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Washington Post
25-06-2025
- Washington Post
5 D.C.-area cities and towns to spend July Fourth
July Fourth falling on a Friday is the perfect excuse to get out of D.C. These Independence Day activities make for a fun day trip — or an overnight excursion, if you prefer. Maryland's capital centers its celebrations on the water, with an evening parade leading the way to the City Dock beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are launched over the harbor at 9:15, observed from boats, bridges and waterfront parks. Get in the patriotic spirit earlier in the day by touring four historic sites open on the Fourth, all staffed with living-history reenactors: the William Paca House and Garden, home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence; the Hogshead Trades Museum; the Waterfront Warehouse; and the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Or just stroll down the side streets and enjoy antiques shops and bookstores. Where to eat and drink: Cross Spa Creek to Eastport for oysters and rum drinks at Boatyard Bar and Grill, a favorite of local sailors, or the neighborhood favorite Davis' Pub, where crab cakes and steamed shrimp are the stars. For something fancier, try the farm-to-table Preserve on Main Street. Side quest: Craving a taste of the beach? Family-friendly Sandy Point State Park is fun for wading and has views of the Bay Bridge. Beverly Triton Nature Park has a more rustic 'swimming beach' on the Chesapeake Bay, but the narrow strip of sand is generally peaceful. Plan ahead: Both parks require visitors to reserve an entry pass in advance. Maryland's capital centers its celebrations on the water, with an evening parade leading the way to the City Dock beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are launched over the harbor at 9:15, observed from boats, bridges and waterfront parks. Get in the patriotic spirit earlier in the day by touring four historic sites open on the Fourth, all staffed with living-history reenactors: the William Paca House and Garden, home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence; the Hogshead Trades Museum; the Waterfront Warehouse; and the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Or just stroll down the side streets and enjoy antiques shops and bookstores. Where to eat and drink: Cross Spa Creek to Eastport for oysters and rum drinks at Boatyard Bar and Grill, a favorite of local sailors, or the neighborhood favorite Davis' Pub, where crab cakes and steamed shrimp are the stars. For something fancier, try the farm-to-table Preserve on Main Street. Side quest: Craving a taste of the beach? Family-friendly Sandy Point State Park is fun for wading and has views of the Bay Bridge. Beverly Triton Nature Park has a more rustic 'swimming beach' on the Chesapeake Bay, but the narrow strip of sand is generally peaceful. Plan ahead: Both parks require visitors to reserve an entry pass in advance. Baltimore is probably the easiest get-out-of-town option for D.C. residents without cars, thanks to MARC commuter rail service and regular Amtrak trains heading north. (Note that you will have to take Amtrak home if you want to see the party at the Inner Harbor and you're not spending the night.) The main event is fireworks over the Inner Harbor, beginning at 9 p.m., though the party gets going around 6, with live music leading up to the show. In South Baltimore, the annual Cherry Hill Arts and Music Festival has a new attraction — a drone show, starting after the city's fireworks have ended — to go with a full day of music, art displays, hands-on art activities and family fun. Where to eat and drink: Baltimore has every cuisine you could want, but on July Fourth, just go for crabs. Try the legendary crab cakes from Faidley's at Lexington Market or the homey version at Koco's Pub, endorsed by Mayor Brandon Scott (D). If you prefer to pick your own crabs, head for L.P. Steamers in Locust Point and hope there's room on the rooftop deck. Side quest: Baltimore museums get in on the fun, too. The B&O Railroad Museum, a destination for train lovers young and old, is the site of the Star Spangled Bash, which features splash pads, lawn games and a red, white and blue tie-dye station and is included with museum admission. Baltimore is probably the easiest get-out-of-town option for D.C. residents without cars, thanks to MARC commuter rail service and regular Amtrak trains heading north. (Note that you will have to take Amtrak home if you want to see the party at the Inner Harbor and you're not spending the night.) The main event is fireworks over the Inner Harbor, beginning at 9 p.m., though the party gets going around 6, with live music leading up to the show. In South Baltimore, the annual Cherry Hill Arts and Music Festival has a new attraction — a drone show, starting after the city's fireworks have ended — to go with a full day of music, art displays, hands-on art activities and family fun. Where to eat and drink: Baltimore has every cuisine you could want, but on July Fourth, just go for crabs. Try the legendary crab cakes from Faidley's at Lexington Market or the homey version at Koco's Pub, endorsed by Mayor Brandon Scott (D). If you prefer to pick your own crabs, head for L.P. Steamers in Locust Point and hope there's room on the rooftop deck. Side quest: Baltimore museums get in on the fun, too. The B&O Railroad Museum, a destination for train lovers young and old, is the site of the Star Spangled Bash, which features splash pads, lawn games and a red, white and blue tie-dye station and is included with museum admission. The day-long Frederick's 4th party takes over downtown Baker Park, with multiple stages of entertainment; gardens featuring local craft beer, wine and spirits; a children's area with rides and inflatable games; cornhole and pickleball tournaments; food and drink stands; and, at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, Colonial games and food. Gates open at noon, and fireworks are launched at dusk. The park, which spans both sides of Carroll Creek, is steps from the boutiques and antiques stores in the heart of Frederick. Where to eat and drink: Wye Oak Tavern, the newest restaurant from hometown chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, 'might be their best restaurant yet,' says Post critic Tom Sietsema, with pot roast and beet salad among the dishes earning raves. (Psst: Get there between 4 and 6 p.m. for 'social hour' with $10 cocktails and small bites.) A few blocks from the park, White Rabbit Gastropub pairs a selection of top regional craft beers with some of the best Detroit-style pizzas in the area. Side quest: Need a new beach read? You'll find one or several on the seemingly endless shelves of Wonder Book, which boasts that it's the largest bookstore on the East Coast, with more than a million books, comic books, CDs and DVDs in stock to browse. The day-long Frederick's 4th party takes over downtown Baker Park, with multiple stages of entertainment; gardens featuring local craft beer, wine and spirits; a children's area with rides and inflatable games; cornhole and pickleball tournaments; food and drink stands; and, at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, Colonial games and food. Gates open at noon, and fireworks are launched at dusk. The park, which spans both sides of Carroll Creek, is steps from the boutiques and antiques stores in the heart of Frederick. Where to eat and drink: Wye Oak Tavern, the newest restaurant from hometown chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, 'might be their best restaurant yet,' says Post critic Tom Sietsema, with pot roast and beet salad among the dishes earning raves. (Psst: Get there between 4 and 6 p.m. for 'social hour' with $10 cocktails and small bites.) A few blocks from the park, White Rabbit Gastropub pairs a selection of top regional craft beers with some of the best Detroit-style pizzas in the area. Side quest: Need a new beach read? You'll find one or several on the seemingly endless shelves of Wonder Book, which boasts that it's the largest bookstore on the East Coast, with more than a million books, comic books, CDs and DVDs in stock to browse. Baseball fans suffering through disappointing seasons from the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles might be able to find hope in the future, as their Class A minor league teams, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Delmarva Shorebirds, face off at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 5:05 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game. During the day, the city's Fourth in Fredericksburg Festival brings live music, an arts and crafts show, and children's activities to Riverfront Park. Where to eat and drink: Since 1947, Carl's has been serving frozen custard, shakes and sundaes from a neon-lit stand, which is now a Virginia landmark. Custard still comes in three flavors — chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. Side quest: No spirit is more American than bourbon, and Fredericksburg is home to the award-winning A. Smith Bowman distillery, the oldest in Virginia. Tours are free and followed by a guided tasting of various whiskeys. Reservations are recommended. Baseball fans suffering through disappointing seasons from the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles might be able to find hope in the future, as their Class A minor league teams, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Delmarva Shorebirds, face off at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 5:05 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game. During the day, the city's Fourth in Fredericksburg Festival brings live music, an arts and crafts show, and children's activities to Riverfront Park. Where to eat and drink: Since 1947, Carl's has been serving frozen custard, shakes and sundaes from a neon-lit stand, which is now a Virginia landmark. Custard still comes in three flavors — chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. Side quest: No spirit is more American than bourbon, and Fredericksburg is home to the award-winning A. Smith Bowman distillery, the oldest in Virginia. Tours are free and followed by a guided tasting of various whiskeys. Reservations are recommended. Great Meadow is known as the home of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup steeplechase races, but on July Fourth, the only horses on the field are the ones offering pony rides for kids. The annual Big Boom party, which peaks with a huge fireworks display at 9 p.m., marks 40 years of Great Meadow with activities including lawn games and a rock climbing wall, a marketplace with local vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music and DJs, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and a flyover by the Flying Circus Airshow. Car passes are $60 to $120, with more expensive options for tailgating spaces and buses. Where to eat and drink: Guests are welcome to bring their own provisions for tailgating, but organizers say there will be more than 20 vendors selling food and drinks, as well as the beer and wine garden. Side quest: Take your route through Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country, where the streets are lined with boutiques, antiques shops and galleries, catering to visitors seeking French housewares or Christmas gifts as well as supplies for the equestrian set. Stop into the Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery for ciders made with Virginia apples and small-batch spirits, including absinthe and apple brandy, in the barnlike tasting room, or try an award-winning IPA at Lost Barrel Brewing, a brewery located on a horse farm. Live music is featured on its patio over the July Fourth weekend. Great Meadow is known as the home of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup steeplechase races, but on July Fourth, the only horses on the field are the ones offering pony rides for kids. The annual Big Boom party, which peaks with a huge fireworks display at 9 p.m., marks 40 years of Great Meadow with activities including lawn games and a rock climbing wall, a marketplace with local vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music and DJs, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and a flyover by the Flying Circus Airshow. Car passes are $60 to $120, with more expensive options for tailgating spaces and buses. Where to eat and drink: Guests are welcome to bring their own provisions for tailgating, but organizers say there will be more than 20 vendors selling food and drinks, as well as the beer and wine garden. Side quest: Take your route through Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country, where the streets are lined with boutiques, antiques shops and galleries, catering to visitors seeking French housewares or Christmas gifts as well as supplies for the equestrian set. Stop into the Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery for ciders made with Virginia apples and small-batch spirits, including absinthe and apple brandy, in the barnlike tasting room, or try an award-winning IPA at Lost Barrel Brewing, a brewery located on a horse farm. Live music is featured on its patio over the July Fourth weekend.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NEWS OF THE WEEK: Blake Lively accused of creating 'insane, toxic' workplace
Six former employees of the actress and entrepreneur claim she ran a "chaotic" business when her now-defunct online store Preserve was in existence. "The entire company was an absolute disaster. The workplace allegations that Blake is making now are deeply ironic, given that it was one of the most insane, toxic, emotionally draining and disorganised environments you could imagine.". Blake is currently embroiled in a protracted legal scuffle with her former It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, over mutually alleged workplace infractions on the set of the 2024 movie.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blake Lively accused of creating ‘insane, toxic, emotionally draining' workplace at now-defunct lifestyle brand: report
Six former staffers at Blake Lively's defunct lifestyle company, Preserve, are breaking their silence on the alleged 'toxic, 'unprofessional' and 'chaotic' workplace they experienced. 'The entire company was an absolute disaster,' one staffer claimed to the Daily Mail in a bombshell exposé published Monday. 'The workplace allegations that Blake is making now [against Justin Baldoni] are deeply ironic, given that it was one of the most insane, toxic, emotionally draining and disorganized environments you could imagine.' Lively, now 37, launched Preserve, an online shop that sold artisanal home goods, in 2014, but it shuttered within a year. 'The impression [Lively] left on me after I worked at Preserve is that she doesn't care,' a second ex-employee shared. 'It was a really toxic work environment.' One staffer recalled a time when the 'It Ends With Us' actress was set to host a photo shoot for the brand at her Westchester County, NY, mansion, but when Preserve staffers and a model arrived, she allegedly came out of her house 'looking like an absolute mess.' Lively's brother Eric Lively, who was reportedly hired to be the creative director of the company, was allegedly also careless with his role and often 'overslept,' leaving many staffers to wait outside in the cold before they were let into the Manhattan studio apartment where the company was based. Former staffers also claimed they had to sit on the floor of the studio for 'months' before furniture arrived. '[Eric] was completely unqualified to run a company,' an ex-employee alleged to the Daily Mail. 'There were a lot of ways in which the employment was unprofessional.' 'For many weeks or months, there were no desks,' the source further claimed. 'The irony of it being a lifestyle site that was selling these really expensive wares was not lost on anyone.' One former staffer described Eric as an 'actor' who was 'acting the part of creative director.' The former employees further alleged that they would often have to work 'a crazy amount' of hours. Two staff members claimed they were unable to afford subway fares when they were not paid on time. According to the report, some staffers allegedly received settlements of up to $300,000 after threatening legal action over their mistreatment. However, all of the company's inner turmoil stayed under wraps due to Blake's longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, per the former staffers. 'Leslie Sloane shut it down,' one worker claimed. 'They buried every single thing from that company.' In an interview with Entrepreneur in 2023, Blake owned up to mistakes she made with Preserve. 'I poured everything I had into that company,' she told the outlet, according to E! News, but noted 'behind-the-scenes stuff that we just couldn't figure out.' The 'Gossip Girl' alum did not go into great detail at the time about some of the issues her company faced. Page Six has reached out to Blake's rep for comment on the former Preserve employees' allegations but did not immediately hear back. We also did not hear back from Eric. The exposé comes as the 'Age of Adeline' star is embroiled in a serious legal battle with Baldoni, 41, whom she has sued for sexual harassment, launching a smear campaign and several other claims. The actor-director has denied wrongdoing and countersued Blake, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and Sloane, their publicist, for extortion, defamation and other claims. They are set to go to trial in March 2026.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ryan Reynolds secretly ran Blake Lively's failed brand ‘like a tyrant' amid toxic workplace allegations: Reports
New claims have emerged suggesting that 'Deadpool' actor Ryan Reynolds may have been the real force behind his wife 's failed lifestyle venture, Preserve and the portrait painted by former employees isn't pretty. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While Lively launched the site in 2014 with the ambition of taking on wellness giants like Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, the brand shuttered within a year. Now, a behind-the-scenes expose shared by Radar Online suggests the collapse may have been driven by what staffers describe as a toxic, chaotic work environment led by none other than Reynolds himself. Ryan reportedly controlled decisions behind the scenes Despite never holding an official title at Preserve, sources told Rob Shuter via his Substack that Reynolds often acted as the creative and financial lead without being listed on any org chart. One former team member said, 'He was everywhere, acting like the CEO, creative director and CFO all rolled into one. And disagreeing with him wasn't an option.' Insiders claim Reynolds regularly belittled staff, rewrote their work and would vanish for days before returning to blame others for missed deadlines. 'He mocked people, tore apart their ideas and made sure only his circle got paid on time,' one employee shared. Blake's role reportedly minimal as brand struggled to survive Meanwhile, Lively who is known for her role in 'Gossip Girl' and 'A Simple Favor' was described as mostly absent. 'Blake barely showed up,' one former staffer claimed. 'And when Ryan did, it was worse.' The hiring of Blake's brother Eric Lively as creative director allegedly pushed by Reynolds was also slammed. 'Eric was in over his head,' one employee said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'He had no experience and didn't know how to run a company.' Basic work conditions were reportedly poor. Some employees described having to sit on the floor due to a lack of desks, despite the site's focus on selling high-end lifestyle products. Controversy escalates amid ongoing lawsuit drama Adding to the controversy, some insiders found it 'deeply ironic' that Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against 'It Ends With Us' co-star Justin Baldoni in December 2024, alleging inappropriate behavior on set, given the chaotic and allegedly abusive environment at her own company. Baldoni has since fired back with a staggering $400 million countersuit against both Lively and Reynolds. According to RadarOnline, Taylor Swift's name also became entangled in the legal battle before Baldoni's team eventually withdrew their subpoenas targeting the pop icon. On May 22 Lively's spokesperson confirmed that Swift and her legal team were no longer involved, stating they were 'pleased' the subpoenas were withdrawn. With a legal showdown set for March 2026, what began as a failed lifestyle brand has unraveled into a full-blown Hollywood scandal. Neither Lively nor Reynolds has commented publicly on the accusations surrounding 'Preserve' but the fallout from both the brand's collapse and the lawsuits is far from over.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tone deaf Ryan Reynolds pimps out Blake Lively's HAIRCARE range as shocking allegations emerge about her lifestyle company
Ryan Reynolds has shamelessly promoted his wife Blake Lively 's latest business venture after shocking allegations emerged about treatment of staff at her lifestyle brand. The Deadpool star, 48, promoted Lively's, 37, haircare brand, Blake Brown, in an Instagram Story on Tuesday - just hours after Daily Mail revealed staff are claiming she ran 'toxic and insane' workplace and her failed lifestyle brand 'Preserve'. Preserve was established in 2014 and was meant to be Blake's answer to Gwyneth Paltrow 's 'Goop' but it failed after a year. The actor re-shared a post of the Gossip Girl star — who has been making headlines for her ugly lawsuit with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, 41 — advertising her latest hair and body mist product. The three news mists — Wild Nectar Santal, Bergamot Woods and Sandalwood Vanille — retail from $23 to $26 on Target. Sharing a link to the products, Reynolds wrote, 'Body mist, you say?' Blake announced the launch on Monday, writing on her Instagram, ' Blake Brown Beauty just launched Hair & Body Mist. Not because it was our original plan. But because of YOU.' 'Because our community embraced our scents with such enthusiasm, support and passion. You asked for a standalone fragrance. We listened. ✨✨' She went on, 'As overly romantic as it sounds, to me scent has always been a means of transportation. It can bring you back to a place, time, or person. It can offer a momentary escape, or boost of joy and vibrance when you're not feeling your best.' 'Whether it's the smell of your mom cooking your favorite meal from childhood, or the scent of your most beloved person — fragrance is emotional, distinct, it holds stories and memories that have happened and ones yet to come.' 'The significance of scent in all our stories is why we @blakebrownbeauty put so much care into the nuanced and stunning fragrances in our hair products. We planned to stop there.' She continued: 'But are so grateful to you for authoring our new favorite product - our Hair & Body Mists. Now a staple in all our (and our family's) purses and backpacks. So cheers to you.' 'We hope you enjoy as much as we do. We hope you layer them up and make them your own. But mostly, we hope they bring you joy and memories. I know, cringe, but we mean it. ♥️' Lively launched her haircare brand in July 2024 to create 'clean formulas with incredible performance at a mass price point with a fragrance that I would spray on my body.' In a recent interview with People, Lively also shared what her plans are now that she has had a busy spring. 'Just some time off sounds so nice with my babies and my husband,' she said. Blake has been married to Reynolds since 2012 and they have four children together: daughters James, Inez and Betty, and son Olin. 'I mean it's always busy, but when the kids are in school, I miss them,' said the looker. 'I'm that parent who just genuinely really loves spending time with my kids. My husband too, we're like, 'I wonder if they can miss school today so we can spend time with them.' 'We just really like them. Which is important. If you have so many kids, you have to like them. Because they will drive you insane if you don't [laughs],' she said. Blake also addressed how she keeps an eye on her haircare line, her beverage lines, - Betty Buzz and Betty Booze - and her acting projects all at once. 'It's just about being really passionate. I think you have to really love them,' she shared. 'You have to be possessed by them. If you're just putting your name on something, I guess that's probably easy, but it wouldn't feel good to me. 'That's just not the person I am. Maybe if I was a different star sign that that would work, but Virgos, we can't. No, no, no. We love the details. We love the experience. 'So I think that the things that I'm involved in are things that I'm truly passionate about. I used to have a bracelet when I was a kid that said, 'Do what you love, love what you do.' And I think that's it, do what you love and love what you do.' The Gossip Girl alum has been embroiled in a bitter and extremely public feud with former costar Justin Baldoni for months, after she filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment She talked to People about her three new hair and body mists and how this launch was not initially in her plans. 'It was actually not something we intended to do. This was a response to our community going, 'Please make fragrance.' I was like, 'It's there, it's already in the product.' They were like, 'No, I want to be able to refresh after the gym or throughout the day,'' she said. 'People don't bring their leave-in with them or their dry shampoo, so they just wanted to have that hair and body mist, which I understand. I mean, I'm the person that will just spray dry shampoo in the air and walk through it just because it smells so good. You're probably not supposed to do that, but I just love the smell.' The new launch comes amid her ongoing legal battle with Baldoni. It began after she filed a lawsuit against him in December, accusing him of sexual harassment and creating a 'hostile work environment on set.' Justin retaliated with his own $400 million filing against the actress, along with her husband, with the brutal melee now scheduled for a trial on March 29, 2026. All parties have denied the claims. Meanwhile Ryan's ex-wife Scarlett Johansson recently broke her silence on the legal drama. Baldoni's production company Wayfarer Studios is co-financing Scarlett's directorial debut Eleanor The Great. Johansson, 40, who was married to Reynolds from 2008 to 2011, officially released the film at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20. Johansson was asked about Baldoni during an interview with Vanity Fair, who noted she let 'out a loud, knowing laugh' at the mention of the Jane The Virgin star - a 'standard reaction' in light of 'how public the feud has become', the publication wrote. The Her actress has not yet met Baldoni as he was engrossed in the production of It Ends With Us, however she noted his company was 'super supportive' throughout the making of her movie. 'They were super supportive throughout the process,' Johansson told the magazine. 'But yeah, such weird timing.'
