Food and Fun at Harvest Fest 2009!

  The Columbia Heights Shaw Family Support Collaborative (CHSFSC) is collaborating with the Shepherd Street Boys and Girls Club for Thanksgiving this year. Located just two blocks from the Petworth Metro Station, there will be a free Thanksgiving dinner, face painting, arts and crafts, and entertainment for teenagers and families. The Harvest Fest will take place on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Please find the Harvest Fest 2009 flyer attached for more information.
Harvest Fest 2009

DOES Transition Employment Program

  Check out the Department of Employment Service (DOES) Transitional Employment Program- A Great Community Resource Linking to Employment
In addition to the challenges of a lack of affordable housing and food insecurity faced by Ward 1 residents, joblessness is a growing concern and reality. On one hand, rising rates of unemployment for members of our community is a result of the economic downturn and continuing layoffs. On the other hand, there are resources that could be available to bolster the skills of residents to earn an honest wage and support their families, but oftentimes we do not have the information to access them.

One such resource is the DOES Transitional Employment Program. To participate, residents must stop by one of the One Stops and register for Project Empowerment, through which they will be referred for training, work, and support in our area. Flyers in English and Spanish with highlights and details are attached. You may also check online, at http://does.dc.gov/does/frames.asp?doc=/does/lib/does/services/TEP_Fact_Sheet-revised_FY_07_%282%29.pdf
DOES Transitional Employment Program (in English)

TEP Flyer en Espanol

Mil Mujeres Legal Services' open house, November 25

Mil Mujeres Legal Services (MMLS) is hosting an open house to celebrate the opening of their new office in Mt. Pleasant (3118 16th St NW) and in commemoration of International Day of Violence Against Women.   The open house is being held this Wednesday, November 25 at 10:00 am.   So stop by the event and enjoy a delicious breakfast and take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the services Mil Mujeres is offering to the community.   Additional information in the English and Spanish fliers.

The open house is made possible with the support of the Latino Agencies Coalition United to Stop Violence Against Women (member organizations listed in fliers).Mil Mujeres Legal Services English

Mil Mujeres Legal Services Spanish

FREE youth conference, December 12

The December 12 DMVoices Youth Conference is the place to be for young people who have something to say and want to make a difference.

The Latin American Youth Center's free half-day conference is featuring:

• Workshops on topics like youth violence, education, and segregation/gentrification (These are examples only; the agenda is being finalized.)
• Inspirational speaker(s)
• Free food
• Opportunity fair featuring groups and organizations that offer youth community-based developmental, educational, leadership and/or organizing opportunities

The event is being held from 1:30 – 6:30 pm in Columbia Heights.   More information in this flier and on the LAYC Web site.

But wait - there's more!   To pull off this ambitious event for young people, volunteers (young and old alike) are needed.   There's a job for everyone.   They range from outreach, registration, note takers, and serving dinner.   Volunteers get community service hours if they need it, free dinner, and LAYC's everlasting thanks!

Walk through of 14th St with Mayor Fenty and CM Graham is on!

The communtiy walkthrought that was rained out on November 13 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 9 at 9:30 am.   This pubic safety walk-through will be on 14th Street between Monroe Street and Oak Street, NW.   This is a good opportunity for residents, providers, and advocates to share their public safety concerns and solutions with the mayor and his team.

Questions?   Email Ward 1 Outreach/Services Coordinator, sybongile [DOT] cook [AT] dc [DOT] gov.

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Campbell Heights Community Health Fair, December 5

The Campbell Heights Residents' Association (along with a number of partners, listed below) is holding a Community Health Fair on December 5 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Campbell Heights Apartments (2001 15th Street, NW, Multipurpose Room and Dining Room).

An array of screenings will be available including:

• Glaucoma and other ophthalmology testing
• Blood pressure
• Prostrate
• Audiology
• HIV
• Diabetes

The health fair will also feature discussions including:

• Health resources and health maintenance for the aging
• Poly pharmacy
• Food nutrition
• Podiatry
• HIV/AIDS and STDs
• Financial management
• Mental health

Attendees can also participate in exercise and yoga/meditation demonstrations.   Another feature of the event include free light refreshments.

Co-sponsors of this health fair are: Howard University Hospital, Women in Medicine, Jair Lynch Development Corporation, Campbell Heights Property Management, and Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham.

For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, (202) 246-6300 or Sandrabt [AT] emmamaegallery [DOT] com.

The Campbell Heights Residents' Association, Inc. was organized more than 25 years ago and now represents 171 senior citizens residing at the Campbell Heights Apartments.

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Preliminary assessment online for health benefits

Now online is this helpful preliminary interview for public health benefits.   Residents and providers of all kinds can use this online tool to initially assess eligibility for the DC Healthcare Alliance, Medicaid for the elderly and disabled, and DC Healthy Families.

Here's an overview of the online process:

1. You don't need to be related to the family members needing assistance in order to help.
2. There are two parts to the online process.   Part 1 takes about 20 minutes and Parts 2 and 3 take about 10 minutes.   The time it takes depends on whether you have the materials you need to do the assessment.
3. You will have to mail or drop off in person the application.
4. It takes between 30 and 45 days for the Department of Human Services to determine you eligible and mail enrollment information.

Equally as exciting and useful is that this tool is also available in Spanish.

As time goes on, more programs and services will be added to this tool.

  
Vietnamese American Community Service Center (VACSC) Hosting Crime Prevention Workshop in Vietnamese

Who: VACSC is hosting event for parents, community members, and youth.

What: A Crime Prevention Workshop

Where: At VACSC, located at 2437 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009. Phone: 202-667-0437. Website: http://www.vacsc.org/

When: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 3:00pm

Why: To assist people in being alert and safe during the winter season and as it gets dark outside much earlier.

How: Distribution of a fact sheet on Census 2010 in Vietnamese language.

VACSC, a non-profit organization in Ward One, helps Vietnamese-Americans in the DC Metropolitan area to assimilate and integrate in American socieity “without sacrificing their cultural heritage and identity.” VACSC also promotes “friendship and understanding” between people who are Vietnamese and American.

Did you know Pepco wants to increase residential rates?

Pepco has proposed an increase in rates and charges to residential electricity customers.   According to a June 2009 fact sheet,

Pepco’s proposal seeks an increase of nearly 6.1% in residential customers’ overall monthly bills.   The typical bill for a Standard Offer Service ("SOS") residential customer who does not choose an electric generation supplier using 750 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would increase by about $6.00.

The Public Service Commission is holding community meetings to elicit resident feedback on the proposal.   Two meetings remain:

• Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 pm at Hillcrest Recreation Center (3100 Denver St SE)
• Friday, November 20 at 10:00 am at D.C. Public Service Commission (1333 H St NW, Hearing Room 7th Floor East Tower)

Green DMV has started a petition opposing the increases.

Finally, more about the rate increase and what service providers can do to comment on the proposal is here.

Help is out there for choosing a new Medicare Part D plan

Open season for Medicare Part D has started (November 15).   Medicare beneficiaries may need to choose a new Medicare prescription drug plan before December 31, 2009 to avoid cost increases or changes to their drug coverage that could happen beginning in January 2010.

The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia and the Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Program have scheduled free walk-in clinics to help Medicare beneficiaries evaluate their current drug plans, and help them enroll in a new plan for 2010 if necessary.   Learn more about the Whitman-Walker open enrollment clinics here and the Legal Aid open enrollment clinic here.   Note that help from Whitman-Walker is available in Ward 1.

ANC vacancy bill hearing rescheduled

The hearing for B18-324, "Advisory Neighborhood Commission Vacancy Amendment Act of 2009", has been rescheduled by the Committee on Aging and Community Affairs (CM Alexander, Ward 7, chair).   The new date and time are November 19 at 6:00 pm in Room 412 of the JAWB.   This is rescheduled from an earlier date.   Details in hearing notice.

Those concerned with the work of these community-based elected officials and the role ANCs play in local democracy should comment on this bill.

November 11 ANC 1A meeting

Attend the November 11 ANC 1A meeting and you will be updated on the Park Morton development as well as a number of other issues that effect Park View.   The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at Park Road Community Church at 1019 Park Road, NW (rather than the usual meeting place due to the holiday).

Community crime prevention meeting November 18

Interested in addressing crime and violence in your community?   This meeting may be one way.

Assistant Chief of Investigative Services Peter Newsham will attend a Fourth District (4D) crime meeting on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 pm at Emory Recreation Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW).   Chief Newsham is interested in hearing resident concerns.   Detectives will explain the investigative process including how residents can play an important role in helping the police solve cases.

Further, 4D officers will answer questions about social services and programs available to individuals and families.

Police district boundaries differ from Ward boundaries.   As a result, part of Ward 1 is in 4D.

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PEPCO proposes rate and fee increases; comment now to prevent these changes

The DC Public Service Commission has announced a series of public meetings to get feedback on the PEPCO proposal to increase rates and charges for electric service in the District.

The two remaining meetings are:

• Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 pm at Hillcrest Recreation Center (3100 Denver St SE)
• Friday, November 20 at 10:00 am at D.C. Public Service Commission (1333 H St NW, Hearing Room 7th Floor East Tower)

Organizations that provide emergency assistance, including for electric bills, should consider sharing aggregated data about client needs to demonstrate the negative impact a rate and fee increase would have on low- and moderate-income residents.   Residents should also consider submitting comments either in person or in writing to the Commission.

Santa's Secret Shop needs Elves for the Holidays!

From Greater DC Cares:

Santa's Secret Shop needs Elves for the Holidays!

Looking to donate goods, or volunteer on the holidays?   Parkview Community Center (693 Otis Pl NW) needs extra hands and goods during its Santa's Secret Shop event.

Children will be shopping at Parkview for gifts to give to their parents.   There will be six shifts during a school day in late December, as well as organizing opportunities for people who are unable to take the day off of work.   If you are interested in getting involved for the holidays, or making a donation to Santa's Secret Shop, email Nuri Heckler at nheckler [AT] greaterdccares [DOT] org for more information.

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Help youth help others

Youth involved with the Vietnamese-American Community Service Center (VACSC) are collecting food for those who are in need this holiday season.   To support these active and caring young people, check out the flier below.

VACSCCan Food Drive Nov 2009

Mayor Fenty public safety walk-through on 14th Street

On Friday, November 13 at 9:30 am, Mayor Fenty will do a pubic safety walk-through on 14th Street between Monroe Street and Oak Street, NW.   This is a good opportunity for residents, providers, and advocates to share their public safety concerns and solutions with the mayor and his team.

Questions?   Email Ward 1 Outreach/Services Coordinator, sybongile [DOT] cook [AT] dc [DOT] gov.

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Did you know Ward 1's unemployment was 10.1% in 9/09?

The Washington Business Journal reported on November 3 that unemployment in Ward 1 was 10.1%, between Ward 3 with the lowest unemployment (3.2%) and Ward 8 with 28.3%.

Thanks and Giving at DPR in November

Ward 1 residents may give and receive this Thanksgiving holiday season at the Kalorama Recreation Center:

• Thanksgiving Food Drive, November 2 – 23:   At Kalorama Recreation Center (1875 Columbia Road, NW) from 2:30 - 8:30 pm.   This event is for all ages.   Participants will drop off can foods; non-perishable items; or donations at the recreation center.   For more information, call John Borges, Site Manager, (202) 673-7606.
• Thanksgiving Basket Give Away, November 24:   At Kalorama Recreation Center (1875 Columbia Road, NW) from 7:00 - 8:45 pm.   This event is for all ages.   Site will collect food and donate baskets to needy families in the community.   For more information, call John Borges, Site Manager, (202) 673-7606.

Members of the media should contact John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195.

Catch some health care on the Mama & Baby Bus

The March of Dimes Mama & Baby Bus schedule for November 2009 is now online.   The bus stops many days during the month in Ward 1 so check out the dates.   The bus is made possible by the cooperation of the March of Dimes, Mary's Center, Washington Hospital Center, Office of Latino Affairs, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

César Chávez PCS returns Bruce School to original purpose

Ward 1 CM Jim Graham recently announced the opening of César Chávez Public Charter School for Public Policy's newest campus in the historic Blanche K. Bruce School.   The Bruce School site is Chavez's fourth campus and "restores a tradition of education excellence at the Bruce school" according to CM Graham.   The transformation of this building may be long overdue but the historic preservation has succeeded in ending the blight.

To learn more about how the "restoration contributes to quality of education of the city's youth, and to the ongoing revitalization of this east side area of Ward 1", visit the CM's blog.