themail.gif (3487 bytes)

June 15, 1997

Happy Camper

Dear Neighbors:

Riding around west of the park indicates that the business climate seems to be picking up. In Cleveland Park, build out continues at the Magruder’s in the Park and Shop and in the Vietnamese Restaurant taking one of the five Roma/Poor Roberts/Oyster Bar store fronts. I believe construction on the cigar bar has also begun since a liquor license appears on the door and my sinuses started acting up.

The Italian Restaurant/Sports Bar opened in the Café Italiano location near the fire house. Any impressions from patrons would be welcomed. I also noticed a new restaurant—Spicy Noodle Cafe—in Van Ness. It may have been there for years, but I’m not the most observant driver. And across the street, the defunct Safeway is making way for Gold’s Gym. Finally, a tenant is building out the Maggie’s location in Tenleytown, but I couldn’t tell who was going in. I’m guessing it’s a wrap sandwich joint because they couldn’t possibly squeeze in another coffee house. But what do I know from retail?

******************

Faithful readers of the Washington Post (and only the Washington Post) for their local news may believe that because the District Council and the Control Authority are submitting different budgets to Congress, this indicates the failure of the city’s budget process and the Council’s inability to make hard choices. There’s probably evidence for both points, but two separate budgets doesn’t support either. The budgets are mostly similar...which the Post articles tell you if you read deep enough into the story. The tow budgets differ at the margin on schools, police funding, and certain revenue estimates. The Authority has its priorities and the Council has its own… a point made by Chair Andrew Brimmer buried at the end of the last Post story on the subject.

The two bills are mostly similar. Congress’ version is likely to be the one that winds up two standard deviations from the mean. The Post is right to harp on the ridiculously lengthy and convoluted budget process. But they’ve also missed the boat in discussing how little budgets matter. The budgets may be balanced but don’t expect to see revenues and expenditures mesh by the end of the year. The city still lacks the means to execute a balanced (or otherwise wobbly) budget. Note to editor: how’s that for a story idea?

******************

Carl sent me a note about my comments in the last issue about the most "unsordid act in history." I was aware that Churchill’s quote referred to the Lend Lease program and not the Marshall plan, as has been widely reported. I was trying to make a joke on the basis that everyone else knew that as well. A feeble joke as it turns out. Carl also notes that Daniel Shore quoted H. Rap Brown as saying "violence is as American as cherry pie." But it was Bill Fulbright who said "Violence is as American as apple pie." Which raises one of those questions we may never know the answer to: What the hell does the H. in H. Rap Brown stand for?

Cheers,
Jeffrey Itell

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Happy Camper
Art Spitzer artspitzer@aol.com

I own no stock in Hechingers, but my recent experience with a kitchen planner at the Wisconsin Avenue store was the opposite of Steph Faul’s .He was happy to plan the renovation of a small (7x7) kitchen. He was on time for all appointments, at the store or at home. He seemed to know his business, and had several creative ideas. Everything was done on time and within budget. The kitchen planner’s name was Chuck Studholme, if anybody needs one.

****

Complaints about Hechingers
murray_m@a1.eop.gov Meg Murray

I filled out one of Hechinger’s customer response postcards to complain about lack of educated staff in the hardware dept. They sent me back a gift certificate for 10% off my next purchase. I still haven’t seen much improvement, but I appreciated the 10% off at Xmas time!

****

Playing Chicken
Paul Williams pkelseyw@aol.com

Has anyone noticed that the main door to Boston Chicken at Conn and R open inward, an apparent violation of fire code? Sure hope I’m not inside when there is a fire and the people pile up trying to get out.…

****

DC General disgrace
s.gerard sgerard@worldbank.org

I agree with Carl Bergman’s point about DC General’s disreputable state and what the DC government spends our money on — cake and circuses for the mindless well-off while offering 3rd World facilities for the rest. It’s also a good point that the elite are better equipped to work around the bureaucracy—we know how to make trouble, whereas the less fortunate are really at the mercy of their civil (sic) servants (sic).

I disagree, however, with his statement that those affected "have no voice or are easily dismissed." Alas, many of those "disaffecteds" are the ones keeping our egregious politicians in office and the system thus in failure mode—who do you think keeps voting for Mayor-for-Life Mobuto? It’s Ward 8 by a mile, the poorest, worst-served people in the city, followed in votes by the next poorest and worst-educated wards. The least ablest voters are the ones most susceptible to demagoguery, and that’s essentially how the Mayor and some of the councilmembers get by. I’d bet he’d win again if he ran, because he’d be carting the disaffected and the dismissed to the voting booths.

****

Bergmanesque Lectures
Eleanor K. Penniman unclepaul@aol.com

Carl Bergman has a point of view which we all respect, but he does not need two pages to express it. He is assuming we all need to be educated about the obvious problems encountered living in D.C. On the contrary, we are adults.

****

Bergmanesque
Ed Kane ermk@aol.com

Mr. Bergman’s submission, "I Vont a Camera" was perhaps the most powerful and moving criticism of the DC governmental jungle I have ever read. I hope it gets wide replay.

****

DC General
Claudia Coonrod CLAUDIACOO@aol.com

Carl Bergman’s piece about DC General is right on. I work in homeless services in Ward 3. DC shut down the Office of Emergency Shelter in 1994, received a pilot project grant called the DC Initiative from HUD which provided for 20 million $ over 3 years to be matched by 14.8 million $ per year by DC. Now into the middle of the third year, DC has never made its full match. FY 1997 appropriation is 7.6 million instead of 14.8 m. We hope that HUD will continue to fund the last $6 m.At the end of the third year of the Initiative there is no plan for how homeless services will be provided or by whom.

This may not interfere with our lives like potholes, but it greatly affects the quality of life....and life itself in some cases… of the poor, vulnerable citizens of the District. There are currently over 550 families on the waiting list for shelter ....not housing...emergency shelter. Moms hide their kids wherever they can to protect them from child protective services. Rumored are plans that when the money runs out the city will abandon all services to singles and only serve families. That means, among other things, CCNV housing over 1400 single adults would be shut down. In a meeting with Anthony Williams this winter homeless service provider and advocates told him how much District dollars are leveraged by individual donations, foundations, HUD and religious contributions. He responded by saying that homeless services were essential in the triage exercise that is the DC Budget. He has not kept his word.

****

Scratch Two MD Cars
Ed T. Barron edtb@aol.com

Lest anyone forget the dangers of running red lights in the District, they should have seen the corner of 49th and Mass. Ave. at about 5:40 PM last night. Two female MD drivers tried to occupy the same space at the same time at that intersection with the result of totalling two relatively small pre- air bag cars. One was traveling at high speed south on Mass. Ave and the other was going through the intersection, or turning left onto 49th St. It’s hard to determine who barged the light, but both now are without wheels and with minor injuries (thanks to the good old seat belts). To run a light is always dangerous. To do so at rush hour is sure to result in a bad day for several folks, including those who were tied up in traffic trying to escape from D.C. Traffic at the beginning and at the end of the rush hours moves very quickly down and up Mass. Ave. If the police would ticket all drivers that were exceeding the speed limit by 5 MPH or more, the District’s coffers would be awash with doubloons.

****

Security
Dianne Rhodes drhodes@fenix2.dol-esa.gov

I sent on Paul Conlon’s comments on security to a friend of mine in Derry, Northern Ireland. He had just returned from a trip to Belfast. His comments:

Actually security to the White House was the best security I have ever passed through and believe me we know a thing or two about security. Despite what people think, we don’t live amongst bombs going off every day and NI and SI are mostly very very safe for girls compared to Washington, NY, SF, etc.

The building I work in is shaped much the same as the Murrah Building that was blown up in OK City. But the security is really much better than it ever was in the past. Don’t forget that part of the Capitol was bombed back in 70’s .Think of how much things have changed since then. A lot of the security you don’t see.

****

Pothole Bellyaches
Mark G. Epstein mgepstein@knight-hub.com

I can understand the bellyaching about DC potholes — up to a point. It’s very simple, really. Just call 645-7055, give them the precise location, and, believe it or not, the pothole will be repaired promptly. At least that’s been my experience over the past year. This phone number has been publicized in the Post and elsewhere.

****

Designated Taxes
Dean Costello costello@earthlink.net

I considered the designated taxes idea a couple of years ago, when Virginia started giving about 10 choices on the state income tax form for your extra rebate money. The problem with allowing the public to choose precisely what program to fund is that all of the government offices, departments, agencies, etc. will then funnel money away from the programs that they sponsor and into advertising. For example:

"Real Americans Will Check Box Dod-14,567: B2 Bombers"

The U.S. Postal Service adds for their pseudo-overnight "Priority" service are bad enough…

****

Student Ghetto
Bob Levine rilevine@cqi.com

As a resident of Georgetown I have to say that Georgetown University student group houses make lousy neighbors. The occupants of the houses have no connection to the neighborhood and want none other than their relationship with the university. Georgetown University will take no responsibility for their students living off campus, and if there is a problem with a group house the University will tell you that is not a responsibility of the university and if you need to you should call the District Police Department. This attitude contrasts to the policy of George Washington University. GWU wants to maintain good relations with the citizens of Foggy Bottom and holds their students responsible for their behavior in the community. Given the problems and many nasty incidents we have had with group houses filled with Georgetown University students I will support a ban on group houses in Georgetown and Burleith until Georgetown University is willing to discipline its students who live off campus.

****

The Bland Leading The Bland (Ballston)
J. Rom JRomjrom@aol.com

The Bland leading the bland. After working for many years at 18th & G, near the Renwick, Corcoran and cherry blossoms I now work in Ballston. It has yet to develop any character. With the exception of the Food Factory (which is its own story), the local restaurant choices are blah (Mary’s cafe is ok and Bistro Bistro is trying) and the coffee weak. You have to walk to Clarendon for any interesting food. There’s little greenery (much less than downtown), lots of construction (sort of like K street in the 70’s, without the charm :-) ) and office window views will soon turn into bland, shadowed office building canyons. it couldn’t support the nice Kramerbooks that was there and there is one lousy bookstore at the mall. (another one recently closed). And they give parking tickets just like the city. The marginal good news is that the parking is somewhat cheaper than downtown and there is a nice library in Quincy park, but if someone can point out other amenities I’d like to hear about them…

****

Be Careful What You Wish For
Phil Greene pgreene@doc.gov

I recently complained of high speed traffic on my quiet neighborhood street, and sought the assistance of DPW and Kathy Patterson’s office as to looking into the possibility of speed bumps and other such devices. In addition to providing information, Patterson’s office forwarded my letter to the local police district, and within a few days I received a call from the 2d District informing me that they would be monitoring my street, and likely would set up some speed traps. I was elated, and thought to myself "Hey, D.C. isn’t always non-responsive! The system DOES work sometimes!"

No, I didn’t get a speeding ticket; actually, I’ve not yet seen any speed traps. But over the weekend, at 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning to be exact, I got a Barney Fife-esque $25 ticket for parking my car, right in front of my house, but in the wrong direction, left wheels to curb. I didn’t even know it was illegal. There are no houses on the opposite side of my street, just Rock Creek Park, and to park on that side might invite theft from auto (with the woods as cover). I know, I should have turned the car around, it’s my own fault.

My point? When you invite the police into your neighborhood, behave yourself.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

dc.queries

Are We Crazy?

We are considering a move from Dupont Circle to W. Hyattsville, are we crazy or is the area decent? Any information would be much appreciated.

Alexis Martin Legalex@aol.com

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

dc.events

White Water Rafting

Spend a day of action-packed adventure Saturday, June 28. Lunch and transportation included. Call Jim @ 703-549-5087.

James A. Pondolfino faetours@erols.com

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

dc.market

Have Your Apartment Or House Thoroughly Cleaned

Extremely honest and reliable. Excellent references. Large houses for $50. Call Rosemary 703-641-5666.

murray_m@a1.eop.gov Meg Murray

*****

Kidtech

If you seek super educational and edu-tainment software for kids, I still have many & new titles, previously viewed and/or reviewed only by me for Kidtech News. * Special Prices will be provided for bulk orders from local schools! ** Browse, make your selections, and send e-mail requesting titles and prices. *** <<http://www.his.com/~pshapiro/software.htmlhttp://www.his.com/~pshapiro/s oftware.html***

Barbara A. Gollon KidTec2@aol.com

****

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

////\\\\\////\\\\////\\\\\/////\\\\

Also free! dc.movie: Free movie passes, short movie reviews, and movie discussion. Send an email message to story@intr.net to subscribe.

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.


Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)