Events: Access new dwellings in Montgomery County

“Accessory Dwelling Unit” (ADU) is wonkspeak for those delightfully cozy and more affordable homes that homeowners add onto their own residences, including over-garage apartments, basement apartments or English basements, and smaller backyard houses.

This Saturday, January 19 from 10 am to 12 pm, “Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer invites you join a conversation on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). In addition to addressing housing affordability more broadly in the County, ADUs can bring tremendous value to the homeowner and the renter. Come to the town hall, share your feedback, and get your questions answered. Admission is free, but kindly RSVP.”

The forum takes place at the Montgomery County Council Office Building in its third floor Hearing Room (100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD). The organizer notes that this is a 10-minute walk from the Rockville Red Line Metro stop.

Other events from around the region:

Tuesday, January 15

The (rail) ties that bond: At this month's Transportation Tuesday at the American Public Transportation Association, you'll enjoy breakfast and hear from “Carlo Borghini, executive director of 'SHIFT2RAIL', an initiative of the European Union seeking to double the capacity of the European rail system and increase its reliability and service quality by 50%, all while halving life-cycle costs. Boghini will talk about research, accelerating the integration of new and advanced technologies, and how the EU will meet its ambitious targets.” Head to 1300 I St NW, Suite 1200 from 8 to 9:30 am. RSVP here.

Nerd out in NoMa: Join the NoMa Business Improvement District at DC Public Schools (1200 First Street NE) from 6 to 8 pm “to enjoy beverages and light bites from Stellina Pizzeria as you hear from educators how they help students grow and succeed at every level… with curricula that focus on character-building, expeditionary learning, sustainability and environmental stewardship, college prep, and bilingual education.”

You'll hear from “Ahnna Smith… currently the Executive Director at the D.C. Government's Workforce Investment Council and was previously the city's Deputy Mayor of Education as well as the Executive Director for Teach for America and a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education. Ahnna will be joined on the panel by Michelle Johnson, the Principal of Mundo Verde, as well as administrators from Two Rivers Charter School, J.O. Wilson Elementary School, and KIPP Charter School.” Register to atttend here.

Olli Olli Oxon Hill: You've been hearing all about the autonomous electric vehicles of the “future,” but that future is now! Head to Local Motors (151 Saint George Boulevard, National Harbor, MD) from 6 to 7:30 pm to meet Olli, “the world's first co-created, self-driving, low-speed, electric shuttle.” You can see Olli there each Tuesday at this time starting on January 15 through February 26. Get more information here.

Saturday, January 19

Socialize about social protests: From 7 to 10 pm at Johnny Pistolas (2333 18th St NW), “meet 18 local photographers as they show off great images on the theme 'Images of Protest & Dissent'… Part exhibition, part party, the pop-up gallery show highlights memorable photos taken by amateur photographers and makes those photos the heart of a truly social event with themed drinks, auction items, games and prizes… [M]eander through a curated exhibit of vivid, large-format images.” Tickets are $19 and can be purchased here.

Sunday, January 20

Celebrate MLK Jr.'s spirit of public service: From 12 to 2 pm, “Join Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service as [they] celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service… by help[ing] remove trash from around the Carter Barron Amphitheater [4850 Colorado Ave NW]… [one of] five “mini-oases” in Rock Creek Park [that] have been strategically chosen because they are important to the health of Rock Creek and they are important to the communities that live near them.” Register to volunteer here!

Watch the moon fall into Earthshadow: Our area is in for a treat with a total lunar eclipse starting Sunday night. Go outside and look up to see that beautiful full moon change from white to reddish-orange as the planet beneath your feet blocks it from the sun, starting at 10:33 pm, reaching totality (100% Earthshadowed, full blood moon!) between 11:41 pm and 12:43 am. It'll look mostly like its usual self by 1:50 am (all times local and specific to our own Washington, DC). Everyone can enjoy this free astronomical shadow play (though darker skies away from city center should offer better viewing conditions) assuming clouds cooperate!

Monday, January 21

Another opportunity to celebrate MLK Jr.'s spirit of public service: From 1 to 3 pm, “Join Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service as [they] celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service… by help[ing] remove invasive plants from [the Melvin Hazen] section of Rock Creek Park” at 3031 Sedgewick St NW. Register to volunteer here!

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.