22 minute read
Bulletin Board by Kathleen Donner
by Kathleen Donner
Cash Assistance to Expectant Mothers in Ward 8
Amerigroup DC is providing Martha’s Table, a communitybased organization, with a $180,000 grant for a new cash assistance program for expectant mothers. This program will transfer $300 a month for a full year to 50 pregnant women living in Ward 8. Direct cash assistance is a proven way to promote family stability amid times of financial stress. Funding will cover increased costs families experience when preparing for and raising a newborn. www. marthastable.org
Ward 8 Woods Conservancy Wins $10,000 Grant
The Maryland-DelawareDC Beverage Association, in partnership with local beverage bottlers and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, has announced a $10,000 grant to the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that rejuvenates and enhances more than 500 acres of forest in Ward 8. The contribution will support environmental work along the Suitland Parkway, an area that boasts natural riches but has su ered from
National Geographic will premiere a documentary special, “Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship,” about the most intact slave shipwreck found to date and the only one for which we know the full story of the voyage, the passengers and their descendants.
Transatlantic Slave Trade Podcast Launched Ahead of Black History Month, National Geographic has launched a new podcast, “Into The Depth,” that uncovers the history of the transatlantic slave trade as it follows a group of black divers dedicated to nding and helping document slave shipwrecks. The series trailer is now available on Apple Podcasts and wherever podcasts are found, as well as at www.natgeo.com/intothedepths. The six-part series highlights the journey of National Geographic Explorer Tara Roberts (@curvypath_tara on Instagram), who quit her job to follow in the footsteps of Diving With a Purpose, a group of black divers who traverse the globe in search of long-lost slave shipwrecks and the truth of the history that accompanies them. The podcast follows Roberts from Florida to Costa Rica, and from Africa back to her family home in Edenton, North Carolina.
DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District. DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District. DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District. DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trustDC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program. HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. on first trust mortgages. You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down payment and closing cost assistance program.Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program. program. serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community up to $84,000 combined. DCHFA serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program. Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) first-time home buyer program. years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to DC4ME DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees government employees. DC4ME is offered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District governmentbased instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower’s employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. COVID-19 of District government-based instrumentalities, DC MAP (Mortgage Assistance COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months. DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months. COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months. COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months. independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. Program) COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides financial assistance to those aected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualified borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
COVID-19
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC20001•202.777.1600 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. 815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC20001•202.777.1600 • WWW.DCHFA.O Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. 815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC20001•202.777.1600 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs.Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months. RG
Photo: Colin S. Johnson/Washington National Cathedral
Choral Evensong Returns at Washington National Cathedral
One of the treasures of the Anglican tradition, evensong is a service of sung evening prayer. The interspersing of music spanning from the Renaissance to the modern day, between familiar passages of scripture and ancient prayers, creates a contemplative mood. Lasting less than an hour, this service is held on Sundays at 4 p.m. Join in person or online. www.cathedral.org a PCR test themselves. The Ward 7 center at 3925 Minnesota Ave. NE is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Mondays. The Ward 8 center at 3640 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Sundays. www.coronavirus.dc.gov
New 801 East Men’s Shelter in Ward 8
On Jan. 24, Mayor Bowser cut the ribbon on the new 801 East Men’s Shelter on the St. Elizabeths East campus in Ward 8. The mayor was joined by members of the Goodfellas Team ‒ seven residents from the old shelter who received workforce training and were hired to assist with construction of the replacement shelter. The $56 million, 396-bed facility includes a low-barrier shelter, a work bed program and beds reserved for seniors and individuals with medical needs, as well as capacity to expand during hypothermia season. The facility also provides a daytime services center with a mail room, computer lab, barbershop and laundry. Other onsite resources will include housing-focused case management, behavioral health and harm reduction supports and a culinary training program.
Cupid’s Undie Run
In 2010, a group led by Brendan Hanrahan, Chad Leathers and Bobby Gill dropped their pants and ran through the DC cold to raise money for research to help end neuro bromatosis (NF), a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. Now, in midFebruary, participants in 38 cities in the US will run about a mile through the streets, mostly in Valentine-related underwear, to raise money to help treat and end NF. DC runs on Feb. 12; $45. Read more and register at www.my.cupids.org/cur/city/Washington,DC.
years of neglect. www.ward8woods.org/ ward8woods.org
Fort Dupont Ice Arena Closes for the Season
At the Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE, the schedule for public skating through Feb. 27 is: Sundays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 2:00 p.m. Adult admission is $5; kids, $4. Skate rental is $3. The arena will then be rebuilt to reopen in September 2023. www.fdia.org
Mayor Bowser Clears Path to Bring a New Grocery Store to Ward 7
Mayor Bowser and the O ce of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development have announced a plan to bring a grocery store to the vacant retail site at Capitol Gateway Marketplace, located in Ward 7 at the intersection of East Capitol Street and 58th Street NE. Mayor Bowser has requested the District Council to authorize the use of eminent domain to initiate action at the Capitol Gateway Marketplace and make the long-promised grocery store a reality. Ward 7 has only two fullservice grocery stores, serving 80,669 residents. The new grocer would put an additional 10,700 residents within one mile of a grocery store.
Wards 7 and 8 COVID Centers Open
COVID centers in Ward 7and 8 have opened. COVID centers give individuals access to vaccinations, boosters and take-home rapid antigen tests, as well as a walk-up testing opportunity that will allow residents to administer and register
Return of Regular Weekday Metrobus Service
Metro has announced that Metrobus will return to regular weekday service on Monday, Feb. 7. Metrobus has been operating on a modi ed Saturday schedule, o ering approximately 75% of normal weekday service, since Jan. 10 due to COVIDrelated sta ng shortages. Metro will also deploy additional buses when possible to help increase capacity on busy lines. Once regular service has resumed, trips may need adjustment based on employee availability each day. Metro will provide updates about service changes through MetroAlerts text and email messages and on the Status and Alerts page at www.wmata.com.
Free Tax Prep Services for Earned Income Tax Credit
Mayor Bowser has announced that free and virtual tax preparation services are available to low- and moderate-income District residents by the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) and United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA). The earned income tax credit (EITC), one of the nation’s largest and most e ective anti-poverty programs, is a refundable tax credit. For the 2021 tax year, households with incomes not exceeding $57,414 can qualify for the EITC, which could put up to $6,700 into the pockets of eligible taxpayers. According to the IRS, 25 million workers and families got about $62 billion in EITC as of December 2020. Tax preparation services are available virtually or in person (following COVID-19 safety protocols). All United Way
NCA Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs), except the DC o ce, as well as IRS VITA sites located throughout Maryland and Virginia will be o ering free tax services until the week of April 15, 2022. For more information, visit www.unitedwaynca.org/vita.
Folger and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Collaboration
On Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m., the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series at the Folger present a poetic mix-tape in response to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s exhibition “It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope, and Empowerment.” Poets Patricia Spears Jones, Nate Marshall, Reuben Jackson and Ashley M. Jones read their poetry to explore the rage, hope and empowerment embedded in the historic musical legacy of such artists as Public Enemy, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and James Brown. The reading will combine poetry and music from the exhibition. Tickets for this virtual event are $5 to $30, with a suggested price of $15, and can be purchased at the Folger Box O ce at 202-544-7077 or by visiting www.folger.edu/poetry.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, 5 p.m., on YouTube, author Jonathan W. White presents the story of how President Abraham Lincoln welcomed African Americans to his White House during a divided and war-torn era and why that transformed the trajectory of race relations in the US. Beginning with his 1862 meetings with black clergy, Lincoln invited African Americans of every background into his home, from ex-slaves to champions of abolitionism such as Frederick Douglass and
Photo: Courtesy DC Department of Parks and Recreation
Find an East of the River Indoor Pool
Ward 7 indoor pools: Deanwood Aquatic Center, 1350 49th St. NE, open Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sunday. H.D. Woodson Aquatic Center, 540 55th St. NE, open Monday to Friday, 6 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Ward 8 pool: Barry Farm Aquatic Center, 1230 Sumner Rd. SE, Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sunday. Therapeutic Aquatic Center in Ward 7 and Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center in Ward 8 are closed for renovations. All DPR indoor pools are free for DC residents (with photo ID) and require a paid membership for non-DC residents. www.dpr.dc.gov/page/indoor-pools-00
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Sojourner Truth. He conferred with his guests about the essential issues of citizenship and voting rights. White reveals how African Americans used the White House as a national stage to amplify their calls for equality. This is a free program of the National Archives. www.archives.gov/calendar/ event/a-house-built-by-slaves-africanamerican-visitors-to-the-lincolnwhite-house
The grounds of Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE, are open on Fridays and Saturdays, the hours varying by season. The Visitor Center and Historic Home remain closed. There are no ranger-led tours, but visitors are invited to ask questions of park sta . www.nps.gov/frdo
“A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond” Bridge Fund for DC Small Businesses
“A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture explores contemporary black life through stories about the social, economic, political and cultural experiences of African Americans. Large graphics and original artifacts lead visitors from the Black Arts Movement to Hip Hop, the Black Panthers to “Yes We Can” and Black is Beautiful to #BlackLivesMatter. The exhibition also considers the challenges African Americans face as they seek racial equity and social justice. www.nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/ changing-america
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors may enter until 4:00 p.m. Free timed-entry passes are required. www. nmaahc.si.edu
Folger’s “Autumn Leaves”
“Autumn Leaves” is an improvisation in poetry and jazz with pianist Cyrus Chestnut and poets Lenard D. Moore and Kyle Dargan. The artists share their compositions to spark one another in this freestyle performance. The evening concludes with a discussion among the performers, Folger director of programming Karen Ann Daniels and Folger director Michael Witmore. “Autumn Leaves” was recorded live at the Arts Club of Washington on Nov. 4, 2021. Tickets are $10 to $30 ($15 suggested price) at www.folger.edu/events/autumn-leaves. Available through June 30, 2022.
High-Impact Tutoring Grants Available
Mayor Bowser has announced that community-based organizations can submit applications for grant funding through the District’s $41 million High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) investment. Administered by the O ce of the State Superintendent for Education and established using federal funds received through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, HIT grants aim to increase access to evidence-based tutoring programs for Pre-K through grade 12 students. Application deadline is March 10, 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.osse.dc.gov/page/ high-impact-tutoring-hit-grants-tutoring-programmingstrategic-program-supports-and-program.
Free Electronics Recycling in DC
Reverse Logistics Group, in partnership with electronics manufacturers Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Samsung and Vtech, will hold 32 free electronics recycling events on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout 2022 in each of the District’s 8 wards, rain or shine. Collection vehicles will be stationed near Department of Parks and Recreation community or recreation centers, District parks or local farmers markets. Residents, small businesses and nonpro t organizations may drop o any of the listed acceptable items in as-is condition for safe handling by a responsible recycler; items not listed on the acceptable items list are not eligible. Accepted items include computers, tablets, monitors, TVs, desktop
printers, mice, keyboards, videogame consoles and cellphones. A complete list of acceptable items, collection event dates and locations can be found at www.rev-log.com/DCecycling. Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development have announced a new $40 million round of the Bridge Fund Grant Program that will provide nancial support to brickand-mortar businesses grappling with the COVID-19 health emergency in the restaurant, entertainment and retail sectors. The grants provide exible nancial relief to small businesses and On Jan. 8, ground was broken on DC’s rst Lidl Supermarket at Skyland Town Center, 2704 Good Hope Rd. SE. food trucks that experienced revenue loss during the emergency. Grantees may use grant funds for needs such as rent, payroll and labor, inventory and operating expenses. Awards range from $20,000 to $100,000. The program prioritizes businesses that have not received federal relief funds and microbusinesses with $2.5 million or less in revenue. Applicants must be located in DC with an active DC basic business license, less than $5 million in gross receipts each in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and the ability to demonstrate at least a 30% loss of revenue during the period April 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2021. www. obviouslydc.com/fy22-business-funding-opportunities
To keep our rivers cleaner and reduce waste, e ective Jan. 1, all District restaurants and food-serving entities are prohibited from automatically including small disposable food service items (including but not limited to plastic utensils) with the food they serve. Restaurants and food-serving entities are now required to keep small disposable items either behind the counter for customers who request them or in a self-service area for customers to take on their own. The new requirements apply to inperson, online and mobile orders. A grace period of six months, with no nes, will allow for training sta , updating operating software and addressing other aspects of the transition.
Christmas Tree and Holiday Greenery Collection
Through Feb. 28, the Department of Public Works is collecting Christmas trees and holiday greenery from
homes that receive DPW curbside pickup. Residents may leave trees and greenery at the normal point of collection for trash and recycling or at the curbside. DPW will compost the items and in spring o er the mulch to residents at no cost. Residents may also drop Christmas trees and/or holiday greenery at Benning Road Transfer Station, 3200 Benning Rd. NE; Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Dr. NE; Bryant Street Sweep Shop, 201 Bryant St. NW; and South Capitol Street Gra ti Shop, 2700 South Capitol St. SE. www.dpw.dc.gov
Pay-Your-Age at Arena Stage: An Under 30 Program
Arena Stage o ers Pay-Your-Age tickets available for the 30-and-under crowd. Just as the name says, age determines the price. Tickets are available online, by phone or in person on a rst-come, rstserved basis, limited to four per household. Tickets become available about two months before the show’s rst performance. Proof of age for each member of the party will be required at time of pick-up. Fees are not included in ticket prices. Children under age ve are not permitted in the theater. www.arenastage.org/tickets/savings-programs
$22,000 from “A Christmas Carol” at Fords during 2021
Ford’s Theatre has announced that audiences and the company raised $22,109.83 for Theatre Washington’s Taking Care Fund during performances of this season’s “A Christmas Carol.” Since 2009, the company has raised more than $900,000 for Washingtonarea charities, aiding thousands within the DC-area who experience homelessness and hunger. www.fords.org
DCRA Accepting License Applications for Short-Term Rentals
As of Jan. 10, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory A airs (DCRA) began accepting applications for residents to license short-term rentals for 30 or fewer continuous nights. A 90-day enforcement grace period gives shortterm rental hosts enough time to get their required licenses. Short-term rentals are limited to a host’s primary residence, which the law de nes as a property for which the owner is eligible for the homestead tax deduction. Only natural persons are eligible for short-term rental licenses; business entities such as an LLC or corporation are not eligible. The cost for a two-year short-term rental license is $104.50, which includes a $70 processing fee, a $25 endorsement fee, and a 10% technology fee. www.dcra. dc.gov/shorttermrentals
New Leaf Blower Regulations
On Jan. 1, the Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 took e ect. The act prohibits the use of gasolinepowered leaf blowers in the District. Individuals and companies who continue to use gasoline-powered leaf blowers after this date will be subject to nes of up to $500 for each o ense. You can report violations if you observe a gas-powered leaf blower being used. The DCRA will accept photographic and recorded (video and audio) evidence in support of these citations.
Hypothermia Alerts
Hypothermia alerts activate when the National Weather Service forecasted temperature, including wind chill, is or will be 32° F or below; or, when the temperature is forecasted to be 40° F or below and the chance of precipitation is 50% or greater. Transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To report someone outside in need of shelter or a welfare check, call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or dial 311.
Open Call for 2022 Capital Fringe Festival
Have a show idea and speci cs ready for the 2022 Capital Fringe Festival, July 11 to 24. Artist registration is open through Feb. 18. There is no registration fee. Learn more and apply at capitalfringe.org/artist. ◆
