The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (dated 07-19-2013)

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <dcdocs@dc.gov>Sent: Friday, July 19, 2013 4:26 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 19, 2013 

Councilmember McDuffie visits with seniors at Plymouth Senior Building

Ward 5 Highlights

Noyes Park Is Now Open!

 

Today, Councilmember McDuffie, along with Mayor Gray, the Department of General Services’ Director Brian Hanlon, the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Director Jesús Aguirre, and Former ANC 5B Commissioner Vaughn Bennett joined the Noyes community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Noyes Playground, the District's newest play space.

Noyes Playground was a previously vacant parcel of land in the Brookland community that has been transformed into a 1.1-acre park space with a unique "green" theme. Amenities include a community garden, a multi-purpose field, a shade structure, and a walking path. Ward 5 has four playground renovations on-going or scheduled for this year as part of the Mayor's Citywide Playground Project, and Noyes is the first to open. Additional pictures from the event can found here.

For more information on the Play DC initiative, visit www.dgs.dc.gov/play_dc 

Staying Cool during the Heat Wave

Summer is upon us, and temperatures could approach 100 degrees, with higher heat indexes. District agencies will activate their plans to ensure that residents, employees, and the public are protected against extreme heat. Information about the heat emergency plan can be found here http://hsema.dc.gov/publication/dc-2013-heat-emergency-plan. Residents can use the following map to locate the nearest cooling center. 

D.C.’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency recommends that citizens take the following precautions:

• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Turn on the air conditioner or fan.
• DO NOT leave children or pets in vehicles.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Limit direct exposure to the sun, especially in the late morning and afternoon when it is strongest.
• Take frequent rest breaks if you must work or exert yourself outdoors.
• Wear light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting clothes.
• Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside. SPF 15-30 or higher is best.

The D.C. Office on Aging has a few helpful tips to help seniors beat the heat:

• Make contact with homebound or at-risk senior clients to let them know of the heat alert and air quality alert.
• Ask seniors to stay at home or reduce outdoor activity.
• Ask neighbors, friends and relatives to check on frail or isolated elderly individuals.
• If you discover the temperature is too hot when checking on a homebound senior, assist the senior in trying to keep cool.
• Advise seniors to stay indoors and not to go out between the hours of 10am and 3pm.
• Tell seniors to stay cool by taking frequent baths and showers, drinking water, wearing light clothing, turning on air conditioners and fans, and go where they can cool off.

Additionally, a limited amount of fans may be available for those who qualify. Fans are given to those 55 years and older who are Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) certified and have not received a fan within the last 3 years. Residents can pick up the fans at 1207 Taylor St., N.W. (Wards 1,2,3,4, & 5) and 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. (serving Wards 6, 7, & 8).

Announcements

                            

Reminder: D.C. Health Exchange Town Hall

On July 20, the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority will host a D.C. Health Link Community Town Hall Meeting. Experts will 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 new Medicaid options will be discussed also.

The meeting will take place at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, located at 1100 Michigan Avenue, N.E., from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.dchealthlink.com.

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 their information sessions from 6:30PM-8PM.
RHODE ISLAND AVENUE, NE
MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013
Woodridge Neighborhood Library
1801 Hamlin Street, NE

BLADENSBURG ROAD. NE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013
Bladensburg Police Station
1805 Bladensburg Road NE

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

Additional information can be found here.