Hey neighbor! Get the full reading experience in your browser here.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

• New Team Member - Welcome, Kelley Cislo!
• Ward 5 Day @ Nats Park - September 15 (Sign up for tickets now!)
• September 1 - Langdon Park Community Center Meeting
• September 3 - Jazz in the Park @ North Michigan Park
• September 9 - New Commanders Stadium Resource Expo
• September 11-12 - Art All Night
• September 15 - Council Recess Ends
• September 19 - Ward 5 Day!
• ...and more!

Ward 5 Day is just around the corner (September 19!) and that means Ward 5 Week is, too! One of the highlights of Ward 5 Week each year is our community night at Nationals Park, with free tickets for hundreds of Ward 5 neighbors. Sign up now to join me and my team for the Nationals game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:45 p.m. There are a limited number of tickets and they always go fast, so don't wait! I'm looking forward to cheering on the Nats with neighbors soon.

I'm also excited to share that my office welcomed a new team member this week. Welcome, Kelley Cislo! Many of you already know Kelley from her many years working in the Wilson building for Councilmembers McDuffie and Crawford. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team and will be serving as the Constituent Services Coordinator for ANCs 5A and 5B. Join me in welcoming her by sending a hello to kcislo@dccouncil.gov. 

The Ward 5 Wave Podcast

This week on the Ward 5 Wave, I dig deeper into my office's Ward 5 Housing Conditions Tour with a conversation featuring tenants and tenant advocates from properties we have visited this summer. The goal of this tour is to coordinate with District agencies to improve living conditions at properties of concern across the ward, and this episode highlights the challenges neighbors are facing, the steps we're taking to make a difference, and the different roles we all play. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or click here!

In today's edition of the Ward 5 Weekly, you'll also find: 

public safety updates; the Langdon Park Community Center project meeting with DPR and DGS on September 1; Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5 (including one that closes for comment on September 3); an added Jazz in the Park event in North Michigan Park on September 3; programs to benefit from including the First & Goal construction kick-off and resource expo for the new Commanders Stadium on September 9; and community events including YogaFest in Reservoir Park tomorrow! Keep scrolling for more.

Last Saturday, I joined the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee for their annual backpack giveaway at Bunker Hill Elementary School. We were able to distribute hundreds of backpacks and school supplies to make sure every Ward 5 student is ready for a great school year. 

Later on Saturday, I was also able to stop by Trinidad Day to celebrate this vibrant Ward 5 neighborhood and connect with neighbors. So glad the sun came out to brighten the party!

On Monday, DCPS students headed back to school! It was a beautiful day to kick off the school year. 

Also on Monday, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a win for District youth as part of the largest settlement ever in big tech, against Meta (Instagram and Facebook). The decision holds Meta responsible for exploting children with intentionally addictive social media platforms. As part of the landmark multistate settlement with Meta, the District will receive between $90.3 and $129.3 million and Meta will be required to implement numerous new safety measures on their platforms for youth, including:

• Hard cap daily time limits and “Productive Pauses” for children on its two platforms, Instagram and Facebook
• “Nighttime blocks” restricting children’s access to feeds from 12:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. and silencing notifications from 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
• Limited school-time access for children, eliminating push notifications on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. during the school year
• Robust age assurance measures
• Safer, age-appropriate content controls
• Stronger, more user-friendly parent controls
• Limits on social comparison features
• Regular assessment by an independent auditor

I am grateful for Attorney General Schwalb's leadership, and this settlement reflects one of our most deeply held DC values: we will always fight to safeguard District youth.

Monday afternoon, I stopped by one of Ward 5's newest spots: Proper Café. I enjoyed grabbing a matcha and am glad to have them in the ward! We discussed permitting processes with District agencies, and I had the chance to connect with other community business leaders and constituents. 

On Tuesday, I had a number of meetings before being honored to join the DC Student Succeeds Coalition to receive their inaugural DC's Pathway to Progress Leadership Award. This coalition is passionate about 1) working to ensure every child is on or above grade level in reading and math, 2) is supported by excellent educators, joyful modern school facilities, and equitable school funding, and 3) is cared for as a whole child through school-based mental health programs, out-of-school programming, and more. I am grateful for their work and partnership in securing a great education for every DC student.

Wednesday morning, I joined neighbors, students, teachers, and advocates outside Wheatley Elementary in protest of the recent surge of National Guard and other federal officers in the Trinidad neighborhood. Our schools and rec centers do not need armed military personnel who are not familiar with our communities. I refuse to allow our young people to be used as props in Trump's agenda to wage war on DC.

Also on Wednesday morning, my team joined neighbors, agencies, ANC 5B07 Commissioner Rathore, and the developers of 2911 Rhode Island Ave NE to address ongoing construction management concerns and conditions impacting nearby residents, including illegal dumping, standing water and drainage issues, overflowing trash, and persistent mosquito activity. During the visit, DDOT also provided an update on the Monroe Alley project, which is intended to address the standing water and drainage issues. Plans for the project are currently being finalized, and DDOT and its consultants will join the September ANC 5B meeting to review the plans with the community and provide an update on next steps.

On Wednesday afternoon, I visited 1400 Florida Ave NE to follow-up on my office's work escalating tenant concerns about the property and to record this week's podcast. The fight isn't over, but we won't give up until residents have safe, clean, stable housing. 

Later on Wednesday, I joined the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, for a hearing reviewing how the implementation of ranked choice voting went during the most recent primary elections. You can catch up on that hearing here. 

Yesterday, I had a number of meetings that kept me busy on a range of topics ahead of the fall legislative session. 

Yesterday evening, my team joined ANC 5C05 Commissioner Oliver for a meeting to discuss concerns about the recent surge of National Guard and other federal agents in the Brentwood community. Like Trinidad, this neighborhood is seeing a troubling increase of federal officers who are neither equipped nor trained to safely engage our communities and we are pushing back on this occupation.  

MPD Updates

• MPD announced the arrest of a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred on May 21, 2025 at approximately 5:08 p.m. in the 1700 block of Benning Rd NE.

Crime Trends

You can find the latest crime statistics using MPD's Crime Cards here. Toggle the variables at the top of the page to zoom in on your own neighborhood. Public safety remains my top priority and if you ever have any concerns or questions, please reach out to my office directly at ward5contact@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8028. 

Summer is coming to an end, and with it, the outdoor pool season with DPR. In Ward 5, here's when outdoor pools will close: 

• August 16 - Theodore Hagans Pool
• August 30 - Harry Thomas Pool
• September 7 - Langdon Pool

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required to give written notice of their intent to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to the Council and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) to allow for a public comment period on the modifications. The following Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Ward 5 are open for comment: 

• Closes for comment on September 3: Advanced Technical center PUDO Adjustment - Read and comment here (NOI-26-220-PSD)

Please join the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of General Services (DGS) for a community meeting to review the new concepts for the recreation center and improvements to park grounds. My team will be in attendance as we are eager to see how DPR and DGS will incorporate the funds and legal language I secured in this year's budget process to ensure the project meets the community's expectations. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 1 at the Langdon Park Community Center (2901 20th Street NE) from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Christopher Dyer via email at Christopher.Dyer@dc.gov or by telephone at (202)-702-9453. For more information and to RSVP, please click here. For additional information about the project, please click here. To sign up for updates about this project please click here.

Enjoy one of DPR's beloved traditions, Jazz in the Park, an additional performance in Ward 5 at North Michigan Park (1330 Emerson St NE) on September 3. Performances take place from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Learn more here. 

A tradition dating back to the days of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Sr., I was proud to revive Ward 5 Day in 2023. Since then, we've had an annual celebration of everything Ward 5 at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. Mark you calendar for this year's celebration, scheduled for September 19! As always, there will be food including our Taste of Ward 5 walk, activities for all ages, giveaways, live music, and just a good time connecting with neighbors. More details coming soon!

Many ANCs and civic associations take a break from monthly meetings in August. 

• Monday, August 31
  • 6:30 p.m.
    • ANC 5A Special Meeting
      • Agenda includes a review of three grant requests

You can always view the schedule of upcoming ANC and civic association meetings that my team will attend on my website here. Not sure which ANC is yours? Use this tool to look it up. We're here to help, so email us anytime with questions - ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Have a need, or want to share important information for ANC and civic association meetings? Get in touch with one of our Constituent Services team members:

• 5A & 5B: Kelley Cislo, kcislo@dccouncil.gov
• 5C & 5D: Andrianna Lovelace, alovelace@dccouncil.gov
• 5E & 5F: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov

In partnership with the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Department of Employment Services, join Clark | Mortenson | SmootDC (CMS) for the construction kick-off and resource expo for the new Commanders Stadium. Learn more here, and join the event on Wednesday, September 9 from 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at 700 M St SE. 

DPR Communal Farms Weekly Veggie Giveaways have started back up at locations across the city. From now until November 25, 2026, stop by the below locations on select days each week to get free, locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs. For more information, including how to volunteer, email joshua.singer@dc.gov.

• Ward 5: Edgewood Rooftop Farm (301 Franklin St NE)
  • Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Lederer Garden (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE)
  • Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Ward 1: Powell Communal Farm (3149 16th St NW)
  • Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Arboretum:
Summer Evening Hours

Weekdays thru August 28 - open 'til 8:00 p.m.
@ U.S. National Arboretum
Enjoy the arboretum during longer summer days with special evening hours. On weekdays, the Arboretum will be open until 8:00 p.m. On Fridays, enjoy a variety of food trucks!

Stronghold:
FitDC Yoga Fest

August 29 - 10:00 a.m.
@ Reservoir Park (10 Lower Service Ct NW)
Join FITDC for yoga at Reservoir Park as part of this year's Yoga Fest! Learn more and register here.

Brookland:

FMGG 3rd Annual Fall Festival

October 17 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

@ 3700 16th St NE

Mark your calendar to join my team at the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild's 3rd Annual Fall Festival! This fun event features pumpkin patches, lamb mowers, a photo booth, and more!

Anacostia:
Jazzy Sundays

July 12 - August 30 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
@ 1234 Morion Barry Ave SE
Join District agencies, the Anacostia BID, and DCity Smokehouse on Sundays through the summer for live jazz and good vibes. Learn more and register for free tickets here.

• Meta Will Pay Up to $17.1 Billion for Exploiting Kids (Press Release)
  
  
• Americans Spend More than 2.5 Hours in the ER (Axios)
  
  
• DC Won't Say How It's Using Its Flock Cameras (NOTUS)
  
  
• DC Brewery Braces for Potential Impact of Tariffs on Aluminum (WTOP)
  
  
• GWU Hospital Plans $29M Freestanding Emergency Room Near Underserved Ivy City (Washington Business Journal - free to read with your DC Public Library card)
  
  
• Gallaudet University Seeks New Developer for Union Market Project After JBG Smith Exit (Washington Business Journal - free to read with your DC Public Library card)

The highlight of my week was last Saturday's backpack giveaway with the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee. It was great to see so many bright, smiling faces as families transition back into the school year!

As always, I invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

Want to reach one of my staff members?
Save this directory to stay in touch with us.

Unsubscribe from future updates