Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park by BeyondDC used with permission.

Cleveland Park Smart Growth is gathering interested residents and friends for a letter writing party at the Cleveland Park Library (3210 Connecticut Ave NW) at 6:30 pm on July 30. Join the fun to compose letters to policy makers advocating for greater density in the Cleveland Park commercial area. You’ll meet fellow smart growth advocates interested in affordable housing, climate change, diversity and inclusion, improved transportation, and more. You can also come to learn more about the Mayor’s Comprehensive Plan.

This is a great locally-driven initiative that could be modeled by other groups who are interested in bringing more vitality to their neighborhoods throughout the region.

Other events from around the region:

Monday, July 22

Bring your furry friend to Yappy Hour with GGWash: Come to The Brig DC (1007 8th Street SE) after 6 pm to enjoy happy hour with GGWash and their four-legged companions. You don’t need a dog to join the fun. We look forward to seeing you there! (RSVP is not necessary.)

Throughout the week

Share your experience with Urban Food Hubs: The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia is seeking feedbak on its Urban Food Hubs programs with listening sessions in Wards 3, 5, 7, and 8 on July 24, 26, 29, and 31. Attend the site more relevant to you to share how CAUSES can improve their service.

Thursday, July 25

Celebrate LGBTQ+ activism in DC: Mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York city by learning how these events affected the LGBTQ+ resistance movement in Washington, DC. This free event will be held at 7-8:30 pm at the Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Ave NW) Speakers will include Lou Chibbard, Jr., of the Washington Blade, Eva Freund, who cooordinated the passage of DC’s Human Rights Law, Richard Rosendall, former president of GLAA, and Otis “Buddy” Sutson, co-founder of the Best of Washington.

Friday, July 26

Follow the latest placemaking trends: Streetsense, a design firm, will share its latest research on the power of placemaking in retail and real estate. Join them for a light breakfast at their Bethesda office (3 Bethesda Metro, Suite 140, Bethesda, MD) at 9 am to learn about consumers’ demand for experience and the ever-increasing standards for creating engaging spaces.

Looking further ahead:

Can DC take the heat? Join GGWash and ULI Washington on Thursday, August 8, 6-8 pm at 700 Pennslyvania Avenue SE for a panel discussion about climate change, extreme urban heat, and resilience efforts that are happening in our own backyard. This event is $10 for GGWash Neighbors and $20 for the general public. Neighbors can look for an email with the registration code or contact Jane Green. Not yet a GGWash Neighbor? Join today!

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!

Jane Fiegen Green was the Development Director at Greater Greater Washington from 2018 to 2020. With a PhD in history and a background in association management for a scholarly society of historians, she worked to bring sustainable revenue streams to support GGWash’s news and advocacy. She lives in the Pentagon City neighborhood of Arlington with her husband and son.