NEWS AND EVENTS – CURRENT EVENTS
(Last Update 1/2/09)
UPO's 25TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST
UPO's 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast
Occurs:
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009, 7:45 AM
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
2660 Woodley Road, NW - Washington, DC
Keynote Speaker is the Honorable Congressman John Lewis Representing Georgia's 5th Congressional District
For ticket information, call (202) 238-4704 or send an e-mail to MLKBreakfast@upo.org
"NEW ITEM ADDED" CHAIRMAN GRAY HOLD HEARING FOR YOUTH TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES
CALLING ALL YOUNG PEOPLE
DC COUNCIL CHAIRMAN VINCENT C. GRAY WILL HOLD A HEARING FOR YOUTH ONLY
WHEN: SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009, 10:30AM
WHERE: THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING 1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW 5TH FLOOR CHAMBER
DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT YOUR LIFE
HEARING WILL BE TELEVISED LIVE ON CHANNEL 13
• To sign up to testify, contact Aretha Latta at 724-8196 or alatta@dccouncil.us
• Each witness is limited to THREE minutes of testimony.
• Enter on the back (aka D Street) side of the Wilson Building.
FLYER: YOUTH HEARING FLYER
"NEW ITEM ADDED" CLEAN-UP OF POPE BRANCH PARK AND CREEK
Join us on January 19, 2009 for the 3rd Annual MLK Day of National Service Clean-Up of Pope Branch Park and Creek, a tributary of the Anacsotia River. We will be removing debris and invasive plants from along the creek and the surrounding park. We will meet at the junction of M Place & Fairlawn Avenue (just off Minnesota Avenue) SE. at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This event is hosted by the Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance in conjunction with Groundwork Anacostia River, the Earth Conservation Corps and the Environmental Justice Program of the Sierra Club. This event is also in celebration of President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration with the theme ‘It Starts With Us’. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information please contact either Irv Sheffey @ 202-299-6503 or Dennis Chestnut @ 202-345-5693
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
LIHEAP is a block grant program which assists low-income households – both homeowners and renters – with their energy bills. The application period is through March 31, 2009.
For fiscal year 2009, the LIHEAP funding in the District of Columbia has increased to $16.2 million. The average grant will increase from $355 to $550.
Pepco is partnering with community-based organizations and social service agencies throughout the District of Columbia and Maryland to ensure that their low-income and at-risk customers are made aware of the federal dollars available to help them with their utility bills.
District of Columbia customers seeking help should call the District Department of the Environment’s Energy Office Division, at 311 for an appointment or visit their Web site (see below) for application information and eligibility guidelines. The application is also provided below.
Also, qualified low-income customers may be eligible for Pepco’s Residential Aid Discount (RAD) program. Pepco’s RAD provides qualified District of Columbia customers with a discount on kilowatt-hours used each month. The discount varies depending on winter or summer usage.
DOCUMENTS:
Application for Low Income Energy Assistance APPLICATION
District Department of the Environment’s Energy Office Division Website WEBSITE
PLANT A TREE IN DC AND EARN A $50.00 REBATE
Because trees provide extraordinary environmental and community benefits, Casey Trees and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) have teamed up to offer a rebate of up to $50 to individuals who plant a tree on private property in DC.
Ask your garden center, arborist, or landscaper for right tree, right place selection advice and for planting instructions. And read our tips for planting your own trees here.>> One rebate per residential property. Most trees are eligible. Ineligible trees include ash trees and invasive trees such as Norway maple, Bradford pear, sawtooth oak and Siberian elm.
Free Bonus: You will also receive a free Ooze Tube® watering bag for your tree.
1. Purchase your tree.
2. Plant it at a residence in DC.
3. Pledge to water and care for it for a minimum of two years.
4. Mail your signed rebate to the Casey Trees office by May 31, 2009.
5. Receive a $50 rebate check (or the full cost of the tree up to $50)
DOCUMENT: Rebate Information Flyer with Coupon Rebate Information Flyer with Coupon
"NEW ITEM ADDED" ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY MUSEUM - EXHIBIT: AFRICAN AMERICAN CELEBRATION
Jubilee: African American Celebration
December 7, 2008 — September 20, 2009
1901 Fort Place, SE, Washington, DC 20020
Museum Hours: 10AM-5PM, except December 25 and during exhibition installation
This colorful exhibition looks at African American holidays and celebrations around the country. Many of these celebrations (Election Day, Pinkster and John Canoe) no longer exist, while others (Big Quarterly and Mardi Gras) are still celebrated regionally but are not as well known or widely observed. Among the nearly 50 holidays featured are those created in response to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The history of these celebrations and other events—the homecoming festivities of historically black colleges and universities; the annual events of African American fraternities, sororities and secret societies; and more recently emerged traditions, such as Kwanzaa, family reunions and Martin Luther King Jr. Day—are presented through images of captured moments from throughout the years and treasured artifacts along with traditional songs and regional folklore related to holidays. For special viewing hours and tours, call 202.633.4820.
"NEW ITEM ADDED" ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY MUSEUM EXHIBIT: SEPARATE AND UNEQUALED BLACK BASEBALL IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Separate and Unequaled:Black Baseball in the District of Columbia
0n View Indefinitely
1901 Fort Place, SE, Washington, DC 20020
Museum Hours: 10AM-5PM, except December 25 and during exhibition installation
Back by popular demand after a recent successful run at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., a condensed version of this exhibition is on view at the museum. From Reconstruction to the second half of the 20th century, baseball, the great American pastime, was played in Washington, D.C., on segregated fields. “Separate and Unequaled” looks at the phenomenal popularity and community draw of this sport when played by African Americans. Featured are such personalities as Josh Gibson and “Buck” Leonard, star players of the Negro Leagues most celebrated team, the Washington Homestead Grays. The show also highlights community teams that gave rise to the various amateur, collegiate and semi-pro black baseball teams and leagues. For special viewing hours and tours, call 202.633.4820.
RIVERSMART HOMES PROGRAM - CURRENTLY SEEKING WARD 7 PARTICIPANTS
The District Department of the Environment has launched a new program for District residents called Riversmart Homes. This program offerS incentives to homeowners interested in reducing stormwater pollution from their properties. Homeowners receive up to $1,200 to adopt one or more of the following landscape enhancements:
Shade Trees
Above Ground Cisterns/Rain Barrels
Permeable/Porous Pavers
Rain Gardens
Bayscaping
The program provides the contractors to do the work. For more information about the DDOE's RiverSmart Homes program contact Steve Saari at: steve.saari@dc.gov or 202-535-2961.
Documents: River Smart Homes Program Overview Flyer
US CENSUS BUREAU HIRING FOR THE 2010 CENSUS
US Census Bureau has announced they are hiring for Census Takers $18.00 per hours Now.
Anyone interested should apply at the U.S. Census Bureau or link to http://www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/index.php
Pass the word many people need a job for the New Year and many people have been laid off from jobs and are looking for employment, pass the word and be a blessing to someone in need of employment.
*Seat Pleasant*
Opening Soon
Largo, MD 20774
Phone: 1-866-861-2010
Pay Rate: $18.50 / hour
*DC*
Opening Soon
DC Northwest, DC 20012
Phone: 1-866-861-2010
Pay Rate: $20.00 / hour
*How to Apply*
It's easy to apply!
Call the toll-free Jobs line at: 1-866-861-2010 and schedule an appointment to take the employment test. TTY users should call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339
PARKING RESTRICTIONS & STREET CLOSURES FOR PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION OFFICE
Posted - November 4, 2008
Media Contacts: John Lisle (DDOT) at (202) 671-2004
***TRAFFIC ADVISORY***
Parking Restrictions & Street Closures For Presidential Transition Office
(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) advises residents and motorists the following street closures and parking restrictions are in effect to provide for security and safety around the presidential transition office. The following closures/restrictions will be in place until further notice:
• D Street, NW between 5th and 6th is closed to vehicular traffic and parking is restricted.
• Northbound 6th Street St, NW, between Indiana Avenue and E Street, is reduced to one lane of traffic. The other 2 northbound lanes are blocked off.
• Indiana Avenue, NW, between 5th and 6th Streets, has been temporarily converted to accommodate two-way traffic until the traffic restrictions are lifted on D Street.
• No parking is allowed on the west side of 5th Street, NW, between Indiana Avenue and E Street.
• No parking is allowed in the curb lane on the south side of E Street, NW, between 5th and 6th Streets.
• The east side of 6th Street is closed to pedestrian traffic.
SAFETY TIPS FROM THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SAFETY TIPS ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:
Just Click On The Subject You Wish To Read.
Guarding Against Robbery and Assault
Personal Safety in Your Vehicle
Protecting Your Private Information
Pedestrian Protection Bus Safety Law
MARSHALL HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, Inc. FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE
Mortgage Litigation (Foreclosure) Counseling Services Available at Marshall Heights Community Development Organiation (MHCDO)
Reports show foreclosure rates at an historic high. If you are facing foreclosure or need assistance in this area, help is a phone call away. Don't ignore the problem. Act now. Contact MHCDO's Mortgage Loss Mitigation Counseling Services at 202.396.1200. MHCDO is located at 3939 Benning Road NE, Washington, DC 20019.
The Marshall Heights Community Development Organization is a nonprofit community-based organization that has undertaken community development activities in the Ward 7 area of Washington, DC since 1979.
MHCDO has successfully developed on its own or in partnership with others a 60-unit supportive housing facility, a 469-unit garden-style apartment complex, 220,000 square feet of retail/office space, 20,000 square feet of warehouse/industrial space, and over 150 homes sold to low- and moderate-income buyers.
FREE HOME ENERGY AUDITS AVAILABLE TO DC RESIDENTS
The District government is again offering free energy audits to single-family homeowners. The DC Department of the Environment’s (DDOE) Home Energy Rating System (HERS) program identifies a home’s energy deficiencies and provides homeowners with cost-effective, energy improvement recommendations.
“I hope our residents will take advantage of the free audits,” said George Hawkins, Director of DDOE. “We have found that many consumers don’t consider energy conservation because they’re not sure what to do. The HERS program will give homeowners new insight.”
The HERS Program will send a RESNET-certified auditor to evaluate a home’s existing energy condition, including walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, hot water heating, heating and cooling mechanical systems and other related aspects. Once the home audit is complete, a detailed HERS improvement analysis report is provided to the homeowner. Recommendations range from no-cost behavioral changes to major improvements to reduce energy loss in the home.
District residency and homeownership are the only program eligibility requirements.
To schedule a free HERS audit, interested residents should call Willie Vazquez at (202) 671-3304 or LaKeisha Estep at (202) 673-6733.
For additional information on Home Energy Audits: Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
On Wednesday October 15th Mayor Adrian Fenty, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Office of Unified Command and the Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency announced the launch of DC Police Alert. This service will utilize the existing Alert DC system (https://textalert.ema.dc.gov) to quickly notify businesses and residents about crimes in their neighborhood. MPD has certain criteria for sending a Police Alert. Alerts will only be sent:
1. To specific Police Districts or other areas designated Police Service Areas (PSAs)
2. Regarding certain types of crimes. The program will start with Robberies only and then expand to include other types of crime. You will be advised of any future changes to the program.
3. The alerts will only be sent when the MPD has specific, actionable information and believes public assistance could help solve the crime. Actionable information could include a lookout for a specific suspect with descriptors such as height, weight, gender, clothing or a specific vehicle description such as make, model, color or tag number.
When a user registers for DC Police Alert they can enter addresses such as home and work. Then, when a qualifying incident occurs in the area, MPD will send a DC Police Alert message informing users about what has happened and giving instructions about what to do. Please do not call 911 for updates regarding the crime, only call if you have relevant information regarding the information sought by MPD. Users can receive alerts on e-mail, cell phone, pager or Blackberry and wireless PDA.
To participate in DC Police Alert please follow these instructions:
1. Click the following link and register for Alert DC https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/register.php
2. The DC Police Alert prompt is at the bottom of the page select ‘Yes’ from the drop down menu on the right
3. Click ‘Continue’ on the bottom right
4. On the second registration page enter your work address
5. You can enter additional locations using the mapping feature at the bottom of the page
a) Select ‘Add Location’ from the Map Control Mode menu
b) Use ‘+’ or your mouse wheel to zoom
Select ‘Finish Registration’ at the bottom right of the page
Documents: DC Police Alert Flyer