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John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Phone: (202) 727-2643
Email: [email protected]

Chief of Staff:
Tomás Talamante <[email protected]>

City Administrator:
Kevin Donahue <[email protected]>

Director of the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel:
Eugene Adams <[email protected]>

Senior Advisor:
Lindsey Parker <[email protected]>

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Affairs:
Lamont Carey <[email protected]>

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services:
Phil Thomas <[email protected]> <[email protected]>

Scheduling Requests:
mayor.dc.gov/page/invite-mayor [ [link removed] ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


December 12, 2025

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians,  

This has been a year of big challenges and big wins for our city [ [link removed] ]. Even as we’ve faced a series of unprecedented challenges, Washingtonians have done exactly what I would expect: you’ve stuck together, defended our city and our neighbors, and always found ways to keep winning for DC. Together, we:   


* Opened a new hospital in Ward 8 on the St. Elizabeths East campus and then we came back and opened the new Advanced Technical Center for our high school students who want to get a jump start on careers in health care.
* We continued the transformation of Downtown, converting more underutilized office space into new housing and bringing new employers to DC.
* We also continued to celebrate the spirit of DC: opening the new Go-Go Museum in historic Anacostia, celebrating our creative community at festivals like Art All Night, and we hosted an amazing World Pride 2025.
* Over the summer, we connected 13,000 young people to earn and learn opportunities through the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. And we started the new school year with even more career opportunities for our high school students.
* We launched TalentCapital.ai, a new tool that is connecting displaced workers with opportunities in the region.
* Even in an unusual budget year, we put together a Growth Agenda to ensure that as our economy shifts, we shift with it.
* And, of course, part of that Growth Agenda includes one of our biggest wins of 2025: we’re bringing our Commanders home and transforming 180 acres of land on the banks of the Anacostia into thousands of new housing units, acres of park space, a new entertainment district, a sportsplex for our kids, and more.

We also continued building on the work we did last year to drive down crime. We had the lowest violent crime rate since before the pandemic, the lowest homicide rate in eight years, and a 47% reduction in traffic fatalities.  

What makes all of these wins special is not just that we got them done in a difficult year, but that they represent the real DC. They represent the values, talent, and hard work of the more than 700,000 people who call DC home. They remind us that even with one hand tied behind our back, we take care of ourselves and we keep our city moving forward.  

With gratitude,

Muriel Bowser
In This Week's Newsletter:

* Skate for Free at the New Fort Dupont Ice Arena [ #link_4 ]
* Reminder: EdFEST Continues Tomorrow (Saturday, 12/13) [ #link_3 ]
* #BeDowntown: Santa Visits Frosted in Franklin Park [ #link_5 ]
* Leaf Collection Update: Section C Continues, Section D Is Up Next [ #link_1 ]

Skate for Free at the New Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Fort Dupont Ice Arena Now Open

The new Fort Dupont Ice Arena is now open—and skating and skate rentals are free for DC residents during the month of December! With open skate sessions and free learn to skate programs for all ages, there’s something for everyone. And more programming is coming soon, so get out, get involved, and get skating!


* *Fort Dupont Ice Arena Hours:*
* Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
* Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

* *Where: *3779 Ely Place SE
* *For more information and to register:* dprfortduponticearena.splashthat.com [ [link removed] ]

Also, to help expand access to high-quality programming at the Ice Arena, DPR is launching new grants of up to $235,000 per organization for activities including learn-to-skate programs, figure skating, hockey skills, broomball, and competitive youth hockey teams. Learn more at dpr.dc.gov/page/dprgrants [ [link removed] ].

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Reminder: EdFEST Continues Tomorrow (Saturday, 12/13)
EdFEST is back

If you have children who will be entering PK3 – Grade 8 in the coming school year, tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, you can head to EdFEST to learn more about your public school options. This annual public school fair gives you the opportunity to meet with representatives from DC Public Schools and public charter schools and learn about academic programs, support services, and extracurricular activities to find the right school for your family.


* *When: *Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m.
* *Where:* Kraken Kourts & Skates, 514 Rhode Island Avenue NE
* *Register: *myschooldc.org/events/edfest [ [link removed] ] 

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#BeDowntown: Santa Visits Frosted in Franklin Park
Santa greeting kids at Franklin Park

Santa Claus is coming to Frosted at Franklin Park tonight and next Saturday! Now’s your chance to take photos with Santa and holiday characters, sing along with holiday carolers, and enjoy free hot chocolate and hot apple cider—all while enjoying Frosted at Franklin Park’s beautiful seasonal lighting display. 


* *When:* December 12 and 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
* *Where:* Franklin Park, 1332 I Street NW
* *More information:* downtowndc.org/events/santa-visits-frosted [ [link removed] ]

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Leaf Collection Update: Section C Continues, Section D Is Up Next
Leaf collection

The first round of leaf collection continues in Section C, and Section D is expected to start on Monday, December 22. Rake your leaves into the tree box or curb in front of your home. Paper bags are welcome if you’d like, but please don’t use plastic bags, as they can’t be composted. Check your collection section [ [link removed] ] and sign up for updates [ [link removed] ] to stay informed.

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Mayor Muriel Bowser

John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW | Washington DC, 20004

(202) 727-2643

[email protected] | mayor.dc.gov [ [link removed] ] | @mayorbowser

 



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