Happy November, everyone! A big, huge shoutout to the friends and neighbors who went out of their way to make our Halloween season extra happy, spooky and twinkly. Is it too early to start the #LightUpTheHill map? If you already have plans on the works to decorate your home — you know who you are– drop me a line at info@thehillishome.com so we can get that bit of fun underway!
What’s been going on other than candy, merriment and mischief?
If you are interested in redistricting– and, really, you SHOULD be interested in redistricting because you most likely live on the Hill and the Hill is in Ward 6, and our ward will most likely get chopped up because it grew a lot A LOT over the past ten years while Wards 7 and 8 did not (deep breath)– make sure you check out the (by now) archived Ward 6 redistricting hearing that took place today. Click here to watch or visit Councilmember Elissa Silverman’s Facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to access this content.
DCist has a link and explanation to the three maps that foster discussion in the redistricting hearings. Bear in mind, these are not final maps but simply meant to stimulate conversation.
Do you have questions about redistricting maps? Send them to info@thehillishome.com and we will do a post trying to answer as best we can!
Important item: Now that the CDC has officially approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11, the DC Department of Health has officially announced two walk-in clinics on Friday, November 5, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. They will be at the Takoma Community Center, 300 Van Buren Street NW and at Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie Street SE. Can’t make it but a trusted family member can? Get proxy forms from coronavirus.dc.gov.
Last week, memelicious social media account Washingtonian Problems introduced us to Ricardo, a man who used to deliver raw chicken to Popeye franchises around the area. In a now-viral TikTok, Ricardo filmed at least 15 rats just hanging out in the kitchen of the Barracks Row Popeyes store, 409 8th Street SE. The Internet was justifiably horrified, as was the Health Department, which shuttered the store on Friday, after citing it for 17 health violations (obviously), including rat droppings (Eater DC). Ricardo was suspended from his job, as we learned from a subsequent TikTok. He set up a GoFundMe with a goal of $10,000, which he exceeded in a day. If you want to donate to it and/or thank him for being the hero we needed, click here.
Today, ANC commissioner Edward Ryder shared what appears to be a nail in the coffin of this particular Popeyes:
In seasonal news, the cold weather must mean that we are all SO READY for the holiday season. This year, I will be reprising my #LightUpTheHill map, so if you have plans to decorate, send me your approximate address to info@thehillishome.com and I can start adding you. Oh, what’s that, Andrew Leyden?
Add a new National Christmas Tree to your list of things to do with relatives around the wintry season. What else is happening? Enchant Christmas! In a press conference at Nationals Park, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, helped announce this enormous holiday maze and festival, which will open November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, and run through January 2, 2022. The food will be provided by Ben’s Chili Bowl, which will be offering “Enchant Half-Smokes.” Enchant DC will also have a locally-sourced holiday market. Falcicchio also reminded District residents that the website Shop in the District can help people find and support locally-owned businesses. I’d like to also point you to our friends at Districtly Local, who have a great site that supports local makers, with an emphasis on woman-owned, Black-owned and AAPI-owned businesses.
The District has chosen two development companies’ bids to develop Reservation 13. The parcel will be divided in two, one developed by R13 and the other by BlueSkye. The R13 parcel will have what appears to be over 50% affordable housing units, as well as a hotel. Washington Post
Conditions at the DC Jail may be bad enough for many prisoners– bad enough to move about 400 inmates out to Pennsylvania– but they are just fine for the January 6 insurgents. NBC affiliate KGET
FOX-5 reporter Sierra Fox tweeted an incident she and several bystanders witnessed: A visitor and his family were physically harming and yelling at a homeless man who apparently complimented the wife’s scarf. The worst part of the story? If it hadn’t been for Sierra and the other witnesses, the police would have arrested the wrong man. Threadreader App via Twitter
As supply issues plague everyone and everything, Washingtonian reminds us that restaurants are particularly vulnerable. Did you know chicken wings are particularly hard to find? [themoreyouknow.gif]
Psst: Wanna get some of Congressional Cemetery’s “Rest In Bees” honey? Act now! Supplies are very limited. Click here to buy.