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Coronavirus Update:
Dear Neighbors,
On October 26th, the the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee is meeting to discuss Pfizer's application for Emergency Use Authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. If approved, the CDC will then formulate guidance on the administration of the vaccine to this new age group, which historically takes about a week's time, and healthcare providers will be able to place orders for the vaccine. With these factors in mind, it is most likely that younger children will be able to access the vaccine in early to mid November.
DC Health, meanwhile, is already in the distribution planning process and anticipates that the majority of children under 12 will be vaccinated by their primary care provider (as has been the preference for families of children over 12). And to put the size of this population into perspective, there are around 40-50,000 children aged 5 to 11 in the District. At the peak of vaccination, local providers and DC Health vaccination sites were able to administer around 8,000 doses per day. At this point, it is a bit difficult to gauge the exact vaccination demand for this age group, but DC Health is confident that the District's capacity to vaccinate is sufficient and that they will not implement another registration or pre-registration system as they have in the past.
The expansion of vaccine access to younger children will lead to safer elementary and middle school communities as well as safer home environments for those who cannot yet be vaccinated. I will continue to share DC Health's pediatric vaccination updates as they become available.
Regards,
Mary
P.S. Younger children may be encouraged to get the vaccine on learning that even animals at the National Zoo are being vaccinated against COVID-19. For a video showing what it's like to vaccinate an orangutan, please click: here.
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Ward 3's Redistricting Roundtable this Friday |
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The Council's Special Subcommittee on Redistricting is holding a virtual public roundtable on Ward 3's boundaries this Friday, October 23rd at 2:00 pm. These roundtables are an opportunity to offer input on boundaries at the Ward level; the process to determine specific ANC boundaries will begin once the Ward boundaries are finalized.
To testify at Ward 3's virtual public roundtable or for instructions on how to submit testimony, please click: here.
For more information on this process, please see Councilmember Cheh's previous newsletter: here.
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Leaf Collection - As in years past, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will be conducting two series of residential leaf collections this fall. DPW will begin the first round of leaf collections on November 1st.
Please Click Here for the Leaf Collection Schedule
If your leaf collections are missed during your home's scheduled collection window, please alert the agency by calling 311.
Yard Waste Collection - DPW's Yard Waste Collection season is winding down and will end on October 31st. If you would like to schedule a yard waste collection before the end of the month, please call 311. As a reminder, yard waste includes: grass clippings, weeds, bulbs, twigs and bundled branches, pine cones, uprooted plants, and leaves.
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From Urban Turf - The Return of Uptown Theater Imminent
...Landmark Theatres is in the final stages of negotiations that would have it operating the now-shuttered Uptown Theater in Cleveland Park, sources tell UrbanTurf. Last month, Michael Fant, vice president of real estate and development at Landmark, told UrbanTurf that Landmark was in talks to reopen the theater.
Yesterday, the Cleveland Park Twitter account highlighted that the theater had applied to sell alcoholic beverages...
Read the Full Story
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Ensuring a Thriving Chevy Chase with Small Area Planning |
Many residents have been asking about the Chevy Chase Small Area Plan (SAP) and what role it will play in any future growth along the Chevy Chase commercial corridor. Here are the main features of the Chevy Chase SAP:
What is a Small Area Plan? A Small Area Plan is a community-driven approach to ensuring that any new development or redevelopment of an area is done in a holistic way that directly responds to resident priorities and needs. This type of planning is conducted by the District's Office of Planning and considers the cultural identity of the neighborhood, desired green space, sustainability, affordability, public transportation accessibility, etc.
Why does Chevy Chase have a SAP? The most recent amendments to the District's Comprehensive Plan included a modest density increase in the Chevy Chase neighborhood, creating the potential for additional development, including the redevelopment of the Chevy Chase Community Center and Library. To ensure that the community's needs and preferences are prioritized in any development moving forward, Councilmember Cheh funded a SAP for Chevy Chase. Councilmember Cheh also provided funding to establish the new Chevy Chase Main Street whose business revitalization work will tie into the SAP's efforts.
What's next for the Chevy Chase SAP? Over the past 10 months, the Office of Planning has held various community engagement forums, including visioning workshops to solicit community feedback on the future of the Connecticut Avenue commercial corridor. Based on this input, the Office of Planning has drafted a “Visions and Goals” document. This report outlines community priorities such as retaining the architectural character of the corridor, complementing the existing historic assets, supporting green space, promoting independent businesses over larger, franchised commercial enterprises, increasing affordable housing units, and enhancing opportunities for community gathering spaces.
How can I get involved? Sign up for updates on the Chevy Chase SAP page (here) and by offering your input on the draft Visions and Goals report through the link below!
The Office of Planning is soliciting feedback on the draft Vision and Goals document through October 22nd: https://publicinput.com/P1554.
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New Drop Off Hours for Fort Totten & Benning Road Transfer Stations |
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Drop Off Updates from DPW - The Department of Public Works (DPW) has announced a number of operational changes to the Fort Totten and Benning Road Transfer Stations. This includes new drop-off hours and the news that Fort Totten will no longer accept household hazardous waste/electronics recycling. Instead, these materials may be dropped off at the Benning Road Transfer Station (3200 Benning Road, NE).
Here is what you need to know:
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Dispose of solid waste at the Fort Totten Transfer Station. The new hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Saturdays from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Dispose of hazardous waste and drop off electronics for recycling at the Benning Road Transfer Station on Saturdays from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Beginning November 6th, document shredding will occur on the first Saturday of every month at the Benning Road Transfer Station ONLY, from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm
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Here are some important reminders for residents as the District transitions out of the Public Health Emergency (PHE):
Visitor Parking Passes - Previously set to expire on September 30th, the 2020 Annual Visitor Parking passes will now remain valid through January 15, 2022.
Parking Enforcement - Parking enforcement has RESUMED.
Eviction Protections - As of this summer, a landlord may file for an eviction where a tenant poses a public safety threat and/or has caused significant property damage.
As of October 12th, a landlord may file for an eviction if:
- The amount of rent due is more than $600
- The tenant failed to submit an emergency rental assistance application within 60 days of receiving notice of past due rent
- The tenant's application for emergency rental assistance was denied
- If the tenant is two months or more behind on their payments
- After January 1st, 2022, a landlord may file for an eviction for material violations of the lease
Rent Increases - The prohibition on rent increases is extended to December 31st, 2021.
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A Second Name Proposal for Wilson High School |
A New Proposal for Wilson High School - The District is engaging in a renaming process to change the name of Woodrow Wilson High School in Ward 3. After a community engagement and survey process, DC Public Schools presented the Council's Committee of the Whole with a resolution to change Woodrow Wilson High School to August Wilson High School, after the late African American playwright.
At the hearing on the bill before the Council, many residents testified in support of alternative names for the school. In response, Chairman Mendelson circulated a new resolution to declare that Wilson High School be renamed to Jackson Reed High School. This alternative name pays tribute to Edna B. Jackson and Vincent Reed, Wilson High School's first African American teacher and principal.
On Tuesday, the Chairman announced that he would be holding a second public hearing on the renaming effort in the upcoming weeks. This hearing will provide the community with an opportunity to comment on the newly proposed Jackson Reed High School name.
The date/time will be shared in this newsletter once it is scheduled.
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Wegmans is Coming to Ward 3 & They're Hiring! |
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Full-Time & Part-Time Jobs Available - The grocer coming to the new City Ridge development in the Tenleytown area plans to employ approximately 450 people at its first D.C. location (including 150 full-time positions) and is aiming for a majority of local hires. The store will open in mid-2022.
For more information & application details, please see: We're Hiring!
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STAY DC Application Deadline October 27th |
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New Dialing Procedure for DC |
Getting Ready for the New 771 Area Code - Effective this month, residents must dial all 10 digits (area code + the 7-digit telephone number) when making calls within the 202 area code. This is in preparation of the new 711 area code to be assigned to all new local phone numbers beginning on November 9th, 2021.
What to know about the 771 area code:
- Your current telephone number, including current area code, will not change
- If you plan to get a new phone number on and after November 9, 2021, you may be assigned a phone number with the 771 area code
- You will need to start dialing the area code + telephone number for all local calls, including calls within the same area code
- You will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all long distance calls
- What is a local call now will remain a local call
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
National Zoo Animals Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19
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From DCist - The National Zoo Started Administering COVID Shots To Animals This Week
The Smithsonian National Zoo started vaccinating its animals against COVID-19 on Wednesday, exactly a month after all of the lions and tigers living at the zoo tested positive for the coronavirus.
The vaccination campaign began this week with several primate species. Seven orangutans, one western lowland gorilla, a white-eared titi monkey, and two emperor tamarins got the jab.
The shots are specifically made for use in animals, and were manufactured by Zoetis, a former subsidiary of Pfizer.
Read the Full Story
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Our Office is Open!
Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.
You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services requests.
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