October 29, 2021
Dear Washingtonians,
Every day, across all eight wards, thousands of public servants keep Washington, DC moving forward. During Back to Basics Week, we celebrate their work and their commitment to our city. These are the teams that have built 91 speed humps at more than 30 sites in the past two weeks. And the teams that are helping more residents lower their electric bills through Solar for All and get connected to good-paying green jobs through Solar Works DC.
On Monday, you'll see these teams out in the community when our leaf collection season kicks off. You can help them by making sure you know your leaf collection schedule and by raking your leaves to the curb or into the tree box. In addition to all that they do, the Department of Public Works can also help you compost your old pumpkins at our food waste drop-off sites across DC.
Finally, on Thursday, I was thrilled to recognize our 2022 DC Teacher of the Year, Ms. Dominique Foster. Ms. Foster is one of so many outstanding educators who have welcomed our young people back to school and who keep DC's pre-K program the best in the nation.
So, as we head into another holiday season, I want to close out Back to Basics Week and kick off this season of gratitude by thanking the 37,000 public servants at DC Government for all that you do to serve Washington, DC.
Sincerely,
 Today, the Bowser Administration announced plans for vaccinating children against COVID-19. Once the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved and distributed, families will be able to be vaccinated at more than 60 pharmacies, hospitals, and health centers in DC that will have the vaccine. Information about where the vaccine is available will be on vaccines.gov. Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be given to children ages 5 to 11. On Tuesday, November 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to meet and make its recommendations. The final step in authorization will be approval from the CDC director.
Once approved, the vaccine will be shipped out. Washington, DC is expected to initially receive 24,600 doses that will be distributed to pharmacies, hospitals, and health centers across DC. The pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech is also a two-dose vaccine.
To provide additional opportunities for access, families will also be able to go to District operated pop-up sites set up specifically for 5-11 year-olds. Families will be given more details about the second dose after their first dose. More information about what days and hours the pop-up sites will operate will be available in the coming days.
Learn more and see a list of upcoming pop-up sites HERE.
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 Mayor Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced this week that the construction of the District’s permanent Black Lives Matter Plaza monument at 16th Street between K Street and H Street NW is officially complete.
In June 2020, Mayor Bowser unveiled the iconic art installation on the two-block stretch of 16th Street NW that leads to the White House, transforming it to pedestrian-only space and naming the area Black Lives Matter Plaza. The mural was created overnight by the Department of Public Works and the MuralsDC team, whose efforts were supported by DDOT. The 48-foot-wide mural became a permanent installation with a redesign of the project’s roadway and a safe gathering space for pedestrians wanting to fully experience the mural’s impact.
Learn more about the transformation HERE.
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 Earlier this week, Mayor Bowser and Lyft announced that to help ease travel disruptions caused by reduced Metrorail service, Capital Bikeshare is offering one free 30-day membership to all DC residents.
To participate, riders should go to the “Ride Plans” section of the Capital Bikeshare or Lyft Mobile apps, or the “Pricing” section of the Capital Bikeshare website, capitalbikeshare.com, and select a 30-day membership for $0.
Once registered for the free membership, residents can take unlimited free 45 minute rides on the red classic Capital Bikeshare bikes – there will be no unlocking or travel fee. Rides longer than 45 minutes will cost $0.05/minute for a pedal bike. Ebike rides will cost $0.10 per minute from the first minute, a 33% discount from the normal rate. Taxes and out of hub fees will be charged separately. Participants will need a valid credit card and phone number to participate.
Learn more HERE.
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 The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is hosting over 40 Halloween events across all eight wards.
Many events are happening tonight, and families can learn more and register at dprhalloween2021.splashthat.com.
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