What’s going on in the Ward 8 race?

Happy Halloween! We hope you're celebrating today with your favorite candy, time with trick or treating buddies, and perhaps early voting!

Over here at The 51st, we're feeling like we've got enough to be frightened of this election season. The billionaire owners of the Los Angeles Times and D.C.'s own Washington Post managed to stop the proverbial presses on the papers' presidential endorsements, a chilling moment for press freedom. Please keep supporting the journalists at The Post – we need them. But we also need new journalism models, free from corporate and shareholder control. That's why we built The 51st, and why we hope you'll become a sustaining member. We promise a billionaire will never tell us what we're allowed to publish.

Today we've got the lowdown on the Ward 8 race, the latest from the Wilson Building, and ways to extend spooky season all weekend long.

And before you scroll – we’ve been nominated for a City Cast 2024 award! We’d be honored to have your vote. Ok now on with it!

- Abigail Higgins

What’s going on in the Ward 8 race? An embattled incumbent, write-in candidates, and what to expect next year

Early voting has begun in D.C., and while many eyes are fixed on the presidential race, another election has continued to garner attention among locals. 

Trayon White Sr., the incumbent Ward 8 councilmember, is running for re-election while facing federal bribery charges. The legal controversy surrounding the councilmember has spurred several write-in candidates to vie for the seat. 

The two names officially on the Board of Elections ballot are White and Republican candidate Nate Derenge. Derenge has no realistic chance of winning in the heavily Democratic ward. As is the case across the city, the D.C. primary is often more consequential than Election Day for local offices.

The likeliest scenario is still that White handily wins his seat back. He retains support among some constituents, especially for his consistent presence at the sites of shootings and other tragedies where he provides direct support to families. There’s also been no organized groundswell of support behind any other potential candidate. 

But several write-in candidates are hoping to make things harder for him, anyway: Olivia Henderson, Khadijah Long, Michael Brown, and June Sherman have all thrown their hats in the ring as Democratic write-in candidates, while Michael Reese is competing as an independent write-in candidate. They all filed in August and early September, weeks after White’s federal indictment went public. 

While write-in candidates can run for election, their names don’t appear on the official ballot, and voters have to physically write their names on the form. 

So, what’s the latest on White’s legal woes, what are the stakes for Ward 8, and how do White’s contenders fit in?

How to vote in D.C.

It’s been a … tiring few months. After expending some effort deciding who you’re voting for, you may have found yourself without sufficient energy to figure out how to vote. Well, we’re here to save you from frantically googling “Where is my polling place D.C.?” on Nov. 5. 

See below for an FAQ that answers all your logistical questions about how to cast your ballot in the District by next Tuesday.

How do I know if I’m registered to vote?
The D.C. Board of Elections makes it easy: You can check your voter registration status directly on their website. In addition to your name and date of birth, you’ll need either the last four digits of your SSN, the last 4 digits of your DMV-issued ID number, or your full voter ID number. If you have none of those things, call the DCBOE at 202-727-2525.

Ok, I’m not registered. How do I register?
D.C. allows you to register online and by mail, but the deadline for both was Oct. 15. You can still register to vote in person at any voting center in the city until Election Day, but you’ll have to bring proof of D.C. residency. A list of acceptable forms of proof can be found here, and includes a D.C. ID, a utility bill, a lease, or a pay stub.

A list of early vote centers can be found here, and they’re open from 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. from Oct. 28 through Nov. 3.

A list of Election Day vote centers can be found here, and they’re open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.

When you register in person, you’ll be asked to complete a Registration Update Form and then given a ballot. You should get your voter registration card in the mail within six to eight weeks.

Wilson Building Bulletin: Protest restrictions, (over)riding for Circulator drivers, psychiatric facility oversight

Welcome back to another busy week of local legislating in the capital of our democracy, where the right to free speech is celebrated, championed, and uplifted — so long as that speech is happening at a reasonable volume, and not at an hour when people are sleeping. 

New protest rules
In Tuesday’s legislative meeting, the council voted 9-2 on a piece of emergency legislation restricting how protesters can assemble in residential areas — a move widely decried by local activist groups, some of whom gathered outside the Wilson Building with megaphones and cardboard headstones mourning the First Amendment as the vote passed.

(Over)riding for Circulator drivers
You may remember that earlier this fall, the council passed emergency legislation funneling the sale of Circulator assets to drivers out of work after the service’s untimely demise.

Introduced by Allen, the bill would use the money for severance, wages, bonus pay, and workforce development for laid-off Circulator workers. Well … Bowser vetoed that bill, and the council voted to override her veto on Tuesday. 

Ask A D.C. Native: What do you wish more people did to be better neighbors?

As a third-generation D.C. native, I’ve seen the city evolve, holding on through the ebbs and flows while maintaining deep and personal connections. For many of us natives, the familiar sights and sounds that colored our childhood experiences — candy ladies, local shops, block parties, stoop conversations — have gradually faded. But one thing that endures is our collective drive for connection and community. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you consider these values and craft your own style of neighborliness.

Take small actions that have a lasting impact 

• Embrace the mix: D.C. has a lively mix of backgrounds and perspectives. Even if you don’t always see eye-to-eye with your neighbors, being respectful and open-minded makes your building, block, or neighborhood more inclusive and welcoming for all.
• Be open and communicative: If you’re planning a party or renovations, give your neighbors a heads-up. Friendliness and transparency make it easier to work through any issues that might arise.
• Show up for the community: Small gestures, from joining a monthly cleanup to supporting local shops, can build strong connections. Saying “hi” to neighbors might seem small, but it makes a difference!

13 things to do around D.C. this Halloweekend

This weekend, you’ve got plenty of options to extend the Halloween festivities, including multiple Day of the Dead celebrations — at a cemetery, food hall, waterfront, and a neighborhood strip. You can also experience Asia After Dark’s Diwali festival, check out some free galleries, and shop early for holiday gifts. 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31

Rocky Horror Picture Show
Patricia Quinn, the original ‘Magenta,’ will join moviegoers for this 49th-anniversary cult classic viewing. This showing of the unedited movie will also feature a live shadow cast and opportunities for audience participation. Guests are encouraged to dress up for a costume contest. (Lincoln Theater; 8 p.m.; $55+)  

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Asia After Dark 
This celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, spans multiple locations including the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Freer Gallery of Art, and Freer Plaza. The various locations will feature food vendors representing the Indian diaspora, arts and crafts activities, and music and dance performances. Guests can also learn how different religions honor the holiday. Stick around until dark to see the museum light up and dance to a live DJ at the after-hours party. (Various locations; 5 - 9:30 p.m.; FREE)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration at Congressional Cemetery
The Congressional Cemetery’s chapel will house an enormous community ofrenda where guests can honor their ancestors with photos, symbols of things they loved, and other mementos. Storytime will offer a chance to share memories of loved ones. And guests can also learn about how different cultures around the world celebrate Dia De Los Muertos. (Congressional Cemetery; 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; FREE)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 

The Negro Motorist Green Book
The MLK Library’s latest exhibit is opening with a weekend of activities, performances, and discussions about the annual guide that helped African Americans travel safely in mid-century America. Sunday’s celebration features a vintage car show and a 1960s dance party. (Martin Luther King, Jr. Library; 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.; FREE)

Three strange but delicious cocktails to try

With ingredients like habanero-cilantro shrub, shiso bitters, and roasted bell pepper, you surprisingly can't go wrong.

A few weeks ago, while at dinner at Tonari in Gallery Place, my waiter (shoutout to Dave!) convinced me to embrace the unusual by trying a signature cocktail called the FSM. Featuring offbeat ingredients such as salted tomato syrup, fish sauce, and spicy nori, I was fully prepared for a glass of salty regret. But to my delight, it was surprisingly delicious — awakening a desire for more bold concoctions. 

Fast forward to a Thursday evening at L’Annexe, a lush cocktail bar in Georgetown, where I confessed to the bartender that nearly every cocktail on their menu sounded terrifying yet intriguing. For each strange ingredient I rattled off, the bartender responded with a confident “Mmm, delicious,” which only fueled my curiosity. So I ranked three drinks in order of intimidation, entrusting my palate to the mixologist, and bravely sipped my way through. 

Meet our team: Eric Falquero

It takes a village to make The 51st. We’ll occasionally dedicate some space to introducing a member of the team.

What’s your relationship to D.C.? Are you from the area and, if not, why did you move here?

D.C. is home. I became a transplant when my then-girlfriend came here for grad school, and we’ve since been married for more than a decade. I’ve lived here most of my adult life and longer than anywhere else – all in the same apartment complex, clinging to its eligibility for rent control. That’s enabled me to build relationships with neighbors, colleagues, and favorite businesses. In short conversations, I usually say I’m from WBest Virginia, which is where I attended high school and college. But I grew up in five states and was born in Fort Lauderdale, so I have to admit that “Florida man” is a technically accurate label. 

What do you love about local news and why did you decide to become a co-founder of The 51st?

An internship with Street Sense taught me I wanted to be a local journalist. It transformed me from a passive news consumer to an advocate for the importance of informing, amplifying, and connecting people. Their model of empowering community members to tell their own stories, and collaborating with all sorts of people and organizations to make it possible, is what drew me in. 

I was fortunate to be hired on staff and spent a decade bringing stability and expansion to the organization. My view of what journalism can and should be – produced in constant communication with the people it serves, giving the most attention to those with the least power, and equipping readers with resources – was fundamentally shaped by all of the people I had the privilege to work with. In many ways, modern efforts to improve “engaged journalism” and “community listening” are just catching up to street papers.

Una explosión de gas deja a 38 familias sin casa. ¿A dónde pueden ir?

Este artículo fue reportado con apoyo de SpotlightDC.

La mañana del 20 de septiembre, en un viejo edificio de Columbia Road, la estufa de gas del apartamento 31 explotó. Isabel Menjivar sintió el estallido sacudir todo el edificio como un terremoto, y luego oyó gritar a su vecina.

"No sabía si esconderme o salir del edificio", cuenta Menjivar a The 51st en español. Salió por la puerta principal y se encontró con un grupo de vecinos apiñados en torno a Rosario Aguilar, una mujer de 64 años que llevaba casi 30 viviendo en el edificio. Sus vecinos la abanicaban con trapos mientras el humo parecía desprenderse de su ropa y en su rostro se dibujaba una expresión de espanto. Aguilar sufrió quemaduras graves en casi el 60% de su cuerpo a causa de la explosión, según declaró su hijo a The 51st. Un vecino gritó a Menjivar que llamara al 911. 

"Fue el día más terrible, no podía ni hablar. Sólo quería llorar", dice Menjivar. 

Our team is mighty but small; we can't cover it all! Here's what you might've missed this week...

• Did the mayor ruin D.C.'s iconic High Heel Race? These queer community members say yes. [Washington City Paper]
• D.C.'s metro system, facing a funding crisis, could be vulnerable under a Trump presidency. [The Washington Post]
• Early voting has started! Street Sense's 2024 voter guide is here to help you navigate the ballot. [Street Sense Media]
• Children are languishing without rehabilitative or mental health services in D.C.'s juvenile justice system, according to a new lawsuit. [The Washington Post].
• "This is not the way Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray’s storied political career was supposed to end." [Washington City Paper]
• It's Relisha Tenau Rudd's 18th birthday this week, but she's been missing for 10 years. [the AFRO]
• Death isn't often associated with beer and laughter, but this death doula wants to change that. [Axios]
• We'll all need food (and possibly drink) to cope with this election – here's a roundup of deals on both around D.C. [Eater]
• Political Patty, the pandas, and your favorite Love is Blind villain – here are your last-minute D.C. Halloween costumes. [Washingtonian]

The Washrag

We can't imagine why queer organizers feel like the high heel race has been co-opted and sanitized by politicians...

Your civics download

You’ll find this handy guide to public meetings at the bottom of every edition of The 51st. We’ll refine and improve along the way! So if you think we’re missing resources, please let us know!

It’s a bit quiet on the public meetings front next week, likely because of that … one big civic engagement opportunity happening on Tuesday. In case you scrolled too quickly past our lovely voting guide, here’s a map of drop boxes for your ballot and here’s a list of early voting centers. You can use this tool to locate the Election Day polling location closest to you.

That's all folks! Take care of yourselves out there and we will see you next week ... for whatever it may bring.

- Abigail Higgins