November 16, 2021

Coronavirus Update:

Dear Neighbors,

The Mayor has announced that the District's mask mandate will be relaxed
beginning Monday, November 22nd. We will learn the particulars once she
releases the official Mayoral Order, but right now we know that mask
wearing will no longer be required while indoors (businesses will maintain
the discretion to require masks, however). Masks will still be required
when on public transit, at certain government agencies, and while inside
schools, libraries, and childcare facilities. While DC Health did not
maintain a strict case metric for the decision to lift the mandate, we do
know that the District's coronavirus metrics are moving in the right
direction.

The current daily case rate is 11.5 cases per 100,000 people, which is down
significantly from the peak of the Delta variant wave (25-30 per 100,000).
And, even as we experience breakout cases and the gradual waning of
immunity from the first round of doses, the data continues to point to
vaccination as the chief means to preventing illness and hospitalization:
85% of all new local COVID-19 cases have been among the unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, the fully vaccinated account for only 2.7% of area
hospitalizations.

Looking at our schools, the outlook is even better. 72.2% of children aged
12+ are fully vaccinated. In just the first week of operations, 3,076
children aged 5-11 were vaccinated at DC Health's neighborhood-based pop-up
clinics. Demand for vaccinations in this younger age group remains high and
DC Health is working to expand the number of clinics in the upcoming weeks.
At the moment, sites are limited to 250-300 doses each, but this number
should increase as additional shipments arrive.

Upcoming Ward 3 pediatric vaccination clinics:

Please note: if you plan on having a non-guardian bring your child to one
of the pop-up vaccination sites, please print and sign the [1]Trusted Party
Consent and Verification Form (one form per child).
* November 19th at 3:30 pm: Janney Elementary School (4130 Albemarle St
NW)
* November 23rd (Time TBD): Janney Elementary School (4130 Albemarle St
NW)
* December 2nd (Time TBD): The Palisades Recreation Center (5200 Sherier
Pl NW)

It has been incredibly heartening to see so many eager families and happy
children at our Ward 3 pop-up clinics. After seeing some parents turned
away at the end of the line after all the doses were accounted for, I would
like to stress that families should not feel limited to only pursuing the
walk-up clinics. The search engine [2]vaccines.gov is a great resource in
terms of showing available vaccine appointments for adults and children at
local pharmacies, hospitals, healthcare providers, etc. If the walk-up
clinics remain the best option for your family, you will find it helpful to
follow the City Administrator on Twitter ([3]@DC_OCA) where he reports
available doses at local clinics in real time as well as when sites reach
capacity.

Regards,

Mary

DC SEU Launches Electric Leafblower Rebate Program

Electrify this Winter - In 2018, Council passed Councilmember Cheh's
"[4]Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act" to phase-out the use and sale of
gas-powered leaf blowers by January 2022. Not only are gas-powered leaf
blowers noisy and disruptive, but they are also exceptionally [5]polluting
and harmful to the environment, public health, and local wildlife.

In anticipation of the upcoming deadline, the [6]DC Sustainable Energy
Utility has launched a rebate program to replace commercial and residential
gas-powered leaf blowers with electric or battery-powered alternatives:
* $50 rebate for residential equipment
* $75 rebate for commercial equipment

Rebates will be available through December 31st, 2021.

[7]Click Here for Rebate Information

Celebrating Iona's Sally White

Iona Senior Services - After 35 years of exemplary service, leadership, and
advocacy on behalf of the District's older adults, Sally White has retired
from her position as the Executive Director of Iona Senior Services.

To celebrate her incredible tenure and many contributions to the
organization, Ward 3 community, and vulnerable seniors across the District,
Councilmember Cheh presented Sally with a Ceremonial Resolution (pictured
above) at her retirement. Sally is an exceptional talent and an exceptional
person, and she will be greatly missed.

To read more about Sally's work, please see: [8]Sally White Recognition
Resolution of 2021

Ward 3 Community Corner

A Quick Legislative Update:
* Wilson High School Renaming Effort - The Council opted to postpone a
vote on the new name proposal for Wilson High School after several members
of the Council expressed interest in renaming Wilson solely after Edna
Jackson (the school's first African American teacher), rather than renaming
the school after Edna Jackson and Vincent Reed (the school's first African
American principal). A date for the final decision has not been announced,
but to watch the discussion, please click: here.
* Watch Councilmember Cheh's Roundtable on Automated Traffic Enforcement
- On Monday, November 15th, Councilmember Cheh held a public roundtable on
Automated Traffic Enforcement Cameras in the District. The discussion
largely focused on road safety, camera deployment strategies, and the
public engagement process. To watch the roundtable, please click:
[9]here.
* Councilmember Cheh's 2009 Legislation Leads to Accountability - Learn
how DC Appleseed's early partnership with Councilmember Cheh lead to a $95
million settlement with CareFirst in [10]The Washington Post and [11]The
Barras Report.

Community Events:

Murch Day at Pete's - On November 17th, mention "Murch" at Pete's New Haven
Style Apizza (4940 Wisconsin Ave NW) and 25% of all sales will be donated
to the Murch Elementary School Home & School Association.

Weekend Pumpkin Composting - Drop off your old jack-o'-lanterns and holiday
pumpkins at any of the [12]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: [13]here.

Northwest Neighbors Village Speaker Series - [14]Ageism
Unmasked with Tracey Gendron on November 18th at 11 am.

Virtual Town Hall on Children's Vaccinations - Children's National Hospital
and the DC Public Charter School Board are hosting a free virtual Town Hall
on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years old on November 19th at
2:00 pm. Register: [15]Here.

Janney 5K & Fun Run - Join the Janney Elementary School community for a 5k
and fun run through Tenleytown on November 20th at 9 am. Event
registration: [16]here.

Chevy Chase Community Walk - Join the Office of Planning for a series of
community walks along the Chevy Chase commercial corridor as part of the
Chevy Chase Small Area Plan. [17]Sign up for any of the upcoming walks:
* November 20th (11 am to 12:30 pm)
* December 8 (12-1:30 pm)
* December 11 (11 am to 12:30 pm)

Help Street Sense Vendors Stay Warm this Winter

[18]

Winter Clothing Drive - Street Sense Media publishes a weekly newspaper
chronicling the news, challenges, and perspectives of those experiencing
homelessness in the District of Columbia. The paper's self-employed
distributors/vendors have or are currently experiencing homelessness.

Street Sense vendors will continue to sell the paper through the winter
months and could use our help in accessing hats, gloves, hand warmers, and
socks.

To help Street Sense vendors stay warm this winter, please consider making
a donation through the organization's Amazon Wish List: [19]here.

New Traffic Safety Investigation Dashboard

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has launched an
interactive Traffic Safety Investigation dashboard to enable residents to
report traffic safety concerns, track open safety investigations, and
follow the agency's progress in implementing traffic calming measures from
start to finish. And, while there are outstanding concerns with maintaining
adequate public engagement in this new streamlined process, the public
dashboard is one important step in terms of transparency and accountability
for the agency in its pursuit of [20]Vision Zero.

Here are some important points to keep in mind when requesting a Traffic
Safety Investigation:

Timeline - From start to finish, a Traffic Safety Investigation request is
estimated to take 130 business days.

Data Collection - Traffic Safety Investigations may require extensive data
collection depending on the type of intervention and roadway
classification.
* Changes that would require data collection include: intersection
signalization, lane configuration changes, vertical traffic calming (e.g.
speed tables) on non-local roads, one-way conversions, stop signs, and
other traffic calming measures.

Implementation of Safety Mitigations - If a safety mitigation is deemed
necessary, then DDOT develops recommendations and prepares a work order for
construction. If recommendations change existing traffic control and/or
on-street parking, a [21]Notice of Intent (NOI) will be required.
* The NOI includes a 30 business-day public comment period.
* For most mitigations that do not require an NOI, installation typically
occurs in the next calendar quarter after the TSI is completed.

Submitting a Request - Residents, ANC Commissioners, and local businesses
can request a Traffic Safety Investigation online through the [22]311
website, by calling 311, or by using the [23]DC311 app.

Reminder: Fall Leaf Collection is Underway

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.

[24]Click Here for the Full Leaf Collection Schedule

If your leaf collections are missed during your home's scheduled collection
window, please alert the agency by calling 311.

Let's Hear it for our Ward 3 Clean Teams!

Keeping Commercial Corridors Beautiful - There are 36 Clean Teams deployed
across the District tasked with a broad array of responsibilities to help
keep our commercial corridors clean and beautiful. This includes the
removal of litter and graffiti, the maintenance of street trees, and the
landscaping of planters, hanging baskets, and tree boxes. Ward 3 has three
Clean Teams that work along Connecticut Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue, and
Glover Park.

Pictured left is the Connecticut Avenue Clean Team clearing wet leaves from
the sidewalk in Forest Hills. Our Clean Teams are invested in our
communities –be sure to thank the crew if you see a Clean Team in action!

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Spotlight on Blue Collar Cats

In 2017, the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) created the [25]Blue Collar Cat
program to provide a new care option for those cats that are perhaps too
domesticated to join a cat colony, but too feral to be adopted.

Instead, Blue Collar Cats (which are spayed/neutered and vaccinated by HRA)
are paired with homes and business in order to provide natural rat and pest
abatement. In return, Blue Collar Cats are provided with an outdoor
shelter, fresh water, and food.

Read more about the success of this niche program by clocking on the link
below:

[26]From Washington City Paper - Blue Collar Cats Have a Job to Do: Killing
Pests

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

[28]Facebook [29]Twitter [30]marycheh.com

FOLLOW MARY

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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