D.C. briefs

Bag fee begins in January

The District has launched a campaign to inform the public about the 5-cent surcharge on disposable bags that takes effect next month.

D.C. businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge customers 5 cents for every disposable paper or plastic carryout bag beginning Jan. 1. Portions of the proceeds will go to the new Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund.

The law also requires that the bags be recyclable and carry a message encouraging recycling.

The District Department of the Environment is mailing information to businesses, advertising on television, radio and transit, and distributing 122,000 reusable bags to low-income residents and seniors.

"Our research shows that plastic bags are a major component of the trash in the Anacostia River," said Maureen McGowan, interim director of the agency. "By taking disposable bags out of production and out of the waste stream, everyone who goes to the store can help keep the waters clean."

The fee will not apply to bags used for newspapers, produce, hardware, frozen foods, plants, bakery items or prescription drugs.

For information, visit to http://www.green.dc.gov/bags.

Toy, book drive launched

The D.C. Public Library and Bread for the Soul, a nonprofit group that works with families and children living with HIV and AIDS, are sponsoring a toy and book drive through Dec. 17.

Unwrapped toys and books can be dropped off at the city's 23 public libraries. For information and library locations, visit http://dclibrary.org or call 202-727-1222.

Monetary donations can be sent to Bread for the Soul, 905 Sixth St. SW, Suite 302-B, Washington, D.C. 20024.

Agency honors historian

The National Park Service will commemorate the 134th anniversary of the birthday of Carter G. Woodson, the first person to designate what eventually became Black History Month.

The event will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 801 K St. NW. For information, call 202-673-2402.

Five homes on tour

St. Albans School will hold its 27th annual holiday tour of five homes in Cleveland Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets are $35. They can be purchased at http://www.stalbansschool.org or at the school, 3000 Wisconsin Ave. NW, on the day of the event.

Parking is available at Washington National Cathedral's garage off Wisconsin Avenue. For information, call 301-775-0627.