Category Archives: Neighborhood Development

Help Shape the Future of Explore! Museum at Art Place

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Explore! Museum began offering pilot programming at Art Place at Fort Totten in summer 2025. Now they are inviting artists, educators, parents, and neighbors to get involved to help develop a long-term vision for the permanent community institution. They are looking for:

  • Volunteer instructors
    • Lead a workshop, share a skill, or test an idea
  • Artists & makers
    • Help shape the creative direction of the space
  • Parent advisory board
    • Provide feedback to guide programming and priorities
  • Part-time staff
    • Support operations and community engagement

To get involved, complete the Explore! Museum Community Interest Form.

Share with neighbors: Help Shape Explore! Museum Flyer

April 2026 Events at Explore!

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

Check out Explore!’s April 2026 activities lineup.

Eventbrite: Explore! Fort Totten Events. RSVP encouraged.

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

Dance Loft Youth Classes at Explore! (Register at the link).

  • Pre-Ballet
  • Baby & Me
  • Bilingual Creative Movement

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Cardboard Building Lab | April 7, 4pm-6pm

Candle Making Workshop | April 9, 6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay Open Studio | April 14, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paper & Texture | April 16, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paint Studio | April 21, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Tile Design | April 23, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay & Form | April 28, 4pm-6pm

Bingo Day | April 29, 2pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Open Art Studio | April 30, 4pm-6pm

The best way to learn about Explore! events is to follow them on eventbrite and visit the Art Place Events Page.

April 3: UDC Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Opening/Vendor Call

Posted by nextstoprp in Backus Urban Food Hub, UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus & Expansion (formerly Bertie Backus Campus)

From UDC CAUSES

Vendor Call: UDC CAUSES Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market
Location: 5171 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, D.C., Ward 5

UDC College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences proudly presents the return of the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market at UDC Community College campus where fresh produce, artisan goods, live entertainment, and community connection.

Farmers Market—where fresh produce, artisan goods, live entertainment, and community connection come together every Friday from 4 pm – 8 pm.

Season Opens: April 3, 2026

Interested vendors may apply at the link: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Vendor Interest Application.

For more information, contact causesfarmersmarkets@udc.edu or (202) 274-7124.

Download: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Vendor Flyer.

Download: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Public Flyer.

March 2026 Events at Explore!

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

Check out Explore!’s March 2026 activities lineup.

Eventbrite: Explore! Fort Totten Events. RSVP encouraged.

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

Dance Loft Youth Classes at Explore! (Register at the link).

  • Pre-Ballet
  • Baby & Me
  • Bilingual Creative Movement

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Mixed Materials Studio | March 5, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Cardboard Building Lab | March 10, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay Open Studio | March 12, 4pm-7pm

Candle Making Workshop | March 12, 6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paper & Texture | March 17, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paint Studio | March 19, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Tile Design | March 24, 4pm-7pm

Bingo Day | March 25, 2pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay & Form | March 26, 4pm-7pm

The best way to learn about Explore! events is to follow them on eventbrite and visit the Art Place Events Page.

Happy Violet DC Nail Salon is Open

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

Happy Violet DC natural nail salon is officially open at 305 Riggs Road NE in Riggs Park! Owner Renee Blair is a local Riggs Park resident who opened the business in homage to her grandmother whose favorite flowers were African violets.

Business hours are 10am-7pm Monday through Friday, and 9am-7pm on Saturday.

The salon focuses on providing a waterless manicure and pedicure experience featuring low tox nail products. I had a great pedicure experience on opening day on February 24. Instead of soaking nails in water, the salon uses warm towel wraps that feel heavenly. I am sensitive to strong fragrances so I am always a little worried about entering spaces that have an overpowering smell of chemicals and scents. No need to worry here. A clean interior with tall ceilings, artwork by local artists, and friendly staff made for a relaxing experience.

The day before the official grand opening, the salon provided manicures and pedicures for the residents of the senior building. As a local resident, Mrs. Blair is committed to serving her community and DC.

Check out pricing and services on Happy Violet DC’s website. A grand opening special is available. Purchase a $120 gift card for only $100 by clicking on “Book now” on the website & support local!

Happy Violet DC Owner Renee Blair
Modern interior
Vegan & low tox nail products available
Private room available
Local artwork featured
Large interior with high ceilings

New Bilingual Creative Movement Classes with Dance Loft at Explore! Beginning February 21

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Post updated

New dance class offerings from Dance Loft at Explore! located at 395 Ingraham Street NE.

Bilingual Creative Movement (Ages 4-6)

EXPLORE! brings dance classes to Art Place provided by Dance Loft+ Moveius Ballet

BILINGUAL CREATIVE MOVEMENT (AGES 4-6)
Bilingual creative movement class introduces students to dance education, technique, and foundations that help fine-tune motor skills and improve both cognitive ability and confidence in both English and Spanish.

Offerings

Saturday, 12:00-12:45 pm, Beginning Saturday, February 21, 2026

Tuition:

ENROLL for 10 weeks @ $200

Click HERE to enroll for 10 weeks @ $200

Dress Code:
All: solid color t-shirt or leotard, fitted leggings or tights, ballet or jazz shoes preferred, socks okay, hair pulled back out of face.

Also, winter enrollment is ongoing for Baby & Me classes on Saturdays and a few drop-in spots are available for Pre-ballet on Mondays. Another Pre-Ballet class has been added on Saturdays. Visit Dance Loft at Explore! for class details.

View Explore! at Art Place events calendar.

UDC Bertie Backus 9/11 Memorial Working Group – Sign Up by February 20, 2026

Posted by nextstoprp in UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus & Expansion (formerly Bertie Backus Campus)

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A (ANC 5A) invites community members to serve on a 9/11 Memorial Working Group to guide the creation of a new memorial plaque on the Lamond-Riggs campus, honoring the lives of Bertie Backus student Asia Cottom and teacher Sarah Clark.

Working Group Responsibilities:

The Working Group will operate through shared discussion and consensus. While UDC retains responsibility for campus operations, the Working Group will collaboratively develop and recommend final wording and design for the memorial plaque and assist in planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

To participate, complete the UDC 9/11 Memorial Working Group Interest Form.

Deadline to sign up: February 20, 2026

For questions contact:

  • UDC: Juanita Gray, Director, Community Engagement: juanita.gray@udc.edu
  • ANC 5A: Commissioner Keith Sellars: 5a01@anc.dc.gov

February 2026 Events at Explore!

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

Check out Explore!’s February 2026 activities lineup.

Eventbrite: Explore! Fort Totten Events. RSVP encouraged.

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

Dance Loft Youth Classes: Mondays at Explore! (Winter Session January 12 – March 16, register at the link).

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay & Texture | February 5, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Cardboard Creation | February 10, 4pm-7pm

Valentine’s Card Origami Workshop | February 12, 4pm

Candle Making Workshop | February 12, 6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paper & Pattern | February 17, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay Open Studio | February 19, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Tile & Mosaic Play | February 24, 4pm-7pm

Bingo Day | February 25, 2pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Mixed Materials Studio | February 26, 4pm-7pm

The best way to learn about Explore! events is to follow them on eventbrite and visit the Explore Museum website and Art Place Events Page.

Below Market Rate Retail Space Available at Riggs Crossing (January 2026)

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

The Riggs Crossing team at True Ground Housing Partners shared an updated retail flyer.

Riggs Cross Retail Flyer (January 2026)

Inquiries are open for retail space in Riggs Park (Riggs Road & South Dakota Avenue NE) near the Fort Totten metro station. The team is seeking local and unique DC tenants for an exclusive under-market lease. Please contact True Ground Housing Partners to submit interest at Info@truegroundhousing.org.

Riggs Crossing Senior Residences was completed in early 2025 at 307 Riggs Road NE. The mixed-use building features 93 apartments (fully leased) above ground floor retail. Happy Violet DC Natural Nail Salon occupies the retail space at 305 Riggs Road NE with plans to open soon.

Total available retail space = 5,407 sq ft.

  • Space A = 2,035 sq ft.
  • Space B = 3,372 sq ft.

One tenant can lease the entire 5,407 sq ft space or the spaces can be leased separately.

Please share with interested parties.

Riggs Crossing Retail Tenant Layout (January 2026).