17 minute read
Bulletin Board by Kathleen Donner
Photo: Courtesy of FRESHFARM Markets
FRESHFARM Markets Open for Season
East of the River FRESHFARM markets are at Kenilworth Rec Center, 4321 Ord St. NE, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (starting June 6); and Minnesota Avenue, 3924 Minnesota Ave. NE, Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m. (starting June 4). freshfarm.org.
In an eff ort to keep shoppers, vendors, and market managers as safe as possible, FRESHFARM is implementing the following safety protocols at all of their farmers markets. Market managers remind all shoppers to follow these guidelines: Keep your market visit simple and short. Leave your dogs, children, and senior family members at home. Wash your hands. Maintain a distance of at least six feet. No browsing or lingering at market tents. Try to attend the market later in the day. Stay home if you or a family member is sick. Do not eat any purchased food while you are at the market. Wash produce when you get home.
Two New Hospitals to Bring Equity to DC’s Health Care System
Mayor Bowser has announced two agreements to improve health care and address inequalities in health outcomes for District residents. The agreements include the construction of two new, state-of-theart hospitals: a 136-bed hospital at St. Elizabeths East in Ward 8, operated by Universal Health Services in conjunction with George Washington University and George Washington Medical Faculty Associates; and a 225-bed Howard University Hospital on Georgia Avenue NW in Ward 1.
With construction funded by the District, the new $306 million hospital at St. Elizabeths East is expected to open in the fall of 2024 and include 136 inpatient beds, with the ability to expand to 196 beds. The District is also funding the construction of a $69 million health services complex (ambulatory center) at St. Elizabeths that is expected to open in the fall of 2023. Two new urgent care centers in Wards 7 and 8 will open in the fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022, costing $21 million to be funded by Universal Health Services. This investment will be a part of a $75 million contribution to the project. The full agreement between the parties will be submitted to the Council for approval in June. The current United Medical Center will remain open until the new hospital is completed.
The Ward 7 Democratic Candidates’ Virtual Economic Vision Debate is on Saturday, May 16, starting at 10:30 a.m., via YouTube Live. The debate will be moderated by Saymah Nah, Marshall Heights Civic Association’s Vice-Chair of Economic Development and Fenit Nirappil, a respected local journalist for The Washington Post. Each candidate will sit individually with the moderators for 15 minutes to answer three core questions that they received in advance. The link to watch the debate will be posted on all of MHCA’s social media platforms by Thursday, May 12. Information about how to register to vote, how to request a mail-in-ballot, general community announcements, and a refl ection/moment of silence for those impacted by COVID will be delivered by Reverend Andre D. Ivy of the First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights before the debate begins. marshsallheightsdc.org. Marshall Heights Day, originally planned for after the debate, is postponed until fall.
ANC 7D Goes Virtual
ANC 7D May and June meetings are virtual: phone and computer. The commission is on recess in July and August. May’s meeting is May 12, 6:30 p.m. The event’ video address is 470047772@dcnet.webex.com; password is Qgw8TMFTX32. The phone call-in number is 1-650-479-3208 with access code of 470047772. June’s meeting is June 9, 6:30 p.m. The event’s video address is 477818262@dcnet.webex.com; password is HFmAMF2ch66. Call-in number remains the same with an access code of 477818262. Fall meetings are scheduled for Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8. If public meetings are still under quarantine, dial in instructions will be published at least seven days prior to the meeting.
Anacostia Watershed Society Launches Learning from Home
The Anacostia Watershed Society has announced their new Learning from Home portal at anacostiaws.org/what-we-do/ education. With many area schools moving to online classes for the remainder of the year, AWS has put together online resources so K-12 students can keep learning about their local watershed from home. Plus, students have the chance to start a Naturalist Notebook and enter a competition. anacostiaws.org.
Free Groceries
The District has ten school locations that distribute free groceries to residents in need each week at 12:30 to 2 p.m. In Ward Seven, the distribution locations are Kelly Miller Middle School (Tuesdays), 301 49th St. NE; Woodson High School (Wednesdays), 540 55th St. NE; and Kimball Elementary School (Thursdays), 3375 Minnesota Ave. SE. In Ward Eight, the distribution locations are Anacostia High School (Thursdays), 1601 16th St. SE; Ballou High School (Fridays), 3401 Fourth St. SE; and
Stanton Elementary School (Tuesdays), 2701 Naylor Rd. SE. coronavirus.dc.gov.
DC Dream Center Becomes a Community Resource Center
The DC Dream Center, 2826 Q St. SE, has been repurposed and is serving as a Community Resource Center providing over 250 hot meals per day to anyone who is in need of one, and giving out free resources at the Food and Hygiene Pantry, which serves up to 200 people daily. So far, they have served over 7000 meals. They have also become a major food distributor to other food banks, soup kitchens, missions and ministries throughout DC. Items have been donated by the US Senate, World Central Kitchen, Whole Foods, the Salvation Army, Holiday Inn Rosslyn and others. They also distribute daily to senior centers and people experiencing homelessness. They are open daily from noon to 3 p.m. dcdreamcenter.com.
Howard Road SE to Temporarily Close
DDOT has temporarily closed Howard Road, SE between the WMATA Parking Garage Access Drive and South Capitol Street until 5 a.m. on Monday, May 18, weather permitting. A marked detour is in place during the closure. Read more at improving295dc.com.
Monthly Park Volunteer Cleanups Cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Fort Stanton Park and Shepherd Parkway monthly, Saturday morning cleanups have been cancelled until further notice. For questions, contact Nathan at 301-758- 5892 or nathan@ward8woods.org.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens’ Saturday morning volunteer events have also been cancelled until further notice. Read more at kenaqgardens.org.
Mayor Bowser and the Offi ce of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development have announced more than $8 million in additional support for the DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program. This program was created by the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 on March 17. The fund was created to provide relief to local small businesses for expenses such as employee wages and benefi ts, rent, and other operating costs. For more resources and information about the District’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Vote Safe DC
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DC Board of Elections has developed the Vote Safe DC campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that every vote is counted and that everyone, from voters to election workers, is safe. The District of Columbia’s 144 voting precincts, which contain the polling stations where voters cast their ballots, will remain closed on election days in June (June 2 and June 16). Instead, the 15 early voting centers, where early voting typically occurs, will be expanded to 20 to accommodate additional voters. The BOE urges voters to request a mail-in ballot instead of voting in person.
If voters do not choose to cast their votes by mail-in ballot, massive lines and delays are expected at the early voting centers. The BOE is developing safety protocols to protect voters and election workers in consultation with the CDC and other leading federal agencies to make early voting centers as safe as possible. However, the safest option for voters to reduce their risk of contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus is to mail in a ballot. Visit dcboe.org/ Request-Your-Ballot-by-Mail.
Food It Forward
Help keep DC restaurant jobs and help feed DC families and healthcare workers in need. $13 feeds an individual; $54 feeds a family. Read more and donate a meal at fooditforwarddc.com.
DC Greens Tips to Stay Safe While Shopping
Before you shop: stay home if you are sick; order ahead; make a shopping plan; wash reusable bag before you leave; take a mask, gloves and hand sanitizer; only one person from household shops. While you shop: wipe down your cart or basket; maintain six feet of distance; do not touch food at farm
FREE DEVELOPMENTAL
EVALUATIONS FOR AGES 3-5
Do you have questions about your child’s development?
Contact us for a free evaluation 202-698-8037 www.earlystagesdc.org
Photo: Courtesy of Building Bridges Across the River
Free Lunch and Groceries at THEARC
THEARC, DC Central Kitchen, Martha’s Table and World Central Kitchen have partnered to provide free lunch and groceries at THEARC, 1801 Mississippi Ave. SE. DC Central Kitchen provides free lunches for children 19 and younger, daily (except Sunday), noon to 3 p.m. Martha’s Table provides free bags of groceries on Wednesdays, 12:30 to 3 p.m. World Central Kitchen provides free hot lunches Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 12:30 to 3 p.m. bbardc.org.
ers markets; use hand sanitizer; pay with credit card or other electronic form. After you shop: discard mask and wash hands; sanitize your groceries; discard plastic bags; wash hands again after putting groceries away. dcgreens.org.
After collecting feedback from audiences, Synetic Theater has been looking at innovative ways to engage students virtually--and give parents a much-needed break. Consequently, Synetic Theater presents storytelling class for kids, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., through May 22. Read more and sign-up at synetictheater.org/kids.
Library of Congress Needs a Few Citizen DJs
The Library of Congress is celebrating its 220th birthday with a present for music-makers and music-lovers everywhere: a chance to play with Citizen DJ, at labs.loc.gov/ experiments.citizen-dj, a groundbreaking project that inspires hip-hop music-making from home and opens new doors into the Library’s extensive audio collections. The public can experience Citizen DJ and provide feedback by visiting the test site (above) and following the prompts. The demo takes about 15 minutes to complete. User testing is open until May 15. To stay up-to-date on Citizen DJ when it goes live, visit labs.dc.gov. Using some of the Library’s free-to-use audio and moving image collections, Citizen DJ enables users to select short samples to create their own beats and sound mixes. By using the tool, musicians, students, researchers and curious citizens alike can discover items in the Library’s vast collections that they likely would never have known exist. loc.gov.
Shopping Angels DC Seeks Volunteers
Shopping Angels DC is part of an international volunteer program designed to provide services to people deemed especially at-risk for COVID-19. To help ease the uncertainty, anxiety, and fear surrounding this pandemic, they volunteer their time to deliver groceries or other shopping necessities to those who should stay home. Their priority service extends to typically high-risk individuals, including senior citizens, parents of infants, and individuals with heart, lung, or immune conditions. They will deliver to individuals with COVID-19, but this status must be disclosed so that both parties can exercise strict caution during the delivery. Volunteers must complete a form at facebook.com/shoppingangelsinc. For more information, call 202-630-7556 or email shoppingangelsdc@gmail.com.
DCPS (COVID-19) School Status
DCPS schools will continue distance learning for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year which will end on Friday, May 29. School buildings will remain closed indefinitely; summer learning opportunities are being discussed; the city anticipates making announcements about the summer on May 15. For more info and updates on DCPS status and supports, visit dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus. Charter school families will hear from their individual schools for direction regarding the duration of their school years. School operating status and available supports for charter schools are being tracked by the DC Public Charter School Board and posted on dcpcsb.org
Free Internet Access for DCPS Students
You may be eligible to receive 60 days of free Comcast internet service. Check here to apply internetessentials.com.
Coronavirus Contact Tracing Force Established
Mayor Bowser has established the DC Contact Tracing Force to hire hundreds of additional tracers at DC Health. DC Health currently has about 65 contact tracers, and about 70% of confirmed cases have been traced. The Force is in the process of increasing that team to about 200 tracers, with up to an additional 700 tracers to be hired through Phase One of re-opening the District. coronavirus.dc.gov.
#FITDC’s Flatten the Curve Fitness at Home
While you can’t visit your local gym or do a workout class during these challenging and isolating times, exercise is still one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety and stay healthy. That’s why #FITDC is bringing you free, elevated workouts to do from the comfort of your home. Flatten the Curve Fitness is a series of online adult, senior and familyfriendly workouts. To access them, go to flattenthecurvefitness.spashthat.com.
Uber to Assist Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Uber has announced that it is working with the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence in response to the recent rise in domestic and intimate partner abuse cases during the pandemic. Because survivors and victims typically reach out for help only when they’re away from their abusers, survivors are now left with few safe options to access resources, reach out for help, or plan an exit. Uber is donating 1,000 free rides to the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. dccadv.org.
Changes in Tenants’ Rights in DC During the COVID-19 Health Emergency
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, both Congress and the DC Council have passed emergency legislation that impacts DC tenants’ rights. These changes will be in effect until the end of the public health emergency. (1) Landlords can still collect rent but may not increase your rent or charge late fees. (2) DC Landlord and Tenant Court is closed until May 15. All evictions are currently prohibited by DC Law. (3) If you need an emergency repair and your landlord has not responded, you can contact the DCRA at 202-442- 9557, ext. 6 or you can call 311 to request a virtual inspection. (4) To obtain information about Emergency Rental Assistance Program appointments, call 202-667-7339 or email erap@housingetc.org. (5) if you live in HUD-subsidized housing, public housing, have a Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher, or live in a LIHTC building; no eviction proceedings may be brought for nonpayment of rent until August 2020, and only after you’ve received a 30- day notice. In addition, your subsidy cannot be terminated during the public emergency. (6) All deadlines related to TOPA are on pause during the public emergency. (7) All gas, water, and electricity shutoffs are prohibited by law. If your water is shut-off, contact DC Water at 202- 354-3750 or restore@dcwater.com. To discuss restoring electricity call PEPCO at 202-833-7500. (8) If you have any tenants’ rights-related questions, leave a message at 202-667-7426 or tenants@housingetc.org.
Order Soup, Hug a Farmer (virtually)
To help hard-hit local farmers, Soupergirl has partnered with Spring Valley Farm of West Virginia to deliver a fresh and unique selection of early spring fruits and vegetables to DC-area shoppers. Soupergirl is also now deliv
ering the fresh “Farmer’s Market Box” to the front door of DMV residents. The Market Box is $35 when added to any soup order and can be purchased at thesoupergirl.com/local-dc-options. Typical produce includes whatever is available at harvest time. Soupergirl is selling the Market Box at just over cost, to support area farmers. Consumers can add the Market Box to any Soupergirl purchase, to bring fresh Spring Valley Farm vegetables and fruits to their door. Throughout this crisis, Soupergirl will continue to offer a 15% discount on all orders— use the code, COMMUNITY 15.
Soupergirl is a Washington, DC, based soup company with a mission to change the world, one bowl at a time. Soupergirl’s soups are a fusion of modern flavors and old-fashioned cooking techniques that highlight seasonal, fresh ingredients. To order and learn more, visit supergirl.com.
The Kennedy Center Launches Couch Concerts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces a free, live digital performance initiative, Couch Concerts, to help inspire, uplift, heal, and bring the performing arts from the homes of artists into homes across the country and around the world during these difficult times. For 23 years, Millennium Stage has brought free performances to audiences in person at the Center and virtually through a livestream. The Kennedy Center will now stream concerts direct from artists’ homes on kennedycenter.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/couch-concerts, at 4 p.m., every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while the Kennedy Center remains closed, due to COVID-19.
$500 Cash to Low-Income Families
Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) has launched an innovative non-conditional cash transfer and financial wellness initiative—DC Family Financial Recovery Fund—to provide liquidity to low-income families, regardless of immigration status, who have recently experienced unemployment and/or have had significant reduction in employment hours and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on their financial health. This initiative is supported by a grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation. For more information and to apply, contact IDAPurchases@caab.org.
Enjoy over 300 of their past Festival selections (many free) while social distancing. This includes over 60 from their 2020 online DC Environmental Film Festival. dceff.org.
The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital is the world’s premier showcase of environmentally themed films. Since 1993 their mission has been to celebrate Earth and inspire understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film.
The DC Palestinian Film & Arts Festival (DCPFAF) is looking for film entries from Palestinian directors, producers, and writers for their 10th year this October. They accept feature films, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental works. The DCPFAF showcases the diverse and creative work of Palestinian filmmakers and artists across the globe. Submission deadline is June 1, 2020. Read more and submit entries at dcpfaf.org.
Visit The Social Distancing Festival
The Social Distancing Festival is an online artists’ community that celebrates the work of the many creators around the world who no longer have a showcase. It offers daily live-streamed events, archived videos, and original content that represents a full range of experiences, from art exhibitions in Paris to the new full-length work Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddler and the Drum, from the Alberta Ballet to music from Mexico City. The site’s regularly updated calendar is a feast for international culture lovers of all kinds. socialdistancingfestival.com.
DC Shorts Free Film Festival
DC Shorts presents over 375 films from the past ten years. Sort through the genres or years they were programmed and click to watch. All films may be watched full-screen- -and many are in HD. More films are added all the time, so come back often. Enjoy! archive.dcshorts.com.
Social Distancing Delivery and Pickup for DC Medical Mari- juana Patients Announced
District-registered dispensaries are now allowed to provide medical marijuana to District residents registered as qualifying patients through delivery, curbside pickup, and at-the-door pickup options. The rules can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov/medicalmarijuana. This patientcentric, emergency rulemaking is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of District residents, and is similar to what other states are putting in place to continue access to medical marijuana. Under Mayor’s Order 2020-053, medical marijuana dispensaries are considered essential businesses as healthcare and public health operators.
Bard High School Seeks Applicants
Bard High School Early College DC (Bard DC), a new school in Ward 7 at 4430 H St. SE, is recruiting its second class of students. Bard DC is a four-year public school that offers students the opportunity to take a two-year, tuition-free college course of study in the liberal arts and sciences following the 9th and 10th grades. Through the partnership between Bard College and the District of Columbia Public Schools, students can earn a high school diploma and up to 60 transferable college credits and an Associate in Arts degree from Bard College within four years, free of charge.
Bard DC is accepting applications from rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students who live in Washington, DC. The process includes an interview and a writing assessment. Visit calendly.com/amanda-washington for an admissions interview. Reach out to Bard DC Admissions Coordinator Amanda Washington at amanda.washington@k12.dc.gov with questions. bard.edu/earlycollege.
Student Loan Relief Announced
Financial relief options have been expanded for District residents who are struggling to pay private education loans due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The initiative, launched by the District and several states, will provide qualifying District residents with loan forbearance and other financial protections. Relief options include providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance; waiving late payment fees; ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting; ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days; and working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment. To get details on federal loans and servicers, visit the US Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System at nslds.ed.gov, or call Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 or 1-800-730-8913 (TDD). Borrowers with private student loans may check the contact information on their monthly billing statements. u Adelaide, Australia – Artist Liza Merkalova worked for over a year for the exhibition Apperceptions, which was to be held at Gallery M and feature 30 of her works.
