Pawpaw patrol

Hey 51sters,

Labor Day and the unofficial start of fall is almost here, but it very much still feels like summer in D.C.

There’s the lingering heat, of course, but that’s no surprise for D.C. lifers. Perhaps the best sign that the season isn’t quite over is that local politics junkies still have the time (and inclination) to fight over the minutiae of Democratic Party governance. My story this week (my very first at The 51st!) explores the absurdities of the latest party infighting, which only tempers fueled by a scorching D.C. summer could deliver. And, on a serious note, it points to an important tension that will define the future of local politics in the wake of June’s primaries: the newly ascendant left is ready to flex its muscles, but the moderates who have long led the party aren’t going away quietly.

But the long tail of summer isn’t all bad: It also presents opportunities to go hunting for pawpaws as the unusual fruit enters its peak season. After spending a few hours foraging (and shaking plenty of trees), Elliot Williams has a look at how and where to find the tropical delicacy both in D.C. proper and a bit further afield. 

If you’re not feeling quite so gastronomically adventurous, there’s lots of ways to get involved or unwind, depending on how you want to spend your holiday weekend. You know we always have you covered with the best events around the city.

Stay cool out there, friends. 

—Alex

Have you tried pawpaws yet? Here’s where you can forage — or buy — D.C.’s ‘tropical’ fruit

The delicious fruit is abundant throughout the D.C. region. Here's how to get your paws on "nature’s best kept secret."

The drama in the local Democratic party didn’t end with the primaries

The fault lines between progressive and establishment Democrats have only deepened since the election.

Opinion: D.C.'s Black teens deserve better than curfews

Policing in Navy Yard is already out of control, and criminalization is likely to only make things worse.

Which D.C. venues showcase local artists?

We're creating a roundup of spaces to see and experience art in D.C. by local creators — visual art, music, poetry, etc.

Whether you're an artist yourself or an art appreciator, tell us below: Which venues are key to our local arts scene?

15 things to do in DC over Labor Day weekend

You don’t have to leave the city to have fun during the upcoming three-day weekend. Here’s where to get out and about, including watching local films, weeding in a historic garden, and competing in a citywide scavenger hunt.

12 ways to build a better D.C. this week

Show up for the District's state fair, a cargo e-bike show-and-tell, and other ways to get involved around the city.

Here are some stories you may have missed this week:

• The U.S. Supreme Court, apparently lacking more pressing matters to attend to, ruled construction on President Trump’s new White House ballroom can move forward, stymieing the local preservationists who challenged the project. [NYT]
• Flock cameras are “hidden in plain sight” all around D.C., scanning hundreds of thousands of license plates each day as part of a massive police database. But the cops won’t say how they’re using them, even as debates rage about their efficacy and impact. [NOTUS]
• Janeese Lewis George is starting a citywide listening tour as she prepares to become D.C.’s next mayor. Her first stop was in Ward 8, with more to come over the next few weeks. [WUSA9]
• East Potomac Park has a rich history, involving cherry blossom trees, civil rights struggles, and lots of golf. That’s why Trump’s continued attempts to meddle with the park (and transform it into a golf course more to his liking) have irked so many of the people who frequent it. [City Cast, WTOP]
• Attorney General Brian Schwalb is alleging a slew of terrible conditions at a Ward 5 apartment building, including malfunctioning air conditioning, broken elevators, and rat infestations. Its owner, Buwa Binitie, has close ties to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration. [Informer]
• Another D.C. arts venue is in turmoil: Employees at Brookland’s Dance Place claim the recently departed executive director created a toxic work environment. It’s now searching for new leadership. [City Paper]
• The Smithsonian is abandoning plans to build a standalone facility for its forthcoming National Museum of the American Latino. It’ll now live in the Arts and Industries Building, located near SI’s headquarters on the mall, perhaps preventing a messy fight about finding funding for new construction. [The Post]
• A NoMa homeless shelter is organizing a gospel choir for some of its residents. Its coordinators see participants someday “rising up and becoming a voice for the city.” [Street Sense]

Catch you next week,

Alex