COMMUNIT-E
November 4, 2004

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3E
From: Polly King <pking@lldhhome.org>
Thursday, November 11, 7:30 pm
St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church
42nd and Fessenden Streets, NW
1. Announcements
2. Open Forum
3. Presentation by 2nd District Police
4. Discussion of and vote on Fort Reno
5. Presentation and discussion of Text Alert DC – a new emergency
notification system that allows citizens to receive immediate
announcements during emergencies on text capable devices
6. Update on Chase Point, located at 5401 Western Avenue
7. Update on Cityline at Tenley located at Wisconsin and Albermarle
8. Discussion with Wes Gibson from Georgetown Day School
For further information www.anc3e.org

CHECK THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE ALARMS
From: Rice, Bill (DDOT) <Bill.Rice@dc.gov>
(Washington) - DC Fire & EMS and the District Department of Transportation
are teaming up to remind citizens to change the batteries in their smoke
alarms. Smoke alarms are the most important fire safety item you can have in your
home. The DC Fire & EMS Department encourages everyone to install smoke
alarms and remember to change the batteries every six months. An installed
working smoke alarm doubles a family's chances of surviving a fire in the
home.

FUNDRAISER FOR IONA
From: Suzanne Wheeler Klein <Sklein@IONA.ORG>
IONA is hosting a Southern Living Fundraiser to benefit IONA's
Greatest Generation. The event is open to the public and will be
held at IONA Tuesday, November9th from 1:30-6:30 pm. Refreshments
will be served. A portion of sales will be donated to IONA.
Suzanne Wheeler Klein
202-895-9436
202-895-0244 fax
www.iona.org

FUNDRAISER FOR JANNEY ELEMENTARY
From: Marla Mitnick <marla.mitnick@verizon.net>
Janney Elementary’s gift wrap sale is almost over and we are making a final
appeal to you to help us raise money to pay for basic programs we risk losing
due to cuts in our budget from DC Public Schools. Perhaps you are starting to
think about your holiday shopping. Please check your gift wrap supplies to see
if you are running out of anything. The Sally Foster gift wrap we are selling is
high quality and you get about four times as much per roll as that which you
would buy in a store. If you need gifts for kids, check out the solid chocolate
bear or Wally’s Balloon Magic. Buy boxed chocolates (a brand that is also sold
at Marvelous Market) and nuts for those times when you need a gift to bring with
you for the host or hostess. Janney will receive an amazing 50% of your purchase
and you will have your order within one week. To order, go to www.SallyFoster.com
and browse the catalog. When you check out be sure to enter Janney’s account
number when prompted, #499219. We at Janney greatly appreciate the support we
receive from our neighbors and know we could not offer a quality education without
your help.

REGARDING BROKEN PARKING METERS

**** From: Cbtwald@aol.com
I have used the following idea, which I got from a friend: If a meter is
broken and you have a cell phone, call the phone number posted on the
meter and report the meter. You will be asked for the number of the
meter, which is also posted. The operator will give you a confirmation
number which is to be used if you are then given a ticket.

**** From: Asher, Steve (DDOT) <steve.asher@dc.gov>
I'm writing in response to a posting from Mark McDonald that appeared
on the Tenleytown Listserv. He includes among his complaints parking
meters that take coins but don't register time.

The situation he describes does occur from time to time. The coin slots
can be temporarily disabled if the previous user attempted to jam the meter
or use some sort of slug instead of a coin. The meter is capable of restoring
itself to service, but it may not register every coin. Our newest meters have
coin slots with greater sensitivity, which will reduce the frequency of
this problem. We are also retrofitting all of our older meters with new
coin slots as part of our regular maintenance program.

You may park at a broken meter, but you may be cited for overtime if you
park longer than is allowed for the space. Parking for two and a half hours
at a two-hour meter is a violation whether the meter is working or not.

A word of advice to people who park at a broken meter: Call 727-1000 to
report the problem. Each meter has an ID number under the dome facing
the street. If the ID number isn't legible, report the address of the
business/residence in front of the meter.

Make note of the tracking number the operator assigns to your report. If you
get a ticket and request adjudication, evidence that you reported a problem
will strengthen your case. The adjudication officer will request a condition
report for the meter at the time the citation was issued -- the meters have a
memory chip to generate a report and keep track of time out of service. The
adjudicator can use this information to guide a decision about the validity
of the citation.

Our performance goal is have 97 percent of the meters working at all times.
We are meeting our goal, but we understand Mr. McDonald's frustration at
encountering a meter that's not working properly. The more people who
use 727-1000 to report meter problems, the quicker we can restore them
to service.
Steve Asher, Acting Chief
Curbside Management Division
District Department of Transportation


BANK OF AMERICA AND BAC PRIVACY SOURCE
From: Carolyn Long <carolynlong@earthlink.net>

Some time ago I posted a notice on COMMUNIT-E about being charged
on my Bank of America Visa for BAC PrivacySource services that I did
not request or receive. Since then I've gotten a number of messages from
people who have had the same experience, asking how I resolved the
problem. Here is my advice: First, DO NOT respond to any offer for a
free credit report that comes with your Visa bill--that's how I initially became
entangled in this mess and ended up with an $80.00 monthly charge on my bill.
But if it happens to you, don't pay. Call BAC PrivacySource at 800-374-8273
and ask for a cancellation number. Also call the Bank of America claims
department at 800-759-2334 and write to Bank of America, P.O. Box 1390,
Richmond, Virginia 23501-1390, with a copy to PrivacyGuard, P.O. Box
1035, Trumbull, CT 06611. Say that you're disput! ing the charge. After
several phone calls and three letters (I threatened to cancel my Visa account)
I received a letter from Marva Pemberton, Bank of America BankCard
Services, Chargeback Department (phone 800-759-2334), saying that all
charges would be removed from my bill, and I have had no further problems.

Bank of America Visa and BAC PrivacySource are probably doing something
illegal, and there must be some federal agency that regulates such affairs. Surely
somebody on the COMMUNIT-E list knows where to take our complaint.


PLANTING IN TREE BOXES
From: Leavy, Lorie - Washington, DC <LLEAVY@email.usps.gov>
When planting ornamentals in the strip between sidewalk and curb, please
be careful to keep them a good distance from any trees. Grass,
wildflowers, liriope, and other types of plantings will compete with the
tree for moisture and can have a significant impact during periods of
drought. Ideally all vegetation should be removed for several feet
around the trunk, and the bare area should be given 2-4 inches of mulch
(not piled against the trunk).


COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** From: KS
For window repairs, I recommend Blaine’s at 301-933-1310. They will come
to your house or you can take screens or windows to them. They are open
from 8am to 5pm. They are at 2410 Linden Lane.

**** From: Amanda Orr <amandaorr@yahoo.com>
We are looking for a wonderful loving nanny who has experience with
children with health issues or developmental problems. I will be returning
to work in January and our beautiful twelve week old daughter will need a
babysitter full time for four or five days a week. English speaking is a must
and a drivers license and car is preferred. Please contact Amanda Orr by
email at amandaorr@yahoo.com or by phone at 202-362-4820.

**** From: LRol@aol.com
For Sale
Beautiful almost new (bought this year) stainless steel refrdgerator by
Fridgidare. I bought it from Appliance Land for close to $1,100 and it
doesnt fit in my space. Freezer is on top. $800.00 firm. I have receipts
and all paper work.

**** From: Leigh Lambert <leighlambertneedlepoint@yahoo.com>
I have a futon that I would will give to anyone who is willing to take it away.
The coushion is stained and the frame is missing a peg. Otherwise sturdy.
I can be reached at 202.686.1695.

**** From: Tracy_Hauser_Scarrow@cadc.uscourts.gov
Re: Donating Used Books
About 2 years ago someone from the Communit-E gave me the name of a
guy who will come to you to pick up used books that you want to donate. His
non-profit company then distributes the books to schools and various other
organizations. Anyone remember who this is? Because I have a lot of boxes
of books to donate (and they all won't fit in my car) I really need to find
someone that will come to pick the books up.

**** From: Pagano, Penny (COUNCIL) <ppagano@dccouncil.us>
DMV satellite offices in Georgetown, Brentwood and PennBranch
will be open on November 13 and 20 from 8:15 am to noon to accommodate
residents who want to come to renew their motor vehicle registrations. The
extra hours are being added to accommodate residents as a result of printing
and production problems in getting out vehicle registration renewal notices
in recent weeks. DMV will print those missed notices that still allow
citizens to renew by mail and online. DMV's C Street office has regular
Saturday hours from 8:15 am to 4:00 pm.

**** From: Hillary Legrain <hillarylegrain@hotmail.com>
1869 Society Fall Fête: Art and the Elements
What To Expect : The 1869 Society of the Corcoran Gallery of Art presents
its annual fall fête, Art and the Elements. Designed for young and social
professionals, ages 25 to 42, the 1869 Society supports the Corcoran Gallery
of Art in enriching Washington’s cultural life. In this fun and glamorous
evening, musical group Groove Spot will take to the microphone and perform
your favorite 70's and 80's hits. Attendees will enjoy a dessert buffet and an
open bar, including award-winning selections from Prince Michel Vineyards,
Official Wine Sponsor of Art and the Elements. They may also take a stroll
through the galleries. Proceeds from this event will benefit Corcoran Museum
and College programming.
Date : 11/20/2004 Time : 9pm - 12:30am, with an after party until 2am at
Firefly Restaurant/Bar
Location : Corcoran Gallery of Art
Attire : Cocktail Attire
Ticket : Members $55 ($70 after Nov 14); Non-Members $70 ($85 after Nov 14);
1869 Society Membership + Ticket $150
Contact/Ticket Buying Information : Purchase tickets online
at www.corcoran.org/1869, or email 1869society@corcoran.org
for more information.


REPORT HOMESTEAD FRAUD IN DC
From: Robert Hyman <roberthyman@erols.com>
Ever wonder if the owner of the rental property on your street might be
getting the Homestead Deduction illegally? Go to www.taxpayerservicecenter.com
to find out! Enter the street address and quadrant (NW, NE, SE, SW) then click
on “Search Now” then click on the “square/suffix/lot” numbers on the left side,
then look at the “Homestead Status” line. You may also click on “View Tax Info”
on the bottom of the page to see more. To report possible Homestead Fraud
contact Irving Gwynn at irving.gwynn@dc.gov Manager of the Homestead
Audit Division and provide the address, lot and square numbers and any other
relative information. Mr. Gwynn may also be reached at 202-442-6747. The city
will thank you for being a part of the solution. Robert Hyman Glover Park
NEED HELP contact me at roberthyman@erols.com


"CHUBBY" SEEKS A GOOD HOME
from: kayates@bellatlantic.net

A smart, affectionate, long-hair cat, "Chubby" needs a good home where she
can get the attention she craves and deserves. Last spring, a pretty, black
& white, estimated one-and-a-half year old, came to us as skinny stray and
took up residence in our back yard. She received a complete set of shots
and got a full physical from the Friendship Hospital, passing with flying
colors, no diseases, parasites or fleas. She is scrupulous in habits, an
excellent house cat that needs a lot of love that she returns two-fold.
Since we both work, she is left alone outside most of the day and as the
weather gets colder she will need more protection. With her comes a full
set of supplies (cat bed, dishes, a supply of food, etc.). In the short
time she has been with us she has gained weight and impressed us with her
cleanliness and intelligence. If you can provide a good and loving home,
please respond to the e-mail address above with your contact data.


FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE: MANSFIELD FELLOWSHIPS IN JAPAN
From: anjinsan@geotrees.com

Discover the Mansfield Fellowships!
Unique Professional Development Opportunity for Federal Employees: Mike
Mansfield Fellowship in Japan Federal employees with a strong career
interest in issues of importance to the U.S.-Japan relationship now have
the opportunity to apply for a Mike Mansfield Fellowship. During the
two-year program, Fellows spend a year working full-time in Japanese
government offices, preceded by a year of full-time rigorous language
and area studies training in the United States. After completing the
program, Fellows return to their U.S. agencies with proficiency in
Japanese and practical, firsthand experience with Japan and its
government that enables them to contribute to their agencies'
Japan-related work.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have completed at least two
consecutive years of government service immediately preceding the
application deadline. It is expected that Fellows will return to service
in the U.S. government for at least two years after completing the
Fellowship Program. For more information about the Fellowships, upcoming
information sessions in Washington, D.C., and application guidelines,
please visit <http://www.mansfieldfdn.org> www.mansfieldfdn.org or
call 202-347-1994. Application deadline: April 1, 2005.

The Mansfield Fellowship Program is administered by The Maureen and Mike
Mansfield Foundation with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, as grantor.


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