Happy Violet DC Nail Salon is Open

Happy Violet DC natural nail salon is officially open at 305 Riggs Road NE in Riggs Park! Owner Renee Blair is a local Riggs Park resident who opened the business in homage to her grandmother whose favorite flowers were African violets.

Business hours are 10am-7pm Monday through Friday, and 9am-7pm on Saturday.

The salon focuses on providing a waterless manicure and pedicure experience featuring low tox nail products. I had a great pedicure experience on opening day on February 24. Instead of soaking nails in water, the salon uses warm towel wraps that feel heavenly. I am sensitive to strong fragrances so I am always a little worried about entering spaces that have an overpowering smell of chemicals and scents. No need to worry here. A clean interior with tall ceilings, artwork by local artists, and friendly staff made for a relaxing experience.

The day before the official grand opening, the salon provided manicures and pedicures for the residents of the senior building. As a local resident, Mrs. Blair is committed to serving her community and DC.

Check out pricing and services on Happy Violet DC’s website. A grand opening special is available. Purchase a $120 gift card for only $100 by clicking on “Book now” on the website & support local!

Traffic/Parking Changes Proposed Near Roots Public Charter School – Comments due April 10, 2026

ANC Commissioner Garrett Moore (4B08) passed along a Notice of Intent (NOI) from DDOT for proposed traffic and parking changes around Roots Public Charter School located at 15 Kennedy Street NE in Lamond. These proposed changes are part of DDOT’s Safe Routes to School program.

See Roots Public Charter School NOI-26-59-PSD.

From DDOT:

DETAILED PROPOSED ACTIONS

To support these safety goals, the project will implement targeted infrastructure improvements within a 350-foot radius around Roots PCS. These enhancements include installing new signage, upgrading existing signs, and introducing traffic-calming measures to improve pedestrian visibility for students and community members. Additionally, we will apply daylighting and install flex posts in designated no-parking areas to eliminate illegal parking and reduce blind spots, ensuring drivers have a clear view of pedestrians. Daylighting will also be applied near fire hydrants to maintain emergency access. Further improvements include adding and updating crosswalks, installing speed humps and a speed table, and adding a pedestrian refuge island.

There are a lot of proposed traffic and parking changes, so if you care about this, please take a look at the detailed maps included in the NOI for a better understanding of what is proposed.

Submit comments on the proposed changes on DDOT’s NOI portal (NOI-26-59-PSD) by April 10, 2026.

Update on North Michigan Park 24/7 Shop Complaints

North Michigan Park neighbor Cheryl passed along the following from Councilmember Zachary Parker’s office regarding the 24/7 Tobacco & Convenience Store:

[The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection] DLCP has visited 4944 South Dakota Ave on 8/15/2025. At the time, they didn’t engage in the sell of tobacco to the minor and were not cited for any other violations during this visit.

On that same day, DLCP received a complaint for this location. A visit was conducted on 8/21/2025 and the business was cited for selling flavored tobacco and not having a registered trade name. The NOI was served on 9/10/2025 and is pending a hearing at OAH. The respondent has submitted a plea of Deny to both violations.

On September 18, 2025, DLCP received another complaint. A visit was with conducted on September 25, 2025 and the business was cited for selling flavored tobacco and not having a registered trade name. The NOI was served on 10/16/2025 and is pending a hearing at OAH. The respondent has submitted a plea of Deny to both violations.

DLCP has not received any new complaints through our online system since September 2025.  

Councilmember Parker is scheduling a visit soon to address this issue and will let you know the status of that soon. 

March 4: North Michigan Park Civic Association Public Meeting (Virtual)

From North Michigan Park Civic Association

North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

Virtual Meeting

Meeting ID 882 7345 2110

Pass code 930240

Call In 1-301-715-8592

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88273452110?pwd=dmZ3R1liOTRKY1FyS3hlYlBqWnBWUT09

Meeting Agenda 

 ·         Call to Order

·         Welcome/Invocation 

·         Roll Call of Officers

Meeting Protocol

·       Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order

·       Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to un mute. 

·       Respect others when speaking

·       Respect our guest.

·       Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.

 Civic Association Committee Reports 

·       Financial Report – Debra Whitford

·       Membership – Dues  Aritha Whitford – Nikitta Dixon

o   T-Shirts 

Community Update

  • Strip Mall
  • March – New Tax Laws effective for 2026
  • April Civic Association Meeting
    • Wednesday, April 1, 2026
    • Face to Face
    • Rank Choice Voting with Sample Machines
    • Location TBD

GUEST SPEAKERS

Kelly Clark, Office Coordinator – Conway Center

Q & A

Paul Smith D.C. Tax Advocate – D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue

Q & A

Community Leader Reports

·       Mayor’s Office – MOCR –  Lacey Davis

·       Ward 5 Council Member’s Office –  Adrianna Lovelace / Oliver Stoute 

·       ANC Commissioners –  Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08, 5A09

  • Community Concerns:

Open to residents

Sidewalk Work Nicholson Street NE from 8th to Kennedy Starting March 9

ANC Commissioner Danielle Geong (4B09) passed along a letter from DDOT that residents should have received regarding sidewalk work expected to start on March 9, 2026, on Nicholson Street NE from 8th Street to Kennedy Street.

Resident Notification Letter – Nicholson Street NE 8th to Kennedy.

The repairs will include sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and/or wheelchair ramps at Nicholson St NE from 8th St to Kennedy St. The contractor is authorized to work Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Note that the work may require residents to remove their vehicles from the street so please pay attention to posted signs.

Questions may be directed to Victor Nwabueze at (202) 369-9851 or victor.nwabueze@dc.gov.

March 2: Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting Updated Agenda – Ranked Choice Voting Presentation/Equipment Demo

[Ed. Note: A representative from DC Board of Elections will present information about ranked choice voting and provide a demo on voting equipment. Please let your neighbors know, especially seniors.]

Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting

Monday, March 2, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Doors open at 5:45pm)

Location: Lamond-Riggs Library Meeting Room 1
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE

March 2026 Meeting Agenda

Read the LRCA February 2026 Newsletter.

If you are willing to volunteer to help distribute newsletters, please email LRCA president Shawaan Robinson at shawaan@lrcadc.org.

Also, the LRCA is seeking members interested in serving in leadership roles. At this time, the Recording Secretary position (responsible for preparing meeting minutes) and two Trustee positions are available. If you are interested in serving in one of these roles, please contact LRCA president Shawaan Robinson at shawaan@lrcadc.org. See LRCA’s bylaws for position descriptions.

March 2: Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting; Open Board Positions

Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting

Monday, March 2, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Doors open at 5:45pm)

Location: Lamond-Riggs Library Meeting Room 1
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE

March 2026 Meeting Agenda

Read the LRCA February 2026 Newsletter.

If you are willing to volunteer to help distribute newsletters, please email LRCA president Shawaan Robinson at shawaan@lrcadc.org.

Also, the LRCA is seeking members interested in serving in leadership roles. At this time, the Recording Secretary position (responsible for preparing meeting minutes) and two Trustee positions are available. If you are interested in serving in one of these roles, please contact LRCA president Shawaan Robinson at shawaan@lrcadc.org. See LRCA’s bylaws for position descriptions.

Ward 5 2026 Award Nominations Due by March 2

From Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker:

Do you know a remarkable community member who makes Ward 5 a better place? Someone who has gone out of their way to help neighbors, build healthy communities, and represents the best of Ward 5? Nominate them for a Ward 5 Award using this form by March 2, 2026. And mark your calendar to attend the Ward 5 Awards Ceremony – April 1, 2026 (Location TBA)!

Proposed Changes for New Hampshire Avenue & Missouri Avenue NW Intersection

ANC Commissioner Garrett Moore (4B08) shared a Notice of Intent for proposed changes to the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Missouri NW (NOI-26-04-MSED).

Document: NOI-26-04-MSED New Hampshire Ave & Missouri Ave NW.

Submit comments on the proposed changes through DDOT’s NOI portal by March 30, 2026.

Proposed changes:

No Turn on Red (NTOR) restriction at New Hampshire Avenue and Missouri Avenue NW (all approaches).

Lane reconfiguration on New Hampshire Ave NW: Currently on New Hampshire Avenue NW northeastbound, the existing right lane allows both through and right-turn movements. This lane will be reconfigured to “right-turn only.”

Parking changes on New Hampshire Avenue NW: Add full time parking spaces on New Hampshire Ave NW northeastbound, north of Missouri Ave NW (see green boxes in Figure 1) as this space is no longer needed to receive through-traffic due to the lane reconfiguration proposal above.

February 26: Riggs & South Dakota Park Community Meeting

Please join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) for a community meeting to discuss the initial designs for improvements to the park at the intersection of Riggs Road & South Dakota Avenue NE. 

Meeting Details:

Date:         February 26, 2026 (NEW DATE)

Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave NE  (NEW LOCATION)

Time:          6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Christopher Dyer via email at christopher.dyer@dc.gov or by telephone at (202) 702-9453.

Additional websites for the Riggs Road & South Dakota Ave Park project

For more information and to RSVP, please visit: 

https://riggsandsouthdakota.splashthat.com/.

To sign up for updates about this project, please visit: 

http://dpr.dc.gov/stakeholder.

For more information about the project, please visit: 

https://dgs.dc.gov/page/riggs-south-dakota-park1-0.

February 25: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Hybrid)

From ANC 5A

ANC 5A February Monthly Meeting

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25th, 2026

Time: 6:45pm ET 

Location: Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064 

Join us In-Person

Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center

620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064

Join us over Zoom

https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/82413855755

Call In Number

+1 305 224 1968 US

Webinar ID: 824 1385 5755

Agenda

  • Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm ET
  • Quorum
  • Agenda Review and Acceptance
  • Presentations
    • Presentation from Rank the District on DC’s new ranked choice voting system
    • Presentation from Chris Riddiough, a student from George Washington University regarding a project, Sidewalk Palooza. Sidewalk Palooza is organized to bring attention to the problems and hazards in and around sidewalks.
  • Commission Updates
    • 5A06: Update on project on One Hawaii Ave Project (BZA 2050765-85) from Kenneth Brown, property owner
  • Community Updates
    • Mayor’s Office
    • Councilmember Parker’s Office
    • Community Comment Period
  • Commission Business
    • Approval of Minutes from ANC 5A’s monthly meeting held on January 28th, 2026
    • Treasurer’s Report
    • Motion from Commissioner Jack Hermes (5A04) to submit reimbursement from OANC for legal costs from ABCA case
  • Commission Action Items
  • Next Meeting: March 25, 2026
  • Adjourn

Free Limited Tax Preparation Services at Lamond-Riggs Library

[Ed. Note: Passing along info from Lamond-Riggs Library Friends shared on February 18. I have no information about the impact of recent federal action regarding DC’s decoupling legislation on filing for tax year 2025.]

From Lamond-Riggs Library Friends

[Update from LRLF 2/21/2026: The AARP DC Tax-Aide Help Desk provided the following information: We are of course aware of the controversy over DC 2025 tax law and are monitoring the situation. Until DC tells us differently, we are continuing to prepare DC returns according to the law enacted by the DC Council last November. If that changes, we will decide what to do based on actions taken by the DC Government. As of now, DC continues to accept returns we prepare under the DC Council’s enactment.]

The Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library is offering free limited tax preparation services for eligible residents. AARP Foundation Tax Aides are available 11am-4pm on Mondays and Wednesdays until the end of tax season.

Document: AARP Foundation Tax Support Information.

To make an appointment for tax assistance at Lamond-Riggs Library:

  • Email 20051013@aarpfoundation.org; or
  • Sign up in person at the library.

February 23: ANC 4B Public Meeting (Virtual)

From ANC 4B

ANC 4B February Public Meeting Agenda 

Monday, February 23, 7:00 p.m. 

This webinar will be held virtually via Zoom, with the information provided below:

Virtual Webinar Details: 

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link:  

https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/81506605246

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial +13017158592,,81506605246#

PLEASE NOTE: 4B Public Virtual Meetings will be hosted as a Zoom Webinar. Zoom will ask attendees to input their name and email address before logging into the meeting. Zoom Webinar enables additional safety features.

AGENDA:

  1. Call to Order & Roll Call 
  2. Administrative Items 
  • Instructions for participation in virtual and in-person meetings 
  • Approval of January 2026 Regular Public Meeting Minutes  
  • Treasurer’s Report
    • Submission of ANC 4B FY26 Q1 Quarterly Financial Report 
    • Vote to approve ANC 4B FY26 Q1 QFR 
  • Introduction of ANC 4B mission statement and approval of mission statement 

3. Commissioner Updates  

4. Community Concerns  

    Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak. 

    The Commission will provide details regarding how to present community concerns at the start of the virtual meeting. This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to one minute. You may contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings. 

    5. Reports

    • Barbara Rogers, Community Engagement Director, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George (3 minutes)  
    • T. Michelle Colson, Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative (3 minutes) 
    • Leticia Acosta, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)  
    • 4B Community Safety & Support Committee (2 minutes) 

    6. Presentations

    • Sophie Adler and Stephen Jefferson — Tzedek DC, Legal Help for People in Debt 
    • Nicholas (Nico) Pcholkin, Legislative Director, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George 

      7. Resolutions

      • Consent Calendar 

      8. Meeting Adjournment

        Please check the Commission’s website for additional information: anc4b.com 

        Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner:  

        • Doug Payton, 4B01@anc.dc.gov 
        • Shamina Christian, Chair, 4B02@anc.dc.gov  
        • Keenan Courtland, 4B03@anc.dc.gov
        • Charlie Mayer, 4B04@anc.dc.gov
        • Tamira Benitez, Interim Secretary, 4B05@anc.dc.gov
        • Tiffani Johnson, Vice Chair & Treasurer, 4B06@anc.dc.gov
        • Michael Cohen, 4B07@anc.dc.gov
        • Garrett Moore, 4B08@anc.dc.gov 
        • Danielle Geong, 4B09@anc.dc.gov 
        • Jinin Berry, 4B10@anc.dc.gov  

        The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.  

        The next ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March  23, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. 

        New Bilingual Creative Movement Classes with Dance Loft at Explore! Beginning February 21

        Post updated

        New dance class offerings from Dance Loft at Explore! located at 395 Ingraham Street NE.

        Bilingual Creative Movement (Ages 4-6)

        EXPLORE! brings dance classes to Art Place provided by Dance Loft+ Moveius Ballet

        BILINGUAL CREATIVE MOVEMENT (AGES 4-6)
        Bilingual creative movement class introduces students to dance education, technique, and foundations that help fine-tune motor skills and improve both cognitive ability and confidence in both English and Spanish.

        Offerings

        Saturday, 12:00-12:45 pm, Beginning Saturday, February 21, 2026

        Tuition:

        ENROLL for 10 weeks @ $200

        Click HERE to enroll for 10 weeks @ $200

        Dress Code:
        All: solid color t-shirt or leotard, fitted leggings or tights, ballet or jazz shoes preferred, socks okay, hair pulled back out of face.

        Also, winter enrollment is ongoing for Baby & Me classes on Saturdays and a few drop-in spots are available for Pre-ballet on Mondays. Another Pre-Ballet class has been added on Saturdays. Visit Dance Loft at Explore! for class details.

        View Explore! at Art Place events calendar.

        Upcoming Mayor Bowser FY2027 Budget Forums & Budget Survey

        Share your thoughts on FY2027 budget priorities at one of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s upcoming budget forums.

        Survey: Share your FY27 Policy Priorities.

        Senior Budget Engagement TeleTownhall 

        • When: Wednesday, February 18 at 11:00 a.m. 
        • Call-in Number: 844-881-1314. Press “0” to ask a question. Watch parties will also take place at all Senior Centers. 

        Budget Engagement Forum at Barry Farm Recreation Center 

        • When: Saturday, February 21 at 11:30 a.m. 
        • Where: Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE 

        Budget Engagement Forum at Dock 5 in Union Market   

        • When: Thursday, February 26 at 5:30 p.m. 
        • Where: Dock 5 – Union Market, 1309 5th Street NE