Ahead of Eli Young Band’s sold-out 10 Years: 10,000 Towns Tour stop in Washington, D.C., the group received a trio of landmark certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) when they visited their headquarters. The country band was presented with custom plaques in recognition of their Platinum-selling album, Life At Best, as well as five-time Platinum hit single, “Crazy Girl,” and their triple-Platinum chart-topper, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”

“Keep on dreaming… is a perfect lyric for Eli Young Band,” says Mike Eli. “Since college, that is exactly what the four of us have done, and we are continuously grateful for these moments. We see the impact of our incredibly loyal fans, and these RIAA certifications are as much for them as they are for us. Thank you to our team, our road family and everyone who has supported our dreams! Now let’s find a spot in the bus to hang this new hardware…see you all on the road!” (Music Row)

WASHINGTON (7News) — Thousands of protesters plan to fill D.C.’s streets ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Congress this week with a clear demand: an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Netanyahu’s visit to Congress comes a few days after a historic United Nations court advisory opinion calling for an end to Israel’s illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories and condemning Israel’s rule over the lands it annexed 57 years ago, the Associated Press reported.

“In a historic ruling the International Court of Justice has found multiple and serious international law violations by Israel towards Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including, for the first time, finding Israel responsible for apartheid. The court has placed responsibility with all states and the United Nations to end these violations of international law. The ruling should be yet another wake up call for the United States to end its egregious policy of defending Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and prompt a thorough reassessment in other countries as well,” said Tirana Hassan, Human Rights Watch Executive Director.

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Netanyahu denounced the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, saying the territories are part of the Jewish people’s historic homeland, the Associated Press reported. His address to Congress is expected to take place on Wednesday, July 24.

Protesters plan to surround the Capitol to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The protest is expected to take place as Israel continues to intensify its bombardment in the Gaza Strip. The 8-month-old war became one of the most destructive conflicts of the 21st century, the Associated Press reported, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed. The war left many parts of the city in ruins, forcing more than 1.9 million Palestinians out of their homes.

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Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, the Metropolitan Police Department announced street closures and parking restrictions.

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. through Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.:

– Virginia Avenue, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue

– Jamal Khashoggi Way from Virginia Avenue to F Street, NW

– F Street, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street

– 27th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street

– 2600 block of I Street, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. through Friday, July 26, 2024, at 6:00 a.m.:

– Rock Creek Parkway, NW between Virginia Avenue and the Potomac River Freeway southbound

– Virginia Avenue, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue (eastbound lanes)

– Jamal Khashoggi Way (southbound lanes) between Virginia Avenue and F Street, NW

– F Street, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street

– 27th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street

– 2600 block of I Street, NW

– 27th Street ramp from northbound Potomac River Freeway

Officials said that all traffic traveling south on Rock Creek Parkway will be diverted east on I Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to the Potomac River Freeway. Westbound traffic on Virginia Avenue, NW will be able to turn north on Rock Creek Parkway. All traffic from Ohio Drive, SW will be diverted north on Potomac River Freeway.

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 5:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.:

– Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 7th and 3rd Streets

– Constitution Avenue, NW between 15th and 3rd Streets

– Independence Avenue, SW between 14th and 3rd Streets

– Maryland Avenue, SW between Independence Avenue and 3rd Street

– 3rd Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW

– 7th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

– Jefferson Drive, NW between 3rd and 7th Streets

– Madison Drive, NW between 3rd and 7th Streets

The following street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 5:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.:

– Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between Constitution Avenue and 3rd Street

Due to First Amendment activity, plan for intermittent street closures and traffic delays, officials said.

For timely traffic information, click here.

Washington, D.C. doesn’t loosen its (metaphorical) tie all too often—this much is true. And although the capital city has made major strides to shed its steak and potatoes reputation in recent years with a booming restaurant scene, new museums and galleries, and an onslaught of boutique hotels, it’s the weekend getaways from DC that are increasingly attracting attention. From plush country inns in rural towns to destination restaurants to wineries working their way up to national recognition, there’s never been a better reason to get out of town. Here’s where to go to escape the District, whether you call DC home or are looking for somewhere to visit that isn’t the National Mall.

Middleburg, Virginia

Middleburg is Washington’s answer to the Cotswolds. While just over an hour from the capital, it could not feel further away—nowhere else nearby does rolling fields, horse farms, old stone buildings, and vineyards quite as well. The picturesque town features a charming main street flush with window shopping and splurge-worthy options, like Crème de la Crème (which sells a curated selection of mostly Italian and French homewares), Middleburg Books (a compact bookstore), Highcliffe Clothier (an upmarket country outfitter), and Knead Wine (which sells wines hand-selected by a master sommelier as well as pizza). There’s also the surprisingly interesting National Sporting Library & Museum, which boasts an on-brand collection of paintings and sculptures of all things equine.

Middleburg has long been a haven for well-heeled Washingtonians and their weekend homes, with residents including Elizabeth Taylor and the Kennedys, who made Wexford, a 166-acre farm their weekend home during their White House years. (Even after the sale of the Wexford, horse-mad Jackie still made Middleburg a regular destination, staying at the historic Red Fox Inn and Tavern in the center of town.) As charming as the town itself is, the real beauty of Middleburg is its deep countryside dotted with horses, cattle, foxes, and Virginia’s growing wineries—Boxwood, Cana, and Greenhill provide an excellent introduction to the area’s viticulture and make Middleburg one of the most surprising weekend getaways from DC.

The crowning jewel of the area is Goodstone, an inn featuring guest rooms and a handful of well-appointed country homes spread across 256 very private acres of working farmland and open fields. To be a guest at Goodstone—to wander its meadows, swim in its quiet pool, and soak in a hot bath with views of rolling hills—is an experience to savor long after returning home. The excellent French-leaning, farm-to-table restaurant is the ultimate cherry on top.

Washington, Virginia

The Inn at Little Washington.

Photo: Gordon Beall / Courtesy of the Inn at Little Washington