Dear Neighbors, It’s an important week for Ward 4. This weekend Citi Open draws to a close and we can begin to vote on the subject of the Ward 4 Commemorative Project. We also have a concept design for the 14th Street Bus Priority Project that neighbors can weigh in on, important reminders on pediatric immunizations, and a status update on Takoma Gym. There are more than a dozen Ward 4 events coming up, including Petworth Jazz Project this Saturday, Emery Heights Community Day next Saturday, and community cleanups in Brightwood and Takoma this weekend. Please check it all out

Dear Neighbors, I hope you are finding ways to beat the heat! This week’s newsletter covers the logistics around the Citi Open, important public safety updates, and a major Tenant Resource Fair taking place in Ward 4. We also have resources for electronics recycling, preventing car thefts, senior dental care, bus lane enforcement, the hot weather emergency, and many neighborhood events. And I will be at Uptown Farmers Market on Saturday from 9am-10:30am and the Tenant Resource Fair after 11am if you would like to say “hello” and chat! Ward 4 Hosts Citi Open Tournament Starting this Saturday, July 29

Dear Neighbors, This was a landmark week for Ward 4. We broke ground on an all-affordable senior housing project in the heart of Riggs Park, and we also celebrated the opening of Marketplace Plaza at The Parks at Walter Reed and all of the housing, retail, and open space it is bringing for our community. I also announced new legislation to teach conflict resolution skills in all DC schools, and the Council has a slate of new bills that seek to address dangerous driving and fake tags. We also have updates on logistics for the CitiOpen tournament, no Green Line

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George introduced a bill with majority Council support to develop a model curriculum for conflict resolution education and to require conflict resolution to be taught at every public school in DC. “As our city faces escalating violence impacting youth and as our country struggles with the proliferation of guns, we need to give our children the tools they need to resolve their problems peacefully,” said Councilmember Lewis George. “If we start in our schools, we can instill lifelong skills that help students overcome conflicts, build positive and lasting relationships, and make our communities safer.” The

In June, I toured 13 DCPS schools and 8 DPR centers across DC as part of my oversight work with the Facilities & Family Services Committee. Our goal was to identify systemic issues in building maintenance — and to ensure DCPS readiness for the fall and DPR readiness for summer. We identified several systemic issues that DGS, DPR, and DCPS all need to all work together to address. Many of these issues have come up before in our Committee oversight hearings and other site visits to schools and recreation centers. I’m laying them out here: We are confronting these issues

Dear Neighbors, The Council is officially on recess until September, but my oversight and community work continues throughout the summer. In this newsletter, I am updating you about the emergency crime bill the Council passed on Tuesday and our broader work on public safety. We also have important meetings coming up on the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Takoma, logistics for the CitiOpen Tournament in Ward 4, and the 14th Street Bus Priority Project. And there are great Ward 4 events planned, like Late Night Hype at Emery Heights, the Battle of Fort Stevens Commemoration, the Riggs Park Art

Dear Neighbors, There’s a lot to report on this week: key insights on school repairs, an update on the 16th Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project, a landmark hearing on my bill to replace all lead pipes in our city and create a green jobs pipeline for DC residents, an open house for the Georgia Avenue Bus Priority Project, a map of free summer youth meals in Ward 4, today’s nomination deadline for the Ward 4 Commemorative Project, and many community events. Lessons from School Readiness Tours As part of my work as Chair of the Facilities and Family Services Committee, last

Dear Neighbors, As we enter the Fourth of July weekend, I’m sharing updates on public safety in Ward 4, the new Whole Foods at the Parks at Walter Reed, free summer youth meals, outdoor pools staying open on weekdays, a higher DC minimum wage, WMATA’s new nighttime courtesy stops, and modified city services for the holiday weekend. Speaking of which, our office will be closed this Monday and Tuesday (July 3-4) in observance of the holiday. This newsletter also highlights Fourth of July events at Soldiers Home, Crestwood, Takoma Park, and The Parks at Walter Reed — along with many

Dear Neighbors, It’s officially summer! This week I’m diving deep into recreation center maintenance, highlighting upcoming Council hearings, and announcing a Ward 4 summer safety strategic planning meeting. We also have the details on Whole Foods opening at The Parks at Walter Reed next week, WMATA’s new reduced fare program, new operating hours at our public libraries, and more. We also have great events lined up, but keep an eye on social media (of the group planning each event) in case any of the outdoor events are postponed due to rain. Zeroing in on Rec Center Maintenance As part of

Dear Neighbors, There is so much to report on. We finalized the DC budget this week, and I have all the highlights for you! The Juneteenth holiday is shifting city services: DPW collection will slide a day later next week but outdoor pools and spray parks will be open all holiday weekend. And next week, WMATA is launching its major fare discount program, which will reduce fares by 50% for any resident enrolled in SNAP. We also have the Home Rule Music Festival taking place tomorrow at The Parks at Walter Reed, and you won’t want to miss that. In