Sent: Friday, October 4, 2013 6:14 PM
Subject: FW: The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
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The Ward 5 Report:
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
October 4, 2013
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
October 4, 2013
Ward 5 Highlights:
Councilmember McDuffie with the DC Fire and EMS team from Engine Company 17 at Taft’s Family and Friends Day
Ward 5 Welcomes Sala Thai
Councilmember McDuffie would like to officially welcome Sala Thai to Ward 5! Sala Thai opened this week at Rhode Island Row, located by the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station. Picture: Councilmember McDuffie with Commissioner Kathy Henderson, Chair, ANC 5D; Scott Nordheime, Senior Advisor, Urban-Atlantic; Vicki Davis, President, Urban-Atlantic; and Commissioner Jacqueline Manning, Chair, ANC 5C at the grand opening event of the restaurant.
Councilmember McDuffie tours Washington Hospital Center
Councilmember McDuffie visited the Washington Hospital Center (WHC). In addition to meeting with the hospital's administration and staff, Councilmember McDuffie had the opportunity to tour WHC's state-of-the-art air ambulance transport, which contains sophisticated computer equipment allowing the helicopter to take-off and land in less than ideal weather conditions. Click here to view additional photos.
Legislative Updates:
Council Votes to Change the Date of the Attorney General Election
This week, the Council passed the “Elected Attorney General Implementation and Legal Services Amendment Act of 2013,“ which will change the date of the election for the new attorney general.
“I am disappointed that the Council has decided to override the will of DC residents by postponing the vote for Attorney General to 2018, said Councilmember McDuffie. “That is why I voted to restore the date to 2014.”
Council Adopts the Medical Marijuana Cultivation Center Amendment Act
This week, the Council adopted unanimously Councilmember McDuffie’s medical marijuana legislation, the “Medical Marijuana Cultivation Center Amendment Act Of 2013.” The bill caps the number of medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation centers per Ward. Additionally, it prohibits cultivations centers from locating in Retail Priority Areas. Click here to read the entire bill.
Committee Updates:
Committee on Government Operations Public Hearing
On Monday, October 7 at 11 a.m. the Committee on Government Operations will convene a public hearing on B20-0264, “Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment of 2013” and B20-0412, the “Universal Code of Conduct and BEGA Amendment Act of 2013”. Click here to read additional details regarding the hearing.
This public hearing will be held in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Ronan Gulstone, Committee Director at (202) 724-8028 or via e-mail at rgulstone@dccouncil.us.
Announcements:
Reminder: Friends of Rhode Island Avenue Annual Fall Fest
Please join Friends of Rhode Island Avenue for their 2013 Fall Fest on October 5 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Rhode Island Avenue, NE between South Dakota and 20th Street, NE. The event will feature music, arts, food and fun for kids of all ages. For more information, please visit www.friendsofria.org.
Join Mayor Gray for a Discussion on Mental Health
Join Mayor Gray’s citywide forum on Saturday, October 12th to learn the facts about mental health issues in the District of Columbia. Topics of discussion will include:
- How to reduce the stigma associated with mental health care and increase people’s openness to it;
- How to understand the range of challenges youth face around mental health; and
- How to support youth more effectively in our community when they encounter mental health challenges.
This citywide town meeting – “Creating Community Solutions – D.C.” - will provide residents, health care providers and District agencies an opportunity to discuss these critical issues on Saturday, October 12 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. A free lunch and refreshments will be provided for everyone who attends.
Visit http://creatingcommunitysolutions.org/event/creating-community-solutions-dc to register online.
Reminder: Healthy Food Retail Program Grant Opportunity
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is soliciting applications from qualified organizations to manage its Healthy Food Retail Program. Through this grant, DSLBD will fund the expanded access of healthy foods within small food retailers in eligible areas of the District. A grant of $250,000 will be awarded to one organization to establish and operate a commercial distribution system which provides fresh produce and healthy foods to small food retail stores.
Applications are due on October 10, 2013, at 4 p.m. The grant recipient will be selected through a competitive application process and announced in November 2013. Download the Program Guidelines to view all the requirements. For more information, visit DSLB’s website at http://dslbd.dc.gov/node/653802
Red Line riders will get a well-deserved break from rebuilding work this weekend, September 27 through 29, but major track work is coming over the weekend of October 4 through 6 that will affect several downtown stations.
Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, October 4, through system closing Sunday, October 6, free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between DuPont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet stations to allow for major rebuilding work through the downtown area. The work includes replacement and renewal of third-rail components, installation of new rail fasteners, elimination of joints between sections of rail, and structural work.
As a result, Farragut North, Judiciary Square and Union Station will be closed. Gallery Place will remain open for Yellow and Green line service only; Metro Center will remain open for Blue and Orange line service only.
During the weekend of October 4-6, Red Line trains will operate as follows:
- Between Shady Grove and DuPont Circle - Every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at regular weekend intervals (every 15-20 minutes) at other times.
- Between Glenmont and NoMa-Gallaudet - Every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at regular weekend intervals (every 15-20 minutes) at other times.
- Limited stop buses will travel between DuPont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet stations with intermediate stops at Metro Center and Gallery Place only.
- Local buses will travel between DuPont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet making all intermediate stops (Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square and Union Station).
- From the eastern side of the Red Line, use the Green Line between Fort Totten and downtown destinations.
- Metrobus may be a good alternative for some riders, including those along Wisconsin Ave NW and Connecticut Ave NW. To check, use Metro's trip planner and select the "bus only" option.
- Riders transferring between the Blue/Orange and Green/Yellow lines should use L'Enfant Plaza.
Reminder: The D.C. Office of the People’s Counsel Presents: A Hands-on Citywide Workshop: Making Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Real
When: Saturday, October 12, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
1133 15th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Energy efficiency and renewable energy experts will share the fundamentals of:
- Applying for a home energy audit
- Making your home more energy efficient
- Installing solar PV or solar thermal systems
- DC government energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, including grants and rebate
For additional information or to request disability accommodations or language/sign interpretation services, please contact the Office of the People’s Counsel at 202.727.3071.
**Ward 5 Events:
Councilmember McDuffie, or a member of his staff, will attend the following events:
Monday, October 7 – The Ivy City Civic Association meeting that will take place at the Bethesda Baptist Church, located at 1808 Capitol Ave NE beginning at 6:30 PM.
Monday, October 7 – The Bates Area Civic Association meeting that will take place at the Mt. Sinai Church, located at 1615 3rd St NW beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 7 – The Eckington Civic Association meeting that will take place at the Harry Thomas, Sr. Recreation Center, located at 1743 Lincoln Road, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 7 – The Lamond-Riggs Civic Association meeting that will take place at the LaSalle-Backus Education Center, located at 501 Riggs Rd, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 8 – The Arboretum Neighborhood Association meeting that will take place at the Arboretum Community Center, located at 2412 Rand Place, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 10 – The Woodridge South Community Association meeting that will take place at the New Canaan Baptist Church, located at 2826 Bladensburg Rd, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
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