April 2019

The Ward 5 MOCRS are Dominique Chestnut, (202) 394-4399, dominique.chestnut@dc.gov and  Malik Miller, (202) 251-5049, malik.miller2@dc.gov. 
 
Monday & Wednesday Weekly, 1030AM - 1130AM - Free Strength/Tone & Yoga Classes at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave NE; Senior Water Aerobics on Mon & Wed, 8-9 & 910am (DC Residents 55 plus ONLY). 
 
Monday, Apr 1th, 7PM – 9PM – Stronghold Civic Association (SCA) meets at the Inspired Teaching Public Charter School (200 Douglas St NE) every 1st Monday of each month unless it falls on a holiday, then it’s on the 2nd Monday.  POC:  Laura Jackson, President).  Web:  www.strongholddc.org SCA listserv:  strongholdcivicassociation@yahoogroups.com,  Next Door website:  https://stronghold.nextdoor.com/news_feed/,  E-mail: StrongholdCivicAssociation@gmail.com   
 
Saturday, April 6th, 9AM, every 1st Saturday, come out & join us in the “Walk with a Doc” - Meet in front of the Visitors Center at R Street Entrance of the National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave, NE:  For more info, contact:  Walk Leader:  Phronie Jackson, PhD and Lead Physician:  Patricia Davidson, MD, FACP Cardiology and Hypertension.  WalkingPromotesWellness@gmail.com  walkwithadoc.org/our-locations/Washington-dc/ 
 
Monday, Apr 15th, 7PM-9PM - Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) meets at St George’s Episcopal Church, 2nd and U Streets NW.  BCA meets every 3rd Monday of the month but if a holiday falls on the 3rd Monday, it meets on the 4th Mon.  (bloomingdalecivicassociation.org, POC:  Teri Quinn, President) 
 
Tuesday, Apr 16th, 7PM–9PM - ANC5E Public Meetings meets at Friendship Armstrong Public Charter School; ANC 5E meets every 3rd Tuesday of each month @ 1400 P Street NW (corner of 1st and P St NW). (www.anc5edc.org – twitter @anc5e).  POC:  Bradley Thomas, Chair. 
 
Thursday, Apr 18th, 6PM-8PM - A Note from the Office of People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye - The next Utility Town Hall will be held at Mount Airy Baptist Church, 1100 North Capitol St NW.  You will be kept posted as future meetings are planned.  Follow on Twitter, Facebook and at www.opc-dc.gov for updates. 
 
My staff will cover issues such as the recent scams affecting Pepco customers, Washington Gas and Pepco construction projects, the new clean energy bill, and the latest developments in solar energy. Attendees also will get to hear about OPC’s new role as the advocate for DC Water consumers, as mandated by recent DC Council legislation. But what we really want is to hear from you during the question and answer period. 
 
We have seen major changes with DC utilities over the past several years and we want to personally discuss with community members where we are, where we are going and where you would like OPC to go in serving you. We insist that consumers have a voice in these matters and our town halls will be the right setting to sound off.  
 
Saturday, Apr 20th & Monday, Apr 22nd, UDC Earth Day 2019 Event, the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), is collaborating with Casey Trees & UDC's Environmental Sustainability Leaders Student Club to host two tree-planting events in honor of Earth Day 2019.  We welcome volunteers to participate too. The trees will be planted on UDC's Van Ness campus.  The goal is to plant approximately 70 trees on 
 
Saturday & approximately 20 trees on Monday.  A closing ceremony will take place on April 22nd at 12:30 p.m.  Refreshments will be available for participants. 
 
The planted trees will improve air quality by removing small pollutant particulates, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taking up carbon dioxide, provide habitats for beneficial plants and animals, & help mitigate the urban heat-island effect by shading homes & streets.  This event is FREE and open to the public. 
 
Event Details:  Saturday, April 20, 2019; 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; Monday, April 22, 2019; 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Location for both events:  University of the District of Columbia (Van Ness Campus), Building 44, Room A03, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 
 
The University of the District of Columbia is located at the Van Ness/UDC Metro stop on the Red Line. There is a parking garage on campus for those who prefer to drive ($8 for 1-3 hours; $12 for 4-6 hours; $20 for 7 hours or longer). Limited street parking is available.  CONTACT:  Ashley Grant, ashley.grant1@udc.edu, (202) 274-7128 
 
April 10th, 9:30-11:30AM, Tech Workshops:  Social Media 101 Workshop @ Bernice Forteneau Senior Wellness Center, 3531 Georgia Ave NW 20001; April 12th, 9:30-11:30AM, Tech Workshops:  Social Media 101 Workshop @ Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center, 324 Kennedy St NW 20011;  
 
Monday, Apr 22nd, *BEAUTIFICATION/EARTH DAY 2019*:  “Go outside, no matter the weather!”  Earth Day is always celebrated on April 22nd.  It’s followed closely by Arbor Day, which falls on the last Friday in April.  Ever wondered how Earth Day started?  This observance arose from an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues.  In 1970, San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration.  McConnell chose the spring equinox (March 21, 1970) and Nelson chose April 22nd.  Millions of people participated, and today, Earth Day continues to be widely celebrated (mostly on April 22nd).  Common Earth Day activities include planting trees, cleaning up litter, or simply enjoying nature through hiking, gardening, or taking a stroll in a local park. 
 
NOTE:  If you’re interest in beautifying your block and/or the public space near you home with plants, please do not hesitate to contact me.  5E09 SMD Process:  locate the planting area, (you are able to make plant selections as usual); provide to me a RETAIL VOUCHER from the retailer of your choice to me.  Payments will be paid to the RETAILER ONLY. 
 
Thursday, April 25, 7:30 AM-12PM, MedStar Washington Hospital Center will be having an Emergency Preparedness Drill “Unity X” and they are looking for ADULT Volunteers.  As a Volunteer, you will PLAY the role of a victim in an emergency situation.  For example, an emergency event like 911 or the Metro rail accident and you will play a victim who has been injured, burned or hurt, etc.  Please be prepared to get Moulaged and look the part with FAKE injuries, burn marks, wounds or bloody so please wear clothes that you do not mind getting dirty, cut or ripped.  Volunteers will be provided a continental breakfast, boxed lunch, a free t-shirt, validated parking, and a voucher.  You will also receive a Certificate for hours volunteered, if needed. 
 
If you or anyone else is interest, please email ruby.price@medstar.net; call 410-772-6687; or via cell # on 301-742-0637.  Thanks So Much!  Ruby Price, Volunteer Coordinator, Institute for Public Health Emergency Readiness, MedStar Washington Hospital Center. 

Saturday, May 18th – 9AM-3PM, Crispus Attucks Park Community Day.  BCA needs YOU to knock on doors of homes around the park from now through Apr 7th to ask for signatures in support of the Crispus Attucks Park Community Day.  To volunteer, please email Tynesia27@gmail.com; Subject:  “Volunteer Signature Team.”  This message is also posted at the Bloomingdale Neighborhood blog: http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2019/03/help-gather-signatures-for-05-18-2019.html and http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2019/03/can-you-help-gather-signatures-for.html  
 
Tuesday, June 11th; Sept 17th; and Nov 12:  MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s Community Health Department invites you to attend the AARP Smart Driver Course.  In this course, you will learn:  Safe ways to merge with traffic, change lanes, make turns at busy intersections and proper following distance; Proper use of seat belts, air-bags and getting your best seating position for driving; New technologies to assist in accident prevention such as anti-lock brakes, skid control, blind-spot monitoring and collision avoidance; Effects of medications and distractions on driving; New laws &  challenges of driving in Washington DC such as bicycle lanes, scooter, traffic circles & road changes. 
 
Location:  MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, Tele-Center & Tele-Conference Room, 102 Irving St NW; Cost:  AARP Members: $15 & Non-members: $20 – Payment is required via cash or check at the time of class.  Register:  Call Scott Hunt @ 202-431-5107 (before 9PM.).  Certification will be provided upon completion of the course, which can be used to receive discounts on car insurance.  Please check with your insurance company about their policy. 
 
Thursday, June 27th, 10AM-3PM, National HIV Testing Day:  A fun filled day of HIV/AIDS Awareness, Education Prevention Game, Presentations & Music.  Free HIV Testing at DC Dragons, 1731 Rhode Island Ave, NE; Free $10 VISA Gift Card incentives after Free Confidential HIV Testing while supplies last.  For more info, contact Ward 5 Health Coalition:  202-270-4176.  Ward5healthcoalition@gmail.comm  
 
Tuesday – Thursday, 11AM – 2PM - Opportunities Industrialization Center:  Family to Family Mentoring Program (Hours: Featured Workshops:  Parenting Skills, Family Budgeting, Employment Skills, Life Skills/Self Awareness; Program Benefits:  *Biweekly Participation Stipend of $50*, Mentors Provided, Professional Resume Assistance, Wrap Around Services/ Resources, Job Placement Assistance, Educational Development, 12 Week Program; Special Activities: Family Fun Nights, Guest Speakers, Work & Family Workshops, Family Support Workshops & Community Meetings & Events. Enrollment Requirements:  Resident of DC, High School Diploma or (GED); Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment (CASAS) Evaluation Test; Must have at least 2 Children living in the household under 18 yrs.  POC: Kim Jenkins, Coordinator/Case Manager, 3016 MLK JR Ave SE, 20032, kjenkins@oicdc.org, 202-37309330. 
 
TRAFFIC ADVISORY:  Washington Nationals 2019 Season Games:  The Metropolitan Police Department wishes to advise the public of the road closures associated with the Washington Nationals games for the 2019 season.  The following streets will be closed and will be in effect for each game for three to five hours prior to the start time and continuing up to one and a half hours after the game ends: 
 
Street Closures:  N Street, SE from First to Van Street, SE; Half Street, SE from M to N Streets, SE 
 
Please follow this link www.nationals.com/waytogo to view alternate methods of transportation and directions, as well as other useful information.  View the Washington Nationals’ schedule: https://www.mlb.com/nationals/schedule/2019-04 

All street closures and listed times are subject to change based upon prevailing or unexpected conditions.  The public should expect parking restrictions along the street and should be guided by the posted emergency no parking signage.  All vehicles that are parked in violation of the emergency no parking signs will be ticketed and towed. 
 
Motorists traveling in the area of this event may experience delays and should consider alternative routes, if possible.  The MPD and the DDoT would like to remind motorists to pay full attention whenever operating any motor vehicle and to be mindful of heavy pedestrian traffic that may be associated with special events. These street closings are subject to change without notice based upon unanticipated events and prevailing conditions. 
 
COMMUNITY ISSUES: District Department of Transportation (DDOT): The 311 # is the option for citizens to notify the city about traffic-related mechanisms that have been implemented & are faulty (warning signs, faded crosswalk lines, etc.).  New traffic-related safety mechanism should be sent to DDOT through their website.  Visitor Parking Passes are not automatically mailed to residents.  Call 311 to request a Visitor Parking Pass for your residence or go to ddot@dc.gov.  Open the visitor parking pass site on the left side of the screen and fill out application.  You can use the following ID - DC driver’s license, DC ID, or if a homeowner, use the Square and Lot number. 
 
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs: Construction will not be permitted on Holidays. On this day, all construction work, for which a permit is required, is illegal and could result in a Stop Work Order and may be subject to fines.  For more information visit: dcra.dc.gov/service/report-illegal-construction or call (202) 442-STOP to report illegal construction. 
 
Department of Public Works:  Avoid sanitation tickets:  It’s the law; we should pull our trash cans into our yards after each trash pickup.  To help keep the rodents down, please help keep the alleys free of litter and trash by cleaning up near your home. 
 
Regular Trash Collection:  Place trash and recycle containers out for collection no earlier than 6:30 PM on the night before - no later than 6 AM the morning of collection day.  Residents are required to remove trash and recycle containers from public space (the alley) by 8 PM on your collection day. 
 
Bulk Trash Collection:  Call 311 to set up appointments before placing bulk trash out (7 items) for collection.  Place bulk trash out no earlier than 6:30PM the day before and no later than 6 AM on collection day.  Place them where the trash and recycle are collected.  Mattresses must be covered in plastic.  Without appointment: Take bulk items to the Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Drive NE. 
 
City Services include abandoned autos, alley cleaning, illegal dumping, parking enforcement, potholes, trees, & street lights.  The rep will provide a tracking # of your request. 
 
Yard Cleaning and Grass Cutting:  Residents are responsible for the up keep of the area abutting the front and back of their homes.  This may include front and back yards, sidewalk and alley abutting your home. Fines may occur from the city if DPW or other agencies have to come out to accommodate this request.