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The Hillcrest Heartbeat – July 2022
In this issue, we’ll share more information about upcoming events in our community, Porchfest DC, the history of July 4, Ward 7 updates, and more.<!–
July 2022
A Message from the HCCA Leadership
Summertime Is Here!
By Villareal “VJ” Johnson
“Summer, summer, summertime. Time to sit back and unwind…” This catchy 1991 rap by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince reminds us to take a break from the norm, (new COVID normal) and get into summer. Children are out of school, ready for fun! Our work schedules are relaxed, and our vacation plans are underway. We will celebrate July 4 on Monday.
Due to the holiday weekend, the Hillcrest Community Civic Association (HCCA) will host its next hybrid meeting on the second Saturday, which is July 9 at the Hillcrest Recreation Center. The meeting begins at 11:00 am and those attending in person will enjoy coffee and tea from our local Starbucks.
Summer officially began on June 21, the same day as the DC Primary Election. The voters decided to give Muriel Bowser the Democratic nomination, along with Anita Bonds and Phil Mendelson, all of whom have been allies and have been responsive to our members’ and neighbors’ needs. Let’s continue to work with those who work with us on achieving the mission of the association, which in short, is a prosperous community that values a high quality of life. Read More >>>
Join/Renew Your HCCA Membership!
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General Membership Meetings
All Hillcrest residents are invited to join the association to promote the welfare of our neighborhood. Our July 9 meeting will be hybrid. You can attend in person at the Hillcrest Recreation Center or continue to join us via Zoom.
During this meeting, we will announce the winners of the HCCA and Yantee Neufville Scholarships and have a chance to hear from the recipients. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate our local youth.
Meetings are typically held on the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. If you plan to attend via Zoom, please register now for the July 9 meeting!
Missed the June meeting? Listen to the recording. (Passcode: 6ENYGY+c)
Register for the July HCCA Meeting (Zoom only)
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Independence Day in the Nation’s Capital
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day or July 4th, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. Independence Day celebrations go back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
Looking to catch the fireworks? Head down to the national mall for A Capitol Fourth. If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, you can also watch it on PBS. This year’s event will feature country music star and four-time Grammy-nominee Mickey Guyton as host of the 42nd edition of America’s national Independence Day celebration. There will also be musical performances by top stars from pop, country, R&B, classical, and Broadway featuring the National Symphony Orchestra. Learn more about the other performers here.
If you’re looking for some fun this weekend, outside of traditional fireworks, check out this listing of events.
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(click on the links below)
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Save-The-Date Porchfest DC: Southeast Edition Sunday, September 25th
On Sunday, September 25, we will celebrate the fourth annual Porchfest DC Community Festival, an annual event that spotlights both emerging performance artists and burgeoning communities East of the River. This year it will be held in front of homes throughout Hillcrest, DC. Learn more and join in on all the community fun at bit.ly/seporchfest2022
Porchfest DC was established in April 2018 and is a community-focused event that transforms front porches and lawns into unique entertainment activations. Guests of this free event have been entertained by a variety of artists from singers and musicians to spoken word performers and dance teams. There is truly something for everyone at Porchfest DC. Learn more at porchfestdc.org
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Host Homes Requested for Porchfest
If you are interested in serving as a host home for Porchfest on Sunday, September 25, please see below for the process:
1. Sign up to become a host home here.
2. Once the festival route is chosen, homeowners who volunteered their porches within the established route will be contacted.
3. On Tuesday, August 9 at 6:00 pm, organizers will hold a meeting with the homeowners to go over FAQs and the requirements listed on the signup form. During this meeting, the desired music genre that each homeowner prefers will be confirmed.
4. Organizers pair artists who signed up to perform with the host homeowners’ preferences to the best of their ability.
5. The addresses of the host homes will be released to the public the week of the festival on the Porchfest website.
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Operating a Short-Term Rental in the District Of Columbia A Requirement for Licensure Begins
On June 10, 2022, it became a legal requirement to obtain a Short-Term Rental License in order to operate a short-term rental in the District of Columbia. Enforcement action has begun.
To assist residents and businesses in understanding the law, short-term rentals are allowed to operate in any neighborhood or zone in the District as long as the host has a valid Short-Term or Vacation Rental License.
Guests are allowed to park on public streets and must observe any residential parking restrictions. Guests are not considered a guest of a resident in the District’s annual Visitor Parking Pass program.
To confirm the existence of a license, please use Scout, DCRA’s online consolidated database. If you encounter any issues with a short-term rental, or suspect the operation of an unlicensed rental, you may contact the District of Columbia Short-Term Rental Hotline at (202) 221-8550 to file a complaint.
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Ward 7 Happenings
In February, the City Council unanimously approved emergency legislation to authorize the Mayor to use eminent domain to acquire and control the site known as Capitol Gateway, located at the intersection of East Capitol and 58th Streets, NE, in order to bring a new full-service grocery store, neighborhood-serving retail, and other amenities to the ward.
In an effort to eliminate food deserts and bring food equity to Ward 7 residents, it was announced in June that the District signed a letter of intent with Giant Foods to open a 55,000-square-foot store at the Capitol Gateway Marketplace. With the new grocery stores that are planned for Skyland and Northeast Heights, Ward 7 will now have three new full-service grocery stores.
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The History of Hillcrest
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the history of our beautiful neighborhood? Well, we’ve invited neighbors who are interested in its history to share stories about our community. Please send articles to comms@hillcrestdc.com.
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Picture This: Gardens of Hillcrest
Spring has sprung in Hillcrest and our flowers are in full bloom. Check out florals around the neighborhood as we tour the community through our gardens. In this segment, we invite the community to submit photos and descriptions of your prettiest plants, trees, and flowers to feature in our monthly newsletter. Show us your garden!!
Not quite the gardener? Register for the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Urban Grower Certificate Course to learn tips and tools to start and grow your garden. You can view all recordings online as they are released weekly for the duration of the course here.
Here’s another great resource. Check out the DPR Urban Growers program.
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ANC 7B Monthly Meetings
Join the ANC 7B Advisory Neighborhood Commission on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm for their monthly public meeting. Learn more >>
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COVID-19 Updates
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Copyright © 2022 Hillcrest Community Civic Association, All rights reserved.
http://www.hillcrestdc.com | comms@hillcrestdc.com
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