DCentric

Good morning, DCentric readers!

Wells lessens blow for grandparents in D.C. cuts “A subsidy program for grandparents who take care of their children’s children has not been cut as deeply as Mayor Adrian Fenty proposed, after some late maneuvering by Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells. Fenty proposed slashing the subsidy program by half, or nearly $2.7 million. But Wells was able to find $900,000 in the city’s Child and Family Services Agency budget to reduce the cut to less than 25 percent instead of 50 percent. “We’re delighted some of the money was restored,” said Judith Sandalow, the executive director of D.C.’s Children’s Law Center. The budget, though, “it still taking from the poorest people in our city who are” taking care of our children and keeping them out of foster care.” (Washington Examiner )

After graduating from Project Empowerment, three students test the job waters “As a child, Taylor, who grew up in Woodland Terrace, fought boys without a second thought. She says she felt no pain when she was stabbed in the head as a teenager. She punched a man in a bar because his friend hit her friend. “I’m from the ‘hood,” she says. “If one fight, all have to fight.” But now, she says she realizes that what stands between her and success is as little as a glance and a bad decision. “If I get mad, everything I’ve been working for is going to be over,” she says. “And it ain’t worth it.” (The Washington Post)

Where locals spend their money: D.C. edition “Washington has been analyzed through the lens of fashion, political leaders, and race, but what about spending habits? Using data from Mint.com, which ranks establishments based on visitor count and average purchase amount from four million Mint users, The List analyzes where District residents spend and what it says about them. (For example) The great cupcake debate is over Locals spend on average $10.13 at Baked & Wired. Georgetown Cupcake didn’t even make the list.” (tbd.com)

Gabe Klein Reveals Communication Gap, Thoughts About DDOT’s Future In Departure Announcement “Klein also spoke extensively about what he considered the city’s age divide — a factor he blamed for much of the city’s ire about new forms of transportation. He spoke too, about the fact that he regularly stood at odds with people during his tenure — a lesson that he said he learned very quickly after being appointed in December 2008. “You have to learn that nothing’s personal,” he said. “Mayor-elect Gray has every right to put somebody in that he thinks fits with his vision for the city, and I respect that. … Maybe it’s because I’m turning forty soon, but I’ve had enough experience to know that there’s always another, better opportunity around the corner.” (DCist)

Key Gray initiatives at risk as D.C. pares budget “Mayor-elect Gray and council member Mary Cheh co-sponsored the Healthy Schools Act and orchestrated unanimous passage of the bill in May. Mrs. Cheh has scheduled a status hearing on the law on Thursday. But Nathan Saunders, the new president of the Washington Teachers Union, questioned whether the program is addressing long-standing health issues or creating new ones. “In many elementary schools, teachers are required to serve food [amid] infestations of mice and rodents,” he said. “The food may not be warmed or cooled properly.” (Washington Times)

D.C. Council proceeds with bill to make homeless families prove city residency for shelters “After Tuesday’s action, several advocates for the homeless said that the proposed change would force homeless adults with young children into dormitory-style shelters. “Community-style shelters are dangerous. . . . An entire family will have to cook, live and sleep in one room,” said Nassim Moshiree, a staff attorney for the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. “It’s just bad public policy.” (The Washington Post)