In the Neighborhood by Rich Renomeron licensed under Creative Commons.

Want to hear more about the future of planning in DC? Or just hang out socially with your fellow members of the GGWash community? There are two exciting GGWash events coming up and we hope to see you there!

Hear from Office of Planning head Andrew Trueblood: Join fellow GGWash readers on Tuesday, February 19 at 6 pm at the WeWork Metropolitan Square (1440 G Street NW) for an open forum with Acting Director Andrew Trueblood. You’ll hear his vision for the DC Office of Planning and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Andrew Trueblood has been an advocate for equitable urbanism since long before he joined the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in 2013. Now he awaits confirmation as the Director of the DC Office of Planning. He's charged with producing 36,000 housing units by 2025—including more homes and affordable homes in all parts of the city—and working with councilmembers to update the Comprehensive Plan, among many other planning needs. Tickets are only $10, and they're FREE for GGWash Neighbors! RSVP here.

Celebrate our 11th birthday! Join Greater Greater Washington staff, volunteers, and friends on Thursday, March 14 from 6:30 to 9 pm at 2011 Crystal Drive in Arlington, VA as we celebrate 11 years of news, advocacy, and community engagement. This marks the end of our 2019 Member Drive. Will you support us by joining the GGWash Neighborhood? All Neighbors and donors receive a ticket to the party, which features special guest Christian Dorsey, Chair of the Arlington County Board and Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Get tickets here!

You can attend both of these events, and others throughout the year, for FREE when you join the GGWash Neighborhood, or make a one-time donation to attend.

Other events from around the region:

Wednesday, February 20

Open doors to your new home: The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) invites you to “come out and learn how you can purchase your home in the District using a DC Open Doors mortgage product with Dawn Jarvis, Fairway Independent Mortgage Co. and Wendy Burleigh, Keller Williams.” The free session is from 6 to 7:30 pm at the DCHFA office (815 Florida Avenue NW). Register to attend here.

Speak up for safer roads in Ward 8: If you live or work in Ward 8, the Washington Area Bicycle Association invites you to join “DDOT, the Mayor's office, ANC Commissioners, Safe Routes to School, Safe Kids DC, and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Council representatives” to “voice your concerns, get updates, and hear about how you can take action for safer roads in Ward 8.” The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at the Bellevue William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library (115 Atlantic St SW), with “food and drinks provided [and] children welcome[d].” Contact hannah.neagle@waba.org for more information.

Thursday, February 21

Movie night about architecture and prison design: If you're at least 21 years old, check out the Architecture & Design Film Festival: DC's opening night at the National Building Museum (401 F St NW) from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, where you can “join fellow architects, designers, filmmakers, and design enthusiasts for the Washington, DC premiere of Frank Gehry: Building Justice. Gehry, in collaboration with Susan Burton, founder, New Way of Life Reentry Project in Compton, California, and architecture students from Sci-Arc and Yale University explore all aspects of prison design, witnessing how design flaws negatively affect those incarcerated. Following the 7:15 screening of the film, hear a conversation between the film’s director Ultan Guilfoyle and Susan Burton. Before watching the film, enjoy food, drink, socializing in the Museum’s Great Hall and celebrate the power of architecture and design through film.” You must purchase a ticket to attend this event.

Hear ye, hear ye: Air any concerns or praise you have for the District of Columbia Housing Authority to its management and councilmembers with oversight. Have your say and hear others' perspectives starting at 3 pm in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW). Anyone who wishes to testify should contact Oscar Montiel to sign up.

Saturday, February 23

Become a Stream Team Leader: Join the Rock Creek Conservancy to “learn about trash issues in DC Waterways and how to effectively track and document trash levels” as they “train Stream Team Leaders, both novices and seasoned pros, in anticipation of [their] annual Extreme Cleanup with the Alice Ferguson Foundation on April 13, 2019. This will be a great way for Stream Team Leaders, new and old, to refresh their event leading skills, learn a few things about invasive plant management, and a chance to share tips and experiences with fellow leaders.” Register here to join the training event from 10 am to 1 pm at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library (3310 Connecticut Ave NW).

Monday, February 25

Go beyond kvetching about transportation with your GGWash buds: Air any concerns or praise you have for the Bicycle Advisory Council, Pedestrian Advisory Council, and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to their management and councilmembers with oversight. Have your say and hear others' perspectives starting at 11 am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW). Anyone who wishes to testify should contact Aukima Benjamin to sign up.

Check out more urbanist events at ggwash.org/calendar. Do you have an event you'd like to see featured in the weekly events post? Submit it here.