Embedded Files
The amazing new mural at Joe’s Movement Emporium.
📣 Welcome
📣 Welcome
Date 11/21/25
Issue 17
There are plenty of studies that show practicing gratitude is good for us, and I believe them. My favorite part of a gratitude practice is getting to experience things twice: once in real time and again in reflection. That second pass is intentional. We can train our brains to do it more often, but in the end, gratitude is a choice, and it’s one we must make over and over.
Below this week’s Top 5, I’ve compiled a small list of things neighbors are grateful for. I so enjoyed reading these reflections, and I hope you do, too. I’m grateful for this community and the people who write and read the LGN. From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
My Top 5:
It’s Thanksgiving! Find a way to give back if and when you’re able. Check out the Mutual Aid section!
Cottage City has free yoga this Saturday.
The Thomas Stone Elementary Book Club Event was so great! Another one on 12/8.
I’m ready to spend some money at Joe’s Holiday Craft Fair on 12/6.
11/22 is the last Farmers Market of the season!
Rachel Bush
LGN Editor
rsbush01@gmail.com
Lower Gateway Gratitude:
I’m grateful for those who maintain the trail behind the food forest and visits to the neighborhood chickens 🫶 SL
I am grateful for the creativity, engagement and concern for others I see every day from my neighbors. I’m grateful to live in a community where people wave and smile at each other while they walk around and seek ways to help out their neighbors. DR
Three weeks ago, a neighbor grabbed me on her way to Joe’s to learn the Thriller dance. For the next 4 days, I danced alongside 5 neighbors I previously hadn’t met. It was weird and awesome and I’m so grateful to live in a place where things like that happen – Neighbors willing to create and share joy. Teachers and creators making space to learn. (Oh, and I’m also thankful for my husband, who did bedtime with the kids every night that week so I could go.) RB
I love that art classes are within walking distance of my house. The glass class I took at Washington Glass School was a cool experience and felt very doable, even for a newbie like me. IL
I’m thankful for neighbors in Mount Rainier who show up for each other every single day. DN
So thankful for bumping into neighbors I love and having just a few minutes of conversation - about the weather, about the neighborhood, about life. I love the feeling I’m left with every time. Such love and gratitude for the earth underneath me and the people who stomp around it with me. LC
I’m thankful for the generosity of neighbors and how the community comes together in times of need for others! KB
I really appreciate the Buy Nothing Facebook Group. I think half my house is full of goods from my neighbors. TB
I’m grateful for all of the beautiful murals. It doesn’t matter how many times I see them. They always brighten my day. TR
We felt so lucky to find our home in 2019, but what makes it even better are the neighbors on our lovely block who have always been so kind and welcoming. I’m thankful to all of 37th Street but particularly our next door neighbors and their pups—we recently built pass-throughs connecting our backyards so they could play and roam freely, and to foster even more connection among our houses. MF
I'm grateful for the pigtail at Pennyroyal. AG
I’m grateful for the way our Lower Gateway community continues to grow stronger — neighbors supporting neighbors, new businesses opening their doors, and a shared pride in our diverse, welcoming corridor. RTL
Feeling grateful to our neighborhood and response network that helped us find our lost kitten! Thanks to the many neighbors who helped us put out signs, shared our flyer on listserves and social media posts, to the A Cats Life Rescue team for quickly responding with recommendations, to the Whole Food employee who found her and the shopper who recognized her and brought her back to Mount Rainier! GL
My way of discovering a city is by walking across it. I've been walking across Mount Rainier and its adjoining cities for six years, a process of discovery that continues to unfold. Those walks have been at times contemplative and others conversational, but always enriched by the interactions with neighbors both expected and not. The walks began with me and my dog and now count my two young children, often on our way to various schools, and the perspectives have widened still to include the ways our neighbors see and experience the world. Each of these interactions, each of these perspectives are a piece of an ever-emerging mosaic that is this place for me. It is a marvel to walk through it, to witness its change, and to participate in its evolution in ways at once minute and immense. RMM
There's a woman on 29th or 30th street that walks around picking up trash. I appreciate that she does that. LG
I'm grateful to live in a place where people are genuinely concerned about the well-being of others. For example, the efforts to support families who are being impacted by increased immigration enforcement has been very moving! Neighbors are not just talking, they are actually doing things to help others. CS
Some say we live in a bubble, and maybe that’s true—but if so, I’m grateful it’s the kind filled with people who genuinely care about one another. Last week, dozens of neighbors stepped out in the middle of the workday to alert at-risk neighbors about ICE activity nearby, others keep porch food pantries for anyone in need, and I know my fellow mamas here will gather diapers for a family in need within minutes of my call. So If this is a bubble, I’m happy to stay inside it. And also—Francis’ pupusas. Revueltas, obviously. NDLT
I am grateful to live in a community that values nature and invites bees and butterflies into their yards by planting native plants. MH
🏛️ City Updates
🏛️ City Updates
All city buildings are closed November 27th and 28th for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Brentwood:
11/24 - Brentwood in Bloom Unveiling
4 PM Starting at MiXt Food Hall
Colmar Manor:
11/25, 12/22, 4 - Rise and Shine Seniors
11/25, 12/2, 12/4
11/25, 2, 4 Tu - Town Council Meeting
12/4 - Dance Dance Party
Cottage City:
11/22 - Free Yoga
12/2 - Commission Work Session
12/10 - Regular Town Meeting
12/2 - Town Council Meeting
12/4 - Recreation Meeting
Mount Rainier:
11/28 Fr - Native American Heritage Day
12/2 Tu - Legislative Meeting of the Mayor and Council
12/11 Th - Recreation Committee Meeting
North Brentwood:
No Town Meetings in December
12/8 M - North Brentwood Citizens Association
12/10 W - Holiday Party at the N. Brentwood Community Center
🎒 School News
🎒 School News
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day!
Thank you to everyone who joined us in honoring Ruby Bridges and cheering on our students at Mount Rainier Elementary. It was a day filled with learning, celebration, and community. Many of our students are navigating challenging times, and having people show up to cheer them on as they walked to school meant more than words can say. Together, we continue to carry forward Ruby Bridges’ legacy and strengthen our school community.
Community Ask! MRES does an annual Mount Rainier Mall where families in need are able to shop for free new and gently used toys. We will start collecting items soon, please be on the lookout for that announcement or contact the PTO to make donations at mountrainierpto@gmail.com.
📅 Upcoming Dates
11/26-28: Thanksgiving Break
12/2: Instrumental and Select Chorus Concert
Thank you to everyone in their support of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day 2025 and our 1st meeting of our Book Club.
Our raffle of a 55” TV and Stand is raising funds to replace the murals on the fence and temp building that are in desperate need of repairs. Last day to get your ticket 12/08 @ 8pm.
📚 Coming up
TSES Book Club starts Nov 10—details coming soon.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is Nov 14—buckle up and walk with us! 👟
📅 Important dates
12/2 Tu - Monthly PTO Meeting 6pm via Zoom
12/8 M - TSES Monthly Book Club 5:30pm-6:30pm
12/8 M - TSES Holiday Shop
🌎 Stay Local
🌎 Stay Local
🎉Business Announcements
🎉Business Announcements
🌱 root to plate microgreen farm in Mount Rainier MD is offering a monthly microgreen subscription for the winter months. They’re also partnering with Spice Creek Farm in Brandywine for broiler purchasing. 🍗
🎭 Neighborhood Happenings
🎭 Neighborhood Happenings
Every Tuesday - Gateway Aging Together Walk from Joe’s at 10 AM
11/22 - Degenerate Art Film Screening
2-4 PM, #Free, Ticket Required
11/29 - Game Day at Joe’s Movement Emporium hosted by Gateway Aging Together
2-6 PM, bring a snack!
12/1 - Cookies and Crafts at Rainier Manor Community Room
12-3 PM, all ages, bring a snack!
12/5 - Nature Themed Game Night
Ages 18+ 6:30 PM
12/8 - Thomas Stone Monthly Book Club, #free children’s book club open to the whole community
5:30-6:30 PM
12/19 - Nature Makers Space: Holiday Wreaths
Ages 13+
12/14 Kuumba: A Kwanzaa Experience for Families at Joe’s Movement Emporium
12/14 - Holiday Cookie Swap
Email jjhoffpauir@proton.me for details
🧑🌾 Gateway Farmer's Market
🧑🌾 Gateway Farmer's Market
This weekend is the LAST Gateway Farmers Market of the season! What a successful and lovely second season. Thanks to everyone who helped make such a community gem.
The market is hosting a community clothing swap this weekend. Come “shop” the market for free and find some treasures for your winter wardrobe! 🧣🧤👗🧥👚👕🩳
🩰 Joe’s Movement Emporium
🩰 Joe’s Movement Emporium
Joe’s Movement Emporium harmonizes with the artistic community this holiday season for an immersive Kwanzaa craft and activity experience for the whole family. Connect and create while sharing community on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at our Mount Rainier location. We're kicking off the Kwanzaa season with special performances, hands-on craft workshops, demo classes, diasporic cuisine, and more. See you there! #free but donations suggested.
📚 Mount Rainier Public Library
📚 Mount Rainier Public Library
The Mount Rainier Library has a new English Conversation Club for adult community members learning to speak English. It meets every Monday morning at 11 AM in the children’s area. Many participants bring small children who can play in the children’s area while adults engage in English conversation practice. Beginner and intermediate learners are welcome.
☮️Volunteering and Mutual Aid
☮️Volunteering and Mutual Aid
Many neighboring families have been impacted by ICE. If you’re able, donate to one of the many GoFundMes to help families keep food on the table, pay their electric bills, and keep their housing. Sign up for Route 1 Mutual Aid emails.
Thanksgiving Food Give Away Sign up
Beans & Rice packing event for St. Matthew/San Matteo Church in College Park Sunday 11/23 at noon. If you can scoop beans and rice into a bag, you can participate! SSL (social service learning hours) granted to students big and small. Sign up here. #Volunteer
Mount Rainier Elementary Festive Pillow #Fundraiser
Huge thank you to Jan Steiner and Derek Reynolds for making so many of these beautiful cases!
🗺️ Slightly Less Local
🗺️ Slightly Less Local
11/22 Pet Food Pantry 9-11 AM
4910 Tilden Rd Bladensburg, MD
Festival of Lights - Watkins Regional Park
Snag It! #FREE Art Education Access for Young Adults, ages 14-22
Maryland Meadeworks is hosting a Free DC Social Hour on 11/22 open to anyone curious about the organization. RSVP here.
Material Things Holiday Extravaganza - Dec 6 starting at 4
☕ Etc.
☕ Etc.
Brentwood Market was broken into and robbed last week, which sucks. Let’s show them some extra love when we can.
Brentwood Town Hall is putting together a food bank. Donate if you can and call the town for info on when it’s open!
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