Follow ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax as he explores hidden gems, local landmarks and unique stories across the D.C. area every week. New episodes of ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s “Matt About Town” segment are released each Tuesday and Thursday.

A National Zoo bird who once wanted to be a human — and even regularly attended staff meetings with her keepers for over a year — is finally spreading her wings.

In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” we’re following up one year later with one of the most beloved feathered friends in the show’s history: Parker the flamingo!

You may remember this story about Parker from June of last year, when ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp was invited to the National Zoo to meet her. At the time, keepers were worried this shy flamingo might never be able to fully acclimate to the zoo’s flock because of her social anxiety and attachment to her human friends.

That first story on Parker touched many of you on-air and online, who resonated with her struggle to fit in, socialize and find her flock (literally and metaphorically speaking).

But things have changed recently, and in this heartwarming episode, you’ll find out why keepers now have hope for Parker, and her journey into the big grown-up flamingo world! While Parker may finally be taking baby steps to be a proper flamingo at the end of the day, her story is at its core a very human one.

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow and to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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Follow ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax as he explores hidden gems, local landmarks and unique stories across the D.C. area every week. New episodes of ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s “Matt About Town” segment are released each Tuesday and Thursday.

What do Bill Clinton, Marion Barry and the Soviet Union have in common?

If your answer was two unicorn statues hidden away near Rock Creek Park, go buy a lottery ticket.

Tuesday’s episode of “Matt About Town” took ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax to Unicorn Lane (yes, that’s an actual street) in Northwest D.C. to learn more about the statues of these mythical creatures in the District.

They may be hard to find, but the history behind them is fascinating, and has several crazy connections you’d never expect.

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

If you have a story idea you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý.

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Follow ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax as he explores hidden gems, local landmarks and unique stories across the D.C. area every week. New episodes of ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s “Matt About Town” segment are released each Tuesday and Thursday.

As its new female tiger begins to settle in, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo hopes a brand-new tiger baby will arrive soon.

In Thursday’s episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax heads to the Zoo’s Great Cats wing to catch up with 235-pound Amur tiger Coba — and learn more about efforts to rehabilitate an endangered species.

The last time ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp was invited to the tiger enclosure, it was to meet 350-pound Vostok, Coba’s male counterpart, whom staff hopes will be her mate.

At that time, Coba had just arrived. Since then, the two have met (and zoo staff say progress is being made), but it’ll be a little while before they start “going steady.”

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are an endangered species. And in the zoo’s ongoing conservation mission, the effort to produce a tiger cub is one they don’t take lightly.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t also be a lot of fun!

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow and to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

If you have a story idea you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on and .

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Pirates, hidden history and spirits from beyond the grave are all converging in Old Town Alexandria this summer.

In Tuesday’s episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax heads to Alexandria, Virginia, for a new kind of tour, featuring 100% real stories of little-known swashbuckling history in one of the D.C. area’s most picturesque historic cities.

From a 100-year pirate war over oysters, to gunfights on King Street, to an insane Alexandria connection to one of history’s most notorious scalawags (Blackbeard himself!), there’s something on this tour for everyone.

Especially in a city like Alexandria, where 250 years of America were just celebrated, the stories these shores hold will delight, startle and maybe even have you looking over your shoulder on the way home.

To book tickets and learn more about the new pirate ghost tour from Alexandria Colonial Tours, .

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A brand-new Library of Congress exhibit gives you a look at the literal first draft of history ahead of America’s 250th birthday!

It’s called “The Declaration’s Promise: A Revolutionary Idea,” and ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp is diving deep into the incredibly rare historical display in Thursday’s episode of “Matt About Town!”

Featuring 121 artifacts, the exhibit aims to take a look at how the nation’s founding document is a piece of history that Americans keep coming back to — and keep striving to uphold.

The flagship item is Thomas Jefferson’s original first draft of the Declaration of Independence, with edits from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin written in the margins. The document is one of several remarkably preserved pieces.

From a handwritten copy of Abraham Lincoln’s original “Gettysburg Address,” Jefferson’s copy of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” Frederick Douglass’ stirring speech on “The Meaning of July Fourth,” a 1690 edition of John Locke’s “Two Treatises of Government,” and even the first ever newspaper printings of the Declaration in the 13 colonies — there’s no shortage of items that will give you goosebumps to witness in person.

Beyond the incredibly cool pieces displayed though, there’s a deeper message: one of freedom, equality and democracy.

“The Declaration’s Promise: A Revolutionary Idea” runs for an entire year starting Friday. Learn more about the exhibit on .

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube.

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Follow ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax as he explores hidden gems, local landmarks and unique stories across the D.C. area every week. New episodes of ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s “Matt About Town” segment are released each Tuesday and Thursday.

It’s a story of love, American icons and the birds and the bees — quite literally — and is one of the Smithsonian National Zoo’s best kept secrets!

Tuesday’s episode of “Matt About Town” focuses on the incredible tale of George Washington — just in time for America 250.

No, we’re not referring to America’s first president.

Rather, a Ross’s goose who shares his name.

George the Goose currently resides in the zoo’s bird habitat — and he’s something of a cross-species Casanova.

From an early age, George’s taste in companions was atypical of his species. He’s had four older wives in his six years on Earth, and three of them have been turkeys!

His current wife, 8-year-old standard bronze turkey Felicity, and George have been voted the zoo’s cutest couple by staff for two years running. And after spending an afternoon filming them, it’s easy to see why.

It’s a story that could only unfold at a place like the National Zoo — one you’ll probably never see anywhere else.

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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They’re two of the National Zoo’s newest fur babies. In Thursday’s episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax got a sneak peek to say hello to them before anybody else.

You can check out and meet two of the more unique creatures now on display at the zoo: the sloth bear cubs.

If you haven’t heard of a sloth bear before today, join the club. But 6-month-old twins Ozzy and Champa (along with mom Molly) will quickly melt your heart with their playfulness and elite eating abilities.

Considered a “vulnerable” species, sloth bears have a very high birth mortality rate. But these two babies (and mom) have made it through a closely monitored growing period.

The zoo said they hope to keep this family thriving for decades to come. In the next week or so, you could be among the first to see their first steps outside.

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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In Tuesday’s episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax (and D.C. explorer and friend of the show Austin Graff) visited the Albert Einstein Memorial, a massive 7-ton bronze sculpture overlooking Constitution Avenue, just down the block from the Lincoln Memorial.

If you didn’t know about the Einstein statue, you might also be unfamiliar with the building it sits in front of — the National Academy of Sciences. The statue was placed there for a reason.

Established in the 1860s during the Civil War, the National Academy of Sciences is one of the nation’s oldest scientific institutions.

In Tuesday’s episode, Kaufax explores what makes it a hidden gem in the nation’s capital — and how the Einstein’s statue and the building connect.

The National Academy of Sciences offers tours by appointment only. .

Austin Graff’s book, “111 Places for Kids in Washington That You Must Not Miss,” is available .

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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Imagine being able to reach out and touch the stars without ever lifting off from the ground.

A new immersive, 3D virtual reality experience from the Smithsonian offers guests a window into the cosmos — the first of its kind in D.C.

In Thursday’s episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax gets “Starstruck!”

The 5,000-square-foot Penn Quarter attraction is a collaboration between events company Fever and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. It was built from actual scientific data, with designers consulting real-life astrophysicists to conceptualize the dimensions of the known universe.

Whether you’re standing on the surface of the sun, encountering the event horizon of a black hole, or being whisked away to take in the Pillars of Creation, the sheer scale of this attraction will make guests feel like they’re floating, and give a sense of wonder that emphasizes just how vast the universe is.

Strap on a headset and check it out for yourself!

Details on the experience can be found on

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

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Have you ever seen a mini donkey participate in its own doctor’s checkup?

That’s a sentence we never thought we’d type, but now you can see just that at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo!

In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax spent the afternoon at the Zoo’s Kids Farm alongside some adorable mini donkeys, where he saw firsthand how new vet techniques and training are helping improve animal healthcare — one appointment at a time.

The coolest part? Anyone from the public can take a look and see this new “voluntary animal healthcare” up close, simply by passing through and petting some 4-legged friends.

The Zoo says it’s all part of an effort to make animal healthcare less stressful for all, and they hope this will ignite a passion for animals in some of their youngest fans!

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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It’s one of the most unique and interactive America 250 festivals you’ll find anywhere in the country this summer — right on the waterfront in historic Old Town Alexandria.

And did we mention it’s free?!?

“Sails on the Potomac” is the first gathering of fully operational, Revolutionary War-era tall ship replicas in the D.C. area since America’s Bicentennial in the 1970s. And this weekend only, you’ll get the chance to step on deck and get out on the water — with real-life colonial guides!

In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax got an exclusive tour of the Tall Ship Providence, which docks year-round at the Pier Bar in Old Town. He also got the chance to check out ships from Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania joining the party.

This three-day festival running through June 14 also happens to be at the same time as Alexandria’s 48th annual Jazz Fest. So on top of free ship tours, there will be live music, historical pop-ups, food tents and much more.

While ship tour tickets are free this weekend, reservations are encouraged if you don’t want to wait in line as a walk-in. Get more information on timed tour tickets at the

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“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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Clocking in at just under 2.5 pounds and about a foot long, the fennec foxes at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo prove that good things come in small packages.

In the latest episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax got the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes to play with these four-legged friends to learn a little more about what makes them so unique—and see how the Zoo is helping their species thrive in the wild.

It’s not a PokĂ©mon, but this tiny, furry canine (who also happens to be a kind of unofficial Zoo mascot) is one of the cutest and most dreamy species you’ll find if you venture into the Small Mammals wing of the National Zoo!

Learn more about the

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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In the latest episode of “Matt About Town,” explore the lore of the near Dupont Circle.

Built in 1890 for German immigrant Christian Heurich, the extravagant, intricate, opulent house boasts all kinds of incredible features that make it unique, that are very much on-brand, considering who lived there once upon a time.

This episode not only highlights some of the incredible architecture that transports you to a different world and makes this property stand out. It also dives into the history of the Heurich Brewing Company, which, at one point, was a household name (and the biggest nongovernmental entity) in D.C.

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow and to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

If you have a story idea, you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on and .

Check out all “Matt About Town” episodes here.

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Some call it the “Comic Con” of Loudoun County — a celebration of comics, art and much more at Lot Con in Ashburn, Virginia.

In the latest episode of “Matt About Town,” ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax visited Comic Logic Books & Artwork, the shop that hosted a mini-convention-style event championing local vendors and collectors.

From veteran comic fans to those who are merely comic curious, there’s a little something for everyone here.

Tune in to see how this event is also inspiring a new generation to take up the comic book mantle for years to come!

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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He allegedly dropped one of the most epic quotes in American history about regretting that he had “but one life to lose” for his country.

And his monument sits hidden in plain sight on Constitution Avenue between 9th and 10th streets in D.C.

In Thursday’s episode of “Matt About Town” — Part II in an America 250 miniseries where ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s Matt Kaufax explores lesser-known Revolutionary War monuments all around D.C. — we head to the Department of Justice to uncover the “forgotten” Nathan Hale statue.

The marker depicts Hale, a spy in Washington’s Continental Army, as he’s about to be executed by the British. The story of how Hale, who was only 21 when he was hanged in 1776, became a spy is a fascinating historical deep dive.

As if the record of his service to a young America wasn’t interesting enough, the story of how his statue ended up at DOJ and how, despite its central location, it has flown under the radar for years is equally compelling.

As Matt and a familiar National Park Service ranger will show you, if you go exploring and manage to find this piece of history, it’s worth an extra look!

Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM.

“Matt About Town” is now also on YouTube. Follow Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý to subscribe and get the latest episodes wherever you are!

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