No Way OutDear Neighbors: This is Jeff again for the moment. Contrary to common perception, I never went away. Given the work I’m doing this month, I thought it best if I stayed away from talking politics. And Carl Bergman (thanks to the man) said he was ready to share the mantle. I need backup support on this gig so I’m delighted to ease Carl into that role. And a fine job he is doing. ****************** Please note the following letter from Sherri L. Powar (sherrip@sda-inc.com).
I don’t have any idea, except that it’s virtually impossible to drive back or away from my Cleveland Park villa. This is like living is Kinshasa with the rebels advancing. The military has blocked all the escape routes. A simple ride home from Reston last night took 50 minutes—and only 25 minutes to the Key Bridge. (I’d normally take the Roosevelt but that would put me on Rock Creek Parkway and a half hour delay getting off at Mass(acre) Avenue.) Wherever I’m going for now on, I’m taking River Road to the Beltway. And perhaps Chain Bridge. That is, until the powers decide to start construction there as well. That’s when I’ll give up my car. ////\\\\\////\\\\////\\\\\/////\\\\ Also free! dc.movie: Free movie passes, short movie reviews, and movie discussion. Send an email message to story@intr.net to subscribe. Cheers, '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Cars, bikes, joggers, etc. Back to another pending traffic dilemma, has anyone heard recently where the Park Service may be regarding the proposals to close or restrict Rock Creek Parkway further? I was reminded of this not only by the various messages on this forum regarding Calvert Street, but the recent exchange in the Post’s Dr. Gridlock, in which someone protested the fact that the Calvert St., Mass. Ave. bridge and Rock Creek Parkway (9:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m.) construction closings/messes all were occurring simultaneously, and the basic answer from the authorities was: tough. I realize that all of these repairs presumably are being done for the common good, but there does seem to be a lack of coordination. I fear that the situation may get worse before it gets better. At least the Park Service has held public meetings… **** Suspicious behavior? Recently I was in the newsstand in the Chevy Chase Pavilion looking at magazines. There was a line and the man ahead of me asked for Newport in a box. There was some conversation with the clerk about this, who finally said "Newport 100s" and put a pack of cigarettes on the counter. Then he reached up and got something from a cigar box next to the register and put it on the cigarettes. I couldn’t see what it was, and when I moved to get a better look the man buying the cigarettes quickly put his hand over it. It was small — maybe a couple of inches square. It was *not* a book of matches, because the next customer bought cigarettes and the clerk took the matches out from under the counter, not from the cigar box. As I was walking home the same man drove by; he saw me, I think, because he turned into an alley rather than continuing straight on 43rd Street to Military. Now, I went to college in the ‘60s; maybe I’m just too closely attuned to such things. I’d be surprised about it being out in the open, but such things do happen, and a newsstand is a logical place to sell from. Am I naturally suspicious? Or just paranoid? ***** Tenleytown Residents Quash Cajun Restaurant According to the April 23 Northwest Current, the plans to open a Cajun-Creole restaurant (Acadiana) at the site of the old Maggie’s at Tenley Circle have been abandoned, due to "ridiculous demands by neighbors who opposed the (liquor) license...," in the words of the doomed restaurant’s would-be owner, Eric Fulner. Apparently, the neighbors had "suffered for years from the rowdy crowds, late-night noise, underaged drinkers and frequent management changes at Maggie’s (and) were fearful Acadiana would become another neighborhood menace." In opposing Acadiana’s liquor license, the neighbors hoped to force Fulner into molding Acadiana in to a shape that would be agreeable to them by imposing what appear to unreasonable demands (including no TV or bar stools in the bar, 11:00 closing time, and valet parking). Fulner tried to convince them that Acadiana would NOT be a rowdy bar, but rather "a wholesome family restaurant - similar to Listrani’s on MacArthur Boulevard - that would have served drinks as a complement to mid-priced meals." I am very disappointed at this news. As a vital part of the recovery of the District and its neighborhoods, tax base, etc., don’t we want to attract and foster the development of new businesses, including nice restaurants (of course, I can only assume that this would be a nice restaurant)? Why don’t these neighbors understand that Tenley Circle is a commercial area, and that restaurants BELONG there? Why would they chase one away? And why did they move into this neighborhood of they’re so resistant to businesses such as this? After all, it’s not as if someone wants to place a bar/restaurant in a purely residential neighborhood that has never seen one before - this has always been a commercial area, and there has been a restaurant with a liquor license on this site as long as I can remember. Granted, maybe Maggie’s wore out its welcome (I may have been one of those rowdy, underaged drinkers 18 years ago), but why be so paranoid over any new (agreeable) restaurant that wants to take its place? Congratulations, residents of Tenleytown, nice work! **** Calvert Street Bike Lanes Sorry folks, but I can’t believe what I’m reading in the arguments against bikers in regard to the calvert street bike lanes… Admittedly, a lot of bikers ignore various traffic laws. But then so do a lot of drivers! There are also a lot of safe bikers who try to pay attention to laws. One reader wrote "I don’t pull up on the right side of a car making a right turn, so you shouldn’t either." I can’t imagine a car even trying to do that. However, I long ago lost count of the number of cars I’ve seen come up on the left side of a legal biker, not even pretending to change lanes and give the biker some room. I’ve personally been run off the rode while biking on account of drivers doing this! And some bikers may be more flagrant about running red lights than any drivers, but I know I count more drivers than cyclists running red lights in total and seem to be witness to more and more equally flagrant driver violations in recent years. Another reader wrote "in a full hearing process, I doubt these bike lanes would have gone through, because there are many more dc auto commuters who use calvert in the am/PM rush than there are cyclists. Under the "greatest good for the greatest number", bikes would lose." Since when are our public safety laws based on popular opinion? The actions-vote of drivers certainly suggests our beltway and the gw parkway, among others, should have speed limits of about 15mph over the posted limits. Certainly such speeds transport more commuters more quickly than do slower speeds, just as more lanes will transport more commuters. So go ahead and tell the families of the victims that majority rules is "ok" ! Personally, I am one of the many driver-commuters 99% of the time — my work bounces me around the area too much to cycle or mass-transit. While I would agree that proper process should allow everyone who wants to speak to be heard, I am very happy to see a start being made on something that is long overdue, in-spite of a number of ill-conceived arguments against it. I’ve seen cities that have been modified to provide for cyclists separately from drivers and pedestrians and it can be made to work. **** Bike Lanes
I fear that it is attitudes like this that hamper change for the better. We simply must move beyond what has been so (unsustainable traffic congestion) and move towards what is possible (sustainable movement of people). And while I concur that creating bike lanes alone will not solve this area’s traffic problems, if driving through the city becomes so horrendous, then perhaps people will be encouraged to use (and demand development of better) public transportation. What’s "unfair and stupid" is to expect that this congested area (and I mean the entire metro area) can take more and more car traffic. As for cyclists who choose sidewalks over the streets, while normally I’m against it, since this city’s streets are so unfriendly to and unsafe for cyclists, it doesn’t surprise me at all to see cyclists on sidewalks. I know that would be *my* choice on a bike in many areas of town (with the caveat being that pedestrians come first). If this city supported more cycling through wider streets and bike lanes, I don’t think we’d see so many law-breakers. I concur with Whiteside that we need not just little fixes like Calvert street, but a city-wide plan (and yes! for bikes on the Metro!). I’m sure there are cycling organizations in DC that are working on this. Does anyone know who is? **** Speed Humps According to recent stories/editorials in the Post and Northwest Current, the District is apparently reconsidering its long standing policy against speed bumps/speed humps, in response to complaints from residents about speeding on neighborhood streets. The District’s legal department, the Office of the Corporation Counsel, has maintained over the years that speed bumps/humps would render the District vulnerable to liability for damages to automobiles that might be caused by the bumps, and that bumps would likely interfere with emergency vehicles and snow plows. Local jurisdictions such as Kensington, Chevy Chase Village and Hyattsville have installed such devices with great success, and with no resulting legal/interference problems. Why can’t the District? I happen to live on a residential street that has become an expressway, serving as a link between two well-travelled roads. The April 23d Northwest Current editorial encourages people in favor of speed humps/bumps to write to the Department of Public Works, the Office of Corporation Counsel, and even their city council representatives to support this proposed change in policy. I plan to do so. **** School Closing Dilemma
No… public education is about providing *every* child with a decent and quality education. If we close schools not currently performing well, what will happen to those students? Do we just stop educating them because their parents don’t have the time/energy/inclination to be more involved? or because their classroom sizes is so large that the teacher can’t possibly provide a decent education? Closing schools isn’t the answer. School reform, and a commitment by federal and state government to support public education *is* what’s needed… ***** Cats
You may have ‘remembered a story to this effect but it is a myth … Since I moved to my present home in NW dc in 1980 I have had 1 cat who dies of kidney failure at age 13 … 2 cats that we got in 1980 and are 17 and going strong … A youngster of 3 who is fine and we had a fine fellow who dies recently after choking on his food - indoors. Of course if you live in a downtown area the risks are greatly increased but in most urban and suburban areas the differences in life span are not that great … And I do believe that cats who go out are happier and more fun to be with. **** Cats I strongly want to reinforce the opinions of others who have responding about keeping your cats indoors. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a cat due to cars, stealing, etc. but want you to know that the best way to prevent this is to keep the kitty indoors and if you must let it out, only do so under supervised conditions. I have just moved from DC to Chicago and in both cities lived/live in areas where it was too dangerous to let your cats out but even if I was in a less urban environment would keep my cats inside. The piece of mind that I get knowing that my animals are going to be there when I get home makes up for any pleasure I feel from other people saying that it’s not normal to not let an animal out. Cat toys, scratching posts and quality time make up for an adventurous desires they may have. **** Cats and Dogs As I life long cat owner, I feel the need to respond to those who feel that city kitties should be kept safely in doors at all times. I grew up with a pair that lived indoors and outdoors and both died of natural causes at the ripe old ages of 17 and 19. My current kitty is four and still going strong. What it takes is responsibility and care. Keep all vaccinations up to date. Set a pattern of outdoor time. Try to keep them with id tags (preferably rabies tags) on their collars (some cats don’t take well to this. And above all, neuter or spay your cat as soon as possible. Just as this is Adrianne’s pet peeve, it’s also mine. I find that outdoor cats are less finicky and more well-balanced. **** Cats I let my cat go out, at will, and she lived to the ripe age of 16, without health, or behavioral problems. Sure, it’s safer for cats to be in permanent lock down, but the cats prefer to take the risks, and go out. Freedom is never safe, for cats in their world, or people in their own. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.queries Tennis anyone? Looking for 3.5 to 4.0 (above average) geographically desirable tennis player (Wisconsin and MA) to have regular games. Reed Dewey rdewey@erols.com (202) 363-8433 '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.events Home Base April Meeting (for home-based business people) Thursday, May 1; 4:30-6:30 p.m. Buffalo Billiards, Dupont Circle 1330 19th Street, N.W. (19th & N; across from the Dupont Circle South metro exit) * Happy hour drink prices, free billiards, prize drawing Bring your business cards so we can network while we socialize. If you send your name & e-mail address to me, I’ll add you our monthly e-mail broadcast. Hope to see you there! Jenna Norwood norwood@ari.net **** Flea Market Cleveland Park Congregational Church will be hosting its annual flea market Saturday, May 3, from 10 am to 3 PM. Don’t miss baked goods, books, photographs, cards, antiques, kitchen and housewares, jewelry, vintage and other clothing, children’s furniture, and toys, and more. The church is located at 3400 Lowell St., the corner of Lowell and Reno. Lynda Lantz llantz@aspensys.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.market Home Maintenance Services Delbe Home Services is a one-stop resource for all of your home needs. We have been taking care of maintenance problems for over 25 years right here in your neighborhood. Call us for any problems at (301) 652-7201 or visit our web page at <http://www.delbe.comhttp://www.delbe.com for more information. David Burka dhs@delbe.com **** Housing Sought My niece is moving to Washington the end of May/first of June, has a job in upper Northwest, and is seeking housing. Apartment or group house (non-smoking a must; pets ok; vegetarian household preferred) around Red Line metro: Tenley Town, Friendship Heights, Woodley Park .. or elsewhere. Can pay up to $400/mo. Email to me (jeisen@aol.com) or to her cadeluca@acsu.buffalo.edu (Catharine A Deluca). Joan Eisenstodt **** Summer Housing Summer Housing needed in DC for grad. students! LBJ School of Public Affairs (University of Texas at Austin) graduate students seek summer housing in DC. Please contact me or post your message directly to the LBJ list server (lbjstudents@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu). Dan Lieberman The University of Texas at Austin danl@mail.utexas.edu **** Computers Buying one shouldn’t be so scary. Setting one up shouldn’t be so scary. Getting on the Internet shouldn’t be so scary. Jeffrey Itell Story@intr.net 202.244.4163 ================= dc.story is a discussion group. The opinions stated are the sole responsibility of the authors. dc.story does not verify the information provided by readers. ---------------- For fast, reliable Internet services and cutting edge Websites contact Michael Mann at Internet Interstate mmann@intr.net. Web: <http://www.intr.nethttp://www.intr.net ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ dc.story—Your Electronic Backfence <http://www.dcstory.comhttp://www.dcstory.com Kibitzing by Jeffrey Itell (story@intr.net) Copyright © 1997 by Itell Communications, Inc. All rights reserved |
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