Welcome to Just Outside DC — we’re like the cold brew of local news… bold, smooth, and absolutely energizing!

THE BIG IDEA

McLean’s Mars takes a bite out of Kellogg’s spinoff for $35.9 billion

Hold onto your snack bags, folks — the candy world just got a whole lot crunchier. Mars, the McLean-based company behind M&Ms, Twix, and more is acquiring Kellanova for $35.9 billion in cash. 

But wait, who's Kellanova?

If you're scratching your head, don't worry. Kellanova is the snack-focused spinoff from good ol' Kellogg's.

Remember when Kellogg's split its business last year? Kellanova got all the fun stuff. Pringles, Cheez Its, Pop Tarts, and a bunch of munchies you’ve heard of before.

So, what's the deal with this mega-merger? 

Some folks are raising eyebrows about potential anti-trust issues. After all, Mars could end up controlling nearly half of all snack and cereal bar sales in the United States.

But Kellanova's CEO Steve Cahillane isn't worried. He argues that the snack aisle is "incredibly fragmented" with tons of choices. Fair point I guess... when was the last time you could decide between just two types of chips at the store?

This deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025, so we've got some time before we see any major changes.

So, next time you're cruising down the snack aisle, take a moment to appreciate the complex corporate dance happening behind those colorful packages.

Who knows? Your favorite chips and chocolate might soon be part of one big, happy (and very wealthy) family.

Think of all the time, effort, and money you spend to make sure your lawn or garden looks the best it can.

Now, consider that your driveway or stoop takes up about half of your entire front yard. Not to mention the fact that it’s the first thing guests step foot on when they actually get to your house.

Moss. Grime. Dirt. Weeds.

These things deeply stain your concrete exteriors, making your home look unkempt. So before summer is over, refresh your home today (without the back pain, muddy hands, and soaking wet clothes you get from doing it yourself).

Bulletin Board 📌 

Reader Restaurant Recommendation: Daria recommends you guys check out Moby Dick House of Kabob 🐋 

Moby Dick is a Persian chain named after a restaurant in Tehran that was near the American Embassy during the Pahlavi dynasty. They opened the first location in Bethesda MD in 1989 and have since expanded to 24 locations across the DMV!

QUICK HITS

• Check out this time lapse video showing the construction of The Boro in Tysons. Three years of progress in less than eight minutes! 🏗️ 

• Here’s the story of Elon Musk’s right-hand-man opening a frozen yogurt shop in DC more than 15 years ago 🍦 

• Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors is planning a new $260M budget to improve roads, parks, and schools 💰️ 

• Bright MLS reported McLean as the most active real-estate market in the Mid-Atlantic 🏘️ 

LIVE MUSIC

• Boyz II Men are returning to Wolf Trap this weekend.

• Bands & Brews | the fourth annual event is back this weekend. Enjoy a summer bar crawl + live music at the best restaurants and bars in the Del Ray Community.

• Localpalooza 3 | the third annual indoor music festival is back tomorrow at the Salisbury in Manassas.

• Farm Brew Live | craft beer and food + live local music at Innovation Park in Manassas this weekend.

• Chillin’ on Church | the hottest block party in Vienna is back tonight on historic Church Street.

• Friday Night Live | the DC area’s best outdoor concert series continues tonight with a performance by Doc Marten and the Flannels on the Herndon Town Green.

• Fort Hunt Concert Series | The Hot Lanes is performing on Sunday at Fort Hunt Park.

• Battle Street Live | the outdoor music experience continues this weekend in Historic Downtown Manassas.

• Friday Night Music | artist Pete Baker is performing at the outdoor bistro at Potomac Point Winery tonight.

LIVE EVENT LOWDOWN

• Arlington County Fair | the fair continues this weekend with food vendors, entertainment and more! 🎪 

• Jerry Seinfeld is performing at Wolf Trap this Monday and Tuesday at the Filene Center 🎙️ 

• Uncorked DC | the inaugural wine festival starts tomorrow at Nat’s Park with 100+ wines and bubblies🍷 

• Alexandria Restaurant Week kicks off today with 90+ eateries around the area participating 🍽️ 

• Art Appreciation Festival | a family-friendly celebration of art with live workshops, demonstrations, art displays and more tomorrow in Annandale 🎨 

• MAMMA MIA! is playing now at the Kennedy Center in until September 👰 

• Reston Summerbration | there’s going to be an outdoor movie screening of Airbud (1997) tomorrow followed by an adoption event 🐶 

• Poetry Beneath the Stars | write poems while stargazing at the Turner Farm Observatory in Great Falls 🔭 

• Thai Street Food Fest | enjoy authentic Thai eats, music, and more at Manassas Museum this weekend 🇹🇭 

• Community Market | The Workhouse in Lorton is hosting a family-friendly shopping experience tomorrow with tons of local goods available at the historic location 🛍️ 

• Fairfax Comic Con | the convention is back this weekend in Chantilly 🦸 

• Prince William County Fair | today and tomorrow are the last two days of the fair if you haven’t been yet 🎡

•  Children’s Summer Reading Fest | the festival is back at the Chantilly Regional Library on Sunday afternoon 📚️ 

• Leesburg Kites & Crafts Fest | a high-flying Saturday with local food vendors + live entertainment at Ida Lee Park 🪁 

Thanks so much for reading today’s issue of Just Outside D.C.

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