the Ward 5 Report (dated 07-26-2013)

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <dcdocs@dc.gov>
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2013 4:34 PM
Subject: The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

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The Ward 5 Report: 
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
July 26, 2013 

Ward 5 Highlights:

Councilmember McDuffie and Commander Andrew Solberg judging some of D.C.’s best ice cream at Union Market’s DC Scoops event

D.C. Health Exchange Town Hall

Last week, Councilmember participated in the Ward 5 D.C. Health Link Community Town Hall Meeting hosted by the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. Experts were on hand to share information and answer questions about the Affordable Care Act and discuss quality, affordable health insurance plans for individuals, families and small businesses offered on D.C. Health Link, the District’s new online health insurance marketplace.

The federal health law (also known as the Affordable Care Act) provides individuals and families new rights, benefits, and responsibilities. The District has established DC Health Link, a new marketplace designed to help people find, compare, and select the insurance policy that meets their needs and budget. For more information, visit DCHealthLink.com. 

Announcements

Reminder: Great Streets Upcoming Community Information Sessions
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development invites you to learn more about the newly launched Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grant for funding up to $85,000. Learn about the program and the application process at one of the following informational sessions from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

BLADENSBURG ROAD. NE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013
5th District Police Precinct
1805 Bladensburg Road. NE

NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW & NE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013
Kennedy Recreation Center
1401 7th Street, NW

Additional information can be found here.

AARP Age-Friendly City Survey
This summer the District will conduct a series of community conversations around the District. These are a great start to ensure that an Age-Friendly D.C. starts with and reflects the needs of District residents. Let the Mayor know what makes your neighborhood livable today, what is missing, and what you will need in order to age well in the District. Please consider participating in the AARP Age-Friendly City survey. The short survey can be found here https://www.research.net/s/AFCDC.

DCPS Beautification Day 2013
Beautification Day will be held this year on Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This annual The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) event was established in 2005 as a citywide “spruce up” of all D.C. public school buildings in preparation for the first day of school. Beautification efforts will include landscaping, trash pick-up, light painting, planting flowers, and other external beautification efforts. Volunteers and supplies are needed at over 100 schools. To volunteer or donate supplies, visit www.dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/beautificationday.

Vending Regulations Training Symposium

In June, the Council voted to approve new vending regulations which will dramatically change the vending industry in the District. The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs will hold Vending Regulations Training Symposiums to provide information about vendor licenses, sidewalk vending, mobile vending (food trucks), vendor employee badges, fees and fines, new vending opportunities, and many other topics.

Various city agencies will be in attendance to answer questions related to vending. The symposium will take place at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, located at 1100 4th Street, S.W. in Room E-200. Below are the Training Symposium dates and times:

•  Session 1: Saturday, August 17^th, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Session 2: Monday, August 19^th, 2013 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Session 3: Saturday, August 24^th, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Session 4: Monday, August 26^th, 2013 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Session 5: Tuesday, August 27^th, 2013 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Multiple language interpretation)

Reminder: Day of Archaeology Festival

The D.C. Historic Preservation Office (DCHPO) will be participating in the second annual Day of Archaeology Festival on Saturday, July 27th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Turkey Thicket Park. Some parking is available; the nearest Metro stop is the Brookland-CUA station, on the Red Line. The event is free to the public and open to people of all ages. For more information on the festival, please call DCHPO at (202)-442-8800 or email historic.preservation@dc.gov or ajones@archaeologyincommunity.com.