DC Government

“I was kicked out of Lincoln Park this morning by National Guard for doing solo workout.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo over the weekend at Lincoln Park by Stuart E. Allen

Ed. Note: On Friday we noted an increased police and National Guard presence at NPS run parks like Lincoln Park and Meridian Hill Park.

Ed. Note also: Per the Mayor’s Stay at Home Orders: “Allowable Recreational Activities means outdoor activity with household members that complies with Social Distancing Requirements, as defined in section IV.8 of this Order, and includes the sanitizing of any equipment used both before and after the activity. Outdoor activities should not be conducted with persons other than those from one’s own household.

Examples: Walking, hiking, running, dog-walking, biking, rollerblading, scootering, skateboarding, playing tennis, golfing, [Ed. Note: I believe tennis and golf were since rescinded] gardening, and other activities where all participants comply with Social Distancing Requirements and there is no person-to-person contact.”

Brett reports: “I was kicked out of Lincoln Park this morning by Nat’l Guard for doing solo workout. I’m confused as to the guidelines but want to respect those who are working to limit the spread of COVID. Are parks completely off limits? (more…)

“Important News for This Weekend’s (Farmers) Markets”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Paul Fain

From FRESHFARM:

“We are now wrapping up week four since so much of the world has changed, and our market team and farmers and producers continue to adapt every day. Earlier this week, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued new orders requiring the implementation of social distancing protocols at retail food sellers, including grocery stores and farmers markets. We have applied for waivers for each of our DC markets and are pleased to announce that Monroe Street, H Street NE, Columbia Heights, and Dupont have all been approved to operate this weekend! We will continue to work closely with the Mayor’s office to ensure that our farmers markets can be in compliance with the new regulations. Stay tuned for additional announcements on social media and our website.

At ALL of our markets, we ask that shoppers please follow these rules: (more…)

Heads Up for Federal Coronavirus Relief Payment Scams

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

From the Office of the D.C. Attorney General:

“District residents should be on high alert for scams related to federal coronavirus relief payments or “economic impact payments.”

As early as next week, millions of eligible Americans will begin receiving one-time payments from the federal government as part of the response to COVID-19. The exact timeline is still being worked out, but these payments will come through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) either through direct deposit or by check. Accurate information on these payments can be found on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Unfortunately, scammers are using the news of these relief payments as an opportunity to attempt to steal consumers’ money or personal information. Scammers may use the promise of these government checks or payments to trick people into giving out private information, such as bank account details or Social Security numbers. They may try to impersonate government agencies or promise to help consumers get payments faster. And scammers may reach out to consumers by phone, email, text, or social media.

In fact, the Office of the Attorney General has already heard of people receiving robocalls asking for financial information to process their stimulus payments. Beware: this is a scam.

Here is what you need to know to spot scams and stay safe: (more…)

“Update on unemployment benefits for 1099 and gig workers”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Clif Burns

“Dear PoPville,

I know a lot of readers (myself included) have been anxiously waiting for DC to update their system to be able to process unemployment claims for 1099 and gig workers. I found this update posted yesterday on Elissa Silverman’s website. Pretty crazy it’s taking them a whole month to roll this out since the legislation passed!”

Ed. Note: Elissa Silverman’s office and website have been very helpful answering folks various questions about unemployment.

Mayor Proclaims ‘CITYWIDE MOMENT OF PRAYER AND SILENCE’ at 11am Today

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

From Mayor Bowser:

“I proclaim at 11 am on Friday, April 10, 2020 in DC as a CITYWIDE MOMENT OF PRAYER AND SILENCE, and ask all Washingtonians to participate. Join us, wherever you are, to honor those who have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic and those on the front lines fighting this virus.”

Full proclamation: (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Launches the District Economic Recovery Team”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user DCbmyers

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that her Administration has launched a new District Economic Recovery Team (DERT) to proactively plan, strategize, and coordinate the economic recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

“We are all in this together, we will get through it together, and when we get to the other side, we will recover,” said Mayor Bowser. “Starting now, this team will ensure that we are pursuing every local and federal program, leveraging data and resources, and engaging with our business community to recover and bring prosperity back to our residents and businesses.”

The DERT is a cross-agency team led by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) that will also engage with non-governmental partners to support businesses, employers, workers, and housing needs. The goals of the DERT are to prepare the District to effectively deploy federal funds; coordinate agency efforts to accelerate, adjust, and create local programs as coronavirus containment measures such as social distancing requirements are eventually relaxed; and make and implement long-term plans to restart the District’s social and economic spheres, informed by the insights of other jurisdictions, economists, and practitioners. The DERT will coordinate with the recovery efforts of the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. (more…)

New Order From the Mayor: “no farmers’ market may operate unless issued a waiver”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

From the Mayor’s Office last night:

“Today, to protect the District’s food supply chain and the District’s frontline food workers during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-058.

MO 2020-58 Social Distancing Protocols Required for Food Sellers (PDF)

The Order states that no farmers’ market may operate unless issued a waiver. (more…)

Another non-Coronavirus question, advice on trash removal, plus some praise for city workers

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user kristenstake

“Dear PoPville,

Like many people, I live in a house in Petworth which was built over 100 years ago. I’ve always been curious about who has inhabited the house, starting with the first tenants, but I have no idea where I could look up this information. Can we ask your very awesome and very good looking audience to see if anyone knows how/where to start digging for this type of information? I am aware that if there is a place to go ask for this information, they may receive a flood of requests during the Covid shutdown. My apologies.”

Maybe there can be a virtual House History workshop?

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve run into a situation this week and I’m wondering if others are also dealing with the same thing. With the quarantine I’ve had a lot of extra time lately so naturally I’ve been doing some spring cleaning to get rid of items and clean up my front garden. I’ve filled up both my recycling & garbage bins to brim. (more…)

“please take two minutes to sign this letter and support undocumented workers in the District.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

“Dear PoPville,

We need people to sign this petition please

DC residents, especially my service industry friends receiving unemployment, please take two minutes to sign this letter and support undocumented workers in the District.

Mayor Bowser undocumented immigrants who pay taxes to DC every year, should not be left out of the cash assistance bill. We are not expendable. Our work is not invisible.“

View More Stories