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UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE 21, 2006 10:00AM-4:00 PM North Capitol Collaborative Job and Career Fair Shiloh Family Life Foundation 1500 9th Street, NW Washington, DC For more information, contact Tony Dugger, tdugger@north-cap.org (202) 299-0031 DC Parks and Recreation DC Summer Fun 2006 Kick-Off starts at 10:00AM Turkey Thicket Recreation Center 1100 Michigan Avenue, NW Arts and crafts, basketball games and cheerleading demonstrations, live entertainment, Slam Dunk contest, food and the Mayor's cannonball dive! JUNE 22, 2006 7:00PM-9:00PM DPR's Town Hall Meeting King Greenleaf Recreation Center 201 N Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 DC Parks and Recreation invites Ward 6 residents to a town hall meeting. For more information, please contact Robert King, Special Assistant for Community Affairs (202) 673-7645 JUNE 24, 2006 10:00AM-4:00PM 7TH Annual Community Day IMPACT 2006 2200 Minnesota Avenue, SE IMPACT 2006 will provide food, clothing, prizes, music, drama and words of inspiration to some 500 residents. They will also provide a youth basketball game, word game, pony rides, clowns, a moon bounce and water works. JUNE 25, 2006 2:00PM-6:00PM Ms. Senior DC Pageant 2006 University of the District of Columbia 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW Building 46, Main Auditorium Washington, DC JUNE 27, 2006 7:00PM Ward 8 ANC Council Meeting Marion Barry Training Center, Ballou Senior High School 4th and Trenton Streets, SE Washington, DC Sponsored by Councilmember Marion Barry, DCRA's Director Patrick Canavan, ANC Liaison Eric Rogers and Ward 8 Counsumer Advocate Kimberley Johnson will present information about the latest developments at DCRA, answer questions and address concerns. For more information, contact Brenda Richardson, brendarichardson7@yahoo.com JUNE 29, 2006 9:30AM-12:30 PM LSDBE Project Management SunTrust Bank 1445 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC This course is designed to teach LSDBEs how to develop project plans, set timeframes for project completion and identify and source staff for defined projects. This course is $40 for participants. To register, contact Sonya Ponds, entrepreneur@admin.seu.edu, (202) 478-8231. BROWN HOLDS EIGHTH LSDBE HEARING On Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 11:00 am in Room 412, the John A. Wilson Building, Councilmember Brown, Chair of the Special Committee on a Comprehensive Policy for Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, will hold a public oversight hearing regarding compliance and the role of technology in the LSDBE program. The purpose of this public roundtable is to receive testimony from the LSDBE community and government witnesses regarding District agencies’ compliance with Small, Local and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005 and to explore the extent to which technology is being utilized to enhance the LSDBE program. For more information, please contact Mr. Aaron Nelson, Special Assistant for the Special Committee on a Comprehensive Policy for Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, (202) 724-8174. BROWN INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO COMMEND DC’S TOP ACHIEVERS AND MOST IMPROVED GRADUATING SENIORS Councilmember At-Large Kwame R. Brown introduced legislation to honor and recognize graduating seniors who demonstrate superior academic achievement and have made significant progress to improve their performance. The “Student Performance Award Act of 2006,” creates an academic award grant program administered by the District of Columbia State Education Office in which the office will issue $3,000 to each recognized valedictorian of each of the twenty District of Columbia Public School system’s high schools and public charter schools. The office would also award $1,000 to the most improved student of each graduating class. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation. Starting with the current school year, Councilmember Brown will award 26 graduating seniors representing each of the District’s public senior high schools for their efforts to improve their academics. On Friday, June 23, 2006, Councilmember Brown’s Class of 2006 Most Improved Student awardees will each receive a certificate of appreciation and a $100.00 savings bond to encourage youth to establish and maintain financial stability, during a time in which most young adults are targeted for growing credit card debt. The school administrators and principals, who reviewed the progress made during the final year in high school, recommended students. Councilmember Brown is delighted to honor students who have made excellent strides to improve their conduct and academic achievements to establish a path to future success. During the inaugural event, Brown hopes to inspire all youth to strive for excellence at every level and move forward with greater momentum to become community leaders, executives and entrepreneurs. “Often, we recognize the most outstanding student or students graduating at the top of their class. While we encourage some of our brightest students to keep reaching higher, I desire to also encourage those who made a real effort to raise their bar of performance. All of our students represent a new generation of leaders, a new standard of excellence that can encourage us adults to reach higher. I want our future leaders to give themselves the opportunity to explore their talents and not be afraid to share them with the village of family and friends that continue to nurture them. We can all aspire to be the best; it is when we give our best we are capable of doing more than we ever imagined,” said Brown. RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TESTIFY AT HEARING ON STRENGTHENING LITTERING LAWS The Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Public Works and the Environment will hold a public hearing on Bill 16-666, “Litter Control Administration Amendment Act of 2006.” The hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 2:30pm in the 5th Floor Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson Building. Councilmember Brown introduced the legislation on March 6, 2006. The stated purpose of Bill 16-666 is to amend the “Litter Control Administration Act of 1985” to provide that the Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Public Works shall have the authority to issue tickets to person violating the District’s litter control laws. Those who wish to testify at the hearing should contact Heidi Tseu, Legislative Analyst at (202) 724-7808 or by fax at (202) 724-724-6664 and provide your name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title by Monday, June 26, 2006. Witnesses are encouraged, but not required to bring 15 copies of their written testimony to the hearing, by the close of business on Monday, June 26, 2006. Individuals should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses. If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Ms. Tseu or Mr. Ira Stohlman, Acting Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building. COUNCIL PASSES BROWN'S BARBERING BILL ON FIRST READING During the legislative meeting on June 6, 2006, the DC Council passed on first reading the “Barbering and Cosmetology License Amendment Act of 2005”. The bill, composed by Brown would reduce the age requirement from 18 to 17 for individuals who wish to apply and receive a barbering and/or cosmetology license. Second reading is scheduled for the Council’s legislative meeting on July 11, 2006. COUNCIL PASSES HISTORIC RENT CONTROL REFORM The Council passed unanimously on June 6 the "Rent Control Reform Amendment Act of 2006." The bill now goes to Mayor Williams for his signature. After final approval by the U.S. Congress, the bill will become law. Councilmember Brown was a co-sponsor of the bill, and worked to frame its language. “Rent control applies to an estimated 100,000 apartments in the city. Streamlining the rent control process was the goal of the new law, which had the support of tenant groups, housing providers, the Apartment and Office Building Association, and the Administration,” said Brown. The new law will allow only one rent increase per year (the old law allowed increases every six months), with increases capped at the Consumer Price Index plus 2%. For the elderly and disabled, the annual increase will be capped at CPI only. The new law also caps any rent increases on vacant units at 30% of the current rent charged for the vacant unit. The Council also approved the Tenant Right to Organize Act, which requires landlords to allow tenants to post meeting notices, hand out leaflets, put information under doors of other tenants, and allow tenant organizers access to apartment buildings. It also gives tenant associations access to common areas of apartment buildings for their meetings. “Both of these bills afford tenants in our city with important rights and protections,“ said Brown, “and were the result of many productive meetings with tenants, owners and the Council." NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION CORPORATION CREATES DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL, SMALL DEVELOPMENT FIRMS IN SHAW The National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC) Board of Directors selected three Local, Small, Disadvantaged, Business Enterprises (LSDBEs) to develop three of its remaining small parcels in the Shaw neighborhood. “Our business model not only gives local, small businesses access to capital, but also access to deals,” said NCRC Board Chairman W. Ronald Evans. “Small businesses can’t always compete with the larger firms, but NCRC believes that small, local businesses should also participate in the value we create in District Neighborhoods.” The development of these three small parcels will create unique opportunities for the community. Although the sites are small in size, the neighborhood benefits are big. Affordability in Shaw is extremely rare, therefore every little bit counts. These projects will not only include a mix of market-rate and affordable/ workforce housing units, they will also provide affordable retail and office space for local businesses and nonprofits. Now, some of Shaw’s longtime residents, businesses and organizations will be able to afford to stay in the neighborhood. The developer selections are as follows: Developer Parcel Collins Development, LLC 1220 4th St., NW Kaizen Development 1850 8th St., NW Metro Partners 1744 7th St., NW. NCRC requires that each developer team have a minimum 35-percent LSDBE participation. “I’m extremely excited about the LSDBE participation in these projects,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown. “NCRC has been a leader in the implementation of LSDBEs and I applaud their efforts. I look forward to DC following NCRC’s lead. Enter Text Enter Text