The Insider -- Issue 1 No.3 (a DCGov e-Newsletter)

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 10/28/2011 09:04 PM EDT
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  Issue 1 No. 3                                                                                                              October 28, 2011



The "Cafritz Awards" Returns to Celebrate Outstanding D.C. Government Employees



Cafritz Awards for DCGov Employees


As we face this time of severe economic and political challenges, it is now more important than ever to recognize D.C. public servants who provide outstanding services to District residents and go well above and beyond the call of duty to make a real difference and positively impact our city. The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Awards for Distinguished D.C. Government Employees will once again recognize individuals who exemplify the best in public service. These are individuals who, despite external pressures and demands, tirelessly work towards solving problems in innovative ways that inspire others and positively impact the community. For the most part, they work behind the scenes and away from the public eye. 

It is time to recognize their efforts and contributions. I encourage you to support this program of recognition for distinguished D.C. employees by nominating a deserving coworker, a friend, or yourself for the 2012 Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Awards. 

Any full-time employee of the District of Columbia government who is not serving as a Cabinet-level appointee or department deputy is eligible for an award. The employee must have at least five years of continuous employment with the District government. Volunteers, temporary, or contract workers are not eligible to participate. Teachers and principals are also not eligible.

Nominations for the Cafritz Awards are welcomed from citizens, community and business stakeholders, civic organizations, and government employees. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Nominations will be accepted until November 18, 2011. For more information and to nominate someone who makes life better for the people of D.C., visit www.cafritzawards.org.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

WH Champions of Change


White House Champions of Change: David Stern and Jo-Ann Wallace

Congratulation to Mr. Stern and Ms. Wallace! We are pleased to share that the White House has selected both David Stern and Jo-Ann Wallace from Washington, DC, as “Champions of Change” for their outstanding work in public interest and public service.  Mr. Stern and Ms. Wallace were invited to the White House to tell stories of their work and efforts to secure basic rights for all Americans. These Champions of Change are assisting people in need by dedicating their professional lives to closing the justice gap in America.
“Champions of Change” is a White House initiative that highlights numerous Americans each week who are winning the future by contributing to their communities.  These extraordinary individuals are invited to the White House to share their ideas on how we can out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world. 
As Executive Director of Equal Justice Works, Mr. Stern has worked to create a just society by mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to equal justice. Equal Justice Works provides a continuum of programs that begin with incoming law school students and extend into later careers in the profession.
As President and CEO of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, Ms. Wallace champions effective legal assistance for people who cannot afford counsel, serves as a collective voice for both civil legal services and public defense services throughout the nation, and provides a wide range of services and benefits to its individual and organizational members.
They are also featured on the “White House: Champions for Change” website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions.
St. Elizabeths Hospital


District Renews Partnership with University Legal Services at St. Elizabeths Hospital

The District of Columbia has settled a six-year-old lawsuit by University Legal Services (ULS) that alleged abuse and neglect at Saint Elizabeths Hospital, the District's inpatient psychiatric facility, and has renewed its partnership with ULS to monitor psychiatric care.
While the city believes the claims would not have been substantiated, the District settled the lawsuit to avoid protracted and costly litigation. The settlement renews the partnership between the hospital and ULS and speaks to the substantial improvement made since the suit was filed in 2005.
"We welcome the partnership with ULS that the settlement represents because we share the same goal: high-quality patient care," said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. Read more.

Mayor Gray at African Town Hall

African Town Hall with Mayor Vincent C. Gray

On Thursday, October 25, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and The Office on African Affairs held the first  African Town Hall at the John A. Wilson Building.  During the town hall, residents of the District’s diverse ethnic African communities had the opportunity to discuss their issues, concerns and interests with Mayor Gray. WPFW 89.3's "Africa Now" host Mwiza Munthali interviewed the mayor during a live broadcast of his show and discussed topics such as health disparities, education and the economy. To listen to the archived town hall, go to http://wpfwfm.org/programming/archived-shows.html.

Executive Office of the Mayor
Office of Communications
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 727-5011
Fax: (202) 727-8527
executivecomm@dc.gov
 

Across One City




Mayor Meets 7-11 Applicants

7-11 Stores to Open Two New Locations in D.C. with On-The-Spot Hiring

7 – 11 Stores have joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s One City ● One Hire campaign with two new stores opening very soon in D.C. The Mayor visited a job pre-screening event for 7-Eleven, Inc., the largest chain in the convenience retailing industry, at the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES) headquarters. The company offered 26 qualified District residents positions at two new stores that will be located on Benning Road NE and Bladensburg Road NE.  7-11 executives will be hiring approximately 40 employees (18 associates and an assistant manager at each location). The company is committed to hiring all of its employees from the local neighborhoods where the stores will be located. Read more.

Employment Fair Connect Veterans with Potential Jobs

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and officials from the D.C. Department of Employment Services, the D.C. Office of Veterans Affairs, the White House, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the American Legion held an employment fair designed specifically for veterans. The purpose of the event was to bring government and private-sector employers together with veterans. Veterans are some of the most highly qualified and highly skilled individuals in the labor pool, but who sometimes have difficulty finding jobs once returning from deployment and retiring from the military. Veterans throughout the Washington metropolitan area were invited to participate in the 25th Employment Fair for Veterans held at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington THEARC Branch.
 Mayor at veterans job fair


Mayor Signing Immigration Order

Protecting Residents from Unnecessary Inquiries into Immigration Status

On Wednesday, October 19, Mayor Gray signed an executive order clarifying that the District’s public-safety officials will not inquire into the immigration status of individuals or transmit information about immigration status to federal agencies, except when that status pertains directly to a criminal investigation. Read more.


Bagging Groceries at Safeway to Help Raise Awareness of Breast Cancer Month

In an effort to help raise money for Safeway’s company-wide breast cancer awareness and fundraising drive, Mayor Gray joined many other local elected officials from the greater Washington metropolitan area as a volunteer grocery bagger. The Mayor bagged groceries for customers passing through the checkout stands and collected donations, which will support local and national organizations that provide screening for breast cancer, breast health awareness education and research into a cure for breast cancer.
Mayor Gray at Safeway


Mayor at MLK, Jr. National Memorial Dedication

Mayor Vincent C. Gray Calls Upon President Obama and Congress to Extend Full Democracy to the District of Columbia

During the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial,  Mayor Gray used the speaking opportunity of national stage to challenge President Obama and Congress directly on their failure to extend full democracy to the 601,000 residents of the nation’s capital. In remarks welcoming the thousands of dignitaries and other guests to the District of Columbia for the dedication, Mayor Gray directly challenged President Obama and leaders of Congress to deliver on a promise made long ago. That promise was to provide the District voting representation in Congress and freedom from congressional domination over local matters.
Read More or Watch Full MLK Dedication Program on C-SPAN.  


Upcoming Events



Joseph H. Cole Park Ribbon Cutting
October 31, 2011 - 10:00 a.m.
1299 Neal Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Frank Kameny Memorial
November 3, 2011 - 3:00 p.m. 
Carnegie Library, The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
801 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001


DC Statehood Conference
November 5, 2011 - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001



Weekend Weather Alert


It's hard to believe, but the snow season is coming (light flurries are predicted tomorrow) and the DC Snow Team (Department of Public Works and Department of Transportation) is preparing to meet the winter weather coming our way. Saturday's forecast calls for rain mixed with snow in the afternoon, ending around 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Any snow mixed with rain is expected to melt on the roadways, and pavement and air temperatures are expected to remain above freezing.

Whilte the Snow Team is clearing the streets of snow and ice, residential and commercial property owners are being asked to ensure that their sidewalks are clear of snow and ice 24 hours after the storm ends. In mid-to-late November, DPW is launching a new website - www.snow.dc.gov - with tips about preparing your family, home and vehicle for winter.

For more information, go to www.dpw.dc.gov and www.ddot.dc.gov.