Thursday, November 13, 2008

D.C. Provides Information On Health Coverage Online

As part of Health Insurance Awareness Month, the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking has set up a Facebook page with information on health insurance options for D.C. residents. The focus is on coverage for single people and young families, but the District plans to add information for established families, seniors and empty-nesters.

The information can be found by typing in "Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking" at http://www.facebook.com.

Last November, the D.C. insurance department launched a Web site, http://www.http://healthinsurance.dc.gov, with information on health coverage for individuals, families and small businesses. Consumer tips related to health coverage will be placed on this Web site, e-mailed and mailed to the public this month.

D.C. agencies, community organizations and developers will provide information about Anacostica River waterfront plans and construction projects during the second Anacostia Waterfront Community Information Fair. The event will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Nationals Park, 1500 S Capitol St. SE. For information, call 202-610-0005 or go to http://www.theanacostiawaterfront.com. For reservations, e-mail rsvp@hntb.com. Free stadium parking is available; the stadium is accessible from Metro's Green Line Navy Yard stop.

About 45,000 households with weekly trash and recycling pickup will have new collection days as of Dec. 1. The Department of Public Works is changing the schedule to streamline collections and save fuel. Residents in wards 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 with will be affected. Public works employees have posted signs along the affected streets advising residents of the new collection days. Residents will also receive a door hanger, in English and Spanish, with the information.

Trash and recycling containers should be placed at designated points from 8 p.m. the day before pickup to 6 a.m. on collection day. Containers should be removed by 8 p.m. after collection. Because of route changes, residents might see different workers handling collections. A list of affected streets will be posted at http://www.dpw.dc.gov after Friday.

The District Department of Transportation will have the last of three public meetings on the 2010-15 Transportation Improvement Plan, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Franklin D. Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW, second floor. The District is seeking public input on transportation improvements, including pedestrian and bicycle projects; transit programs such as MetroExtra, Circulator and streetcars; and repairs and improvements to bridges, roads, sidewalks and alleys.

For special accommodations or language assistance at the meeting, contact Karyn LeBlanc at 202-671-3490 or karyn.leblanc@dc.gov. Comments can also be mailed to the Department of Transportation, 2000 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009, Attention Resource Allocation, fifth floor. Comments must be received by Nov. 30.

-- Compiled by TERENCE MCARDLE