Local

Nike has announced that applications for the next round of funding through the Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF) are now being accepted through July 31, 2018. With the goal of building stronger communities and giving kids positive experiences with sport, play and physical activity, the Community Store in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington, D.C., will award a total of $50,000 via grants of $5,000 to $10,000 each to local organizations that are focused on getting kids active.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is hiring! CBP’s Baltimore Field Office is hosting a free employment resources and career fair for military veterans and other job seekers this Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baltimore Custom House.

Attendees will be able to speak with CBP employees who fill a variety of professional careers, such as law enforcement officers, import and entry specialists, agriculture specialists, information and technology, and legal, scientific, clerical and administrative staff.

The HDR Foundation recently awarded Aspire! Afterschool Learning in Arlington, Virginia $71,200 as part of its 2017 large-grant cycle. The HDR Foundation gave seven grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States in 2017 totaling $327,247– the most it’s donated in one grant cycle to date.

“This has been a record-breaking year for us, both in terms of the number of grants given and the amount we’ve been able to donate,” HDR Foundation Executive Director Leslie Spethman said. “The Foundation is mostly funded by HDR employee donations, so we are proud to support organizations in which our employees are highly involved and support the communities where our employees live and work…”

The Bowser Administration kicked off the DC Summer Camp and Free Summer Meals programs. The DC Free Summer Meals program helps children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

“DPR is proud to offer top quality summer programming and be the largest sponsor of the USDA’s Free Summer Meals Program in the District, the number one ranked program in the country,” said Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Keith A. Anderson.

BGE recently filed a request with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to review natural gas delivery rates to ensure they reflect the cost of the major safety and reliability improvements being made. Under the proposal, BGE is seeking to incorporate $63.3 million invested in modernizing the natural gas system in gas delivery rates. As proposed, the average residential gas and electric customer’s total bill would increase by 3.5 percent or $5.77 per month. BGE is not requesting an adjustment to electric rates. BGE last filed for a regulatory rate review in 2015.

BGE, in support of EmPOWER Maryland, is providing 500,000 ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs to the Maryland Food Bank in 2018 for distribution to food pantry customers. This initiative is part of a three-year plan to donate 1.5 million LEDs to income-eligible customers across the BGE service area. Food pantry clients will receive the energy efficient bulbs throughout the year to help reduce their energy usage and costs – freeing up resources for life’s other necessities.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are proud to announce the #FitDC Father’s Day 5K will take place 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Kenilworth Park Track in Ward 7.

The Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity and the Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys (CFMB) join in bringing together families in a celebration of fathers and men’s health, as well as bring awareness to gun violence in the District.

Join Councilmember Todd, the Shepherd Park Citizens Association, Neighbors, Inc, and Tifereth Israel Congregation for the dedication of the Marvin Caplan Park Memorial on Saturday, June 16th at 2:00 PM. The park, located at Alaska Avenue,13th Street & Holly Street, NW, is dedicated to Marvin Caplan, 1920-2000. The ceremony’s feature speaker will be Wade Henderson, Executive Director Emeritus of the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights.

Caplan, a Shepherd Park resident, was Executive Director of the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights during the 1960s and 70s and a major strategist for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights of Act of 1965, Fair Housing Act of 1968, and Title IX’s prohibiting gender discrimination in education.

The 152nd Strawberry Festival will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 4-8pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rock Creek Cemetery (201 Allison Street, NW). The main entrance is on Webster St. & Rock Creek Rd NW.
There will be fun for the whole family! Moon bounce, crafts, face painting, rock climbing, pony rides, field games, tours of the historic cemetery, BBQ, music and more! Free event! BBQ, strawberry shortcakes and other items will be for sale.

Join us for a celebration of music, dance and the spoken word. More Than a Drum Percussion will perform at the Takoma Park Library. Performance features four artists: Writer/Poet Bernardine ‘Dine’ Watson, Percussionist Abasi Johnson, Instrumentalist/Vocalist Wallace Edwards and Actor/Vocalist Kathy English Holt. For more information, contact the Takoma Park Library at (202) 576-7252. This is a Summer Challenge 2018 event sponsored by the Takoma Park Friends of the Library.

By The People is coming up June 21-24! This new arts and dialogue festival is bringing large art installations, free pop-up performances, curated conversations, augmented reality, and family-friendly activities to five festival hubs in all four quadrants of the District. The inaugural festival is focused on the founding themes of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 
 
Register now for a four-day pass that gets you into all the free events at our festival hubs:

As part of National Safety Month and the energy company’s ongoing efforts to promote safety around electrical equipment, Pepco reminds customers and local contractors to be aware of their surroundings when planning projects near electrical equipment.

Contacting an overhead or underground electric line or any other underground utility lines can cause serious injury, damage, and service interruptions. It is essential for anyone who is working near this equipment to take the necessary preparations before beginning their work.

Dr. Harry Marshall, Chief of General Surgery and Director of Surgical Critical Care at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been selected by the National Medical Association, in conjunction with the Harlem Fine Arts Show, as an honoree for the Salute to African Americans in Medicine.

The award was created to recognize those with outstanding medical talent as well as those having a positive impact on the African American community. The award will be presented June 14, 2018, in Washington, D.C. as part of the Harlem Fine Arts Show’s opening night ceremony.

DC Public Library is excited to offer prizes to kids, teens and adults throughout the summer for reading just 20 minutes a day, began June 1st. Visit dclibrary.org/summerchallenge to learn more.



To celebrate the beginning of Summer Challenge, the Shepherd Park (Juanita E. Thornton) Library is offering special programs throughout the month of June. For a full list of summer programs at Shepherd Park visit dclibrary.org/thornton.

Giant Food recently announced a $2 million donation to the 1,564 public and private schools in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Delaware that participated in its 2017-2018 A+ School Rewards program. Through the program, purchases made by Giant customers provide funding to area schools. This year, 14 schools received more than $10,000 each. Since the launch of A+ School Rewards in 1989, Giant Food has donated more than $96 million to local schools.

Museumgoers can stay up late for an artful take on the longest day of the year at the Hirshhorn’s free ‘Solstice Saturday’ open house Saturday, June 23, part of a Smithsonian-wide night of performances, programs and parties. From 10 a.m. until dusk, visitors can make their first wish of the summer at the opening of Yoko Ono’s iconic “Wish Tree” and savor free samples of Dolcezza’s new gelato ‘Orange Sunshine.’ Then, they can burn the midnight oil with late-night access to the Hirshhorn’s galleries, as well as music, lounging and cocktails on its outdoor modernist Plaza.

The Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) – a leading nonprofit community service organization guiding Washington, D.C. metropolitan area residents into self-sufficiency for 80 years – announced its continued participation in the upcoming 10th Annual DC Housing Expo and Home Show taking place at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center on Saturday, June 9, 10am – 3pm. Each year, the District of Columbia’s largest event highlighting affordable housing and community development issues presents numerous interactive activities, useful workshops, forums and resources for area residents.

Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Commerce are pleased to welcome the IRONMAN race organization back to the state for three events in 2018. The races, which draw dedicated participants from within and outside the state, include the IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman on June 10 in Cambridge; the IRONMAN Maryland on September 29 in Cambridge; and the Across the Bay 10k on November 4 along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

“Maryland is thrilled to once again welcome the IRONMAN races to Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “Our beautiful Chesapeake Bay region is the ideal setting for these events, offering athletes breath-taking scenery, delicious food, and lasting memories. With the return of these events, our great state continues to solidify its solid reputation as a world-class destination for athletes to travel and explore.”

The Memorial Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for building the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, along with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) will present an inspiring and powerful summer film series at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. This summer will mark the sixth year of Films at the Stone, and both organizations look forward to celebrating through this free and public series which will include the movies Marshall, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Black Panther.

June 29 & 30: Evening Fireworks, July 4: Daytime Fireworks and Military Reenactments

George Washington’s Mount Vernon salutes our first commander-in-chief with two spectacular events! Enjoy an evening of family fun and fireworks choreographed to patriotic music on June 29-30. This special evening event, which includes musical performances and games, will take place 6 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. on June 29-30 only. Ticket cost is $30-$35 for adults and $20-$25 for youth. For more details, please visit www.mountvernon.org/fireworks.

One Journey has announced the program lineup for its June 2nd festival. The free, day-long festival celebrates refugee talents, stories, and contributions through food, music, art, and dance – provided by refugee and immigrant performers, chefs, and artists.

“We have put together a superb lineup of storytellers, performers, artists, chefs, conversation starters, virtual reality experiences, children’s activities, and an amazing high-tech portal for live (and life-size!) conversations with refugees in overseas camps and host countries. – Co-Founder: Wendy Chan

Environmental business is a $400 Billion a year industry, employing 2 million Americans. Maryland’s leaders in this sector will convene in Annapolis on Thursday, July 19, for the inaugural Environmental Business Leadership Conference (EBLC).

This one day program for public and private sector environmental services and products executives features nearly 40 speakers, including expert panelists and presenters. Participating in the event are many of Governor Larry Hogan’s Administration departments and agencies, including the Secretaries of the Maryland Departments of the Environment, General Services, and the Maryland Energy Administration.

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans has named local student Andre Davis of Anacostia High School as a 2018 Billy Michal Student Leadership Award recipient. The national honor is awarded annually to one student in every state who has maintained a strong record of volunteerism, demonstrates school and community activism, and helps implement creative solutions to recognized problems. Each honoree will be flown to New Orleans to participate in the Museum’s American Spirit Awards program taking place June 7 and 8.

Join Councilmember Todd, Little Free Library, the Community Alliance for Upper Fourteenth Street (CAUFS), the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and members of the community to unveil a new Avengers: Infinity War-themed “Little Library” at Upshur Park. The event will take place on Saturday, May 26th at 11:00 AM at the Upshur Recreation Center (4300 Arkansas Ave, NW). The project is donated by Disney and the Little Free Library. The event will feature a reading by children’s book author Jesse Holland. To learn more, read the Petworth News article on the event: petworthnews.org/blog/avengers-little-free-library

Mount Vernon recently planted an industrial cultivar of hemp on the four-acre Pioneer Farm site to expand its interpretation of George Washington’s role as an enterprising farmer. Under the 2015 Industrial Hemp Law enacted by the Virginia General Assembly and working with the Dr. Michael Timko with the industrial hemp research program of the University of Virginia, Dean Norton, planted industrial hemp seeds across a 1,000-square- foot area. As the first historic home of the founding fathers to plant hemp, Mount Vernon will use the plant as an interpretative tool to help better tell the story of Washington’s role as a farmer. Once harvested, Mount Vernon will use the hemp to provide fiber-making demonstrations in late summer.

Banneker-Douglass Museum recently joined with the Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation; Four Rivers: The Heritage of Annapolis, London Town, and South County; Lost Town Project; Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning; and St. John’s College to host Keeping the Legacy Alive, a lecture presented by Kenneth Morris. Kenneth Morris, a descendant of noted civil rights leaders Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, discussed how Frederick Douglass’ legacy has inspired his life and contributed to his work as a social activist. The event comes in celebration of the Year of Frederick Douglass, which commemorates the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of the renowned abolitionist and Maryland native.

The Multicultural Media Correspondents Association (MMCA) announced that Cathy Hughes, Soledad O’Brien, Herman Cain, and Beatriz Acevedo will be among the honorees for the 3rd Annual Multicultural Media Correspondents Dinner (MMCDTM) #MMCD, which will again be held at the National Press Club on May 24, 2018.

“We are currently at a time when understanding and reporting on the myriad of issues around race and diversity and multi-culturalism is more important than ever.”

Governor Ralph Northam recently announced that TemperPack, a Richmond-headquartered manufacturer of sustainable thermal insulation for the shipment of perishable goods, will invest $10.4 million to establish a manufacturing operation in Henrico County. The facility will be the company’s second in Virginia. The project will create 141 new jobs.

“TemperPack is a wonderful Virginia success story, and I am thrilled to see this innovative company growing and expanding into Henrico County,” said Governor Northam. “

(BlackNews.com) — MILDOVE International will hold the fourth (4th) Little Malaika Boys & Girls Leadership and Multicultural Competition. The event will take place on Saturday May 26th at 2pm at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater in Rockville, Maryland.

Little Malaika International is a program that encourages development of leadership qualities, community service, self-confidence and positive competitiveness in minority Boys & Girls age 7 to 12. The competition will be a culmination of weeks of training and include a Q&A session, cultural showcase as well as talent and public speaking contest.

(BlackNews.com) — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 12 million U.S. children are obese. This accounts for nearly one in six school- aged children. From music to video games, living in the digital age comes with its pros and cons. One former hip-hop producer and industry veteran seeks to use fitness conscious music to get kids active.

Made for children ages four to 11, Carl Gayden Lewis, veteran music producer, has created Fitness Fun to inspire, motivate, entertain, and inform kids through music and exercise. The songs are about the importance of daily physical activity, good nutrition, bullying and more.

The National Air and Space Museum will launch the “She Can” two-week STEM summer camp this July and August at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The camp is designed for students with an interest in aviation and seeks to empower young women to succeed in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. Open to sixth- through eighth-grade girls, the museum will offer the free aviation-focused experience to low-income students in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The museum will accept applications until June 18 for the camp’s 60 total slots.

Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that the administration will provide a three percent increase to the Maryland Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) provider rates. The increase will benefit nursing home and home and community-based providers who deliver services to individuals enrolled in Maryland Medicaid.

“This rate increase ensures continued access to care and services for many of our most vulnerable Marylanders who need specific care,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration greatly values the hard work these care providers do each and every day, and we are fully committed to supporting them as comprehensively as possible.”

The Governor’s Office for Children recently announced that Maryland has been selected for a second time by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices to serve as the model state for a learning lab. This second cohort of the learning lab “Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration to Address the Health and Success of Children and Families” is an opportunity for three states to learn from a model state and other national, state, and local experts, to develop a unified vision for improving policies related to child health and success.

Deli Brands of America (DBA) has opened a 22,000 square foot slicing and logistics facility at a new location in Baltimore County. Deli Brands of America, the processing subsidiary of Saval Foods Corporation, will utilize the new facility to support its current operation that produces deli meats, and family recipe entrees.

“We are excited to continue the growth of our company which my grandfather started in 1932 ,” said Jeff Saval, President of Deli Brands of America.

The American Red Cross is counting on volunteer donors to give blood and help ensure patient needs can be met this summer.

Around Memorial Day, the Red Cross sees a steep decline in blood donations. Busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks also cause a drop in donations. Accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a summer break – patients need blood every minute, every day.

It’s National Women’s Health Week. Do you or the women in your life prioritize their health, or put it on the back burner? Being proactive about your health can help prevent disease and illness. It may also help you catch medical problems before they become serious. TRICARE covers preventive health care for women, including immunizations and screenings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading causes of death of females in 2015 include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and stroke. Early detection can increase your chances of surviving treatable illnesses. Medical professionals can detect many “silent symptoms” like high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol.

Judge Mary Terrell and The High Tea Society is excited to announce the Fifth Annual Civili-Tea City-wide Creative Expression Contest. This year’s theme is “The Face of Your Neighborhood: Envisioning A Safe Community.” Students in the District of Columbia in grades 2-12 may create and submit artwork that illustrates how civility positively impacts their community as well as ways they would like to see their communities improved.

What do Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Go-Go music giants like EU and Rare Essence, rappers Public Enemy and the late activist and comedian Dick Gregory have in common? They have all appeared at one of the historic Malcolm X Celebrations and events attended by up to 50,000 people held in Southeast Washington, DC from 1972 to 1995 annually in Washington, DC. This May 14-20, 2018, Malcolm X, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, is being commemorated at a series of events in Washington, DC, addressing the most pressing issues facing urban communities today.

Governor Larry Hogan was joined by Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch to sign 229 bills into law at a signing ceremony at the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

The governor and presiding officers signed House Bill 365/Senate Bill 184, which will save Marylanders from nearly $3 billion over the next five years in increased state taxes as a result of the federal tax overhaul by adjusting state law on personal income tax exemptions.

Governor Larry Hogan, together with the Maryland Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), recently announced the federal approval of Maryland’s Total Cost of Care All-Payer Model, known as the “Maryland Model,” contract. This innovative approach to health care provider payment is unique to Maryland and made possible via a contract between CMS and the state.

DC residents who are behind on their mortgage, being sued by their lender, behind on their property taxes or confronting a potential mortgage scam may call the foreclosure prevention hotline set up by Housing Counseling Services, Inc. and funded by the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking. Depending on circumstances, DC residents may receive free housing counseling from a HUD approved, non-profit housing counseling agency and free legal services.

Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that his Fiscal Year 2019 budget provides $2 million in new funding for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Programs at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. This funding is part of an ongoing effort by the Hogan administration to grow the state’s skilled workforce in science, engineering, and cybersecurity.

The Story of Our Schools, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people to tell the powerful stories of their school community, in partnership with the Marie Reed Elementary School are unveiling an exhibit that was the result of two years of hard work by Marie Reed students and staff.

Ripken Baseball and Giant Food, the leading greater Washington D.C.regional grocery chain, have partnered for the seventh consecutive year to host a series of free outdoor health & fitness clinics for children and their families throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The “Get Out and Play” clinics will combine baseball instruction with nutritional programming to create fun and informative events. The free clinics begin Wednesday, May 30 and run through Wednesday, June 20.

Nissan and BMW are offering Pepco customers special incentives that can save thousands of dollars on the cost of certain all-electric vehicle (EV) models. In addition to the manufacturer incentives, customers could also qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits and up to $3,000 in Maryland excise tax credits. In the District of Columbia, qualified alternative fuel vehicles are exempt from the excise tax imposed on an original certificate of title.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) has signed legislation providing free community college to thousands of low and middle-income students in the Old Line State. The new law will provide tuition-free education to qualified full-time students who enroll in community college within two years of earning a high school diploma or a GED, beginning in fall 2019. It also creates grants for adults who are close to finishing their community college or university degrees.

Governor Larry Hogan recently signed legislation proposed by the administration to support foster youth throughout Maryland at a signing ceremony at the State House in Annapolis.

“Our administration strives to champion legislation and best practices that protect our children and support our families, ensuring that Maryland is a place where every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Governor Hogan. “The legislation we enacted today will help ease the burden foster youth face as they transition into adulthood and provides a solid support system that will assist these youth with entering the workforce or pursuing a college education.”

On Friday, May 11th at 11:30 a.m., the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will host a brief ceremony and wreath presentation at the World War II Memorial’s Pacific Arch to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Attu, the only land battle of World War II fought on incorporated territory of the United States.

The Battle of Attu was fought between the forces of the United States, aided by Canadian reconnaissance and fighter-bomber support, and the Empire of Japan on Attu Island off the coast of the Territory of Alaska as part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign.

In 2017, Pepco purchased $171 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers which is 28 percent of the company’s total yearly purchases. This is an increase of $59 million over the amount spent in 2016.

For Pepco and its parent company Exelon, diversity and inclusion is one of the core foundational values both in the workplace and in outreach to the people it serves. Exelon has increased spending with women- and minority-owned businesses by more than 200 percent since 2011, reaching $2 billion in 2017.

BGE purchased $283 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers in 2017, which equates to 29 percent of total purchases. This is an increase of $26 million over the amount spent in 2016.

“Engaging with diverse suppliers and contractors enhances our ability to serve our customers and strengthens our community. The growth in our spending with these companies shows our commitment to both,” said Calvin G. Butler Jr., chief executive officer for BGE. “As we’ve expanded our network of suppliers, we have also recorded our best performance in reliability, safety, financials and customer satisfaction. This shows it’s an investment worth making.”

Visual artist Kiril Jeliazkov and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) unveiled “The Orange Step,” a one of a kind open air art installation consisting of 128 individual canvases, each 22 feet high and 11 feet wide at DPR’s Rose Park in Georgetown. The exhibit will run through June 7.

“The majority of our recreation centers have art throughout each facility,” said DPR Director Keith A. Anderson. “The opportunity to add such vibrant splashes of color to our green space was appealing and we hope people far and wide will come to enjoy this huge art display.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are proud to announce the #FitDC Mother’s Day 5K fun run/walk will take place 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Fletcher’s Cove in Georgetown.

The event, led by weekly run group ParkRun, celebrates mothers of all ages as well as raises the importance of mothers committing to more healthy and active lifestyles by way of Mayor Bowser’s FitDC initiative. This free family-friendly run/walk will encourage individuals to connect with loved ones and new people, while receiving a workout, a free t-shirt and more.

The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention today announced the launch of a new Healthy Teen Dating: A Guide for Educators and Youth Service Providers. The first of its kind for Maryland, this guide provides information on teen dating violence prevention programs to address the needs of youth who are at risk for dating violence. Each year, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner. In 2014, more than 10 percent of Maryland high school students reported experiencing physical and/or sexual dating violence.

His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, today was joined by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, other community leaders, and Victory Housing officials for the dedication of Victory Crossing, a new mixed-income community for seniors. Victory Housing, the Archdiocese of Washington’s nonprofit affordable housing development arm, developed the 105-unit community which was made possible in partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Freddie Mac, Capital One, N.A., Hudson Housing Capital, and the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County.

Governor Northam recently announced that Virginia received another $9.76 million in federal grant funding to help fight the opioid epidemic. This is the second consecutive year that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) received a State Targeted Response Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The continued funding will help Virginia’s Community Services Boards (CSBs) to provide many of the services and supports needed to fight the opioid crisis, including prevention, treatment, and recovery services for Virginians struggling with addiction across the Commonwealth.

Children in Washington, DC and surrounding areas will be able to receive dental treatments at no cost on Sunday, May 20, during Sharing Smiles Day, an annual day of free dental care hosted by children’s dental provider Kool Smiles.

“At Kool Smiles, we believe every child should have a dentist,” said Dr. Ashley Nichols, Managing Dental Director for Kool Smiles. “While we’re proud to accept a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicaid and TRICARE, we also know there are children in our community who do not have dental insurance and whose parents can’t afford to pay out of pocket for needed dental treatments. Sharing Smiles Day is an opportunity for our dentists and staff to give back to children and families in our community and bring smiles to those in need.”

WUSA9 has unveiled a new, state-of-the-art studio, changing the game for local news coverage in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland. The new studio is the latest tangible example of the station’s efforts to embrace innovation and re-imagine local journalism in the digital age.

The new studio, which was unveiled last week, offers flexible, nontraditional space and replaces the traditional, “two-anchors-at-a-desk” format familiar to local viewers. Emerging technologies like a seamless LED video wall and augmented reality aid in the visual delivery of news, weather and sports. Talent will employ touch screens and a social media megaphone to engage audiences and provide information that is both relevant and entertaining. The new studio is complemented by an updated on-air, online and mobile graphics package. WUSA9 has also partnered with Snap to embed public Snapchat stories into its reporting.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and DC Department of General Services (DGS) announced that a brand new multi-million dollar facility in honor of Marvin Gaye will open with a block party style festival with members of Marvin’s family, live music, food trucks, giveaways and more for DPR’s first Marvin Gaye Day on Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at the Marvin Gaye Recreation Center.

Highlights of the event include the ribbon cutting for Mayor Bowser and members of Marvin Gaye’s family as the center opens its doors for the first time. Marvin’s original group, The Marquees will perform a tribute, while radio and TV legend Donnie Simpson is set to share musings of Marvin with the crowd. Closing out the event will be a more current Marvin-inspired performance by Black Alley.

The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced that 28 affordable housing units—most of which will be family-sized—will be coming to Wards 1 and 5 as the result of the disposition of District-owned properties.

“While some may contend that you cannot create affordable housing in popular neighborhoods in the District, we are proving in fact it is possible,” said DHCD Director Polly Donaldson. “We are making this happen by using every tool in our toolbox, such as the vacant property in our inventory, to provide affordable housing. We are particularly pleased that through these projects, more families, singles and seniors can grow roots in District neighborhoods where housing prices have risen dramatically in recent years and can have easy access to transportation, schools, retail and other amenities.”

Governor Ralph Northam announced Monday that Virginia’s signature Medicaid initiative for addressing opioid addiction and other substance use disorders has generated significant results in its first year, increasing access to treatment and reducing the burden on hospital emergency departments.

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) launched the ARTS program in April 2017. The program expands access to residential treatment for all Medicaid members, creates new care models combining medication with counseling and other supports, and offers training and financial incentives to increase provider participation.

It was the best feel-good moment of the week when more than 2,000 Washingtonians showed their support for the health of all moms and babies by participating in March for Babies presented by Pepco Holdings to benefit March of Dimes.

Washington Nationals Stadium was packed with strollers, families, and business teams who raised more than $ 550,000 to help give every baby the best possible start.

The Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE) 12th Annual Family and Youth Casting Call will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018. This year’s event will be held outside of DOEE’s Aquatic Resources Education Center in Anacostia Park.

The Family & Youth Casting Call is a FREE family event where area youth are invited to learn basic fishing skills and practice catch-and-release fishing. DOEE will provide all fishing rods and bait, and participants will have the opportunity to learn how to cast, create fish art, and learn about the watersheds where the real DC lunkers lurk…

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation have joined together to create Bryce Harper Field at the Takoma Community Center in Northwest D.C. An official dedication ceremony will take place in early May.

“I am excited and honored to participate in the dedication of Bryce Harper Field at the Takoma Community Center,” Harper said. “Youth baseball was a very important part of my childhood. The game of baseball has taught me life lessons and shaped the man I am today. To give back to the D.C. community and have local kids play baseball on a field dedicated in my name is truly an honor.”

Celebrate Earth Day at the Annual Ward 4 Bike Ride with Councilmember Todd, Rachel Maisler (Ward 4 Representative to the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council), and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). The approximately 8-mile loop will begin and end at the Upshur St & 9th St, NW bikeshare station, and will feature bicycle infrastructure and sites of significance in Ward 4Celebrate Earth Day at the Annual Ward 4 Bike Ride with Councilmember Todd, Rachel Maisler (Ward 4 Representative to the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council), and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). The approximately 8-mile loop will begin and end at the Upshur St & 9th St, NW bikeshare station, and will feature bicycle infrastructure and sites of significance in Ward 4.

Start of your Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, with the Tenley Tiger Run! The Tenley Tiger Run is a fundraiser benefiting the award-winning track and field teams at Wilson High School, sponsoring athlete travel to competitions, training clinics, and equipment. We will be sending athletes to Penn Relays! It’s a great way to celebrate Earth Day and to mark progress on your new year’s running resolution. There is a 5K, a one-mile race, and a cub run for kids. Something for the whole family — or get a team together. Register online: www.TenleyTigerRun.com.

Come support our beloved Whittier Education Campus at their Annual Spring Festival! Attractions include: food, live music, petting zoo, zumba class, bounce house, facepainting, and a raffle with great prizes. All profits from this event will supplement the cost of Whittier’s Before and Aftercare program.

On Tuesday April 17, HBCU Collective’s 2nd Annual Day of Action press conference was filled with excitement from students, alumni, and supporters from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) all over the country. HBCU advocates took Capitol Hill steps to call on Members of Congress in effort to make HBCUs a priority for fiscal educational opportunities and for the preservation of HBCUs.

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced registration is open for the 35th Annual DC Senior Games (DCSG) presented by Aetna. Aetna is sponsoring the first 300 senior athletes to register by waiving the entry fee and providing participants with a commemorative 2018 DCSG tee shirt.

Governor Ralph Northam recently announced that Appian (Nasdaq: APPN), a leading low-code and business process management platform provider, will invest $28.4 million to expand its headquarters operation in Fairfax County. The company will move into Valo Park, the prominent 785,000-square-foot multi-tenant campus owned by Tamares Group at 7950 Jones Branch Drive in McLean. The project will retain 600 existing jobs and create 600 new jobs over the next five years.

In observance of April is Financial Literacy Month, District residents can participate in free educational programs, resources and services that promote inclusive prosperity, economic growth and personal financial well-being.



“Many Americans live paycheck to paycheck and worry about not having enough funds to cover daily expenses let alone planning for retirement,” said Commissioner Stephen C. Taylor.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces its 2018 season lineup for Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. The 2018 season begins with Wolf Trap first-timers Michael & The Rockness Monsters, featuring Blue Man Group veteran Michael Napolitano. Nine acts make their Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods debuts this summer, including Bollywood dance company Rhythmaya Dance, renowned Spanish singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos, and Danny Weinkauf and his Red Pants Band, which features long-time They Might Be Giants bassist Danny Weinkauf. Returning favorites include David Engel with Harry Potter and Willy Wonka-themed performances, and high flying hip-hoppers FLY Dance Company.

Following last year’s successful enrollment period, Maryland Health Connection, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, is hosting regional forums to share ideas to strengthen its marketplace for 2019 enrollments and review upcoming state and federal actions. Maryland Health Benefit Exchange leadership will kick off a month-long tour on May 11, visiting communities across the state to engage with state and local leaders.

“Our state’s success in reaching and enrolling Marylanders has been recognized nationally,” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. “Now we want to be sure our partners in communities across the state are aware of where things stand today and what the future holds.

DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has partnered with LimeBike for an exciting and unique series of FITDC bike rides through a few parks East of the River in Washington, D.C. with #BiketheDistrict: Petals & Pedals.

The next ride is Saturday, April 14th at Anacostia Recreation Center and will take riders through Anacostia Park. The final ride in the series takes place on Saturday, May 19th beginning at Malcolm X Opportunity Center.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its tenth-annual “Top Cities” list, which ranks the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings in the preceding calendar year. Los Angeles earned first place with more than 700 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area was in second place with 661.

“Earning a spot in the ENERGY STAR Top Cities ranking demonstrates a city’s commitment to cutting building-related energy costs and reducing waste,” said Bill Wehrum, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation at EPA. “With help from ENERGY STAR, city leaders and building owners are working together to strengthen their economies, foster competition, and create a healthier environment.”

Pepco will inspect 16,700 wooden utility poles across the region throughout the year as part of the company’s commitment to deliver safe and reliable energy for customers. The company’s Wood Pole Inspection Program is part of the preventive maintenance work it undertakes annually to proactively review its system and address potential problems before they occur.

“Pepco is committed to ensuring that we are delivering the highest level of service to our valued customers,” said Donna Cooper, Pepco region president. “These proactive programs provide us important information to help prevent outages before they occur. Our execution of these programs are key factors in enhancing system reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.”

Spring is finally here. It has been a long wait, but warmer temperatures bring events like weddings, graduations and holiday celebrations. These events bring together groups of people to enjoy considerable amounts of delicious and often traditional foods. But if proper food safety steps aren’t taken, your celebration could turn into a disaster.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the U.S., foodborne illness causes 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths each year. This spring, USDA is offering tips on how to properly handle, cook and store food when serving large groups of people. These tips will keep you and your guests safe from foodborne illness.

Georgetown University and the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees signed a landmark private agreement that will allow graduate student assistants a chance to vote on whether they want to join a union. The agreement—among the first of its kind—provides for a union election outside the scope of the National Labor Relations Board.

The Baltimore-DC Building Trades (formerly CHOICE) was awarded “The Legacy Commitment to Diversity Award” by the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC WMAC) last Friday for their work recruiting residents from historically neglected communities into state-of-the-art union apprenticeship programs.

ProjectBlackFlag Sports (PBF), a social sports league in the District of Columbia, is gearing up for its third season of flag football. The organization was created by five DMV millennials hoping to provide a positive and unique environment for urban professionals to participate in social-athletic and service-oriented events.

Giant Food of Landover, Md. is helping customers eat healthier and save time grocery shopping with a first-of-its kind nutrition navigation program, Guiding Stars. With symbols that are visible at a glance, Guiding Stars aims to take the guesswork out of nutrition by decoding labels into one clear rating. Available at all 166 Giant Food locations, tens of thousands of items will feature the star ranking system that showcases “good”, “better” and “best” choices.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland recently announced a unique training event for school and campus personnel, law enforcement and other first responders. The Briefings: Resiliency and Recovery After a School Crisis, will be held on April 11 at the Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria Campus. “The Briefings” provides a cross-disciplinary opportunity to learn from colleagues who have experienced or averted a traumatic school or campus tragedy and hear their stories and lessons learned.

Washington D.C. philanthropists, lung cancer survivors, scientists and friends will gather and boogie to the hits of disco at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium Friday, April 20, for LUNGevity Foundation’s 7th Annual Musical Celebration of Hope Gala, Follow the Call of the Disco Ball.

Pepco is providing 1,175 free trees to residential customers through the Energy-Saving Trees program, an initiative that helps customers conserve energy and reduce household energy bills through strategic tree planting. For the eighth year, Pepco is taking part in this important environmental program. Customers can reserve one free tree per household by visiting www.arborday.org/pepco. Customers should have their Pepco account number available when ordering the free tree.

While Mother Nature might not want to make it feel like spring, it’s actually here. And with summer almost in reach, Pepco is providing important tips and information so customers can spring into savings. By following a few simple tips, customers can save big money and energy during the hot summer months. This spring, customers should take advantage of the mild weather to inspect their home or business and make enhancements that can lead to significant energy efficiency improvements and greater savings.

Spring brings new and exciting things from the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) with the launch of its new fitness website MyFITDC.com, as District enters the final stretch to recapture the title as the “Fittest City in America.”

The web site features an image-driven, easy to navigate listing of DPR’s free fitness events at different locations with varying themes and partners; led by an array of sought-after instructors.

Maryland’s top high school culinary and foodservice management students competed in the Maryland ProStart Student Invitational (MPSI) on March 1st at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore. Teams competed for scholarship money and the opportunity to represent the State of Maryland at the national competition in Providence, RI.

Governor Larry Hogan recently announced a new phase in Project C.O.R.E, Maryland’s ongoing initiative to revitalize Baltimore City by demolishing vacant and derelict buildings in Baltimore and replace them with green space or redevelopment. Project C.O.R.E., or Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise, is a multi-year city-state partnership established in 2016.

Mayor Muriel Bowser recently joined disability services leaders and advocates in recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month under the theme of See Me for Me. The Mayor also participated in a ceremonial signing of Disability Services Reform Amendment Act of 2018, which was passed unanimously by the Council of the District of Columbia last month. The Act brings Washington, DC, in line with national best practices on community residential-based services for people with disabilities. The Mayor formally approved the legislation last week.

Museum of the Bible will present “The Lindisfarne Gospels: Godspel Goes West,” at Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. on March 24, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

As part of the one-time event, leading expert Professor Michelle P. Brown will explore how this beautifully illuminated manuscript preserves the earliest surviving English translation of the Gospels. Made on Holy Island off the Northeast coast of Britain 1,300 years ago, The Lindisfarne Gospels also preserve the best early version of St. Jerome’s Latin Vulgate edition.

BGE unveiled one of its two state-of-the-art electric buses that will shuttle employees between its downtown Baltimore headquarters and its Spring Gardens campus in south Baltimore. BGE is the first company in Baltimore City to have an electric bus vehicle fleet and the first utility in the nation to incorporate electric shuttle buses into its fleet of vehicles. The second bus will arrive next month.

The shuttles will transport employees to and from the company’s new customer care center at BGE’s downtown headquarters opening next month. Employees will have access to parking at the company’s Spring Gardens campus, including newly installed electric vehicle charging stations that are located at each of BGE’s work locations throughout central Maryland.

Governor Ralph Northam announced recently that nearly $420,000 will be awarded to 28 localities across the Commonwealth as part of a competitive process under the Supplemental Local Emergency Management Performance Grant (SLEMPG) program. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) will administer the funds, which Virginia receives annually from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Localities received the news today at the Virginia Emergency Management Symposium, a forum to train emergency responders, planners, managers and volunteers and to share best practices, lessons learned and initiatives among Virginia’s emergency management community. The symposium is being held this week in Hot Springs, Virginia.

Live Nation is launching a nationwide job search across nearly 40 cities this spring for music lovers who have a heart for service and hospitability. Live Nation Amphitheaters hire 28,000 employees each summer and is inviting music lovers to experience working during the exciting summer amphitheater season to help create once in-a-lifetime experiences for millions of fans! Seasonal amphitheater staff enjoy their roles so much that many return year after year, and Live Nation expects to fill nearly 18,000 positions with returning employees, leaving an additional 10,000 roles open for hire this season.

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the appointment of Ana Lopez Van Balen as the first Affordable Housing Preservation Officer for the District of Columbia. The Mayor’s Housing Preservation Strike Force recommended the creation of this position, located within the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), to lead efforts to preserve the District’s existing affordable housing stock.

“When I established the Strike Force in 2015, its mandate was clear—develop an action plan that ensures the District does not lose any of its already existing affordable housing,” said Mayor Bowser. “Ana has a strong background in economic, housing, and community development, strategic planning, and engagement, and we know she will serve the residents of DC well.”

The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School, which serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade, named Bryan C. Daniels principal. Previously, Daniels was the school’s assistant principal.

For the past 15 years, Daniels has held multiple positions with The Children’s Guild, including resource instructor, special education teacher, instructional coordinator, instructional coach and assistant principal for The Children’s Guild’s nonpublic school, serving students who are emotionally and behaviorally disturbed as well as students on the autism spectrum. Prior to joining The Children’s Guild, Daniels was a kindergarten teacher in Prince George’s County Public Schools.

For the fourth consecutive year, the District of Columbia was named the best city in the country for women in tech, according to SmartAsset, a digital publication that analyzes data on factors such as gender pay gap, income after housing costs, women’s representation in the workforce and percent growth in employment. The news comes on the heels of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner’s recent trip to Silicon Valley to pitch Washington, DC as an ideal location for tech companies and promote the District as the capital of inclusive innovation.

Mayor Bowser recently announced that Washington, DC has been named a “Gold” Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, making the District the largest city on the East Coast to receive the designation.

“As we continue to improve and expand our bike infrastructure and make cycling a dynamic component of our city’s transportation network, this award is a testament to how far the District has come,” said Mayor Bowser. “Through smart investments that are helping us meet the needs of more residents and commuters, we continue to build a safer, stronger DC.”

Governor Ralph Northam recently announced more than $840,000 in matching grant funds to be awarded to 56 local tourism initiatives as part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program (MLP). The MLP grants are designed to help local and regional tourism entities attract more visitors by leveraging limited local marketing dollars through a local match of the state grants funds. This funding cycle, local partners will commit more than $3.1 million to match the VTC grants, providing more than $3.9 million in new marketing funds to increase visitation to Virginia. The grants will ultimately impact at least 232 other statewide tourism entities.

Nicholas Leathers, a 24-year-old records examiner analyst, recently sat in the children’s section of a Washington public library reading to his 2-year-old cousin, Riley. On its face, nothing particularly significant. After all, for many kids, the library is a place to go find their favorite book.

Leathers’ and Riley’s reading session, however, is the result of a unique collaboration that stretches from Riley’s home to the U.S. Postal Service to the city’s library system to D.C. city government all the way back to, of all things, country singer Dolly Parton.

“To Dye For: Ikats from Central Asia,” will be on view at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery March 24­­­-July 29. Traditional 19-century ikat coats and panels from the Sackler’s collections, a gift of Guido Goldman, encourage visitors to explore the techniques and traditions that produced the Central Asian textiles. Alongside these historical objects are a number of Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) garments on loan from the Collection of Annette de la Renta and the Oscar de la Renta Collection.

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Recreation Wish List Committee (RWLC) founded by Ms. Cora Masters Barry, will again bring iconic figures to life through performances by the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC) tennis youth scholars for the 12th Annual Blacks in Wax. The ARC Theater and the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts will host headlining performances of the Blacks in Wax in March.

Blacks in Wax is a creative production of vignettes that educate and entertain all ages through dance, music, and drama. Each year young performers breathe new life into American heroes from the worlds of sports, entertainment, activism, politics and literature.