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Word on the Hill: What to Do This Weekend

A birthday wish from the floor

Cherry blossoms on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Cherry blossoms on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Happy Friday! 

There are a few ways this weekend to celebrate the new month and the beginning of spring, and the end of what felt like a very long winter.

Cherry Blossom Wine and Beer Festival: The annual celebration takes place at Yards Park on both Saturday and Sunday. There will be more than 100 different beers and wines, local food, live entertainment, and games. Check out a Groupon to buy your ticket.

Tasting menu: Chic Downtown restaurant, The Oval Room (800 Connecticut Ave. NW) launched a three-course tasting menu for Friday nights through the end of the summer. The menu is either $55 or $75 a person and if it’s nice outside, you can sit on the patio. Reservations can be made online.

Watch basketball: The NCAA men’s basketball Final Four games are on Saturday. Check out our bracket. The members who represent the four schools are: James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore., and David E. Price, D-N.C.

Kilmer’s grandmother turns 107

Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., gave a one-minute floor speech on Thursday to wish his grandmother a happy 107th birthday, which is today. “Just imagine what she’s seen,” Kilmer said. Watch the speech here.

HOH’s weekly video

Four former members of the U.S. gymnastics team testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to share their stories of being sexually abused by the U.S. team doctor. The testimony was part of the legislative push for a bipartisan anti-sex abuse bill, which was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. The bill would require amateur athletics governing bodies to immediately report sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement. See the video for more from the senators and gymnasts and read HOH’s coverage.

Happy Birthday to …

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, 73.

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., 77.

Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., 54.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., 65.

Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-Mass., 62.

Sunday

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, 62.

What’s going on?

Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.com.

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