently had recurring roles on the network series āChicago P.D.,ā and āAll Riseā and was a contestant on āDancing with the Stars.ā
People magazine reported that several of Hecheās acting projects are expected to be released posthumously.
These includeĀ “Girl in Room 13,” expected to be released on Lifetime in September,Ā “What Remains,” scheduled to be released in 2023, and HBO Max TV seriesĀ “The Idol,” created by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.
In her Instagram post from earlier this year Heche stands between her sons Atlas, 13 and Homer, 20.
From KTLA:
Celebrity News
‘Star Trek’ actress Nichelle Nichols dies at 89
George Takei tweets ‘we lived long and prospered together’

She was a groundbreaking cultural icon who broke barriers in a time of societal upheaval and battling for the civil rights of Black Americans. An actress, a mother and thoroughly devoted to the legions of fans of “Star Trek,” Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek’s Lt. Nyota Uhura, has died at 89.
The announcement on her Facebook page by her son read:
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Friends, Fans, Colleagues, World
I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years.
Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.
Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.
I, and the rest of our family, would appreciate your patience and forbearance as we grieve her loss until we can recover sufficiently to speak further. Her services will be for family members and the closest of her friends and we request that her and our privacy be respected.
Live Long and Prosper,
Kyle Johnson
Nichols was born in Robbins, Ill., in 1932, according to her IMDb page. Legendary composer Duke Ellington ādiscoveredā Nichols and helped her become a singer and dancer. She later turned to acting, and joined Gene Roddenberryās āStar Trek,ā where she played Uhura from 1966 to 1969.

It was in that role of Uhura that Nichols not only broke barriers between races, most famously her onscreen kiss, the first between a Black person and a white person, with castmate William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk, but she also became a role model for young Black women and men inspiring them to seek out their own places in science, technology, and other human endeavors.
In numerous interviews over the years Nichols often recalled how the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a fan of the show and praised her role and personally encouraged her to stay with the series.
When the first series ended Nichols went on to become a spokesperson for NASA, where she āhelped recruit and inspire a new generation of fearless astronauts.āĀ She later reprised her role in several successful “Star Trek” films and continued to advocate for the advancement of Black Americans especially in the areas of science and technology.
We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible. She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars. pic.twitter.com/pmQaKDb5zw
ā NASA (@NASA) July 31, 2022
Formerly a NASA deputy administrator, Frederick Gregory, now 81,Ā told the Associated PressĀ he once saw an advertisement in which Nichols said āI want you to apply for the NASA program.ā
āShe was talking to me,ā he recounted. The U.S. Air Force pilot would apply and later become the first African American shuttle pilot.
President Joe Biden weighed in Sunday afternoon on her passing in a statement issued by the White House:
“In Nichelle Nichols, our nation has lost a trailblazer of stage and screen who redefined what is possible for Black Americans and women.
A daughter of a working-class family from Illinois, she first honed her craft as an actor and singer in Chicago before touring the country and the world performing with the likes of Duke Ellington and giving life to the words of James Baldwin.
During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, she shattered stereotypes to become the first Black woman to act in a major role on a primetime television show with her groundbreaking portrayal of Lt. Uhura in the original Star Trek. With a defining dignity and authority, she helped tell a central story that reimagined scientific pursuits and discoveries. And she continued this legacy by going on to work with NASA to empower generations of Americans from every background to reach for the stars and beyond.
Our nation is forever indebted to inspiring artists like Nichelle Nichols, who show us a future where unity, dignity, and respect are cornerstones of every society.“
Nichols son said that services will be private for family members and her closest friends.
In 2008 the actress at a news conference, coordinated by the filmmakers of the motion picture “TRU LOVED,” in honor of the more than 900 students at Los Angeles’ Miguel Contreras Learning Complex’s School of Social Justice who participated in the GLSEN Day of Silence.
Nichelle Nichols speaks on LGBTQ rights:
Her fellow castmate and life long friend, openly Out actor George Takei shared his sadness on hearing of Nichols’ passing on Twitter:
We lived long and prospered together. pic.twitter.com/MgLjOeZ98X
ā George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 31, 2022
From the September 2016 edition of the Smithsonian Channel: “Star Trekās decision to cast Nichelle Nichols, an African American woman, as major character on the show was an almost unheard-of move in 1966. But for black women all over the country, it redefined the notions of what was possible.”
Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols on Uhura’s Radical Impact:
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