October in the Neighborhood: Pull weeds for free national park passes; Zombie flicks and ping pong lessons; Celebrate Halloween… and Howl-o-ween

Volunteers show off the results of their labors in Reservation 630 West (January 2025 Kathy Sykes photo)

Trade weeds for free national park passes: September 28th is National Public Lands Day, which is both a work day for volunteers in U.S. national parks, and a celebration of their service. It’s free to visit every national park on this day. In DC, the National Park Service and Rock Creek Conservancy are extending the celebration by handing out free passes, good at any national park for a year, until mid-October.

It just so happens that Rock Creek Conservancy’s annual Weed Wrangle wraps up around that time. Weed Warrior Kathy Sykes is leading invasive species cleanups at Reservation 630 West (the mornings of October 5 and 12) and the wooded area behind the Politics and Prose parking lot (October 6 and 13). You can find more information and register here.

Plant fall flowers: Weekend afternoons in October, Kathy’s Weed Warrior hat comes off, and she dons her Master Gardener hat so she can lead volunteers in planting fall blooms and spring bulbs along Connecticut Avenue. The flowers serve a purpose other providing a splash of color. Kathy focuses on native plants that attract and sustain wildlife. Here are all the “when and where” details, and to sign up, email [email protected] with your preferred dates and the names of the those helping out. All ages and abilities are welcome. And if you’d like to help foot the bill, this program of Van Ness Main Street will also accept your donations.

Forest Hills Connection is an editorially independent program of Van Ness Main Street.

A celebration of plants we grow and eat: On October 12th, the Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair returns for its second year at Peirce Mill, along with cooking demonstrations and tastings, milling demonstrations, and a market with vendors including Bread Furst.

Pursuing ping pong perfection? Comet Ping Pong is offering free table tennis lessons Thursdays at 6 p.m. Kids as young as five are welcome, too.

We’re sensing a theme here. October Mondays at Comet are for zombie movies, projected on the backroom stage. Comet will show Return of the Living Dead on October 7, Living Dead: Part 2 on October 14, Living Dead 3 on October 21, and 1979’s ZOMBIE on the 28th. The screenings are free, and seating first come, first served. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-film entertainment that also gives you time to place food and drink orders before the 7:30 p.m. show. The menu includes “chic versions of classic drive-in snacks” from Comet sister restaurant Buck’s Fishing and Camping.

For G-rated Halloween fun: Head to the Spooktacular at Forest Hills Playground on October 27th. Creatively costumed kiddies will gather for free “spooky-inspired activities” that morning, and after lunch, are invited to trick-or-treat at participating businesses along Connecticut Avenue. You’ll find the activities lineup and candy map here on the Spooktacular’s Eventbrite page (please disregard the “sold out” warnings).

And for complete cuteness overload: Hillwood’s annual Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration is Saturday, October 19. Costumed dogs can win prizes in categories including Most Glamorous, Cutest, and Best Owner and Dog Combination Costume.