This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
I hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday! This was a packed week on the Council and in the community, with several key hearings, progress on important legislation impacting Ward 4, and opportunities to support neighbors with constituent services. I’m sharing all of it below, with all the details you need to know impacting our community.
As we enter the holidays, I’m also lifting up opportunities to shop local and support our small businesses in Ward 4. Two opportunities are coming up this weekend, with events from Main Street Takoma and Petworth Main Street. Make sure to check them out!
Community News
Petworth Library Renovations Begin Next Friday
Thursday, December 11th will be the last full day of library service at the Petworth Library before renovations begin. This project is part of the $1.5 million I helped secure in the DC budget to bring a new teen center, upgraded windows and flooring, and better meet the needs of our community.
As construction begins and continues until next summer, I understand the inconvenience neighbors who regularly use the library will face. During the closure, DCPL is encouraging neighbors to use the Mt. Pleasant Library (3160 16th St. NW) as an interim space where all library services will be available. Eligible residents can also make use of DCPL’s Library by Mail service to check out books, DVDs, and magazines through the USPS.
On Saturday, December 6th from 11:30am to 3:30pm, Friends of Petworth Library will host its last used book sale of the year before renovations begin. Paperbacks will go for $1 and hardbacks for $2, with free kids books. If you’re interested in volunteering, make sure to sign up and help get books into the community. I’m looking forward to seeing this project become a reality to help the library better serve the needs of our community!
Holiday Party for Ward 4 Seniors!
Next Friday, December 12th, from 10am to 2pm, I am joining Iona Senior Services to host a “Sparkle and Spice” holiday event for our senior community at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church! The event will feature bingo prizes, live music, dancing, and lots more fun for our senior community. This event will be registration only. If you’re interested in attending, stop by Fort Stevens Senior Center, Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center, or call 202-895-9418 to secure your spot!
Federal Judge Rules ICE Arrests Illegal and Unconstitutional
On Tuesday night, we got encouraging news as a federal judge ruled the Trump administration’s warrantless ICE arrests are illegal and unconstitutional. According to the ruling, the administration illegally lowered the standard of probable cause, lawlessly targeting and detaining immigrant residents without cause. While the fight to keep our communities safe from federal attacks is far from over, this ruling is a testament to countless DC residents resisting and documenting their experiences on the ground. Holding this administration accountable depends on all of us speaking out and showing up for our neighbors, and I’m grateful to every Ward 4 resident who has done so over the last four months.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Porchfest Permitting Act Passes DC Council!
This week, I have big news for everyone who’s looking forward to celebrating Porchfest in Ward 4 and across DC: my Porchfest Permitting Act passed the Council! Porchfest is about more than just enjoying amazing music and community spirit—for local musicians, main streets, and small businesses across Ward 4, these events are an important opportunity to access community support. Yet right now, DC’s Block Party Act makes it unnecessarily hard for neighbors to host these events, a problem my legislation aims to fix by letting neighbors apply for permits when music happens on personal property and there’s no charge to attend.
The Porchfest Permitting Act passed as an emergency declaration, which means neighbors working to access their permits for this spring will not face the same hurdles they have in past years. I’m grateful to all my colleagues who voted in support of this bill and hope to see the permanent version approved soon. Can’t wait to see you all at Porchfest!
Fighting for Strong Local Journalism in DC
Before Tuesday’s legislative meeting, I hosted something special: a hands-on simulation for my Council colleagues demonstrating how DC could become the first jurisdiction in America to let residents support local journalism through a local news funding program.
Local news in DC and nationwide is struggling. In just the last few years we’ve seen longtime local outlets go out of business, mass newsroom layoffs, and Congress roll back $8 billion in public media funding. This issue has been compounded by growing corporate consolidation, as local outlets are increasingly coming under the ownership of big corporations, instead of members of the communities these outlets report on. This is not just a media problem—it’s a democracy problem. When local journalism fades, neighbors know less about what’s happening in their communities, important local issues receive less attention, and government leaders are held less accountable.
My Local News Funding Act, introduced earlier this year, aims to address this problem by dedicating just 0.1% of DC’s general fund towards local news grants. In practice, every registered voter in DC would get five local news “coupons” each allocation period to direct towards the local news outlets they value most. To become eligible for voter-directed support, outlets would need to meet several criteria including reporting news for free, distinguishing news from advertising, and disclosing their ownership. The funding process would be entirely determined by DC residents, and would be overseen by a new, independent Community Journalism Board.
During the simulation, I was grateful to see my colleagues engage with this bill, appreciate some of the amazing reporting our local outlets have produced, and gain a better understanding of why local news is such an important public necessity worth supporting—just like any other local infrastructure. Thank you to my colleagues who took part in the process, and particularly Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau for co-introducing this bill. Right now, the bill is awaiting a hearing in the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole. If any Ward 4 residents want to help make this bill a reality, make sure to email at-large councilmembers Phil Mendelson and Kenyan McDuffie to voice your support!
Community Resources
DDOT Repair Work Taking Place on Taylor St NW
The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) has notified neighbors about repair work taking place on Taylor St NW from Kansas Ave to 13th St NW. Construction will begin this Monday and take place Monday through Saturday from 7am to 6pm to repair sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and wheelchair ramps. The project is expected to be complete by December 19th, 2025, weather permitting. Any questions related to this construction work can be sent to Project Engineer Victor Nwabueze, victor.nwabueze@dc.gov.
Leaf Collection Underway in Section 4C
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is currently collecting leaves in Section C, which includes parts of Manor Park, Brightwood, Takoma, and Lamond-Riggs. As a reminder, DPW will conduct two rounds of leaf collection in each section. As this process continues, I want to make sure neighbors are aware of a few important highlights:
- To report a missed collection, call 202-737-4404 or submit a 311 request.
- Locate your section and keep up to date on DPW’s progress via the leaf collection tracker at dpw.dc.gov/leaf.
- To ensure proper collection, make sure to have your leaves raked to your curbside or tree box at least 24 hours before collection is scheduled to begin in your section.
Neighborhood Events
Support Local Businesses at Main Street Takoma’s Pajamarama!
Takoma’s Roscoe the Rooster crows early at this weekend’s holiday shopping event! Pajama-wearing shoppers are rewarded with early morning discounts at participating Takoma businesses. Shopping is fueled with coffee, baked goods, and more at local restaurants. Holiday shopping continues into the afternoon at the Pajamarama Holiday Market at the Takoma Theater. Local artists, makers, and collectors set up outdoors with unique, handmade holiday gifts. Plus, family friendly performances and strum along. See the full schedule of events on Main Street Takoma’s website.
Support Upshur Street Small Businesses This Holiday Season!
The season of cheer is approaching, and Petworth Main Street has a variety of events planned to showcase all our incredible local businesses have to offer! Next up is a Luminary Walk on Saturday, December 5th on the 800 block of Upshur St NW. Jumpstart your holiday shopping at your favorite Upshur Street businesses!
Zenith Gallery Presents: Gifts from the HeART
Zenith Gallery in Shepherd Park is currently showing a new exhibits. “Gifts from the HeART,” featuring new artists Reggie Gillumo and Shawn Yancy. The exhibit will be open starting today until January 13th, with Meet the Artist Receptions tonight from 4 to 8pm and tomorrow, December 6th, from 2 to 6pm at 1429 Iris St NW. Plus, if you’re looking to give the gift of art this holiday season, stop by Zenith Gallery to see their collection of unique objects to pass down through the generations!
4 Our Ward Holiday Party
On Tuesday, December 9th from 6 to 10pm, B. Minor Enterprises is partnering with Free DC and the Takoma Elementary School PTO to host a Ward 4 holiday celebration at Takoma Station Tavern. Join for a live jazz band, complimentary food, an ugly sweater contest, and a toy drive to support Ward 4 families in need this holiday season.
Local Maternity Thread Grand Opening on Upshur Street
On Saturday, December 13th from 3 to 4pm, Local Maternity Thread, a Takoma Park-based community organization, is sponsoring the opening of Ward 4’s newest maternity and nursing clothing closet at 9th and Upshur St NW. After the grand opening, the clothing closet will be open for all to browse and donate clothing any time, no appointment needed. The closet is open to all, whether new maternity clothing is outside of your budget or you just prefer to recycle!
Christ Lutheran Church Wreath Workshop
On Saturday, December 13th from 12 to 3pm, Christ Lutheran Church (5101 16th St NW) will host a free wreath workshop for members of the community. Snacks and all supplies needed for a homemade wreath will be provided. All are welcome!
Winter Ready DC Giveaway Events
Winter Ready DC (WRDC) is back! The DC Public Service Commission is hosting free weatherization giveaway events this December to help residents prepare for the cold season. At select dates and times in December, residents can visit neighborhood libraries to pick up free weatherization supplies, including window insulation kits, rubber seals, and other energy-saving resources. DC PSC will be in Ward 4 on Tuesday, December 9th from 4:30 to 6:30pm at the Shepherd Park-Juanita E. Thornton Library.
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.
Share Reports of Federal Law Enforcement Incidents
In August, my office launched an online reporting form for neighbors to report and document any concerning incidents involving federal agents. This information will be critical as we build our case, ensure organizations working on the ground are informed, and continue to hold this administration accountable. Please share the image with your social networks and neighbors to let others in the community know about this resource.
As our DC government works to keep our community safe, supported, and informed during this time, I also encourage neighbors to fill out my survey seeking input from residents to help shape how our office communicates around new federal developments.
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
The Washington Post: Coolidge completes journey to the top with first Turkey Bowl title since 1986
Petworth News: Petworth Library closes December 11th for renovations
Next Stop…Riggs Park: December 6: Neighborhood Clean Up – Eastern Avenue
The 51st: 14 things to do around D.C. this weekend
Ward 4 Dispatch: Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving, Ward 4!
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 Thursday, I was inspired to be with coaches, teachers, and organizations at Fight For Children’s Youth Sports Town Hall. From experience, I know how transformative youth sports programs can be. But too often, our young people can’t access these services—or providers don’t have the support they need. As Chair of the Committee on Facilities, I’ve been grateful to be able to fight for these programs and will continue to advocate for youth access to the recreational services they need to thrive.
Last, but certainly not least, I want to give a huge shoutout to our Coolidge Colts football team, who delivered an impressive win at the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl against Dunbar High School! Congratulations to Coach Nesbitt and the whole team for bringing the DC Public Schools championship home to Ward 4!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
