If you are voting at LaSalle-Backus Elementary School on Election Day November 3, feel free to support the school’s Election Day Bake Sale in partnership with the PTO. The PTO’s goal is to raise funds for additional field trips and enrichment experiences for the students.
The bake sale will run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 pm or until they sell out, whichever comes first.
Family Story Time (Birth-5):
Promoting early literacy skills through books, songs, rhymes, and movement, Family Story Time is a great way to further your child’s lifelong love of reading and
learning.
Here’s the Stitchuation! (All Ages):
Looking for a relaxing and creative way to spend your time? Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or just getting started, our Stitching Group is the perfect place to connect, create, and unwind.
Legos at the Library (2-6):
Come play Legos at the Library! For children ages 2-6 and their involved caregivers.
Mid-Day Games Galore (13-19):
Come join us and enjoy various games! Board games, card games and more! Located in our conference room on the second floor.
Tech 101 with DC’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer (Adults):
Join us to learn basic tech skills and get your questions about technology answered.
Tuesday Crafts (5-12):
Enjoy fun, hands-on art projects for children ages 5-12 and their caregivers.
Black Girl Booked – A Vibrant Book Club Celebrating Black Brilliance (ADULTS) – 4th Tuesday of the Month:
Black Girl Booked is a vibrant book club dedicated to celebrating the voices, stories, and brilliance of Black women and girls. November 2026 book is The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw.
Down Syndrome and Friends Community Playgroup (5-12):
Families of kids with disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and developmental disabilities, are invited to play, read, and create art together at the library! Online registration is required please see the Lamond Riggs webpage to register.
Reading the World Virtual Book Club (ADULTS) – Last Thursday of the Month:
Join us virtual (Via Zoom) for a warm and inviting community of readers as we discuss books published by writers outside the U.S.
Spectrum Friends Library Club (8-12):
Designed to be enjoyed by all kids ages 8-12, especially those on the autism spectrum! We will build LEGO, make art, and read together in a sensory-friendly
space.
Friends of Lamond Riggs Library Member’s Meeting (ADULTS) – 2nd Sunday of the Month:
Please attend the next Friends of Lamond Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library meeting if you are interested in becoming a member and discover how you can help. https://www.dclibraryfriends.org/Lamond-Riggs.
At the ANC 5A meeting on October 28, the Cafritz Foundation development team (Sean Cahill and counsel Christopher Cohen) shared leasing and other updates for Art Place at Fort Totten. They will aim to share quarterly updates moving forward. I will post a meeting recap later but thought it worthwhile to post this information separately here.
Menomale – Still building out space at 5184 South Dakota Avenue NE
Ms. Toya’s Kitchen – Lease signed with Miskiri Hospitality. I believe this will go in the old T-Mobile space but do not quote me on that.
Sip Wine & Spirits – Lease signed. This is a wine store (not a wine bar) that will offer occasional wine tastings.
Chipotle – At lease signing stage for space in same row as gym along South Dakota
Dunkin Donuts – In negotiation for space next to gym along South Dakota
Navy Federal Credit Union – Letter of Intent signed for big chunk of space near the corner of South Dakota & Ingraham
Hair & nail salon (not Phenix Salon Suites) – In negotiation for small space near corner of South Dakota & Ingraham. Did not mention name, but I believe they said the salon has a location in Prince George’s County and wants to open in DC.
Arts organization – In talks to take the point at South Dakota and Galloway. Walkthrough coming up
Explore! Museum – Located at 395 Ingraham Street NE, will expand into adjacent space to add another 2,000 square feet.
Sky Zone – Lease signed for large second-floor space above the Aldi along South Dakota.
The team also shared renderings of updated signage for The Modern. They will remove the 10+ vertical banners on the facade along South Dakota and replace them with a few blade signs. This is something that neighbors on Galloway and on Hamilton have been asking about for a few years now.
They are also looking at installing solar panels on top of The Modern. With that, they will look into adding EV charging stations.
The team said that there was a large bus used for storage at The Modern that became a home for rats. The property management company has exterminated the bus and plan to remove it. With the eateries anticipated to come online next year, they plan to increase the frequency of trash collection. The eateries will have sealed, refrigerated trash rooms.
Neighbors will still have to wait for the second phase housing to be built for the dog park.
Commissioner Sellars asked the team to move the fence along South Dakota at Kennedy back to match the setback of the buildings south of Kennedy to provide a better pedestrian experience. The team did not agree to that for liability reasons they said, but said they will limb up the trees on the vacant lot.
In response to a question about A/C at the establishments in Phase 1, the team said that commercial tenants are responsible for HVAC but they also said that they have provided larger areas to place equipment and the issues have been resolved.
When Meow Wolf was part of the project, the team offered as a community benefit occasional discount or community days. I asked the team if they would honor that proffered benefit with the new entertainment operators, like Sky Zone. The team said they have raised this with Sky Zone. The arts programming is already largely free or heavily subsidized. I also encouraged the team to reach out when the various operators are ready to begin hiring so that local residents can apply for jobs. Hopefully, they will do that.
Not mentioned, but I will just use this post as another opportunity to plug the new programming for youth and older adults at Art Place. Registration is open. Please let your neighbors know.
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
YOU ARE INVITED
NORTH MICHIGAN PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION IS
HOSTING A THANK YOU RECEPTION FOR
MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm
Location: Faith United Church
4900 10th Street NE
(Fellowship Hall)
Washington, DC 20017
From Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association
The next LRCA General Body meeting will be held virtually on Monday, November 2, 2026 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.
The library meeting room will be unavailable due to the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The library will be a polling center.
The Zoom meeting information is listed below.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82345746107?pwd=RknDVMe4zzTxXtIzO4Nqc5ciibxaht.1
Meeting ID: 823 4574 6107
Passcode: 736246
Mobile: 13052241968 or 13092053325 with the Meeting ID and Passcode
November 2026 Meeting Agenda
● Welcome/Invocation/Call to Order
● Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report
● Updates from Elected Officials
● ANC 2026 Candidates
Read the LRCA November 2026 newsletter.
The Cafritz Foundation has launched the Art Place Arts District, a new lineup of weekly theater, storytelling and leadership programs, brought to life with local arts organizations right here in Riggs Park. Programs run weekly now through mid-December.
Registration is open HERE.
For ages 11–15
• Mondays, 3:45–4:45 PM: Scenes & Stories: Myths
• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:45–5:00 PM: Drama Club: A Page to Stage Workshop
• Wednesdays, 1:00–2:15 PM: R.O.Y.A.L. Voices (Readying Our Young Aspiring Leaders)
• Wednesdays, 3:45–4:45 PM: Scenes & Stories: Monsters
• Fridays, 3:45–5:00 PM: Play Lab
• Fridays, 5:00–7:00 PM: Playback Theatre Workshop
Designed for adults 55+
• Thursdays, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM: Community Shakespeare Read: Hamlet
Download the flyer and share with your neighbors! Link: Art Place Arts District Fall 2026 Programming Flyer.
Follow Art Place on social media (@artplacedc) for up-to-date programming information.
October 27, 2026
A required manhole is being installed over a three-week time on South Dakota Avenue outside the Food & Friends construction entrance. During this time, traffic will be one lane in each direction at this section of South Dakota Avenue from 9:30am to 3:30pm.
Dates for the planned work will be posted here as soon as we have them. All required signage, notice, and safety measures will be strictly adhered to.
From ANC 5A
Time: 6:45pm
Dates:
Oct. 28, 2026
Join us over Zoom
https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/82413855755
Call In Number
Webinar ID: 824 1385 5755
Agenda updated a week before meeting.
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Quarterly Public Safety Call on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Register to receive the meeting link.
This month’s call will highlight the recent incidents in and around the Turkey Thicket area and Edgewood area, along with situational updates from all three police districts that touch Ward 5 (3D, 4D, and 5D).
New Generation TLC & ANC Commissioner Elaine Alston present the a Community Fun Day on Saturday, October 24, from 1–5 PM, at the UDC Community College Parking Lot.
Enjoy FREE food, music, moon bounces, games, face painting, and more
On Friday, October 23, Art Place hosts Fort Totten Fall Fest & Movie Night, a free gathering that moves from pumpkin decorating to an outdoor screening of Hotel Transylvania to a glow party. The action unfolds on the lawn at 4th Street NE and Galloway Street NE, by The Modern at Art Place, from 6 to 9 p.m.
From ANC 4B
Monday, October 26, 7:00 p.m.
This meeting will be hybrid-offered both in-person and virtually. In-person and virtual meeting details are below:
In-Person Meeting Details:
Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center, 501 Riggs Road NE, Washington, DC 20011
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link:
https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/81506605246
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial +13092053325,,81506605246#
Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak.
The Commission will provide details regarding how to present community concerns at the start of the virtual meeting. This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to two minutes. You may contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings.
Please check the Commission’s website for additional information: anc4b.com
Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner:
o Doug Payton, 4B01@anc.dc.gov
o Shamina Christian, Chair, 4B02@anc.dc.gov
o Keenan Courtland, 4B03@anc.dc.gov
o Charlie Mayer; 4B04@anc.dc.gov
o Tamira Mon, 4B05@anc.dc.gov
o Tiffani Nichole Johnson, Vice Chair and Treasurer, 4B06@anc.dc.gov
o Michael Cohen, 4B07@anc.dc.gov
o Garrett Moore, 4B08@anc.dc.gov
o Danielle Geong, 4B09@anc.dc.gov
o Vacant, 4B10@anc.dc.gov
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Neighbor Gavin passed along a listing for the old Eastern Star Home building located at 6000 New Hampshire Avenue NE in Lamond. At this point, I have lost track of how many times this property has changed hands. Originally part of The Hampshires, a planned unit development consisting of large detached single family homes and townhomes built in 2006, the Eastern Star Home was long slated to be converted into condos.
The property is zoned R-1B. The building cannot be torn down, but the interior can be renovated. For a variety of reasons, developers have found it difficult to to redevelop the property.
The listing includes interior photos.
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Location: Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE)
Join Mayor Bowser for Ward 4 Family Day. Enjoy activities for all ages, including games, music, and giveaways. Say farewell to the mayor in the neighborhood where she started her career in public office.
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
The North Michigan Park Fall Community Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Looking for volunteers to assist with the community clean up. Students that need community hours are welcome.
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Meeting Site – North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 13th and Emerson St NE
Main Street Clean Up Area
Glove, Pickers, Trash Bags Provided
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) notified ANC 5A that Aldi has applied for a renewal of its license to sell beer and wine with a tasting endorsement. A hearing is scheduled for December 21, 2026. Petitions or letters in opposition or support are due by November 30, 2026.
A placard notifying the public will be issued this Friday October 16.
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 4:00pm-5:30 pm
Location: Fort Circle Park Pavilion (11th Street & Galloway Street NE)
Kids and their grownups wear a costume, bring a blanket to sit and treats to share.
Updated 10/14/2026 with location
Ward 4 Meetup with DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson
October 17, 2026
10:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: Idido’s Coffee & Social House (201 Kennedy Street NW)
For more info, call (202) 724-8032 or email chairmancs@dccouncil.gov.
Hosted by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
Date: October 15, 2026
Time: 11:00 am-1:30 pm
Location: Lamond Recreation Center (20 Tuckerman Street NE)
Join Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George to connect with senior neighbors, enjoy music, dancing, food games, prizes, and helpful resources from District agencies
RSVP online or by calling or leaving a voicemail with the Ward 4 Council office at 202-724-8052. For any questions or requests for accommodations, please reach out to Community Engagement Director, Barbara Rogers at brogers@dccouncil.gov.
