COMMUNIT-E
July 29, 2002
 
 
NOTICE: As DC shuts down for August, there will only be one more issue,
at most, of COMMUNIT-E until September. Please send anything you
desperately want to say, to the community, to me by this coming Monday
-- KS.
 
 
 
STREET TREES -- KEEPING THEM
From:  anc3b@att.net
Street trees, particularly those planted earlier this year need water as
do those planted in 2001. Please help save the new trees in front of the
place that you live or work. It is best to put a hose one or two feet
from the trunk and let it run in a very slow trickle for two hours or
more.  The trees should have water once a week, even if it is very hot.
 
In some places, 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.
 
 
 
 
2D NATIONAL NIGHT OUT -- EVERYONE'S WELCOME
From: "Cmdr. Jeffrey Moore" <JAMOORE.2D-POST@mpdc.org>
Everyone's invited to 2-D's National Night Out function at 2-D HQ during
the evening of Aug 6, from 5 pm to 9.  Each PSA will have a function,
and then there will be another function at the 2-D HQ  building.  We're
gonna have a cookout, with hot dogs and hamburgers, some of the
Department's speciality equipment, like a harbor  boat, a radar car, the
tribes from Georgetown, the Horse Unit, a moon bounce and popcorn
machine for the kids, etc.  It should be a great family function.  So,
I'd like to get the word out.
 
By the way - if you hear of anyone who might be interested in making a
donation, some of these things will cost money.  So a few donations
would help a lot.
 
Hope to see a lot of folks from the neighborhood there.
Jeff Moore (Commander, 2D)
 
 
 
 
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
From: "Dennis Beaufort and Kathryn Ray" <kcrdlb@bellatlantic.net>
Have you ever considered hosting an exchange student?  American Field
Service (AFS) is in need of host families for international high school
students who wish to attend Wilson High school during the 2002-3 school
year.  Host families are needed for a girl from Hungary, and  boys from
the Czech Republic, Turkey, and South Africa (cat allergic).  Students
must (of course) have their own bed, but their own room is not
required.  (My daughter pointed out that sharing a room will be great
experience for college.)
 
Host families do not need to have children at Wilson.  Students arrive
in August, and live with the hosts as members of their family for one
year. If  hosting a student for the entire year is not possible, there
is also a need for temporary (six weeks) hosts.  If you, or anyone you
know, might be interested in learning more about the program, please
call Mrs. Chana Hays 202 265-8744.  The students are arriving soon!
Thanks.
 
We are looking forward to August 10 when our exchange student from Japan
arrives!
Kathryn, Dennis, Laura and Anna
 
 
 
 
COLOMBIAN REFUGEES
From: "kayandpaul" <kayandpaul@erols.com>
The Good Fortune Cooperative (Cooperativa Buenaventura) solicits your
support and patronage in employing the skills of a very industrious
group of  young adults from Colombia, South America. Services include:
Business or residential cleaning,
Catering/food service preparation
Gardening/lawn care
childcare/elderly care
light clerical/office work/
painting/moving
customer service
 
References provided upon request.  To contract one of our talented
members, please call John at 202-489-6589 or leave a message at Wesley
United Methodist Church 202-966-5144.  Your assistance will help these
refugees from Colombia's brutal civil war to make their own way here in
the North and to contribute from their considerable skills and abilities
to the larger community. For further information, call Kay McClenon
202-363-4581 or kayandpaul@erols.com.
 
 
 
 
CRIME IN THE HOOD
 
**** From: "Thurston, Alice" <Alice.Thurston@usdoj.gov>
Please add to the next community email a report of a car stolen from the
well-lighted back parking area of the Parker House, 4700 Connecticut
Avenue.  It was stolen on the night of Sunday, July 14, 2002.  The car
was locked, but did not have a club on, and the police speculate it was
hot-wired by kids seeking a joy ride.
 
**** From: LB1119@aol.com (Lyle Brenneman)
FYI:  There is a young man soliciting in this area today who became
rude, hostile and argumentative when I attempted to explain that we did
not accept door to door solicitation of any kind.  He has been here
before and exhibited the same kind of behavior.
 
**** From: KS --  what does this young man look like?  What's he
soliciting for? I hope you felt free to close the door on his face. You
don't own him any more courtesy once you've said politely that you're
not interested and begin to close the door.
 
 
 
 
ANY NEW NEWS ON HECHINGER/SEARS BUILDING?
From:  Bevy47@aol.com (Beverly Sklover)
What is the current status of the Hechinger property at Albemarle and
Wisconsin?  Have Best Buys/the Container Store signed contracts?
 
 
 
 
NOISE REGULATIONS
From: "Jill Diskan" <jdiskan@worldnet.att.net>
RE: Noise regulations, a constituent of mine had a request about noise.
I suggested he contact DCRA.  He did and was kind enough to send me the
results of his research.   I thought you might want to put it in the
next Communit-E.
 
The general link is:
http://dcra.dc.gov/information/build_lra/environ_review/forms.shtm
"Chapter 27 Noise Control" (in PDF form) is:
http://dcra.dc.gov/information/forms_docs/pdf/Noiseregs.pdf
Best regards,
-- Philip Bogdonoff
 
 
 
 
 
PETS IN THE 'HOOD -- TWO DIFFERENT VIEWS ON POOP DISPOSAL
 
**** From:  Anonymous
Dear Kathy - I know that this may sound stupid but can you please send
out some kind of message to dog owners about disposal of their pet
excrement? I'd like to remain anonymous because I live right behind Ft
Reno Park. Several dog owners have put their plastic bag of doggie do-do
in my trash can.   When I have seen someone do this, I ask that they
please remove it. They can see that I, too, am a dog owner.  I mention
that I flush my dog's down the toilet and suggest that they do
likewise.   Instead, they drop it in the trash can next door.  If I
don't want it in my can, what makes them think that it's okay to put it
in my neighbor's trash can?  Apparently they don't realize the bugs that
it attracts (even if wrapped in plastic) and I can't mention the smell
when the can is opened in this heat. Recently, it was extremely
difficult to walk past the can to get to my parked vehicle without
feeling sick due to the smell.  Oh yes, I've had my share of dirty
diapers in the past.  But this is different.  I love my dog but I try to
be considerate to others.  Thanks.
 
**** From Kathy  Smith -- I confess to contributing to the above
situation in that I encourage dog walkers to place their used baggies in
my trash can.  My reasons are:
1.)  If I make it easy for them, they will be encouraged to scoop it up
from my front yard, sidewalk, tree box, etc.
2.) My garbage can is for garbage and smells bad anyway. What's one or
two more little smelly items? After all, when a dog poops on my property
and it isn't removed by the owner, where do you think I toss it?
3.)  It just seems a neighborly thing to do so that people don't have to
walk blocks carrying a baggie of poop.
 
 
 
 
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
 
**** From: MISDiver@aol.com
Can anyone recommend a pediatric dentist in the Tenleytown/Bethesda
area?  Most of the ones I've seen advertised are out in Virginia.  My
daughter is 2 1/2 and it's time for her first visit.  I think a
kid-focused atmosphere would help make it a less intimidating
experience. Thank you in advance!
 
**** From: "Emily Yoffe" <eyoffe@worldnet.att.net>
My wonderful housekeeper is looking for more work.  She is hard-working,
reliable and a lovely person. Her schedule is flexible. If you're
interested please call Emily at 202/686-1266.
 
**** From: "Laura Roth" <roths@sprintmail.com>
I'm looking for someone to clean my (small) house every other week.  I'm
estimating that it would be 4-5 hours per visit.  No laundry, but
occasional ironing would be involved.  There is a yellow lab in the
house who is friendly.  If interested please email me availability,
rates, references.  Thank you!
 
**** From: Robmayers@aol.com
HANDYMAN NEEDED:  Looking for handyman to remove old  A/C unit from
window
and install new one.  For details, please call 202-966-2213 or email:
robmayers@aol.com. THANKS ! ! !
 
**** From: Dianeconk@aol.com
I want to respond to Richard Abbott's query re ductless air
conditioning. I just put a unit in the living room of my beach house
because the central couldn't handle the morning sun, etc. It is a Sanyo
and it is wonderful. I use a remote control to turn it on/off and to set
the speed, fan opening and even to time it. My living room is now very
comfortable and quiet).Diane Conklin
 
**** From: IAHUNT@aol.com (Irmgard Hunt )
Free!  Walnut colored office table, 36 x 72, 29 h. Great for work or
office  use, with a table cloth even as a dining table.  It's too good
to throw out.  Call to inspect and pick up from front porch.  Irmgard
Hunt  202 362 3622
 
**** From:  "Bob and Hazel Keimowitz" <rkhk@starpower.net>
I recently had someone working on the house.  I was very pleased and
thought I'd share the recommendation with the neighborhood.  We recently
needed some design and building done on our decrepit pergola. A new
neighbor was reconstructing a deck, and after going to bid, we chose the
same builder, Innovative Spaces, to do the work.  We were very pleased
with Mr. Taylor Mattews and his group.  (The phone number is:
301-662-8181.) The redesign was more functional and better looking than
the original. Taylor gave us excellent material suggestions, was prompt,
punctual, and cleaned up daily.  I was extremely pleased with him and
his work.  He is moderately expensive but fair--and very good.  Very
highly recommended.
 
**** From: "malonsovazquez" <malonso@pf.com>  (Maria Vazquez)
Reply-To:  tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
Can anyone recommend a piano teacher for a 7 year old?  Thanks in
advance.
 
**** From: "Phillips, Ann" <APhillips@usaid.gov>
Does anyone have a used piano in good condition that they would like to
sell? Please call 202-686-1351.
 
Can anyone recommend a good piano teacher for an intermediate student?
Please e-mail me or call: 202-686-1351.
 
Re: Tenleytown painters.  I used them to paint the trim and windows on
my home about ten years ago and would not use them again.  They painted
windows and weep holes shut. In a downpour that occurred just after they
had painted, water poured into my daughter's bedroom because the weep
holes had been filled. My father, who was in the real estate and
construction business in the mid-West, added that they clearly had no
clue about re-glazing the windows.
 
**** From: Bill Rogers <billrogers@bigfoot.com>
HOMEOWNER LOOKING FOR AU Park, Tenleytown, Chevy Chase or southern
Bethesda 1
bedroom APARTMENT, to rent during home rehab nightmare.  Please pass
this along to neighbors, as in-home is greatly preferred to commercial
building.  Starting whenever (ASAP) and continuing to about June of 2002
(happy to sign year's lease if I can cancel with 60 days advance notice
to you). My 6-month home rehab is in its 14th month, with about 12 more
to go, plus any further unanticipated District delays, loss of paperwork
(4+ & counting), no show required inspections (about 15 & counting), "I
know we already approved that on paper, but we changed our minds"
(Hello, TV tower lawsuit) or other occurrences of profound taxpayer
culture shock and stunned disbelief.  I'm a great tenant, clean, do
gardening, quiet, can pet sit if needed.  Ready to move back to the
quiet NW from my inadequate, temporary perch next to the oh-so-quiet
Capitol Hill fire and ambulance station.  Want to pick up mail at my
owned home and use my residential parking sticker, and so, to rent
nearby.  Also available to counsel fools who want to increase the
District's tax base by improving their property before 100% of current
employees retire (relief is spelled r-e-a-l-t-o-r, or MD for short:
DON'T DO IT!!!).  Please call me at (202) 686-7616, fax me at
1-877-632-4077 toll free, or if you must, email me (Your email will
likely be lost in the pile, so I may take forever to respond) at
<billrogers@bigfoot.com>.  THANKS for passing this along to your
neighbors.....
 
 
 
 
WEST NILE VIRUS
From: "Tommy Tomlinson and Penni St. Hilaire" <tommyt@erols.com>
The District's health officials tell us to call the West Nile Disease
office if we find a dead crow and they will come and pick it up and that
we should not handle them ourselves.  Last Friday I found a newly dead
crow in the alley behind our house.  I called the animal disease (West
Nile) office at about 2 p.m.  A machine answered and told me that if I
had found a dead bird I should leave my name and telephone number and
they would call back.  No call came and, of course, no DC health person
to pick it up through the weekend and into Tuesday.  Meantime I had
placed the bird in a sack because the smell was growing, the flies were
buzzing, and I thought it should be removed from access by dogs,
children and passersby who often walk up the alley.  On Tuesday I called
animal disease again and was greeted by a young and cheery  (sounding)
women who dutifully noted the address and the kind of bird, but said she
had no idea if they would be by to pick it up.  I placed the bird in the
trash and it was hauled away Tuesday morning.
 
I have also read recently that the West Nile virus in this area is now
well documented and health officials are now saying that it is no longer
urgent that they verify its presence by testing the dead crows (unless
it is on the White House grounds) , i.e., they will not be picking up
the birds when they are reported.  Yet we are not to handle them
ourselves.  That's life in D.C. I guess.  Any thoughts?
 
 
 
 
DEVELOPMENT AT WISCONSIN AND MILITARY
From: JenNielsen007@aol.com
The Friendship Heights Organization for Reasonable Development (FhORD)
held its first
neighborhood-wide meeting on July 9 to spread the word about a planned
unit development (PUD) that has been submitted to the D.C. Zoning
Commission by developer Stonebridge Associates for the site at Western
Ave and Military Rd (currently occupied by Washington Clinic and part of
the Lisner Home).  The proposal is to upzone the land from its current
low/moderate density residential (R-2 and R-5-B) to medium/high density
(R-5-D) in order to build a massive 200-225 rental apartment complex.
It comes on the heels of a total of 2 million square feet of new
development planned for the sites currently housing Geico (500 new
apartment and town house units), Hechts (275 new apartments as well as
office and retail space), Giant (expanded retail and office space), and
WMATA (400 apartments and new retail space).
 
FhORD's position is simple:  the Stonebridge proposal is overly large
and it is bad development.  It undermines D.C.'s Comprehensive Plan for
Ward 3, which is intended to protect the ward's "most outstanding
characteristic" of low-density, stable residential neighborhoods.  The
current zone should be maintained and a more appropriate plan for this
site and its gracious lawns and trees should be conceived.
 
FhORD plans to prepare to testify in the defense of maintaining the
current zoning at the Zoning Commission hearings on this PUD in the
fall.  It is asking neighbors to:
 
1) Write letters to the Zoning Commission, Planning Office, the five
members of ANC-3E, and D.C. Council Members opposing this plan (citing
the ZC case #02-17);
 
2) Sign FhORD's petition to preserve the current zoning
 
3) Join FhORD, contribute to the fund testimony preparation, and
volunteer to help educate the rest of the neighborhood about the dangers
of this development to the quality of life in our lovely neighborhood.
 
To learn more or offer your support, you can go to our website
www.fhord.org, e-mail info@fhord.org or contact Larry Freedman at
363-0354 or Jennifer Nielsen at 537-3574.
 
 
 
 
CURRENT NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE FROM COUNCILMEMBER
Please contact the relevant staff member for the newsletter:
 
****Subject: Newsletter from Harold Brazil
Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 11:50:09 -0400
From:  "White, Jessica (COUNCIL)" <JWHITE@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
For the week of July 15-19, 2002.  (Thanks to Barry Kreiswirth, David
Goldblatt and Renaldo Chapman for writing this in my absence.)
In this issue:
* International Spy Museum Opening; Project Received District Support
* Convention Center Update
* Convention Center Historic Preservation Grant Program Launched July
15th
* Grand Prix Racing!
-------------
**** Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 17:34:55 -0400
From:  "White, Jessica (COUNCIL)" <JWHITE@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
In this issue:
* Master Business License Program Information
* Existing Convention Center RFP--how to get a copy
* Restaurant Week Returns!!  Sunday, July 28 -- Sunday, August 4, 2002
* "Back to School" Sales Tax Holiday Friday, August 9 -- Sunday, August
18,
2002
* DC Chamber of Commerce, DC Marketing Center and XM Satellite Radio
Held
Economic Development Summit
 
 
 
 
 
UPDATE ON FOREST HILLS TREE & SLOPE OVERLAY
From:  secrertary@anc3f.org
The Zoning Commission held a three-hour hearing on the Forest Hills Tree
& Slope Overlay on Thursday June 27, 2002.  The Commission heard
testimony from  the Forest Hills Citizens Association ("FHCA"), the
Office of Planning ("OP"), the National Park Service ("NPS") and ANC3F.
The Zoning Commissioners asked several questions and requested
additional information from the FHCA, OP and the ANC, and then adjourned
the hearing until September 5, 2002, at 6:30 PM at which time
individuals and organizations will have a chance to testify -- first
supporters of the Overlay and then opponents.
 
As a preliminary matter, ANC Commissioner Phil Kogan asked the Zoning
Commission to drop all consideration of an overlay and refer the matter
back to the neighborhood.  No Zoning Commissioner expressed any support
for this position and, therefore, the hearing proceeded.
 
Highlights from the June 27 hearing
 
The Forest Hills Citizens Association ("FHCA") presented 30 minutes of
testimony from President Barbara Simons, George Clark (co-chair of the
ANC Tree & Slope Committee), Steve Gresham (architect from Niles and
Bolton) and Dorn McGrath (professor of urban planning and former Chair
of the Committee of 100 for the Federal City).  FHCA endorsed the
changes proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee and approved by ANC 3F.  The
Commission then asked a number of questions about the proposal.  In
response to those questions, FHCA agreed to submit further information
concerning the possible subdivision of lots and other information on
development.   Mr. Clark said that FHCA and the Ad Hoc Committee worked
very hard over several months to listen to, and to try to accommodate,
views of everyone in the community about the Overlay.  Many of the
revisions now before the Zoning Commission resulted from those meetings
with individuals, telephone calls, consultations with experts, meetings
with OP and just further reconsideration.  At this point, he said, FHCA
believes that the ANC, the Ad Hoc Committee and FHCA have responded
reasonably to every concern which has been made known to them.
 
The Office of Planning ("OP") strongly endorsed the proposed overlay,
and generally supported the modifications by FHCA and the ANC, but OP
opposed any increase in minimum lot size for future subdivisions or
inclusion of parcels not zoned R-1-A.  The Commission questioned whether
certain parcels not zoned R-1-A should be excluded, and OP indicated at
least some flexibility with respect to that issue.  It was asked to
provide more information on the non-R-1-A areas.
 
David Murphy from the National Park Service also endorsed the overlay.
He explained the latest expert thinking on adverse impact of impervious
surface on tree growth and development.  He supported larger lots as
providing more opportunities to sustain large trees.  He explained the
desirability of the overlay for protecting the adjacent national park
land and streams and tributaries which flow into Rock Creek.
 
The ANC presentation focused on the need for the overlay as well as the
propriety of including certain parcels which are not zoned R-1-A.  ANC
Commissioner Karen Perry emphasized that an overlay is long overdue, and
that previous efforts had died while striving for consensus.  She
explained how a recent project adjacent to Melvin Hazen Park and Tilden
Street (3883 Connecticut Avenue) had re-galvanized residents to seek an
Overlay.  ANC Commissioner David Bardin showed slides to demonstrate why
it was appropriate to include certain parcels not zoned R-1-A.  He also
provided to the Zoning Commission a draft of proposed language that
modified the Overlay in accordance with the views of FHCA and the ANC.
That text is available on the ANC's website, www.anc3f.org.  And he
referred to an additional amendment that ANC Commissioner Doug Mitchell
had just proposed on behalf of R-2 residents to reconcile OP concerns
with the residents' desire to include their land in the Overlay.
 
Final clarifications
 
As a final matter, in response to questions from individuals, George R.
Magher, Jr., and Karen Foreit, Commission Chair Mitten clarified that
(a) there is no general moratorium on building permits in Forest Hills,
and (b) only the Zoning Commission can now modify the Overlay as set
down for hearing (so Applicant's endorsement of certain amendments will
not of itself amend the Overlay).
 
Hearing Resumes September 5
 
The Zoning Commission will continue the hearing on Thursday, September 5
at 6:30 PM at 441 4th Street, N.W., Room 200.
David Bardin, Secretary, ANC 3F (phone: 202-857-6089;
bardind@arentfox.com).
 
 
 
 
AN ODE TO MCI
From:  "DavidH" <howcroft@msn.com>
sung to "bye bye miss american pie"...
 
A long, long time ago ... I can still remember ...
How WorldCom used to make me smile.
I knew if they had a chance,
They would make their numbers dance,
To keep investors happy ... for a while.
 
The Ebbers scandal made me shiver,
With every margin call delivered.
Bad news on the doorstep,
The stock price took a wrong step.
 
I can't remember if I cried,
When I read about that market slide.
Something touched me deep inside.
The day ... WorldCom ... died.
 
Bye, bye, WorldCom / MCI.
My portfolio was heavy, when the stock was still high.
Now Wall Street boys got a poke in the eye,
Saying: This is what you get when you buy.
This is what you get when you buy.
 
Did you cook your books with fluff,
And do you believe it's good enough
If accountants tell you so.
 
Now, do you believe in bought and sold,
Can audits save your corporate soul
And can I teach you how to count ... real slow.
Well, I know your profit's pretty thin,
Now we all must take it on the chin.
We'll all now have to choose ...
Who'll be the first who sues.
 
I was a working guy who had a buck.
With some shares of stock, but who gives a f...
But I knew I was out of luck
The day that WorldCom died.
 
We were singing ...
Bye, bye, WorldCom / MCI.
My portfolio was heavy, when the stock was still high.
Now Wall Street boys got a poke in the eye,
Saying: This is what you get when you buy
This could make the company die.
 
Bye, bye, WorldCom / MCI.
My portfolio was heavy, when the stock was still high.
Now Wall Street boys got a poke in the eye,
Saying: This just made the company die.
 
The Day that WorldCom Died (An Ode to MCI)
lyrics by Jeff Wadler (c) 2002.
recorded live in Ocean Pines, MD
Performed by June 30, 2002
Send comments to fremela@mchsi.com
<http://jeffwadler.home.mchsi.com/mci-pie.mp3>
 
 
-- END--