COMMUNIT-E
June 24, 2002
 
 
INVITATION TO ALL CANDIDATES FOR WARD 3 ELECTIONS
In order to give COMMUNIT-E readers a chance to hear from the
candidates, I would like to invite all candidates who are running for an
office that directly affects Ward 3 and/or Upper Northwest to submit a
message to the readers. It can be of any length and should tell them
what you feel is important for  them to know about yourself.  There will
be an individual mailing for each candidate.
 
 
 
 
2D CAC  MEETING TO BE HELD AT MPD AT THE JOCC
Meet at 2D, 3320 Idaho Ave. at 6:30 pm, Tuesday, June 25.
The June meeting of the 2D CAC will be held at 300 Indiana Avenue,
Police Headquarters, in the Joint Operations Command Center (JOCC).
Attendees  will view the Police cameras in this center and get a tour.
The public is welcome. Since transportation is being provided by 2D, if
you are interested, call Commander Jeff Moore's office on 282-0032 and
let whoever answers the phone know that you will be attending the
meeting and will be at 2D at 6:30. They will need a head count for
transportation well before the meeting.
 
For other purposes, Commander Moore's e-mail address is:
"Cmdr. Jeffrey Moore" <JAMOORE.2D-POST@mpdc.org>
 
 
 
 
CRIMES IN THE HOOD --  June 1 - 18
(Listed by block, not actual address)
ROBBERY
4800 Massachusetts, 6/13, 1540, gun, armored car
3900 Nebraska, attempt, 6/14, 0225, sidewalk
4400 River, attempt, 6/12, 1800, church
THEFT -- 6
THEFT FROM AUTO -- 8
STOLEN AUTO -- 6
SIMPLE ASSAULT - 5300 Wisconsin, 6/2, 1530, department store
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY - 4
MARIJUANA DRUG ARREST -- 1
GUN ARREST - Carrying pistol with license - 1 - 4300 Jenifer, 6/14,
0300, sidewalk
 
 
 
 
GOOD NEWS ABOUT TENLEY CIRCLE
From:  CooperJM@aol.com (Jo Cooper)
The Wisconsin Avenue Beautification Project is delighted to announce
that plans are underway for American University to formally adopt Tenley
Circle, to renovate the plantings and to provide professional
maintenance in the future.
 
The Circle, which is administered by the National Park Service, has
been  jointly maintained for a number of years by the Park Service, AU
and WABP. Kersti Colombant, a long-time neighborhood volunteer for WABP,
did most of  the work, with assistance from Ralph McLean and others,
weeding, mowing, and picking up trash on a regular basis, against
fearsome odds.  Thank you, Kersti, for your truly amazing commitment to
improving our community.
 
Now AU will, thankfully, be taking on the task, and returning the Circle
to splendor with the help of their marvelous maintenance and design
staff. The renovations will begin this summer, when all useful plants
will be carefully removed and stored in nursery beds at AU while the
site is cleared of weeds, and the soil prepared for replanting during a
special Community Planting
Day in the Fall (date to be announced).  Some new plants will be
required for the renovation, and will be financed by AU and WABP.
Neighbors wishing to make a donation to the project would be very
welcome-- please contact Kersti at kcolombant@aol.com for details.
Jo Cooper
Chair, Wisconsin Avenue Beautification Project
 
 
 
 
 
PRESCRIPTION ERRORS
From:  pepin@sprintmail.com
Two pharmacies in our neighborhood, Center Pharmacy, and then CVS in
Spring Valley both misprescribed medicine to me last weekend. Center
filled the prescription with the wrong drug (fortunately they announce
the name of the drug before you pay, to confirm) and then closed before
my doctor could phone to confirm. Since I am anti-CVS, I reluctantly
asked my doctor to phone the prescription into their Spring Valley store
only to find that they gave me the right drug but in a 20 mg dose vs.
the 10 mg dose prescribed. Needless to say, I am appalled and honestly
quite frightened that these mistakes were made--twice! If you must use
either pharmacy, PLEASE check your prescription name and dose before
leaving the counter. Beyond that, can anyone recommend an alternate
pharmacy?
 
[From: KS -- I've  had good luck with Safeway's Pharmacy.]
 
 
 
 
MORE ON MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION STICKERS
From: Abauer4600@aol.com
From:  "Goodall, Nataki (COUNCIL)" <NGoodall@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
I read your post in COMMUNIT-E, and am forwarding the response I
received from the DMV regarding another individual's inquiry.  Hope it
helps -- Nataki Goodall, Public Advocate
Office of Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large)
--------
From: Stanley, Jackie (DMV)
To:   Newman, Sherryl Hobbs (DMV); Goodall, Nataki (COUNCIL)
Subject:  RE: registration stickers on motorcycles
Residents with motorcycle plates should continue to put their
validation  stickers on their license plates. They are not being issued
the new window  validation sticker.   If you have additional questions
or concerns please let me know.
Jackie Stanley
 
 
 
 
LOST AND FOUND
From:  "Paul J. Fekete" <pfekete@samuelsinternational.com>
Found. . . In front of Janney School, gold medal on red, white and blue
ribbon.  Looks like it was awarded in one of the youth leagues in the
area.  Contact: Paul Fekete (202) 686-1759.
 
 
 
 
PETS IN THE 'HOOD
From:  <vploumpis@starpower.net> (Valerie Ploumpis)
CAT ADOPTION:   Loving home sought for our spayed, female, declawed,
indoor black 1 1/2 year cat.  Yum Yum is friendly, but shy, and our
noisy home w/ children and other pets just isn't right for her.  She has
no behavioral or health problems and has had all shots.  Please contact
vploumpis@starpower.net or call 326-7832
Thanks!
 
 
 
 
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE CORPS
From:  "Erik S. Gaull" <egaull@starpower.net>
The Metropolitan Police Department Reserve Corps is a great way for
citizens to get involved with the police department.  Reserve officers
work alongside paid police officers in virtually every branch of the
MPD.  Reserve officers are unpaid (i.e., volunteer) and work when they
can in assignments they are comfortable taking on (i.e., no one is
forced to work in a setting in which they are uncomfortable).  Citizens
are provided training and uniforms.  The amount and level of
participation is chosen by the reserve officer, and this dictates the
time commitment.  This is a terrific way to partner with MPD on
community crime issues.  Anyone interested in the Reserve Corps is
encouraged to visit the MPD Reserve Corps webpage:
http://mpdc.dc.gov/serv/programs/services_PRC.shtm or call: (202)
727-2767 for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
ZOO DAY
From:  "Polly King" <pking@lldhhome.org>
Please join us for a neighborhood  ZOO DAY, LISNER-LOUISE-DICKSON-HURT
HOME,  5425 WESTERN AVENUE NW,  SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2002,  RAIN OR SHINE,
10:00AM UNTIL 12:30PM
 
 
 
 
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
 
**** From: NoelleDL@aol.com (Noelle Legrain)
BABYSITTER AVAILABLE
I am a 21 year old undergraduate student who is available for
full/part-time or occasional babysitting until mid-August.  Being a
former nanny, I have a wealth of experience with children.  I also speak
French.  Excellent references available upon request.
 
**** From: "G. Richard Reed" <dickreed@compuserve.com>
My son Michael is starting a small business here in the DC area focusing
on Home Theater systems, Home Computers and Networking and Smart Home
Systems.  He can provide everything from a simple computer upgrade or
multi computer setup to whole house music/intercom systems to home
theater room design and installation.  Please feel free to contact him
at 202-362-9029 or michaelsaturno@earthlink.net"
Thanks,  Dick Reed
 
**** NEIGHBOR LOOKING FOR NONPROFIT POSITION
From: "Reed Dewey" <reeddewey@starpower.net>
I am a nonprofit manager with 18 years experiences with such
organizations as AARP, Christmas in April and the Consumer Federation of
America.  I am looking for mid to upper level position in the area of
affiliate relations, training, program development or project
management.  I have a background in aging, housing, advocacy and
nonprofit governance issues. I welcome contact from anyone who might be
interested in my background.  I'm at  reeddewey@starpower.net or I can
be reached at 202 363-8433. Thanks!
 
**** From: "Richard Abbott" <abbott1229@erols.com>
Has anybody had experience with ductless air conditioning?  As owners of
an older house with limited space for ducts, we are considering the
system which is described in the Home section of the Post on 6/21.  It
sounds almost too good to be true and we wonder if any of our neighbors
have tried it. Richard Abbott
 
**** From: BellRebeccaJ@aol.com
A LITTLE JEWEL -- Beautiful, sunny, quiet, furnished one bedroom on
private enclosed
garden courtyard.  Classic furnishings. Ornamental fireplace, beamed
ceiling, lots of closets. Full kitchen, full bath, washer/dryer.
Utilities and reserved parking included.  Ideal pied-a-terre.  $1075.
301 229 0121.  It is in MD on Crescent Street which is parallel to
Western Avenue.
 
 
 
 
VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED FOR CANOEING INSTRUCTION
From:  EttingerSJ@aol.com (Steve Ettinger)
During the summers of 1998-2000, I ran a small, volunteer flatwater
canoeing instruction program for elementary school children from a DC
inner city summer camp.  (Last year, the camp did not operate, because
the DC school buildings were not available.)
 
The camp will be operating this summer, and I have again agreed to run
the canoeing instruction, following an ACA syllabus.  It will be about
twice as large as in the previous years, with 90 children registered to
date, about half of whom will be big enough to learn canoeing (grades
3-6).  The instruction will take place, as in the previous years, at
Swains Boathouse, on the C&O Canal in Potomac, from around 10:15 AM to 3
PM.  There will be training on Wednesday, July 10, 17, 24 and 31 --
training for 40-50 campers.
 
What I need are volunteers, to help me with the training.  This would
normally involve demonstrating the strokes on the water (while I explain
them on land), and then paddling with or alongside the trainees,
instructing them and correcting their mistakes.  You can bring your own
boat or use one of the rental boats.  Kayakers are, of course, welcome,
provided they know the basic canoeing strokes as well.  I think all the
volunteers enjoyed themselves in the past (or at least told me so!).
 
Please let me know whether you would be available and interested to
help  Many thanks.
Steve
 
 
 
 
EXCERPTS FROM COUNCILMEMBER BRAZIL'S NEWSLETTER
(For complete newsletter, contact Jessica White.)
From: "White, Jessica (COUNCIL)" <JWHITE@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
From the desk of  HAROLD BRAZIL At-Large Councilmember
Chair, Committee on Economic Development
EMAIL: hbrazil@dccouncil.washington.dc.us or visit our website:
www.haroldbrazil.com
 
OLD CONVENTION CENTER RFP NOW AVAILABLE
Copies of the proposed "Request for Proposals for the Disposition of the
Existing Convention Center Site Approval Resolution of 2002," PR 14-270,
are now available.  You can obtain a copy of the RFP by calling
724-8050, or stopping by the Office of the Secretary, room 2 of the
Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.  Or, click here
<http://dccouncil.dc.gov/images/00001/20020508164749.pdf> to read the
proposal online.  The Council is expected to pass the proposed RFP in a
straight up-or-down vote, without making changes to the RFP.
 
The Home Again Initiative seeks to dispose of approximately 4,000 vacant
and abandoned
properties in the District by selling them in smaller bundles (e.g. 200
or less) to pre-qualified non-profit and for-profit developers,
especially Local, Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. The
developers will rehabilitate the properties to turn them into new
housing.  Thirty percent of the new housing units would be available to
moderate-income families (those who earn 60% of the area median
income).  Developers would have a limited time period of 12-18 months to
complete the renovations.
 
For the Week ending June 21, 2002:
In this week's edition:
* Brazil Chairs Hearing on Disposition of Existing Convention Center
* Hearing Focuses on Enhancing, Strengthening LSDBE Program
* Consolidated Plan Approved by Council
* Cable Franchise Agreement, Cable Reform Act and Customer Service
Regulations Passed by Council
* Revenue Bonds; Sibley Hospital, Freedom Forum Seek Financing
* Business Improvement District Tax Increase Approved
 
Jessica White
Communications Director, Office of Councilmember Harold Brazil
(202) 724-7782
www.haroldbrazil.com
 
 
 
 
DEDICATED TO ALL FIREFIGHTERS EVERYWHERE
From:    Ppetesaw@aol.com
From: edw3qc@att.net
A fire started inside the local chemical plant and in a blink it
exploded into flames. The alarm went out to the fire departments from
miles around. When the volunteer firefighters appeared on the scene, the
chemical company president rushed to the fire chief and said, "All of
our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They
must be saved. I will give $50,000 to the fire department that brings
them out intact."
 
But the roaring flames held the firefighters off. Soon more fire
departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate. As
the firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now
$100,000 to the fire department who could bring out the company's secret
files.
 
From the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came
into sight. It was the nearby rural township volunteer fire company
composed entirely of men over the age of 65. To everyone's amazement,
the little run-down fire engine passed all the newer sleek engines
parked outside the plant and drove straight into the middle of the
inferno.
 
Outside the other firemen watched as the old timers jumped off and began
to fight the fire with a performance and effort never seen before.
Within a short time, the old timers had extinguished the fire and saved
the secret formulas.
 
The grateful chemical company president joyfully announced that for such
a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to $200,000, and walked over
to personally thank each of the brave, though elderly, fire fighters.
The local TV news reporters rushed in after capturing the event on film
asking. "What are you going to do with all that money?" "Well," said the
70-year-old fire chief, "the first thing we are going to do is fix the
brakes on that damned truck.!"
 
--END--