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May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month MAY 15-MAY 31, 2006 Come view photos taken by Asian and Pacific Islander youth in the District of Columbia. Each Asian Heritage month, the common experiences of many Asian-Pacific Americans and their rich diversity have been celebrated annually in May with community festivals, government-sponsored functions and educational activities for both students and the general public. Find out more information at the Chinatown Community Cultural Center or the Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs. contact: Neel Saxena (202) 727-0729, neel.saxena@dc.gov MAY 25, 2006 10:00AM-3:00PM ImmigrASIAN Fair-During the ImmigrASIAN Fair, which is cosponsored by DC Public Library and Amerigroup, health professionals will be available to provide free health screening services such as allergy, diabetes, dental, hearing, HIV and optical examinations. Several dozen vendors participating from both private and public sectors will be available to answer questions relating to health, immigration, social security, and other human services. A legal clinic will also be available throughout the event to provide free legal services to whoever needs them. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact: Lynne Chiao, lynne.chiao@dc.gov, (202) 727-3120. UPCOMING EVENTS MAY 22, 2006 6:00PM-8:30PM DC Comprehensive Plan Presentation-Reeves Center 2000 14th Street, NW Washington, DC To view a draft of the comp plan, please visit www.planning.dc.gov or contact: Jill Diskan, complan@dc.gov, (202) 442-8812. MAY 24, 2006 3:00PM-4:30PM LSDBE Business Roundtable Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) 441 4th Street, NW Suite 1117S Washington, DC 20001 For more information, please contact: Evelyn Ross, (202) 724-4009, evelyn.ross@dc.gov MAY 24, 2006 4:00PM-8:00PM Ward 8 Community Day Simon Elementary School 401 Mississippi Avenue, SE Washington, DC For more information, please contact: Kimberly Johnson, kimberly.johnson@dc.gov, (202) 645-8256 MAY 25, 2006 6:00PM-8:00PM Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Adoptive/Foster Parent Orientation Held the forth Thursday of each month, the meeting place is subject to change. If you plan to attend, please contact (202) 671-LOVE to confirm location. MAY 28, 2006 DC Black Pride Festival 11th and H Streets, NW (Old Washington Convention Center Site) General admission: $12.00, tickets will be sold at the gate Gates open at 12PM. For more information, please visit www.dcblackpride.org MAY 29, 2006 12:00PM 2006 National Memorial Day Parade Third and Madison Streets, NW Washington, DC For more information, contact the National Memorial Day Parade, (202) 408-0944. Brown Commends House Government Reform Committee's Approval of DC Voting Rights Act Councilmember Brown commends the House Committee on Government Reform for strongly demonstrating support of the DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act, (H.R. 5388) introduced by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Representative Tom Davis. The House Committee on Government Reform Committee passed the DC Voting Rights bill by a vote of 29-4. Below is a statement from Councilmember Brown urging members of House Judiciary Committee and encouraging residents of the District of Columbia to continue the fight for full representation. “I am delighted to see the day where representatives of Congress came together and truly demonstrated their support for naming the District of Columbia as a Congressional District. The vote reflects our progress as a city, mirroring our heartfelt desire to have a voting member in the House of Representatives. Throughout the years our representative, Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton has worked tirelessly to provoke change in Congress and has made our voices heard on the House floor. Now is the time for Congress to hear our voice as a vote. I hope that the House Judiciary Committee will strongly consider this measure for equal representation, a liberty that we have been denied far too long. As Americans, we should have equal opportunity to participate in the democracy on which our country was founded.” EQUITY AMENDMENT MEANS REAL INCLUSION FOR LSDBEs Councilmember Brown introduced an amendment, which received the full support of the Council for adoption in the FY 2007 Budget Support Act of 2006, allowing certified companies to participate in more procurement and development opportunities throughout the city. The amendment adds a new subsection to the “Local Small and Disadvantaged Business Provisions Enhancements Amendment Act of 2006,” co-introduced by Councilmember Brown, creating a 35 percent subcontracting requirement on non-construction contracts. Mirroring the current provision of the law that provides the same requirement for construction contracts, the provision states any portion of the work subcontracted must include 35 percent awarded to certified LSDBEs. The provision also allows more astringent action for prime contractors who violate the subcontracting plan. The amendment also directs the Mayor to establish policies and procedures that will allow LSDBEs to receive 20 percent equity participation in development projects supported by District funds and all projects taking place on District-owned or transferred property. “Expanding these opportunities especially the ability for LSDBEs to participate as equity partners in projects will yield a healthy return...every effort to increase contracting and procurement opportunities and equity participation will lead directly to certified companies generating more tax revenue for the District,” commented Brown. BARBERING AND COSMETOLOGY BILL RECEIVES STRONG SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY On Thursday, May 18, 2006, industry professionals, educators and students expressed their strong suppport of the Barbering and Cosmetology License Amendment Act of 2005 during a public oversight hearing, held by the Committee on Human Services. The bill, composed by Brown would reduce the age requirment from 18 to 17 for individuals who wish to apply and receive a barbering and/or cosmetology license. Co-owners of Davis Beauty & Barber Services,Marsten Davis and Derek Davis along with Vera Wynfield, Chair of the DC Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and Sonia Adams expressed their 100% support of the legislation that will allow students to expand their career options and apply skills learned at school. Students from HD Woodson Senior High and Ballou Senior High/STAY provided testimony and submitted letters of support of an opportunity for them to earn wages to operate in what they both learned and enjoyed. Councilmember Brown thanked individuals for providing testimony and stressed the importance of vocational education. " This is a small change that will do something big for our students," commented Brown. " In addition to achieving academic success, I look forward to seeing more of our young people operating in the skills they've learned and will always have." The bill is schedule for makrup by the Committee on Human Services and will undergo first and second reading by the full Council before July 15, 2006. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER RECEIVES $1 MILLION FOR SHELTER BEDS Councilmember Brown presented Nichelle A. Mitchem, Executive Director of My Sister’s Place with a check for $ 1 Million issued by the District’s Office of Victim Services to support its campaign to provide additional shelter assistance for victims of domestic violence. The Sanctuary Plus Campaign, a fundraising initiative started by My Sister’s Place during the Fall of 2005, seeks to raise a minimum of $3 Million to expand its shelter to include 40 beds, enabling MSP to provide shelter to more women and children, private counseling and therapy rooms and a computer resource room for moms seeking work. “My Sister’s Place Grant Authority Act of 2006,” introduced by Councilmember Brown and adopted by the D.C. Council, authorizes on an emergency basis the expenditure through a grant up to $ 1 Million of local funds to My Sister’s Place. The local funds were made available in fiscal year 2006 for domestic violence programs designated by legislation -now- law also introduced by Brown. “ I am excited to see the day where we can provide direct support for programs that provide a safe haven for our women and children,” said Brown. “This is a much needed first step to helping bruised loved ones heal and develop healthier lifestyles for themselves and their families.” BROWN TO RECEIVE 2006 COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD On Thursday, May 25, 2006, College Bound will award Councilmember Kwame Brown withthe 2006 Community Leadership Award during its 15th Annual End of the Year Celebration. The End of the Year Celebration is held to recognize the hard work of College Bound's 160 students and committed volunteers. College Bound works with greater D.C. area public school students fron underrepresented communities to help them achieve their goal of a college education. The Community Leadership Award was established by the board of directors and executive director to salute individuals, corporations and/or community groups who have had a positive influence on the development of youth and education. Financial Assistance Is Available for DC's Small Businesses to Become Energy Efficient The DC Energy Office (DCEO) is offering financial assistance to small businesses in the District of Columbia to identify and install energy efficient measures. Up to $2,800 is available per eligible business. Businesses should apply to the DCEO's Small Business Energy Efficiency Program (SBEEP). Applications are available online. Small Business Energy Efficiency Programs (SBEEP) This program will help small businesses identify and install energy conservation measures in their facilities. It is coordinated in partnership with the retail business association that recommends members for participation. The audit will determine the number and types of energy efficiency measures that will be cost-effective to install, explain the benefits of the program to the business owner, estimate the energy and financial savings available, and provide energy usage education. Measures could include energy-efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, setback thermostats, building envelopes and HVAC system repairs. The measures identified will be installed by community-based organizations (CBOs). To verify installed measures, a second contractor will conduct a post-installation inspection of the premises. Approximately 200 small businesses in DC were targeted in 2005, and 327 in 2006. Once the business applies, the DCEO will conduct an Energy Audit to identify the number and types of electrical energy efficient measures that need to be installed in their facility. After the audit is complete, the DCEO will install (at no cost to the business owner) the electrical energy-efficient measures recommended in the audit. More details on all of the DCEO programs can be obtained by calling the DC Energy Hotline at (202) 673-6750. DHCD Announces Availability of $45 Million in Funding (Washington, DC) Jalal Greene, Director, Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), announces a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for $45 million in funding under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) programs. CDBG and HPTF funds for this NOFA are being made available from anticipated FY 2006 budget funds. The District is interested in financing projects that focus on the following categories: Elderly Housing; Special Needs Housing; Preservation of Housing Affected by Expiring Federal Subsidies; New/Substantial Rehabilitation of Housing (5 or more units); Homeownership; and Community Facilities to Serve Low to Moderate Income Persons Proposals for the First Right Purchase Assistance Program will also be accepted under this RFP. However, DHCD will continue to accept additional funding requests for this program until all of these program funds have been committed. The deadline for submission is Friday, June 23, 2006, at 4 pm. The RFP package, including all application materials and the reference guidebook, can be downloaded below or obtained from DHCD, Development Finance Division, 801 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, Second Floor Reception Desk. Completed applications must be delivered on or before 4 pm, Friday, June 23, 2006 to the address listed above. No applications will be accepted after the filing deadline for submission. For additional information, contact DHCD’s Development Finance Division at (202) 442-7280. Enter Text Enter Text