The Wharf will host its tonight. Activities, including s’more building, ornament decorating and visits with Santa, start at 5 p.m.

The boat parade will begin at 7 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. fireworks show. Over 60 boats are expected to sail down the Channel.

Mike Egan, managing partner of , said he’s very excited after participating in the boat parade last year.

The restaurant will be floating its Whitlows on Water 48-passenger tiki boat this year.

“We’ve got it decked out with some Christmas lights, and we’ll have our friends and family on there celebrating,” he said. “Last year, we won the most likely to capsize because we were getting after it out there.”

The restaurant is thrilled to have a bigger part in the celebration, Egan said. The restaurant first started displaying its holiday decorations Thanksgiving weekend.

Egan said he hopes for good cheer and great energy since Whitlows at The Wharf has a great vantage point for the fireworks show.

“I’m really excited to see all the customers come out in their best Christmas sweaters, and hats, and Buddy the Elf costumes,” he said. “Everyone kind of celebrates together to really get that Christmas spirit going.”

Mark Spicer, founder of said the donut trailer will be selling mini donuts that customers can decorate with various toppings.

Spicer said he is very confident his business will see increased demand because of its popularity at the Anthem Shop kiosk last year.

Capitol Dough’s trailer is open 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday.

“I’m excited to see all of the families down here,” Spicer said. “Just enjoying this beautiful place at The Wharf and seeing everybody in that holiday spirit.”

The Capitol Snow Christmas Tree Market sells tabletop trees, wreaths, eight-foot trees, lights, candles, and ornaments. It can be found facing The Wharf’s recreation pier.

The tree market opens at 9 a.m. and will close early at 6:30 p.m.

Virginia resident Sarah N’Guessan said it is important for The Wharf to host events like the parade since it brings the community together.

N’Guessan is staying at a hotel on The Wharf to easily attend the parade for what she describes as a staycation. The area is one of her favorite locations in the district, she said.

“I think it will be great,” she said. “I saw some signs for it at the hotel I’m staying at, so it looks like it’s going to be a popular event.”

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But a remedy for their concerns is expected next year. The D.C.-based supermarket chain Streets Market announced in August that it will open a location at The Wharf in 2026.

For now, though, Safeway, which sits steps away from the Waterfront Metro Station, continues to be the only supermarket in Southwest, serving over 3,000 people. Some residents prefer to travel a mile to shop at Navy Yard grocery stores like Harris Teeter and Whole Foods rather than face the crowded aisles, empty shelves and a potential lack of produce at their local Safeway.

Southwest produce

The Safeway is located in the center of Southwest at 1100 Fourth St. SW. The grocery store sells fresh fruits and vegetables, boxed and canned goods, and features a hot bar so residents can prepare meals quickly while shopping.

Malachi Hansen, assistant store director for Safeway, said problems can arise because it is the sole chain grocery store in the Southwest. He said it is unfortunate that residents are faced with the inconveniences of their location.

“We will continue to be an option,” Hansen said. “Even though we are the only option.”

Safeway will continue to provide an abundance of food to Southwest residents, even if some residents choose to shop at further grocery stores, he said.

Hansen, a Southwest resident himself, said the area needs more shops to provide customers with options.

“A little more availability,” Hansen said. “More places to allow customers to shop at, providing them with affordable groceries.”

Friendly Food Market sits at 1399 Half St. SW, just one block from Nationals Park in the eastern portion of the Southwest Waterfront. Though the market does sell groceries, it mainly offers items like canned vegetables, prepackaged dry foods and frozen ready-to-eat meals.

Residents who live closer to the store don’t have the same fresh produce options as Safeway consumers do when shopping for convenience. They face a 12-minute walk to Safeway or a 17-minute walk to the nearest grocery store in Navy Yard.

The Southwest Business Improvement District holds the weekly Farmers Market SW on Saturday mornings at the 425 M St. SW lot from Spring through Fall. The market offers fresh locally grown food by providing residents with pasture meats, local produce and eggs.

The market also creates a safe space for residents browsing produce by providing hot meals, activities and live music.

The market’s final day of the season, Dec. 20, will leave residents without a secondary source of fresh produce in Southwest until spring 2026.

We are thrilled to announce that is opening at in 2026!

Offering a wide selection of local, everyday practical goods, Streets Market offers fresh produce, groceries, flowers, prepared dishes, and more coming to 798 Maine Ave SW near .

— The Wharf (@TheWharfDC)

Streets Market announced the 2026 arrival of a new location at 798 Maine Ave. SW. The store is expected to replace a closed Orangetheory Fitness next to a CVS Pharmacy.

The D.C. area-based grocery store chain first opened shops in 2014. Its stores sell fresh produce, meat, seafood and packaged meals. They also include a kitchen and bar.

The location can be reached in 11 minutes on foot or 8 minutes by the C55 bus from the Waterfront Metro Station.

Streets currently has .

The supermarket chain didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Navy Yard’s availability

As they wait for Streets to open, many residents say they are frequenting Whole Foods and Harris Teeter in Navy Yard, further from their homes.

Whole Foods is located at 101 H St. SE, blocks away from the Navy Yard – Ballpark Metro Station. Harris Teeter sits at 401 M St. SE in central Navy Yard.

Residents who choose to skip the Waterfront Safeway travel about a mile, or 20 minutes on foot, to and from the Navy Yard grocery stores. Those who walk may end up lugging heavy grocery bags back across the quadrants.

Residents traveling to the grocery stores by Metrorail could ride the green line to the Navy Yard – Ballpark Metro Station, followed by a seven-minute walk. Residents can travel also via the five-minute C11 bus ride and an eight-minute walk.

What’s in the cart for SW residents?

Southwest resident David Moore said that shopping in Southwest is “a bit annoying.” Safeway serves too many people at a time, he said.

Residents may have to plan out their trips to the grocery store, aligning with stocking schedules, to avoid shopping among empty shelves, the longtime resident said.

“I mean, as soon as they put it out, it’s pretty much gone because there’s just not enough for everybody that lives here,” Moore said.

Moore visits Whole Foods and Harris Teeter located in Navy Yard, though he generally shops at Safeway because of its proximity. However, commuting from the Southeast grocery stores back home with bags of food has become an issue during the trips, he said.

“If I ride a bike, I can be there in six, seven minutes,” Moore said. “But if I got a bunch of bags, I’m walking. So, it’s about 20 minutes.”

Moore said plopping down another grocery store in the area could improve the shopping experience of residents, citing the planned construction of Streets Market in the neighborhood.

Sofia Abdirizak, an American University graduate student, said that she often does not have issues when choosing where to shop for groceries, living on the border of Waterfront and Navy Yard.

The Southwest resident told 91���� the cost of produce is her only concern when shopping in the area. Biweekly grocery store runs to Whole Foods or Harris Teeter can cost her more than $240 a month, she said.

“I mean, I’m not trying to go to Whole Foods every time,” Abdirizak said. “It’s expensive.”

Abdirizak said she shops at Navy Yard grocery stores by car for convenience, rarely visiting the Safeway in Southwest.

While driving to grocery stores is an advantage for her, scattered market locations may hinder residents who do not own cars, she said.

“It is a bit of a walk … if you don’t have a car or want to take the bus,” Abdirizak said. “I have a car, so it’s not too bad if I need to do big trips.”

Abdirizak said that another grocery store in Southwest would allow residents to have more choices when deciding where to shop. People in the surrounding neighborhoods would also benefit from an extra market, she said.

“I think one more grocery store, especially closer to Capitol Hill, would be helpful,” Abdirizak said. “Like maybe another Safeway or a Giant.”

The post Southwest residents want more room on the table for fresh produce first appeared on 91����.

Still, both parties are refusing to take the blame for the reasons behind the 36-day shutdown. Democratic leaders say the election day victories are a sign to hold their ground. Republicans say blue wins in blue states are not a reason to cave.

House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said at a press conference Wednesday that he hopes the elections are a “wake-up call” for Republicans. Schumer said Democrats may have won the battle, but they have to keep fighting to win the war. 

“Americans have been feeling the real-world repercussions of Trump’s policies for months,” said Schumer, who Wednesday sent a letter asking President Trump to meet with party leaders.

Voters “know that Democrats are fighting for them and Republicans are doing nothing … Last night, Republicans felt the political repercussions.”

Bipartisan Stalemate

The shutdown has persisted because Democrats and Republicans cannot find a middle ground on health care tax credits, which makes insurance cheaper for millions of Americans. Those subsidies are set to expire Dec. 31.

Democrats have refused to reopen the government until Republicans agree to extend the tax credits.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Republicans have always been willing to talk about making health care more affordable, but have been reluctant to do so during the shutdown because they want to reopen the government before negotiating.  

Republicans have been reluctant to do so during the shutdown because they want to reopen the government before dialogue continues, he said.

“It was in no way necessary or appropriate to shut down the government in order to have bipartisan discussions about the subsidies,” Johnson said.

Mayoral Milestone in New York

In New York City, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani beat former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor-elect, and its youngest in over a century. 

Mamdani, who calls himself a democratic socialist, started his campaign relatively unknown last year before surging to victory Tuesday against Cuomo. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,called Mamdani’s win “one of the greatest political upsets in modern American history.” 

Sanders said Mamdani not only took on oligarchs, President Trump and Republicans in the election, but also the Democratic establishment.  

“If you have an agenda that speaks for the working class in this country, if you are prepared to take on the oligarchs — explain to people that it’s unacceptable that the very rich become much richer while working families can’t even afford groceries or their rent — and if you put together a grassroots movement you can in fact win,” Sanders said.

Speaker Johnson called Mamdani an “avowed, openly proclaimed Socialist” at a press conference Wednesday. He said Mamdani’s win signifies a shift toward socialism in the Democratic Party.

“Mamdani is without a doubt the biggest win for socialism in the history of the country, and it is the biggest loss for the American people,” Johnson said.

Alejandro Medina, a marketer who splits his time between New York and Virginia, said he feels more comfortable living in Virginia now because of the election results, which flipped the governorship to Democrat.

Medina is an immigrant from Mexico who cannot vote because he is not a U.S. citizen.

“I have to allow people to vote on my behalf,” he said.

Electoral sweep in Virginia

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said Democrats are “playing politics” with the lives of Americans during the shutdown. Republicans currently have a majority in both the House and Senate, as well as control of the White House. 

The Democratic sweep of Tuesday’s elections presents a new mainstream for the party, he said. 

“From a Communist mayor in New York City to a Virginia Attorney General who said he wanted to murder his political opponent. Pro-terrorist Marxist radicals are now the left’s mainstream,” Emmer said.

In Virginia, Democrats won the races for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General in one fell swoop. 

D.C. Tour Guide Lori Cohen, said she wasn’t surprised that Democrats won the state elections, with the exception of Attorney General-elect Jay Jones. 

On the campaign trail, Jones sent text messages about shooting his political rival, then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, to a Republican state delegate. Jones had apologized but stayed in the race.

Cohen said she wasn’t too pleased with the messages.

“I almost didn’t vote for him, but I didn’t want to continue Trump policies for attorney general, so I voted for him, and I kind of held my nose while doing it,” she said.

She said she voted Democrat because she disapproved of the shutdown and recent policy decisions by Trump. She said that she believes other democrats voted for similar reasons.

“There’s no end to the things to hate about Donald Trump,” she said.

Eric, a federal employee and Republican, who did not want his full name used, also said he was surprised by the election of Jones.

Jones “wanted to shoot his opponent twice and murder his children. I find that kind of extreme,” Eric said.

Eric is a Maryland resident, but he says he would have voted for Winsome Earle-Spears if he could have participated in the Virginia elections.

“I’m a Republican and she’s a Republican. I kind of go for the underdog,” he said.

Blue voted blue

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La, said the recent elections do not represent most Americans’ view of Republicans’ performance during the shutdown. Many of the states that saw Democratic wins Tuesday voted for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

“Is it any surprise that last night, blue states voted blue? We’re talking Virginia, New Jersey, New York,” Scalise said. “By the way, none of those were swing states.”

Pam Henkins, a retired federal employee who voted in the Virginia election, said that the federal shutdown was one of many factors that motivated her decision. 

Her husband is one of the federal employees furloughed as part of the shutdown, though he still works for the DOJ. The government has furloughed about 670,000 employees, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

“I feel like this president is lawless,” Henkins said, “and I relied on the Supreme Court to institute the structure and uphold Congress’s authority and that’s just gone dead.”

Scalise said Republicans have worked with President Trump to deliver results on issues, like lowering taxes and securing the southern border.

But Ed Markey, D-Mass., said the elections are a clear call from voters for Republicans to come to the table and negotiate to end the shutdown. He said Trump has given himself “king-like power” and enacted economic policy that is illegal and destructive. 

“President Trump is taxing food, and toys, and clothing and even tea … the last time there was a tax on tea there was a revolution in Boston,” Markey said. 

The post Democratic wins deepen divisions on shutdown first appeared on 91����.

Fiesta DC and the Mexican Cultural Institute assisted organizers but left planning for possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations to The Wharf, despite concerns over mass arrests of participants by organizers of other festivals nationwide.

Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated Nov. 1 and 2 to honor deceased loved ones through altar and cemetery gatherings. Officials across the United States feared that those celebrating the holiday would be intentionally targeted by immigration enforcement.

As a result, some cities decided to cancel their Dia de los Muertos festivals, finding that the expansion of immigration enforcement could trigger mass arrests at the large gatherings.

Increased arrests recently in Long Beach, California, Decatur, Georgia and Santa Barbara, California caused officials to call off their Dia de los Muertos celebrations. Celebrations in the California cities of Senoma and Half Moon Bay were limited.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pleaded in an October letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to pause immigration enforcement operations during Halloween weekend.

Noem, responding to Pritzker’s letter, declined.

“No, we’re absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe,” Noem said during a press conference.

Noem said operations would continue to bring “criminals” to justice, ensuring the safety of children during the holiday season.

The Wharf hosted the Dia de los Muertos celebration in partnership with Modelo, Fiesta DC, Giant, and the Mexican Cultural Institute. Fundación Elena and De Colores, nonprofits that work to improve the quality of life in Latino communities, also collaborated with The Wharf in organizing.

Services provided by the Mexican Cultural Institute included face painting, sugar skull decorating, and live music. Latin Celtic band La Unica, Sol y Rumba, DJ Danny, and singer Roberto Aparicio performed as residents enjoyed Mexican festivities.

Concerns over ICE attending the Saturday celebration had stemmed from extensive immigration enforcement operations in businesses, restaurants and bars across the D.C. metro area. Community churches and organizations have also had an uptick in their members or employees detained by ICE.

Organizations’ concern

In D.C., Daniela Madrid, event logistics member at the Mexican Cultural Institute, said that she did not hear any concerns about possible ICE arrests before planning the Saturday celebration.

She told 91���� the institution’s responsibilities included supplying traditional references from other Mexican festivals, highlighting that they were not the main planners for event specifics, such as security.

Madrid said that event planning was left up to The Wharf.

Wharf organizers did not respond to requests for comment.

Fiesta DC president Maria Patricia Corrales said that the structure of the event was directed by The Wharf, while her organization contributed altars and the locations of musicians. The organization also provided catrinas, the skeletal figures that have become a symbol of Día de Muertos celebrations.

Corrales told 91���� that despite public fears, the celebration was a success.

“The public might have expressed concerns,” Corrales said. “We did not come out with any issues.”

Corrales said that organizations cannot always wage the continuation of celebrations due to the presence of law enforcement.

“You can never expect something unexpected,” Corrales said. “We announce and hope people come. People want to come out and enjoy themselves.”

Participant safety

Waterfront resident Andrew Braner said that he felt safe attending the celebration as a regular. He said that he did think about the possibility of immigration enforcement coming to the event while attending.

“I live here and I feel safe all the time,” Braner said. “I was actually wondering if ICE would show up.”

Braner, who has celebrated past Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, said that though the D.C. celebration was “small beans” compared to those in the Latin country, it is still essential to curate in a diverse space.

“The world is [in D.C.] and there’s a lot of cultures here,” Braner said. “So, when you can celebrate Dia de los Muertos as a tradition, it just encourages the community to come together.”

Alex McKenna, an attendee at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration, said it’s important to continue cultural celebrations around the U.S. to avoid negative stereotyping.

He told 91���� this was his first time attending a Dia de los Muertos celebration.

“I think it shares with people something that’s important to them,” McKenna said. “And it’s important that we see other people for what’s important to them and understand that about others before we say something negative about it ourselves.”

McKenna said though he could not comment on the concerns of ICE conducting arrests at Dia de los Muertos celebrations, he felt safe when attending Saturday. He said he felt safe because of the celebration’s security presence.

“It’s amazing,” McKenna said. “I mean, the night is alive, and they’ve done such a great job, I think, of bringing everyone together and showing their culture.”

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The women said they have a reason for skipping the demonstrations against the administration: it’s time for others to step up.

During the 2024 presidential election, 92% of Black women voted for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. After her defeat, some chose to disengage from today’s demonstrations to prioritize their own well-being.

However, others said that while rest is important, citizens should not abandon participation in resistance movements.

At a time when Black women face further marginalization, some sat out a rally that had more than 7 million participants nationwide, but no clear action steps, some said.

“Black women are tired of empty performative action,” said Sherri Williams, associate professor in Race, Media and Communication at American University.

Williams explained that the issue is not about disengagement but about choosing when and how to engage. Black women chose to unshoulder political burdens and prioritize self.

“’Rest as protest’ means Black women are really thinking strategically about where they will invest their energy,” Williams said.

Exhausted, but ‘still showing up’

Still, the rally was compelling for some protesters.

Activist Imani Bashir spent the day under a tent helping people understand their power as jurors and taxpayers and sharing information about labor unions.

She described the rally as a “white liberal space,” a space with predominantly white attendees and no plan of action. She felt it lacked a sense of urgency, disruption, and clear demands, and felt more like a parade than a protest.

Bashir said she understood why others skipped the event. However, she said doing nothing is not enough.

“Some are throwing up their hands,” Bashir said. “But most of the Black femmes, trans folks, and gender-nonconforming people I know are exhausted — and still showing up.”

Opting out

Kia Braxton, an emergency management contractor who works on social justice issues, stayed home. She found little reason to express herself publicly again.

“My protest was back in November when I voted for the only competent, capable choice who was on the ballot who happened to be a Black woman,” Braxton said.

Braxton said protests should not be “comfortable pursuits.” She said the rally was more of a “social gathering.”

Braxton told 91���� that Black people are still resisting, even if they don’t appear in demonstrations. Black people, she said, historically have been working for everyone’s benefit.

“We’ve earned our rest,” Braxton said. “We are still doing the work, just not the way you expect.”

“The Rest Revolution”

Amanda Littlejohn, author of , recognizes how going back to the basics of rest and well-being is helping Black women deal with burnout from advocacy.

Littlejohn and others are turning inward to prioritize their physical and mental health above advocacy.

As her critics call rest a luxury, she pushes back.

“Rest is not a luxury or something that we have to earn,” Littlejohn said. “You can’t outwork racism; you can’t outwork sexism. Your excellence cannot fix systemic issues.”

Littlejohn criticizes the oft-repeated doctrine that Black women must be “twice as good” to succeed. She said it normalizes exhaustion to an unhealthy degree.

“Rest is being in community with people who are supportive to you,” Littlejohn said. “Rest is making room for joy and things that replenish, refuel, and energize you.”

Intergenerational burnout

Clinical psychologist and founder of Vivid Innovations Consulting Ashley Elliott, popularly known as Dr. Vivid, said that rest is a form of resistance.

Elliot said that resting allows others to step up and act. She added that since Black women have carried the load, others need to contribute.

“That resistance is a show of growth in our mindset,” Elliot said. “We understand we are doing more harm than good if we continue to show up on the battlefield for people who won’t show up for us unless we start the work.”

The Arlington-based psychologist told 91���� that Black women have taken on the role of keeping communities together, sometimes neglecting their own needs, resulting in generational cycles of burnout.

To break generational cycles of burnout, Elliot said Black women must remember they also deserve the love, rest, and safety they provide others.

Elliot said that Black women can often feel guilty for resting due to societal pressures. When this guilt rises, there is a way to counteract that – with evidence.

“What have you done for yourself, for your family, for your community that has proved fruitful, effective, positive, beneficial?” Elliot asks. “Acknowledging that that work, no work, no matter how long or short in the task or the project, is enough to justify rest.”

Not exactly “rest”

Anna Malaika Tubbs, sociologist and author of Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us, said that because Black women were pushed furthest from the original U.S. patriarchal structure, they had to imagine and fight for better conditions.

“The Founding Fathers … were building a republic of men, white men in particular, who they saw as elites,” Tubbs said. “They painted Black women as the complete opposite of American patriarchy and the benefits that are afforded to them.”

The sociologist said that when Black women do not always appear at rallies or events, it is not because they are necessarily resting in the traditional sense of the word.

“Our day-to-day life is resistance,” Tubbs said. “The way we parent our children to still live and love and thrive in a nation that often tries to attack them, is our resistance.”

Black women aren’t giving up, Tubbs said, it’s just time for others to “wake up.”

The post The complicated relationship of Black Women and the ‘No Kings’ movement first appeared on 91����.

The D.C. Rubell Museum is a Southwest institution that will welcome guests while Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art remain closed as the third week of the shutdown starts.

The Rubell continues to operate blocks away from the National Mall because it is not federally funded, allowing residents and guests to view and learn new viewpoints on art, history and culture.

Smithsonian shutdown

The Smithsonian Institution released a statement two days after the government shutdown Oct. 1, informing guests that museums would use prior-year funds to remain open to the public for one week.

As the shutdown lingered, the Smithsonian closed the doors of all its museums Oct. 12.

The National Gallery of Art closed Oct. 4 due to the pause in federal funding.

This leaves D.C. tourists and residents without informative exhibits found at museums such as the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History.

School trips to the Smithsonian are starting to look different as students can’t access museums that provide valuable information about science, history, and art.

Tiffany Jones, a Virginia math teacher, said that her seventh grade students would not be visiting exhibits that would support their curriculum on the school’s annual field trip to the Smithsonian.

The Northern Virginia school instead planned an advisory day filled with scavenger hunts around the National Mall.

The field trip is the only opportunity in the academic year for the school to bring students to the Smithsonian.

Jones said that the Smithsonian’s closure has changed her students’ opportunity.

“So, their experience is not rich. It’s not as in-depth,” Jones said. “We don’t have a lot of discussions about the random things that you see.”

Jones told 91���� the Smithsonian’s closure limits the students and the experience the school wanted them to have.

Jones said also that the hardest thing outside of planning around the closure is finding accommodations for students, like restrooms and water fountains.

A day planned to expand on the students’ Civil Rights Movement unit by visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture has turned into one of Jones warning students not to feed pigeons.

The Smithsonian Institution’s closure could have an impact on the experience of tourists who scheduled visits to D.C. months in advance.

Alex Leveto and Jenna Christopher, Houston tourists, said that it “definitely sucks” the government shutdown is impacting the Smithsonian.

Christopher said she and Leveto are fans of science and were looking forward to visiting the National Air and Space Museum.

“Definitely wish we could have seen them,” Leveto said. “It’s been years since we’ve been here, so we’re still enjoying walking around in general.”

The pair said they had discussed leaving D.C. because of the shutdown, ultimately staying to avoid rescheduling another flight.

Rubell remains open

The Rubell Museum is a non-profit organization continuing to operate during the shutdown.

The museum sits at 65 I St SW, blocks away from the National Mall and the Waterfront Metro Station.

While free for D.C. residents, it charges $15 for admission and is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Read more about the museum’s admissions on its website,

This differs from the Smithsonian, which is free to everyone and usually is open every day except for Christmas.

The Rubell, which opened in 2022, currently is showcasing the Basil Kincaid: Spirit in the Gift and Material Witness exhibits, in addition to its regular collection.

The Rubell Museum could not comment on operations before deadline.

Sari Ylipulli, a Finnish tourist, was encouraged by a friend to visit the Rubell Museum for a day visit.

Ylipulli said that she originally planned to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture to expand her interest in the history of Black Americans.

“I was especially interested in the African American History Museum,” Ylipulli said. “So, very sad that it’s not open.”

Ylipulli said that, while she was in the museum, she was amazed at how beautiful and touching the artwork was.

Sculptures and wall pieces made of wood, pans, and steel line the walls of the Rubell Museum.

The Finnish tourist said that she was “exactly in the right place” in a room furnished with artwork by artists Josh Faught and Henry Taylor.

“It’s amazing, amazing what they can do,” Ylipulli said

The post This Southwest museum is not shutting down first appeared on 91����.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston Wednesday put on hold the subsequent mass firing of about 4,100 of the federal workers — a decision aimed at the Trump administration. Illston, with the Northern District of California, questioned the legality of the administration to fire them.  

Even as the courts weigh in, the shutdown appears far from over.

Senate leaders voted against ending the shutdown Wednesday for the ninth time after efforts to end the stalemate collapsed on Tuesday. 

The shutdown is tangled in deep partisan divisions, with Republicans and Democrats refusing to negotiate over Democrats’ push to extend health care tax credits, which make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act. 

The shutdown — the fifth longest in modern history — mirrors the political brinkmanship seen during Trump’s first term when the stoppage lasted 34 days.

Stephen Farnsworth, political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said the administration’s strategy of sustaining select programs while tightening pressure on Democrats suggests the shutdown may be less a short-term funding lapse than a calculated battle over the future of federal spending and health care policy.

“Democrats find it difficult to make a deal with Republicans in Congress when the president has shown little interest in following the terms of existing laws on the federal budget,” Farnsworth said. 

Deadlock in D.C.

Leadership wasn’t budging Wednesday. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a press conference he will not bring back House members until Senate Democrats agree to reopen the government first.

An hour and a half later, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats were willing to negotiate, but would not approve any funding bill without action on health care subsidies. 

“We are ready, we are willing, and we are able to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement,” Jeffries said outside the Capitol. 

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-LA, said that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, is avoiding compromise with Senate Republicans on the shutdown to fulfill a “hostage list” of demands that will undermine Americans.

The impasse reflects a familiar dynamic in Washington, but this time the stakes are higher.

The layoffs across seven federal agencies started Friday, including at the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. Before Illston’s decision, over 4,100 employees received layoff notices. 

Sen. John Fetterman, D-PA, said that Congress “should have never shut the government down,” when addressing concerns of mass layoffs of federal workers.

“They’re not going to get paid,” Fetterman said. “Don’t put them in that spot by shutting the government down.”

Republicans also want the government open, but blame the holdup on Democrats.

“I voted nine times to open the federal government,” said Sen. John Boozman, R-AR, outside the Senate subway. “The Democrats were blocking that.”

What is working or not

As key federal programs face growing uncertainty, the White House is working to shield certain services from disruption. 

On Saturday, the Trump administration announced $8 billion would be reallocated to cover the pay of about 1.3 million active-duty personnel and National Guard members. Although they received their paycheck on Wednesday, Johnson said  service members will miss their Oct. 31 paychecks if the government doesn’t reopen by then.

The move appears aimed at maintaining critical operations while blunting public backlash against the administration. But those steps may also remove much of the pressure that could otherwise force a deal.

Johnson said that conservative Republicans “prioritize troops and law enforcement.” 

Republicans “moved that over to prioritize payment of those who are putting their lives on the line today, and the families in serious situations,” Johnson said.

When questioned about Capitol police working without pay, Johnson said that Republicans “are not taking pleasure” in this scenario. 

The Senate is expected to vote again Thursday on the GOP-led funding bill without any expectation of a different outcome, according to Politico. 

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Rent prices in Southwest have increased by 32% in the last three years, causing a greater demand for affordable housing. Some groups, like the Riverside Baptist Church and the Westminster Presbyterian Church, have addressed the demand, but residents still say that the D.C. Housing Authority should play its part.

The redevelopment of the Greenleaf Gardens public housing complex also is a factor in residents’ concern about the operability of public housing in Southwest.

Rising costs

The Southwest Waterfront neighborhood’s fair market rent has increased 32% median between the 2022 and 2026 fiscal years, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The median fair market rent prices for apartments ranging from efficiencies to four bedrooms have increased from $1,980 in 2022 to $2,620 in 2026.

Resident concerns

Melvin Ellis, a former Southwest resident, previously lived in The Tides apartment building under the Inclusionary Zoning Affordable Housing Program.

Ellis said he didn’t mind the program, saying that it wasn’t “too bad.”

However, Ellis said the “disparity in investment” in complexes across the Waterfront neighborhood is troubling to him.

“It really took me aback,” Ellis said. “Knowing that the Wharf got so much investment, and like not even a couple blocks over where those littler like projects (Greenleaf Gardens) are, there’s such a lack of investment, it’s crazy.”

Ellis said that while the Inclusionary Zoning Affordable Housing program is necessary for residents who can’t afford high fair market rent prices, the D.C. Housing Authority should address the lack of emergency housing.

He said the program’s lottery system prioritizes those who apply first. Leaving those who may not receive housing “sitting on a waiting list.”

“I think the city is in need of more immediate housing resources because of what’s happening in D.C., how people are kind of being priced out of the area,” Ellis said. “Like, this is their homeland.”

Ellis said the lottery system is “like a catch-22,” where people who need affordable housing the most will likely be overlooked for the benefit of those who applied to housing earlier.

Ronee Washington, a Southwest resident, said that access to affordable housing has a good impact on her quality of life.

She said that she was able to move into the recently constructed MDXL Flats in 2024 and feels “wonderful” about living in affordable housing.

Washington said affordable housing has eased her ability to manage finances and find housing.

However, Washington said that D.C. Housing Authority can make an extra effort to provide further affordable leasing opportunities for single residents.

“I feel like D.C. needs more affordable housing down in Southwest, or anywhere,” Washington said. “Market price is over $3,000. I feel like D.C. needs more opportunities for people, especially the ones who don’t have kids.”

Church renovations

Westminster Presbyterian Church and Riverside Baptist Church have tried to address concerns around public housing by including the development of affordable units within the churches’ recent reconstruction plans.

Elder George Kerr of the Westminster Presbyterian Church said that the church is still developing a plan to construct 225 affordable housing units on its property.

“Since COVID, we haven’t been able to get the funding. But were still, were still going to make it happen,” Kerr said. “It’s just going to take us a little longer than we like.”

In the meantime, Westminster Presbyterian church has focused on building relationships within the Waterfront community.

Kerr said that the church has fostered a “great connection” with the residents of Greenleaf Gardens, James Creek, and Syphax Gardens public housing complexes.

This project would mirror the Riverside Baptist Church Redevelopment.

Riverside Baptist Church partnered with PN Hoffman in 2017 to develop a mixed-use building that would be attached to the church.

The redevelopment project included the development of The Banks apartment complex, first-story retail space, and a downsized Riverside Baptist Church.

Construction of the Banks apartment complex was completed in 2019, offering a total of 173 units. Of those, 21 units are affordable housing residences, as mandated under the Inclusive Zoning Affordable Housing Program.

The Inclusionary Zoning Affordable Housing Program, available since 2010, requires new residential developments, like apartments and townhouses, to include affordable units.

Greenleaf Gardens

Greenleaf Gardens, one of the largest public housing complexes in Southwest, was planned for rehabilitation after residents voiced concerns with the safety of the dated buildings.

D.C. Housing Authority changed the process to a redevelopment project after saying that the cost of rehabilitation exceeded the cost of replacement.

Planning for reconstruction originally began in 2017; however, DCHA announced in a 2024 ANC meeting that some units started undergoing redevelopment.

Successful calls from community organizations such as Empower DC and Westminster Presbyterian Church have influenced the DCHA to avoid resident displacement during redevelopment.

The D.C. Housing Authority declined requests to comment.

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Waterfront organizations such as the Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Southwest Neighborhood Library still plan events to allow residents to participate with neighbors, businesses, and history in an actively changing community. In addition, the organizers of the market are finalizing a calendar of events to take place over the next few months.

takes place every other Friday night from May to September at the 425 M St lot. The last market took place Friday, Sept. 19.

The night market hosts musical guests and small businesses from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. It allows these small businesses to promote their merchandise.

Southwest residents can enjoy and purchase food, music, jewelry, and clothing that range in cultural variety.

It is sponsored by the Southwest Business Improvement District and the mixed-use development Waterfront Station.

Creating community

The Southwest Business Improvement District invites small business owners to showcase products at Market SW to increase community engagement within the Waterfront neighborhood.

Maria Corbitt, co-owner of Claudia Alvarez Jewelry, said that hosting a table at the market for her business lets her “create a community” with her clients. Corbitt said that the night market helps her build relationships with recurring customers.

“I see a lot of young girls who purchase from me. And I call them my D.C. daughters. They come back, and they talk to me. I give them stuff, and they bake stuff for me,” she said.

Corbitt said that the relationships she makes are more rewarding than the money she earns. She said this is “the satisfaction that you’re doing it right.”

“It’s more than selling in this small market. It’s like creating a community,” she added.

Miguel Palacios, owner of Migue’s Minis, has been hosting a table at Market SW for 12 years. The vegan donut business also attends the .

Palacios said attending both makes him “feel part of the community.”

“We’re here all year round, every Saturday morning. We love being part of the community, it’s a big family now,” he said.

Palacios said that the presence of the National Guard in D.C. has caused a slowdown of his business. Since some of his customers are uneasy with the idea that “somebody’s watching over your shoulder all the time.”

“But in the last year, due to all that is happening around, it’s sort of a kind of slowdown to all the markets,” said Palacios. “But, like I said, we are in the community, and the community supports us a lot.”

Palacios said that business at Migue’s Minis is steady due to the community around him.

Southwest resident Carmen-Mitzi Sinnott has been familiar with the neighborhood for the last year. She said that Market SW is essential for the makeup of Southwest, which she describes as “socioeconomically diverse.”

“Everybody’s mixing in, and music and art have the capacity to do that, especially music,” she said.

Sinnott said that although the Market SW increases community engagement, it can improve in the future to represent more residents in the neighborhood by hosting various musical guests from other cultures.

“So, if anybody wants to think about bringing people together across the vibes here, you need to put some soul bands there,” she said. “Put some hip-hop artists and some jazz artists, and you’ll be able to blend the neighborhood better.”

Sinnott added that it is important that the community should “be more thoughtful about how we collaborate with our art.”

Engagement beyond the market

The Southwest Business Improvement District plans programs to encourage communication among residents and participation in community events. These programs range in topics such as art, food, and music.

Jessie Himmelrich, public space director of the Southwest BID, said that planning within the organization is important to bridge meaningful relationships between the community and small businesses.

“It is just a way to help bring the community out, bring them together. A little free entertainment. An opportunity to support local makers,” she said.

SW BID is in the process of planning its event calendar for the next year.

The organization plans to host pop-up art shows, out-to-lunch series, and seasonal events such as the Jingle Block Rock.

Residents can browse events on the organization’s.

“I think we do a lot of different programming that contributes to community engagement. We have over 20 signature events throughout the year,” she said.

Himmelrich said that , hosted at the 425 M St lot from March to December, will still provide a place for residents to immerse themselves in the beauty of Southwest.

“I think Southwest is a very active community. I think it’s very diverse, and we get tons of different kinds of folks who come and participate,” said Himmelrich.

The Southwest Neighborhood Library holds several events that invite all residents to events that allow them to be immersed in creative, social, and productive atmospheres.

The library hosts events such as Baby Play Time, Story Time, Teen Lounge, and Cozy Boom Club to appeal to various age demographics, increasing the library’s outreach in the local community. Residents can browse events in the .

Southwest Neighborhood Library also hosts the in partnership with other D.C. libraries. This program allows residents to celebrate public art with local artists and small businesses.

The library recently celebrated Art All Night the weekend of Sept. 12.

Francia Baker, library technician at the Southwest Neighborhood Library, said that programs at the library have a great impact on the community, especially on the youth.

“It gives the kids a safe place to be,” said Baker.

The Westminster Presbyterian Church sits just a block away from the 425 M St lot that hosts the Market SW. The church blends music, history, and social awareness to increase engagement in the diverse community of Southwest.

Elder George Kerr said that programs at the church preserve its community and the relationship it has with its visitors. The church has hosted for 28 years, for 19 years, and the for 24 years.

“We have been a staple in our community for many years,” Kerr said.

Kerr said that the church has “great relationships” with and hosts many events with the Southwest BID and Carron Baptist Church.

The church has partnered with other entities to host programs like back-to-school events and Juneteenth festivals to expand its reach and inform residents of the history of Southwest and the greater D.C. area.

Kerr said that “gentrification has taken quite a bit here in D.C.” The church uses D.C.’s rich history to host community events.

Some examples include the church’s visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the , which informs residents of the largest escape attempt by enslaved people.

“The Wharf has a lot of history down there with markers. It is incredible,” said Kerr.

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Management and employees of Jessie Taylor Seafood said that they have not had to raise prices, nor have they seen a decline in customers, especially those similar in demographic who may have visited before The Wharf’s revamp. The business sells a variety of seafood, including fish, crabs, shrimp, and oysters. Customers can choose whether they want their seafood cooked, live, or raw.

has served seafood to D.C. residents and tourists for over 200 years, operating since 1805. With recent developments at beginning in 2017 by real estate company Hoffman and Associates, the Municipal Fish Market has had to make changes.

Captain White Seafood City left the fish market in 2021 due to legal battles over lease agreements with real-estate partners Hoffman-Madison. The company operated for approximately 50 years before its departure.

Marcos Duilnea, a longtime employee of Jessie Taylor Seafood, attributes the company’s continued presence at The Wharf to its commitment to the community of Southwest.

Duilnea said that while Captain White Seafood City has left the fish market, “everybody in the community says not to, so that’s why we’re not. The reason we’re staying here is, we’re family.”

Jessie Taylor Seafood has been open for business for over 80 years, since 1939.

The business, owned by the Evans family for generations, has survived various changes at The Wharf. Greg Evans, manager of Jessie Taylor Seafood, said the customers who visit the market haven’t changed.

“Same family members. I’ve known families for generations.” Evans said.

Evans has managed the market for 35 years and said that, despite the developments, “everything is good,” even calling it an “upgrade” for The Wharf before the 2017 renovations by Hoffman-Madison.

D.C. resident Robert Porter has been a customer at the Municipal Fish Market for around 40 years. He said he’s happy with the commercial expansion at The Wharf and that it helps the fish market overall.

“They’ll bring more people coming in and more people come out and shop,” Porter said.

He added that he didn’t have to make any changes in his purchases at the fish market, such as paying more for seafood or experiencing longer waiting times.

Porter said that he hasn’t noticed a contrast in Jessie Taylor Seafood’s business today compared to the company’s operations before the developments by Hoffman-Madison. He said he sees the developments as beneficial to attracting new customers and improving their experience at The Wharf.

However, others think that the future of the fish market may be negatively impacted by the effects of commercial expansion.

Alistair Delchamps, a new D.C. resident who moved to the city this year, doesn’t have a good first impression of The Wharf’s renovations.

“Sounds like, I mean, everything is just going to get more expensive because the price is going to go up because they’re building more, and the rent’s going to go up because it’s all so nice. So, it’s going to be hard to keep these prices staying reasonable,” Delchamps states.

He added that it sounds like the definition of gentrification.

Marquell Washington, an advisory neighborhood commissioner with ANC 6D01, which includes The Wharf, said that though there have been improvements to enhance the Southwest Waterfront’s commercial and residential areas, the consequences of development have negatively impacted small businesses.

Washington said that the issues of high prices, limited parking, lack of funding transparency, and dwindling vendor options can impact businesses and customers at the fish market if it continues to operate under current leasing agreements with Hoffman-Madison.

However, he said some options would alleviate the issues the fish market could face in the future.

Washington said that the D.C. Main Streets Program, managed by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, would support the Municipal Fish Market when competing with larger companies at The Wharf through incentives like grants and business services.

He said that Jessie Taylor Seafood should collaborate with larger private entities to strengthen the fish market’s reach when those entities continue development.

Washington said that these pathways could solidify the presence of markets like Jessie Taylor Seafood at the Municipal Fish Market and improve the conditions for vendors at The Wharf.

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