Everyone Who Is Anyone
Dear Somebody:
Dorothy and I enjoyed the Fourth of July fireworks last night from the
outlook on the Cardozo High School grounds the heights that give Columbia Heights
its name. In the years that we've been doing this, the crowd there has grown from a couple
hundred to a few thousand people, but it's still hassle free. You know you're from
Washington when you know the best vantage points. Please share the vantage points from
your neighborhoods in upcoming issues of themail.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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I Thought Some Might Enjoy This if They Haven't
Seen It
Faith Williams, faithw@cais.com
This is forwarded from our daughter in Florida. Some of it is a little out
of date, but some is pretty funny.
You know you're from Washington, D.C., when: Your blood pressure
skyrockets when tourists are standing immobile on the left side of the escalator. You
would rather suffer heatstroke than drink the city water. You never refer to your boss by
their name, just as a title preceded by the (The Secretary, The Senator, The
Partner). You find yourself saying, But it's only $1.5 billion. People just
call the city D.C. Everyone calls the 10 inches of snow last year The
Great Blizzard. All the people on the city board know the mayor from their time
together in prison. There are 15 main ways out of the city onto the highway but no signs
to say where these are. Drivers pick up strangers at bus stops so that they can drive in
the H.O.V. lanes during rush hour. You spend two hours to find a parking space and it's
for one hour only. The road you are on is suddenly interrupted by a building. People give
different directions to get to the same destination depending on the day you are going
there. The weatherman declares the weather is suddenly a cool 89 degrees with only 90
percent humidity and you are happy. Diplomatic license plates bring on anxiety attacks.
The weatherman calls for two inches of snow, you have to rush to the grocery store to buy
diapers, milk, bread, and toilet paper, and you don't even have a baby. You watch the
world/national news to find out what to do this weekend. You race for the elevator. You
dream of moving to the suburbs only to look out the window of your $300,000 house directly
into your neighbor's window, four feet away. Nobody you know actually makes anything. All
of your friends are either lawyers, computer people, workers for some government
abbreviation (i.e., IRS, DOD, DOI, etc.), workers for the Pentagon or on
the Hill or for the White House (i.e., they work for a location, not a
person). Knowing somebody who can get you into an embassy, the White House, or
congressional party is a status symbol. People talk in acronyms and actually understand
each other. When you ask someone what they do for a living they respond, I would
tell you but then I'd have to kill you and they're serious. When you hit a
softball and it bounces off the Washington Monument, it isn't vandalism; it's a ground
rule double. No one you know is actually from there. You think $8 is pretty reasonable for
a beer. You get dressed up to go to a Social Safeway for your groceries. Because the Metro
stops running at midnight, you have to rush out of the office to catch the last train
home.
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Good Riddance Ms. Burns
Ron Eberhardt, RGE1022@aol.com
Goodbye, farewell, be gone, get it and thank God is my response to the
long delayed announcement that DC's public works department head Vanessa Dale Burns is
quitting. As large is the problem with Burns as a manger, equally looming is the highly
ineffective way that Mayor Williams and his staff handled her long delayed and overdue
departure. It contributes to ongoing worry among us that Mayor Williams and his team lack
basic understanding of what is required to clean up this morass of a government they
inherited. Burns should have been gone six months ago perhaps, given what we have
come to know about her previous jobs, she should never have been hired. Why must DC
officials come with such heavy baggage? I.e., DC's new fire chief. Now, the real task is
for Mayor Williams and his team to seek out the most highly qualified candidate with the
best track record at performance. As important, the new head of this troubled and grossly
inefficient department must have latitude to bring in new line managers and hold them
accountable for performance. DPW is a huge and important function of city government. It
is absurd that routine road projects here take three times longer then neighboring
jurisdictions because of bureaucratic rules. Every time a deficiently performing
department (DPW, police, education, etc.), say they did things within departmental
standards, then for heaven's sake change the standard and the process and the
procedure to make the work real, worthwhile, and delivered within something resembling
reasonable time frames. That is what senior management is supposed to be about. Hello?
Mayor Williams, is anyone there listening?
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Maybe Mr. Newman should be added to the list of the Mayor's exiting
appointees. As the director of Parks and Rec., Mr. Newman is having a hard time getting
the grass mowed with a $29 million budget. Rec. centers and parks often end up being taken
over by their communities if they want to get fixed up. Maintenance is next to impossible
with a fleet of few mowers and workers. How hard can it be?
You think our school facilities look bad? Take a look at our parks and
rec. centers. There's no excuse. Kids in this city deserve playground equipment that meets
national safety standards and playing fields that are trash free and mowed. Rec. centers
should be a safe haven where kids can go after school for homework help, constructive
activities, and sports.
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As a 13-year resident of a neighborhood abutting Georgia Avenue, I too
find the mayor's development plan for that corridor, as well as Councilmember Jarvis's
desire to take credit for it, highly suspect. Is there any other explanation for the fact
that invitations to the Mayor's announcement of the initiative promoted Jarvis's candidacy
on the reverse side? After focusing on downtown development for most of her council
tenure, Ms. Jarvis's sudden interest in Georgia Avenue is, in my opinion, a belated
recognition on her part of the momentum her primary opponent appears to have: Ward 4
residents have seen few benefits for their communities despite Jarvis's seniority on the
council, and are now joining the Anybody but Charlene bandwagon in droves. By
the way, the Mayor's press release (as quoted on DCWatch) for the Georgia Avenue
development project, lists one of the affected areas as Takoma Park, a town that happens
to be in Maryland. The adjoining DC neighborhood is simply Takoma, but I guess I shouldn't
be surprised that folks at 1 Judiciary Square don't know that.
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Lovely Going Away Gifts
Andrea Carlson, BintaGay@aol.com
In themail July 2, you write: The Mayor and the Control Board are
continuing to reward these failed city employees with outrageous severance packages
and now, starting with Arlene Ackerman, they're giving hundreds of thousands of dollars in
going-away bonuses to 'public servants' who quit voluntarily. Say what? I've been
out of town have I missed something? Please say it ain't so. If it is, give us some
details.
[Another reader asked what legal or regulatory authority exists to give a
severance package to Ms. Ackerman. He notes that, D.C. personnel regulations provide
for the possibility of severance for an involuntary separation if separation is not for
cause on charges of misconduct or inefficiency, but that Ms. Ackerman is leaving
voluntarily, and he asks how this generosity can be legally justified. The Control Board
is giving Ms. Ackerman both a bonus and a severance package, but refuses to say how much
these are worth. We are filing a Freedom of Information request to find out by how much,
and on what legal authority, taxpayers are being fleeced. (Someone very familiar with the
situation suggests that in a normal corporation an employee who quit her job with a year
still to run on her contract would be sued by the company for breach of contract, rather
than rewarded with a bonus and severance pay.) Gary Imhoff]
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DC Employees Electioneering on Polling Day
John Vaught LaBeaume, jvlab@yahoo.com
I took a few minutes to discuss DC politics on special election day with
folks outside my polling place, Ward 2, precinct 14, St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish, 1772
Church St., NW. Ward 2 council candidate John Fanning had a representative there. I asked
a very pleasant gentleman seated on a lawn chair if he were with Fanning too, or with
another candidate. No, he replied, he works for the city. In a brown envelope,
he held Vote Yes literature he was to pass out voters as they entered the
polling place, the slick piece that many received in the mail more than once.
Was this gentleman on DC government payroll at the time (in violation of
the Office of Campaign Finance order)? Are there any other such reports from polling
places on the 27th?
[The New School Leadership Committee that led the pro-Amendment campaign
had almost no volunteers, and was staffed almost exclusively by city government employees,
mostly employees who worked directly in the Mayor's office. The Mayor claims that these
employees worked for the campaign after their normal working hours, or that they took paid
or unpaid leave to campaign. It appears that some of these employees were granted
liberal leave in other words, were kept on the public payroll while
they worked on the campaign, without having to take vacation days. We believe that this
violates both the spirit and the letter of the OCF order. We are going to file a Freedom
of Information Request with the Department of Personnel for leave records for any
government employees who campaigned on election day if you recognized and know the
names of any government employees who worked the polls on election day, please let us
know. Gary Imhoff]
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Possible School Board Appointments/Candidates?
Anthony Watts, e7777777@hotmail.com
Now that the referendum is over and apparently won by the mayor's forces,
it is time for citizens to seriously consider who should be elected and appointed to the
SB. Wilma Harvey has officially announced that she will not run for another term. Has
anyone heard anything about possible candidates in her ward? On another note, here are the
appointments that I would make to the SB if I were mayor, with (very) brief rationales for
my choices. Questions or comments? 1) Jim Ford: former legislative aide to Hilda Mason
displayed unmatched number crunching ability and grasp of education budget. 2) Mary Levy:
Parents United leader knows the pitfalls of the current D.C. educational
structure all too well; years of tireless advocacy on behalf of D.C. 3)
Delabian Rice Thurston: see #2, above. 4) Emily Washington: superb teacher and student
advocate who (I believe) served on the D.C. Educational Emergency Transition Board.
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Is Life in Washington REALLY One Giant Racist
Conspiracy?
Jane M. Trimble, jmtrimble@erols.com
I have just finished reading the most recent edition of themail, and I
admit it left me baffled and weary. Are there actually people in this town for whom
nothing, up to and including the weather, takes place without racial intent? Sorry, I
cannot agree. Let's agree that holding four elections in this city in one year is wasteful
and tends to discourage voters, who may concentrate on November and skip the rest. Let's
agree further that the best time to hold the schools referendum would have been September,
as part of the city primary. Let's agree again, that the Council's decision to hold the
vote separately and in the late spring or early summer resulted in a lower turnout than
would have been the case had it been held earlier or later. Once more we can agree: the
mayor was out of place to spend tax dollars to encourage the outcome he wants on a
referendum issue; I was proud of the Board of Elections and Ethics (for which I work in
elections).
Now: the decision to undertake an experiment with the school board was not
made in time for a much earlier vote; a summer vote probably works against middle income
voters (who can afford vacations) more than against low income ones; schools-related votes
typically have low turnouts because so many people in this city have no children, none
still in school, or none in the public schools, or have kept their voting registrations in
Wisconsin or wherever, for the obvious reason; and if my impression and what I've heard
from at least one person is accurate, the passionate loyalty to the school board in its
(still) present form belongs more to born-heres who remember having NO vote, than to
moved-heres, who tend to demand that local government be both representative and
functional. Further, to those who share my own view of the matter, requiring a school
board representative to understand the needs of schools in two wards is a plus, not a
minus: we are, after all, talking about wards in a small city, not districts in a
sprawling state.
And finally (two notes), school systems employ a whole lot of people, from
administrators to cooks, bus drivers, and janitors, so anything that promises change can
be threatening because there is a chance of job loss (I once lived in a good-sized rural
blue-collar county in which a count showed that one quarter of the county's people were in
the school system as either students or workers). The second note is this: I live in First
Ward's Adams Morgan area; if there's a racial or income group not found here, I don't know
what it is.
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Whither the Other So-Called Races?
Susan Ousley, Slousley@aol.com
Pollsters, Post, and politicians persist in breaking down the recent
school election and any other issue in the universe into black and white. As
if there are no people of any other ethnicity(ies) in DC! Here's an idea: let's talk about
what really may differentiate voters. On this election, it might be length of time in DC;
whether or not they have children in DC schools; how much they rely on certain media to
provide information about schools or have some other direct interactions; direct
experience with Control Board-run agencies, income . . . you can all think of other
factors that, once known, could better help us understand each others' points of view.
Unless it serves someone's purpose to divide us?
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Split-Rate Property Tax; DCs Soviet Press
Scott McLarty, scottmclarty@hotmail.com
(1) [H]aving the city pay to board up these properties is hardly a
wise use of taxpayer money. (Getting While the Getting Is Good by Nick
Keenan, themail, July 2). What DC needs is a split-rate property tax, which would penalize
owners who neglect their properties and reward those who make improvements. Right now it's
vice versa, and most big property owners prefer to keep it that way, so they can engage in
the kind of exploitative speculation Nick laments. Not only do they pay lower taxes under
the current system, but they (a) become eligible for federal and city grants when they
finally decide to improve; (b) drive out low-income tenants in order to replace them with
upscale folks; (c) get to impose any damn project they want, regardless of consequences,
and the residents still there won't complain, since they're so sick of trash, crime, rats,
crumbling buildings, etc. It'll be difficult to enact a split-rate plan, because of the
control the Federal City Council, the Board of Trade, and the real estate industry has
over our Mayor and Council members. (If you doubt this, remember that all the principles
involved in the Columbia Heights development deal including the chair of the
Redevelopment Land Agency enjoy memberships or connections with the Federal City
Council.) The Washington Regional Network, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, and the DC
Statehood Green Party have all endorsed the split-rate tax plan.
(2) Allow me to vent some spleen. Should other DC residents be upset about
the following besides those of us active in the DC Statehood Green Party? I'm talking
about the erasure from the local media, especially The Post, of any mention of
the party, its candidates, and its activities. These include: (a) campaign announcements
by DCSGP candidates you'd never know that incumbents Charlene Drew Jarvis (Council
Ward 4) and Harold Brazil (Council At-Large) face non-Democratic competition (Arturo
Griffiths and Renee Bowser, respectively); (b) DC and other area appearances by national
Green candidate Ralph Nader, which non-DC papers found the space to cover; (c) local
involvement in the national Green Party convention in Denver on June 24 and 25 (isn't that
what hometown newspapers report?); (d) the DC to Denver 2000 Freedom Ride
caravan of vans to Denver, with stops in cities across the US, to spread the word about
DC's movement for democracy, covered by CNN. If any one or two of these got no coverage,
fine, but the complete dearth of attention suggests a green-out. Does the
failure of the press to report on all choices on the ballot inhibit voters' ability to
make informed decisions? Do other themail readers agree with me that censorship of news
which does not benefit the ruling party is comparable to the Soviet press? Maybe Statehood
Greens talk out loud about the Federal City Council too much.
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Go Back to Building Bailey Bridges
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aol.com
The Corps of Engineers was noted for its exemplary service in World War
II, and the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts. Building bridges and fortifications are what
the Corps does best. My most memorable service times were as a crew cutted 2nd Lt. in the
Corps at Fort Belvoir in the mid 50's. Since then, over the years, the Corps has been
involved in a series of projects that have been disasters in the making. All of their
projects seem to be incredibly costly and over budget. That's why the Corps of Engineers
is so compatible with the D.C. Government.
Not too long ago a report by the Corps claimed that it would be more cost
effective to tear down Wilson High School as opposed to making improvements and repairs.
Their estimate for improvements and repairs was so high that it is ridiculous. The
District seems enamored of the Corps for making estimates of the costs of fixing the D.C.
schools. If the District continues to rely on the Corps of Engineers to provide estimates
of repairs to the District's schools, and the District attempts to implement these plans,
we will be well on the road to fiscal bankruptcy.
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Halfway Houses and Schools
Nelson R. Jacobsen, Nelson@adamsmorgan.net
It is against the law to open a liquor store within 500 feet of a school.
It is against the law to park your car in front of the school during school hours. Why
should it be OK to locate ex-offenders in transitional living across the street from a
school? This is a problem the community of Adams Morgan just faced, and because of the
outcry from the residents the proposed facility has not opened. However there are no laws
on the books with regards to this situation. And before the NIMBY cries sail forth, our
ward has more halfway house and treatment centers than any other, so we are not opposed to
bring citizens back into our community. What we don't want are facilities located across
the street from Schools in our community or any other.
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I still can't believe it, but I breezed through the H Street NE DMV last
Friday 15 minutes to fill out the form, stand in line, pay, and pick up a brand
new, high-tech driver's license. Everyone who assisted me was courteous, professional and
competent. Although this particular office is located in a building which should probably
be condemned, the service was great and you definitely can't beat the wait time! Kudos to
DMV for its recent improvements.
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Basic Civility v. Boorish Behavior
Ron Eberhardt, RGE1022@aol.com
Thrilled was my reaction to a Washington Post Business Section story on
area restaurants that have officially asked diners to turn-off and not use cell telephones
in their dining rooms. The very idea that persons must be admonished about such basic
civil behavior is astounding. Given that cell phones and pagers alike come with vibrator
modes, it is as if the rude person, who refuses to utilize this capability want us all to
know how essentially important they are. Adding insult to injury, they then carry on a
phone conversation in inappropriate dining room voice, interrupting everyone's dining
experience. I wish every sit-down dining establishment would implement such rules of
behavior. Regretfully, this childish behavior is not limited to dining establishments.
Last month at Wolf Trap for a ballet cell telephones went off THREE times in one
performance! Recently, at the upscale Galleria Theater, a man spoke on his cell phone, two
seats from me, throughout the previews. Just this weekend two young women, seated directly
in front of me, had talked to one another throughout the first ten minutes of The Patriot.
I finally asked them to be quiet or move. The talker of the two was indignant and simply
didn't get it that her behavior was inappropriate. Finally, is it any wonder that as a
society we are seemingly losing our civility when persons speak with gutter terms publicly
without hesitation regardless of place or persons around them? Finally, I think the media
is a contributing factor. After all, what civil society needs or allows television
networks to immediately up the volume on MY television for commercial breaks? Theaters
have followed suit by playing previews so loud as to be uncomfortable perhaps so we
can hear the previews over the cell phone talkers! On Independence Day it is a shame that
we must make rules and regulations for what otherwise ought to be routine civil conduct.
Is America becoming the be as bad as you wanna be society? I hope not. The
answer is up to each of us.
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World War II Memorial
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aol.com
We don't need another War memorial on the Mall. The Second World War was a
really great war (for those who did not have to fight in it) and there are far better ways
to memorialize those who fought and died in that war. Perhaps one of the best ways would
be to expand the American History Museum and to set up a permanent memorial wing to
commemorate the Second World War and those who fought in it. The new museum that opened
recently in New Orleans (in a former brewery) pays tribute to those who fought in WW II.
Something much more expansive and complete could be crafted for a new wing of the American
History Museum that would be a much more fitting tribute to those who fought in that war.
We don't need more metal or marble memorials on the Mall.
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For many years, the Cineplex Odeon Foundry in Georgetown has served as a
second-run cinema art-house. Good films, the art-house type, would go to the C.O. Foundry
after a run somewhere else, and cost only $2 or $3 at the Foundry (vs. $7 or more
somewhere else). That appears to be changing. Recently I saw the film Croupier
at the Foundry. I went thinking (a) it would be cheaper than seeing a film elsewhere, and
(b) it might be my last chance to see the film on a wide screen before it went to video.
Much to my surprise, the Foundry charged the first-run price of nearly $8, just what
admission costs at the other Cineplex Odeons around town. They explained that they did so
because Croupier was still in its first go-round. Short of tracking screenings
at other theaters around town, to determine myself if the film is first-run or second-run,
does anyone know how to determine, in advance, what it will cost to attend a film at the
Foundry? BTW, I liked Croupier and recommend it; I just felt snookered
(perhaps appropriate given the film's subject!).
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Campaign and Other Posters
David Pansegrouw, dpansegrouw@atpco.net
Perhaps there could be a review of regulations concerning posters on light
poles, stoplights and trees. My main question is if is there any enforcement when too many
posters are up (more posters per block than allowed)? Also, can a citizen remove posters
when there are too many? Or is that something our efficient government is likely to arrest
one for?
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In response to Bob Levine's question, it is legal to post signs advocating
a candidate or a position on a ballot question. Signs attached to public property must be
stapled or tied it's illegal to use tape and must be removed promptly after
the election (within seven days, if I'm not mistaken). Also, there is a limit of three
identical signs (or pairs of back-to-back signs) on one side of one block. Many campaigns
violate these restrictions, and I've never heard of them being enforced, but theoretically
they're enforced through DPW and campaigns can be fined $50 for each sign in violation.
Every candidate and campaign treasurer is issued a copy of these regulations by the Office
of Campaign Finance.
Damaging or defacing signs posted in compliance with these laws is
vandalism, and removing lawfully posted signs is theft.
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It is unfortunate that Bob Levine will not vote for a candidate because of
campaign posters placed in his neighborhood. All of the candidates seeking office in his
neighborhood place posters to advertise themselves to the public. Since Mr. Levine will
not vote for anyone who has campaign posters, who will he vote for on September 12? It
would be very difficult for the democratic process to continue if nobody voted because of
campaign posters placed in their neighborhood.
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As everyone who is anyone reads this list, I suppose this is the best
place to suggest that when the Mayor promulgates his executive order adopting
Taxation Without Representation as the new license plate motto, he should
include a section authorizing (but not requiring) the placement of a decal with the new
slogan on top of the old slogan on existing DC license plates. Otherwise the majority of
DC plates will continue to proclaim Celebrate and Discover or A Capital
City (or in a few cases Nation's Capital) for many years to come.
(Decals could be supplied with tag renewals by the DMV or Ed Barron could print them up
and sell them in his driveway.)
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CLASSIFIEDS EVENTS
Local Republican Events
Deering Kendrick, tipdc@yahoo.com
The D.C. Young Republicans invite you to enjoy Philadelphia 2000! The
DCYRs are a group of young, diverse, active Republicans dedicated to improving life in our
city and helping Republican candidates in our region. To help accomplish these goals, our
club is sending a group of volunteers to the Republican National Convention in
Philadelphia. The Convention is a unique opportunity to promote our activities in the
District and help contribute to the success of the GOP. Your attendance at this event will
expand and strengthen our club by helping to send our members to the Republican National
Convention, and to help fund our projects in the District of Columbia. Come enjoy an
evening with Members of Congress, Republican leaders in DC, and DCYR members as we prepare
for Philadelphia 2000! Wednesday, July 12, 6:30 pm, American Trucking Association, 430
First Street, SE. Contribution: $25 Young Republican members ($20 annual membership fee);
$75 Young Republican supporters. If you have questions or would like further information,
please E-mail Craig Albright at carlspan@yahoo.com
or call 251-1783.
Pre-Convention picnic: the DCYRs are co-hosting a picnic with the Young
Hispanic Republicans Association, National Council of Black Republicans, Young Elephants
PAC, and Young Professionals for George W. Bush. Please join us for a day of fun and
festivities. Food and beverages will be provided. Volleyball, softball, and even some
political hardball. All free of charge. Saturday, July 8, 1:00 pm, Belle View Residential
Complex, 6621 East Wakefield Drive, Alexandria, VA. For more information, please call Anna
Hernandez at 546-9276 or E-mail hernandez_anna@hotmail.com.
Go to this URL for the online invitation: http://www.evite.com/respond?iid=YDSDFDRZIMQIEXKPWKBS.
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TasteDC.coms July Calendar of Wine and Food
Events
Charlie Adler, wine@tastedc.com
1) July 16th, Sunday, Taste of Georgetown Wine Around: Food and Wine
Walking Tour, 2-5 PM, Rain or Shine! $45 in advance, tax and tip inclusive, $55 day
of (depending on availability). Wine Around, a walking tour of Georgetown's
finest restaurants combined with a food and wine pairing in each restaurant. Taste French
(Senses), American (Tahoga), Thai (Bangkok Bistro), Italian (San Marzano) and Cal-Italian
(Paolo's) fare matched with a multitude of wines! Five restaurants, ten wines and ten
sampling dishes, paired to match. 2) July 18th, Tuesday, Embassy of Poland Cultural
Reception, Embassy of Poland, 2640 16th St., NW, (between Euclid and Fuller St.,
just south of Columbia Road), 7-9 PM reception and tasting, $50 in advance, valet parking
available. Join us at the truly lovely Embassy of Poland, one of the original mansions on
16th St. We'll taste a wide variety of Polish delicacies from the Old Country with some
really assertive Polish vodkas straight up or mixed in drinks to your liking (wine and
beer will be served as well)! Wander the Embassy, taste Eastern European fare, and listen
to live classical piano music. Embassy officials will be on hand to answer any questions
you may have about changes going on in Poland today, so definitely bring your business
card! 3) August 8th, Tuesday, Christopher Marks Restaurant Food and Wine
Event. More info soon! 4) August 13th, Sunday, Seafood and Wine Festival at
Washington Harbour. More info soon! 5) September 28th, Thursday, Embassy of
Russia Vodka and Caviar Tasting! This event will include a Martini Bar, a Caviar
Tasting (yes, Beluga and many other fine caviares will be sampled), and authentic Russian
fare with a folk dancing demonstration. This is an exclusive TasteDC.com event, more info
soon! Reservations https://labyrinth.dgsys.com/clients/tastedc.com/order.cgi,
phone 333-5588.
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CLASSIFIEDS FREE AND
FOR SALE
Summer may be hot, but winter's just around the corner. Come grab some
free firewood we can no longer use. Wood is cut, dry and ready for cold winter nights.
Just haul it away and it's yours! E-mail wfkistner@aol.com,
237-7277.
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Kids bike for sale. Barely used two-wheeler red and black bike for a child
around 6 to 8 years old. Our son outgrew his bike and we are offering his old one for
sale. $50.00. Please call 338-1547.
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CLASSIFIEDS RECOMMENDATIONS
Vet Recommendation
Valerie Kenyon Gaffney, VKG0531@aol.com
With a relatively young kitten, and no experience with vets in the Foggy
Bottom area, I made a similar posting about eight weeks ago. After wading through a huge
number of responses, and based upon the large number of recommendations they received, I
decided to give Dupont Vet Clinic at 2022 P St. NW a try. (Telephone number is 466-2211) I
cannot say enough good things about Dr. Giles and the care they have given to Missy.
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I am seeking a high-quality contractor to replace a wooden fence located
behind a Kalorama Triangle townhouse. I have heard good things about Long Fence. Does
anyone have any comments on Long or recommendations of any other firm?
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CLASSIFIEDS CITY PAPER PREVIEW
Dave Nuttycombe, webmeister@washcp.com
From washingtoncitypaper.com's LOOSE LIPS column, appearing this Friday:
MONEY WOMAN: Incumbent councilmembers like nothing less than having to sweat tough
re-election campaigns in D.C.'s trying summer months. Who, after all, wants to slug it out
with pesky challengers at overcrowded, overheated candidate forums?
One of the most effective ways of keeping challengers out of your campaign is to scare
them off with cash. In this September's Democratic primary, at-large incumbent Harold
Brazil has no competition in part because of the bottom line on his June 10 campaign
finance disclosure: $142,000. Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, another incumbent, has
raised $204,000 good enough to scare off all but two dark-horse opponents who
entered the race late.
Ward 8 Councilmember Sandy Allen, however, apparently doesn't care much for green-machine
politics. Her June 10 disclosure form turns up $4,218. No, LL didn't misplace the comma or
miss a digit.
Read the entire Loose Lips column here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/lips/lips.html
From washingtoncitypaper.com's CITY LIGHTS page, here are a few early
warnings for upcoming events:
SATURDAY: Bat watching in Huntley Meadows Park, at 8 p.m. at the Huntley Meadows Park
Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Free.
MONDAY: Building Memorials Beyond the Mall: The Memorials and Museums Master Plan, at 6:30
p.m. Monday, July 10, at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. $12.
More details and more critics' picks are available online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/pix/pix.html.
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