Recently, several members of the E. F. Gilmore Disabled American Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the DAV mid-winter conference. This annual event brings close to 1,000 DAV members from across the country for a series of seminars and workshops to improve their delivery of services to veterans in their community. The highlight of the conference was the appearance of VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough, who thanked the DAV for its assistance in passing the PACT Act. He also outlined the VA’s goals for 2024 and beyond. The members of the E. F. Gilmore also heard from the Legislation Committee on upcoming legislation affecting veterans. On Monday, members of the DAV traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators. The members of the E. F. Gilmore DAV met with Congressman Seth Moulton. Moulton thanked the members for their commitment to the veterans of Swampscott and Lynn.

He also thanked them for their commitment to veterans’ mental health. The members presented Moulton the DAV Critical Goals for 2024. These goals are:

1. Correct inequities for veterans receiving compensation benefits and provide parity in benefits for survivors.
2. Ensure the faithful implementation of the PACT Act and address gaps in toxic-exposure benefits.
3. Establish equity in VA care, services, and benefits for women, LGBTQ+ and minority veterans.
4. Provide a full spectrum of long-term care options for service-disabled and aging veterans.
5. Bolster mental health resources to ensure reduction of veteran suicides.
6. Expand the VA’s capacity to deliver timely, high-quality care to veterans.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Department of Massachusetts 1st Jr. Cmdr. Andrea Gayle Bennett presented a DAV Challenge Coin to Moulton in appreciation of all he has done for the veterans of Essex County

Any Swampscott veteran or survivor needing assistance can contact E. F. Gilmore DAV Cmdr. Jeffrey Blonder at [email protected]

Yatzuri Thomas, like so many parents, knows the struggle of dining out with children. The 29-year-old author of the blog Kids Quarantine and Me, which specializes in D.C.-based travel and things-to-do lists, has three of her own: a 9-year-old daughter, a 7-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughter. Though the Northern Virginia mom doesn’t consider herself a foodie, she still appreciates a delicious meal out, which means evaluating which restaurants will best accommodate her family.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — Cinco de Mayo is coming up on Sunday — But the festivities will be happening all weekend.

Washingtonian Magazine’s Briana Thomas has a rundown of free and low-cost activities for the whole family.

7News’ Melanie Hastings spoke to Briana Thomas with Washingtonian Magazine about the events:

1. Shipgarten

“Shipgarten is located in the McLean Tysons Corner area. It’s a restaurant and bar. They throw a lot of themed events because they have outdoor and indoor spaces. And specifically for Cinco de Mayo this weekend, on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. they are going to be throwing a festival. It is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, so the entire family can enjoy this. There’s going to be three-legged races, a jalapeno eating contest. There’s going to be a yelling contest and a lot of different things that could earn you a gift card. And at the same time, there’ll be a kid friendly festival happening as well, that includes a moon bounce and appearances from the movie Encanto as well. This is totally free.”

2. Hook Hall

“You can actually go to Hook Hall, which is a bar on Georgia Avenue. And they are bringing in the professional wrestling group, Lucha Libre who’s going to be performing various matches. One, which is 21 and up only for adults. And that is going to be at 7 p.m. on Saturday. But during the day at 2 p.m., kids can also watch a wrestling match. There’s going to be live music, a mariachi band is going to perform.”

Tickets for both family-friendly and adults start around $25.

3. Bryant Street Market

“Bryant Street Market is a food hall in Northeast. And starting on Friday, you can attend a free salsa social. So if you want to practice your dance moves and your footwork, this is a good place to do it. And then on Saturday, there’s going to be a Farmers’ Market at the shop from vendors, as well as a DJ block party that’s going to take place from 3 to 10 p.m.. And then on Sunday, there’s going to be a pinata-making workshop that’s pretty fun.”

4. 12th annual Running of the Chihuahuas race

“All dog lovers and Chihuahua owners specifically, are invited to The Wharf DC for the 12th annual Running of the Chihuahuas race taking place this Saturday. I mean, this is the cutest event ever. Of course, chihuahuas are from Mexico. In fact, they are named after a Mexican city and so this is the perfect event for Cinco de Mayo. The event is free. It’s family-friendly. There’s going to be about 150 chihuahuas racing down a 60-foot race track along The Wharf from 2 to 5 p.m. They’re going to capture this on jumbo video. And the good news about this is it to help support and raise funds for the World Dog Rescue. So this is a fun event, but also for a good cause.

5. Mercado DC Street Food Festival

“The Mercado DC Street Food Festival is taking place on Sunday. The tickets are pretty affordable, they start at $15. In fact, children can enter this event for free. It’s going to be a chance to sample food from Latin restaurants, as well as salsa lessons will take place. There will be craft cocktails and mocktails as well. And there’s going to be live music from Latin bands. So it’s going to be one big party taking place actually on Cinco de Mayo. It’s actually taking place in Eastern Market inside their North Hall.”

All of these events are free or easy on the budget and happening this weekend.