DEAR NEIGHBOR, PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR ...
Please print out this copy of Street Smart and give it to any new residents
on your block who may not know about Street Smart or COMMUNIT-E.
Also,
please give it to any elderly residents who are not likely to have
e-mail. I
have continued to publish the occasional Street Smart, which
also comes out
in hard copy, because many of our older neighbors, who don't have e-mail
and
can't get COMMUNIT-E, are the preferred victims of cons.
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STREET SMART STREET SMART
STREET SMART STREET SMART
Winter, 2001
(202) 966-1804
Ksmith1804@aol.com
PART-TIME ASSISTANT NEEDED
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3E is looking for an energetic person
for
20-25 hours per month. Duties include: producing meeting notices,
assuring
posting of meeting notices within ANC boundaries and distribution to
various
agencies and officials, taking and drafting minutes of monthly ANC
3E
meetings, picking up and distributing mail to commissioners, follow-up
correspondence from meetings and assisting commissioners with correspondence
and constituent support, and other tasks as assigned. Car required.
Computer and printer desirable, but ANC can provide. This is an excellent
opportunity to get involved with neighborhood issues, learn how the
District
government works, work with committed community activists, provide
a service,
and earn some money. $12-15/hour. Call Jill Diskan at 879-3199
or e-mail
her at Jdiskan@foe.org.
BY POPULAR DEMAND: COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are excerpts from recommendations sent in by readers
of
COMMUNIT-E. Accompanying comments had to be edited because of space
limitations, but the more detailed version will be available in an
upcoming
COMMUNIT-E or at the Tenley Library Reference Desk.
To get on the COMMUNIT-E mailing list, contact me at Ksmith1804@aol.com.
Auto Body Work:
** From: Judie Guy, gpgazed@aol.com -- I recommend Petrovitch at 14th
&
Florida.
Bicycle Repair:
** Hudson Trail Outfitters at Brandywine and Wisconsin.
Brick & Concrete Work:
** From: sellis@pd.state.gov (Ellis, Susan) -- Alphonso Gibbs, 301-499-0259.
** C. L. Williams at 301-397-4692 (beeper) or 301-856-4967. He
does
painting,
cement, driveways, sidewalks, block & brick work, and hauling.
Carpenter, Contractor, Handyman:
** Jeff Seeley, good carpenter, at 363-4151 or 882-8001.
** From: mark@healthquick.com (Mark DeSimone) -- Dwight Peters (drywall,
woodwork, etc.) 301-802-2236
** From: Deborah C. Fort, FortsKDC@cs.com -- carpenter and handyman
Marcotulio
Orellana and his company 'The Home Doctor.' 301-942-7768. Cell phone:
240-
604-4742.
** From: roths@sprintmail.com (Laura Roth) -- carpenter Dusan
Bucany at
301-933-0203.
** From: Kriegi@aol.com -- Mark Verna at 301-891-2854.
Caterer:
** From: jenrose1@yahoo.com (Jennifer Rose) -- Jerry Hollinger of Jerry's
catering. His number is 387-7531.
Childbirth Classes:
** From: Cellia412@aol.com -- Karen van Loon's Birth Works class. She
teaches
here in Friendship Heights and can be reached at KarenvanL@aol.com
or 686
6463.
Electricians:
** Kevin Rozier at 841-8021.
** From: mark@healthquick.com (Mark DeSimone) -- Fairfax Electric (ask
for
John) - 301-855-5949
** From: jenrose1@yahoo.com (Jennifer Rose) -- Evan Bestland at 301-424-0130.
** From: skodon@zzapp.org (Emil Skodon) -- Crescent Electric
at 363-7100.
Furniture Refinishing:
** From: Dderman527@aol.com (Connie Derman) -- Steve Yoder, S&S
Woodcrafts,
Mechanicsville, MD (Southern Maryland, below Waldorf). Steve
is Amish,
originally from Lancaster, PA. He does not pick up or deliver (no car;
only
horse and buggy); he also has no telephone in his home; but a
message can be
left for him after 6 at 301-472-4962 - or a note can be mailed to him
at
26759 Thompsons Corner Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. It takes
about l-l/2
hours to drive to his home. His charges are at least one-half of the
local
rates.
Interior Decorator:
** From: Lberger728@aol.com (Lisa Berger) -- Shari Daniels
in Bethesda at
301-654-1654.
Painters:
** From: egreenhunter@juno.com (Elinor Green Hunter) -- Cris Asimakopoulos
of
H&A Paint Inc.-- 301-942-1140
** From: jbachman@aiadc.org (Bachman, Janet) -- John the Painter --
703-560-6659.
** From: roths@sprintmail.com (Laura Roth) -- Danny Rodgers (City &
Suburban
Decorators)
** From: fabullock@erols.com (Fred and Betty Bullock) -- Tenleytown
Painting
244-2325.
** Gray Phillips at Paint-Tech-Solutions, 301-948-3434 or pgray@erols.com.
** From: gators1@erols.com (Michelle & Ren LeRouzes) -- Alex
Santos -- Alex
& Sons, via the Northwest Current.
Pest Control:
** From: Rubacats@aol.com (Kelly Rubenstein) -- Alan Cohen of Bio-Logical
Pest Management 237-7509. Used "organic" approach to getting
rid of wasps.
** From: NancyLeRoy@aol.com -- I called the DC rat control office
and they
sent a guy out with heavy duty rat poison. If that's a problem,
call the GT
exterminating people at 338-KILL. They can set cages with bait,
etc. They
removed the beavers from the Tidal Basin.
Pet Care, Dog Walkers & House Sitters:
** From a flier delivered to my house: My name is Alex Fossi and I
am willing
to take care of pets, get your mail for you, and do other necessary
jobs. I
am 13 and going into 8th grade at St. Albans. I have some past experience
with pet and house sitting. I have taken care of fish for many years
and
enjoy spending time with pets. If you want more information about my
services, call me at 364-8106.
** From: Lberger728@aol.com (Lisa Berger) -- I'm
looking for a neighborly
cat-lover: Does anybody around 41st and Garrison have cats and
want to swap
cat sitting with me when we're away? Send me a note: LBerger728@aol.com.
Plumbers:
** From: Cristine.A.Romano@usdoj.gov -- John C. Dorsey plumbing, 6100
Rhode
Island Ave Riverdale, MD 301-927-7100.
** W.F. Collins at 301-654-9294.
Referrals And Repair Services:
** From: Robmayers@aol.com -- HOME CONNECTIONS, a
free referral service
for all kinds of home repairs, etc. All of their referrals have
been checked
out, (kind of like Washington Consumer Checkbook). 301-565-5902
OR
1-888-POINT-ME.
** From: Kriegi@aol.com (Ethel Kriegsfeld) -- DELBE Home Services.
Whenever
anything goes wrong anywhere in or out of the house I call them and
they send
good craftspeople at fair prices. Phone Number: 237-0187.
** From: Robmayers@aol.com -- www.servicemagic.com. I have
used a variety
of service/repair people through them.
Roofers:
** Jack's Roofing Company, Inc. 301-585-4985
** From: Lberger728@aol.com (Lisa Berger) -- Troy at D&M
Roofing.
301-948-0100.
** From: howcroft@msn.com (DavidHowcroft) -- John Gwynn on 301-530-6169.
** From: jcanon@earthlink.net (John Canon) -- Steve Piccirelli at Maggio
Roofing
301-341-4666.
Shoes & Shoe Devices And Solutions For Problem Feet:
** Steve Fletcher, the Manager at Richey & Company shoe store at
the small
shopping center at Wisconsin & Western. He is a Pedorthist-- someone
trained
to figure out what you need in or on your shoes to help your foot problem.
Their phone # is 301-951-4945.
Tree Trimming:
** From: akgulian@ix.netcom.com (Laura Akgulian) -- Wayne Anderson
at
301-926-6281.
Window Washers:
** Kirk Weever at 301-774-7258
** From: fabullock@erols.com (Fred and Betty Bullock) -- Window Washers
at
337-0351.
** From: willie@his.com (Willie Schatz)-- I use "We do Windows," at
301
946-3697.
Window, Frame, and Cord Repair:
** Blaines Windows at 301-933-1310 -- for all types of window repairs.
About these recommendations: Since different customers can have different
experiences, it would be a good idea to ask the individual you want
to hire
for several references. Then check those references. None of these
recommendations are guaranteed.
KIM WESTON AND OTHERS LIKE HIM
Kim Weston in one of a handful of criminals who prey on this area by
posing
as casual labor or handymen, then finding a way to steal something
from the
house where they have been hired. The police advise us to never hire
strangers who come to the door, offering to do work. More often than
not they
will try to con you or steal something from your home. As you can see
from
the above list, there are legitimate people available to do most jobs.
Ask
your neighbors or contact me and I'll put an item in COMMUNIT-E, asking
for
recommendations.
What makes Weston particularly effective is that he has neighbors' names
and
will say that he has just done work for a particular person on the
block and
that they suggested he come to you. He'll give a tidbit of information
about
that person that suggests he knows them rather well. He is very convincing,
as are many of these cons. Quite a few, like Weston, have
arrest records.
CRIME ALERT
At the last ANC3E meeting, January 11, Lt. Mark Carter said that there
had
been an unusually high number of armed street robberies since the beginning
of the year. He is placing more of his officers in plain clothes in
order to
catch whoever is doing this. There were four, all with guns,
since January
1. This is about what we normally have in this 'Hood over a month long
period. One of them used a shotgun to break into a door at the Safeway.
As
far as I know no one has been hurt.
He also reported that there has been an increase in homeless/vagrants
into
the area. Several nights ago, I saw five sleeping at the entrance to
the
Tenley Metro. There's real reason to be concerned about what they get
into
during the day -- no place to be and plenty of time on their hands.
Lt. Carter also said that he is going to increase traffic enforcement
(both
moving and parking violations) in this neighborhood over the next few
weeks.
So be warned.
Some crimes in the 'Hood between January 1 and 17:
There were four robberies at: Safeway at 4200 Davenport, Jan.1
(8:45pm);
Alley at 4200 Military, Jan. 6 (8:20pm); sidewalk at 4500 40th St,
Jan. 1
(8:35pm); sidewalk at 4200 Military, Jan.1 (8:45pm). There was also
an
assault with a knife at a department store at 5300 Wisconsin on Jan.
9 at
11:30 am. There were house burglaries at 4300 River, 4400 Alton, and
4300
Yuma. (It's best to keep your doors locked when you are inside, especially
if
you are alone.) There were five thefts; four thefts from auto; and
one stolen
auto at 4400 Jenifer. There were six instances of destruction of property.
Remember not to leave valuables, including compact discs, visible in
your
parked car.
Comparison of crimes in past two Decembers:
(From the PSA 202 Newsletter, which will be copied in a future issue
of
COMMUNIT-E)
CRIME DEC.
99 DEC. 00
Robberies
6
2
Assaults
4
2
Burglaries 5
2
Thefts
19
23
Theft From Auto 14
8
Stolen Autos 3
4
HEARING ON ROUND TABLE LIQUOR LICENSE
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 31st. This concerns
the
renewal of the Roundtable Restaurant's liquor license. They have not
lived up
to their agreement to ensure that their late-leaving bar patrons don't
disturb the neighborhood on their way out. This is a big problem for
the
residents in that immediate area.
PARKING FRUSTRATION -- WE NEED TO RETHINK REGULATIONS
** From: dsiegel@cais.com (David Siegel)
I am frustrated by the parking situation. I have someone who comes
in to
clean my house once a week for 4 hours. Last week she got a ticket.
However
there are many parking spaces in front of my home. As a resident
I should
have a right to have people come to my house for more than 2 hours.
I can't
get her repeated guest permits and the non-resident spaces a few blocks
away
are all taken by 7:30 a.m.
** From: billrogers@bigfoot.com (Bill Rogers)
Our council rep, Kathy Patterson, has written to authorities requesting
a
review of the existing residential parking program. A number
of residents,
including myself, had written to her complaining of the lack of temporary
permits without travelling to the local police district each and every
day
that a permit is needed (and what if you don't drive but need a permit
for
folks working on your house?).
Chicago has an excellent program in which any citizen with proof of
address
can purchase a book of single-day residential permits for about 20
cents per
day (limit 10 or so). This is really great for guests, visiting
home workers
or cleaning folks, and people who do not own a car but occasionally
rent one
to perform errands (or owners if their car is in the shop!).
_____IN OTHER MATTERS____
I went to Metro's "Western Division" sales office (Sunday on a holiday
weekend no less), at Friendship Heights. To buy a pass, I had
to walk a
corridor directly next to and downwind of 16 to 20 idling Metrobuses.
They
were parked end to end lengthwise - eight rows of Metrobuses were right
next
to each other. 100% had idling engines.
I have lived in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Chicago, and visited many
third
world nations, and I have never experienced diesel fumes this strong
or
severe. It was unbelievable! I could not breathe at all,
and removed my
coat to cover my nose and mouth while I ran.
Diesel particulates are among the strongest carcinogens we are exposed
to in
the modern world. They rank high among the worst. Is this idling
really
necessary?
Not only should sales office customers be protected, but so should our
neighborhood, our region, and the unionized workers of Metro. This
pollution-producing situation was inexcusable. Bill Rogers,
Policy Analyst
in Transportation, Urban Form, & the Environment.
GRAFFITI REMOVAL
Michael Carter heads the DPW Rapid Response Team for Graffiti Removal.
He
can be reached at 939-8764. The location of the graffiti can also be
faxed to
him at 939-8191. He turns the fax, or the phone information you give
him,
over to his crew and they will come and remove it. A lot of stop
signs and
other surfaces in this area need to be cleaned. He needs to know where
they
are.
TRASH RECYCLE REMINDER
OK TO RECYCLE:
newspapers, magazines, catalogs, mailing labels, corrugated cardboard,
computer and office paper, phone books, metal cans with labels, jars
and
bottles (remove caps and rings), clear plastic bottles.
NOT OK TO RECYCLE:
junk mail, paperback books; food and drink boxes such as
cereal, pizza, egg
cartons, beer cartons; light bulbs, cookware, window glass, yogurt
containers, butter tubs, plastic bags or plastic wrap.
ILLEGAL DUMPING
For illegal dumping, contact the Environmental Crimes Unit on 645-7199
or
645-7196.
Individuals in that unit are DPW Inspectors Lawrence Dance and Cleveland
Ray,
and MPD Sgt. Shakir Muslim. Don't hesitate to call them.
RATS:
** From: Anonymous
Concerning the rat problem.... It's more widespread than folks
imagine. At
night, I've seen rats throughout AU Park, even on interior streets
far from
the commercial businesses and dumpsters along Mass or Wisc Avenues.
I've
happened upon 3 rats in the last week alone.
Residents needs to realize that they themselves add substantially to
the rat
problem, even if and when they don't see rats themselves. (They're
nocturnal, after all.) How?
By using bird feeders; By feeding pets outside;
By storing pet food, birdseed, etc. in garages; By placing
trash out in
plastic bags
By leaving food residue in recycleables
Any of these habits will bring rats around before long. If folks want
to feed
the birds, for example, they need to bear in mind that rats will make
their
burrow within 25 feet of a reliable food source. There's a good
chance that
rats eventually will set up housekeeping virtually at their doorstep
... yet
almost never be seen.
This issue of STREET SMART was supported by a grant from ANC3E to the
AU Park
Citizens Association. Thank you all for your support. Kathy
Smith