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Shaw library gets new opening date

With the recent release of Mayor Fenty's 2008 proposed budget, it is now known that the schedule for the opening of the new Watha T. Daniel Library (1701 8th Street, NW) is to be some time in 2010. In the meantime, a 4,200 square foot pre-fabricated library building for the Shaw community and surrounding areas has been constructed.

"While I support Mayor Fenty and am pleased he sent us a balanced budget, I would hope that we can figure out how to open the permanent libraries sooner than 2010," Evans said. "The temporary fixes will work in the interim, but having four branches closed for six years due to renovations is questionable. I look forward to working on a solution."

Helping with the lack of permanent services is an X-treme Mobile Library that provides neighborhoods with bookmobile service, computers and Internet access. In Shaw, the X-treme Mobile operates on Thursdays from 12:30-4:30pm at the Gage-Eckington Elementary School and at Lincoln Westmoreland apartments.

For more information contact Evans' Library liaison, Windy Abdul-Rahim or the DC Public Library at 727-1111.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#WATHATDANIEL

DCRA Permit Center to close for training

Keeping up with technology and training, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs' (DCRA) Permit Center will be closed on Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31. The Permit Center will resume regular hours on Monday, April 2 at 8:15 a.m.

The closing is due to staff training on new procedures for the agency's temporary Permit Center. DCRA's new program, "DCRA - Making All the Right Moves" will bring District residents and businesses a new Permit Center. The redesigned Permit Center will nearly double in size and allow customers to have face-to-face meetings with engineers for express jobs. As part of the renovation, DCRA's Plans File Room, Records Room and Office of the Surveyor will also undergo a significant redesign.

For more information, contact Evans' DCRA liaison, Michele Molotsky.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#DCRA

Evans asks youth and organizations to participate in National & Global Youth Service Day

April 20-22 is the time set for observing National & Global Youth Service Day (NGYSD) -- the largest service event in the world engaging millions of young Americans and focusing national attention on the leadership and energy of young people. Leading the celebration in DC for the past five years, Serve DC is looking for young people to participate in projects across the District. Currently, there is only one project planned in Ward 2! NGYSD needs you! If you know of a school, organization, non-profit, office, or any group interested in volunteering for a day, please visit www.serve.dc.gov and click on "National & Global Youth Service Day".

"I join others in calling all DC youth leaders to organize and lead a project with friends, classes or on behalf of their school. Participating in this event will help you learn many valuable skills, as well as, help you take leadership responsibility," Councilmember Evans said. "Our youth are a valuable resource. It is extremely important for them to participate in programs and projects that aid in broadening their education and life experiences. I encourage everyone to get involved in a meaningful service project."

Last year, nearly 10,000 volunteers participated in 80 youth-led community service projects. This year, Serve DC's goal is for 20,000 youth and adults to volunteer in 200 meaningful service projects in the District. Grants, to facilitate projects, are available through Youth Service America.

Initiated by Youth Service America and the National Youth Leadership Council, this service event celebrates its 19th year and looks to continue many more. The aims of NGYSD are to mobilize youth as leaders, encourage them to create a commitment of service and civic engagement and, educate the public, media and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders. Coordinating NGYSD for DC is Serve DC - a component of the Executive Office of the Mayor.

The following is a list of possible project ideas, to help you consider your service project for National & Global Youth Service Day 2007. This list is just a starting point; remember there are many opportunities for you to Serve DC!

When you select a project, don't forget to register it with Serve DC by contacting Jeannie Moran. Registering your project allows you to advertise for it, seek other volunteers to join your efforts and be recognized as an official part of National & Global Youth Service Day 2007. It is important to share your contribution to your community!

  • Assemble Kits
    • "I Care Kits" to donate to nursing homes or homeless shelters (contact the organization beforehand for a list of acceptable items)
    • New Kid Survival Kit (in school)
  • Make puppets for younger students or children in hospitals
  • Make bookmarks for younger students or children in hospitals
  • Make door hangers for residents of a local nursing home
  • Make historical mobiles to be hung in elementary schools
  • Create a service learning project to celebrate Emancipation Day
  • Plant flowers in front of your school, at local non-profit or children's hospital
  • Plant trees in memory or great service leaders and make plaques to place in front of the trees
  • Create an outdoor reading area
  • Refurbish the playground at your school/agency
  • Create a positive graffiti or self-expression wall
  • Organize a recycling project at your school
  • Paint murals on boards (at school, nursing home, non-profit, hospital, etc.)
  • Host a celebration for younger students after the completion of a long week of testing
  • Make and design cement stepping stones
  • Build and paint wooden trash receptacles
  • Make fabric banners with positive messages and images
  • Create an outdoor classroom
  • Work on a community garden
  • Build a sensory garden (with plants that have different touch, smell, sound, etc.)
  • Build a healing garden (with plants that have healing properties)
  • Make doggie biscuits to be donated to a local animal shelter
  • Organize a city-wide forum with young people, government officials and community leaders
  • Create a community history book, Photo Journal, Web Page, Quilt, Mural and/or Mosaic
  • Interview community elders
  • Highlight historic sites and their significance
  • Compare now and then and provide a glimpse into the future
  • Create a history of young people and their contributions to society
  • Launch a letter writing campaign to your Congressional Representative or other members of Congress in support of the Younger Americans Act and Reauthorization of the National and Community Service Trust Act (more info visit www.serve.dc.gov)
  • Talk to your local elementary or high school and organize a school clean up.

For more information, contact Jeannie Moran, Serve DC Seasons of Service Days AmeriCorps VISTA member at 727.0709 or www.serve.dc.gov.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#SERVEDC

Energy Star Appliance Rebate Promotion at DC Home Depot

As being "green" takes on a new meaning, Councilmember Evans encourages residents to take advantage of this weekend's Energy Star appliance rebate promotion at the DC Home Depot, 901 Rhode Island Avenue, NE on Saturday, March 31 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. The agreement between the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) and Home Depot enables DC residents to receive on the spot appliance rebates.

"I applaud DDOE - they have stepped up and created savings for residents," Evans said. "These type of programs help offset living costs, which unfortunately, are few and far between."

DDOE is offering $150 instant rebates on Energy Star clothes washers, $100 rebates on Energy Star refrigerators and $50 rebates on Energy Star window a/c units. Any retailer receipt for these products dated on or after April 13, 2006 qualifies DC residents to take advantage of DDOE's in store rebates at the DC Home Depot on March 31.

Residents should come prepared to present a valid sales receipt along with a DC driver's license or non-driver identification card. There is a limit to one refrigerator, one washing machine, and two window air conditioners per household.

Home Depot is doing its part to help make DC energy efficient by giving away free compact fluorescent light bulbs to the first 5,000 shoppers. The DDOE will not host this event at any other Home Depot.

For more information, contact Sharon Cooke, PIO, DDOE, 535-2511 or visit the DDOE website at ddoe.dc.gov for details including, mail in rebate information on the Energy Star Appliance Rebate program.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#HOMEDEPOT

Shaw residents gear up for march

With gunplay plaguing the community of Shaw, a committee of ministers, residents, civic and government leaders, supported by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has come together to fight back. The effort by the community continues on March 31, as they will march in solidarity against crime in Shaw. Beginning at 12:00 pm, and meeting at 9th & O Streets, NW, the march will proceed north to P Street, east to 5th Street, south to N Street, then west to 7th Street and end at 7th & O Streets, NW where a rally will be held. Although plans are still being made, there will be bands, choirs and activities.

Sparked by the continued violence around the O Street Market, Bishop C.L. Long and Minister Willie Borden of Scripture Cathedral (810 O Street, NW) have arranged regular Tuesday afternoon meetings to work on strategies to help fight crime and improve the quality of life in Shaw. In addition to the minister's meetings, Councilmember Evans recently convened his Shaw Anti-Crime Taskforce meeting with DC Government officials to address the situation.

"It is vital we continue to pressure the Executive to work with the community to address quality of life issues. The police department has made it known they need the community's help to solve the violent crimes being committed - there are witnesses out there that need to come forward," Evans said. "I commend Bishop Long, Minister Borden, ANC 2C Commissioner Alex Padro and the many other Shaw leaders who have stepped up to the plate and are working together with me and MPD to knock crime out of Shaw."

For more information, contact Evans' Shaw liaison, Windy Abdul-Rahim, 724-8058.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#SHAWMARCH

Tax time -- Income and Property

With the end of the 2007 tax season less than 30 days away, Councilmember Evans would like to inform residents of the Office of Tax and Revenue's (OTR) announced extended service hours, free tax preparation assistance and free electronic filing all of which, will make the 2007 filing season as painless as possible. Taxpayers will also benefit from a number of tax law changes this year, which include an increased personal exemption and standard deduction.

"The good news is DC's Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) has worked to make electronic filing easy and accurate and, in most cases, refunds can be made within 14 days," Evans said. "Income taxes are a major source of revenue for the District and anything we can do to make the process more efficient helps both the government and taxpayers."

OTR offers two electronic ways to file: the free electronic Taxpayer Service Center (eTSC) and the federal/state e-file program. With the eTSC taxpayers can file and pay their taxes online and check the status of their refund. The federal/state e-file program allows taxpayers to transmit both their DC and federal returns electronically using an approved commercial software program, either from their home computer or with the assistance of a tax practitioner.

District taxpayers will get extra time to file their income tax return this year. Because April 15 falls on a Sunday and April 16 is a legal holiday (Emancipation Day) in the District (not Federal), the filing deadline is extended to Tuesday, April 17.

OTR customer service representatives are available to assist taxpayers Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm by calling (202) 727-4TAX or visiting the walk-in service center at 941 North Capitol Street, NE, on the first floor. Extended service hours will be available April 2-17 from 8:15 am to 8:00 p.m.

New for 2007
Taxpayers should be aware of the following tax law changes and D-40 income tax booklet revisions when filing their DC taxes in 2007.

Tax Law Changes

  • Personal Exemption - increased from $1,370 to $1,500 for each dependent of the taxpayer whose gross income is less than $1,500 or who is a child of the taxpayer and has not reached the age of 19 or is a student;
  • Standard Deduction - increased from $2,000 to $2,500 for a single individual, head of household, surviving spouse, or married person filing jointly. For a married person filing separately, the standard deduction has increased from $1,000 to $1,250;
  • DC Earned Income Tax Credit - expanded to non-custodial parents who meet certain conditions;
  • Income Exclusion for Disabled Persons - now excluded from the calculation of District gross income is income derived from any source, not to exceed $10,000, if the person is disabled and has a household adjusted gross income of less than $100,000;
  • Quality Teacher Incentive - District public school or public charter school teachers may deduct from their gross income up to $500 spent for basic classroom materials and supplies necessary for teaching and up to $1,500 spent for post-graduate education, professional development, or licensing examinations and testing required for or related to improving their credentials;
  • Joint Filing by Domestic Partners - allows registered domestic partners in the District to file jointly as if the federal government recognized the right of domestic partners to file joint federal income taxes. Must file an "as-if" MFJ 1040 with their Joint D-40. Applicable as of January 1, 2007;
  • Domestic Partner Health Care Benefits - excludes from DC gross income any health care insurance premium paid by an employer for a non-employee domestic partner. Must be a registered domestic partnership in DC. Applicable as of January 1, 2006;
  • Organ & Bone Marrow Donor - Tax credits for businesses that provide employees paid leave to serve as organ or bone marrow donors without reduction in pay, earned vacation leave or credit for time of service. Nonrefundable credit of 25 percent of the regular salary paid during the taxable year for the leave of absence;
  • Health Professional Recruitment - DC to pay up to $120,000 over four years for tuition and certain expenses administered by Health Dept. Loan repayment awards are not taxable in DC, but are likely taxable in other states. Minimum 2-4 years in medically underserved area in the District.

Form D-40 Changes

  • Eliminated second "Home Address" line - The Schedule S is available for taxpayers needing to use an "in-care-of" address;
  • Income information section reduced from 11 lines to 4 lines;
  • Added sections for additions to and subtractions from DC income;
  • New Schedule I - incorporates additions to and subtractions from federal adjusted gross income;
  • New Schedule N - allows a non-custodial parent to claim the DC Earned Income Tax Credit;
  • New Schedule U - lists additional miscellaneous credits and contributions.

Locations for Tax Forms

Tax forms are available at the following locations, or you can request that forms be mailed to you by calling the Customer Service Center at (202) 727-4TAX (727-4829):

  • OTR Customer Service Center - 941 North Capitol Street, NE, 1st floor - 8:15 am - 4:30 pm;
  • John A. Wilson Building - 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, lobby, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm;
  • Judiciary Square - 441 4th Street, NW, lobby, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm;
  • Martin Luther King Memorial Library - 901 G Street, NW, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm;
  • Municipal Center - 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, 6:30 am - 8:00 pm;
  • Penn Branch Shopping Center - 3220 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm;
  • Recorder of Deeds - 515 D Street, NW, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm;
  • Reeves Center - 2000 14th Street, NW, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

The D-40 Individual Income Tax booklet is also available at branches of the DC Public Library.

For more information, contact Evans' OTR liaison, Michele Molotsky.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#OTR

Join Evans at this year's Cherry Blossom Festival parade

Spring is here and the cherry blossoms are almost ready to bloom according to the National Park Service's (NPS) Bloom Watch website. According to Rob DeFeo, NPS Chief Horticulturist, the blooming period will be April 1-7, right in the middle of the 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be held March 31 - April 15. The highlights include the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival on Saturday, April 14. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is in its 95th year and celebrates the gift of the cherry blossom trees from Japan to the United States.

"Giving and receiving gifts is a part of our culture and the thousands of cherry trees across our city continue to provide a sense of well being. I am happy to participate in such a festival," Evans said. "It is astounding after 95 years, people visiting DC for the first time schedule their trips when the cherries are in full bloom - spread the word, come visit DC in the spring when the scenery is the most historic."

The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the District organizes this annual two-week, citywide festival featuring daily cultural performances, sporting events, arts & crafts demonstrations and other special events.

The planting of cherry trees originated in 1912 as gift of friendship to the United States from the people of Japan. The famous trees signal the coming of spring with an explosion of life and color surrounding the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white. First Lady Mrs. William Howard Taft and the Vicountess Chinda of Japan planted the first two of these trees on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. Today more than 3,700 cherry trees of several varieties grow around the Tidal Basin, at East Potomac Park and on the Washington Monument Grounds.

For more information about tickets, visit the official Cherry Blossom Festival website. Ticket proceeds go to the National Park Foundations' Cherry Tree Replacement Fund and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Additionally, East Potomac Park and the Southwest Waterfront promenade are the best viewing locations for the fireworks show on Saturday, April 7 at 8:15 p.m.

For more information, contact Evans' Director of Constituent Services, Michele Molotsky.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#CHERRY

Bread for the City looks to raise funds at gala

"Art With a Heart" is Bread for the City's (BFC) annual fundraising gala event. BFC is hosting its 17th annual live and silent auctions to support their five service programs to provide food, clothing, medical and legal services to those in need.

This year's gala will be on Thursday, April 12 at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel 999 9th Street, NW at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $200 per person. BFC has a challenger grant from an individual donor who will match corporate donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000.

Bread for the City serves over 10,000 residents each month at their two locations: 1525 Seventh Street, NW and 1640 Good Hope Road, SE. "Bread" offers several programs, including the Clothing Room, which provides professional attire for individuals going on job interviews or starting new jobs.

For information about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, or to purchase tickets, contact Adrienne Ammerman at 202.386.7609 or AAmmerman@BreadfortheCity.org.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/Week.of.03.30.07.htm#BREAD

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