Events: Learn about your local government at a happy hour

EventsBy Jacy Heidorn (Former Engagement Fellow) October 2, 2023

People enjoying an evening at Metrobar by Joe Flood licensed under Creative Commons.

Have you been interested in learning about how your local government works, but do not know where to start? This happy hour co-hosted by GGWash and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals DC chapter is perfect for you! There will be local experts that will give engaging lightning presentations on how the government really works throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia and you will be able to connect with, learn from, and share your knowledge with other people interested in local politics. Learn more & RSVP here.

Tuesday, October 3:

Talk climate, conservation, and road safety with Councilmember Fani-González: Join Nature Forward for a talk with Montgomery County District 6 Councilmember Natali Fani-González as part of their “Conservation Café” series. She will explain her role as councilmember and the recent and current work she has done in this new position. This work includes creating roads that are safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, efforts to make Montgomery County more climate resilient, and passing a law on forest conservation. Learn more & RSVP here. Note that there is a registration fee to attend.

Wednesday, October 4:

Celebrate Walk to School Day: Walk to School Day is on Wednesday, October 4, and in order to celebrate the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Pedestrian Safety team is partnering with Brooke Grove Elementary School for an informal walk to school event. Families within this school community will be encouraged to walk to and from school that day. MCDOT will be handing out safety education materials to the students so that families can use those safety tips on their walks. There will also be giveaways and an opportunity to take pictures with their safety mascot, Zeal. The goal is to engage with students and to advocate for them to bike and walk to school, rather than drive. No RSVP needed. Learn more about the event here.

Join in on an open house featuring various infrastructure projects in Alexandria: The City of Alexandria and its regional partners, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) invite the public to their open house on current and upcoming infrastructure projects in Alexandria, Virginia. The key projects that will be discussed are those related to the King Street and Commonwealth Avenue Corridors. You will have the chance to talk to the project teams so you can learn more about the projects you are interested in. Project topics include rail bridge replacement, flood management, and safety and mobility improvements. There will also be a brief presentation at 6:00 pm. No RSVP needed. Learn more about the open house here.

Thursday, October 5:

Attend a webinar on creating an implementable comprehensive plan: All too often comprehensive plans will be written, but not executed, to their full extent (if executed at all). In order to combat this lack of results, the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) is holding a webinar on the “implementable comprehensive plan” approach. The webinar will explore the five keys that have been deduced to successfully create a comprehensive plan, highlighting case studies and lessons learned from previously written plans. The presenters are pioneers of this approach, with the webinar being based on their book “Off the Shelf and Into Action, How to Create an Implementable Comprehensive Plan.” Learn more & RSVP here.

Sunday, October 8:

Discuss food and housing in the DMV: To GGWash, District Hunt, and Spur Local, engaging with the city means exploring the area, connecting with neighbors, and making it a better place overall. If you feel the same way, then join us at a Civic Happy Hour at City-State Brewing on Sunday, October 8. You will get to meet fellow neighbors, discuss what food and housing looks like around the DMV, and learn how local nonprofits are addressing housing instability and food insecurity. Learn more & RSVP here.

View more upcoming events on our calendar!


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