COMMUNIT-E
January 8, 2004
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
There was a lot of spam to delete after several weeks away from my computer.
If
your message was accidentally deleted, please resend it. – KS
REMINDER – ANC3E AND ANC3B MEETINGS TONIGHT (Thursday, January 8)
AND ANC3F ON MONDAY, JANUARY 12
MOVING ON
From: Diskan, Jill (EOM) <Jill.Diskan@dc.gov>
Ward 3 Neighborhood Services Coordinator
I want to let you know that I have been offered, and have accepted with
pleasure, the position of Senior Coordinator for the Comprehensive Plan in
the DC Office of Planning. I am a Planner by avocation and background, and
I am thrilled to have this opportunity to help shape our city for many years
to come.
If you have pending issues, contact my Administrative Assistant, Migdalia
Taveras at 671-4496, and she will be able to help you. Her e-mail is
Migdalia.Taveras@dc.gov
My e-mail address will remain the same. Although I do not yet know my
direct line, you should be able to reach me via 2/442-7600 as of 12/15/03.
Jill
VISITOR PARKING PERMITS
The web site for information about this is: http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/info/traffic/visitorpermits.shtm
CRIME OF INTEREST
From: Crimereports.com <reports@crimereports.com>
PSA 207 12/9/2003 1800 Hours
THEFT - 1
C1 reports while attending an event at the Kennedy Center, she was asked
to remove
various property to pass thru the metal detector. While doing so, unknown
person(s) took the property from the basket.
VIEWING STOLEN PROPERTY
From: property@anc3f.org
The Second District Police will conduct a property viewing of items
stolen in burglaries in the 2nd and 3rd Districts between the months of
January 2003 through June 2003.
In order to claim your property, you must bring an itemized list of
items that were stolen and police report numbers. You will not be able
to view the property without this information. Property will not be released
to owners the same day.
For more information please contact:
Detective Neil Jones at 202-282-0043/ njones@mpdc.org
or Detective Swenson at 202-673-6914
The Second District Police Station is located at 3320 Idaho Avenue, NW
2D COURT REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2003
The report of arrests and disposition of some cases in 2D, for November,
is now available. To read this report, e-mail Michelle.McIver@usdoj.gov .
MY DEPARTURE
From: Michelle.McIver@usdoj.gov <Michelle.McIver@usdoj.gov>
It is with great disappointment to announce that January 19, 2004, I will
be reassigned to another police district. Senior management at the U.S.
Attorney's Office recently decided that it would be beneficial to rotate
the Community Outreach Specialists every 18 months for professional development
reasons. In the near future, I will introduce the next Community Outreach
Specialist for the Second District. I am sure that he/she will work to address
the needs of your area the way that I strived to.
It was a pleasure working with you all for the last seven months. In this
short time, I have grown attached to the community and am pleased to have
been a part of your improvement efforts. I hope that my presence here at
2D has had a positive impact as well. I will work diligently to close out
the projects that were started. If you have any questions or concerns, please
feel free to contact me. Thank you for your support of the USAO's Community
Prosecution efforts.
Michelle S. McIver
Community Outreach Specialist
Second District Community Prosecution Office
3320 Idaho Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-282-0584 phone
202-282-0576 fax
JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM BILL HEARING
Testimony on Juvenile Justice Reform Bill Needed - Jan 14th Hearing!
From: Michelle.McIver@usdoj.gov <Michelle.McIver@usdoj.gov>
On Wednesday, January 14, 2004, Councilmember Kathy Patterson, Chairperson
of the Committee on the Judiciary, will hold a public hearing on Bill
15-537, the "Omnibus Juvenile Justice, Victim's Rights and Parental
Participation Act of 2003," Bill15-574, the "Juvenile Justice Act of 2003,"
Bill 15-460, the "Juvenile Justice and Parental Accountability Amendment
Act
of 2003," Bill 15-573, "Juvenile Justice Task Force Establishment Act of
2003," and Bill 15-523, "Restricting Minors Access to Graffiti Materials
Amendment Act of 2003." The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Council
Chambers of the John A. Wilson building.
Those who wish to testify should contact Tami Lewis, Legislative Staff
Assistant for the Judiciary Committee, at (202) 724-8209;7808, by e-mail
at
tlewis@dccouncil.us,
or by fax at (202) 724-6664, and provide their names,
addresses, telephone numbers, organizational affiliation and title by the
close of business on Thursday, January 8, 2004. Witnesses should also
provide 15 copies of their testimony. If submitted by the close of business
on Thursday, January 8, 2004, the testimony will be distributed to
Councilmembers before the Hearing. All witnesses will be permitted a
maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation.
If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are
encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of
written statements should be submitted either to the Judiciary Committee,
or
to Ms. Phyllis Jones, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson
Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record
will close on February 4, 2004.
Link to Announcement:
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/patterson/pages/judic/11404JuvJustLeg.
htm
WHAT’S NEW IN THE MPDC – December 12, 2003
From: Crimereports.com <reports@crimereports.com>
AGGRESSIVE SPEEDING REACHES RECORD LOW IN NOVEMBER
Fewer people were speeding aggressively in DC’s photo radar enforcement zones
in November than during any other month since the automated speeding reduction
program was first implemented in the summer of 2001. Last month, just under
6 percent of the more than 950,000 vehicles monitored by photo radar were
found to be traveling above the speed limit threshold established for the
program. That is substantially lower than the 31 percent aggressive speeding
rate during July 2001, when the program first started. The previous low
percentage for aggressive speeding was 6.8 percent in September 2003. Average
speeds on residential streets, arteries and highways all continue to be
substantially lower than they were when the program began 28 months ago.
On streets with a 25-mph speed limit, the average speed of all vehicles
detected by photo radar was just 26.8 mph in November 2003 - down from 35.5
mph in July 2001 and the lowest average speed in residential areas since
the program began. During the first 28 months of the program, more than
533,000 photo radar speeding citations have been paid, resulting in nearly
$39.8 million in fines. Get the latest results on the Photo Radar Speeding
Reduction Program at:
http://mpdc.dc.gov/info/traffic/speedresults_text.shtm
FOOTNOTE I: For more information about photo radar, including the locations
of photo radar enforcement zones, click on:
http://mpdc.dc.gov/info/traffic/speed.shtm
FOOTNOTE II: DC’s 4-year-old red-light camera program also continues to produce
impressive results, including a 63 percent reduction in red-light running
violations at intersections equipped with cameras. Details at:
http://mpdc.dc.gov/info/traffic/redlight.shtm
*********************************************
BILINGUAL FAMILY LIAISION SPECIALIST AMONG
CIVILIAN POSITIONS IN THE MDPC
The MPDC is currently recruiting for a bilingual (English-Spanish) Family
Liaison Specialist who will assist family members of homicide victims as
part of
the MPDC’s expanded victim outreach efforts. Among other duties, the Family
Liaison Specialist will be responsible for establishing supportive relationships
with the families of homicide victims, explaining the investigative process,
assessing the needs of family members and working with homicide detectives
to
deal with survivor-related issues that arise during the course of the
investigation. The individual will also develop an action plan regarding
the
initial and ongoing contact with the family, make referrals to other service
providers and provide crisis intervention as needed. Applications for the
Family
Liaison Specialist are being accepted until January 9, 2004. Other civilian
positions currently available in the MPDC include a community service
representative, management analysis officer, management analyst and staff
assistant. For complete information about all of these positions, including
application procedures and forms, click on:
http://mpdc.dc.gov/about/employ/civilian.shtm
IS THIS LEGAL?
From: Carolyn Long <carolynlong@earthlink.net>
This past fall I received an offer from my Visa provider, Bank of America,
for a free credit report from BAC PrivacySource, which I suspect is a subsidiary
of Bank of America. At the end of three months one was supposed to call
to cancel or be charged a rather substantial monthly fee. I requested the
free service, intending to cancel in order to avoid payment. But instead
of receiving the free credit report, I got another big package of forms
to fill out, at which time I decided not to bother and threw them away,
foolishly assuming that not completing the application or receiving any
services cleared me of the obligation to cancel. In November I was charged
the first of the $79.99 monthly payments. I wrote a letter to Bank of America
explaining the circumstances and paid the rest of the Visa bill. This month,
although the $79.99 charge did not appear, I had a "finance charge" for
not paying the entire bill. Bank of America claimed to have no knowledge
of m! y letter, and said I had to work it out with BAC PrivacySource. When
I called them they said they would send me another packet of forms and then
I had to call and cancel, at which time the monthly fee (and hopefully the
service charge) would be removed from my bill.
This is obviously a scheme to trap customers into subscribing for a "free"
service and neglecting to cancel. I was stupid enough to fall for it, and
hope I haven't gotten into a morass of charges that are impossible to remove
from my bill. Is this legal? Is there a government agency to which I can
complain?
IDENTITY THEFT -- USEFUL INFORMATION
From: themail@dcwatch.com <themail@dcwatch.com>
###############
Steps to Take When You Suspect Identity Theft
Ben Slade, publicmailbox@benslade.com
[Put 030516 in the subject when replying to me to avoid my spam filters.]
From an article I recently read: Your best defense is taking fast action
to minimize future damage. Contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.
File a police report in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred. This
proves to the credit providers you were diligent. Next, immediately notify
the national crediting reporting agencies by calling Experian at 1-888-397-3742,
Equifax at 1-800-270-3435 and Trans Union at 1-800-680-7289. Place a "Fraud
Alert" on your name and SSN. Then, any company that checks your credit knows
your information was stolen -- they must contact you by phone to authorize
new credit. Obtain a copy of the FTC's ID Theft Affidavit form. Download
copy of the ID Theft Affidavit PDF file online, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf,
or call 1-877-ID-THEFT for a copy. "Call For Action", a consumer network
based in Maryland, offers assistance to victims of identity theft. Call
1-866-ID HOTLINE (toll free).
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
**** From: Sharlene Kranz <skranz_99@yahoo.com>
FOR SALE: Sears roof-top luggage box, Sport 15 CAV. $100.
GIVE AWAY: Toshiba 20" color TV, not new, works fine. Come and get it.
**** From: DJ <deborahlynne89@yahoo.com>
Re: dog walkers – I've been using Quadrapeds, owned by Michelle Roberts,
for a year and a half. She and her small staff are incredibly reliable,
great with dogs, honest, and trustworthy. She's got insurance, and I believe
all of her staff are bonded. I've never had a problem with her or any of
her employees. Michelle and staff walk a number of dogs in Tenleytown, and
are up in our neighborhood every day. You can reach Michelle at 202-744-5831.
**** From: maxtenny <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
Thru: tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
I can suggest a great dog walker -- she is a long time personal
friend as well as a great and reliable dog walker who takes care of
our dogs on occasion, both during the day and when we're out of
town. Her name is Wendy Dorfman, her company name is Happy Tails.
You can reach her at 468-2638. Feel free to tell her you got her
name from me. Travis Johnson
**** From: Bonnie Nevel <nevel@eli.org>
This is an "ad" for a colleague of mine who is coming to D.C. for a short
period and looking for housing:
Professor on Research trip wanting to rent and take care of your house
for 7 months -- I am a professor of History at the University of San
Francisco who plans to spend seven months doing research in Washington
D.C., and I am interested in renting and/or taking very good care of
your house from January to July 2004. The research grant I just
received from the Library of Congress, plus the continuing house
mortgage in San Francisco, only allow me to pay up to $650 a month, but
I would be pleased to take good care of your house. I would also be
pleased to house sit if you plan to be out of town for an extended
period of time. My wife and son won't be able to travel with me, but I
am an extremely responsible college professor working on a second book
in Latin American history. Please call (415) 422-6082 or e-mail me at
moreno@usfca.edu
if you are interested. Thank you and please ask for
Julio Moreno when you call.
**** From: Robert Hyman <RobertHyman@erols.com>
AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR METRO.two story two bedroom townhouse for rent
at Grosvenor North Bethesda. Two and a half bath, fireplace, deck,
parking and more! $1,500 per month call Robert at 202-342-5485
**** From: JULIE SLATTERY, BLOOMBERG/ WASHINGTO
We are looking for a house to rent short-term
from February through April of this year while our house is renovated. Please
email me if you have a house available in the AU Park area for short-term
rent
or housesitting. Thanks. Julie Slattery jslattery@bloomberg.net
202-624-1866
**** From: judith.reed@ots.treas.gov
Chevy Chase: Large unfurnished basement apt., kitchenette, 1BR/FB, Sep
Entr., Share W/D, Nr bus lines, $900 mo, Util. Incl., Ref's and dep. req.,
N/S, Avail. after 1/17. 202-244-4379
CORRIDOR STUDY FORUMS
From: Chapman Todd <chapmantodd@yahoo.com>
This is a reminder that the second of the three ANC
forums on the Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Study will be
Saturday, January 10, from 10 AM - noon at St. Mary’s
Church at 42nd and Fessenden (42nd Street entrance).
These forums are being hosted by ANC 3E and the two
ANC Commissioners from ANC 3F whose districts include
parts of the Wisconsin Avenue Corridor.
Please note that we have rescheduled the third forum;
it will now be held on Thursday, January 22, from 7 –
9 PM, rather than the previously scheduled date of
Thursday, January 15. The January 22 meeting will
also be held at St. Mary’s Church. We apologize for
any inconvenience that that schedule switch may cause.
The forums are designed to elicit community response
to the Office of Planning’s Corridor Study, and get a
sense from community members in our ANC districts on
what could or should happen on the Wisconsin Avenue
Corridor. While anyone who is interested is welcome
to attend, our discussion will be focused on getting
feedback and ideas from people who live in ANC 3E and
the two ANC 3F districts that include parts of
Wisconsin Avenue.
As we announced in advance of our first forum, we plan
to spend very little of the forum time reviewing
what’s in the Study, since we know that many of those
interested in commenting have attended the previous
Office on Planning sponsored meetings and are familiar
with the details of the Study. We’ll be presuming a
fairly high level of pre-forum knowledge; anyone who
wants background information on the Study either
before or after any of the forums can contact us.
Our goal by the end of the forums is to use what has
been discussed to create an ANC-approved document
which presents a vision for our neighborhood. Since
the Office on Planning’s Study will be going to the
District’s Council for action, our intent is to
present an ANC report which captures the opinions of
the neighbors who live on or near the Wisconsin Avenue
Corridor.
Each of the sessions will have a facilitator, and all
comments will be transcribed and distributed to the
community. We’ll use the discussions at the forums as
the basis for the document that the members of ANC 3E
will put together.
We are posting this to several lists, so you may be
getting multiple emails with the same information
Please email either Chapman Todd at
chapmantodd@yahoo.com
or Lucy Eldridge at
lucy.eldridge@verizon.net if
you have any preliminary
questions or comments.
PIANO RECITAL AND ART EXHIBIT
From: shirley moyer <smoyer@erols.com>
Piano Recital and Art Exhibit Opening at Metropolitan Memorial
Silvana Santinelli will play a recital of works by Mozart, Ravel,
and Chopin at 3 pm, January 11.
Immediately following the recital, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., the
audience will adjourn to the Great Hall for an art exhibit opening being
shown by Mary Jane Lynch. Ms. Lynch is a musician as well as an artist
and her show is appropriately entitled "Music In My Art." An ensemble
of flutists will entertain during the art exhibit opening and
reception. The exhibit will run through February 8, 2004.
Both events will be held at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist
Church, 3401 Nebraska Avenue, DC. A free will offering will be
received. 202-363-4900.
INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
From: SDrobis@aol.com
An 8 Week class to learn and practice some basic meditation techniques
Meditation is a tool that can help:
* Reduce Stress
* Manage anxiety
* Quiet self-criticism and judgment
* Develop self-acceptance and compassion
* Facilitate transitions and change
* Clarify internal conflicts and struggles
* Reduce suffering
* Enhance ability to live in the moment
The focus of this course will primarily be on mindfulness and vipassana
meditation techniques. Each class will be experiential with a chance to practice
new skills each week.
Teacher: Susan Drobis, LICSW is a Diplomate in clinical social work with
over twenty years of experience as a psychotherapist. She teaches courses
in
imagery and relaxation and has been a student of meditation for ten years.
Time: Tuesdays 6:15 - 7:15 PM or Fridays 10:15-11:15 AM. Begins February.
Place: Tenleytown, DC. One Block from the Metro. Space Limited.
Fee: $180 - eight hours
For more information: Call Susan Drobis @ 202-686-9005 or e-mail @
SusanDrobis@aol.com
–END–