neighborhood news
Photo: Kristina Noell, Anacostia BID
Anacostia Starbucks Opens
The Anacostia Business Improvement District joined Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), community leaders, small businesses, residents and members of the business community in celebrating the grand opening of the first free-standing Starbucks east of the Anacostia River. The new coffee bar is on the ground floor of Maple View Flats at 2228 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE. anacostiabid.org.
Ward 8 Farmers Market Opens
On July 4, The Ward 8 Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market is in the parking lot behind Martin Luther King Elementary School, 3200 Sixth St. SE. ward8farmersmarket.org.
DGS Relocates to Ward 7
The Department of General Services (DGS) is moving to a new location on Minnesota Ave. NE in Ward 7. In accordance with the Mayor’s Order directing the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and DGS to identify potential relocation properties in Wards 7 and 8, the District has signed a Letter of Intent to build a new headquarters at 3924 Minnesota Ave. NE.
Summer Crime Prevention
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified six focus areas this summer for the 2020 Summer Crime Prevention Initiative (SCI): Columbia Heights (PSAs 302/304); Benning Road/ Rosedale/Langston-Carver (PSA 507); Fort Dupont/Minnesota Avenue (PSA 603); Benning Ridge/Marshall Heights (PSA 604); East Congress (PSA 704/705) and Washington Highlands (PSA 706/708). The SCI, which runs from May 1 to Aug. 31, focuses all available MPD resources and the latest technology to help eliminate violent crimes in specified areas. mpdc.dc.gov/page/ summer-crime-prevention-initiative.
Rodney McLeod Joins Martha’s Table to Distribute Masks
On May 13, Ward 7 Councilmember Gray and 22
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Philadelphia Eagles Safety and Washingtonian Rodney McLeod distributed 200 donated, handmade masks to seniors and young adults living in Kenilworth Courts, Mayfair Mansions and Paradise Acres in Ward 7. Courtesy of McLeod’s Back of House USA and Todd Patrick, the custommade face coverings were accompanied by hot meals provided by a partnership with Martha’s Table, Clydes Restaurant Group and Knead Hospitality & Design. The event was organized by Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray (D), Carlos Gray and Training Grounds Inc., a nonprofit organization in Ward 7 that assists youth and adults with personal, career and leadership development.
Ward 8 Rent Help
Washington Wizards All-Star guard John Wall, in collaboration with the John Wall Family Foundation (JWFF), has launched the 202 Assist program. 202 Assist is aimed at providing rent assistance to Ward 8 residents impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic. The JWFF has set a goal to raise $300,000 to assist in relief efforts. Donations are sought at housingetc.org/202assist/. All proceeds will benefit the 202 Assist initiative and provide rent re-
lief to hundreds of Ward 8 residents in need. Applications for help have opened at lh4us.org/forms.
Get a COVID Test
CVS Health has opened three new COVID-19 testing sites at drive-thru locations in DC. The testing sites are at 845 Bladensburg Rd. NE, 6514 Georgia Ave. NW and 110 Carroll St. NW. Selfswab tests will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Patients must register in advance at cvs. com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing to schedule an appointment. They are required to proceed in their vehicles to the pharmacy drive-thru window where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions. A pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process to ensure it is done properly. Tests will be sent to an independent, third-party lab for processing and the results will be available in approximately three days. cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid19-testing.
102 Affordable Homes Preserved
The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has closed several loans from the Oramenta Newsome Predevelopment Loan for two afford-
