November 3, 2021

Coronavirus Update:

Dear Neighbors,

Late last night, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky gave final approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. For parents of children within this age range, now is the time to plan for their vaccination. Pediatric coronavirus vaccinations (which require a special, smaller dosage) will occur in private healthcare settings, area pharmacies and health clinics, and at neighborhood-based pop-up clinics in each Ward in the District. There are over 60 private and 40 public sites gearing up to administer pediatric doses. Some will operate appointment-based clinics and others will be walk-up clinics. While we currently have a list of providers and pharmacists who have/will receive the first shipments, some sites are not yet offering appointments, so it is best to check online or call ahead to verify their availability. Likewise, DC Health has not yet announced the hours of operation for all of the upcoming pop-up clinics. Details for the first walk-up pediatric vaccination clinic (scheduled for this Friday) are available: here.

While we await the final schedules and appointment/walk-up procedures for pediatric vaccinations, I would like to share what we do know so far:

Facilities in Ward 3 set receive pediatric doses (District-wide list: here):

• The Safeway Pharmacy on Connecticut Ave (5545 Connecticut Ave NW)
• Spring Valley Pediatrics (4850 Mass. Ave NW)
• Walgreens Store 4445 (3301 New Mexico Ave NW)

Upcoming Ward 3 pop-up vaccination clinics (hours to be announced):

• November 13th: Murch Elementary School (4810 36th St NW)
• November 16th: The Palisades Recreation Center (5200 Sherier Pl NW)
• November 19th: Janney Elementary School (4130 Albemarle St NW)

Other nearby vaccination opportunities include a pop-up clinic at Lafayette Elementary School on November 19th and pediatric vaccinations at the Safeway Pharmacy on Wisconsin Ave and at MedStar Georgetown Internal Medicine. For the full list of first dose pop-up clinics across the District, please click here: Pediatric Pop-Up Clinics. If you are part of a local group or organization that would like to host a community pop-up vaccination site, please email vaccineexchange.dc.gov to be connected with local vaccine providers.

This final approval marks the opportunity for safer schools and homes and, in many ways, the chance for kids to return to a happier, more typical childhood. If you have any questions or hesitations about vaccinating your child, please seek guidance from your healthcare provider. If you have not yet become vaccinated yourself, now is a great time to learn more about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and make a plan to get vaccinated as a family.

Regards,

Mary

Wilson Renaming Roundtable Scheduled for November 4th

Fall Leaf Collection Has Begun!

Leaf Collection - As in years past, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will be conducting two series of residential leaf collections this fall.

Residents should rake their leaves into the tree box (or at the curb if there is no tree box) by the Sunday of their scheduled collection week. All of the leaves collected by DPW will be composted.

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.

Celebrating Ward 3's Eileen McCarthy

Ward 3 Community Corner

Second Redistricting Hearing this Friday - The Council's Special Subcommittee on Redistricting is holding an additional public hearing on the Ward boundaries this Friday, November 5th, at noon.

Pumpkin Composting - Drop off your old Halloween jack-o'-lanterns and holiday pumpkins at any of the food waste drop off sites across the District.

• The Ward 3 community rallied to bring composting to the Cleveland Park Farmers Market and now they're in need of compost drop-off volunteers! Sign up: here.

Esprit de Noel is this Weekend - Join the Georgetown Visitation community for their annual Christmas market, Esprit de Noel, this Friday, November 5th (1 to 6 pm) and Saturday, November 6th (10 am to 4 pm). Esprit is free and open to the public and provides free on-campus parking. All proceeds help support Georgetown Visitation to educate women of faith, vision, and purpose.

Planting at the Chevy Chase Circle - Join Friends of the Chevy Chase Circle and Boy Scout Troup 255 this Sunday, November 7th at 9am to plant 4000 crocus on the circle. For questions, please contact [email protected].

Q&A with Deputy Chancellor Kim - Join the next Ward 3–Wilson Feeder Education Network meeting on Monday, November 8th at 7pm for a discussion on COVID and schools (testing, outdoor lunches and education, vaccinations, virtual learning), overcrowding, and more. Register in advance for this meeting here.

Northwest Neighbors Village Speaker Series - Ageism Unmasked with Tracey Gendron on November 18th at 11 am.

Help Local Businesses Ahead of the Holiday Season - The Chevy Chase Main Street needs volunteers to help prepare and deliver special holiday decorations/lights kits for local businesses ahead of the Chevy Chase Holiday Lights event. Interested in volunteering? Click here!

Don't Miss Your Chance for a Free Month of Capital Bikeshare

Mark Your Calendar:

Reminder - Changes at the District's Transfer Stations

Here is what you need to know:

• 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
• 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
• 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

New 711 Area Code to Launch Next Week

Getting Ready for the New 771 Area Code - Residents must now dial all 10 digits (area code + the 7-digit telephone number) when making calls within the District. 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 or 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

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

The Quilts4DC Statehood Virtual Gallery is Open!

Quilters for DC Statehood - This past July, quilters nationwide were invited to celebrate the opportunity for Washington, DC to become the 51st state by participating in the Quilts4DC challenge.

To date, there are 54 quilt entries from 44 makers in 14 different states and the District of Columbia. These small quilts celebrate the natural, historic, visual, and ethnic richness of the District and speak to the challenge that DC residents continue to face to achieve full representation and the full rights of US citizenship.

Scroll through the entries, read the inspiration statements, and enjoy!

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 email or phone through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services requests.

FOLLOW MARY