This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
Now that the Council is in recess, things are quieter in the Wilson Building, but our work continues full steam ahead to support neighbors with constituent services, conduct oversight work, and prepare for the fall legislative session. This week, I’m sharing updates on upcoming back-to-school drives, traffic and public safety updates, and details on some of the legislative and oversight work we’ll be continuing over the next few weeks.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Entering Recess and Looking Ahead to the Fall
It’s no secret that the last few weeks have been hugely consequential for the Council’s legislative work and for our Ward 4 and DC community. In addition to taking our final vote on the Fiscal Year 2026 DC budget, we also took significant first votes on the RENTAL Act and RFK redevelopment, all of which will have major implications for the District for years to come. If you want to read more about the good and bad of these bills in more detail, make sure to read my last week’s newsletter.
With the budget complete, we are now entering into recess, where legislative meetings and hearings will take a pause as we continue to push forward on oversight work and supporting neighbors with constituent services. Despite taking a break from hearings, the next few weeks will be critical for agency oversight, especially as students get ready to return to school. Next week, I’m looking forward to beginning our school readiness tours for the Committee on Facilities, where we will proactively address repairs that need to be made to ensure school buildings are safe, healthy, and comfortable. Next week, I’ll share more details about our findings from these tours and what work needs to be done over the next month.
Community News
Backpack Drives and Other Back-to-School Resources
The start of August means the beginning of the school year is just around the corner, and neighbors across the District are working hard to make sure our students start the year right. Luckily, there are many back-to-school drives happening in Ward 4 and around the city over the next few weeks. Here are just a few:
- On Friday, August 15th, the Alliance of Concerned Men is joining with Howard University student-led organizations to help get DC youth ready for the school year. Join at Anacostia Park near the roller-skating rink for their Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway with BBQ, limited donated clothing, community engagement, and fun and games! For more information, contact info@acmdc.org.
- On Saturday, August 16th from 11am to 1pm, I’m joining the Lamond-Riggs Citizen’s Association and other community organizations to support their backpack giveaway at the Riggs-LaSalle Rec Center! Join to
- On Saturday, August 23rd from 2:30 to 5:30pm, the Juanita E. Thornton-Lamond-Riggs Library is hosting a back-to-school uniform swap! Bring any lightly used school uniforms to the library. All clothing should be clean and free of serious wear and tear. Clothing should be sized to fit students aged 3-16. Accepted items include khaki pants, school shirts, belts, and school shoes. All leftover clothing will be donated to the PTA of the appropriate school.
- On Saturday, August 23rd from 10am to 1pm, the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee is hosting its 5th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway (location TBD). Families will get the opportunity to receive free backpacks and school supplies ahead of the start of the school year. Rain or shine!
- On Saturday, August 23rd from 10am to 2pm, Zion Hill Baptist Church and Petworth Rec Center are hosting the 3rd Annual Community Outreach Day at Petworth Playground (801 Taylor St NW). Join for school supplies, family fun games, moon bounce, snow cones, and more! RSVP here.
If you know of any additional backpack or school supply giveaways happening in Ward 4 or nearby, please share them with teamjaneese@dccouncil.gov, and we’ll help get the word out so every student can start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed!
Public Safety and Traffic Safety Updates
On Wednesday, my team joined MPD and neighbors for a public safety walk on the 5800 block of Eastern Ave. During the walk, we discussed several issues impacting neighbors, including speeding on Eastern Ave, preventing car break-ins, as well as cross-jurisdictional issues between the District and Prince George’s County. At our recent pop-up on Eastern Ave, we were joined by Prince George’s County Councilmember Wanika Fisher’s staff, and I was grateful to be able to continue this conversation about ongoing efforts to keep our communities safe across the DC-Maryland border, including through the creation of two joint task forces.
In traffic safety news, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) recently released its list of locations prioritized for review as part of its Traffic Safety Input (TSI) system. TSIs are a way for community members to share feedback on traffic safety concerns, and once every quarter, DDOT selects a new group of locations to delve into and assess roadway characteristics, crash patterns, equity, proximity to busy corridors. Here’s the list of the locations in Ward 4 that were selected for prioritization this quarter:
- Petworth: 850 Quincy St NW, 4330 7th St NW, Buchanan St and Illinois Ave NW, Kansas Ave and Allison St NW, 720 Webster St NW
- Crestwood & 16th Street Heights: 5332 Georgia Ave NW
- Brightwood: 6100 13th St NW
- Brightwood Park: 5th St and Gallatin St NW
- Shepherd Park: 7900 Eastern Ave NW, Georgia Ave and Kalmia Rd NW
- Manor Park: 300-319 block of Nicholson St NW
- Takoma: 734 Butternut St NW, 6900-6999 block of Willow St NW, 6950 Maple St NW,
- Lamond-Riggs & Riggs Park: 614 Madison St NE, Kensington Pl and Madison St NE, 72 Rittenhouse St NE
- Chevy Chase, Barnaby Woods, & Hawthorne: 2 Pinehurst Circle NW
Now that these locations have been selected, DDOT will begin analyzing neighbors’ complaints and looking into whether possible solutions are needed. As a reminder, DDOT is continually collecting TSIs from neighbors. You can share input here.
Community Resources
UDC Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Now Accepting Vendor Applications!
UDC-CAUSES’ newest farmers’ market is coming to the Lamond-Riggs campus, located in the parking lot next to the urban food hub on campus. On Fridays from 4 to 8pm starting on August 15th, come out and enjoy locally grown fruits and vegetables, freshly baked goods, world cuisines, and handcrafted arts and crafts. For more info, contact the Farmers Market Manager Andy Blunk at andrew.blunk@udc.edu or call 202-274-7124. If you are interested in vending at one of UDC’s farmers markets, click here.
Pepco Customer Relief Fund
This week, the Pepco Customer Relief fund launched with partner the Salvation Army. The Pepco Customer Relief Fund is a one-time relief fund that provides financial support for residents challenged by high energy costs. For additional information on the fund, eligibility and how to apply, click here.
2025 District Pediatric Vaccine Locations
With summer winding down and DCPS students getting ready to head back to school, it’s time for families to ensure their students are up to date on their vaccinations. If your child still needs to be vaccinated, visit DC Health’s website to find a list of vaccination sites in Ward 4 and across the District.
Share Feedback with DPR
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking community feedback on how they can improve their programs, services, and facilities. Public feedback will help DPR understand how well programs are meeting community needs and how DPR can improve these services. Take the survey here!
Resume and AI Webinar Resources
Last Wednesday, former Petworth neighbor Wayan Vota, founder of Career Pivot, held a free webinar for neighbors on how to use AI and emerging technologies to upgrade your resume, learn how to network and research jobs, and ultimately find the job you want. The webinar also shared information on DC’s health insurance market for neighbors who have recently lost their employer-provided health insurance. You can watch the webinar recording on YouTube and access the Google folder with PDFs from the presentation to learn more.
DC Water Updates
DC Water has shared several updates on work taking place in Ward 4 neighborhoods. Keep in mind that construction activities are highly dependent upon favorable weather conditions. Here are some of this week’s updates:
- For the duration of next week, DC Water is scheduled to perform final walk-through activities on 7th St NW and Rittenhouse St NW.
- As part of the ongoing Piney Branch Sewer Rehabilitation Project, DC Water is scheduled to perform sewer main lining activities at the following locations for the duration of next week: 14th St and Buchanan St NW, 9th St and Tuckerman St NW, 5th St and Peabody St NW, 7th St and Peabody St NW, 5th St and Missouri Ave NW, Jefferson St and Georgia Ave NW, Allison St and Illinois Ave NW, 9th St and Delafield Pl NW, 4th St and Aspen St NW, 3rd St and Van Buren St NW.
- As part of the ongoing Chevy Chase Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project, DC Water is scheduled to perform sewer main lining activities at the following locations next week: 5400 – 5600 blocks of 39th St NW, 5300 – 5400 blocks of Connecticut Ave NW, 5300 – 5400 blocks of Nevada Ave NW, 3700 – 3800 blocks of Mckinley St NW
- For the duration of next week, DC Water is scheduled to perform final walk-through activities on 8th St NW and Quintana Pl NW
Neighborhood Events
Emery Heights Community Day
On Saturday, August 9th from 12 to 9pm, Friends of Emery are joining with DPR to host a family-friendly, all-day event at Emery Heights Community Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW), featuring music, food, and live entertainment. Get your free tickets here!
Free Paint Recycling Event at Ida B. Wells MS
On Saturday, August 9th from 9am to 1pm, PaintCare is hosting their annual free leftover paint drop-off and giveaway event at Ida B. Wells Middle School. Households can drop off any amount of latex or oil-based paint. Businesses can visit www.paintcare.org/business-limits for more information. Proof of District residency required.
3rd Annual Caribbean Cultural Concert
On Saturday, August 9th at 2pm, the Mayor’s Office of Caribbean Community Affairs is hosting its 3rd Annual Caribbean Cultural Concert at Freedom Plaza (1325 Pennsylvania Ave NW), highlighting the vast culture of the Caribbean. RSVP at www.tinyurl.com/MOCCAConcert2025.
Help Beautify Shepherd ES!
On Saturday, August 9th from 10am to 3pm, Shepherd Park neighbors are gathering at Shepherd Elementary School (meeting outside front doors) to spiffy up the gardens. There will be weeding and planting, and some tools will be provided, but any and all gardening equipment is welcome. For any questions, email zbk_amadeus@yahoo.com.
Free DC Crafternoon at Merry Pin
On Sunday, August 10th from 2 to 4pm, join Free DC at Merry Pin for an afternoon of activism-themed, kid-friendly crafts. Make zines, posters, and other crafts that highlight the goals and values of Free DC, such as self-determination, standing up for each other, and embracing joy. Come meet your neighbors and make art and community together!
Movie Night at Takoma Rec Center
On Friday, August 15th at 7pm, join the Friends of Takoma Rec for an outdoor movie night at Takoma Recreation Center (3rd and Tuckerman Streets NW). Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening with neighbors. Movie to be announced.
Jazz on the Lawn at 19th Street Baptist Church
On Saturday, August 16th from 2 to 4:30pm, 19th Street Baptist Church is hosting Jazz on the Lawn at 4606 16th St NW. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy an afternoon listening to The Crossfire Band with neighbors.
Jazz on the Plaza at The Parks at Walter Reed
On Sunday, August 17th from 4 to 6pm, join East Rock Creek Village for Jazz on the Plaza, an afternoon of live music, connection, and community. Enjoy a free, open-air concert featuring DC jazz vocalist James Zimmerman and his fantastic five-piece band. Seating for seniors and light refreshments will be available. This event is free and open to the public, and all are welcome! RSVP by emailing info@eastrockcreekvillage.org.
Register to Take Part in the 2025 DC State Fair!
The DC State Fair is a free annual event to celebrate the District’s homegrown agricultural, artistic, and culinary talents. This year’s fair will be on Saturday September 6th at Bryant Street NE, right off the Rhode Island Ave Metro. Registration for DC State Fair contests is now open, which include everything from best apple pie to funkiest looking vegetable. If you are interested in registering for any of the contests, please read more in the contest guide here: https://www.dcstatefair.org/2025-contests. Contest registration is free and closes August 15th. Winners will be announced at the fair. See you there!
For more local events, check out DPR, DC Public Library, and NPS.
Important Reminders
Office Hours in the Community
Ward 4 office hours are happening every Wednesday afternoon 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.
Support for Federal Workers
As many in our community face unprecedented challenges, I’m grateful to everyone who is stepping up to support neighbors. The Office of the Mayor has rolled out fedsupport.dc.gov, sharing resources for federal workers who have been laid off or impacted by recent cuts. I also want to remind neighbors of resources on my website for federal workers impacted by recent actions and neighbors facing the threat of immigration enforcement, compiled with the help of Councilmember Nadeau. DC government and the DC Council are also hiring for a range of positions, and I encourage community members to take a look at the open positions and share with a neighbor.
Ward 4 in the News
WUSA 9: Black-women-owned businesses banding together on DC street
The Washington Post: Michael R. Bernstein doesn’t need everyone to love his ‘weird music’
PoPville: “Let’s show our love for Simple Bar & Grill”
Next Stop…Riggs Park: UDC Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Starting August 15, Accepting Vendor Applications
The 51st: Why is your electricity bill so high?
Next Stop…Riggs Park: Great Neighborhood Clean Up Eastern Avenue NE Corridor
Petworth News: Get ready for Petworth’s new “Dog Days of Summer” event on September 6th
Ward 4 Dispatch: A Challenging Final Budget Vote, An Improved RFK Deal, and RENTAL Act
These are news articles that mention Ward 4 or pertain to events in our community. Councilmember Lewis George does not write or endorse their content but shares them for community awareness.
On Tuesday night, I was grateful to meet with so many neighbors and share resources at National Night Out! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table at Emery Heights Community Center, and to 4th District MPD, 4th District Citizens Advisory Council, our ANC commissioners, and all our community partners for making the event possible!
Wishing you a great weekend, neighbors!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
