Building a livable, walkable city means creating a mix of neighborhood amenities, like the spectacular Barracks Row, within minutes of your home.
Since joining the D.C. Council, Tommy has won support throughout Washington for his fundamental goal: creating a livable and walkable city for all. He brings the skill to forge the kind of collaboration that translates great ideas into real improvements. Whether bringing Ward 6 residents back to their neighborhood schools or creating the next generation of public transportation, Tommy works with the leadership and communities in every corner of Ward 6 — from the Southwest Waterfront to the H Street Corridor, from Shaw to Capitol Hill — to guide development that focuses on neighborhood needs.
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On Friday, December 7th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Councilmember Tommy Wells will honor city and neighborhood leaders with the 6th Annual Livable, Walkable Awards. The event will be held in the Grand Lobby of the newly renovated Evening Star building - now the home of the Commission on Arts & Humanities and the Child & Family Services Agency - located at 200 I Street, SE and overlooking the recently opened Canal Park.
"To create a truly livable, walkable community, it takes leadership and vision -- not just from those elected to office, but also from our neighbors, city employees, civic organizations, and local businesses," said Mr. Wells. Over 200 nominations were made by the community and an award will be given in each of these categories, in addition to a special award for civic pride.
The event begins at 6:30 pm with food, beverage and live entertainment and a short program will begin at approximately 7:15 pm to announce the awards. The event is free and open to the public.
The recipients of the awards are:
Neighbor Award - Anwar Saleem
Each year, this award goes to an individual that is making a significant difference to improve our community and help build a more livable, walkable city. This year's award goes to Anwar Saleem, Executive Director of H Street Main Street. In recent years, H Street NE has begun to return to its former glory as a major commercial and retail corridor for District residents. Through his leadership with long-time H Street businesses, as well as embracing new entrepreneurs and business ideas, Anwar has helped lead the corridor's resurgence that is creating vibrant sidewalks and busy storefronts - the type of small business success that is critical to making a neighborhood livable and walkable.Community Organization Award - City Blossoms
Parks, green spaces and community gardens help to create livable, walkable neighborhoods. What began nine years ago as a volunteer project for City Blossoms, has since evolved into a year-round program that works with over 3,000 children and youth in various gardening projects. In Ward 6's Shaw neighborhood, City Blossoms' latest project has turned two empty lots into the Marion Intergenerational Garden. The garden pairs fresh food with educational opportunities for neighboring children, youth, adults and families. Tucked away on Marion Street, NW, it's an example of a transformative space for a community and its residents.Business Award - BicycleSPACE
When BicycleSPACE opened its doors in 2010, owner Erik Kugler didn't just create a shop for bicycles and accessories, he created a destination that celebrates a way of life. The store is now a gathering place - for first-time riders and dyed-in-the-wool cyclists - where the biking community of the District is welcome and thrives in a cycling and supportive culture. In addition to gear shifters and helmets, BicyleSPACE is the home of "The Assembly" a bicycle advocacy coalition committed to promoting cycling and making the District the #1 cycling city in America. Every day, Erik and BicycleSPACE is making the District a little bit more livable, walkable and bikable.Public Service Award - John Thomas
Take a picture of a typical block in Washington, DC and among the elements that make the photo instantly recognizable as "DC" is the presence of canopy of street trees. Trees, and the cover they provide, make our neighborhoods a great place to walk, bike and live. John Thomas is the Associate Director of DDOT's Urban Forestry Administration and is the District's chief "tree steward." Within an agency best known for laying pavement and concrete, John manages a team of arborists to tend to and grow the city's trees and canopy. The fruits of his labor can be seen in just about any tree box along DC's streets.Civic Pride Award - The Yards Park
The civic pride award is a distinct category that recognizes special places that epitomize outstanding civic space and neighborhood pride. The Yards Park, located on the banks of the Anacostia River, is a grand example and one of the city's top urban destinations. In design and program, the park has no rival and this year's civic pride award honors the special partnership that has made the park so successful. In collaboration with the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Forest City Washington, the Capitol Riverfront BID manages and operates the state-of-the-art park. Whether the waterwall and splash fountains, the River Street Gardens, the Great Lawn or the boardwalk, Yards Park is teeming with activity as the premiere park in Washington, DC.###
Friday, December 7, 2012, 6:30-8:30 pm
200 I Street, SE
The "Brickies" celebrate all the people, businesses, organizations and efforts that are working to make DC livable and walkable for everyone!
This is a wonderful annual event that will include performances by the DC Youth Orchestra and Choir and food provided by local restaurants.
Nominations are now closed, but please join us Friday night to celebrate!
Today the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced the community meeting dates for "Play DC", Mayor Vincent C. Gray's Playground Improvement Project. Play DC is a multi-year initiative and the largest playground renovation project in the District of Columbia's history. Through Play DC, renovations will be begin in the coming months on 32 DPR playgrounds.
The first phases of renovating a playground are planning and design. To ensure that the newly renovated play space will meet the needs of, and reflect the individuality and uniqueness of District neighborhoods, DPR and DGS will host community meetings to discuss the overall Play DC project, and each play space project. The Play DC project team will present the broad project scope and plans for each project, and residents will have an opportunity to weigh in and supply input on details such as design and amenities that should be considered for each play space. Residents, community groups, and especially children, are invited to attend.
The community meetings are listed below.
Wednesday - November 14, 2012
Harry Thomas Recreation Center (1743 Lincoln Rd., NE) (Ward 5)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Harry Thomas Sr Rec Ctr Playground
Wednesday - November 14, 2012
The DCG-DHS Anacostia Service Center (2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE - CM Barry SE Office: 3rd Fl) (Ward 8)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Douglass Rec Ctr, Congress Heights Rec Ctr & Fort Greble Rec Ctr Playgrounds
Thursday - November 15, 2012
Randall Recreation Center (South Capitol & I Sts., SW) (Ward 6)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Randall Rec Ctr Playground
Thursday - November 15, 2012
Benning Park Recreation Center (Southern Ave. & Fable St., SE) (Ward 7)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Benning Park Rec Ctr Playground
Monday, November 19, 2012
Takoma Community Center (300 Van Buren St., NW) (Ward 4)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Takoma Comm Ctr Playground
Monday, November 19, 2012
Palisades Recreation Center (5200 Sherrier Pl., NW) (Ward 3)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Palisades Rec Ctr Playground
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Emery Recreation Center (5801 Georgia Ave., NW) (Ward 4)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Emery Rec Ctr, Fort Stevens Rec Ctr and Hamilton Rec Ctr Playgrounds
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Ave., NE) (Ward 5)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Brentwood Rec Ctr and Turkey Thicket Rec Ctr Playgrounds
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Eaton Elementary School (3301 Lowell St., NW) (Ward 3)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Macomb Rec Ctr, Newark Park and Forest Hills Park Playgrounds
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Kennedy Recreation Center (1401 7th St., NW) (Ward 6)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Kennedy Rec Ctr Playground
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Southeast Tennis & Learning Center (701 Mississippi Ave., SE) (Ward 8)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Oxon Run Park Playground
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Banneker Recreation Center (2500 Georgia Ave., NW) (Ward 1)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Banneker Rec Ctr and Harrison Rec Ctr Playgrounds
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hillcrest Recreation Center (3100 Denver Rd., SE) (Ward 7)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Hillcrest Rec Ctr Playground
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Rose Park Recreation Center (2609 Dumbarton St., NW) (Ward 2)
6 p to 7:30 p - Discussing: Rose Park Rec Ctr Playground
For more information on the Play DC Project, contact PlayDC@dc.gov or call (202) 391-9204.
Polls are open today, Tuesday, November 6, 2012 from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
To check your polling location, you can enter your
address here: http://www.dcboee.org/voter_info/find_pollingplace/
For maps of the Ward, ANCs, and voting precincts, you can
check here: http://www.dcboee.org/maps.asp
To report problems or to ask questions of the Board of Elections, you can call them directly at 727-2525. Expect a high call volume on Election Day and there may be a wait time until someone is able to answer your call.
The promise and challenge of charter schools
The District is home to some of the highest performing
and innovative charter schools in the nation. The Public
Charter School Board - using its own performance criteria - rates as high
performing 22 of 102 DC charter schools campuses.
Charter schools now school over 40% of district students seeking a public education.
The event is free, but please RSVP at this link: http://www.tommywells.org/events/CharterSchoolsForum
Not surprisingly though, with such rapid growth in less than 12 years, challenges are also part of the District's charter story. Communities are requesting greater coordination with charter schools and changes in enrollment policies. Facilities policies need overhauling. Some programs that provide alternative schooling remain underfunded. School closing issues are unresolved.
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells has invited a panel of
diverse individuals who are deeply involved in building and monitoring district
charter schools for a conversation about the promise and challenges of district
charter schools.
Please join Tommy and Public Charter School Board Executive Director Scott Pearson, Ward 6 State Board of Education Member Monica Warren-Jones and Post education reporter Emma Brown at the Mount Vernon Triangle Public Forum: The Promise and Challenge of Charter Schools.
Moderator Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells will discuss the Promise and Challenge of Charter Schools with Public Charter School Board Executive Director Scott Pearson, Ward 6 State Board of Education Member Monica Warren-Jones and Post education reporter Emma Brown.
Busboys & Poets, 5th & K Street, NW | Cullen Room | November 12, 2012 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Free and Open to all!
The event is free, but please RSVP at this link: http://www.tommywells.org/events/CharterSchoolsForum