This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
Labor Day weekend is a transition time for many in our community. The weather is getting cooler, students are back in school, and we’re celebrating the completion of projects that have been in progress all summer long.
September is also a big month for events in Ward 4, including the annual Celebrate Petworth festival, Chevy Chase DC Day, and Art All Night.
My newsletter this week covers some of these upcoming neighborhood events to look forward to and support, as well as the completion of our neighborhood pop-ups, exciting updates on an important DC facilities project, and recent legal action taken by DC’s attorney general to combat gun violence in our communities.
Community News
Concluding our Neighborhood Pop-Ups
Today marked our final In The Ward 4 You pop-up of the summer at Georgia Ave and Arkansas Ave. Over the last seven weeks, we’ve made stops in neighborhoods around Ward 4, meeting with dozens of neighbors and having productive conversations about the issues our neighborhoods face and how we can tackle these in partnership with neighbors, neighborhood leadership, and agencies.
The goal of these events was to join agencies like the Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Employment Services, MPD, and others to assess neighborhood concerns and provide comprehensive constituent services right in Ward 4 communities — whether job resources, information on government services, or help navigating agency bureaucracy. Now, as we head into the fall legislative session, these conversations with neighbors will be critical to guide what issues need to be tackled through legislation and oversight.
As the summer comes to a close, I’d like to thank our agencies for joining us at every pop-up to share resources and guidance with neighbors, our ANC commissioners and local civic associations for spreading the word and helping constituents navigate issues day-in and day-out, and each and every neighbor who took the time to join and share their concerns and ideas to improve our community.
Getting Ready for Celebrate Petworth
Petworth’s annual fall neighborhood festival, Celebrate Petworth, is just around the corner, taking place next Saturday, September 14th! This annual event is a joyful celebration of community, complete with music, local vendors, and lots of activities for all ages. Celebrate Petworth is also a great opportunity to get involved in the festivities directly as a volunteer. The event’s organizers are currently looking for neighbors to help pitch in leading up to and on the day of the event, whether checking in vendors, collecting raffle tickets, or helping set up tents. There are so many ways to get involved and meet new neighbors. Check out the full list and sign up now!
Council News/Legislative Updates
Recapping School Readiness Tours
In last week’s newsletter, I discussed some of my observations, recommendations, and gratitudes coming out of my tours of DCPS facilities throughout the summer. On Wednesday morning, I sent my final letter to DGS and DCPS leadership, as well as my Council colleagues on the Committee on Facilities and Family Services. You can read my full letter here.
Progress on the New DC Archives
This week, work officially began to clear the way for construction of the new DC Archives building! The new facility will be located at UDC’s campus in Van Ness, and will house centuries of DC’s history, everything from genealogy records to original copies of the birth certificates and wills of famous DC residents like Frederick Douglass and Duke Ellington.
In recent months, I’ve been proud to work in my role as Chair of the Committee on Facilities and Family Services to help make sure this project moves forward smoothly and in a way that reflects the values of our community. A top priority has been ensuring the new building is climate-friendly and I look forward to continuing to work with DGS to ensure the building is in compliance with DC’s laws around green building construction.
Stay tuned for more updates on this project — I can’t wait for all of DC to see the new space and benefit from it for generations to come!
Preventing the Flow of Illegal Guns into DC
On Tuesday, I was grateful to see Attorney General Brian Schwalb, Everytown for Gun Safety, and the Maryland Attorney General initiate legal action against several gun dealers in Maryland for facilitating the illegal flow of guns into DC.
The lawsuit filed this week primarily concerns “straw purchasing,” which involves individuals buying guns in bulk in order to sell to others who would not otherwise be able to access one legally. According to the lawsuit, the three Maryland gun sellers ignored clear warning signs, like bulk purchases and repetitive buying, and allowed these weapons to get into the hands of people who then illegally trafficked them into DC, where many were retrieved at crime scenes throughout the city.
Making sure guns don’t get into the hands of people who are prohibited from purchasing them under DC law is a critical step to reducing gun violence in our communities. I applaud Attorney General Schwalb for taking this action and look forward to partnering with OAG in other ways to keep our communities safe.
Community Resources
Completion of Red Line Construction
After a busy summer of construction, WMATA officially re-opened the full Red Line to Metro riders on Sunday! The construction completed between Fort Totten and Glenmont includes repaired sidewalks, leak mitigation, and an upgraded Takoma Station. Check out the full list of highlights and upgrades here!
Ward 4 Splash Parks Remaining Open
All good things must come to an end (temporarily), and Labor Day marked the last day Upshur Pool was open for the season. Luckily, on Tuesday, DPR announced that splash parks throughout the city will remain open until September 22nd, as well as two outdoor pools, Oxon Run and Hearst. Make sure to get out and enjoy our Ward 4 splash parks before the season officially comes to an end!
DC Medical Debt Program
On Friday morning, the Office of the Mayor announced that the District will pay off nearly $42 million in DC residents’ medical debt. Medical debt is a significant strain for many families in our community, and I’m grateful to see this program go into effect that will help address the health inequities and racial disparities that can be inherent to medical care. DC residents were eligible if their income was less than four times the federal poverty level, or if their medical debt was more than 5% of their annual household income. If you qualified for this program, expect to receive a letter from Undue Medical Debt, a non-profit DC worked with to fund this program in the DC budget!
People’s Budget Forum
On Saturday, September 14th from 1 to 4pm, the Fair Budget Coalition is hosting a forum on the FY 2026 DC budget at the Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St NW). Throughout the fall, FBC will be putting together their budget priorities for fiscal year 2026 and is seeking input from DC communities to craft these priorities. Food and childcare will be provided. RSVP here.
Testifying on the Red-Backed Salamander
As some of you may remember, earlier this year, I introduced legislation that was researched and written by students from Powell Elementary School in Ward 4, which would make the red-backed salamander the official amphibian of DC. Later this month, I’m thrilled to have our Powell Elementary School students back to testify at the hearing! We’ll need all the support we can get to make sure Ward 4 shows our excitement about naming DC’s official state amphibian. If you’d like to testify, sign up here!
Bike Giveaway
As part of its Open Streets DC initiative, DDOT is giving away 51 bicycles at the upcoming 7th Street NW event on Saturday, October 5th. District residents are eligible to complete this survey by Wednesday, October 2nd to apply for the bicycle giveaway. Winners will be announced via email on Friday, October 4th, and must pick up their bicycle at the event on 7th Street NW.
Books From Birth Program
DC Public Library’s Books from Birth program is an incredible resource open to all children under the age of five who live in Washington, D.C. All enrolled children receive a free book in the mail each month from birth until they turn five. Register your kid here!
Neighborhood Events
Doggie Day Swim at Upshur Pool
On Saturday, September 7th, from 11am to 4pm, DPR is hosting a Doggie Day Swim at Upshur Pool. With the end of the outdoor swimming season, this annual event provides dogs with a one-day opportunity to jump in the pools, enjoy a swim and play fun aquatics games. Learn more here!
Fort Slocum Community Clean-Up
On Saturday, September 7th from 1 to 3pm, ANC 4B06 Commissioner Johnson is hosting a community clean-up in Fort Slocum Park. High school volunteers will be eligible to receive volunteer hours. Sign up here to register and remember to bring your DCPS volunteer form.
Upshur Street Community Clean-Up
On Sunday, September 8th from 10am to 12pm, join Your Uptown Florist/Flowers by Alexes for a community cleanup along the Upshur Street business corridor! The group will meet at the flower shop at 851 Upshur Street at 10am and grabbers and bags will be available. Hope you will join for this morning of service to keep our business district on Upshur Street looking beautiful.
New Zenith Gallery Exhibit
Zenith Gallery is planning a new gallery entitled “Congressional Black Caucus,” which will be on display at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The gallery will open next Wednesday, with show dates scheduled on September 11th from 11:30am to 7pm, September 12th from 9am to 6pm, September 13th from 9am to 6pm, and September 14th from 9am to 1pm.
Art All Night
On the evening of September 28th, DPR is hosting the annual Art All Night event, with activations in all eight wards! I’m excited to have several events happening right in Ward 4 thanks to the support of our amazing main street associations. Make sure to stay updated with the event’s website for more details!
Chevy Chase Day
The Chevy Chase Community Association’s annual Chevy Chase Day celebration is scheduled for Saturday, September 21st from 1 to 4pm! Whether you’re a Chevy Chase native or new to the community, make sure to stop by the Chevy Chase Community Center Commons for an afternoon of music, food, and community.
Fall Fun Festival 2024
On Saturday, September 28th from 1 to 5pm, Friends of the Soldiers Home is hosting their annual Fall Fun Festival at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The 10th annual event will feature food trucks, live music, kids games, craft beer, and more. Volunteers are also needed! Sign up to volunteer here.
Important Reminders
Host Roosevelt Exchange Students
This fall, Roosevelt High School will host a number of students from Institute Saint Dominque in Pau, France. The students will need to stay with host families during their time in DC, from Thursday, October 17th to Tuesday, October 29th, 2024. Learn more about the responsibilities of host families and sign up using the form here.
Office Hours in the Community
Every Wednesday afternoon, our Ward 4 constituent services team holds office hours at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by office hours at Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Community members can stop by and speak one-on-one with a member of our team about DC government services or our work in the Ward 4 community.
For more local events, check outDPR,DC Public Library, andNPS.
Ward 4 in the News
Petworth News: Get Ready — Celebrate Petworth is Sept 14!
Next Stop…Riggs Park: Red Line Stations are Open
WUSA 9: History preserved: WUSA9’s longest-serving employee preserved the station’s 75-year history
WHUR 96.3: Community Day, Petworth Festival, School Supply Giveaway. Inside Community’s Choice
Ward 4 Dispatch: First Week of School, Red Line Construction, and Labor Day
Last week, I was heartbroken to hear of the death of MPD Investigator Wayne David, who died while on duty on Wednesday. Officer David was a dear friend of our 4th District MPD and espoused the same values of dedicated service and integrity. My condolences are with Officer David’s family, fellow officers, and everyone who knew and loved him.
Finally, last week, I was grateful to meet with activists from DC Action and Under 3 DC, who stopped by my office to speak about the shared work we can do to support our early childhood educators, out-of-school time programs, and youth. I’m grateful for their continued work to put our kids first and on a pathway to success.
Have a lovely weekend, neighbors!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
