HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

MAYOR WILLIAMS TO VISIT OUR 'HOOD
From: Browningcb@aol.com
Mayor Anthony Williams is coming to Tenleytown to speak at a Ward 3 town
meeting on the issue of emergency preparedness in the wake of the
terrorist attacks.  A Q&A session after his remarks is planned on that
or any other subject.  The event will be on Tuesday, December 4, 7:30
p.m., Great Room of  St. Columba's Church on Albemarle Street.
Cheryl Browning, President
Tenleytown Neighbors Association
 
 

CRIMES AROUND US

**** From: "Pasichow, Heidi" <Heidi.Pasichow@usdoj.gov>
I agree that our overall crime rate in 2D has declined (including
burglaries and theft from autos).  The 2D community and 2D MPD have done
a wonderful job.  Please note, however, that with daylight hours
shrinking and with the holidays approaching, opportunity for increased
street
assaults increases.  According to statistic comparisons between this
year and last year, overall crime in 2D IS lower but robberies and
assaults are up since last year.

Stay safe.  Some suggestions: Keep porch lights on all night, report to
DPW street lights that are not working and take care of your neighbors;
If you can shop without a pocket book do so; Make certain that all of
your doors are locked when you are inside your home or outside of your
home (doing yard work, for example).

Enjoy Thanksgiving.
Heidi Pasichow
US Atty's Office 307-9999

**** From: A Neighbor
I noticed in the latest Communit-E that you pointed out that crime has
gone down in our neighborhood since 9/11, bucking the overall trend.
However, my family was struck twice in 8 days.  Two weeks ago there was
a attempted burglary at our home.  Luckily, our alarm system seemingly
scared them off.  A week later, my husband was mugged.  He was walking
home from the Metro close  to 11 pm and two men approached him with a
gun.  They took all of his cash, but not his wallet and thankfully he
was unharmed.  This happened at 43rd St. and Chesapeake near River
Road.  In addition, a neighbor of mine told me about a flasher in the
neighborhood.  I just thought you should know.

****  From: merowse@aol.com (Mary Rowse)
Reply-To: ChevyChaseCommunityListserv@yahoogroups.com
The suspicious guy you are referring to sounds like Philip Bronham (not
sure of spelling) who had been working in our area, Cleveland Park and
who knows where else, for some time.  He is white, has a reddish colored
beard and mustache, no glasses, and often wears a hat pulled close over
his head and a green and black (fatigue) jacket. As far as I know,
Bronham does not break into houses, although where he gets his ladders
is an open question.  His specialty is roofs and gutters and he doesn't
always complete the work if he is paid before the job is done. Please
try to ascertain whether your neighbor's ladder is missing and also try
to find out where Bronham is working.  If you can give me the address, I
can probably locate the phone number for the house and we can warn the
owners about Philip's methods.

Below is a copy of what I wrote to the listserv on October 4th about
home repairs and Philip Bronham:

On the subject of home repairs, please warn anyone working for you to
lock their vehicles so that any equipment or materials in them will be
protected from theft.  As many of you know, there are thieves who
regularly drive through our neighborhood specifically looking for
construction equipment and other home repair and gardening supplies to
steal.  Construction sites are particularly vulnerable, although any
open or unlocked truck filled with equipment is a target.
 
On another related subject, there is a man named Philip Bronham. He
cleans gutters and does roof repair work.  He's white, short with
stooped shoulders, has reddish hair and smokes.  He often has a story
about car repair trouble and uses this as a reason for prospective
employers to front him money before starting a job. (He's never been
seen with a car.)   He gives out a Virginia phone number that isn't
his.  There have been a number of people in the neighborhood unhappy
with his work (or lack thereof).  Others haven't had a problem. Mr.
Bronham does his best
to obtain as much money up front as possible and then doesn't always
finish the job. In addition, if he does complete a job, he often returns
to a house on another day asking for a "loan",  which he doesn't
repay.

It is my impression that he is not physically threatening and does not
break into houses--although it's hard to say where he gets his ladders.
He just doesn't always do what he says he's going to do.  My advice is
not to hire him.  It's not worth the aggravation.  But if you wish to,
pay him only when he completes the job to your satisfaction, or front
him only the amount of  money you are willing to lose if he doesn't
return to finish the job.

The police will not get involved in what they refer to as civil
disputes, where someone like Bronham doesn't complete a job he's been
paid to do.  However, if he steals anything, then they'll want to know.

My comments are based on discussions I've had with about half a dozen
people. Mary Rowse
 

**** From: "Jeff Spigel" <jspigel@hotmail.com>
Does anyone know who the bald, African American gentleman is who appears
to be living in the streets of AU sweeping the streets and muttering to
himself?  I am not sure what to make of him or whether he poses a threat
to the neighborhood.  I would welcome others thoughts.
 
 
 

PROBLEMS WITH 911 / 311
From: "Mendelson, Phil (COUNCIL)"
<PMENDELSON@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
To: "Kellems, Margret (EOM)" <margret.kellems@dc.gov>
I'm writing now about the continuing 911/311 problem.  I was struck by
[a recent item from an on-line newsletter "COMMUNIT-E" published by
Kathy Smith.:]

"In response to a complaint about the 911/311 phone system, Commander
Newsham asked that anyone who has a long wait until the phone is
answered to please document the problem and send it to Chief Ramsey. He
asked that you note the time, date and length of time until the phone
was answered."

This is consistent with earlier e-mails I've sent you.  I am struck that
this is such a pervasive problem -- note that Commander Newsham did not
dispute the complaint about the 911/311 phone system.  What's being done
to improve this?
-- Phil Mendelson
 
 

ALTERNATIVE E-MAIL DEVICES
**** From: tombartman@att.net
Email devices recommended by the Personal Computer guru of the WSJ, Walt
Mossberg, are the Mailstation from Cidco.com and, I think retailers like
Radio Shack & Best Buy and Cidco's snazzier Mivo or something like
that.  My 78- year old mother can work the Mailstation.  (Can't open
attachments, but can read and send email.)
 
 

LEAF PICKUPS
DPW is in the process of picking up leaves in our area. If you want a
collection schedule, visit the department's web site at dpw.dc.gov or
call 727-1000.

**** From: Jcapper@worldbank.org  (Joanne Capper)
I live on Van Ness, and when they finally get around to picking up the
leaves - after they've blown back into my yard several times, there are
so many cars parked on Van Ness that the cleaners aren't able to get
those under the cars.  So after the pick up, all the leaves that are
under the cars, blow back into our yards and make a mess.  My suggestion
is that they put up no parking signs the night before they come so the
street is clear and they can do a good, thorough job. And why do they
wait until so late in the season to pick them up?
 
 

MORE ON SAVING TREES
**** From: "Ellis, Susan" <sellis@pd.state.gov>
RE: WATERING TREES.  I bought a big green plastic hood-like device to
zip around my tree in front of my house (actually got 2 to zip together
as the tree is fairly large)  and pour 30 gallons or so of water from
the hose into it.  That way it seeps slowly into the ground.  It needs
refilling about every few days.  Unfortunately, the man who mows my
grass carelessly ripped it with his mower, but I managed to get a patch
from Strosnider's that patched it sufficiently.  I got the green
watering bag at American Plant Food Co Inc, (301) 469-7690, 7405 River
Rd, Bethesda, MD .  They are not cheap but since they save the trees,
it's worth it!!
 
 
 

OYSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BILINGUAL HOLIDAY BOOK FAIR
From:  NCondensa@aol.com
Oyster Bilingual Elementary School's Annual Bilingual Holiday Book Fair,
December 3rd-8th. Don't miss this exciting Bilingual Book Fair coming to
Oyster Elementary School (2801 Calvert Street, NW.) just in time for the
holiday season. This Book Fair features wonderful books in English and
Spanish from over 100 publishers.  Hours are Monday, December 3rd from 1
p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday  through Friday (December 4th through 7th) from
8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and  Saturday, December 8th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, call 202-671-3111.  Ask for Laura Kleinmann.
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** Wisconsin Avenue Clean-up Reminder -- Saturday December 1 2001, 1
pm - 6 pm. Celebrate Fall! Join with your neighbors to weed, plant, cut
back perennials, mulch and pick up litter along Wisconsin Ave. We will
meet at the Fessenden block. Bring your  gloves  and favorite gardening
tools. Any questions: call Kersti at 966 8837 or Ralph at 686 9550

**** From: "Maren Handler Siegel" <marenhs@hotmail.com>
I wanted to ask your readers if anyone knows of a babysitter/nanny who
is looking for full or part-time work.  I have 2 boys, 1 and 6 yrs. old,
and am in need of somebody who is good with both ages, and is available
days, afternoons, and early evenings.  I am right near the metro and
buses, so no car is necessary, but a plus.  Must have references.
Thanks.

**** From: LB1119@aol.com
Can anyone recommend a mover who will do a small job?  My mother is
moving from our home to Friendship Terrace, a short distance.  The items
to be moved are a poster bed, 2 nightstands, dresser, curio cabinet and
TV.  Thanks.  Diane & Lyle

**** From: "Ken Giles & Davida Perry"
<kenanddavida@starpower.net>
I'm looking for receptionists, full- or part-time, for my H&R Block
office on Wisconsin Avenue just north of Western Avenue from mid-January
until April 17th.  The office is open Monday through Friday 9-9 and
Saturday and Sunday 9-5, so there is lots of opportunity for part-time
hours. Answering the phone, calling clients and booking appointments for
about ten preparers is most important; also you need to learn the
computer program for our cash register.  I don't know the salary yet, it
won't be huge; but the office is informal and the people are easy to
work with.  If you're interested, please e-mail me at
kenanddavida@starpower.net.
 
 

SOME THOUGHTS ON MISSING CAT NOTICES IN GLOVER PARK

**** From: "Harrison, Barbara" <Barbara.Harrison@usdoj.gov>
Notices have been placed in Glover Park warning of possible pet
nabbings.  However, the Humane Society has emphasized that they have NOT
received any definite news of such
practices.  They are warning residents to keep pets in, and to keep a
sharp watch on them if they are outside.  Anyone who suspects or sees a
pet being taken should immediately call the DC Shelter.

**** From:  "Robert Hyman" <roberthyman@erols.com>
Recently there has been media coverage regarding an unusual number of
pet cat disappearances in Glover Park. What many people forget is that
while we live in an urban setting we are lucky enough to have an
abundant amount of wooded park land very near by. It is my belief that
many of the cats, assuming that they are "Outside" cats, have been the
prey of a large and thriving population of Fox in our area. I have
personally witnessed an altercation between a rather large Fox and a
Raccoon. With our efforts to secure trash cans food sources may have
been cut off as well. In three years of neighborhood security patrols
2-3 times daily I have never seen any suspicious activity leading me to
think that pet thefts were occurring. This is a reminder that while we
live in a major city it is important not to let out pets wander freely
because they do have natural predators near by. I will continue to pay
close attention to this issue. Robert Hyman,   Glover Park
 
 
 

EXCERPTS FROM HAROLD BRAZIL'S NEWSLETTER
For entire Newsletter, contact: "White, Jessica (COUNCIL)"
<JWHITE@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>

**** Reminder: Tax-Free Shopping in DC from November 23-December 2!
City Council passed legislation co-authored by Councilmembers Harold
Brazil and Carol Schwartz, lifting the District's 5.75 percent sales tax
on certain items for a 10-day period immediately following
Thanksgiving.   During that time, there will be no sales tax on items
such as clothing, footwear and accessories costing $100 or less per
item.  "In addition to encouraging our own residents to SHOP DC!, we are
hoping to attract consumers from the surrounding jurisdictions into
downtown to do their holiday shopping," stated Brazil.

**** XM Satellite Radio launched the opening of its state-of-the-art
broadcast complex in DC.    XM will offer 100 digital radio channels
from coast-to-coast, including 71 music channels (more than 30 of which
are commercial free), and 29 channels of sports, talk, children's and
entertainment, including CNBC, CNN Headline News, CNNfn, and more.
More information about this subscription service is available at
www.xmradio.com <file://www.xmradio.com>.

--END--