Image by Aimee Custis used with permission.

Our Metro system needs dedicated funding. But getting there isn't so easy. We need dedicated advocates to help make it happen.

Learn how to be the best Metro funding advocate you can be at a forum on Saturday, October 7 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington). The forum is hosted by the Coalition for Smarter Growth and the League of Women's Voters. Martin Di Caro will be moderating part of the forum. RSVP now!

Don't miss the other great events happening this week.

Monday, October 2: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) wants feedback on the draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Fiscal Years 2018 to 2022, which decides what transportation projects to prioritize funding for in the next four years. Head to the public meeting at the Shaw Neighborhood Library (1630 7th Street NW) at 6 pm to weigh in.

Thursday, October 5: Parks and open space support public health. But, in cities, research has shown that unequal access to parks and open space exacerbates existing health inequities among lower-income residents and communities of color. Come hear a talk about green infrastructure, public health, and social justice by Dr. Jennifer R. Wolch of UC Berkeley at Marian Koshland Science Museum (525 E Street NW) at 6 pm to learn more.

Thursday, October 5: The Capitol Riverfront BID is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with an entertaining and informative speaker series! Come out to the first one on Thursday morning at 8 am at WeWork at 80 M St SE. Hear from WeWork general manager Dave McLaughlin on the innovative ways that the leading coworking space purveyor is currently influencing the office market.

Saturday, October 7: DC is known for its many buildings built with Brutalist architecture. Celebrate this history with a lecture by architectural historian Michael Kubo on the evolution of brutalist design in DC and then take a walking and Metro tour of K Street and Dupont Circle to view some of the varied scales, material choices, and functions of DC Brutalism. The event starts at AIA National Board Room (1735 New York Avenue) at 1 pm and it is a paid event.

Next Tuesday, October 10: Come out to the next Action Committee for Transit monthly meeting to hear from Jennifer Roberts, University of Maryland School of Public Health, talk about the intersection of transit, obesity, and health. The meeting is at 7:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center, One Veterans Place.

Save the date for GGWash's next happy hour with Urban Nerds

It was great to see everyone who came out to our last happy hour in Park View. Couldn't make it? We want to see you at the next one! Join us and the Urban Nerd Happy Hour for a Halloween-themed happy hour Wednesday, October 18 from 6 to 8 pm at Lost & Found, located at 1240 9th Street NW in Shaw.

Join readers, contributors, staff, as well as folks in the urban planning field for drinks, snacks, and conversation. Come in your favorite urbanism-themed costume (here are some ideas from our 2011 Halloween party for inspiration!)

Lost & Found is one block from the Mount Vernon Square Metro station (Green and Yellow lines) and five blocks from Gallery Place (Red Line), and the 70/79 Metrobus is two blocks away. There's a Capital Bikeshare station one block away outside the Metro station.

Want to join us? RSVP here!