Dear Ward 8 Residents,

On December 14th, I will join the Capitol Riverfront BID as they host their annual Holiday Tree Lighting ([link removed]) at the Canal Park Ice Rink in Navy Yard. The official tree-lighting countdown will take place at 7:00 pm.

I intend to make a special visit to count down the lighting of the tree and visit with all residents. This is a free, family-friendly event open to all residents in the newest area of Ward 8.

Stay to enjoy:
* Visit from the Washington Capitals' beloved mascot Slapshot
* Free skate rentals for the first 150 attendees
* A vibrant Snow Globe Photobooth with instant photos
* Live holiday music from the popular Crush Funk Brass Band, more holiday music from DJ CiCi;
* And a cozy Holiday Lounge above the rink featuring holiday mulled wine for adults along with a Hot Chocolate Bar by local restaurant Pink Taco ([link removed]) and a s'mores station for all ages.

The first 100 attendees to arrive will receive an exclusive Capitol Riverfront mug and hot cocoa kit.

Registration is not required but recommended to attend the Holiday Tree Lighting ([link removed]) . A skate admission ticket is required for rink entry; however, ice skating is not required to attend the event.

We hope to see you there,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8

Dec 8 | Lights & Ice Hanukkah Skate Night | Canal Park

Celebrate the Festival of Lights at 6:00 pm with free skate rentals for the first 150 attendees, free fried donuts, hot cider, a s'mores station, DJ CiCi, the lighting of the outdoor menorah lead by Hill Havurah, and festive giveaways. DETAILS & RSVP HERE
([link removed])

Dec 14 | Holiday Tree Lighting | Canal Park

The Holiday Tree comes to life beginning at 6:00 pm with free skate rentals for the first 150 attendees, the Washington Capitals' own Slapshot, Crush Funk Brass Band, and a Holiday Lounge featuring Pink Taco ([link removed])
([link removed]) hot chocolate, mulled wine, and a s'mores station - plus a snow globe photo booth and other giveaways. DETAILS & RSVP HERE
([link removed])

Dec 16 | Jolly Jog | The Yards Park

Run, Run Rudolph and join Pacers Running ([link removed]) for a holiday-themed 5K Fun Run/Walk at 9:00 am with holiday head ware for attendees at check-in. All ages, walk/run levels, and festive attire is encouraged! After the jog, runners are invited to pick up a coffee and pastry
back at Yards Park, courtesy of the Thompson Hotel ([link removed]) . SIGN UP HERE
([link removed])

Dec 18 | Jingle Jam Holiday Concert | The Capital Turnaround

An evening of live holiday music by the renowned Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC awaits! Between 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Santa himself will make a stop to meet all of those on the "nice list," and snap professional instant photos with attendees. Signature Hot Cocoa will be served by popular local restaurant Silver Diner
([link removed]) and, at 7:00 pm, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC's Potomac Fever Ensemble will launch a lively one-hour holiday performance presented by NOVEL South Capitol
([link removed]) . RSVP HERE
([link removed])

Dec 21 | Toast to the Holidays | Throughout the Neighborhood

Get in the holiday "spirits" with this festive cocktail tasting around the neighborhood at six local restaurants. Tickets sold out quickly, but SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST HERE ([link removed]) .
DPW is still collecting leaves in section C in wards 1-8. Leaf Collection will begin in section D on Monday, December 11, 2023. If you live in Section D, have your leaves raked to the tree box or curbside by Sunday, December 10, 2023. 

Go to Leaf Collection | dpw (dc.gov) ([link removed]) to learn about leaf collection and when we will be in your neighborhood.  

Not sure what section you live in?
Find your section at Leaf Collection | dpw (dc.gov) ([link removed]) . 🍂

Leaf collection schedule updates are made every Friday by 5 pm. All sections will receive two weekends’ notice of when to rake their leaves out.
Check out our leaf collection tracker brought to you by Bob the Blower! ([link removed])
Legislative Updates ()
At last week’s legislative meeting, Councilmember White introduced temporary and emergency legislation to ensure that the Office of Independent Juvenile Justice Facilities Oversight (OIJJFO) will remain open for the remainder of the fiscal year. The OIJJFO provides important publicly available information regarding safety conditions and events at juvenile facilities managed by the District.

There were two notable hearings scheduled scheduled on Wednesday, November 29th. The Committee Of the Whole held a hearing on the retention of teachers and principles at DCPS and the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety will hold a hearing on the Mayor’s proposed public safety legislation, entitled ACT Now.

This legislation would remove limitations on the ability of police to place persons in head restraints and reinstate drug zones to eradicate loitering around suspected drug markets. The Council will also hold hearings on proposals to make school lunch free for all public and charter school students (will cost $8 million per year).
On Tuesday December 5, the Council held a legislative meeting. Councilmember White introduced two ceremonial resolutions honoring District educators who have demonstrated excellence and commitment for many years.

The Monica Bibbs Retirement Recognition Resolution of 2023 honors Monica Bibbs, who retired from DCPS after 35 years of service as both a classroom educator and an administrator. She was educated in District public and private schools and is a double graduate of UDC. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

The Professor Fred Irby III Recognition Resolution of 2023 honors trumpeter and educator Fred Irby III. Fred Irby III is well-established as one of the first trumpeter in the world and is currently the first trumpet in the Kennedy Center Opera House Musical Theatre. In 2024, he will reach 50 years of service in his teaching tenure at Howard University, where he leads the Jazz Band and directs the trumpet studio.
Committee Updates ()

On December 1, Councilmember White and two members of the Committee staff visited the Youth Services Center and New Beginnings Youth Development Center, along with Councilmember Lewis George to address facility issues. Representatives from the Department of General Services (DGS) were also in attendance. The Councilmember and staff were able to listen to the concerns of DGS staff, DYRS staff and DYRS-detained youth, in order to find better solutions both facility-wise and programmatically.

On December 5, the Council passedPR25-0421 - Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation Thennie Freeman Confirmation Resolution of 2023, ([link removed]) which allows for Ms. Freeman to become the permanent director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) after serving as Interim Director.

The Council also moved to postpone to vote on PR25-0474 - Board of Library Trustees Maria Peace Confirmation Resolution of 2023 ([link removed]) . It will be placed on the legislative agenda for December 19.
HEARING NOTICE
Upcoming hearings at the DC Council
Councilmember White and his team join Anacostia Coordinating Council for its holiday celebration.

November 30, 2023

Councilmember White and his constituent service team joined the Anacostia Coordinating Council for its Multicultural Holiday Celebration Youth Gift and Toy Drive.
Johnson Middle School celebrates state championship with a dinner banquet.

December 3, 2023

Councilmember Trayon White joined the Johnson Middle School coaching staff, school administrators, and football team for its Championship Dinner following their state championship win.

On December 6th, the Constituent Services team attended a lunch event at Arthur Capper Recreation with the Department of Aging and Community Living. The constituent service team helped with clean-up and activities with the seniors.
WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. community members took part in a small rally and hygiene donation event calling for better treatment at the Youth Services Center in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) over reports of alleged injustices within the facility.

A small group of people gathered at 11 a.m. for the Rally Against Youth Injustice, led by local D.C. resident 16-year-old Shemari Peters, in front of the DYRS on Mt. Olivet Road, Northeast, after claims were made about the poor education, poor staffing, and poor treatment of those youth locked inside.

The event included a prayer led by the Peters, who gathered donated hygiene products for those in the facility.

In a statement, the event planners cited remarks made by D.C. Councilman Trayon White, who visited the site in early November. He also claimed that education within had been limited to 15 minutes of English and 15 minutes of math.
Click to read full article:[link removed]

A new D.C. Council bill would transfer some 911 dispatching responsibilities away from the troubled Office of Unified Communications and back to the D.C. fire department. The bill, which Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau unveiled Tuesday, was announced along with another measure that would increase financial rewards for people who come forward with information about homicides.

The bills aim to address two problems in D.C.’s public safety system: ongoing concerns about long 911 wait times and dispatching errors at D.C.’s Office of Unified Communications, and the fact that murders are up in D.C. as homicide case closure rates have fallen.

Nadeau’s office says she will formally introduce the bills on Friday after all D.C. Councilmembers have had a chance to read them and sign on if they choose. So far, At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson has said she will co-sponsor the bill on compensation for homicide witnesses — a move which typically signals support for the legislation. Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, and Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker have signed on to co-sponsor the bill on 911 dispatching. But the bill is already garnering disapproval from some corners: notably, D.C.’s fire chief said Tuesday afternoon that he did not support moving dispatching responsibilities away from OUC.
Click to read full article: [link removed]


** Quick Links
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* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2021 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2022 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Visit our website w ([link removed]) ww.trayonwhite8.com ([link removed])
* CM White's Social Media Facebook ([link removed]) | Instagram ([link removed]) | Twitter ([link removed])

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