COMMUNIT-E
February 14, 2002

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
 

NOTICE: There will not be a COMMUNIT-E next week. The next issue will
come out sometime during the week of February 25.
 

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS:

**** Tenleytown Firehouse Hearing before Historic Preservation Review
Board: Thursday, February 28. The purpose of this hearing is for the
Board to review the Fire Department's renovation plans, now that the
firehouse has been designated an historic structure. They could approve,
disapprove or request changes to the Fire Department's plans. The final
decision could also be made by an administrative law judge known as the
Mayor's Agent, if either the Board or the Fire Department requests that
it go to the Mayor's Agent following the outcome of these hearings. The
hearings will be held at 441 4th St.(Judiciary Square Metro Stop), Room
220S. Time is to be determined. Call 442-8818 for time of hearings as
they get closer.

The Firehouse story is the lead story in this week's Northwest Current.
Reporter Elizabeth Wiener did a thorough job on it and I recommend it
for a good picture of what's happening.

The Firehouse update is also on tonight's agenda for ANC3E.

At the end of this issue of COMMUNIT-E are letters sent in by residents
and community leaders regarding the Firehouse.
 

**** From: webmaster@anc3f.org
ANC3F Meeting - Tuesday - February 19, 2002 - 7:30pm
 Social Room - Van Ness South - 3003 Van Ness Street
 ***Special Election for Vacancy in SMD 3F07*** Only registered voters
in 3F07 may vote
TENTATIVE AGENDA:
1. Report  on traffic study of the Connecticut Avenue corridor.
2. Traffic Resolutions including: Improving traffic flow and visibility
of cars at Tilden Street and Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
3. Howard University West Campus - Non-compliance with BZA Orders
4. Consider BZA, March 19, 2002, hearing on Civil Infraction Appeal Case
No. 99-OAD-1821E,
Kuri Brothers, Inc, v. DCRA, regarding automobile repair garage at 4221
Connecticut Avenue,
N.W.
5. Preliminary report by ANC3F Tree and Slope Committee
6. Presentation by Gottlieb Simon, Director, D.C. Office of ANCs
7. Approval of ANC3F budget for FY 2002
 

**** From: Scott Pomeroy <pxleyes@bellatlantic.net>
From:  tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
The Humanities Council of Washington, DC  is hosting a Humanities Salon
Tuesday, February, 19 titled Civil Liberties, Democracy, and the Meaning
of Patriotism with Jamin Raskin, professor of Constitutional Law,
Washington College of Law at American University. The event begins at
6:30 p.m. at the Washington College of Law located at 4801 Massachusetts
Avenue.  AU Shuttle service is available from the Tenley Metro stop on
the night of the Salon.  Mention the "Humanities Salon at Washington
College of Law" to the bus driver.  The event is free, but reservations
are required.  Call 202-387-8391, or for more information about the
Humanities Council of Washington, DC, visit our website at
www.wdchumanities.org.
 
 
 

CRIMES IN THE 'HOOD - January 1 to February 10
(Address by 100 block; not actual address)
SEX ABUSE A1 (RAPE)
4200 Wisconsin, 1/6, 0001, hospital
ROBBERY
4500 Wisconsin, F&V, 1/29, 1145, alley
5200 44th, attempt, 2/1, 0830, bank
ASSAULT
4800 Wisconsin, knife, 1/21, 0230, sidewalk
5200 44th, 1/27, 1850, street, (closed)
BURGLARY
4700 Butterworth, 2/7, 1945, garage
4200 Albemarle, 2/10, 1930, church
4300 Windom, 1/21, 0230, house
4400 Alton, 1/1, 1800, house
4700 Alton, 2/5, 0815, garage
4500 41st, 1/2, 0830, house
4200 Jenifer, 1/9, 1100, house
4500 Van Ness, 1/1, 0014, house
4100 Fessenden 1/6, 1715, church
4600 River, 1/1, 1600, storage area
4000 Brandywine, 1/19, 1810, office, (closed)
4000 Yuma, attempt, 1/6, 2300, church
4300 Yuma, 2/4, 0830, garage
THEFT - 25  (6 closed)
THEFT FROM AUTO - 11
STOLEN AUTO
3800 Windom, 1/12, 0100, street
3700 Van Ness, 1/15, 0001, street
4500 Van Ness, attempt, 1/3, 0015, carport
3700 Yuma, 1/13, 2145, street
3700 Ellicott, 2/6, 1900, street
3700 Veazey, 2/3, 1300, street
4100 46th, 2/6, 2100, street
4400 47th, 2/5, 1700, street
5100 41st, 2/5, 2300, street
4400 49th, 2/5, 1700, sidewalk (??)
3700 Warren, 2/5, 1800, street
SIMPLE ASSAULT
3900 Chesapeake, 1/18, 0930, school
4500 Wisconsin, 1/8, 2215, street
4500 Wisconsin, 2/7, 1245, sidewalk
4200 Wisconsin, 2/2, 1600, office
THREATS - 3900 Chesapeake, 1/9, 1430, school
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
5300 Wisconsin, 1/6, 0642, hotel
5200 Wisconsin, 1/30, 0600, beauty salon or barber shop
4400 44th, 1/30, 0800, street
4400 Reno, 2/8, 1000, house
FRAUD - 5300 Wisconsin, 1/8, 1630, department store (closed)
FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE WARRANT ARREST
5200 Wisconsin, 1/27, 0302, street (closed)
 

****  From: "Pinder, Joe" <Joe.Pinder@mail.house.gov>
On February 4 at approximately 6:00pm a citizen was walking in the
alley rear of the 2600 block of Garfield St., NW. He was approached by
an individual riding on a bicycle. As they approached each other, the
suspect on the bicycle put his hand in his pocket and stated, "Hold up,
this is a stick up. Don't move or I'll kill you." The citizen ran, the
suspect was last seen in the alley. This suspect is described as a White
Male, 30 Years Old, 6'-1" Tall, 150 Lbs., wearing a black coat and
riding a Mountain Bike. Anyone with information is asked to contact the
Second District Detectives Office on 202-282-0043.  Lieutenant Roch.
 
 
 

HELICOPTERS OVER THE 'HOOD
From: Hovernav8r@aol.com (Brad Belden)
I am an officer and pilot for the D.C. Police Department, Air Support
Unit. I recently received an e-mail asking about the helicopters. It was
forwarded to me by Ofc. Marc Muzzatti, who is also a resident in the
Tenleytown neighborhood. I'd like to provide some information concerning
helicopter operations in your neighborhood.
 
Based on the description of the helicopter, it sounds to me like an Air
Force helicopter from Andrews Air Force Base. There is a squadron there
that flys helicopters that are painted dark blue and white. In addition,
you may see several other larger military helicopters over your
neighborhood due to the close proximity to the Naval Observatory and the
White House. Also, several military helicopters regularly fly to and
land at Walter Reed Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital.
 
As for the D.C. Police Department, the Air Support Unit currently is
flying two Eurocopter A-Star helicopters. Both are painted white. One
has stripes similar to the D.C. police department vehicles, and the
other is trimmed in orange and black. Both display the large blue D.C.
Police Department shield. The unit is operating 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. We fly several 2 hour patrols most days, along with any
calls for service that require the use of the helicopter. Our
helicopters are equipped with FLIR (Forward looking infrared) and video
camera that can be recorded or broadcast on a microwave downlink system,
a 30 million candlepower Nightsun, a GPS based moving map display, and
several other tools used in airborne law enforcement.
 
It is the policy of our unit to "fly neighborly" whenever possible,
especially at night. That involves flying at the maximum altitude
permissible by the FAA for each area of the city, unless the particular
police mission requires flying at lower altitudes. Once the mission is
accomplished, we return to the higher altitude. At all times, all
aircraft flying over Washington D.C. are under the direction of the air
traffic controllers at Washington National Airport control tower.
 
I would like to take this opportunity to invite members of your
community to come and visit our facility, or perhaps maybe have one of
our members come and speak at one of your community meetings. That way
we can explain our operations in more detail and answer any other
questions you may have. Also, citizens are welcome to ride along in one
of our helicopters. If you are interested in seeing how the police
helicopter is used during one of our patrols, please contact me or any
other member of our unit. I look forward to hearing from you.
Ofc. Brad Belden
D.C. Police Department, Air Support Unit
1724 South Capitol St. SE, 202 727-6498
 
 

 
CHAMBER MUSICIANS (Bill Harwood)
From: "billharwood2002" <wharw32487@aol.com>
From:  tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
If there are any readers out there with an interest in joining an
informal group to play chamber music, mainly on the weekends, please let
me know at wharw32487@aol.com. I am trying to find out if there are
string, piano, or woodwind players looking for a trio, quartet, or other
group.  I play the French horn and piano and sing.
 
 
 

A CLOSE CALL -- WATCH YOUR TREES
From:  Pkokus@aol.com (Phyllis Kokus)
Last week my husband John returned home a little after 9am on a weekday
morning to find 3 trucks in front of our house, tree cutting services,
and a man with a power saw just about to start cutting our tree  down
between sidewalk and street. It is a beautiful 10 year old tree that my
husband has been cultivating and we park under for shade. The gentleman
from the DC gov't (we assume) showed my husband an order to cut down the
"dead" tree.  He did not know where the order had come from but was
following his supervisor's instructions.  After 25 minutes of arguing,
and finally having the man check a branch, he agreed that the tree was
alive and healthy. He left saying that his supervisor would come by
later. My husband was livid to say the least. No one has come by. What
if John had come home 1 minute later  or had been home and heard the
noise - too late.  We feel very fortunate he saved this one tree, but
what if he hadn't or if this happens to others. Just a warning to watch
your trees.
 
 
 

MORE ON CREDIT CARD PROBLEMS
From: "Katharine Landfield" <klandfield@earthlink.net>
Regarding J.Capper's trouble with First USA credit card and the magazine
subscriptions, I just have one piece of advice: DITCH THAT CREDIT CARD
COMPANY!!  I have had so much trouble with First USA (both of the
serious and simply irritating variety), as have thousands of other
people: there have already been class action suits against them for
their questionable or illegal practices in billing.  The easiest form of
class action is to vote with your feet (or your wallet, as the case may
be). They are really the pits.
 
 
 

REGARDING RECYCLING
From: Larry Williams <lwindc@starpower.net>
Reply to Brian Kraft's comment on Eagle Recycling. Eagle has always
collected cardboard, but only if the boxes are broken down so they don't
take too much room in the truck. (The trucks do not compact what they
collect.)  Cardboard has a very high fiber content and is worth money.
I am puzzled as to why you don't want them to recycle your cardboard
rather than having it thrown into a landfill by the city?
 
 
 

COMPUTER CLASSES AT THE TENLEY LIBRARY
From: "Elinor Green and Joel Hunter" <greenhunter@starpower.net>
Computer classes are offered free of charge by some DC Public Library
branches, including the Tenley branch. The branch Librarian, Kathryn
Ray, manages the program, deciding dates, times, subjects and
instructors, and accepting registrations. To register, call her at
202-282-3090. The subjects offered are Introduction to PCs, Introduction
to PCs for Seniors, Introduction to MS Word, Intermediate Word,
Introduction to the Web, and E-Mail. Each class is a single session of
two hours.

No previous exposure to computers is required for the Introduction to
PCs classes. Classes are limited to two students per session and
currently are held only on Thursdays from 1 to 3 PM. Because demand is
heavy, Ms Ray is looking for volunteer instructors. Please call her if
you can help. Phone: 282-3090.
 
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** From:  "Elissa Blake Free" <elissabill@erols.com>
Can anyone recommend a good, fee-based, conveniently located financial
planner?

**** From:  JCusterdem@aol.com
We're looking into redoing the exterior of our older wood home with
vinyl siding but have no idea where to start with this project. We're
looking for recommendations of people/companies to call who do this kind
of work well and  affordably. Send replies to jcusterdem@aol.com. Thank
you.

**** From: Jennifer Rose <jenrose1@yahoo.com>
Here is a great recommendation for a tutor. Does your student need help
with math, reading, study skills, homework and more? Certified teacher
with Masters in Education can help. Full Time classroom teacher working
with children who have learning disabilities. Travel included in cost of
tutoring. $40.00 an hour. Call Colleen at 202-399-0041.

**** "Harrison, Barbara" <Barbara.Harrison@usdoj.gov>
I just wanted to let you know that I used Crescent electric (Ethel) -
202-363-7100, due to a recommendation on your list. The person they sent
(Tony) was terrific! reasonable, gave good advice, etc.  Thanks for your
list!

**** From: JenNielsen007@aol.com
I have some replies to the communite's inquiries:
--We had windows installed by Capital Investments/Improvements (301)
699-6161 and were very pleased.  Work was completed on six windows in a
matter of hours and the windows work beautifully.  The cost was
reasonable.

--I have used the Wilson pool and while the dressing rooms are gunky the
pool itself seems well maintained.  My brother tells me a large swim
team now practices for a long stretch in the evening, so if you can,
avoid those hours.  (They start swimming about an hour before the
official practice begins.)

--On the recommendation of a member of Communit-e we used the plumbing
company ARS/John C. Dorsey and felt we were significantly overcharged
for the service.  We called four times for an explanation and were sent
into voice mail orbit each time, and never received a call back.
 
 
 

REGARDING THE TENLEYTOWN FIREHOUSE

**** From: "Ruttenberg, Charles" <RuttenbC@ARENTFOX.COM>
 From:         Ruttenberg, Charles
 Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 4:13 PM
 To:   'tershboasberg@aol.com'
 Cc:   'david.maloney@dc.gov'
 Subject:      Tenley fire station
 
Dear Chairman Boasberg: Although we have major reservations about the
historic value of the Tenley fire station, our Association, some months
ago, agreed not to oppose such status provided there was assurance that
the fire station could and would be remodeled to accommodate modern
equipment and necessary safety vehicles. We were advised at that time
that there would be appropriate new construction to accomplish this
purpose.

It now appears that this may not be the case. Our neighborhood needs
updated  equipment and safety vehicles and a place to properly house
them and we do  not support moving the equipment to a new location. If
our fire safety  needs cannot be accommodated at the Tenley station if
the station is designated an historic property we strongly oppose
granting historic designation to the station.

Thank you for your consideration. Charles  Ruttenberg, President,
American University Park Citizens Association.
 

**** REPLY TO ABOVE LETTER
From: TershBoasberg@aol.com
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 3:56 PM
To: RuttenbC@arentfox.com
Subject: Re: Tenley fire station

I fully understand your concerns. I know HPD and the Fire Dep't is
working on an architectural solution which should be a win-win.
Tersh Boasberg
1800 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Suite 600
Washington, D.C.  20036
tel. 202-828-4333  fax 202-828-2185
 

**** From: "Carolyn Long" <carolynlong@earthlink.net>
Before everybody gets all whipped up over this issue again, let's see
what happens at the HPRB meeting on Feb. 28. Remember that Tersh
Boasberg's final words were an assurance that public safety will not be
sacrificed for historic preservation. My hope is that the fire
department will work with the historic preservation office and that the
final plan will be much like the one that was presented to the ANC in
November 2000, in which the walls of the old station will be preserved
and the community will get a new, enlarged, state-of-the-art facility.
Please note that the blame for this latest delay cannot be placed on the
much-maligned Tenleytown Historical Society. The application for
historic designation came from the Capitol Fire Museum, an organization
of FIREFIGHTERS. THS stayed out of it.
 

**** From: Kathy Smith
I'll take my prerogative of having the last word to ask this question:
If the front facade is saved, how will the Fire Department widen the two
doors so that they have more than the present 2 inches of clearance
(with the mirrors pulled in) for the existing firetrucks, or for new,
larger trucks? Would it be cheaper to rebuild the front to look like the
old building, but with larger doors, than to try to keep the existing
facade?
 

--END--