Questions remain about MPD’s work with ICE. Activists want lawmakers to step in
They say the D.C. Council should publicly question MPD about cooperation on immigration enforcement.
Plus, what went wrong with HPAP, a sneak peek of the new go-go museum, and more.
Another Thursday, another edition of The 51st's newsletter in your inbox. Thanks for being here! This week we've got:
And more! Stick with us to the bottom for our civics roundup, where you can learn about upcoming city hearings, meetings, and ways to get involved. – Natalie Delgadillo
In October of this year, partially in response to the Flint water crisis and the work of environmental activists, the EPA announced new lead and copper rule improvements mandating that cities like D.C. change out their lead service lines in the next 10 years. D.C. has more than 42,000 of those lines (which, in a public health disaster in the early 2000s, corroded and leached lead into the city's water supply). Can D.C. meet these federal regulations after decades of what many say has been sluggish and inequitable action on this issue?
Last-minute changes to a city program meant to help first-time homebuyers surprised (and confused) many residents who were expecting to qualify for assistance. In late October, after already sending out initial approvals to applicants, D.C. suddenly announced it would determine assistance via a lottery system, and then gave conflicting explanations as to how the lottery would work.
After several years of planning, fundraising, and activism, a museum dedicated to D.C.'s iconic go-go music celebrated a soft opening in Anacostia earlier this week. The 51st contributing photographer Shedrick Pelt headed to the opening to give our readers a sneak peek of the new space.
After an exciting start to the season, a recent troubling skid has dampened excitement about the team. But The 51st contributor Chris Mills Rodrigo isn't ready to give up hope just yet.
Drunk Shakespeare, a magic show, ice skating, donut decorating, and a holiday market: options abound.
We got some cool responses from you all about the lesser known communities you're a part of. Here are a few that stuck out:
I wanted to put a plug in for the D.C. yarn community. Knitters, crocheters, tatters, there's a lot of creative people in D.C. D.C. also has a lot of engineers and coders who are drawn to playing with yarn in their spare time. The area has some great yarn stores, and I spoken to folks who visited from elsewhere and were really shocked at the range of ages and genders at some of the yarn events. There's even Maryland Sheep and Wool up in Howard County with brings together the crafters, the farmers, and the fans of fair food into one giant fairground. – Tara Kennedy
The mutual aid groups and networks that sprung up in response to the pandemic. It feels like there isn't a day where someone in the community isn't helping others.
— Max Ewart (@capnmax.bsky.social) 2024-11-18T18:37:31.645Z
The #MBTpubroll bikes to bars in DC every Thursday. It's a new route every week, often checking out new businesses, new bike lanes, etc. and enjoying drinks and rides through our beautiful city. The rides only go along safe protected bike lanes or off-street trails like the MBT. Everyone is welcome, all you have to do is check the hashtag (#MBTpubroll) on Bluesky for the route info/updates and show up – people can join/leave the route at any time. – Travis McIntyre
(And another shoutout to the Reddit thread that originally gave us this idea!)
It takes a village to make The 51st, so we'll spend some time each week introducing you to a team member. This week, read about Teresa Frontado's love-at-first-sight experience with D.C., which has become a place to call home.
Other news you may have missed this week:
A place to highlight and discuss local gossip.
Guess who showed up at the soft-opening of the go-go museum?
Plus: Great news for frequent Amtrak-takers, less-great news for UNIQLO-lovers.
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!
Council of the District of Columbia |
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📅 All DC Council Meetings 🛠️ Sign up to testify |
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions |
📅 All ANC Events 🛠️ Look up your ANC |
DC State Board of Education |
📅 All DCBOE Events 🛠️ Sign up to testify |
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |
📅 All WMATA Board Meetings 🛠️ Public Comment Procedures |
Metropolitan Police Department Authority |
📅 Discussions by district 🛠️ Look up your police service area |
DC Interagency Council on Homelessness Authority |
📅 All ICH Meetings 🛠️ Working groups: email ich.dmhhs@dc.gov |
DC Housing Authority |
📅 2024 DCHA Board Meetings 🛠️ Sign up to speak + 🛠️Watch |
All of the mayor’s Open Meetings |
📅 Commissions and boards and committees, oh my! |
City Service Hotlines |
Police, Fire, EMS: 911 Non-Emergency: 311 Mental Health: 888-793-4357 Shelter Access: 202-399-7093 |
That's all for this week. As always, thanks for spending time with us. See you next week, same time same place.
– Natalie Delgadillo
With your help, we pursue stories that hold leaders to account, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home. Put simply, our mission is to make it easier — and more fun — to live in the District. Our members help keep local news free and independent for all: