Now that the new Watha T Daniel /Shaw Neighborhood Library (and Job Resource Center) has opened, the DC Department of Motor Vehicles has a new virtual office in Shaw as well also conveniently located where ever you access the internet. With over 30 online transactions and mail alternatives, there is rarely a reason to visit DC DMV in-person unless you are a new resident or purchase a new vehicle. Take a look at some of the many things you can do online at www.dmv.dc.gov:

• Need to renew your vehicle registration? This transaction can no longer be done in-person, but must be done either online or by mail.
• Need to renew your driver license or ID card? If you didn't renew online or by mail during your last renewal period, you can do so either online or by mail.
• Has your driver license, ID card or vehicle registration been expired for less than 90 days or it's about to expire? Not to worry...instead of making a last minute DMV visit, renew online and print the certificate to extend your credential by 45 days.
• Did you lose or have your DMV credentials stolen? Prior to making a trip to DMV, try obtaining a duplicate driver license, ID card, title or vehicle registration online.
• Need to pay a parking, photo or moving ticket? Save the trip and postage stamp and pay online?
• Do you sometimes not receive a ticket on your vehicle and later find out the ticket has doubled? Eliminate that problem by signing up online for our e-mail ticket alert service.
• Need a copy of your driver record? As long as you don't need a certified copy, check out our online transaction or request it by mail.
• Need to schedule a hearing for a minor moving violation and photo tickets? Access our scheduling calendar online.
• Want to verify if your driver license or vehicle registration is currently valid? Try our online driver license and registration verification transactions.
• Did you recently move and need to change your address with DMV? Not a problem...just use our new online change of address feature.
• Do you want your name on your license tag? You can go online to check and see if the personalized tag of your choice is available for ordering.
• Are you waiting for your lien holder to send DC DMV your out-of-state title so you can title and register your vehicle? No need to contact the Call Center for the status, you can access the information online.
• Do you want to avoid waiting at the Inspection Station? You can schedule an appointment online.
• Do you need to resolve an insurance lapse, even if you may owe an insurance lapse fee? Skip the trip and do this transaction online.
• Is your driver license suspended due to failure to pay a ticket or for some other reason? Check online and see if you're eligible to reinstate your driver license online.

Please call 311 or 737-4404 if you have additional questions.

Kevin B. Twine, Staff Assistant
Department of Public Works
202-671-2593 | kevin.twine@dc.gov

10am, Thursday, September 2
620 T Street NW

The Mayor and Ward 2 Councilmember Graham are scheduled to be at this long awaited event which comes right on the heels of the CityMarket at O groundbreaking.

Capital Bikeshare is coming to a location near you! Beginning in early September, you'll notice new bike stations popping up each week all over the District and Arlington. Our goal: 114 stations and 1,100 bikes available to rent for a small fee to make your quick trips faster, cheaper and better for the environment. And the first 30 minutes are always free!

Visit CapitalBikeShare.com to learn more about pricing, map out your closest stations and sign up for your annual membership at a limited-time, introductory offer of just $50. The first 2,000 members will receive a free Capital Bikeshare t-shirt and exclusive black Founding Members key — you'll be the envy of your friends!

Look for us at events all over DC during September and October, as we go on a whirlwind tour to get the word out about Capital Bikeshare. You can check out the bikes, get freebies and grab a chance to win a free membership. Check out Twitter.com/bikeshare and Facebook.com/CapitalBikeshare for tour dates.

For questions or comments:

Chris Holben, Bicycle Program Specialist
District Department of Transportation
Phone: 202-423-6211; Email: Chris.Holben@dc.gov

Neighbors and friends enjoyed the Basil Bonanza ¡Abondanza! at the Marion Street Garden this evening. The award winning dishes ranged from some delectable and almost too beautiful to eat basil flan (above) to basil-ade and traditional Martha Stewart award worthy hot basil and tuna pasta which didn't last but a minute. Most of the basil was hand picked from the garden earlier this week. There's still plenty more if you want to stop by to add some pizazz to whatever you're serving for dinner this week. Like all things in the Marion Street Garden, there are not preservatives or additives, just abundant good fresh food from Mama Nature's fertile earth.

There will be a Big Volunteer Blast on Saturday, August 28 from 11am to 2pm when the gardeners will need all hands on deck to complete the garden by laying mulch, planting, composting and painting. Bring you gloves, energy and a smile. Wheel barrows are needed to tote the mulch around, but if you have an empty tall blue recycling bin that would be very helpful to the gardeners as well. It's easy to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the garden, so come on out.

Contact Lola or Rebecca at CityBlossoms for more info.

As if gardens weren't green enough, some people even brought their bicycles.

Nothing could be finer than sitting in the garden enjoying the end of the day having a chat with a pal.

Francisco Fimbres, from the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services, supervised the DPW staff and contractors cleaning up the extensive graffiti around the Kelsey Gardens building this morning which has been an eyesore for months. It's hard work treating the vandalism with toxic chemicals and power washing it or, otherwise, painting over it. The culprits should be caught and forced to do the clean up with their toothbrushes and tears.

Bamf!!! Like Nightcrawler, the DPW crew member almost made himself disappear.

As reported in the DC Wire Council Chair Vincent C. Gray will unveil the first ad of his mayor campaign Wednesday. The ad attacks Fenty regarding his ties to fraternity brothers Sinclair Skinner and Omar Karim, as well as Peaceoholics founder Ronald Moten. The ad will air on cable, but not network television.

Update: The Other 35 Percent noted that the mainstream media is following the announcement that Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander has called for an investigation into alleged misuse of tax payer funds by the Peaceoholics: People Addicted to tax payer dollars Peace.

10am-4pm, Saturday, August 28
Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 7th Street NW

The ribbon cutting was a few weeks ago for all the electeds, big wigs an bald heads, this weekend is the event for the community to enjoy. Come out to enjoy a fun-filled day of activities at the Grand Opening Celebration. There will be jazzy drawings for kids, a poetry slam and Mac Photo workshop for teens and adults, an adult yoga demo, and a water balloon battle among other activities.

For more info, contact Archie D. Williams, (202) 727-1437
Intergovernmental Affairs, DC Public Library

6-7pm, Monday, August 30
The Dupont Hotel
1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW
(Dupont Metro / Red line)

6-7pm, Tuesday, August 31
United House of Prayer
601 M Street NW
(Mt Vernon Sq / Convention Center Metro / Yellow & Green lines)

DC Council Chair and DC Mayoral candidate, Vincent C. Gray, Bring your comments, concerns and questions for an open discussion on public safety, job creation, education, economic development and restoring the public trust.

For further information, contact Gretchen Wharton (202) 291-2692

4-7:30pm, Sunday, August 22
Historical Society of Washington, 810 K St NW

You are invited to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Howard Theatre, Black Washington’s Carnegie Hall, on Sunday, August 22, 2010, from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, at the Historical Society of Washington, DC (Old Carnegie Library), 801 K St., NW, at Mount Vernon Square. The event is free of charge and will feature Jazz, R&B, and remarks from local historians.

The show will include Chuck Brown, Sandra Y. Johnson, Bobby Parker, Al Johnson, the Trojans (featuring Saleem Hylton and Jimi Dougans), Jimi Smooth and the Hit Time Band, guitarist Greg Gaskins, and the Jewels.  Dick Gregory is an invited guest.

Sponsored by the Howard Theatre Restoration, Inc. and the Howard Theatre Restoration Community Committee.
 
For more information on the Howard Theatre, visit www.howardtheatre.org.

Alexander M. Padro, Commissioner, ANC 2C01

The early positive reviews are steadily coming in from the locals, so if you have not tried it yet, call in your order in advance or just stop into our new great Thai food take out. They don't have sit down restaurant permits yet, so you can help with that. They also do not serve alcohol, so their profits, unlike most restaurants of this quality, are entirely dependent on food sales.
 
Beau Thai Restaurant/Take Out
(corner of New Jersey Ave and R Street NW)
(205) 377-5329

An application for a special exception to convert the existing nonconforming use (carryout) into another nonconforming use (sit down restaurant) is pending before the Board of Zoning Adjustment. The zoning hearing is set for:

9:30 a.m, September 21, 2010.

If you would like to send a letter of support, you may do so by sending a letter to:

Moldenhauer, Chair
Board of Zoning Adjustment
441 Fourth Street N.W., Suite 210 South
Washington DC 20001
Fax: (202) 727-6072

RE: Application of Beau Thai, LLC; BZA Case No. 18099

The body of the letter need only say that you support Beau Thai's special exception application and that a sit down restaurant is a desired neighborhood ammenity.

Be sure to sign your letter for it to be accepted according to BZA rules.