COMMUNIT-E
July 14, 2002
 
 

NO ANC3F MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT
From: "Robert V. Maudlin" <maudlin@alum.mit.edu>
Notice: There will not be an ANC3F meeting tomorrow night, July 15,
2002. The next meeting Of ANC3F will be at 7:30pm, Monday, August 19,
2002 at the Capital Memorial Church, 3150 Chesapeake Street, N.W.
For information on ANC3F see  WWW.ANC3F.ORG
 
 
 

REMINDER: ICE CREAM SOCIAL
From: <toddandjean@netzero.net> ( Jean Kintisch)
Friends of Friendship Park is hosting the second annual Ice Cream Social
and Summer Concert on Tuesday, July 16 at 7 pm on the basketball courts
at Friendship "Turtle" Park.  Oh Susannah will perform children's songs
and ice cream will be served following the concert.  The event is "fair
weather only" and free for all.  The park is located at 45th and Van
Ness Streets NW.
Jean Kintisch, Vice President - Events, Friends of Friendship Park
 
 
 

ROC NORTH & PSA 202 PRESENT CHILD SAFETY & AWARENESS  DAY
From:  Adluckey@cs.com  (Officer Alicia Luckey)

Where: Dept. Of Parks & Recreation 41st and Livingston St. NW
When: Saturday, July 20,2002   11am-3pm
What: Ident A Kid Kits, Bicycle Registration, Child Safety Seat
Inspection & Installations*, Anti Drug and Anti Gang Information, Home
safety tips for  parents, Demonstrations by EMS  ***ACTIVITIES****
Why: Child safety is especially important during the summer months when
our communities and streets are more active and there are more families
that travel during this period of time. PSA 202 wants to enlighten,
empower and protect our community!
Who: Members of PSA 202 and a few other helping hands.
------------
PSA 202 LITERACY DAY BOOK DRIVE & ESSAY CONTEST
Where: Dept. Of Parks & Recreation, 41st & Livingston ST. NW
When: Saturday, July 27, 2002       11am-3pm
What: "What Can I Do To Increase Peace?" Essay 250 words or less. Ages
6-9 and ages 10-14 are eligible. Essays must be submitted by July
20,2002 for consideration they may be mailed or hand delivered to the
Second District, 3320 Idaho Ave, NW 20016 Attention Officer Rhonda Hardy
or Officer Alicia Luckey.
***PRIZES***
Why: PSA 202 is collecting "Gently Used" children's books for various
ages for distribution to day camps, nursery schools and child shelters
throughout the city.  Additionally, the members of PSA 202 want to
encourage the youth in our community and others to use alternative means
of communication and self-expression.
Who: PSA 202 and our entire community of helping hands in the Second
District!!!
 
 

ANC ELECTIONS
From:  "Jill Diskan" <jdiskan@worldnet.att.net>
As you probably know, election for the ANC is this fall.  I thought it
would be helpful to post this schedule of dates on Communit-E, so folks
know the process and timeline.
 
Wednesday, August 7, 2002 - First day nominating petitions are
available  at BoEE. (90 days before the election).

Friday, September 6, 2002 - Deadline, by 5:00 p.m., for filing of
nominating petitions. (60 days before the election).
Friday, September 13, 2002 - Lottery to determine ballot position

Tuesday, November 5, 2002 - GENERAL ELECTION DAY.
 
There will be at least three open seats in ANC 3-E: 01, 04, and 05, as
Leslie Quynn, Jill Diskan and Frank Gordon are not seeking re-election.
I don't know about Chris McNamara or Tad DiBiase.
 
 
 

INFORMATION FROM U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
From: "Graves, Charlene" <Charlene.T.Graves@usdoj.gov>
If anyone is interested in viewing Press Releases from the U.S.
Attorney's Office,  they are available at the following website on the
internet. Have a great summer!
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/dc/press/pressrel.html
Charlene Graves,Community Outreach Specialist -2nd District Police Sta
U.S. Attorney's Office-Community Prosecution
(202) 282-0584 & (202) 282-0576 fax
charlene.t.graves@usdoj.gov
 
 
 

THEFT FROM AUTO IN ST. ANN'S PARKING LOT
From: "marino13rules" <ilovesilvana@excite.com>
Reply-To:  tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
We just wanted to make the community aware of an incident that occurred
Sunday, July 7, 2002.  Between 12:00 pm and 12:45 pm, 2 cars were broken
into while parked in the St. Ann's School parking lot facing Wisconsin
Avenue.  Our son was being baptized and during this  time is when the
theft occurred.  One window on our vehicle, as well as one of our
friend's vehicle, were smashed open with a screwdriver.  Taken from our
vehicle was our Jensen MP3 player, Nokia cell phone and change
compartment.  A cd player and cds were taken from our friend's vehicle.
We were very upset to come back to our  vehicles and find this had
happened - and in BROAD daylight!  A screwdriver was recovered from our
vehicle and was taken as evidence from the crime scene.  Please let us
know if you saw anything suspicious during those allotted times -
alexdias@juno.com.  I have informed the church and just want everyone
aware that this occurred.  Thank you and please be careful.
Sincerely,
Alex & Silvana Dias
 
 
 

OH NO--NOT A MATTRESS STORE!
 From:  "Carolyn Long" <carolynlong@earthlink.net>
 
I had such high hopes for the vacant space at 4435-4437 Wisconsin, site
of the much-lamented Travel Books. Maybe another bookstore, maybe a
restaurant, antiques, toys, housewares, a gallery, clothes, office
supplies. Why, when businesses such as these consider a new location, do
they not think of Tenleytown? Why does our shopping district, the 4400
and 4500 blocks of Wisconsin Avenue on either side of the Tenleytown
Metro station (with a few welcome exceptions) resemble a shabby suburban
strip mall? Why do we have fast food joints, discounters, and three
mattress outlets instead of nice stores and restaurants that serve the
neighborhood? Our homeowners are well-educated professionals, and while
those of us who have lived here a long time are not wealthy, older
single-family homes are now selling for $500,000 and up and the new
developments at Tenley Hill and Tenley Park are attracting even more
affluent home buyers. Our commercial district is also used by students
from American University and the nearby public and private high schools,
all of  whom have money to spend. There is an untapped market here.

Since Summer 2001 a group of citizens from Tenleytown, AU Park, and
Friendship Heights has been meeting with Ward 3 Planner Robert Collins
of the DC Office of Planning. One of our priorities was improvement of
the appearance and the retail mix along the Wisconsin Avenue commercial
corridor. We have been joined by a representative of the Pedas Brothers,
owner of most of the buildings in the 4500 block of Wisconsin, and
Madison Retailers, owners of the former Sears/Hechinger building, but so
far no landlord from the 4400 block of Wisconsin has expressed interest.

I have a vision of an attractive and vibrant commercial area around the
Tenleytown Metro, not as upscale as Friendship heights, where residents
and students can walk to shopping, dining, and just socializing as they
would in a small town. I urge residents, store owners, and landlords to
become involved in the planning process by contacting Robert Collins at
robert.collins@dc.gov.
Carolyn Long
 
 
 

FLOWERS AND TREES IN THE 'HOOD

**** From: KColombant@aol.com
Urgent message from the Wisconsin Avenue Beautification Project.  We are
looking for a few strong, diligent volunteers to water the new street
trees on Wisconsin avenue for this week in July, next week, and for
several weeks in August. Please call Kersti 966 88 37 if you are willing
and able to help.

**** From: Mtmrender@aol.com (Maria Morga)
Can you direct me to the person or newsletter that contains infor. on
tree  planting requests for greenway along our house. 43rd& Ellicott, I
seem to remember a program..not sure though.

**** From:  trees@anc3f.org
Street trees, particularly those planted earlier this year need water as
do those planter in 2001. Please help save the new trees in front of
your house.  It is best to put a hose one or two feet from the trunk and
let it run in a very slow tickle for two hours or more.  The trees
should have water once a week, even if it is very hot. The city put too
much shredded pine bark mulch around many of the trees when they planted
them.  In case the mulch has become a hard layer and the water runs off
into the gutter, take a stick and dig a little trench a few inches deep
around part of the tree and let the water run in that.
Thanks for your help.
 
 
 
 

RE: SWITCHING ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS

**** From: "Erik S. Gaull" <egaull@starpower.net>
In reference to switching electricity suppliers, people should exercise
great caution before switching!  We are now covered under something
called "Standard Offer Service" from PEPCO.  This rate will be good for
another three or so years.  If someone switches from SOS, they CANNOT
regain SOS from PEPCO, so an unfavorable market could require them to
pay much higher rates.

I would STRONGLY recommend that people remain with PEPCO for now.  The
reason is this:  the District is putting together something called a
"Municipal Aggregation Plan."  Essentially the MAP allows residents (who
traditionally hold the weakest attraction for electricity retailers) to
aggregate with DC Government, WASA, hospitals, universities, and certain
commercial customers (who are quite attractive to electricity vendors)
to gain buying power.  The DC People's Counsel, Betty Noel, can offer a
lot more information on MAP and electricity switching.  Her phone number
is (202) 727-3071.  Anyone on her staff will be glad to provide the
information. I hope this helps. --  Erik Gaull

**** From: Cristina Mossi Rhein <CMossiRhein@DevIS.com>
I switched over and for now I can say the switch was very smooth -
didn't really notice anything different. I'm still waiting for a few
more months of service to go by before I make a judgment call on prices
and service.

**** From: Richard Clark <biking2@yahoo.com>
Tongue in cheek question and statement.   Isn't this sort of like
Enron?  A private company goes out and has to buy the electricity from
some place.  Humm, might that not be Pepco, and then that private
company is going to turn around and sell it cheaper.  When I was called
about a chance to change from Washington Gas, well the comments aren't
worth printing here, but something stinks.

**** From:  wheels-dc@att.net (John Wheeler)
I can't give any advice on switching electricity providers, but I do
have advice if someone comes to your door selling electricity.  Last
weekend two young men came to my door selling wind generated
electricity.  They knew my name and several neighbors name because one
of the neighbors told them.  I did not sign up and although they very
cleverly tried to get me to tell them neighbors' names, I did not.  No
matter how nice people who come to your door may be, you should not tell
them the names of neighbors.
 
 
 

NOISE REGULATIONS
From:  Noguru81@aol.com (Kaid Benfield )
Are there any city or community rules governing noise made by
lawnmowers, leaf blowers,
power tools, and so forth?  Some people seem to use these at virtually
any hour, which causes quite a bit of disturbance - especially if you
want to use a deck or yard in peace.  I'm hoping there are some
reasonable restrictions regarding hours, but also fearing that wishful
thinking won't get me very far. Thanks
 
 
 

CROWS AND WEST NILE VIRUS
While walking in the 'Hood I saw a dead crow at the corner of 49th and
Albemarle,  and had a tough time getting the right phone number to call.
I finally was given a public health number of 535-2323.  I was able to
leave a message and hope they will pick up the bird and inspect it for
West Nile Virus.
 
 
 

MORE ON LOCAL PHARMACIES
From:  "Mary Abate" <mma1126@hotmail.com>
I'd like to add a plug for the CVS pharmacy at Conn. & McKinley, where
around a year ago I dropped off a prescription for a newly-FDA-approved
medication.  When I came back to pick it up, the pharmacist came out
from behind the counter to explain why she wouldn't fill it.  She had
caught the fact that the prescribed dose was stronger than the
manufacturer's highest recommended dose, and she hadn't yet been able to
reach the doctor by phone for a corrected prescription. (This new
medication later proved to have some potentially dangerous side
effects.)
 
 
 

RE: SIDEWALKS
From:  wheels-dc@att.net (John Wheeler)
Why is the city tearing up perfectly good sidewalks when we have many
streets without a sidewalk?  Even close to the schools, people have to
walk in the street if they need to walk on pavement.  Any chance of
getting the city to install sidewalks where there are none?
 
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** From: "David Schmucker - MS Access Dev. & Training -
DataOverTheWeb.com" <david@dataovertheweb.com>
I believe I am on a recommended vendor list for PC help.  Please remove
me from the list.  Thank you.  David Schmucker  202-276-5100.

**** From:  "otterboystanley" <s.weiser@verizon.net>
 Reply-To:  tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
A friend in the area is looking for a responsible housesitter for July 8
through mid to late August.  She's most concerned with lawn/garden care
(watering and mowing).  Please contact her by e-mail at
samdhanji@aol.com.

**** From: Larry Williams <lwindc@starpower.net>
For a good yard man, who can  weed, trim tall hedges, edge, cut down big
bushes, etc.  I would highly recommend Reginald's Landscaping.  He mows,
clips, plants and what ever else you might need.  He does great work.
He has lots of customers in AU Park.

**** From: "Phillips, Ann" <APhillips@usaid.gov>
Guinea pigs free to a good home.  Four females--two mothers and two
daughters--are available to a good home. The owner guarantees that none
of the "girls" are pregnant.   Large, high quality cages, water bottles,
food dishes will also be given to the new owner(s). For more
information, please call Jill Barker, 703-524-6915.

**** From: "Thurston, Alice" <Alice.Thurston@usdoj.gov>
Are there any B & B type lodgings in the Tenley/Van Ness area?  I know
of one over in Adams Morgan, but wonder if there's any local, less
expensive and more personable alternative to the Days Inn.  Thanks!

**** From: "Polly King" <pking@lldhhome.org>
The Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home 5425 Western Avenue NW  is accepting
donations for
their annual White Elephant Sale to be held on Saturday, September 14.
We accept anything, at any time. Just drop off your donations at the
front desk. All donations are tax deductible.

**** From: "Jeffrey Modell" <j.modell@verizon.net>
For sale_Oak Computer Desk, Excellent Condition, $50; Rolling Desk
Chair, $20; Beech TV Wall Unit, Good Condition, $35. Call (202) 363-0444
or e-mail j.modell@verizon.net.

**** From: "Maren Handler Siegel" <marenhs@hotmail.com>
If anyone is looking for childcare, my terrific nanny will soon be
available Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Fridays.  She's legal, speaks
perfect English, very energetic and nurturing, but does not drive. If
interested, please call me, Maren Siegel, at (202)362-9926 or e-mail me
at
marenhs@hotmail.com.

**** From: "Richard Abbott" <abbott1229@erols.com>
Thanks to Kelly Rubenstein, Helen Sebsow, Helen Gibson and Joe Pinder
for their responses to my query about ductless A/C systems.  Following
up on what Kelly and Joe said, we contacted Kensington Cooling &
Heating, and after comparing systems and costs we decided to go with the
Space Pak system, the one using 2 inch flex tubing ducts.  This was
after we saw a system like this being installed in another house and
returned to see how it worked.  It does seem to be the ideal solution
for houses with limited space for the conventional ducts.  If we
experience any problems after we've had it a while, I will let everybody
know.

**** From: "squasher@starpower.net" (Andrew Strasfogel)
Wanted:  Information on where to purchase replica of colonial-style
shutters.     Also, does anyone know a reliable, reasonably priced
landscaper who can transplant a rather large (and prickly) holly bush?

**** From: Benny <ourhous@bellatlantic.net> (Richard Bienvenue)
Someone asked about Tenleytown Painters;  my elderly neighbor used them
a few years back to have her entire house painted,  and it was shameful
what they did.  Their workers painted some storm windows(!), and left
others unpainted!   It is common knowledge that one does not paint
aluminum storm windows, especially  with wood trim paint, but they sure
did.  And even if you wanted them painted, you'd do them all!

They cut down an ornamental tree that just needed tied back, and made
several other unprofessional errors of judgment.

When I pointed out to her their mistakes, she was aghast.  Please don't
think I have an ax to grind with them -- I don't. I have never had any
contact with their owners nor painters.  I know that they've been around
for years, and I see their signs all over.  But I wouldn't let them
paint my house for free.  And, by the way, I grew up in the construction
trade, so I have a pretty good handle on what professional results
should be.--Richard Bienvenue
 
 

 
FIVE NEW DC BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
From: "Wander, Mitch \(OCTO\)" <Mitch.Wander@dc.gov>
I wanted to send you a quick email for your organization and
constituents regarding five new dates and locations for the DC Business
Workshops. Please feel free to email or call if you have any questions
about the events. Best regards,  Mitch
office (202) 338-0775
cell    (202) 256-7107
www.brc.dc.gov/roadshow
-------
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2002
DC Agencies Take Online Business Tools to the Community

(Washington, DC) During the summer months, District agencies will
conduct workshops on their online licensing, tax, and business
information services. The "DC Business Tools Roadshow" will brief
businesses and nonprofits on the Business Resource Center, Master
Business License, and Electronic Tax Service Center.

The District's Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), Department
of  Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), and Office of Tax and
Revenue (OTR) are cooperating to conduct the one-hour workshops in all
eight District wards. Agency representatives will be available to answer
questions following the presentations.

Ward 5
Woodridge Branch Library
Wednesday, July 10 at 7 pm
1801 Hamlin Street, NE - at 18th Street, NE and Rhode Island Avenue, NE
By Metro: Rhode Island Avenue (1.0 mile walk)

Ward 3
Chevy Chase Community Center
Tuesday, July 16 at 8 am
5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW - at McKinley Street, NW
By Metro: Friendship Heights (0.7 mile walk)

Ward 8
Washington Highlands Branch Library
Thursday, July 25 at 6 pm
115 Atlantic Street, SW - at South Capitol Street, SW

Ward 2
St. Thomas' Parish
Tuesday, July 30 at 2 pm
1772 Church Street NW - at 18th Street, NW and Church Street, NW
By Metro: Dupont Circle (two blocks)

Ward 1
Franklin D. Reeves Center
Tuesday, August 6 at 6:30 pm
2000 14th Street, NW, 2nd Floor - at 14th Street, NW and U Street, NW
2nd Floor Community Room
By Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (one
block)

For more information on the DC Business Tools Roadshow, email
brc.alert@dc.gov or call (202) 727-8964.
 
 
 

NEWS RELEASE
From:  "Garman, Doug NAB02" <Doug.Garman@nab02.usace.army.mil>
Release No.     02-17
Contact:        Doug Garman or Major Mike Peloquin
For Release:    July 8, 2002
Phone:  410-962-2809 or 202-686-3359

Baltimore - This week the Army Corps of Engineers will begin to remove
arsenic contaminated soil from the first of the seven residential
properties identified for an expedited soil removal action. Prior soil
testing at these properties identified arsenic levels at most of these
properties to be equal to or above those levels found at the American
University Child Development Center. These seven properties are located
in the Spring Valley and Fort Gaines/AU Park neighborhoods.

At each property, contaminated soil will be excavated to a depth of two
feet and confirmation sampling will then be taken to ensure no elevated
levels of arsenic remain. The Corps will continue to remove soil
downward and laterally until the confirmation samples are below 20 parts
per million. The excavated soil will be transported off-site in covered
trucks to a permitted non-hazardous waste facility in Virginia. The
excavated area will be filled with clean soil. Dust control measures
will be used during this work, including wetting the soil and using
monitoring equipment to check air quality. Cleanup at each property is
expected to take several weeks. The Corps has offered to temporarily
relocate residents of the seven properties during the work due to safety
concerns associated with the excavation.
 
"The start of the soil removal work at residential properties is another
important step toward achieving the project partnership's goal of
identifying and remediating any hazards associated with past military
activities in the Spring Valley neighborhood," said Maj. Michael
Peloquin, deputy district engineer for the Spring Valley project.

Additionally, the Corps and its project partners, the Environmental
Protection Agency and the D.C. Department of Health, will address a
second round of properties that have individual arsenic grids above 150
parts per million, but did not qualify for the initial removal efforts
planned this summer. In the next few weeks, the project partners will
meet with these property owners to discuss alternatives available for
reducing exposure to these grids. Possible actions include grid removal,
sodding of contaminated areas, or marking the grids so residents can
avoid these areas. The project partner's goal in addressing these grids
is to reduce property owner concerns until the entire property can be
addressed based on the EPA-accepted prioritization approach using the
property-wide arsenic level (called the exposure point concentration).
As a result of the area-wide soil sampling last year, the Corps
estimates that 160 residential properties will qualify for arsenic
contamination soil removal.

 On June 26, the Corps began the removal of arsenic contaminated soil
from the property next to the American University's Child Development
Center and the adjacent intramural fields. This work is progressing as
planned and will take several months to complete.

Historical records indicate that portions of the Spring Valley
neighborhood were once used by military personnel assigned to the former
American University Experiment Station from 1917-1919 to conduct
research and testing on World War I chemical warfare materials. In the
same period, portions of AU Park were used as a soldier training area
known as Camp Leach. Records indicate that Camp Leach was independent of
the American University Experiment Station, and not used for chemical
research or testing.
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
 
 
 

ONE RESULT OF LAST WEEK'S TEST FOR MENTAL ACTIVITY
From: Lorie Leavy <LLEAVY@email.usps.gov>
I thought of a green hammer.  Am I abnormal?  Or should I just consider
a career in environmental enforcement?
 

--END--