Reminder: Celebrating the Life of Desi Deschaine
Please join Councilmember Evans and the Deschaine family in remembering and celebrating the life of Desi Philip Deschaine.  We will host a memorial service for him on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 619 - 10th St NW.  Please bring your thoughts and remembrances of Desi and join us in celebrating his life. 

For more information please contact Jeff Coudriet at jcoudriet@dccouncil.us or Lee Brian Reba at lbreba@dccouncil.us.  Desi was truly a special person, and I look forward to your joining us in remembering his good spirit and good works.

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Shaw Dog Park Celebrates Anniversary
Shaw Dog Park celebrated its one year anniversary with Councilmember Evans in tow to help unveil the new ‘Shaw Dog Park’ sign. Evans and Mayor Fenty worked together to get the park open last year after repeated requests from a very active and involved group of dog owners from the Shaw and Logan communities. MidCity Association Dog Park Committee is responsible for the day to day operation of the dog park, and hosted the anniversary event. “Without your dedication and hard work, this dog park wouldn’t be the success it is.” stated Evans.

Evans, accompanied by his dog Kelly, welcomed all to the party, and took part in the festivities including doggie and owner caricatures, snacks for humans and their 4 legged  friends and an auction to help raise funds for the park. For more information, visit www.shawdogs.org

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Logan Circle House Tour
“It’s an annual tradition not to be missed!”stated Evans. The 31st Annual Logan Circle Holiday House Tour will be held Sunday, December 6, 2009, 1:00 to 5:00pm. This year more than a dozen homes will represent a mix of historical tradition and a modern style of living from an ultra-modern condo to a fully restored 1887 Victorian home. The self-guided house tour concludes with a Wassail reception at the Studio Theatre at 14th and P Streets from 3:30 until 5:30pm the day of the event. Among the fabulous homes on the tour, this year's tour features: A chic condo in the Icon building on 13th Street is owned by an interior designer who was a finalist on Bravo's "Top Design: Season Two" as well as a set designer for "Sex in the City," and her husband, a New York Times reporter.

Tickets for the House Tour can be purchased in advance for $20 at the Logan Circle Community Association web site (www.LoganCircle.org) or at the following locations: Azi’s Café, 1336 9th St.; Barrel House Liquor, 1341 14th Street; Home Rule, 1807 14th Street; Lambda Rising, 1625 Connecticut Avenue; Logan Hardware, 1416 P Street; and 5th Street Ace Hardware, 1055 5th St. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the tour at the Studio Theatre, 14th and P Streets, NW for $25.

Sherri Kimbel is Evans’ liaison to Logan Circle.

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Sign of Honor
On the 145th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Councilmember Evans helped unveil new street signs for the 800 block of N Street, naming it “Msgr. J. Mundell Way”.  Monsignor J. Joshua Mundell was a major force in Shaw from the 1960’s until his death in 2001.  As pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, he reopened the elementary school and built affordable housing for the residents of Shaw. The church, school and apartments provided shelter to the neighborhood’s children and their families.

“The stories about all of the things Msgr. Mundell did for this community are endless,” said Evans. “I’m happy that we are able to honor him in this way today.” Despite the rain about 150 people gathered for the memorial of a friend and mentor of the community.

Evans thanked current Pastor Msgr. James Watkins for continuing the work that Msgr. Mundell started and acknowledged neighboring Pastor Bishop Long of Scripture Cathedral who also attended the unveiling.

Windy Abdul-Rahim is Evans liaison for the Shaw Community.

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Evans Speak at ANC2B
Councilmember Evans celebrated Veterans Day by attending the ANC2B meeting in Dupont Circle.  The residents listened and asked questions as Evans discussed concerns of the residents of Dupont, which included concerns of new nightclubs opening on Connecticut Avenue and the new dog park. “Dupont has a very large number of the ABC licenses in the city,” said Evans. “It was true when I lived here and continues to be true. My office will work to find the best possible solution for all involved. We need to find the right balance for residents and nightlife to make this a vibrant community while continuing to be a place where people want to live.”  Evans encouraged the ANC to make a recommendation to fill the vacancy on the city’s Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) liquor license board. 

ANC 2B also discussed concerns of the dog park, at S and New Hampshire Avenue, and scheduled a meeting for Sunday, November 15th to specifically discuss these issues. Evans’ arranged for board members from the Shaw dog park to give the ANC insight on what worked at the Shaw dog park and he would work with Acting DPR Director Hartsock to make sure that the issues were resolved. “Dupont Circle residents waited a long time for this dog park,” said Evans.  “It’s a great facility and although there are a few glitches now, I’m sure we can work together to find solutions.” 

Sherri Kimbel is Evans’ liaison to Dupont Circle.

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Legislative Information

LGBT Update
The Council passed two additional milestones along the path of approving same-sex marriage rights.  The legislation, formally Bill 18-482, the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009”, was “marked up” by the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary on which Evans serve and underwent review by the Council’s Committee of the Whole.  The next steps in the process are the measure will need two votes before the full Council, the first of which will occur at the December 1st, legislative session.

“I greatly appreciate the support of the overwhelming majority of my colleagues on the Council for moving forward on this matter,” Evans stated. “Back in the early 1990’s, I was the first elected official in the District to support same-sex marriage rights, and I greatly appreciate all the steps it has taken along the way to achieve what I believe is a very important measure supporting full equality for members of the LGBT community”

This Friday, the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, will conduct an oversight hearing on the issue of hate crimes (10:00am in the Council Chambers). Councilmember Evans commended and encouraged his colleagues on the Committee for their continuing scrutiny of this very important issue. The efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department to recognize and track hate crimes, as well as supporting the important work of the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, and continued scrutiny of the performance of the Office of the U.S. Attorney, who are responsible for prosecuting most serious crimes in the District. “I believe the only way we can help stem the tide of these hate crimes is to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” stated Evans.If you would like to testify or submit written comments on this topic, please contact Deborah Kelly at the Committee on the Public Safety and the Judiciary at 202/724-7808, or DKelly@dccouncil.us.

Jeff Coudriet is Evans' liaison to the LGBT community.

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Legislative Roundup
At the November 17th Committee of the Whole, Councilmember Evans along with Chairman Gray introduced the “Real Property Tax Appeals Commission Establishment Act of 2009” which would establish a 12-member paid Commission to hear real property tax and classification appeal cases and would abolish the existing Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals (“BRPAA”).  These Commissioners would be paid professionals who would be certified appraisers, and would be nominated by the Mayor and require active confirmation by the Council.  This legislation has been referred to the Committee on Finance and Revenue.  Expect a hearing to be scheduled soon.

The Committee on Finance and Revenue and the Committee of the Whole will be holding a joint public hearing on PR 18-546, the “Contract No. CFOPD-09-C-013, On-Line Gaming System and Related Services Approval Resolution of 2009” (CA 18-165) which would approve a new vendor for the D.C. Lottery.  Specifically the proposed contract would be with the vendor Intralot, and has a base of five years and five one-year option periods.  The dollar value will not exceed $38 million for the five year base period and five one-year options.  The hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 24 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers.  Contact Sarina Loy of the Committee at sloy@dccouncil.us or (202) 724-8058, if you would like to testify.

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