This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
As the year comes to a close, I’m excited to share some major legislative news. The Council passed the CLEAN Collections Act on its final reading, addressing the issues of trash overflow and rodent infestation in neighborhoods throughout the District.
Before the holidays, I’m also sharing information on gift giveaways, food drives, and holiday celebrations happening throughout our community in the coming days.
Now that DPW has completed its first pass of leaf collection for every Ward 4 neighborhood, they will begin their second pass on Monday, December 23rd, beginning with Section 4A. Make sure to check DPW’s leaf collection website to ensure your leaves are collected.
Council News/Legislative Updates
CLEAN Collections Act Passed on Final Reading
On Tuesday, the Council passed the Containing Litter and Ensuring Adequate Neighborhood (CLEAN) Collections Act on its final reading. I was proud to introduce this common-sense piece of legislation that clarifies DC’s current requirement for multifamily buildings to provide “adequate” space for waste disposal by requiring trash cans or dumpsters with a capacity of at least 32 gallons of solid waste per occupied residential unit and requiring waste collection at these properties to take place at least twice per week.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the Council also voted on an additional amendment to the bill creating a flexibility for building owners to substitute increased pickup frequency for the number of containers and requiring waste collection space to correspond only to occupied building units. This means building owners who don’t have sufficient space to meet new requirements can make accommodations to ensure residents receive adequate collection.
There are many people who have made this bill possible, but I’m particularly grateful to our Ward 4 ANC commissioners and neighborhood leaders for advocating for and pushing forward this legislation, and my Council colleagues, particularly Committee on Public Works and Operations Chair Brianne Nadeau for advancing the bill. I’m confident the CLEAN Collections Act will make our communities cleaner and healthier and look forward to seeing it go into effect.
Honoring the Honorable Councilmember Vincent C. Gray
On Tuesday, we honored an outstanding public servant, The Honorable Vincent C. Gray. He served our city as Mayor, Chairman of the Council, and twice as Ward 7 Councilmember. It is hard to encapsulate everything he has contributed over his more than 60 years in public service, starting as an advocate for innovative public policies for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to leading the DC Department of Health and Human Services (now split into three agencies) during the early 90s, to serving as the founding executive director of the Convent House, to establishing DC’s universal Pre-K (“Pre-K for All”) and forming the Department of General Services as our Mayor. He served with dedication, vision, and integrity, and helped better deliver services to all DC residents. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside him on the City Council and I am grateful for his unparalleled legacy of service to the people of DC.
Community News
Second Round of Leaf Collection Starting in Section 4A
On Monday, December 23rd, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will start its second pass of leaf collection for neighbors in Section 4A of the leaf collection map, which includes Chevy Chase, Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Colonial Village, North Portal, Shepherd Park, The Parks at Walter Reed, Brightwood, and the part of Takoma and Manor Park west of 8th Street NW. If you live within Section 4A and haven’t already, make sure to have your leaves raked to your tree box or curbside to ensure DPW picks them up during their second pass. If you live in one of the neighborhoods that has already received a first pass but have not yet received collection, you can submit a 311 request (my office is happy to help too!). Remember, DPW is sharing regular updates on their progress and completed streets on its leaf collection website.
Community Resources
Contribute to MacFarland Middle School’s Food Drive
MacFarland Middle School is organizing a food drive this week through Friday, December 20th. Neighbors can drop off food at MacFarland (4400 Iowa Ave NW) in the carton boxes in the main lobby. Please restrict items to non-perishable/shelf stable items only. MacFarland’s holiday food distribution will take place on Saturday, December 21st from 10am to 2pm, or until food runs out.
Young Ladies on the Rise Clothing Drive
The Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR’s) Young Ladies on the Rise program is currently holding its annual clothing drive. Support neighbors in need this holiday season by donating new or gently used clean clothing for men, women, and children at several DPR recreation centers during operating hours. Donations will be accepted until December 31st. Click here for more information including a list of participating recreation centers.
Heaven’s Closet Coat Giveaway
On Saturday, December 21st from 10am to 12:30pm, the Emory Fellowship is hosting a giveaway at the church, 6100 Georgia Ave NW. Discover clothing, shoes, toys/games, and small household appliances, all free of charge and open to the community. Plus, fun arts and crafts activities for kids while parents shop.
Register for DC School Lottery
Applications are now open for the MySchoolDC Lottery, the school lottery system for families planning to enroll their children in DCPS or PCS schools for grades PK3-12 next year. Families will have until February 3rd to submit high school applications and until March 3rd for PK3–Grade 8. Visit the MySchoolDC website for more information, and please strongly consider listing our incredible Ward 4 schools in your top choices!
Campaign for Lead Free Water Q&A with DC Water
On July 22, 2024, the Campaign for Lead Free Water (CLFW) hosted a webinar about DC Water’s lead service line (LSL) identification process. In preparation for the webinar, the CLFW shared with DC Water a list of questions about LSL identification. Click here to find DC Water’s answers to questions posed ahead of and during the July webinar.
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, particularly for Brightwood Park, Manor Park, 16th Street Heights, and Takoma neighbors:
- There will be no construction activities performed during the Christmas holiday (Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th).
- Next Monday, Thursday, and Friday, DC Water is expecting to perform water service reconnections to individual properties on the 300 and 400 blocks of Kennedy St NW.
- Next Monday, Thursday, and Friday, DC Water is expecting to perform test pit operations and water service reconnections to individual properties on the 300 and 400 blocks of Hamilton St NW.
- Next Monday, Thursday, and Friday, DC Water is expecting to perform fire hydrant installation, pressure testing, and chlorination work on the 1300 block of Gallatin St NW.
- Next Monday and Thursday, DC Water is expecting to perform roadway restoration activities on the 100 block of Sheridan St NW.
- Next Monday, Thursday, and Friday, DC Water is expecting to perform roadway restoration activities and water service reconnections on 7th St and Quintana Pl NW.
- Next Thursday through Saturday, DC Water is expecting to perform sewer main lining activities on 3rd St between Tuckerman St and Sheridan St NW.
DC Volunteer Snow Programs
Sign-up is currently open for the DC Volunteer Snow Program, which matches volunteers with senior residents and those with access and functional needs for snow removal services in the aftermath of a winter event. Each winter season, the program’s goal is to ensure that Serve DC Volunteer Snow Team members/volunteers adopt a resident that has submitted a Snow Removal Request. Sign up to help a Ward 4 neighbor this winter by clicking here.
Neighborhood Events
Holiday Hype
On Saturday, December 21st from 2 to 6pm, come to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW) for Holiday Hype, featuring music, games, hot cocoa, handmade gifts, moon bounce, and more! RSVP here.
Upshur Street Holiday Cookie Crawl
On Saturday, December 21st from 10am to 4pm, the businesses on the 800 block of Upshur St NW are holding their 2nd Annual Holiday Cookie Crawl. Neighbors will get the opportunity to visit Upshur businesses, finish off the holiday shopping season, and support local retailers.
Nutcracker Holiday Photo Event
On Saturday, December 21st from 12 to 3pm, Treehouse and Uptown Main Street are partnering to host a free family portrait event, with coffee, hot cider, a giant nutcracker, and a pop-up market. The event will take place at 4722 14th St NW, and neighbors are encouraged to check out neighboring restaurants for breakfast or brunch.
The Gospel of Christmas According to Jazz
On Saturday, December 21st, the Music Ministry of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church cordially invites neighbors to attend “The Gospel of Christmas According to Jazz” at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, 4606 16th St NW. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the program begins at 7pm. Tickets are available for $25 at the door on the day of the event.
DC Holiday Hunt
DC’s Holiday Hunt is happening now until January 5th! Neighbors will get the opportunity to explore DC while supporting small businesses for a chance to win prizes. Visit https://dcholidayhunt.com/ to find local Ward 4 businesses to support this month!
For more local events, check out DPR, DC Public Library, and NPS.
Important Reminders
Office Hours in the Community
We will pause our office hours in the community during the Holiday Season. However, the week of January 6th we will reconvene our schedule of every Wednesday afternoon holding 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.
Ward 4 in the News
ABC 7 News: DC Water pushes to replace 42,000 lead pipes by 2037 under federal, local deadlines
PoPville: “UNSILENT NIGHT DC, Dec. 18th – DC’s Most Unique Musical Nonreligious Holiday Event”
PoPville: Poplar getting ready to soft open on Kennedy Street!
Ward 4 Dispatch: Grant Circle Update, SAFE Act Hearing, and My School DC Lottery
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.
Over the last few weeks, neighbors throughout Ward 4 have stepped up to meet unmet needs around our community by hosting toy drives, clothing giveaways, free meals, and countless holiday celebrations. I’m so grateful to all of our ANC commissioners, community organizations, and neighbors who have made these events possible to help make this holiday season a special one for every member of our community. Our office will be closed to observe the Council’s Winter Recess during the Holiday Season, December 24, 2024, through January 3, 2025. On behalf of our entire team, we wish you all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, a Joyous Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year!
That’s it from me this year, check back in January for my first Ward 4 Dispatch of 2025!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
