Combative, transformative ... chess? ♟️
Plus, a surprising local effect of the continued federal shutdown, and what we learned at a coop conference.
Hey y'all,
As 51st co-founder Maddie said to great applause at a conference last week: We need news that makes us feel engaged in our community, and hopeful about what we can do together.
Today's newsletter exemplifies that sentiment, with a story about a local chess teacher that digs into the game's rich and complicated history in D.C., a check-in on how the federal shutdown is affecting local marriage licenses, a roundup of ways to get engaged in the city, and a report from Maddie about why, even as so many systems collapse, the spread of cooperatives like The 51st makes her hopeful.
We also need news that holds local leaders accountable, especially at a time when there’s so much focus on national politics. Last week, we published an investigation on the city’s rising evictions.
We're grateful to have you in our community, one year in. Will you come celebrate with us? Our birthday party is coming up next week at Kbird DC from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. RSVP here!
– Gracie
Meet D.C.'s most dedicated chess teacher
Chess has often been tangled up in the District's patterns of racial and economic inequality, Vaughn Bennett says. Since immersing himself in the local scene in the late 1980s, he's been a dedicated teacher — especially of young Black students.
State of the unions: The shutdown made it harder to say ‘I do’ in D.C.
Abigail and Christian planned their D.C. wedding for two years. And then the federal government shutdown happened. In an only-in-D.C. situation, the city government had to step in to make sure marriages can continue.
This moment isn’t normal, but here’s our glimmer of hope
Our co-founder Maddie spoke last week at a gathering of cooperative businesses, from credit unions to neighborhood grocers. Here's what she's bringing from those conversations to the future of The 51st.
ICYMI: New data shows increasing evictions
James Jarvis
We recently published a story about the volunteers restoring D.C.’s green spaces — and combating the effects of climate change — by removing invasive vines from the region's trees.
It got us wondering: What other volunteer opportunities should our reporting highlight?
13 things to do around D.C. this weekend
The next few days are full of ways to celebrate local culture in the crisp air — including art openings, several fall festivals, and a roller-skating history lesson.
Coffee contest and copaganda: Your weekly Civics Roundup
Getting involved can be fun: Take part in a latte art contest, learn how media can distort our perceptions of crime and safety, party in support of abortion access, and get your questions ready for D.C.'s attorney general.
Here's some news you may have missed this week:
- Pop-up memorials across D.C. mark the places where community members say ICE officers arrested their neighbors and family members. [The Post]
- Mayor Muriel Bowser is reportedly considering not running for re-election next year. What would that mean for the June primary? Two sitting councilmembers are considering jumping in. [WAMU, Axios]
- The D.C. Auditor and Events DC disagree on whether the sports and convention authority owes the city $68.7 million. [WCP]
- No more carpeted Metro trains: WMATA is decommissioning the 2000-series cars, first introduced in 1983. [NBC4 Washington]
- Ward 8 previously had just one full-service grocery store. The team behind the new Marion Barry Avenue Market and Cafe, which opened last week, says it's a project by and for the community. [Washingtonian]
- As the federal shutdown continues, local nonprofits are seeing increased demand for food aid and other support. Meanwhile, 600+ furloughed or laid-off federal workers registered for a day of free classes at American University. [Axios, WJLA]
- A new series explores demographic changes in the DC-area: Our population is getting both older and more diverse. [WTOP]
If you're reading this, it's time to go touch grass,
Gracie
