City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🏌️ Could Trump control DC’s golf courses?
December 16, 2025 · — Natalia Aldana
Hiya! This is City Cast editor Natalia Aldana, filling in for Kaela today.
🪦🪙 With the U.S. Mint’s announcement this year that pennies will no longer be produced, a group in D.C. is organizing a “funeral” for the good ole penny. If you’re also feeling the loss, empty out that piggy bank and BYOP (bring your own pennies) to pay your respects on Dec. 20 at the Lincoln Memorial. Organizers suggest a heavy emphasis on Victorian funeral garb, and guest speakers include Mary Todd Lincoln and other famous mourners. Only in D.C., eh?
What's CITY Talking About
Warm Up with DC’s Best Coffee
We’re officially in winter weather season, and staying holed up at home sounds pretty tempting. But Dominique Bazil is here with a guide to the cozy cafés in DC that are absolutely worth bundling up for. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Trump Moves to Take Over DC’s Public Golf Courses
The Trump administration issued a default notice to National Links Trust, which manages three DC golf courses, jeopardizing their 50-year lease and potentially clearing the way for Trump to control them. Though the future is unclear, the nonprofit group could lose operational control of the East Potomac, Rock Creek and Langston courses as soon as this month. [Washington Post 🔐]
International Enrollment at Georgetown Declines
Due to new U.S. visa and immigration policies, international graduate enrollment at Georgetown University dropped 20% this fall, mirroring a nationwide decline in interest among international students during the Trump administration. [Axios]
Data Center Surge Sparks Debate in Maryland
Maryland is seeing rapid data center growth as it seeks to address a $1.4 billion deficit. While the state welcomes industry investment, community protests and calls for more oversight have also emerged due to concerns over environmental impact, land use, and increased energy consumption. [Axios]
- Related: Why people hate that NoVa is a data center hub. [City Cast DC 🎧]
What To Do
Tuesday, Dec. 16
- ⚜️ Profs & Pints: The Green Knight and Medieval Yule at Penn Social (Penn Quarter)
- ☕ Death Cafe at Courthouse Library
- 🎤 Stories by LGBTQ+ Jews in D.C. at the Capital Jewish Museum (Penn Quarter)
- 🍿 Midday Matinee Screening at Benning Library
- 🎶 The Pocket Open Mic (Truxton Circle)
Wednesday, Dec. 17
- 🪩 Sapphic Holiday Social at metrobar (Brentwood)
- 🎵 Tunes: Cigarette at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🔔 Union Station Holiday Market (Starts) (East End)
- 🕎 Menorah Lighting at Met Park (National Landing)
- 📮 Postcard Making at the MLK Library Metro Holiday Pop-Up (Downtown)
- 🎥 “Die Hard” Movie Screening at Dirty Habit (Downtown)
- 🍻 Hanukkah Happy Hour at Hook Hall (Park View)
- 🤘 Girls Rock! DC Show and Benefit at Pie Shop (H St. NE)
👋 There are tons of new City Cast DC neighbors in the building! Shout out to Ann T., Bhavna S., John H., Erica S., Carl L., Ashley C., Barbara Y., Sandy B., Meri K., Martha C., Crystal W., Mary C., Daria A., Travis M., Pui-San Y., and Julia C.
On behalf of the City Cast DC team — THANK YOU! We're so excited to welcome our new City Cast DC Neighbors — we make this newsletter for you. We can’t wait to meet you in the new year ✨
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