Tonight’s Fridays at Fort Totten performance with The BREAKAWAYS is cancelled due to expected inclement weather.
Tz’ikin Cafe Pop-Up Coffee Shop Open 7 Days A Week at Art Place
Tz’ikin Cafe Pop-Up is now open 7 days a week at their new location at 475 Ingraham Street NE.
Hours
Monday-Friday 7am-2pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am-2pm
Tz’ikin Cafe offers small batch specialty coffee sourced directly from one family farm in El Salvador. The team is still settling into their new space. They will be getting new furniture in the shop over the next few weeks. Tea products will be available in the next few weeks as well. Wi-fi available this week or pretty soon.
An official pop-up grand opening is scheduled for July 18. This is still very much a pop-up, so continue to support to help them make Riggs Park their long-term home.
Follow Tz’ikin Cafe on instagram for the most up-to-date information.
Celebrate National Pollinator Week with Mamie D. Lee Community Garden
By Christina Scheltema, At-large board member, Mamie D. Lee Community Garden
June 22-28 is national Pollinator Week. The Mamie D. Lee Community Garden is celebrating!
The garden, located along the footpath between the Ft. Totten Metro and the unit block of Gallatin Street, NE, has installed small pollinator gardens in otherwise unusable parts of the garden. You can see two such gardens from the footpath: a pocket herb garden in the southeast corner and a small pollinator garden in the southwest corner. All of the pollinator gardens are tended by members of the garden as part of their commitment to perform annual community service. For more information on the pollinator gardens, please email pollinatorgarden@mdlga.org; for information on garden plots, email info@mdlga.org.
This year’s celebration features a music playlist on Spotify, a Monarch Life Cycle Coloring activity for children, and a blog series with information on pollinators. Check out the garden website/blog and garden fence for more information.
Anyone can listen to the playlist, “Roots, Rhythms & Blooms,” to celebrate the plants, pollinators, people, and cultures that make our garden and the surrounding neighborhoods of Ft. Totten, Riggs Park, and Petworth special. The playlist features a mix of R&B, Soul, Pop, African, Afrobeat, Latino, Reggae, and feel-good classics, selected to reflect the garden’s diversity, joy, and sense of community.
You can listen to the playlist here:
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 6/22/2026
June 26: Free Youth Farm-to-Table Workshop at UDC Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market
This youth workshop series looks pretty cool. Register on eventbrite for your preferred date/time slot. Let your neighbors know!
Download 4-H Youth Farm-to-Table Workshop Series Flyer
—
From UDC CAUSES
Free Youth Workshop: Farm-to-Table at the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market
Overview
Youth ages 6–18 discover the journey from urban farm to table — learning nutrition, sustainability, and real cooking skills along the way.
Does your child enjoy gardening, healthy foods, or hands-on activities? Join UDC-CAUSES at the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market and Urban Food Hub to explore the world of herbs through interactive monthly workshops, located at the UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus parking lot at 5171 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, D.C.
What Your Child Will Experience:
- Explore edible herbs growing at the Lamond-Riggs Urban Food Hub and learn how they’re harvested. No experience needed.
- Develop basic cooking skills, including reading recipes, measuring ingredients, and preparing simple, healthy snacks.
- Learn about nutrition and urban agriculture in a hands-on, beginner-friendly setting.
Event Details:
- Designed for Ages 6–18
- FREE to Attend
- Outdoor Event
- Beginner-Friendly Experiences
Workshop Dates:
- June 26: All About Herbs & Pesto
- July 17: Garden Lemonade
- August 14: Micro-Greens Salad
Available Time Slots:
- 4:30 – 5:10 PM
- 5:30 – 6:10 PM
- 6:30 – 7:10 PM
Give your child the opportunity to dig, discover, and taste fresh flavors from the garden while learning skills they can use at home!
For more information, contact causes@udc.edu or 202-274-7124.
June 25: Main Street Jazz at Lamond-Riggs Library
The 2026 Main Street Jazz Series continues with The Lovejoy Group this Thursday June 25 at 6pm at the Lamond-Riggs Library.
Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.
Be sure to check out Joey Antico Collected Sound on July 16 and Shirleta Settles & Friends on August 20.
June 22-August 23: Free Youth Summer Meal Sites
DC Youth Meals Program Summer 2026
During the summer, youth 18 years old and younger can eat free meals at a number of sites across the city.
Sites are updated weekly. Please check the DC Youth Meals program page weekly for the full list of program sites and the most up-to-date information.
Neighborhood/Nearby Ward 4 Sites
| Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center 501 Riggs Rd NE Open June 22, 2026 through August 14, 2026 Meals served Monday-Friday | Breakfast: 9am-10am Lunch: 12pm-2pm |
| Takoma Community Center 300 Van Buren St. NW Open June 22, 2026 through August 14, 2026 Meals served Monday-Friday | Breakfast: 8:30am-9:30am Lunch: 12pm-2pm |
Neighborhood/Nearby Ward 5 Sites
| YMCA Caloramis II 1918 Allison St. NE Open June 22, 2026 through August 21, 2026 Meals served Monday-Friday | Breakfast: 7am-9am Lunch: 11:30 am-1:00 pm |
| YMCA Caloramis 1906 Allison St. NE Open June 22, 2026 through August 21, 2026 Meals served Monday-Friday | Breakfast: 7am-9am Lunch: 11:30 am-1:00 pm |
| Turkey Thicket Recreation Center 1100 Michigan Ave. NE Open June 22, 2026 through August 21, 2026 Meals served Monday-Friday | Breakfast: 8:30am-9:30am Lunch: 12pm-2pm |
June 24: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Hybrid)
From ANC 5A
ANC 5A June 2026 Public Meeting
Date: Wednesday, June 24th, 2026
Time: 6:45pm ET
Location:
Join us In-Person
UDC-CC Lamond-Riggs Campus
Join us over Zoom
Call In Number
+1 305 224 1968 US
Webinar ID: 824 1385 5755
ANC 5A Monthly Meeting Agenda
Location: UDC-CC Lamond-Riggs Campus
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 6:45pm
Agenda
- Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm ET
- Quorum
- Agenda Review/Acceptance
- Commission Business
a. Approval of Minutes from May 27th, 2026
b. Treasurer’s Report
c. Contract for financial reporting and grant management contractor - Commission Action Items
- a. DC 2050 Comprehensive Plan Committee Updates
- b. 5A/5B Joint Committee on Taylor St. Bike Lanes Updates
- c. 5A06: Update from DDOT
- Presentations
- Christopher Cohen, Associate from Holland & Knight LLP on behalf of The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, to share an update on the Art Place at Fort Totten planned unit development. They intend to file a time extension application in a month and welcome the ANC’s and the community’s feedback.
- Updates
- Mayor’s Office
- Councilmember Parker’s Office
- Commission Updates
- Community Comment Period
- Next Meeting: September 23rd
- Adjourn
June 24: Ward 5 Public Safety Call – Register in Advance
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Quarterly Public Safety Call on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Guests: Commanders from MPD’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th Districts (covering all Ward 5 neighborhoods)
Register to receive the meeting link at ward5.us/publicsafetycall.
These recurring calls are an opportunity to hear directly from District public safety agencies, get updates on incidents and crime trends, and ask questions about public safety in your neighborhood. The call will be recorded and shared on CM Parker’s YouTube channel, and the slides and recording will be shared in his weekly newsletter.
June 23: ANC 5A01 Community Meeting with National Park Service & DDOT
ANC 5A01 Community Meeting with ANC Commissioner Keith Sellars (5A01)
Date: June 23, 2026, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Agenda
Michael Ransome, Supervisory Facility Operations for Rock Creek Park, National Park Service
- Status of soil testing in Fort Totten Park
- Status of North Michigan Park pedestrian trail construction between Gallatin and Galloway Streets
- Sidewalk construction on the south side of Galloway Street between South Dakota Avenue and 4th Street
- July 4th preparations for Fort Circle Park
- Grass cutting and general maintenance of Fort Circle and Fort Totten Parks
- Request for park improvements, additional trash cans, removal of abandoned basketball courts, replacement of backstop fencing, additional new signage for Fort Circle and Fort Totten Parks along Riggs Road.
Keisha Anderson, DDOT Ward 5 Community Engagement Specialist
- Traffic Safety Input (TSI)
- Ingraham and Hamilton Streets NE Alley Speed Bump request
- Hamilton Street at Eastern Ave NE Speed Bump request
- Daylighting request for Eastern Ave at Hamilton Street NE
- Sargent Road & Galloway Street NE traffic safety study
- Curb request on Galloway Street from 7th Street to Sargent Road NE
- Curb request on Kennedy Street east of Lamond Riggs Library to 4th Street NE
- Status of lighting for WMATA/CSX bridge on Riggs Road NE
- Status of bike lane street cleaning on Riggs Road NE
- Status of increase of lighting around Fort Totten Square/ Walmart
- Status of safety improvement at the intersection of Riggs and South Dakota Ave NE
June 23: DC Water Public Hearing on Proposed Rate Increases – Sign Up to Testify by June 19
ANC 5A Chair Valeria Sosa Garnica (5A07) passed along information about DC Water’s upcoming public hearing on proposed rate increases.
INFORMATION
What: DC Water Board of Directors Public Hearing to Establish Retail Rates, Fees & Charges for FY 2027 & FY 2028
When: Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m.
Join: Microsoft Teams (link here)
Watch: DC Water Board of Directors Live Stream
Learn more at dcwater.com/rates
This rate proposal includes:
- Proposed overall bill increase of 6.6% in FY27 and a 5.3% increase in FY28
- For residential customers this would increase the average monthly bill by about $10 in FY27 and $8 more in FY28.
Individuals or representatives who wish to present testimony remotely should provide their name, address, telephone number, and organization (if applicable) by calling (202) 787-2330 or emailing board.secretary@dcwater.com no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Share your feedback during the hearing or submit written comments by 5:00 p.m. on June 29, 2026, via email at board.secretary@dcwater.com or by mail to:
DC Water Board Secretary
1358 Canal Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
June 22: ANC 4B Public Meeting (Virtual)
From ANC 4B
ANC 4B June 2026 Public Meeting
Monday, June 22, 7:00 p.m.
*Note that due to DPR camp schedules, Lamond Recreation Center is unavailable for ANC 4B to host its June public meeting. This meeting, therefore, will be conducted virtually via Zoom.*
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link:
https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/81506605246
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial +13092053325,,81506605246#
- Call to Order & Roll Call, 2 minutes
- Administrative Items, 10 minutes
- Instructions for participation in virtual webinar meeting, 2 minutes
- Consideration of June 2026 Public Meeting Agenda, 2 minutes
- Approval of May 2026 Regular Public Meeting Minutes, 1 minute
- Treasurer’s Report, 5 minutes
- Vote to approve blanket expenditures for ANC-led summer events and activities
- Consideration and approval of additional hybrid meeting supplies
- Community Concerns, 30 minutes Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak. The Commission will provide details regarding how to present community concerns at the start of the virtual meeting. This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to two minutes. You may contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings.
- Reports, 12 minutes
- Barbara Rogers, Community Engagement Director, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George (3 minutes)
- Dr. T. Michelle Colson, Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative (3 minutes)
- Zoey Lewis, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)
- 4B Community Safety & Support Committee (3 minutes)
- Presentations, 15 minutes
- Lamond Community Action Group, presentation for grant request proposal, 7 minutes
- Department of Health, Leslie Ayuk-Takor, Division of Animal Services, 8 minutes
- Consent calendar, 2 minutes
- ANC 4B Resolution 4B-26-0601 In Support of Lamond Community Action Group Grant Request
- ANC 4B Resolution 4B-26-0602 Supporting Rat Proof Trash Cans at Legacy Memorial Park
- ANC 4B Resolution 4B-26-0603 Installation of Trash Cans Along Kansas Avenue
- Letter of Support for Triangle Park Art Installation
- Non-Consent Calendar Resolutions, 5 minutes
- ANC 4B Resolution 4B-26-0604 Calling For Enforcement on Use of ATVs and Off-Road Vehicles in Public Spaces and Establishment of Dedicated Means for Residents to Operate These Vehicles Safely and Legally
- Commissioner Updates, 20 minutes
- Adjournment
Please check the Commission’s website for additional information: anc4b.com
Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner:
o Doug Payton, 4B01@anc.dc.gov
o Shamina Christian, Chair, 4B02@anc.dc.gov
o Keenan Courtland, Secretary, 4B03@anc.dc.gov
o Charlie Mayer; 4B04@anc.dc.gov
o Tamira Benitez, 4B05@anc.dc.gov
o Tiffani Nichole Johnson, Vice Chair, 4B06@anc.dc.gov
o Michael Cohen, Treasurer, 4B07@anc.dc.gov
o Garrett Moore, 4B08@anc.dc.gov
o Danielle Geong, 4B09@anc.dc.gov
o Vacant, 4B10@anc.dc.gov
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
June 20: Art Place Vendor Market Pop Up
Updated 6/18/2026 with list of vendors
Art Place Pop Up Market
June 20, 2026
12pm-4pm
5198 South Dakota Avenue NE
Join Art Place for their very first Art Place Pop Up Market celebrating local creativity and community. Explore a curated selection of vendors and artists showcasing handmade goods, artwork, and unique finds. Enjoy offerings from Tz’ikin Café while experiencing live music throughout the event.
Featured Vendors
@tzikincafe
@ethiocraft
@oohlayumscents
@loopswithluvbyterkeyshia
@jnj_jewelry_artistry
@florasea.creations
@by.beezy
@ae.__.studios
@1120ceramics
@BlackSquirrelCompany
@ttcozythreads26
@tatakuabakery
@louisecroninart
@estarpottery
@dandelionbreathco
@CreatedByYasmine
@Charmm.tea
Curioso Payaso
DPR Riggs & South Dakota Park June 2026 Update
DC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) shared the link to the recording and the PowerPoint presentation from the Ward 5 Capital Projects meeting held on June 4, 2026
See DPR Ward 5 Capital Construction Update Presentation (June 2026)
To access a video recording of the meeting, please visit:
https://wardupdates.splashthat.com
For additional information about a project, please visit:
https://dgs.dc.gov/page/dpr-park-and-recreation-center-projects
To sign up for updates about a project, please visit
Riggs & South Dakota Park Update
Project Website: http://www.dgs.dc.gov/page/riggs-south-dakota-park-0
Budget
- $400,000
- An additional $600,000 was secured with assistance from Eleanor Holmes Norton, and the funding became law on 2/3/26, with release expected within 6 months to DPR. This will be Ph 2 park improvements; more info to come!
Description
- Park improvements including landscaping, paving, benches, lighting, bike racks, and more.
Project Status: Permitting
- Design Start: Late Summer 2025
- Comm Mtg # 1: Sep 24, 2024
- Comm Mtg # 2: May 20, 2025
- Comm Mtg # 3: Aug 26, 2025
- Construction Start: Summer 2026
- Construction End: Fall 2026
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 6/15/2026
Food & Friends Expansion Groundbreaking Scheduled for July 2026
In July, Food & Friends plans to break ground on an expansion of its home at 219 Riggs Road NE. Residents may have noticed markings and construction equipment being placed on the property last week.
The new 17,000 square foot two-story extension will allow the organization to continue their important work and serve even more individuals around the region. The new addition will be added to the east side of the existing building giving them more of a presence on South Dakota Avenue NE. The extension will have both brick and metal paneling treatment. The site will have metal fencing and concrete retaining walls.
Recall that the expansion requires construction of a new 33-foot curb cut on South Dakota Avenue NE just north of Kennedy Street, providing loading access via South Dakota. Food & Friends kept a lot of information about the project close to the vest as they were submitting plans to District agencies for review for several months before releasing any information to the public about one week ago.
Link: Food & Friends Expansion Project One-Pager.
Link: Food & Friends Expansion Project Website.
Project Timeline
Public Phase: June 8, 2026
Groundbreaking: July 13, 2026
Construction: July 2026-2027
The interior renovation (Phase II) will be completed by early 2028.
There are a few FAQs on the project website related to construction. Construction work will be done Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Food & Friends plans to publish construction updates on the project website.
I have asked Food & Friends for a contact name and number/email for a construction supervisor, which is typically provided for projects in case of construction emergencies. I am still working on that. For now, Food & Friends is asking residents to contact them at expansion@foodandfriends.org with any issues.
Edited to add 6/15/2026: As an aside, on June 2, 2026, the DC Council voted to approve PR 26-0670 to authorize and provide up to $15 million in bond revenue on behalf of Food & Friends to assist with the financing for this expansion. Food & Friends is responsible for repayment of the bonds. The committee report notes that no comments were received from ANC 5A. The ANC did not notify anyone about this resolution, and it is unclear if they were aware of it.
Find Tz’ikin Cafe Coffee Pop-Up at 475 Ingraham Street NE
Tz’ikin Cafe Coffee Pop-Up has moved a couple spaces down the street to 475 Ingraham Street NE.
Same hours, same kiddo-friendly vibe.
Hours: 7am-2pm Monday-Friday and 9am-2pm on Sunday.
Tz’ikin was recently featured on WUSA9. Follow them on instagram and continue to support the pop-up if you want them to stay in the neighborhood!
June 18: DPR Ward 4 Parks Construction Update Meeting (Virtual)
From DPR
Please join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for a virtual community meeting regarding the upcoming capital construction projects coming to the Ward 4 community.
Meeting details:
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Virtual
For more information and to RSVP, please visit: https://wardupdates.splashthat.com.
Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association 2026 Scholarship Recipients
At its public meeting on June 1, the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association awarded five $2,000 scholarships to graduating high-school seniors who will be attending Delaware State University, Coppin State University, Trinity Washington University, Georgia State University, and Rochester Institute of Technology.
LRCA’s longstanding college scholarship program recognizes neighborhood youth who excel in school and give back to their communities. At LRCA’s meeting, a former scholarship recipient spoke about how much the scholarship meant to her as she pursues a nursing degree. It is a treat to be part of a community that helps support our young people who are doing the right thing.
Congratulations and best wishes to the high school graduating class of 2026.
June 13 & 27: NPS Fort Totten Hike & Talk
Passing on information shared by neighbor Gavin
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=F4AEF591-D4EE-798E-DBB5B113529C50E6
Before the Metro: Fort Totten Fights the Civil War
Civil War Defenses of Washington
- Every 2 weeks at 10:00 AM from June 13, 2026 to June 27, 2026
- Next event: Jun 13, 2026
- Free
Step back into the Civil War and join a ranger-led walk through the remains of Fort Totten, one of the powerful forts built to defend Washington, DC. Discover how Fort Totten’s soldiers and artillery helped protect the nation’s capital during the Battle of Fort Stevens.
Fees
This event is free to attend.
Location
Fort Totten Park runs along Fort Totten Drive NE
Next Stop...Riggs Park 