This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
As we gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I’m writing to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and let you know about some important holiday updates. I also want to share my gratitude for each and every member of our Ward 4 community as we enter the holiday season. From Thanksgiving food drives to free meals for neighbors in need, this season always brings out the spirit of generosity that connects our community. I’m grateful for the kindness that so many of you demonstrate, whether it’s by volunteering, supporting local businesses, or simply checking in on a neighbor who may need a little extra help. I’m also grateful to our first responders, transit employees, healthcare workers and everyone who keeps our city running through the holiday. Finally, as a reminder, you can find more information from the Office of the Mayor on the status of all DC services for Thanksgiving.
With that, here are some brief updates that may be helpful this holiday week:
Community News
Upcoming Neighborhood Events
On Wednesday, November 27th, Safeway is hosting its annual Feast of Sharing holiday celebration at the Convention Center (801 Allen Y. Lew Place, NW) to provide a free Thanksgiving meal, live entertainment, free health screenings, community resources, free clothing, and prizes to all who need them. The event will run until 1pm, with senior citizens being admitted at 10am, and general admission at 11am. On Thursday, November 28th at 9am, The Crestwood Citizens Association is hosting its annual Crestwood Turkey Trot! The main event will be a 5k run and a 1-mile family fun run/walk (strollers and wagons welcome). Registration is $25 per person, online only. Kids aged 5 and under are free. On Saturday, November 30th, Petworth Main Street is kicking off four weeks of festive fun with Small Business Saturday on the 800 block of Upshur St and 4200 block of 9th St. Neighbors will get the chance to enjoy holiday tunes, discover unique, handcrafted gifts, and enter to win a gift basket. On Monday, December 2nd at 6:30pm, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is holding a virtual community meeting on the upcoming capital construction projects coming to Wards 3 and 4. Learn more about the meeting and RSVP here. Next Thursday, December 5th is the grand opening of the new Aldi on Riggs Rd and South Dakota Ave in Riggs Park! I’m excited to welcome this brand-new business to provide access to groceries and jobs for the Riggs Park community and all of Ward 4.
Updates on Leaf Collection
On Monday, the Department of Public Works (DPW) began leaf collection for neighbors in Section 4C of the leaf collection map, which includes much of Takoma, Manor Park, and Lamond-Riggs. If you live within Section 4C and haven’t already, make sure to have your leaves raked to your tree box or curbside to ensure DPW picks them up during one of their two passes of the neighborhood. If you live in one of the neighborhoods that has already been completed 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.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Legislative Updates and Upcoming Hearings
On Monday, the Committee on Public Works and Operations moved my CLEAN Collections Act, a bill I introduced in order to combat trash overflow and rat infestations in the District. The bill would help keep our neighborhoods free of waste and vermin by requiring trash to be collected at least twice per week and creating civil penalties for repeat violations of the law. I’m grateful to Councilmember Brianne Nadeau for moving this important piece of legislation!
Next Tuesday, the Council will convene for a regular Legislative Meeting and a meeting of the Committee of the Whole. As we approach the end of the Council period in December, these sessions will become even more important, as Council rules state that all bills that haven’t passed by the end of the period will need to be reintroduced in January. I’m looking forward to joining Tuesday’s meeting and continuing our work to advance important legislation impacting Ward 4 residents. Remember, you can tune into Council hearings live by visiting www.dccouncil.gov/hearings.
Over the weekend, we held our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway with the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association, and on Monday, visited The Parks at Walter Reed to give out Thanksgiving meals to seniors at Karin House, Abrams Hall, and veterans at the HELP USA building at The Parks at Walter Reed. All in all, as of today, we have given out 567 turkeys to Ward 4 neighbors in need. Thank you to all of our business partners, neighbors and volunteers who helped us make these events possible for this season of gratitude and giving.
Take care and enjoy the rest of the week!
Yours in Gratitude,
—Janeese
