Dear DowntownDC Stakeholder:

If you’ve walked around DowntownDC — from the giant nutcrackers outside Old Ebbitt Grill to the ever-festive Downtown Holiday Market — there’s no denying it, the holidays are in full swing. There’s still time to get some shopping done at a new pop-up bookstore and plan your events for the rest of December with our events guide. For this month and beyond, there’s also a new bar in Chinatown you can’t miss if you're a sports fan.

And for you devotees of The Office — and if not you, then your friend who’s regularly quoting it — time’s running out to catch The Office Experience before it heads out of town.

Though not holiday-related but important: If you have any time tonight for a virtual meeting and you care about the future of K Street, make sure to join the meeting on the upcoming, transformational project.

The holiday songs piped through stores signal that the end of 2023 is also coming to a close, which means some of us are looking for where to send charitable dollars: This matching contributor makes giving an even easier decision.

Finally, we have a roundup of news you may have missed regarding the DowntownDC area. 

Catch up on the news, plan the rest of your month, and more below.

There’s no shame if you still have some of your holiday shopping to complete. Luckily for you, there’s now a pop-up bookstore right across the street from both Franklin Park and the McPherson Square Metro station. Carpe Librum (the store’s name means “seize the book”) is a fundraiser for D.C. nonprofit Turning the Page, which works to engage families for student success. Find used books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl, all available for $6 or less, now through January.

Carpe Librum, 1350 I Street NW

A good sports bar has a bunch of screens with all the games on. A better sports bar has elevated food and drink to go with them. And a great sports bar has all of that plus personalized audio at each table, so you can fully dedicate your focus to your favorite team. Could it get that awesome? It absolutely does at Tom’s Watch Bar, which just opened in the heart of Chinatown. With a family-friendly attitude, not to mention a section devoted to virtual games like golf and soccer, this two-story establishment is a must-visit, no matter what sport you’re into. 

Tom’s Watch Bar, 781 7th Street NW

Get your tickets fast. How fast? Somewhere between a snake and a mongoose. And a panther. Get ready to visit your favorite mid-level regional paper company in person and explore set recreations, original props, costumes, and more. Use the code SHESAID for 20% off tickets. 

Don’t worry, Toby is not invited.

The Office Experience, 1020 G Street NW

• Douglas Development Adds New Location, Chinatown to ‘The Mark,’ Portfolio
  Real Estate Weekly
   
• Andrew Grant Is Quietly Building a Haven for D.C.’s Music Scene at Eaton
  Washington City Paper
   
• Best Holiday Teas in the D.C. Area — Visit the 4 in DowntownDC! 
  Washingtonian
   
• D.C. Council Proposes More Incentives to Address Office, Retail Vacancies
  Washington Business Journal
   
• Major Security and Road Closures in Effect for US-Africa Leaders Summit
  NBC4